The role of social support and self-control in tobacco consumption: a cross-sectional study among tobacco consumers and non-consumers.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is recognized as one of the most important causes of preventable death due to non-communicable diseases and disability worldwide. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing social support and self-control between tobacco consumers and non-consumers in Hormozgan Province. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on the adult population above the age of 15 years living in Hormozgan province. A total number of 1,631 subjects were selected using a convenient sampling method. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of three sections: demographic information, Zimet's perceived social support and Tangney's self-control questionnaires. In the present study, Cronbach's alpha coefficients of social support and self-control questionnaires were 0.886 and 0.721, respectively. Data were analyzed using chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and logistic regression analysis with SPSS software (v. 25). RESULTS: Among the participants, 842 (51.6%) reported to be tobacco non-consumers, and 789 (48.4%) reported to be consumers. The mean scores of perceived social support among the consumers and non-consumers were 4.6 ± 1.012 and 4.93 ± 0.518, respectively. The mean scores of self-control among the consumers and non-consumers were 2.74 ± 0.356 and 2.75 ± 0.354, respectively. There was a significant difference among tobacco consumers and non-consumers in gender, age, education level and job status (p < 0.001). The results showed that the mean scores of social support, support received from family and others were significantly higher in non-consumers than in consumers (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of self-control, self-discipline, and impulse control in consumers and non-consumers (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to our findings, tobacco consumers received more social support from family and others compared to non-consumers. Considering the important role of perceived support in tobacco consumption, this variable should receive copious attention in developing interventions and trainings, especially family education workshops.

Predicting cervical cancer screening behavior among women in southern Iran: a cross-sectional study with PEN-3 model.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the fact that the Pap smear test is a simple, affordable, painless and relatively reliable method to diagnose cervical cancer in women, the majority of women are unaware of the value of this valuable diagnostic method. There are many cultural and social barriers to this diagnostic method. The present study was conducted to predict cervical cancer screening behavior with PEN-3 model among women residents of Bandar Abbas. METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 260 women aged 18 years and above who visited the comprehensive health centers of Bandar Abbas. The data were collected online using a demographic information questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire based on the PEN-3 model constructs and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation test and logistic regression analysis in SPSS-23. RESULTS: The participants' age ranged between 18 and 52 years with an average of 30.95 ± 5.47 years. 27.7% of the participants had done their last pap smear test less than 1 year before the study and 26.2% had not done a pap smear test until the time of study. The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge (11.28 ± 2.87), attitude (64.96 ± 4.96), enablers (44.66 ± 5.8), and nurturers (36.02 ± 8.83) in women who had done the cervical cancer screening behavior was more than those who had not done the behavior. Also, the results of logistic regression analysis showed that knowledge, attitude and nurturers were the major predictors of cervical cancer screening behavior. CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that knowledge, attitude, enablers and nurturers play a major role in women's participation in Pap smear test. These findings should be considered in the development and implementation of educational interventions.

Socio-personal factors affecting adherence to treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to identify the socio-personal factors affecting adherence to the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Cross-sectional articles were extracted from databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier. A meta-analysis was performed using integrated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for age, BMI, depression, educational level, gender, employment status, marital status, smoking status. STATA 12.0 was used to estimate pooled RR in definite subgroups. The quality of the studies included was evaluated using the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies out of 7407 extracted articles were finally selected for the meta-analysis. The results showed that younger people had a 17% higher risk than older people, smokers had a 22% higher risk than non-smokers, and the employed had a 15% higher risk of non-adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, older age, smoking and employment can lead to non-adherence to T2D treatment. Interventions are suggested to be made besides common health care considering the socio-personal features on type 2 diabetes patients' treatment adherence.

Investigating the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive-compulsive disorder and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in the general public in Isfahan and Bandar Abbas. 559 citizens were selected by convenience sampling. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of: short health anxiety inventory, perceived stress scale, world health organization quality of life questionnaire and Padua inventory. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 and Amos-21. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between health anxiety and perceived stress (r = 0/338), obsessive-compulsive symptoms and perceived stress (r = 0/16), obsessive-compulsive symptoms and health anxiety (r = 0/344). Also there were significant negative correlations between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life (r = - 0/21), health anxiety and quality of life (r = - 0/366), perceived stress and quality of life (r = - 0/715). CONCLUSION: health anxiety and perceived stress during COVID-19 affect the obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to these psychological disorders during this global crisis and take actions to prevent and treat them.

