A Survey of Social Cognitive Determinants of Physical Activity among Iranian Women Using Path Analysis Method

Introduction: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 400 women selected from urban health centers in Isfahan through stratified sampling. The study was designed to evaluate the social cognitive theoretical model in explaining determinants of physical activity among women using path analysis method.Methods: In a hypothetical framework, the relationship between self-efficacy, outcome expectation, social support and self-regulation and physical activity were assessed using path analysis and indices of fitness. Furthermore, the predictive power of the model was evaluated.Results: Social cognitive theoretical model had a good predictive power for physical activity. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the suitability of the theoretical model; this model is able to cover 80 % of physical activity variance. Evaluation of social cognitive theoretical model using path analysis showed that self-regulation was the strongest determinant of physical activity. Social support and outcome expectation had very weak effects on physical activity; nonetheless, their effect was enhanced by the presence of self-regulation. Self-efficacy had a weak effect on physical activity, however as an intermediate variable, it reinforced the impact of social support and outcome expectation on physical activity.Conclusions: The use of the present hypothetical model is suggested as an appropriate framework in research related to physical activity among women as well as to strengthening self-regulation skills in designing and implementing programs promoting physical activities

Caring in an atmosphere of uncertainty: perspectives and experiences of caregivers of peoples undergoing haemodialysis in Iran

Chronic renal failure is one of the major causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Although dialysis treatment is considered as a life-saving treatment for these patients, their caregivers face various problems making the atmosphere of caring uncertain. Aims: This study is aimed to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of family caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis. Methods: In this study, 20 haemodialysis family caregivers were selected by purposeful sampling. Data gathering techniques in this research were in-depth and unstructured interview and field observation. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analysing the interviews' data. Findings: Three main themes emerged from the data indicating the patients' care are conducted in a state of uncertainty including constant struggle to learn, effort and adherence to the divine thread, and in disease's captivity. Conclusions: Caring in an uncertain atmosphere leads to decreased efficiency and quality of family caregivers' care. To promote and improve the efficiency of care, healthcare planners should pay attention to the challenges and perspectives of caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis

Effect of educational program on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude, and behavioral intentions of male high school’s students in Bavanat (Fars province): An interventional research

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases were acquired through avoidable and changeable behaviors, so education should be considered as an effective strategy to prevent new HIV infections. This study aims to determine the effect of educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions of the second grade students in male high schools of Bavanat about HIV/AIDS in the year 2011.Materials & Methods: In this semi-experimental (before & after) study, after selection of schools that have study condition from 5 high schools, all 99 students of two high schools were selected. The data gathering tool was a valid and reliable researcher designed questionnaire. After pre-test, educational intervention was conducted immediately and 45 days after educating, respectively. Primary and secondary post-tests were performed. Participation in the plan was voluntary and informed. In this study, the collected data have been analyzed using the SPSS version 14 software.Results: The findings showed that the mean scores of knowledge have significant difference after intervention (p<0.001). In addition, the difference between pre and post intervention about mean scores of attitude and behavioral intentions was statistically significant (p<0.001).Discussion & Conclusion: Regarding promotion of students’ awareness and attitudes, continuing and new educations in curricula of students is suggested.Key words: Education, HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Attitude, Behavioral Intentio

COPING SKILLS OF IRANIAN FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ IN CARETAKING OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Coping skills enable caregivers to establish and maintain supportive relationships with the haemodialysis patients they care for. These skills are very important in terms of social support, promotion of mental health and social and family relations. The aim of this study is to investigate the coping skills of Iranian family caregivers as they take care of patients undergoing haemodialysis. Methods: Twenty participants were selected for the study through purposive sampling. The data gathering techniques used for the research were in-depth and unstructured interviews. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the data generated from the interviews. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data: help-seeking skills, self-nurturing skills, time management skills and stress management skills. Conclusion: The focus of attention was on the stress management coping skills of the caregivers of haemodialysis patients together with their ability to cope with complex problems. Healthcare providers, by taking into account these skills and strategies of empowerment, can help other caregivers of haemodialysis patients cope with their heavy care conditions and better define their purposes in caretaking

ارزیابی وضعیت فرسودگی شغلی در پرسنل عملیاتی اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی

