Alzahra University Research Articles

A Qualitative Research of the Causes of Iranian Female Students Immigration to Developed Countries

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 4pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;">According to the latest data from United Nations population Fund-UNFPA-in 2015, 244 million people, or 3.3 per cent of the world's population lived outside their country of origin. A number of these migrants are skilled and educated women. This movement usually occurs from developing to developed countries in the world like the US, the UK, Germany, England and so on, to achieve new opportunities and a better life. Iran is a developing country, which is suffering from this serious issue. The aim of this study is to identify the causes of Iranian female students' immigration to developed countries from the perspective of female students of Al-Zahra University. The present qualitative study included 20 master and doctoral female students who were completing their degree programs at this University, through purposive sampling. Data was collected via in-depth, semi structured interviews which were audio-recorded and analyzed by Content analysis method. The main themes and sub-themes were “Economic” (including Unemployment, Low income, Inconsistency between field of education and jobs, Gender discrimination in employment and payments delays), “Educational” (Lack of proper facilities in university, professors' lack of knowledge, lack of public respect for well-educated people in society, and Women’s restrictions in selecting certain academic disciplines), “Socio-political” (Limitation of individual freedom, political pressure, Lack of freedom of speech) and “Personal and Familial” Issues (marriage and parental related factors). The findings present a deeper understanding of the main causes of female migration and why these educated women are less likely to return to Iran.</p>

Dairy Consumption and Risk of Stroke: A Case-control Study.

Background:It remains controversial if dairy product intake is associated with risk of stroke. Limited information is available from Middle East countries in this regard. This case-control study was conducted to assess the relationship between dairy consumption and risk of stroke in Iranian adults.Methods:In this study, 195 stroke patients (recognized based on clinical findings and computed tomography scan) hospitalized in neurology ward of Alzahra University Hospital were enrolled. Controls (n = 195) were selected with convenience nonrandom sampling procedure from other wards of this hospital. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants’ usual dietary intakes. Data on other variables were collected by the use of questionnaires.Results:Patients with stroke were older (P < 0.001), had lower weight and body mass index (P < 0.05) and were more likely to be male (P < 0.05) and less likely to be obese (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex and total energy intake, Individuals with the highest consumption of low-fat dairy had a significantly decreased risk of stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 0.58; 95% of confidence interval [CI]: 0.34–0.99), while those with the highest intake of high-fat dairy had a 2-fold increased risk of stroke. The association between high-fat dairy consumption and stroke even persisted after additional adjustments for physical activity, smoking and dietary variables (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.02–4.02); but the association between low-fat dairy intake and stroke disappeared after these adjustments (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.44–1.58).Conclusions:We found a significant positive association between high-fat dairy consumption and risk of stroke. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.

Predictability of Students’ Resiliency by Their Spirituality

Background: Students’ resiliency against educational challenges may be related to their spirituality. Objective: This study intended to examine the relationship between resiliency and spirituality and predict students’ resiliency using their spirituality components. Method: The population is comprised of all male and female undergraduates and graduates who were studying in three universities of Tehran, Iran (2010-2011). There were 200 subjects: 100 males and 100 females (aged 18-27) studying at Al-Zahra University, Allameh Tabataba’i University, and Shahid Beheshti University, randomly selected. Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003) and Parsian and Donning Spirituality Scale (2009) were recruited. Results: The findings revealed a positive significant correlation between resiliency and spirituality components. Regression results indicated that students’ spirituality can be a reliable predictor of their resiliency. Conclusion: Students with higher levels of spirituality show greater resiliency.

Violence in Al-Zahra Hospital from the Viewpoint of Administrative Support Staff: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Violence is associated with individuals’ health and occupational safety and for many jobs, workplace violence represents a serious occupational hazard. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the reasons for violence from the viewpoint of hospital administrative support staff and to determine the steps necessary to eliminate or reduce this problem. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, we employed semi-structured interviews and opinions of 10 authorities and administrative support staff of Al-Zahra University Hospital on violence and its risk factors. After transcribing the contents of the interviews, the data were reduced and structured using thematic analysis. Results:Subjects’ views on causes of violence in hospitals were classified into 40 sub-themes and 7 themes including: economic, social and structural factors, hospital problems, problems related to patients and their companions, difficulties arising from individual interactions and problems with staff. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of violence in hospitals and its adverse effects on the societies, organizations and individuals, necessary measures must be taken to diminish the occurrence of this problem, some of which include: increasing insurance coverage, changing physical structure of hospitals to increase security, limiting the entrance of individuals, making administrative processes more transparent, culture-making about terms of visiting and patient companionship, holding workshops on violence and proper relationship with patients and families and using experienced staff to interact with clients.

Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Internet Addiction Among Students of Al-Zahra University, Tehran, Iran.

Background:Internet addiction is a global phenomenon that causes serious problems in mental health and social communication. Students form a vulnerable group, since they have free, easy, and daily access to the internet.Objectives:The current study aimed to investigate perceived social support, self-esteem, and internet addiction among Al-Zahra University students.Materials and Methods:In the current descriptive research, the statistical sample consisted of 101 female students residing at AL-Zahra University dormitory, Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly selected and their identities were classified. Then, they completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Rosenberg’s Self-esteem Scale, and Yang Internet Addiction Test. After completion of the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using the correlation test and stepwise regression.Results:The Pearson correlation coefficient indicated significant relationships between self-esteem and internet addiction (P < 0.05, r = -0.345), perceived social support (r = 0.224, P < 0.05), and the subscale of family (r = 0.311, P < 0.05). The findings also demonstrated a significant relationship between internet addiction and perceived social support (r = -0.332, P < 0.05), the subscale of family (P < 0.05, r = -0.402), and the other subscales (P < 0.05, r = -0.287). Results of the stepwise regression showed that the scale of internet addiction and the family subscale were predicative variables for self-esteem (r = 0.137, P < 0.01, F2, 96 = 77.7).Conclusions:Findings of the current study showed that persons with low self-esteem were more vulnerable to internet addiction.

Effect of Stress Management Training with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Marital Adjustment in the Wives of War Veterans Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral stress management training on marital adjustment in the wives of the war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is known as a stressful issue in veterans' wives; thus, it can decrease their dyadic adjustment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental group included 12 wives who were selected among 30 after training and 12 wives were selected randomly as a control group. Training program included ten 90-minute sessions. The dyadic adjustment questionnaire was Spanier. RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant differences between experimental pretest, posttest, and follow up data in experimental group. Furthermore, significant differences were observed between posttest follow up results in experimental and control groups but there were no significant difference in pretest scores. CONCLUSION: Marital adjustment can be enhanced by cognitive behavioral stress management training in the wives of the war veterans suffering from PTSD. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran , ab_mehrinejad@yahoo.com Language: fa

Investigating and Comparing Language Development of Cochlear Implanted Children and Children with Normal Hearing

Introduction: Deafness has unfavorable effects on children's language development. Nowadays performing cochlear implant surgery has provided an opportunity for developing language in deaf children. The present study aims at investigating deaf children's language development after passing two years from performing cochlear implant surgery and comparing them with children enjoying natural hearing. Materials and Methods: The population of cochlear implanted children included all children who had undergone the cochlear implant surgery in Al-Zahra University Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. From these population, a number of 35 children (consisting of 18 boys and 17 girls) two years passed their surgeries were selected as the sample size using random sampling. In the group of children with natural hearing, the population included all children who were under training in pre-school centers and primary schools of Isfahan city. From this population, 35 children (18 boys and 17 girls) were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling. The data of the research were collected using the scale of language development. At last, the statistical data were investigated employing correlation and covariance analysis. Results: The findings of the present study indicated that although the cochlear implanted children had high scores in the scale of language development, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of language development in the two groups (P ≤ 0.001). In addition, there was a positive and significant correlation between age and language development (P ≤ 0.01, r = 0.491). Conclusion: Regarding the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that however performing cochlear implant surgery results in developing language in deaf children, it should not be expected that after two years from performing the surgery, cochlear implanted children act similar to children with natural hearing in language skills.

