A Study of the Use of Medicinal Plants by Persons With Type 2 Diabetes in Iran.

Medicinal plants are used by many people with Type 2 diabetes in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore why this is so, from their perspective. Sixteen persons with Type 2 diabetes in Yazd City, Iran, were interviewed in April and May 2020 for this study. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of those interviews was done using MAXQDA 10 software. Six themes were identified: beliefs about medicinal plants, psychological factors, accessibility and economic barriers, patients' knowledge and awareness, social pressure, and the role of family culture. The recommendation of the study is that health counselors and specialists should provide needed information and skills for the proper use of medicinal plants, and the pharmaceutical infrastructures need to be expanded to provide enough drugs to facilitate better access to needed medication and reduce reliance on medicinal plants for persons with Type 2 diabetes.

Assessing the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Prevention Campaign in Health Volunteers of Urmia City.

Holding educational campaigns with the purpose of conveying message about one particular behavior in the target group, is one of the society-based educational strategies. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of the Campaign of COVID-19 Prevention on Health Volunteers in Urmia. The present study was a semi-experimental research, in which the sampling was done in a census way with 200 people participated. In this study, which was done as pre- and posttest, the amount of knowledge, attitude and behavior of health volunteers were evaluated by the designed questionnaires. The campaign was held for 2 months, which has benefited from the five methods of pamphlet, banners, films, social networking sites, and educational classes. After the campaign, the knowledge level, attitude and behavior of Health Volunteers increased to 35.1%, 30.09%, and 29.2%, respectively, which was meaningful statistically. Holding the campaign can trigger positive changes in improving the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of health volunteers, leading to the prevention of a plethora of health problems in society.

Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the effect the teach back method on promoting the health literacy of health ambassadors in Urmia County in 2020. METHODS: In the present quasi-experiment, 200 persons over 14 years old participated. They were divided into two research groups, a control (n=100) and an intervention (n=100). The sampling method was simple randomization and the data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of demographic information and health literacy (HELIA). The educational intervention took 4 sessions each 45 minutes in length following the teach back method. The questionnaire-based data were collected once before the intervention and once again three months after the intervention. RESULTS: The present findings showed that 54% of the control group and 50% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy before the intervention(p>0.05). However, after the intervention, 52% of the control and 78% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy. The present findings revealed that the mean scores of health literacy dimensions (access to information, reading, understanding, appraisal, decision-making) and the overall health literacy score were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control (after the intervention). Wilcoxon's test results showed that the mean difference of the overall health literacy scores and the dimensions before and after the intervention were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the light of the present findings, we can conclude that participatory methods and the teach back method can improve health literacy, acquire reliable information and adopt healthy behaviors.

Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial / Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial / Promoção da alfabetização em saúde mediante o método teach-back entre os embaixadores da saúde iranianos: Un ensaio controlado aleatório

Objective. Describe the effect the teach back method on promoting the health literacy of health ambassadors in Urmia County in 2020. Methods. In the present quasi-experiment, 200 persons over 14 years old participated. They were divided into two research groups, a control (n=100) and an intervention (n=100). The sampling method was simple randomization and the data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of demographic information and health literacy (HELIA). The educational intervention took 4 sessions each 45 minutes in length following the teach back method. The questionnaire-based data were collected once before the intervention and once again three months after the intervention. Results. The present findings showed that 54% of the control group and 50% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy before the intervention(p>0.05). However, after the intervention, 52% of the control and 78% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy. The present findings revealed that the mean scores of health literacy dimensions (access to information, reading, understanding, appraisal, decision-making) and the overall health literacy score were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control (after the intervention). Wilcoxon's test results showed that the mean difference of the overall health literacy scores and the dimensions before and after the intervention were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion. In the light of the present findings, we can conclude that participatory methods and the teach back method can improve health literacy, acquire reliable information and adopt healthy behaviors.

