Iran, America and Iranian American Community in Firoozeh Jazayeri Dumas\u27 Funny in Farsi

Post 9/11 the United States of America concerns the reconstruction of already demonized identities of Arabs and Middle-eastern cultures. Postcolonial works reside in their rendering a tragic or serious image of Middle Easterners to bring the Western (American) audience into sympathizing with the Middle Eastern ethnicities. Could it be the case that a fundamentally humorous (not derogatory) depiction might contribute to easing such cultural tensions? Firoozeh Jazayeri Dumas\u27 works stand out as critically acclaimed and successful works familiarizing the American audience with the more humane, likeable, sweet and funny aspects of the Iranians and Iranian culture, and the hardships of being an Iranian immigrant and becoming a hybrid individual. This article explores the already-hybridized self and psyche of Firoozeh as an Iranian American. She writes about her mother land and her residence country and comparing the way she has written about them can help readers understand how one can make peace between different parts of her identity

Association between maternal stature and household-level double burden of malnutrition : findings from a comprehensive analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

Background: Undernutrition among under-five children is one of the intractable public health problems in Ethiopia. More recently, Ethiopia faced a rising problem of the double burden of malnutrition—where a mother may be overweight/obese, and a child is stated as having undernutrition (i.e., stunting, wasting, or underweight) under the same roof. The burden of double burden of malnutrition (DBM) and its association with maternal height are not yet fully understood in low-income countries including Ethiopia. The current analysis sought: (a) to determine the prevalence of double burden of malnutrition (i.e., overweight/obese mother paired with her child having one form of undernutrition) and (b) to examine the associations between the double burden of malnutrition and maternal height among mother–child pairs in Ethiopia. Methods: We used population-representative cross-sectional pooled data from four rounds of the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), conducted between 2000 and 2016. In our analysis, we included children aged 0–59 months born to mothers aged 15–49 years. A total of 33,454 mother–child pairs from four waves of EDHS were included in this study. The burden of DBM was the primary outcome, while the maternal stature was the exposure of interest. Anthropometric data were collected from children and their mothers. Height-for-age (HFA), weight-for-height (WFH), and weight-for-age (WFA) z-scores < − 2 SD were calculated and classified as stunted, wasting, and underweight, respectively. The association between the double burden of malnutrition and maternal stature was examined using hierarchical multilevel modeling. Results: Overall, the prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition was 1.52% (95% CI 1.39–1.65). The prevalence of overweight/obese mothers and stunted children was 1.31% (95% CI 1.19–1.44), for overweight/obese mothers and wasted children, it was 0.23% (95% CI 0.18–0.28), and for overweight/obese mothers and underweight children, it was 0.58% (95% CI 0.51–0.66). Children whose mothers had tall stature (height ≥ 155.0 cm) were more likely to be in the double burden of malnutrition dyads than children whose mothers’ height ranged from 145 to 155 cm (AOR: 1.37, 95% CI 1.04–1.80). Similarly, the odds of the double burden of malnutrition was 2.98 times higher for children whose mothers had short stature (height < 145.0 cm) (AOR: 2.98, 95% CI 1.52–5.86) compared to those whose mothers had tall stature. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of double burden of malnutrition among mother–child pairs in Ethiopia was less than 2%. Mothers with short stature were more likely to suffer from the double burden of malnutrition. As a result, nutrition interventions targeting households’ level double burden of malnutrition should focus on mothers with short stature to address the nutritional problem of mother and their children, which also has long-term and intergenerational benefits

Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and prevention towards HIV/AIDS among adults 15-49 years in Mizoram, North East India : a cross-sectional study

Despite a campaign of effective educational interventions targeting knowledge, attitudes, and prevention, Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) continues to be a significant public health issue in India, with Mizoram reporting the highest HIV/AIDS cases in 2018–2019. In this study, we extracted Mizoram state from the National Family Health Survey Fourth Series (NFHS-4) 2015–2016 datasets and investigated factors associated with respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and prevention towards HIV/AIDS. The sample included 3555 adults aged 15–49 years residing in Mizoram, North-east India. Respondents who reported having ever heard of HIV/AIDS was 98%. Multivariate analysis indicated that the probability of having inadequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS was higher among those with no schooling, who were illiterate, of non-Christian faiths, belonging to backward tribes or caste, from poor households, and those who lived in rural areas, not exposed to media. The odds of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS transmission was high among females (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI 2.34–4.16), respondents aged 35–39 years (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.05–2.87) and those belonging to other backward class. The HIV/AIDS knowledge of respondents was found to be encouraging as the majority (98%) were considered to have a good level of understanding of the condition. An educational intervention to reduce the number of adults 15–49 years infected with HIV/AIDS in Mizoram should target those from low socioeconomic groups, those from non-Christian religions, and those from other backward classes

