Evaluation of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Mothers Visiting Dental Clinics in Isfahan about Two-Five-Year-Old Children’s Dental Care

Introduction: Since many deformities, oral diseases, and oral hygiene habits are formed in two-five-year-old children, mothers have a critical role in promoting their children's oral health. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers toward dental and oral care of two-five-year-old children. Method: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2013-14. Mothers who visited dental clinics in Isfahan (Iran) were selected through stratified multistage sampling. Three questionnaires were administered to assess mothers' knowledge, attitude, and performance regarding their children’s oral health. Five other items were also included to evaluate the participants’ personal and family characteristics. The collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS 17.0. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Low (0-5), moderate (6-10), and high levels of knowledge about oral health were found in (8.6%), (47.4%), and (44%) mothers, respectively. While none of the mothers had negative attitudes (0-23), neutral (23-69) and positive (69-88) attitudes were present in (40.1%) and (59.9%) participants, respectively. There was a significantly relationship between knowledge and employment status (P < 0.001). Low, moderate, and high levels of performance were found (27.2%), (68.4%), and (4.4%) individuals, respectively. A significant relationship was detected between women’s attitude and employment status (P = 0.012). Moreover, employed mothers had a better performance toward the oral health of their children compared to other mothers (P = 0.031). Mothers’ education and economic status were also significantly related with their knowledge, attitude, and performance toward their children's oral hygiene. Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge and performance toward their children’s oral health was undesirable. Therefore, health education programs are required to promote the knowledge of mothers in this regard

Evaluation of the effectiveness of nutritional education based on Health Belief Model on self-esteem and BMI of overweight and at risk of overweight adolescent girls

Background Due to significant increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents in developed countries, much attention has been focused on this issue. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutritional education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on self-esteem and body mass index (BMI) of overweight and at risk of overweight adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: The study subjects consist of 140 female students recruited from two high schools, who were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=70) and control (n=70) groups. The data collection instrument included sections on socio-demographic status, transportation method, physical status, and knowledge and attitudes of the students towards nutrition, which was designed according to HBM. As the intervention, model-based educational program was implemented through six 60-minute sessions, focusing on the overweight and at-risk students. Results were compared in the beginning, and three months after the intervention to find the possible impacts. Results: Average score of model structures and self-esteem of students in both groups had no significant difference at baseline, but immediately after the intervention and 3 months after treatment, the mean component scores were significantly higher in intervention group than controls (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the control group between the mean scores of model structures and self-esteem at different times. There was a significant difference at different times in component scores in the experimental group (P<0.05). The mean score of BMI in the control group had no significant difference in different time. Significant difference in BMI scores was seen at different times in experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The positive effect of this program was seen among the participants. Therefore such interventions in schools for developing effective long-term healthy behaviors have preventive and controlling effects on overweight

Effect of Fordyce Happiness Model on depression, stress, anxiety, and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis

Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Fordyce Happiness Model (FHM) on depression, stress, anxiety, and fatigue in MS patients. Methods In this clinical trial, 140 MS patients assigned to experimental and control groups. Depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue were measured by Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and Piper Standard Scale before and immediately and three months after the implementation of FHM. The data were analyzed by SPSS 18. Results Independent t-test indicated that total scores of stress, depression, and fatigue of the two groups were not significantly different before the intervention but were significantly different after the intervention (P˂0.05). Moreover, anxiety scores of the two were not significantly different after the intervention (P˃0.05). Conclusion FHM can assist MS patients to manage their disease and associated problems in life. Besides that, since FHM is efficient and costless, it can be incorporated into the health interventions for MS patients

Knowledge and perceptions of obesity prevention and reducing sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among high school girl students in Shahrekord