Objetivo. Describir el efecto del método teach-back en la promoción de la alfabetización en salud de los embajadores de la salud en el condado de Urmia, Irán en 2020. Métodos. En el presente estudio cuasiexperimental participaron 200 personas mayores de 14 años. Mediante muestreo de aleatorización simple se asignaron los grupos de investigación: de control (n=100) y de intervención (n=100). Se empleó un instrumento para la recogida de datos que contenía información demográfica y el instrumento Health Literacy for Iranian Adults -HELIA-. La intervención educativa consistió en 4 sesiones de 45 minutos, siguiendo el método teach- back. Los datos basados en el cuestionario se recogieron antes de la intervención y tres meses después de la misma. Resultados. Los hallazgos mostraron que el 54% del grupo de control y el 50% del grupo de intervención tenían un nivel bueno o muy bueno de conocimientos sobre alfabetización en salud antes de la intervención (p>0.05). Sin embargo, después de la intervención, el 52% del grupo de control y el 78% del grupo de intervención tenían un nivel bueno o muy bueno de conocimientos sanitarios. Los presentes resultados revelaron que las puntuaciones medias de las dimensiones de la alfabetización en salud acceso a la información, lectura, comprensión, valoración, toma de decisiones y de la puntuación global fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control a los 3 meses después de la intervención. Finalmente, los resultados de la prueba de Wilcoxon mostraron que la diferencia media de las puntuaciones de la alfabetización en salud y de las dimensiones antes y después de la intervención eran estadísticamente significativas (p<0.001). Conclusión. A la luz de los resultados, se pudo concluir que la aplicación del método teach-back puede mejorar los conocimientos sobre la alfabetización en salud, además de ayudar a adquirir información fiable y a adoptar comportamientos saludables.

Objetivo. Descrever o efeito do método teach-back na promoção da alfabetização em saúde dos embaixadores da saúde no condado de Urmia, Irã em 2020. Métodos. No presente estudo quase-experimental participaram 200 pessoas maiores de 14 anos. Mediante amostragem de aleatória simples foram designados aos grupos de investigação: de controle (n=100) e de intervenção (n=100). Se empregou um instrumento para o recolhimento de dados que continha informação demográfica e o instrumento Health Literacy for Iranian Adults -HELIA-. A intervenção educativa consistiu em 4 sessões de 45 minutos, seguindo o método teach- back. Os dados baseados no questionário se recolheram antes da intervenção e três meses depois dela. Resultados. As descobertas mostraram que 54% do grupo de controle e 50% do grupo de intervenção tinham um nível bom ou muito bom de conhecimentos sobre alfabetização em saúde antes da intervenção (p>0.05). Porém, depois da intervenção, 52% do grupo de controle e 78% do grupo de intervenção tinham um nível bom ou muito bom de conhecimentos sanitários. Os presentes resultados revelaram que as pontuações médias das dimensões da alfabetização em saúde acesso à informação, leitura, compreensão, valoração, toma de decisões e da pontuação global foram significativamente maiores no grupo de intervenção que no de controle aos 3 meses depois da intervenção. Finalmente, os resultados da prova de Wilcoxon mostraram que a diferença média das pontuações da alfabetização em saúde e das dimensões antes e depois da intervenção eram estatisticamente significativas (p<0.001). Conclusão. À luz dos resultados, se pôde concluir que a aplicação do método teach-back pode melhorar os conhecimentos sobre a alfabetização em saúde, além de ajudar a adquirir informação confiável e a adotar comportamentos saudáveis.

