The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on Nutritional Performance Related to Gastric Cancer in Rural Women in Northern Regions of Iran.

Gastric cancer is a common cause of cancer death in the world. This study examined 120 rural women. The educational program included four sessions for each group based on the health belief model. The mean age of the women was 34.51 ± 9.16. The mean score of the perceived barriers significantly decreased in the experimental group (11.08 ± 0.37) compared to the control group (14.92 ± 0.42) (P < .001), and the mean score of knowledge, performance and HBM constructs, increased significantly 2 months after the education (P < .001).It is recommended that educational interventions be designed by HBM to improve nutritional behaviors related to GC in the female population.

Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Office Workers: Validating the Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire.

Background: Complaints of the arm, neck, and shoulder (CANS) in the workplace are becoming more prevalent among employees. The Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ) validates upper extremity complaints in 7 domains-including workstation, body posture, break time, job control, job demands, work environment, and social support. The aim of the present study was to translate, adapt, and validate the Persian Version of MUEQ among Iranian office workers. Methods: The psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the MUEQ employed a comprehensive methodological approach comprising face and content validity assessments, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Cronbach's alpha. A panel of 10 experts assessed the face and content validity of the instrument. In the second phase, through a cross-sectional study, the validity and reliability of the questionnaire were measured by CFA and Cronbach's alpha in a sample of 420 people from the target population in Tehran, Iran. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.40 ± 7.80 years. Examination of upper limb complaints showed that neck pain was the most common complaint among office workers, with a prevalence of 65%. The CFA results confirmed the questionnaire's structure, with 59 items grouped into 7 subscales, and with fit indices-comparative fit index, 0. 87; root mean square error of approximation, 0.08; goodness of fit index, 0.9. The questionnaire demonstrated strong internal consistency, as all items exhibited Cronbach's alpha values of ≥0.9. Conclusion: The psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the MUEQ showed that it is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating psychosocial factors in the work environment. Identifying psychosocial factors influential in musculoskeletal problems will lead to better planning to change behavior and design constructive interventions to improve behavior. By addressing psychosocial determinants of musculoskeletal issues at both the individual and organizational levels, we can enhance employees' awareness, self-efficacy, and ability to manage their musculoskeletal health and make informed decisions about their well-being.

The effectiveness of educational program based on health belief model on promotion of puberty health concepts among teen girls: a cross-sectional study in north of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Puberty is a sensitive critical stage of human life. As numerous healthy habits and behaviors are created during adolescence, correct health education during puberty is essential to maintain and improve an individual's physical, emotional, and mental health. The present study aimed to determine the impact of educational intervention based on the predictors of the Health Belief Model (HBM) on female nine-grade students' health behaviors in Rasht, Iran. METHODS: The present randomized controlled trial study examined 110 female nine-grade students. Multi-stage sampling was performed, and the students were randomly divided into two groups of 55 as intervention and control. The data collection tool included a valid and reliable questionnaire with four sections, namely demographic variables, knowledge, HBM constructs, and health behaviors during puberty. The educational program comprised four 45-60-min sessions per group (4 groups of 13) based on HBM. The data were collected two times, before and 1 month after the educational intervention, and were analyzed using the independent t-test, paired t-test, chi-square test, and SPSS 23. RESULTS: The mean age of menarche was 12.26 ± 1.133 in the intervention group and 12.12 ± 1.263 in the control group. The family was a source of information for students and the main cue to action before the intervention. Before the educational intervention, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of knowledge, HBM constructs, and puberty health behaviors; however, the variables increased significantly in the intervention group after educational intervention (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the effectiveness of the HBM in improving the health behavior of adolescent girls, it is recommended that health policymakers should plan and implement educational interventions in this field.

Exploring the facilitators and barriers to high-risk behaviors among school transportation drivers: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: School transportation (ST) crashes are associated with serious adverse consequences, particularly for students in developing countries. High-risk behaviors (HRBs) of ST drivers are a major factor contributing to ST crashes. This study aimed at exploring the facilitators and barriers to HRBs among ST drivers. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in 2019-2020. Participants were ST drivers, students, parents, and school staff purposively selected from Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and were concurrently analyzed through conventional content analysis. FINDINGS: Participants were fifteen ST drivers with a mean age of 45 ± 10.2 years and 24 students, parents, and school staff with a mean age of 28.62 ± 16.08 years. The facilitators and barriers to HRBs came into five main categories, namely previous experiences of HRBs, perceived gains and risks of HRBs, motivating and inhibiting feelings and emotions, positive and negative subjective norms, and perceived mastery in driving. CONCLUSION: A wide range of facilitators and barriers can affect HRBs among ST drivers. Strategies for preventing HRBs among ST drivers should be multidimensional and individualized and should focus on strengthening the barriers and removing the facilitators to HRBs.

