Predictors of hospital nursing staff's adherence to safe injection guidelines: application of the protection motivation theory in Fars province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Needle stick injuries (NSI) can lead to dangerous infectious diseases for health care workers. This study aimed to determine the predictors of observance of safe injection guidelines in hospital nursing staff, based on protection motivation theory. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the nursing staff of five randomly selected teaching and general hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Fars province, Iran, in 2021. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire which was developed based on protection motivation theory. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 22 and Amos 24 at a significance level of < 0.05. Pearson's correlation coefficient, Multiple linear regression, and Structural Equation Modeling were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants (No = 280) was 32.5 ± 8.09 years. Most of the participants [80%] had encountered NSI, patients' blood, or body fluids at least once. Protection motivation was the only predictor of protective behaviors (ß = 0.573), while perceived efficacy (ß = 0.142) and perceived rewards (ß = -0.229) were the strongest predictors of motivation. The structural equation modeling analysis showed that standardized total effects of protection motivation, perceived response costs, rewards, and efficacy on the protective behaviors were 0.573, -0.159, -.104, and 0.81, respectively. While standardized total effects of perceived rewards, efficacy, and response cost on protection motivation were -0.229, 0.142, and -0.033, respectively. The model fit indices indicated the acceptable final model fit. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that perceived efficacy, perceived effectiveness, and perceived rewards were the most important predictors of adherence to Safe Injection Guidelines in nursing staff.

Training of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Improves the Severity and Quality of Urine Incontinence and Increases Social Participation of Older Women in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Aging and gender are risk factors for urine incontinence, which can lead to psychological, physical, and social complications. OBJECTIVE: This community-based study investigates the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training on the severity and quality of urine incontinence and social participation of older women. METHODS: This quasi-experimental community-based study was performed with the participation of 60 older women referring to the Public Health Center in Kerman City, southern Iran. The experiment group was trained with pelvic floor muscle training in 7 training sessions with distance health education in the second half of 2021. Before and after the intervention, data were collected based on: demographic, severity and quality of urine incontinence, and social participation inventories. Data were analyzed using a t-test and ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The mean scores of severity and quality of urine incontinence and social participation in the experiment and control groups before receiving the intervention were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). But after that, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (P <0.05), which showed an improvement in the severity and quality of urine incontinence scores as well as SP in the experiment group. CONCLUSIONS: Tele-training of the Kegel exercise, even during the pandemic, can play an important role in improving incontinence and social participation in older women. Therefore, this training can be used to prevent and improve urine incontinence in public health centers in the community.

Environment Intensifies Imbalance and Fear of Falling: Comparing Urban and Rural Aging Communities.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between environmental diversity and the health status of older adults has been less considered in studies. This study seeks to investigate the causal relationship among the environment, falling, fear of falling, and the imbalance of older adults in southern Iran in 2021. OBJECTIVE: The investigation into the relationship between environmental pollution to the imbalance and fear of falling, especially in comparing urban and rural aging societies is the aim of current study. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 489 older samples from rural and urban areas were chosen randomly and their experience of falling, fear of falling, imbalance, and IADL were examined. The ordinal and nominal logistic regression and ANOVA were performed using IBM-SPSS. RESULTS: With a mean age of 71.8 (SD = 8.3), older participants have long time chronic disease (69.6%) and falling experience twice a year (42.7%). The values of effect size indicated the high effectiveness of settlement in explaining IADL, health situation, experience and fear of falling, and imbalance (Eta squared > 30). The odds ratio for being in the urban settlement was 5.51, indicating the imbalance score increased by approximately 5.52 times. CONCLUSION: Imbalance in older people leads to the fear and experience of falling. This imbalance is strongly influenced by the environment. Urban pollution can contribute to this problem. Future studies on aging need to focus on environmental pollution and diversity in the experience of falling and imbalance.

Validation of the Persian version of the 9-item Berg Balance Scale Among Older Iranians.