Public health measures during an anticipated influenza pandemic: Factors influencing willingness to comply

This research assessed factors associated with willingness to comply with vaccination, isolation, and face mask wearing during an anticipated influenza pandemic. Data were collected from 2081 adults (16+) using a module of questions incorporated into the NSW Health Adult Population Health Survey. High levels of willingness to comply were reported with 73% either very or extremely willing to receive vaccination, 67% willing to isolate themselves, 58% willing to wear a face mask, and 48% willing to comply with all three behaviors. Further analysis indicated concern for self and family and higher levels of education were associated with high levels of willingness to comply. Younger people (16–24) were the least willing to comply; especially with wearing a face mask. Those with children reported higher levels of willingness to receive vaccination, and respondents who speak a language other than English at home were less willing to isolate themselves or comply with all behaviors. These findings provide a baseline measure of anticipated public compliance with key public health behaviors in the event of an influenza pandemic in the Australian population, and help to identify groups that may be more resistant to individual measures and may require additional attention in terms of risk communication strategies or health education

Factors associated with stunting among children under 5 years in five South Asian countries (2014-2018) : analysis of Demographic Health Surveys

South Asia continues to be the global hub for child undernutrition with 35% of children still stunted in 2017. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with stunting among children aged 0–23 months, 24–59 months, and 0–59 months in South Asia. A weighted sample of 564,518 children aged 0–59 months from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (2014–2018) was combined of five countries in South Asia. Multiple logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering and sampling weights were used to examine associated factors. The common factors associated with stunting in three age groups were mothers with no schooling ([adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 0–23 months = 1.65; 95% CI: (1.29, 2.13)]; [AOR for 24–59 months = AOR = 1.46; 95% CI: (1.27, 1.69)] and [AOR for 0–59 months = AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: (1.34, 1. 88)]) and maternal short stature (height < 150 cm) ([AOR for 0–23 months = 2.00; 95% CI: (1.51, 2.65)]; [AOR for 24–59 months = 3.63; 95% CI: (2.87, 4.60)] and [AOR for 0–59 months = 2.87; 95% CI: (2.37, 3.48)]). Study findings suggest the need for a balanced and integrated nutrition strategy that incorporates nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions with an increased focus on interventions for children aged 24–59 months

Factors associated with non-utilization of postnatal care among newborns in the first 2 days after birth in Pakistan : a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background: Recent data indicated that approximately four in every ten newborns in Pakistan do not receive postnatal care (PNC) services in the first 48 hours after delivery. Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors associated with the non-utilization of PNC for newborns in Pakistan using the 2017–18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study utilizing data from 3887 live-born newborns recorded in the 2017–18 PDHS. Non-utilization of PNC was assessed against a set of independent factors using multilevel logistic regression analysis, and the population attributable risk estimates of factors associated with non-utilization of PNC were also calculated. Results: There were 1443 newborns (37%) in Pakistan whose mothers did not utilize PNC check-ups in the first 2 days after delivery. The non-utilization of PNC was largely attributable to newborns delivered at non-health facilities 53% (47% to 59%) and those born to uneducated women 27% (13% to 38%). Adjusted analyses indicated that newborns with higher birth order and with a birth interval of more than 2 years, women who perceived their baby to be small at birth, women with no formal education and those living in regional areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas were significantly associated with non-utilization of PNC services. Conclusions: Tailored health messages by community health workers, including door-to-door visits on utilizing health facilities through pregnancy to the postnatal periods, are needed and should target places of low socioeconomic status, including educationally disadvantaged women from regional areas of Pakistan

The feasibility of progressive resistance training in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of executing a randomized controlled trial of progressive resistance training (PRT) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Women with PCOS were randomized to an experimental (PRT) group or a no-exercise (usual care) control group. The PRT group was prescribed two supervised and two unsupervised (home-based) training sessions per week for 12 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and attrition, adherence, adverse events, and completion of assessments. Secondary outcomes, collected pre and post intervention, included a range of pertinent physiological, functional and psychological measures. Results: Fifteen participants were randomised into the PRT group (n=8) or control group (n=7); five women (n=2 in PRT group and n=3 in control group) withdrew from the study. The most successful recruitment sources were Facebook (40 %) and online advertisement (27 %), while least successful methods were referrals by clinicians, colleagues and flyers. In the PRT group, attendance to supervised sessions was higher (95 %; standard deviation +/-6 %) compared to unsupervised sessions (51 %; standard deviation +/-28 %). No adverse events were attributed to PRT. Change in menstrual cycle status was not significantly different between groups over time (p=0.503). However, the PRT group significantly increased body weight (p=0.01), BMI (p=0.04), lean mass (p=0.01), fat-free mass (p=0.005) and lower body strength (p=0.03), while reducing waist circumference (p=0.03)and HbA1c (p=0.033) versus the control group. The PRT group also significantly improved across several domains of disease-specific and general health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety and exercise self-efficacy. Conclusion: A randomized controlled trial of PRT in PCOS would be feasible, and this mode of exercise may elicit a therapeutic effect on clinically important outcomes in this cohort. The success of a large-scale trial required to confirm these findings would be contingent on addressing the feasibility hurdles identified in this study with respect to recruitment, attrition, compliance, and collection of standardized clinical data