Effects of e-learning on Students’ Motivation

E-learning has a significant role in instruction of students in higher education, so the objective of this study is investigating the strength of the relationship between e-learning and students’ motivation among students participating in the research. This research was conducted in Tehran Alzahra University. Overall, the outcomes of this study have confirmed that e-learning is an element which affects students’ motivation. Design/methodology/approach– A questionnaire was applied to collect data from students of Tehran Alzahra University; and the statistical method of Pearson's correlation coefficient, was used for data analysis.Research limitations/implications – The analysis is executed in an only country therefore, attention must be paid in generalization of the outcomes.Practical implications – The outcomes of this research will be helpful in developing countries for educational thinkers to better comprehend effects of e-learning on students’ motivation.

Adherence to a DASH-Style Diet in Relation to Stroke: A Case-Control Study

Background: Despite the growing body of evidence from Western societies on the association between dietary patterns and stroke, limited data are available in this regard from developing countries.Objective: This study was conducted to examine the association between adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and risk of stroke among the Iranian population.Methods: This hospital-based case-control study included 194 stroke patients and 194 controls and was conducted at the Alzahra University Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The cases were stroke patients who were hospitalized in the neurology ward of the Alzahra University Hospital. Controls were randomly selected from among hospitalized patients in the orthopedic or surgical wards of this center. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the patients' usual dietary intake. We constructed the DASH diet score based on food and nutrients emphasized or minimized in the DASH diet.Results: The prevalence of stroke among those in the top quartile of the DASH diet score was 40%, which was 15% lower than among those in the bottom quartile; this difference was marginally significant (p = 0.10). After controlling for age, sex, and total energy intake, adherence to the DASH diet was inversely associated with the risk of stroke (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.28; 0.98). These associations remained significant even after additionally controlling for physical activity, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, such that individuals in the highest quartile of the DASH diet score had a 58% lower risk of stroke than those in the lowest category (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.96). However, after further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), the association disappeared (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.29, 1.31), indicating an obesity-dependent association.Conclusion: We found an inverse relationship between the DASH-style diet and prevalence of stroke. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this association.

Dietary Patterns in Relation to Stroke among Iranians: A Case-Control Study

Background: Although several studies have linked dietary patterns to the risk of stroke in Western countries, we are aware of no report in Middle Eastern populations with regard to this association.Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between major dietary patterns and risk of stroke among a group of Iranian population.Methods: In a hospital-based case-control study, 195 stroke patients, hospitalized in Alzahra University Hospital in 2008, were selected as cases and 195 control subjects from patients hospitalized in orthopedic or surgical wards with no history of cerebrovascular diseases or neurologic disorders were recruited. Usual dietary intakes of participants were assessed by means of a validated 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. To identify major dietary patterns, principal component analysis was used and each participant received a factor score for each identified pattern.Results: We identified 3 major dietary patterns: high carbohydrate–low fat dietary pattern, sweet–fatty dietary pattern, and traditional dietary pattern. Those in the highest quartile of traditional dietary pattern were 4.48 times more likely to have stroke compared to those in the lowest quartile. After adjustment for confounders, the association was attenuated. A significant association between high carbohydrate–low fat dietary pattern and stroke was also observed after controlling for potential confounding factors (odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–4.44). Consumption in the sweet–fatty food pattern was not associated with the risk of stroke either in crude or in adjusted models.Conclusion: Major dietary patterns identified by principal components analysis are significantly associated with stroke in a Middle Eastern population.

A study conducted on the demographic factors of victims of violence in support and administrative departments of hospital in 2013.

Background:Violence is now regarded as a serious problem and its complication causes heavy costs on the healthcare systems. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between some demographic characteristics and confrontation with violence. Since there is no study on the prevalence of violence among the support and administration staff of hospitals in Iran, this study was conducted to investigate violence in these departments.Materials and Methods:This descriptive–analytical and correlation survey was carried out by census among the support and administrative staff interacting with patients and their companions in Al-Zahra University Hospital of Isfahan in 2013. Research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire including five domains: Personal information, workplace information, verbal violence, physical violence, and other violent acts. Its validity was evaluated by experts reviewing it and its reliability by test–retest (r =0.9). Finally, data were analyzed using descriptive statistical indicators and statistical tests such as Chi-square for sex, marital status, and work department and Mann–Whitney U test for age, level of education, work experience, and violence types by the statistical software SPSS version 20.Results:According to the results obtained, 81% of subjects had been abused at least once and the most reported violence was related to verbal violence (78.4%). There was significant correlation between sex and violence and men were the main victims of violence, but there was no relation between marital status, age, and violence. Work experience was correlated to physical violence and other violent acts conversely. There was also an inverse correlation between physical violence and education; also, security staff faced more violence than others.Conclusion:As high prevalence of violence was found especially among the security staff and personnel with less education and work experience, it is suggested to take actions such as educating about patient accompaniment and visiting condition, holding training workshops on confronting with violence and appropriate communication with patients and families, using experienced and patient staff to interact with clients.

