The study of Self-care agency and some associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the diabetes clinic of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj in 2016

Background and Aims: Diabetes is considered as a major public health problem all over the world. Self-care behaviors is the most important strategy for controlling chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the self-care agency and some associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on a descriptive-analytic approach on 374 patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, selected using systematic sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic and background information questionnaire and a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessing the self-care agency of diabetic patients. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 16 and appropriate tests. All stages of the study were conducted according to moral standards. Results: The mean and standard deviation of self-care agency score was 58.40 ± 12.49 from 105, that is considered moderate. There was a significant difference in self-care agency of patients according to variables such as gender, ability to measure blood glucose, occupational status, history of education about diabetes, regular dental examinations and annual infusion of influenza vaccine (P<0.05). There was a significant and inverse correlation between the number of years elapsed since diabetes diagnosis and self-care agency (P<0.05 and r=0.24). Conclusion: Regarding the average self-care level in the majority of patients and the important role of self-care in controlling diabetes, the need to implement self-care education is increasingly felt in diabetic patients. Keywords: Self-care, Type 2 diabetes, Sananda

Perception and practice of junk food consumption among undergraduate students in a medical university in Chengalpattu District”

Introduction Junk foods are defined as processed foods with negligible nutrient value and are often high in salt, sugar, and fat. Junk foods with high sugar content deplete energy levels and the ability to concentrate for extended periods, especially for college students who are forced to consume junk food to curb their hunger as it gives them a sense of pleasure. Due to low prices and affordability, they consume junk food as an alternative to home food. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study carried out among undergraduate medical college students in the Chengalpattu district by systematic random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire which was framed after reviewing similar works of literature was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding junk food consumption. The collected data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 21. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results Of the 260 participants, 51% were males and 49% were females with a mean age of 20±2.0 years. 65% of the respondents had adequate knowledge regarding the harmful effects of junk food consumption and their BMI scores tended to be in the normal range. 45% of participants felt lethargic after consuming junk food. Chi-square revealed a statistically significant association between the student’s year of study (0.004) and their knowledge score, suggesting that the knowledge level was higher for interns. Conclusion The present study concludes that most participants had adequate knowledge of junk food consumption patterns. Nutrition counseling regarding a balanced diet and the harmful effects of junk foods may help to curb junk food addiction

PENGARUH EDUKASI BERDASARKAN TEORI EFIKASI DIRI TERHADAP KEPATUHAN PEMBATASAN CAIRAN, INTERDIALYTIC WEIGHT GAIN, DAN KUALITAS HIDUP PADA PASIEN HEMODIALISIS

Introduction: Hemodialysis therapy causes patients to have routine maintenance, dietary arrangements, and fluid restrictions. Management of poor fluid restriction can lead to high interdialytic weight gain and results in increased cardiovascular mortality, morbidity, and a decrease in quality of life. It is known in the hospital that education has been carried out about fluid restriction, education is carried out using conventional methods, but there is still non-compliance with fluid restriction, so education is needed based on self-efficacy theory that can increase patient confidence in self-management. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of providing educational interventions based on self-efficacy theories on compliance with fluid restriction, IDWG, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Method: this type of research is a quantitative research design One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The number of samples in this study was 34 people with a sampling method that is probably using a simple random sampling technique. Result: there were differences in scores, fluid restriction adherence, IDWG, and quality of life after being given educational interventions based on self-efficacy theory. Conclusion: Education based on self-efficacy theory is effective in increasing adherence to restrictions on fluid intake, interdialytic weight loss, and quality of life

Identifying health seeking behaviors among middle-aged women: A qualitative study

