Parent's Satisfaction of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Iran.

Measuring parent satisfaction is an important factor in pediatric health care service programs because parents play a major role in their child's life. The parental decisions are a basis for the success or failure of the child's treatment in many cases. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of parents' satisfaction following the implementation of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) program in Iran. In this study, the Persain version of the parent satisfaction questionnaire with neonatal hearing screening program (PSQ-NHSP) was used to measure parents' satisfaction on information of newborn hearing screening program, personnel in charge of the hearing testing, hearing screening activities, and overall satisfaction. Newborns were screened using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and automatic auditory brainstem response tests within the first 48 h of life for each ear. Of the 312 questionnaires distributed, 217 parents (67%) responded. The mean scores of the "overall satisfaction" items ranged from 4.07 to 4.29, demonstrating high levels of parent satisfaction with this aspect of the program. More than 86% of parents were overally satisfied with the hearing screening program. In open-ended items, 84% of parents comments showed their satisfaction. The findings of the present study revealed that parents were generally satisfied with the UNHS program. The PSQ-NHSP questionnaire is easily employed and effective method for assessing parental satisfaction with newborn hearing screening programs.

Validity and Reliability of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 36-Item Persian Version for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have assessed the psychometric properties of the 36-item version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in the Persian language of Iran. This study was designed and conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version using a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis in Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: The methodological study was conducted in two stages: First, the 36 items of the original WHODAS 2.0 were translated to create a Persian version, after which the translation validity and psychometric properties were tested. The factor structure of the instrument was also tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients were very good to excellent, varying between 0.82 and 0.99 for the six domains, and all domains had Cronbach's α reliability values of above 0.70. For construct validity, results showed negative and strong correlation between the total score of WHODAS 2.0 and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54. Exploratory factor analysis divided the Persian version of WHODAS 2.0 into seven factors for multiple sclerosis patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the Persian version of WHODAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable instrument to study the disabilities of people with multiple sclerosis.

Comparison of Statistical Models of Predict the Factors Affecting the Length of Stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Modeling can be a useful tool to find out how the distributions of hospital length of stay (LOS) and the factors affecting the length of stay. The present study aims to determine factors affecting the length of stay and selecting suitable statistical models. MATERIAL AND METHOD: this is a cross - sectional study of 565 patients who were treated in the intensive care unit of Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahwaz. Preliminary data were collected retrospectively through the medical records of all patients admitted on intensive care units of Ahwaz Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2015. Statistical analysis and multivariate regression models were done using of SPSS 21 and STATA 7 software. RESULTS: Average length of stay in ICU was 8.16±0.75 days. The Mean and Median age of patients were 58.61±20 and 61 respectively, The Mean LOS for females (16.44±9.37 days) was more than the men (11.5±5.35 days) (p<0.01). The maximum and minimum lengths of stay belonged to patients with endocrine disorders (14.7±3.1 days) and patients with gastrointestinal disorders (5.53±1.1 days) respectively (p<0.01). The goodness of fit for Gamma model showed that this model was more suitable and powerful than Log-normal model to predict the factors affecting the patient's length of stay in intensive care units of hospital. CONCLUSION: Gamma regression model was more robust to predict factors regarding the hospital length of stay. According to Gamma model the key factor in predicting the length of stay in ICU was the type of disease diagnosis. The result of statistical modeling can help managers and policy makers to estimate hospital resources and allocate them for different hospital services.

Retirement homes: Social participation and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Social participation is considered as a means of improving one's quality of life, thus the study aimed at assessing the association between the quality of life and social participation in the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016. The study population was selected from among the residents of a retirement home (an elderly residential home) in one of the Northwestern provinces of Iran, and the required data was collected via three questionnaires related to the demographic data, the specific quality of life for the elderly (LEIPAD), and the extent of social participation. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS software. RESULTS: The social participation level of the population under study was estimated as being appropriate (mean score: 3.81±0.32); whereas, the respondents' quality of life was estimated as being relatively inappropriate (mean score: 2.78±0.41). The "art, sport and leisure activities" subscale showed a significant relationship with the subscales related to the total quality of life and those of "Physical Performance" (r=0.128, p=0.46), "depression and anxiety"(r=0.114, p=0.051), "sexual performance"(r=0.213, p=0.21), and "life satisfaction"(r=0.272, p=0.11); furthermore, there was a significant relationship between total social participation and "life satisfaction" and the subscales related to "depression and anxiety"(r=0.263, p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that activities that involve the art, sport and leisure subscale of social participation can result in quality of life improvement for the elderly.

