Beliefs Regarding Waterpipe Smoking Among Iranian Men of Turkmen Ethnicity: A qualitative study conducted in Golestan Province

Objectives: Waterpipe or hookah smoking has grown considerably in popularity over the past two decades; however, consumers often have misconceptions regarding this practice. This study aimed to determine common beliefs related to waterpipe smoking among Turkmen in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted between February and June 2018 in Golestan Province, Iran, utilising data from a previously published study. A total of 26 male Turkmen waterpipe smokers of different ages, occupations and education levels underwent in-depth semi-structured interviews. A content analysis of beliefs regarding waterpipe smoking was performed. Results: Five categories of beliefs were extracted during the content analysis, including beliefs related to addiction, health-related beliefs, preferential beliefs for waterpipe versus cigarette smoking, beliefs related to the social function of waterpipe smoking and beliefs attributed to waterpipe smoking. Several misconceptions were identified, including the idea that waterpipe smoking was not addictive, prevented the use of other more dangerous drugs (i.e. cannabis and opium) and was not as harmful as cigarette smoking. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Turkmen in Iran hold several misconceptions regarding the use of waterpipe smoking. Educational programmes are essential to correct such misconceptions and to control the prevalence of this habit in Iran.Keywords: Water Pipe Smoking; Addictive Behaviors; Health-Related Behaviors; Qualitative Research; Tobacco Use Cessation; Iran

Factor Structure of the Smoking Temptation Scale: Cross-Validation in Iranian men

Background: The transtheoretical model (TTM) is used as a framework to implement smoking cessation programs. This model has some subscales based on which the smoking temptation scale is proposed as stages movement factor. This study aimed to translate and validate the temptation subscales of the TTM questionnaire in the Iranian population. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 387 smokers. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method. First, the smoking temptation scale designed by Velicer et al. was translated into Persian, and then, factorial validity of the hierarchical three-factor structure for this subscale was studied using factor analysis and measurement invariance (MI) methods. All analyses were performed using Mplus software. Findings: It was observed that the hierarchical three-factor structure model had a good fit to the data [confirmatory fit index (CFI) = 0.944, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.915, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.067, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.042]. This study showed that this factorial structure had an identical measurement and structural model in subgroups of the population such as rural and urban residence, highly educated and low educated, high income and low income, three stages of quitting, and across the three ethnicities. Conclusion: Given the validity and reliability of the hierarchical three-factor structure for smokingtemptation scale, this measure can be used in interventional programs for smoking cessation in the Iranian male population

The survey of factors associated with the development of immune tolerance in children with cow’s milk allergy; a cross-sectional study in Gorgan, Iran

Introduction: Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is a common complication and one of the most common food allergies in infants, and it is estimated that this disease affects 2-3% of children under five years old. Objectives: This study investigated the factors associated with developing immune tolerance in children with CMA in Gorgan. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 children with CMA referred to the asthma and allergy clinic of Taleghani Hospital in Gorgan during 2019-2020 were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was applied to measure odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the associations between the selected factors and tolerance to cow’s milk. Results: The results suggested that factors including standard delivery (P=0.024, OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.20-13.53) and breastfeeding in the first month of birth (P=0.003, OR=6.73, 95% CI:1.94-23.36), and gastrointestinal symptoms (P=0.026, OR=3.78, 95% CI: 1.17-12.19) were associated with immune tolerance to CMA. Younger age of starting complementary feeding (P<0.001, OR=0.070, 95% CI:0.02- 0.30), younger age of starting cow’s milk feeding (P=0.003, OR=0.520, 95% CI: 0.32-0.83), skin symptoms (P=0.012, OR=0.211, 95% CI: 0.06-0.71) and respiratory symptoms (P=0.013, OR=0.219, 95% CI:0.07- 0.72) were associated with allergy persistence. Conclusion: The findings of our study demonstrated natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloody stools, are factors related to immune tolerance in children with CMA. The findings showed that decreasing the onset of complementary feeding, reducing the age of cow’s milk feeding, and clinical manifestations of respiratory and skin are associated with persistent CMA in children

Association of fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors (PB) against COVID-19 in Iran

Introduction: The world is currently experiencing a pandemic of COVID-19. The pandemic may affect physicaland mental health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the fear of COVID-19 and study the relationshipbetween fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors against COVID-19. Material and methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the fear of COVID-19 andpreventive behaviors against COVID-19 among the volunteer population in Golestan Province, Iran in May 2020 andJune 2020. The online questionnaire included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the prevention behaviorsagainst COVID-19, which are used to assess the fear and prevention behaviors of the population, respectively.The data were presented by mean and frequency. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identifyfactors associated with Fear of COVID-19 at a significant level of 0.05 in Stata 14. Results: A total of 734 of the 900 individuals contacted completed the survey, with a participation rate of 81.5%.The mean age of the participants was 33.97 ± 10.68 years and 375 (51.9%) were females. The mean Fear ofCOVID-19 score in the participants was 19.69 ± 5.96. There was a significant positive correlation between Fearof COVID-19 and preventive behaviors (r = 0.19, p &lt; 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed participantswith a higher perceived threat of COVID-19, women, married participants, health workers and peoplewith underlying diseases had higher levels of fear of COVID-19. Conclusions: The fear of COVID-19 in Iranian society is high, which indicates the need to pay attention tothe mental health in pandemic conditions. Appropriate intervention action can be designed and implementedaccording to the factors that affect fear. In addition, it should be noted that people with less fear are less likelyto observe the COVID-19’s preventative behaviors

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Lebanon Waterpipe Dependence Scale in a Sample of Iranian Waterpipe Smokers

Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) has recently increased in Iran. There is no valid instrumentto measure the level of nicotine dependence among its consumers. This study was aimed to investigate thevalidity and reliability of the Lebanon Waterpipe Dependence Scale-11 (LWDS-11).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the year 2017 whereby 367 waterpipe smokers wererecruited from Golestan Province of Iran. LWDS-11 scale is composed of 4 subscales: 1) nicotine dependence,2) negative reinforcement, 3) psychological craving, and 4) positive reinforcement. The validity of thequestionnaire was examined using construct validity. Reliability of this scale was examined using test-retestreliability and internal consistency.Findings: The four-factor model for LWDS [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.985, Tucker-Lewis index(TLI) = 0.979, standardised root mean residual (SRMR) = 0.059, root mean square error of approximation(RMSEA) = 0.049 (0.031, 0.061)] demonstrated good fit to this data. Cronbach’s α was 0.825 for totalscale and it was 0.818, 0.746, 0.624, and 0.670 for each individual subscale. The test-retest reliability of thescale was 0.925.Conclusion: All goodness of fit indices (GFIs) represented a good fit of model. The LWDS-11 scale had anappropriate remarkable validity and reliability for waterpipe consumers to measure the level of nicotinedependence and it appeared to be likely useful for utilizing in the clinical and epidemiological studies

Factors contributing to nass consumption among Iranian Turkmen: A qualitative study

Introduction Nass is a smokeless tobacco product. Iranian Turkmen have a long history of nass consumption. However, the factors contributing to nass consumption among Iranian Turkmen are not known. The purpose of the present study is to examine the factors contributing to nass consumption among Iranian Turkmen. Methods This qualitative study was conducted between January and March 2016 in four Turkmen cities of Golestan province in Iran. Participants included 34 male Turkmen nass consumers. Data were collected through individual and group interviews and were analyzed by content analysis. Data management was done by qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA, Version 10. Results The results of data analysis revealed the following as the main reasons for nass consumption by the study population: 1) cultural, social, and environmental facilitators, 2) nass was considered as an alternative to cigarette smoking, 3) nass was believed to intensify the effects of opium and other drugs, 4) specific occupations and circumstances, and 5) beliefs related to nass. Conclusions Cultural and historical backgrounds, convenient access to nass at a very low price, curiosity, emulation, and peer pressure were the main factors driving nass consumption among Iranian Turkmen. Various beliefs, such as the idea that nass intensifies the effects of opium and alcohol, calms the nerves, and helps individuals quit smoking were also found to contribute to this phenomenon. Finally, individuals in certain lines of work, such as fishing, driving combines, and military service, were more likely to consume nass

Stages of Mammography Adoption based on Stages of Change Model and its Relationship with Perceived Threat and Fatalism Beliefs: a study on Turkmen Women

Background: Mammography is one of the best methods for early detection and appropriate treatment of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate stages of mammography adoption and its relationship to perceived threat and fatalism beliefs among Turkmen women. Methods: In this descriptive study, 558 Turkmen women over 40 years old living in Gonbade-Qabous and Turkmen districts were selected through systematic clustered sampling. Data were gathered using perceived threat section of Champion Health Belief Scale, Rakowski mammography stage adoption questionnaire and fatalism beliefs questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whithney, Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests, throgh SPSS 15 software. Results: From all studied samples, 479 women (85.5%) were in pre-contemplation stage, 65 ones (11.6%) were in contemplation stage, 12 ones (2.2%) were in action stage and 2 women (0.4%) were in maintenance stage. None of them were in relapse stage. Mammography adoption stage showed significant relationship with job, city of residence, educational level and history of breast cancer in first degree relatives. Mean score of perceived susceptibility increased along transition stages, but not significantly. Meanwhile, fatalism score decreased along transition stages but this decrease was not significant. Conclusion: The majority of Turkmen women had inappropriate practice in regard to mammography. Also, their perceived susceptibility toward breast cancer was low, while their fatalism beliefs were high. Keywords: Breast Cancer, Mammography, Perceived threat, Fatalism Believes, Stages of Change, Turkmen Wome

Physical Activity and Stages of Change among College Students

Background: To investigate of physical activity distribution bases on stages of changeamong Isfahan University of Medical Sciences central part of Iran.Methods: Exercise behavior stages of change construct questionnaire were collected from504 participants by using a convenience sample in May 2010.Results: 73.8% of subjects were in earlier stages of exercise behavior (Precontemplation,contemplation, and preparation stages) and tended to be inactive. The exercise behavior wasnot influenced by age, education levels, and marital status.Conclusion: The majority of the university students are suffering physical inactivity that needto design more effective physical activity promotion programs in the community and universitieslevel

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referred to health centers in Bandar Turkmen in 2013

Background and Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common hematologic problem during pregnancy. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referring to health care centers in Bandar Turkmen city in 2013. Methods: In the present descriptive study, 544 pregnant women were enrolled using census method of samplinig from urban health centers of Bandar Turkmen city . Data was collected using a check list and was analyzed by spearman correlation, linear regression, kruskal wallis and Wilcoxon descriptive and analitical tests using SPSS 15. Results: Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed among 13.4% of pregnant women during 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. Spearman correlation results showed a positive significant correlation between age and hemoglobin level in the secound stage. Wilcoxon results showed a significant difference between hemoglobin levels of first and secound stages. Linear regression results showed a significant correlation between age and iron deficiency anemia, while kruskal wallis results revealed a significant relationship between Hematocrit levels within Trimesters. Conclusions: According to the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women, especially during secound and trimesters, pregnant women should be educated in terms of lifestyle modification and compensating nutritional deficiencies