Association between cancer risk and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

Nowadays, a large number of health endpoints such as disease rates, treatment costs, and death, by air pollutants, have been a serious health problem for humans. One of the most hazardous air pollutants, which is highly dangerous for human health, is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The existence of the emission of industries' pollutants and seasonal variations are the primary agents affecting PAHs' concentration. The purposes of this study were to calculate the cancer risk and measure PAHs' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, during 2017. Three distinct areas ((S1) industrial, (S2) high traffic, and (S3) residential) of Ahvaz metropolitan were selected. Omni sampler equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters were used for active sampling of PAHs. To detect the level of PAHs, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) were used to estimate the health risk caused by PAHs. The results showed that the residential and industrial areas had the lowest and highest level of PAHs. Moreover, the average levels of PAHs in industrial, high traffic, and residential areas were 8.44 ± 3.37, 7.11 ± 2.64, and 5.52 ± 1.63 ng m-3, respectively. Furthermore, ILCR in autumn and winter was higher than EPA standard, 0.06307 and 0.04718, respectively. In addition, ILCR in different areas was significantly higher than standard. Research findings imply that the levels of exposure to PAHs can increase ILCR and risk of health endpoint. The cancer risk attributed to PAHs should be further investigated from the perspective of the public health in metropolitans.

Predictors of Quality of Life in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia Patients Based on the PRECEDE Model: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

This study aimed to determine the predictors of Quality of Life (QoL) in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) patients based on PRECEDE (Predisposing, Reinforcing and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation) model. This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on 389 TDT patients who were under treatment in four thalassemia centers in Tehran, Iran. Data gathering instrument consisted of three parts: socioeconomic and demographic information, the Persian version of the six standardized questionnaires for measuring some of the potential predictive factors of QoL in TDT patients based on the PRECEDE model constructs, and a researcher-made questionnaire to assess knowledge of patients about health- and QoL-promoting behaviors and enabling factors involved in health- and QoL-promoting behaviors. Using AMOS 23.0, the structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Associations of QoL with all of the PRECEDE model constructs, including anxiety-depression, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, knowledge, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors were significant (all p < 0.001). Anxiety-depression and perceived barriers were the significant negative predictors of QoL in TDT patients, whereas health-promoting lifestyle was the significant positive predictor of QoL in TDT patients. The final conceptual model of the study was adequately fit and can be applied as a framework for future educational-supportive programs aimed at improving the QoL in TDT patients.

Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Parental Factors Related to Substance Use Prevention in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The average age of using illicit drugs for the first time in adolescents has decreased in Iran over the past years. Studies show that family and environment play a notable role in keeping adolescents away from substances. AIMS: The present study is an attempt to develop and validate a model-based questionnaire to measure parental factors related to substance use prevention in adolescents. METHODS: This methodological study was carried out on 336 parents of high school students in Sabzevar- Iran, in 2018. The first draft of the questionnaire, including 136 items, was developed based on the constructs of the Health Promotion Model (HPM) using similar questionnaires, literature review, and interviewing 9 qualified experts. The validity of the questionnaire was measured through face validity (qualitative and quantitative), content validity (qualitative and quantitative), and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis). The reliability of the questionnaire was measured by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. SPSS ver. 16 and LISREL ver. 8.2 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Throughout the validation process, 35 items were omitted, and the final version of the questionnaire consisting of 101 items was developed. The overall content validity ratio was 0.81, which indicates the proper and understandable content of the items. The overall content validity index was 0.96, which indicates excellent expert validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.85 (constructs range= 0.73-0.96), and the intraclass correlation coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.78 (constructs range= 0.46-0.91), which indicates that the questionnaire has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Further, the confirmatory factor analysis yielded an appropriate fit for the model (RMSEA= 0.069, χ2/df= 2.77, GFI= 0.60, AGFI= 0.83, CFI= 0.83, NNFI= 0.83). CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability of the HPM-based questionnaire were supported. Therefore, the questionnaire can be used by health educators and health policymakers in empowerment programs for parents to improve their behavioral skills concerning the prevention of substance use in their adolescents.

The association of resilience with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescent students.

OBJECTIVES: Identifying the factors associated with HRQoL in adolescents is a prerequisite of interventions aimed at improving the overall quality of life and health status among them. Studies have identified many factors associated with HRQoL in different populations; however, very little is known about the role of resilience on HRQoL in adolescent students. SUBJECTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1500 high school students (750 boys and 750 girls) in Tehran. The subjects were selected through the cluster and multistage sampling methods. METHODS: The data collection tool included three questionnaires; a demographic information questionnaire, the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (KIDSCREEN-27), and the Children and Youth Resilience Measurement (CYRM-28). Data were analyzed with SPSS 23 software. Regression analysis was performed to determine the association of resilience with HRQoL. RESULTS: The mean score of overall health-related quality of life and overall resilience were 57.51 ± 15.03 and 98.35 ± 16.48, respectively. Individual sub-scale (ß = 0.402, p < 0.001), caregiver sub-scale (ß = 0.279, p < 0.001) and context sub-scale (ß = 0.122, p < 0.001) of resilience were, respectively, the positive and significant predictors of HRQoL in students. The resilience sub-scales explained 49% of the total variance of HRQoL, and the individual sub-scale was the strongest predictive factor for HRQoL in students. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to incorporate resilience training programs into the regular school education in order to improve the quality of life and health of students in all high schools and educational centers of the country.