Objectives: Old age is often associated with a progressive decline in the capacity of individuals to maintain dynamic and static balance, leading to falls and fear of falling. This study aimed to validate the 9-item Berg Balance Scale (BBS-9) for the older Iranian population. Methods: The current psychometric study involved translation of the BBS-9 to Persian language and its validation among a cohort of Persian-speaking elderly people. Confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, construct validity, test-retest reliability, receiver operating characteristic analysis, inter-rater, and convergent validity of the BBS-9 (Persian) were investigated and statistically analyzed. Results: The participants were 9117 Iranians with an average age of 64.3±2.45 years. The cohort was 54.1% female. Nearly three quarters of the subjects (72.4%) lived alone, 92.9% needed help with activities of daily living, and 93.0% sustained falls in the previous two years. Internal consistency was confirmed using intraclass correlation coefficient and McDonald's Omega (≥ 0.75). The receiver operating characteristic analysis represented the exact cut-off values for male and female and with or without fear of falling with good specificity and sensitivity. Analysis of variance revealed that fear of falling was significantly related to age, Aging in Place, loneliness, hospitalization rate, frailty, and sense of anxiety (effect size ≥ 0.130, p ≤ 0.050). Conclusions: The Persian version of BBS-9, a psychometrically sound self-reported measure of fear of falling, retained the original's satisfactory psychometric properties. It has the potential to be used among older Iranians in community-based and clinical settings.

Policy requirements in promoting older people health care in Iran: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The demographic structure of Iran as a developing country has undergone various changes in recent years. Therefore, the present study sought to analyze policy and upstream documents related to the older people health in Iran in order to identify and analyze the requirements considered by health policymakers to promote the older people health in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative study conducted in 2021 through national qualitative document analysis. All upstream documents published and related to older people health were reviewed between February 1979 and October 2021. The Scott's four-step method was used to extract the related documents. RESULTS: Policy requirements for promoting older people healthcare in Iran were categorized into 4 main themes in the form of a conceptual framework and 15 sub-themes. Thus, in order to ensure the health of the older people in Iran, it is necessary to take into account the four categories of managerial requirements, financing, infrastructures, and providing older people services. In other words, the sustainable financing requirements and the infrastructural requirements should firstly exist together as basic requirements. Then, geriatric health management requirements are needed to provide the older people health services along with the previous requirements and finally ensure the health of the older people in Iran. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be helpful in the review of upstream older people health policy documents by policy makers in order to better promote the health of the older people and pave the way for new policies to enter the agenda of policy makers.

Effectiveness of Otago Exercise Program on Successful Aging within Older Women with Migrant Children Referring to Public Health Centers in Shiraz City, Iran.

Background: Successful aging (SA) is considered an indicator of satisfaction of older people. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) on SA among older women. Materials and Methods: quasi-experimental research with a control group was conducted in 2021 on 120 older women in Shiraz city, south Iran. Eligible samples were selected by a three-stage cluster sampling method and were classified into two equal intervention and control groups. Eight training sessions (exercises) were conducted for the intervention group using the OEP. SA questionnaire was completed at the beginning and 2 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the IBM-SPSS version 26, and the effect sizes were extracted. Results: The mean age of samples in the intervention and control groups was 69.71 + 59.59 and 68.83 + 5.08 years, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in the mean scores of SA between the two groups at the beginning of the study, 2 months after the intervention implementation, the mean scores of SA increased significantly in the intervention group (t = 8.57, p ≤ .001). Conclusion: It seems that OEP is an effective strategy for supporting SA in older people.

Psychometric Properties of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, Cut-off Points, and Validating its Short Version Among Iranian Older People.

Objectives: Older people have a fear of falling, which is far more difficult than falling itself. We measured the extent of this feeling using a short and valid Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) 7-item questionnaire for the aging community in Iran. Methods: The present psychometric work deals with outlining the validation and translation of FES-I (short version) among 9117 Persian-speaking elderly people with a mean age of 70.2±8.3 years (54.1% female and 45.9% male) in July 2021. Investigations were performed on confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity along with test-retest reliability, receiver operating characteristic analysis, inter-rater, and convergent validity. Results: 72.4% of the subjects were living alone, 92.9% required support in activities of daily living, and 93.0% experienced falling in the past two years. A one-factor solution was assigned by exploratory factor analysis for FES-I. Thus, this model was proved by the confirmatory factor analysis with valid fit indices. Based on Cronbach's alpha, intra-cluster correlation coefficient, and McDonald's omega (≥ 0.80), internal consistency was confirmed. The exact cut-off value was represented by the receiver operating characteristic analysis for male/female and between with/without fear of falling among older samples with higher measures of specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, a significant effect of age, aging in place, loneliness, hospitalization rate, frailty, and sense of anxiety (effect size ≥ 0.80, p ≤ 0.05) on fear of falls was detected using analysis of variance. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the original scale were preserved by the Persian version of FES-I seven items as a self-reported measure of fear of falling. It could be assuredly a measure in both community and clinical settings. The possible uses and limitations of the Iranian FES-I were also discussed.

