A blended educational intervention program on Pap-test related behavior among Iranian women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a blended educational program to promote performing the PST among Iranian women. DESIGN: In a randomized control trial four main variables; knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST was evaluated using a man-made questionnaire for PST. SETTING: Women aged 18-49 living in Andimeshk (Khuzestan, Iran), covered by 16 health centers, participated in study from November 2019 till April 2019. METHOD: The educational intervention conducted to increasing women's performing the PST. The experimental group received an intervention, whereas the control group received usual care. Participants were tested at four-time points: pre-test (baseline), post-test 1 (immediately after the program's completion) post-test 2 (4 weeks after the program's completion) and post-test 3 (12 weeks after the program completion). RESULTS: A total of 84 women with average aged 32.27 (42 in the experimental group, 42 in the control group) were recruited from 16 health centers in Andimeshk, southern Iran. Significant group differences were found at different times in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST. CONCLUSION: A blended method was effective in sustaining the effects of the educational program in the experimental group. The development of appropriate teaching method on restricted situation such as COVID-19 pandemic to promote participation is suggested.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. The Pap-test is considered the most economical and efficient method for screening cervical cancer and is a simple method without any side effects. Given that awareness with proper methods regarding the initial symptoms, timely diagnosis and treatment are vital for controlling cancer.In this study, we assessed the effect of a blended educational program to promote performing Pap-test among 84 Iranian women. Therefore, a study to assess four main variables; knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST was designed. We asked women aged 18­49 living in Andimeshk (Khuzestan, Iran) covered by 16 health centers. The educational program to increase women's performance in the PST using online technology regarding participants' convenience, accessibility, and availability of educational content. Women were divided into two groups. One group received an educational program, the second group remained in control and did not receive any education. All women were asked for their knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and practice of PST three times immediately, 4 and 12 weeks after one-month training.Our assessment showed significant group differences at different times in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST.In conclusion, effective online education in sustaining the effects of the educational program in the experimental group happened. Moreover, we experienced an appropriate teaching method for restricted situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic to promote educational participation.

A population-based and symptom-based COVID-19 prevalence survey.

The current study aimed to determine the community-based COVID-19 prevalence and compare the symptom-based and test-based prevalence rates in the Omicron peak (February 20 to March 20, 2022) to assess community involvement and provide effective healthcare. This cross-sectional and population-based study examined the prevalence of COVID-19 from February 20 to March 20, 2022, in the city of Khomein in Markazi Province (located in central Iran) through random cluster sampling. The period prevalence of recurrent Omicron symptoms was 37.69%. Factors such as residence in urban areas (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.95-1.66), number of COVID-19 vaccine doses (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95), the interval of last vaccination dose (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97-1.11) and a history of COVID-19 (OR =1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.39) were among the most important risk factors for Omicron. Ongoing efforts to vaccinate high-risk populations as well as stronger actions to diminish the Omicron consequences are fundamental obligations of the health system.

Knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy of women regarding cervical cancer screening.

OBJECTIVE: Iran has a low incidence of cervical cancer (CC). The country is introducing an organized screening system, including human papillomavirus screening. Studies show a high dropout rate among eligible women in continuing testing. METHODS: This descriptive-analytic study was part of the first phase of a clinical trial conducted on a random sample of 400 women aged 18-49 in Andimeshk City, Khuzestan Province, in 2020. The data collection tool consisted of a man-made questionnaire that included domains of demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy in the Pap smear test. The data were analyzed with Stata-16 using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: The mean knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy scores were 6.80±2.33, 34.99±4.32, and 28.67±7.34, respectively. In the multiple models, every unit increase in the knowledge or attitude scores raised the mean self-efficacy score by 1.04 and 0.48, respectively (P<0.001). Every unit increase in the knowledge and self-efficacy scores increased the chance of performing Pap smear 1.61 and 1.41 times, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Given the association of women's knowledge and self-efficacy with practice in performing the Pap smear, it seems that an effective program promoting women's health behavior regarding CC screening would include applied education to raise community awareness and improve women's attitudes, self-efficacy, and practice.

Correlation Assessment of Climate and Geographic Distribution of Tuberculosis Using Geographical Information System (GIS).

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) spread pattern is influenced by geographic and social factors. Nowadays Geographic Information System (GIS) is one of the most important epidemiological instrumentation identifying high-risk population groups and geographic areas of TB. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between climate and geographic distribution of TB in Khuzestan Province using GIS during 2005-2012. METHODS: Through an ecological study, all 6363 patients with definite diagnosis of TB from 2005 until the end of September 2012 in Khuzestan Province, southern Iran were diagnosed. Data were recorded using TB- Register software. Tuberculosis incidence based on the climate and the average of annual rain was evaluated using GIS. Data were analyzed through SPSS software. Independent t-test, ANOVA, Linear regression, Pearson and Eta correlation coefficient with a significance level of less than 5% were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The TB incidence was different in various geographic conditions. The highest mean of TB cumulative incidence rate was observed in extra dry areas (P= 0.017). There was a significant inverse correlation between annual rain rate and TB incidence rate (R= -0.45, P= 0.001). The lowest TB incidence rate (0-100 cases per 100,000) was in areas with the average of annual rain more than 1000 mm (P= 0.003). CONCLUSION: The risk of TB has a strong relationship with climate and the average of annual rain, so that the risk of TB in areas with low annual rainfall and extra dry climate is more than other regions. Services and special cares to high-risk regions of TB are recommended.