The effect of individual counseling, line follow-up, and free nicotine replacement therapy on smoking cessation in the samples of Iranian smokers: Examination of transtheoretical model

Background: According to transtheoretical model(TTM), Stage matched interventions are more effective in quitting. The objective of current study was to investigate the effect of individual counseling, line follow-up, and free nicotine replacement therapy(NRT) on smoking cessation in smokers who are in preparation stage of smoking. Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial design, through sending the short message system, potential participants in preparation stage of smoking were recruited and divided into control(n=60)and treatment(n=50) groups. The treatment group received an in-person counseling, line follow-up, and free NRT. TTM variables trend; pros and cons of smoking, behavioral and experiential processes, temptation, were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6months follow-up along with point prevalence and continuous abstinence. Results: Continuous abstinence at 6-month follow-up were 3.3%(n=2) in control group and 46%(n=23) in the treatment group(x 2 = 34.041, P < 0.001). Time � group analyses indicated that except cons of smoking (P > 0.05), all TTM constructs had significantly changed; temptation(F=36.864, P<0.001), pros (F=12.172, P<0.001), experiential processes(F=3.377, P<0.001), and behavioral processes(F=11.131, P<0.001). Conclusion: Interventions based on TTM variables increased the quite rate in prepared and motivated people. Our findings suggest that interventions through individual counseling along with free NRT and line follow-up in people who prepare for quitting are beneficial for our country

A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing the Onset of Hookah Smoking among Iranian Men with Turkmen Ethnicity

INTRODUCTION: Hookah smoking has grown considerably among Iranian Turkmen in the past two decades. The reasons for this increase in the consumption of hookah are unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the factors related to the start of hookah smoking in men with Turkmen ethnicity. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted between February 2018 and June 2018 in Turkmen cities of Golestan provinces in Iran. The study participants included 26 male Turkmen water pipe smokers with various ages, occupation, and education level. Study data were collected through semi-structured individual interview and the results were analyzed in August 2018 by content analysis. Data management was done by software, MAXQDA version 10. RESULTS: In this study, 26 hookah smoker men with the age range of 20-45 years were interviewed. The age of the participants at the time of starting hookah consumption varied from 14 to 25 years. On the basis of qualitative data, the reasons for the start of hookah smoking in male Turkmen were classified into three main categories: (1) individual (curiosity and sense of adulthood, fewer perceived risks compared with other substances and hookah's sensory attractions); (2) interpersonal (hookah-smoking friends and consumption of hookah by family members); and (3) societal (blaming unemployed people in small neighborhoods, cultural influence, more social acceptance compared with other substances, and easy access to hookah). CONCLUSION: Individual, interpersonal, and societal factors play important role in the start of hookah smoking among male Turkmens. Developing health policies based on the above factors can be effective in adopting hookah prevention and control strategies. Moreover, future studies could be developed with the goal of discovering ways to solve the problem of unemployment and plan for developing recreational activities in this area to prevent initiation of hookah smoking especially among youth. © 2019 Atlantis Press International B.V

The prevalency of attempted suicide in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07

Background and Objective: Suicide is one of the important causes of death worldwide particularly among 44-15 years. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalency of attempted suicide in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study conducted on 4977 suicide attempted subjects in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07. Data were gathered through a filed questioners. Data was analyzed by SPSS-18 and Chi-Square test. Results: Mean±SD of the subjects was 22.91±7.59 years. The female to male ratio was 1.62. 55.6% of subjects were single. The subjects resided in urban and rural area were 62% and 37.8%, respectively. 61.4% and 27.1% of subjects have finished and un-finished high-school studies. 2% and 0.9% from those attempted sucide were died and referred to specific centers, respectively for further medical follow-up. There was a positive correlation between suicide single status and low educated subjects with P=0.036 and P=0.001 respectively. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the prevalancy of suicide were higher among single, female and those with lower education

Grief Experience After Deaths: Comparison of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 Causes

The grief caused by loved ones� death causes grief is a global phenomenon. The Covid-19 pandemic caused significant changes in human lifestyles and the experience of grief. The purpose of the present study was to compare grief experiences in the deceased's relatives caused by Covid-19 and non-Covid-19. Seventy-five first- and second-degree relatives of the deceased infected with Covid-19 (n = 33) and non-Covid-19 (n = 42) in a Gorgan hospital in northern Iran were included cross-sectional study using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the GEQ-34 grief experience questionnaire and demographic variables and questions related to funeral and burial. The results revealed that the deceased's burial quality caused by the Covid-19 group was significantly lower (p = 0.035). However, the feeling of the Covid-19 label is significantly higher (p 0.05). Nevertheless, the experience of grief was significantly different in the group of relatives of the deceased infected by Covid-19 in terms of notoriety (P = 0.040) and physical reactions (p = 0.002). Educational interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination due to death caused by Covid-19 and clinical and psychological support of relatives of the deceased due to Covid-19 are recommended by compiling appropriate messages from different channels. © The Author(s) 2022

Impact of opium use on the conventional coronary artery risk factors among outpatients in Afghanistan: A case-control study in Andkhoy City

