Showing 11 results for Survey
Hassan Mansouri Torghabeh, Allakbar Pourfathollah, Mahmood Mahmood Ian Shooshtari, Zahra Rezaie-Yazd, Habffiollahe Smaili,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (5-2005)
Abstract
Maryam Beheshtian, Ardeshir Khosravi, Alireza Olyaeemanesh, Hossein Malekafzali, Shirin Bonakdar Esfahani, Leila Hosseiny Ghavamabad, Saeideh Aghamohammadi, Mahnaz Nouri, Elaheh Kazemi, Mohammadreza Zakeri, Fatemeh Sagha,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: An obvious gradient in health outcomes has been implicated in many evidences relating to social and economic factors. Proper data are requested to convince policy-makers calling for intersectoral action for health. Recently, I.R. of Iran has come up with 52 health equity indicators to monitor health equity through the country. Conducting regular surveys on 14 out of 52 national health equity indicators is needed to provide a basis for the health inequality analysis through the country. We aimed to introduce a survey tool and its related protocols on health equity indicators.
Methods: This study was conducted through addressing the literature and expertise of health and demographic surveys at the national and international levels. Also, we conducted technical and consultative committee meetings, a final consensus workshop and a pilot study to finalize the survey tool.
Results: We defined the study design, sampling method, reliable questionnaires and instructions, data collection and supervision procedure. We also defined the data analysis protocol on health equity indicators, generated from non-routine data.
Conclusion: A valid and reliable tool, which could be employed at the national and sub-national levels, was designed to measure health equity in Iran. Policy-makers can use this survey tool to generate useful information and evidence to design appropriate required intervention and reduce health inequality across the country.
Khalil Kimiafar, Masoumeh Sarbaz, Abbas Sheikhtaheri,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: There are no general strategies or tools to evaluate daily lesson plans; however, assessments conducted using traditional methods usually include course plans. This study aimed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of online survey software in collecting data on education in medical fields and the application of such softwares to evaluate students' views and modification of lesson plans.
Methods: After investigating the available online survey software, esurveypro was selected for assessing daily lesson plans. After using the software for one semester, a questionnaire was prepared to assess the advantages and disadvantages of this method and students’ views in a cross-sectional study.
Results: The majority of the students (51.7%) rated the evaluation of classes per session (lesson plans) using the online survey as useful or very useful. About 51% (n=36) of the students considered this method effective in improving the management of each session, 67.1% (n=47) considered it effective in improving the management of sessions for the next semester, and 51.4% (n=36) said it had a high impact on improving the educational content of subsequent sessions. Finally, 61.4% (n=43) students expressed high and very high levels of satisfaction with using an online survey at each session.
Conclusion: The use of online surveys may be appropriate to improve lesson plans and educational planning at different levels. This method can be used for other evaluations and for assessing people’s opinions at different levels of an educational system.
Mostafa Hosseini Golkar, Seyed Sepehr Ghazinoory, Fatemeh Saghafi, Mohammad-Rahim Eivazi, Atousa Poursheikhali, Reza Dehnavieh,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: Scenario is the primary method in futures studies, and thus its improper use can undermine the credibility and claims of the results. There are many scenario types, and here we aimed at understanding whether these scenarios are being used properly in the health field.
Methods: In this study, a combination method was used in 3 phases, and 8 + 2 steps were considered to accommodate the needs of the health sector with capabilities of the main types of scenarios. One of the appropriate methods of futures studies was used at each step.
Results: Scenario planning has evolved along with futures studies paradigms. Trend-based scenarios, intuitive logic, and structural analysis approaches have had the most use in futures scenarios and health section. Quantitative techniques, which are close to the positivist paradigm, have been most widely used; however, participatory methods of futures studies paradigm have been used the least in the health sector.
Conclusions: Health scenario writing in its current state is targeting short- to medium- term futures and does not respond to all requirements. Thus, other backup methods should also be considered.
Kambiz Abachizadeh, Soheila Omidnia, Ahmad Hajebi, Reza Shekarriz-Foumani, Maryam Mohseni,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Positive health as a “health asset” goes beyond risk factors for diseases and produces longer and healthier life, as well as, better prognosis when illness strikes, against traditional medicine focusing on treating people in negative health to a state that is neutral or free from disease. The aim of present study was to conduct a national survey estimating positive health indicators of Iranians
Methods: This survey was performed on September 2014 in all provinces of Iran with 10500 samples. The psychometrics of employed scale was examined in separate study. To estimate positive health indicators, each question included a series of declarative statements and each respondents answer to questions based on a five-point Likert type scale.
Results: From a total of 10500 respondents, 10244 fulfilled questionnaire (Response rate= 97.5%). About 49% of participants were male. In a scale from 1 to 5, mean of score of life satisfaction, happiness, quality of life, and self-perceived health were 3.45, 3.28, 3.56 and 3.66, respectively. The highest level of positive health indicators was achieved in provinces of Guilan and West Azerbaijan.
Conclusion: The result of the study shows majority of Iranian people assess their perception of health, quality of life, life satisfaction and happiness as ‘moderate’ or ‘good’ (between 66 to 82% of respondents. It would seem that measured positive health indicators in comparison with the rates of past national studies, have been decreased between 3.5 to 4% that should be noticed in social health policy making.
Behzad Damari, Hossein Almadani, Mahin Ahmadi Pishkuhi,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Addiction is a serious concern in workplaces, as it can lead to accidents, absenteeism, and loss of productivity, neglect, delay, arguing, unhappiness, production cuts, and irregular working pattern. This national survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and pattern of drug use among employees of industrial environments in Iran.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, the sample size was determined to be 13489 using multistage cluster sampling method during November 2013 and November 2014. Data were collected by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire developed by the research team. Urine drug test was done for participants using laboratory rapid kits. A total of 13 286 questionnaires were completed with remarkable responsiveness such that only 1.2% of them were excluded due to defects in urine drug tests, and the rest were analyzed after the review.
Results: The response rate to the questionnaires was 98.4% and 13 128 individuals took the urinary drug test. Many participants who had positive urine test did not express drug use and positive tests were more than self-reported cases. Compared to information about the pattern of drug use, data on the estimated prevalence of drug use was more reliable.
Conclusion: This study presents the protocol of a well-designed national survey, including sampling procedure, appropriate instrument and test, field work, and discussion on the strengths and limitations of the study, and thus its results can be used effectively by policymakers.
Joseph E. Dib, Clive E. Adams, Francois Kazour, Fouad Tahan, Georges Haddad, Chadia Haddad, Souheil Hallit,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Violent patients constitute 10% of all psychiatric admissions. Treatment options and clinical practice interventions vary across the globe and no survey of practice in a Middle Eastern setting exists. Surveying treatments in Lebanon will show treatment interventions used in this part of the world and, most importantly, provide the treatment options that could potentially be used for clinical trials pertaining to emergency psychiatry.
Methods: A survey of clinicians’ opinions and practice was conducted between July and August 2017 at the largest psychiatric hospital in Lebanon.
Results: Five of seven experienced psychiatrists provided opinions when interviewed of their preferred intervention when dealing with an emergency psychiatric episode. Whilst this varied in detail, there was a consistent view that there should first be verbal control, then use of medications, and finally physical restrain of the patient. A total of 39 emergency episodes (28 people) occurred in the one month (64% men in their 30s). Bipolar disorder was the most frequent single diagnosis behind the aggression (n=16, 41%; 12 people 43%) but the combined schizophrenia-like illnesses underlay 18 of the 39 episodes (46%; 13/28 people 46%). In clinical life, we found evidence of high family involvement, but little attempts made at initial verbal control in the hospital. All 39 episodes involved administration of pharmacological interventions. Medications were used in 29 of cases (74%) and non-medication interventions used in the remaining 10/39 (26%).
Conclusion: This survey provides some evidence that clinicians’ preferences may not fully reflect clinical practice but also that experienced clinicians are using several clearly effective techniques to manage these very difficult situations. However, as for other parts of the world, treatment in Lebanon has limited or no underpinning by evidence from well-designed, conducted and reported evaluative studies.
Ali-Asghar Kolahi, Alireza Moghisi, Ahmad Kousha, Yalda Soleiman Ekhtiari,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity (PA) is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. This study aimed to determine PA levels and related sociodemographic factors as risk factors for NCDs among Iranian adults.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, data were collected from the sixth nationwide STEPS survey in 31 provinces of Iran. A total of 6100 individuals aged 18-64 years were selected by a multistage cluster sampling method, and their PA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and analytical tests, including chi-square, ANOVA, and independent t tests in SPSS version 21 software.
Results: The prevalence of vigorous, moderate, and low levels of PA was 36.3% (95%CI:35.1-37.5), 29.2% (95%CI:28-30.3), and 34.5% (95%CI:33.3-35.7) in participants, respectively. The mean ± SD of total MET-min/week was 1842.3±2619.3. Total mean ± SD duration of PA was 98.2 ± 115 min/week (125.8±142.6 and 77.2±84.5 min/week in men and women, respectively). Transport-related PA and severe PA at work had large and small contributions to overall PA, respectively. Urbanization, sex, age, family size, and occupation status were identified as factors associated with PA levels (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of low PA among the target population and some sociodemographic characteristics identified as factors associated with PA. Identification of these factors can develop more effective interventions to promote PA.