An intervention design for promoting quality of life among patients with multiple sclerosis: a protocol with a planning approach for a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system that affects the patients' quality of life. The disease's complications reduce the quality of life in patients by creating physical, psychological, social and economic problems for the patient and his/her family and reducing the patient's individual and social functioning. The aim of the present study is designing, implementing and evaluating an intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to promote the quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. This paper summarizes the study protocol. METHODS: We will use the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for designing the study. In the first step, the factors affecting quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis will be determined by a qualitative study. In the second step, these factors will be prioritized based on their importance and variability, then behavioral and environmental factors of the most important priority will be identified. In the third step, the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors related to the identified priority will be determined by a qualitative directed content analysis. In the fourth step, a questionnaire will be designed and psychometric based on the results of the previous step. The fifth step will be about planning to implement the intervention. In the sixth step, the intervention will be implemented and its effectiveness will be evaluated by process, impact and outcome evaluations. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide information about patients' needs and concerns and thus will contribute to policymakers, government, community, health professionals and families to take the necessary measures to improve quality of life in these patients.

Effectiveness of educational intervention on women's participation to cervical cancer screening: a quasi-experimental study based on PEN-3 model.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer types among women in developing countries. Women's behavior in the early detection of the disease is influenced by sociocultural factors. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on PEN-3 model on women's participation in cervical cancer screening. METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted with 160 women participants visiting health care centers in Bandar Abbas in 2021. The sampling was as a multi-stage clustering, and the participants were divided into two groups, an intervention and a control (each with 80 participants). The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the PEN-3 model constructs before and 3 months after an educational intervention (a training course). The intervention involved 30 online sessions of 15-20 minutes for the intervention group while the control group did not receive any training. RESULTS: After the educational intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, enablers, nurturers and the Pap smear test behavior in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The analysis of covariance results showed that by modulating the effect of pre-test score, there was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the post-intervention behavior score. CONCLUSION: In the light of the present findings, it can be concluded that interventions based on the PEN-3 model with a focus on knowledge -raising, changing beliefs and identifying sociocultural and environmental factors that affect cervical cancer screening behavior can prevent cervical cancer in women.

Explaining the factors affecting women's life during COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study among women in Southern Iran.

Background: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on women's health can cause serious damage to the family and society. Aim: To explain the factors affecting women's life during COVID-19 lockdown in Southern Iran. Methods: In this qualitative study, 20 women who referred to Bandar Abbas health care centers were interviewed and semi-structured interviews continued until data saturation. Results: Data were extracted into seven categories as follows: socio-family influence, occupational challenges, financial concern, leisure time, access to services, psychological reactions, and physical problems. Conclusion: We conclude that, lockdown had effects on women's life in terms of psychological, social, economic, and family relationships. Learning risk management skills can help manage these effects.

Quality of life and its related psychological problems during coronavirus pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has endangered the psychological health of individuals. This study aimed to assess the quality of life and its related psychological problems during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 559 citizens above the age of 16 years, in Isfahan and Bandar Abbas cities in Iran were selected with a convenient sampling method. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of five sections: demographic information, short health anxiety inventory (SHAI), perceived stress scale (PSS), world health organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and Padua inventory. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including t-test, path analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using SPSS 24 and Amos 21 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 559 subjects with the mean age of 37.34 ± 11.19 years participated in this study. Most of the participants were female (78.5%), married (71.6%) and employed (40.9%). The majority of them also had a bachelor's degree (42.9%). There were significant negative correlations between perceived helplessness (r = -.597, p = .000), perceived stress (r = -.715, p = .000), risk of disease (r = -.302, p = .000), negative effect of disease (r = -.424, p = .000), health anxiety (r = -.366, p = .000), contamination obsessions (r = -.187, p = .000) and washing compulsions (r = -.193, p = .000) with quality of life. On other hand, significant positive correlation was found between perceived self-efficacy (r = .665, p = .000) and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, health anxiety, perceived stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder were negatively affected psychological health during COVID-19 which in turn decreased quality of life. Therefore, we suggest considering prevention and treatment of theses psychological problems to diminish the risk of reduced quality of life during COVID-19 global pandemic crisis.

Personality and occupational correlates of anxiety and depression in nurses: the contribution of role conflict, core self-evaluations, negative affect and bullying.

