Impact of virtual education based on health belief model on cervical cancer screening behavior in middle-aged women: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and a cause of high mortality among people. Pap smear screening is an appropriate method to prevent cervical cancer and reduce its mortality. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of web-based education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on cervical cancer screening behavior in middle-aged women. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study is a quasi-experimental interventional research that was conducted on 240 middle-aged women aged 40-59 years in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. An online educational intervention based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model was conducted for the intervention group using the Triple-B platform. The information on the intervention and control groups was collected before, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months later using a valid questionnaire. The gathered Data was analyzed using ANOVA and LSD post-hoc, independent samples t test, chi-square, and MANCOVA statistical tests in SPSS 26 software. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and internal cues to action in the intervention group increased and the mean score of perceived barriers decreased (p < .001). The mean score of the external cues to action did not show a significant difference between the intervention and control groups before, immediately, and 2 months after the intervention. Two months after the intervention, 32 women (26.2%) in the intervention group and two women (1.7%) in the control group performed the Pap smear test. CONCLUSION: Web-based educational intervention based on HBM using different strategies such as question and answer, presentation of infographics, lectures, brainstorming, showing videos and numerous educational images can be an effective way for increasing knowledge and cognitive variables of women and doing Pap smear test.

Factors influencing breast cancer screening practices among women worldwide: a systematic review of observational and qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: The variation in breast cancer incidence rates across different regions may reflect disparities in breast cancer screening (BCS) practices. Understanding the factors associated with these screening behaviors is crucial for identifying modifiable elements amenable to intervention. This systematic review aims to identify common factors influencing BCS behaviors among women globally. METHODS: Relevant papers were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. The included studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals from January 2000 to March 2023 and investigated factors associated with BCS behaviors. RESULTS: From an initial pool of 625 articles, 34 studies (comprising 29 observational and 5 qualitative studies) with 36,043 participants were included. Factors influencing BCS behaviors were categorized into nine groups: socio-demographic factors, health status history, knowledge, perceptions, cultural factors, cues to action, motivation, self-efficacy, and social support. The quality appraisal scores of the studies ranged from average to high. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review highlights factors pivotal for policy-making at various levels of breast cancer prevention and assists health promotion professionals in designing more effective interventions to enhance BCS practices among women.

The effect of a health belief model-based education on nutritional behavior and biochemical factors of patients with myocardial infarction: A line follow-up experimental study.

Background and Aim: Myocardial infarction is a common cause of hospitalization, and nutritional behaviors are risk factors in such patients. The present study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the health belief model on nutritional behavior and indices in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: The present experimental study examined patients with myocardial infarction in 2021. Seventy-two patients with myocardial infarction were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received educational interventions based on the health belief model in four 60-min sessions for 3 months. The constructs of the health belief model, nutritional behavior, and indices were measured using a valid questionnaire before, 1, and 3 months after the intervention. At the end, the study data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, nutritional behaviors, and body mass index after the intervention (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was found in the field of perceived barriers (p > 0.05). Biochemical factors also had a significant difference after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Educational intervention based on the health belief model is effective for myocardial infarction patients and has a significant impact on the constructs of perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy as well as biochemical factors, so it can be used to improve the nutritional status of patients suffered from a myocardial infarction.

The effect of educational intervention based on the PEN-3 model on breast cancer screening behaviors.

Background: Breast cancer is the most important malignancy and the main cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Breast cancer screening is an effective way to reduce breast cancer deaths. Objectives: The present study aimed to provide breast cancer screening behavior training for female teachers in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial included 120 teachers who have randomly divided into two groups (60 in the control group and 60 in the intervention group). The data collection tool was a PEN-3 model-based questionnaire. Four 90 min training sessions were held for the intervention group to modify perception and enablers. Breast self-examination (BSE), Clinical breast exam (CBE), and mammography (MMG) were investigated in both groups before and after 6 months after the last training using SPSS20 and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The frequency of BSE (p = 0.02), CBE (p = 0.04), and MMG (p = 0.01) in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group 6 months after training. The mean scores of perception and enablers were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group 3 and 6 months after training (p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis indicated that perception factors were the strongest predictors of breast cancer screening behavior in teachers. Conclusion: Results of the present study indicated that using the PEN-3 model in the educational intervention was effective in improving breast cancer screening behavior.

