Evaluating the performance of unhealthy junk food consumption based on health belief model in elementary school girls

Background and objective: Nowadays, due to changes in eating patterns, the worthless junk foods are replaced useful food among children. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of unhealthy junk food consumption based on health belief model in elementary school girls Methods: Cross-sectional study Descriptive-analytic type of multi-stage sampling (208 samples) was carried out in 2016. The survey instrument was a questionnaire valid and reliable based on the Health Belief Model (70 items). Data was analyzed by SPSS software according to statistical tests of significance level of 0.05. Results: Results showed that students of sensitivity (49%) and relatively high efficacy (53/8%), perceived benefits (73/1%) and better social protection (68/3%) had. The results showed that among all the health belief model structures with yield (junk food intake) significantly correlated. Also significant differences in parental education and sensitivity, perceived severity, self-efficacy, social support and yield (

The effect of education based on health belief model of nutritional behaviors associated with gastric cancer in housewives of Isfahan city

Background and Objective: The planning of educational programs to inform the people about the prevention of diseases such as cancers is necessary. With considering the high incidence and mortality rate and costly and difficulty screening of gastric cancer in Iran, this study was conducted to determine the effect of educational interference based on HBM on knowledge, attitudes and practices of housewives about nutritional factors associated with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: In this quasi experimental study, 84 of housewives from Isfahan participated and were randomly categorized into two groups (experimental and control groups). Before the performing of educational program based on HBM, the self-structured, valid and reliable questionnaires were completed by the groups. Then, the experimental group received the educational program about the correct nutritional behaviors in the form of lecture, group discussion and questioning and answering in 4 sessions and the non-intervention group did not receive the education. Both groups completed the questionnaires 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS18 by Mann-U- Whitney, t student and paired t test and p<0/05 considered significant. Results: The mean age was 34.11 ± 6.23 in intervention group and 34.21± 6.5 years in non-intervention group and the difference was not significant. There was not also a significant difference in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self- efficacy and practices of women before the intervention (p>0.05), but difference was significant after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: Health education based on HBM increases the knowledge and improves the attitudes and practices of housewives women with regard to nutritional factors for prevention of the gastric cancer

The functional, communicative, and critical health literacy (FCCHL) scales: Cross-cultural adaptation and the psychometric properties of the Iranian version

Background: Patients today are required to understand more and more complex health information, and to navigate increasingly complex health systems. As a result, they need to develop skills such as finding, processing, understanding, and applying information about health issues, which has been conceptualized as health literacy (HL). Assessing HL is critical to providing meaningful health information to patients. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the cultural adaptation and the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the functional, communicative and critical health literacy (FCCHL) scales measuring three aspects of HL among type 2 diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a methodological survey of 187 patients with type 2 diabetes using a cross-sectional design. The study was carried out in two phases: the first phase was designed to obtain a cross-cultural equivalent of the FCCHL scales, based on Beaton’s guidelines. In the second phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Results: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified three main factors with 27.07%, 22.46%, and 16.23% of extracted variance, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) completely supported the three-factor model of the HL scales. Internal consistency was approved for the total scale (� = 0.82) and for the functional, communicative, and critical subscales (� = 0.91, 0.80, and 0.76, respectively). Convergent validity analysis indicated a significant positive correlation (r = 0.45; P < 0.01) between the scores on the functional HL scales and the Iranian version of the Short Test of Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA), which was to be expected. Conclusions: We concluded that the FCCHL scales are valid and reliable, and can be used to measure health literacy among Iranian diabetic patients. However, further research is needed to establish stronger psychometric properties for the use of this questionnaire in Iran

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

Effects of an Educational Intervention on Self-Care and Metabolic Control in Patients With Type II Diabetes