Facilitators and barriers of herbal medicine use in diabetic patients: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In several countries such as Iran, the use of complementary and alternative medical products like herbal medicine is growing. There is, however, a lack of research on the prospects of herbal medicine patrons regarding facilitators and herbal medicine use barriers. The aim of this study was to explain the facilitators and the barriers of herbal medicine use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted with patients with T2DM from the Yazd Diabetes Research Center, using a semi-structured guide. For the recruitment of T2DM participants who used herbal medicine beside conventional medicine, purposeful sampling was used. Analysis of the data was carried out using the steps proposed by Graneheim and Landman strategies. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were interviewed. There were 2 subjects (facilitators and barriers herbal medicine use), 8 categories, and 89 initial codes. The facilitators included individual preferences, preparation skills, and family support and the factors obstructing the use of herbal medicine included insufficient skills about preparing, lack of easy access to consumption, insufficient of efficacy of herbal medicine, and negative properties of herbal medicine and taking time in preparing herbal medicine. CONCLUSION: Although some people use herbal medicine, the interest in use of herbal medicine is limited because of inadequate awareness of the impact and usage them. Therefore, the use of effective strategy in the integration of herbal remedies with conventional medicine can promote well-being of patients.

Determinants of Sailors' Protective Behaviors in Fishing Spots against the Risks of Sunlight and Skin Cancer: A Qualitative Study in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: The growing rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma has been a great challenge for global health system. The present research aims to determine sailors' protective behaviors against the risks of sunlight and skin cancer in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present research was qualitative in type, and its data were collected from August to December 2019. To this aim, 23 participants were recruited with whom semistructured interviews were held. The data collection continued until data saturation, and the interviews were coded in MAXQDA 10. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. RESULTS: Analysis of sailors' perceptions and experiences revealed 7 categories: protective behaviors, hard personal and familial conditions, social interactions, poor social support, feeling of satisfaction, self-care, and fear. CONCLUSION: Sailors are prone to skin cancer due to their specific work conditions. Perceptions and determinants of skin cancer and protective behaviors against sunlight were identified among sailors. Promotion of protective behaviors and beliefs that impeded preventive behaviors are among issues that require special attention.

Survey COVID-19 among the homeless residents of Isin camp in Bandar Abbas in South of Iran.

BACKGROUND: One way to reduce the burden of early detection of COVID-19 disease is in vulnerable and high-risk groups. The aim of this study was to diagnose and evaluate the disease in the homeless in Southern Iran Bandar Abbas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The target group of this study was 234 homeless people. Census sampling included all homeless residents of Isin camp Bandar Abbas. People were individually examined, and their information was recorded. COVID-19 sampling was done for all as outpatients this year. RESULTS: Eight percent of people were able to answer the questions of awareness about symptoms, ways of transmission, and ways of prevention of COVID-19 disease. Nine percent of the homeless people in the target group stated that they used to wash their hands before settling in the camp. Six percent of homeless people stated that they used face masks before settling in the camp. Fifteen participants showed similar symptoms to COVID-19, yet their test result was negative. However, six people who were asymptomatic ended up afflicted. The mean duration of time (since the emergence of symptoms to the sampling date) was 3 days. The minimum duration of time from the emergence of symptoms to the sampling date was 3 h, and the maximum time was 7 days. CONCLUSION: Considering the spread of the disease, certain social measures need to be taken in society to help take care of these people and transfer them from streets to safe places and provide for their essentials. Diagnostic tests should be done periodically among these people at regular intervals.

Determining Skin Cancer Protective Behaviors in the Light of the Protection Motivation Theory among Sailors in Bandar-Bushehr in the South of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in Iran and worldwide. Due to the nature of work, sailors are constantly exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which in the long run damages their skin and raises the chances of skin cancer. Thus, the present research aimed to predict the skin cancer protective behaviors among sailors in the south of Iran in the light of the protection motivation theory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present analytical, cross-sectional research was conducted on 360 sailors in Bandar-Bushehr selected randomly from 4 border healthcare centers. To collect the required data, a reliable and valid questionnaire based on the protection motivation theory was used. The data were analyzed in SPSS21 using descriptive and inferential statistics including Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant positive correlation between protection motivation, perceived severity, fear, reward on the one hand and a statistically significant negative correlation between protection motivation and rewards and response costs. All constructs of protection motivation explained 43% of the variance of skin cancer protective behaviors. Among the influential predictors, perceived self-efficacy showed to be the strongest (ß=0.328). CONCLUSION: Considering the effectiveness of the protection motivation theory in determining skin cancer preventive behaviors among sailors, it can be concluded that this theory can be used as a framework in planning health education and promotion programs to motivate sailors to adopt more skin cancer protective behaviors.

