24 research outputs found
Health Literacy of Employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and Related Demographic Factors
Background and Objective: One of the important determinants of health in every society is health literacy. The present study was conducted to determine health literacy status of employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and related factors.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 among 188 employees in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), which was completed through self-report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression in SPSS version 22.
Results: Most of the participants )74.5%( received health-related information through the Internet. Among the five dimensions of health literacy, the comprehension dimension of health information was more desirable. The highest correlation coefficient between health literacy dimensions was related to the relationship between comprehension and decision-making (r=0.582, P<0.01). On average, health literacy of employees was borderline, and age, marital status, educational status, and sources of information were predictors of health literacy (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Overall, the results of the study showed that the average health literacy of employees was borderline. It seems that interventions based on demographic characteristics are required to improve the health literacy status of employees
The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study
Background & Objectives: Social determinants play a major role in people's health. Accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying information about social determinants of health enable people to play an active role in creating a healthier environment for themselves, their families, and their communities. The present study aimed to determine the health literacy level in social determinants of health among employees of the Health Department of Arak University of Medical Sciences and its related factors.
Methods: The study was conducted as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional survey study on 200 employees selected from Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2019, through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy on Social Determinants of Health Questionnaire (HL-SDHQ). One-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, and linear regression were used to analyze the data through SPSS (v 16).
Results: The participants’ health literacy was mostly moderate (67.5%) and only 19% of participants had the desired level of health literacy. Among the dimensions of health literacy, the understanding of information was more desirable. Among the demographic variables, age was predictor of health literacy (β = -0.28).
Conclusion: It is necessary to implement more specific educational sessions on how the social determinants affect people's health. Also, it is essential to train employees in executive strategies appropriate for their job duties to influence the determinants.
Key¬words: Health Literacy, Social Determinants of Health, Employees, Health Department, University of Medical Sciences
Citation: Moeini B, Rezapur-Shahkolai F, Barati M, Vesali-Monfared E, Parsamajd S, Ezzati Rastegar K. The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Based Research 2021; 6(2): 197-207. [In Persian
Exploring the Perspectives of Faculty Members and PhD Students on Career Prospects and Professional Development: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: Universities are academic centers that induce changes in society and students and professors are the most important elements of both the university and society. Therefore, understanding their views about career prospects is of particular importance. Besides, professional development refers to improving the job position along with increasing responsibility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the views of PhD students and faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences about career prospects and professional development using a qualitative study approach. Methods: This study was conducted using a content analysis approach. The participants were faculty members and PhD students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2016-2017. They were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the participants. In total, 23 PhD students were interviewed at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Each interview lasted from 30 to 45 minutes. Results: The two main themes (concern for the future and meeting individual needs) and four subthemes were extracted from the PhD students’ data and two main themes (interest in pursuing studies and the inconsistency and inefficiency of educational and professional systems) and three subthemes emerged from the faculty members’ data. Conclusion: Given the insights from this study, managers of the health system are recommended to pay special attention to ensuring students' career prospects through successful planning for training capable human resources, reforming the educational structure fitting the work environment, teaching entrepreneurial skills, and creating effective employment conditions. Besides, faculty members are among the components of the educational structure of the country, and paying attention to their progress is essential to increase their productivity. Therefore, it is important to recognize the factors affecting their job satisfaction and progress and their optimal performance
Injury prevention and safety promotion in rural communities : Contribution of community health workers and an injury data registry system in Iran
Injuries affecting people from the rural populations of middle-income
countries are poorly documented and so are people health care seeking
behaviour and their views and concern about injury prevention. The aim of
this thesis, based on studies conducted in rural areas of the Twiserkan
district (Iran) is to increase knowledge about injury epidemiology and
the potential contribution of community health workers to the control and
prevention of injuries.
A retrospective interview-based study including the victims of all
unintentional injuries leading to hospitalization or death that had
occurred within a twelve month period was first conducted (134 injuries
from 117 households). Both injury circumstances and opinions about
potential means of prevention were documented. A community-based
household survey was also conducted on a cluster sample of 759 households
so as to assess the frequency of occurrence of injuries of various
severity levels, determine people injury-related healthcare seeking
behaviour, and people s views about possible prevention measures.
Thereafter, all community health workers (known as Behvarzes) from the
district (over 100) were enrolled in a prospective six-month injury
registration project during which they conducted injury analysis,
proposed preventive measures, and identified their implementation
barriers. These studies showed the injury incidence rates in the rural
community of Twiserkan varied and decreased with severity level. Road
traffic injuries (RTIs) were the most important injury mechanism, and
motorcycle, the most common mode of transportation of the victims. Most
people with severe injuries and nearly half of those with moderate ones
went first to the hospital; all those with minor injuries sought care
initially at the local health house. Common suggestions made by injured
and non-injured people for prevention were engineering changes (under the
responsibility of the authorities), safety education (responsibility of
the Behvarzes), and safe behaviour/practice together with better
cooperation (by citizens). Behvarzes emphasized the adoption of safe
behaviour/practice as an important means for RTI prevention, with a focus
on motorcycle helmet use and compliance with traffic rules. They also
raised the need for engineering, law enforcement, and education. They saw
their own contribution as being health and safety educators and
promoters.
