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This study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of an AADL scale in Iranian older adults. A total of 237 males and females aged over 60 years old were recruited. Personal information questionnaires, the CASP-19 Quality of Life, and AADL questionnaires were used for data collection. SPSS 24 and IBM AMOS 24 were used for data processing and analysis. Three factors that had eigenvalues higher than one were extracted, which explained 51.2 % of the total variances. The Cronbach α of the total score was 0.76, and it was >0.64 for each extracted factor. The goodness of fit indices indicated an acceptable fit to the data in confirmatory factor analysis. The culturally modified Persian version of the AADL scale has acceptable psychometric properties and is proper for evaluating the advanced activities of daily living in the Iranian population.
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BACKGROUND: Diabetes self-management education is necessary to improve patient outcomes and reduce diabetes-related complications. According to the theory of behavioral reasoning, the likelihood of performing a behavior is predicted by the link between beliefs, motivation, intention, and behavior. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on the Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT) on self-management behaviors in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial based on BRT was conducted on 113 patients with type 2 diabetes, with a control group and an intervention group followed for 3and 6 months. Data were collected using a researcher-made demographic questionnaire based on the constructs of BRT and behaviors related to self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes. In the intervention group were provided, 8 sessions of diabetes self-management education based on BRT. The control group only received the usual training of the center. Data was analyzed using SPSS26 software. RESULTS: After the educational interventions in the intervention group, there were statistically significant changes observed in the mean scores of all constructs, fasting blood sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin. On the other hand, no statistically significant change was observed in the mean grades of the control group. All the observed changes were significant at the 0.05 level. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study were in favor of the effectiveness of an educational intervention that promotes diabetes self-management behaviors, using the principles of the behavioral reasoning theory. Which can be used in the design of health promotion programs for patients with diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20131014015015N21.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Patient Education as Topic , Self-Management , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Self-Management/education , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Iran , Adult , Psychological Theory , Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health BehaviorABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of oligo-ovulation and anovulation among women of reproductive age, contributing to infertility. This study aimed to compare the effects of green tea tablets and metformin on ovulation, menstrual cycle regularity, and antioxidant biomarkers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this clinical trial study, 94 women with PCOS were randomly assigned to three groups: green tea (n = 33), metformin (n = 29), and control (n = 32). Menstrual status and oxidative stress parameters, including total antioxidant capacity, thiol, and lipid peroxidation, were compared before and 3 months after the intervention among all three groups. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22 and employing the analysis of variance and paired t-tests. Following the intervention, the mean menstrual cycle duration in the green tea, metformin, and control groups was 32.22 ± 12.78, 48.72 ± 37.06, and 48.53 ± 31.04 days, respectively (P = 0.040). There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of biochemical, hormonal, and antioxidant indices before and after the intervention (P > 0.05). The intake of green tea tablets was associated with better outcomes in regulating the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS.
Subject(s)
Menstrual Cycle , Metformin , Ovulation , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Tablets , Tea , Humans , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/drug therapy , Female , Metformin/therapeutic use , Metformin/pharmacology , Menstrual Cycle/drug effects , Adult , Ovulation/drug effects , Young Adult , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Oxidative Stress/drug effectsABSTRACT
Nutritional education is pivotal in the medical nutritional therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The extended parallel process model (EPPM) is a health education method for inducing desirable health behaviours. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nutritional education based on the EPPM in T2DM patients on knowledge, attitude, practice, anthropometric indices, glycaemic factors, lipid profile and adherence to the diabetic diet. A randomised, double-blind, controlled, factorial field trial was designed for T2DM patients aged 30-59 years (n 88). Participants were randomly allocated into four groups to receive EPPM-based nutritional education through gain framed message (GFM), loss framed message (LFM), their combination (G\LFM) or usual diabetic education in the control group (CG). Participants were assessed before and after the study duration. After 3 months of intervention, eighty participants finished the study. The EPPM-based intervention increased participants' knowledge, behavioural intention, perceived sensitivity, severity, self-efficacy (P < 0·001 for all) and response efficacy (P = 0·029) in comparison with CG. GFM (P = 0·004) and G\FLM (P = 0·034) reduced carbohydrate intake and LFM (P = 0·034) and G\LFM (P = 0·047) decreased fat intake. Between-group analysis indicated interventions reduced weight (P = 0·046), BMI (P = 0·038), fasting blood sugar (P = 0·030), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (P = 0·027) and TAG (P = 0·002) in comparison with the CG. Results were NS for protein intake, waist and hip circumference, waist:hip ratio, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. Nutritional education based on EPPM could increase the knowledge and awareness of T2DM patients. Also, it could be beneficial for blood glucose amendment. Further investigations are recommended.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Diet, Diabetic , Glycemic Control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Middle Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diet therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Double-Blind Method , Male , Female , Adult , Glycemic Control/methods , Diet, Diabetic/methods , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Patient Compliance , Blood Glucose/analysis , Blood Glucose/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The skill of communicating with the patient is one of the basic clinical skills and part of the necessary competencies for medical doctors. