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Background/Aims The protection motivation theory is a common framework illustrating the use of protective behaviours. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the protection motivation theory questionnaire for fall prevention in older people in Iran. Methods This study used a psychometric design. A literature review was initially performed and developed a 35-item questionnaire consisting of eight sub-constructs of the protection motivation theory. A panel of experts and a group of older people aged 60 years or above were invited to assess the content and face validity of the questionnaire. Thereafter, construct validity was evaluated by using confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the questionnaire was examined using test–retest reliability and internal consistency. Data analysis was performed using the partial least squares path modelling version three software. Results A total of 300 people living in retirement centres completed the questionnaire. In the expert panel review, all tasks received a content validity index above 0.90 and a content validity ratio above 0.80, representing good content validity. In total, 32 items remained in the final version of the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed an acceptable eight-factor model fit of the protection motivation theory sub-constructs with factor loadings from 0.59 to 0.93. The discriminant validity was verified using the Fornell–Larcker criterion. The Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.68 to 0.90 and the test–retest reliability ranged from 0.78 to 0.90, displaying an acceptable result. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the protection motivation theory questionnaire had good validation and can be used to measure the psychological predictors of fall behaviour in older people. Further studies are needed to evaluate the validity in various settings.

Due to the excessive amount of counterfeit goods in the Third World countries and the losses caused by the sale of these goods, this study attempts to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics (neuroticism, extroversion, openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness) and attitudes toward purchase of counterfeit goods. This study is a cross-sectional type. The statistical population comprised graduate and undergraduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The sample included 700 people, selected randomly by simple sampling manner and response to the attitude toward purchase of counterfeit goods questionnaire and NEO Personality Inventory. The SPSS16 software, independent t-test and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between extroversion, openness and agreeableness with attitude toward counterfeited goods purchasing. The results also indicated that the mean difference of attitude toward counterfeit goods purchasing between gender, marital status and educational level were significant. Results indicated that personality characteristics affected consumers’ attitude toward counterfeit goods purchasing and these personality characteristics can play a role in the reduction of counterfeit goods purchasing.

Aim: The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) by athletes has become a widespread problem in the developing countries. However, predisposing risk factors for AAS initiation among athletes are...

Introduction: Regular and daily physical activity delays the midlife and menopausal consequences and promotes the women’s quality of life. Physical activity increases management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Purpose of this study is to determine the impact of model based education on midlife women’s physical activity in Hamadan. Methods: 122 midlife women 50 to 64 years old chosen by random sampling participated in this experimental study. The questionnaire was designed by researcher and measured the model structures. Pedometer was utilized to measure walking and BMI was measured as physical activity consequences. Results: After three months, evaluation showed significant changes in PRECEDE model structures (P˂0/001). Walking increased (P˂0/001). BMI decreased significantly (P˂0/001). Conclusion: Changes were observed in structures based on PRECEDE model. Walking showed successfulness for midlife women. Reducing BMI was observed.

Shoulder disorders are one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders among carpet weavers. The most important cause of these disorders is muscle fatigue. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of carpet weaving characteristics on upper trapezius (UTr) muscle fatigue during a task cycle.In this cross-sectional study, 9 women and 3 men participated. During an 80-min cycle of carpet weaving, a times-series model was applied to assess electromyography amplitude and frequency changes.According to the joint analysis of electromyogram spectrum and amplitude method, the participants experienced 0% force decrease, 0.9% recovery, 18% force increase and 72% fatigue in the left UTr. Furthermore, the rates of force decrease, recovery, force increase and fatigue in the right UTr were 18%, 18%, 18% and 45%, respectively. Fatigue in the right and the left UTr was reported to be the dominant state during one carpet weaving task cycle.Task cycle appears to have a significant impact on UTr fatigue in participants, and UTr fatigue can be considered a serious risk factor in shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. Hence, further studies should focus on better workstations and work-rest periods during various subtasks.

Background Exposure to compounds used in ceramic industries appears to be associated with induction of oxidative toxic stress. Objective This cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the oxidative toxic stress parameters associated with occupational exposure to ceramic dust. Methods Forty ceramic-exposed workers from a ceramic manufacturing industry and 40 unexposed referent subjects were studied. A questionnaire containing information regarding demographic variables, occupational history, history of any chronic disease, antioxidant consumption, and use of therapeutic drugs was administrated to them. Oxidative toxic stress biomarkers including lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant power (TAP), levels of total Thiol groups (TTG) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured. Results Significant increments in blood LPO levels, CAT activity and concomitant lower TAP were observed in ceramic exposed workers in comparison to referent group. No statistically significant difference was noted between the means of TTG levels between the groups. Conclusions Findings of the study indicate that occupational exposure to ceramic dust induces oxidative toxic stress. Supplementation of workers with antioxidants may have beneficial effects on oxidative damages in ceramic industries.

Regular physical activity is important for midlife women. Models and theories help better understanding this behavior among middle-aged women and better planning for change behavior in target group. This study aimed to investigate predictive factors of regular physical activity among middle-aged women based on PRECEDE model as a theoretical framework.This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 866 middle-aged women of Hamadan City western Iran, recruited with a proportional stratified sampling method in 2015. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including questions on demographic characteristics and PRECEDE model constructs and IPAQ questionnaire. Data were then analyzed by SPSS-16 and AMOS-16 using the Pearson correlation test and the pathway analysis method.Overall, 57% of middle-aged women were inactive (light level) or not sufficiently active. With SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis, knowledge b=0.84, P0.001, attitude b=0.799, P0.001, self-efficacy b=0.633, P0.001 as predisposing factor and social support as reinforcing factor b=0.2, P0.001 were the most important predictors for physical activity among middle-aged women in Hamadan.The framework of the PRECEDE model is useful in understanding regular physical activity among middle-aged women. Furthermore, results showed the importance of predisposing and reinforcing factors when planning educational interventions.

Physical inactivity is a major health problem in developing countries. Regular Physical Activity (RPA) can reduce the risk of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity that are prevalent in middle and old ages specifically in women. The (RPA) status among middle-aged Iranian women is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity status and related factors among middle-aged women in Hamadan, a city in western Iran. The participants of this cross-sectional study were comprised of 866 middle-aged women in Hamadan who were selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method in 2015. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire containing demographic characteristics and an International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S).The data were analyzed with SPSS-16 software using Multi- nominal Logistic Regression. The results revealed that about 57% of the study population was inactive or not sufficiently active (light level). Additionally, the results showed that less than a quarter of the study participants (19.3%) exhibited a severe level of physical activity. The associations between RPA and age, education level and job were significant (P