Life satisfaction as the main factor behind the elderly`s health knowledge utilization: A qualitative study in an Iranian context.

Background: The elderly population's health has become a priority as their numbers are on the rise and they are increasingly becoming vulnerable to physical and mental diseases. Studies show that an elderly person's health depends on his/her utilization of health knowledge in daily life. Hence, here we investigated the contributing factors of knowledge utilization in the elderly population. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted through conventional content analysis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were held with 29 elderly individuals from Tehran. A focus group discussion was conducted (eight elderly individuals), and an expert panel was held with nine experts to complement the results. Results: Upon data analysis, four categories and seven subcategories were extracted. The main categories included provision of basic needs, maintaining dignity, life satisfaction, and negative feelings toward self and others. The concept of 'life satisfaction' held a pivotal role in relation to the other categories. Conclusion: Life satisfaction was the main category in the utilization of health knowledge among the elderly. Aging should be foreseen and forethought to increase life satisfaction. The followings can be effective in increasing life satisfaction in the elderly: Promoting positive-thinking, placing greater emphasis on spiritualism in life, employment of the elderly, and promoting the culture and tradition of respecting the elderly.

Correlation between important genes of mTOR pathway (PI3K and KIT) in Iranian women with sporadic breast cancer.

Background: PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a crucial pathway in the angiogenesis, tumour growth and cell differentiation of several cancers. The PI3K and KIT genes are key genes of this pathway. Previous studies have reported the importance of these genes in the development of gastrointestinal carcinoma, leukaemia, and melanomas. The role of mutations and overexpression of PI3K and KIT genes in breast cancer has been previously proved. This study investigates the correlation between PI3K and KIT gene mutations in sporadic breast cancer. Methods: Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) technique was used to determine the Copy Number Variation (CNV) of PI3K and KIT genes in 34 breast cancer tumours and PCR-sequencing was used to detect the mutation in PI3K exons 9 and 20. Results: Our results reported that 27% of patients had CNV of the KIT gene; whereas, 20% and 17.5% of patients, had mutation and CNV in the PI3K gene, respectively. We did not found a significant correlation between the mutations of PI3K and KIT genes. Conclusion: About two-tenth of the patients revealed CNV and lesser than two-tenth indicated mutation in the PI3K gene, whereas one-third of the patients demonstrated CNV in the KIT gene. Thus, administration of the PI3K and KIT gene inhibitor drugs might be proposed to suppress breast cancer in patients with mutation and CNV of each of these individual genes.

The Impact of XmnI-HBG2, BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Hb F Variation of Hematologically Normal Iranian Individuals.

The impact of Hb F on severity of sickle cell disease and ß-thalassemia (ß-thal) is well documented. The XmnI-HBG2, BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been introduced as the most important factors causing variation in fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) levels in different population studies. However, the extent of their effect could be population-specific. In this study, multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of Hb F with age, sex, and eight SNPs, including XmnI-HBG2, four BCL11A, two HBS1L-MYB SNPs and the polymorphic palindromic 5' hypersensitive 4-locus control region (5'HS4-LCR). One hundred and twenty-two hematologically normal individuals, from a previous study cohort, constituted our study population. In multivariate regression analyses, no association of Hb F was observed with age or sex of the individuals and SNPs in this study. We conducted a univariate regression analysis to further investigate the results, which among all the factors only detected XmnI-HBG2 and 5'HS4 SNPs as significant modifiers of Hb F. The significance of these two factors disappeared in a bivariate analysis. These results suggest that either XmnI-HBG2 or 5'HS4-LCR have a stronger contribution in Hb F variations of the Iranian population than BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB SNPs. Furthermore, the effect of low population size and technical limitations on obtained results could not be ruled out.

Does Disability Correlate With Impairment After Hand Injury?

