study of waiting time to first pregnancy in the south of Iran: a parametric frailty model approach

Background: Time to first pregnancy [TTFP] has never been studied in an Iranian setting. Lifestyle, occupational and environmental factors have been suggested to affect the female reproduction

Objective: This study was conducted to measure TTFP in the south of Iran and survey the effects of several similar factors on TTFP by frailty models

Materials and Methods: The data on TTFP were available for 882 women who were randomly selected from the rural population [the south of Iran]. Only the first and the planned pregnancies of every woman were included. The data were collected retrospectively by using self-administered questionnaires. Frailty and shared frailty models were used to determine which factors had the highest impact on TTFP

Results: The median TTFP was 6.4 months and several factors were surveyed. However, only the age of marriage, height, maternal education and regularity of menstruation prior to conception were selected in the multivariable models

Conclusion: Among the several factors which were included in the study, the result of frailty model showed that the height, age of marriage and regular menstruation seemed more notable predictors of TTFP

Prevalence and risk factors of low birth weight in Fars province, South of Iran, 2014

Background: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and its risk factors in Fars province, south of Iran, 2014

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected data of 3,600 neonates through multi-stage random sampling. At first, we divided the hospitals into two strata, private and public. Then by stratified random sampling, we selected the neonates from delivery list in each hospital. In univariate analysis, the variables in which the p-value was less than 0.2 were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis model for adjusting. Two-sided P<0.05 were statistically considered significant

Result: The prevalence of low birth weight in Fars province was 8.7% [95% CI: 7.8%-9.7%]. In term birth, factors such as mother's age>35 years, multiple birth and duration <24 months with previous pregnancy were risk factors of low birth weight [P<0.05] and just the father's literacy was a protective factor for low birth weight

Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight in Fars province was low in comparison to that of the world and other districts of Iran. But we should plan for reduction of low birth weight to achieve world health organization's goal. Variables of pregnancy interval of less than 2 years, multiple births, mother's age over 35 years and father's level of education could predict low birth weight of the neonates

prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms and its correlation with the quality of life among Qashqai Turkish migrating nomads in Fars Province, Southern Iran

To determine the prevalence of dyspepsia and its correlation with quality of life in Fars Qashqai Turkish migrating nomads from Southern Iran. During 2010 we enrolled 397 Qashqai migrating nomads from Southern Iran who were 25 years of age or older. Participants completed a questionnaire that consisted of demographic factors, lifestyle data, gastrointestinal symptoms, and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey [SF-36] questionnaire. There was a 48% prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms among participants. The prevalence was higher among females, those less than 35 years of age, married participants, and those with a low body mass index [BMI]. The correlation between dyspepsia and quality of life was significant. Dyspeptic patients were classified into ulcer-like [27.9%], dysmotility-like [26.2%], and unspecified [45.9%] groups. A significant correlation existed between dyspepsia symptoms and consumption of dairy products, drinking water and tea before and after meals, smoking, dysphagia, reflux, heartburn, and use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. The high prevalence of dyspepsia in Qashqai nomads necessitates educational health programs for the migrating tribes in order to decrease prevalence of this disease

General health in the elderly and younger adults of rural areas in Fars province, Iran

There are critical gaps in assessment and research on health among the elderly living in rural communities. The state of aging and health in rural areas provides a snapshot of our older adults's need to necessary public health measures .The aim of this study was to determine the self-rated general health of adults residing in rural areas and compare the general health of the elderly with younger adults. In this population based study using multistage random sampling, 2259 adults aged [>/= 15 years old] were selected from rural areas of Shiraz, southern Iran. The participants were divided into three age groups: young adults [15-39 years old n=1574], middle aged adults [40-59 years old, n=530], and the elderly [>/= 60 years of age, n=155]. Data were gathered using a translated version of the general health questionnaire [GHQ-28] and analyzed using Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests and ANCOVA analysis. SPSS software, version 16, was used for analysis. 34.8%, 31.6%, 52.3% and 7.7% of the elderly had a probable mental disorder in the somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression categories, respectively. Moreover, 9.7, 7.1, 3.9 and 4.5% of the elderly had a severe mental disorder in the four mentioned subscales, respectively. Compared with younger adults, the elderly showed a significantly higher disorder in all subscales except for anxiety. Our findings showed that chronic disease had a great effect on general health. Screening programs and prevention of chronic disease by the newly established family physician in rural districts can improve the overall community health

Unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in Shiraz

Background: Prevention of unwanted pregnancy is a key strategy to improve the women's health through spacing of birth and avoiding pregnancy at high-risk maternal ages. Unmet need by definition is the percentage of fecund married women who are not using contraceptives while they do not want to get pregnant. They do this due to unavailable quality services, limited choice of methods, lack of information, safety concerns or side-effects and partner disapproval. The present study aimed to assess the magnitude of unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in Shiraz

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 2000 married women of childbearing age [10-49 years] were selected randomly in a survey in Shiraz. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire and the results were reported using descriptive statistical methods

Results: In the present study, 85.6% of the women used a contraceptive method. 58.7% of them used modern methods of contraception. Reported reasons for not using contraceptives included recent delivery [25%], intention to have more children [20.6%], lack of awareness about contraceptive methods or where such services were offered [6.3%] and irregular sexual intercourse with husband [4.5%]. Interrupted intercourse ranked the highest among the methods used. Finally, the unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in this study was reported to be 4.3 percent

