Showing 41 results for Azari
Aa Moshfegh, A Azaripour, H Mottaghian, Gh Hakimelahi,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (11-1990)
Abstract
The synthesis of the title compound is described. This compound was
found to be active (3c) against a number of pathogenic microorganisms in
vitro. It is a non-absorbable antibacterial topically and its pharmacologic
studies revealed that it is a non-toxic agent with a wide range of safety. It
proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of pseudomonaswound
infections in volunteer patients.
Mohammadreza Nazari,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-1993)
Abstract
Giardia, a protozoan parasite, resides in the small intestine in man. This parasite
damages the mucosal intestinal surface and in severe cases produces malabsorption
and it may also affect mineral absorption, especially zinc.
In this study a total of 118 infested and 43 non-infested persons as a control
group were selected. From each patient a 5 ml blood sample was obtained. The serum
was separated and zinc measured by atomic absorption method.
The results show mean serum zinc level in the infested group to be 75.364
microgram percent with the standard deviation of 19.433 while in the healthy control
group it was 97.707 ± 28.258 Comparsion between the two sexes indicated that in
male subjects mean zinc content was 73.832 and 75.755 in the female group.
Abdolreza Sheikhrezae, Seyyed Ali F. Tabatabai, Reza Nazari, Gila Behzadi, Zahid Hussain Khan,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (5-1996)
Abstract
One of the most important factors responsible for axonal degeneration
following spinal cord trauma is ischemia produced by cord compression.
Previous studies have revealed that omental transposition upon the injured site of
the spinal cord could be beneficial in the induction of partial improvement of
neuroelectrical and motor function in laboratory animals. The purpose of this
study is to verify the effects of early placement of pedicled omentum on recently
traumatized rat spinal cord as measured by subsequent clinical, electromyography
(EMG), motor evoked potential (MEP) and horse-radish peroxidase (HRP)
labelling methods.
Forty rats were divided into two groups (A&B). Atter anesthesia,
laminectomies were performed at T12level and the left lateral half of.the spinal
cord was compressed intradurally by an aneurysm clip for seven minutes in both
groups. The omentum was transposed in group B rats on the lesioned site.
After 3-5 months, evaluation of the muscular forces in the affected limb
according to modified Tarlov's classification showed a significant difference
between the two groups (P < 0.01). EMG showed a greater degree of spasticity in
nongrafted animals than grafted ones. MEP showed a powerful signal in grafted
animals, but only a weak signal was recorded in the nongrafted group. Injection
of HRP into the spinal cord below the compression site demonstrated retrogradely
labelle d neurons above the compression site in grafted animals, but transmission
of HRP was not seen in nongrafted animals.
These results show that transposition of omentum on the injured site of
recently traumatized rat spinal cord could be helpful in axonal regeneration.
Mh Ghahramani, M Nazari, Sz Tabei, J Ahmadi, Sn Rafati, Ma Ghalambor,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (8-1996)
Abstract
To study the effect of depression on the endocrine and immune systems, 557
male freshman and sophomore medical students (20-30 years old) were given
Beck's Depression Inventory. Students with marks 5 or above were selected as the
control (n=26) and those with marks of 20 or higher were chosen as the test group
(n=27). All of the students were subjected to the following tests: CBC, differential,
total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-c, VLDL-c, fibrinogen (Fibr),
cortisol (Cort), prolactin (PRL), testosterone(Test), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine
(T4), total serum immunoglobulins (Ig), IgA, IgG, IgM, creatine kinase (CK),
and C3 and C4 components of the complement system.
Results indicated statistically significant increases of the following parameters
in the test group as compared with the controls: TC (P < 0.05), LDL-c (P <
0.05), CK (P < 0.025), Fibr (P < 0.0 1), Test (P < 0.05), Cort (P < 0.025), IgG (P
< 0.025) and Ig (P < 0.025). The results were in accordance with the anticipated
hormonal and cell-mediated immunity alterations caused by depression, which
affected both cytokines and endorphin levels.
In spite of the limited number of subjects used in this study and lack of the
dexamethasone suppression test (DST), the overall approach of this study is
encouraging nevertheless, further studies using a 1zrger sample are required.
