Showing papers by "Mohsen Saffari published in 2012"

Translation and validation of an Iranian version of the Diabetes Quality of Life measure

Abstract: Aims/Introduction: The objective of this study was to translate and validate an Iranian version of the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) questionnaire in an Iranian population of males and females with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A total of 503 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from nine diabetes clinics across several Iranian cities. A standard backward and forward translation procedure was used to convert the English version of the DQOL into the Iranian language (Persian). Internal consistency, convergent validity, known group comparison, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and factorial invariance were applied for the assessment of psychometric properties of the translated version. Results: The translated version of the DQOL showed adequate internal consistency reliabilities for all subscales (Cronbach’s α >0.70). CFA confirmed the underlying domain structure to be the same as for the original English version, therefore supporting the factorial validity of the translated questionnaire. In addition, questionnaire responsiveness showed good sensitivity to interventions. Conclusions: In conclusion, the translated Iranian version of DQOL has shown high internal reliability and good construct validity, and can potentially be applied as an assessment tool for health-related quality of life in patients with diabetes. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2012.00217.x, 2012)

Avicenna's Canon of Medicine: a look at health, public health, and environmental sanitation.

Abstract: Avicenna, a renowned Persian Muslim scientist has written numerous scientific papers and valuable medical books that are respected worldwide. For centuries his masterpiece, the "Canon of Medicine", has been used as a major medical reference. The Canon, as a prime encyclopedia on medicine is comprised of five books. In the introduction to the Canon, Avicenna has described the purpose of medicine as the preservation of health if it is already attained and its restoration when it is lost. He defines health as a trait or state, which results in the normal functioning of the human body and presumes that health is a steady state, whilst disease is more of a variable concept. Thus whenever we depart from a healthy state, we approach disease. A comparison of current views regarding definitions of health, disease and their components as defined by Avicenna could open new horizons for ancient, traditional medicine. The Canon contains numerous implications concerning the infrastructures of public health-related issues. For example the specifications of healthy water and air are well described in the "Canon of Medicine". To enable a better understanding of Avicenna's viewpoints about public health, we have briefly reviewed his perspective on the topics of health, disease, and environmental sanitation concerning water and air.

A model-based educational intervention to increase physical activity among Iranian adolescents.

Abstract: Objective: To conduct an evaluation of an educational program based on the health promotion model (HPM) and stages of change to improve physical activity (PA) behavior among Iranian adolescents. Methods: This was a group randomized controlled trial with 165 participants in two groups (intervention/ control). Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires based upon HPM constructs (benefits and barriers of action, self-efficacy, activity-related affect, interpersonal influences, and situational influences). The stages of change scale was used to select eligible participants (were placed on precontemplation, contemplation, or preparation stages) and to assess the trend. After collecting baseline data, the intervention was administered to the participants and follow-up data was collected 3 months after intervention. Results: In all, 88 males and 77 females with a mean age of 13.99±0.4 participated in the study. The differences in all HPM constructs, except activity-related affect and social influences, were significant (p < 0.01) between baseline and follow-up measurements. Adolescents in the intervention as compared to the control group were placed in action (70%) or preparation (30%) stages at follow-up. Multiple regression analysis revealed that competing preferences, social norms, role models, (p < 0.001), and commitment to action plan can significantly predict PA behavior. The model accounted for 22.5% of the variance in PA. Conclusions: The results suggest that educational interventions based on stages of change can have important implications for improving PA among adolescents in more constructs of HPM.

Predictors of Tooth Brushing Behavior in Iranian Adolescents: an Application of the Planned Behavior Theory

Abstract: Received: 27 July 2011 Accepted: 12 March 2012 Abstract Background and Aim: Contrary to the theory of planned behavior (TPB), intention alone is not sufficient to predict behavior. The aim of the study was application of an extended model of planned behavior in predicting dental brushing behavior among a sample of adolescents in Qazvin. Materials and Methods: A number of 383 adolescents participated in this crosssectional study. Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, action and coping scales and a self report questionnaire regarding dental brushing behavior was completed by the adolescents. Data were analyzed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on an original six-factor structure (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, intention, action plan and coping plan) and also a hierarchical linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the adolescents was 15.41 years. The most of the student were male (50.2). The CFA for the original six-factor structure showed a good fit index (λ = 645.25, degrees of freedom df=309, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) =90, root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) =0.054). Actionand coping planning aggregately accounted for 11.1% of the variance associated with dental brushing behavior. Conclusion: Results obtained from CFA analysis approved the six-factor structure including intention, action plan and coping plan. Action plan and coping plan can reduce intention-behavior gap.