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Background and Objective: It is necessary to study the emerging trends and areas of knowledge and to predict the direction of future research on the concept of health literacy in order to promote community health. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of mapping research knowledge in the field of health literacy and showing the structure of knowledge and their evolution over time. Materials and Methods: This scientometrics research was conducted using Co-word analysis technique includes the steps include: Data retrieval, Data analysis and Mapping and Visualization Papers from the MEDLINE database during (1970-2018) retrieved and analyzed. The bibliographic data analyzed using the visualization of similarities technique by text-mining and visualization techniques of VOS viewer. Results: A total of 7,429 documents, growth of scientific publications related to the field of health literacy has been increased rapidly over the past 10 years and continues to grow in recent years. The stronger studies were mainly conducted at research institutions of higher education in the Canada and United States. Four Core authors groups with a higher influence were identified. The keyword of “communication”, “depression”, “health education”, and “internet” had respectively the highest frequency. The results of cluster analysis identified and categorized them into three major clusters. Health literacy field had a close relationship with the lifestyle dimensions, health information technology, mental health literacy and chronic diseases. Conclusions: Given the interdisciplinary nature of health literacy the areas of education, health, Information Communication Technology (ICT) science, and mental health will help the cooperation of experts in these areas to enrich scientific research and make them more applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Decision making as a basis of management is like a nervous system of an organization and crisis is effective in decision making processes. This study aimed to analysing available researches about decision making in crisis in media organizations. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was implemented from March to June 2020.English language publications (2000-2019) were filtered in databases of Willey, Elsevier, ISI, Pubmed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar search engine by combination of following Keywords:"Decision making"AND"Media"AND"Crisis"in title, abstract and keywords. Results: After searching 6155 papers and removing repeated and unrelated ones, finally 14 papers were selected for deep analysis according to items identified. Results of this systematic review indicated that following factors are effective in descion making in crisis:"Attention to time of content production, Agile organizations, Decision-making models, Method of news coverage continuation,Effects of place on crisis management ","Creating the trust, Recording experiences before during and after the crisis, Shortage of human resources in crisis, Interactive nature of social medias,Attention to panoramic dimension of the crisis, Time of the crisis, using tools of social medias and attention to new media trends". Conclusion: In health crisis (Corona Pandemic) Convincing use of communicational message by media organizations with the goal of effecting in belief, attitude and health behaviors of society is necessary.Meanwhile designing a big and panoramic picture of all related dimentions of media and health and attention to “Media litracy” and “Health litracy” of media managers besides designing and implementing researches based on descion making methods development in crisis and also benefit of other countirs experiences will leads to effective descion making in health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Although plastics are considered one of the country’s environmental problems, little attention has been paid to reducing their use. This study aimed to design, implement and evaluate an intervention based on social marketing model to reduce the use of these products in shopping centers. Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of descriptive-analytical and interventional phases. In the descriptive-analytical phase, the knowledge, attitude and practice of 335 people who referred to shopping centers were studied. Based on the analysis of data related to this section, the structure and content of the intervention was designed and implemented in shopping centers for one month. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, the average use of plastic bags in shopping centers was compared before and after the intervention. Results: Ease of use by 13.3% was the most important reason for customers to use plastic bags. Education, culture building (38.4 %), and make suitable alternatives available (35.7 %) were presented as the best solution to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. There was no statistically significant difference in behavior scores between men and women at different levels of education and employment. The average monthly use of plastic bags was equal to 226,500, which decreased by 13.3% to 196350 after the intervention (P-value<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the study findings, it can be concluded the ease of use of plastic bags is the most important reason for its use and social marketing is an effective approach to reducing the use of plastic shopping bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recursive chronic disease with no definitive cure. This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of interventions that aimed to empower patients to improve the consequences of IBD. Materials and Methods: In a systematic review, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases, from 2000 to May 2021, using “self-care OR empower”, “self-efficacy OR self-management”, “self-control OR self-confidence OR self-determination”, “inflammatory bowel disease OR IBD OR Crohn disease OR ulcerative colitis” as keywords. Two reviewers separately performed the search, screening of the studies. Results: In total, 13 papers were finally included in the study. Most of the interventions aimed to increase patients’ awareness of the effects of the disease and how to prevent its recurrence, foster self-management, self-care, and stress management skills. The majority of interventions were made through consultation, lecture, textual educational material, telephone calls, and computer-based communication. The most prevalent positive effects of the interventions were reduced anxiety, fewer problems with the disease, fewer visits to the hospital, and increase the quality of life. Conclusion: the educational interventions based on empowerment can be effective in improving the adverse effects of IBD. These interventions can positively affect patients’ clinical and psychological health and can also increase the quality of life. The most prevalent strategies used were self-management skills and anxiety/ stress management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Due to the limited individual approach to behavior change, health promotion researchers use community-based initiatives to understand the factors affecting physical activity and promote the health of citizens. Urban open spaces can facilitate participation in physical activity and the health of citizens. The aim of this study is to identify the indicators, attributes, and dimensions