S Torabi-Nezhad, A Azarian,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (8-2002)
Abstract
Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were determined in 94
pleural, pericardial and peritoneal effusions. The results were correlated with cytologic
diagnosis to determine the diagnostic potential of this technique. Cytologically
the number of normal, reactive and malignant effusions were 32, 28 and
34 respectively.
The mean AgNOR counts for normal, reactive and malignant specimens were
1.365,2.328 and 4.747 respectively. The cut-off points between normal-reactive
and reactive-malignant specimens were 1.84 and 3.53 respectively. All of the
malignant specimens (100%) had AgNOR counts above 3.53.
Neither reactive nor normal specimens had AgNOR counts above 3.53. 82.1 %
of reactive specimens had AgNOR counts above 1.84 and 87.5% of normal specimens
had AgNOR counts below this point.
There was a statistically significant difference between the AgNOR counts
in normal, reactive and malignant effusions (p<0.001).
We conclude that the AgNOR method is a specific diagnostic tool for serosal
cavity effusions, especially when malignancy is suspected.
P Mohammadkhani, Mr Mohammadi, Ma Nazari, M Salavati, Om Razzaghi,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (5-2003)
Abstract
Diagnosing and assessing child abuse is a critical and difficult process in
clinical psychology, because this phenomenon has several negative behavioral
and psychological consequences on victims. The aim of this research is to create
a scale for assessing child abuse and neglect. Through a multiclustral sampling,
3042 secondary school students (boys and girls) were selected to fill (1) a list of
54 items (Child Abuse and Self Report Scale, CASRS) which assess four categories
of child abuse and neglect, after approving through content validity and (2)
Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC-A) in order to assign construct
validity and comorbid psychopathology. Then, we did a clinical interview with a
sample group who were diagnosed as abused children according to CASRS and
TSCC-A. In addition, these scales were completed by a group of abused children
as criterion group, for assigning criterion validity. In order to assign the reliability
of CASRS and TSCC-A, after 3 weeks test-retest was done. Through a factor
analysis , the best items were assigned. The results showed that CASRS and TSCCA
have excellent reliability and validity. Also, its stability was at an appropriate
level. In addition, factor analysis showed that 38 items were the best questions for
assessing child abuse. We believe that CASRS is an instrument which measures
child abuse during the current life. It is brief (6 to 8 minutes for the core scales)
and practical for epidemiological researches on child abuse, maltreatment and
clinical screening. Methodological issues inherent in child self-report measures
of abuse are discussed.
Parvaneh Mohammadkhani, Mohammad Reza Mohammad, Mohammad Ali Nazari, Ebrahim Rezaee Dogaheh, Masoud Nikfarjam, Hedieh Azadmehr,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (5-2005)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: The aim of this study was to standardize and assign validity and reliability of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC-A).
Methods: Normative data for the TSCC-A were based on 3042 students participating in a prevalence child abuse study in 19 different locations of Tehran and 140 participants who had been refered to the run-away children centers in Tehran. After the TSCC was validated on run-away and abused children, it was made available to researchers doing larger studies on a normative group.
Results: Reliability analysis of the TSCC-A scales in the normative sample demonstrated high internal consistency. The evidence for its validations (convergent, discriminant and construct validity) showed thai they were significantly acceptable.
Conclusion: This paper presents data demonstrating the psychometric reliability and validity of the TSCC-A scales in the Iranian student population. We suggest to include the TSCC-A in a battery of relevant standardized tests.
Shadab Shahali, Maryam Kashanian, Afsaneh Azari, Reza Salehi,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (11-2010)
Abstract
Absract
Background: Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem in the middleaged
women and can affect their quality of life. This study evaluated the effects of
pelvic floor muscle exercise on quality of life outcomes in women with stress urinary
incontinence .
Methods: After baseline evaluation, 50 women were assigned for this clinical trial .
Participants were instructed to do pelvic floor muscle exercises for 3 months and
their quality of life measured before and 3 months after intervention .
Results: forty-six women completed the trial. Significant difference in the quality
of life scores (P<0.0001) were noted in women with stress urinary incontinence, after
12 weeks .
Conclusion: 12 weeks of pelvic floor muscle exercises significantly improved
quality of life outcomes in women with stress urinary incontinence .
Ali Ahmadi, Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari, Mahmoud Mobasheri,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background:The present study compared the differences between survivals of patients with colorectal cancer according to their ethnicity adjusted for other predictors of survival.