Health literacy and its associated demographic factors in 18-65-year-old, literate adults in Bardaskan, Iran.

AIMS: Improvement of general health literacy is one of the ways to achieve the desired public health condition. To this end, the first step is to determine the health literacy level and its associated demographic factors in individuals. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic survey conducted on 700 adults (age range: 18-65 years) in Bardaskan, Iran. The required samples were selected via random cluster sampling method. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The demographic questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information. The Health Literacy for Iranian Adults questionnaire was used to determine the level of health literacy in participants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 20 through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results were considered statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 700 participants with a mean (standard deviation) age of 31.25 (9.32) years participated in this study. The primary sources of health information were physicians and health staff (50.9%) followed by the Internet (19.7%). The health literacy level of 18.1% of the participants was inadequate, 27.7% was marginal, 39.4% was adequate, and 14.7% was excellent. The mean overall scores of health literacy and its subscales were within the adequate range (66.1-84.0). The relationships of health literacy level with age, education, marital status, occupational status, and history of disease were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It seems necessary to design and implement a variety of educational programs to improve the general health literacy of the citizens of Bardaskan. Educational programs need to focus on groups with higher priority such as elderly people, individuals with lower educational levels, widows/widowers and divorced/separated individuals, unemployed and retired individuals, homemakers, and individuals with a history of disease.

The effectiveness of self-management program for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on PRECEDE-PROCEDE model.

AIMS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide that requires a person with diabetes to make a multitude of daily self-management decisions. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-management program based on PRECEDE-PROCEDE model on self-management behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted on 86 diabetic patients referred to the diabetes clinics in Ardabil, Iran, in 2017. From a total of 326 patients with diabetes medical records in those clinics, 86 (26.3%) patients agreed to participate in this study. They were then randomly divided into two groups; intervention (n = 43) and control (n = 43). The intervention group received eight sessions of PRECEDE model-based self-management education program while the control group did not receive any education program. Both groups were assessed at baseline and six months after the intervention. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 55.69 ±â€¯12.04 years (range 32-86 years). 41 patients were men, and 45 were women. The mean time since the first diagnosis of diabetes was 8.6 years (SD = 5.2), and the mean BMI of the patients was 31.63 (SD = 4.20). At baseline, 35.01% of patients had poor self-management behaviors. All PRECEDE variables, including predisposing factors (knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy), enabling factors, and reinforcing factors, as well as self-management behaviors, were significantly improved in those of intervention group after the education program. CONCLUSION: Self-management education program substantially enhances the self-management behaviors in patients with type two diabetes.

The effectiveness of home-use photobiomodulation toothbrush for treating dentin hypersensitivity: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dentin hypersensitivity is a frequent oral condition among patients suffering from gingival recession. Recent studies have suggested that photobiomodulation has the potential to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of a new design of photobiomodulation toothbrush with specific irradiation parameters as a homecare device in treating dentin hypersensitivity and to compare its therapeutic effect with that of fluoride varnish. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with gingival recession and dentin hypersensitivity were selected and randomly assigned to three groups of equal size: fluoride varnish, photobiomodulation, and the combination. Dentin pain and hypersensitivity were measured using visual analog scale (VAS) by two distinct tests: the contact test with a periodontal probe and the air blast test on the areas of gingival recession and denuded root; once at baseline and again one month after the initial application of treatments. Laser irradiation was carried out at the wavelength of 660 nm in CW with an output power of 40 mW for 30 seconds per spot (1.2 J per spot, 6 J/cm2 energy density, and 200 mW/cm2 power density), perpendicularly to denuded root surfaces in non-contact mode. RESULTS: A significant reduction in dentin pain and hypersensitivity was observed in all three groups. However, the reduction was significantly greater in the combination group. CONCLUSION: At-home treatment of dentin hypersensitivity with photobiomodulation toothbrush is a convenient, safe, and effective method for the management of dentin hypersensitivity.

Development and Psychometric Properties of Menstrual Health Seeking Behaviors Questionnaire (MHSBQ-42) in Female Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Lack of accurate menstrual knowledge, attitude, and practices leave female adolescents ignorant of the necessary health behaviors during menstruation. This study aimed to develop a menstrual health-seeking behavior questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior to evaluate its psychometric properties in female adolescents in Tehran. METHODS: This study was conducted on 578 female adolescents aged 12-15 years in Tehran. The first draft of the menstrual health-seeking behavior questionnaire containing 52 items was developed based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The content and face validity of the questionnaire was assessed by a panel of experts. Construct validity was also assessed using exploratory factor analysis (KMO=0.73) with varimax rotation. Cranach's alpha and test-retest were used to examine the reliability of the questionnaire. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0. RESULTS: The content and face validity of the 42 items were finally confirmed. Content validity index was greater than 0.73 for all six TPB constructs. Explanatory factor analysis yielded an acceptable fit for the six-factor model (RMSE=0.053, 95% CI 0.042-0.064). These factors jointly explained 65% of the variance in the outcome variables. Cranach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 0.91, demonstrating an excellent internal consistency and high reliability of the questionnaire. Test-retest reliability was also satisfactory for all items (ICC=0.86-0.94). CONCLUSION: The results illustrate that the menstrual health-seeking behavior questionnaire is psychometrically adequate and highly reliable. This theoretically grounded questionnaire can be well applied in future interventions for female adolescents to assess their menstrual health-related knowledge, attitude, and practices.

