Development, implementation and evaluation of the ‘BELIEVE’ program for improving physical activity among women: a mixed method action research study

Abstract Background There is insufficient physical activity among women. Yet the implementation of effective, multilevel, and evidence-based interventions may address this. Since the lifestyle of individuals is formed in many different social, physical and cultural contexts, it will be necessary in designing such interventions to involve many stakeholders. Consequently, the present study took a mixed method action research approach in developing, implementing and evaluating a bespoke program to improve physical activity among women. Methods This study was conducted within the Khoramroudi neighborhood of Tehran between 2013 and 2015 utilizing the four main phases of action research. The Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process was used to design the study. During the initial phase, participants were organized into three groups; a core support committee, a steering committee, and a study population. Qualitative and quantitative data were also collected during this first phase. During the second phase, interventions were developed and implemented. In the third phase, an evaluation was carried out using both quantitative (Designing a quasi-experimental study) and qualitative methods. During the fourth phase, an exploration of the structure and process of action research was completed with the aim of providing a conceptual model and descriptions of the context. Results Three strategic interventions were effective in improving physical activity among women: (1) utilization of sports assistants; (2) Local health promotion and the dissemination of an informational, motivational and culturally competent booklet entitled “Educational content for sport assistants" (3) Group-based cognitive behavioral therapy. Quantitative results [Significant difference between the total score of PA before the intervention, and 1 and 3 months after the intervention (P < 0.001)] and the results of qualitative evaluations were shown to improve physical activity among participants. The newly co-created “adjusted MAPP model” was offered within three action cycles. The structure of this was described to capture the impacts of interactions among a variety of stakeholders. Conclusion The comprehensive identification of problems led to the development of collaborative strategies. Strategies of action research can positively affect physical activity among women. To improve physical activity outcomes more generally, the use of MAPP principles and strategies is suggested to meet the specific needs and strengths of all community members

Revista de Ciências Médicas e Biológicas

Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae - ESBL strains- Plasmid profiling- Tehran Hospitals; Nosocomial infections- Drug resistance.Abstract: Local knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibilities of Klebsiella pneumoniae is important for implementation of effective hospitals anti-infective policies. One hundred isolates of K. pneumoniae collected from 3 different hospitals in Iran during 2004 were screened for their susceptibilities to thirteen different antibiotics using disk diffusion test and macro broth dilution assay. Isolates were then subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem. The rates of resistance to other antibiotics were in the following order: amikacin (10%), piperacillin-tazobactam (%2), ciprofloxacin (20%), ceftizoxime (14%), cefexime (31%), ceftazidime (28%), cefotaxime (33%), nalidixic acid (32%), cephalexin (32%), gentamicin (30%), nitrofurantoin (31%) and piperacillin (66%). The production of extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) hydrolyzing ceftazidime and cefotaxime was detected in 54% of isolates. Of 100 isolates tested, 67 harbored plasmids and the remaining lacked any plasmid. Though the prevalence of ESBL phenotype in Iran is higher than western countries, it is close to figures reported from the region. Evidences for outbreaks with certain isolates of K. pneumoniae were found by restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA. This technique also showed the persistence of infections in the urinary tract of several patients.Salvado

Caracterização fenotípica e análise plasmidial de cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae em pacientes iranianos