Validation of Medical Tourism Service Quality Questionnaire (MTSQQ) for Iranian Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing service quality is one of the basic requirements to develop the medical tourism industry. There is no valid and reliable tool to measure service quality of medical tourism. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a Persian version of medical tourism service quality questionnaire for Iranian hospitals. METHODS: To validate the medical tourism service quality questionnaire (MTSQQ), a cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 Iraqi patients referred to hospitals in Ahvaz (Iran) from 2015. To design a questionnaire and determine its content validity, the Delphi Technique (3 rounds) with the participation of 20 medical tourism experts was used. Construct validity of the questionnaire was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed by Excel 2007, SPSS version18, and Lisrel l8.0 software. RESULTS: The content validity of the questionnaire with CVI=0.775 was confirmed. According to exploratory factor analysis, the MTSQQ included 31 items and 8 dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, exchange and travel facilities, technical and infrastructure facilities and safety and security). Construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed, based on the goodness of fit quantities of model (RMSEA=0.032, CFI= 0.98, GFI=0.88). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.837 and 0.919 for expectation and perception questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the medical tourism SERVQUAL questionnaire with 31 items and 8 dimensions was a valid and reliable tool to measure service quality of medical tourism in Iranian hospitals.

Population Attributable Fraction for Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors in Selected Countries: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases was reported to be 3,500 per 100,000. And it is predicted that these numbers will increase in the near future. By removing the main factors responsible for non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular disease can be prevented by 80%. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the population attributable fraction for cardiovascular diseases' risk factors in Iran, USA and Spain. METHODS: This study was a comparative study and the population consisted of Iran, USA and Spain. The required information was collected from printed and electronic documentations and articles published in reliable databases, in the period 2007-2015. RESULTS: The cardiovascular diseases' Population Attributable Risk or Fraction for blood pressure was calculated to be 11.37%, 54% and 60%, diabetes 7.32%, 13% and 18%, and high cholesterol 6.85%, 13% and 20%, for Iran, USA and Spain respectively. Among risk factors, blood pressure was the most relevant factor to cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factor for high blood pressure had a more population attributable fraction than other physiological factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. Hence, by implementing comprehensive health policies, educating healthy lifestyle, screening and finding related cases as well as conducting health promotion programs, these diseases can be prevented.

Catastrophic Health Expenditure of Chronic Diseases: Evidence from Hamadan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could increase the risk of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). The present study aims to analyze CHE among households with and without chronic NCDs in Hamedan. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 780 households' patients, who were being discharged from hospitals in Hamedan, were selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method. Required data were collected through interview and observation using World Health Organization standard questionnaire. A household with chronic NCDs is defined as the one with ≥1 chronic disease patient. Both descriptive and analytical statistics, as well as different approaches and thresholds, were used to study CHE among households. RESULTS: The households with chronic disease had higher incidence and intensity of CHE in all approaches and threshold. This result was shown through distributive-sensitive measures. The Regression analysis revealed that lower economic status, lower household size, and high utilization of health care were associated with the CHE incidence and intensity in the households with chronic NCDs in Hamedan. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high degree of CHE were caused by chronic NCDs. By thoughtful reconsideration in health-care financing, along with addressing relevant socioeconomic factors, the health system of Iran could cope with financial adversities caused by chronic NCDs.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DISABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS IN AHVAZ, IRAN.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and chronic disease of central nervous system which affected the middle aged people. The disabling nature of this disease can limit the daily activities, restrict the society roles, unemployment and finally lead to decline the quality of life (QoL) in MS patients. So, the main purpose of this study was to determine association between disability and quality of life among MS patients in Ahvaz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and one MS patients who living in Khouzestan participated in the cross-sectional study. Two questionnaires include the MSQoL-54 and World Health Organization disability assessment schedule 2.0 (WHODAS2.0) were used in order to measure the QoL and disability severity. Descriptive statistics as well as Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were used to analysis the data. RESULTS: The respondent rate was 100 percent. The disability showed a large and negative association with QoL (p<0.001) but QoL was not significantly associated with EDSS score. Social participation and cognition subscales recognized as QoL predictors according to simple regression results. CONCLUSION: The cognition and participation, disability subscales, were the most important predicators for QoL. Therefore, increasing employment opportunities, changing society's attitude and using the psychotherapy programs might improve the MS patient's QoL.

