The Relationship Between Perceived Stress Level and Consumption of Fast Foods Among Female Students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

the present research aimed to study the relationship between the consumption of fast foods with perceived stress level among female students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study which was conducted on female students of different faculties and majors in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2016-2017. Out of the study population, 152 students were selected as the sample using random cluster sampling method. The required data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire , a standard 14-item scale for the measurement of perceived stress level, and a checklist to record the number of fast foods consumption (daily, weekly, and monthly). Finally, the data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and analytic tests in SPSS-18. Participation in the study was voluntary. Results: The results showed that 45.4% of students participated in this study aged 18-20, 16.4% of them were studying in General Hygiene, and 85.8% were a B.S. student. The mean score of perceived stress and fast foods consumption was 51.36±13.52 and 12.42±5.42, respectively. The results indicated that there is a significant relationship between age and perceived stress and also between mother’s educational attainment and perceived stress Conclusion: Considering the relationship between perceived stress and fast foods consumption in university students, it is necessary to apply effective patterns and theories of health education and promotion and also to pay attention to interpersonal and environmental factors in order to reduce stress and encourage healthy diets eating habits. Keywords Stress, Fast foods, University, Student, Health

THE EFFECT OF HOLY QURAN RECITATION SOUND ON VITAL SIGNS AND ARTERIAL OXYGEN PRESSURE OF UNCONSCIOUS PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED IN ICU

Introduction: Treatment of diseases may be one of the numerous aspects of the divine verses of Quran. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of playing holy Quran recitation as a tranquilizer on vital signs and arterial oxygen pressure of unconscious patients hospitalized in ICU. Materials and methods: This is a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study conducted on 20 unconscious patients in ICU that were almost homogenous in terms of consciousness level and cause of coma. Participants were divided randomly into case and control groups. For participants in the case group, the Yasin surah with the voice of Al-Menshawi was played every day for 15 minutes by an MP3 player. The vital signs and arterial oxygen pressure of two groups was checked before and after intervention. The collected data was analyzed by means of SPSS 16 software and by paired t-test. Results: Results of this study showed that after intervention, in the case group, the mean systolic P=0.04] and diastolic P=0.05] blood pressure, pulse rate P=0.001] and arterial oxygen pressure P=0.04] had significant differences in comparison with before intervention. However the difference was not statistically significant about the breath rate and body temperature. discussion: Playing the holy Quran recitation led to the balance in blood pressure and arterial oxygen pressure of patients. Therefore it is possible to use it as a treatment method in order to make a balance in the vital signs of unconscious patients

The Relationship of Perceptions, Self-efficacy, and Junk Food Consumption With Demographic Variables in Female Students in Shahrekord

Background and aims: Inappropriate or imbalanced consumption of foods may lead to several health problems, especially among adolescents, the complications of which will remain for several years. This study aimed to investigate perceptions, self-efficacy, and the status of junk food consumption and their relationship with demographic variables in female high school students in Shahrekord using Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: This is a descriptive- analytic study conducted in academic year 2016-2017. Three hundred twenty-three adolescent girls (second grade high school students of Shahrekord) were selected through cluster sampling method. A standard questionnaire, according to the structures of health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy) and a checklist for assessment of junk food consumption was used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16 and descriptive as well as analytic tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 16.03 ± 1.24 years old. The mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy in proper consumption of junk foods were 55.66 ± 20.95; the mean frequency of junk food consumption among the students was reported to be 6.17 ± 3.18 times. There was a significantly inverse associations among perceived self-efficacy, severity, and benefit and junk food consumption. The mean frequency of junk food consumption in the schools under investigation was 6.67 ± 3.62 times. Conclusion: Considering the consumption of relatively high amounts of junk foods, the students’ low levels of knowledge and perception and the effect of peer groups, it is necessary to promote students’ nutritional knowledge, change adolescents’ diet, and pay more attention to packaging of healthy foods and making them more attractive

Proper consumption of sugary drinks and its association with adolescent girls' knowledge and skill

Background: Changes in the nutritional behaviors from consumption of traditional nutriments to intakes of high energy, concerned in powering the increasing problem in adolescents and children's obesity. The current study intended to evaluate Proper consumption of sugary drinks and its association with adolescent girls' knowledge and skill in Shahr-e-kord city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on girl's students in Shahr-e-kord city. Using random sampling method and based on sampling size formula, a total of 308 of the girls students were randomly selected from the schools and were registered into the study. Then they received a research-made questionnaire containing questions about the knowledge, skill and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 by ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of the participating adolescent girls was 13.86 ± 1.3 years old. The mean score for knowledge was 36.53 ± 21.87 and the mean score for the skill of preparing and consumption of sugar free drinks was 35.77 ± 24.67. The average amount of daily consumption of sugary drinks among studied adolescent girls was 2.95 glasses. There was a direct significant association between students' knowledge and skill (P = 0.002, r = 0.182), There was also a significant reverse association between adolescents' skill (P = 0. 006 r = -0.228) and knowledge (P = 0. 05 r = -0.322) with consumption of sugary drinks. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, to increase the consumption of valuable foods and improving adolescents' nutritional habits, more attention should be paid to the health education and promotion and by using effective relevant patterns and theories

