فهرست مطالب abdolrahim asadollahi

A society’s culture, beliefs, and values are important and effective factors in lifestyle and health status. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the correlation between older adults’ tendency towards superstitions and their healthylifestyles.

This study was descriptive-analytical and of a correlational type. The statistical population consisted of all the older adults covered by healthcare centers in the North of Iran. The sample size was determined to be 360 using the multistage random sampling method. Data were collected using the Elderly Healthy Lifestyle and Tendency to Superstitions Questionnaires. Spearman’s test, regression analysis, chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and SPSS 28 software were utilized to analyze the data.

Among a total of 360 elderly participants in the study, 173 were male, and 187 were female, in the age range of 60 to 91 years. The results indicated a significant correlation (P<0.001) with an effect size of 29% between superstitions and a healthy lifestyle. According to the findings, the regression model fitted with the predictive variable, superstitions, could explain 14% of the variance in the dependent variable, lifestyle.

The research results emphasized that the tendency towards superstitions could be a predictive and effective factor in older adults’ healthy lifestyles.

 Identifying the main factors that affect body image (BI) is of utmost importance within the realm of marital relationships. In light of this, the present study investigated the relationship between BI, marital offense-specific forgiveness (MOF), and marital happiness (MH) among married women aged 20 - 35, living in urban and rural areas in the city of Jahrom, Fars Province, Iran.

 This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 608 married women aged 20 - 35, residing in urban and rural areas and referring to the comprehensive community health centers in the city of Jahrom, Fars province, Iran, selected by stratified-cluster sampling. For this purpose, the statistical population was divided into two groups, viz., the urban and rural women, and sampling was done in keeping with their population. The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), the Marital Happiness Scale (MHS), and the Marital Offense-Specific Forgiveness Scale (MOFS) were further applied to collect the data, which were then analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 software package.

 Comparing the MHS mean scores showed a statistically significant difference between urban and rural women (P < 0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was observed in the BI mean scores of the study groups, particularly in the appearance evaluation (AE) subscale (P < 0.001). The regression analysis results also demonstrated that MH could affect BI (P < 0.001)

 The study results revealed that MH and MOF could lead to a positive BI in married women.

The present study aimed to determine the factors affecting the decision of hearing-impaired adults to perform cochlear implantation (CI) and the impact of each factor on the results of hearing quality, speech understanding, spatial hearing, and quality of life (QoL) after implantation. In this cross-sectional study, thirty-nine adults with CI completed the Speech, Spatial, and Hearing Quality Scale (SSQ), Quality of Life Standard (SF-12), and Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) questionnaires. One-way ANOVA and two-step cluster analysis with Schwarz’s Bayesian information criterion as clustering criterion were used to analyze the data. There was a significant difference between males and females in the total score of QoL, physical health, and age of hearing loss (HL) diagnosis, but not in the SSQ questionnaire. In the mental health of all participants, a significant difference was observed in two levels of THI. Age at implantation and income, age of HL diagnosis, duration of CI, degree of tinnitus, and level of education (literacy) play an important role in QoL, speech comprehension, spatial hearing, mental health, and SSQ, respectively. Some patients’ decisions for CI surgery consisted of tinnitus before implantation, age, sex, income, and QoL. Some demographic factors are effective in the process of a person’s decision to perform implantation. Besides other implant factors in adult CI candidacy, considering the person’s decision may lead to realistic expectations from the surgery and related results, which can be attended to in counseling before implantation.

Life satisfaction and subjective well-being are two important components affecting the mental health in the aging population. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of social comparison in the association between subjective well-being and life satisfaction in older adults.

This cross-sectional study involved 250 randomly selected elderly individuals from the Jahandidegan Daily Caring Center in Jahrom City, located in southern Iran in 2022. A demographic questionnaire, Keyes' mental well-being questionnaire with three subscales (positive affect, negative affect, and overall life satisfaction), and Bonk and Gibbons' social comparison questionnaire were used for the study. All questionnaires were self-report and were completed by older participants themselves. The data were analyzed using SPSS 28.