Improving family health climate, effect of role modeling and maternal support in female students.

INTRODUCTION: Girls can use their mother's emotional, informational and behavioral support to perform healthy behaviors due to their constant access to their mothers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of role modeling and maternal support in the family to improve healthy behaviors and perceived Family Health Climate (FHC) in female students. METHODS: In this educational quasi-experimental study, 261 female students (133 in the intervention group and 128 in the control group) and 223 mothers (109 intervention and 114 control) were selected using the cluster multi-stages sampling method and entered the study. Participants (intervention and control groups) completed the FHC scale at three stages (before intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after intervention). A training program that comprised 12 sessions for students and six sessions for their mothers using collaborative learning techniques and printed materials was conducted with the experimental group. Also after completing the questionnaire in the follow-up phase, pamphlets and educational videos were given to the control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS20 via a chi-square test, independent t-test, and Repeated Measures ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between demographic variables and the score of the FHC scale in both groups (p < 0.05). Immediately and 2 months after the intervention, the experimental group (female students and their mothers) showed a significant increase in dimensions of FHC, including FHC-NU (Family Health Climate-Nutrition) and FHC-PA (Family Health Climate-Physical Activity), compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Educating and informing mothers about the impact of their role modeling on their children, especially girls, can make them more aware of health-oriented behaviors towards their children. Such findings reinforced the importance of focusing on actions to encourage a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet and physical activity) in students with a focus on role modeling and parental support, especially mothers.

Predictors of health behavior compliance for the prevention of Covid-19 based on the extended parallel process model in pregnant women in Iran.

Pregnant women are at higher risk of getting severe Covid-19 disease and consequences on the health status of them and their fetuses. Despite vaccination, all preventive behaviors are emphasized. This study aimed to identify the determinants of Covid-19 preventive health behaviors in pregnant women using Extended Parallel Process Model. This cross-sectional study, was conducted on 175pregnant women. The model fit indices were acceptable. Knowledge had indirect effect on adherence to Covid-19 preventive behaviors trough mediating role of self-efficacy and response efficacy. So, it is suggested that, educational interventions should focus on increasing knowledge.

There were statistically significant correlations between all constructs of the EPPM model except knowledge, with adherence to Covid-19 preventive behaviors.Self-efficacy and response efficacy were the strongest predictors of Covid-19 prevention behaviorsPerceived susceptibility and severity were the other significant predictors of Covid-19 preventive behaviors.Knowledge indirectly through the mediating role of response efficiency and self-efficacy effected on preventive behaviors.

Psychometric Properties of the CAGE Questionnaire Amongst Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Khuzistan Province of Iran.

The CAGE questionnaire is an instrument, proved useful in helping to make a diagnosis of alcoholism. The questions focus on Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilty feeling, and Eye-openers. The questionnaire has been more pervasive simple tool than AUDIT and LAST scales to screen in busy medical settings where limited time is considered for adult patient interviews. The present study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the CAGE questionnaire in Khuzistan province, Iran and evaluate its role in detecting alcohol-related problems. For this purpose, 382 men with mean age of 65 ± 5 were sampled by cluster-random sampling method in convenience model from the medical centers in eight counties of Khuzistan province during 2019 and they responded to the CAGE questionnaire. The coefficients of Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.82), convergent validity (0.73), divergent validity (-0.06), and criterion validity (0.87) were estimated (ρ < 0.01). The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the four -items related to the CAGE for the aged samples are organized into one factor, which clarifies 94% of the variance. Based on the results of the second-order confirmatory factor analysis, all factors were matched up well into a principal factor. Finally, the one -factor model was appropriate for the data by using the fit index techniques for adjusting the scale (AGFI = 0.81, TLI = 0.91, GFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.006, IFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.97).The results could prove the well-adjusted reliability and validity of the CAGE and its usefulness for the relevant studies.