Influence of Maternal Anemia on Placental Volume with Study of Uterine Artery Doppler

Objectives: To study the influence of maternal hematocrit(Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levelon placental volumewithstudy ofuterine artery Doppler. Subjects and Methods: In this prospective study 40 pregnant( singleton pregnancy) cases were selected from the outpatient clinic of Alzahra university Hospital. They were divided into two groups the study group (20 cases)were anemic( iron deficiency) and the control group( 20cases) were healthy. For each case two scans for the placenta and fetal growth were performed, the first at recruitment and the second 5 weeks later. Placenta volume was measured at each visit using three dimensional ultrasound. The maternal Hb and ( Ht) were measured in each visit. Results: It revealed a non statistical significance between maternal hemoglobin, hematocrit and placental volume during the 1st visit and 2nd visit in anemic group compared to the control group.As regards Doppler study of the uterine artery in the present study it was noted that the pulsatility index and resistance index showeda non significant increase in the anemic group compared to the control group. Conclusion:Maternal iron deficiency anemia can affect placental growth and development. Placental volume increased with mild anemia during the first trimester but has no significant effect of fetal growth.The use of 3D ultrasound is more accurate and efficient safe technique of great value in evaluating placental growth and volume. Also, the study of uterine artery blood flow during the mid second trimester showed a nonsignificant increase of RI and PI with maternal anemia. Further study are needed for the effect of anemia on fetal growth during preconceptional, first,second,third trimester and the outcome of pregnancy.

Designing a Model that Female Entrepreneurs Face with Higher Education Centers in Tehran Province

The present study chiefly aims to design the model of challenges females entrepreneurs are face with higher education centers in Tehran province. To achieve the major objective and on the basis of the designed conceptual model, examination of the participants' attitudes about the impact of components of quality challenges, entrepreneurship instructors, training methods, financial supports, individual factors, legal factors and cultural factors on females entrepreneurs development at the higher education centers in Tehran province were addressed as the minor purposes. with regard to the challenges the Iranian universities are facing with, besides a questionnaires were distributed among 100 female students studying entrepreneurship at University of Tehran as well as female students participated in training workshops of entrepreneurship skills at Al-Zahra university, the items of challenges the women entrepreneurship development are facing with were measured at the higher education centers of Tehran province. After the data analysis, the obtained results were reported in terms of rate of impact per one unit increase in each challenge over decrease in women entrepreneurship development. To test the research hypotheses (challenges) affecting the purpose, the bivariate regression test was adopted and the level of significance for each challenge was determined. Additionally, for testing the conceptual model, the structural equation modeling was used via the LISREL software. Appropriateness of the model and compliance with the empirical data then were attested.

Assessment of protein tyrosine phosphatases number 22 polymorphism prevalence among rheumatoid arthritis patients: A study on Iranian patients.

Background:It has been proposed that Trp (620) allotype of protein tyrosine phosphatases number 22 (PTPN22) gene can intensify the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. Thus, in this study, the prevalence of this polymorphism has been surveyed among RA patients compared with healthy persons. The samples were selected from Isfahan province (one of the most populated area of Iran).Materials and Methods:In this study, 100 patients (case group) and 100 healthy persons (control group) were participated voluntarily. The case group was selected from people who had referred to the rheumatology clinic of AlZahra University Hospital to follow-up their treatment and change their drugs dosage. The control group members, who were living in Isfahan province, mutually had similar age with patients. On a total, 22% of the case group was male and 75% of the control group was female. DNA was extracted from the blood sample of all cases and controls and the PTPN22 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C1858> T gene polymorphism were studied using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results:PTPN22 SNP C1858> T gene polymorphism was observed in 11 persons (11%) of the case group and 8 persons (8%) of the control group.Conclusion:The results show that the difference was not statistically significant in Isfahan RA population (P = 0.47; OR = 1.42; 95% CI 0.55-3.69). Although, another study on Iranian population had shown that this polymorphism confers susceptibility to RA.

