BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Numerous studies have indicated deterioration of speech perception in noisy conditions among the elderly even those with normal hearing capabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age on the speech-in-noise identification by speech-in-noise (SIN) test, subjective ratings of hearing difficulties by speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ) questionnaire and encoding of fundamental frequency (F0) by Speech auditory brainstem response (ABR) in the elderly and comparing the results with young people. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 32 elderly people aged over 60 years old (17 male and 15 female) with the mean age of 68.9 (standard deviation=6.33) possessing normal peripheral hearing and 32 young subjects (16 male and 16 female) aged 18-25 years old. RESULTS: Findings showed that the score of SIN test is lower among the elderly people as compared with young people in signal-to-noise ratios of 0 and -10 based on Iranian version of SSQ questionnaire (p < 0.001). The range of F0 amplitude in the elderly people is also lower than young people (p < 0.001) in Speech ABR. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that speech processing in older people is deteriorated comparing with young people regardless of their normal peripheral auditory thresholds. This decrease will result in weaker perception and improper segregation of speech from other competing sources.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Auditory Threshold ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Hearing ; Humans ; Male ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Speech Perception

INTRODUCTIONMaternal mortality is a tragic death, and is perceived as a sensitive indicator of the socioeconomic status and healthcare services in a given country. In this study, the relationship between maternal deaths and factors such as socioeconomic development and the proportion of medical professionals in Iran was examined.

METHODSThis was an ecological study, where three main groups of data based on different provinces were applied. Data included maternal mortality ratio, the proportion of medical professionals and socioeconomic variables, such as urban residency, unemployment and literacy. Data were obtained from various sources, including census returns, the Family Unit at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran and the Iran Medical Council. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate methodologies.

RESULTSMultivariate analysis showed a significant inverse relationship between maternal deaths and variables of male literacy (p < 0.001) and unemployment (p = 0.04). A marginally significant association was also found between maternal deaths and the proportion of midwives (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONOur findings underscore the role of literacy, particularly male literacy, in the prevention of maternal deaths. Iran, as a male-dominated society, could benefit from targeting men for training programmes to enhance the health of their families, and ultimately, that of the society. As economic status does play a role in maternal deaths, there is a need to strengthen the financial situation of families. The number of skilled medical personnel available in a population also plays a key role in reducing maternal deaths.

Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Male ; Maternal Mortality ; Midwifery ; manpower ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Unemployment ; statistics & numerical data ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

Introduction: The household food insecurity (FI) is still one of global health issues, which is related to various health and developmental problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the FI with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in a city in North-West of Iran. Methods: Study population was the Khoy city’s households which refer to the primary health-care centers. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) six-item Household Food Security Scale was used to determine food insecurity. Sample size for each case group (type 2 diabetic and hypertensive) was calculated to be 110 subjects and was doubled to be 220 subjects in the control group. Multi-stage random sampling method was applied. To control the confounding variables, the logistic regression was used. Results: In total, 210 subjects (47.7%) had food security and 52.3% were insecure. Seventeen percent of the study population had normal BMI (Body Mass Index) and 83% were obese or overweight (42.7% obese, 40.5% overweight). In multivariate analysis the age (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.002), and education (p=0.002) were significantly related to hypertension. However, food insecurity was not significantly related to diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion: High prevalence of FI, obesity and overweight in the population necessitate the educational interventions about healthy nutrition in families, especially from childhood. Financial and nutritional support is needed for the families with FI. Considering the indirect relationship between FI and hypertension shown in this study, it is recommended to implement interventions to reduce the FI as a risk factor of hypertension.