Showing 22 results for Index
R Hokmabadi, H Soori, Mj Jafari,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (12-2009)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the leading cause of burden of disease in Iran. Determination of road safety situation as a complex issue can reduce injury and death rates on roads. This study aimed to determine the effective indicators of road safety and introduce approaches to combine different indicators for implementation index to assess the road safety situation of Iran.
Methods: In this analytical and comparative study eleven indicators which have been categorized in nine dimensions were employed. Indicators normalized with maximum and minimum measures and three approaches were used to calculate the index. In order to put index into practice, data collected from eleven Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Comparison was performed by al-Haji index which has been development for ASEAN countries in 2007.
Results: The findings indicated that weighted index results based on previous experience are similar to al-Haji index and correlations between them are statistically significant (r=0.997). This study showed a remarkable difference between some selected countries. Singapore and Brunei have the best index records, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines have the medium index records, Iran (with score 36.81), Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos have the least index records.
Conclusions: Findings of study indicate that Iran needs implementation composed index of risk factors to prevent RTIs and to assess better performance on road safety. The road safety in our country is still far from the desired condition therefore, more attention is necessary to be done to reduce injury and mortality rates in Iran.
F Amani, A Kazemnejad, R Habibi, E Hajizadeh,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (6-2011)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Changing the pattern of mortality gives important perspective of health determinants.
The aim of this study is to detect location and time of mortality pattern change in country using statistical change
point method during 1971-2009 Years.
Methods: We assume for years before and after 0 k ,
t y has a Poisson distribution with means 0
l and 1
l ,
respectively. We used several methods for estimation change point in real data by assume Poisson model.
Results: Using two simulated and real data analysis showed that the change point has been occurred in year
1993 and this confirmed by all methods.
Conclusion: Our findings have shown that the change pattern of mortality trend in Iran is related to improvement
of health indicators and decreasing mortality rate in Iran.
T Hosseinzadeh Nik, N Shahsavari, D Gholami, Ar Fattahi Meibodi, Sh Nourozi, Mj Kharrazi Fard,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (6-2011)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Orthodontic treatment need and demand in 12-year-olds in Abadeh city has not
previously been analysed in relation to geographic origin. The purpose of this study was to assess the12 year old
students need and demand for orthodontic treatment.
Methods: Four hundred seventeen 12-year-old students was selected from public and private schools in Abade
(Fars province, Iran). All the students were examined according to the AC and DHC component of Index of
Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) by a trained dentist. Students' and parents' perceived needs were also
assessed using AC component and their demand for orthodontic treatment was asked through a questionair .
Results: Twenty two percent of the students were in "no need of treatment" group when assessed by DHC
component, 29.5 % were in "average need" and 48.2% were in "definite need" group. When assessed by AC
score, these percents were 61.9%, 29%, and 9.1%. Parents and students percieved need for definite orthodontic
treatment according to AC score was 8.6% and 7.7%, respectively. The students and their parents’ demand for
treatment were 40.6% and 44.9%, respectively.
Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment need in Abade is higher in comparison with other reports according to DHC.
DHC is not correlated with orthodontic treatment demand of 12 years old students, but AC had a strong
relationship with treatment demand.
M Mardani, Kh Kazemi, A Mohsenzadeh, F Ebrahimzade,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Macrosomia is a term applied to newborns with a birth weight more than of 4000 gr which cause different maternal and neonatal complications. Several risk factors has been known for macrosomia. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the frequency and evaluate of risk factors of macrosomia in Asalian hospital of Khorramabad in 2010.
Methods: This study was undertaken in Khorramabad, Iran. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire containing 10 variables as the risk factors of macrosomia. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software.