Prophylactic administration of aminophylline plus dexamethasone reduces post-dural puncture headache better than using either drug alone in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery.

Background:Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a known complication of neuroaxial anesthesia and may be associated with significant morbidity. As invasive treatment for PDPH has known complications, pharmacologic management may be preferable. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of combining administration of intravenous aminophylline and dexamethasone on PDPH in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery in comparison with using either drug alone and also comparing them with placebo.Materials and Methods:One hundred and forty patients, aged 20-65 years, scheduled for lower extremity surgery in Alzahra University Hospital under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into four groups of 35 each and received aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg i.v. (group A), dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg (group D), aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg i.v. (group AD), and placebo (group P). The incidences of PDPH and complete response were evaluated at 6-48 h after arrival to the ward in the four groups.Results:Patients in group AD had significantly lower incidence of PDPH (5.88% vs. 20.58% for group A and 17.14% for group D with P < 0.05), the highest incidence of complete response, and also, less analgesic requirement compared with groups A, D, and P throughout 6-48 h (1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.75 for group A, 1.8 ± 0.6 for group D, and 3.3 ± 1 for placebo group with P < 0.05).Conclusion:Combine administration of aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg significantly reduced PDPH better than using either drug alone in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia.

The comparison between proton pump inhibitors and sucralfate in incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia in critically ill patients

Background:Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) are one of the most common nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU). The ICU patients are at risk of stress ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding for different reasons. In order to prevent this complication, anti acids are used for patients. This study compared pantoprazole with sucralfate in incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia.Materials and Methods:This randomized clinical trial was carried out on ICU patients with mechanical ventilation in Alzahra university hospital in Isfahan from 2010 to 2011. One hundred forty eight ventilated patients were randomly allocated in two groups. The first group was treated with sucralfate and the second group was treated with pantoprazole for stress ulcer prophylaxis and followed up during hospitalization in ICU for nosocomial pneumonia. Data analyzed by SPSS software.Results:One hundred thirty seven patients were selected for study. During the study period, 34 cases (24.8%) acquired pneumonia, of which 10 were in the sucralfate group and 24 were in the pantoprazole group (14.1% vs. 36.4%). According to Chi-square test, rate of pneumonia was significantly lower in patients receiving sucralfate than the pantoprazole group (P < 0.001).Conclusion:On the basis of the results, there is a significant relationship between the kind of drug used for stress ulcer and ventilator associated pneumonia. According to this article, rate of pneumonia was significantly lower in patients receiving sucralfate than the pantoprazole group.

Age determination using ultrasonography in young football players.

Background:Increasing of age cheating in sports makes problems to athletes comparable to taking illegal substances. Current method used by AFC and FIFA is applying MRI of growth plate of distal of radius to determine the bone age. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in bone age determination by measuring the width of growth plate in distal of radius, and comparing it with identity documents.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted from September to December 2009 in the Department of Radiology at Al-Zahra University Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Ultrasonography was done for 82 (15-20 years old) young professional football players and results were compared with identity documents (such as National ID card). Young football players were divided into three age categories: < 16 and > 16 years old, < 17 and > 17 years old, and < 18 and > 18 years old. Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curves for discriminant values and sensitivity and specificity were analyzed.Results:Cut-off point was set for each group, based on the width of the growth plate, and negative test was defined as subjects < cut-off point, showing subjects over the defined age in each group. ROC curve analysis demonstrates consistently acceptable diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values in age determination of each group.Conclusions:The overall predictive accuracy of ultrasonography, as described by the area under the ROC curve, was high for determination of bone age. It has an acceptable sensitivity and specificity to use for determination of age in sport competitions, and has the capability to become the screening test for age determination, especially because it is inexpensive and without any risk of radiation. It seems to be comparable with MRI in age determination.