Investigation of factors related to the behavior of reporting clinical errors in nurses working in educational and medical centers in Rasht city, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Report of medical error is one of the effective components in the quality of healthcare services. A significant part of medical errors can be prevented by acting appropriately. The theory of planned behavior offers a framework in which the nurse intention to perform the behavior of error reporting is investigated. This study was conducted to determine the factors related to the behavior of reporting clinical errors in nurses working in educational and medical centers in Rasht based on the theory of planned behavior in 2020. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical study, 326 nurses in all medical centers in Rasht were selected by the multi-stage random sampling method. Data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS software, analysis of variance, correlation, and linear regression. RESULTS: 39% of nurses reported that they had reported a medical error, and the average number of error reports per nurse during the last 3 months was 1.42 errors. The predictive power of the theory of behavioral intention was 47%, and predictive constructs were attitude (B = .43), perceived behavioral control (B = .33), and subjective norm (B = .04) using linear regression. The predictive power of the theory for nurses' behavior was 3.1%. None of the demographic variables played a role in predicting the behavior of nurses' reporting clinical error, and no behavioral intention predicted the behavior of nurses' reporting clinical errors. CONCLUSION: The theory of planned behavior expresses the factors affecting the behavior intention of nurses' reporting clinical errors satisfactorily. However, it was an inappropriate theory in behavior prediction. It appears that factors, such as fear of consequences of error reporting, social pressures by colleagues and officials, and lack of knowledge and skills required to identify medical errors, are the barriers to conversion of intention to the behavior of reporting clinical errors. It is necessary to provide the ground to increase nurses' report of clinical errors by acting appropriately.

Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine in an Iranian Population: Assessment of Attitudes, Perceived Benefits, and Barriers.

Background: To significantly reduce the disease and mortality from the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), a safe and effective vaccine must be widely delivered to the community. However, the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19 does not ensure that individuals will want to be vaccinated. The present study investigated the attitudes, perceived barriers, and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as vaccination intentions, among a sample of Iranian adults. Methods: Demographic data were categorized in this study based on whether or not participants received the vaccine. Drawn from a multistage sampling protocol in 2021, a descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 1350 adults in Saveh, Iran. A survey with 5 different sections inquired about eligible participants' sociodemographic information, their attitudes, perceived benefits, and barriers, as well as their intentions to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression analysis (enter method) was performed to assess factors related to vaccination intent. Results: The mean age of those who intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (57.9±19.2) was significantly higher than those who did not intend to receive the vaccine (43.4±16.8) ( p =0.00). Additionally, married individuals were significantly more likely to receive the vaccine than individuals who were single and/or widowed. Additionally, (n=663) substantially more homemakers and retirees received vaccinations than workers and self-employed individuals (n=481) ( p =0.001). Findings revealed that 78% of participants intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple unconditional logistic regression analyses showed that age and marital status, as well as the behavioral variables (attitude odds ratio [OR]=1.73, benefits OR=1.78, and perceived Barriers OR=0.52), had a significant relationship with vaccination intentions ( p =0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that to increase intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, public health campaigns and interventions should focus on promoting the benefits of the vaccine, improving the attitudes toward the vaccine, as well as reducing the perceived barriers.

Non-Adherence to Preventive Behaviors and the Risk of COVID-19: A Comparative Study.

