Design, implementation, and evaluation of self-care program in the prevention of breast cancer among women in Isfahan: a community-based participatory action research protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women in Isfahan, Iran; however, its prevention is not desirable in this city. This disease poses several health, social and economic challenges for women. To promote women's self-care in breast cancer prevention, this study aims to design, implement and evaluate a self-care program among women in Isfahan through using a community-based participatory action research method. METHODS: The present study is based on a community-based participatory action research approach. In this study, the participatory action research includes four general phases of organizing, action planning, action, and rethinking. These phases are summarized as follows: In the organizing phase, the needs of the participants and the action research settings are examined. This means that the current situation is identified and the views of the process owners are assessed. In the action planning phase, using the results of the first phase, some strategies are designed to promote self-care behaviors in the prevention of breast cancer among women in Isfahan. In the implementation phase, the selected strategies are implemented with the help of the process owners. Finally, in the rethinking phase, the results of the implementation of the strategies are monitored and evaluated. This cycle continues until the intended results are achieved. DISCUSSION: Changing the role of individuals from a passive status to an aware and active status in the care process requires motivation, responsibility, and active participation of individuals in the disease control process. Moreover, many cultural and social factors affect the active participation of Iranian women. Therefore, individuals can be involved in promoting their health using a community-based participatory action research approach.

Self-Care Needs in the Domains of Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of Adolescent Girls with Regard to Drug Addiction and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Knowing about sexual issues and substance abuse is crucial for girls in preventing high-risk behaviors in the medical, social, cultural, and evolutional levels. The aim of this study was to determine the self-care needs of adolescent girls in the domains of knowledge, attitude, and performance with regard to drug use and risky sexual behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the secondary schools located in the third district of Isfahan. Data were collected from 384 female students by systematic random sampling on 2019, and using a four-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and self-care needs (knowledge, attitude and performance), drug addiction and unsafe sexual behaviors were measured and then were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: According to the adolescents, "familiarity with infectious diseases caused by drug addiction", "alcohol consumption, drugs and smoking as a way of forgetting problems" and "learning the skills of excitement control," were their first self-care priorities in terms of awareness, attitude, and performance, respectively. Additionally, "understanding the social and mental effects of relationships with the other sex", "separating the children's bedrooms from that of parents" and "ways of caring for personal hygiene in menstruation period and travel time" were considered as their first self-care priorities in terms of knowledge, attitude, and performance with regard to sexual behaviors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, more effective interventions to protect the adolescents from being involved in substance use and sexual harmful behaviors are recommended through the training of self-care needs in adolescents.