Showing 34 results for Quality
H Pour Moghadas ,
Volume 1, Issue 4 (7-2003)
Abstract
Ground water is considered as a valuable resource for drinking, agricultural, and industrial uses. As human activities are known to affect water quality, studies of this source are necessary to maintain quality standards. Despite heavy agricultural and industrial activity in the Lenjanat region (Isfahan), there has been no evaluation of ground water quality in this area.In this research project, chemical parameters such as anions, cations and heavy metals were determined in 16 wells over four seasons. The yearly averages of the parameters calculated and displayed by the graphs.The results showed that "Lenjanat" ground water qualifies as very hard water. Most chemical parameters such as BOD, Cod: TDS, EC, S04 of wells number 1,2,3 and 14 exceed drinking water standards. The wastewater lagoons of the Isfahan Steel Mill may be polluting well No. 3 and the other three wells. Wells No.4 and 5, located in the lower areas of Munitions Factories, showed a vers' high COD.Due to the west-to-east direction of surface slopes (from munitions factories towards the above-mentioned wells) the water could be polluted by waste material from the industry. It seems that severe pollution of ground water exists around these factories and extensive studies are required to determine the type of organic and inorganic waste and the exact source of pollution in order to control groundwater quality.
A Shahidzadeh , E.s Mir Moeeni , M.h Azimian , Kh Mani-Kashani ,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2004)
Abstract
This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2003, with the aim
of determining quality of service in 25 State-run family planning clinics in Hamadan
city. A total of 400 consultations were observed and assessed using UNICEF quality
checklists.
Results showed that less than 50% of the clients are receiving service of a satisfactory
quality areas of care where quality was worst included history taking, physical
examination and counseling.
It became apparent that care providers with higher education had lower performance
levels compared to their less educated colleagues. Service for new clients was of
poorer quality than for those who had requested a change of contraceptive method.
Furthermore, earlier hours of a work shift (before 10 o’clock) were associated with
better service quality than later hours.
Altogether, the study reveals serious flaws in areas such as training of family health
workers and human resource management within the current system. To address these
shortcomings, we recommend a more client-oriented approach in health care, use of
supplementary material to promote client knowledge, and training of health workers
with due emphasis on effective communication and performance.
M Kermani , K Naddafi , M Shariat , A.s Mesbah ,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2004)
Abstract
Apparently, breathing clean air is of significant importance to human beings and thus attention to what enters our body through inhalation is on the increase. Tehran’s air pollution has received considerable media coverage in recent years: Since particulate matter (TSP and PM10) is one of the important pollutants in this city, an attempt was made to study TSP and PM10 concentrations and to make a qualitative assessment of air using the Air Quality Index (AQI), with TSP and PM10 sampling both daily and on a monthly basis. Shariati Hospital district was selected as study area from 22 December 2001 to 20 April 2002. To determine the amount of TSP and PM10 according to EPA and WHO standards, 61 samples were taken for TSP and 61 samples for PM10 with High Volume Sampler. The results indicated that: • As for TSP and PM10, the period extending from 20 February to 20 March (Esfand) was the most heavily polluted one in this study. The cleanest spell was observed from 21 March to 20 April (Farvardin). • Saturdays and Mondays were the most polluted days of the week for TSP and PM10 and Fridays were the cleanest. • As for TSP, In 51 percent of the samples the Air Quality Index (AQI) was below 100 (AQI<100) and in the remaining 49 percent, AQI was above 100 (AQI>100). • In the case of PM10, in 75.5 percent of samples the Air Quality Index (AQI) was below 100 (AQI<100) and in the remaining 24.5 percent AQI was above 100 (AQI>100).
A Mohammadi , H Eftekhar Ardebffi , F Akbari Haghighi , M Mahmoudi , A Poorreza ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (5-2004)
Abstract
Measuring of service quality is the basic prerequisite for improving quality. Patients&apos expectations and perceptions of service quality play an important role in the choice of hospital, loyalty to organization and behavioral intention. A first step towards improvement would be to determine areas of quality that are most defective. Studies show that consumers are in close contact with service providers, and they are involved in the service process. Therefore, this group can measure services quality better than any other group. This study was conducted to measure service quality based on patients&apos expectations and perceptions in Zanjan hospitals.
The cross-sectional design was used in this research. For data collection, SERVQUAL questionnaire was employed. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, the internal consistency reliability test (Cronbach alpha) was performed.
