ABSTRACT
Introduction: More than seventeen millions people die due to cardiovascular diseases which account for one third of death worldwide. Half of 60% of all mortality caused by acquired diseases throughout the world is due to heart disorders and this ratio will augment to 73% by 2020. It is known that individual lifestyle has a great influence on the well-being of cardiovascular system. Seven of the top ten etiologies leading to death are related to the pattern of lifestyle. This study explored various lifestyle-related factors affecting ischemic conditions
Method: This study was performed as a case control investigation on 65 subjects along with 65 controls who were all admitted at Sevome Shaaban hospital in Damavand town of Iran. All data] demographic and life-style variables] were gathered, using three different types of questionnaire obtained from each person. p< 0.05 was considered as significant
Results: Age, marriage status, smoking, physical activities, diet and mental health condition were shown to have a significant effect on ischemia [P <0.001]. Insufficient physical activities, fatty and low fiber food as well as impaired psychology conditions were among the risk factors that contributed to Ischemic heart disease
Conclusion: Insufficient physical activities, fatty and low fiber food as well as impaired psychology conditions were among the risk factors that contribute to ischemic heart disease
ABSTRACT
Men, much like women, are faced with age-related menopause-like symptoms as they age. In recent years, increasing attention has been drawn to clinical research into elderly men and their health-related quality of life. The Aging Male Scales [AMS] questionnaire is an international tool for assessing the health-related quality of life in elderly men. Hence far this questionnaire has not been subjected to psychometric assessment in Iran. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the AMS questionnaire specific to the health of elderly men in Iran. To validate this instrument, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 521 healthy Iranian men aged 40-65 years old, who attended the blood transfusion center clinic between February 2011 and June 2012. The English version of the AMS questionnaire was translated to Persian and then back-translated. To determine the reliability of the AMS questionnaire, internal consistency was evaluated and test-retest was done. The questionnaire was validated using convergent and structural validity methods. To assess the factor structure of the questionnaire, a correlation matrix of questions and domains was used. Cronbach's alpha was higher than 0.7 [0.73-0.88] in all domains. A Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.87 between pretest and posttest indicated a high correlation and an acceptable reliability. The convergent validity of the questionnaire was found acceptable by calculating the correlation between the domains and items-total correlation ranging 0.40-0.85, except for question 14 that had a 0.28 correlation with the whole test. The criterion-related validity of the questionnaire in the psychological domain was confirmed with the [two-item Patient Health Questionnaire] [r= 0.63, P < 0.001]. According to the results, the Persian version of the AMS questionnaire has high validity and reliability and may be used to assess the health-related quality of life of men between 40 and 65 years old
ABSTRACT
Healthy lifestyle habits during adolescence can prevent many of the diseases and disabilities in adulthood and later. The aim of the study was to examine the role of education in improving lifestyles among Iranian adolescents. This group randomized controlled trial was conducted during October 2010 until January 2011 in Tehran. Participants for this study were selected through a random sampling method and divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a six session course on healthy lifestyles and the control group received no intervention. The Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire [ALQ] was used for collecting data. Data were collected before the intervention, at a two week after participation time point, and a three month follow-up was conducted. Overall, 365 [male: 173, female: 192] adolescents participated in the study. There were significant differences between boys and girls in terms of physical activity and social support [P<0.001]. The boys had higher levels of physical activity than girls. Girls received more social support than boys. There were significant differences in the lifestyle scores between the intervention and control groups at follow-up [P<0.001]. The educational intervention indicated an improved total lifestyle score [from 123.7[SD.16.1] at baseline to 131.8 [SD.16.7] at two weeks and to 130.5[16.5] at 3 months after education] among the intervention group. Adolescents' behaviors may be different in some dimensions among boys and girls. Unhealthy lifestyle habits are prevalent among adolescents. Therefore sex-specified lifestyle education can bring promising results. Further research in the field can reveal the importance of lifestyle intervention programs
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to identify the appropriateness of cesarean sections, performed in Tehran hospitals using standardized Rand Appropriateness Method [RAM] criteria. In this study we used the RAM criteria. In order to prepare the list of cesarean scenarios, clinical guidelines were selected, and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation was used to choose the most appropriate. Two panels were held with the participation of related specialists. The scenarios derived through this method were compared with data existing in the medical records of 250 women who underwent cesarean sections in selected hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The appropriateness rate of the cesarean sections was calculated. Out of 250 cases of cesarean sections performed, 91 [36.4%] were inappropriate, 41 [16.4%] were equivocal and 118 [47.2%] were considered to be appropriate. Appropriateness differed between public and private hospitals, which were statistically significant. This study shows that as with many other health services, cesarean section has many scenarios that there are different opinions about them and no decision about presenting these scenarios as yet. Moreover the result of study showed the rate of inappropriate cesarean sections in this study is one of the highest reported rates from different communities
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
The world population is aging rapidly with increasing longevity, it's social, financial and health consequences can not be ignored. In addition to an increase of many age related physical illnesses, this demographic change will also lead to an increase of a number of mental health problems in older adults. This paper assessing mental health and relationship with demographic factors in later life. In this cross sectional study 400 individual aged 60 or more living in Shahrekord were selected by random sampling. Mental health was evaluated by General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] which was standardized for Iranian elderly population. The data were analyzed by SPSS- software program and descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The GHQ-28 scale revealed that 53% of elderly were with somatization, 55. 5% with anxiety, 37.8% with social dysfunction and 45% with depression signs. A significant association was found between gender, level of education, marital status, life status, social participation and total dysfunction [P<0.05]. According to the result of this study the prevalence of mental problems in the aged group is high. Therefore, any health promotion approach that could facilitate introduction of effective primary, secondary and even tertiary prevention strategies in old age psychiatry would be of significant importance