Effect of theory-based education on promoting a healthy lifestyle in pre-diabetic women: RCT.

BACKGROUND: Due to the fact that pre-diabetic people are at higher risk of developing diabetes, it is possible to reduce the risk by taking preventive measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of theory-based education on promoting a healthy lifestyle and fasting blood sugar (FBS) in pre-diabetic women. METHODS: This is a cluster-randomized controlled trial that was performed on 71 pre-diabetic women referred to Arak Comprehensive Health Service Center. Thus, using cluster sampling method, one center was randomly assigned to the intervention group and one center to the control group. The data collection tool was a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and healthy lifestyle behavior that was completed before and at least 3 months after training and FBS test was performed. The experimental group received 3 training sessions of 60 to 90 min and finally the data were analyzed using statistical software. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P = 0.047) and perceived behavioral control related to physical activity (P = 0.046) and dietary function (P = 0.01) increased significantly in the intervention group. In addition, fasting blood sugar in the intervention group (99.70 ± 11.06) improved significantly compared to the control group (110.94 ± 17.09) (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Education based on the theory of planned behavior, by holding face-to-face meetings along with following up the samples after the educational intervention, can promote healthy lifestyle of pre-diabetic women. Therefore, designing and implementing similar interventions on all pre-diabetic individuals seem necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The master's thesis in health education is approved by Arak University of Medical Sciences, Iran and is registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT20190304042921N1). Prospectively registered 22/07/2019, https://en.irct.ir/trial/40596.

The Effectiveness of Tailored Interactive Multimedia Software based on the Trans-Theoretical Model for the Promotion of Physical Activity Behaviours.

Background: Although physical activity (PA) is essential, it is difficult to motivate people to take part in PA, especially the ones with high blood pressure (hypertension). One of the most commonly applied theoretical frameworks to change health behaviours is the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM). The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of tailored, interactive multimedia software based on TTM for the promotion of PA behaviours among Iranian adults. Methods: This interventional study selected 120 healthy individuals aged 30 years old-50 years old from health centres in Delijan, Iran using multi-stage sampling. The participants were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages of PA behaviour. For the intervention, an active multimedia training (active life) based on TTM, like six training sessions of approximately 30 min (once a week) plus aerobic exercise videos were designed and provided to the intervention group. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire before and 6 months after the intervention and analysed using statistical tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 38.20 (SD = 7.11) years old. Six months after the intervention, 61.7% of the individuals in the intervention group and 3.3% in the control group progressed to the action stage, which was significant only in the intervention group (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in PA in both groups, yet this increase was significantly higher in the intervention group (36.02 [SD = 31.22] to 146.16 [SD = 90.43]; P < 0.001) compared to the control group (33.41 [SD = 28.33] to 54.41 [SD = 44.02; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results obtained indicated that the implementation of educational intervention using multimedia designed based on TTM could be used as one of the effective strategies to promote PA to prevent hypertension in adults.

Path analysis of skin cancer preventive behavior among the rural women based on protection motivation theory.

BACKGROUND: Determining the effective factors on the adoption of preventive behaviors capable of reducing the risk of skin cancer is an important step in designing interventions to promote these behaviors. Based on the protection motivation theory, the present study is aimed to conduct a path analysis of skin cancer preventive behaviors in rural women to explore these factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 243 rural women were randomly selected from the west of Iran to receive a valid and reliable questionnaire assessing constructs from the protection motivation theory, as well as demographic information. Fully completed questionnaires were returned by 230 women and the data were analyzed by SPSS 22 and LISREL8.8. RESULTS: Concerning skin cancer preventive behaviors, 27.8% of women wore sun-blocking clothing when working under the sun, 21.7% used sunscreen cream, 5.7% wore a cap, and 4.8% used gloves and sunglasses. Protection motivation theory and per capita income explained 51% of motivation variance and 25% of the variance of skin cancer preventive behaviors. The response efficacy construct was the strongest predictor of the motivation of protection (ß = - 0.44, p < 0/001). Per-capita income (ß = - 0.34, p < 0/001) and motivation (ß = - 0.33, p < 0/001) were the strongest predictors of these behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that protection motivation theory is efficient in predicting skin cancer preventive behaviors and the interventions can be designed and implemented by this theory. Proper planning is also necessary for promoting these behaviors among people with low per-capita income.

A randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention to promote oral and dental health of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is the most prevalent disease resulted from metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of training based on health belief model (HBM) on oral hygiene-related behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This study was conducted as an educational randomized controlled trial (single blind) on 120 patients with type 2 diabetes referring to a diabetes clinic selected through systematic sampling, who were assigned to two groups of control (N = 60) and intervention (N = 60). The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire based on HBM which was completed by both groups before the intervention. Then, the intervention group received 4 sessions of educational program based on HBM in 1 month, and the same questionnaire was completed again after 3 months and the data were analyzed through SPSS version 20 software with inferential statistics, t-test, paired t-tests, Chi square, Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon test analysis. RESULTS: Three months after the intervention, awareness of the patients and perceived susceptibility, benefits, self-efficacy, internal cue to action, and performance in oral and dental hygiene-related behaviors had a significant increase in the intervention group (p < 0.05). So that the performance of oral and dental hygiene in the intervention group increased from 2.16 ± 0.71 to 3.25 ± 0.49 (p = 0.001) after the education. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that training patients with diabetes based on HBM as well as through active follow-up can enhance their skills in oral and dental hygiene-related behaviors. Controlling, monitoring and follow-up during the program are also recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT 2017050733847N1. Prospectively registered 14 June 2017, http://en.irct.ir/trial/26011.