Application of Theory of Planned Behavior in Pregnant Women Training Regarding Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of the theory of planned behavior-based education program on promoting the urinary tract infection prevention behaviors in pregnant women. METHODS: The present study was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 pregnant women, who visited the healthcare centers of Zarinshahr City, were randomly divided into two groups, intervention and control. Five education sessions based on the theory of planned behavior were held for the intervention group. RESULTS: After implementing the educational intervention, the mean scores of knowledge and constructs of the theory of planned behavior significantly increased in the intervention group over time (P < 0.001). After the educational intervention, the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) was 4.3% in the intervention group and 21.3% in the control group. CONCLUSION: In this study, the use of methods such as group discussion and role playing promoted attitudes, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms of pregnant women, and as a result, UTI in women in the intervention group was reduced.

Application of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) in Teaching Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors in Male Students.

Adolescents are at high risk of skin cancer. Since protecting the skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays is an important way to prevent this disease, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching skin cancer prevention behaviors using the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) in male students in Isfahan. An intervention study examined change in attitudes and behaviors among 104, 13-year-old male students from two schools in Isfahan, Iran. The schools were randomized to either receive or not receive a 5-session skin cancer prevention curriculum based in PMT theory. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire that included demographic, PMT, and behavior construct variables. Questionnaires were completed by both groups before and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, paired t-test, and McNemar's test. The results indicated that the mean scores of all constructs of PMT increased in the intervention group compared to the baseline assessment, except for the response cost (P < 0.001). The mean score of students' skin cancer preventive behaviors was 39.6 (21.4) in the intervention group, and it increased to 74.7 (23.5) after educational intervention, while the control group did not exhibit any significant behavior change. The intervention certainly shows the potential for being effective over the short-term. Therefore, it is recommended that PMT-based educational interventions be designed to teach and promote social health, particularly at an early age.

Design and evaluation of two educational media in the form of animation and games to promote the cutaneous leishmaniasis prevention behaviors in adolescent female.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has social and psychological effects on different groups, especially adolescents and young girls in 98 countries of the world, in addition to the economic burden. Therefore, it is necessary to apply effective methods for CL prevention. In this study, educational messages were designed based on Extended Parallel Process Model in both forms of animation and game, whose effect on the cutaneous leishmaniasis prevention behaviors was evaluated in adolescent female students.  METHODS: This experimental study was carried out from January to September 2021 on 275 adolescent female students in Isfahan province, Iran. Cluster sampling method was used, and then the students were randomly divided into three groups, namely animation education, game education, and control groups. The educational intervention was performed with two new media in the form of animation and games. The data collected before and two months after the education through a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire were analyzed in SPSS24 software using statistical tests of ANOVA, Chi-square, paired t and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 14.07 ± 0.94. The mean scores of behavior in the animation group (60.60 ± 23.00), the game group (61.70 ± 22.05), and the control group (66.13 ± 24.62) were not significantly different prior to the education. However, after the education, there was a significant difference between the animation (80.66 ± 17.62) and game groups (82.58 ± 19.07) and the control group (69.79 ± 23.29) (P < 0.001). The mean scores of model constructs following the intervention (susceptibility, severity, response efficacy, and perceived self-efficacy) significantly increased in the animation and game groups compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that if educational programs contain a combination of threat and efficiency messages, CL-preventive behaviors in adolescents increase. Providing similar educational content with both game and animation methods indicated that both methods had an almost same effect. Although animation production is more costly, it has the advantage of being used in periods and for other adolescents.

Evaluation of medication adherence and its relevant factors among hypertensive patients: A cross-sectional study in Shahrekord health-care system.

