COVID-19 Vaccine Intention Among Iranian Health Workers: Application of the HBM Model.

The study aimed to determine the application of the health belief model (HBM) in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among health workers in 2021. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 3600 health workers from February to March 2021. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that included the intention to receive vaccines based on the health belief model constructs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics indicators, Chi-square, ANOVA test, and logistic regression model at a 95% confidence level. More than 62% of the participants intended to receive the vaccine. The odds of intention to receive the vaccine among people who worked in the health center and did not have a history of hospitalization due to COVID-19 disease were 1.50 and 2.10 units more than the others. Intention to receive the vaccine in individuals with high perceived sensitivity was 1.10 units. Furthermore, in terms of perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and cue-to-action constructs were 1.15, 1.34, and 1.65 units respectively. The rate of vaccine acceptance among Iranian health care workers was relatively good and the constructs of HBM in predicting the rate of intention to receive the vaccine had good applicability.

Association of MMP2 and MMP9 gene polymorphisms with nonsyndromic cleft lip/palate in an Iranian population.

Background: Cleft lip/palate (CL/P) is a prevalent congenital disorder. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in palatogenesis and have been proposed to be associated with nonsyndromic CL/P development. This study aimed to examine the association of MMP2 (rs243866) and MMP9 (rs3918242) gene polymorphism with nonsyndromic CL/P in an Iranian population. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 120 nonsyndromic CL/P patients and 140 healthy newborns in this case-control study. DNA extraction was performed by the salting-out method, and the samples underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), using Pag and SphI enzymes, for genotyping MMP2 and MMP9 gene polymorphisms. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 11.5. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: No significant association was found between MMP2 gene polymorphism and nonsyndromic CL/P. However, the MMP9 gene polymorphism had a significant association with nonsyndromic CL/P, with a higher prevalence of the T allele and TT genotype in the case group than the control group. Conclusion: This study indicated a potential link between MMP9 gene polymorphism and nonsyndromic CL/P in an Iranian population. Future investigations with greater sample diversity and larger sample sizes are required to obtain more comprehensive and robust evidence. In-depth analyses and studies involving different ethnic groups can further enhance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CL/P.

The prevalence and impact of tension-type headache in school-aged children in Iran.

Background: Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is regarded as the third most prevalent disorder worldwide, prompting children to seek medical attention. Our objective is to investigate the prevalence of TTH among students aged 6 to 18 years in various geographical regions of Iran, while also assessing the impact of headaches on their quality of life. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional survey, we have carefully distributed self-completed structured questionnaires to students in 121 meticulously selected schools throughout the country, ensuring the representation of its diverse population. Results: Among the 2,958 potential participants, we have included a total of 2031 individuals in our study. This comprises 57.3% children and 42.7% adolescents, with 50.02% being males and 49.97% females. Specifically, we have examined 950 subjects with TTH and 1,081 individuals without any form of headache. TTH was diagnosed in 32.1% of the participants. Notably, we have observed a significant difference in the average age between the TTH subjects and those without headaches. Participants without headaches were more likely to be enrolled in primary schools, while those diagnosed with TTH predominantly attended high schools. We found no significant relationship between urban-rural areas or different geographic regions and the prevalence of TTH or its subtypes. Phonophobia was commonly associated with TTHs. Lastly, the mean quality-of-life score was highest for individuals without headaches, followed by those with low frequency episodic TTH, high frequency episodic TTH, and chronic TTHs. There was also a significant relation between headache severity and quality of life scores. Conclusion: The significant prevalence of TTH in children and adolescents and its adverse impact on the daily activities of individuals underscore the utmost importance of accurate diagnosis and efficient management.

The Psychometric Properties of Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine Scale Based on the Health Belief Model.

Acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2) COVID-19( vaccine is a very important factor to keep health workers safe. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine using a health belief model among health workers in Iran The study was a tools design study that was conducted in the period from February to March 2020, Iran Questionnaire items were designed using text review. The sampling method was multi-stage. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis at a 95% confidence level using SPSS software version 16. The designed questionnaire had an appropriate content validity and internal consistency. Also, the exploratory factor analysis showed that a 5-factor structure was extracted and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the conceptual five-factor structure of the measure had good fit indices. Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was .82 and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was .9. It can be concluded that the instrument designed in the preliminary stage of psychometrics properties had good validity and reliability indicators. Also, the constructs of the health belief model well explain the determinants of the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the individual level.

The prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among the Iranian population in one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 disease.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 spread between and across nearly every country, with considerable negative health consequences. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among Iranians older than 15 years in 2020. METHODS: Data was collected through National Mental Health Survey on 24,584 Iranians older than 15 years in 2020. were analyzed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health. Multi-stage sampling method was used, and data on demographic characteristics and domestic-social violence and mental health (GHQ-28) were collected. Data analysis was administered using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test at a 95% level. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 44.18 ± 16.4 years. The overall prevalence of domestic and social violence was 11.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Verbal violence was the most common type; with 61.8% and 66.8% for domestic and social violence, respectively. A suspected case of mental disorder, female gender, being younger than 25 years, living apart together, unemployment, low education, and history of COVID-19 infection presented a significant association with domestic and social violence (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In comparison to the previous study in 2015, the prevalence of violence has increased. Therefore, domestic and social violence are the social concerns of Iranian society, indicating the necessity of appropriate interventions, particularly for those suspected of mental disorders and young women with low education levels.

Fertility knowledge and its related factors among married men and women in Zanjan, Iran.

This study aimed to investigate the fertility knowledge and its related factors in married men and women in Zanjan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 1200 individuals (including 600 women aged 18-49 years and 600 men aged 18-59 years) referred to urban and rural health centres in Zanjan, were recruited through cluster sampling from June to September 2020. The Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale was used to assess fertility knowledge. Data were analysed by descriptive statistical methods such as mean and standard deviation and analytical statistics, including independent sample t-test, ANOVA test, Pearson Correlation and Linear Regression were used. The average correct scores of fertility knowledge were 49.7%, 53.3%, and 51.55% for men, women, and in total, respectively. The multiple linear regression model showed that fertility knowledge was significantly related to being female, being from a higher economic status, having desire to have children in the future, and having desire to increase fertility knowledge (all p < 0.05). Fertility knowledge among the Iranian reproductive-age men and women was modest. The findings suggested that interventions to increase fertility knowledge are essential, especially interventions targeting men and lower socioeconomic groups.

Association between PTCH1 and RAD54B Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Non-syndromic Orofacial Clefts in the Northeast Population of Iran.

Background: Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without cleft Palate (NSCL/P) is a common developmental disorder of the head and neck with a multifactorial etiology. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential association of PTCH1 (rs10512248) and RAD54B (rs12681366) polymorphisms with NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population. Methods: In the present study, blood samples were taken from 122 subjects with NSCL/P and 161 healthy controls. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were used to conduct genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Results: Although differences were observed between cases and controls in rs10512248 and rs12681366, our data did not support a significant association of these polymorphisms with NSCL/P in our population. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that polymorphisms of rs10512248 and rs12681366 may not be potential risk factors for NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population due to the multifactorial and multiethnicity characteristics of some genes.

Detection of a rare AXIN2 variant in an Iranian family with hypodontia and oligodontia.