BACKGROUND: The work environment and the fatiguing nature of nursing are risk factors that cause psychological disorders. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between role conflict, core self-evaluations, negative affect, and bullying with anxiety and depression in nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the nurses working in hospitals of Bandar Abbas, Iran over 4 months (August 2019-November 2019). Data were collected using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale, Role Conflict Questionnaire, Core Self-Evaluations Scale, Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 22 software and the significance level was considered 0.05. RESULTS: The findings revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between role conflict (r = 0.422, p < 0.01), negative affect (r = 0.715, p < 0.01), and bullying (r = 0.443, p < 0.01) with anxiety. Moreover, there was a significant negative relationship between core self-evaluations with anxiety (r = - 0.482, p < 0.01). Also, the findings indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between role conflict (r = 0.382, p < 0.01), negative affect (r = 0.672, p < 0.01), and bullying (r = 0.433, p < 0.01) with depression. There was a significant negative relationship between core self-evaluations and depression (r = - 0.603, p < 0.01). Moreover, regression analysis results revealed that negative affect, role conflict, and core self-evaluations predicted 54.3% of anxiety variance significantly. And lastly, negative affect and core self-evaluations predicted 53.3% of depression variance significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated that having high negative affect, low core self-evaluations, high role conflict, and exposure to bullying at work enhances the rate of depression and anxiety in nurses. Hence, it is essential to improve the mental health of nurses and thus the quality of care provided by them through recognizing suitable supportive strategies and interventions.

Determinants of stress coping behaviors in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS-DSCB): development and psychometrics of a PRECEDE model-based questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Stress management delays the onset or exacerbation of symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate a questionnaire to measure the determinants of stress coping behaviors in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: This was a methodological study that was conducted in two stages: qualitative and quantitative phases. Participants in this study were patients with multiple sclerosis who referred to the MS Association and Charity Foundations for Special Diseases in Isfahan in 2021. Preliminary item pool was developed by qualitative part of the study. The validity of the questionnaire was determined with item impact, content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index (CVI), face validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: In the first stage, an item pool containing 97 items were generated and after removing duplicate items and merging some of them, a questionnaire containing 51 items was developed. Ten items were removed based on the results of face validity and content validity. The EFA revealed 11 factors containing 41 items that explained 64% of the total variance of test. In CFA, 9 other items were deleted, and the questionnaire was reduced to 32 phrases in general. The results of the CFA determined the 9-factor structure of the questionnaire including awareness, attitude, self-efficacy, access to resources, skills of using resources, social support, important others, behavioral consequences and social comparison. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.726. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the designed questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the determinants of stress coping behaviors in patients with multiple sclerosis. Identifying these factors and designing interventions based on them, in order to control or reduce stress in these patients, can help to improve the quality of life in these patients.

Barriers to quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system that affects the patients' quality of life. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the barriers of quality of life in patients with MS. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted through a conventional content analysis approach. We used the purposeful sampling with maximum diversity in terms of gender, age, education, marital status and employment. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the MS Association of Isfahan. Interviews were conducted to the point of information saturation. RESULTS: Through the content analysis of the interviews, we identified 2 main categories and 11 sub-categories. The main categories include intrapersonal problems (physical problems, psychological disorders, turbulent future, functional limitations, job loss and pennilessness), and environmental barriers (disease and treatment process, fatigue of caregivers, information deficiency about MS, family tensions, lack of social support and fun and entertainment). CONCLUSIONS: In order to improve the quality of life in these patients, there is a need for attention and practical measures in the field of identified factors. By removing barriers such as providing educational and counseling services to the patients and their families, adapting the urban structure, providing financial support and adequate insurance coverage, the authorities can take measures to ensure patients' health and improve their quality of life.

