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Recognized as a reliable tool for assessing the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, measurement of salivary cortisol plays an important role in both the clinical and research settings. To establish a normative data, which forms the basis for the usage of this valuable parameter, we gathered 8:00 h saliva samples from 94 healthy individuals aged 6-14 years. Cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique, using Orion Diagnostica's coated tube technology. Based on mean±2SD, we established a normal range for salivary cortisol concentrations in this age group: 1.69 - 12.81nmol/L. Considering a confidence interval for upper and lower limits, there was an upper limit equal to 11.42 -14.29 nmol/L and a lower limit of 1.21 - 2.25 nmol/L. Regarding the results of this study, cortisol levels were age dependent, and although with a low correlation coefficient, there was a positive correlation between cortisol levels and weight and height. There was no correlation with BMI and no sex difference was found.

Recognized as a reliable tool for assessing the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, measurement of salivary cortisol plays an important role in both the clinical and research settings. To establish a normative data, which forms the basis for the usage of this valuable parameter, we gathered 8:00 h saliva samples from 94 healthy individuals aged 6-14 years. Cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique, using Orion Diagnostica's coated tube technology. Based on mean±2SD, we established a normal range for salivary cortisol concentrations in this age group: 1.69 - 12.81nmol/L. Considering a confidence interval for upper and lower limits, there was an upper limit equal to 11.42 -14.29 nmol/L and a lower limit of 1.21 - 2.25 nmol/L. Regarding the results of this study, cortisol levels were age dependent, and although with a low correlation coefficient, there was a positive correlation between cortisol levels and weight and height. There was no correlation with BMI and no sex difference was found.

Introduction: Population growth and its difficulties is one of the most important health problems in the world especially in developing countries. so the studies in this field are necessary and useful in IRAN. This study was done to find out the workers population specificities and their opinion about family planning programs. Methods: This descriptive study was held in the factories with more than 1000 workers in 1375. nearly 10 percent of the workers were chosen from 7 factories through the systematic random sampling The sample was about 1096 workers. They answered to multiple choise questionnaire during 3 months and the data were analysed by the descriptive statistical methods and also x2 and pierson correlation tests. Results: Most of workers (80 percent) were under 40 years old and 0.5 percent were single and others were married. The illiterates were 6 percent and about 82 percent were studied 8 grades and less. The mean of the number of their children was 3.7 and 33 percent had 5 children or more. The family planning methods were used by them as follows: Tubal ligation and Vasectomy 32 percent, Natural methods 22.3 percent, OCP 19.8 percent, Candom 11.1 percent, IUD 10 percent and Lactation as a method 0.53 percent. About 4.2 percent had used more than one birth control method. Disussion: Result showed that there was a reverse correlation between the age of marriage and number of existing children (P < 0.001) and also between the literacy status and the opinion about the number of children (P < 0.001) there was relation between the age of the workers and the opinion about the number of children (P < 0.01). the reverse correlation between the literacy status and the number of existing children was stables even after the control of the age rariable as a confonder. Study of birth control methods shows that the use of family planning method is different between the groups with different literacy levels.

Abstract Background & Aims: Health literacy is one of the most important priorities for improving health care quality through enhancing patient- provider communication. Implementing health literacy strategies enables nurses to provide information and instructions for patients in a manner that is more commensurate and understandable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting nurses’ intention to implement health literacy strategies in patient education based on theory of planned behavior. Material & Methods: A cross- sectional study conducted among 148 nurse practitioners of Al-Zahra Hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, using descriptive-analytical method. Data collected via standardized questionnaire based on theory of planned behavior constructs and analyzed by SPSS v.17 using ANOVA, Independent T-test, Pearson correlation and linear regression. Results: There were statistically significant correlation between using health literacy strategies and marriage status, attending in retraining courses, employment type, job history, and job status. Perceived behavioral control was the most powerful predictor of intention (β= 0/417) and use health literacy strategies in patient education and behavior of nurses (β=0/319). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, perceived behavioral control is a powerful determinant of nurses’ intention and behavior of using health literacy strategies in patient education. Hence we recommend nurse educators to pay special attention to the constructs of this theory mainly perceived behavioral control in retrain courses about patient education and health literacy strategies.