Background and purpose: Middle age is a developmental stage. Women in this stage are capable of preserving and promoting their health. Nonetheless, there seems to be several issues affecting their health-oriented behaviors. Identifying such behaviors from the perspective of middle-aged women are of great importance in protecting and promoting their health. This study aimed at defining health seeking behaviors in middle-aged women. Materials and methods: The study was conducted by qualitative approach and conventional content analysis was adopted. The participants included 20 middle-aged women who were recruited by purposive sampling. Semi-structured face to face interviews were conducted to collect the data. Then verbatim transcription of interview data was done and categories were extracted. First, semantic similarities were identified and sub-categories were specified, then in reconsideration related subcategories were placed in a same category. Results: Four categories were identified including the status of health knowledge, understanding of health and diseases, controlling the health-oriented behaviors and "using self-soothing behaviors". Eight sub-categories were also determined: awareness of health risks, preventive/permissive behaviors, understanding of health, understanding of disease, health promoting behaviors, interactive behaviors, soothing and spiritual calming behaviors as health-seeking behaviors. Conclusion: The findings expressed behaviors that women showed in their quest for health. In fact, this quest for health is manifested in strategies that women adapted to maintain and promote their physical and mental health. In such a quest women constantly rely on their own knowledge of health, perception of health and diseases and tranquilizing and relaxing methods. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Safe Chemical Handling by Agrochemical Users in Plateau State, Nigeria

Agrochemical use has been increasing in both developing and the developed nations. The unsafe handling and use of agrochemicals can lead to accumulation of hazardous chemicals in the body, causing adverse effects on health. This quantitative cross sectional study sought to understand the level of awareness, practices, and perceptions of safe chemical handling by agrochemical using the Theory of Planned Behavior. This study was conducted among 260 farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. Data on background knowledge and practices of safe agrochemical handling by farmers were collected using a structured paper based, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics revealed that the most practiced precautions by participants were washing work clothes separately (56.9%) and taking a shower soon after application of agrochemicals (53.6%). Findings from this study suggest that farmers had good knowledge of safe use of agrochemicals and majority of them 91.9% were knowledgeable about the possible effects of these chemicals on health. A Chi square test showed a statistically significant association between marital status and engagement in safe agrochemical handling X2 (2, N = 260) = 7.34, p \u3c. 05 and level of education X2 (4, N = 260) = 35.12, p \u3c. 05. Results of Binary logistic regression indicated that the variable training on safe agrochemical handling with an odds ratio 8.31 was a good predictor for safe agrochemical handling An important finding in this study however was a low level of adoption for the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Priority should be given to developing safety educational and certification programs for farmers with emphasis on the safe handling practices

The Experience of African American Adults with Low Health Literacy When Accessing Healthcare

Low health literacy (HL) among low socioeconomic status (SES) African American adult patients is an ongoing health problem that has increased since the 1990s. Improving HL among low SES African American adults may improve their overall health and decrease the high rates of low HL. The high rates of low HL translate into billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually. Medicare and Medicaid absorb a significant amount of the cost, so improving HL among this population could decrease healthcare costs to the U.S. economy. The theoretical framework for this basic qualitative study was Pender’s health promotion model. Implementing strategies aligned with positive cognitive health-motivating behaviors could increase this marginalized population\u27s HL levels. A semi structured, face-to-face interview design was used to explore the experiences of 10 low SES low HL African American adults when navigating the healthcare system.. The analysis of responses to the interview questions led to code and theme development, potentially leading to sustained interventions, influencing improved HL, and promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes. Two themes emerged from the results of this study. The first theme was doctors/healthcare providers lacked the communication skills to help low SES African American adults improve health outcomes. The second theme was doctors\u27/healthcare providers\u27 deficient interactions with low SES African American adults sustained low HL. Positive social change may be realized for this marginalized group nationwide by developing effective interventions to increase HL levels

A Comparison of Employability of Ph.D.'s and Ed.D.'s in College Teaching Versus Ph.D.'s in an Academic Area

The purpose of this study was to determine the opportunities available for employment to Ph.D.'s and Ed.D.'s in College Teaching by revealing the attitudes/preferences of employing agents-—deans and departmental chairmen-—toward Ph.D.'s and Ed.D.'s in College Teaching versus Ph.D.'s in an academic area. The problem led to the development of eleven specific questions which were investigated in the study