Findings: Cronbach alpha for service quality was .94. Results show that the assurance (knowledge, experience and ability to maintain patients&apos confidence and trust) was rated as the most important dimension. (SQ mean = -1.3). There were differences between patients&apos expectations and perceptions in all the dimensions.
the assurance dimension constitutes the most serious problem facing hospitals. It is recommended that physicians thoroughly explain the disease condition to patients, and that patients should be treated with dignity and respect.
H Shahandeh , R Wameghi , N Hatamizadeh , A Kazemnejad ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (6-2005)
Abstract
Nowadays the Quality of Life (QOL) among different groups of people, especially in disabled
people, is recognized as a very important topic.
In order to assess quality of life in people with spinal cord injuries, 86 members of Tehran
spinal cord injury(SCI) society were selected randomly. Data were gathered through a
questionnaire that consisted of two parts. The first part contained questions about sex, age,
plus the cause, type and duration of injury. The second part contained questions that measured
quality of life in an objective manner. The test was adapted from Lancashire and Wisconsin
tests and modified to suit the cultural background of Iranian people.
Results showed that %73.3 of people with SCI perceived their QOL as good or fair.
In assessing different areas of quality of life, the highest scores were given to social relations
(3.67 out of 5). In the married group the mean score for satisfaction in family relations was
3.95 out of 5 score.
Sub-scores for work/education, finances, physical health and psychological health status were
lower than the other ones.
Results of study indicated that there was a significant difference in the mean QOL score
between the two sexes: the score for women was higher (mean score was 3.3 for women and
2.9 for men). But Quality of Life was not significantly related to age, cause of SCI, type of
SCI, or duration of SCI.
T Khamechian , Z Tabasi , T Mazuchi , A Mesdaghinia ,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (6-2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Pap smear test is considered the best screening method for cervical disease, especially for malignant lesions. The crucial factor here is obtaining high-quality samples, as poorly-prepared ones cause a great deal of confusion for patients and physicians alike. Attempts to define an ideal sampling technique have been going on for many years, and in this study we compare three different sampling methods to determine which one provides the best quality.
Materials and Methods: This interventional study was performed in a private obstetrics-gynecology clinic and involved 600 women who met the criteria for cervical screening. The Pap test was done by three different methods: "Swab spatula", "Cytobrush – spatula" and "Spatula only".
Results: Each method was performed on 200 randomly-selected patients. Cytopathologic examination was done by a single pathologist and in a blind fashion. For each specimen, a quality rating was reported as "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory".
Among the 200 samples obtained by the "Swabspatula” method, 150 (75%) were of satisfactory quality and the remaining 50 cases (25%) were rated as unsatisfactory. As for the cytobrush–spatula group, 88 samples (94%) were satisfactory and 12 (6%) were unsatisfactory. Finally, 179 samples (88%) in “Spatula-only” group were satisfactory and 24 (12%) were unsatisfactory. The difference in the proportion of good-quality samples was significant in pairwise comparisons between the three methods: swab-spatula versus spatula-only (P = 0.0013), swab-spatula versus cytobrush-spatula (P = 0.0001) and cytobrush-spatula versus spatula-only (P = 0.036).
Conclusion: The study revealed that the cytobrush-spatula sampling method yielded the highest proportion of high-quality samples. Hence, it would be desirable to familiarize physicians, midwives and other health care workers in this country with the technique of cytobrush cervical sampling and its potential advantages. However, financial and cultural aspects must be taken into account before adopting the procedure for routine cervical screening in Iran.
R Nabizadeh, K Naddafi, M Mohebbi, M Yonesian, A.m Mirsepasi, S Oktaie, M Faghihi ,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The scattered state of the rural populations- in terms of both the distance between villages and the distance between residential units within a single village- has made the task of supply, distribution and monitoring the quality of water a difficult one. In this study we looked at the bacteriological quality as well as access to safe potable water in selected villages of Tehran Province. This research started in February 2006 and ended in July the same year.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional field study, sampling points were specified on the basis of the populations of the villages served by the Tehran Rural Water and Wastewater Company. After systematic sampling, the specimens were transferred to the laboratory for testing. Data were analyzed using the SPSS and Microsoft Excel software packages.