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and performance (KAP) of medical students, assistants, and professors of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences regarding clinical communication skills with patients. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the hospitals of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The study included a total of 289 participants, consisting of 51 professors, 72 assistants, 90 external staff, and 76 interns who work at these hospitals. The participants were selected through a convenience sampling method. The data-gathering tools used included a questionnaire to collect demographic characteristics, a researcher-made questionnaire to assess knowledge, a communication skills attitude questionnaire, and a communication skills survey questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and frequency, as well as statistical tests that included one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation test. The significance level for the study was considered to be 0.05. RESULTS: The mean scores of knowledge of professors were higher compared to other groups (P = 0.002). All participating groups had a positive attitude toward learning communication skills. There were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the communication performance of the study groups (P < 0.001). There was a positive relationship between positive attitude and communication performance, and a significant negative relationship was observed between negative attitude and communication performance. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the relatively favorable attitude and performance of the groups and their low knowledge. It is suggested that the doctor-patient communication skills courses be included as one of the necessary courses in the medical education curriculum.
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Clinical Competence , Students, Medical , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Attitude , CommunicationABSTRACT
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.
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INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer disease is known as the most common cancer among women. Lack of knowledge and awareness is a leading cause of breast cancer, and since nearly all women are increasingly susceptible to this disease, training screening behaviors for early detection is proven essential in order to reduce breast cancer mortality. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the Health Action Model in improving breast cancer screening behaviors in women aged 30 to 69 in Kashan, Iran. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 162 women aged 30-69 years old among the clients of Comprehensive health service centers in Kashan, Iran and they were assigned to intervention and control groups. The research instrument included a questionnaire assessed within three phases: baseline, 3-months, and 6-months, containing Health Action Model (HAM) structures and also three screening behaviors. The intervention consisted of a model-based education package and was carried out over 2 months. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, the mean of model structures and proportion screening behaviors in the third and sixth months were compared with the baseline phase. All analyses were carried out using SPSS, version 22. RESULTS: The intervention and control groups were homogeneous regarding the structures of the HAM and the proportion of screening behaviors in the baseline phase (p > 0.05). In the 3-month (p < 0.05) and 6-month (p < 0.05) phases, the mean scores of the HAM constructs in the intervention group were found higher compared with the control group. Moreover, the proportion of clinical breast examinations in the intervention group was statistically higher than in the control group in the 3-month (p < 0.001) and 6-month (p < 0.001) phases. In addition, the proportion of mammography performed in the 3-month (p = 0.002) and 6-month (p < 0.001) phases were reported to be higher in the intervention group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results provide important insight into the effectiveness of the interventions based on the Health Action Model in promoting breast cancer screening behaviors and the determinants of such behaviors.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Early Detection of Cancer , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mammography , Health Education/methodsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The changes that retirees experience during their retirement years will challenge their ability to cope, potentially endangering their health and quality of life. This study aims to design and evaluate a theory-based health promotion programme to improve retirees' psychological well-being and quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This mixed-method, non-blinded study uses an embedded design. The purposive sampling method will be employed for the qualitative aspect of the study. Qualitative data will be collected at baseline, focusing on retirement adjustment, through semistructured, in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. The data will be analysed using Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis method. A pre-post test controlled group design will be conducted for the quantitative part of the study. A sample size of 80 is estimated for both the intervention and control groups. Systematic sampling and the block randomisation method will be employed for sampling. The training programme in the intervention group will consist of eight 60 min sessions and environmental support, implemented after assessing the research environment and obtaining approval from the relevant officials. A brief training programme unrelated to the intervention group's focus (home safety) will be implemented for the control group. Quantitative measures will be collected in both groups at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. These measures will include self-administered questionnaires covering demographic variables, retirement adjustment, retirement resources, quality of life, coping methods, spiritual well-being and psychological well-being. Analytical statistics will be performed using the generalised linear model, with p values≤0.05 considered significant. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has received approval from the ethics committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The research findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentation in abstracts at National and International Scientific Conferences, and data sharing among researchers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT20180516039690N2.