Background: According to a recent study, opium use like other risk factors, is considered an independent risk factor for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Its association with other risk factors increases the risk of CAD. However, debate continues about this association. Aim: To explore the association between the conventional CAD risk factors and opium use among patients visiting an outpatient clinic in Andkhoy, Afghanistan. Methods: The case-control study was performed on 574 patients aged 18 years and above including 161 opium addicts and (case group) and 413 non-addicts (control group) from October 2017 to April 2018. Results: There were 277 males (48.3) and 297 females (51.7). The mean age was 53.2 (±13.1) for opium users and 53.9 (±13.5) for non-opium users. Opium use was associated with male gender (OR=8.2, 95 CI: 4.2-16.0), smoking (OR=9.0, 95 CI: 4.7-17.3), decreased Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) levels (OR=1.0, 95 CI: 1.0-1.1), decreased total cholesterol levels (OR=3.4, 95 CI:1.8-6.2), physical inactivity (OR=3.9, 95 CI: 2.1-7.2), and hypertension (OR=15.1 95 CI: 6.7-33.8). Conclusions: We found that the opium use was associated with male gender, smoking, hypertension, decreased total serum cholesterol levels and decreased FBS levels. However, the association between opium use and the decreased total serum cholesterol levels and decreased FBS levels may be due to short-term hormonal and neural effects. Therefore, it should be advised not use opium as a cardioprotective agent. © 2021 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved

A qualitative exploration of the factors associated with initiation to methamphetamine use in Iran

Background: Crystal (methamphetamine) is a strong stimulant of addictive substances that affects the central nervous system. The consumption of this substance is increasing among teenagers and adult young people in the country. In this matter, one of the practical and important ways to its control is to identify the factors leading to its first use. Thus this paper, explores the factors related to the first crystal use in Golestan province, Iran. Methods: In a qualitative study, 19 crystal users were recruited in the study conducted in Golestan province by snowball sampling from DIC (Drop-In Center) in addiction treatment centers. The interviews were mostly carried out individually with the participants; only one interview was conducted in an addiction treatment camp in the form of a group-focused discussion. Data analysis was implemented through content analysis in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.05 ± 6.06 years with a range of 23�46 years. Meanwhile, the mean of crystal use period was 7.42 (SD: 3.61) and a range of 1�14 years. Based on the obtained data, the reasons for first crystal use could be categorized in six; 1: �crystal use to other drugs rehabilitation�; 2: �Lack of awareness of the addictive nature of crystal�; 3: �stimulating curiosity in public with crystal-use friends�, 4: affordable and convenient use�, 5: �anti-sleeping effects and increasing work efficiency�, and 6: �therapeutic and other misconceptions��. Conclusions: The results indicated that crystal is mostly abused to opium rehabilitation. The lack of awareness and misconceptions about this substance can lead people to crystal use. Therefore, designing public health interventions to increase awareness about negative consequences of crystal use is fundamental to prevent people from abusing it. We suggest designing public health program to promote awareness about health risks of crystal and modifying related misconceptions. Finally, the government can establish policies to mandate sale tax for crystal producers and reduce easy access to crystal especially among youth. © 2020, The Author(s)

A qualitative exploration of the factors associated with initiation to methamphetamine use in Iran

Background: Crystal (methamphetamine) is a strong stimulant of addictive substances that affects the central nervous system. The consumption of this substance is increasing among teenagers and adult young people in the country. In this matter, one of the practical and important ways to its control is to identify the factors leading to its first use. Thus this paper, explores the factors related to the first crystal use in Golestan province, Iran. Methods: In a qualitative study, 19 crystal users were recruited in the study conducted in Golestan province by snowball sampling from DIC (Drop-In Center) in addiction treatment centers. The interviews were mostly carried out individually with the participants; only one interview was conducted in an addiction treatment camp in the form of a group-focused discussion. Data analysis was implemented through content analysis in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.05 ± 6.06 years with a range of 23�46 years. Meanwhile, the mean of crystal use period was 7.42 (SD: 3.61) and a range of 1�14 years. Based on the obtained data, the reasons for first crystal use could be categorized in six; 1: �crystal use to other drugs rehabilitation�; 2: �Lack of awareness of the addictive nature of crystal�; 3: �stimulating curiosity in public with crystal-use friends�, 4: affordable and convenient use�, 5: �anti-sleeping effects and increasing work efficiency�, and 6: �therapeutic and other misconceptions��. Conclusions: The results indicated that crystal is mostly abused to opium rehabilitation. The lack of awareness and misconceptions about this substance can lead people to crystal use. Therefore, designing public health interventions to increase awareness about negative consequences of crystal use is fundamental to prevent people from abusing it. We suggest designing public health program to promote awareness about health risks of crystal and modifying related misconceptions. Finally, the government can establish policies to mandate sale tax for crystal producers and reduce easy access to crystal especially among youth. © 2020, The Author(s)

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle among Iranian population: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Background: Quarantine, an unpleasant experience, was implemented in many countries to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which it could associated whit lifestyle changes. The present study aimed to determine the changes in Iranian's lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 2710 Iranian people completed an online researcher-made questionnaire asking lifestyle regarding COVID-19, which includes five sections about physical activity, stress and anxiety, nutrition habit, sleep disorders, and interpersonal relationship in addition to demographic data from January to February 2021, using the multistage cluster sampling method. Results: The participants' mean age was 33.78 ± 11.50 years and 68.3 of them were female. Traveling, sightseeing, and family visits have been eliminated from 91, 83.5, and 77.5 of participants' lives, respectively. There were increase in stress level (P < 0.001), weight of the participants (P < 0.001), sleep problems (P < 0.001), and healthier foods (P < 0.001) but decrease in interpersonal communication (P < 0.001) and the amount of physical activity (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In summary, this study indicates some changes in lifestyle of Iranian people, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity, social communication, and sleeping habits during the pandemic. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, a comprehensive understanding of these behaviors and habits can help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved