The Impact of Health Education based on the Health Belief Model on Improving Osteoporosis preventive Behavior among Women

Background: In all populations, bone mass decreases with age, so the researchers in this study sought to study the application of the health belief model (HBM) for adopting preventive behaviors on osteoporosis among women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental research conducted on 64 middle-aged women (32 in test and 32 in control group). Data collection tools were a questionnaire based on HBM model with demographic questions, the food frequency questionnaire and the standard questionnaire of physical activity. After confirming the content validity and reliability, questionnaires were completed before and 6 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean ± SD) and analytical statistics (correlation coefficient, paired t- test and covariance) and through SPSS 16 at the significance level of 0.05. Results: Before the intervention, the mean score of HBM model constructs were not significantly different between the two groups. After the intervention, and by controlling for confounding variables the two groups showed significant differences in variables of knowledge, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived benefits and Calcium intake (p< 0.05), while they showed no significant difference in regard to constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers and physical activity. Conclusion: The use of health belief model was effective in adopting the prevention of osteoporosis and improving calcium intake in women, but it did not lead to the desired results in regard to improving physical activity behavior

Effects of oral zinc sulfate on hyperbilirubinemia in low-birth-weight neonates

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common and persistent problems encountered in preterm newborns. This condition in preterm infant is more likely to be associated with neurological damage rather than terms. So far, no major studies have precisely assessed the effects of zinc sulfate on hyperbilirubinemia in low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate these effects in LBW infants. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, clinical trial (IRCT201401041162N22) was performed on 61 icteric LBW neonates, hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran from May 24, 2014 to May 24, 2015. The neonates were randomly divided into case and control groups, and the total serum bilirubin (TSB) level was measured at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after treatment. The subjects received either 10 mg of zinc sulfate or placebo twice per day for five days (or by the end of treatment). The termination point of phototherapy was defined as a bilirubin level below 50% of the starting point. The collected data were analyzed, using SPSS version 20. Chi-square, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA were carried out to compare the findings between the two groups. Results: The mean TSB level was 14.87±2.65 and 14.73±3.22 mg/dl in the control and case groups. The mean decline in TSB level was only significant at 24 h after the treatment (2.71 and 2.13 mg/dl in the case and control groups, respectively; P=0.04), while being statistically insignificant on other days of the assessment. Also, similar findings were reported regarding the duration of treatment in the case and control groups (58.84±14.97 and 65.60±16.59 h in the case and control groups, respectively). Conclusion: The present study showed that administration of oral zinc sulfate in icteric LBW infants could significantly reduce TSB level only at 24 h following the treatment

Educational intervention on the health action model on Employee Safety Behaviors in Tabas coal mine

Background and Aim: Maintaining a huge elderly health, health promotion and community development is very important. Workers' health status is largely influenced by their working conditions and job. Work in mines, including those considered threats to workers' health. Materials and Methods: A number of 45 workers in each of the control and intervention groups participated in a quasi-experimental study. Demographic information and data related to HAM constructs and safety were collected through a HAM questionnaire and the safe operation checklist 3 months after the intervention. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to confirm properties of the tools. Educational intervention accompanied was applied in the form of four training classes. The Data were analyzed based on distribution of variables. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographics and the study main variables. After training, however, results showed significant changes of mean scores of attitude (P<0.001), norms (P<0.001), belief (P<0.001), intention (P<0.001), knowledge (P<0.001) in the experimental group. Conclusion: The research results show that HAM educational intervention is able to change workers&rsquo; awareness, attitude, norm, belief, and intention towards unsafe behavior and improve their safety performance