Results: Drinking water contamination with E. coli was observed in 5.99% of the villages. The degree of contamination was highest in the districts of Pakdasht, Savojblagh and Damavand, with rates of 33.34, 13.69 and 13.32 percent respectively. For 99.36% of the Tehran rural population the turbidity was lower than the standard value of 1053 set by the Iranian Institute of Standards and Industrial Research. Values in Savojblagh and Varamin were relatively higher, with rates of 96.51% and 99.30% respectively. Given the standard value of 1053, the residual chlorine levels were unacceptably low for 92.39% of the rural residents, with figures in the districts of Pakdasht, Damavand and Robatkarim reaching 75.67, 85.45 and 83.98 percent respectively.
Conclusion: Based on WHO guidelines concerning the microbial quality of water published in 2006, the average indicator for lack of E.coli in rural water of Tehran was 94.01%, i.e. at an excellent level. Levels were good for Damavand and Savojblagh, low in Pakdasht and excellent in all other districts.
J Savari, N Jaafazadeh, A Hassani, G Shams Khoram Abadi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aims: In this study we measured the quality, corrosiveness, Ryznar stability index, and heavy metal leakage in the drinking water distribution networks of Ahvaz.
Materials and Methods : A total of 76 sampling sites were selected for this purpose the sites included inlet and outlet points in water treatment plants as well as consumers taps. We collected 456 samples in six stages and over a period of six month, following the procedures outlined in the Standard Method. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 11.5 software package.
Results: The average values obtained from the specimens were as follows: temperature (19 0C), turbidity (1.97NTU), pH (7.31), pHs (7.88), EC (1678µs/cm), TDS (1006mg/l), Alkalinity (129mg/l), Calcium (109mg/l), DO (6.78mg/l), Cl- (293mg/l), SO4-- (264mg/l), Ryznar stability index (8.43). Average heavy metal levels in tap water were as follows: Pb (8.48µg/l), Cd (0.972 µg/l), Zn (3.18 mg/l), Cu (0.168 g/l), Fe (0.257 mg/l), and Mn (0.031mg/l).
Conclusion: The results showed that the water quality has been affected in such a way as to cause corrosiveness, heavy metal leakage and aesthetic problems. We also showed that in comparison with USEPA and Iranian standards, the quality indices of the drinking water in Ahvaz were at an acceptable level, with the notable exception of a few indices such as TDS, EC, and hardness. The Ryznar stability index indicated that the drinking water in Ahvaz has corrosive properties and this could be one of the reasons behind the high rates of heavy metal leakage detected in this area.
F Ramezanzadeh, F Haghollahi, M Shariat, M Mahmood Arabi, H Hosseini, M Jaafar Abadi, M.a Motlagh, G Ardalan, A Vasigh, F Sohani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the fact that the proportion of youth population is very high in Iran, there is no well designed, comprehensive reproductive health program for the youth. This prompted the health planners to evaluate all the existing centers that deliver reproductive health services to the youth in the country in order to identify the weaknesses and strengths of the services and the centers.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive analytic study was conducted from March 2006 to March 2007, in coordination with the Vice-chancellor for Health of Universities of Medical Sciences, through Offices for Health of the Youth and Schools (OHYS). Five health centers, namely, Tehran, Semnan, Bam, Chabahar, and Fassa Health Centers (the only centers delivering reproductive health services to the youth) were included in the study. They were assessed for structure and physical facilities, job satisfaction of the personnel, satisfaction of the youth consulting them, and the services (including consultative services) delivered. The data were gathered through questionnaires using a checklist and analyzed by the SPSS-13 software.
Results: The health center personnel thought that the quality of services delivered at the centers was low. They also believed that the physical facilities, including equipment in the clinical examination room, furniture, cleanliness of the premises, and entertainment facilities, were not of an acceptable standard. About 64% of the personnel of the health centers personnel expressed job satisfaction. On the other hand, 39% of the young people consulting the centers expressed full, and 54% relative, satisfaction with the services they were receiving the remaining 7% were not content at all. The highest rate of satisfaction was with the psychologist, physician, and midwife, so that 95% of the clients recommended the centers to other young people seeking reproductive health services. Finally, the clients said that in most of the centers paramedical personnel, including nutrition officers (50%) and midwives with a Master's degree (17.5%), were insufficient.
Conclusion: It is suggested that a comprehensive service package be developed to be used in all the health centers, rather than each center deliver services based on the existing facilities and individual preferences. Such a package should be based on the national reproductive health programs (according to the medical education curricula). Intersectoral collaboration (particularly from the Ministry of Education and cultural organizations) is also very essential.
