Health education using the theory of planned behavior to modify ergonomic posture in hospital computer users: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in those who use computers, and education using ergonomic principles may be helpful to prevent such conditions. The present study sought to identify how an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) may be effective for adopting healthy ergonomic postures. METHODS: A convenience sample of 162 computer users working in a hospital setting in Iran were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention group (n = 81) received six weekly educational sessions based on TPB principles, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Both groups were assessed at baseline and 3 months after the intervention using a TPB questionnaire, rapid office strain assessment (ROSA), and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the independent/paired Student's t test, chi-square, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: All TPB constructs in the intervention group improved from baseline to follow-up, indicating considerable progress compared to the control group (p < 0.001). More than 60% of intervention and control groups were categorized as high risk at baseline in terms of ergonomic posture measured by ROSA. This percentage was reduced to 21% for intervention group and increased to 65% in the control group at follow-up. Symptom relief was obtained for wrist/hands, lower back, neck, shoulders and upper back in the intervention group (all p < 0.05). The number of affected areas also significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group three months after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Educational programs based on TPB principles may be helpful in correcting ergonomic postures among computer users. Such interventions are recommended for worksite health promotion in that they may prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders in staff.

Curriculum leadership in the postgraduate: Gap between current and optimal status.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the strengths and weakness points is one of the effective methods to analyze current status, and prioritizing actions based on the gap between current and optimal status is necessary for short-term and long-term planning in departments and colleges. The aim of this study was to determine the gap between current and optimal status of curriculum leadership in the postgraduate courses in two Iranian universities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 212 faculty members from the two Iranian universities (one medical and one nonmedical) was randomly selected through stratified random sampling method. Data were collected by using a researcher-made questionnaire, with 55 items categorized in four areas of main dimensions in curriculum leadership. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by curriculum studies scholars, and the reliability was confirmed as the Cronbach's alpha calculated 0.969. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics according to the variables. RESULTS: There was a gap in all dimensions and roles. The maximum gap (-1.70) with the highest frequency (98%) were related to "improving the educational atmosphere" dimension. As for items, the maximum gap (-2.41) was related to "society needs and expectations and the labor market" in "curriculum development and revision" dimension. CONCLUSION: The negative gap between all dimensions of curriculum leadership implies faculty members' dissatisfaction. Curriculum leadership at universities, colleges and departments of the study in all aspects need to be improved. Hence, it is necessary for managers to make use of the viewpoints of the faculty members to decrease the gap.

Wavefront - guided laser - assisted subepithelial keratectomy in low myopia, myopic astigmatism and high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To compare the safety, efficacy, predictability, stability and complications of wavefront-guided laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy ( LASEK ) in low myopia, myopic astigmatism and high myopia correction.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 416 eyes were assigned to 3 groups:159 eyes with low myopia ( LM) and mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of-3. 68±1. 33 dioptre ( D ); 161 eyes with myopic astigmatism ( MA ) and MRSE of -5. 99 ± 2. 24D and mean cylinder of 2. 41 ± 1. 07D;and 96 eyes with high myopia (HM) and MRSE of- 7. 41 ± 0. 80D. After an epithelial flap creation, a wavefront-based excimer laser ablation was performed. Safety, efficacy, predictability and stability were evaluated at day 10, 2, 6 and 12mo postoperatively.RESULTS:At 12mo, the MRSE was -0. 36 ± 0. 31D in LM group, 0. 15 ± 0. 41D in MA group and 0. 58 ± 0. 68D in HM group. The uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA) was 20/20 in 90. 60% of patients in LM group, 78. 90% in MA group and 67% in HM group. Efficacy indices were 0. 98, 1. 04 and 0. 92 in LM, MA and HM groups, respectively. Safety indices were 1. 00, 1. 07 and 1. 05 in LM, MA and HM respectively. Five eyes (3. 1%) in the LM group gained 1 line. Forty-four eyes (27. 3%) in MA gained 1-3 lines and eighteen eyes (19. 2%) of HM group gained 1-2 lines of BSCVA. Only 2 eyes in LM group developed corneal haze. There were not statistically significant differences in efficacy and safety indices amongst three groups.CONCLUSlON:Wavefront-guided LASEK is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of LM, MA, and HM. although in myopic astigmatism the predictability, efficacy and safety indices had been better.

Reliability and validity of the Oxford Happiness Inventory among university students in Iran.

The aim of the present study was to examine the internal reliability, content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity of the Persian translation/Farsi version of the Oxford Happiness Inventory. The Oxford Happiness Inventory and Fordyce Happiness Inventory were completed by a sample of 727 Iranian university students. Findings confirmed the internal reliability, construct, and concurrent validity of the Oxford Happiness Inventory. Thus, it can be recommended for use as a trait-measure of happiness among Iranian samples.

Reliability and Validity of the Oxford Happiness Inventory among University Students in Iran

The aim of the present study was to examine the internal reliability, content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity of the Persian translation/Farsi version of the Oxford Happiness Inventory. The Oxford Happiness Inventory and Fordyce Happiness Inventory were completed by a sample of 727 Iranian university students. Findings confirmed the internal reliability, construct, and concurrent validity of the Oxford Happiness Inventory. Thus, it can be recommended for use as a trait-measure of happiness among Iranian samples (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la fiabilidad internal, la validez de contenido, la validez de constructo y la validez concurrente de la traducción persa/versión farsi del Inventario de Felicidad de Oxford (Oxford Happiness Inventory). Una muestra de 727 estudiantes universitarios iraníes completaron el Inventario de Felicidad de Oxford y al Inventario de Felicidad de Fordyce. Los resultados confirmaron la fiabilidad interna, la validez de constructo y la validez concurrente del Inventario de Felicidad de Oxford. Así, puede ser recomendarse para su uso como medida de rasgo de felicidad en muestras iraníes (AU)