Patterns, beliefs, norms and perceived harms of hookah smoking in north Iran

Introduction: Hookah smoking is considered as a public health threat around the globe. The aim of this study was to investigatethe hookah smoking patterns, beliefs, norms and perceived harms in Golestan province of Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 395 hookah smokers using convenience sampling method in 2015. To collect data, Heinz's hookah patternwas utilized. Ordinal regression models were used to exploring of covariates related to the odds of life time, last-30-day, and current hookah use. Results: In general, 357 (90.4) subjects were male smokers. Most of subjects smoked hookah in café (62.2) and with friends (75.6). The majority of them (71.1) did not consider themselves as a hooked person. Cigarette smoking (OR =.65, 95 CI .42-.98), low perceived addictiveness of hookah than cigarettes (OR =2.33, 95 CI 1.45-3.73), Social context of hookah smoking with friends in café (OR =1.14, 95 CI 1.08-1.2), and number of close friends who smoked hookah (OR =1.38, 95 CI 1.18-1.61) were effective variables affected the past month use of hookah. Conclusion:Development, implementation and assessment of interventions particularly adapted to hookah smoking regarding increase of perceived harm of hookah than cigarette and its probable addiction focusing on close friends appeared to be beneficial

The factor structure and factorial invariance of short form of smoking temptation for TTM framework in Iranian smoker population: Golestan Province

Purpose TTM pattern has widely been used in smoking cessation interventions. This study was aimed to investigate the compatibility of a hierarchical factor structure of short form questionnaire developed by Velicer et al regarding situational temptation construct among smokers in Golestan province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 387 smokers that were included using inconvenient sampling method. At first, internal validity and reliability of the short-form questionnaire were examined. At second, invariance of hierarchical structure was tested in sub-groups of ethnicity, residence, education, stage of quit, starting age, and income. Measurement invariance (including five invariances) and structural invariance (including three invariances) were explored in each sub-group. Results Chi-square test for confirmatory factor analysis of hierarchical factor structure was statistically significant for all samples [χ^2 (24)=66.3,p<0.001]; while, other indicators reveled the good compatibility of factor structure (CFI=0.944, TLI=0.915, RMSEA=0.067 ((0.048, 0.087)) and SRMR =0.042). Values of the first order of factor loading were between 0.5 and 0.84. There was strong correlation between first order factors and second order factor such that it was 0.9 for positive and habitual social situations factors and 0.82 for negative effects factor. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole model was also 0.803. Conclusions Given the findings, hierarchical factor structure of short-form inventory about temptation to cigarette smoking was confirmed by three factors that were in line with Velicer et al model. The fitting indices of the model presented that construct validity was observed in all samples and sub-groups, and can be likely used in smoking cessation programs. Funding Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Ira

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 physical and mental health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the fear of COVID-19 and study the relationship between 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 and preventive behaviors against COVID-19 among the volunteer population in Golestan Province, Iran in May 2020 and June 2020. The online questionnaire included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the prevention behaviors against 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 identify factors 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 of COVID-19 score in the participants was 19.69 ± 5.96. There was a significant positive correlation between Fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors (r = 0.19, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed participants with a higher perceived threat of COVID-19, women, married participants, health workers and people with 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 to the mental health in pandemic conditions. Appropriate intervention action can be designed and implemented according to the factors that affect fear. In addition, it should be noted that people with less fear are less likely to observe the COVID-19�s preventative behaviors. © Copyright 2021 Via Medic