Sense of loneliness of veterans in Southern Iran: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: More than three decades have passed since the end of the Iraq-Iran war, and this period has been concurrent with a rapid growth of the older community in Iran which includes the community of veterans who often suffer from serious psychological and behavioral problems. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of loneliness in middle and older veterans in southern Iran. MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted among 583 middle and older male veterans (50 years <) who were selected by the census method in 2021. Data collection was done using UCLA Loneliness Scales. The collected data were entered into SPSS version-26 and Amos-24 and analyzed by multivariate ANOVA, multivariate regression, and structural equation at a threshold significance level of 0.05. FINDINGS: The mean score of feeling lonely in the veterans was 51.08 ± 4.74. The study found a significant relationship between the participants' education and their feeling of loneliness (P-value = 0.01, effect size = -0.31). Multivariate regression demonstrated that demographic variables (i.e., age, employment status, level of education, type of living) and the severity and type of injury predict 31% of the variance in the middle and older veterans' feeling of loneliness. CONCLUSION: The mental, psychological and physical effects of war disability were associated with the social functions of veterans in the family and community. Strategies such as increasing social support and psychological counseling for veterans along with improving their pension and income can be effective in promoting public health, especially the mental health of this group.

Effect of Sexual Knowledge, Attitude and Quality of Life on Marital Satisfaction of Aged Couples in South Iran: APIM-SEM Analysis.

Marital satisfaction is important for health and well-being among aged couples. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between knowledge, sexual attitude, and quality of life with marital satisfaction of aged couples of over 60 years in southern Iran. This APIM analytical study was performed on 510 aged couples in southern Iran in 2020. Proportionate stratified sampling was randomly performed in three stages relative to the aging population in main cities in the south Iran. Data collection tools included demographic information (age, education, occupation, living alone, type of disability, etc.), sexual knowledge and attitude scale (SKAS-10), quality of life scale (SF-12), and marital satisfaction questionnaire. Mean score of marital satisfaction, sexual attitude, sexual knowledge, and QoL (SF-12) was 49.71 (SD = 14.8), 27.5 (SD = 7.3), 24.7 (SD = 8.5), and 31.49 (SD = 3.2), respectively. The present study showed that sexual knowledge and attitude, quality of life, are among the estimators of marital satisfaction in aged couples.

Older people's health promotion policies challenges: Making an avenue for policy responses in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Older people's health policies suffer from many challenges in Iran. The issue is more highlighted considering the increasing rate of the older population in the country. This study aimed to explore the challenges of older people's health policies in Iran as well as make an avenue for policy responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a qualitative study that was conducted using conventional content analysis in 2020-2021 in Iran. The purposive and snowball sampling methods were used for semi-structured interviews with 30 selected participants. Data were analyzed through the content analysis approach using Granheim and Landman's five-step thematic method. RESULTS: The results of analyzing the data were categorized into four main themes, 16 sub-themes, and 70 final codes. The main themes were executive, policymaking, intra- and inter-sectoral, and environmental challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Older people are facing challenges in receiving appropriate and timely care. In order to achieve a wide national policy dialogue for covering all older people's health needs in policy agendas and better formulation and implementation of the policies, it is necessary for Iranian health policymakers to address executive challenges and apply effective strategies.

Frailty and Mental Health Disorders Before and During COVID-19 Occurrence in Older Population in Iran: A Longitudinal Repeated-Measures Study.

PURPOSE: Iranians' worry over the number of older patients negatively impacted by COVID-19 surged dramatically throughout the 5 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted from January 2020 to September 2021. The goal of this research was to assess the physical and mental health of Iranian older persons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic's major waves. METHODS: The health condition of 507 older persons with a positive examination for COVID-19 illness was assessed before and throughout the 5 waves of coronavirus in south Iran in analytical and hybrid longitudinal research. RESULTS: The primary consequences of COVID-19 incidence on frailty and mental health issues were revealed in this investigation. Using a linear mixed model, we found a reduction of 0.33 in loneliness (ß = -.33, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.26) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The probabilities of becoming depressed, anxious, or frail rose 4.61 (95% CI: 3.77-5.63), 1.85 (95% CI: 1.52-2.24), as well as 1.42 (95% CI: 1.17-1.42) time, subsequently, with COVID-19 occurrence, according to the mixed logistic models. Furthermore, the influence of COVID-19 incidence on loneliness result differs by gender; for depression, it varies by education; and for anxiety, it changes by comorbidities and living independently. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts the mental health and frailty of older persons with the positive COVID-19 situation, and this scenario is gender-based too.

