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

Behavioural and environmental risk factors for household injuries: semistructured interviews with health professionals and mothers in Iran

Background Injuries are increasing global public health problems, causing disability and death among children. This has considerable financial, emotional and social effects on families and society. This study aimed to investigate the behavioural and environmental factors leading to unintentional home injuries and attempts to highlight the pivotal role of mothers’ behaviour and performance to provide a safe place for children at home.Methods The current research is a qualitative study of a directed content analysis type. The data were gathered through semistructured interviews conducted in participants’ workplaces, namely universities, research centres and health centres. In some cases, telephone interviews were conducted within 3 months, from February 2021 to May 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected through non-probability and purposive sampling. All the recorded interviews and notes were accurately evaluated, and data analysis was performed based on the content analysis. There were 29 interviews in total: 12 interviews with mothers, 9 with treatment and prevention specialists, and 8 with researchers.Results A total of 66 factors, 6 subcategories and 2 main categories were extracted after analysing the interviews. The main categories included environmental and behavioural factors. The subcategories included house infrastructure, house equipment/furniture, children’s equipment/furniture, provision of precarious conditions, access to hazardous substances and appliances, and unsafe arrangement of furniture.Conclusion Despite the existing obstacles such as the long-term implementation, financial difficulties and overcomplicated policy-making process, health interventions can make it possible for mothers of children under the age of seven to adopt preventive measures through appropriately designed instructions and optimal use of existing facilities

Factors that influence dietary behavior toward iron and vitamin D consumption based on the theory of planned behavior in Iranian adolescent girls

Abstract Background The impact of iron and vitamin D supplements among adolescent is not well understood. The prevalence of supplement use, and the behavioral intentions of adolescents was studied to better understand the data on supplement intake. We used the theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore the determinants that influence supplement intake, and its potential constructs to examine determinants that influence dietary supplement behavior towards the use of iron and vitamin D supplements amongst a sample of Iranian schoolgirl. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 485 adolescent girls aged 12–17 years. Multiple analytical models including hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the association between TPB constructs and adolescent’s behavioral intentions to consume dietary supplements. Results Based on the results of SEM, constructs of TPB and knowledge were found to predict 74% of the variation in the behavioral intentions of the schoolgirls. SEM indicated that perceived behavioral control (PBC) and knowledge had significant associations with intention behaviors to take nutritional supplements. Conclusion TPB and its constructs were used to establish the determinants of iron and vitamin D intake among schoolgirls in Iran. This outcome indicates that efforts to promote behavioral intentions through targeting subjective norms, attitude, and PBC may promote supplement use