Background and aims: The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is increasing worldwide. One of the key lifestyle behaviors that helps prevent obesity and being overweight among children and adolescents is to avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) or to take, at most, one serving per day. The present study intended to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of high school girl students in Shahrekord on reducing SSBs consumption based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study, conducted in 2013–2014, randomly recruited 308 female students aged 13–14 years. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on HBM and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated using face validity, content validity, and inter-rater reliability. The Chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation, and Spearman’s correlation tests were used in SPSS software to analyze the data. The participants declared their informed consent for participation. Results: The research findings showed that the mean score of students’ knowledge was 36.53 ± 21.87; mean scores of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity were 31.88 ± 15.04, and 34.76 ± 19.82, respectively; perceived benefits of reducing the consumption of SSBs was 43.51 ± 20.18, and perceived barriers was 41.56 ± 15.69. There was a direct significant relationship between knowledge and perceived susceptibility as well as between perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. The students’ intake of SSBs was calculated as 2.95 glasses per day. There was a direct significant relationship between perceived benefits and mother’s job, between perceived barriers and father’s job, and between knowledge and mother’s age. There was an inverse relationship between perceived susceptibility and father’s job. Conclusion: Considering the high intake of SSBs among students, along with their little knowledge and perception about its negative effects, it seems necessary to plan for proper educational and theory-based interventions for adolescents in order to improve their knowledge and develop a positive attitude toward reducing SSBs consumption

A study of stigma among Iranian family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis: A descriptive explorative qualitative study

Aim This study was done to investigate the experiences of family caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) about stigmatization in Iranian health care context. Background Stigmatization has been observed obviously among patients with MS but few studies have been conducted on stigma among the family caregivers of these patients. Methods This qualitative study with thematic analysis was done to explore this issue. Fourteen family caregivers of patients with MS were selected by purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth and unstructured interviews. Results Four main subthemes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts: “feeling shame”, “fear of being ridiculed by others”, “ignored by family” and “concealing disease to be secure against the perceptions of disease”. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should be encouraged to inform caregivers about social engagement strategies and to train them on the management of stigma as an important factor for the reduction of their social problem

Fordyce happiness program and postpartum depression

Background: Postpartum depression is endangering the health of mothers and has negative impacts on the evolution of social communication and newborns evolution. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Fordyce Happiness program on the postpartum depression. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention carried out on postpartum mothers that referred to 4 health centers in Isfahan. A total of 133 mothers were selected by convenient sampling and then randomly allocated in two groups (63 and 70 mothers for intervention and control respectively). Maternal depression 3 times before, immediate and 1 months after intervention in both groups was evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory-II-Persian standardized questionnaires. Educational sessions based on the Fordyce happiness program were conducted for intervention group. Data was analyzed in SPSS17 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois) descriptive and analytic statistical tests at significance level of 0.05. Results: No significant differences in demographic variables between the two groups (P >= 0.05). No significant differences in depression scores in the two groups before training. However after 2 months a significant difference in depression score was observed between two groups (control group: 19.38 +/- 3.94; intervention group: 16.24 +/- 4.8; P < 0.001). Furthermore in intervention group showed significant differences in depression scores before and after intervention (19.15 +/- 3.41 and 16.24 +/- 4.83; P < 0.001). However in the control group had not any significant change. Conclusion: Fordyce happiness program was effective in reducing postpartum depression in our study. With attention to the effectiveness and low cost of this program, it is recommended that this program might be considered for all mothers after childbirth in health centers or other community-based settings