The mean and standard deviation for social comparison, life satisfaction, subjective well-being, emotional well-being, social well-being, and psychological well-being were 36.41±7.24, 13.56±3.49, 182.12±13.16, 32.90±5.93, 65.95±12.07, and 83.26±13.34, respectively. The dimensions of subjective well-being, including emotional, social, and psychological aspects, were found to have a direct and positive impact on the level of life satisfaction among the elderly (p<0.05). Furthermore, these dimensions were positively associated with social comparison (p<0.05). However, social comparison, as a mediating variable, played a relatively minor role in the relationship with life satisfaction (p>0.05).

Focusing on the positive mediating role of social comparison in improving older people's health, particularly with regard to their life satisfaction and mental well-being, should be a priority for health policymakers.

Widowhood is an unwonted stage after married life accompanied by emotional and physical stress. Resilience plays an important role in coping with widowhood, but there is no appropriate instrument to help measure resilience among the Iranian population. Hence, the objective of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the widowhood resilience scale (WRS, 25-Items). In a psychometric study, 352 Iranian widows were randomly selected; then, the WRS, Loneliness, general resilience, and demographic questionnaire were used to gather data. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to extract the factors using IBM-SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 24. The mean ages of 352 participants were 65.7±9.8, and the highest frequency of education level was no formal schooling (42.6%). The construct validity of WRS based on Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the six subscales explained a total of 85.35 % of the variance. The convergent validity of the WRS 25-items was compared to Iranian versions of UCLA-Loneliness (0.71) and CD‐RISC (0.78) as well (P<0.01). The WRS scale demonstrated excellent reliability and Cronbach’s alpha obtained 0.94 for the entire scale (P<0.001). The optimal cut-off point that best differentiates between resilient and non-resilient widows was 55, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 74.4%. Based on the results, the Persian version of the WRS is a valid and reliable tool that can be utilized to measure widows’ resilience. However, further investigations are suggested.

 Increasing frailty syndrome is one consequence of the aging population. Frailty syndrome can adversely affect the independent life and social activities of the elderly by threatening their balance and mobility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term postural-balance training on balance and functional limitations in elderly women with frailty syndrome.

The present clinical trial study was performed on 54 elderly women with frailty syndrome. Participants were randomly selected from one of the daycare centers for the elderly in Shiraz and were divided into two groups intervention (n=27) and control (n=27). For the intervention group, 12 sessions of short-term postural-balance exercises were held. Data were collected using the Fried Frailty Index, berg balance scale (BBS-9), and the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly (SAFE) Questionnaire at the beginning of the study and the end of the intervention and analyzed using SPSS software v. 25.

 The mean age of participants was 66.77 years, and 94.4% had at least one chronic disease. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in the mean scores of frailties such as physical activity, walk time, balance, and motor limitation of the elderly in the intervention group. In contrast, the intervention could not significantly affect other frailty indicators, i.e., unwanted weight loss, exhaustion, and grip strength in the intervention group

 Postural-balance exercises significantly improve the physical characteristics of malnutrition and motor and functional limitations in daily life activities in the elderly.

Aging and retirement are a passage to a new course of ​​life for veterans. The role of army grandparents in relation with their adult children is important; therefore, it is necessary to study grandparent-adult children interactions during retirement. Unfortunately, there was no Iranian version of an instrument to measure this interaction. Hence, the study aimed to evaluate the Persian version of the Perceived Parenting Roles Inventory (PPRI-2019). The translation process was conducted based on WHO’s guidance of instruments translation and adaptation.
The research method was descriptive and had a psychometric type. A total of 251 grandparents were randomly selected from the Iranian Veterans Association. The PPRI and demographic questionnaire were used to gather data at the end of 2019. The scale structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach’s alpha assessed internal consistency and the optimal cut-off points were obtained by calculating the area under the curve (ROC). Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. The construct validity of PPRI based on CFA showed that the two subscales explained a total of 73.017 % of the variance. The PPRI scale demonstrated excellent reliability, and Cronbach’s alpha obtained 0.792 for the entire scale (p< 0.000). The optimal cut-off point of PPRI was 19.50, with a sensitivity of 100%, a 1-specificity of 0.127.
Based on the results, the Persian version of PPRI is a valid and reliable tool that other researchers can use to measure perceived parenting roles among other retirees. But further investigations are suggested.

