Public Health Panorama of Operational Research: A Narrative Review

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Public Health Panorama of Operational Research: A Narrative Review20087802ENDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, awaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry20190513Operational research (OR) is a relatively new, applied branch of mathematics, which helps provide a scientifc base for the management and problem‑solving. At present, its application in public health issues is gaining importance both nationally and internationally, particularly in program management and policy making. It is an interdisciplinary team approach that requires managers and researchers to work together toward identifcation of the problems and implementation of optimal solutions. There is rising importance accorded by international and national agencies to invest resources in OR and guide program implementation in public health, and the global fund to fght TB, AIDS, and malaria allows up to 10% of each grant to be allocated for OR. There are multitude of research methods used in the feld of health. These felds of OR, implementation research, and health system research are a source of confusion for researchers. OR may sometimes be used interchangeably with implementation research or under the subheading of health system research. OR using various qualitative and mathematical models provides solutions which are currently being applied to overcome the obstacles in health policy making and implementation. Integration of OR with monitoring and evaluation is a new paradigm in program management. This paper aims to summarize the theme, relevance, approach, methods, and applications and challenges of OR in the feld of public health and how it had led to policy changes in the feld of health. Keywords: Health system research, implementation research, operational research, research leading to policy changehttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2030http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2030/717717850

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190410Nutritional Aspects of Depression in Adolescents ‑ A Systematic Review20087802ENDepartment of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of DelhiFaculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine & Department of Public Health Research, Global Institute of Public Health, Kerala, IndiaDepartment of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi20190410Depression is defned as a cluster of specifc symptoms with associated impairment affecting 7.4% of the adolescents globally. As part of the systematic review, around 1000 relevant articles published between January 1978 and December 2017 were identifed by systematic online search from 6 electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, Science Direct, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and overall, 56 relevant studies were included in the current review as per the inclusion criteria. Findings highlight the potential importance of the relationship between healthy dietary patterns or quality and positive mental health throughout life span. Various nutrition and dietary compounds have been suggested to be involved in the onset maintenance and severity of depressive symptoms and disorders. Nutritional compounds might modulate depression associated biomarkers. In this context, several healthy foods such as olive oil, fsh, nuts, legumes, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables have been inversely associated with the risk of depression and might also improve symptoms. In contrast western dietary patterns including the consumption of sweetened beverages, fried foods, processed meats, baked products have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of depression in longitudinal studies. Diet and nutrition offer key modifable targets for the prevention of mental disorders. Evidence is steadily growing for the relation between nutrition defciencies, diet quality and mental health and for the effcacy and use of nutritional supplements to address defciencies or as augmentation therapies. We advocate recognition of diet and nutrition as crucial factors in prevention and management of mental disorders. Keywords: Adolescents, depression, diet, mental health, nutritional neuroscience, systematic reviewhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2029http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2029/717717848

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Effectiveness of Pedometer‑Based Walking Program to Improve Physical Activity of Workers in a Software Industry: An Experimental Study20087802ENDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, Puducherry20190513Background: Workplace acts as an effcient target for health promotion activities. Pedometer can act as a motivator and monitor of physical activity. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pedometer usage in increasing physical activity and the level of adherence among employees of a software company in Puducherry. Methods: An interventional study was conducted with a prepost design. A single group of software company employees (n = 46), age ≥30 years selected by simple random sampling, was included in the study. Intervention consisted of health education program on physical activity, goal setting, and instructions regarding the use of pedometers for 1 week. Physical activity levels were measured at baseline and endline using global physical activity questionnaire.Results: Out of the 46 participants, 93% of the participants used the pedometer for at least 6 days. The difference between maximum observed step count during the week (median 9834 steps) and at baseline (6963 steps) was signifcant. Overall, 93.5% found pedometers to be useful for improving physical activity. Proportion of individuals with adequate physical activity based on Metabolic equivalents (MET) minutes increased from 41.3% (n = 19) at baseline to 69.6% at endline (n = 32) (P = 0.004). Conclusions: This study shows that a pedometer‑driven walking intervention in the workplace setting is feasible and effective in increasing physical activity over a short term. Further research is required to test the effect of supportive strategies and long‑term effectiveness of pedometer use. Keywords: Exercise, ftness tracker, health promotion, walking, workplacehttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2036http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2036/717717855