Network DEA: an application to analysis of academic performance

As governmental subsidies to universities are declining in recent years, sustaining excellence in academic performance and more efficient use of resources have become important issues for university stakeholders. To assess the academic performances and the utilization of the resources, two important issues need to be addressed, i.e., a capable methodology and a set of good performance indicators as we consider in this paper. In this paper, we propose a set of performance indicators to enable efficiency analysis of academic activities and apply a novel network DEA structure to account for subfunctional efficiencies such as teaching quality, research productivity, as well as the overall efficiency. We tested our approach on the efficiency analysis of academic colleges at Alzahra University in Iran.

The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) on Breast Feeding at the Time of NICU Discharge

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is one of the most important essential components of Kangaroo Mother Care.ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the effects of KMC on exclusive breastfeeding just at the time of discharge.Patients and MethodsIn this cross sectional study, 251 consecutive premature newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between May 2008 and May 2009 in Alzahra University Hospital in Tabriz were evaluated. All of candidate mothers were educated for KMC method by scheduled program. Standard questionnaire was prepared by focus group discussion, and mothers filled it prior to infant hospital discharge.ResultsIn this study 157(62.5%) mothers performed kangaroo mother care (KMC group) versus 94 (37.5%) in conventional method care (CMC group). In KMC group exclusive breast feeding was 98 (62.5%) vs. 34 (37.5%), and P =.00 in CMC group, at the time of hospital discharge. Receiving KMC, and gestational age were the only effective factors predicting exclusive breastfeeding. Our result indicated that there was a 4.1 time increase in exclusive breastfeeding by KMC, and also weekly increase in gestational age increased it 1.2 times, but maternal age, birth weight, mode of delivery, and 5 minute Apgar score had no influence on it.ConclusionsKMC is more effective, and increases exclusive breast feeding successfully. It can be a good substitution for CMC (conventional methods of care). It is a safe, effective, and feasible method of care for LBWI even in the NICU settings.

A case-control study on potato consumption and risk of stroke in central Iran.

Potato, a high- glycemic index (GI) food, is one of the most widely used starchy foods worldwide. Previous studies on the association of dietary intakes with stroke have mostly focused on the dietary GI and there is no information regarding the association between potato consumption and risk of stroke. This case-control study was conducted to evaluate the association between potato consumption and risk of stroke in an Iranian adult population. In this case-control study, 195 patients with stroke, hospitalized in the Neurology Ward of Alzahra University Hospital and 195 controls from other wards of the hospital with convenience non-random sampling method were enrolled. To assess participants' dietary intakes, a validated food frequency questionnaire was used. Information on socioeconomic and demographic variables, physical activity pattern, and smoking were collected by the use of questionnaires. Logistic regression method in different models was applied to explore the associations between potato intake and stroke. First quartile of potato intake was used as a reference in all models. Mantel-Haenszel extension chi-square test was used to assess the overall trend across quartiles of potato consumption. Individuals with stroke were more likely to be male (60% vs. 46%, P < 0.05) and older (68.0 ± 1.0 vs. 61.5 ± 0.8 y, P < 0.001) as compared with controls. They had lower body mass index (BMI) (25.2 ± 0.3 vs. 28.5 ± 1.0 kg/m2, P < 0.05), and were less likely to be obese (11.3% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.001) compared with controls. The mean potato consumption was 31.1 ± 3.4 and 23.4 ± 1.3 g/d for cases and controls, respectively. Participants with the highest potato consumption were younger and more likely to be physically active. High potato consumption was associated with higher intakes of energy, fruits, vegetables, pulses, and grains. After adjustment for age, sex, and total energy intake, we found that individuals with the highest potato consumption were more likely to have stroke as compared with those with the lowest consumption (OR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.0 - 3.6). The correlation between physical activity and potato consumption was 0.03, P = 0.54 and that of smoking and potato intake was -0.004, P = 0.94. Even after additional control for smoking and physical activity, the association remained significant (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0 - 3.6). Further adjustment for dietary intakes made the associations non significant (OR: 1.1; 95%CI: 0.5 - 2.5). However, when BMI was taken into account in the final model, we found that individuals in the third quartile of potato consumption were significantly more likely to have stroke (OR: 2.2; 95%CI: 1.0 - 4.7). We found evidence indicating that there is a marginally significant independent association between potato consumption and risk of stroke. Prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.