Health Literacy of Employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and Related Demographic Factors

Background and Objective: One of the important determinants of health in every society is health literacy. The present study was conducted to determine health literacy status of employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and related factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 among 188 employees in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), which was completed through self-report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression in SPSS version 22. Results: Most of the participants )74.5%( received health-related information through the Internet. Among the five dimensions of health literacy, the comprehension dimension of health information was more desirable. The highest correlation coefficient between health literacy dimensions was related to the relationship between comprehension and decision-making (r=0.582, P<0.01). On average, health literacy of employees was borderline, and age, marital status, educational status, and sources of information were predictors of health literacy (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the results of the study showed that the average health literacy of employees was borderline. It seems that interventions based on demographic characteristics are required to improve the health literacy status of employees

The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study

Background & Objectives: Social determinants play a major role in people's health. Accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying information about social determinants of health enable people to play an active role in creating a healthier environment for themselves, their families, and their communities. The present study aimed to determine the health literacy level in social determinants of health among employees of the Health Department of Arak University of Medical Sciences and its related factors. Methods: The study was conducted as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional survey study on 200 employees selected from Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2019, through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy on Social Determinants of Health Questionnaire (HL-SDHQ). One-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, and linear regression were used to analyze the data through SPSS (v 16). Results: The participants’ health literacy was mostly moderate (67.5%) and only 19% of participants had the desired level of health literacy. Among the dimensions of health literacy, the understanding of information was more desirable. Among the demographic variables, age was predictor of health literacy (β = -0.28). Conclusion: It is necessary to implement more specific educational sessions on how the social determinants affect people's health. Also, it is essential to train employees in executive strategies appropriate for their job duties to influence the determinants. Key¬words: Health Literacy, Social Determinants of Health, Employees, Health Department, University of Medical Sciences Citation: Moeini B, Rezapur-Shahkolai F, Barati M, Vesali-Monfared E, Parsamajd S, Ezzati Rastegar K. The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Based Research 2021; 6(2): 197-207. [In Persian

Injury prevention and safety promotion in rural communities : Contribution of community health workers and an injury data registry system in Iran

Injuries affecting people from the rural populations of middle-income countries are poorly documented and so are people health care seeking behaviour and their views and concern about injury prevention. The aim of this thesis, based on studies conducted in rural areas of the Twiserkan district (Iran) is to increase knowledge about injury epidemiology and the potential contribution of community health workers to the control and prevention of injuries. A retrospective interview-based study including the victims of all unintentional injuries leading to hospitalization or death that had occurred within a twelve month period was first conducted (134 injuries from 117 households). Both injury circumstances and opinions about potential means of prevention were documented. A community-based household survey was also conducted on a cluster sample of 759 households so as to assess the frequency of occurrence of injuries of various severity levels, determine people injury-related healthcare seeking behaviour, and people s views about possible prevention measures. Thereafter, all community health workers (known as Behvarzes) from the district (over 100) were enrolled in a prospective six-month injury registration project during which they conducted injury analysis, proposed preventive measures, and identified their implementation barriers. These studies showed the injury incidence rates in the rural community of Twiserkan varied and decreased with severity level. Road traffic injuries (RTIs) were the most important injury mechanism, and motorcycle, the most common mode of transportation of the victims. Most people with severe injuries and nearly half of those with moderate ones went first to the hospital; all those with minor injuries sought care initially at the local health house. Common suggestions made by injured and non-injured people for prevention were engineering changes (under the responsibility of the authorities), safety education (responsibility of the Behvarzes), and safe behaviour/practice together with better cooperation (by citizens). Behvarzes emphasized the adoption of safe behaviour/practice as an important means for RTI prevention, with a focus on motorcycle helmet use and compliance with traffic rules. They also raised the need for engineering, law enforcement, and education. They saw their own contribution as being health and safety educators and promoters. A complementary study on the injury data registry system in place as perceived by various stakeholders from the national, provincial, and district levels indicated the system is acceptable for Behvarzes to work with and a useful tool for them to use for educational purposes in the local community. The most important facilitator of the system agreed upon was the fact that Behvarzes come from the area. The Behvarzes high workload is regarded as a potential barrier for them to their commitment in the system and their health services to the people. In conclusion, injuries in general and RTIs in particular are important health problems in the rural areas. Behvarzes can play an important role in injury surveillance and in identifying context-relevant means of prevention that they or other actors may then implement