Maryam Amini, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, Nasrin Omidvar, Mira Abtahi, Monireh Dadkhah-Piraghaj, Bahareh Nikooyeh, Tirang R. Neyestani,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are widely used in large studies worldwide. They usually seek to rank people according to their usual food intake rather than a specific period of time. In the present study, we aimed to develop a dish-based, semi-quantitative FFQ to seek habitual diet of general population aged 9 to 65 years in Tehran.
Methods: To develop the FFQ, four main steps were taken. At the beginning a list of commonly consumed Iranian foods and mixed dishes was prepared. To prevent excessive questionnaire length, some food items were grouped. Then, reference portion sizes were defined for each mixed dish in the list. The portion sizes were defined either based on the most common food portions reported in existing data or based on conventional portioning. In the third step the frequency response for consumption of food items and mixed dishes were determined. In the last step, recipes were developed for mixed dishes based on several data sources, including previous surveys. Finally, the content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by the expert panel.
Results: The final food list of the FFQ comprised 142 food items and mixed dishes in six major food groups, including dairy products, breads, mixed dishes, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, and miscellaneous food items and beverages. Nine frequency response options for all food items varying from “never or less than once per month” to “more than 6 times a day” were considered. A portion size was included for each item, whether food items or mixed dishes.
Conclusion: As Iranian food recipes are typically characterized by various ingredients it is very difficult for the respondent to recall the amount and type of the ingredients. Likewise, information about cooking methods beside ingredients of foods are important to estimate their nutritive values, which can be explored only through asking about consumption of mixed dishes. The current FFQ was developed to overcome the mentioned problems. It can be applied in nationwide studies in which foods and/or nutrients are predominant determinant of health and/or diseases.
Azadeh Tavoli, Ali Montazeri,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Straightforward Item (BFNE-S) is an internationally recognized tool for measuring fear of negative evaluation. The current investigation was designed to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of BFNE-S in a non-clinical sample in Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of university students. They completed the Iranian version of the BFNE-S and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was examined using known groups comparison to test how well the questionnaire differentiates between subgroups of the study sample that differed in gender. In addition convergent validity was performed to examine the correlation between the BFNE-S and scores derived from the SPIN. Furthermore, the structural validity of the questionnaire was examined by performing confirmatory factor analysis using the LISREL 8.8 software.
Results: A total of 150 university students participated in the study. The results obtained from reliability analysis indicated that the Iranian version of the BFNE-S had desirable internal consistency. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89. Satisfactory discriminant and convergent validity of the questionnaire also were established. The BFNE-S score was significantly higher in female respondents compared to male respondents as hypothesized (P = 0.008). The BFNE-S was correlated to the Iranian version of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) in the expected direction (r = 0.58, P <0.001). The confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit to data lending support to its original one-dimensional structure.
Conclusion: The findings indicated that the Iranian version of the BFNE-S was a valid measure of fear of negative evaluation. Since the scale showed a unitary factor structure, the theoretical basis for the BFNE-S is confirmed.
Kazem Khalagi, Safoora Gharibzadeh, Davood Khalili, Siamak Mirab Samiee, Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi, Saeide Aghamohamadi, Maryam Mir-Mohammad-Ali Roodaki, Katayoun Tayeri, Hengameh Namdari Tabar, Keyhan Azadmanesh, Jafar Sadegh Tabrizi, Kazem Mohammad, Samira Goudarzi, Firoozeh Hajipour, Saeid Namaki, Alireza Raeisi, Afshin Ostovar,
Volume 35, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background: Serological surveillance of COVID-19 through conducting repetitive population-based surveys can be useful in estimating and monitoring changes in the prevalence of infection across the country. This paper presents the protocol of nationwide population-based surveys of the Iranian COVID-19 Serological Surveillance (ICS) program.
Methods: The target population of the surveys is all individuals ≥6 years in Iran. Stratified random sampling will be used to select participants from those registered in the primary health care electronic record systems in Iran. The strata are the 31 provinces of the country, in which sampling will be done through simple random sampling. The sample size is estimated 858 individuals for each province (except for Tehran province, which is 2574) at the first survey. It will be recalculated for the next surveys based on the findings of the first survey. The participants will be invited by the community health workers to the safe blood sampling centers at the district level. After obtaining written informed consent, 10 mL of venous blood will be taken from the participants. The blood samples will be transferred to selected reference laboratories in order to test IgG and IgM antibodies against COVID-19 using an Iranian SARS-CoV-2 ELISA Kit (Pishtaz Teb). A serologically positive test is defined as a positive IgG, IgM, or both. After adjusting for the measurement error of the laboratory test, nonresponse bias, and sampling design, the prevalence of COVID-19 will be estimated at the provincial and national levels. Also, the approximate incidence rate of infection will be calculated based on the data of both consecutive surveys.
Conclusion: The implementation of these surveys will provide a comprehensive and clear picture of the magnitude of COVID-19 infection and its trend over time for health policymakers at the national and subnational levels.
