Effects of virtual interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to improve obesity-preventive lifestyle among girls, during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for the spread of obesity and overweight. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting obesity-related behaviors in overweight female students in Gachsaran. METHODS: this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 female students of the first secondary school in the form of two intervention and control groups. Information related to nutritional status and the structures of the theory of planned behavior were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The educational intervention was carried out during five virtual training sessions. The data obtained three months after the intervention were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, version 20, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and equivalent non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The present study showed that the scores of the constructs of awareness, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.001). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the two intervention and control groups did not have a significant difference in terms of the average overall physical activity score after the intervention (p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that training based on the theory of planned behavior in the conditions of COVID-19 disease and in a virtual form had an effect on nutritional behavior but could not increase physical activity behavior in adolescents with weight loss.

The prevalence and associated factors of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in South-eastern of Iran: a cross-sectional study based on Rafsanjan cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a major health issue in both high and middle-income countries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. Risk of obesity is related to both unchangeable factors such as genetics and gender, and modifiable lifestyle factors. Most importantly, finding the major modifiable lifestyle factors which contribute to obesity may provide valuable benefits to every society. This study aimed to determine the association of demographic and lifestyle parameters with overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in a population of Iranian adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, adult participants of Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) (as one of the district areas of the PERSIAN cohort (Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN) included the study population. RCS is a population-based prospective cohort of men and women aged 35-70 years, launched in August 2015. Individuals were recruited from four urban and suburban areas of Rafsanjan, south-eastern of Iran. Trained experts interviewed each participant and completed the related questionnaires about his/her socioeconomic status, demography, anthropometric features, personal habits, physical activity and medical history. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between overweight/obesity/abdominal obesity and associated factors. RESULTS: From 9980 participants, 1974 (42.42%) males and 2115 (39.70%) females were overweight, 784 (16.85%) males, 2223 (41.73%) females were obese and 1895 (40.73%) males and 989 (18.57%) females were normal weight. Also, 832 (17.9%) males and 4548 (85.4%) females had abdominal obesity and 3819 (82.1%) males and 778 (14.6%) females didn't have abdominal obesity. Based on the adjusted multiple logistic regression, overweight/obesity (BMI > 25) was associated with age > 45, female gender, education ≥ 13 years, heavy physical activity, wealth status index (WSI), alcohol consumption, current cigarette smoking and opium consumption compared to reference group. Also, odds of abdominal obesity displayed a significant association with age > 45, female gender, education > 5 years, physical activity, WSI, current cigarette smoking, alcohol and opium consumption compared to reference group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results recommend local public health strategies that promote training the society on the health benefits of avoiding alcohol, getting more physical exercise and gaining more personal education on the health-threatening lifestyle.

Cost-effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Remdesivir is being studied and used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to systematically identify, critically evaluate, and summarize the findings of the studies on the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: In this systematic review, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2022. We included all full economic evaluations of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Data were summarized in a structured and narrative manner. RESULTS: Out of 616 articles obtained in this literature search, 12 studies were included in the final analysis. The mean score of the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) for the studies was 87.66 (high quality). All studies were conducted in high-income countries (eight studies in the USA and one study in England), except for three studies from middle-to-high-income countries (China, South Africa, and Turkey). Six studies conducted their economic analysis in terms of a health system perspective; five studies conducted their economic analysis from a payer perspective; three studies from the perspective of a health care provider. The results of five studies showed that remdesivir was cost-effective compared to standard treatment. Furthermore, the therapeutic strategy of combining remdesivir with baricitinib was cost-effective compared to remdesivir alone. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, remdesivir appears to be cost-effective in comparison with the standard of care in China, Turkey, and South Africa. Studies conducted in the United States show conflicting results, and combining remdesivir with baricitinib is cost-effective compared with remdesivir alone. However, the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir in low-income countries remains unknown. Thus, more studies in different countries are required to determine the cost-effectiveness of this drug.

Planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational intervention based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model for mothers about oral health promotion on children aged 3-6 years.

BACKGROUND: Mothers play an important role in oral health of children. The present study was planned, implemented, and evaluated to determine the impact of mothers' educational program based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model on oral health promotion of Rafsanjan 3-6-year-old children, in 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 mothers with children aged 3-6 years divided into two groups. The research tool was developed and approved based on the model phases in the form of demographic information, predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors. At phase five, intervention planning was conducted and the program was implemented in four sessions (45 min each) in 30 days. Follow-up was done 2 months after the last training session. The data were analyzed by SPSS18, using Chi-square, paired t-test, and independent t-test at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: After implementing the program, a significant difference was observed between predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors, as well as oral health-related behaviors of the two groups (P < 0.05). Finally, 30.4% of the changes in oral health-related behavior resulted from the implementation of the designed educational program. CONCLUSION: Considering the importance of planning to promote children's oral health and hygiene, it is recommended that the PRECEDE-PROCEED model be used to design, implement, and evaluate health evidence-based interventions.