Introduction: Since pre-hospital emergency staff, who play a vital role in saving peoples’ lives, work under a lot of pressure, determining the rate and dangers of their job burnout is very important. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the job burnout rate of the pre-hospital emergency staff in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all of the pre-hospital emergency staff in all emergency operation centers in Isfahan were included. Using the standard Maslach burnout inventory questionnaire, the job burnout rate of emergency technicians was measured. The studied aspects were frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment feeling, which were then divided into 3 levels (low, average and high) according to the intensity and frequency of these feelings. Results: In the end, 68 technicians were involved in this study (Mean age 26.97±7.7; 42.6% single). Regarding intensity, their mean emotional exhaustion score was 25.59±20.39, depersonalization score was 10.57±7.83 and personal accomplishment feeling was 34.6±8.46. Moreover, the mean emotional exhaustion frequency was 21.21±11.95 (low level), depersonalization frequency was 8.94±5.43 (low level) and personal accomplishment feeling frequency was 26.82±5.72 (high level). Conclusion: The data obtained in this study shows that the pre-hospital emergency technicians in Isfahan show average levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization intensity and frequency and feel highly unaccomplished.مقدمه: با توجه به شرایط کاری و پر استرس کارکنان اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی به عنوان افرادی که نقش حیاتی در نجات جان انسان ها بر عهده دارند، شناسایی میزان و خطر فرسودگی شغلی در این پرسنل بسیار اهمیت دارد. به همین منظور انجام پژوهش حاضر به منظور تعیین میزان فرسودگی شغلی کارکنان عملیاتی پایگاه های شهر اصفهان انجام پذیرفت. روش کار: در پژوهش مقطعی حاضر، کلیه کارکنان عملیاتی پایگاه های شهری اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی سطح شهر اصفهان وارد مطالعه شدند شدند. با استفاده از پرسشنامه استاندارد فرسودگی شغلی ماسلاچ، وضعیت فرسودگی شغلی تکنسین های اورژانس مورد ارزیابی واقع شد. جنبه های مورد ارزیابی شامل تعداد دفعات بروز و شدت خستگی هیجانی، مسخ شخصیت و احساس کفایت شخصی بود. رتبه بندی تعداد دفعات و شدت بروز این احساسات در سه گروه کم، متوسط و زیاد تقسیم بندی گردید. يافته ها: در نهایت 68 تکنسین وارد مطالعه شدند (میانگین سنی 7/7±97/26 سال؛ 6/42 درصد مجرد). از نظر شدت، میانگین امتیاز خستگی هیجانی افراد برابر 39/20±59/25 (سطح متوسط)، امتیاز مسخ شخصیت برابر 83/7±57/10 (سطح متوسط) و امتیاز کفایت شخصی برابر 46/8±6/34 (سطح متوسط) بود. همچنین تعداد دفعات بروز خستگی هیجانی برابر 95/11±21/21 (سطح کم)، مسخ شخصیت برابر 43/5±94/8 (سطح متوسط) و کفایت شخصی برابر 72/5±82/26 (سطح زیاد) به دست آمد. نتيجه گيری: یافته های به دست آمده از اين بررسی نشان داد كه پرسنل عملياتي اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی شهر اصفهان درجات متوسطی از شدت و دفعات احساس خستگی هیجانی، مسخ شخصیت و به مقدار زیادی احساس عدم کفایت شخصی را گزارش نمودند

The Prevalence of Psychotropic Drugs and Relevant Factors in Iranian Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Psychotropic drugs can cause many complications and side effects including cognitive, behavioral, and psychological disorders. In recent years, the Iranian youth and adolescents have growingly been using psychotropic drugs. Therefore, this study analyzes the overall prevalence of psychotropic drugs and the relevant factors among the Iranian youth through a systematic review and a meta-analysis.Methods: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist, this study includes a systematic review and a meta-analysis. For bias prevention, qualitative evaluation and data extraction were performed independently by two people. Different databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, ISI Web of Science, Cochran, Google Scholar, Magiran, IranMedex, SID, ISC) were investigated online, and data analysis was done in Stata software.Findings: In total, 5 articles were selected for the meta-analysis phase. They had been published between 2008 and 2018. According to the meta-analysis results, the overall prevalence of psychotropic drugs was 4.18% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.52-5.84] in the Iranian youth population. The overall prevalence of psychotropic drugs was 4.74% (95% CI: 1.49-7.99) and 1.06% (95% CI: 0.72-1.41) in young men and women, respectively. Three studies indicated a significant relationship between gender and the use of psychotropic drugs. In other words, the prevalence of psychotropic drugs was significantly higher in boys than in girls (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The research results showed that family, parents, close friends, and unemployment were the factors affecting the prevalence of psychotropic drugs in the youth and adolescents

