The Effect of a Web-based Educational Program on Perevention of Hookah Smoking among Adolescent Girls: Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: The prevalence of hookah is increasing worldwide and in all age groups, especially among women. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of web-based educational program in the prevention of hookah smoking among girls in Kermanshah, Iran, using theory of planned behavior (TPB).Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial performed on 110 adolescent girls in Kermanshah City in 2020. Multistage random sampling was used in this study. The data collection tool included a researcher made questionnaire. Designed intervention was implemented for the intervention group in 5 educational sessions according to analysis of pre-test results. Data were collected 3 months after the end of the training intervention. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software.Findings: The presented interventions significantly improved the structures of attitude (P < 0.001), subjective norms (P < 0.001), and intention (P < 0.001) in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, the difference between perceived behavioral control score in the two groups was not significant (P = 0.131). There was also a significant difference in reducing the behavior of hookah smoking between the intervention and control groups after the educational intervention.Conclusion: Using web-based interventions is a good educational strategy for prevention of hookah smoking in adolescent girls

Application of BASNEF Model to Predict Postpartum Physical Activity in Mothers Visiting Health Centers in Kermanshah

Background and Objectives: The high risk of physical inactivity in the postpartum period is associated with increased risk of obesity and diabetes in mothers. Therefore, the present study used the beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms, and enabling factors (BASNEF) model to identify the predictors of postpartum physical activity among women visiting health centers in Kermanshah (Western of Iran). Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 400 women who visited health centers in Kermanshah. Multistage sampling was adopted to select the participants. The subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire containing demographic variables, the BASNEF model constructs, and a short form of the international physical activity questionnaire. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis in SPSS-18. Results: Most mothers (83%) had low levels of physical activity. Knowledge, attitude, and subjective norms could significantly predict the intention to perform physical activity. These variables accounted for 21% of the variance in behavioral intention. Moreover, behavioral intention was the best predictor of postpartum physical activity behaviors (P<0.001 &beta; = 0.140). Conclusion: Based on our findings, the majority of mothers were inactive during the postpartum period. Relevant interventions should thus be designed to modify mothers’ behavioral intention and promote physical activity after childbirth

Using Social Cognitive Theory to Determine Factors Predicting Nutritional Behaviors in Pregnant Women Visiting Health Centers in Tabriz, Iran

Background and Objectives: Women’s nutrition during pregnancy is a key determinant of maternal and fetal health. Therefore, the current study used the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to determine factors predicting the nutritional behaviors of pregnant women in Tabriz, Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytic study applied multistage random sampling to select 380 pregnant women who visited health centers in Tabriz during 2014. Data were collected using the Nutritional Behavior Questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire on the constructs of the SCT (knowledge, outcome expectations, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, social support, and self-regulation). The questionnaires were completed through interviews and self-report. Pearson’s correlation and liner regression analyses were performed to analyze the data in SPSS20. Results: The participants’ mean age was 27 years. Among the different constructs of the SCT, outcome expectations (P =0.039), outcome expectancies (P=0.046), knowledge (P=0.043), and self-regulation (P=0.001) had significant roles in explaining the variance in nutritional behaviors of pregnant women. These factors could in fact predict 16% of the variance in nutritional behavior. Bread and cereals, meat and beans, fruits, and vegetables consumption were below the recommended level in 54.5%, 73.2%, and 55.3%, and 70.5% of the subjects, respectively. Conclusion: Based on our findings, knowledge, outcome expectations, outcome expectancies, and self-regulation can be used in the development of educational interventions to promote healthy nutritional behaviors in pregnant women

The effect of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking: A systematic review

Introduction The prevalence of hookah smoking in Iran, especially among adolescents, is increasing. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking using a systematic review. Methods In this study, all articles published up to April 2021 in both Persian and English in the field of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking were reviewed. These studies were conducted based on the databases of the country’s publications (Magiran). According to the Cochrane search strategy, Iranian Medical Articles Database (Iran Medex) and Scientific Database (SID), Database in Scopus, PubMed, ISI Embase, and Science Direct databases, were searched. Two researchers independently selected studies based on inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using EPHPP. Results Out of 4170 studies, 21 of those consistent with the research criteria were selected and carefully examined in the present study. The results showed that out of 20 studies that were reviewed, 19 studies showed that after completing the educational interventions, the prevalence of hookah smoking in the intervention group decreased compared to the control group. Also, the present study's findings showed that educational interventions with content about the side effects of hookah smoking comparing the pathogenicity of hookah and smoking and showing its addictive intensity could improve structures such as a positive attitude to hookah smoking. Conclusions Considering the effect of various interventions and the use of patterns and theories of health education can be very helpful in changing and modifying some factors affecting the tendency to hookah smoking

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

The Comparative Study of Efficiency of Intravenous Heparin and Oral Aspirin on 48 Hours Beginning Primary Medication in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Objective: This study was done for comparing efficiency of Intravenous Heparin and Oral Aspirin among patients who had cerebral thrombi embolitic vascular accidents. Effectives of Heparin and Aspirin on prognosis and recovery of these patients were evaluated. Materials & Methods: This study was a clinical randomized trial. Patients were classified randomly in one of the heparin (n=32) and one group Aspirin (n=30) treatment. At first in the Heparin treatment group, patients were medicated by Heparin 100 IU/kg and then it was followed by 1000IU/hour for 48 hours. In the Aspirin treated group, whom took 325mg/day for 48 hours. The effectiveness of both treatments were evaluated after 48 hours on neuro-muscular, speech, vision, and sphincter function. Results: The results showed that both treatments were effective on improvement of neuro-muscular, speech, vision, and sphincter function, while Heparin effectiveness was more than Aspirin. Improvement of Nervous function in the Heparin group was 43.8% in compare of 33.3% for Aspirin (p=0.40). In addition, in the Heparin treatment group 56.3% of muscular dysfunction was attained optimum muscular function in compare of 33.3% with Aspirin (p=0.001). It was found significant relation for improvement of speech function in Heparin treatment group (P=0.01). There were not a significant finding relation for improvement of vision, and sphincter function between Heparin and Aspirin treated groups. Conclusion: Beginning primary medication with Heparin would be effective for achieving optimum function among patients with cerebral thrombi embolitic vascular accidents

Assessment of Dental Care and its Related Barriers in Pregnant Women of Hamadan City

Background and Objectives: Oral health behaviors of pregnant women are important due to their effects on mother and child’s health. The objective of this study was to investigate dental care and its related barriers among pregnant women in Hamadan city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 280 pregnant women in Hamadan city in 2012. We used stratified cluster sampling to select the subjects and a researcher-made questionnaire was used. The questionnaire included demographic information, common dental problems, visit of a dentist during pregnancy and tooth brushing, as well as the perceived barriers of these two behaviors. The reliability and validity of the tool were evaluated using estimates of internal consistency and the opinions of a panel of experts, respectively. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 using logistic regression test. Results: The mean age of pregnant women was 27.2 ± 4.88 years. Tooth brushing after each meal and use of mouthwash rates were 12% and 20%, respectively. Half of the participants had not seen a dentist during their current pregnancy. The most important barriers to brush twice a day were impatience and lack of energy. Dental visit barriers were cost, low priority, and stress related to dentistry. Factors associated with no dental visit included poor economic status (P= 0.011) and working outside of home (P= 0.045). Conclusions: Given the important adverse outcomes associated with poor oral health on mothers and babies, interventions to reduce the barriers of dental cares are crucial