Explaining the Challenges of Coping with Coronavirus Crisis in the Workplaces: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Workplaces play a highly important role in controlling or spreading the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the lack of proper implementation of hygienic protocols in these environments might increase the risk of getting infected with the COVID-19 among the employees, following the increase of the COVID-19 at the family and community levels. This qualitative study aims to explain the challenges of coping with the coronavirus crisis in the workplaces. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted with a conventional content analysis approach. We used purposeful sampling with maximum diversity in terms of working processes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were performed to the point of information saturation. MAXQDA software version 10 was used for data management. Results: Through the content analysis of the interviews with the participants, we identified two main classes and nine sub-classes. The main classes included intra-organizational challenges (job nature, budget allocation problems, individual factors, disorganization, manpower and equipment, lack of commitment, and insufficient support of managers) and extra-organizational challenges (lack of accessibility to valid information, black market, and inter-sectorial coordination problems). Conclusion: The study findings indicated that organizations and industries face numerous internal and external challenges in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Paying attention to the mentioned limitations and attempting to eliminate them, especially by the governmental organizations, employers, and managers, could help in effectively confronting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explaining stress coping behaviors in patients with multiple sclerosis based on the PRECEDE model: a qualitative directed content analysis.

BACKGROUND: Stress can be regarded as one of the consequences of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and a factor in exacerbating or recurring the symptoms resulting from the disease. This study aimed to explain the stress coping behaviors in patients with MS based on the PRECEDE model. METHODS: This study is a qualitative directed content analysis research based on the PRECEDE model. Data were obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 26 patients with MS, who were selected using a purposive sampling and maximum diversity in terms of gender, age, education, marital status, and employment. Data collection continued until the saturation occurred. Simultaneously, collected data were analyzed using a qualitative directed content analysis method. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the identification of 11 sub-categories. Of these, 10 sub-categories were assigned to three categories of predisposing factors (awareness, attitude, self-efficacy, and perceived severity), enabling factors (existence of resources, access to resources, skills of using resources, and educational preferences), and reinforcing factors (social support, important others and behavioral consequences). The social comparison category was a new category identified from the analysis of interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, individual, environmental and social factors play a role in the stress of these patients. Designing programs that lead to their empowerment and improvements in the environmental and social conditions can be effective in controlling stress in these patients. Based on the results, planners can adopt the most appropriate strategies to change these determinants, help reduce stress, and promote the psychological standard of living in these patients.

Explaining the facilitators of quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the disease's complications and manifestations affect a person's ability to function normally and leads to further disruptions in their education, family life, job opportunities, and daily life activities, thereby reduce their quality of life. Different factors as facilitators or inhibitors affect the quality of life in patients with MS. This study aimed to explain the facilitators of quality of life in patients with MS. METHODS: This research applied qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews with individuals with MS and their family members/caregivers. Purposeful sampling was done among people who referred to Isfahan MS Association. Participants were selected with a maximum variation in terms of gender, age, education, occupation and marital status. Interviews were continued to reach data saturation. The gathered data were concurrently analyzed by the content analysis technique. MAXQDA software version 10 was used for data management. RESULTS: Saturation was reached after eighteen interviews. A total of three main categories and 8 sub-categories were extracted from the data. The identified facilitators were: personal facilitators (leisure time and coping strategies), interpersonal facilitators (exercise therapy, social support and social organizations) and needs and suggestions for improvement (family therapy, adopting urban architecture and facilities, and supportive systems). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, in order to improve the quality of life in patients with MS, we should pay attention to factors such as leisure time, spirituality and positive thinking, exercise, social support and social organizations. Health professionals, the government, community and families could help to improve patients' quality of life through adapting urban architecture, holding family therapy sessions and providing supportive systems.

Which nurses are victims of bullying: the role of negative affect, core self-evaluations, role conflict and bullying in the nursing staff.

BACKGROUND: Bullying among nurses is a universally recognized problem that has important consequences for nurses, patients and health institutions. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the relationship between role conflict, negative affect and core self-evaluations with bullying in nurses. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 329 nurses were selected by census method. Data were collected using PANAS Scale (negative affect), role conflict questionnaire, Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES), and the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R). Data were analyzed using t-test, one way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis with SPSS software (v. 22). RESULTS: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the mean bullying scores in according to gender and ward of affiliation. The influence of other variables (marital status, education level, years of experience, age group and work position) was not meaningful. Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between role conflict (r = 0.47) and negative affect (r = 0.56) with bullying. Also there is a significant negative relationship between core self-evaluations and bullying (r = - 0.39). Moreover, regression analysis results revealed that negative affect, role conflict and gender can predict 44% of bullying variance significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, core self-evaluations, negative affect and role conflict are good factors in predicting bullying among nurses. Consequently, hiring nurses with low negative affect and high core self-evaluations, improving nurses' self-esteem and self-efficacy and changing workplace conditions in order to reducing role conflict can be useful in reducing workplace bullying.