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Psychological Well-Being , Quality of Life , Humans , Adaptation, Psychological , Research Design , Health PromotionABSTRACT
In the present study, a copper(ii) complex containing a pyridine-2-carbaldehyde ligand and its direct binding onto ethylenediamine functionalized with Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles [Cu(ii)-Schiff base-(CH2)3-SiO2@Fe3O4] as a heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst can be easily prepared using a multi-step method. Next, the structural and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), PXRD (Powder X-ray diffraction), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) techniques. TEM images reveal that the average particle size distribution was found to be in the range of 45-55 nm with spherical shape. The PXRD analysis indicated that the crystallite size was found to be 35.2 nm. The synthesized nanocatalyst exhibited a very good catalytic ability in the synthesis reaction of pyran derivatives and 2-benzylidenemalononitrile derivatives. Product 2-amino-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran 4e was achieved in 97% yield with a TON of 129.3 and a TOF of 646.6 h-1 and product 2-(4-cyanobenzylidene)malononitrile 3j was achieved in 96% yield with a TON of 128 and a TOF of 984.6 h-1. In addition, the synthesized nanocatalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture by a magnet and used 7 consecutive times without significant loss of catalytic activity. Also, leaching of copper metal from the synthesized nanocatalyst was very insignificant for this reaction.
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Gastric Cancer (GC) is one of the most dangerous malignancies in the world. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with H. pylori infections with GC compared to H. pylori-infected patients and healthy subjects. Forty patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses and 40 patients with H. pylori positive and GC negative diagnoses, and 40 healthy persons were selected. The expression of miR-146a and miR-155 genes in the whole blood was examined using qRT-PCR. Moreover, ROC curves were drawn to represent the sensitivity and specificity of miR-146a and miR-155 expression as biomarkers. The results showed the expression of miR-146a and miR-155 in the whole blood of patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses are significantly higher than in healthy individuals and are non-significantly enhanced compared to H. pylori positive and GC negative. Also, the results stated miR-146a and miR-155 expression in the whole blood of patients who are H. pylori positive and GC negative are significantly increased compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, the ROC curve analysis of miR-146a and miR-155 RNA level demonstrated the two miRNAs have an appropriate sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic goals. In conclusion, H. pylori infection may increase the expression of miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses, which can be effective in the curbing the progression of GC. For this reason, up-regulation of miR-146a and miR-155 along with H. pylori infection might contribute to the pathogenesis of GC, and also can be suggested as biomarkers for GC diagnosis and treatment.
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BACKGROUND: The white cane is globally an important tool in orientation and mobility for blind and visually impaired people, but it is not often used. The goal of this study was to develop and validate the white cane use perceived advantages and disadvantages (WCPAD) questionnaire for detecting effective factors in the use or non-use of canes. METHOD: The initial questionnaire items were extracted through semi-structured interviews with 21 blind or severely impaired vision individuals under two main themes, the perceived advantages, and disadvantages of using a white cane. Linguistic validity and writing evaluation with seven experts, face validity with 23 blind persons, content validity ratio (CVR), and content validity index (CVI) were used for assessment of validity. Internal and external reliability assessment was done using Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Explanatory factor analysis was conducted to identify the factors of the questionnaire; then, corrected item-total correlations, convergent and discriminant validity, and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were done, and model fit indices were reported. A total of 320 blind and severe visual impaired individuals (138 males and 182 females) participated in the study. The final questionnaire contained 12 questions in perceived advantages and 21 in perceived disadvantages. RESULTS: Three factors (social participation, mobility, and culture) extracted for perceived advantages which explained 67.95% of the total variance, Cronbach-α for the three extracted factors was between 0.75 and 0.91. Four factors (social, safety, ergonomics, and family) for perceived disadvantages were extracted which explained 50.98% of the total variance. Cronbach-α for the four extracted factors was from 0.75 to 0.88. CFA confirmed the final models for perceived advantages and disadvantages. CONCLUSION: WCPAD questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and the factors obtained from factor analysis can measure the reasons for using or otherwise of white canes.
