Iranian Journal of

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Introduction: The human being is part of its surrounding socio-economic framework. He is affected by the environment and actively affects it. Ignoring the socio-economic dimensions of health leads to the failure of health promotion programs and widens the inequity in the health status of different groups in the society. The aim of this study is to identify the socio-economic and demographic status of the inhabitants in 17th zone of Tehran Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in this study. A crosssectional descriptive study was carried out in population research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) with a sample containing 1121 households. They were chosen by random cluster sampling. Data was gathered using the World Health Survey questionnaire of WHO. Construct validity, and test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaires were already approved. The SEAGA tools, which are classified as Rapid Appraisal (RA) methods were used to complete the community profile .Techniques such as direct observation, Semi-structured interview with key informants, field notes, social map, and trend line were devised to identify community profile. The method of triangulation was used to validate the data. Results: Data analysis showed means of age was 27/9 years. The average size of the household was 4.23. 47.5% of the respondents were unmarried. The Majority of participants (30/7%) have been qualified at high school level. The dominant ethnic group was Azari (57/8%). All of them were Moslems. The majority are self-employed (11/9%). The qualitative studies showed that district one is the economic core of the area. Economical heterogeneity in three districts of 17th zone was evident. Social problems were reported as unemployment, drug abuse, violence and aggressive behavior and so on. Conclusion: The variety of socio-economic problems among inhabitants in 17th zone of Tehran represents this area as a problematic community. Capacity building and providing proper background for community participation in solving its own health problems can be an effective approach towards sustainable development. Total reliance on the health sector to solve the numerous problems of this area will not be successful as inter-sectoral collaboration and community participation are mandatory requirements of this process

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Objective: The present study describes assessing physical health status of old people in different age groups in Tehran metropolitan area. The outcomes of this study could help to health policy makers to develop of better health policy in gerontology field by determine of priorities of care in different age groups of old people and effect of socio-economic components on elder’s’ physical health. Method: This was a cross sectional study in 2010. The participants were (N=402) aged 60 years old and over which have underrepresented from Shahid Beheshti university. The survey methods were via face- to-face interviews, and just in a few cases as telephone interviews. The instrument to data collection included demographic questionnaire, SF-36 short form and ADL tools. Data analyzed by Stata and SPSS Ver.15 through t-test, one-way ANOVA. Regression models applied as well. Findings: Based on the results 45% of elderly were in (60-69) years old, 36.5% were in (70-79) years old, and 18.5% were 80+ years old. The median age was 71.5±8.9 years. Regarding ADL, 18.2% of elderly were dependent 22.3% were semi dependent, and 59.5% of participants were independent to do activity of daily living. Regarding physical functioning, 29.6% of elderly had severe limitation 32.6% had moderate limitation, and 37.8% had no limitation in their physical function. Components of age, sex, marital status, education, job, income, insurance, housing, and living with whom had significant association with physical health status in old people. Although based on regression model and considering in effect of conflict variables, age and sex had more effect to predict of activity of daily living in old people. Age, sex, to be alone, and financial problems were the most predictors on physical function in aged people. Conclusion: The important components that effect on physical health of elderly related to fragile elderly from aspect of socio economic factors. Based on the results of this study aged elderly and old women were more disable to do Activity of Daily Living (ADL). Regarding physical function age, sex, living with whom, and financial dependency were significant components in relation with physical function. In other words, older people, women, elderly who did not live with their spouse, and elderly who were dependent in financial aspect to others had more difficulty in physical function.

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Background: The world population is aging and it is expected that in 2020 more than one billion people in the world be elderly. The aim of this study was the evaluation of socioeconomic and physical health of elderly people in Ilam province in 2011. Methods: This study was a cross - sectional study in which 1012 elderly people residing in the city of Ilam and eight townships participated by proportional allocation methods. Data collected by using a standard questionnaire and the Data were analyzed by using SPSS statistical software. Results: The mean age of the study population was 70/1 ± 8/02 years. The differences between employment status and job type of elderly in each township was Significant. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects was 133/03±28/38 and 11/76±8/02 excursively, and mean body of BMI was 25/72±4/48. 36/1% of the elderly had a history of heart disease, 15% are living with diabetes, and 22/5% had respiratory problems. 45/3% have surgery history, 72/8% experienced joint pain, 64/6% experienced musculoskeletal pain and 12/6% had a history of stroke. 23/8% had problems of knowing the time, 22/8% had problems recognizing the place, 22/2% had problems recognizing people and 25/9 % Shake hands and head. Conclusion: Common problems with physical health problems reported by elderly of Ilam the same in the rest of the country and major differences in socioeconomic status. Due to lower per capita income in Islam compared to other provinces of Iran, the health status of the elderly has been lowered in Ilam rather to another province.

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Background: We aimed to examine the distribution of all types of musculoskeletal diseases and then to estimate the direct and indirect costs caused by these complaints among soldiers and non-soldiers’ employees in military.
Methods: We recruited all patients referred with musculoskeletal complaints who were admitted to the rheumatology, orthopedics and neurosurgery committees of 501 army hospital from 2013 to 2015. The cost of diagnostic procedures was calculated based on the data of records and the cost of treatment for each complaint was estimated by calculating the average cost of treatment plans proposed by two physical medicine and rheumatology specialists. Indirect costs due to leave and reduced working time and hospitalization and disability were estimated and added to the direct cost.
Results: 2116 patients with an average age of 25.84 ± 8.17 years were examined. 1252 people were soldiers and 864 people were non-soldiers. Fracture (301 cases), lumbar disc bulges and herniation (303 cases), and geno varus/geno valgus (257 cases) were three most common complaints. The most damaged site were lower limbs and spine. In total, 4,120 person-days of absence were estimated for these people annually, and the annual economic effect was calculated to be 1,713,903,120 Tomans.
Conclusion: Musculoskeletal diseases are one of the prevalent health and economic problems in military. Therefore, application of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and considering the cost & benefit law to reduce the economic burden and disability should be among the priorities of the Army University to prevent and save health costs.