HIV/AIDS Related Stigma in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Abstract: HIV/AIDS is considered by many one as the most dangerous disease emerged i

Do Public Health and Social Participation Matter for the Elderly? An Analysis of an Aging Community in Khuzistan Province, Iran

Increasing aged population (3.1%) compared with natural growth of Iranian population (1.2%) is a problematic issue. The literatures acclaim that physical disabilities and health problems in end life have significant relationship with social participation of aged. This study illustrates social participation in Iranian background, its factors and obstacles especially among aged. The scale of aged participation (SAP) constructed according to selected theories in 4 basic items and its 35 sub items. The community of the study is aged people in four selected cities of Khuzistan province/Iran: Ahwaz, Behbahan, Mah-Shahr, Dezful, and Abadan in 2010, and sampled 768 urban and rural elders. Findings have mentioned that social participation is low. It has significant relationship with burgess, high literacy, ethnicity, living with children, feminine, growth of welfare, having chronic disease of respiratory disorder, social alienation, cost of participation, reduction in benefits of participation, growth of their child’s income.Key words: Elderly; Social Participation; Literatures; Obstacles; Factors; Khuzistan Cities (Iran

Administration of SCL 90 Scale for Depressive Disorders Among Self – Reffered Treatment – Seeking Drug Abusers in Tehran

The present article in the light of theoretical considerations on correlational associations between substance use and some socio –psychiatric disorders as well as findings of population – based epidemiologic studies on comorbidity of substance use disorders with some disorders such as depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, trauma and PTSD, psychosis, and other psychiatric disorders (Kidorf,1996, Clark and Heyendus, 1997, Glantz and Hartel, 2002, kessler, 1995), attempts to present and discuss the results and findings of a population–based comorbidity survey of treatment seeking drug abusers in Tehran.SCL90–R Scale for depressive and a structured interview for measuring APS (Addiction Potential Scale) were administered to 153 treatment seeking drug abusers which was drawn through a disproportionately stratified sampling before main treatment stage and at intoxication time and at the end of treatment preiod . The data utilized in the research were collected by a 8 page questionnaire composed of 13 items . The research findings based upon statistical analysis showed a significant correlational association between depressive disorders as measured by SCL90-R Scale and substance use as measured by APS (r = 0.46/ p= 0.0012 /R2 = 0.81). The research results also demonstrate that addictive behaviore has been under influence of such variables as the length of addiction, socio – economic status (SES), previous treatment seeking experiences and the type of drug used

The Study of Effective Factors on Robbery among Youth in Kermanshah

AbstractThis article is to study the effective social factors in teenager’s deviant behavior inKermanshah. The theoretical base of the research is deferential association, social control, relativedeprivation feeling and amomic situation of family, the methodology is casual comparative and theway of collecting data is by questionnaire. The statistical society includes2 groups: 1) experimentalgroup including teenager jobbers committing robbery in Kermanshah 2) control group including thestudents from 12-18 studying in Kermanshah the findings show that there is a significant diferencebetween the experimental group (robber) and control group (non jobber) based on family disruption,socioeconomic situation of family the range of social bond the range of relative deprvation feelingand the range of associationg with devianl people

A Research in Social Apathy in IRAN (Case Research : Tehran)

Taking into consideration the necessity and importance of identifying the factors involved and affecting social apathy as a social problem among citizens of Tehran, this research work uses a theoretical framework already compiled and presents an initial theoretical pattern in order to study the subject and assesses some theories.   This research work aims to identity scientifically and experimentally the subject of social apathy, to evaluate its correlation with field variables and eight social independent variables in order to determine the rate of effect of each item on the social apathy. Using measurement method studies were done on a sample including 850 persons, over 18 years old, residing in the city of Tehran, in 2008. Among variables of race, profession, and education from among field characteristics, difference was observed, and among all main independent variables, i.e. Anomie, Social Trust, Social Efficacy, Social Satisfaction, Relative Deprivation, Individualism, Cost-Reward Analysis, and Social Commitment a meaningful relation was observed.   Meanwhile as a result of multivariable analysis, a meaningful relation in a level more than 99% was found as to the theory of existence of a relation between independent variables and the dependent variable. It was found out that about 0.40% of the changes in social apathy can be determined by five independent variables i.e. Social Commitment, Individualism, Anomie, Social Satisfaction and Relative Deprivation.   The experimental results already obtained showed that the rate of social apathy among citizens of Tehran is more than an average level and the level is changeable as per the fluctuations in the said five variables, and it is possible to predict such changes by these factors.   Finally, the necessary experimental, explanatory and theoretical deductions for these social subjects were presented

