ABSTRACT
@#Background and objective: A successful family physician program needs ongoing and full cooperation between people and the organizations in charge. Ensuring the satisfaction of family physicians through improvement of the underlying factors could motivate them to provide high-quality services. This study aimed to determine the family physicians’ satisfaction level with the factors affecting the dynamism of the urban family physicians program in the Fars and Mazandaran provinces of Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in urban areas in the Fars and Mazandaran provinces in 2016. The sample consisted of 143 and 96 family physicians, respectively, in Fars and Mazandaran provinces and was selected using the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and included both sociodemographic variables and factors assessing the family physicians’ satisfaction levels. Each factor was scored based on a Likert scale from 0 to 5 points, and any satisfaction level higher than 3 out of 5 was equated with being satisfied. Results: The overall satisfaction levels among family physicians in Fars and Mazandaran provinces were 2.77±0.53 and 3.37±0.56, respectively, revealing a statistically significant difference between provinces (p<0.001). Moreover, the mean satisfaction scores for the performances of healthcare centers, insurance companies, specialists, healthcare workers, and the population covered were 2.78±0.1, 2.54±0.9, 2.52±0.8, 4.24±0.07, and 2.96±0.8, respectively. The family physicians’ levels of satisfaction were significantly correlated with population size (p=0.02, r= -0.106), and willingness to stay in an urban family physician program (p<0.001, r= +0.398). Conclusion: This study revealed that family physicians exhibited a low level of satisfaction with the urban family physician program. Given the direct association between family physicians’ satisfaction levels and retention in the program, it is expected that family physicians will no longer stay in the program, and it is likely to have subsequent executive problems.
ABSTRACT
Obesity and overweight have become increasingly a major public health problem across the world. This study aimed at exploring the effects of motivational interviewing on weight efficacy lifestyle among women with obesity and overweight. A single-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 100 overweight and obese women who attended a nutrition clinic. The samples were selected based on the clinical records and assigned into two groups, namely motivational interviewing arm [50 samples] and nutrition education arm [50 samples]. Data were collected using a standard validated questionnaire entitled "weight efficacy lifestyle". The intervention was designed according to five motivation sessions and four nutrition education programs, such that the participants of the nutrition education arm were also provided with the nutrition pamphlets related to weight control. Data were finally analyzed using the SPSS statistical software by performing the independent t-test, chi-square, LSD and repeated measures ANOVA tests. P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean age of women was 39.9 +/- 9.1 and 36.3 +/- 8.9 years in the control and motivational interviewing arms, respectively. Compared with the control group, the score of the motivational interviewing group was statistically significant in terms of weight efficacy lifestyle P=0.0001] and all subscales including social pressure [P=0.0001], physical discomfort [P=0.005], food accessibility [P=0.0001], positive and entertainment activities [P=0.0001], as well as negative emotions [P=0.003]. Motivational interviewing appeared to be effective in increasing weight efficacy lifestyle among women with overweight and obesity
ABSTRACT
Prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition [PEM] is one of the important problems of third-world countries including Iran. This study assessed nutritional status and some related factors among children aged 0-5 years in Bandar Turkmen district. In this cross-sectional study, 616 children aged less than 5 years were selected with stratified random sampling. Malnutrition was defined as <-2 SD National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] reference [weight for age, weight for height and height for age respectively]. Obesity was defined as > +2 SD NCHS reference. Data were collected by interview with mothers and were analyzed with SPSS-11.5 software. In this study, prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting and obesity were 3.7, 3.9, 7 and 6% respectively. Exclusively breastfeeding, mother's BMI, mother's weight and parental educational and economic status had significant correlation with children's PEM [p<0.05]. Birth weight <2500 g and >4000 g [p=0.031], breast feeding duration <18 months [p=0.017], mother's present age >/=37 years [p=0.039], mother's delivery age >30 years [p=0.043] and formula or cow's milk plus breast feeding up to 6 months old [p=0.018] had significant correlation with children's obesity. In multivariate analysis on logistic regression, mother's nutritional knowledge [OR=11.22, p=0.001] was most important risk factor for PEM. Exclusively breast feeding up to 6 months of age rather than formula or cow's milk plus breast feeding, reduced 2.45 times obesity risk [p=0.019]. We conclude that breast feeding at first 6 months of age, longer breast feeding duration and pregnancy in lower than 30 years of age reduce risk of child nutritional status
