Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain Among Rural Hand-woven Carpet Weavers in Iran

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common and disabling problem among carpet weavers and is linked to physical and psychosocial factors of work. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSP, its psychosocial risk factors, and association of pain in each pair of anatomical sites among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 546 hand-woven carpet weavers in rural small-scale workshops of Iran. Data were collected by using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire focused on MSP in 10 body sites, including the low-back, neck, both right and left shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed applying logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of MSP in at least one body site was 51.7% over the past month. The most common sites were low back and right shoulder pain 27.4% and 20.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the mean number of painful anatomical sites and the level of education, age, physical loading at work, time pressure, lack of support, and job dissatisfaction. In pairwise comparisons, strongest association was found between pain in each bilateral anatomical site (odds ratio = 11.6-35.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In home-based workshops of carpet weaving, psychosocial factors and physical loading were associated with MSP. This finding is consistent with studies conducted among other jobs. Considering the preventive programs, the same amount of attention should be paid to psychosocial risk factors and physical loading. Also, further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the relationship of psychological factors.

Predictive factors of delay in contact with a psychiatrist in depressive disorders: a sample of Iranian patients

The different duration of delay to first contact with a psychiatrist in depressive disordered patients has been observed in western and non western cultures. This study aimed to examine the duration and predictive factors of delay in contact with a psychiatrist in depressive patients in Isfahan city of Iran. In This cross sectional study 156 depressive patients were recruited from various outpatient clinics in Isfahan city between January 2013 and February 2013. We used the Anderson Socio-Behavioral Model [ASBM] for examine the role of various factors influencing delay in help seeking. In this models there were three categories variables [predisposing, enabling and need factors]. Quintile regression model was used to study the predictors. The median duration between symptom onset and first contact with a psychiatrist was 1 year. In the first step [predisposing model], age at onset of depressive symptoms and never married were negative predictors for delay, but widowed or divorced statues was positive predictors for delay. In the enabling model past contact with health provider was positively associated with duration of delay. In the need model, neither variable had a significant effect on duration of delay. In the full model, younger age at onset, widowed or divorced statues and past contact with health provider increased duration of delay. More delay of help seeking by children and adolescence and probability of maladaptive coping style such as substance use and complicating of situation need to earlier diagnosis of depression in young group and earlier treatment for decrease DALLY for MDD, Therefore we suggest the mental health awareness programs for adolescent in school, and more ever for the influenced roles of parent and other family members and teachers on teen and young person's life, the education for families and teachers on adolescent mental health problems can be effective. First help seeking contact with non-psychiatric medical professionals enhance the delay of contact with a psychiatrist. Appropriate training of non-psychiatric medical professionals and developing a referral system would lead to better provision of mental health care

Psychometric characteristics of the persian [Farsi] version of attachment style questionnaire

Attachment relationship provides a secure base for the infants from which to explore the environment and a safe haven to return to in times of danger. Attachment style shapes the behavior of individuals in adulthood. There are many different measures of attachment and a lot of controversy about what they measure and how they relate to each other. Hence, we tried to evaluate the psychometric properties of one of such questionnaires on a sample of the Iranian population. [Attachment style questionnaire] designed by Van Oudenhoven measures four dimensions: secure, preoccupied, fearful and dismissing. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated in a cross sectional study on 730 adults in Isfahan, Iran. Statistical analysis of data was performed by the explanatory factor analysis with the principal component method, Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficients, and the multiple analysis of variance [MANCOVA]. The Cronbach's alpha for all items was 0.704. As a whole, the internal consistency was good. There was a high inter-scale correlation between preoccupied and fearful, also the secure style correlated negatively with fearful and preoccupied. The stability coefficient of the attachment scales were 0.625, 0.685, 0.777 and 0.605 for secure, fearful, preoccupied and dismissing styles respectively [P<0.001]. Regarding construct validity, factor analysis showed that some items require iterations to fit the Iranian population. This study showed that the Persian version of ASQ has a reasonable reliability and validity in general and the questionnaire is appropriate for use among the Iranian population in future studies

Do Psychological Factors Increase the Risk for Low Back Pain Among Nurses? A Comparing According to Cross-sectional and Prospective Analysis

BACKGROUND: This study assesses influences of baseline psychological risk factors on prevalence of low back pain (LBP) at baseline and follow-up among nurses. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was performed at two phases, baseline and 1-year follow-up among 246 nurses of university hospitals in Shahroud, Iran. A standardized Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability questionnaire was used for data collection. Logistic regression was performed for analysis. RESULTS: At the baseline of the study, 58.9% of nurses reported back pain in the previous 12 months. Age (p = 0.001), belief that work causes pain (p = 0.022), and somatization tendency (p = 0.002) significantly increased risk of LBP. At 1-year follow-up, prevalence of LBP was 45.7% and expectation of back pain at baseline (p = 0.016) significantly increased risk of LBP in this phase (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results indicate that risk factors for prevalence of back pain at baseline and 1-year follow-up are different. At baseline, the risk factors are age, belief that work causes pain, and somatization tendency, and at follow-up, expectation of pain is the major risk factor.