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence means compliance with patient adherence to medication orders, including timely and correct consumption of medication prescribed by a physician. The present study aimed to determine the extent of adherence to hypertension drug medication in patients covered by comprehensive health service centers of Shahrekord, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study examined 401 hypertensive patients registered in the Integrated Health Record System (SIB). SIB is a Persian term related to Health Record System. To collect data, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used. The questionnaire was completed by the patients and analyzed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA, version 26), Chi-square test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: The results indicated that adherence to antihypertensive medication was low in 5.7% of patients, while 63.3% of patients had sufficient compliance. Forgetting to take medications (52.9%) was the most common reason for nonadherence to medication in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Given that forgetting to take medications was the main reason for nonadherence to medication in hypertensive patients, designing and implementing necessary trainings by comprehensive health centers to realize the importance of daily use of medication by hypertensive patients and their families are recommended.

Development and psychometric assessment of cutaneous leishmaniasis prevention behaviors questionnaire in adolescent female students: Application of integration of cultural model and extended parallel process model.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is an important public health issue in at least 83 countries, including Iran. Individuals' behavior modification is believed to be one of the best ways for CL prevention. However, no comprehensive questionnaires have been psychoanalyzed for identification of CL prevention behaviors and its numerous associated factors, as well as the impact of educational messages. Thus, the present study was conducted to develop and psychometrically assess CL prevention behaviors questionnaire in female students. METHODS: The present study was performed from October 2020 to May 2021 by developing a preliminary questionnaire based on integration of Cultural Model and Extended Parallel Process Model. The questionnaire was completed online by 460 adolescent female students living in endemic areas of Isfahan, Iran. Exploratory factor analysis was performed using SPSS 24 to ensure the construct validity. Internal reliability was assessed via Cronbach's alpha and external reliability was determined using the test-retest method based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) index. RESULTS: The first version of the questionnaire contains 110 items, out of which 82 remained according to content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) criteria. Afterwards, 11 items were removed due to low factor load in the construct validity process using the factor analysis technique. Ultimately, a 71-items questionnaire was developed and 12 factors were extracted from it. According to Cronbach's alpha index, the internal reliability for the questionnaire was 0.877 and the ICC index calculated the external reliability as 0.833. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of a Cultural Model with individual model was used for the first time to measure the factors related to CL prevention behaviors in this questionnaire; owing to the strength of the factor structure and appropriate psychometric properties, the questionnaire is applicable in the evaluation process of educational interventions concerning CL prevention, especially in female students.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the diabetes self-management questionnaire (DSMQ) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Performing self-care behaviors by diabetic patients is essential to achieve optimal glycemic control, reduction of complications, and improvement in the quality of life. The Diabetes Self-care Questionnaire (DSMQ) is designed to assess self-care behaviors that can predict glycemic control. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the DSMQ in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The present methodological cross-sectional study investigated 460 patients with T2DM referred to the Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan, Iran through the convenience sampling procedure. The translation process of the DSMQ was carried out based on the guidelines suggested by Beaton et al. We assessed the reliability (internal consistency), content validity, convergent validity and construct validity. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (calibration sample = 230) and confirmatory factor analysis (validation sample = 230). Furthermore, a linear regression analysis was used to determine the prediction power of self-care behaviors in explaining the variance of the HbA1c level. Results: In the EFA with Varimax rotation, we extracted four factors that could explain 67.46% of the total variance of the DSMQ scale. The CFA exhibited a satisfactory fit level for the four-factor structure extracted from EFA with the following measures. CFI: 0.980, IFI: 0.980, NFI: 0.956, TLI: 0.974, RMSEA: 0.042). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale: 0.84; the subscales: 0.75-0.91). The convergent validity showed significant negative correlations (GM: -0.53; DC: -0.22; PA: -0.16; HU: -0.17; SS: -0.45; p < 0.01) between DSMQ subscales and HbA1c. However, only two factors of glucose management and diet control in the statistical model obtained from regression analysis (stepwise) were able to explain 30% of the HbA1c level (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Persian version of the DSMQ is a valid and reliable instrument to assess self-care behaviors associated with glycemic control in Iranian patients with T2DM. Therefore, this instrument can be used in both future research and clinical practices.

Development and evaluation of a new questionnaire to assess social cognitive factors of self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes: a psychometric study.