BACKGROUND: Any loss or deviation in body function and structure is considered impairment, whereas limitations on activities are fundamental to the definition of disability. Although it seems intuitive that the two should be closely related, this might not be the case; there is some evidence that psychosocial factors are more important determinants of disability than are objective impairments. However, the degree to which this is the case has been incompletely explored. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to determine if disability (as measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire [MHQ]) and pain intensity correlate with impairment (as measured by the American Medical Association [AMA] impairment guide). Secondary study questions addressed the effect of pain intensity and symptom of depression on predicting disability. METHODS: Impairment and disability were evaluated in a sample of 107 hand-injured patients a mean of 11 months after injury. Impairment rating was performed prospectively. From the patients who came for therapy, they were invited to fill out the questionnaire and evaluated for impairment rating. Response variables of DASH, MHQ, and visual analog scale pain intensity values were collected at the same setting. Other explanatory variables included demographic, injury-related, and psychological factors (symptoms of depression measured with the Beck Depression Inventory). Initial bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine correlations of disability and pain to impairment rating and other exploratory variables. RESULTS: Disability as measured by the DASH showed intermediate correlation with AMA impairment (r = 0 .38, beta = 0.36, p = 0.000). Together with gender, it accounted for only 22% of the variability in DASH scores. Similarly, MHQ score correlated with impairment rating (r = -0.24, beta = -0.23, p < 0.05). However, together with age, injured hand accounted for only 19% of the variability in MHQ scores. However, pain intensity did not correlate with impairment (r = -0.46, p > 0.05). Interestingly, pain intensity did correlate with the time passed from surgery but it was correlated with symptom of depression (r(2) = 0.10, beta = 0.33, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The limited correlation between impairment and disability emphasizes the importance of factors other than pathophysiology in human illness behavior. These may include physical (pain, dominant injured hand) and conditional factors (time since surgery) or psychological factors such as depression and adapting; all mentioned can be considered as personal factors that may be different in each patient. So considering personal difference and any other condition except the impairment alone can help to better plan interventions and also diminish disability level. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

The Effect of the combination of active vestibular interventions and occupational therapy on Balance in Children with Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A pilot randomized Controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to examine the effect of the combined administration of active vestibular interventions and occupational therapy on balance and the relationship between balance changes and Activity of Daily Living in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty-four children with Spastic CP, at the level I and II (according to the "Gross Motor Function Classification System) aged 7-12 years were enrolled and randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. Pediatric Balance Scales and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency II were employed to assess the functional balance changes as well as Force Plate (eyes closed and open) to assess changes in the parameters of balance (e.g. center of pressure excursion). The activity of Daily Living was assessed by "Activity Scales for Kids (performance version)". Participants in the intervention group received active vestibular intervention for 20 min and a regular occupational therapy program for 25 min. The control group received a regular occupational therapy program for 45 min. Interventions were provided 3 d/week for 6 weeks in each group. The participants were assessed in three stages: baseline, immediately after, and eight weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and linear regression. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that only functional balance, according to Pediatric Balance Scales scores, was significantly increased in the active vestibular interventions group (p=0.02). There was no significant association between functional balance and Activity of Daily Living (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined administration of active vestibular interventions and occupational therapy could improve the functional balance in children with spastic CP. It may be related to the reorganization of the vestibular system with a controlled and precise application of stimuli.

The Relationship between KIT Copy Number Variation, Protein Expression, and Angiogenesis in Sporadic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: KIT is a protooncogene that encodes for the KIT oncoprotein, which is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor that holds a critical role in a variety of normal physiological and pathological processes including angiogenesis. KIT has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis, contributing to the development of gastrointestinal carcinoma and leukemia. A link between KIT overexpression and breast cancer development has previously been reported. In the current study, we explored KIT gene expression and exonic copy number variants (CNV) and the relationship with angiogenesis (CD34) and the clinicopathological features of breast cancer. METHODS: MLPA technique was used to determine the CNV in 64 breast cancer tumor samples from patients diagnosed with primary sporadic breast cancer. Results were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Expression of KIT and CD34 was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Our results show that 28.1% of the tumor samples from patients with primary sporadic breast cancer had CNV in the KIT gene. Among the breast tumor samples, 54.7% showed positive KIT expression. The expression of the CD34 angiogenesis marker was reported in 43.8% of the tumor samples as low, 42.2% as moderate and 14.1% as high. A significant correlation between increased CNV of KIT exons, a high level of angiogenesis (CD34) and increased tumor grade was observed (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: A significant correlation between the KIT CNV and the angiogenesis marker was found. Examining KIT expression and CNV has the potential to function as a biomarker for tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs in breast cancer.

