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Background: Physical inactivity (PA) is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. This study aimed to determine PA levels and related sociodemographic factors as risk factors for NCDs among Iranian adults. Methods: In this cross sectional study, data were collected from the sixth nationwide STEPS survey in 31 provinces of Iran. A total of 6100 individuals aged 18-64 years were selected by a multistage cluster sampling method, and their PA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and analytical tests, including chi-square, ANOVA, and independent t tests in SPSS version 21 software. Results: The prevalence of vigorous, moderate, and low levels of PA was 36.3% (95%CI:35.1-37.5), 29.2% (95%CI:28-30.3), and 34.5% (95%CI:33.3-35.7) in participants, respectively. The mean ± SD of total MET-min/week was 1842.3±2619.3. Total mean ± SD duration of PA was 98.2 ± 115 min/week (125.8±142.6 and 77.2±84.5 min/week in men and women, respectively). Transport-related PA and severe PA at work had large and small contributions to overall PA, respectively. Urbanization, sex, age, family size, and occupation status were identified as factors associated with PA levels (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of low PA among the target population and some sociodemographic characteristics identified as factors associated with PA. Identification of these factors can develop more effective interventions to promote PA., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None declared, (© 2020 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of mortality worldwide. It is also the leading cause of death in HIV-positive patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the educational needs of general practitioners regarding tuberculosis in the North Health Center of Tehran, Iran., Materials and Methods: This quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in 2017. In the quantitative phase, 31 general practitioners from the North Health Center of Tehran were included. The educational needs assessment was performed using the knowledge assessment and self-assessment scales. Data were entered in SPSS version 21 and analyzed using descriptive tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient test. In the qualitative phase, data were collected by interviewing six managers of tuberculosis monitoring program and analyzed using the content analysis method., Results: The mean score of the knowledge assessment scale was 22.8±6.4. The most and the least important educational needs were related to treatment and general information about tuberculosis, respectively. Moreover, tuberculosis treatment and general information about tuberculosis were the most and the least important educational needs in the self-assessment scale, respectively. There was a poor correlation between the mean scores of self-assessment scale and knowledge assessment scale regarding tuberculosis prevention (P=0.01, r=0.27). Also, a moderate correlation was found regarding tuberculosis screening (P=0.001, r=0.56). However, no significant correlation was found in terms of general information (P=0.31), diagnosis (P=0.43), and treatment (P=0.29) of tuberculosis. Five major themes were extracted in the qualitative phase of the study, including "training time", "educational content", "educational references", "teaching method", and "organizational factors"., Conclusion: An appropriate educational program should be developed for general practitioners in form of continuing education and educational reform., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests., (Copyright© 2019 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

Background: Overweight and obesity are considered as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors with increasing prevalence worldwide. This nationwide study aimed to determine the socio-demographic determinants of obesity indexes in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from the sixth round of nationwide Stepwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey in the 31 provinces of Iran in 2011. A total of 9878 people aged ≥20 years were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected through three steps questionnaire including ecological, physical and biochemical measurements. We assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference(WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) as the main indicators of obesity. Results: In this study, the weighted prevalence of overweight and obesity were 34.5% (95% CI:33.6, 35.5) and 21.5% (95% CI: 20.7, 22.3), respectively. The mean ± standard deviation (SD)of BMI among men and women were 25.4±4.4 and 26.9±5.2 kg/m 2 respectively. Older age,living alone, having lower education level, being housewife or retired were associated with overweight and obesity (P<0.05). Urbanization was positively associated with BMI and WC.Being obese or overweight was associated with having a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight in this study was less than global rate while it was vice versa for obesity prevalence. Some socio-demographic characteristics were identified as determinants of obesity which should be considered for planning preventive and control action plans.

Background: Domestic violence is one of the major health problems among women. Promoting preventive behaviors of domestic violence among women and girls can play crucial role in reducing this health problem., Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on PRECEDE-PROCEED Model on preventive behaviors of domestic violence among Iranian high school girls., Patients and Methods: An interventional study was completed during 2010-2011 in 10 high schools in the district 17 of Tehran municipality with 510 female students. We used the components of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model for planning, implementation and evaluation of the program. Based on the results of need assessment, an appropriate environmental and educational intervention was implemented in the intervention group. Changes in predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and especially preventive behaviors immediately and two months after the intervention activities were assessed by questionnaires based on PRECEDE-PROCEED Model., Results: The intervention had significantly positive effect on predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors immediately and two months after the intervention (P < 0.05). Repeated measures Analysis of variance showed a significant positive increase in preventive behaviors score in the intervention group from baseline to two months., Conclusions: The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model can be applied as a conceptual framework for identifying the relevant behavioral and environmental risk factors associated with domestic violence. Development and implementation the skills-based education using this model can lead to the promotion of preventive behaviors of domestic violence and reduction in domestic violence cases.