Health and Development Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 4, 2019

Any program and policy to prevent chronic diseases associated with dietary factors requires major changes in individuals' diet, knowledge, attitude and, consequently, changes in their dietary choices. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing choice of packaged foods in those visiting Ardabil health centers.   In this study, through a literature review, focused group discussions and interview with expert professors, a questionnaire based on the theory of logical action was designed. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by using methods to evaluate content validity, and face validity with a panel of 15 experts. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine reliability.   The first designed questionnaire consisted of 40 items, but after assessing its validity and reliability, the number of items in the final questionnaire decreased to 36 ones. Eleven items were in the nutritional attitude section, 7 in the subjective normative section, 9 questions in the behavioral intent and 9 questions in the nutritional behavior section. The mean validity score of the final questionnaire was 0.82 and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.79.   According to the results of this study, the designed questionnaire has acceptable validity and reliability and can be used to identify factors influencing the choice of packaged foods in the community.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of Pilates training with Cuminum Extract consumption on lipid profiles and insulin resistance index in overweight and obese women.   In this quasi-experimental study, 48 women with an average weight of 91.4 ± 4.7 kg and body mass index of 32.0 ± 3.3 kg/m2, were randomly divided into the four groups (n=12) of Pilates training, Pilates training and cumin, Cumin and control. Then, the experimental group performed 3, 40 minute Pilates training sessions a week for six weeks. 10 cc Cumin extract was consumed before each meal. Data analysis was done using paired t-test to compare intra-group changes and ANOVA for between group differences.   There was a significant decrease in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL and insulin resistance and also a significant increase in serum HDL levels in both Pilates training and Pilates training + cumin regimen groups. Glucose level decreased significantly only in the Pilates and cumin group.   It seems that participation in Pilates training plus cumin, can improve lipid profiles and insulin resistance in obese and overweight people.

Given the importance of quality of work life (QWL), several models are proposed for it. A well-known model is the Walton's model. The purpose of the present study was exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of QWL questionnaire based on the Walton model in hospital employees who are generally exposed to job-related QWL attenuating factors.   This descriptive cross-sectional study was a validation study. The statistical population included all medical, non-medical and headquarter staff of PourSina State Hospital in Rasht of whom, 403 employees were selected by quota sampling. First, the QWL data was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n=350) and then, for selected factors, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indices and internal consistency coefficients (n=53) were investigated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-22 and AMOS-21software packages.   The EFA results showed four factors for the structure of this test, which totally explained 52.87% of the total variance of the questionnaire. In addition, this analysis showed that 15 items of the original version of the questionnaire have high factor loading in two factors and therefore in the evaluation of the model with the CFA method, these items were eliminated. Also, CFA demonstrated that χ2/df ratio for the four-factor QWL-20 structure is 1.216 and the fitness indices for the model (GFI=0.773, CFI=0.913, NFI=0.674, TLI=0.893, RMSEA=0.065) are relatively satisfactory.The internal consistency for the total QWL-20 is equal to 0.91 and it was remarkable for the factors of working conditions and utilization of capabilities (α=0.71), social integration in work and respect for employee's rights (α=0.80),volume of work and suitability of pay and benefits (α=0.88) and social relationships and importance of work(α=0.80).The correlation coefficient of item-total score was very strong for each item and it was in the range of 0.66 to 0.84. The range of correlation between these factors was 0.45 to 0.54.   QWL-20 has favorable psychometric properties and an appropriate fit in the four-factor structure and can be used in QWL threatening situations.

One of the major environmental impacts of energy use is air pollutant emissions such as greenhouse gases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between energy consumption in small urban businesses and their air pollution in small urban businesses in the city of Qom in 2015.   In the first step, by referring to Qom chamber of trade, a list of all urban jobs from 67 trade :::union:::s was prepared and then, a total of 223 workshops were selected randomly and visited. Means consumption of electricity and gas were calculated by referring to the related gas and electricity offices in Qom. The amount of pollutants produced from energy consumption was calculated by using the software available at the Abraxas Energy website.   The results showed that the average monthly consumption of 9098.86 kwh and 41669.35 cubic meters of gas in the small businesses of Qom, on average produced 50.995 of carbon dioxide, 78.963 kg of lead compounds, 52.39 kg nitrogen compounds, 8.403 kg carbon monoxide, 5.02 kg volatile organic compounds, 1.996 kg nitrogen oxides, 1.781 kg mercury compounds and less than 1 kg per month particulate matter and SO2.   Any attempt for reducing energy consumption, in addition to its economic benefits, can be a basic measure to reduce environmental pollutants. Implementation of proper management plans for reducing electricity and gas consumption is a major step in this direction.

