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Kousha A, Lotfalinezhad E, Nadrian H, Bhalla D, Asghari-jafarabadi M, Sohrabi A, Hashemiparast M, Honarvar MR. Determinants of Subjective Loneliness and Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Gorgan, Iran. Adv Gerontol 2022. [PMCID: PMC9774064 DOI: 10.1134/s2079057022040099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of, and relationship between, subjective loneliness, general health and quality of life (QoL) among lonely community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of lonely (i.e. live alone without any assistance) older adults living in Gorgan city, Iran. The older adults were invited through a census sampling technique to complete six questionnaires, namely a 20-item UCLA loneliness scale, a six-item Lubben Social Network Scale, a 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, a 17-item Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE), a General Health Questionnaire-12, and a Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure (CASP-19) questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were done with subjective loneliness and QoL as outcome variables. In total, 213 (91% females) lonely older adults (mean age: 68.2 ± 6.2) participated. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions yield socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.001), predictor group 1 (p < 0.001), predictor group 2 (p < 0.001) explained 12.5, 13.5 and 46.6% of the observed variance in loneliness, respectively. Moreover, socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.001), predictor group 1 (p < 0.001), predictor group 2 (p < 0.001) and feeling of loneliness (p < 0.001) accounted for 16.9, 21.1, 48.6 and 55.3% of the observed variance in quality of life, respectively. Both subjective loneliness and QoL were moderate in our sample. We suggest the presence of a probable causal inference between subjective loneliness, general health, and QoL; implying the need of population strategies for correcting subjective loneliness for its own sake as well as to help have an improved general health and QoL among older adults. Beside several non-modifiable factors (such as age, ethnic groups), we suggest that corrective measures should be based on social support and networking, self-care behavior, leisure activities, adapted for age, literacy and racial specifications. Given its population health relevance, there should be increased research and intervention on loneliness among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Kousha
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - E. Lotfalinezhad
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran ,Department of Health Education and Promotion, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Attar-e-Neyshabouri St., Golgasht St., 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - H. Nadrian
- Medical Education Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Attar-e-Neyshabouri St., Golgasht St., 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - D. Bhalla
- Pôle Universitaire Euclide Intergovernmental UN Treaty, 49006/49007 Bangui, Central African Republic
| | - M. Asghari-jafarabadi
- Cabrini Research, Cabrini Health, 3144 VIC, Australia ,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 3800 VIC, Australia ,Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - A. Sohrabi
- Cancer Control Research Center, Cancer Control Foundation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14535 Tehran, Iran
| | - M. Hashemiparast
- Department of Health Education and Promotion Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Gavazang road, PG36+6RX, 5166/15731 Zanjan, Iran
| | - M. R. Honarvar
- Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 5166/15731 Gorgan, Iran
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Kousha A, Farajnia S, Ansarin K, Khalili M, Shariat M, Sahebi L. Does the BCG vaccine have different effects on strains of tuberculosis? Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 203:281-285. [PMID: 33188532 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Several explanations have been suggested concerning the variety in bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine efficacy on strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This study aimed to compare the effect of BCG vaccination history in the prevention of the occurrence of Mtb-Beijing and non-Beijing strains. In this cross-sectional study, 64 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) were recruited from the Iranian border provinces (North West and West). Isolates were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, using the insertion sequence IS6110 as a probe (IS6110 RFLP) and drug susceptibility testing using the proportion method. Samples were analyzed with Gel Compare II 6.6 and spss version 18. The mean age [standard deviation (SD)] of the patients was 54·4 (SD = 17·0). Overall, 49 cases (76·56%) had no BCG vaccination scar. The prevalence of Beijing strains was 9·38% and drug resistance proportion among the isolates was 14·1% (nine cases). There was a significant relationship between Beijing strains and tuberculosis (TB)-drug resistance in isolates (χ2 = 26·29, P < 0·001). There was also a strong association between vaccination history and Beijing strains (χ2 = 13·23, P = 0·002). Also, a statistical relationship was observed between Beijing strains and drug-resistant TB among patients with a history of vaccination (χ2 = 7·47, P = 0·002). This association was not maintained in the unvaccinated group (P = 0·102). These findings confirm the claim that the vaccine has different effects on different subspecies of tuberculosis. The cause of the high probability of drug resistance in patients with Beijing-TB and vaccination history requires further investigation with a higher sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kousha
- Health Education and Promotion Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - S Farajnia
