Determinants of responsibility for health, spiritual health and interpersonal relationship based on theory of planned behavior in high school girl students

Background: Adolescence is a sensitive period of acquiring normal and abnormal habits for all of life. The study investigates determinants of responsibility for health, spiritual health and interpersonal relations and predictive factors based on the theory of planned behavior in high school girl students in Tabriz. Methods: In this Cross-sectional study, 340 students were selected thorough multi-stage sampling. An author-made questionnaire based on standard questionnaires of Health Promotion and Lifestyle II (HPLPII), spiritual health standards (Palutzian & Ellison) and components of the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention) was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated in a pilot study. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.15 and descriptive and analytical tests (Chi-square test, Pearson correlation co-efficient and liner regression test in backward method). Results: Students' responsibility for health, spiritual health, interpersonal relationships, and concepts of theory of planned behavior was moderate. We found a significant positive correlation (p<0/001) among all concepts of theory of planned behavior. Attitude and perceived behavioral control predicted 35 of intention of behavioral change (p<0.001). Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted 74 of behavioral change in accountability for health (p<0.0001), 56 for behavioral change in spiritual health (p<0.0001) and 63 for behavioral change in interpersonal relationship (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Status of responsibility for health, spiritual health and interpersonal relationships of students was moderate. Hence, behavioral intention and its determinants such as perceived behavioral control should be noted in promoting intervention programs

Study of relationship between illness perception and delay in seeking help for breast cancer patients based on Leventhal's self-regulation model

One of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients is delay in seeking help. Leventhal's self-regulation model provides an appropriate framework to assess delay in seeking help. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between "illness perception" and "help seeking delay" in breast cancer patients based on Leventhal's self-regulation model. In this correlational descriptive study with convenience sampling conducted in 2013, participants were 120 women with breast cancer who were diagnosed in the last year and referred to chemotherapy and radiotherapy centers in Rasht, Iran. Data collection scales included demographic data, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R)and a researcher made questionnaire to measure the delay in seeking help. Pre-hospital delay (help seeking delay) was evaluated in 3 phases (assessment, disease, behavior). The data were analyzed using SPSS- 19. The mean (SD) age calculated for the patients was 47.3±10.2. Some 43 of the patients had a high school or higher education level and 82 were married. The "pre-hospital delay" was reported �3 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that none of the illness perception components were correlated with appraisal and behavioral delay phases. In the illness delay phase, "time line" (p-value =0.04) and "risk factors"(p-value=0.03) had significant effects on reducing and "psychological attributions" had significant effects on increasing the delay (p-value =0.01). "Illness coherence" was correlated with decreased pre-hospital patient delay (p-value < 0.01). Women's perceptions of breast cancer influences delay in seeking help. In addition to verifying the validity of Leventhal's self-regulation model in explaining delay in seeking help, the results signify the importance of the "illness delay phase" (decision to seek help) and educational interventions-counseling for women in the community

Novel molecular targets in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A high mortality rate and resistance to treatment protocols due to a heterogeneous molecular pathogenesis has made discovering the key etiologic molecular alterations of the utmost importance. The remarkable role played by epigenetic modifications in repressing or activating many cancer-related genes and forming new epigenetic signatures can affect cancer initiation and progression. Hence, targeting the key epigenetic drivers could potentially attenuate cancer progression. MLLs, ARID1A and EZH2 are among the major epigenetic players that are frequently mutated in GACs. In this paper, we have proposed the existence of a network between these proteins that, together with PCAF and KDM6A, control the 3D chromatin structure and regulate the expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and oncogenes in GAC. Therefore, we suggest that manipulating the expression of EZH2, PCAF, and KDM6A or their downstream targets may reduce the cancerous phenotype in GAC

Can adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among seafarers be increased via a theory-based mobile phone-based text message intervention? A randomized clinical trial

Background: One of the main occupational hazards for seafarers is the long exposure to sunlight. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a mobile phone-based text message intervention in adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among a sample of seafarers in Genaveh port located in Bushehr province, Iran. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 136 seafarers were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention (n = 68) or a control groups (n = 68). As a theoretical basis, we followed the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) variables to develop the text messages. The data related to PMT variables and skin cancer preventive behaviors were collected through a questionnaire. Forty-five text messages were designed, pre-tested and sent to the seafarers� phones in the intervention group in 45 days. Both groups were followed up 1 month after the intervention. Data collected in the two stages were analyzed using paired-samples t-test, ANCOVA, and Chi-square tests. Results: Following the intervention, the mean scores of adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors (p = 0.001), perceived self-efficacy (p = 0.01), protection motivation (p = 0.02), and fear (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group. There was significant reduction in the response costs (p = 0.05) and perceived rewards (p = 0.01) scores in the intervention group compared with the control group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the perceived vulnerability (p = 0.14), perceived severity (p = 0.09), and response efficacy (p = 0.64) between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusions: The results of the study indicated the effectiveness of mobile phone-based text message intervention for increasing skin cancer preventive behaviors in Iranian seafarers. Trial registration: Iranian Registry for Clinical Trial (the link to trial: https://www.irct.ir/trial/7572). Registered 16 July, 2016. Prospectively registered. © 2021, The Author(s)

Heavy Metals Extraction Potential of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Canola (Brassica napus)

Phytoextraction is a remediation technology that uses plants to remove heavy metals from soil. The success of a phytoextraction process depends on adequate plant yield (aerial parts) and high metal concentrations in plant shoots. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the combination effects of plants [sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and canola (Brassica napus)] with soil treatments (manure, sulfuric acid and DTPA). Treatments, included two plants and seven soil treatments, which were applied baeed on a completely randomized factorial design. Three replicates were used for each treatment.. The largest shoot dry weight biomass production occurred in manure treatments for both plants. The maximum shoot concentrations of Pb and Zn were 234.6 and 1364.4 mg kg-1 respectively in three mmoles DTPA kg-1 treatment of sunflower. Furthermore the results showed that sunflower had a higher extracting potential for removal of Pb and Zn from polluted soil