A complementary study on the injury data registry system in place as
perceived by various stakeholders from the national, provincial, and
district levels indicated the system is acceptable for Behvarzes to work
with and a useful tool for them to use for educational purposes in the
local community. The most important facilitator of the system agreed upon
was the fact that Behvarzes come from the area. The Behvarzes high
workload is regarded as a potential barrier for them to their commitment
in the system and their health services to the people.
In conclusion, injuries in general and RTIs in particular are important
health problems in the rural areas. Behvarzes can play an important role
in injury surveillance and in identifying context-relevant means of
prevention that they or other actors may then implement
Fatal Road Traffic Injuries in Hamadan Province, Iran
Introduction: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are important health problems in the world and particularly in the low and middle-income countries. The prevention of RTIs needs vast coordinated and comprehensive efforts. Iran has one of the highest number of deaths due to the RTIs in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal RTIs in Hamadan Province, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hamadan province of Iran, during a 24-month period, from 21 March 2009 to 20 March 2011. The data of fatal injuries were obtained from the Forensic Medicine Department of Hamadan province. The data were analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences (version16).
Results: This study showed that a number of 1434 road traffic related mortality was reported during two years, including 730 in 21 March 2009 to 20 March 2010 and 704 in 21 March 2010 to 20 March 2011. The highest number of deaths occurred among men (78.66%) and in the age group of 21-40 years (38%). The highest number of deaths occurred among the illiterate and low-literate individuals (52.1%); whereas, the lowest number of deaths occurred among people with university education (9.13%). Furthermore, the most fatal crashes occurred in the summer (35.56%). The head injuries were the most common cause of fatal RTIs (50.20%). The most of the vehicles which were involved with crash related deaths were car and the most of the deaths occurred in the scenes of crashes (48.39%). This study showed that the highest number of deaths occurred among drivers (40.65%) and were on the roads outside the cities (65.13%).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that RITs should be regarded as important health problems. Their characteristics, which were determined in this study, can help to develop more appropriate intervention programs.
 
Effect of an Educational Program Based on the Health Belief Model to Reduce Cell Phone Usage During Driving in Taxi drivers
Introduction: Cell phone usage during driving has become a threat to traffic safety. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an educational program based on the health belief model to reduce cell phone usage during driving in taxi drivers of Tuyserkan.
Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 taxi drivers younger than 35 years were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups in Tuyserkan, Iran. Data was collected using a questionnaire including the health belief model constructs, knowledge, behaviors of using cell phone and demographic variables. The questionnaires were self-reported. Intervention was three sessions applied in the experimental group. Both groups were followed for two months after the intervention. Finally, data analysis was performed using SPSS- 19 by Chi-square, Independent T-test, Paired T-test and McNemar.
Results: The mean scores for the constructs of health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy and cues to action), knowledge and desired behaviors about the use of cell phone during driving showed no significant differences between the two groups before the intervention. After the educational intervention, significant differences were observed in experimental group compared to control group. After educational intervention, cell phone usage reduced by 35.14% in the experimental group.
Conclusion: An educational intervention based on the health belief model could reduce cell phone usage during driving in taxi drivers
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
Dimensions of aberrant driving behaviors and their association with road traffic injuries among drivers.
ObjectiveRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) are recognized as one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Human behavior is reportedly one of the critical factors in the occurrence of such injuries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of abnormal driving behaviors with the frequency and severity of RTIs among drivers in Hamadan, west of Iran.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 people driving, who were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a three-part self-administered questionnaire including demographic, social and driving characteristics; the Manchester driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ); as well as information on a history of the occurrence of the injuries caused by the crashes and the severity of them. Data were statistically analyzed using numerical indices, linear regression analysis, Pearson correlation, ordinal logistic regression model and multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThe highest and lowest mean percentages of abnormal driving behavior were related to unintentional violations (19.13) and Lapses (16.44), respectively. "Changing radio stations and listening to music while driving", "overtaking a driver who drives slowly", and "unintentionally exceeding the speed limit" were the three highest behaviors associated with road traffic injuries, with the mean and standard deviation of (1.93 ± 1.4), (1.90±1.4), (1.58±1.3), respectively. Age, gender, educational level, driving experience and driving hours during the day were significantly associated with DBQ dimensions and severity of road traffic injuries.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that socio-demographic characteristics were significantly correlated with driving behavior. In addition, driving behaviors were correlated with traffic crashes and the resulting injuries. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop driving behavior interventions among the drivers
Factors Affecting the Consumption of Fast Foods Among Women Based on the Social Cognitive Theory
Introduction: Fast-food consumption among Iranian families appears to be increasing probably due to urbanization, popularization of western-style diets and increased women's labor force participation. Few theory-based investigations have assessed the determinants of fast food consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of fast food consumption, based on the social cognitive theory (SCT) among women referred to health centers in Hamadan, West of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using structured self-administered questionnaires on 384 women referred to 10 health centers in Hamadan city, Western of Iran. Health center was considered as a sampling unit and systematic random sampling method was applied to select health centers. Participants filled a questionnaire containing SCT constructs, an eight-item food frequency questionnaire, and demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed by independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression using SPSS-16.
Results: The model could explain 21% of the variance in frequency of fast food consumption. Outcome expectations (p=0.04) and availability (p< 0.001) were the significant predictors. The career status of women was the only related demographic characteristic (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Interventions aimed to change outcome expectations and introducing nutritious alternatives to fast food could be promising to decrease the rate of fast-food consumption