Investigation of heat stress in workplace for different work groups according to ISO 7243 standard in Mehr Petrochemical Complex, Assaluyeh, Iran

   Heat stress is a significant occupational health and safety for workers in petrochemical industries. Heat stress is a combination of heat load individual and environmental factors impose on workers’ bodies, which in turn, have impacts on workers’ performance, safety, and health. The present paper is carried out to determine the heat stress levels in workplace and to compare it with allowed Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) according to ISO 7243 standard. the present study was carried out in three consecutive weeks in Mehr Petrochemical Complex in South Pars Special Economic Zone in Assaluyeh, 270Km southeast of Bushehr in spring of 2011. The study was carried out on workers in different parts including workers in packaging, mechanics, welding, and store keeping sections.  Environmental parameters of dry temperature, natural wet temperature, glowing temperature, and relative humidity were measured to calculate an index for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature according to ISO7243 standard, and metabolism rate was estimated according to ISO 8996 standard. Metabolism level for workers in two groups of mechanics and welding sections according to ISO 8996 standard was 95W/m2, and for workers of packaging and store keeping sections calculated as 75W/m2. Based on ISO 8996, work load for all four sections was light. The means of weather parameters such as dry temperature, natural wet temperature, glowing temperature, and relative humidity were statistically significant for all four sections. It was also indicated that the highest level of WBGT were obtained for workers in mechanics (33.26±0.21), packaging (32.02±0.2), welding (31.37±0.2), and the lowest level was estimated for store keeping workers (27.4±0.22), with changes being statistically significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: findings of the present study indicated significant changes between different groups in measured parameters and calculated indices, which confirm results of previous body of research. Workers in three groups of mechanics, packaging, and welding are exposed to heat stress, and among these three, mechanics workers’ exposure to heat stress is higher, but WBGT index in store keeping work place is lower than allowed level. Thus, they have been experiencing favourable work atmosphere.

The Relationship Between Perceived Stress Level and Consumption of Fast Foods among Female Students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Background and aims: Nowadays, with the advancement of science and technology, lifestyle has changed and fast foods are being commonly consumed. Due to their special circumstances, university students are susceptible to stress, anxiety, and bad nutritional patterns and, because of the consumption of high amounts of fat and salt and physical inactivity, are at increased risk of overweight and obesity. Therefore, the present research was conducted to study the relationship between the consumption of fast foods and perceived stress level among female students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present research was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on female students of different faculties and majors in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2016-2017. From the study population, 152 students were selected as the samples using random cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire (age, major, parents’ education level, education level, and place of residence), a standard 14-item scale for the measurement of perceived stress level, and a checklist to record the frequency of fast foods consumption in university and home or dormitory (daily, weekly, and monthly). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and analytical tests (chi-squared, independent t test, and Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients) in SPSS 18. Participation in the study was voluntary. Results: Results showed 45.4% of participants aged 18-20, 16.4% of whom were studying in public health, and 85.8% were BSc students. The mean scores of perceived stress and fast foods consumption were 51.36 ± 13.52 and 12.42 ± 5.42, respectively. There was a significant relationship between age and perceived stress (P = 0.000), and between mother’s education level and perceived stress (P = 0.011). There was no significant relationship between the mean score of perceived stress and fast foods consumption in participants (P = 0.072) Conclusion: Considering the level of perceived stress and fast foods consumption in university students, it is necessary to apply effective patterns and theories of health education and promotion and also to direct attention to interpersonal and environmental factors to reduce stress and encourage healthy eating habits

The Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Physical Activity College Students Living on Campus in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science

Abstract Background: Regarding prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as primary hypertension, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases that sedentary is responsible for them; health policy makers plan to encourage people to do more physical activity. In this study, Knowledge, attitude and practice towards physical activity and its Related Factors of College Students Living on Campus in Shahid Beheshti University of medical science were determined. Methods: In this descriptive analytic survey, 665 individuals College Students Living on Campus in Shahid Beheshti University of medical science were selected by clustering sampling method. Data collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS16 (Pearson, spearman, ANOVAand T-test). Result: 54.9% of the subjects were female and 45.1% were male. Mean age of participants was 21.82 years for female and 22.76 years for male. Mean scores of knowledge was 73±1.72 for male and 78.901.66± for female. In addition mean scores of attitude was 79.18 for male and 74.33 for female and mean scores of practice was 228.78 minute per week for male and 174.41minute per week for female. Conclusion: Results indicated that students had no optimal practice towards physical activity. Thus, more attention is necessary to be paid by authorities to this specific topic and some measures are essential in training student