Results: 59 cases of macrosomia were found in 500 living births, and the frequency of macrosomia was 11.8%. Also, 69.5% of the neonates were male and 30.5% were female. Maternal risk factors were mother's age at pregnancy, mother's obesity (BMI>=30), weight gain more than 18 kg during pregnancy, history of diabetes mellitus, history of macrosomia, prolonged gestational age, and multiparity (parity>=5). There was no significant relationship between mother's job and macrosomia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of macrosomia in Khorramabad was high (11.8%). Preventing pregnancy in mothers over 35 years of age by contraception ways, preventing maternal obesity before pregnancy, and control of blood glucose during pregnancy by suitable diet and insulin therapy are recommended to prevent macrosomia.
A Mohammadbeigi, J Hassanzadeh, B Eshrati, N Mohammadsalehi,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (10-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Inequity in health is a universal term which used for showing current differences, variations and inequalities of people in access to health. But inequality in health refers to some inequities which seems are unfair or caused by some errors and biases. The current study aimed to describe some of the common health related inequity measures to be useful for the inequity researchers and other interested health coworkers.
Methods: The calculation, advantage and disadvantage of most common health-inequity indexes including slope index of inequity, relative index of inequality, Theil’s Index, mean log deviation, index of disparity, Gini coefficient, weighted utilization social welfare function, absolute and relative concentration index were assessed. Inequity size of these measures was calculated by using the health care utilization survey data.
Results: Average of health care utilization in in-need subjects was 66.4%. This indicator was in the first to fifth quintiles equal to 57.6%, 63.4%, 71.6%, 69.5% and 75.3%, respectively. Relative concentration index and Gini coefficient was calculated as 0.053 and 0.0062, respectively.
Conclusion: Inequity in health care utilization in Markazi province differs based on the types of inequity measures. Selection of the inequity indexes dependent to the objective and the scale of under study variable. Among discussed indexes, concentration index determine the more accurate and also show the gradient of inequity. Therefore it can be used as the best index.
S Akbarpour, Y Jahangiri-Noudeh, M Lotfaliany , N Zafari, D Khalili, M Tohidi, Ma Mansournia, F Azizi, F Hadaegh,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Considering the importance of CVD risk factors in diabetic and non-diabetic populations and the high prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, we studied the trend of anthropometric indexes, blood pressure, smoking and lipids in diabetic and non-diabetic populations.
Methods: The data of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study was used in this investigation. The study population comprised 1045 diabetic and 5136 non-diabetic subjects. To investigate the secular longitudinal trends, the Generalized Estimation Equation method was employed. All statistical models were adjusted for age to eliminate the potential confounding effect of age. The interaction between the diabetes status and each phase of the study was checked in a separate model in GEE.
Results: Over a decade, the serum levels of TC, TGs, LDL-C and non HDL-C decreased although about 60% of the diabetic population did not reach the therapeutic goals of non-HDL-C and LDL-C levels until 2011. Control of hypertension was more successful in females, but about 60% of both males and females with diabetes were still hypertensive at the end of follow-up period. Smoking increased during the follow-up.
Conclusion: This study showed that among CVD risk factors, healthcare professionals paid more attention to hypercholesterolemia neglecting other risk factors including hypertension and central obesity.
M Baaghideh, A Hamidian , Aa Dadashi Roudbari , F Mayvaneh,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Spatial epidemiology is the description and analysis of geographic variations of diseases with respect to demographic, environmental, behavioral, socioeconomic, genetic, and infectious risk factors. Disease mapping includes a set of statistical techniques that lead to providing clean maps based on estimation of the incidence, prevalence and mortality rates for the users to enable them to reliably estimate the distribution of the diseases. In this study, the spatial epidemiology of diarrhea was evaluated in Mazandaran.
Methods: In the present study, statistical methods like the Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation, Anselin local Moran’s I, K function and Ripley index were used to evaluate 4924 cases between 1385-1390, based on certain factors detected in diarrheal diseases.
Results: The results of the global Moran index showed that this disease provided adherence to a cluster pattern in the province. The results of the K function also showed that apart from the western regions of the province, the diarrheal disease followed the above-mentioned cluster pattern. The results of Anselin local Moran and sensitive indicators revealed that the central region of the province, including the cities of Sari, Qaymshmhr, and Babol had the highest prevalence of the disease.
Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of syndrome diarrhea follows the pattern cluster and the use of spatial analysis methods in a specific geographic area is appropriate for programs to reduce health risks. And in epidemiological studies, analysis and risk assessment diarrhea syndrome are very important.
M Enayatrad, K Etemad, S Khodakarim, P Yavari,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the fifth cause of cancer-related mortality in Iran. This study aimed to determine the incidence of colorectal cancer in men and women and to investigate its relationship with the human development index (HDI) and its components in Iranian provinces.
Methods: This ecological study was conducted to assess the correlation between age-specific incidence of colorectal cancer in men and women and the Human Development Index. We used the data of the Iranian Cancer Registry and Statistical Centre of Iran. We used a bivariate correlation method to assess the correlation of ASR and HDI. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. All reported P-values are two-sided. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 23.
Results: The highest incidence of colorectal cancer in men was seen in Tehran (78.16), Eastern Azerbaijan (41.14), and Semnan (62.13), and the highest incidence of colorectal cancer in women was seen in Tehran (47.18), Semnan (80.14), and Eastern Azerbaijan (82.12), respectively. The results showed that the incidence of colorectal cancer in men (r = 0.605) and women (r = 0.661) had a positive significant correlation with the Human Development Index (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The incidence of colorectal cancer was high in provinces with a higher human development index. Therefore, evaluation of the incidence of cancer by the Human Development Index and its components can be used to show a clearer picture of the distribution of cancer in each country and may be useful for cancer prevention plans.
M Amini, A Kazemnejad, F Zayeri , M Gholami Fesharaki,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Shift work could threaten health in the long term. The present research aimed to assess the association between shift work and body mass index (BMI) using the multilevel (hierarchical) model during a particular period of time.
Methods: The data of this longitudinal study were collected from a sample of Esfahan’s Mobarakeh steel and Polyacryl companies personnel during 2008 to 2011. Shift work schedule included day work and rotational shift work. The multilevel regression model was utilized for analysing the data and assessing the effect of shift work on BMI by controlling confounding variables including marital status, work expectation, age, company, and educational level.
Results: In this study, of 1368 workers, 42.3% (n=578) and 57.7% (n=790) were day workers and rotating shift workers, respectively. The mean (±SD) age of the day workers and rotating shift workers was 33.07 (±8.66) years and 33.31 (±8.70) years, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables in a two-level hierarchical model, the association between shift work and BMI was not statistically significant (P=0.837). About 90% of total variation was related to personnel.
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, no statistically significant relationship was found between shift work schedule and BMI. Thus, other similar studies with a longer follow up period (more than four years) and controlling more confounder factors are necessary to evaluate the relationship between shift work and BMI more accurately.
Mh Mehrolhassani, R Goudarzi, V Yazdi Feyzabadi , Ss Pourhosseini, A Darvishi,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (1-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Improving the efficiency and productivity of the higher education, especially in the field of research on health sciences, is one of the characteristics of sustainable development in today's societies. This study aimed to measure the efficiency and productivity of Iran's Medical Sciences Universities (MSU) in the research function.
Methods: In a descriptive study, the research function of fourty five MSUs in Iran was evaluated using data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and Malmquist index in 2010, 2013, and 2016 years. Measurement of both efficiency and Malmquist index was developed and modeled based on the assumption of variable returns to scale (VRS) and output-oriented. Also, the ranking of efficient units was done using Anderson-Patterson's model.
Results: The mean research efficiency was estimated to be 0.86. Findings of Malmquist index showed that between 2010 and 2013, there was a 6% growth in the productivity; while the performance of universities had a 12% drop in research function from 2013 to 2016. Also, the average total productivity during two periods is 0.96, indicating 4% reduction in research efficiency which technology efficiency growth has dropped by 8% and other components of total productivity had a positive growth.