Sociological explanation of the use of information technology and the feeling of social security among young people in Tabriz

Background and Aim: Throughout human life, security is considered one of the main human needs and its importance has increased in the modern era to such an extent that according to some experts, the special and unique work of governments in today's modern world is to establish Security is due to the importance of security and the feeling of security, the present research has investigated the level of feeling of social security and the recognition of the most important factors related to it. Methods: This research was conducted by survey method and using questionnaire technique. The statistical population of the research is all young people aged 20-35 living in Tabriz city, and the sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula of 400 people. They were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. Results: The data analysis indicated that, if communication and information technology is used correctly, it can be used as an empowerment tool for the development of more comprehensive social security. The correlation coefficient between the amount of use of information technology with the social security feeling variable is equal to (0.115) and its significance level is (0.021), which indicates that there is a significant and direct relationship between the two variables. Among the dimensions of feeling of social security, the lowest feeling of security is related to the dimension of moral security and the highest feeling of security is related to the dimension of personal security. Conclusion: The findings indicated that there was a significant and direct relationship between the amount of information technology use and the feeling of social security

Analysis of Patterns of Interventions to Prevent High-risk Behaviors in Families

Introduction: High-risk behaviors following social problems have grown in all societies in different age and sexual groups. These behaviors are intentional and the person has little control over the possible side effects such behaviors, like smoking, alcohol, drugs, psychotropic drugs, and performing early sexual behaviors. The aim of this study was to analyze family-based care and prevention strategies for high-risk behaviors. Method: This qualitative study has a hermeneutic and constructive-interpretive paradigm and in-depth and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection techniques. To analyze the data, grounded theory method, with open, axial, and selective coding process was used in order to analyze the data and achieve the final theory. The participants included families from Tabriz and sampling was done through purposeful sampling with the participation of 26 families, until the theoretical saturation was achieved. Findings: Families are constantly striving to care for their children so that children are raised away from injury and do not engage in risky behaviors. Findings show that families follow the following triple model to take care of appearing high-risk behaviors: 1. Inefficient care strategy (lacking effective strategy); 2. Impulsive care strategy; 3. Process care strategy. Discussion: Care strategies are created, nurtured, and developed under the influence of the thoughts, attitudes, and experiences of all family members. In families that do not have the ability to make decisions to deal with important and long-term issues such as high-risk behaviors, no strategy will be created. Effective care strategies are shaped by education and socialization

Urban Lifestyle and Social Participation of Aged Citizens of Ahwaz City: A Regional Survey

