Reliability and validity of persian version of job content questionnaire in health care workers in Iran

The effect of poor psychosocial work conditions on health status has widely been discussed in occupational literature. Job Content Questionnaire [JCQ] is a widely accepted instrument for evaluation of psychosocial work conditions. To determine the reliability and validity of Persian version of JCQ. The questionnaire was translated into Persian and back translated. 490 Iranian health care workers completed the questionnaire. After 4 weeks, 196 participants completed the questionnaire once again. Factor analyses revealed an acceptable level of structure validity for the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was more than 0.75 for all scales except for psychological demand [alpha =0.60] and job insecurity [alpha =0.27]. Reassessment of participants after 4 weeks revealed an acceptable level of reliability for all scales except depression. The Persian version of JCQ is reliable and valid for assessing work conditions among Iranian health care workers, although revision is needed for job insecurity and depression scales

Reliability and validity of Persian version of world health organization health and work performance questionnaire in Iranian health care workers

The effect of health status on productivity has widely been studied and discussed in literature. Valid and reliable tools are needed to evaluate the levels of health and productivity and provide detailed information, before any intervention is implemented. World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire [HPQ] is a widely used instrument in estimating the workplace costs of health problems in terms of reduced job performance, sickness absence, and work-related accidents and injuries. To assess the reliability and validity of Persian version of HPQ in Iranian health care workers. The questionnaire was translated to Persian and back translated. 102 health care workers completed the questionnaire. Absence and sick-leave data was extracted from administrative records. Factor analysis revealed acceptable validity for the questionnaire in part A [health]. Cronbach's alpha was >0.73 for all scales of Parts B [work] and C [demographic]. Questions targeting days of absence and sick-leave had acceptable correlation with administrative records [Pearson's r>0.75], while questions on total hours worked showed lower correlation. Persian version of HPQ can be considered a reliable and valid tool in Iranian health workers

[Estimation of the costs of MRI 3 Tesla and MRI 1.5 Tesla in Iran, for the purpose of comparison]

The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the costs of MRI3Tesla and MRI1/5 Tesla in Iran in order to offer recommendations to the health system policymakers and hospital administrators in regard to the use of MRI 3 Tesla and its costs in Iran. This was an economic evaluation study which was performed by reviewing articles and economic modeling. Data were obtained from internet and the main suppliers of this technology and their representatives in Iran and also hospitals using these technologies. We divided the costs into three categories: capital costs including buildings and machinery depreciation, staff costs and other costs [costs of consumable materials, running costs and maintenance]. For 1500 tests per year, the unit cost was estimated at 4,500,000 Rials per test for MRI 3 Tesla and 3,500,000 Rials for 1.5 Tesla. If the number of tests per year was 3000, the unit cost would be 2,400,000 Rials for 3 Tesla and1,900,000 Rials for 1.5 Tesla. For 6000 tests per year, the unit cost would be was 1,350,000 Rials for 3 Tesla and 1,050,000 Rials for 1.5 Tesla. For 12,000 tests per year, the unit cost would be 710,000 Rials for 3 Tesla and 560,000 Rials for 1.5 Tesla. For 24000 tests per year, the unit cost would be 373000 Rials and 300,000 Rials for 3 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla respectively. For 1500 to 24000 tests per year the cost of each test with MRI 3 Tesla system in Iran, will vary between 373000 to 4527000 Rials. It is recommended that this technology be used in the centers with sufficient number of patients otherwise it may give rise to extra costs

[Incidence, severity and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants with late retinal examination]

To determine the incidence, severity and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] in premature infants with late retinal examination at Farabi Hospital from 2001 to 2006. In a cross-sectional study, hospital records of premature infants who were examined later than 9 weeks after birth were reviewed for possible risk factors of ROP including gender, singleton or multiple gestations, gestational age [GA], birth weight [BW], oxygen therapy, blood transfusion, phototherapy, and respiratory distress syndrome [RDS], as well as the age at initial examination. From 693 infants referred for ROP screening, 191 [27.6%] had late retinal examination at mean age of 144.8 +/- 158.4 [range 64-1460] days. Of these 191 infants, 75 [39.3%] had different stages of ROP, 58 [30.4%] had stage 4 or 5 disease and 27 [14.1%] had stage 5 ROP in both eyes which were untreatable. GA and BW were associated with development of ROP [P<0.001]. The high prevalence of premature infants with late retinal examination and high incidence of severe ROP necessitates prompt intervention to optimize referral and early screening of premature infants