The association between job satisfaction and general health among employees of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Job satisfaction is one of the most challenging organizational concepts, and it is the basis of management policies to increase productivity and efficiency of the organization. The general health rate may affect job satisfaction in several ways. This study aimed to determine the association between job satisfaction and general health among employees of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional research included 100 employees of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. The data collection instruments were the General Health Questionnaire (28-GHQ) and the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA statistical tests in SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean general health was calculated as 26.19 ± 11.04, which indicated a positive psychiatric condition. Job satisfaction with a mean score of 89.67 ± 23.3 was deemed to be relatively dissatisfied. A medium negative and significant association was observed between job satisfaction and general health and its subscales (physical health, anxiety, social, and depression). CONCLUSIONS: General health subscales and job satisfaction are associated. Some actions must be planned to cope with the negative factors in general health in order to increase employees' satisfaction in university educational hospitals.

The correlation between organizational justice and trust among employees of rehabilitation clinics in hospitals of Ahvaz, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Organizational justice is an intricate concept that refers to fair and ethical conduct of individuals within organizations. No research has been conducted on the variables associated with organizational justice in rehabilitation clinics. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the correlation between organizational justice and organizational trust among the employees of rehabilitation clinics in hospitals of Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional research, and it was conducted on 140 rehabilitation staff members of hospital clinics in Ahvaz. The data were gathered using organizational justice and trust questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the independent-samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's product-moment correlation SPSS software. RESULTS: Significant correlations between procedure and interaction justice and organizational trust were identified (p < 0.001). Distributive justice showed small correlation with trust (r = 0.25, p < 0.021). Organizational justice was significantly associated with organizational trust (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Organizational justice was not significantly related to any demographic variable (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a positive, medium, and significant correlation between organizational justice and trust. It is suggested that rehabilitation clinics' managers develop plans to increase their organizational justice subscales in order to develop organizational trust among their employees.

Association between Organizational Commitment and Personality Traits of Faculty Members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

INTRODUCTION: Individual characteristics are important factors influencing organizational commitment. Also, committed human resources can lead organizations to performance improvement as well as personal and organizational achievements. This research aimed to determine the association between organizational commitment and personality traits among faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: the research population of this cross-sectional study was the faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Ahvaz, Iran). The sample size was determined to be 83. Data collection instruments were the Allen and Meyer questionnaire for organizational commitment and Neo for characteristics' features. The data were analyzed through Pearson's product-moment correlation and the independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and simple linear regression analysis (SLR) by SPSS. RESULTS: Continuance commitment showed a significant positive association with neuroticism, extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Normative commitment showed a significant positive association with conscientiousness and a negative association with extroversion (p = 0.001). Openness had a positive association with affective commitment. Openness and agreeableness, among the five characteristics' features, had the most effect on organizational commitment, as indicated by simple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Faculty members' characteristics showed a significant association with their organizational commitment. Determining appropriate characteristic criteria for faculty members may lead to employing committed personnel to accomplish the University's objectives and tasks.

Satisfaction with Hearing Aids among Aged Patients with Different Degrees of Hearing Loss and Length of Daily Use.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of subjective benefits and positive effects of hearing aids in daily is important for measuring the treatment outcome. The aim of this project was to investigate the degree of satisfaction of aged users with their hearing aids using the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) scale, which emphasizes non-auditory factors contributing to satisfaction as well as benefit. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Persian version of SADL scale was completed by 40 patients who received monaural hearing aid fitting at south of the Iran from December 2013 and March 2014. SADL subscales of the SADL were evaluated according to the type and degree of hearing loss, the pure tone audiogram pattern and shape and type of the hearing aid. RESULTS: The results associated with the SADL subscales revealed a greater satisfaction associated with the Positive Effect and Service and Costs subscales. Subjects with different degree of hearing loss were very satisfied in terms of positive effect subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported a considerable level of satisfaction with their hearing aids. Appropriate guidance for using hearing aids and spending more time for counseling can improve the satisfaction level of this age group.