The purpose of this study was to study the effects of aerobic, non-aerobic and relaxation exercises on reducing anxiety and stress in female students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.   This quasi-experimental study was performed on female students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during the academic year 2016-2017. A total of 60 students were randomly divided into the three groups (n=20) of aerobic exercise, non-aerobic exercise and relaxation and exposed to 8 weeks training programs (3 sessions a week with a minimum of 45 minutes). Before and after the intervention, subjects were asked to fill out the anxiety and stress questionnaire (DASS-21) that the validity and reliability of its Persian version had been previously confirmed. One-way ANOVA was used to test the study hypotheses. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software.   Between the three groups of aerobic exercise, non-aerobic exercise and relaxation there were significant differences in the rates of stress reduction (P≤0.01), and anxiety (P≤0.05). Stress and anxiety had become less in the aerobic and relaxation groups.   Relaxation and aerobic exercise activities can reduce stress and anxiety in students.

Head and neck tumors are one of the six common tumors in the world with about 900,000 new cases diagnosed annually. This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics of head and neck tumors according to electronic data on the web.   A cross-sectional study was performed. The information of all patients admitted to the ENT department of Shafa hospital, with a head and neck tumor was entered into electronically designed forms. Data were described analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and chi-square test.   The mean age of the samples was (51.1± 15.9) years, and 73.4% of them were male. 80% of the tumors were malignant. The most common type of cancer and site involvement was squamous cell carcinoma and the larynx respectively. The frequency of tumors was significantly higher in males (P <0.001), but there was no relationship between family history and tumor types (P = 0.98).   It is suggested that more studies be conducted in other provinces to compare with the results of this study.

Outsourcing, as one of the most recently used tools in the field of healthcare management, has an important role in improving the efficiency and quality of health services. The objective of the present study was to design a tool for evaluation of the process of outsourcing in laboratories of non-educational hospitals.   This applied study was conducted as mixed methods and in two qualitative and quantitative steps. In the first step, through reviewing the existing literature and documents published abroad and in Iran relating to the research subject, a check list for evaluation of the process of laboratories’ outsourcing was prepared. In the second step, using a close questionnaire, 46 selected experts were asked to give their opinions about the content and face validity of the proposed check list. Finally, Lawshe's Content Validity Ratio and Excel software were used to analyze data.   The final check list about evaluating the process of out sourcing laboratories at non-educational hospitals included the following 5 dimensions: proving the necessity of laboratories outsourcing (9 questions), selecting the undertakers (13 questions), negotiating and finalizing the contract (10 questions), implementing the contract (5 questions) and evaluating the undertakers’ performance (8 questions).   Given the importance of outsourcing laboratories, providing education related to the implementation and evaluation of this process form its beginning until end, in periodic training courses for university’s managers and staff is highly recommended.

Several sports and activities are associated with an increased risk of eating disorders and a tendency to drug abuse. Bodybuilding is a sport in which eating disorders, as well as drug abuse, are among common concerns. The current study was conducted with the aim to compare tendency to addiction and eating disorder in male bodybuilders and non-bodybuilders.   This research was a descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 50 bodybuilder athletes and 50 non-bodybuilder athletes in Shahrekord city. The sample was selected using convenience sampling. In order to collect data, "Zargari Addiction Potential Questionnaire" and "Eating Attitude Scale" were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and independent t-test.   None of the sample group members suffered from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, but results of independent t-test showed that the tendency to eating disorder in bodybuilders is significantly higher than non-bodybuilders (P=0.034). Also, results of independent t-test showed no significant difference in tendency to addiction between two groups (P=0.964).   Broader understanding of the factors leading to a greater tendency to eating disorder and addiction may help decrease these disorders. The current research findings have important implications for future research.