The effect of educational intervention program on promoting preventive behaviors of urinary tract infection in girls: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infectious diseases in children, which can lead to serious complications for a child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Theory Planned Behavior (TPB) -based education on the promotion of preventive behaviors of urinary tract infection in mothers with a daughter under age two. METHODS: The present study is an educational randomized controlled trial that its sample consisted of 100 mothers who had a daughter under age two. They were selected through convenience sampling and then were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups (each group included 50 participants). The data collection tool was a reliable and valid questionnaire based on TPB constructs. First, in both groups, the pre-test was administrated and then the educational intervention in the intervention group was conducted in the form of four educational sessions in 1 month (based on the pre-test need assessment) and then 3 months after the intervention (according to the ideas of Panel of Experts), post-test in both groups was administrated and then the data were analyzed through SPSS version 23 software with inferential statistics (independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square). The significance level was considered 0.05. RESULTS: Three months after the intervention, the mean score of the constructs of TPB in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group. The performance of prevention of urinary tract infection in the intervention group before the education increased from 2.85 ± 0.51 to 3.74 ± 0.29 (out of 4) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TPB-based education with active and interventional follow-up was effective in promoting the preventive behaviors of urinary tract infection. Therefore, due to the side effects of UTI, especially in vulnerable periods such as childhood, it is recommended that trainings based on this model be carried out in other health care centers in order to maintain children health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered at IRCT, IRCT2017031533090N1. Registered on 9 July 2017, https://en.irct.ir/trial/25621.

Factors affecting the acceptance of blended learning in medical education: application of UTAUT2 model.

BACKGROUND: Blended learning is a new approach to improving the quality of medical education. Acceptance of blended learning plays an important role in its effective implementation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the factors that might affect students' intention to use blended learning. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, correlational study, the sample consisted of 225 Iranian medical sciences students. The theoretical framework for designing the conceptual model was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). Venkatesh et al. (2012) proposed UTAUT2 as a framework to explain a person's behavior while using technology. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18 and AMOS-23 software. Structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypotheses. RESULTS: The validity and reliability of the model constructs were acceptable. Performance Expectance (PE), Effort Expectance (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Hedonic Motivation (HM), Price Value (PV) and Habit (HT) had a significant effect on the students' behavioral intention to use blended learning. Additionally, behavioral intention to use blended learning had a significant effect on the students' actual use of blended learning (ß = 0.645, P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the proposed framework based on the UTAUT2 had good potential to identify the factors influencing the students' behavioral intention to use blended learning. Universities can use the results of this study to design and implement successful blended learning courses in medical education.

A mobile-based educational intervention on media health literacy: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Health misinformation on social media is a persistent public health concern that requires the proper skill set for interpreting and evaluating accurate information. This study aimed to determine the effects of a mobile app-based educational intervention on media health literacy (MHL) development among Iranian adults. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental design conducted in 2022 that included 100 Iranian adults aged 18 to 65 years old. The inclusion criteria for participation were ownership of an Android smartphone, no prior training in MHL, and membership in at least one virtual social media app. As the primary outcome of the study, MHL was assessed using the validated MeHLit questionnaire with two follow-up time points (immediately after program completion and 12 weeks after program completion) in addition to a pre-test. Participants were divided into an experimental group that received the mobile app-based training program and a control group that received none. Results: The repeated measures test revealed a significant effect of the group-time interaction on the mean MHL score in both the intervention and control groups. Within the intervention group, the follow-up test indicated a significant increase in mean MHL scores for post-test 1 (63.54±12.57) and post-test 2 (65.72±7.97) compared to the pre-test phase (55.14±12.04), with these increases being statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed within the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the mobile app-based educational intervention was effective in improving MHL among Iranian adults. These findings highlight the potential of mobile app-based interventions for promoting MHL and addressing health misinformation on social media.

Investigation of the effect of education based on the health belief model on the adoption of hypertension-controlling behaviors in the elderly.

PURPOSE: Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and has a direct relationship with aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of education based on the health belief model (HBM) on the adoption of hypertension-controlling behaviors in the elderly. METHODS: The present quasiexperimental study was conducted on 100 hypertensive elderly persons from Qom, Iran. The questionnaire was completed by the participants before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. RESULTS: The results of repeated measure analysis of variance showed a significant difference in the scores of the constructs in the intervention and nonintervention groups before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Education based on the HBM increases the performance and enhances the health beliefs regarding hypertension in the elderly population with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the HBM to enhance self-care behaviors in the elderly.