- Doctoral of biotechnology, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - K Ansarin
- Department of Medicine, Tuberculosis, and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - M Khalili
- Doctoral of History of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Department of Basic Science, University of Medical Sciences Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran
| | - M Shariat
- Family Health Research Institute, Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - L Sahebi
- Family Health Research Institute, Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Doctoral of Molecular Epidemiology, Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Roshanaei S, Shaghaghi A, Jafarabadi MA, Kousha A. Measuring unintended pregnancies in postpartum Iranian women: validation of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. East Mediterr Health J 2015; 21:572-8. [PMID: 26446528 DOI: 10.26719/2015.21.8.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Research suggests a relatively sizable rate of unintended pregnancies in some subgroups of Iranian women, but there is no concise, standard scale to measure the pregnancy intention of Iranian women. Therefore, the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) were investigated. The Persian version of the LMUP was tested on randomly selected married women aged 15-49 years in the city of Ajabshir, East Azerbaijan province, north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran. The scale's face validity and internal consistency was examined and its construct validity was tested by exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency of the scale was acceptable (Cronbach alpha coefficient 0.87). Structural indicators of the Kaiser-Meyer- Olkin measure (0.85) and Bartlett test of sphericity (P < 0.001) verified interpretability of the exploratory factor analysis output. Applicability of the Persian version of the LMUP is accepted. Further investigation is needed to understand cultural norms that might influence Iranian women's responses to queries about pregnancy intentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Roshanaei
- Health Education and Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - A Shaghaghi
- Health Education and Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - M A Jafarabadi
- Road Traffic Injury Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - A Kousha
- Health Education and Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Mohebali M, Edrissian GH, Shirzadi MR, Hosseingholizadeh G, Pashaei MH, Ganji A, Zarei Z, Kousha A, Akhoundi B, Hajjaran H, Malekafzali H. Integrated visceral leishmaniasis surveillance system in primary care for children in Meshkin-Shahr district, north-western Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J 2010; 16:1050-1054. [PMID: 21222421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) surveillance system was set up for children aged < or = 12 years in the primary health system in Meshkin-Shahr district of Ardebil province, north-western Islamic Republic of Iran. All cases with clinical signs and symptoms of VL and positive by the direct agglutination test were referred for physical examination and treatment. The mean annual incidence of VL decreased significantly from 1.88 before (1985-2000) to 0.77 per 1000 child population after the intervention (2001-07). In a control area with no surveillance, it increased from 0.11 to 0.23 per 1000. Early detection of VL using practical serological tests and timely treatment of cases could decrease the mortality and morbidity rates of VL in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, National Institute of Health Research of Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Mohebali M, Edrissian G, Shirzadi M, Hosseingholizadeh G, Pashaei M, Ganji A, Zarei Z, Kousha A, Akhoundi B, Hajjaran H, Malekafzali H. Integrated visceral leishmaniasis surveillance system in primary care for children in Meshkin-Shahr district, north-western Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J 2010. [DOI: 10.26719/2010.16.10.1050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Kousha A, Hakimi S, Soleimanzadeh G, Hashemnia N, Farhodgeibi H. Monitoring and enforcement of the salt iodization programme in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran: a successful experience. East Mediterr Health J 2010. [DOI: 10.26719/2010.16.5.528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Kousha A, Hakimi S, Soleimanzadeh G, Hashemnia N, Farhadgeibi H. Monitoring and enforcement of the salt iodization programme in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran: a successful experience. East Mediterr Health J 2010; 16:528-532. [PMID: 20799553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
After a successful programme to prevent iodine deficiency disorders in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the 1990s and early 2000s, evidence emerged that urine iodine levels in the population were falling. This paper reviews efforts to monitor and enforce the iodization of salt production and shows the resulting improvements in iodization levels of factory table Salt and in urine iodine concentrations of primary-school children in East Azerbaijan province. Reaching targets for elimination of iodine deficiency disorders requires efficient monitoring of the population's iodine levels combined with monitoring of the iodine content of table salt and enforcement of iodization regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kousha
- Provincial Health Centre, School of Health and Nutrition,Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Askarian F, Matinfar A, Kousha A, Bahmani M, Khorshidi K, Shenavar A, Ringo E. Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Reared Beluga (Huso huso) and Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus): A Comparative Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.3923/jfas.2008.302.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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