Tendency to Breast Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in Southern Iran: A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis of Theory of Planned Behavior.

Background: Early detection of breast cancer is a crucial factor in surviving the disease. This study aimed to investigate the mammography screening based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among rural women in Fasa and Shiraz cities, Iran. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study performed on 800 female clients referring to rural health centers in Fasa and Shiraz cities in southern Iran in early 2021. The authors decided to send and distribute the electronic questionnaire form through the WhatsApp application in collaboration with the health staff of rural health centers for the people covered by these centers. Data gathering tools were a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, a questionnaire based on constructs of TPB, and behavior of mammography screening. Using the structural equation model (SEM), the TPB constructs and demographic variables were entered into the model. Data analysis was executed employing SPSS software version 26 and Amos version 24 (IBM Co., Ann Arbor, MI, USA). Analyzing the data was carried out using the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), logistic regression, and structural equation analysis. During data analysis, various model indicators such as the goodness of fit, including comparative fit index (CFI), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and chi-square index/df were evaluated. The significance level in all tests was considered 0.05. Results: The knowledge, attitude, and perceived behavioral control were the predictors of intention and behavior of mammography screening among the women. Among demographic variables, age, literacy, being menopausal, cancer in family, city, and ethnicity contribute more to the variance variation in TPB constructs. In this study, 7.2% of Persians, 8% of Qashqai Turks, and 4.5% of Arabs are contemplating going to mammography screening. In total, 6.8% (54 people) of all individuals intended to go mammography screening, and 5.4% (43 people) had a history of mammography screening. Goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 = 18.45, df = 10, n = 800, χ2/df = 1.845, RMSEA = 0.032, GFI = 0.90, non-normed fit index (NNFI) = 0.91) of conceptual model of this study indicate the suitability of the model. Conclusions: The results of the study indicated that the constructs of the TPB can predict mammography screening behaviors in rural women. It has also demonstrated that mammographic behavior can be improved in rural women using education based on the TPB model, emphasizing critical psychological factors of creating or changing behavior.

Psychometric Validation of the Persian Version of Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) among Iranian community-dwelling older adults and to determine its optimal cutoff point. In Shiraz, Iran, a cross-sectional study of 500 older adults ≥ 60 years was conducted in two steps. The forward-backward method was used for translation. Psychometric properties, such as the face and content validity, based on the point of view of experts, construct validity based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity by assessing the relationship with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), and reliability based on Cronbach's α were examined. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to confirm the cutoff point. Validity of both the face and the content was confirmed. The first stage of construct validity was performed using the kurtosis test and the EFA, and finally, only 20 items in four subscales were loaded with 76.34% of the total variance. The CFA indicated a good fit to the data (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.059; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.92; and goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.89). Cronbach's α coefficient of the SSRQ-20 increased to 0.87. A significant positive correlation was found between the SSRQ-20 and the GSE-10 (r = 0.44), indicating acceptable convergent validity. The optimal cutoff score for differentiating older adults in terms of self-regulation was 71. This study demonstrates that the Persian version of the SSRQ, which contains 20 items, is a valid and reliable tool for assessing self-regulation in Iranian community-dwelling older adults.

Physical activity behavior during Covid 19 pandemic among Iranian dwellers in Southern Iran based on planned behavior theory: a SEM analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions curtailed physical activity. The current study applied an integrated Theory of Planned Behavior to identify the determinants of physical activity behavior and the processes involved in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz city, Southern Iran, among 2500 people who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected using the demographic information questions and questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs. The Questionnaire via WhatsApp, emails, and SMS was shared. Data analysis was performed using SPSS26 and Amos version 24. Mean and standard deviation was used to describe the data. Also, one-way ANOVA and structural equation analysis were used to analyze the data. The significance level in all the tests was considered to be 0.05. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred sixty-nine samples (46.8%) said they had been exercising less than 3 days a week, and 47.6% of them did not have any exercise or physical activities (n = 1191). The mean score of attitudes, SN, PBC, and intention were 9.38 ± 2.07, 9.27 ± 2.03, 9.32 ± 2.05, and 12.29 ± 2.35, respectively. The effect size values demonstrate the independent variables' high coefficient of influence on explaining the theoretical model. According to the results, the factors play an important role in samples' intention (η2 ≥ 0.2, p ≤ 0.05). The effect size of intention on doing physical activities and exercise during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is Eta square = 0.777, which means the measure was high. The obtained model was good based on the main goodness of fit indices (Chi2 = 108.6, df = 25, n = 2500, Chi2/df = 4.344, RMSEA = 0.036, AGFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.95, GFI = 0.90, Fornell-Larcker criterion = 0.87, HTMT = 0.89). CONCLUSION: The TPB provides a useful framework to explore psychosocial determinants of physical activity behavior during the pandemic and identify key strategies for program planning aimed at improving exercise among people who were already influenced by quarantine and lockdown restrictions.