Sh Tofighi, M.r Maleki, M Shahabi, M Delpasand, A Nafis,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (9-2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Inequality in the distribution of hospital recourses is a great obstacle in planning and provision of health care. This inequality in mainly observed in the government hospitals in a country. The objective of the present study was to determine the distribution of specialized physicians and active beds in the Iranian government hospitals between 2001 and 2006
Materials and Methods: The method used in the study was retrospective, descriptive- analytical. The data were analyzed (Lorenz Curve and Gini index estimation), using the Excel Software.
Results: Based on the Gini coefficient, the distribution of specialized physicians during the 5-year period (2001-2006) was 0.0876, 0.0874, 0.0909, 0.0329, 0.0951, and 0.0520, respectively. The corresponding figures for active beds were 0.024, 0.0171, 0.0208, 0.0251, 0.0212, and 0.084.
Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that, in spite of differences in the proportions of specialized physicians and active beds among the provinces with regard to their populations, the distributions in the government hospitals have been equitable. The results of this study can provide useful insights for the country's Health Ministry policy-makers.
H Mohamadian, H Eftekhar Ardebili, A Rahimi Foroushani, M.h Taghdisi, D Shojaiezade,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Presently not sufficient attention is paid to adolescent health promotion in many countries, because of the widespread belief that adolescents are generally healthy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictors of adolescent girls' quality of life using path analysis based on Pender's health promotion model.
Materials and Methods: The Pender's health promotion model served as the framework of this cross-sectional study, which included a total of 500 adolescent girls (grades 9-11) selected by stratified random sampling from 20 high schools for girls in 4 districts of Kashan province, Iran. Inclusion criteria were being in grades 9-11 and a written informed consent (from teachers, parents and the girls themselves). Data were collected through interviewing the girls, the interviewers being trained persons, using several standard questionnaires (for perceived self-efficacy, perceived affect, perceived barriers, perceived social support health promoting lifestyle, and health-related quality of life). Data analysis was done using SPSS18 and LISREL 8.8, the statistical test being path analysis.
Results: All constructs of the health promotion model and health promoting lifestyle were significantly related to adolescent girls' quality of life. Perceived self-efficacy (β=0.70, p<0/01) and perceived affect (β=0.21, p<0/01) had the highest correlation with the quality of life. The model and the health-promoting lifestyle as a mediator accounted for 73% and 39% of variance in adolescent girls' quality of life, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the health promotion model can be used to explain and predict the quality of life of adolescent girls. Thus, the Pender's health promotion model is recommended to health planners for promoting the quality of life in this population.
Zohreh Sadat Mirsaeedi, Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Keramat Allah Nouri Jalyani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The most important single determinant of the quality of life of the elderly is health. Studies have shown that health declines with age. Because of high vulnerablity of the elderly due to many problems, they need particular attention and self-care programs for their health promotion. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life of elderly clients under coverage of the Southern Tehran Health Center and determine the effects of a self-care program on it.
Materials and Methods: This was a controlled interventional study conducted in 2010-2011. A total of 132 elderly clients (52 in the intervention, and 80 in the control, group) were selected by randomised cluster sampling from 5 Health Care Centers in Southern Tehran. A 3-month educational program was prepared with contents based on books published by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and implemented. The quality of life was assessed in both groups at the beginning and 2 months after the intervention using a short questionnaire (sf36). Data were collected through a structured interview (demographic characterstics) and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests.
Results: The mean quality-of-life score of the experimental group increased after education the mean score of physical domain of the quality of life increased from 52.75 in 66.11 and that of the emotional domain from 53.61 to 70.85. The scores of different domains of quality of life of the control subjects did not change significantly.
Conclusion: The findings show that a self-care educational program can have a positive affect on quality of life of the elderly.
Mohammad Saleh Koushki, Ali Akbari Sari, Mohammad Arab, Kambiz Ahmadi Engali,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The quality of working life is a very important variable in connection with human resources. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration by managers if they aim to improve the capabilities and efficiency of their staff, which will, in turn, lead to improved productivity and economic growth. Productivity is an important factor in the success of hospital nurses too. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the quality of working life and productivity of nurses. Knowledge of this relationship can help plan to improve the nurses' quality of working life and, subsequently, improve their productivity and, ultimately, productivity of a hospital.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional correlation study conducted in 2011. The study population was nurses of the Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Using the randomized stratified multistage sampling method, 380 nurses were selected as the study sample. Data on the nurses' quality of working life and productivity were collected using two questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-17, the statistical tests being Chi-2, ANOVA, T-test, and the Pearson correlation test.