Methods: In this prospective cohort study patients were followed up from definite diagnosis of colorectal cancer to death. Totally, 2431 person-year follow-ups were undertaken for 1127 colorectal cancer patients once every six months. The data were analyzed by stata software using bivariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and Cox regression.
Results: The age at diagnosis was significantly different between men and women (p<0.03). 61.2% were male and the rest were female. Most patients were Fars (51.2%), followed by Turciks (21.5%), Kurds (8.2%), and 7.5% Lurs. Of the patients, 75% had a survival of more than 2.72 years, 50% a survival of 5.83 years, and 25% longer than 13.1 years after diagnosis. Risk ratio was significantly different among ethnics (p<0.05). The variables of ethnicity, being non married, tumor grade, family history of cancer, and smoking were considered as determinants of the patients’ survival in Cox regression model. The median survival time in Fars, Kurds, Lurs, Turks and other ethnics was 5.83, 2.44, 5.49, and 8.52 years, respectively.
Conclusion: Ethnicity and access to healthcare are predictors of survival of patients with colorectal cancer which may define priorities in controlling cancer and implementing interventional and prevention plans.
Azita Goshtasebi, Ziba Mazari, Samira Behboudi Gandevani, Mohsen Naseri,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding of endometrial origin (HMB) is a major healthcare problem in premenopausal women and affects several aspects of women’s health and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Persian Golnar (PG) and tranexamic acid (TA) on heavy menstrual bleeding of endometrial origin (HMB) and patients’ QoL.
Methods : A double-blind randomized controlled trial with parallel design and block randomization technique was conducted. A total of 94 women with HMB were randomly assigned to take either PG or TA for 5 days from day 1 of menses for three consecutive menstrual cycles. Blood loss was measured by the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC). Hematological assessments were made before the intervention and after treatment. QoL as a secondary outcome was evaluated using SF-36 and the menorrhagia questionnaire (MQ). Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, paired t-test, χ2 test, Mann–Whitney test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results : In each group, 38 women (80.8%) completed the 3-month follow-up. Both PG and TA reduced blood loss. PBAC mean (SD) score was reduced from 304.92 (176.17) and 304.44 (192.72) to 164.60 (100.24) and 143.13 (96.07) after the third treatment cycle, respectively (p<0.001). Furthermore, mean hemoglobin, Hb (SD) concentrations in the PG and TA groups increased significantly from 12.06(0.86) and 11.53(0.86)mg/dl to 13.02 (0.82) and 12.72 (0.88)mg/dl (p< 0.001). QoL was significantly improved in both groups (p< 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the groups after the intervention.
Conclusion : The results of the present study demonstrate the efficacy of PG in treating HMB in terms of clinical and QoL indicators.
Sheida Azari, Hamid Reza Baradaran, Ladan Fata,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: Academic failure of medical and medical sciences students is one of the major problems of higher education centers in many countries. This study aims to collect and compare relevant researches in this field in Iran.
Methods: The appropriate keywords were searched in the national and international databases, and the findings were categorized into related and non-related articles accordingly.
Results: Only 22 articles were included in this systematic review. In terms of content analysis, gender, living in a dorm, employment, marital status, age, special rights in the entrance exams, the time lag between diploma and university, diploma average, learning style, being nonnative students, being a transferred student, psychological problems, occupation of the mother, salary level, diploma type, field of study, self-esteem, exam anxiety and interest on the field of study were considered as the influential factors for academic failure of the students.
Conclusion: This systematic review showsthat there is no definite academic failure criterion. It is also suggested Iranian researchers should pay more attention on the documentation of the higher educational strategies that have been implemented to prevent avoidable academic failure and contain physiological academic failure.
Ali Javani, Masoud Abolhallaje, Mehdi Raadabadi, Hanieh Rezaee Dehaghi, Aslan Nazari, Hamed Nazari, Azadeh Chatrouz ,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: One of the main indexes of development is health index or the degree to which a society enjoys health and therapeutic services. The present study was done with the aim to analyze development levels in cities in Tehran regarding health infrastructural index using the standardized score and Morris’ model.