Background. Hypodontia, or the absence of one or more teeth during tooth formation, is a highly prevalent dental anomaly. Nevertheless, the main causes are still unknown. Mutations in PAX9, MSX1, WNT10A, and AXIN2 genes are most commonly associated with non-syndromic tooth agenesis in the literature. This study investigated these candidate genes in an Iranian family with non-syndromic hypodontia and oligodontia. Methods. Peripheral blood samples of the proband and her family members were collected, and DNA extractions using the salting-out method were carried out. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing for candidate genes were performed. Results. A missense variant (rs4904210) was identified in the PAX9 gene, with one heterozygous missense variant (rs2240308) and one stop-gained variant (rs121908568) in the AXIN2 gene. Conclusion. By surveying similar studies and analyzing the variant in bioinformatics websites, we concluded that the heterozygous stop-gained variant rs121908568 in exon 8 of the AXIN2 gene could be responsible for tooth agenesis in the Iranian population.

Iranian Multi-center Osteoporosis Study (IMOS), 2021-2022: the study protocol.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents the protocol of the 4th round of Iranian Multi-center Osteoporosis Study (IMOS), a national survey with the primary objective of estimating the prevalence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia and their risk factors in a representative sample of urban and rural populations. METHODS: The target population of the survey is all individuals ≥ 50 years in Iran. A multi-stage random sampling method has been used in the study. We stratified the 31 provinces of the country into 5 strata based on the distribution of their potential risk factors for osteoporosis and randomly selected one or two provinces from each stratum. Then, we invited 2530 people aged ≥ 50 years recruited in the 8th National Survey of None Communicable Diseases (NCD) Risk Factors (STEPs-2021) in the selected provinces to participate in IMOS. Body composition measurements including bone mineral density, muscle mass, and fat mass are measured through Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) method using HOLOGIC (Discovery and Horizon) devices; and Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is measured on the DXA scans using iNsight software. Anthropometric measurement and physical examinations are made by a trained nurses and other required information are collected through face-to-face interviews made by trained nurses. Laboratory measurements are made in a central lab. The prevalence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia will be estimated after applying sampling design, non-response, and post-stratification weights to the data. DISCUSSION: IMOS will provide valuable information on the prevalence and determinants of osteoporosis and sarcopenia at the national level, and the results can be used in evaluating health system interventions and policymaking in the field of musculoskeletal diseases.

The effect of symbiotic in the treatment of infantile colic: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the effect of symbiotic (Pedilact) on the treatment of infantile colic. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial in Zanjan, Iran, 76 infants with infantile colic were assigned to two groups of 38 cases using block randomization. The intervention group received 5 drops of Pedilact, a symbiotic containing Lactobacillus reuteri and simethicone (20 mg twice daily), and the control group received placebo in addition to simethicone for 4 weeks. Daily crying time, number of crying attacks per day, and sleep duration were recorded on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28, and the results were compared. Results: Thirty-three infants in the intervention group and 35 infants in the control group were enrolled. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, gestational age, maternal age, type of delivery, type of feeding, and weight at the beginning and the end of the study (all P > 0.05). Daily crying time in the control and intervention groups decreased from 240 and 210 min/day, respectively, to 0 min/day in both the groups. Daily crying attacks decreased from 5 and 4/day in the control and intervention groups, respectively, to 0/day. Sleep duration in both the groups increased from 720 to 840 and 930 min/day in the control and intervention groups, respectively, but the changes were not significant (P = 0.56, P = 0.52, and P = 0.13, respectively). Conclusion: We did not find a significant improvement in colic symptoms in infants receiving symbiotic compared to placebo.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in healthcare workers in Iran: National Survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It seems that acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic now. Health care workers (HCWs) are one of the most important groups who are at risk for COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among HCWs in Iran and its determinants. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 3600 HCWs in Iran. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire by a trained team from February to March 2021. Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used for selecting respondents of the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the key factors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among participants. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 3536 respondents, 2191 (62.1%) intended to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine. Only about 10 percent of respondents said they did not trust any vaccine (domestic or foreign). Willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine was relatively high among males, doctors, and those who had a history of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. The multivariate regression analysis showed respondents who were 40-50 years (aOR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.47-1.66), had a history of COVID-19 infection (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.83-0.88), and hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.97-2.39), were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study showed moderate acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in the HCWs in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The most important factor in the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine by the health staff is having a history of hospitalization. Further training and justification of health personnel is needed to increase the acceptance of COVID 19 vaccine.