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that universities do not work efficiently and average productivity has been decreasing which was mainly due to a decline in the efficiency of technology, which despite the development of technology in recent years could be the result of the lack of effective use of it.
Mh Mehrolhassani, R Goudarzi, V Yazdi Feyzabadi, Ss Pourhosseini, A Darvishi,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (1-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The higher education system plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the country due to its mission in training the required human resources. Therefore, performance evaluation of different sectors of higher education is of great importance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the educational efficiency and productivity changes of Iranian medical sciences universities.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 2011, 2014, and 2017 to evaluating the performance of 43 Iranian medical universities using Data Envelopment Analysis and output oriented approach. In addition, productivity changes were measured using the Malmquist index. For this purpose, Deap 2.1 software was used. The Anderson Patterson Model and EMS software were also used to rate the units accurately.
Results: The average educational efficiency of medical universities was 0.97 in the study years. The average total productivity based on the Malmquist Index was 1.05, and educational productivity of the universities showed an average growth of 5% over the study years. This growth was 1% from 2011 to 2014 and 10% from 2011 to 2017.
Conclusion: The results of the study showed the acceptable efficiency of the education sector of Iranian medical sciences universities. Moreover, a positive increasing trend was observed in the productivity of the education sector during the study years. Further research using quality and quantity measures are necessary to assess the educational performance of medical universities more accurately.
V Yazdi Feyzabadi, Mh Mehrolhassani, F Monajemi, Ss Pourhosseini,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (1-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Access to equal educational opportunities is one of the fundamental rights in each country, and elimination of inequalities, especially in the higher education system, is one of the most important priorities. This study aimed to measure educational inequality in the medical sciences sector in Iranian provinces.
Methods: In this study, educational inequality in medical sciences was measured using the Gini coefficient. The study indexes included the number of students, faculty members, staff, majors and educational budget. Data were analyzed using Stata 14 software.
Results: During the study years, the Gini coefficient of the number of female students, male students, and faculty members showed a more or less decreasing trend from 0.51 to 0.46, from 0.53 to 0.46, and from 0.59 to 0.53, respectively. However, the values of inequality in the number of personnel working in educational sector and educational budget showed a slight increasing trend from 0.49 to 0.50 and from 0.53 to 0.54, respectively. According to the academic majors, the lowest Gini coefficient was related to non-continuous bachelor’s degree that varied from 0.13 to 0.17, and the highest value was related to fellowship degree ranging from 0.66 to 0.69 in the study years.
Conclusion: Despite reduced inequality in some educational indicators, there is a high inequality in the number of academic majors of some postgraduate degrees, number of students by gender, and educational budget, which requires policy makers to focus more on balanced distribution of educational infrastructures among provinces to provide equal educational opportunities.
E Goodarzi, Gh Moradi, A Khosravi, N Esmailnasab, B Nouri, A Delpisheh, E Ghaderi, D Roshani,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Life satisfaction is one of the important dimensions of health, which is influenced by health determinants. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of socioeconomic inequalities in satisfaction with life in women aged 15-54 in Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, randomized multistage cluster sampling with equal clusters was done to select the participants. A total of 35,305 women aged 15-55 were enrolled in the study. Data analysis was done in two stages. In the first stage, social and economic inequalities were investigated using the concentration index and concentration curve method. In the second stage, a multilevel method was used to identify the determinants.
Results: The mean life satisfaction was 12.81±4.23. The concentration index for dissatisfaction with life was -0.06 [95% CI: -0.1, -0.02], indicating dissatisfaction with life in low socioeconomic groups. The results of multilevel analysis showed that age, marital status, occupation, place of living, education, and the economic class correlated with dissatisfaction with life in women (P<0.05).
Conclusion: There is inequality in dissatisfaction with life. Dissatisfaction is concentrated in the poorer groups of the society and varies in different provinces. Socioeconomic variables affect inequality in satisfaction with life in women, which need to be addressed to reduce inequalities.