Methods: This is a descriptive and pragmatic study which ranks 14 cities in Tehran province using the standardized score and Morris’ models based on 10 selected health indexes. The required data were gathered using a researcher-made information list and the information gathered from the Statistics Center and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The data were analyzed using Excel software.
Results: The development coefficient in the studied cities varies from 0.595 to -0.379 so that Rey city has the highest level of development and Pishva city has the lowest level of development among the studied cities. The more number of the cities (43%) was among the rather undeveloped group and none of the cities (0%) was in the rather developed group.
Conclusion: Regarding the findings, there is a big gap and difference regarding enjoying health and therapeutic infrastructural indexes among the cities in Tehran province. Therefore, it is suggested that development-oriented plans consistentent with development levels should be implemented in these cities.
Somaye Yosaee, Alireza Esteghamati, Mahdiyeh Nazari Nasab, Ahmad Khosravi, Mina Alinavaz, Banafshe Hosseini, Kurosh Djafarian,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious public health concern worldwide; however, the pathogenesis of this disease has not been yet cleared. This study aimed to compare diet quality in obese/overweight participants with/without metabolic syndrome with normal weight controls.
Methods: This was a comparative study on 147 Iranian adults under treatment at the Endocrinology Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. They were assigned into three groups (normal weight, obese weight with/without MetS) according to the inclusion- exclusion criteria. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the NCEP ATPIII consensus criteria. Healthy Eating Index Data were obtained from the validated FFQ to determine the diet quality index scores, using the Healthy Eating Index-2010.
Results: Our findings demonstrated that FBS, TG, SBP, WC and weight were higher among MetS patients compared to the both weight matched and non-weight matched participants, while HDL-c was lowest in this group (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between healthy weight controls and obese/overweight participants with/without MetS in HEI-2010, and 9 of the 12 HEI-2010 components score (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our study revealed that low diet quality was a risk factor in developing MetS.
Parvin Babaei, Arsalan Damirchi, Bahram Soltani Tehrani, Yazgaldi Nazari, Reyhaneh Sariri, Rastegar Hoseini,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: The balance between production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant defense in the body has important health implications. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in salivary antioxidants: catalase, vitamin C and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in sedentary men at rest and after acute exhaustive exercise.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial (The registry code IRCT2011053212431N1) recruited twenty-five sedentary men (age=21±3yrs; height=172±8cm; weight=66±9kg; VO2 max=37.6±7.4mL•kg-1•min-1) participated in a double-blind randomized experiment. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected before, immediately and 1 hour after exhaustive treadmill running. Catalase, vitamin C (Vit C) concentration, and BDNF concentrations were determined using biochemical assays and ELISA respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni posthoc test were used to analyze data.
Results: The results of the present study showed that an acute intensive exercise causes a reduction in salivary catalase, Vit C and also BDNF concentration (p<0.05) compared with pre-exercise. Both catalase and Vit C showed a tendency to return to pre-exercise value after one hour. However, BDNF continued to reduction at least 1 hour after the ending of the training.
Conclusion: Reduction in antioxidants capacity of saliva might reflects disturbance in natural antioxidant defense mechanisms of the body after an acute intensive physical stress and possible further health threatening consequences.
Ayoob Rastegar, Shahram Nazari, Ahmad Allahabadi, Farahnaz Falanji, Fakhreddin Akbari Dourbash, Zahra Rezai, Soudabeh Alizadeh Matboo, Reza Hekmat-Shoar, Seyed Mohsen Mohseni, Gharib Majidi,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: Nanoscale poly (amidoamine) dendrimers have been investigated for their biological demands, but their antibacterial activity has not been widely discovered. Thus, the sixth generation of poly (amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM-G6) was synthesized and its antibacterial activities were evaluated on Gram-negative bacteria; P. aeruginosa, E. coli, A. baumannii, S. typhimurium, S. dysenteriae, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, and Gram-positive bacteria, and S.aureus and B. subtilis, which were isolated from different clinical specimens and standard strains of these bacteria.
Methods: In this study, 980 specimens including urine (47%), blood (27%), sputum (13%), wounds (8%), and burns (5%) were collected from clinical specimens of 16 hospitals and clinics in city of Sabzevar, Iran. Then, the target bacteria were isolated and identified using standard methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentrations against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were determined according to guidelines described by clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI). Standard discs were prepared using 0.025, 0.25, 2.5, and 25 μg/mL concentrations of PAMAM-G6 on Mueller-Hinton agar plates to determinate the zone of inhibition. The cytotoxicity of PAMAM-G6 dendrimer was evaluated in HCT116 cells by MTT assay.