Subject(s)
Canes , Ergonomics , Female , Male , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Factor Analysis, Statistical , WritingABSTRACT
Health professionals assume the quality of life (QOL) as a main outcome of health care activities, especially in the elderly. Thus, they need valid tools for evaluating the effectiveness of their interventions. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the World Health Organization quality of life-old questionnaire (WHOQOL-OLD). The questionnaire was translated into Persian by standard translate/back-translate procedure. The Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients were estimated to assess the internal validity and reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in a sample of 300 Persian-speaking elderly in Shiraz, Iran, were used for construct validity assessment. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff point for poor or good QOL. All the analyses were conducted using SPSS 24 and IBM AMOS 24. The internal consistency and reliability indices of the Persian version of WHOQOL-OLD were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha: 0.66-0.95; ICC: 0.71-0.91). CFA confirmed the WHOQOL-OLD six-domain structure (CMIN/df = 3.12, p < .001; CFI = 0.93; NFI = 0.89; RMSEA = 0.08). The ROC curve indicated 71.5 as the best cutoff point, with a sensitivity of 82.3% and specificity of 61.8%. The Persian version of the WHOQOL-OLD is valid and can be used for investigating the QOL in Persian-speaking elderly.
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INTRODUCTION: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is a growing public health concern, demanding preventive measures, particularly among high school students. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), self-efficacy coupled with outcome expectations, social support, self-regulation, and behavioral intention, determine the likelihood of engaging in such a behavior. Thus, the present study was to investigate the effect of a SCT-based educational intervention on NSSI prevention in female high school students. METHODS: This randomized educational intervention trial was conducted on 191 female high school students, aged 15-17 years (15.95 ± 0.59) (viz. 99 individuals in intervention group and 92 controls). Intervention group attended five SCT-based educational intervention sessions concerning NSSI prevention. Data were then collected by three self-administered questionnaires. The first questionnaire was to measure demographic variables and the second one, intermediate outcome measure, was implemented to evaluate SCT constructs. The third questionnaire also measured NSSI (final outcome measure). Data were analyzed using SPSS software v.24. RESULTS: After controlling the pretest scores, the repeated-measure multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant time and group interaction in multivariate (F = 154.8, p < .001) and univariate analysis, which is in favor of the effectiveness of educational intervention on changing the mean scores of NSSI and all SCT constructs. SCT constructs explained 41% of the variance in conforming intention for NSSI prevention (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The study findings were in favor of effectiveness of an SCT-based educational intervention in intention of preventing NSSI.
Subject(s)
Self Efficacy , Self-Injurious Behavior , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Psychological Theory , Self-Injurious Behavior/prevention & control , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology , Social Support , Students/psychologyABSTRACT
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.
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Family Health , Mothers , Child , Humans , Female , Mothers/psychology , Health Behavior , Exercise , StudentsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis, as the most common metabolic disease and the leading cause of death among older people, affects more than 200 million women throughout the world. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a health communication campaign on knowledge, attitude, and practice of older women towards prevention and control of osteoporosis. METHODS: In this multi-stage mixed methods study, 30 days' health communication campaign for prevention of osteoporosis was conducted on 60- 75-year-old women, in rural areas of Fasa, Iran. Subjects were divided into two groups, control (n = 103) and intervention (n = 98). Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 25.0. The significance level was set at < 0.05. RESULTS: Inter-group group analysis revealed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention, but after the intervention, unlike the behavior (P = 0.569), mean scores of knowledge (p < 0.001) and attitude (p < 0.001) of the intervention group were significantly more than the control group. Intra-group comparisons showed that, unlike the control group, the mean scores of knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and behavior (P < 0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Health communication campaign is an effective way to change the knowledge and attitude and to a lesser extent the practice of the eldery toward prevention and control of osteoporosis.
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Health Communication , Osteoporosis , Humans , Female , Aged , Middle Aged , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Osteoporosis/prevention & control , Health Behavior , Health PromotionABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , COVID-19/prevention & control , Pregnant Women , Iran/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health BehaviorABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of family social support (FSS) on postpartum quality of life (PQOL). METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study enrolled postpartum women and asked them to complete the PQOL and FSS questionnaire (FSSQ) between October 2021 and February 2022 in three urban health centres in Shiraz, Iran. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis and multiple regression were used to determine the relationship between the FSS and PQOL variables. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationship pathways of the impact of FSS on PQOL. RESULTS: A total of 240 women were enrolled in the study. The mean ± SD scores of PQOL and FSSQ were 61.63 ± 9.59 and 69.80 ± 11.19, respectively. Family support seeking (7.95) and emotional support seeking (-6.80) were two factors affecting PQOL. CONCLUSION: Women should be empowered to seek support through education and actions from health workers, especially nurses and midwives, during routine regular prenatal care.