Do Subjective Norms Predict the Screening of Cancer Patients' First-Degree Relatives? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and preventive measures can reduce the risk of cancer among first degree relatives (FDRs) of cancer patients.Several studies investigated the effect of subjective norm in relation to FDRs' tendency to conduct preventive behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of subjective norms on cancer patients' FDRs as well as their willingness for screening. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus were studied to investigate the effect of subjective norms on preventive measures such as breast cancer self-examination, colonoscopy, PSA testing, skin examination, and genetic testing. Odds Ratio (OR), correlation was and confidence intervals were extracted for meta-analysis. After reviewing the studies, only 16 studies met the criteria to be included in this systematic review. RESULTS: The meta- analysis and OR showed that Physician Recommendation (OR=6.98, 95% CI; 2.55-19.09, P<0.001), Health Care Provider (HCP) (OR=2.79, 95% CI; 1.26-6.16; P=0.011), family and friends (OR=1.82, 95% CI; 1.33-2.50, P <0.001) significantly enhanced the likelihood of referring for screening and preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicated that subjective norms can significantly increase willingness to screening.

Evaluation of Educational intervention on Standard Precautions among Healthcare Provider Based on Health Belief Model

Background and objective: Occupational exposure makes healthcare provider at risk of a variety of infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. This study investigated the effect of educational intervention on standardized precautionary behaviors in healthcare provider based on health belief model, in Jam city, Iran during 2016. Methods: This experimental study was carried out on Tohid hospital staff and health care provider of Jam`s health center. Random stratified sampling based on different occupation designated into two groups, intervention (n=50) and control (n=50). After confirming the validity and reliability of the data collection tool, the educational intervention was examined before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA (SPSS 20). Results: The results revealed that the healthcare provider did not have any previous educational background on standardized precautionary (34.3%). Furthermore, the history of needle stick injuries (42.5%) and contact with patients' body fluids (17.5%) were reported. Educational intervention regarding to standardized precautions in the intervention group was significantly increased the mean score of knowledge constructs, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and behaviors. However, no significant changes were observed in increasing the self-efficacy the score. Conclusion: The results indicate the effectiveness of educational intervention on standard precautionsamong healthcare provider based on health belief model. Educational program based on promotion behavioral pattern in relation to standard precautionsis recommended to the healthcare provider

Evaluating perceived threat of skin cancer and preventive measures in South Iranian sailors: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Sailors are exposed to sunlight as their job requires and are, in the long run, more prone to different types of skin cancer. This study aimed to explore sailors' experience of perceived threat and to show protective behaviors against sunlight in the south of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present follows a qualitative approach and directed content analysis in 2018-2019 among sailors who were selected purposively through an interview procedure. Finally, 22 sailors and 3 patients with skin cancer with an experience of sailing were interviewed until data satiation occurred. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview based on two constructs, perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of protection motivation theory, and were instantly transcribed and read more than once by the present researcher. Simultaneously, the data were entered into MAXQDA 10 for the primary categorization. RESULTS: Data analysis results were classified into 5 categories and 12 subcategories: protective attempts (change of work time and use of protectives), passivity in self-protection (not showing protective behaviors and not examining skin), inadequate perception of affliction risk (beliefs hindering preventive behaviors and low sensitivity), perceived threat to personal and familial conditions (loss of peace and loss of occupational-familial positions), and threat to health (incurable disease and perceived skin disease). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of these factors helps planners to choose the best preventive strategies with a focus on correcting beliefs and promoting protective behaviors as well as examining and screening sailors regularly to diagnose skin cancer. Moreover, to develop practical measures of protective strategies against sunlight among sailors, the required steps should be taken. This can help to reduce the rate of work-related risks while exposed to sunlight in this population.