Pearson Correlation Statistical Tests Research Articles

Social Support and Self-care Behavior among Heart Failure Patients: Is there any Relationship

Heart failure is one of the main cardiovascular diseases and social support towards it is an important benchmark for accomplishing healthy behavior. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between social support and self-care behavior among heart failure patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 64 heart failure patients attending Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute during 2013. Data collections were based on standard questionnaires and are analyzed by SPSS version 20 using Pearson's correlation statistical test. The mean age of respondents was 54.5 years (SD: 7.8). There was correlation between social support and self-care behavior (P<0.001 & r=0.481). Furthermore, family support was highly correlated with self-care behaviors (P<0.001 & r=0.462). It seems that it could be beneficial to provide educational programs to patient's families for more support of patients in doing self-care behaviors.

Is the Health Belief Model as an Appropriate Predictor of the Self-Care Behaviors in Type II Diabetic Patients?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease with long-term cardiovascular, renal, eye and neural complications. It is prevalent all around the world including Iran its prevalence is increasing. The aim of this study is to determine factors related to self-care behavior based on health belief model among sample of Iranian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 type 2 diabetics patient in Gachsaran, Iran. Data collection was based on an interview and were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using ANOVA, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Linear regression analyses showed that the health belief model variables accounted for 29% of the variation in self-care behavior; and perceived severity and perceived self-efficacy, more influential predictor on self-care behavior.

Menopause Negatively Impacts Sexual Lives of Middle-Aged Iranian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

The study aimed to explore associations between sexual function, demographic variables, health and menopausal status among middle-aged Iranian women. Participants were 200 Iranian middle-aged women (40–65 years). All women completed the Female Sexual Function Index and the Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function. Data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation statistical test, a one-way analysis of variance, an independent t test, and a linear regression analysis. Advanced age, lower education, and socioeconomic status were significantly correlated with the lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index. Lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index were associated with being retired; having a hysterectomy or oophorectomy; and presence of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, health problems, prescription drug use, and cold sweats. There were no significant associations between middle-aged women's sexual function and ethnicity, body mass index, alcohol consumption, severity of hot flashes, and hot flash frequency. Sexual desire was decreased or absent in 94.5% of the postmenopausal respondents. Our findings appear that sexual function is associated with sociodemographic characteristics of Iranian middle-aged women. Gender-sensitive counseling and medical services for aging Iranian women can improve the quality of women's sexual lives.

Hand grip and pinch strength: Effects of workload, hand dominance, age, and Body Mass Index

Objective: Grip and pinch strength are considered important factors which reflect proper hand function, muscle function, general weakness, nutritional status, physical activities and muscle disability. Some of the factors affecting grip and pinch strength are hand dominance, posture , elbow joint angle, height, age and gender. Present study was designed to see the effects of Workload, Hand Dominance, Age, and Body Mass Index on grip and pinch strength among university students. Methodology: This study was conducted among 82 male student, with means and standard deviation of 24.25 (3.76) years and 24.75(2.44) kg/m2 for age and BMI, respectively. Grip and pinch strength for each participant were measured in time of rest and during light, moderate and heavy workload. Hand held dynamometer was used for measuring grip strength and pinch gauge to measure pinch strength. All Data analyses were performed using the statistical software package; SPSS-18 and analyzed with use of Pearson Correlation Statistical tests and paired sample t-test. Results: Pearson Correlation test showed that grip and pinch strength for the dominance hand was significantly higher than non-dominant hand for all workloads (p &lt; 0.05). Study results showed that there is no significant correlation between age with grip and pinch strength (p &gt; 0.05) but BMI considered as an effective parameter on grip and pinch strength for dominant and non-dominant hand in moderate and heavy activities (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: these findings, unlike to age, workload and BMI are important factors on grip and pinch strength. This suggests that there is a need for more research to precisely evaluate the effects of these factors on grip and pinch strength. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.291(Suppl).3535 How to cite this:Habibi E, Kazemi M, Dehghan H, Mahaki B, Hassanzadeh A. Hand grip and pinch strength: Effects of workload, hand dominance, age, and Body Mass Index. Pak J Med Sci 2013;29(1)Suppl:363-367. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.291(Suppl).3535 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Effectiveness of nanozeolite modified by cationic surfactant in the removal of disinfection by-product precursors from water solution

Aim: In this study the performance of a natural nanozeolite, modified with a cationic surfactant, on the adsorption of humic acid from water was investigated in a batch system. Materials and Methods: Clinoptilolite as a natural nanozeolite was modified with different doses of a cationic surfactant solution, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br), at dosages from 0.5 to 10 g/l. The modified adsorbents were individually added to synthetic water samples containing a known amount of humic acid and put on the shaker for two hours, at room temperature. Humic acid (HA) concentrations, turbidity, and pH were measured before and after the adsorption process. Results: According to the results obtained, and based on the statistical analysis (Pearson correlation statistical test), there was a clear correlation between the cationic surfactant dosage and HA removal (Pvalue Conclusions: This study showed that modification of nanozeolite by cationic surfactants, to reduce its negative surface charge, could markedly improve its efficiency in the adsorption of disinfection by-product precursors from an aqueous solution. The HDTMA-Br/Clinoptilolite nanozeolite (CNZ) ratio of 0.07, pH have to coincide in iso-electric point, can be an optimum ratio for the modification.