ABSTRACT
This research looked at the current situation of the early warning system for flash floods in Golestan. Using the questionnaire developed by the Secretariat of the United Nations' International Strategy for Disaster Reduction [ISDR] for assessment of early warning systems, we examined the following components in the province's early warning system: hazard knowledge, monitoring and warning, dissemination/communication and response capacity. The first stage of the study examined current literature on the experience gained so far in Iran and worldwide. Next, we reviewed the existing evidence and documentation from the province's Natural Disaster Center. The third phase of the research began as a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews with eight specialists and four people residing in disaster-stricken areas. This was followed by the formation of an 8-member Expert Panel that debated the key issues until agreement was reached by at least four thirds of the members. The study revealed serious flaws in the current warning system, including its inability to make reliable geographical point predictions and possible delays in the transfer of warning from the meteorological services [where most of the predictions are made] to end-users and other organizations. The public receive little warning on rising water levels, and the rare warning messages that do get through are often vague and incomprehensible. There are no clear-cut warning response strategies, including local evacuation programs; hazard maps are non-existent, and response thresholds remain ill-defined. It is clear that many components of the early flash flood warning system in Golestan are in need of functional improvement. A model- to be tested in future studies- is proposed here for the creation of a Village Disaster Taskforce, based on local capabilities and the concept of initiating the warning process at the local level
Subject(s)
Disasters , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in several countries. The main aim of this study was to find and describe province-specific estimates of incidence in males and females by age groups for thyroid cancer. The data used in this study were collected from a cancer registry that was established by Health Deputy of Golestan province for a period of one year [2004], in different age groups. Thyroid cancer data was identified and collected through the eighteen Pathology Laboratory centers [where males and female populations is referred] in Golestan province. A total of 348 females and 409 males cases with cancer representing all sites were identified during the study period. It included seventeen females and five male thyroid cancer patients. In female's thyroid cancer, there were twelve papillary carcinoma [70.6%], two medullary carcinoma, one carcinoma anaplastic and one carcinoma [5.9%]. In male's, there were two papillary carcinoma [40%] and one follicular carcinoma. The incidence of thyroid cancer in 70-79 age groups for females and males was the highest and lowest in age group 10-19 years' in females and 30-39 years in males. The incidence of thyroid cancer is higher in females when compared with males as per this one year study. However since this is just one year data, it needs to be studied further to confirm these findings
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Incidence , Carcinoma, Papillary , Carcinoma, MedullaryABSTRACT
Gorgan Gulf, with unique environmental value, has been located at the eastern south region of the Caspian Sea. It has not only valuable fish species such as strugen, Caspian roach, carp and vobla fish which supply a great part of daily protein need of our country and the world, but also its beaches are used for swimming. Therefore Lack of observation for environmental regulations result in entrance of microbial pollutants into Gorgan Gulf and creates dangers both for human health and for marine environment. So the evaluation microbial pollution for these beaches and comparing them with standards is an essential need. This study was done to evaluate microbial pollution for Caspian Sea at Gorgan Gulf. 40 sea water samples were collected during spring and autumn of 2004 at Gorgan Gulf for evaluation of sea water in Gorgan Gulf microbial pollution and also the mean total number of bacteria, coliforms, fecal coli forms and fecal streptococci was determined by standard method. The results indicated that the mean total number of bacteria, coli forms, fecal coli forms and fecal streptococcus were 5001/1cc, 1555/100cc, 817/100cc and 59/100cc respectively. Mean results compared with related standard [both for swimming beach and piscicultres] and we found that Gorgan Gulf beaches have been polluted for swimming applications, but it is not the case for piscicultures