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Correlation to Physical Activity Among Health Specialty Students20087802ENDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityCollege of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif CityDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif City20190513Background: Musculoskeletal disorders is defned as a musculoskeletal strain reported by an individual. Physical activity prevents many disabling diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Low level of physical activity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In Saudi Arabia and among medical students, lowest rates of physical activity were found. Our aim is to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its correlation to physical activity. Methods: A cross‑sectional study of 392 health specialty students in Taif University was carried out from January 1 to March 1, 2018, using a predesigned questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, an International Physical Activity Questionnaires–short form to assess the level of physical activity, and Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms.Results: Our study found that 64.8% of the students had musculoskeletal disorders. The highest prevalence was among medical students; 48.4% of them were having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). The most frequent region was the lower back (33.4%). There is a signifcant association between the musculoskeletal disorders and the level of physical activity, with 42.9% of the students with a moderate level of physical activity having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is higher among medical than pharmacy and health science students. Most of the affected students were having a moderate level of physical activity. Psychosocial stress seems to be a major contributor to musculoskeletal disorders, rather than physical activity level. Keywords: Exercise, musculoskeletal pain, prevalence, Saudi Arabia, students, universitieshttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2035http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2035/717717854

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Obscenity of Cigarette and Hookah Smoking in Iranian Adolescents: A Longitudinal School‑based Study20087802ENDepartment of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health & Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizDepartment of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health & Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizDepartment of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health & Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizSchool of Health Administration, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax20190513Background: There is a very limited information on the obscenity of cigarette and hookah smoking among adolescents. Using a large and representative longitudinal sample of adolescents (n = 4820) aged 14–19 years from Tabriz (a metropolitan city in northwestern Iran), this study aimed at comparing the obscenity of cigarette and hookah smoking and assessing factors associated with obscenity of smoking. Moreover, we examined how the obscenity of cigarette and hookah smoking affected by the progress in the stages of cigarette and hookah smoking. Methods: In this longitudinal study, a random sample of high‑school students was selected in Tabriz in 2010. Using a valid and reliable self‑administered questionnaire, the data from the sampled students were collected twice at two points in time, 12 months apart. Multivariate backward logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the transition in cigarette (or hookah) smoking stages on the obscenity of cigarette (or hookah) smoking. Results: While 3,079 (63.9%) students expressed that obscenity of cigarette smoking is higher than obscenity of hookah smoking, 1,741 (36.1%) students expressed that obscenity of hookah smoking is higher than obscenity of cigarette smoking. The results of multivariate backward logistic regression indicated that the transition in cigarette (hookah) smoking stages was not related to the obscenity of cigarette (hookah) smoking. Conclusions: The results showed that obscenity of hookah smoking was less than obscenity of cigarette smoking, especially among females. Further study is required to understand the effect of obscenity on smoking and transition to different stages of cigarette and hookah smoking. Keywords: Adolescence, adolescent behavior, cigarette, obscenity, substance‑related disorders, water‑pipe smokinghttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2034http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2034/717717853

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Ultrasound Assessment of Fetal Biometry in Iranian Normal Pregnancies20087802ENDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Yas Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yas Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yas Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yas Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran20190513Background: The objective of this study was to provide biometric charts for Iranian fetuses. Methods: One thousand four hundred and twenty‑two women enrolled. Four hundred and eighty‑four were in the second trimester of pregnancy and 940 were in the third trimester. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables. Percentiles (5th, 50th, 75th, and 90th) reported. Results: Mean femoral length ranged from 16 to 53 mm in our study in the second trimester and 55–79 mm in the third trimester. Mean biparietal diameter (BPD) for fetuses with in the second trimester was between 14 and 71 and for fetuses in the third trimester was between 74 and 98 mm. Mean abdominal circumference (AC) in our cases with gestational age between 14 and 41 ranged between 86 and 365 mm. Conclusions: We have provided normal reference ranges and percentiles for BPD, AC, femur length, and weight during the second and third trimester of pregnancy in an Iranian population. Keywords: Fetus, Iran, pregnancyhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2033http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2033/717717852

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Evaluating the Protective Role of Ascorbic Acid in Malathion‑induced Testis Tissue Toxicity of Male Rats20087802ENDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, MashhadDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, MashhadDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, MashhadMicroanatomy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, MashhadDepartment of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad20190513Background: Malathion is one of organophosphate pesticides that is widely used in agriculture and crops to control insects. Malathion affects body organs such as the reproductive system by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and induction of oxidative stress. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of malathion on glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in testis of male rats, as well as to study the protective role of Ascorbic Acid. Methods: In this study, 30 adult male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200–250 g were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. These groups include a control group (no intervention), sham (normal saline 0.9%), experimental Group 1 (malathion 50 mg/kg), experimental Group 2 (Malathion 50 mg/kg + Ascorbic Acid 200 mg/kg), and experimental Group 3 (Ascorbic Acid 200 mg/kg). Malathion, solvents, and ascorbic acid were injected intraperitoneally. After 6 weeks, all groups were anesthetized, and the right testis was used to measure levels of MDA and GSH. MDA as a marker of lipid peroxidation and GSH content was used. Results: The results showed that malathion increased MDA level and decreased GSH level compared with the control group (P < 0.001). It was also found that administration of malathion in combination with ascorbic acid reduced MDA level and increased the GSH level. Conclusions: Malathion‑induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the testis of rats. In addition, it seems that ascorbic acid, due to its antioxidant capabilities, can improve malathion‑induced poisonous changes. Keywords: Ascorbic acid, glutathione, malathion, malondialdehyde, rats, testishttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2032http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2032/717717851