Study of Some Determinants of Birth weight in Qazvin

زمینه و هدف: وزن هنگام تولد با بسیاری از فاکتورها و وضعیت های خاص طبی که در دوران حاملگی وجود داشته یا ایجاد می شوند ارتباط دارد. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی و ارزیابی برخی تعیین کننده های وزن هنگام تولد در نوزادان متولد شده در قزوین انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی که به صورت مقطعی در سال 1389 انجام شد، میانگین وزن 3076 نوزاد که به روش زایمان طبیعی در قزوین متولد شده بودند، مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. پیش گویی کننده های تک متغیره و چند متغیره برای وزن هنگام تولد با استفاده از مدل خطی عمومی مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: میانگین وزن نوزادان و سن مادران به ترتیب 36/458±18/3248 گرم و 70/5±33/25 سال بود. شیوع وزن کم هنگام تولد در 67/6 درصد (205 نوزاد) و ماکروزومی در 15/3 درصد (97 نوزاد) مشاهده شد. پیش گویی کننده های تک متغیره برای وزن بیشتر در زمان تولد شامل مولتی پاریته، جنسیت مذکر نوزاد، نوزادان ترم و پست ترم، عدم وجود پره اکلامپسی در مادر و مادران با سن بیشتر از 18 سال بودند. بر اساس مدل چند متغیره، اغلب پیش گویی کننده های تک متغیره به جز سن مادر که اثر خود بر وزن هنگام تولد را از دست داد، در مدل باقی ماندند. نوزادان متولد شده در فصل بهار (01/0 =P) و زمستان (01/0 =P) به طور معنی داری وزن هنگام تولد بیشتری در مقایسه با نوزادان متولد شده در فصل تابستان داشتند. نتیجه گیری: برخی تعیین کننده های وزن هنگام تولد غیر قابل تعدیل بوده و انجام مداخلات بر روی آن ها امکان پذیر نیست اما با تعدیل برخی فاکتورها نظیر انتخاب سن مناسب برای حاملگی می توان وزن مطلوب نوزادان در هنگام تولد را انتظار داشت

Predictors of Self-care in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: An Application of the PRECEDE Model

Background and Aims: Patients undergoing hemodialysis are exposed to various physical, psychological, and social stressors. Self-care activities can play a significant role in adapting to the disease process and improving their quality of life. In addition, using the PRECEDE-PROCEDE model, an appropriate scale can be obtained from these patients chr('39')perceptions, knowledge and attitudes toward their self-care and self-care knowledge, and based on this model, the relationship between factors and patientschr('39') self-care ability can be assessed. Therefore, the researchers decided to conduct a study predicting PRECEDE model constructs with self-care in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods:This cross sectional study was performed on 80 patients referred to the Lordegan hospital. Life, health status, predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude), enabling, and enhancing along with self-care behaviors of hemodialysis patients were completed by interview. The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were confirmed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA, t-test, and regression analysis. Results: The mean and total deviation of self-care behaviors score was 32.38 12 12.83. 56.5% of people had poor self-care, 42.5% had moderate self-care, and 0.2% had good self-care. In addition, Pearson correlation test showed a significant relationship between PRECEDE-PROCEDE model items (reinforcing factors, enabling factors, and predisposing factors) and self-care (P <0.05). According to the results of regression analysis, the predictive power of the items of precession-process model (reinforcing factors, enabling factors and predisposing factors) was found to be 0.419. Conclusion: Considering the lack of self-care, behavior of hemodialysis patients and the need for a direct correlation between PRECEDE model constructs, appropriate interventions are recommended, especially educational interventions to promote self-care and increased emphasis on self-care. Keywords: PRECEDE Model– self-care- Predictive -Chronic Kidney Failure, Hemodialysi

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

COPING SKILLS OF IRANIAN FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ IN CARETAKING OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Coping skills enable caregivers to establish and maintain supportive relationships with the haemodialysis patients they care for. These skills are very important in terms of social support, promotion of mental health and social and family relations. The aim of this study is to investigate the coping skills of Iranian family caregivers as they take care of patients undergoing haemodialysis. Methods: Twenty participants were selected for the study through purposive sampling. The data gathering techniques used for the research were in-depth and unstructured interviews. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the data generated from the interviews. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data: help-seeking skills, self-nurturing skills, time management skills and stress management skills. Conclusion: The focus of attention was on the stress management coping skills of the caregivers of haemodialysis patients together with their ability to cope with complex problems. Healthcare providers, by taking into account these skills and strategies of empowerment, can help other caregivers of haemodialysis patients cope with their heavy care conditions and better define their purposes in caretaking