Effectiveness of resilience training intervention on psychological capital of the underprivileged widowed women of Fasa City, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Women heads of households (widows or divorcees) are vulnerable groups in society who face various psychological problems and have less resilience than other women. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of resilience educational intervention on the psychological capital of poor widows in Fasa city, south Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 120 widows covered by Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation were selected by a simple random sampling method based on a random Efron algorithm (Efron coin) and randomly assigned into two interventions and control groups (60 people each) in the second half of 2021. About 8 training sessions on resilience and psychological capital were held for the experimental group through training clips, audio transmissions, and podcasts. Data were collected using demographic characteristics forms, widowers' resilience assessment questionnaires, and Luten's psychological capital scale for testing and control before and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed with Chi-square test, independent and paired t-test using SPSS V. 26 software. RESULTS: There were differences between the two groups at pretest in demographic variables and psychological capital and its subscales, and resilience and its subscales (P ≥ 0.05).. But two months after the educational intervention, a statistically significant increase was observed in the experimental group in these variables compared to the control group (p < 0.05). It indicates that there was an improvement in the outcomes from pretest to post-test within the intervention and no change in the outcomes over time within the control group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Using a resilience-based educational approach as a novelty of this research to promote psychological capital and resilience can increase resilience and psychological capital in widows. Then, considering the positive effect of this educational approach and the low cost of this intervention, it seems that the implementation of such interventions should be included in the plans related to widows.

Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire: Investigating Psychometric Properties in Iranian Female Students.

Objectives: Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is an important factor in promoting mental health. Assessing this structure is required for early recognition and intervention in mental health problems. To date, there was no tool to assess it among Iranian adolescents, so this study was aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (AMHLQ) among Iranian female students. Method: The study instrument was a Persian version of the AMHLQ prepared through a translation and back-translation process. In this cross-sectional study, 275 female students completed the AMHLQ, and the Adolescent Strengths, and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Findings of content, construct validity tests, Cronbach's alpha, and split-half coefficient demonstrated that the AMHLQ had satisfactory validity and suitable reliability. The exploratory factor analysis showed four dimensions of the AMHLQ: (1) knowledge of mental health problems (α = 0.89); (2) erroneous beliefs/stereotypes (α = 0.89); (3) help-seeking and first aid skills (α = 0.86); and (4) self-help strategies (α = 0.74). Conclusion: The findings showed that the tool was confirmed by questions and subscales, and this questionnaire was a valid and reliable tool in assessing level differences of MHL and in determining the impact of programs designed to improve MHL in Iranian female adolescents.

Conspiracy Illusion, Superstitions, and Death Anxiety of Older Adults Who Refused Covid-19 Vaccination in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study on Their Beliefs.

The study was aimed to assess mental health of the older adults who did not participate in the three stages of national vaccination program. As a descriptive-analytical study, about 285 Iranian older people were interviewed in 2022. Data collection tools included demographic characteristics, conspiracy scale, superstitious beliefs instrument, and Templer death anxiety. The convenience sampling method was used and data were analyzed using BIM-SPSS version 28. Death anxiety statistically effect on conspiratory and superstitions with scores 0.190 and 0.320 using adjusted Eta squared, respectively and superstitious beliefs effected 81% of conspiracy as well (p = 0.001). Using ROC analysis, the cutoff points for conspiracy of men and women and final SEM model were extracted too. Interaction of conspiracy illusion, superstitions with death anxiety during the pandemic time among vulnerable groups i.e ageing community can shape a decision line in health policy making.