Survey on Mental Health Status in Iranian Population Aged 15 and Above One Year after the Outbreak of COVID-19 Disease: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are the most common health problems that affect different population groups. According to the national survey in 2015 based on General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), 23.44% of Iranians older than 15 years were suspected of having a mental disorder. The study aimed to determine the mental health status of the population over 15 years of age in the Islamic Republic of Iran, one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. METHODS: The population-based study was performed on 24584 individuals over 15 years of age in Iran between December and February, 2020. The GHQ-28 was completed through telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, and multiple logistic regression at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean age of participants was 44.18±16.47 years. The prevalence of mental disorders was 29.7%. Mental disorder was associated with female gender (OR=1.195, 95% CI 1.10-1.29), 25-44 years (OR=1.206, 95% CI 1.06-1.36), urban life (OR=1.116, 95% CI 1.04-1.19), illiteracy (OR=1.286, 95% CI 1.11-1.48), being divorced (OR=1.924, 95% CI 1.50- 2.45), and unemployment (OR=1.657, 95% CI 1.40-1.94). Among the participants and their families, 14.7% and 32.3% were infected with the disease, respectively. The COVID-19 mortality rate in their families was 13.2%. The prevalence of mental disorders in infected people (40% vs. 27.3%) and bereaved families (39.6% vs. 35.3%) was more than the non-infected groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that in Iran, the mental health of the general population had a rising trend compared to 2015, especially in people infected with COVID-19 and bereaved families. The observed difference may be due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and rapid demographic, social, and economic changes in Iran. Planning to improve mental health in the mentioned population should be considered for the post COVID-19 era.

The impact of work schedules, workplace bullying and some demographic characteristics on nurses' sleep quality in Iran.

Introduction: Sleep quality in nurses along with workplace bullying, are concerned with nursing care quality. There exist a few investigations on workplace bullying and its relationship with sleep quality. This study aims at determining the impact of work schedules, workplace bullying, and some demographic characteristics on nurses' sleep quality. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 333 nurses who worked in a hospital in Tehran, Iran. Sampling conducted from February 12 to April 23, 2020. Instruments of this study were Pittsburg sleep quality index and Quine's workplace bullying scale. Results: 63% of nurses had low sleep quality. Male nurses had lower sleep quality in comparison with females; 90% of nurses had encountered workplace bullying. Bullying and work schedules did not have a statistically significant effect on nurses' sleep quality. Conclusion: According to this study, work schedules and workplace bullying had no significant effect on nurses' sleep quality; but regarding that low sleep quality and encountering bullying is a cause of mental and physical problems for nurses and reduces the quality of care, it is recommended that nurses' sleep quality and facing the bullying behavior should be taken into account by hospital authorities.

A randomized clinical trial to assess the effect of zinc and vitamin D supplementation in addition to hypertonic saline on treatment of acute bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis, the most common cause of hospitalization in infancy has not yet a definitive treatment. This study was conducted to assess the effect of Zinc and vitamin D on treatment of infants with bronchiolitis. METHODS: In this double blind, randomized clinical trial, 94 infants aged 2 to 23 months, admitted in Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, with the diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis were randomly assigned into 3 groups. The control group was only treated with hypertonic saline. The two case groups received either 100 unit/kg/day of Vitamin D or 20 mg/day of zinc in addition to hypertonic saline. Wheezing, duration of hospital stay, cough, cyanosis, respiratory distress and the respiratory rate in the first, third and seventh day of hospitalization were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, sex, weight, passive smoking, wheezing, oxygen saturation, cyanosis and type of delivery. On the third day of hospitalization, the respiratory rate/min in the control group, the groups receiving vitamin D and zinc were 45.2 ± 10.7, 37.8 ± 3.9 and 41.1 ± 9.1 respectively and the result of repeated measure analysis didn't show any significant difference between the 3 groups (P = 0.562). Duration of hospitalization in the group receiving Vitamin D or zinc and in controls were 4.2 ± 2.6, 4.4 ± 2.2 and 5.1 ± 2.4 days respectively and this difference was not significant. Zinc receiving patients did not differ from the control group regarding to respiratory rate, cyanosis and wheezing. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D or zinc administration was not effective in reducing respiratory rate in children with bronchiolitis. Trial registration This project was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IR, ZUMS.REC.1396.50), and registered on IRCT (IRCT20131217015835N7).

