Related factors of using hearing protection device based on the protection motivation theory in Shoga factory workers

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to determine factors related to workers' use of hearing protection devices in Shoga factory in Yaft Abad, based on protection motivation theory. Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 60 workers who were exposed to harmful noise were selected among factory shifts by randomized sampling method. The questionnaire included 6 demographic questions, 8 knowledge questions, 20 perceptions questions, 2 behavior questions, and 7 improvement questions. The questionnaire validity confirmed using content validity and its reliability was checked using test-retest & Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed through SPSS v.15 software using descriptive statistics and analytical tests. Results: About 40.4 of the workers used the hearing protection device most of the time, and 44.4 used it usually. There were significant positive correlations between perceived vulnerability score with self-efficacy score (r=0.41, p=0.001), perceived response efficacy score (r=0.44, p=0.03) and protection motivation score (r=0.5, p=0.002). There were significant positive correlations between perceived response efficacy score with evaluation of coping score (r=0.34, p=0.01) and protection motivation score with behavior score (r=0.56, p=0.03). There was significant negative correlation between perceived cost with evaluation of coping score (r=-0.84, p=0.002). Conclusion: The use of hearing protection in the workers is not adequate. For improvement of situation effective interventions based on protection motivation theory which improves perceptions of severity, vulnerability, perceived cost, self-efficacy and perceived response efficacy is recommended. © 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved

Coping With Stress Strategies in HIV-infected Iranian Patients

Stress has significant adverse impacts on health outcomes of HIV-infected patients. Our study explored coping with stress strategies by HIV-infected Iranian patients. A qualitative content analysis study was conducted at the Consultation Clinic of HIV at the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2012. Twenty-six semi-structured in-depth interviews were done. Participants were asked about coping strategies for stress. After the first interview, continuous analysis of data was started and continued up to data saturation. Results showed that participants used two categories of strategies (emotion-based coping and problem-based coping) to cope with stress. Emotion-based coping had two sub-themes: adaptive and maladaptive. The problem-based coping category had three sub-themes: participation in education sessions, adherence to medication, and efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Explanations of different strategies available to HIV-infected patients to cope with stress may help develop tailored interventions to improve the psychological conditions of people living with HIV. © 2015 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

Patients’ Perspectives on Factors That Influence Diabetes Self-Care

Background: Although diabetes mellitus is of high concern in Iran, and the level of control is unacceptable, few qualitative studies have been carried out to reflect the experiences of patients on the barriers and motivators to self-care. This study aimed to explore a culturally based experience of Iranian diabetic patients regarding the personal and environmental barriers to and facilitat­ing factors for diabetes self-care.Methods: Six focus groups were conducted among type 2 diabetic patients in the Charity Foundation for Special Diseases' diabetes clinic. Purposeful sampling was used. Newly diagnosed patients (less than six months) and all type 1 diabetic pa­tients were excluded. Three focus groups were held on for each sex. A total of 43 patients participated in the study. Frame­work analysis was used to extract the themes from the data.Results:Data analysis showed five main barriers: physical barriers (such as physical effects of diabetes); psychological bar­riers (such as health beliefs); educational barriers (such as lack of knowledge about diabetes); social barriers (such as group pressure); and care system barriers (such as service availability). Along with the barriers, there were some motivators that the participants mentioned as a stimuli to control their diabetes. They include beliefs about diabetes, perceived responsibil­ity for family, religious beliefs, and the views of significant others.Conclusion:Culturally based interventions are needed to improve diabetes care management in Iran. In addition to personal factors, diabetes health educators should pay attention to the environmental factors when they develop programs

Patient’s Knowledge, Perception and Belief about the Reasons of Low Back Pain

Patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) hold various knowledge, perceptions and beliefs about their pain which are based on prior learning and social conditions. Since LBP is a bio- psycho-social phenomenon and there are not any reports about awareness and attitude of Iranian patients’ views regarding it, this descriptive study was employed to earn this information P to apply its results in health education planning. For data gathering, deeply interviewing with 24 patients were performed. Volunteer patients were from Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Science from July 1st to Sep 1st 2003 who had inclusive criteria such as: 18 years old or more, suffering from LBP more than 90 d and not having experience of surgical operation in last two years. Interviews were individually held at rheumatic disease center which was convenient to the participants and were being continued to earn data saturation regarding patient’s knowledge, perception and belief about LBP. The findings showed that the most popular risky behavior for LBP was hard manual activities, also this study revealed that knowledge of the patients about LBP and its risk factors was little and LBP was not understood by the majority of patients (74%).Only a few people (11%) believed risk factors and risky behaviors could deteriorate it. From this study it can be concluded that health educators should emphasize on perception and attitude of the patients regarding LBP for changing behavior and complying of recommended body mechanics

A FOCAL GROUP STUDY OF PATIENT’S EXPERIENCES, PERCEPTIONS AND OPINIONS ABOUT NON-HEALTHY BEHAVIORS RESULTING IN LOW BACK PAIN

Patients with chronic low back pain hold various perceptions, experiences and beliefs about their pain which are based on prior learning and social influence. This study was employed to earn perceptions and beliefs of patients regarding low back pain to apply in health education planning. Eight focus group discussions including 6-10 people taking part in each of them was performed. Subjects included volunteers who recruited from Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Science and met the criteria of being women, 18 years of age or older, having chronic low back pain diagnosed by physician and not having experience of surgical operation in last two years. Participants were interviewed regarding two themes: experiences of subjects about non-healthy behaviors resulted in low back pain and the causes of non-healthy behaviors. The results showed that the most common non healthy behavior was hard manual work with improper posture. About 50% of participants stated they had performed hard manual work because they did not have any knowledge about the effects and consequences of it. The rest of participants mentioned other factors such as lack of belief, positive attitude, skills and social support. This study proposes that in addition to knowledge, factors such as attitude, perceptions and beliefs of patients should be considered in health education planning