Effect of educational program on milk consumption based on the theory of planned behavior among girl students

Background An adequate level of calcium intake during growth years can extensively help to stabilize calcium level and increase bone density. However, calcium intake in female school-age students is low. This study aimed to determine effect of educational programs on milk consumption based on the theory of planned behavior among 7th grade girl students in Kashan city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This studywas interventional quasi‑experimentalresearch. 220 girl students (110 for interventional group and 110 for control group), were selected by simple random sampling from schools in Kashan city, Iran. The researcher-made questionnaire based on theory of planned behavior used for data collection. Interventional programs were performed using lectures, poster, and pamphlet. The questionnaire was completed by the students twice, before and two months after the implementation of educational program. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Results: After the implementation of the educational programs, the rate of milk consumption at home significantly increased among the interventional group (P<0.05). Also, there was a significantly increase in the mean scores of attitude (P < 0.05), subjective norms (P< 0.05), perceived behavioral control (P< 0.05), and intention of milk consumption (P < 0.001) in the interventional group. Conclusion Educational programs based on the theory of planned behavior led to an increase in the scores of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and milk consumption intention among girl students. Thus, educational interventions and programs should be designed and implemented based on the theories of health education

Applying an extended theory of planned behaviour to predict breakfast consumption in adolescents

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Breakfast skipping increases during adolescence and is associated with lower levels of physical activity and weight gain. Theory-based interventions promoting breakfast consumption in adolescents report mixed findings, potentially because of limited research identifying which determinants to target. This study aimed to: (i) utilise the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to identify the relative contribution of attitudes (affective, cognitive and behavioural) to predict intention to eat breakfast and breakfast consumption in adolescents and (ii) determine whether demographic factors moderate the relationship between TPB variables, intention and behaviour. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by 434 students (mean 14+/-0.9 years) measuring breakfast consumption (0-2, 3-6 or 7 days), physical activity levels and TPB measures. Data were analysed by breakfast frequency and demographics using hierarchical and multinomial regression analyses. RESULTS: Breakfast was consumed everyday by 57% of students, with boys more likely to eat a regular breakfast, report higher activity levels and report more positive attitudes towards breakfast than girls (P<0.001). The TPB predicted 58% of the variation in intentions. Overall, the model was predictive of breakfast behaviours (P<0.001), but the relative contribution of TPB constructs varied depending on breakfast frequency. Interactions between gender and intentions were significant when comparing 0-2- and 3-6-day breakfast eaters only highlighting a stronger intention-behaviour relationship for girls. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm that the TPB is a successful model for predicting breakfast intentions and behaviours in adolescents. The potential for a direct effect of attitudes on behaviours should be considered in the implementation and design of breakfast interventions

Motivating and inhibiting factors to oral-dental health behavior in adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Background Oral-dental diseases, especially tooth decay, are among the most common diseases in the world which usually begin in adolescence. Oral health during this period of life has a huge impact on the reduction of dental problems. This study aimed to determine motivating and inhibiting factors to oral-dental health behavior in adolescents. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional which had a descriptive and analytical design was conducted on 10-12th grade students in Kashan city, Iran. Using multi-stage sampling method and based on sampling size formula, a total of 290 of the students were randomly selected from the schools and were enrolled into the study. Then they received a research-made questionnaire containing questions about the knowledge and motivating and inhibiting factors to oral-dental health behavior. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS V.20 by independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Of all, 62.8 of students brushed their teeth at least once a day. Moreover, 11.7 used dental floss once a day and 6.6 visited a dentist every six months. Oral-dental health behavior had a significant relationship with gender (P &lt; 0.05). So that, of all 48.1 percent of boys and, 51.9 percent of girls had oral-dental health behavior score 50 and higher. In addition, there was a significantly negative relationship between inhibiting factors and oral-dental health behavior (P=0.001, r=-0.262). However, no significant relationship was observed between motivating factors and oral-dental health behavior (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion When designing educational plans and interventions for improving oral-dental health behavior in students, it is necessary to adopt measures to enhance motivating factors and eliminate inhibiting factors

Association between Local Illumination and Visual Fatigue among the Research and Development Staffs of Industry

Abstract Aims: Work proper lighting means a safe, healthy and comfort conditions for work under a lighting system that includes qualitative and quantitative features. This study aimed to evaluate the surface local lighting of works and eye fatigue among research and development staffs of an automotive industry. Instrument & Methods: In this descriptive study in Research and Development Department of an automotive industry in 2015, 126 official staffs were selected randomly. A demographic questionnaire and the Visual Fatigue Questionnaire (Persian Version) were used for data gathering. Hagner EC1 Luxmeter was used to measure the local lighting. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software, through descriptive statistics. Findings: The lighting in 382 stations (75.8%) was improper and less than standard. The minimum and maximum intensity of light was between 22.4lux in station 2 (inventory department) and 581lux in station 4 (systems and methods department). The overall intensity in more than 50% units, except the Systems and Methods Department, were less than the standard (300lux). 40.4% of the participants had severe eye fatigue, 28.6% had moderate visual fatigue, 28.6% had low visual fatigue and only 2.4% had no visual fatigue. The average of visual fatigue was 3.50±1.97. Conclusion: The workplace lighting and the eye fatigue of computer users in the Research and Development Department of the studied automotive industry are not in an acceptable condition

The effect of health education based on health belief model on mother's participation for neonatal hypothyroidism screening program

Introduction: Congenital hypothyroidism causes irreversible, irreparable damage and lifelong complications such as mental retardation. Using the Health Belief Model questionnaire, this study aimed to determine the effect of a health education program on mother's participation for neonatal hypothyroidism screening program. Materials and Methods: In the current interventional study, 46 pregnant women from three Health-medicine centers were randomly assigned to an intervention group and 46 pregnant women from three other health centers were assigned to the control group. The Health Belief Model questionnaire assessed perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action. For measuring the scientific validity of the designed tool, there was an expert panel, and for reliability we used Cronbach's Alpha. This questionnaire was completed by both groups before educational intervention. The educational intervention consisted of 4 educational sessions, implemented for the intervention group. After the training, the questionnaire was completed again by both groups. Data analyzed with SPPS software using �2 and ANCOVA. Results: There were statistically significant deferencse between the two groups regarding the perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and cues to action scores after the training sessions (p<0.001). The difference in mean barrier scores of the two groups was not statistically significant after the training sessions (p=0.16). Timely referral by mothers for neonatal hypothyroidism screening was higher in the intervention group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study indicated that educational programs based on Health Belief Model assessment are effective in timely participation of mothers for neonatal screening and its use is strongly recommended in screening programs