پروین شهری

 Sleep quality is an important indicator of many geriatric diseases. As people age, changes happen in the quality and quantity of their sleep, which means sleep disorders and complications. This study aimed to determine the predictors of sleep disorder in elderly people living in nursing homes.  This cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 130 elderly residents of senior care homes in Ahvaz City, Iran. The samples were selected by the convinience sampling method and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire, general health questionnaire (12 questions form), knee pain questionnaire, social support questionnaire, and demographic characteristic checklist were used to collect the study data that were analyzed using stepwise linear regression analysis in SPSS22.  In this study, 33.8% (n=44) of the participants were men and 66.2% (n=86) were women. The Mean±SD age of the subjects was 68±7.8 years. In total, 13.8% of the samples had a low level of sleep disorder, 81.5% moderate level of sleep disorder, and 4.6% severe level of sleep disorder. Based on the fitted regression model (F=7.24; P<0.001), multiple diseases (β=0.20), perceived social support (β= -0.26), joint stiffness (β=0.25), and knee pain (β = 0.24) were the significant predictors of sleep disorder in the elderly people, and explained 18.9% of the changes in sleep quality.  The results of the study showed that 86.1% of the elderly had a sleep disorder. Perceived social support, joint stiffness, knee pain, and multiple diseases were among determinants and predictors of elderly sleep disorder.

Regular physical activity has an essential impact on community health protection and health promotion, but some studies have revealed a decline in physical activity among adolescents, especially in girls, and its cause is still unknown. This study aimed to assess the physical activity behaviors of students in the city of Omidiyeh, Iran, and its predictive factors based on the Pender’s health promotion model (HPM).
This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted on 430 female high school students in Omidiyeh selected through random cluster sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on Pender’s models, and data analysis was performed using correlation tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis tests.
Findings: Data showed that during the previous week, 25% of subjects had not performed any physical activity and only 4.4% had performed physical activity for 30 minutes between 6-7 days a week. Scores of most structures of the HPM model were in the attainable mean score range; however, plan of action and self-efficacy scores in half of the subjects were below the average attainable score. There were significant relationships among HPM structures and physical activity behavior (P The level of physical activity among adolescent girls is not suitable. This can be suggestive of the risk of increased chronic diseases in the future of this community. Most of the structures of Pender’s HPM were related with physical activity level. Thus, it can be the basis for designing effective interventions to increase this behavior in adolescents.

Perceived self-efficacy is one of the predictive factors in behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of nutrition education on weight control self - efficacy in the obese or overweight female high school students.
This intervention study of two groups on participants in which 154 obese and overweight female high school students, aged 15 to 17, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The data was collected by using the weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire (WEL). Educational programs were implemented for four sessions for experiment group and the results were evaluated after intervention. The data were analyzed using chi square, independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon and Analysis of Covariance through SPSS 22.
Following the intervention, significant differences were observed in subscales including social pressures (p 0/05).
Utilizing an intervention technique like the present wellness-based program had positive effects on encouraging the adolescents for making healthier lifestyle and healthy lifestyle will prevent obesity and overweight.

Objective (s): Only a minority of infants is breastfed for the recommended 6 months post partum. One possible modifiable variable is breastfeeding confidence. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) is a 14-item measure designed to assess a mother’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed her baby. The study aimed to translate the BSES-SF into Persian and assess its psychometric properties among pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Ahvaz, Iran, 2014. A random sample of 220 low-risk pregnant women referring to private and public health centers was recruited. The BSES-SF was translated into Persian using forwardbackward translation and pilot tested. A series of self-reported questionnaires was administered on the third trimester of pregnancy including: a questionnaire on socio-demographic variables and breastfeeding intention status, the translated BSESSF, the Persian adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Persian adaptation of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16. The mean age of participants was 23.95 ± 4.7 years. The findings of content and face validity showed almost perfect results (CVR = 1 and CVI = 1). The translated BSES-SF presented a one-dimensional structure with factor loadings of >0.40. Convergent and divergent validity showed statistically significance correlation with the GSEE and the PSS, respectively (p <0.05). Internal consistency as measured by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found to be 0.91. The results indicated that the Persian version of BSES-SF is a valid and reliable measure of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy in Iran.

Many parents face challenges to respond to child sexual questions. These questions are generally non-projected, but appropriate and proportionate response to such questions is the most challenging for parenting issues. So, identifying sexual questions that are frequently asked by children, and on the other hand, through proper education to parents, response to curious questions of children can be tailored to age and gender correctly. Therefore, this study was designed to explore children’s sexual questions. This research was a qualitative content analysis study. The samples were selected on the basis of objective and purposive sampling. Samples consisted of 20 parents living in the city of Ahvaz. Data were gathered through semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively through content analysis simultaneously and using the software MAXQDA 10. Children sexual curious questions suggested 3 main themes: 1) changes in sexual characteristics, 2) gender differences and relations between the sexes, & 3) pregnancy, child birth and pregnancy prevention- which consisted of 9 sub-classes. The reason and process of pregnancy, how baby is born and sex differences were the most questions that children had asked. In order to answer the sexual questions properly in regard to age and gender, it is recommended that an educational package be designed to answer children questions.