Background: Transmission routes of COVID-19 have been well identified and documented. Considering the high prevalence of the Covid-19 and its impacts on the population, this study aimed to assess the status of preventive behaviors against coronavirus infection and estimate the odds of its transmission routes among people. Methods: A comparative study was conducted from March to April 2021. A total of 1256 participants were randomly selected, including 262 COVID-19 patients and 994 healthy people from 10 counties in Khuzestan, southwest Iran. A two-part questionnaire was used for data collection that included items on demographic and adherence to preventive behaviors. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS 18.0.0 applying logistic regression. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.60±11.48 years (female: 36.49±11.15 years; male: 38.86±11.74 years). The results showed that having contact with infected patient at home (OR = 4.90, 95%CI = 3.32-7.25), going to the hospital for not-necessary medical reasons (OR = 4.47, 95%CI = 3.05-6.55), leaving home for essential daily services (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.63-3.81), and going to doctors' office (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.20-2.63) could increase the odds of infection. Conclusion: The findings suggest that different factors are responsible for the increased spread of the Covid-19. Indeed, since the intervention for every single factor will have a small contribution to reducing the prevalence of the disease, it seems essential to design comprehensive interventions while emphasizing isolation and contacts tracing. The study provides evidence for multi-level and multi-faceted policy and interventions for promoting adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Factors related to preventive COVID-19 behaviors using health belief model among general population: a cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become one of the biggest challenges to global health and economy. The present study aimed to explore the factors related to preventive health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan Province, South of Iran, using the Health Belief Model (HBM). METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between July 2020 and September 2020. A total of 1090 people from Khuzestan province participated in the study. The data collection method included a multistage cluster sampling method with a random selection of provincial of health centers. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic information and HBM constructs (e.g., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, hierarchical multiple linear regression, and SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 35.53 ± 11.53, more than half of them were female (61.6%) and married (65.3). The results showed that 27% of the variance in the COVID-19 preventive behaviors was explained by HBM constructs. The regression analysis indicated that female gender (ß = 0.11), perceived benefits (ß = 0.10), perceived barriers (ß = - 0.18), external cues to action (ß = 0.25), and internal cues to action (ß = 0.12) were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Designing an educational intervention on the basis of HBM might be considered as a framework for the correction of beliefs and adherence to COVID-19 behavior. Health information campaigns need to (1) emphasize the benefits of preventive behaviors including avoiding the likelihood of getting a chronic disease and complications of the disease, (2) highlight the tips and advice to overcome the barriers (3) provide cues to action by means of showing various reminders in social media (4) focusing on adoption of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors, especially among men.

A quasi-experimental study to improve health service quality: implementing communication and self-efficacy skills training to primary healthcare workers in two counties in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Service satisfaction ratings from clients are a good indicator of service quality. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of communication skills and self-efficacy training for healthcare workers on clients' satisfaction. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in health centers of Saveh University of Medical Science in Iran. Primary Healthcare (PHC; N = 105) workers and service recipients (N = 364) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received four 90-min training sessions consisting of lecture, film screening, role-playing, and discussion group. Before and 3 months after the intervention, a multi-part questionnaire (including demographics, self-efficacy and communication skills in PHC workers; and satisfaction questionnaire in service recipients) was completed by participants in both intervention and control groups. RESULTS: PHC worker mean scores of self-efficacy and communication skills after the educational program were increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, mean satisfaction scores for service recipients of the intervention group (PHC workers) generally significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The educational program improved the self-efficacy, and communication skills in health workers and improved client satisfaction overall. Our results support the application of self-efficacy and communication skills training for other medical groups who wish to improve clients satisfaction as an important health services outcome.

Poor oral health-related quality of life among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impacts of oral health determinants (eg frequency of brushing < 2 day, poor life style and non-white ethnicity) and clinical oral caries indices (eg Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT)) and periodontal disease) on Poor Quality of Life (PQoL) among PW. METHODS: The search strategy was restricted to publications in English before 1 December 2019 in the PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science databases. We only included oral diseases considered as public health issues with a global burden. As a result, investigations reporting the frequency of brushing, poor lifestyle behaviours, non-white ethnicity, DMFT scores and periodontal disease as an outcome were included. The two reviewers resolved any disagreements. Reviewers analysed the full texts, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Also, a manual search of the reference lists was performed on all the selected studies. RESULTS: In total, 11 publications were included in the meta-analysis. Findings indicate a positive association between non-white ethnicity and PQoL among PW. Among PW, those who had non-white ethnicity were 1.43 times more likely to have PQoL (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.70). A positive association between DMFT and poor QoL among PW was also observed. Those who has suffered DMFT were 1.4 times more likely to have poor QoL (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.55). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this meta-analysis support the need for behavioural interventions for improving oral hygiene in expectant mothers. This could help to decrease periodontal conditions and improve their oral and general life quality.

Evaluating the effect of an educational program on increasing cervical cancer screening behavior among rural women in Guilan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the major health problems and the third prevalent cancer in women all around the world. As a simple, inexpensive, and with no side-effects, Pap test is a reliable way to screen cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate, the effects of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on doing Pap smear tests among the rural women of the north of Iran. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental study, 160 rural women were randomly divided into control and experimental groups to experience a three-session intervention. The experimental group received the usual educational programs of rural health center and educational programs based on the HBM constructs through personal consultation, asking/answering questions, and an educational pamphlet. The control group, received the usual educational programs of rural health center. The post-test data were collected 2 months after the intervention and analyzed in SPSS-18. RESULTS: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the control and experimental groups regarding the mean score of knowledge, performance and constructs of the HBM. After the intervention, however, there was a significant difference in the mean scores of knowledge performance and all constructs of the HBM in two groups (p < 0.001). Rate of doing the Pap smear test in the experimental group increased from 18.7 to 78.7% in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: These findings support the effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention programs based on the HBM. Therefore, conducting similar programs in other regions is recommended.

