The Correlation of Self-efficacy and Social Support with Social Participation: A Cross Sectional Study among the Elderly.

There is ample evidence that a key contributor to healthy aging is social participation; thus, identifying its determinants can help to improve it. The current study aimed at assessing the relationship between social support and general self-efficacy with social participation. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 456 (male: 237, female: 219) older adults, aged 60-74 years, who were the member of community centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The multi-stage cluster sampling method was employed to select the participants. Primarily, Tehran was divided into five areas (i e, North, South, East, West, and Center). Then, two community centers were randomly selected from each area. Participants with the ability to perform their daily activities independently were enrolled in the study. Participants responded to four self-report questionnaires: socio-demographic, social participation, social support, and general self-efficacy. The majority of the participants were within the age range of 62-68 years with the maximum proportion of social participation (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 37.69 ± 8.34). Findings of the current study indicated that gender, education level, reading books, newspapers, or magazines (p <0.001), living area, living arrangement, and occupational status (p<0.05) were associated with social participation. Multiple linear regression adjusted for living area, sex, and educational level showed that self-efficacy (ß= .08; p<.001) and social support (ß= .64; p<.001) predicted social participation. Findings showed the importance of social support and self-efficacy in social participation. Also enhancing the literacy of seniors should be given priority.

Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of heavy metals in drinking water of Khorramabad, Iran.

The continuous urbanization and industrialization in many parts of the world and Iran has led to high levels of heavy metal contamination in the soil and then on the surface and groundwater. In this study, the concentrations of 8 heavy metals were determined in forty water samples along distribution drinking water of Khorramabad, Iran. The ranges of heavy metals in this study were lower than EPA and WHO drinking water recommendations and guidelines and so were acceptable. The mean values of CDItotal of heavy metals concentrations in adults were found in the order of Zn > Ba > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd > Mo. The health-risk estimation indicated that total hazard quotient (HQing + HQderm) and hazard index values were below the acceptable limit, representing no non-carcinogenic risk to the residents via oral intake and dermal adsorption of water. Moreover, the results of total risk via ingestion and dermal contact showed that the ingestion was the predominant pathway. This study also presents that the carcinogenic risk for Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni were observed higher than the acceptable limit (1 × 10-6). The present study will be quite helpful for both inhabitants in taking protective measures and government officials in reducing heavy metals contamination of urban drinking water. •The data analyzed in this study show a clear situation regarding the quality of drinking water in Khorramabad.•The results of this study can be used to improve and develop the quality of drinking water that directly affects the health of consumers.•The present study will be quite helpful for both inhabitants in taking protective measures and government officials in reducing heavy metals contamination of urban drinking water.