Gh Moradi, E Ghaderi, M Sargolzaei, H Fallahi, S Eybpoosh, K Tayeri, S Akbarpour , K Entezarmahdi, Kh Rahmani,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Vol.15, No.2 2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran is one of the Middle Eastern countries that implemented the HIV / AIDS control and surveillance program many years ago. The purpose of this study was to review the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: This was a review research to assess the processes, structures and achievements of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Iran. The information sources of this study included data from the surveillance system, reports and documentation, and published guidelines, reviewing existing structures and views of managers and practitioners of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Iran.
Results: In Iran, all cases with HIV / AIDS as well as people with high risk behaviors are referred to behavioral disease counseling centers in order to receive health care services. Harm reduction in people with risky behaviors in the form of counseling centers, drug addicts' centers, and women's counseling centers in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and attention to the second generation of HIV/AIDS surveillance, particularly conducting behavioral studies, are other components of the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran
Conclusion: Although the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran has a large structure with many achievements in reducing new HIV cases, especially in some high-risk groups such as injecting drug users, as well as reducing HIV transmission from infected mothers to their children, strengthening this surveillance system, especially for sexual high-risk groups, is essential for controlling HIV/AIDS in the country.
Ali Jafari-Khounigh, Morteza Haghighi, Alireza Razzaghi, Shahram Habibzadeh, Seyed Taghi Heydari, Rasoul Entezarmahdi, Dr. Alireza Ansari Moghaddam, Hamid Sharifi, Mostafa Farahbakhsh, Mahdi Rezaei, Mina Golestani, Ehsan Sarbazi, Naser Nasiri, Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazargani,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (Vol.19, No.3, Autumn 2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Masks play a crucial role in preventing and controlling viral epidemics transmitted predominantly through the air. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to measure people’s attitudes and behaviors related to mask usage during highly contagious viral epidemics.
Methods: In this psychometric study, the initial questionnaire was developed and face validity and content validity were assessed by 17 experts and three lay experts. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was measured using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with the principal component extraction method and Varimax rotation.
Results: Based on a review of previous studies, an initial 27-item questionnaire was crafted. During the face validity stage, two items were excluded. Through calculating the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and the Content Validity Index (CVI), three and one items respectively removed. The average scale level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) was 0.95. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.76 for attitude and 0.66 for practice sections; the ICC was equal to 0.873. EFA revealed two factors explaining 63.98% of the total variance.
Conclusion: This questionnaire demonstrated sound reliability and validity in Persian, providing an effective means to assess attitude and behavior related to mask usage during highly contagious viral epidemics. It stands as a valuable tool for use in Iran and other countries.
