Association between food insecurity and metabolic syndrome in North West of Iran: Azar Cohort study.

Introduction: Nowadays, prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing in the world. There are inconsistence findings about the relationship between food insecurity and MetS. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association between food insecurity and MetS in North West of Iran. Methods: The anthropometric measurements, food insecurity, dietary intake, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS), serum triglyceride and HDL levels of 151 subjects who had participated in Azar cohort study were evaluated. Food security was assessed by Household Food Security Scale (HFIAS) (six-item short questionnaire) and dietary intake (using 24- hour recall questionnaire) of participants. MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III report (ATPIII ) criteria. Results: On the basis of HFIAS and energy, 7.3% and 11.9% of participants were food insecure and hunger, respectively. We observed no significant differences in mean body weight, BMI, waist circumference and FBS between food insecure and secure groups. Moreover, obesity (41.7% vs 30.2%) and MetS (45.5% vs 30%) were more prevalent in the food insecure group but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The most percent of participants in food insecure were obese and had MetS. However, we could not find significant differences between food insecure and food secure groups. Therefore, for achieving more clear results, further studies with large sample size are needed.

User-centred web design, usability and user satisfaction: The case of online banking websites in Iran.

The relationship of Web design attributes (personalisation, structure, navigation, layout, search and performance) and users' personal characteristics to website usability and user satisfaction was investigated among 798 online banking users in Iran. The design and usability of the evaluated websites were not satisfactory from the users' perspectives. Multivariate regression models indicated that Web layout and performance were the main predictors of website usability, while personal characteristics including gender, age and Web usage experience of users had no effect. User satisfaction was also influenced only by the Web design attributes (particularly Web structure) and not by the personal characteristics of the users. There was also a significant relationship between website usability and user satisfaction. The findings suggest that the website designers should focus more on the Web design attributes (particularly Web layout and structure), regardless of the personal characteristics of their users, to improve the usability and user satisfaction of websites.

Risk factors for neck and shoulder pain among schoolchildren and adolescents.

AIM: To evaluate the potential risk factors for neck and shoulder pain among schoolchildren. METHODS: Demographic, physical/leisure activity, school-related and psychosocial factors for neck/shoulder pain were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 1611 schoolchildren aged 11-14 years. RESULTS: Neck and shoulder complaints were reported in 27.9 and 19.0% of the sample, respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression models, high desk height (odds ratio (OR) = 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-4.07), forward-inclined seat pan (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.40-4.05), time spent (30-60 min/day) carrying school bag (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.16-2.23) and psychosocial factors (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.03-3.72) independently increased the risk of neck pain, while low body mass index (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95) decreased it. Time spent on watching TV (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.06), backward-inclined seat backrest (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.58), curved seat backrest (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05-3.08), too much homework (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03-2.03) and psychosocial factors (conduct problems) (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.07-2.46) independently increased the risk of shoulder pain, while prosocial behaviour (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35-0.90) decreased it. CONCLUSION: Both physical and psychosocial factors influenced the risk for neck/shoulder pain in school-aged children, suggesting that they should be considered in assessment and treatment of such symptoms in this population.

Effect of Early Physical Activity Programs on Motor Performance and Neuromuscular Development in Infants Born Preterm: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Although the survival rate of infants born preterm has increased, the prevalence of developmental problems and motor disorders among this population of infants remains the same. This study investigated the effect of physical activity programs in and out of water on motor performance and neuromuscular development of infants born preterm and had induced immobility by mechanical ventilation. Methods: This study was carried out in Al-Zahra hospital, Tabriz. 76 premature infants were randomly assigned into four groups. One group received daily passive range of motion to all extremities based on the Moyer-Mileur protocol. Hydrotherapy group received exercises for shoulders and pelvic area in water every other day. A combination group received physical activity programs in and out of water on alternating days. Infants in a containment group were held in a fetal position. Duration of study was two weeks 'from 32 through 33 weeks post menstrual age (PMA). Motor outcomes were measured by the Test of Infant Motor Performance. Neuromuscular developmental was assessed by New Ballard scale and leg recoil and Ankle dorsiflexion items from Dubowitz scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: TIMP and neuromuscular scores improved in all groups. Motor performance did not differ between groups at 34 weeks PMA. Postural tone of leg recoil was significantly higher in physical activity groups post intervention. Conclusion: Physical activities and containment didn't have different effects on motor performance in infants born preterm. Leg recoil of neuromuscular development items was affected by physical activity programs.

