ABSTRACT
Objective: A nutrition-sensitive agriculture program was developed and implemented in Iran, to improve the nutrition status of rural and nomadic women. We conducted a process evaluation to show the program implementation status.Methods: This is a mixed-methods cross-section-al study conducted in Tehran Province. We acquired qualitative data from documents, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. We collected quantitative information through program reports and a cross-sectional study. We performed a thematic content analysis to analyze the qualitative data using MAXQDA software and used SPSS to analyze the quantita-tive data.Results: Program implementation was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the pandemic, context evaluation also recognized other barriers including recourse and structural-cultural constrains. The previous knowledge and experience of rural women and their readiness to accept the program were some facilitators of the program implementation. Based on the cross-sectional study results, about 21% and 23.8 % of women definitely received both trainings (nutrition and vegetable gardening) and vegetables seeds respectively.Conclusions: Our results provide evidence for policymakers and planners that could be effective in program redesign or improving the implementation process.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Fast-food consumption is associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases, leading to the severity of COVID-19 status. The aim of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption status and its determinants in Iranian population during the epidemic. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 891 Iranian adults from most regions of the country (February to April 2021) using social media. Data were collected via demographic and socioeconomic information questionnaire, fast food consumption questionnaire, COVID-19 fear scale and self-reported preventive behaviors against COVID-19 questionnaire. Nine-item fast-food consumption questionnaire assessed frequency, type and expenditure of fast-food consumption. It also assessed reasons of the tendency and motivators to fast-food consumption. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Software v.22. Results: Most of the participants were married (61.9%) and employed (27%) with associate or bachelor degrees (49.5%). Fast-food consumption was reported in 59.7% of the participants. Consumption reduction of fast foods due to the epidemic was also reported as nearly 73.7%. Most repeatedly consumed fast foods were pizzas followed by sandwiches. Results showed that age, family size and income, employment status and self-reported preventive behaviors against COVID-19 were the predictors of fast-food consumption (p < 0.05). However, other variables, including sex, marital status, educational level and fear of COVID-19 had no significant association with fast-food consumption (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of fast foods has decreased during the pandemic. Fast-food consumption was inversely associated to the score of self-reported preventive behaviors against Covid-19. Persistence in decrease of fast-food consumption can include long-term positive effects on the community health. © 2022, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Food insecurity has negative impacts on health, including the function of the immune system. The association between food insecurity and COVID-19 infection rates has not been fully understood. This study aimed to examine whether food-insecure households are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,871 Iranian adults (31 provinces), from August to September 2020. Demographic and socio-economic information was collected using a questionnaire. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used for assessing household food insecurity. The data analysis was performed by SPSS.22, using Chi-square test, ANOVA test, and Multinomial Logistic Regression Model. Results: The findings indicated that healthcare personnel were at higher risk of COVID-19 (CI = 1.90, 7.05;OR = 3.66;P < 0.001). It was also shown that HFIAS scores were significantly higher among infected people compared to noninfected (CI = 1.00, 1.05;OR = 1.03;P < 0.05). Women were at lower risk of infection compared to men (CI = 0.41, 0.87;OR = 0.60;P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, in addition to long-term policies to improve food security, policymakers are recommended to implement short-term policies to reduce the vulnerability of the community to COVID-19 virus. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.