The lack of knowledge about menopausal care in couples and inappropriate coping with menopause symptoms can reduce the couples' quality of the marital relationship. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the knowledge and ability of men to prevent menopause destructive effects on marital relations and the well-being of the couples. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of men's menopausal care education on their marital satisfaction.
This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019 among 80 men in Shiraz, Iran. The samples were randomly selected using cluster random sampling method; they were equally divided into control and intervention groups. Four training sessions were held for the intervention group. The data were collected using a questionnaire on the menopausal knowledge and the ENRICH-10 questionnaire at the beginning and two months after the intervention and analyzed using SPSS v. 25 and Amos v. 21.
Based on the results, at the beginning of the study, there was no significant difference in the mean score of the menopausal knowledge and marital satisfaction between the intervention and control groups (p<0.0001). However, men's menopausal knowledge and their marital satisfaction in the intervention group significantly increased. No significant increase was found in  men's menopausal knowledge or their marital satisfaction in the control group.
Education can increase the men's ability to cope with menopausal symptoms. Therefore, providing family health counseling services in health centers and family counseling is recommended.

Frailty syndrome involves a complex combination of the natural process of getting old with different medical problems. Different indexes have been designed for each physical, mental, and social dimensions of frailty. Fried’s five-item index of frailty syndrome checklist is one of the most applicable scales to screen frailty. This study aimed to determine a psychometric index of frailty and the cut-off points for the Iranian elderly population.

In a cross-sectional and psychpmetric study, 249 frail elderly people were selected among members of two Iranian Army Retirees Clubs in 2019. This was a cross-sectional-psychometric study which aimed at  determining the psychometric index and cut-off points of a brief checklist of 5-item FSC among Iranian adults older than 60 years old and comparing this to prior results in different countries.

The data were analyzed by ANOVA, multi-variable regression, confirmatory, and exploratory factor analysis, and ROC analysis via SPSS 25 and AMOS 24. The validity of the study findings was determined by internal validity, high correlation of 5 questions, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis of 3 subdomains with a clarity value of 0.87, and high goodness of fit index (GFI).

The determined cut-off points were compatible with those of Fried’s prior study. The designed tools used in this study evaluated frailty syndrome of the Iranian elderly in elderly rehabilitation studies with high confidence. The application of the tool would provide caregivers and policymakers with additional information as to caring for this population.

The present study aimed to develop and initially validate the scale of awareness) knowledge(, attitude, intention and performance in elderly with a history of drug substance in Iranian society in 2018.

This research was descriptive-correlational of instrument validation type. The statistical population included all elderly addicts referring to the center for rural health society and health centers in Khafr. 101 elderly with a history of drug abuse were selected by convenience sampling method. In this study, the data were collected by the demographic questionnaire and the researcher-made questionnaire (i.e., the scale of knowledge, attitude, intention and performance in drug abuse). Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis.

Based on exploratory factor analysis, 4 factors of knowledge, attitude, intention and performance were extracted.

According to the results of the study, the designed tool is a valid tool for measuring knowledge, attitude, intention and performance in the elderly with a history of drug abuse in Iranian society.

 Illegal drug abuse is an important challenge that is not adequately addressed with respect to gerontology in rural areas.

 In this cross-sectional study 641 people aged 60 years or older supported by rural health centers in Southern Iran were investigated (310 and 331 men and women, respectively). To take a sample size of 326, snowball sampling was used. Then, the sample size was developed and simulated to 1.65 million rural elderly using the Monte Carlo simulation and bootstrapping technique (upon the 2016 national census), calculated in SPSS V.25. The ASSIST-WHO, 2017 instrument was used to collect the data.