Background: Self-care behaviors are essential to control blood sugar and to prevent mortality and complications of diabetes. The evidence suggests that social cognitive factors play a crucial role in adopting self-care behaviors. This study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory (DSMQ-SCT). Methods: The present methodological cross-sectional study investigated 460 patients with T2DM referred to the Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran using the convenience sampling method. We assessed the reliability (internal consistency), content validity, convergent validity and construct validity. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (calibration sample = 230) and confirmatory factor analysis (validation sample = 230). Results: In the EFA with the varimax rotation, we extracted four factors that could explain 65.9% of the total variance of the DSMQ-SCT scale. The CFA exhibited a satisfactory fit level for the four-factor structure extracted from the EFA with the following measures. CFI: .971, IFI: .971, NFI: .942, TLI: .966, RMSEA: .046).Internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale: 0.88; the subscales: 0.85 to 0.92). The convergent validity showed significant negative correlations between DSMQ-SCT subscales and HbA1c. Conclusion: DSMQ-SCT is a valid and reliable instrument to assess social cognitive factors associated with self-management behaviors in patients with T2DM. Therefore, this instrument can be used in both future research and clinical practices.

Psychometrics of the Persian version of the COVID-19-related health literacy in the Iranian population.

Background: Since the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, information dissemination has increased rapidly. Promoting health literacy is currently crucial to prepare people to respond quickly to situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the importance of health literacy in this critical situation, we are looking for a questionnaire to measure COVID-19 health literacy. The COVID-19 Germany Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22) is an excellent tool, so the study aimed to create a cultural validity of this questionnaire for the Iranian population. Methods: In this validation study, 880 samples were enrolled using a convenient sampling method. The questionnaire was translated through a backward forwarding procedure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were employed for Persian version validity. McDonald's omega (Ω), Cronbach's alpha, and average inter-item correlation (AIC) coefficients were assessed for reliability. Results: Using EFA on the random half sample (n = 440), the EFA indicated that the scale had four factors: accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health-related information in the COVID-19 pandemic context, which explained 59.3% of the total variance. CFA was used for the sample's second part (n = 440) to evaluate the goodness of fit of the four-factor solution. CFA showed the model fit. All indices RMSEA = 0.067, CFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.934, PCFI = 0.772, PNFI = 0.747, and CMIN/DF = 2.972 confirmed the model fit. The convergent validity of the HLS-COVID-Q22 was confirmed. McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha were very good (α and Ω >0.80). Conclusion: The Persian version of the HLS-COVID-Q22 had acceptable psychometric properties and is applicable to measure COVID-19 health literacy.

Application of BASNEF model in students training regarding cutaneous leishmaniasis prevention behaviors: a school-based quasi experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in 98 countries, and 350 million people are at risk of the disease worldwide. In endemic areas, conducting educational interventions is necessary to change preventive behaviors of CL. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on the BASNEF model on CL preventive behavior in students. METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study examined 80 students living in endemic areas of leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran based on the BASNEF model. The required data were collected twice before and two months after the educational intervention based on a questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been already proven in other studies. The intervention was performed in three educational sessions for the students in the intervention group and 1 educational session for teachers and parents. Data were analyzed by SPSS (VER26) using the chi-square test, independent t-test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Paired t-test. RESULTS: After intervention, the mean scores of Knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P = 0.02), subjective norms (P = 0.04), behavioral intention (P < 0.001), and behavior (P = 0.02) indicated significant differences between the intervention and control groups, but an increase in mean scores of enabling factors was not significant (P = 0. 93). CONCLUSIONS: Providing students with the educational intervention based on the BASNEF model improve their ability to the extent that they transmit these educations to their family members, which would be effective in preventing and controlling CL in leishmaniasis-prone areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. Registration number: IRCT20201024049131N1. Registration date: 2020-11-20. Registration timing: prospective.