of health promotion of citizens. Methods: This study was conducted in the first half of 2017 using the Cochran systematic review protocol. In order to search for studies related to public open areas and mobility and health of citizens, a search strategy was used in scientific directories and Web of Science databases to search for Latin articles and to use the SID for Persian studies. Through applying Meta synthesis, the extracted indices were classified in terms of the attributes and dimensions of the environment protecting the citizens' health. Results: The result of this research showed that 65 papers were eligible for analysis. After Meta synthesis studies, 62 indicators, 11 attributes and 4 main dimensions related to health protection and health promotion areas were identified. They include: physical, semantic, functional, and social individual. Conclusion: Urban open spaces can be a safe environment for citizens' health promotion activities. There should be aesthetics and green urban environments so that the citizens could safely and tranquilly carry out health promotion activities. These environments should be functionally and accessibly attractive and they should be a channel for citizens' socialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: The social development is a key factor in the treatment of mentally retarded children. One of the proposed methods for the social development of these children is play therapy. This paper aimed at determining the impact of primary school games on the social development of mentally retarded children. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 8-11 years-old mentally retarded pupils in Tehran province. Two schools were selected from Exceptional schools of different districts of Tehran province through cluster sampling. Then, from the pupils of the two selected schools, 30 male students were randomly selected and assigned to an experimental group (n = 15, mean age: 10.7 ± 0.3) and control group (n=15, mean age: 10.5 ± 0.4). After informing the parents of the pupils and having them fill out the consent forms, experimental group carried out the school games. Vineland Social Maturity Scale was used to measure pupils' social development. Intervention was carried out among the experimental group in 12 sessions for one month. Then, a posttest was carried out on both experimental and control group. Data was analyzed by covariance analysis using SPSS 19. Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) between the pretest and posttest mean scores of the total score of their social development and social development components among the experimental group when compared with the control group. Conclusion: These findings emphasized the impact of school games on the social development of educable mentally retarded children. It is proposed that through creating appropriate environments for their physical activity and involving them in social activities, help these children give up their isolation and solitude. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Due to the increase of elderly population, the general health of elderly is one of the most important socioeconomic and health challenges in the 21st century. This paper aimed to study the relationship between social interest and general health of elderly non-resident and resident at geriatric centers. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlation and its statistical population were all male and female elderly resident and nonresident at geriatric centers living in Ardabil city in 2014. 56 resident elderly were selected by random sampling and 53 non-resident were selected with purposive sampling method. Data were gathered using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Sulliman Scal of Social Interest (SSSI). Data were analyzed by Chi-Square, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and multiple regression analysis through SPSS16 (p<0.05). Results: There was a negative relationship between elderly social interest and their general health syndroms and elderly social interest explain 62-87% of general health in elderly resident and 78-86% of non-resident elderly's genaral health (p<0.001). The results also indicated that the residents' anxiety were lower than non-residents and the non-residents social dysfunction were higher than residents (p<0.05). Conclusion: The identification and reinforcement of elderly's social interest can be used by professionals, elderly and their family as an effective intervention in order to prevention and promotion of geriatrics general health. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Preparing educational programs related to prevention of prevalent diseases like cancer is considered a health necessity. The aim of this paper was to study the impact of feeding behavior associated with gastric cancer in women working in Isfahan in 2013. Methods: In this semi-experimental interventional study, 72 female workers were classified into two case and control groups, each 36 workers. Inclusion criteria of the study were: Iranian nationality, female workers, married, educated, having at least 20 years, and residents of Isfahan. Data was gathered using a questionnaire (s=0.810). Based on the results of pre-test, the nutrition educational package was designed to suit the training needs. The experimental group received the educational intervention (six45-minutes sessions in six weeks). Then immediately and three months after educational intervention both groups were asked to complete the questionnaire again. Data was analyzed using independent T test with alpha level of 0.05. The study was approved by the Tarbiat Modress University's Medical Ethics Committee. Results: The mean age of cases was 33.12 and control group 33.22, significant difference (p<0.001) in case and control groups in mean awareness (89.72 vs. 36.85), attitude (69.50 vs. 34.98) and practice (75.63 vs. 40.22) after the intervention. Conclusion: The effectiveness of nutrition educational package showed a developed accretion of knowledge, attitude and practice of employed women in feeding behavior associated with gastric cancer. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Women with physical mobility disabilities face many barriers in accessing safe, respectful and acceptable health care. This study was designed and conducted with the aim of providing strategies for improving prenatal care in women with physical disabilities in 1401. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative method of guided content analysis, and for this purpose, 24 people (12 pregnant women with physical disabilities and 12 pregnancy care providers) were selected using a targeted sampling method with maximum diversity, and in order to collect Data were used from semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. In this study, the comparative analysis method was used, and Guba and Lincoln criteria were used for the accuracy and robustness of the data. Results: Data analysis led to the identification of 810 primary codes, 4 main categories and 16 subcategories. The strategies for improving prenatal care in women with physical disabilities were classified in four categories: empowering beneficiaries, creating a systematic support system, modifying the care process and protocol, and promoting intra- and inter-departmental cooperation. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that there are many obstacles in the field of providing prenatal care, and in order to improve these cares, solutions were identified that make the policy makers and trustees of this field plan more precisely and through facilitation to The use of these strategies will improve the access of women with physical disabilities to prenatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Early childhood caries in childhood has a high prevalence. In the pre-school period, parents are the main providers of children's oral and dental health, so their participation can lead to the success of dental caries prevention programs. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of a health promotion program using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to promote the participation of mothers of preschool children in the fluoride varnish program. Materials and Methods: This research was an intervention study that was conducted based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model from 2021 to 2023 in the city of Kermanshah. First, a qualitative study was conducted by selecting 20 mothers with a purposeful sampling method and using a semi-structured interview. Then, according to the results, an educational intervention was designed and the number of 88 mothers was selected as available. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire and checklist, which was completed in two stages before and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software and analysis of covariance, generalized estimating equations, paired t, and McNemar tests and the significance level was considered equal to 0.05 in all tests. Results: The average age of mothers in the intervention group (31.84 ± 4.25) and in the control group (33.11 ± 4.26) years. The findings show the significant effect of educational intervention on improving the average score of predisposing factors from (75.31 ± 6.46) to (90.18 ± 3.50), reinforcement from (5.95 ± 0.98) to (7.88 ± 1.01), enabling from (19.11 ± 3.69) to (26.63 ± 1.94) And the frequency of participation of mothers from (13.63%) to (81.81%) in the said program 2 months after the intervention was compared to before And the intervention group had a significant difference in the average score of these factors compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results obtained from this study show the positive effect of an educational program using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model on the promotion of mothers' participation in the Fluoride Varnish Therapy program. Considering the comprehensiveness, flexibility, ability to evaluate and the commitment of this model to the principle of participation, it is recommended that the PRECEDE-PROCEED model be considered as a suitable solution for empowering and promoting people's participation in health programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Diabetes self-care leads to blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Adherence to medication is one of the methods of self-care. This research to improving medication adherence in type 2 diabetic patients in Zahedan based on the Health Action Process Approach model. Materials and Methods: In this intervention study, 210 type 2 diabetic patients referred to diabetes clinics in Zahedan city in two intervention groups (105) and control group (105) were selected from the diabetes clinics of Zahedan hospitals during June and September in 2022. Sampling was done by available methods among diabetic patients. After collecting the data, a pre-test was conducted using the medication adherence questionnaire and the model constructs questionnaire. CVI = 0.7, CVR = 0.6 and Cronbach's alpha of the questionnaire was 0.97. One and three months after the educational intervention, the questionnaire on model structures and self-care behavior was completed by the patients and collected for analysis. Data were analyzed using independent t, Chi-square, and Shapiro-Wilk tests in SPSS version 23. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: The results showed that all the Health Action Process Approach model constructs including risk perception, outcome expectancies, behavioral intention, action selfefficacy, coping self-efficacy, recovery self-efficacy, action planning and coping planning, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and self-care behavior had significant differences in one month and three months after the educational intervention (P<0.05), which indicated the effectiveness of the education in the intervention group. However, no significant difference was observed in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The intervention with the Health Action Process Approach model showed that the structures of the model after the training had a significant impact on the self-care of patients in the field of medication compliance. Appropriate programs with details in the field of automatic coping self-efficacy and action planning should be designed to promote medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Having children is one of the important factors in the development of society and country. This research was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of educational intervention based on the stages of change on the attitude and behavior of married women to have children. Materials and Methods: This Quasi experimental study was conducted on 80 married women (40 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group) under the cover of Saman Health Center Mashhad in 2022. Sampling was done by simple random method. In order to collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was used whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Educational program was held in 4 sessions for one month for the intervention group and the participants in both groups answered the questionnaire questions before and 3 months after the intervention. The data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: The mean attitude scores of women in the intervention group before and 3 months after the intervention were 16.01±2.21, 17.85±2.06. Statistical tests showed a significant relationship between education and women's attitude towards having children (P<0.01). Also, the educational intervention had an effect on changing behavior of women for having children (P>0.05). Conclusion: The educational intervention in this study was able to significantly improve the attitude of married women in the field of childbearing. However, it is suggested that in the future programs of individuals, the stages of preparation and action in educational interventions should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Identifying the risk factors of NCDs and the impact of socio-economic inequalities on exposure to these factors can play a significant role in controlling these diseases. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of metabolic risk factors of NCDs in the households of the Iranian Armed Forces. Materials and Methods: This research is of an applied study type conducted crosssectionally in the year 2021. The study population included 1205 households of armed forces participants in the national survey of NCDs risk factors (STEPs) in Iran, all of which were examined. After going through legal procedures, data on the national program for controlling NCDs risk factors were obtained from the NIHR. Logistic regression models in STATA 14 software were used to analyze the socioeconomic inequalities. Results: The prevalence of hypertension, overweight, increased blood sugar based on HbA1c, and increased blood cholesterol levels in armed forces households were 64/6%, 63/4%, 21/8%, and 15/7%, respectively. On the other hand, a significant statistical disparity was observed between different age groups and the prevalence of hypertension (P<0/05), as well as between the employment status and the prevalence of overweight (P- value<0/023). The probability of having diabetes in illiterate people is 2/36 times that in people with diploma and university education (OR=2/36, P-value= 0/046). Under the condition of keeping other variables constant, the probability of having a high cholesterol level in people with a bachelor's degree is 2/82 times that of people with a diploma and university education (OR=2/82, P-value= 0/041). Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic risk factors for NCDs in households of armed forces members shows a significant association with socioeconomic inequalities. The results of this study emphasize the necessity of reducing socioeconomic inequalities and improving access to healthcare services to reduce the prevalence of metabolic risk factors for NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral stress management training on emotion regulation strategies, life expectancy, mental well-being, and social Adjustment in students with generalized anxiety disorder. Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of high school students with generalized anxiety disorder in Divandarreh city in the academic year 2022-2023. Using purposive sampling method, 28 of them were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (14 subjects) and control (14 subjects). Then, the experimental group received 10 sessions (90 minutes each) of cognitive-behavioral stress management protocol according to Antoni et al. (2007). To collect data, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, Emotion Regulation Scale, life expectancy Scale, Mental Well-being Questionnaire, and California Social Adjustment Questionnaire were utilized. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS-26 software. Results: Results: The results indicated a significant difference between the control and experimental groups (p < 0.01) in pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages in emotion regulation strategies (p < 0.01), (pretest scores: 16.42, posttest: 28.42, follow-up: 27.14), life expectancy (p < 0.01), (pretest scores: 85.57, posttest: 119.28, follow-up: 105.07), mental well-being (total) (p < 0.01) (pretest scores: 92.71, posttest: 128.71, follow-up: 126.71), and social Adjustment (total) (p< 0.01) (pretest scores: 10.06, posttest: 18.70, follow-up: 17.15). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management training in enhancing emotion regulation strategies, life expectancy, mental wellbeing, and social Adjustment in students with generalized anxiety disorder, the results of the present study can be used in counseling and psychotherapy centers for intervention in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Iran is one of the countries with high prevalence of stomach neoplasms. The main goal of the current research is to determine the educational intervention effect based on health belief model on preventive nutritional behaviors of stomach neoplasm among employees of Meshginshar city in 2022. Materials and Methods: The present study is a semi-experimental interventional study with a control group. The statistical population is all the employees of the Meshginshahr city. Using simple random method, 5 offices were selected as samples and then 90 employees of these offices were selected as samples and were placed in two groups of 45 people, control and experimental. The experimental group was exposed to five experimental intervention sessions. The data gathered through health belief model questionnaire were analyzed via tests such as U-Man-Whitney, Wilcoxon post hoc test, ANOVA with repeated measures. Results: The results showed that the educational intervention based on the health belief model has an effect on perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, action guidelines and nutritional behaviors that prevent stomach neoplasms; while it does not affect the perceived sensitivity. Conclusion: Intervention based on the health belief model is effective on nutritional behaviors to prevent stomach neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Leishmania is one of the indigenous diseases of Iran, which is endemic in 18 provinces of the country. It is necessary to carry out an educational intervention to promote the preventive behaviors of this disease in endemic areas. The present study was designed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on the preventive behaviors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in male students. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial on 80 male students of the First secondary level school in Shahin shahr in 2022. The students were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. Data were collected based on a standard questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Questionnaire was completed before, immediately and three months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software and statistical tests of repeated analysis of variance, independent t-test and post hoc Ben Feroni. Significance level was considered at 0.05. Results: Before the educational intervention, the two groups were similar in terms of demographic information and the scores of the constructs of the HBM (p>0.05). Immediately and three months after the educational intervention, the mean scores of the constructs of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self-efficacy, behavior and perceived benefits increased significantly in the intervention group (p>0.05), but there were not a statistically significant difference in the constructs of perceived barriers and cues to action (p>0/05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed the effect of educational intervention based on the preventive behaviors of Cutaneous leishmaniasis in male students. Of course, due to the lack of impact of the intervention on the perceived barriers, it is necessary to pay attention to non-educational interventions such as allocating subsidies for the purchase of protective equipment, especially in deprived areas, in addition to educational interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: suicide of soldiers is a type of multi-dimensional behavioral damage that several factors are involved in its occurrence. The present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the structural relationships between mental health and cohesion of family relationships through organizational factors on the tendency of soldiers to commit suicide. Materials & Methods: This research is a correlational and descriptive-analytical study. The population includes all the soldiers serving in the Iranian police force in 1400-1401 with a simple random sampling and a multi-stage cluster according to Cochran's formula, with a volume of 1000 people. The data were obtained from Goldberg and Hiller (1979) 28-GHQ mental health questionnaires, Joyner et al.'s (2009), family cohesion (2009) and researcher-made organizational factors questionnaires, and the method of confirmatory factor analysis model for the default model was checked by Spss16 and Amos24. Results: The proposed model has an acceptable fit. Mental health (P=0.022, B=-0.227) and the cohesion of family relationships (P=0.001, B=-0.157) have a significant inverse relationship