Wasting and associated factors among children under 5 years in five South Asian countries (2014-2018) : analysis of demographic health surveys

Child wasting continues to be a major public health concern in South Asia, having a prevalence above the emergency threshold. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with wasting among children aged 0–23 months, 24–59 months, and 0–59 months in South Asia. A weighted sample of 564,518 children aged 0–59 months from the most recent demographic and health surveys (2014–2018) of five countries in South Asia was combined. Multiple logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering and sampling weights were used to examine associated factors. Wasting prevalence was higher for children aged 0–23 months (25%) as compared to 24–59 months (18%), with variations in prevalence across the South Asian countries. The most common factor associated with child wasting was maternal BMI [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 0–23 months = 2.02; 95% CI: (1.52, 2.68); AOR for 24–59 months = 2.54; 95% CI: (1.83, 3.54); AOR for 0–59 months = 2.18; 95% CI: (1.72, 2.77)]. Other factors included maternal height and age, household wealth index, birth interval and order, children born at home, and access to antenatal visits. Study findings suggest need for nutrition specific and sensitive interventions focused on women, as well as adolescents and children under 2 years of age

Past drivers of and priorities for child undernutrition in South Asia : a mixed methods systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND: South Asia has one of the largest proportions of undernourished children in the world, especially stunting, wasting, and underweight as well as micronutrient deficiencies such as the deficiency of iron, vitamin A, and zinc. Undernutrition continues to pose a major threat to this region's economic and social growth. This systematic review aims to assess the drivers and identify priorities for child undernutrition in South Asia. It aims to appraise, synthesise, and summarise literature to create an evidence base that looks at multiple faces of macro and micro child undernutrition in South Asia. METHODS: A systematic review of published and grey literature on child undernutrition, including macro and micronutrient deficiencies, in South Asia covering the period January 2000 to September 2019 will be undertaken. Studies with all relevant study designs and those published in English will be considered for inclusion. Five academic databases will be searched: CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus, in addition to various grey literature sources. The analysis will incorporate a narrative synthesis, meta-ethnography or a meta-analysis as appropriate, depending on the nature of the retrieved data. Quality of the included studies will be assessed by validated tools. The UNICEF conceptual framework on child undernutrition will be used to frame findings. DISCUSSION: This protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The protocol gives an insight into the scope and parameters for the systematic review to be carried out. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol was registered by the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, reference CRD42018112696

Changes in and predictors of HIV among people who inject drugs in Mizoram, Northeast India, from 2007 to 2021

This study aimed to examine the changes in and predictors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Mizoram, Northeast India, over a period of 15 years (2007–2021). A sample of 14783 PWID was extracted from the Targeted Intervention (TI) services under the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS). A chi-square test was used to compare the differences in HIV prevalence across the three 5-year periods, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors after adjusting for sociodemographic, injecting and sexual behaviours. The results showed that compared to 2007–2011, HIV prevalence was almost three times higher in 2012–2016 (AOR 2.35; 95% CI 2.07–2.66) and almost two times higher in 2017–2021 (AOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.24–1.59). The results suggest that participants who were females (AOR 2.35; 95% CI 2.07–2.66), married (AOR 1.13; 95% CI 1.00–1.27), separated/divorced/widowed (AOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.54–1.96), of middle school level education (AOR 1.24; 95% CI 1.06–1.44), sharing needles/syringes (AOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.61–1.98) and receiving a regular monthly income were positively associated with HIV infection. Condom use with a regular partner (AOR 0.77; 95% CI 0.70–0.85) was high among PWID. Despite targeted interventions under MSACS to reduce HIV in Mizoram, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among PWID remained high between 2007 and 2021. Policymakers and stakeholders should tailor future interventions based on the factors identified in this study that are associated with HIV infection. Our findings highlight the importance of socio-cultural factors in HIV epidemiology among PWID in Mizoram