 A significant difference was found between the mean sub-variables of marital status using the MANOVA. Widowhood and divorce had more impact on the tendency to addiction compared to the other factors on marital status. Nomads and farmers were more vulnerable to be addicted than those occupied in the public sector. It was also confirmed by the Eta2 coefficient that older men feeling loneliness have a higher tendency to commit risky behaviors.

 Being a nomad or framer and widowhood and divorce increased the tendency of male elderly towards illegal drugs. Further studies are required to develop guidelines for policy-makers concerning the rural aging community.
 

One of the main challenges of Methadone Maintenance treatment (MMT) centers is the patients’ non-adherence to treatment process in tempting situations. This study was conducted to validate the Persian version of one of the valid questionnaires on situational drug use temptation.

A cross‑sectional study was carried out on 150 men referring to MMT centers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2019. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing demographic data and Persian version of drug use temptation questionnaire with 20 items. The content validity was assessed by 15 psychiatrists and health education and promotion experts based on the Lawshe criteria. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. The construct validity was evaluated by exploratory Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and Amos 24.

 Overall, 141 individuals completed the questionnaire (response rate: 94%). The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age were 37±7. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test of sampling was adequate (KMO 0.913) and the Bartlett test of sphericity was significant (Chi-square 1847.65; p= 0.001). Four factors were extracted and two items were not included in any of the factors. Goodness of fit indices of structural equation model, i.e. Chi2, Chi2/df, and RMSEA were ​​ 158.504, 1.22 and 0.04, respectively, which indicated the acceptable fitness of the model.

The Persian version of the questionnaire of temptation to use drugs is suitable for use among the Iranian population.

Caregiving burden is defined as a specific level of  pressure and problems expressed by caregiver or family, which involves a range of psychological, emotional, social and economic problems. Further, satisfaction is described as the level of the mental happiness, self-confidence and usefulness sensed by caregiver about his/her own caregiving behaviour. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of caregiving satisfaction (SCR) and caregiving burden of grandchildren scales (BCR) among grandparent population by considering the lack of a Persian tool for their measurement.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 70 grandparents who were selected through convenience sampling among the individuals referred to the healthcare centres of five southern cities in Iran Shiraz, Sepidan, Fasa, Jahrom, and Borazjan  from April to August, 2019. The questionnaires were filled out by individual interview with participants and the data were analysed through explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses and ROC curve, using SPSS 25 and Amos 21.

Two factors were extracted in each questionnaire (Regarding each questionnaire, happiness and responsibility in individual and social satisfaction in caregiving burden were extracted through explanatory factor analysis), representing 78.1 and 75.1% of total variance, respectively. The Cronbach's coefficients alpha related to these subscales were obtained as 0.709-0.859 by indicating an acceptable internal consistency.

The Persian version of these questionnaires had appropriate validity and reliability required for measuring satisfaction and caregiving burden of grandchildren among Iranian grandparents and can be used in day care and healthcare centres.

COVID-19[1] is a new infectious disease that has been declared by WHO[2]  as a public health emergency worldwide due to its rapid spread to China and then to other parts of the world. The present study was designed to evaluate the clinical manifestations of this disease in the elderly.

We performed a systematic review on the database of the World Health Organization, CDC[3], PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and lancet. All of the articles published until March 15, 2020, have been extracted from the above articles in English on coronavirus infection, disease, virology, epidemiology, clinical features, treatment, and prevention of the disease. Of the 1376 articles, 5 were selected out of recently published articles focusing on the epidemiological information of the virus, pneumonia caused by new corona virus, and the effects of the disease on different age groups, especially the elderly, and the rest were excluded from the review. The mean age of the patients, the mean age of mortality and the  underlying diseases were chosen as the criteria of data extraction.

 Based on the researchers' perceptions of the text of the articles, 342 cases were included in these 5 studies. The mean age of the patients was 58.4 and that of the diceased patients was 66.5. More than 50% of the total cases had one or more underlying diseases.  

Despite the involvement of various age groups in this infection, the virus is most likely to cause severe complications and fatalities in older people with underlying diseases.