Introduction   By the end of the 1950s, the number of people aged above 65 was 200 million worldwide. By the end of the last century, this population increased threefold to 590 million. By 2025, this aged population is estimated to rise to 1100 million. Generally, the increase in the rate of the world population is 1.7%, but the projected rate of increase of the aged population is 2.5% per year (German, 2002). Similarly, Iranian society will have an effective and operative group who are going to shape its communities and networks. Iran is developing into a crowded country with 75 million people. It has a rate of 2.8% increase in total elderly population compared to the National Fertility Rate of 1.2% (Iran Statistics & Census Centre or ISCC, 2007a). According to the ISCC, in 2007 people who were in their 60s and above formed 6.8% of the Iranian population with national rate of increase rate at 2.8% (ISCC, 1997, 2007c). Based on the civic law and judiciary system, the age of the elderly at the first year of retirement was defined above 60, which is five years less than WHO’s definition for old age. On the other hand, there has been some evidence of local and national references to such social problems as reduction in social participation, social trust, social relations and support, communal activity, civic engagement (CE), economic and social security, leisure activities, mobility, neighborhoods, and safe areas. Among other problems are decline in social indicators like societal networks, social cohesion and inclusion, civic engagement, social capital (SC), and increase of informal and familial solidarity which result in social exclusion (Dinie, 2007; Firouz Abadi & Imani Jajarmi, 2007; Ghaffari, 2001; Ghasemi, Esmaieli & Rabeie, 2007; Joshanlou & Qaedi, 2010; Joshanlou, Rostami, & Nosrat Abadi, 2007; Saadat, 2006a). Decreasing participation was reported from local communities in Khuzestan province and Iran during years 2001 to 2007. Such statistics have led social scientists to think about deterrents of social participation (SP) and other declining factors. At the moment, severe decrease in SP amongst the increasing population of elderly is assumed to be happening because of injustice and social inequality. Iran and our research community in particular - Khuzestan province and Ahwaz city- is a multi-ethnic society, where the resources of community and society should be distributed in a justified and equal manner. Every study in its policies should attend to this issue and special groups specifically in cases involving CE and SWB. Elderly, women, ethnic groups, and enhancing their well-being and the situation of social problems are areas that require further attention. This study looks forward to understanding the reasons for such neglected interest in these areas and hope to share a new vision for policy making at micro level for aged citizens of Ahwaz city. An attempt is made to investigate the role of variables such as social participation and background characteristics in urban lifestyle of the aged in the hope of ensuring a better health and an acceptable end-life condition for them.     Materials & Methods   Research population in this survey includes the elderly of Ahwaz, who were 60 years old and above. During 1997 to 2007, Ahwaz showed a higher ratio of aged citizens among all cities of Khuzestan province (3.1% in total aged population of the province). All data were based on KSCC and ISCC annual reports in 2007 (KSCC, 2007). The study has evaluated the factors of SP. Theories of participation, social capital and trust, and inequality were reviewed. Consequently, six factors were considered. Regarding the last census in 2007, total population of Ahwaz city was 969,843 inhabitants, of whom 51594 were aged 60 and above (male: 26,294 and female: 25,345). Unfortunately, in the national and provincial reports on population and census, there is no independent data for ethnicity. Research sample was obtained from two municipal zones, 3rd and 8th, using cluster sampling. Overall, about 163 aged citizens were selected upon random sampling.   The data collection was done by employing the questionnaire of SAP (scale of aged participation) that is classified into 21 items with 5 options in Likert format (1= Strongly Disagree, 2= Disagree, 3= Neither Agree Nor Disagree, 4=Agree, and 5= Strongly Agree). The internal reliability of the questionnaire was based on Cronbach’s alpha and split-half method, which is well adjusted to the four basic items in the SAP.     Discussion of Results & Conclusion   The findings indicate that social inclusion and trustworthiness are the main factors in SP. Other variables include social inequality and urban ownership, gender, socioeconomic status, NGOs membership, length of residency in urban area per year, satisfaction with urban services, marital, employment, health status, education and literacy, and fatalism restrictively (β≥ .201, ρ= .005). Interestingly, the religious along fatalism have divert significant relationships with SP. At the end, some recommendations were suggested. For example, reinforcing plans for increasing participation and concentrate them on senior citizens and women, developing social networks and communal connections, improving social justice and trust.  &nbsp

Institutional problems of the emerging scientific community in Iran

This article attempts to explore the concept of scientific community at the macro-national level in the context of Iran. Institutionalisation of science and its professional growth has been constrained by several factors. The article first conceptualises the notion of science community as found in the literature in the context of Iran, and attempts to map through some indicators. The main focus, however, lies in mapping some institutional problems through empirical research. This was undertaken in 2002–04 in order to analyse the structure of the scientific community in Iran in the ‘exact sciences’ (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and earth sciences). The empirical work was done in two complementary perspectives: through a questionnaire and statistical analysis of it, and through semistructured interviews with the researchers. There are number of problems confronting scientists in Iran. Facilities provided by institutions is one of the major problems of research. Another is the tenuous cooperation among scientists. This is reported by most of the researchers, who deplore the lack of cooperation among their group. Relationships are mostly with the Ph.D. students and only marginally with colleagues. Our research shows that the more brilliant the scientists, the more frustrated they are from scientific institutions in Iran. Medium-range researchers seem to be much happier about the scientific institution to which they belong than the brighter scholars. The scientific institutions in Iran seem to be built for the needs of the former rather than the latter. These institutions seem not to play a positive role in the case of the best scientists. On the whole, many ingredients of the scientific community, at least at its inception, are present among Iranian scientists: the strong desire for scientific achievement in spite of personal, institutional and economic problems