Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sleep quality is an important factor in adolescents’ health; physical as well as
psychological. The aim of this study was to determine sleep quality and daytime sleepiness and their
effect on the quality of school life (QSL) and achievement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted in high schools. The data
collection was done on a random sample of 500 students from 15 to 19 years. The questionnaires
included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality and the Epworth
Sleepiness Scale to measure daytime sleepiness as well as QSL. Data were analyzed by SPSS
25. Linear and logistic regressions were used to obtain adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios as well
as predictors.
RESULTS: The mean PSQI score was 6.2 ± 2.4. It was realized that 377 participants (75.4%)
were poor sleepers; 6.2% had excessive daytime sleepiness. There was a significant association
between age and quality of sleep (P < 0.04). No association between gender and quality of sleep
or between the quality of sleep and school achievement was found. Linear regression exhibited a
significant relationship between the quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness (β = 0.218; t = 4.982,
P = 0.000). There was a significant, inverse correlation between sleepiness and the total score of
QSL (P = 0.000). Stepwise linear regression analysis exhibited that daytime sleepiness (P = 0.002)
and school achievement (P = 0.001) were predictors of QSL.
CONCLUSION: According to the study results, sleepiness affects school performance and QSL,
and on the other hand, daytime sleepiness is under the effect of sleep quality.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Obesity and iron deficiency (ID) are two forms of the most usual nutritional disorders
worldwide. Some studies have discovered a correlation between ID and obesity although more
investigation is required. This study was aimed to determine the association between obesity and
ID anemia (IDA) in Iranian childbearing age women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was done on 256 women of reproductive
age in northern Iran. The anthropometric measurements including height and weight were measured,
and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Low blood index of the hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell
volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were evaluated with ferritin, serum iron,
and total iron‑binding capacity. Baseline data were expressed as means ± standard deviations.
Chi‑square test was applied to compare the categorical variable. Differences between the two groups
were evaluated with independent samples t‑test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered as statistically
significant.
RESULTS: Obesity was in urban women higher than rural women (55.1% vs. 44.9%), and this
difference was significant (P < 0.021). There was found no association between hematological
characteristics and BMI. The data showed that only 13.4% of obese women and 17.1% of the women
with normal weight had IDA (odds ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.39–1.49, P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, it seems that the relationship between obesity
and IDA is controversial. Hence, further studies are needed to be done.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a period of life that is a bridge between childhood and adulthood.
India has the world’s largest adolescent girl’s population, and adolescent girls are an important
vulnerable group of population. Perceived health is a predictor of morbidity and mortality in adults
and has been an important marker of the health status in population health studies for decades. The
aim of the study was to describe adolescent’s perception of health and association between some
factors such as nutrition status, socioeconomic status (SES), and health status. As their perception
of health discomfort affects their health behavior and self‑care, therefore, their health status is an
important matter to discuss.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional study was conducted in urban areas from a major
city in South India. Six hundred and fifty adolescent female students aged 10–19 years formed the
study population. Standardized self‑reporting questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data
regarding demographic features, SES, and health status. BMI calculated for each individual. The
data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.
RESULTS: About 83.3% of participants ranked their health status as good to excellent. A majority
of the girls had one or more problems related to their menstrual cycles. The most common occurring
problem was headache (45.3%). 47.8% of participants exhibited symptoms of mild insomnia.
Strong significant association between nutritional status and SES was found. Higher percentage of
undernourished adolescents belonged to low SES.
CONCLUSION: Adolescents are expected to enjoy good health, but this does not seem to be the case
in the developing countries like India, where poverty, malnutrition, and repeated infection are rampant.
Majority of the problems such as healthy nutrition and self‑care can be solved by community‑based
programs, health education, and food fortification.