Oral health behavior among school children aged 11-13 years in Saveh, Iran: an evaluation of a theory-driven intervention.

BACKGROUND: Good oral health (OH) is essential for physical, social, mental health, and overall quality of life. This study assessed the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in changing oral health-related behaviors among school children aged 11-13 years in Saveh, Iran. METHODS: In this descriptive before and after study, participants were sixth-grade students at single sex primary schools in Saveh city, Iran. We recruited 356 school children in 2019. Using simple random sampling, a male and a female school per district were allocated to the experimental group and the remaining schools to the control group. Our planned oral health education consisted of four one-hour training sessions over 1 week. The first session familiarized the participants with important information about OH. In the second session, we applied a brain storming exercise to identify the benefits and barriers to flossing and brushing. In the third session, a short film about correct brushing and dental flossing technique was shown and research team also used role-playing to correct any mistakes. In the final session students were taught about the importance and the application of OH planning and given forms to help plan for brushing. RESULTS: Participants for the study included 356 students (180 in the experimental group and 176 in the control group) who completed the post-test questionnaire. The mean age ± standard deviation was 11.55 years ±0.93 in the experimental group and 11.58 years ±1.01 in the control group. After the intervention, the paired t-test indicated a significant difference between the mean and standard deviation of the action plan and coping plan constructs in the experimental group before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Covariance analysis indicated a significant difference between scores of intervention and control groups under statistical control of post-test in two groups (covariate) after a peer-led education program (post-test) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A shortage of professional health workers in education settings together with the ease, usefulness and low-cost of this peer-led method, suggest further steps should be taken to implement it more widely to improve and enhance primary school aged students' oral health behavior.

Risk factors associated with self-medication among women in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a public health concern that may create several problems such as increase in drug resistance, raise in drug use per capita, and creating side effects. This study was conducted to determine predictors of self-medication based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among the Iranian women. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study. A sample of married women completed a validated, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on demographic variables, knowledge, and TPB structures, and the checklist of women's self-medication practices. The study was conducted in six urban health centers of Shush and Zarandieh in Iran during January to July 2016. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 applying t-test and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 360 women took part in the study. The results showed that 76% of women had a history of self-medication and 98.9% stored drugs at home. The most important reasons for self-medication were perceived self-medication harmless (41%), having history of a disease (35.5%), and availability of medications at home (34%). The most frequent diseases for self-medication were fatigue, weakness, and anxiety (24%), and fever (20%). The results obtained form logistic regression analysis indicated that age, place of residence, education level, health insurance status, as well as all constructs of the TPB were significant predictors for self-medication. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the prevalence of self-medication among Iranian women was high. Since women have important role in shaping the family health, the issue of high prevalence among this population should be considered as a serious problem in Iran. In this regard, it is recommended to consider factors affecting self-medication among women to reduce this health threatening factors.

Epidemiology of childhood overweight, obesity and their related factors in a sample of preschool children from Central Iran.

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity are strongly associated with the psychological and physical health of those for the duration of the lifetime. The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of childhood overweight and obesity and their related factors in Zarandieh city, of Iran, in 2017. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 572 preschool-mother dyads from primary care Clinics were selected by multi-stage sampling method. BMI of the children and mothers were calculated using standard method and the demographic, children nutrition and physical activity habits; the mothers perceived threat toward obesity, and their life style data were collected by self-report questionnaires for the literate mothers and interviewing for illiterate mothers. RESULT: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in mothers was 30.8 and 20.3% respectively. This rate in children was 15.5 and 9.9% respectively. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that variables of mother's BMI, Birth weight, Mother's employment, watching TV > 2 h/day, Computer games> 2 h/day and daily breakfast eating (≥4/week), perceived threat, health responsibility, stress management, physical activity, and healthy eating were the significant predictors of the child's BMI respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity are high in preschool children and their mothers. It seems that necessary to have suitable intervention programs to help mothers understand the serious risk of childhood obesity and the importance of creating a healthy lifestyle by them in childhood.

The effect of presence of family members on the anxiety level of candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anxiety and its control is a public health problem worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the effect of family members' presence on the anxiety level of patients who were candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was performed in Shahid Chamran hospital in city of Saveh in IR Iran. In this study, 96 patients who were candidates for EGD and met the inclusion criteria were assigned into control and intervention groups by simple random sampling method. The demographic questionnaire and Spiel Berger's State and Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI) were used to measure anxiety. Results: No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the mean level of anxiety before intervention (p= 0.13). After intervention, the level of anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group (p= 0.001). However, the mean level of anxiety was not significant in the control group after intervention (p= 0.09). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the presence of family members during endoscopy may reduce the patient's anxiety level, and thus it is recommended as a non-pharmaceutical, beneficial, and safe intervention.

