How do motorcyclists manage mental tensions of risky riding?

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries, especially those involving motorcycles, are a particular concern in Iran. We aimed to identify the specific cognitive dissonances and consonances associated with risky riding among Iranian motorcyclists. METHODS: This was a grounded theory qualitative study of male motorcyclists who were ≥ 18 and were living in one of the three cities of Tehran, Isfahan and Ahwaz. Thirty four (n = 34) motorcyclists participated in 19 in-depth interviews and 5 focus-groups between January 2007 and February 2008. RESULTS: We identified four categories of motorcycle riders each endorsing a unique risk bias they employed to justify their risky ridings. The categories included: (1) Risk Managers who justified risky riding by doubting that it would result in negative outcomes if they are competent riders. (2) Risk Utilizers who justified risky riding as functional and practical that would enable them to handle daily chores and responsibilities more efficiently. (3) Risk Calculators who justified risky riding by believing that it will help them to avoid road crashes. (4) Risk Takers who justified risky riding by arguing that risky riding is thrilling and brings them peer recognition. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal different groups of motorcyclists according to their different rationalizations for risky riding. Road safety advocates can benefit from our findings by matching relevant and appropriate interventions and incentives to these specific groups.

Patients' experiences from their received education about the process of kidney transplant: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant needs long term treatment, care and a follow up. Patients with kidney transplant need support in fields of knowledge, skills and motivations. Several researches showed existing challenges regarding education of these patients. A qualitative study was conducted to define patients' experiences from their received education about the process of kidney transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Sampling was purposive up to data saturation. The participants aged 18-60 years, had experienced transplantation. The data were collected by semi-structural individual in-depth interviews with 18 participants. The interviews were analyzed by Graneheim and Lundman content analysis method. FINDINGS: Three general themes of "educational experiences at the beginning of transplantation", "educational experiences in post transplantation care", and "patients' struggle to enhance their awareness in order to preserve their transplanted kidney" were emerged. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that patients' did not receive adequate knowledge about kidney transplant process. This issue reveals an unstructured and uncoordinated education given to kidney transplant patients by health team members during kidney transplant process. With regard to high motivation of the patients, designing such educational program based on self-management in the process of kidney transplant for these recipients is essential. Nurses in their educational role can enable the patients through educating them about problem solving methods and selection of the best solution to preserve their transplanted kidney and consider renal transplant recipient self-management as their first priority toward these patients.

Risk-taking behaviors among motorcyclists in middle east countries: a case of islamic republic of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes in Middle Eastern countries are among the highest in the world. In Iran, road traffic crashes are the second most common cause of mortality. Particularly, motorcycle-related injuries among men are the second most common type of traffic-related crash in this country. This study used qualitative research methods to elicit and explore the personal experiences of Iranian motorcyclists in respect to factors that facilitate their engagement in risk-taking behaviors within the PRECEDE (predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling constructs in educational diagnosis, and evaluation) framework. METHODS: Focus groups, in-depth interviews, and field observation were conducted among motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and police officers. RESULTS: Our data show that being young and single, living in lower socioeconomic conditions, and suffering from poor physical health and daily stress influence risk-taking behaviors. Additionally, lack of defined traffic rules and regulations, the availability and accessibility of motorcycles among unlicensed underaged persons, the cost-effectiveness of motorcycle transportation, unsafe roads and a lack of special pathways for motorcycles, and aggressive car and van/truck drivers are among the enabling factors that provoke risk-taking behavior. Finally, the participants verified that the enjoyment of motorcycling reinforced their decision to continue engaging in risky behaviors, and being penalized for disobeying traffic laws prevented them from further risk-taking behaviors. CONCLUSION: Enabling and reinforcing factors to reduce risk-taking behaviors among motorcyclist could include (1) promoting smart driving practices among motorcyclists; (2) training pediatricians and emergency physicians to deliver brief motivational interventions to their young patients to avoid risky behaviors while riding; (3) training traffic enforcement officers to appreciate the value of providing consistent law enforcement services; (4) enhancing local efforts to increase the number of pathways for motorcyclists and improve the condition of deteriorated roads; (5) revising legislation and policies in association with motorcycle ownership among underaged and unlicensed individuals; (6) limiting an excessive number of passengers (particularly children) and cargo on motorcycles; and (7) identifying solutions to reduce the negative attitudes of car drivers toward motorcyclists and increase systematic compliance of traffic laws by motorcyclists and car drivers.