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An appropriate and accurate assessment tool is needed to predict the risk of falling in older adults. This study aimed at investigating the construct validity, factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, and ceiling/floor effects of the Persian version of Performance-oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: One hundred and forty-five older adults aged 65 years and older (mean age: 73.68 years) were recruited from daily care centers of Tehran by convenience sampling method. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to investigate the construct validity of the POMA. Test-retest (7-14 days with interval) and inter-rater reliability of the gait and balance subscales and the total score of the POMA were determined by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC 2,1). Results: A moderate to very high correlation (r=0.67-0.9, P≤0.05) was found between the total score of the POMA and BBS, Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale, step test (right and left), TUG, Dynamic Gait index, and walking speed, whereas the correlation between the total score of the POMA and step length was poor (r=0.39, P≤0.05). The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed a poor goodness-of-fit of POMA with the two-factor model (balance and gait) in community-dwelling elderly. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.94), test-retest reliability (ICC 2,1)=0.97), as well as inter-rater reliability (ICC 2,1)=0.92) of the POMA were excellent. The results revealed no floor effect for the total score of the POMA; however, its ceiling effect was 3.44%. Discussion: The Persian version of POMA showed excellent psychometric properties for evaluating different aspects of balance in community-dwelling elderly.

10.30699/jambs.30.142.397 Background & Objective: Fear of falling, balance, and environmental hazards are viewed as significant psychological and physical components in seniors. This systematic review was carried out to review psychometric properties of psychological and physical fall outcome measures in Persian older adults. Materials & Methods: The databases were searched using the COSMIN guideline recommendation search strategy and filters. A systematic search was undertaken utilizing the PubMed, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ProQuest, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Pedro, SID, CIVILICA, Magiran, MEDLIB, IranDoc, and IranMedex, from 1971 to June 2021. A further hand search for grey literature was carried out through Google Scholar to detect papers that were not captured in electronic records.Results: Of the initial 1268 studies, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight psychological and 12 physical assessment tools were validated for Persian older adults. The constructs studied were structural validity, internal consistency, and hypothesis testing that were based on reliable methodology with superb quality. In contrast, content validity was either doubtful or not reported. Neither of the studies that were included examined cross-cultural adaptation and responsiveness. The overall quality of the psychometric properties of each measurement tool has a broad range of inconsistencies (from high to low). Conclusion:As psychometric data proved inconsistency and conflict for the majority of studies, only provisional judgments may be established. Psychometric features for assessment instruments are clearly partial or lacking, limiting rationale for use in clinical settings or research until more psychometric information is provided.

10.30699/jambs.30.142.443 Background & Objective: hypertension is one of the most common global health problems and the leading cause of premature mortality worldwide. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristic and the spatial-temporal variations of the admission rate of hypertension in Zanjan province, Iran, during 2014-2019.Materials & Methods: Data were obtained from nine health information system (HIS) databases. Univariate chi-square and T-test methods were used to test the hypothesis, and binary logistic regression was used to model the probability of admission due to hypertension.Results: Sixty-eight thousand eight hundred forty-three patients have been hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases in Zanjan province, Iran, and 5931 cases had hypertension. The admission rate of hypertension was 555 cases per 100,000 which were higher in women than in males (755 cases vs. 357) (P<0.001). The highest admission rate of hypertension was detected in the age group over 80 and in Khoramdareh county, Zanjan province, Iran (P<0.001). The probability of admission due to hypertension was increased by aging in all regions, which was higher among women and in the Southeast study area. Conclusion:This study shows the high admission rate of hypertension in Zanjan province, Iran, from 2014-2019. It is a warning to policymakers and local health authorities to increase their efforts to reduce the incidence of hypertension by identifying the principal main risk factors and applying periodic screening programs in high-risk, high areas.