Background: Although compliance with all self-care behaviors is necessary for successful management of diabetes, patients with diabetes often refuse favorable self-care. This article is aimed to test the effects of a theory-related intervention to conduce self-aid adherence and metabolic curb in patients having type-2 diabetes. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients suffering from type-2 diabetes were arbitrarily allotted to intervention and control group. The intervention group attended six sessions in a batch and one-on-one consultation and received an education on self-efficacy and outcome expectations on improving the strategies. Self-efficacy, outcome expectations, self-care behaviors and HbA1c were measured and compared in two groups in the starting, after three and six-months of the interventions. “Intention to treat” analysis was used. Data were analyzed using t test and ANOVA for repeated measures. Results: Mean score of self-efficacy, outcome expectations and self-care behaviors revealed significant differences between two groups in the results of three and six months after the intervention (P < 0.01). A major fall in HbA1c was noted in the intervention group. The mean scores of the HbA1c showed a significant difference between two groups, six months after the intervention (P < 0.05). After the intervention diet, physical activity and foot care improved significantly in the intervention group (P < 0.001). No significant improvement occurred in self-monitoring of blood glucose and medication adherence between two groups after the intervention Conclusion: It is concluded that implementing educational interventions based on the self-efficacy model and related strategies can be effective for patients with type-2 diabetes and is recommended to be used for patient education in the field of metabolic control

Impact of Health Literacy, Self-efficacy, and Outcome Expectations on Adherence to Self-care Behaviors in Iranians with Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: Diabetic patients with higher health literacy (HL) may feel more confident in their ability to perform self-care behaviors and may have strong beliefs that diabetesrelated behaviors will lead to specific outcomes. Our study aimed to document the relationships between HL, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and diabetes self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Iran. Methods: We conducted a crosssectional observational study of 187 patients with T2DM. Participants completed the Functional Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale, the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale, Outcome Expectations Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire. Results: Participants who received diabetes education (t = 5.79, p<0.001) and were married (F = 3.04, p<0.050) had better diabetes self-care behavior. There was a significant positive correlation between self-care behaviors and communicative HL (r = 0.455, p<0.010), critical HL (r = 0.297, p<0.010), self-efficacy (r = 0.512, p<0.010) and outcome expectations (r = 0.387, p<0.010). Diabetes education and marital status accounted for 16.9% of the variance in diabetes self-care. Self-efficacy, outcome expectations, communicative, and critical HL explained 28.0%, 1.5%, 3.7%, and 1.4% of the variance, respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed that the potential impact of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, communicative, and critical HL should be considered in the education program for patients with diabetes. We found self-efficacy to be the most important predictor of diabetes self-care. Therefore, the use of self-efficacy theory when designing patient education interventions could enhance diabetes self-care. It is essential that health care providers assess patient’s HL levels to tailor health-related information specific to a domain of HL. This would fully inform patients and promote empowerment rather than simple compliance

The relationship between functional health literacy and health promoting behaviors among older adults

Background: Health literacy is a measure of individual’s ability to read, comprehend, and act on medical instructions. Older adults are one of the most important at risk groups affected by the impact of inadequate health literacy. Health promoting behaviors in older adults have potential impact on their health and quality of life and reduce the costs incurred to health care. Given the paucity of information health literacy and health promoting behavior, the purpose of this study was to examine health literacy level in older adults and the relationship between health literacy and health promoting behaviors. Materials and Method: A cross‑sectional survey of 354 older adults was conducted in Isfahan. The method of sampling was clustering. Health literacy was measured using the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Data were collected via home interviewing. Health promoting behaviors were measured based on self‑reported smoking status, exercise, and consumption of fruit and vegetables. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one‑way ANOVA and χ2 tests under SPSS 18 software. Results: The sample group averaged 67 ± 6.97 years in age. Approximately 79.6% of adults were found to have inadequate health literacy. They tended to be older, have fewer years of schooling, lower household income, and being female Individuals with inadequate health literacy were more likely to report limitations in activity and lower consumption of fruit and vegetables (P < 0.001). No significant association was found between health literacy and smoking status. Conclusion: Considering high prevalence of inadequate health literacy among older adults, and its inverse relationship with some health promoting behaviors. Simple educational materials and effective interventions for low health literacy people can improve health promotion in society and mitigate the adverse health effects of low health literac