Local knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibilities of Klebsiella pneumoniae is important for implementation of effective hospitals anti-infective policies. One hundred isolates of K. pneumoniae collected from 3 different hospitals in Iran during 2004 were screened for their susceptibilities to thirteen different antibiotics using disk diffusion test and macro broth dilution assay. Isolates were then subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem. The rates of resistance to other antibiotics were in the following order: amikacin (10%), piperacillin-tazobactam (%2), ciprofloxacin (20%), ceftizoxime (14%), cefexime (31%), ceftazidime (28%), cefotaxime (33%), nalidixic acid (32%), cephalexin (32%), gentamicin (30%), nitrofurantoin (31%) and piperacillin (66%). The production of extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) hydrolyzing ceftazidime and cefotaxime was detected in 54% of isolates. Of 100 isolates tested, 67 harbored plasmids and the remaining lacked any plasmid. Though the prevalence of ESBL phenotype in Iran is higher than western countries, it is close to figures reported from the region. Evidences for outbreaks with certain isolates of K. pneumoniae were found by restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA. This technique also showed the persistence of infections in the urinary tract of several patients.É importante os conhecimentos locais de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana para Klebsiella pneumoniae a fim de que haja uma implementação efetiva de política hospitalar em relação aos anti- bacterianos. Foram isoladas 100 culturas para K. pneumoniae coletadas a partir de 3 diferentes hospitais no Irã durante o ano de 2004; para a susceptibilidade foram selecionados treze antibióticos diferentes, utilizando o método de difusão em disco e ensaio em caldo de diluição. Os isolados foram então submetidos à análise de endonucleases restritas ao DNA plasmidial. Todos os isolados foram sensíveis ao imipenem. As taxas de resistência a outros antibióticos foram na seguinte ordem: amicacina (10%), piperacilina-tazobactam (2%), ciprofloxacina (20%), ceftizoxima (14%), cefexime (31%), ceftazidima (28%) , cefotaxima (33%), ácido nalidíxico (32%), cefalexina (32%), gentamicina (30%), nitrofurantoína (31%) e piperacilina (66%). A produção de betalactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) que hidrolisa a ceftazidima e a cefotaxima foi detectada em 54% dos isolados. Das 100 amostras testadas, 67 portavam plasmídeos e o restante faltava qualquer plasmidial. Embora a prevalência do fenótipo ESBL no Irã seja superior a países ocidentais, os números reportados são restritos de uma região. As evidências de focos com certos isolados de K. pneumoniae foram encontradas pela análise das endonucleases restritas de DNA plasmidial. Esta técnica também mostrou a persistência de infecções do trato urinário de vários pacientes

The psychometric properties of exercise benefits/barriers scale among women

Background and objective: Despite the numerous health benefits of regular physical activity (PA), physical inactivity is a major health issue among women. The goal of the current study was to measure the validity and reliability assessment of the exercise benefits/barriers scale among women between the ages of 18 and 65 years. This study was carried out among women residing in Khoramroudi neighborhood in Tehran between December 2013 and February 2014. Methods: In this descriptive, methodological study, 278 women residing in Khoramroudi neighborhood in Tehran between December 2013 and February 2014 completed three questionnaires: the demographic data form, the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale. The construct validity, internal consistency, and stability of the study were measured by confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach’s alpha, and Spearman Brown correlation coefficient by using SPSS 21 and LISREL 8.80, respectively. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis showed the Persian version of EBBS was structured well. The Cronbach´s alpha coefficients for the total scale and its subscales were 0.927, 0.94 and 0.82, respectively. Spearman Brown correlation coefficient also showed good test-retest reliability. Conclusion: The results of this study verified the reliability and validity of the applied instrument and introduced it as a tool to measure the benefits and barriers of physical activity among Iranian wome

The level of Knowledge among Shahid Beheshti University students about genital herpes

Background and Objective: Genital herpes is increasing in Asia and the world. Based on other studies, knowledge has an important role in reducing high risk sexual behavior. In this study we evaluated knowledge among Shahid Beheshti University students as a sample of young and educated population of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study carried out on 409 of Shahid Beheshti University students in Tehran - Iran at Autumn 2004. Research material was questionnaire and data analyzed by SPSS-13, T-student, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis Tests. Results: Mean±SD of level of knowledge, nature and transmission of genital herpes was 26.5±26%, 23.7±24.2% and 30.56±36.8%, respectively. The level of knowledge about signs, treatment and prevention of disease was 18.8%, 16.4% and 46.2%, respectively. There was a significant relation between age, marital status and education with knowledge (P<0.05). The level of knowledge among engineering students was higher than humman sciences students (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on our study, most of participants had no enough knowledge about genital herpes. Most of participants were willing to know more about it as they obviously welcomed to our pamphlets. It seems that educations about genital herpes should be added to educational programs