Results: The findings showed that nurses' quality of work life and productivity were at the middle level, with a mean of 2.47 and 3.07, respectively. A very small number (1.55%) of the nurses reported that their quality of work life was at a high level, while the majority (82.4%) believed their quality of work life to be at a moderate level. The Pearson correlation test showed a significant positive relationship between the quality of work life and productivity of the nurses (r = 0.66, p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion: Only a low proportion of the nurses report their quality of working life and productivity to be at a high level. Therefore, bearing in mind that a statistically significant relationship exists between the quality of working life and productivity, authorities should atempt to promote the nurses' quality of work life in order to increase their productivity.
Akram Bani Asadi, Soudabeh Vatankhah, Agha Fatemeh Hosseini,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (8-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Quality measurement and management has changed to be one of the most important topics in health care today. This study aims to analyze service quality through Importance-performance Analysis tool in selected hospitals.
Materials and Methods : This is an Analytical-descriptive study. Research community was all admitted patients to four hospitals during a specific period, the sample of the study consists of 284 inpatient person selected by stratified random sampling method. The main instrument was a questionnaire consists of two parts "importance" and "performance" with the same items in 8 dimensions. Assigning the scores for each of those service items in a two-dimensional diagram with four cell, each gives special guideline for hospitals. SPSS 17.0 for windows was employed for the scale measurement.
Results: The results of the study indicate that the most important dimensions in patients attribute with 3.55 mean were for "accountability" and the best performance in patients point of view was for "responsiveness" and "reliability". The key dissatisfier with least importance and performance score was for "service organization" with the mean of 3.11.
In analyzing service quality, reliability, empathy, assurance and accountability dimensions were located in Cell I, service process was located in Cell II, service organization was located in Cell III and finally tangibles and responsiveness dimensions were located in Cell IV.
Conclusion: Application of IPA to these data showed that developing service process management system in order to improve process of service delivering is important directions for hospitals to work on.
Zahra Nikoo Seresht, Shahnaz Rimaz, Mohsen Asadi Lari, Saharnaz Nedjat, Effat Merghati Khoie, Seyed Abbas Motevallian, Narges Saeepour,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Quality of life amongst people living with HIV/AIDS is affected by their experiences such as social isolation, stigmatization and discrimination. Physical, mental and social problems are common throughout their lives. Therefore, studying the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals are shortcomings in various cultural contexts. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. We used convenience sampling to recruit 300 HIV-infected adults attending the Imam Khomeini Hospital consultation center for clients with risky behaviors in Tehran. To collect the data we employed the World Health Organization Quality of life for HIV Brief version (WHOQOL-HIV BREF). T-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s coefficient and multiple regression were used for analysis.
Results: The mean ±SD age of the respondents was 34.3±7.5 years. The majority of them were males (55%) and asymptomatic (51.7%). Among the domains of quality of life, Level of independence had the highest score (13.4±3.1), and environment (12.5±2.8) and psychological (12.5±3.1) domains had the lowest. Younger's, women and employed subjects reported better quality of life for different domains of quality of life (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Psychological and environment domains in quality of life were found to be adversely affected by HIV. Accurate and culturally sensitive interventions are suggested to address the patients' psychological and environmental needs.
Kazem Mohammad, Shahnaz Rimaz, Maryam Dastoorpour, Masoomeh Sadeghi, Seyed Reza Majdzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: MS is a chronic and destructive inflammatory disease with a not contradiction continuing of life but can influenced the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the quality of life in MS and its related factors.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 172 patients admitted to the MS Society of Iran (Tehran) and convenience samplings were obtained for 10 months. Tools for data collection were MSQOL-54 and MS patients were also interviewed. Data using descriptive and Analytical tests such as multiple regression were analyzed.
Results: The mean age of patients was 34/8 ± 9/6 years. Analysis of 14 sub-domains of quality of life questionnaire showed that the highest average score in the domain of quality of life was social functioning (71/7 ± 21) and the least was role limitations due to physical problems (44/2 ± 39/4). Results of multivariate regression models shown that between age has an significant inverse relationship to domain of physical combined and only variable significant on the combined domain of psychological – psychiatric, Area residential Variable was (p.value 0/001).
Conclusions: The study shows that demographic variables medical and economic factors influence the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. Identify the factors related to the quality of life of these patients can be helpful in predicting quality of life. The variables influence on the quality of life for MS patients must be targeted in designing effective intervention programs to improve their quality of life.
