Effect of Combined Education on Promoting Nutritional Behaviors of Female Students

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition is one of the most common health problems around the world, which effects millions of people. This study aimed at determining the effect of an educational program on nutritional behavior of female students (8- to 10-yearolds) in Chabahar, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental study with before and after method. The statistical population included all 8- to 10-year-old female students of Chabahar, during year 2014. In order to perform the study, 65 female students were selected through simple sampling method and enrolled in the study. Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of 4 parts, including demographic information and questions concerning nutrition knowledge, attitude and behavior, which was completed before the intervention, immediately, and 2 months after the last intervention. The intervention program was conducted through lectures and using multimedia equipment in three 30-minute sessions. Repeated measures and chi-square tests were applied via the SPSS-16 software to analyze the data. Results: Results showed that the mean score of students' knowledge before, immediately, and 2 months after the intervention was statistically different (P>0.05). However, attitude and behavior of the students were not significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that the educational program could increase knowledge of the students after 2 months. Further research is required to show the effects of the program on attitudes and behaviors

Study of Social Support and Mental Health among Older Women in Iranshahr, Iran

Introduction: The growing trend of aging phenomenon has introduced the necessity of paying attention to perceived social support as an effective factor in promoting mental health of older women. Current literature suggests that the accessibility of appropriate social support can improve mental health and well- being among older women. This study aims to explore social support and mental health among older women, and relationship between in Iranshahr, Iran. &nbsp; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Iranshahr, Baluchestan province, Iran. A total of 400 elderly women aged over 65 years were recruited using multistage sampling. The data were collected utilizing Norbeck social support questionnaire (score range from 0 to 20) and general health questionnaires (score range from 0 to 84). Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze study findings. &nbsp; Results: Average mental health score of the participants was 24.1 (&plusmn;11. 7), which reflects good mental health. Social functioning of mental health was significantly correlated with social, emotional and financial support. Mental health was also significantly correlated with age (r = 0.4, p ˂ 0.05) and marital status (F = 5.84, p ˂ 0.001). &nbsp; Conclusion: Our finding suggests that coherent social support can have a significant impact on mental health and social functions of older women, as such, interventions promoting mental health and social needs of elderly women are necessities in the context of Iranian culture

The Effect of Exercise Program on Low Back Pain Preventive Behaviors in Pregnant Females Referred to Health Centers of Karaj

Background and Objectives: Back pain is the most common pain in pregnancy. This research aimed at exploring the influence of exercise program training on behavior change that leads to back pain prevention in pregnant females. Materials and Methods: This research was semi-experimental with pretest-post-test and control group research method, and included 120 pregnant females that referred to the Karaj Health Center. These females were selected randomly and divided to 2 groups, including control (60 persons) and intervention (60 persons). The research used 3 tools, the demographical questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and awareness and attitude questionnaire, in order to specify back pain preventive behavior. Data were then analyzed using SPSS 21 with the paired t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Tukey tests. Results: There were significant differences between average awareness, attitude and preventive behaviors, and rate of back pain in the third trimester of pregnancy in the intervention group before and after the intervention (P >0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the mentioned items between the intervention and control groups (P >0.05). Conclusions: This research showed that the training intervention could improve awareness, attitude, and behavior of pregnant females in back pain prevention

The Effect of Pre-eclampsia (PE) Preventing Nutrition Training Program on Pregnant Women's Nutritional Behaviors

Background and Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is the most common complication of pregnancy and one of the top three causes of maternal death. Considering the high prevalence of PE, this study was conducted to determine the effect of nutrition training program for the prevention of PE on the nutritional behaviors of pregnant women in Pol-e dokhtar, Iran, 2017. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out among 120 pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy referred to the healthcare centers of Pol-e dokhtar, Iran, in 2017. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control (60 individuals per group). The subjects were selected through cluster sampling method, and data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher including questions about the participants’ demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and function. Data analysis was performed using Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, independent samples t-test, and paired t-test by the help of SPSS software, version 16. Results: The results showed significant differences between the groups in terms of the level of knowledge, attitude, and function (P<0.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference between the pre- and postintervention scores of knowledge, attitude, and function in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Educational intervention was effective in the prevention of PE in pregnant women through changing their nutritional behaviors. Therefore, it is suggested to educate pregnant women; moreover, further studies are recommended to confirm the results

Investigating Healthcare Personnel’s Satisfaction with Quality of Web-based Learning in Teaching Preventive Behaviors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Introduction: Acceptance and implementation of preventive behaviors through new methods by healthcare personnel are of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate healthcare personnel’s satisfaction with quality of web-based learning in teaching preventive behaviors of hepatitis B virus infection.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 120 healthcare employees in Tehran east health center in 2013. Participants were selected through the two-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-made satisfaction assessment questionnaire which included subjects about the content, implementation method and the process of implementing e-learning program. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney, and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: The results showed that the highest personnel satisfaction score was in teachers’ accountability in practical work (22.24±1.80 out of 25) and the lowest satisfaction scores were related to how to complete the questionnaire electronically (17.28±2.32), and using good examples and illustrations for better understanding of the content (17.43±1.90). Satisfaction with other categories were respectively related to being forced to think about the content, receiving database confirmation after registering personal information, the content (web-based brochures, images or videos), online group discussions in chat rooms, and appropriateness of the content of LMS meetings with professional needs. Factors such as education (p=0.001), job (p=0.001) and employment status (p=0.004) had impacts on personnel’s general satisfaction with participating in the e-learning course.Conclusion: The results showed significant personnel`s satisfaction with the quality of web-based learning in teaching preventive behaviors of hepatitis B virus infection. Given the fairly lower satisfaction rates in some categories of the implementation method and content of the e-learning program, it is necessary to take these into account when designing such programs in order to improve their quality