The effectiveness of assertiveness training on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of high school students

Background: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to early adulthood. Because of the immense pressure imposed on adolescents due to the complications and ambiguities of this transition, their level of excitement increases and sometimes it appears in the form of sensitivity and intense excitement. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of assertiveness training on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of high school students. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on high school students of Isfahan in academic year 2012 -13. A total of 126 second grade high school students were collected according to simple random sampling method and divided into two groups: experimental with 63 participants and control with the same number. Data gathering instruments included a demographic questionnaire, Gambill-Richey assertiveness scale, and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21). Assertiveness training was carried out on the experimental group in 8 sessions; after 8 weeks, posttest was carried out on both groups. Statistical tests such as independent t test, repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney test were used to interpret and analyze the data. Results: The Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests did not show significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of demographic variables (P = 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant difference between the mean scores for assertiveness before (100.23 ± 7.37), immediately after (101.57 ± 16.06), and 2 months after (100.77 ± 12.50) the intervention in the control group. However, the same test found a significant difference between the mean score for assertiveness in the experimental group before (101.6 ± 9.1), immediately after (96.47 ± 10.84), and 2 months after (95.41 ± 8.37) implementing the training program (P = 0.002). The independent t test showed no significant difference in the mean score for anxiety and stress between two groups before the assertiveness training program; however, 2 months after the intervention, the mean score for anxiety in the experimental group was found significantly lower than the control group. As for the mean score for depression, the independent t test showed no significant difference between two groups before training; however, despite the decrease in the mean scores for depression in the experimental group following the intervention, the difference was not significant (P = 0.09). Conclusions: The results of the current study show that conducting assertive training in high school students decreases their anxiety, stress, and depression. Given that high school years are among the most sensitive stages of one’s life plus the fact that conducting such training programs besides their safe and low cost nature are effective and practical, it is highly recommended that such programs be carried out among high school adolescents. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Sleep Quality and Spiritual Well-Being in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Sleep disorders are considered as one of the most important problems in hemodialysis patients, making their everyday life a serious hazard. Sleep quality of hemodialysis patients and consequences of sleep disorders on other aspects of health such as spiritual well-being are important issues. Objectives: This study examined the relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of sleep in hemodialysis patients in Isfahan, Iran. Patients and Methods: This study was a correlation research, carried out on 190 hemodialysis patients. Data collection Questionnaires included demographic forms, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and Ellison and Paloutzian spiritual well-being scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis) at P < 0.05 significance level, by SPSS software version 18. Results: Of 190 study participants, 163 (85.78%) with scores more than five index had sleep disturbances and 27 (14.12%) had no sleep disturbance; 3(1.52%) had mild, 163 (85.78%) moderate, and 24 (12.30%) good spiritual health conditions. Pearson correlation test showed significant relationship between the sleep quality items of Pittsburg and spiritual well-being (P<0.04, r=0.149). Through the regression analyses of spiritual health, family, education, financial status, marital status, occupation, and use of sleep medication, the predictive power of these variables was found 0.417% and prediction of spiritual well-being was more than others (beta=0.209). Conclusions: Considering bed as one of the most vital physical, mental, and emotional needs, it is very important in mental and spiritual well-being of hemodialysis patients as an influencing factor in mental relaxation and reducing disease tensions. Paying attention to sleep quality and spiritual well-being components of hemodialysis patients in formulating and promoting healthcare programs is recommended

The effects of healthy lifestyle promoting behaviors on general health of the employees working in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

BACKGROUND: The objective of this investigation was to assess the effects of health promotion behaviors on general health, which is one of the main determinants of health, preventing many diseases.METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive analytic study was performed in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. A total of 175 employees working in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were enrolled into the study via random sampling. In this study, Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and a demographic questionnaire were used. The collected data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression tests.RESULTS: Based on the results of multiple regression analysis, at a significance level of 5%, health promotion behaviors had a significant effect on mental health (P = 0.003). Considering the calculated coefficient (0.283), every one unit of increase in health promotion score increased the mean mental health score by 0.24 units.CONCLUSION: Protecting the psychic health of the staff is one of the critical issues which plays a role in increasing the efficiency of the organization. Thus, it is of great importance to take steps to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among employees and implement various interventions in this field