Conclusion: Women in Shiraz had a relatively lower level of unmet need. Counseling is recommended for higher risk women with unmet need in order to keep the descending trend of unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in Shiraz

Prognostic factors of first birth interval using the parametric survival models

In recent years, the study of birth intervals has been a main determinant of the levels of fertility in the populations, as it is associated with rates of fertility and population growth. The purpose of this study was to firstly apply survival analysis for modeling of first birth interval and secondly to explore its determinants. In a cross sectional study, the fertility history of 858 women was collected in rural areas of Shiraz [southern Iran] in 2008. We used the survival analysis such as cox regression and alternative parametric models to evaluate the prognostic factors of first birth interval. Among the explanatory variables of interest, age at marriage, level of women's education, and menstrual status had highly significant effects on the duration of birth interval after marriage [p<0.01]. It is concluded that the suitable parametric models would be a useful tool for fitting to first birth interval, the fact that has been less paid attention to in researches

Prevalence of depression symptoms among the elderly population of Southern Iran

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression symptoms and the effect of various demographic characteristics on its severity in an elderly population in Fars province, southern Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May and September 2009. A sample of 1461 men and women, aged more than 60 years were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Levels of depression symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Also, analysis of variance [ANOVA] and correlation analysis were performed to find the correlation between the variables and GDS score

Results: Overall, 1443 people completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of the symptoms mild to moderate depression [GDS: 5-10] was 51.1%, while that of severe depression symptoms [GDS >10] was 19.7%. There were significant relationships between sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, residential place and the GDS scores

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression symptoms was high among the elderly in Fars Province. Therefore, if properly trained, primary care teams could help these patients

Correlation of quality of life with gastroesophageal reflux disease amongst Qashqai nomads in Iran

Gastoesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in today's clinic practice. GERD symptoms are troublesome and disruptive to the physical, social and emotional well-being of many patients. This is a cross-sectional study performed on Qashqai nomads or Fars Province in southern Ian to determine the impact of GERD on quality of life. We randomly selected 748 subjects over the age of25 years. Subjects completed two questionnaires conducted by interviews. The first one consisted of questions on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The second questionnaire was the Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], a generic health-related quality of life instrument that consists of 36 items divided into eight dimensions. It has a 0-to 100 point scale where higher scores show better functioning and well-being. Of 748 Qashqai migrating nomads who participated in the study, 717 subjects [mena age: 43 +/- 14.2 years] completed the GERD questionnaire and only 372 subjects completed the SF-36 questionnaire due to their busy lifestyles, and GERD was reported in 106 subjects [28.5%]. For all dimensions of SF-36, the mean score was consistently lower in patients with GERD was reported in 106 subjects [28.5%]. For all dimensions of SF-36, the mean score was consistently lower in patients with GERD compared to non-GERD subjects [P<0.001]. The dimension most frequently impaired was role-physical [40.9 vs. 77.3] followed by role-emotional [44.7 vs. 77.5], physical functioning [66.9 vs. 84.6], and general health [46.8 vs. 63.8]. An association existed between impairment in quality of life and frequency [P<0.05], but not severity, of GERD symptoms

survey on knowledge of Shiraz District Health Volunteers over healthy life style in aging

The education promotion of elderly health is an important preference of health that should be planned for it. Several problems of elderly is supposed to be due to life style so the community education of healthy life style should be considered. The appropriate approch to achieve those objectives is to use of female health volunteers for transformation of this education to families. To determine the level of knowledge of health volunteers about healthy life style for prevention of problems in elderly period, in Shiraz. In a cross-sectional study, 320 health volunteers were selected by randomized method. The sample size was calculated with the results. A pilot study on one hundred with use of a questionaire contain of 5 demographic questions and 32 questions about life style including nutrition, prevention of disease, oral health and health advices. They filled the questionaries and the data were entered in EPI 2002 software and were analyzed by descriptive tests. The mean age all of 320 health were 33.7 years, with standard deviation of 8.6 years. The knowledge level of them in health advices were 15% weak, 66.9% medium and 18.2% well. In oral health 21.6% well, 61.3% medium and 7.2% well. In provention of disease 37% weak, 62.2% medium and 9% well, in nutrition 24.6% weak, 69.3% medium and 5.9% well. Overall the level of knowledge of health volunteers about life style were 20.9% weak, 65.5% medium and 13.8% well. In the aim achieving to their approaches program of health, volunteers was started by Ministry of Health in 1990. This program was performed by the aim of health promotion in these group with participation of themselves. Till now they have trained in the recognition of health problems and healthy approach to them. So the volunteers transfer their knowledge to community specially to under their covrage. At present the health problems are not only due to infection disease but also problems and deaths are now consider regarding to unhealthy life styles, so elder people as an important population subgroup should receive healthy life style education and so to their families. This study reveals that volunteers knowledge level about health life style, unsatisfactional [85.4% of them were about weak to moderate level]. The worst result in their knowledge is about nutritional information [only 5.9% were in well level], and the best result were over health advices regarding to matters of exercise appropriate way of sleeping, sifting and prevention of osteoprosis [18.2% were in well level]. This by attention to importance of matter of elderly age, education of health volunteers and employees and by turn the different subgroup of community should be programmed