Development and preliminary evaluation of a new anatomically based prosthetic alignment method for below-knee prosthesis.

The objectives of current study were to a) assess similarities and relationships between anatomical landmark-based angles and distances of lower limbs in unilateral transtibial amputees and b) develop and evaluate a new anatomically based static prosthetic alignment method. First substudy assessed the anthropometrical differences and relationships between the lower limbs in the photographs taken from amputees. Data were analyzed via paired t-test and regression analysis. Results show no significant differences in frontal and transverse planes. In the sagittal plane, the anthropometric parameters of the amputated limb were significantly correlated to the corresponding variables of the sound limb. The results served as bases for the development of a new prosthetic alignment method. The method was evaluated on a single-subject study. Prosthetic alignment carried out by an experienced prosthetist was compared with such alignment adjusted by an inexperienced prosthetist but with the use of the developed method. In sagittal and frontal planes, the socket angle was tuned with respect to the shin angle, and the position of the prosthetic foot was tuned in relation to the pelvic landmarks. Further study is needed to assess the proposed method on a larger sample of amputees and prosthetists.

Relationship Between PIK3CA Amplification and P110α and CD34 Tissue Expression as Angiogenesis Markers in Iranian Women with Sporadic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is known to play an important role in regulating angiogenesis both in normal and breast cancer (BC) tissues. PIK3CA amplification was reported in various malignancies, including approximately 10% of BC cases. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of PIK3CA amplification in Iranian female patients suffering from BC. Additionally, possible association between PIK3CA amplification and P110α expression with microvascular density (MVD) was examined. METHODS: DNA samples were extracted from paraffin embedded tumor tissue blocks and copy number changes were evaluated by MLPA Technique. The results were analyzed by coffalyzer software. The tissue expression of P110α and CD34 was assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ten out of 40 samples (17.5%) showed amplification in PIK3CA gene and 22 out of 40 samples (55%) showed overexpression in P110α. For CD34, from 40 samples, 20 (50%), 15 (37.5%) and 5 (12.5%) had scores 1+, 2+ and 3+, respectively. CONCLUSION: No significant association was detected between gain of PIK3CA copy number and P110α or CD34 tissue expression.

A Communicative Model of Mothers' Lifestyles During Pregnancy with Low Birth Weight Based on Social Determinants of Health: A Path Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major health problems worldwide. It is important to identify the factors that play a role in the incidence of this adverse pregnancy outcome. This study aimed to develop a tool to measure mothers' lifestyles during pregnancy with a view to the effects of social determinants on health and develop a correlation model of mothers' lifestyles with LBW. METHODS: This study was conducted using methodological and case-control designs in four stages by selecting 750 mothers with infants weighing less than 4000 g using multistage sampling. The questionnaire contained 160 items. Face, content, criterion, and construct validity were used to study the psychometrics of the instrument. RESULTS: After psychometrics, 132 items were approved in six domains. Test results indicated the utility and the high fitness of the model and reasonable relationships adjusted for variables based on conceptual models. Based on the correlation model of lifestyle, occupation (-0.263) and social relationships (0.248) had the greatest overall effect on birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: The review of lifestyle dimensions showed that all of the dimensions directly, indirectly, or both affected birth weight. Thus, given the importance and the role of lifestyle as a determinant affecting birth weight, attention, and training interventions are important to promote healthy lifestyles.

Health Impact Assessment of Urban Development Project.

BACKGROUND: Health impact assessment (HIA) has emerged to identify those activities and policies likely to have major impacts on the health of a population. METHOD: In this research, qualitative method was applied to identifying health determinants that urban man made lake affect on them, formatting and weighing the hierarchy of the factors, calculating AHP, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method for decide and ranking alternatives. RESULTS: According to the results of the study, from the structural determinants point of view, the most positive effect of man-made lake was on Recreational services by 89.5% and the most negative one was on housing. According to intermediary determinants and general average, the most positive effect of lake was on physical activity and quality of air by 88.9% and the most negative one was on noise pollution by 46.7%. Ultimately, considering the positive and negative effects of lake between constructing and not constructing the lake option, the construction option was selected. CONCLUSION: There is substantial potential to improve public health by bringing decision makers' attention to the health consequences of their actions; city councilpersons, zoning commissioners, and other decision makers typically have little background in health.