Predictors of the intention to receive the COVID 19 vaccine by Iranians 18-70 year old: Application of health belief model.

BACKGROUND: In terms of public health, vaccination is considered as the most effective approach against the infectious diseases. Accepting and receiving the first vaccine produced as an innovation may not be easy. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the predictors of intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine by Iranians aged 18-70 years based on the health belief model in 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was performed on 2365 people aged 18-70-year old in Iran by random cluster sampling. Receipt of data was done electronically questionnaire through the Porcelain system. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 using Chi-square, one-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean score of receiving the Iranian corona vaccine was 3.06 ± 1.30 out of 5 points. About 16.7% reported that they will definitely choose the Iranian vaccine. The highest correlation was between the intention to receive the vaccine with self-efficacy (r = 0.239, P < 0.001) and barriers to receiving the vaccine (r = -0.237, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy (ß = 0.114, P < 0.001), perceived barriers (ß = -0.126, P < 0.001), and benefits of vaccine (ß = 0.061, P = 0.022) were most important predictors the intention to receive the vaccine. CONCLUSION: Approximately 38% reported that they would definitely and probably not choose the Iranian corona vaccine. Therefore, it is suggested that more information should be provided about the features and benefits of domestically produced vaccines compared to foreign products.

Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention, In Pregnant Nulliparous Women. A Cross-Sectional Study / Aplicación de la teoría ampliada del comportamiento planificado para predecir la intención de lactancia materna exclusiva en mujeres nulíparas embarazadas. Un estudio transversal / Aplicação da teoria ampliada do comportamento planejado para prever a intenção de amamentação exclusiva em gestantes nulíparas. Um estudo transversal

Abstract Objective. This study investigated the effect of Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) extended theory of planned behavior in comparison with the Theory Of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining the intention of Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention (EBF) in Pregnant nulliparous women of Kerman (Iran). Methods. In this descriptive study, 249 pregnant women in Kerman participated via simple random sampling. The research instruments included Questionnaire related to the structures of the theory of planned behavior, breastfeeding self-efficacy and social support questionnaire for breastfeeding. Results. The results of the correlation test showed a significant relationship between all constructs of the theory of extended planned behavior and the intention of EBF. The highest correlation belonged to the construct of subjective norms (r=0.49). Path regression coefficients in the second model showed that the Self-Efficacy mediator variable is fully capable of meaningful mediation between Social Support and Intention (p<0.001; B=0.383). The conceptual diagram of Structural equation modeling showed a higher explained variance or R2 index for the intention variable for the developed model compared to that of the first model, i.e. (the first model: R2=0.37, the second model: R2=0.46). The goodness-of-fit index had a better status for the developed model. Conclusion. Extended TPB with social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy constructs can be appropriate model for predicting the intention and behavior of EBF.

Resumen Objetivo. Este estudio investigó el efecto de la Teoría Extendida del Comportamiento Planificado (TECP) en comparación con la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado (TCP) para explicar la intención de la Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (LME) en mujeres nulíparas embarazadas de Kerman. Métodos. En este estudio descriptivo participaron 249 mujeres embarazadas de la ciudad de Kerman (Iran), seleccionadas por muestreo aleatorio simple. Los instrumentos de investigación incluían un cuestionario relacionado con las estructuras de la teoría de la conducta planificada, un cuestionario de autoeficacia para la lactancia materna y un cuestionario de apoyo social para la lactancia materna. Resultados. La prueba de correlación mostró una relación significativa entre todos los constructos de la TECP y la intención de LME. La correlación más alta correspondió al constructo de normas subjetivas (r=0.49). Los coeficientes de la regresión en el segundo modelo mostraron que la variable Autoeficacia mediaba significativamente entre las variables Apoyo Social e Intención (p<0.001; B=0.383). El diagrama conceptual del Structural equation modeling mostró una mayor varianza explicada o índice R2 para la variable de intención para el modelo desarrollado en comparación con el del primer modelo, es decir, (el primer modelo: R2=037, el segundo modelo: R2=0.46). El índice de bondad de ajuste fue mejor para el modelo desarrollado. Conclusión. La TECP con los constructos de apoyo social y autoeficacia para la lactancia materna puede ser un modelo apropiado para predecir la intención y el comportamiento de la LME.