Predictability of constructs of theory of planned behavior in adopting urinary tract infection prevention behaviors among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is a common infection in women during pregnancy, leading to many complications for both mother and fetus if untreated. The present study aimed to investigate the predictability of constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in adopting urinary tract infection prevention behaviors in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study, we selected 100 pregnant women who visited the comprehensive health service centers of Zarrinshahr using convenience sampling from July to September 2019. We collected data by a questionnaire designed based on the constructs of the TPB and analyzed data using SPSS 20 and linear regression test and Pearson correlation coefficient. A significant level was considered as α < 0.05. RESULTS: In the study, the Pearson correlation coefficient showed direct relationships between the score of behavior and the scores of knowledge (P = 0.005), attitude (P = 0.02), perceived behavioral control (P < 0.001), and behavioral intention (P = 0.001). Linear regression analysis indicated that among the above variables, the perceived behavioral control, knowledge, and behavioral intention were significant predictors of scores of urinary tract infection prevention behaviors, respectively, in terms of their importance. CONCLUSION: In this study, perceived behavioral control is detected as the main predictor of doing urinary tract infection prevention behaviors in pregnant women and should be considered in designing educational interventions.

Behaviors and Perceptions Related to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Endemic Areas of the World: A Review.

The investigation of perceptions and behaviors associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in different societies has indicated that mere attention to biological and medical aspects is not enough to prevent and control diseases and it is necessary to know the disease-associated behaviors and beliefs. The present study aimed to answer a question: what are the behaviors and perceptions associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in endemic regions of the world?. This study is a review of the articles published on CL from January 2010 to January 2021, on the International databases Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. We utilized the terms cutaneous leishmaniasis, in combination with some keywords, including belief, perceptions, knowledge, attitude, practices, prevention, and behavior. Non-original studies, including editorials, reviews, prefaces, brief communications, and letters to the editor, CL epidemiological articles, pre-published articles that has not been peer reviewed, and articles that not provide complete findings on CL-related perceptions and behaviors were excluded from the present paper. After screening, 25 articles from 17 regions of the world were included in the study. The results depicted a novel classification of behaviors and perceptions related to CL prevention and control. Two positive and negative categories of perceptions and behaviors were discovered. Positive perceptions and behaviors were classified into five categories, including: 1- good awareness, 2- perceived susceptibility, 3- perceived severity, 4- perceived response efficiency, and 5- appropriate behaviors. Furthermore, negative perceptions and behaviors were classified into four categories: 1- poor awareness 2- misconceptions (A. About the disease vector B.about the cause of the disease, C. about the consequences of the disease and the treatment process), 3- perceived barriers (A. in prevention, B. in medical treatment), and 4- misbehaviors (A. negligence, B. local and traditional behavioral patterns). In most endemic parts of the world, misconceptions are probably the leading cause of several misbehaviors in dealing with CL. It seems that providing educational programs to strengthen positive beliefs and correct negative beliefs are rooted in the studies in different countries and could be useful for improving the relevant behaviors and ultimately, taking a step towards the prevention and control of CL.

A quasi-experimental study to improve health service quality: implementing communication and self-efficacy skills training to primary healthcare workers in two counties in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Service satisfaction ratings from clients are a good indicator of service quality. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of communication skills and self-efficacy training for healthcare workers on clients' satisfaction. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in health centers of Saveh University of Medical Science in Iran. Primary Healthcare (PHC; N = 105) workers and service recipients (N = 364) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received four 90-min training sessions consisting of lecture, film screening, role-playing, and discussion group. Before and 3 months after the intervention, a multi-part questionnaire (including demographics, self-efficacy and communication skills in PHC workers; and satisfaction questionnaire in service recipients) was completed by participants in both intervention and control groups. RESULTS: PHC worker mean scores of self-efficacy and communication skills after the educational program were increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, mean satisfaction scores for service recipients of the intervention group (PHC workers) generally significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The educational program improved the self-efficacy, and communication skills in health workers and improved client satisfaction overall. Our results support the application of self-efficacy and communication skills training for other medical groups who wish to improve clients satisfaction as an important health services outcome.

Designing and evaluation of E-health educational intervention on students' physical activity: an application of Pender's health promotion model.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to design and evaluate the software and web-based curriculum based on Pender Model in order to promote students' physical activity. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study conducted on 225 eligible students who were randomly divided into two groups of web and software-based intervention and control. The sample size of the study was selected using stratified sampling method. The evaluation was done with pre-test and post-test and follow-up, which were performed immediately two and six months following the intervention. The data were analyzed employing statistical software SPSS using descriptive statistics, chi-square, one way ANOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed that the level of physical activity after the intervention in the web and software groups significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the mean score of Pender model constructs, immediately two and six months after the intervention, was significantly different in the web and software groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that, providing tailored message based on health promotion model's constructs has a positive effect on promoting physical activity of students. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. Registration number: IRCT20181009041298N1 . Registration date: 2018-12-02 [retrospectively registered].