Predictors of Tobacco Smoking in Male Adolescents in Hamadan Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background and Objectives: The cognitive determinants of social behaviors play an important role in adolescents' decision-making for starting smoking. The present study was therefore conducted to determine the predictors of tobacco smoking in male adolescents in Hamadan, Iran, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 810 male high school students in Hamadan selected through the multistage sampling method. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire with a section on participants' demographic information and another section based on the TPB constructs. Data were then analyzed in SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using the Pearson correlation test and the indices of model fit. Results: Overall, 17.2% of the male adolescents reported to have smoked cigarettes in the past. Perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and attitude were the best predictors of behavioral intention for tobacco smoking, in the order of importance (P<0.001). Perceived behavioral control (&beta=-0.59 P<0.001) was a better predictor of the studied behavior than behavioral intention (&beta=0.11 P<0.001). In the structural equation model, TPB constructs accounted for 32% of behavioral intention variances and 50% of behavior variances. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the poor role of behavioral intention in reporting smoking behaviors in male adolescents. Other psychological factors that affect adolescents' decision-making regarding tobacco smoking should also be scrutinized

Comparing Reasons for Quitting Substance Abuse with the Constructs of Behavioral Models: A Qualitative Study

Background and Objectives: The world population has reached over seven billion people. Of these, 230 million individuals abuse substances. Therefore, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs have received increasing attention during the past two decades. Understanding people’s motivations for quitting drug abuse is essential to the success of treatment. This study hence sought to identify major motivations for quitting and to compare them with the constructs of health education models. Materials and Methods: In the present study, qualitative content analysis was used to determine the main motivations for quitting substance abuse. Overall, 22 patients, physicians, and psychotherapists were selected from several addiction treatment clinics in Bojnord (Iran) during 2014. Purposeful sampling method was applied and continued until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and field notes. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Results: Content analysis revealed 33 sub-categories and nine categories including economic problems, drug-related concerns, individual problems, family and social problems, family expectations, attention to social status, beliefs about drug addiction, and valuing the quitting behavior. Accordingly, four themes, i.e. perceived threat, perceived barriers, attitude toward the behavior, and subjective norms, were extracted. Conclusion: Reasons for quitting substance abuse match the constructs of different behavioral models (e.g. the health belief model and the theory of planned behavior)

Relationship of Health Literacy with Knowledge and Attitude toward the Harms of Cigarette Smoking among University Students

Background and Objectives: Health literacy is associated with smoking status. Given the growing prevalence of smoking and the role model of the medical students in Iran, this study aimed to determine the relationship of health literacy with knowledge and attitudes about the harms of cigarette smoking. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted on 340 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The study population was selected through single-stage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using the Heath Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire for urban population aged between 18-65 years and a researcher-made questionnaire measuring the knowledge and attitudes about the harms of smoking. Data analysis was performed through SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: According to the results, the mean scores of health literacy, knowledge, and attitude were 70.52±14.12, 16.65±1.62, and 53.03±10.33, respectively (out of 100). There was a significant direct relationship between the knowledge and attitudes about smoking hazards (P<0.001). Similarly, health literacy was directly correlated with knowledge and attitudes about smoking harms (P<0.001). Conclusions: Regarding the relationship of health literacy with knowledge and attitudes about smoking hazards, future studies are recommended to investigate the effect of different levels of health literacy on smoking

Effect of Educational Intervention on Health Literacy and Adoption of Smoking Preventive Behaviors among University Students

Background and Objective: Considering the increase in smoking among university students and the effect of health literacy on the adoption of preventive behaviors, this study aimed at determining the effect of educational intervention on health literacy and adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among students. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental interventional study that was conducted in 2016 among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. In this study, 130 students (65 in each intervention and control group) were selected, using random multi-stages sampling method and entered the study. Educational intervention was performed using Telegram application and educational messages were sent to the students of the intervention group in 6 sessions. The data gathering tools were demographic and background characteristics questionnaire, Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), and smoking preventive behavior questionnaire, which were completed in 3 stages including before, immediately, and 3 months after the intervention. The data were collected and analyzed, using SPSS 16 software. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between demographic and background variables, underlying level of health literacy, and adoption of preventive behaviors in both groups (p>0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of health literacy and adoption of smoking preventive behaviors increased significantly in experimental group compared to control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Educational intervention through Telegram application is effective in promoting health literacy and the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among university students