Properphysical development is one of the reliable criteria for evaluation of children’s health status, especially in the first two years of life. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mother’s general health and growth of below-6-month-old infants referred to health centers of west of Ahvaz. This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was performed on mothers of 200infantsunder 6months old who had referred to health centers in west of Ahvaz. The study data were collected using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 15. The results indicated that the mean score of the mothers’ general health was 13.52. Besides, 54% of the mothers (N=107) were mentally healthy, while 46% (N=93) had mental disorders. Moreover, mean scores of anxiety and insomnia (4.2) and social function (3.54) were higher compared to other indicators of general health. The results showed a significant relationship between mothers’ mental health status and infants’ weight and head circumference at birth and two months of age. Besides, a significant correlation was found between mothers’ education level and head circumference growth trend. Also, mothers’ age and economic status were significantly associated with infants’ weight gain and head circumference growth trends. The study results indicated that maternal risk factors, such as age, mental status, and education level could play an important role in infants’ growth. Therefore, identifying other risk factors and focusing on their reduction in health programs are necessary to guarantee community’s health.

Maintaining independence and attention to needs of elder people have always been one of the main goals of care-givers and policy-makers in the field of elderly care. This study was performed to investigate the determination of care dependency among elderly residents of nursing homes in Ahvaz city in 2012. This research was a cross-sectional study of descriptive-analytical type which was carried out on 154 elders with an age over 60 years residing in nursing homes in Ahvaz city. Sampling was performed using stratified sampling method. Data collecting instruments were “Care Dependency Scale”, “Demographic Questionnaire” and “Mini-Mental State Examination”. For data analysis, Chi square test, one-way ANOVA, t-test independent and Pearson correlation coefficient tests were used. The results indicated that 72.7% of elderly were dependent. There was a high correlation between care dependency and aspects of care dependency scale (p<0.01). The mean score of care dependency was 47.38 and the mean items score of the care dependency scale for the total sample was 47.25. The variables age (p=0.03), education (p=0.001), having disease (p=0.001) and disability (p=0.032) had significant relationship with care dependency. In this study, elderly who were better in performing daily living activities certainly needed less care. The knowledge of elderly needs and their capability in performing daily activities may enable care-givers and families to provide more proper services with their need.

Approximately 50% of all women experience dysmenorrhea. It seems that childbirth can decrease menstrual pain; though، significant effect of delivery mode on dysmenorrhea has not been clearly explained. This study was carried out to determine the association between mode of delivery and dysmenorrhea frequency and severity. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study in which 384 eligible women were selected randomly from 9 health centers in Ahvaz. A questionnaire was used for data collection including two sections of demographic characteristics as well as obstetric and menstrual history. Severity of dysmenorrheal was investigated through verbal Multidimensional scoring system (VMSS) and rated on a four-point scale: 0= no dysmenorrhea، 1=minimal، 2=moderate، 3=severe dysmenorrheal. The research data was analyzed through chi-square and McNamara. Frequency of caesarean was 41. 4% and frequency of dysmenorrhea was 51. 6%، while before the first delivery، it was 79. 4%. Before and after delivery most frequent scale in severity of dysmenorrheal involved 1 and 0 respectively. Using McNamara، there was a significant relationship between delivery and frequency of dysmenorrhea (P<0. 001); though، type of delivery did not reveal any relationship to the frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea. There was a positive association among frequency of dysmenorrhea with education، ethnicity and occupation. According to the results، overall delivery declines dysmenorrheal، however; there is no difference between vaginal and caesarean delivery. Hence، further researches are required to explore this issue.

Birth-weight is affected by many factors. Some studies have shown that season of birth may be affected on birth-weight. However، there is less information about this effete mechanisms underlying. This study was carried out to define the relationship among birth weight and season of birth and some related factors. This analytical cross-sectional study was held on 808 children under one year old who were attended to health centers of west of Ahvaz in 2008. Samples were randomly selected in two stages. Data were gathered through questionnaire and were analyzed by the means of statistical SPSS software version 17، Chi-Square and Pearson correlation tests، ANOVA، and linear regression. P value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Mean birth-weight was 3273. 5±525. 4، 3251. 6±421. 3، 3280. 5±547. 6 and 3192. 9 ±518. 4 gram in spring، summer، autumn and winter respectively. Although there was no significant correlation between these variables، a seasonal rhythm in mean birth-weight was observed. The rates of low birth weight were 4. 9% with highest rate (6. 5%) in winter. The relationship between birth-weight and other variables such as sex، birth rank، maternal age، and weight gain in pregnancy were significantly positive (p<0. 05). In regards to the findings، improvement of proper and efficient prenatal care، educational and interventional programs focusing on gestational weight-gain and special care of nuliparous women can play an important role in increasing birth weight.