The Relationship Between Tendency to Computer Games and the Mental Health of Junior High School Students of Shahr-e Kord, Iran

Background and aims: Given that computer games have positive and negative functions and may affect the mental health of individuals, the present research aimed to study the relationship between the tendency to playing computer games and the mental health of junior high school students in Shahr-e Kord. Methods: The current cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 245 boy and girl junior high school students of Shahr-e Kord in 2016. The participants were selected using a random cluster sampling method. The required data were collected using questionnaires of demographic variables, the standard 28-item General Health Questionnaire, and an author-made questionnaire on the tendency to computer games. Finally, the data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and analytic tests in SPSS-18. Participation in the study was voluntary. Results: The results showed that 31.8% of the students aged 14 years old. In addition, the tendency to computer games was higher in girls (0.027) and their level of mental health was lower compared to boys (P = 0.032). There was a significant relationship between the tendency to computer games and the age of the students (P = 0.023). Eventually, age (P = 0.025) and gender (P = 0.09) represented a significant relationship with the mental health of the students. Conclusion: Based on the low level of mental health in girls, it is necessary to pay special attention to the symptoms of depression and anxiety and social functions in adolescents, control the time spent on playing the computer games, plan carefully for their leisure time, direct adolescents toward reading books, and promote their health using educational patterns. Keywords Computer games, Students, Mental health

Investigation of the knowledge and skill of proper consumption of fruit and vegetables among shahrekord adolescent girls

The life style is formed and stabilized in adolescence. Since consumption of fruits and vegetables may affect the risk of chronic diseases, their low consumption during adolescence is very important. Knowledge and skill is considered as one of the main determinants of this behavior. This study aimed to investigate the Knowledge and skill of proper consumption of fruit and vegetables among adolescent girls in Shahrekord, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytic investigation conducted on high school girls in Shahrekord city during 2013 to 2014. 308 female students were selected randomly from 8 high schools and a researcher made questionnaire was used to collect the demographic, Knowledge and skill related data. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha = 0.70, Cronbach's alpha= 0.76), respectively. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS-21 software. Results: The mean age of students was 13.86 ± 1.3 years. There was no statistically significant association between consumption of fruit and vegetables and fathers' education level, mothers' job and parents' age. However, there was a significant association between fathers' job and adolescents' skill of fruit and vegetables consumption (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant association between mothers' education level and adolescents' knowledge and skill of fruit and vegetables consumption was observed (P < 0.05). There was a significant direct association between knowledge and skill (P=0.01 and r=082), so that adolescents with more knowledge, had a better skill as well. Conclusion: Considering the adolescents' low knowledge and skill in proper consumption of fruit and vegetables and also the direct association between knowledge and skill, it seems necessary to implement educational programs according to the health education and promotion theories and models, with contribution of parents and school personnel, to improve the knowledge and skill and empower adolescent girls in consumption of fruit and vegetables

Association between social cognitive theory constructs and fruit and vegetable's consumption in adolescent girls

Background: Unfortunately just a few numbers of children and adolescents use sufficient amounts of fruit and vegtabless. This study aimed to investigate the Association between social cognitive theory constructs and fruit and vegetables consumption in adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive analytic study conducted on 308 high school girls (first grade) who were selected by cluster sampling method in Shahrekord, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect the needed data like demographic variables, substructures of perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectations and outcome evaluation. In order to investigate the fruit and vegetables consumption status, the standard questionnaire of Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: The mean scores of outcome expectation, outcome evaluation and perceived self-efficacy were 35.52±16.26, 34.60±20.21 and 32.55±19.81, respectively of the total score of 100. The mean scores of fruit and vegetables consumption and vegetables consumption were reported as 1.45±0.68 and 1.47±0.95, respectively, as well. There was a direct significant correlation between adolescents' perceived self-efficacy and outcome expectations (P = 0.034, r = 0.040). A direct significant correlation was also observed between fruit consumption and both outcome evaluation (P = 0. 033, r = 0.012), and perceived self-efficacy (P = 0.051, r =0.064). Conclusion: Regarding the status of fruit and vegetables consumption and the mean scores of social cognitive theory constructs and relationship between them and also the importance of promoting healthy diet in the critical period of adolescence, it seems necessary to use efficient patterns and theories of health education and promotion has been considered