Design and evaluation of a theory-based intervention of knowledge and perceptions to improve self-care amongst relatives of esophageal cancer patients: A randomised controlled trial study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer, as one of the most unknown cancers, is largely preventable through lifestyle modifications. In this study, a theory-based intervention will be designed and evaluated on the knowledge and perceptions of relatives of patients with cancer to improve their self-care. METHODS: This research will be carried out in two phases in Golestan province, located in north of Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire will be designed based on the extended parallel process model using a detailed literature review and the panel of experts' opinions. This questionnaire will aim to investigate the levels of knowledge, perception, and practice of respondents regarding esophageal cancer. Later, a comprehensive program will be designed over esophageal cancer self-care based on the information collected from the questionnaire, the information obtained from detailed literature review, and the experts' opinions. The second phase of the study will include implementation of an educational intervention with pretest-posttest design using the intervention and control groups to measure the effectiveness of this educational program on the knowledge, perception, and practice of the patients' relatives. DISCUSSION: The findings will provide valuable evidences regarding the efficacy of the educational intervention and will help the participants to improve their self-care behaviours. Consequently, policy-makers and planners can use the results to set appropriate policies.

The Predictive Effects of Protection Motivation Theory on Intention and Behaviour of Physical Activity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Theory-based education tailored to target behaviour and group can be effective in promoting physical activity. AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive power of Protection Motivation Theory on intent and behaviour of Physical Activity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted on 250 patients in Rafsanjan, Iran. To examine the scores of protection motivation theory structures, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. Its validity and reliability were confirmed. The level of physical activity was also measured by the International Short - form Physical Activity Inventory. Its validity and reliability were also approved. Data were analysed by statistical tests including correlation coefficient, chi-square, logistic regression and linear regression. RESULTS: The results revealed that there was a significant correlation between all the protection motivation theory constructs and the intention to do physical activity. The results showed that the Theory structures were able to predict 60% of the variance of physical activity intention. The results of logistic regression demonstrated that increase in the score of physical activity intent and self - efficacy increased the chance of higher level of physical activity by 3.4 and 1.5 times, respectively OR = (3.39, 1.54). CONCLUSION: Considering the ability of protection motivation theory structures to explain the physical activity behaviour, interventional designs are suggested based on the structures of this theory, especially to improve self -efficacy as the most powerful factor in predicting physical activity intention and behaviour.

Determinants of seat belt use among drivers in Sabzevar, Iran: a comparison of theory of planned behavior and health belief model.

OBJECTIVE: Although seat belt use can significantly decrease the risk of injury, few car drivers make use of seat belts in Iran. The aim of this study was to test the utility and efficiencyof the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the health beliefmodel (HBM) in predicting intention to use a seat belt among car drivers in Sabzevar, Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. Cluster sampling was used to recruit 340 drivers to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to investigate variables of interest. Reliability and validity of the instruments were examined. The statistical analyses of the data included t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), bivariate correlation, and stepwise regression. RESULTS: All TPB and HBM variables were related to intention to use a seat belt in car drivers. All TPB (perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and attitude) and HBM (perceived susceptibility and severity, benefits and barriers, and cues to action) variables were statistically significant predictors of seat belt use intention and accounted for 37.9 and 15.4 percent of the variation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the rate of seat belt use in Iran as a developing country is very low. Thus, developing and implementing effective interventional programs in order to promote seat belt use among car drivers is recommended. The findings of this study provide preliminary support for the TPB model as a more effective framework than HBM for examining seat belt use in car drivers. Our results demonstrated that TPB has greater predictive utility than HBM in seat belt use intention.

Determinants of helmet use behaviour among employed motorcycle riders in Yazd, Iran based on theory of planned behaviour.

This paper reports on predictors of helmet use behaviour, using variables based on the theory of planned behaviour model among the employed motorcycle riders in Yazd-Iran, in an attempt to identify influential factors that may be addressed through intervention efforts. In 2007, a cluster random sample of 130 employed motorcycle riders in the city of Yazd in central Iran, participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the variables of interest (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control, intention along with helmet use behaviour). Reliability and validity of the instruments were examined and approved. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression. Based on the results, 56 out of all the respondents (43.1%) had history of accident by motorcycle. Of these motorcycle riders only 10.7% were wearing their helmet at the time of their accident. Intention and perceived behavioural control showed a significant relationship with helmet use behaviour and perceived behaviour control was the strongest predictor of helmet use intention, followed by subjective norms, and attitude. It was found that that helmet use rate among motorcycle riders was very low. The findings of present study provide a preliminary support for the TPB model as an effective framework for examining helmet use in motorcycle riders. Understanding motorcycle rider's thoughts, feelings and beliefs about helmet use behaviour can assist intervention specialists to develop and implement effective programs in order to promote helmet use among motorcycle riders.