Am Mosadeghrad, A Pour Reza , N Abolhasan Beigi Galezan , Sh Shahebrahimi,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human Development Index (HDI) is an important indicator of a country’s development. On the other hand, mortality indicators are the most important indicators of the health of a society. This study aimed to examine the association between HDI and maternal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates in Iran between 2005 and 2016.
Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted using data collected from Iran Statistics Center, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Program. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. Pearson correlation test was applied to examine the correlation between HDI and mortality rates. Regression analysis was used to measure the effect of HDI on mortality rates.
Results: HDI increased from 0.690 in 2005 to 0.774 in 2016 (12% rise). Maternal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates decreased by 26, 41, 52, and 42% in 2016 compared to 2005, respectively. HDI had a significant indirect association with maternal (-0.973), neonatal (-0.983), infant (-0.739), and under-five mortality (-0.987). An increase of 0.01 in HDI reduced 1 maternal death per 100,000 births. An increase of 0.014, 0.009, and 0.008 in HDI decreased one neonatal, infant, and under-five death per 1000 births.
Conclusion: The results showed that increased HDI correlated with decreased mortality rates. Therefore, policy-makers should pay more attention to socio
F Shahbazi, H Soori, S Khodakarim, Mr , Ghadirzadeh , Ss Hashemi Nazari,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This research was conducted to investigate the socioeconomic and geographical inequality in mortality from road traffic accidents in Iran in 2016.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the data of 16,584 people that died from road traffic accidents in 2016 were received from the Legal Medicine Organization. Theil entropy index was used to determine inequality in geographic areas. Moreover, relative and absolute concentration indices were used to measure inequality in mortality from RTAs across educational levels.
Results: The mortality rate from road traffic accident was 21.5 per 100,000 people. Theil index was 0.66 for traffic-related deaths among the provinces, indicating an unequal distribution of traffic injuries caused by traffic accidents among the provinces. When inequality was measured at smaller geographical levels, i.e., among cities in each province, the results indicated a fair distribution across smaller geographic levels. The focus index also indicated a fair distribution of traffic accidents among the deceased sub-classes (concentration index & 95% CI: -0.13 (-0.41; 0.16).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that the distribution of mortality from road traffic accidents was unequal at provincial positions. According to our findings, mortality from traffic accidents was distributed equally among the socioeconomic and urban levels. Therefore, health managers can use the findings of this study to develop interventions to reduce inequalities. In addition to targeting factors contributing to known social inequalities in the health and social status, other factors should be considered and applied to evaluate their interventions in the future.
N Moghimi, Gh Moradi, Sh Amiri, A Saeedi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive disease of the joints that presents with articular and systemic symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with body mass index.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 195 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic and clinical characteristics. The SF-36 instrument was used to evaluate the quality of life.
Results: In the study, 40% of men and 58% of women had a disease severity higher than 2.6 according to the Disease Activity Score 28. There was a significant difference in all dimensions of quality of life including physical function, energy / fatigue and general health between men and women (P <0.05). All dimensions of quality of life were inversely correlated with BMI. There was a significant relationship between the disease severity and each of the dimensions of pain, general health and general changes (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is correlated with body mass index and severity of rheumatoid arthritis; therefore, it seems that health policy makers or clinical practitioners need to pay more attention to these two factors to increase the patients’ quality of life.
M Hadian, M Tajvar, Ms Yekani Nejad , M Arab,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (8-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to compare the predictive power of the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with the Human Development Index (HDI) with regard to the share of deaths caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) among all deaths in the world and Iran.
Methods: The data required for this cross-sectional ecological study were extracted from the reports of the United Nations Human Development Program and the WHO in 2015. Pearson correlation test was used to investigate the correlation of HDI and IHDI with the share of deaths caused by NCDs and linear regressions models were used to determine the associations of IHDI and HDI with the dependent variable.