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190513Trends in Fast‑food Consumption among Kuwaiti Youth20087802ENDepartment of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, 13060 SafatDepartment of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, 13060 Safat20190513Background: We assessed fast‑food consumption including frequency, type, and reasons among college students from the Kuwait University, and whether there were any key sex differences. Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted from January–March 2016 with 421 students (297 women, mean age = 20.99 ± 3.14 years). Students completed self‑administered fast‑food questionnaires and weight and height measurements were obtained. Results: Most (81.4%) consumed fast food more than twice per week and more men than women were overweight or obese (54.8% vs. 38.7%, respectively; P = 0.002); however, there were no differences in the fast‑food frequency per body mass index or sex. Taste was the most reported motivator to consume fast food (46.7%) and women were signifcantly more likely to value taste as compared to men (49.8% vs. 38.9%, respectively; P = 0.005). Conclusions: Fast food is a key part of college students’ diet in Kuwait; therefore, students should be educated on the negative effects of frequent fast‑food consumption. University health promotional activities should include nutrition education on healthier fast‑food options and how to prepare easy‑to‑cook meals at home. Keywords: Consumption, fast food, Kuwait, sex difference, taste, weighthttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2031http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2031/717718123

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190410Relationship between Antioxidant Status and Attention Defcit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Children20087802ENDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanIsfahan Center of Health Research, National Institute of Health Research, IsfahanDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20190410Background: Attention defcit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood. In general, diagnoses of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Recent studies have reported increased oxidative stress in psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, but the results are conﬂicting. This research aimed to study the relationship between antioxidant status and ADHD in children of 6–13 years old. Methods: From schools, 32 ADHD students whose diseases were diagnosed by child and adolescence psychiatrist based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV index were recruited; moreover, 32 healthy subjects, which according to the medical history questionnaire of psychiatric disorder had not had chronic disease, were selected. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and malondiadehyde (MDA) were measured. General information, health history, and medication history were collected. All participants completed a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary intakes of antioxidants were obtained through this questionnaire. Results: There was no signifcant difference between mean of energy intake and Zn, Se, vitamin E, C, and β-carotene as antioxidants between the two groups. The mean of serum TAC, GSH level, and CAT level in the patients were signifcantly lower than the healthy group (P < 0.001), but the mean of MDA was not signifcantly different between the two groups (P = 0.18). Conclusions: The result of this study indicates that, in ADHD, the serum levels of GSH, CAT, and TAC decrease; the level of antioxidant in the serum has been compromised to fght oxidative stress. More perspective studies with large sample sizes are essential to confrm these fndings. Keywords: Antioxidant, attention defcit hyperactivity disorder, children, oxidative stresshttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2028http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2028/717717847

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210420190410Dietary Intake of Vitamin D and Its Relation with Blood Pressure in the Elderly Population20087802ENDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, ShirazDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20190410Background: Population studies have demonstrated that there is an inverse association between dietary intake of vitamin D and the mean blood pressure in elderly in particular. So, we investigated the correlation between vitamin D intake and the mean blood pressure in the elderly with and without nursing care. Methods: Based on a cross‑sectional design, this study was conducted on 152 old people with and without nursing care. Assessment of the dietary intake of nutrients was done by an expert dietitian using food frequency questionnaire and nutritionist IV software analyzer. Also, the mean blood pressure was extracted from participants’ fles. The independent samplet‑test, Chi‑square test, and partial correlation test were used for data analysis.Results: Mean ± SD age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) of participants, and the percentage of male/females were 68.7 ± 5.5 years, 63.5 ± 7.9 kg, 162.5 ± 7.1 cm, 24.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2 and 48.7/51.3, respectively. Also, a signifcant negative relationship was observed between vitamin D intake and systolic blood pressure in all participants (P value = 0.028, r = -0.179). There was no signifcant correlation between vitamin D intake and diastolic blood pressure (P value = 0.558, r = -0.048). Conclusions: The fndings revealed that the nursing care can improve dietary intake of vitamin D in the elderly population. Also, a negative correlation was found between vitamin D intake and systolic blood pressure among all the elderly. Keywords: Blood pressure, diet, elderly, vitamin Dhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2027http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2027/717717849