Nutrition modification aimed at enhancing dietary iron and folic acid intake: an application of health belief model in practice.

Background: The amount of calories and nutrients required for woman increase during pregnancy and Intake adequate amounts of nutrients is essential for the health of mother and foetal. This study was designed to investigate the effect of nutrition education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on calories, iron and folic acid intake for pregnant women. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 76 pregnant women referring to four urban health centres of Khuzestan at 2015. Two education sessions were held covering items on nutrition during pregnancy. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, HBM questionnaire (CVI= 0.89, CVI = 0.83 and Cronbach's alpha = 0.84) and 3-day food record form. Data collection tool was valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire based on the HBM. Data analysis was done applying Chi-squared t -test, Mann-Whitney U -test and Wilcoxon test using SPSS 15. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the mean of calories, iron and folic acid intake in both groups. But after intervention, it was significant ( P <0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of health belief model constructs ( P > 0.05), but the difference was significant after intervention ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: Educational intervention strategies based on HBM can improve dietary iron and folic acid intake in pregnant women in primary health care setting. Since anaemia is one of the leading indirect causes of maternal mortality and it is easily preventable, our findings have critical public health implications and perhaps might be used in evidence-based decision making by authority bodies.

Determinants of adherence to self-care behavior among women with type 2 diabetes: an explanation based on health belief model.

BACKGROUND: Self-care is an essential element in treating a person with diabetes; and managing diabetes is of prime importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of adherence to self-care behavior among women with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 female patients aged 30 to 60. Data collection tool was an anonymous valid and reliable questionnaire designed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), which acquired information about the followings: Perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and diabetes self-care behavior. Data were analyzed by t-test, chisquare and regression analysis. RESULTS: The multiple regression models revealed 59.9% of the variance of self-care behavior with self-efficacy, perceived barrier, benefit and susceptibility. Additionally, the highest weight for ß (ß=0.87) was found for self-efficacy. Self-care behavior was positively correlated with all HBM variables except for perceived barriers showing a negative correlation. CONCLUSION: The Health Belief Model may be used as a framework to design intervention programs in an attempt to improve adherence to self-care behaviors of women with diabetes. In addition, the results indicated that self-efficacy might play a more crucial role in developing self-care behaviors than t other HBM components. Therefore, if the focus is placed on self-efficacy when developing educational programs, it may increase the likelihood of adherence to self-care behavior.

Does the theory-driven program affect the risky behavior of drug injecting users in a healthy city? A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The horror of HIV/AIDS as a non-curable, grueling disease is a destructive issue for every country. Drug use, shared needles and unsafe sex are closely linked to the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Modification or changing unhealthy behavior through educational programs can lead to HIV prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of theory-based education intervention on HIV prevention transmission in drug addicts. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 69 male drug injecting users were entered in to the theory- based educational intervention. Data were collected using a questionnaire, before and 3 months after four sessions (group discussions, lecture, film displaying and role play) of educational intervention. RESULTS: The findings signified that the mean scores of constructs (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity and benefit) significantly increased after the educational intervention, and the perceived barriers decreased (p< 0.001). Also, the history of HIV testing was reported to be 9% before the intervention, while the rate increased to 88% after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The present research offers a primary founding for planning and implementing a theory based educational program to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in drug injecting addicts. This research revealed that health educational intervention improved preventive behaviors and the knowledge of HIV/AIDS participants.

Correlation between compliance regimens with health locus of control in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological changes leading to chronic diseases are becoming more important day by day. Hypertension is also known as a chronic disease. Worldwide prevalence of hypertension have caused serious complications. The disease has become a health problem in all communities. This research aims at analyze the correlation between compliance with the treatment regimen and health locus of control in hypertension patients. METHODS: In this study, 130 patients diagnosed with high blood pressure have been included using convenience sampling. Information has been gathered including demographic data, compliance with the treatment regimen and health locus of control. The patient's blood pressure was measured twice and the mean was compared with the first blood pressure recorded in medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: The results showed that there is a direct correlation between the adherence to the treatment regimen with internal health locus of control. In patients with internal health locus of control, better compliance with treatment regimen was detected. CONCLUSION: Health locus of control is associated with treatment regimen. Considering health locus control can help nurses and managers in their health programs and also can motivate patients to participate in their self-care and improve patients care quality.