Fatal Road Traffic Injuries in Hamadan Province, Iran

Introduction: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are important health problems in the world and particularly in the low and middle-income countries. The prevention of RTIs needs vast coordinated and comprehensive efforts. Iran has one of the highest number of deaths due to the RTIs in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal RTIs in Hamadan Province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hamadan province of Iran, during a 24-month period, from 21 March 2009 to 20 March 2011. The data of fatal injuries were obtained from the Forensic Medicine Department of Hamadan province. The data were analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences (version16). Results: This study showed that a number of 1434 road traffic related mortality was reported during two years, including 730 in 21 March 2009 to 20 March 2010 and 704 in 21 March 2010 to 20 March 2011. The highest number of deaths occurred among men (78.66%) and in the age group of 21-40 years (38%). The highest number of deaths occurred among the illiterate and low-literate individuals (52.1%); whereas, the lowest number of deaths occurred among people with university education (9.13%). Furthermore, the most fatal crashes occurred in the summer (35.56%). The head injuries were the most common cause of fatal RTIs (50.20%). The most of the vehicles which were involved with crash related deaths were car and the most of the deaths occurred in the scenes of crashes (48.39%). This study showed that the highest number of deaths occurred among drivers (40.65%) and were on the roads outside the cities (65.13%). &nbsp; Conclusion: The results of this study showed that RITs should be regarded as important health problems. Their characteristics, which were determined in this study, can help to develop more appropriate intervention programs. &nbsp

Effect of an Educational Program Based on the Health Belief Model to Reduce Cell Phone Usage During Driving in Taxi drivers

Introduction: Cell phone usage during driving has become a threat to traffic safety. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an educational program based on the health belief model to reduce cell phone usage during driving in taxi drivers of Tuyserkan. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 taxi drivers younger than 35 years were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups in Tuyserkan, Iran. Data was collected using a questionnaire including the health belief model constructs, knowledge, behaviors of using cell phone and demographic variables. The questionnaires were self-reported. Intervention was three sessions applied in the experimental group. Both groups were followed for two months after the intervention. Finally, data analysis was performed using SPSS- 19 by Chi-square, Independent T-test, Paired T-test and McNemar. Results: The mean scores for the constructs of health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy and cues to action), knowledge and desired behaviors about the use of cell phone during driving showed no significant differences between the two groups before the intervention. After the educational intervention, significant differences were observed in experimental group compared to control group. After educational intervention, cell phone usage reduced by 35.14% in the experimental group. Conclusion: An educational intervention based on the health belief model could reduce cell phone usage during driving in taxi drivers

The Effect of an Educational Program on School Injury Prevention in Junior High School Students of Famenin Based on the Health Belief Model

Background and Objectives: Injuries constitute a major health problem throughout the world. School injuries are among the main injuries in young and school-aged children. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an educational program based on the Health Belief Model for the prevention of school injuries among junior high school students in Famenin. Materials and Methods: The present experimental study was conducted on male and female students in junior high schools of Famenin in Hamadan, Iran, from March to May 2014. A total of 144 students were randomly selected for participation in the study and then divided into an intervention group and a control group. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with items on the students' demographic information and their knowledge, practices and the Health Belief Model constructs. The present study included a pre-test and a post-test in two groups and a five-session educational intervention with an educational booklet for the intervention group. Data were analyzed using the independent and the paired t-tests and the chi-square test. Results: After the educational intervention and based on the Health Belief Model, the mean scores obtained by the students for knowledge, practice, perceived susceptibility, cues to action and self-efficacy were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001), while the mean score obtained for perceived barriers had decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model can improve the students' practices in the prevention of school injuries

Dimensions of aberrant driving behaviors and their association with road traffic injuries among drivers.

ObjectiveRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) are recognized as one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Human behavior is reportedly one of the critical factors in the occurrence of such injuries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of abnormal driving behaviors with the frequency and severity of RTIs among drivers in Hamadan, west of Iran.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 people driving, who were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a three-part self-administered questionnaire including demographic, social and driving characteristics; the Manchester driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ); as well as information on a history of the occurrence of the injuries caused by the crashes and the severity of them. Data were statistically analyzed using numerical indices, linear regression analysis, Pearson correlation, ordinal logistic regression model and multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThe highest and lowest mean percentages of abnormal driving behavior were related to unintentional violations (19.13) and Lapses (16.44), respectively. "Changing radio stations and listening to music while driving", "overtaking a driver who drives slowly", and "unintentionally exceeding the speed limit" were the three highest behaviors associated with road traffic injuries, with the mean and standard deviation of (1.93 ± 1.4), (1.90±1.4), (1.58±1.3), respectively. Age, gender, educational level, driving experience and driving hours during the day were significantly associated with DBQ dimensions and severity of road traffic injuries.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that socio-demographic characteristics were significantly correlated with driving behavior. In addition, driving behaviors were correlated with traffic crashes and the resulting injuries. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop driving behavior interventions among the drivers

Factors Affecting the Consumption of Fast Foods Among Women Based on the Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction: Fast-food consumption among Iranian families appears to be increasing probably due to urbanization, popularization of western-style diets and increased women's labor force participation. Few theory-based investigations have assessed the determinants of fast food consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of fast food consumption, based on the social cognitive theory (SCT) among women referred to health centers in Hamadan, West of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using structured self-administered questionnaires on 384 women referred to 10 health centers in Hamadan city, Western of Iran. Health center was considered as a sampling unit and systematic random sampling method was applied to select health centers. Participants filled a questionnaire containing SCT constructs, an eight-item food frequency questionnaire, and demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed by independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression using SPSS-16. Results: The model could explain 21% of the variance in frequency of fast food consumption. Outcome expectations (p=0.04) and availability (p< 0.001) were the significant predictors. The career status of women was the only related demographic characteristic (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Interventions aimed to change outcome expectations and introducing nutritious alternatives to fast food could be promising to decrease the rate of fast-food consumption

Medical Procedure Problems from the Viewpoint of Elderly Referrals to Healthcare Centers of Hamadan: A Qualitative Study

Objectives Increasing age is associated with the risk of diseases and increased treatment problems. Due to the aging population and the need for consumption of drugs for chronic diseases of the elderly, understanding health challenges and treatment problems in the elderly is important. Based on this, a qualitative study was performed to identify treatment problems in older people's viewpoint in Hamadan . Methods & Materials This qualitative study was conducted by content analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured propound interview with 15 elderly people having an age average of 66.47&plusmn;4.47 years, who were referred to health centers in Hamadan city in 2015. Data was gathered by sampling based sexes with a maximum variation of age range of 60 to 75 years, socioeconomic status, and educational level. All interviews were simultaneously handwritten. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. Data strength was confirmed by participants and researchers. Results Elderly patients had an average age of 66.47 years and a standard deviation of 4.47. Of the 15 participants, there were 6 females and 9 males. Data analysis resulted in extraction of 3 main themes &quot;causes related to doctors, taking medication problems and shortage of drugs.&quot;These themes were determined by the following eleven subthemes: &quot;the cost of visits to doctors, distrust of doctors, doctors not caring for the elderly, complications for the elderly, early completion medicines , efficacy, the absence of an alternative drug for existing drugs, many drugs for consumption, use of other drugs, lack of medicines in some pharmacies, and delivery of expired drugs to the elderly in some pharmacies&quot;. Conclusion The results showed that there are problems of treatment in elderly. So after reviewing the problems with appropriate interventions, training can guide and help the elderly in this area. The authorities can also use findings from research in planning