Does Pethidine Hydrochloride Analgesia in Patients with Acute Appendicitis Alter the Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Evaluation: a Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Prevalence of cancers associated with the use of oral tobacco (OT) is rising very rapidly and prevention of use is the best option to tackle this scenario. This cross-sectional study estimated the proportion of OT use and predictors associated with its initiation and determined the knowledge, attitude A total of 354 students (15-30 years age) in five colleges were interviewed by medical students and completed a peer reviewed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Chi square test and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results.Method: Thirty nine (11.0%) students were lifetime users of smokeless tobacco among which nineteen (5.4%) were occasional users, seven (2.0%) were current users and thirteen (3.6%) fulfilled the criterion for established users. Paan was the most commonly used form of smokeless tobacco followed by Nass. On univariate analysis, lifetime use of smokeless tobacco showed significant associations with the use of cigarettes, student gender (M &gt; F), individual condition (native &gt; guest) and kind of the College (Engineering &gt; Psychology).Results: Although pain scores significantly reduced in pethidine group and there was a significant difference between the pethidine and placebo groups (p&lt;0.05). Pethidine administration did not alter the physical signs, delay time to surgery, or diagnostic accuracy.Conclusion: According to the result of the study, use of pethidine does not affect the accuracy and time of surgical diagnosis and can effectively reduce the pain among patients with acute abdominal pain due to appendicitis.Copyright©2012 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved

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

Effect of health literacy education on self-care in pregnant women: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Prenatal care reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to determine the effect of health literacy education on self-care in pregnant women. Methods: The present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at two comprehensive health service centers in Pakdasht (Tehran province, Iran) during January-June 2016. Out of the ten comprehensive health service centers in the city, two centers were selected using a simple randomized sampling and randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group. From each center, 40 pregnant women were recruited into the study. Dedicated questionnaires on self-care and health literacy during pregnancy were developed by the author as data collection tool. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed using the test-retest reliability method and by the opinion of ten experts, respectively. The questionnaires were completed before the intervention, and at 1 and 2 months after the intervention. The intervention consisted of four 45-minute educational sessions and group counseling. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 16.0) with the independent t test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and repeated measures ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups before the intervention. However, 1 month after the intervention, there was a significant difference (P<0.001) in the mean scores of the total self-care and total health literacy between the control and intervention groups (65±6.23 versus 76.77±4.28 and 30.95±4.63 versus 40±3.54). Similarly, there was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the mean scores 2 months after the intervention. Conclusion: Intervention for the promotion of physical and mental self-care during pregnancy should emphasize on increasing health literacy in computational comprehension, reading comprehension, and behavior. © 2019 Shriaz University of Medical Sciences. All Rights Reserved

Causes and grounds of childbirth fear and coping strategies used by kurdish adolescent pregnant women in iran: A qualitative study

Background: Fear of childbirth is one of the most common problems among pregnant women that can threaten their and their baby's health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the causes and grounds of childbirth fear and the strategies used by pregnant adolescent women in Iran to overcome such fears. Methods: In this study, which was conducted among primiparous Kurdish women in Iran, conventional qualitative content analysis was used. Data were selected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Data saturation was reached with 15 participants. The Lincoln and Guba criteria were used to strengthen the research. Results: After analyzing the data, two main categories were resulted. The first category was fear of childbirth with subcategories of fear of child health, fear of childbirth process, fears about inappropriate medical staff performance, fears about hospital environment, and postpartum fears. The second category was strategies to reduce childbirth fear with subcategories of choosing appropriate medical centers, increasing information on childbirth, avoiding stressful sources, improving self-care, getting prepared for delivery day in advance, and resorting to spirituality. Conclusion: Pregnancy in adult age is better than adolescent age. The women's fear can be reduced by increasing their assurance about child health, providing appropriate training during pregnancy, explaining the whole process of childbirth and making it easier, improving the hospital environment and medical staff specialization, as well as providing appropriate conditions for further care and support after birth. © 2021 Avicenna Research Institute. All rights reserved

Effect of educational intervention based on Self-Efficacy theory (SET) on behavior of prevention of HIV/ AIDS in high risk women

Introduction: Today, Epidemic of HIV / AIDS is one of the most important health, social, economic problems of human and one of the biggest problems and concerns in many countries of the world that its scope and size is still increasing. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of educational intervention based on SET on behaviors of prevention of HIV/ AIDS in high risk and vulnerable women in the city of Neka. Methods: This Quasi- experimental (case-control) study was performed on 70 high risk and vulnerable women referred to Drop-In Centers (DIC) in Sari and Neka. Data was gathered using a researcher-made along with completing questionnaire. According to the results obtained from primary completing of the questionnaire, educational intervention was designed based on the SET and was performed in intervention group. After 3 months of intervention, data of both groups was collected and analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, independent t, and paired t tests. PResults: After educational intervention, use of condom was increased at intervention group (45,7) compared to control group (5,7). The difference between before and after of self- efficacy was significant in intervention group (9.83±0.05) and control group (1.50±2.67) and performance in the intervention group with median and interquartile range of 2.0 (3.0) and control group 0.0 (0.0). In intervention group, there was a significant relation between increase of self-efficacy and increase in performance (P<0,001). Conclusion: Behaviors of prevention of AIDS and self-efficacy is insufficient in the studied women and educational intervention based on the SET can be effective on promotion of self-efficacy and use of condom to prevent from AIDS in these women. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. All rights reserved