Results: The most important isolated bacteria were E. coli (23.65%), S. aureus (24.7%), P. aeruginosa (10.49%), B. subtilis (7.7%), S. typhimurium (8.87%), A. baumannii (7.02%), K. pneumoniae (7.1%), P. mirabilis (6.46%), and S. dysenteriae (3.6%). Moreover, it was found that poly (amidoamine)–G6 exhibited more antibacterial efficacy on standard strains than isolated bacteria from clinical samples (p<0.05). The cytotoxicity of PAMAM-G6 to the cells showed that cytotoxicity depended on the concentration level and exposure time.
Conclusion: The PAMAM-G6 dendrimer showed a positive impact on the removal of dominant bacterial isolated from clinical specimens and standard strains.
Asma Pourhoseingholi, Ahmad Reza Baghestani, Erfan Ghasemi, Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban, Mariet Ghazarian,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Use of methamphetamine (MA) and other stimulants has increased steadily over the past 10 years. Risk factor evaluation to reduce the problem in the community is one solution to protect people from addiction. This study aimed at using Bayesian zero- inflated Poisson (ZIP) model to investigate the relationship between the number of using crystal meth and some demographic factors in Tehran population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate crystal meth abuse in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 2012. Stratified sampling method was used to select samples from 22 urban areas of Tehran. Trained researchers referred to the public places, such as streets, parks, squares, and libraries, to perform face-to-face interviews with the randomly selected samples. Bayesian ZIP model was used to perform the analysis, and SAS 9.3 program was used for data analysis.
Results: A total of 993 individuals were studied. According to Bayesian ZIP model, sex (mean= -0.27, 95%CI (-0.485, -0.061)), age (mean= 0.03, 95%CI (0.018, 0.043)), high school level education (mean= 1.276, 95%CI (0.699, 01.9)), diploma level education (mean= 10.4, 95%CI (0.511, 1.69)), and university level education (mean= 0.69, 95%CI (0.142, 1.33)) were all found to have significant associations with crystal meth usage, being the dependent variable.
Conclusion: Males, those with higher education levels, and older people in Tehran population are more likely to use crystal meth. This demographic information may be useful in designing preventive programs. Moreover, it is better to analyze count data with excessive zeroes using Bayesian zero- inflated model instead of the usual count models.
Pouran Raeesi, Touraj Harati-Khalilabad, Aziz Rezapour, Samad Azari, Javad Javan-Noughabi,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: In the recent decades, most studies have paid more attention to community expenditures in health sector and health outcomes. This study provides econometric evidence linking countries’ health expenditures to 3 health outcomes: (1) infant mortality, (2) under 5 mortality and (3) life expectancy within 4 different health care systems.
Methods: In this study, we used the econometric method to estimate the effect of health expenditure on health status. Panel data were collected and grouped for 25 countries according to the health care system over 15 years (2000-2015). The random effects model was selected over the fixed effects model based on the Hausman test to assess the effect of different factors on the 3 mentioned health outcomes.
Results: A significant relationship was found between health expenditures and health indicators. The effect of private health expenditures on health outcomes in countries with mixed health financing system and traditional sickness fund insurance was higher than public expenditures. Also, after comparing the results between different health care systems, we found that the effect of health expenditure on the health outcome in countries with national health system (NHS) was more than other health care systems.
Conclusion: To improve health status, health policymakers should focus on the factors that lie inside the health care system. Therefore, since private and public health expenditures have different effects on health outcomes in each health care system, countries should choose an optimal combination of private and public health expenditures.
Alireza Mazdaki, Aziz Rezapour, Samad Azari, Touraj Harati Khaliabad, Masoud Behzadifar, Mahya Razi Moghadam, Behzad Raei, Mehdi Raadabadi,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: The fair wage to specialist physicians and nurses can enhance their job motivation, quality of work, job satisfaction level, and improve the delivery of services to patients. The present study aimed to compare the proportion of changes in earnings of specialist physicians and nurses before and after implementing the Iran’s New Tariffs Book and compare their average income with a number of selected countries.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted cross-sectional in the hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) in 2016. Six months before and after the announcement and implementation of the Iran’s New Tariffs Book, the relative values of healthcare services were compared. Study population included all specialist physicians and nurses working in the hospitals affiliated to IUMS. Sample size was determined by sampling formula.