Relationship between cross sectional area of Longus Colli muscle and pain laterality in patients with cervicogenic headache.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) originated from impaired cervical musculoskeletal structures. Dysfunction of deep neck flexor muscles has been reported in CGH subjects. The purpose of this study was to assess relationship between the size of these muscles and headache laterality in CGH subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross sectional single blind study designed to investigate 37 CGH subjects compared with 37 healthy controls. Longus colli (LC) muscle Cross Sectional Area (CSA) in both sides was measured in supine position utilizing diagnostic ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean CSA of LC muscle in healthy subjects was 0.74 ± 0.06 cm2 and in patients suffering from CGH was 0.74 ± 0.06 cm2 in left and 0.75 ± 0.06 cm<2 in right side. No significant difference was found between subjects suffering from CGH compared with healthy controls. Also no difference was found between muscle size of affected and non-affected side in unilateral CGH subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that there was no relationship between size of LC muscle and pain laterality in patients with CGH.

Developing a Shortened Quality of Life Scale from Persian Version of the WHOQOL-100 Using the Rasch Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies use modern approaches to develop a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire with acceptable construct validity, especially in Iran. Our main objective was to construct a new validated and uni-dimensional questionnaire, based on WHOQOL-100, using the Rasch analysis. METHODS: In a population-based, cross-sectional study in 2007, 500 Tehran residents aged≥18 were randomly sampled. The Persian version of WHOQOL-100 was used to measure the participants' QOL. After using targeting and person fit analysis, we performed category/threshold ordering, item fit, and differential item functioning analyses, in succession. We used outfit or infit statistics>1.5 and <0.5 for detecting under-fit and overfit items/persons, respectively. We also deleted items with disordered category and/or threshold. Person Separation Index and test reliability were also calculated in the datasets. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 0.98 and the mean age (SD) of participants was 35.1 (12.8) years. Initial analyses showed significant differences in quality of life between age groups (P=0.002), educational levels (P=0.001), and current health status groups (P<0.001). We eliminated 67 persons for under-fitting, 38 items for category and/or threshold disordering, 6 items for under-fitting, and 26 items for item bias. Test reliability for the final 30-item scale was 0.89. CONCLUSION: We prepared a shortened version of the WHOQOL-100 that is single construct, uni-dimensional and free of item bias or any disordering, according to the Rasch model.

Work-related accidents among the Iranian population: a time series analysis, 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: Work-related accidents result in human suffering and economic losses and are considered as a major health problem worldwide, especially in the economically developing world. OBJECTIVES: To introduce seasonal autoregressive moving average (ARIMA) models for time series analysis of work-related accident data for workers insured by the Iranian Social Security Organization (ISSO) between 2000 and 2011. METHODS: In this retrospective study, all insured people experiencing at least one work-related accident during a 10-year period were included in the analyses. We used Box-Jenkins modeling to develop a time series model of the total number of accidents. RESULTS: There was an average of 1476 accidents per month (1476·05±458·77, mean±SD). The final ARIMA (p,d,q) (P,D,Q)s model for fitting to data was: ARIMA(1,1,1)×(0,1,1)12 consisting of the first ordering of the autoregressive, moving average and seasonal moving average parameters with 20·942 mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). CONCLUSIONS: The final model showed that time series analysis of ARIMA models was useful for forecasting the number of work-related accidents in Iran. In addition, the forecasted number of work-related accidents for 2011 explained the stability of occurrence of these accidents in recent years, indicating a need for preventive occupational health and safety policies such as safety inspection.