Subject(s)
Quality of Life , Social Support , Humans , Female , Quality of Life/psychology , Iran , Cross-Sectional Studies , Latent Class Analysis , Postpartum PeriodABSTRACT
Introduction: Menopause is an inevitable part of women's lives. Physical activity as nonhormonal therapy can decrease the symptoms of menopause. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of educational intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) on physical activity and menopausal symptoms of female clients of the health center in Pasargad City, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 140 females admitted to health center of Pasargad City, Fars Province, Iran (intervention = 70 and control = 70). The data collection tool consisted of demographic data, menopause rating scale, international physical activities questionnaire, and TTM questionnaire (stages of change, processes of change, decision-making balance, and self-efficacy) that were completed before and two months after intervention. For intervention group, the educational program was implemented during 5 sessions of 50-55 min. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25 and by using Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Results: After intervention, the mean scores of physical symptoms are sleep problems, muscle problems and discomfort, psychological symptoms, depression, irritability, and anxiety of intervention group decreased significantly post intervention (p < 0.001). Analysis showed that psychological symptoms, mental fatigue, somatic, and urogenital symptoms, and vaginal dryness increased 2 months after the intervention. Also, the mean score of cons, pros, decision balance, self-efficacy, consciousness raising, dramatic relief, environmental reevaluation, and self-reevaluation have significant changed in intervention group (p < 0.05). In addition, the top percent of progress can be seen in contemplation (31. 5%). Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of educational intervention based on TTM to reduce menopausal symptoms and promote physical activity in postmenopausal women.
Subject(s)
Transtheoretical Model , Vaginal Diseases , Female , Humans , Menopause/physiology , Exercise/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Complete pathological response (pCR) is achieved in 10−20% of rectal cancers when treated with short-course radiotherapy (scRT) or long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and in 28% with total neoadjuvant therapy (scRT/CRT + CTX). pCR is associated with better outcomes and a "watch-and-wait" strategy (W&W). The aim of this study was to identify baseline clinical or imaging factors predicting pCR. All patients with preoperative treatment and delays to surgery in Uppsala-Dalarna (n = 359) and Stockholm (n = 635) were included. Comparison of pCR versus non-pCR was performed with binary logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) models for predicting pCR were built using factors with p < 0.10 in multivariate analyses. A pCR was achieved in 12% of the 994 patients (scRT 8% [33/435], CRT 13% [48/358], scRT/CRT + CTX 21% [43/201]). In univariate and multivariate analyses, choice of CRT (OR 2.62; 95%CI 1.34−5.14, scRT reference) or scRT/CRT + CTX (4.70; 2.23−9.93), cT1−2 (3.37; 1.30−8.78; cT4 reference), tumour length ≤ 3.5 cm (2.27; 1.24−4.18), and CEA ≤ 5 µg/L (1.73; 1.04−2.90) demonstrated significant associations with achievement of pCR. Age < 70 years, time from radiotherapy to surgery > 11 weeks, leucocytes ≤ 109/L, and thrombocytes ≤ 4009/L were significant only in univariate analyses. The associations were not fundamentally different between treatments. A model including T-stage, tumour length, CEA, and leucocytes (with scores of 0, 0.5, or 1 for each factor, maximum 4 points) showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.66 (95%CI 0.60−0.71) for all patients, and 0.65−0.73 for the three treatments separately. The choice of neoadjuvant treatment in combination with low CEA, short tumour length, low cT-stage, and normal leucocytes provide support in predicting pCR and, thus, could offer guidance for selecting patients for organ preservation.
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BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is known as the most common cancer and the first-rank malignancy among women. Screening plays a crucial role in early diagnosis and timely treatment. This paper presents the results of design, evaluation and analysis of a questionnaire based on the health action model to investigate breast cancer screening behaviors and their relevant factors. METHODS: The study is based on using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches for optimal design and development of research tools. In order to design the structure of the health action model and screening behaviors related factors, both qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and quantitative approaches studied. Psychometric properties of the research tool were investigated through literature review. The research population consisted of 210 30-69 years old females based in Kashan who were selected through simple random sampling. The relative and content validity indexes were calculated to judge the content of the tool. Also, the confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity. Additionally, intra-class correlation coefficient and Cornbrash's alpha coefficient were calculated to evaluate the reliability of the instrument. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22 and AMOS 22 software packages. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 43 ± 9.82 Years old. The final version of the questionnaire was prepared in four sections, namely demographic factors (15 items), knowledge (12 items), constructs of the health action model or the factors related to breast cancer screening behaviors (67 items), and behavior (6 items). Factor analysis confirmed that the health action model fits in measuring breast cancer screening behaviors. CONCLUSION: The tool designed for measuring breast cancer screening behaviors showed acceptable psychometric properties amongst females and can be used as a valid tool in conducting research in health studies.