The evidence suggests nutrition style as a key determinant of health. On the other hand, nutrition literacy is a key determinant of nutrition decisions and behaviors. This study aimed to develop and validate an inventory in order to predict nutrition literacy promoting behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the youth.

In this cross-sectional study, 203 students (100 females and 103 males) were selected using the randomized cluster method from dormitories in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. They were supposed to complete Nutrition Literacy Promoting Behavior based on TPB (TPB-NLPB) questionnaire. The tool was developed using relevant scientific literature and its validity was confirmed by the experts’ panel (n = 6). The instrument includes four subscales: attitude toward behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

The coefficients of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.87), Guttmann method (λ1 = 0.84 to λ6 = 0.91), and convergent validity (0.74) were estimated (P < 0.01). The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated five factors, which clarified 64.91% of the scale’s variance. Second-order confirmatory factor analysis pointed out that the factor was well matched up onto the principal factor. Consequently, the five-factor model was appropriate for the data using fit index techniques for adjusting the scale.

The results confirmed the well-adjusted reliability and psychometric properties of the TPB-NLPB and its usefulness for the relevant studies.

Nutrition literacy is a key determinant of nutrition decision and behavior. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Nutrition Literacy Inventory (NLI-28) among university students.

In a cross-sectional study, 203 students (101 women and 102 men) were enrolled through a randomized cluster sampling method from the four dormitories of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The instrument was prepared through a translation and back-translation process and it was used as a self-administered inventory. The NLI-28 included three subscales i.e. functional nutrition literacy, interactive nutrition literacy, and critical nutrition literacy. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Mean of content validity ratio (CVR) for essential criterion, means of content validity index (CVI) for simply criterion, clarity criterion, and relevance criterion were obtained as 0.89, 0.9, 0.96, and 0.98, respectively. The coefficients of Cronbach’s alpha (α=0.87), convergent validity (0.74), divergent validity (-0.11), and criterion validity (0.73) were estimated (P<0.01). The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the NLI-28 was organized into four factors, clarifying 78% of the scale’s variance. Second-order confirmatory factor analysis pointed out that the factor was well matched up onto a principal factor. The four factors model was well appropriate for the data by the fit index technique to adjust the scale.

Well-adjusted reliability and psychometric properties of the NLI-28 were shown and also its usefulness for the relevant studies was demonstrated.

Despite the key role of nutrition literacy and behavior in health, evidence suggests a low adherence to healthy nutritional behaviors. We sought to determine the influence of a group-based interactive training program on nutrition-related literacy, knowledge and behavior of students.

Two-hundred and three undergraduate students were enrolled by multi-stage cluster sampling and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=106) and control (n=97). Four questionnaires measured the demographic variables, nutrition-related literacy, knowledge, and behavior. The educational intervention was performed as workshop using a new educational style. 

There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic variables. After educational intervention, a significant increase was found in the mean scores of nutrition literacy from 22.20±3.85 to 31.95±2.19, nutrition knowledge from 54.23±1.80 to 77.06±7.20, and nutritional behavior from 52.32±16.54 to 67.52±19.69 (P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the control group. The correlation coefficients significantly increased (from 0.167 to 0.552). 

Our educational pattern was effective in improving nutritional literacy, knowledge and behavior and is recommended for students in their curriculum.

Continuous educational programs are one of the essential ways to promote human resources; inconsistency of the courses with individual and organizational needs may lead to organizational dissatisfaction, job performance reduction, and time and capital waste. The study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of the employees about in-service continuous educational programs; they participated in the above-mentioned programs in the continuous educational units from 2006 to 2017 in Ahwaz city, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, all the treatment and administrative employees in the hospital participated in the educational plans. Out of 548 employees, 225 were selected using the ratio-random sampling method in the late 2017. The study instrument was a validated questionnaire with 66 items and 5 scales of adaptation, efficient management, individual development, growth of attitudes, employees’ knowledge and skills, and managers’ support for implementing operational programs; its validity was measured using Cronbach’s Alpha (α=0.93). The collected data were analysed in SPSS V.23 using descriptive statistics, mean scores, SD, χ2 test, ANOVA, and t-test. Based on the study findings, the participants maintained that management of continuing education courses was useful and beneficial, and there was a statistically significant difference between the main variables and the total score (ρ<0.001). The Eta square showed that literacy (ɳ2=0.224, R2=0.462) and gender (ɳ2=0.205, R2=0.345) had less efficiency, and occupation (ɳ2=.581, R2=.219) significantly affected continuous education programs (ρ<0.01). It is suggested that cognitive dimension and occupation should be considered in implementing continuous education programs. Additionally, educational content should be updated