Resumo Objetivo. Este estudo investigou o efeito da Teoria Estendida do Comportamento Planejado (TECP) comparada à Teoria do Comportamento Planejado (TCP) na explicação da intenção da Lactância Materna Exclusiva (LME) em gestantes nulíparas de Kerman. Métodos. Neste estudo descritivo, participaram 249 gestantes da cidade de Kerman (Irã), selecionadas por amostragem aleatória simples. Os instrumentos de pesquisa incluíram um questionário relacionado às estruturas da teoria do comportamento planejado, um questionário de autoeficácia para amamentar e um questionário de apoio social à amamentação. Resultados. O teste de correlação mostrou uma relação significativa entre todos os construtos do TCP e a intenção de LME. A maior correlação correspondeu ao construto das normas subjetivas (r=0.49). Os coeficientes de regressão no segundo modelo mostraram que a variável Autoeficácia mediou significativamente entre as variáveis Apoio Social e Intenção (p <0.001; B=0.383). O diagrama conceitual da Estrutura equação a modelagem apresentou maior variância explicada ou índice R2 para a variável intenção para o modelo desenvolvido em relação ao primeiro modelo, ou seja, (o primeiro modelo: R2=0.37, o segundo modelo: R2=0.46). O índice de bondade de ajuste foi melhor para o modelo desenvolvido. Conclusão. A TECP com os construtos de apoio social e autoeficácia em amamentar pode ser um modelo adequado para predizer a intenção e o comportamento do LME.

Family and school-based educational intervention on fruits and vegetable consumption of female students: Application of social cognitive theory.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetable (F.V) consumption is the most pivotal strategy of preventing cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancers. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of educational intervention based on social cognitive theory (SCT) on consumption of F.Vs among female high schools' students in Rafsanjan (South of Iran). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was carried out among 272 students (intervention = 134 and control group = 138) using a multistage sampling method. The instrument used in this study included demographic characteristics, the students' F.V consumption during the past 7 days and its determinants based on the theory. Educational interventions were made in three sessions for students and two sessions for parents, teachers, and school officials. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 using the statistical tests of Chi-square, independent samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and univariate model at a significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: Three months after the educational program, mean scores and standard deviation of F.V consumption and constructs in the intervention group increased significantly (P < 0.001). Respectively, 22.2% and 36.1% of the changes in the average unit of F.V consumption were the result of the present educational intervention. CONCLUSION: The intervention based on SCT with an emphasis on the interaction between student, family, and school has had an effect on F.V consumption behavior. Therefore, in forming behavior, attention is paid to the interaction of individual and interpersonal factors.

The role of health beliefs and health literacy in women's health promoting behaviours based on the health belief model: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy and health beliefs are factors that can effectively contribute to adoption of preventive behaviors among women. The present study was done to explore the role of health beliefs and health literacy in women's health promoting behaviors based on the health belief model (HBM). METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted in 2020 on 431 female students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS) who had been selected through stratified sampling. Data collection tool was a questionnaire which covered eight demographic information, 41 health literacy questions and 50 researcher-developed questions of health belief based on HBM constructs. Data were collected electronically and SPSS version 20 and independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and Multiple Linear Regression were used for data analysis at a significance level less than 0.05. RESULTS: The preventive behaviors were adopted by 75.57% of the population and the total health literacy score was found to be 52.71 out of 100. According to the Multiple regression analysis, self-efficacy (ß = 0.414, p = 0.001) and cues to action (ß = 0.299, p = 0.001) were found to be the first and second robust predictors of behavior, respectively. Health literacy, self-efficacy, cues to action and perceived susceptibility constructs predicted 52.1% of preventive behaviors. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that researchers design, implement and evaluate interventions based on behavioral change theories, especially the self-efficacy theory, in order to promote women's health.

Effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors of brucellosis among health volunteers in Rafsanjan city: Application of health belief model.

BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis can be a source of problems that affect public health, social, and economic well-being of the world's population. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of Educational Intervention (EI) based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on preventive behaviors against brucellosis in Health Volunteers (HVs) in Rafsanjan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly, 104 HVs, in the intervention and control group, participated in a quasi-randomized, controlled experimental study. Variables were evaluated before and 1 month after intervention. In the intervention group, the educational program was conducted with lecture, group discussion, showing movies and related photos, booklets, and pamphlets. The program included five 45-min sessions that developed regarding the beliefs and constructs of HBM about brucellosis and its prevention methods. Data regarding HBM constructs and preventive behavior were collected using the questionnaire with 100 items by the self-report method. Finally, the data were entered into the SPSS software version 16.0, and statistical tests such as Chi-square, independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon test were used for the data analysis at the significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, the mean score of the HBM constructs and preventive behaviors between the two groups did not differ significantly, but 1 month later, in the intervention group increased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We recommend to health authorities and health-care providers to use HBM in EIs to create susceptibility, increase perceived severity and benefits, promote self-efficacy, uses cue to action, as well as reduce behavioral barriers, and ultimately adopt health-promoting behaviors.