Disease severity and response to treatment in Iranian patients with myasthenia gravis.

PURPOSE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a potentially fatal neuromuscular disorder if left untreated. In this study, we tried to address the possible demographic, clinical, and laboratory determinants of severity and outcome in Iranian MG patients over a follow-up period of more than 5 years. METHODS: Demographic and diagnostic data (age, age of onset, antibody status, thymus pathology, and duration of the disease) of the patients with MG were extracted. Maximal disease severity and post-intervention status were assessed according to the recommendations of the task force of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. RESULTS: In our series of 146 patients, MG was more severe in older, anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) positive, and thymomatous patients. Seropositivity to the MuSK antibody and the presence of thymoma determined the need for immunosuppressive drugs. However, the number of patients requiring more than one immunosuppressive was not significantly different among various subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The overall outcome was favorable in the majority of patients, despite differences in the disease course and severity. In contrary to the previous reports, anti-MuSK positive patients in our series did not need a more vigorous treatment regimen comparing other serologic subtypes of MG.

Estimation Methods for Infertility Treatment Success: Comparison of Four Methods.

Objective: To analyze and compare four methods for estimating the chance of treatment success in infertile couples. Materials and methods: In a retrospective cohort study, information on demographic and clinical features, including age, body mass index (BMI), duration of infertility, semen analysis, previous history of treatment and clinical examination of infertile couples were analyzed. Treatment success (childbearing) was calculated with four methods as live birth ratio, conditional probability and survival analysis (life table and Kaplan-Meyer method) and results are compared. Results: The fertility ratio for the first treatment cycle was 29.72% which decreased to 23.13% by total treatment cycles. The success rate was 75.4%. With conditional probability calculation at the end of the five treatment cycles. With the life table method in a five-year period, the probability for live birth was 78% and by Kaplan-Meyer method 73.1% and the median of treatment time was 562 days. Conclusion: Calculation of infertility treatment success rate by only simple live birth ratio of childbearing couples is associated with underestimation. Using the conditional probability method reduces that underestimation, but it is not considered the censored cases in the treatments. It seems life table (as a proxy of survival analysis) presents the closest estimation to clinical facts with considering the repetition of the treatment cycle and the duration of treatment.

Comparing Sexual Function between Opioid Dependents Consuming Methadone or Opium Tincture.

Objective: Sexual dysfunction is a side effect of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Opium Tincture (OT) has been used as a maintenance treatment. This study aimed to determine and compare the trend of sexual function and its related factors during treatment with both drugs. Method : An observational study was designed to measure the blood tests including free and total testosterone, prolactin, and sex hormone-binding globulin and a battery of questionnaires, including demographics and drug use history, in 42 and 53 patients entering MMT and OT treatment before and 1 and 3 months after the treatment. Results: Significant changes in testosterone levels were observed in the MMT but not the OT group. The difference between the two groups was not significant. Neither between nor within changes in the sexual function and premature ejaculation scores were significant (P =0.370& 0.698). Anxiety levels were significantly different (P= 0.001) within and between groups. There was a considerable difference in the trend of depression changes in the OT group, but not different in MMT group and between the two groups. Conclusion: No difference was found between MMT and OT effects on sexual function variables. The decrease in Testosterone during the three months of MMT, was not associated with diminished sexual function. In the MMT group, anxiety levels diminished during treatment. It seems that decreased testosterone in the MMT group was compensated by improved anxiety. Gonadotropin levels may not be the sole determinant in sexual activity, and complex interaction of mood and anxiety, agonist levels, and gonadotropins are involved.