Discussion of localizing sciences in all fields of humanities is a contentious issue in Iranian academic settings and has its supporters and opponents. Among new branches of sciences developed in the 20th century, the science of biological, psychological, and social aspects of older adults, known as gerontology, is a recent one. Like other modern sciences, this field of study has an occidental origin. In recent years, it has also found its place in academic settings in Iran. The present study aimed to discover the theoretical, Islamic, and ideological origins of gerontology in oriental and Islamic society.
This library-based study was an attempt to review available resources. To this end, Quranic verses, hadiths, and historical documents about the elderly were consulted. Keywords such as the elderly and old age were used to search for these resources. All ethical issues were observed in the study and the researchers declared no conflict of interests.
According to the available resources of Islamic jurisprudence, it seems that the current situation is appropriate for localizing gerontology through referring to Quranic resources, Islamic hadiths, ancient history of Iranian culture, and documents on Islamic jurisprudence.
Considering the thorough and eternal nature of Islam and its dominance on human’s existential structure and his real needs, it is necessary to design the curriculum of gerontology, which is a newly established discipline, based on Islamic principles and standards.

Evidence suggests that the quality of family relationships is associated with family members’ general health. Given of the scanty studies on adolescents, especially in Iran, this study aimed to determine the association between parentadolescent conflict and adolescents’ general health. Out of 40 high schools in Behbahan, 10 were randomly selected, and then 391 students were selected through random sampling method. The Parent-Adolescent Conflict Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire were used for data collection. Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and ANOVA were used for data analysis in SPSS. The findings of this study showed a significant and positive correlation between parent-adolescent conflict and general health (P=0.001, r=0.142). There was also a significant difference between the parent-adolescent conflict and mother’s educational level (P=0.001), between general health and mother’s educational level (P=0.01), and between parent-adolescent conflict and father’s educational level (P=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between gender and parentadolescent conflict and general health. According to the results, with an increase in parentadolescent conflict, the general health scores would also increase, indicating lower general health. Further studies are recommended to identify familial conflict and general health (mental) risk factors. A family-oriented training program is recommended to improve the parent-adolescent communication skills.

Declining social participation and reduced engagement in communal activities among Khuzistani citizens are specifically more evident among the elderly than other age groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the social well-being within Aged People in Ahwaz city.
Via cross-sectional study in 2016, data were collected during interview with 382 samples (195 male and 187 female) 60 years old and above in accordance to cluster-multistage sampling method and the sample size were estimated by Cochran Formula as a whole. Data collection instrument was the version of 33 items of the Social Well-being Scale of Keyes. Data were analyzed by SPSS in descriptive statistics, F-test & geographical information system. Sampling method was cluster-ratio based on municipal zones, ethnicity, and gender.
Total scores of Scale of Social Well-being (Mean = 61.42, SD = 14.92) show the average rank of loneliness among participants (between 59.35 and 64.20). Arabs (Mean = 59.35, SD = 14.95) have a lower social well-being rank than other ethnic groups. The comparison of the social well-being by gender and ethnic characteristics illustrates that the variables have significant differences within the aged as well (N = 382, ρ £ 0.05).Regarding financial support and economic status of aged samples, those older persons who did not receive any financial support, had better rank of social well-being than aged who were supported (Mean = 64.89, SD = 16.22).
According to the results of the study, aged minority ethnic group women faced inequalities regarding social well-being in Ahwaz City, Iran.

