Application of Bandura's social cognitive theory to predict cigarette butt-littering behavior in male smokers: a case study in the parks in Tehran, Iran.

Cigarette butt-littering behavior is common among most smokers. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of butt-littering behavior in a sample of Iranian male current smokers based on the Bandura's social cognitive theory variables. In this cross-sectional study, 291 smokers who throw their cigarette butts in public parks in Tehran city, Iran were selected and completed the study instrument. Finally, the data were analyzed. The average number of butts littered daily by the participants was 8.59 (± 8.661). The results of multiple Poisson regression showed that knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, positive and negative outcome expectations, self-regulation, and observational learning variables were statistically significant predictors of butt-littering behavior among the participants. It is concluded that Bandura's social cognitive theory is a suitable theoretical framework for predicting butt-littering behavior and might be used to develop theory-based environmental education efforts in this field.

Knowledge and Practices of Safe Use of Pesticides among a Group of Farmers in Northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The unsafe use of chemical pesticides, along with the lack of appropriate preventive protocols and equipment may damage the health of users. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and practice of the safe use of chemical pesticides by farm workers in northern Iran. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 farmers in Mazandaran province, in 2017. The data collection instrument was a two-part questionnaire: The first part was concentrated on demographic and agricultural characteristics of the participants; the second part dealt with the farmers' knowledge and practice of the safe use of pesticides. RESULTS: The mean knowledge and practice scores (out of 100) of the participating farmers in the safe use of pesticides were 84.8 (SD 13.5) and 50.8 (13.2), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.466, p<0.001) between their knowledge and practice. Wearing protective clothes, while applying pesticides, was among safe practices. Although more than 60% of farmers had a sufficient level of knowledge of the safe use of pesticides, they did not implement their knowledge in practice. There was a significant (p<0.001) association between the education level and knowledge of the safe use of pesticides. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practices of the safe use of pesticides among farmers in northern Iran. There was a clear know-do gap-although the majority of the participants possessed a sufficient level of knowledge of the safe use of pesticides, they did not implement it in practice.

Effect of an Ergonomics-Based Educational Intervention Based on Transtheoretical Model in Adopting Correct Body Posture Among Operating Room Nurses.

BACKGROUND: One of the preventive strategies for chronic low back pain among operating room nurses is instructing proper body mechanics and postural behavior, for which the use of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has been recommended. METHODS: Eighty two nurses who were in the contemplation and preparation stages for adopting correct body posture were randomly selected (control group = 40, intervention group = 42). TTM variables and body posture were measured at baseline and again after 1 and 6 months after the intervention. A four-week ergonomics educational intervention based on TTM variables was designed and conducted for the nurses in the intervention group. RESULTS: Following the intervention, a higher proportion of nurses in the intervention group moved into the action stage (p < 0.05). Mean scores of self-efficacy, pros, experimental processes and correct body posture were also significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the cons and behavioral processes, except for self-liberation, between the two groups (p > 0.05) after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The TTM provides a suitable framework for developing stage-based ergonomics interventions for postural behavior.