Results: The proportion of changes in the income of medical specialists and nurses after establishing the book varied between 8% and 184%. Based on our findings, the highest increases were observed in internal medicine (184%), surgery (160%), gastroenterology (153%), and pediatrics (120%), whereas, the lowest ones belonged to ophthalmology (8%), emergency medicine (11%), neurology (24%) and anesthesia (32%). Nurses’ income was surged by 43%.
Conclusion: Pursuant to the findings, the income belonged to all examined medical specialists and nursing groups has increased after implementing the Iran’s New Tariffs Book. The result suggested that income differences among groups have been broadened after the implementation of the Book. There was a wide and significant difference in specialist physicians’ income vis-à-vis nursing groups’ income before and after establishing the New Book.
Alireza Olyaeemanesh, Masoud Behzadifar, Nasrin Mousavinejhad, Meysam Behzadifar, Sanaz Heydarvand, Samad Azari, Mariano Martini, Ahad Bakhtiari, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Societies are characterized by evolving health needs, which become more challenging throughout time, to which health system should respond. As such, a constant monitoring and a periodic review and reformation of healthcare systems are of fundamental importance to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services delivery, equity, and sustainable funding. The establishment of President Rouhani’s government in Iran, on May 5, 2014, the settlement of the new Ministry of Health and Medical Education administration (MoHME) and the need for change in the provision of healthcare services has led to the “Health System Transformation Plan” (HSTP). The aim of the current investigation was to critically evaluate the health transformation plan in Iran.
Methods: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis enables to identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses within an organization or program, as well as the threats and opportunities outside the given organization or program. To identify SWOT of the HSTP in Iran, all articles concerning this program published in scholarly databases as well as in the gray literature were systematically searched. Subsequently, all factors identified at the first round were thematically classified into four categories and for reaching consensus on this classification, the list of points and factors was sent to 40 experts – policy- and decision-makers, professors and academicians, health department workers, health activists, journalists.
Results: Thirty-four subjects expressed comments on classification. Incorporating their suggestions, the SWOT analysis of Iran’s HSTP was revised, finalized and then performed.
Conclusion: HSTP in Iran, like many of the initiatives that have been recently introduced and not fully implemented, have various challenges, difficulties and pitfalls that health policymakers need to pay attention to. Interacting with criticisms, taking into account public opinion and strengthening the plan can make the project more effective, and it can be anticipated that in the future, better conditions in the health sector will be achieved.
Farshad Sharifi, Mojde Mirarefin, Mahtab Alizadeh-Khoei, Neda Nazari, Baharak Najafi, Hossien Fakhrzadeh, Seyed Masoud Arzaghi, Ulrika Söderhamn, Fahimeh Taati, Neda Mehrdad,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: The Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE) is a newly developed tool. This study aimed to carry out a psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of NUFFE (NUFFE-P) among nursing home residents.
Methods: Nursing home participant’s aged ≥ 60 years (n=97) were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were residency for at least 6 months in the nursing home, and ability to communicate. Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment, having depressed mood, severe hearing loss, problems in upper and lower extremities also, history of hospital admission during 6 months before enrollment. Anthropometric measures, laboratory tests, three-day food intake, NUFFE-P version, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Barthel Index (BI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were assessed. The relationship between the NUFFE-P and MNA scores was considered as concurrent validity.
Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of NUFFE-P tool was 0.76. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score between two raters obtained 0.98 (CI 0.97-0.99). The correlation coefficient between the NUFFE-P and the MNA scores was -0.75 (p<0.01). Four factors were extracted for the NUFFE-P in an exploratory factor analyses. Sensitivity 69.8% and 100% and specificity 75.7% and 85.6% were achieved to detect elderly at medium risk (cutoff=6), and at high risk of under-nutrition (cutoff=11) respectively.
Conclusion: The NUFFE-P has sufficient psychometric properties in nutritional status screening among the Iranian elderly nursing homes residents.