Design, implementation, and evaluation of a PRECEDE-PROCEED model-based intervention for oral and dental health among primary school students of Rafsanjan city: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Oral and dental health has a significant impact on public health as well as the quality of life among individuals and families. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate an intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for oral and dental health among primary school students in Rafsanjan city, Southern Iran. METHODS: According to the nature of the model and with the focus group discussion and interview methods, in phases 1 to 4 (PRECEDE), predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors related to oral health were identified. The training program was designed and consisted of six sessions for students (250 students) with a brushing session, three sessions for parents, and two sessions for teachers. Process evaluation and the effect of the program on behavioral and factors affecting oral health were evaluated (PROCEED). RESULTS: In the qualitative section, seven predisposing factors, five enabling factors, and two reinforcing factors were identified. A training program based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model was found to be effective in increasing the mean scores of the above constructs and the students' brushing behavior (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the model planning phases, the factors affecting the brushing behavior of children aged 6-12 years were identified. The educational program has had a significant effect on improving the scores of predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors and children's brushing behavior.

Effect of education based on health belief model on observation of standard precautions by dental students in Rafsanjan in 2019.

INTRODUCTION: It is vital importance to observe standard precautions (SPs) in dentistry to prevent the transfer and spread of blood-borne diseases in the community. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of educational intervention using health belief model (HBM) on the observation of SPs by dental students in 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven dental preclinical students were included in the present quasi-experimental study. The students were randomly assigned to two groups, and data were collected using a questionnaire designed based on HBM. Educational intervention was carried out after the pretest analysis in four 60-min sessions. Data were analyzed with independent t-test and paired t-test using SPSS 16 at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: After the educational intervention, the mean score of awareness (P = 0.001), perceived susceptibility (P = 0.01), perceived severity (P = 0.02), perceived benefits (P < 0.001), cues to action (P = 0.006), self-efficacy (P = 0.002), and behavior (0.03) in the intervention group was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Despite the effect of education on increasing the students' scores in HBM constructs and observation of SPs, the most important barriers to the adoption of precautionary behaviors were deficiencies in protective tools and aids.

Knowledge, risk perception, and behavioral intention about hepatitis C, among university students.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major complex public health problem. Different resources have proved that healthcare workers more than the general population are at a risk of infection. Therefore, medical field students, due to the future occupational hazards, are included in the risk group. AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, public and individual risk perception, and behavioral intention about HCV, among medical sciences students of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted among 457 students of the Medical Sciences in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data was collected using a questionnaire. Sampling was done randomly. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was analyzed using the SPSS18 software and statistical tests of Pearson, Spearman, T- test, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA); P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-seven students (41.8% male and 58.2% female) in 29 fields of study (six categories) participated in this research. The mean age was 21.55 ± 2.6 years. The mean and standard deviations of the students' knowledge was 3.71 ± 2.9 (out of 8), and the behavioral intention to accruing information and performance of preventive actions related to HCV was 11.52 ± 3.16 (out of 20). Public risk perception was 20.1 ± 3.5 (out of 30); and personal risk perception was 6.96 ± 1.8 (out of 10). The ANOVA test showed that public perception of the risk among students of different academic fields was different (F = 1.52, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the low knowledge of students of Medical Sciences in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences about HCV, it was recommended that the University Policymakers design an educational intervention about it, in order to minimize the chances of being infected.

The mental health and substance abuse among youths aged 18 to 29: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Drug abuse, as a social phenomenon, is one of the health problems of the present era. Inclination to drug abuse like other social phenomena is complex and multi-causal. Emphasizing on the psychological factors, the present study attempts to compare the amount of depression, anxiety and stress between drug abusers and the comparison group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research method is descriptive-analytic and its design is comparative. The population includes the youths of ages of 18-29 (with and without drug abuse behavior). The sampling is random and the sample size in drug abuser group is 183 and in the comparison group, it is 207 persons. The data collection instrument is questionnaire of personal information containing 6 questions and the standard questionnaire is DASS-21. The data were analyzed through SPSS-18 and statistic tests independent T, chi square, Mann-Whitney, and logistic regression analysis. FINDINGS: The average age of the drug abusers is 25.9 ± 2.96 years and the comparison group is 24.2 ± 3.36. The most amount of methamphetamine is 75.9%. A significant correlation was observed between the education level and drug abuse behavior (P < 0.001). The score of the stress, anxiety and stress in drug abusers is more than the comparison group and this relationship was significant (P < 0.001). Based on the logistic regression analysis results, anxiety has the highest correlation with drug abuse behavior. CONCLUSION: The low level of education is an effective factor in drug abuse. According to the strong correlation between psychological factors and drug abuse behavior, it is necessary to suggest social plans of prevention and treatment of mental disorders.