The study was aimed to comparing two metropolitans of Baku and Tabriz regarding social development and modernity during a year. The social theory of modernity approach of McClelland, Rogers and Hygiene was employed as theoretical framework. In descriptive method, about 876 urban dwellers that are 15 years of age and above was sampled via ratio sampling method from Baku of Azerbaijan Republic and Tabriz of Iran in 2015. The MSDQ item was obtained with Cronbach’s alpha r≥80 in validity. The findings stated to the significant different between two metropolitans in all scales. The most effective variable were authority on urban sphere and social belongings (B=.843 & .769) in Tabriz and in Baku were SES and gender (B=.819 & .721). Values and norms are accompanied to social matters which are fundamentals of development. Modernity and social development have to be in policy making in developing strategies in both metropolitans. About seven developmental recommends were suggested as the end.

This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of SF-36 within aged population of Ahwaz city in the southwest of Iran in 2016. The method of the study is descriptive. The samples size is 763 older adults from the 8 municipal zones of Ahwaz city. The internal validity and homogeneity of variances were confirmed and using factor analysis the internal contingency of factors verified. The results show that, there is significant relation between general health and quality of life and it was affected respectively by frailty, mental health, and social activity. The general health was the main factor which enhances and predicts the quality of life of elders. It means that the healthy older adults have the better quality in their everyday life.

This study examines the social and cultural structure of drug offenses in Ahwaz municipal areas using GIS.
The population of the study consisted of drug offenders in Correction and Rehabilitation Center of Ahwaz in 2013. Statistical tests and graphs, including Mean Center test, Standard Deviation Ellipse, Kernel Density Estimation were used in this study.
The most important centers of drug crime are in the same border with informal settlement areas, such as Kut Abdullah, Lashkar Abad, and Khashayar (urban areas 5 and 6 of Ahwaz city). In addition, there is a direct relationship between illiteracy rate & population density and crime rate.
Discussion and Spatial analysis of geographic crime and punishment can act as a means for security and safety policy making in the fight against drugs.

Iran and its aged society are facing some issues that significantly impact the current social structures in Iran and will continue to do so in the future. If such issues are ignored, Iranian society will be faced with the consequences of having problems among the aged population and their growing as elderly with negative impacts on communal relations, discrimination, and unjust distribution of resources based on a gender basis that will affect the aging in place (AiP) and growing as an elderly. The present study aims to investigate the AiP within aged people and modifying role of the gender variables within it. This study describes the current AiP of the aged people in Ahwaz city in the southwest Iran from a gender perspective. Individual demographic inquiries were used, i.e. socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and health status. The population available for the study was citizens 60 years of age and older (N=51594) in Ahwaz city, the provincial capital of Khuzistan in the southwest Iran. Sampling method was cluster-ratio based on municipal zones, ethnicity, and gender. The sample size was 382 (195 male and 187 female) according to the Cochran formula and adapted to Morgan’s table. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics, F-test and geographical information system. The reliability of the AiP examined by Cronbach’s alpha was 0.84. Descriptive findings indicated the economically poor situation of the aged samples especially aged women, and their health status was moderated by low quality of nutrition and high prevalence of chronic conditions, for example. Arabs, Persian and Lor received low mean score of 59.41, (SD= 7.332), 58.09 (SD= 11.963), and 57.02, (SD= 7.963) respectively in the health status. The results showed AiP characteristics are poor and discrimination was especially significantly prominent among elderly females. Multiple regression analysis and its assumptions were carried out and the predictor ethnicity and gender were found to modify AiP at the first step. The GLM reported gender-ethnic discrimination that directly affected AiP of aged samples and high prevalent amongst elderly females as well. The current urban environment, in the southwest Iran, seems is unable to meet healthy needs of aged people. It needs to adjust upon gender and other relevant characteristics to monitor equality of outcomes for aged and minorities. The future research needs to focus on effect of ethnicity and gender-related issues on AiP, especially in developing countries like Iran.