Coronary artery disease risk factors in an urban and peri-urban setting, Kerman, Southeastern Iran [KERCADR study]: methodology and preliminary report

This article was to present the sampling and measurements methods and the main preliminary findings of the KERCADR cohort study [first round] in an urban and peri-urban setting, Kerman, southeastern Iran2009-11. 5900 [3238 female] people aged between 15 to 75 years were recruited in the household survey by non-proportional to size one-stage cluster sampling. Trained internal specialists, general practitioners, clinical psychologists and dentists have assessed the study subjects by person-assisted questionnaires regarding different NCD risk factors including cigarette and opium smoking, physical activity, nutrition habits, anxiety, depression, obesity, hypertension and oral health. Blood samples were also collected for determining FBS, HbA1c, cholesterol and triglyceride. Weighted standardized prevalence estimates were calculated by STATA 10 survey analysis package. The participation rate was more than 95% in all subgroups. Cigarette smoking [18.4% vs. 1.2%], opium use [17.8% vs. 3.0%] and triglyceridemia [16.1% vs. 12.0%] were significantly higher among men than women. In contrast, women were presented with higher level of sever anxiety [29.1% vs. 16.7%], obesity [16.8% vs. 9.2%], low-physical activity [45.1% vs. 39.2%] and uncontrolled diabetes [60.2% vs. 31.0%]. More than 68% of all subjects have presented with moderate to severe gingival index scores. The first round of the KERCADR cohort with sufficient sample size and response rate provided precise estimates for the main clinical and para-clinical NCD risk factors. These evidences need to be translated into public health interventions and monitored in the next rounds of the cohort

[Regular physical activity from perspective of females with diabetes: a qualitative study]

An active lifestyle is a critical determinant of overall health, but females engage in less vigorous exercise and leisure-time physical activity than males, and their level of activity decreases further as they age. These low levels of activity lead to loss of muscular strength and flexibility, as well as overweight and obesity, and result in disability and premature mortality from coronary heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [USDHHS, 2000]. So, we want to study the exercise beliefs of females with diabetes for intervention on their physical activities. In this study we conducted personal in-depth interview with 50 females in preparation stage to assess Regular physical activity from diabetic females' perspectives. We use qualitative approach to gain insight regarding behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs that may influence diabetic females' physical activity. Duration of each interview lasting 45 minutes and all interviews had written, and analyzed with content analysis method consecutively. We found that: [a] the most salient behavioral beliefs that participants of this study said: exercise improves physical/ psychological/ social and spiritual health. physical health includes blood sugar decrease, Weight control, decrease in blood pressure, and lipid profile psychological health includes prevention of depression, stress, anxiety, improves mood social health include increasing relationship and collaboration with others, and promotion of relationship with God in spiritual health [b] relating to normative beliefs, at first family members, and secondly physician have the strongest normative influence on exercise, [c] and regarding control beliefs, psychosocial problems, Lack of access to exercise facilities for females, too expensive exercise facilities and lacking money, Other commitments [caregiver for others, work], family responsibilities, Weather [bad or poor weather], and lacking time obstruct exercise. Regularly Diabetic females have varied beliefs about exercise include positive to negative. Researcher intended to promote exercise behavior, should targeting these beliefs, weak negative beliefs, emphasis to positive beliefs and use these results in their interventions

Lifestyle education and diabetes mellitus type 2: a non-randomized control trial

Diabetes mellitus [type 2] is an important health problem throughout the world. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a designed educational program on the lifestyle of the patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ninety eligible diabetic patients aged 30-60 years old were recruited and then willingly assigned to two groups of clinic group [n= 45] who received only routine medication/ education underwent their leading physician in diabetes society and intervention group [n= 45] who received routine medication/education plus 2 two- hour educational sessions regarding healthy lifestyle to control and prevent diabetes. A five- part questionnaire was used for data collection at baseline and 1- month follow up. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. The educational program caused a significant increase in the knowledge [P< 0.001], attitude [P< 0.01] and practice [P< 0.01] of intervention group towards healthy behaviors regarding nutrition, physical activity and self care. It was concluded that our designed educational program could improve the lifestyle of the patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus

[Knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] study regarding prevention of breast cancer in working women of Chaloos city]

Today, breast cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidty and also the leading health concern of the world. This research was a descriptive study entitled; Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding prevention of breast cancer in working women of Chaloos city. The sample size of study included 612 women working in governmental centers. The instrument for data collection was a researcher -made questionnaire. For data analysis, central and coefficient index chi square, t-test ,one way analysis of variation, Kruscal Wallis, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Fisher test were used. The findings showed that the most of samples were in the 30-39 years age group,[39.7%] with an educational job[83/5%] and without history of breast cancer history in the family.[94/9%] Results also revealed that there was a weak positive relationship between knowledge and attitude [r=0.33] .The findings showed there was a significant statistical relation between knowledge and practice [p<0.05]. Also, there was a significant statistical relation between knowledge level and breast self examination [BSE], time interval and also the time of performing BSE [p<0.0001] Similarly, the highest levels of knowledge were present in women with medical education and those with a bachelors or higher degree. The results showed that attitude scores were significantly different in various age, job and educational groups, [p<0.001, p<0.05,p<0.05] respectively. The results showed that most of the population under study had a positive attitude but didn't have good knowledge or practice