Association of the CYP1A1 rs4646903 polymorphism with susceptibility and severity of coronary artery disease.

Given the significant physical, mental, and economic problems of coronary artery disease (CAD), it is important for communities to help reduce these costs. The Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily A Member 1) CYP1A1 (enzyme is known to cause coronary artery disease through various mechanisms. Therefore, it is important to investigate the polymorphisms that affect the activity of this enzyme. After collecting samples from 191 patients with angiographically verified CAD and 191 healthy individuals, genotyping for CYP1A1 rs4646903 polymorphism was carried out. Lipid profile was assessed by conventional colorimetric method. The results showed that the frequency of heterozygous and homozygous mutant genotypes of rs4646903 polymorphism was 36.6% and 5.2% in patients and 20.9% and 2.1% in controls, respectively. The heterozygous genotype (OR=2.24; 95% CI=1.30-3.84, P=0.003), homozygous mutant genotype (OR=3.97; 95% CI=1.05-14.98, P=0.042) and mutant C allele (OR=2.15; 95% CI=1.46-3.15, P<0.001) was significantly associated with CAD risk. Further analysis identified CYP1A1 rs4646903 polymorphism as a significant risk factor for early onset (P= 0.005) but not late onset (P=0.066) CAD. However, the frequency of heterozygous and homozygous mutant genotype of rs4646903 polymorphism did not differ significantly among the CAD patients with various number of stenotic vessel (P>0.05). In conclusion, the rs4646903 polymorphism contributed to the susceptibleness of people to CAD.

Predictive factors of quality of life among the elderly in Iran: Application of Andersen's behavioral model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the quality of life (QoL) and its predictive factors based on the Andersen's behavioral model among the elderly in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 people aged 60+ resident in Zanjan, Iran, in 2019. Data were collected based on the Andersen's behavioral model constructs by the questionnaires. Path analysis was used to determine both direct and indirect effects of variables and also for estimating the values of coefficients in the underpinning linear model. RESULTS: In this study, 50% of the participants were female, and 83% were married. The participant's QoL was 37.4 (9.8). The results confirmed that financial level and physical activity were the most significant predictor of the elder's QoL. Chronic diseases and activities of daily living as need factors affect the QoL of participant indirectly. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the participant's QoL was at a moderate level. Utilizing of primary health-care services was the weakest predictors of QoL. Sex, marital status, and education level were not reliable predictors of QoL in elders. Other predisposing, enabling, and need factors should be investigated to find the main determinants to improve elder's QoL.

Epidemiology of Psychotic Disorders Based on Demographic Variables in Iranian Children and Adolescents.

Objective: Psychosis is still among the most debilitating and severe mental disorders. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the estimated prevalence of psychotic disorders and finding the main predictors of psychotic disorders among Iranian children and adolescents. Method : Our total sample consisted of 30 553 individuals (49% males and 51%females) from 30 provinces of Iran, aged between 6 and 18 years, who were selected via cluster sampling method from rural and urban areas of all provinces. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression method. Results: The results of multiple regression analysis showed that prevalence estimate of psychotic disorders was 0.25%. It was 0.3% and 0.2% in males and females, respectively. The age of 10-14 (OR = 2.24; 95% CI, 1.11-4.55) and the age of 15-18 (OR = 3.42; 95% CI, 1.74-6.75) were significant positive predictors, whereas none of the demographic variables were predictors for psychotic symptoms. Conclusion: This research highlights the main predictors of psychosis in children and adolescents. The study design also allowed a better understanding of predictors of psychotic disorders. The assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly their comorbidities, may help to prevent mental illnesses in children and adolescents.