Hashem Mohammadian, Gholamabbas Moosavi, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed gender variations about adolescents' health-related quality of life.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on four hundred students selected by a Stratified random sampling. Two-way analysis of variance was used for the analysis of total health-related quality of life scores among boys and girls in terms of demographic factors. Data analysis was conducted with software SPSS 18 and LISREL8.8 programs.
Results: There were important differences in health-related quality of life total score between boys and girls in relevance rank of birth, level of education and BMI. Although, these differences weren't statistically significant (p>0.05), Girls’ reports were higher compared to boys except for the emotional functioning subscale.
Conclusions: Teachers and parents should make great efforts for meet the requirements and difficulties of emotional and behavioral in adolescent girls. It is Necessary to execute coping mechanisms by the training consultants to minimize stress and anxiety for the mother to be.
Maryam Kroushavi, Maryam Behrooz, Bahram Rashidkhani, Nafiseh Bahadori, Azita Hekmatdoost,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The role of nutritional quality of the diet in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not yet well understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between index of nutritional quality (INQ) and MS.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 70 patients with a definitive diagnosis of MS in the preceding year and 140 frequency-matched hospital controls were selected from among 20-50 year-old patients referred to Sina and Lolagar hospitals in Tehran. The subjects’ dietary intakes were assessed using a valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. INQs for all the nutrients were then calculated for every participant, and logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios for having MS in relation to every nutrient’s INQ.
Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, it was seen that subjects who had higher INQs for alpha-linolenic acid, vitamins A, D, K, B1, B2, B5, B6, folate, B12, and C, and minerals calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium were less likely (p<0.05) to have MS as compared to subjects with lower INQs for these nutrients.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study show inverse associations between the INQ of many nutrients and risk of having MS. Therefore, it seems that overall improvement of the nutritional quality of the diet might be an appropriate approach for prevention of this disease.
Masoud Keimasi, Ozhan Karimi, Hossein Rastian Ardestani,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study was conducted to assess customers’ perceptions of the quality of services in clinical diagnostic laboratories
Materials and Methods: Based on the SERVEIMPERF model, different dimensions of quality of services in terms of performance (current situation) and importance (weight) of each of the dimensions were assessed. A sample of 328 persons consulting Tehran clinical diagnostic laboratories, selected by stratified random sampling, was included in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire.
Results: The customers’ scores for perceptions of the quality of services and its dimensions were higher than average. Dimensions of reliability with a mean score of 3.49 and that of empathy with a mean score of 2.73 were considered to be the highest and lowest dimensions, respectively. As regards importance of dimensions of service quality, the customers’ perceptions of assurance with a mean score of 4.448 was assessed to be higher than other dimensions, while the dimension of tangibility with a mean score of 3.983 was considered to be lower than other dimensions.
Conclusion: In can be concluded that different customers do not have the same perception of the various dimensions of quality of services and do not evaluate them in the same way. Thus, the differences should be taken into consideration when designing plans to improve the quality of services and deciding about priorities. It seems that the dimension of trust in the customers’ perceptions of the quality of services in clinical diagnostic laboratories is the most important and the first priority.
Parivash Nooraliey, Ahmadreza Dorosti Motlagh, Seyed Mostafa Hosseini, Javad Karimi, Reyhaneh Nooraliey,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Background an d Aim : Overweight and obesity are one of the most serious health and social problems in the world today. The fact that obesity is highly prevalent among adolescents is particularly alarming, considering that the disease has many undesirable physical and mental consequences. This study examined the relationship between overweight and obesity and the quality of life.
Materials and Methods : A total of 400 high school girl-students, selected by the two-stage cluster sampling, completed the demographic and sf-36 quality of life questionnaires. Their weights and heights were measured using the Seca scale (precision 100 g) and non-elastic tape (precision 0.5 cm) by the researcher, respectively.
Results : The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the sample was 21.8%. The mean scores of general health, physical health, physical limitations, and social functioning were significantly lower among overweight and obese, as compared to normal, subjects. Dissatisfaction with physical fitness, not living with both parents, poor economic conditions and skipping breakfast were factors associated with a lower quality of life.
Conclusion : Considering the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among high school girls and their significant correlations with the physical dimensions of quality of life, attention to obesity as a major health and social problem on the part of health planners and policy-makers is of utmost importance.