Effect of educational intervention based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model combined with self-management theory on self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and progressive disease which requires ongoing medical care as well as patient's self-care skills to prevent acute complications. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model combined with self-management theory on self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: In this semi-experimental study, 86 type 2 diabetic patients referred to the diabetes clinic of Ardabil were randomly selected and divided into two groups (n = 43). Patients in group 1 received educations based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model combined with self-management theory while patients in group 2 received only educations based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model. The self-made questionnaire was used to measure demographic information and PRECEDE-PROCEED model variables at baseline and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy (p = 0.001), self-care (p = 0.001), enabling factors, and reinforcing factors had significant differences in both groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). In addition, one month after the intervention, the mean scores of attitude, self-efficacy, self-care, and reinforcing factors were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model combined with self-management theory to improve self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Depression, Anxiety, and Perceived Social Support among Adults with Beta-Thalassemia Major: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Considering the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among thalassemia patients and the role of social support in preventing mental disorders, this study aimed to determine prevalence of depression, anxiety, and perceived social support (PSS) among adults with beta-thalassemia major. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with 389 adults with beta-thalassemia major. Data were collected via a questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic and medical information, the Persian version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the Persian version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) through analytical statistics (independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multilevel linear regression), and the results less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. RESULTS: The mean scores of depression, anxiety, and PSS of patients were 7.42±3.17, 7.47±4.35, and 41.8±8.64, respectively. Of 389 patients, 19.8% had depression and 23.7% had an anxiety disorder. Relationships of depression and anxiety with age, the level of education, job, and family income were statistically significant, as were those of PSS with age, thalassemia center, family income, job, and the level of education. PSS from family, friends, and significant others were the significant predictive factors of depression and anxiety among adult patients with beta-thalassemia major. CONCLUSION: Considering the PSS as a factor influencing the reduction in depression and anxiety in thalassemia patients, social support from the social networks (spouse, family members, friends, and healthcare workers) should be integrated with interventions that are designed to improve the mental and physical health of thalassemia patients.

The impact of educational intervention on physical activity, nutrition and laboratory parameters in type II diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that is now widely spread around the world, and day by day the number of patients is increasing. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of educational intervention on physical activity, nutrition and laboratory parameters in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This semi-experimental study was performed from March to October 2015 on 100 patients with type 2 diabetes who referred to the Niknejad health center. The type of sampling was simple random. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic questions, assessment of nutritional status and physical activity, history of diabetes, physical measurements and laboratory parameters of patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16, and descriptive and analytical tests (paired-samples t-test) and the results were significant at the level of (p<0.05). RESULTS: In present study, body measurements, the mean number of units of fruit and vegetable intake per day, type of oil consumption, the mean number of days of fish intake per week or the mean number of days with intense physical activity per week, had no significant difference before and after the intervention, while the variables of FBS level (p<0.003), rate of HbA1c (p<0.027), the mean number of days of fruit intake (p<0.001) and vegetable intake (p<0.037) per week and the mean number of days with moderate physical activity (p<0.03) of patients, had significant difference before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, to improve BMI, fish intake, type of oil consumption and also increased daily fruit and vegetable intake in these patients, a variety of educational-supportive interventions are recommended.

Factors Associated with Hookah Smoking among University Students.

BACKGROUND: These days, hookah smoking has gained popularity among people in many communities, especially among youths and students, and more attention to this issue seems necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting hookah smoking among Sabzevar Azad University students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on university students in Sabzevar, Iran in 2014. The questionnaire was developed and its validity and reliability were assessed. Three hundred six male students of Sabzevar Azad University were selected by simple random sampling and questionnaires were filled out by them. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and the Chi-Square and Independent-samples t-test. RESULTS: The results showed that 47.7% of the participants had a history of smoking hookah. The main factors affecting hookah smoking from participants' point of view were: filling leisure time, availability of hookah, positive social appearance, friends' invitation and relief from anxieties. Chi-Square tests showed that there was no significant relationship between fathers' level of education (p=0.41), mothers' level of education (p=0.46), fathers' job (p=0.18), mothers' job (p=0.53) and students' current grade (p=0.41) with hookah smoking. The study showed significant relationship between present hookah smoking and awareness about complications of the hookah (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Interventions to reduce and quit hookah smoking among students should include several items, such as teaching problem-solving skills to fill leisure time properly and to deal with the temptation of hookah smoking, as well as teaching refusal skills at the invitation of friends for hookah.