The students who live in boarding schools experience more stress than others which live with their parents.Therefore, the mental health of this group is of special importance. The present study attempted to examine the mental health status of adolescent students in boarding high schools in Markazi Province.Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional study which was conducted by using stratified cluster sampling method. This study was done on 1000 subjects from 15 rural boarding schools in the academic year 2008-2009. All the subjects studied in the second year of high school and 58/4% of the students were females. Data was gathered through the Revised SCL90-R Symptoms Checklist to assess mental health symptoms and the Checklists were completed by self report secretly. T -Test Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. (P<0.05). Data showed that in all subjects the scores of Paranoid Ideation were higher than other dimensions of SCL-90-R. Girls seemed worse than boys regarding the total scores of SCL-90 and acquired higher scores in all dimensions.There was a significant difference in the mean score of the symptom checklist between girls and boys in all dimensions, except symptoms of Aggression (P < 0.05). Regarding the findings of the current study and higher rate of symptoms in female students, this group of adolescents need special attention, proper mental health education and available counseling centers. However, further researches for evaluation of effective factors on mental health in schools are recommended.

The rate of cesarean section is higher than standard of WHO (15%) in Iran. This theory-based study was carried out to identify factors related to elective cesarean labor amongst pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was done and 342 mothers referred to public maternal health care centers and private clinics were randomly selected in Ahvaz in 2010. Data gathering was done using a structured based Health belief model and theory-planned behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS through logistic regression, chi-square and independent t tests. Mean age of women was 23.95±4.07 years. There was a significant correlation among income, ethnicity, job and education with choosing delivery mode. The results of t test showed that tendency to the mode of delivery was significantly related to perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, subjective norms and self efficacy (p<0.001). Using multivariate regression, three constructs including perceived barriers, subjective norms and self efficacy were significantly related to elective cesarean section (p<0.001). Promoting self-efficacy to overcome barriers such as pain can encourage pregnant women to select vaginal delivery. However, important factor is subjective norms that are influenced by husbands and mothers. In this regard, researchers suggest applying subjective norms in other theory-based studies.

AIDS is an important public health hazard in Iran. Young people are worldwide considered as the major group who are at risk of HIV/AIDS. Education and prevention of health have been remained as the priorities in the health care of AIDS. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of regarding HIV/AIDS among health faculty student in Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences. This research was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a self- administered questionnaire from 400 students who enrolled in the faculty of health with random classified sampling method. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used for collecting the data. The data were included demographic information and knowledge and attitude questions realated to HIV/AIDS. Data of knowledge and attitude was ranked in to three levels Chi-squared test, correlation and t-test were used as the statestical methods. P<0.05 was considered as the significant level. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The participant were included: 297(74.2%) females and 103(25.8) males.The majority of students, 385(96.2%), were singles. The mean value of age was 22.04± 2.3 years. The mean values of scores of knowledge and attitude were 20.28±0.68 and 66.13±2.78, respectively. The majority of the students, 385(96.2%), had high level of knowledge and 46(11.5%) of them had a medium level of knowledge regarding to HIV/AIDS. A total of 355(88.75%) of the subjects had positive attitudes regarding to theprevention programs of HIV/AIDS. There was no statistically significant correlation between knowledge and any of sciodemographic variables. there was a significant correlation(P<0.05) between the attitudes and the academic grades of students. In this study, it was found that the most students had appropriate level of knowledge and attitude about AIDS prevention programs. Updating the level of knowledge and performing the educathional programs regarding HIV/AIDS among the students are emphasized by the authors of the study.

Previous studies showed that consanguineous marriage increases the incidence of mortality, congenital malformation and mental retardation in offsprings. One of the most important factors in appearance of disability and genetic diseases is consanguineous marriage in Iran. This study aimed to comparing the prevalence of family marriage in disable and healthy children's parents in Ahvaz city, Iran.Subjects and one hundred and thirty four disabled and 134 healthy children who were selected randomly in Ahvaz were evaluated in this case-control study and were matched by age and sex. Variables included consanguinity in parents, presence of a disabled person in the family, Mothers illness record and some parent's demographic factors. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed by chi-square test, logistic regression and independent t-test. The study shows that the rate of family marriage in case and control groups was 79.1% and 57.4% respectively. There was a significant relationship between disability and consanguineous marriage, pregnancy age, history of convulsion and cyanosis, maternal diseases in pregnancy, being of a disabled family member and birth spacing from previous child (P0.05). Based on these findings consanguinity is the most important factor of genetic disorders and disability among the subjects studied. Therefore appropriate actions should be considered for decreasing the incidence of disability including: promotion of youth and families knowledge relating to risks of consanguineous marriage, available premarital genetic consulting and provision for prenatal screening tests.