The Effect of Continuous Care Model Implementation on the Quality of Life of Patients with Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is an important chronic and progressive disease worldwide. Patients are faced with several stressors that decrease their quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of implementing a continuous care model on improving the QoL of patients with heart failure. METHODS: In the present randomized controlled trial, 72 patients with heart failure admitted to Shahid Chamran Hospital of Isfahan (in Central Iran) were randomly divided into 36-individual two groups: the experimental (continuous care model) and control (normal care) groups. In the experimental group, the continuous care model was implemented for 3 months. Data were collected using the standard Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire for patients with heart failure. Subsequently, the collected data were entered into the IBM SPSS ver. 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, and independent and paired t-test at a significance level of α≤0.05. RESULTS: The results indicated that the mean scores of QoL before the implementation of continuous care model were 43.3±6.1 in the experimental group and 42.7±5.1 in the control group, indicating no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After the implementation of continuous care model, the mean score of QoL of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Considering the results obtained in the present study, model implementation could improve the overall scores of QoL in patients with chronic heart failure.

Assessing preventive health behaviors from COVID-19: a cross sectional study with health belief model in Golestan Province, Northern of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new viral disease that has caused a pandemic in the world. Due to the lack of vaccines and definitive treatment, preventive behaviors are the only way to overcome the disease. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the preventive behaviors from the disease based on constructs of the health belief model. METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study during March 11-16, 2020, 750 individuals in Golestan Province of Iran were included in the study using the convenience sampling and they completed the questionnaires through cyberspace. Factor scores were calculated using the confirmatory factor analysis. The effects of different factors were separately investigated using the univariate analyses, including students sample t-test, ANOVA, and simple linear regression. Finally, the effective factors were examined by the multiple regression analysis at a significant level of 0.05 and through Mplus 7 and SPSS 16. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 33.9 ± 9.45 years; and 57.1% of them had associate and bachelor's degrees. Multiple regression indicated that the mean score of preventive behavior from COVID-19 was higher in females than males, and greater in urban dwellers than rural dwellers. Furthermore, one unit increase in the standard deviation of factor scores of self-efficacy and perceived benefits increased the scores of preventive behavior from COVID-19 by 0.22 and 0.17 units respectively. On the contrary, one unit increase in the standard deviation of factor score of perceived barriers and fatalistic beliefs decreased the scores of the preventive behavior from COVID-19 by 0.36 and 0.19 units respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study indicated that female gender, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, fatalistic beliefs, perceived interests, and living in city had the greatest preventive behaviors from COVID-19 respectively. Preventive interventions were necessary among males and villagers.

Effect of web-based and software-based educational intervention on stages of behavior change of students' physical activity.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aims at designing and evaluating the effect of new educational media-based educational intervention on students' stages of behavior change of physical activity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the present interventional study, 225 students of medical sciences university were assigned into two experimental and one control groups using proportional stratified random sampling, where web-based and software-based educational interventions were used. Data were collected using International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Marcus's stages of change scales, and a self-made questionnaire including constructs of barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy. Evaluation was conducted through pretest and posttest and immediate and 2 and 6 months of follow-ups after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics and Chi-square, Friedman, one-way ANOVA, and ANOVA with repeated measure. RESULTS: Based on the results, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups before the intervention (P = 0.37); however, immediately and 2 and 6 months after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of stages of change (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in the experimental group, the educational intervention led to improvement of individuals in the stages of change of physical activity. At 6-month follow-up, 75.4% of the software group and 60.6% of the web group achieved the maintenance stage. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that designing intervention based on people's level of preparation for changing behavior and using new educational methods such as web and software were effective on individuals' progress in different stages of change of physical activity behavior and physical activity rate.