The strongest predictors of compliance with health protocols among marketers and guilds based on the transtheoretical model.

BACKGROUND: Global communication, an integral part of modern life, increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to individuals. Based on the transtheoretical model (TTM), this study aimed to identify the most effective factors in adherence to health protocols among marketers and guilds. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 market sellers and guilds of Ardabil City, Iran, in 2023. The TTM questionnaire was distributed among the participants which included four sub-constructs: (1) stages of change, (2) process of change, (3) self-efficacy, and (4) decisional balance. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. One-way ANOVA and linear regression tests were employed to evaluate the prediction of effective factors of the stage transition. RESULTS: Most participants (63.5%) were between 21 and 40. Most participants (65.5%) were in the passive stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation). Pros (ß = 0.133, P < 0.001) and behavioral processes of change (ß = 0.058, P < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the stage of change or improvement of stages of participants' willingness to follow health protocols. CONCLUSION: A correct understanding of the stages of behavior change can strengthen strategies for promoting healthy behaviors. Also, understanding the benefits of healthy behavior means compliance with health protocols and behavioral processes such as stimulus control, reinforcement management, counterconditioning, and self-liberation, along with high self-efficacy, have an impact on improving the stages of behavior change.

Psychosocial status during the prevalence of COVID-19 disease: the comparison between healthcare workers and general population.

The prevalence of COVID-19 disease continues to be a significant psychosocial status among health care workers (HCWs) and the general population worldwide. This cross sectional study aimed to compare the psychosocial status between healthcare workers and general population during the prevalence of COVID-19 disease in southeast Iran. Totally 415 health care workers of a medical service center for COVID-19 patients and 1023 people of general population participated in the study. An online socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ -28), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) were utilized to evaluate psychosocial status. According to GHQ, the psychological disorders of the HCWs were significantly higher than that of the general population (P < 0.001). According to GAD-7, no significant difference was found between general population and HCWs. Multivariate logistic analysis showed no difference between general population and HCWs in the psychological disorder. Although HCWs suffered from psychological disorders more than general population, nearly one third to half of the participants in both groups had psychosocial disorders.

Predisposing factors of using cosmetics in Iranian female students: application of prototype willingness model.

Background and aim: The use of cosmetics among Iranian teenagers and youths has increased more than ever before. This study investigated the predisposing factors of cosmetic use in female students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences by using the prototype willingness model (PWM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 384 students, selected based on multistage sampling. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire that included demographic variables and PWM questions. Then multiple regression analysis was used in SPSS (version 20). Results: There was a significant difference in the frequency of daily cosmetic use based on the education levels (F = 3.845, p-value = 0.034). The average daily use of cosmetics was higher in students whose use of cosmetics was high in their family (p = 0.024) and friends (p-value = 0.023). Prototypes were the strongest predictor of using cosmetics (OR = 1.317, p-value <0.001), followed by attitude (OR = 1.241, p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Prototypes (social imagination) and attitudes were the main predictors of using cosmetics among female students. To be effective in targeting cosmetic use, interventions must target both social and individual paths.

Risk communication and risk perception along with its influencing factors in Covid-19 disease: Focusing on the Extended Parallel Process Model.

Introduction: Following the global spread of the Covid-19 infection, the Iranian government adopted measures to control the spread of the disease, but they were not applicable without the acceptance and interaction of the general population. This study used the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) components to attempt to determine risk communication and risk perception along with its influencing factors in Covid-19 disease among the population of northwestern Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of the province. Demographic characteristics and extended parallel process model questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analyzed based on descriptive (frequency, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, analysis of variance, regression, chi-square) in SPSS-25 software. Results: This study showed that 63.8% of the participants continually followed Covid-19 news, and 34% of participants used social media to get the news and warnings related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the domains of participants' risk perception for Covid-19 disease, the three domains of self-efficacy, response effectiveness and intention had the highest means compared with other domains. Significant correlations were found between risk perception and the dimensions of age, gender, marriage status, number of family members, place of residence, underlying disease, history of Covid-19, and family history of Covid-19 disease (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, self-efficacy, fear, defensive avoidance, intention, and behaviors were independent predictors of response efficacy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: More than two years after the onset of the spread of Covid-19 disease, the risk perception of the disease among the study population was still insufficient in many areas. Risk of communication refers to the point of interaction between the government and the people, and the need to improve public trust in this issue is strongly felt.

Relationship Between Health Literacy, Quality of Life, and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome is a significant global health concern that can affect patients' health outcomes and quality of life. In addition, adherence to treatment and health literacy can affect health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between treatment adherence, health literacy, and quality of life among patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 patients in Iran from April 2019 to November 2019. Patients were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version, Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire, and Health Literacy for Iranian Adults questionnaire. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Based on descriptive statistics in this study, most of the participants had good treatment adherence level (56.5%); 28.7% of the participants had insufficient health literacy level. The mean score of quality of life was 51.41 ± 12.03, which was greater than the midpoint of the questionnaire. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative association between health literacy, treatment adherence (r = -0.167, p < .01), and quality of life (r = -0.153, p < .01), and a positive association between treatment adherence and quality of life (r = 0.169, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The results of the current study showed a negative relationship between health literacy, quality of life, and treatment adherence among patients with acute coronary syndrome. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2023;7(2):e71-e79.].

Patients' knowledge and concerns about using the implantable cardioverter defibrillator for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death and its correlates: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the most common causes of mortality in heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction. Patients have concerns about the disease and use the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to reduce the effects of HF disease. The current study aims to evaluate the barriers and factors affecting the implantation of the ICD for primary prevention. Methods: One hundred-forty-seven patients with HF were studied in public hospitals in southern Iran by using a cross-sectional design from April 2018 to June 2019. Demographic, researcher-made questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), general self-efficacy questionnaires, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were measured for investigating the barriers and impact factors in patent HF. Results: Most participants were male (56.5%), married (88.4%), illiterate (54.1%), and unemployed (72.6%). 62.6% (n = 92) of the participants did not know about HF and ICD. The total score of patients' concerns about using ICD was 47.11 ± 11.26, which showed a moderate level. The scores of knowledge about HF and ICD had a significant positive poor correlation with self-efficacy, perceived social support and QoL. Also, the score of concerns about the ICD had a significant negative poor correlation with perceived social support. Conclusion: Understanding HF patients' issues and obstacles can help us prevent sudden death. Doctors' advice has a significant impact on patients' acceptance. Poor knowledge is the most important reason for nonparticipation. Intervention is necessary to inform patients to understand the advantages and disadvantages.