Effects of Gentle Human Touch and Field Massage on Urine Cortisol Level in Premature Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit may leads to many stresses for premature infants. Since premature infants cannot properly process stressors, identifying interventions that reduce the stress level for them is seems necessary. The aim of present study was to compare the effects of Field massage and Gentle Human Touch (GHT) techniques on the urine level of cortisol, as an indicator of stress in preterm infants. Methods: This randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in Al-Zahra hospital, Tabriz. A total of 84 premature infants were randomly assigned into three groups. First groups were touched by their mothers three times a day (15 minutes in each session) for 5 days by GHT technique. The second group was received 15 minutes Field massage with sunflower oil three times a day by their mothers for 5 days. The third group received routine care. In all groups, 24-hours urine samples were collected in the first and sixth day after the intervention and analyzed for cortisol level. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: There were significant differences between mean of changes in cortisol level between GHT and control groups and Field massage and control groups (0.026). Conclusion: Although the massage with Field technique resulted in a significant reduction in blood cortisol level, but the GHT technique have also a similar effect. So, both methods are recommended for decreasing of stress in preterm infants.

Effect of NICU Department Orientation Program on Mother's Anxiety: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Neonatal intensive care unit induces the high level of anxiety for mothers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of NICU orientation program on the anxiety of mothers who had preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial (three parallel groups). Participants included 99 mothers with preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU of Al- Zahra hospital, affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Mothers were randomly assigned to one of three groups (film, booklet, and control). Mothers completed the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory before entering to the NICU, and then mothers in the experiment groups became familiar with the NICU environment through watching a film or reading booklet. After the first NICU visit, all mothers completed the STAI and Cattell's Anxiety Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 13 software. Results: There was no significant difference between three groups regarding state- trait anxiety before the intervention. After the first NICU visit, a significant reduction in maternal state anxiety was seen in the both experiment groups. There was no statistical significant difference regarding trait anxiety. Data obtained from Cattell's anxiety questionnaire after intervention, showed significant difference in state anxiety between groups. Conclusion: Employing film and booklet orientation strategy after preterm delivery can reduce the mother's anxiety and beneficent for the mother, baby, family and health care system.

Effect of vimala massage on physiological jaundice in infants: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the prevalence of Jaundice in newborn infants and the risk of developing acute Bilirubin encephalopathy, in early weeks after birth. the importance of Infancy, as well as positive effects of giving massage on physical and behavioral growth and evolution of infants, the current study has been aimed to investigate the effects of Vimala massage on neonatal physiological Jaundice. METHODS: This is a single blind clinical trial study, 43 healthy term infants, with 1(st) day Bilirubin levels of less than 5mg/dl, carried out in Tabriz Al-Zahra hospital. Newborns were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Control group received routine care, while newborns of intervention group received four days of Vimala massage starting from the first day of their birth. Main variables of study include transcutaneous Bilirubin and frequency of defecation. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS Ver.13 through Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: There were no statistical significant differences between two groups for skin bilirubin, however the number of defecations in the intervention group exceeded than of control group, and was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The RESULTS show that Vimala massage within four days has no effect on increasing process of bilirubin, yet can affect the incidence rate of physiological Jaundice and care of infants by increasing defecation frequency.

Comparing Hemorrhages and Dysmenorrhea with Copper T380A and Multiload 375 Intrauterine Devices: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most common complications of IUD users is bleeding and dysmenorrhea. These complications vary in the different types of IUDs. The aim of this study was to compare the bleeding and dysmenorrhea in ML CU 375 IUD and Copper T 380A IUD. METHODS: This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was performed on 48 women in a health care centres from January to October 2012, in Tabriz, Iran. Participants allocated into two equal groups of receiving IUD ML CU 375 or receiving IUD Copper T 380A in randomized blocking method. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and Higham chart and Visual Analog Scale 1 month before IUD insertion and 4 months after IUD insertion. Analysis of covariance, ANOVA with repeated measures, Friedman, Ordinal regression and SPSS Ver. 13 were used to analysis the data. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean score of bleeding in the first four months after IUD insertion in IUD ML CU 375 users was significantly lower than IUD Copper T 380A group. In the third and fourth months in both groups showed severity of dysmenorrhea in group IUD ML CU 375 was lower than IUD Copper T 380A. The results showed that the duration of dysmenorrhea in the first four months after IUD insertion in IUD ML CU 375 group was significantly lower than IUD Copper T 380A group. CONCLUSION: Counseling and educating women by family planning service providers about both Copper T 380A and ML CU 375 IUDs before taking IUD is recommended.