QUALIDADE MICROBIOLÓGICA DE AFLUENTES E EFLUENTES DE ESTAÇÕES DE TRATAMENTO DE ÁGUA E ESGOTO DE GOIÂNIA , GOIÁS

This study was conducted to evaluate microbiological quality of two importantsurface water from Meia Ponte river and João Leite stream, which are used fordrinking purposes in Goiania city, Goias State. In addition, treated water, wastewaterand treated effluent from municipal Water and Sewage Treatment Plants wereanalyzed. The study also aimed to correlate pluviometric density and the physical,chemical, and microbiological parameters in water, by Pearson Correlation statisticaltest. The coliforms concentration, Salmonella presence, and the physical andchemical parameters were evaluated in raw and treated water, wastewater, and treated effluent samples collected in municipal Water and Sewage Treatment Facilities in 2005. According to the results obtained, Meia Ponte river was classified as Class Iand João Leite stream as Class III, during the analyzed period. Pluviometric densitywas correlated to fecal contamination and some physical and chemical parametersof water (color and turbidity) in Meia Ponte river and João Leite stream. Watertreatment was considered satisfactory; however, the primary treatment in the SewageTreatment Facility was not able to decrease significantly the fecal load of wastewater,being an important source of contamination to the Meia Ponte river.

Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion Increases Regional Cerebral and Splanchnic Tissue Oxygen Saturation in Anemic Symptomatic Preterm Infants

Preterm infants often receive multiple packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions that are intended to improve tissue oxygen levels. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitors regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (CrSO(2)) and splanchnic tissue oxygen saturation (SrSO(2)). Before such technology can be employed in neonatal transfusion management, it must first be established that transfusions result in an increase in tissue oxygen saturation. This prospective, observational study used NIRS to determine if PRBC transfusions increase the CrSO(2) and SrSO(2) of symptomatic anemic premature neonates. CrSO(2) and SrSO(2) values were compared for 20-minute duration immediately before, during, immediately after, and 12 hours after transfusion. As a secondary objective, CrSO(2) and SrSO(2) values were correlated with hemoglobin (Hgb) levels. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation statistical tests were used for analysis. A statistically significant increase in CrSO(2) and SrSO(2) values were observed after transfusion in the 30 subjects included (CrSO(2): 62.8 +/- 1.6, 65.6 +/- 1.7, 68.0 +/- 1.3, 67.6 +/- 1.4, P < 0.001 and SrSO(2): 41.3 +/- 2.2, 46.7 +/- 3.0, 52.1 +/- 2.8, 48.2 +/- 2.5, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between CrSO(2) or SrSO(2) and Hgb values. NIRS identified increases in CrSO(2) and SrSO(2) in preterm neonates after PRBC transfusions and has the potential to become incorporated into neonatal transfusion management paradigms.

Motivation and Distraction Factors Associated with Student Performance in Advanced Level Undergraduate Accounting Courses: An Empirical Study

No prior study the author is aware of has considered the associations between motivation and distraction factors and student performance in advanced level undergraduate accounting courses. This study considers the associations between these two factors and student performance in Advanced Accounting, Auditing, and Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting courses. The author conducted this study in a highly diversified, commuter, public university. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson, and Spearman correlation statistical tests, the study shows that some of the motivation factors are significantly associated with student performance in the above-mentioned three courses. However, the distraction factors have no significant negative association with student performance. One important implication of this study is that accounting faculty need to find ways to motivate their students, but need not discourage them to take more courses per semester or work more hours per week outside of school.

Effects of relaxation on anxiety and salivary IgA levels in puerperae

This experimental study aimed to evaluate the effect of relaxation techniques on anxiety levels, and the relation between anxiety and the concentration of Immunoglobulin A. The study was carried out in a maternity hospital in a city of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The sample was composed of 60 puerperae. The information on the variables: age, education, marital status, type of childbirth, and parity were collected with a specific form; the trait and state of anxiety were based on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI/IDATE); and the level of salivary IgA was obtained through immunoturbidimetry. The application of the Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, and Pearson's correlation statistical tests showed a significant reduction in the levels of the state of anxiety in the experimental group (p = 0.01); there was no correlation between the trait and state variables of anxiety and the salivary IgA level; both groups (experimental and control) showed trait and state of medium-intensity anxiety.