Determinants of prevention behaviours against COVID-19 disease based on health belief model

Backgrounds: Due to the outbreak and pandemic of COVID-19, the following of recommended preventive guidelines and health behaviors in community is important, in order to further control this disease. The present study was conducted among oil industry shift workers, as a high-risk group, to investigate the determinants of prevention behaviors against COVID-19 disease based on Health Belief Model. Methods: This cross-sectional research was performed among 250 shift workers who were randomly selected from the oil field of Khuzestan province of southern Iran. Data collection tools were a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, Health Belief Model and prevention behaviors questionnaires and also knowledge questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Correlation analysis showed positive correlations between the behavior and the perceived benefit, self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and knowledge, while negative correlation was observed between the behavior and perceived barrier. Results determined that Health Belief Model was able to explain 54% of the variance in the COVID-19 prevention behaviors. According to the linear regression analysis, the most predictive variable was perceived benefits, and the second one was self-efficacy. Conclusion: Designing educational interventions based on Health Belief Model, in future studies, can be considered as a suitable framework to adherence and follow the health behaviors of COVID-19 and also to correct the individuals’ beliefs. Furthermore, health information groups and health educators must highlight the points to overcome the behavior obstacles and consequently to increase self-efficacy, and also must emphasize the benefits of preventive behaviors, especially in high-risk groups

The Relationships Between Smoking Intention and Various Dimensions of Health Literacy Among University Students

Background: Cigarette Smoking plays an important role in causing chronic diseases around the world and its consumption among adolescents is quickly increasing. Significant relationship has been reported between the smoking status and health literacy. Objective: This investigation aimed at recognizing the relationships between smoking intention and various dimensions of health literacy in university students. Methods: In the current cross-sectional investigation, 542 students of Mashhad Universities of Applied Sciences were collected using cluster sampling method. Data collection tools were sociodemographic, health literacy, and smoking intention questionnaire. Data were analyzed through SPSS software. Results: Among the various investigated dimensions of health literacy, the decision making and health information application dimension has the lowest score and the reading skills and access dimensions have the highest score, respectively. Results showed that the smoking intention was associated significantly with decision making (ß Standard: -0.27, Confidence interval: -0.03 - -0.01) and health information application and access dimensions (ß Standard: -0.3, Confidence interval: -0.03 - -0.02). Furthermore, decision making and health information application dimension was the strongest smoking intention predictor. Conclusion: Recognizing the skills that are most strongly associated with smoking decision-making can help designers develop clear, informative, and actionable programs and training. The findings of this investigation indicated the fact that in order to reduce the intention of smoking and in contrast to increase carrying out preventive and healthy behaviors among university students, specific consideration must be had to the factor of health literacy and its effective dimensions

Analysis and Determination of Trace Metals (Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead) in Tissues of Pampus argenteus and Platycephalus indicus in the Hara Reserve, Iran

The accumulations of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr were measured in muscle, gill, kidney, and liver of Platycephalus indicus and Pampus argenteus. Our results indicated that all metals were found to be the highest in tissues in P. indicus (benthic species). Except Ni in P. indicus, concentrations of metals and bioaccumulation factor were in the following sequence: liver > kidney > gill > muscle. The data revealed that there is a significant negative correlation between concentrations of metals and size and age factors. The Ni and Cr levels in the muscles were higher than the maximum acceptable limit recommended by WHO and FEPA. Similarly, the concentration of Pb measured in P. indicus muscle exceeded the FAO standard limit

Investigation of Association Between Internet Addiction and Quality of Life Dimensions Among University Students

Background: Despite the fact that the technology of internet has provided noteworthy chances in economic, communicative, and scientific aspects for societies, its excessive and unsuitable usage particularly during the pandemic of COVID-19, is a serious and significant warning to the well-being and health of the people, particularly the young. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between internet addiction and quality of life dimensions among university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 students of Alzahra University of Mashhad, Iran. The data collection tools were demographic questionnaire, Internet Addiction questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Most of the participants were of a moderate level of internet addiction (62.5%), 21% of the participants were of the normal level, and 16.5% were of a severe level. There were significant negative correlations between between internet addiction and all dimensions of life quality. Furthermore, based on the analyses of linear regression, psychological symptom was the stronger predictor of internet addiction. Conclusion: If someone suffers from clinical problems such as depression and anxiety she/he is at higher internet addiction risk since some might utilize the internet in order to distract yourself from fears and concerns. These findings are indicative of the importance of preventive actions in the form of educational intervention programs for students concerning to the appropriate Internet usage