Ahmad Soltani; Shahram Mohaghegh
Volume 25, Issue 2 , 2023
Abstract
Background: The risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection significantly increases with mass gatherings during the pandemic. According to WHO recommendations, the decision to hold, modify, postpone, or cancel gatherings of any size during the COVID-19 pandemic should rely on a risk-based approach. WHO ...
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Background: The risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection significantly increases with mass gatherings during the pandemic. According to WHO recommendations, the decision to hold, modify, postpone, or cancel gatherings of any size during the COVID-19 pandemic should rely on a risk-based approach. WHO Mass Gathering COVID-19 Risk Assessment tool-Generic Events, to the best of our knowledge, has not been translated into Persian and its reliability and validity have not been determined in the Iranian population.
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the WHO Mass Gathering COVID-19 risk Assessment tool-Generic Events in the Iranian population.
Methods: The content and face validity of the final Persian version of the WHO Mass Gathering COVID-19 Risk Assessment tool- Generic Event, Version 2 (10 July 2020) was confirmed by five experts and the WHO office in Tehran, Iran. Then, the tool was completed by 17 Iranian adults on two occasions at least two weeks after a hypothetical mass gathering event. The participants were mainly selected from the personnel of the Iranian red crescent society. All of them had a bachelor's or higher university degree in health sciences. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and related statistical tests (Pearson correlation coefficient).
Results: Risk evaluation and risk mitigation questions of the Persian version of the tool had high reliability on two occasions at least two weeks after a hypothetical mass gathering event based on the Pearson correlation coefficient (r=0.81, P-value=0.03 for risk evaluation and r=0.75, P-value=0.04 for risk mitigation questions based on their final scores).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the tool can be used to classify the risk of mass gatherings for COVID-19 infection.
Maryam Hajian; Shahram Mohaghegh; Eznollah Azargashb; Mohammad Reza Sohrabi
Volume 24, Issue 3 , 2022
Abstract
Background: Sedentary lifestyle has been associated with many chronic conditions and is recognized as a leading cause of total mortality. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and osteoporosis and increase fitness, balance, muscle strength, and improve psychological ...
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Background: Sedentary lifestyle has been associated with many chronic conditions and is recognized as a leading cause of total mortality. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and osteoporosis and increase fitness, balance, muscle strength, and improve psychological function and self-satisfaction.
Objectives: Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the physical activity level among employees working at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran to find any relationship between physical activity level and job satisfaction, which is crucial for professional success and productivity.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 administrative staff members were randomly selected in the proportion of their numbers from various deputies, faculties, hospitals, health networks, and centers of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences using multistage sampling. The subjects were selected from both male and female employees. The data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Visoki, and Chrome's Job Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Results: Mean and standard deviation of physical activity of employees were 3021.83 and 2688.65 MET-minutes/week, respectively. The average was slightly higher than the moderate level of physical activity according to IPAQ. The average and standard deviation of job satisfaction of workers were 112.36 and 26.16, respectively, which were relatively good. Physical activity and job satisfaction of female workers were higher than those of their male colleagues (P= 0.019, P= 0.036 respectively). A significant difference was observed between the level of physical activity of workers and their job satisfaction as workers with higher levels of physical activity had more job satisfaction (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: Regarding the significant relationship between physical activity and job satisfaction, physical activity and exercise of employees in the workplace are crucial. Future prospective studies can validate this association.
Shahram Mohaghegh; Maryam Hajian
Volume 23, Issue 5 , 2021
Abstract
Introduction: The abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been suggested to enhance core stability through the improvement of lumbopelvic stability. Although the effect of ADIM and core muscle activation on some biomechanical parameters has been studied, the effect of exercising a few minutes of this maneuver ...
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Introduction: The abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been suggested to enhance core stability through the improvement of lumbopelvic stability. Although the effect of ADIM and core muscle activation on some biomechanical parameters has been studied, the effect of exercising a few minutes of this maneuver on balance test results has not been established yet.
Objectives: This study aimed to study the effect of exercising a few minutes of ADIM on balance test results.
Materials and Methods: This study included 18 apparently healthy participants in the age range of 18-60 years. The participants performed a fall risk test using the Biodex balance system. Afterward, the participants were instructed to perform the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. The fall risk test was repeated while the participants were performing this maneuver. The results were compared with the data obtained from participants at the beginning of the study using paired t-test. Data were analyzed according to the participants BMI (more or less than 25 kg/m2) or abdominal circumference (more or less than 100 cm) to reveal the effect of doing ADIM on balance scores in these subgroups.
Results. Based on the obtained results, a significant improvement was observed in the means of balance scores after the participants performed the ADIM. Further analysis revealed a significant improvement in the means of balance scores of individuals with abdominal circumference more than 100 cm or BMI more than 25kg/m2 (P?0.05).
Conclusion: The short-term impairment of postural control can be dangerous, especially for elderly individuals with abdominal obesity in risky situations, such as mass gatherings. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals with a high risk of falling should be instructed to practice ADIM correctly.