An Association Study on IL16 Gene Polymorphisms with the Risk of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is an important regulator of T cell activation and was reported to act as a chemoattractant agent. There are evidences that IL16 can control the neuroinflammatory processes in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This study was performed to investigate the role or association of IL16 polymorphisms, rs11556218 and rs4778889 with the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in Iranian population. METHODS: Totally, 148 AD patients and 137 nondemented and age-matched subjects were recruited in this study. Genotyping of rs11556218 T/G and rs4778889 T/C polymorphisms was performed by PCR-RFLP method using the NdeI and AhdI restriction enzymes, respectively. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of rs11556218 genotypes showed a protective effect against AD in the heterozygote genotype (p=0.001, OR=0.16) as well as rs4778889 (p=0.001, OR=0.23). Frequency of rs11556218 allele T was higher in controls than patients (p=0.001, OR=0.32). However, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of rs4778889 alleles between the AD patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the rs11556218 and rs4778889 polymorphisms have a protective role in the development of sporadic AD in Iranian population.

Assessing factors related to waist circumference and obesity: application of a latent variable model.

BACKGROUND: Because the use of BMI (Body Mass Index) alone as a measure of adiposity has been criticized, in the present study our aim was to fit a latent variable model to simultaneously examine the factors that affect waist circumference (continuous outcome) and obesity (binary outcome) among Iranian adults. METHODS: Data included 18,990 Iranian individuals aged 20-65 years that are derived from the third National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors in Iran. Using latent variable model, we estimated the relation of two correlated responses (waist circumference and obesity) with independent variables including age, gender, PR (Place of Residence), PA (physical activity), smoking status, SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure), DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure), CHOL (cholesterol), FBG (Fasting Blood Glucose), diabetes, and FHD (family history of diabetes). RESULTS: All variables were related to both obesity and waist circumference (WC). Older age, female sex, being an urban resident, physical inactivity, nonsmoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes, and having family history of diabetes were significant risk factors that increased WC and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study of Iranian adult settings offer more insights into factors associated with high WC and high prevalence of obesity in this population.

Ranking the effects of urban development projects on social determinants of health: health impact assessment.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Health impact assessment (HIA) offer a very logical and interesting approach for those aiming to integrate health issues into planning processes. With a lot of works and plans waiting to be done (e.g., developing and updating plans, counseling planning commissions, cooperation with other organizations), planners find it difficult to prioritize health among a variety of possible issues and solutions they confront. METHODS: In the present article, first, the list of social determinants of health associated with Chitgar man-made lake was extracted out using a qualitative method and with content analysis approach, and then they were prioritized using analytic hierarchy process. RESULTS: 28 social determinants of health including "intermediary" and "structural" determinants were extracted out. Regarding positive effects of lake on these determinants, "recreational services" and "traffic" received the highest and the lowest weights with 0.895 and 0.638 respectively among structural determinants and with consideration to "construction" option. Furthermore, among intermediary determinants for "construction" option, sub-criteria of both "physical activity" and "air quality" received the final highest weight (0.889) and "pathogenesis" indicated the lowest weight with 0.617. Moreover, lake demonstrated the highest negative effects on "housing" among "structural" determinants which it takes the highest weight (0.476) in "non-construction" option. Additionally, lake had the highest negative effects on "noise pollution" among "intermediary determinants" and it takes the highest weight (0.467) in "non-construction" option. CONCLUSION: It has been shown that urban development projects such as green spaces, man-made lakes … have a huge range of effects on community's health, and having not considered these effects by urban planners and mangers is going to confront urban health with many challenges.

A prospective randomized controlled trial of controlled passive mobilization vs. place and active hold exercises after zone 2 flexor tendon repair.

PURPOSE: The rehabilitation program after flexor tendon repair of zone II laceration varies. We designed a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of controlled passive mobilization (modified Kleinert) vs. Place and active hold exercises after zone 2-flexor tendon repair by two-strand suture (Modified kessler). METHODS: Sixty-four fingers in 54 patients with zone 2 flexor tendon modified Kessler repairs were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing place and active hold exercises to controlled passive mobilization (modified Kleinert). The primary outcome measure was total active motion eight weeks after repair as measured by an independent and blinded therapist. RESULTS: Patients treated with place and active hold exercises had significantly greater total active motion (146) eight weeks after surgery than patients treated with controlled passive mobilization (114) (modified Klinert). There were no ruptures in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Place and hold achieves greater motion than controlled passive mobilization after a two-strand repair for zone 2 flexor tendon repairs.