Results: At a significant level of P<0.01, the dependent variable showed a strong positive correlation with HDI (0.892) and IHDI (0.899). Simple linear regression showed that HDI alone predicted the dependent variable well (Adj.R2=0.794, P<0.001).However, according to the multivariate linear regression model, when IHDI and HDI were included in the model, IHDI was able to predict the dependent variable well (Adj.R2=0.809, P=0.001), while the relationship between HDI and the dependent variable was no longer significant.
Conclusion: Although HDI alone is an important predictor of NCD status, it loses its influence in the presence of IHDI. Therefore, in addition to HDI, IHDI that illustrates the impact of inequality on human development can provide more information on the status of deaths caused by NCDs.
M Shami, P Azodi, M Mahmodi, S Najafipour Boushehri, F Jahanpour ,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (5-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Physical activity is one of the most important components of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity level of primary school students in Bushehr in 1398.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, the research population included all elementary school students in Bushehr. Four hundred and six students were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, which is a valid and reliable scale, was used to collect the data. Independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression model were used for data analysis. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 20.
Results: The mean score of physical activity was 3.27±0.84. There was a significant relationship between demographic factors (parents’ education level, participant’s education level and BMI) and physical activity. Students whose parents had higher levels of education were more likely to engage in physical activity and people who were obese had less physical activity.
Conclusion: The students' physical activity was moderate. Given that there is a direct link between physical inactivity and increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, it is important to pay attention to the lifestyle of people, especially children and adolescents who are in the learning age. Therefore, more attention should be paid to improving the level of physical activity in students through education and building a culture.
Sara Najibi, Shadab Shahali, Kh Hekmat, Bahman Cheraghian,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Child growth health is one of the most important issues that determines the community health. Considering the importance of mothers in family and healthy society, the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between maternal employment status and infant growth during the 9-12 months in Ahwaz.
Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 345 nine-month infants of three groups of mothers including full time employees, part-time employees, and homemakers were selected using non-probability quotas sampling method. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed with the SPSS software version 22 using statistical tests such as chi-square, anova.
Results: In the full-time job group, 54.2% of the infants had favorable weights and 45.8% had unfavorable weights. In the part-time group, 69.6% of the infants had favorable weights and 30.4% had unfavorable weights. In the homemaker group, 68.7% of the infants had favorable weights and 31.3% had unfavorable weights. There was a significant difference in the infant’s weight between full-time and part-time job groups
(P= 0.01) and the full-time job and homemaker group (P= 0.04) but there was no significant deference in the infant’s weight between the part-time job and homemaker group (P= 0.87). No significant association was found between maternal employment status and infant’s height (P= 0.11) and head circumference as well (0.08).
Conclusion: The growth status of infants with full-time working mothers was lower than that of infants with homemaker and part-time working mothers. It is recommended to reduce the working time of the mothers who have full-time jobs as long as they breastfeed their babies.
Layla Halimi, Eshagh Dortaj Rabari, Reza Majdzadeh, Aliakbar Haghdoost,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In adolescence, there is a heightened inclination to cultivate stronger social networks within schools, resulting in the exchange of information. This study investigates the influential factors that shape the exchange of information among students within their classrooms.
Methods: The study involved 350 male and female middle and high school students in Hamadan. Two types of networks were constructed within each class: the communication network, representing ordinary students’ interactions, and the specific network, which focused on the exchange of sensitive information about puberty. The network centrality index was calculated, and factors influencing information transfer were evaluated through a questionnaire.
Results: The degree of centrality in the social network of boys exceeded that of girls, with values of 55.4% versus 47.6% in the communication network, and 33.4% versus 20.1% in the specific network, respectively. The degree of centrality of students had significant positive association with the length of time that they spent with their friends. Moreover, we found the degree of centrality of students in both networks, particularly in special network, was stronger in high schools.
Conclusion: During adolescence, boys tend to possess a broader communication network within their classrooms, enabling them to effectively exchange information about puberty. Factors such as effective communication skills, knowledge about puberty, and spending time with their classmates play crucial roles in facilitating the exchange of information among adolescents in schools.