Factor Structure of the Smoking Temptation Scale: Cross-Validation in Iranian men

Background: The transtheoretical model (TTM) is used as a framework to implement smoking cessation programs. This model has some subscales based on which the smoking temptation scale is proposed as stages movement factor. This study aimed to translate and validate the temptation subscales of the TTM questionnaire in the Iranian population. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 387 smokers. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method. First, the smoking temptation scale designed by Velicer et al. was translated into Persian, and then, factorial validity of the hierarchical three-factor structure for this subscale was studied using factor analysis and measurement invariance (MI) methods. All analyses were performed using Mplus software. Findings: It was observed that the hierarchical three-factor structure model had a good fit to the data [confirmatory fit index (CFI) = 0.944, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.915, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.067, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.042]. This study showed that this factorial structure had an identical measurement and structural model in subgroups of the population such as rural and urban residence, highly educated and low educated, high income and low income, three stages of quitting, and across the three ethnicities. Conclusion: Given the validity and reliability of the hierarchical three-factor structure for smokingtemptation scale, this measure can be used in interventional programs for smoking cessation in the Iranian male population

Does health literacy affect women’s oral health self-care behavior? A cross-sectional study in health centers of Tabriz, North West of Iran

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIM: In public health, health literacy (HL) is rather a new conception. In this regard, oral health as a critical public health issue that affects women’s health. The objective of the present study was to determine oral health self-care behavior and its relationship with HL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 232 women who referred to health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2015. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, oral health behavior, and HL [assessed using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) scale]. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t-test, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 33.4 years [standard deviation (SD) = 8.2; range = 18-49]. The mean ± SD of oral health self-care behavior and HL score was 4.4 ± 1.9 and 3.3 ± 2.0, respectively. Totally, 24.6% of the participants had limited HL (57/232). Only 19.4% (45/232) of participants brushed their teeth twice daily or more, and 28.9% (67/232) had dental check-up less than 6 months ago. The HL had positive association with oral health self-care behavior (β = 0.37, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression models, oral health self-care behavior was associated with HL and education level (P < 0.001). HL and education level explained 19.5% of the variance in behavior. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that HL was a predictor of oral health self-care behavior in women. However, more studies are needed to confirm the results of this study. Hence, promoting oral health interventions and designing effective educational materials based on HL might be beneficial to improve oral health behavior and status. KEYWORDS: Health Literacy; Brushing; Oral Health Behavior; Newest Vital Sign; Oral Self-Car

The effect of education program on health promotion behavior on successful aging

Background: A successful aging pattern indicates a change in attitudes toward aging and life quality improvement, which include the components of general health and life satisfaction. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational program on successful aging components in the elders. Materials and Methods: A three-stage empirical study was conducted on 72 individuals of 60-75 years old who were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. A 9-session educational program presenting health-related behaviors, including stress management and interpersonal relationships, was held for the experimental group. Two sessions of neutral topics group discussion were held for the control group. A Demographic Information Questionnaire, General Health Questionare-28 (GHQ-28), Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used and completed before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention. Independent t-test was used for analysis of obtained data via SPSS software. Results: The mean (SD) score of general health in the two groups had no significant differences before the intervention [32.40 (14.70) vs. 30.8 (10.04)] (p = 0.60). The mean (SD) scores of general health immediately after intervention and two months later in the experimental group [20.2 (8.8) and 24.1 (8.05)] were significantly lower than control group [31 (9.8) and 30.9 (9.8)] (p < 0.05). The mean (SD) scores of life satisfaction in the both groups showed no significant difference before the intervention [16.8 (5.8) vs. 17.3 (5.5)] (p = 0.39), but were significantly different immediately after [20.4 (5.1) vs. 17.03 (5.1)] and two months after [19.8 (5.1) vs. 17.1 (5.1)] (p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study confirmed the effectiveness of health-related educational programs in improving elders 'general health and life satisfaction'