Liquid base cytology in evaluation of thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Palpable thyroid nodules are present in 4-7% of general population and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is now accepted by endocrinologists and thyroid surgeons as a safe, simple and cost effective procedure for evaluating a thyroid nodule. The obtained sample can be spread directly on slides, processed as cell block preparations or prepared as liquid base smears. Liquid base method has been recently accepted due to its shorter preparation time and better preservation of nuclear details. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic results of two commonly used methods: Liquid Base Preparation and Cell Block Preparation in evaluation of thyroid nodules. METHODS: The samples were taken from 100 patients with a solitary nodule or a prominent nodule on a multinodular goiter background (excluding hot nodules). The obtained samples were used to prepare conventional smears (CS), Cell Block Preparations (CBP) and Liquid Base Preparations (LBP). The slides were studied by two pathologists, considering the following parameters: Cellularity, Colloid, Lymphocytes/Plasma cells and Macrophages. RESULTS: 87% of cases revealed informative results in LBP method while in the same group of patients only 69% of samples were informative after processing by CBP method. Sensitivity and specificity of both methods compared with the conventional smears and with each other and it is concluded that LBP is a reliable method for evaluating of a thyroid nodule. Other studies also show the same results. CONCLUSION: The liquid base method should be trusted due to its easier procedure, cleaner slide background, its higher specificity and higher diagnostic yields. It can be used instead of CBP and in association with CS to increase the accuracy of evaluation of thyroid nodules.

Development of mother's lifestyle scale during pregnancy with an approach to social determinants of health.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to design and measure psychometrics of mothers' lifestyle scale during pregnancy with regards to Iranians' cultural norms and an approach to social determinants. METHOD: this study, started by reviewing previous studies and exploring similar questionnaires that examine different domains of lifestyle (nutrition, exercising, self-care, smoking, using alcohol and illegal drugs, social relations, and stress control), then besides translating questions of the questionnaires , content of some questions was modified and proper statements with regards to  social determinant of health and Iranian cultural was used. Secondly, the validity of the designed instruments was determined using face, content, criterion, and construct validity. Thirdly, the reliability of the measurement instruments was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Participants were Healthy Iranian pregnant women (37-42 week) who refer to selected hospital for delivery. RESULTS: In the first step of the study, of the 222 questions obtained from a review of the related instruments, certain questions were omitted due to their irrelevance to social determinants of health and finally 160 questions were selected in 10 sections. After determining the face and content validity qualitatively and quantitatively and exploratory factor analysis, the number of questionnaire items was reduced to 132. Calculation of Cronbach's alpha confirmed the high internal consistency (0.76) of the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: This measurement instrument was designed in the context of the Iranian culture and sounded suitable for studying the pregnant women's lifestyle due to its appropriate validity and reliability, simplicity, and functionality in different situations.

Physical Activity Pattern and Personal-Social Factors of Mothers During Pregnancy And Infant Birth Weight Based On MET Scale: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight is one of the most important public health issues in developing and developed countries and identifying its etiology is important for prevention. OBJECTIVES: Considering the unknown impact of physical activity on low birth weight, this research was conducted to investigate the relationship between physical activity and low birth weight. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This research was conducted using a case-control design. The control group was made of 500 women with normal birth weight infants and the case group included 250 women with low birth weight infants from the selected hospitals in city of Tehran. The information was gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire which was prepared for determining the relationship between mothers' lifestyle during pregnancy and infants' low birth weight using social determinants of health approach. In this questionnaire, scope of physical activity was investigated in three groups of athletic activities, activities at home and leisure activities. Activity intensity was determined using MET scale and the data were analyzed in SPSS software using independent t-test, Chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: In the present research, based on the results of multiple logistic regression test, an increase in the time spent on sport activities (OR = 2.20) and home activities (OR =1.44) (P = 0.003) was accompanied by increased chance of giving birth to low birth weight infants; in contrast, one hour increase of leisure activities decreased the probability of low birth weight infants by 0.32 (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the time spent on sport and home activities, even after considering other influential factors, was related to low birth weight.