with the tendency to commit suicide with the mediation of organizational factors. Mental health variables, family cohesion and organizational factors are simultaneously able to explain 25.3% of the variance of suicide tendency and mental health, and family cohesion is able to explain 16.2% of organizational factors. Conclusion: mental health and the cohesion of family relationships strengthened through positive organizational factors lead to a correct understanding of service conditions and reduce the tendency to commit suicide among soldiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Objectives: Socialization is a critical organizational process that significantly contributes to effectively adapting personnel into a new organization and playing a suitable role according to the Ottawa Charter, which is one of its important areas for promoting health, developing people's skills, and also reorienting health care services. This study aims to identify the influential factors that contribute to the organizational socialization process among employees inside the health system of Iran. Materials & Methods: The current study is an exploratory sequential mixedmethod that was conducted in 2022 among managers and personnel of the health system in Tabriz, Iran. The qualitative phase of the study employed a content analysis methodology, wherein a purposive sample technique was utilized to pick 16 managers and staff from the health system. During the quantitative phase, a study was devised and executed utilizing the Delphi technique to thoroughly assess and finalize the components derived from the initial stage. The third part of the study involved a cross-sectional examination employing a descriptive-analytical methodology to assess the indicated parameters. A total of 333 health system employees and administrators were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results: Organizational socialization of health system employees can be improved through increased awareness of employees, organizational planning, recruitment and retention of talented personnel, performance evaluation of employees, alignment of individual and organizational values, and increased organizational commitment. The results of structural equation modeling showed that organizational planning, employee awareness, individual-organizational values, recruitment and retention of talented staff, and increased organizational commitment had a significant effect on organizational socialization of the healthcare system employees by 9%, 13%, 15%, 11%, and 14%, respectively. Conclusion: Socialization, as one of the most important organizational processes, can help managers and policymakers to facilitate and plan the process of empowering the employees and reorienting health-oriented processes based on health promotion approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Despite fundamental advancements in the understanding of health and the new strategy of the World Health Organization in enhancing the health of the individual, organization, and society, health education and promotion is a relatively new major in Iranian medical and health science. However, it has not yet been introduced as a specialist major at various levels. This research aims to investigate the challenges of educational quality and the position of health promotion and education. Materials & Methods: The current study employs a qualitative research with a structured content analysis approach. In this research, 24 health education and health promotion specialists, and graduates were chosen using a purposive sampling method From September2022 to May 2023. Using semi-structured interviews, different people's perspectives on the challenges of health education promotion were investigated, and After 22 interviews, no new code was extracted, but two more interviews were recorded to make sure, and sampling continued until data saturation (24 interviews). The collected data were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. Results: The challenges of the major of health education promotion from the perspective of the research participants include two main components: 1) scientific capacities (with sub-components of improving the curriculum and empowerment of professors and students) and 2) structural capacities (with sub-components of creating a position for the major of health education and promotion and determining the organizational level of employment). Conclusion: According to the findings, the quality of health education and health promotion may be enhanced by upgrading the curriculum, elevating professors, and providing a space for the major. In this respect, introducing the major at various levels of society can be useful in attracting motivated and talented people to study at higher levels and training scientifically and ethically outstanding professors in this major. As a result, to adapt to the aims of health education promotion and to apply it and the way professors teach, it is suggested to implement a broad curriculum reform and hold meetings with policymakers to expose the area to decision-making levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Accountability and social commitment is one of the philosophical approaches of universities, which focuses more on the responsibility of universities in serving the society. The purpose of this research is to identify the skills expected by the society from the graduates of the master's degree in health education and health promotion in order to increase the level of social accountability. Materials & Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with the quantitative content analysis method at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. The statistical population of this research was all the students and graduates of the master's degree in health and the staff in charge of the health education unit in the subcategory of health department, who were invited to the study by available sampling method. The data collection method was a structured interview. Results: This research was conducted with the participation of 19 health education graduates and experts with an average age of 39 years and an average work experience of 14 years. 105 needs and skills of a health education and health promotion expert in the form of four main categories including; The required skills of a health education and health promotion expert in the workplace, useful skills for the workplace that are taught in the university, skills expected in the workplace and expectations from the educational system to increase responsiveness to the needs of society were presented. Conclusion: There is a gap between the skills taught at the university level and the job needs of graduates of this field, and most of this difference is estimated for practical skills. Also, in order to improve responsiveness to the needs of employees and ultimately the needs of the society, the scientific and practical support of health education experts is needed for the workers in the work environment, which requires close interaction of the health department with the health faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Theory-based educational interventions are a logical approach in order to improve pro-environmental behaviors. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of the educational intervention based on the extended theory of planned behavior on pro-environmental behaviors in residents of Qazvin city. Materials & Methods: Using a multi-stage random sampling method, 120 citizens referring to Qazvin health care centers participated in a quasi- experimental study in 2022-2023. Targeted educational content was provided through what’s APP and online training (4 sessions) in the form of lectures and group discussions along with educational pamphlets and text messages for the experimental group. Data were collected before and 3 months after the Theory based education using demographic questionnaires, Pro-environmental Knowledge, moral commitment, Self- identity, TPB subscales, and pro-environmental behavior questionnaires, and were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 software and chi-square, independent and paired T-tests, ANOVA and ANCOVA were analyzed. Results: The mean of pro-environmental awareness (from 5.2±1.3 to 10.9±2.1), attitude (from 17.5±2.5 to 34.7±6.1), subjective norms (from 8.9±1.8 to 14.9±1.3), self-identity (from 8.8±1.7 to 12.7±2.1), moral commitment (from 10.9±1.4 to 15.0±2.1), behavioral control (from 15.7±1.6 to 24.9±3.5) and behavioral intention (from 7.4±2.2 to 11.2±9) significantly improved in the experimental group after theory based education (P<0.001). Also, the mean of pro-environmental behaviors improved significantly after controlling the effect of the pre-test variable in the experimental group (36.4±9.5 to 52.2±8.7, P<0.001). Conclusion: The implementation of educational interventions based on the extended theory of planned behavior can encourage pro-environmental behaviors in citizens by improving psychological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The high prevalence of caesarean section is a global health concern, especially in Iran. Considering the possibility of complications caused by cesarean section and the importance of identifying the development process of this delivery method, the present research was conducted with the aim of determining the factors influencing the behavioral intention and the choice of the type of delivery by pregnant women of Bojnord city based on the theory of planned behavior. Materials & Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 369 pregnant women first abdomen who referred to comprehensive health centers in Bojnurd city. The sampling method was multi-stage. The data collection tool was a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software by using t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests. Results: 72.6% of the participants wanted to give birth naturally and 27.4% had a cesarean birth. People who intended to have a natural birth significantly had better knowledge, a more positive attitude towards natural birth, and a better perceived behavioral control (P<0.001). The two constructs of attitude (β=-0.234) and perceived behavioral control (β=-0.215) had the most negative and significant predictors of the behavioral intention to perform cesarean delivery (P<0.001). The results of the subjective norms showed that the doctor's opinion and the mass media had the greatest and least influence on the choice of the type of delivery in pregnant women, respectively. The constructs of the theory of planned behavior together predicted 17.2 of the variance of natural childbirth intention in pregnant women. Conclusion: The theory of planned behavior can be effective by identifying the factors of pregnant women's intention in choosing natural delivery. It is suitable with training and interventions to reduce the rate of cesarean section for pregnant women using this theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Stress is one of the major problems in life and occupation is one of the most important factors that cause it. This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on virtual social networks on occupational stress among employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: The present semi-experimental study was conducted among 122 employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, who were randomly assigned to intervention (n=59) and control (n=63) groups, in 2022. The data collection tool was questionnaires of job stress and knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding stress, which were completed before and two months after the educational intervention. The training program was implemented virtually for the intervention group within a month with the methods of educational videos, audio files, images, and text messages. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using independent t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results: There was no significant difference in the average score of knowledge, attitude, and performance between the two intervention and control groups before the intervention, but two months after the educational intervention, by adjusting the effect of pre-test scores, the average score of knowledge, attitude and practice in the intervention group increased significantly. (P<0.001). The average occupational stress score in the intervention group decreased from 118.26 to 117.20, which was significant compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of educational intervention based on virtual social networks on increasing knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding stress as well as management of occupational stress, it is recommended to design and implement educational interventions using modern technologies and virtual spaces to improve mental health in the workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect. Affected children and adolescents with CHD require special care in dentistry because of their susceptibility to infective endocarditis from poor oral hygiene infections. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate a mobile-based educational oral health application for children and adolescents with CHD. Materials & Methods: This developmental study was conducted in 2021-2022 at the Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center in Isfahan. My Structured Query Language (MySQL) system was used to design the database of educational oral health application. Also; the development phase was based on the Android platform. The design and development of a mobile-based educational oral health application was carried out in five stages, including analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to evaluate the application. The statistical population of this was composed of 51 children and adolescents (3-18 years of age) with CHD and their parents. Results: The results of the evaluation of the usability of the educational oral health app from the children and adolescents' perspective with CHD showed that the "user-friendliness", "ease of use" and " educational impacts" of the app were evaluated as good. Conclusion: The usage of this mobile application can be useful in improving the oral and dental health of children and adolescents with CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Considering the importance of women's sexual health, the role of adolescent menstruation management is obvious. According to evidence, teenage girls in many countries of the world, including Iran, do not have good menstrual management. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of implementing a health promotion program using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model in high school teenage girls in Kermanshah. Materials & Methods: This study is a semi-experimental study without a control group that was conducted in Kermanshah from 2021 to 2022. In this study, needs assessment was done by 300 high school girls randomly and the data collection tool was a questionnaire. Then, according to the needs assessment results, an educational intervention with a sample size of 80 students and high school girls who were selected by two-stage random sampling were evaluated. Data collection tool was a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model and was completed by students before, after and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22 and Friedman test. Results: The results of the needs assessment showed that the students' mean knowledge score (mean ± standard deviation) was 7.06 ± 3.9, attitude score was 33.16 ± 8.33, and self-efficacy score was 32.28 ± 9.44 The comparative results showed that the mean and median of predisposing factors, enabling factors and enhancing factors (p<0.001) statistically in three periods (before, after and two months after intervention) has a significant difference. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study show the positive impact of the educational program based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and its components (predisposing factors, enabling factors, and enhancing factors) on menstrual management of teenage girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: From the end of 2019 until now, the coronavirus pandemic created an extraordinary situation in the world, which resulted in an unprecedented social, political and economic crisis. The most critical solution to this pandemic is to fully comply with health protocols and public vaccination, which requires informing society and changing people's health and social behaviours. The present study was conducted to investigate the factors related to preventive behaviors against Corona) SARS-CoV-2( among women in the suburbs of Mashhad using the Pender health promotion model. Materials & Methods: In this Cross-sectional analysis study conducted in 2021, 300 women living in the suburbs of Mashhad were included by multi-stage sampling method, who were satisfied with the research., and a checklist of demographic information and an 82-question questionnaire designed based on Pender's health promotion model (whose validity and reliability were confirmed). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Among the demographic characteristics of job variables (p=0.03), history of corona infection (p=0.01), vaccination (p=0.04), blood pressure (p=0.01), and diabetes (p=0.04) had a significant relationship with the structure of behavioral outcomes. The highest and lowest scores of the participants in the study were in the structure of Perceived Barriers (48.66 ± 12.87) and Commitment to Plan of Action (8.68 ± 1.42). Among the different parts of Pender's health promotion model, perceived self-efficacy (p<0.001, B=0.39), perceived benefits (p<0.001, B=0.13), interpersonal effects (p=0.001, B=0.16), and preferences (p<0.001, B=0.20) had a significant effect on the structure of behavioral consequences. Conclusion: Self-efficacy is the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors against Corona. As a result, carrying out interventions to increase the self-efficacy of the residents of the outskirts of the city will probably lead to an increase in their behaviors of avoiding Covid-19 in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Quality of life is important in improving the health of patients. The current study was developed to present a structural model of quality of life and health promotion of women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) based on illness perception, health hardiness with the mediating role of social cognition. Materials & Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlation. The statistical population consisted of all women with MS who were members of the MS Association of Iran and referred to the MS Research Center of Sina Hospital in Tehran, which numbered 470 in 1401, using the available and voluntary methods, to the MSIS-29 questionnaires, short-form illness perception, RHHI-24 and Emotion Recognition Task (social cognition) were answered online. Results: Data analysis showed that the structural model of the quality of life of women with MS based on illness perception and health hardiness with the mediating role of social cognition has a favorable fit of 0.375. There was a negative and significant relationship between quality of life, illness perception with the mediation of social cognition with an influence coefficient of -0.124, and between quality of life and health hardiness with the mediation of social cognition with an influence coefficient of -0.60 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the mediating role of social cognition in the impact of illness perception and health hardiness on the quality of life can provide a suitable model to explain the psychological improvement of women with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Studies show that many overweight people who have lost weight eventually regain their previous weight. This study explored the experiences of overweight/obese individuals with a history of weight regain in terms of weight regain. Materials & Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Tehran using conventional content analysis. The study included 18 participants who had previously experienced overweight or obesity and had regained a minimum of 10% weight loss at least one year after the initial weight loss. Additionally, four nutrition experts from Iran University of Medical Sciences were interviewed. Targeted sampling began with the snowball method, and data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted from October to January 2019. Results: The average age of the participating patients was 35.50 years, with a standard deviation of 8.63. Among the participants, 27.8% were male, while the remaining majority were female. In terms of marital status, 55.6% of the participants were single, and 44.4% were employed. The results showed that 4 main themes including the barriers to continue adopting weight control methods including diet and physical activity over time with 3 categories (including psychological factors, environmental factors and social factors), physical factors with 3 categories (including inheritance, physiological factors and changes in health status), nutritionist skills with 2 categories (including nutrition education and behavioral therapy) and cues to action with 2 categories (including internal and external cues to action) were recognized as the reasons of the participnts to return the weight. Conclusion: Greater attention to the phenomenon of weight regain and the use of behavioral therapy strategies, nutrition education, positive motivational stimuli, and screening tools to detect psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression may help nutrition experts reduce weight regain in obese individuals. Additionally, improving the environmental infrastructure to promote physical activity can help reduce barriers to weight control in community. These considerations should be taken into account by societal decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: parental support is an important predictor of adolescents' participation and levels of leisure-time physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the structural relationships between parental support, restructuring ability, subjective norm and leisure time physical activity. Materials & Methods: During a descriptive research of the correlation type, data were collected using questionnaires of leisure physical activity (Godin, 2011), subjective norm (Kim et al., 2019), restructuring ability (Xie et al., 2018a) and perceived parental support (Xie et al., 2021),641 adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age, boys and girls, who had a history of physical activity in their leisure time, were collected from May to June 2022 by purposive sampling and analyzed with SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 3 software. Results: Path analysis shows that all the hypotheses were statistically significant at the P<0.05 level. specifically, the subjective norm had a positive effect on the restructuring ability and the of leisure physical activity adolescents (P<0.05). In addition, the restructuring ability had a positive effect on the subjective norm and leisure physical activity adolescents (P<0.05). Finally, parental support had a positive effect on adolescent's restructuring ability, subjective norm and leisure time physical activity (P<0.05). The coefficient of determination for leisure time physical activity was equal to 27.8% and it shows the concept that the variables of parental support, subjective norm and the restructuring ability to rebuild together have predicted 27.8% of leisure time physical activity. but both variables of parental support and leisure time physical activity predict a total of 52.6% of adolescents' leisure time physical activity, the share of leisure time physical activity was higher than parental support. Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of parental support for adolescents' leisure time physical activity and helping adolescents to develop the restructuring ability and subjective norm as a way to promote leisure time physical activity among adolescents. As a result, such parental support, especially for adolescent boys and girls with poor health status and high body mass index, increases the leisure time physical activity of adolescents and improves their overall health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Domestic violence against women is one of the most serious social issues. This study aimed to identify predictors of help-seeking behavior among women exposed to spousal violence. Materials & Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2022 among women attending comprehensive health service centers in Lorestan Province, Iran. A total of 525 participants were recruited using multi-stage sampling methods, including stratified, cluster, and simple random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires on spousal violence and help-seeking behavior. Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Stata 14 software. Results: The highest prevalence of physical and psychological violence dimensions were related to slapping (69.9%) and belittling (84.38%), respectively. In terms of sexual violence, non-consensual sexual intercourse (24.76%) was the most prevalent. The most common sources for seeking help were individual's family (70.48%), healthcare providers (56%), and spouse's family (53.90%). Help-seeking behavior for physical (p=0.02) and psychological violence (p=0.007) was higher in higher-income groups. Women whose spouses had university education exhibited higher help-seeking behavior for physical (p=0.015) and psychological violence (p=0.011) compared to others. Help-seeking behavior regarding physical violence (p<0.001) and sexual violence (p=0.004) was more frequent among individuals residing in Borujerd and Khorramabad cities compared to other cities in the province. Conclusion: Multiple factors associated with help-seeking behavior were identified, including spouse's education level, women experiencing physical violence, place of residence, and household wealth status. Policies and interventions should be developed to address these factors and improve women's health outcomes and prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). Considering the limited formal help-seeking behavior in Iran, governmental policies should focus on preventing IPV through various means, such as increasing demand for women's access to formal services (healthcare, legal, and social services) when experiencing IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is one of the causes of death worldwide. CVDs covers a wide array of disorders, including diseases of the cardiac muscle and of the vascular system supplying the heart, brain, and other vital organs. The aim of the paper was to study the effectiveness of cardiovascular specific psychotherapy on the patients' quality of life. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study 30 patients with heart disease from Rasol-e-Akram hospital in the city of Rasht were selected by accessible sampling method, and randomly placed in two experimental and control groups. Experiment and control groups completed the WHOQOL questionnaire before and after the intervention. The intervention was implemented in 25 sessions (each 150 minutes) for patients in the test group. Data was analyzed by MANCOVA test using SPSS19. Results: The mean scores of quality of life and its subscales, before and after the intervention, statistically had significant difference (p < 0.05). Therefore, it seems that cardiovascular specific psychotherapy was effective on the promotion of patients' quality of life. Conclusion: This kind of therapy is effective in improving life quality of cardiovascular patients. Therefore, it is recommended as an effective therapy to improve mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Hypertension is a psycho-physiological problem. There are several biological and psychological factors that affect the incidence and severity of hypertension. The present study was aimed to investigate the mediating role of subjective-wellbeing in terms of perceived stress and hypertension. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-correlated study, the study population included over-45-adult patients with hypertension who referred to health centers in Tehran. Through convenience sampling 298 persons (121 male and 177 female) were selected as samples of the study. Perceived stress scale questionnaire and subjective well-being questionnaire were used to gather the data. To analyze the data Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. Results: There was a significant and negative correlation between subjective well-being and hypertension (p < 0.01, β = 0.353). The subjective well-being mediates the relationship between perceived stress and hypertension (p < 0.01, β = 0.203) and scores of perceived stress and subjective well-being explain the percentage of variance in blood pressure and changes in scores of perceived stress explain 45% of variance in subjective well-being. Conclusion: People with high blood pressure have high perceived stress and subjective well-being contributes to the control of hypertension. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Diabetes is one of the chronic disease that has the most negative effects on the quality of life. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study a pre-test, posttest and a three month follow-up test was used. Among patients from the Diabetes Association in Alborz Province in Iran, 40 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. The instruments for gathering data were demographic characteristics and a shortened form of quality of life questionnaire (DQOL). Besides using their diabetes drugs, during 8 weeks, and each week 2 hours, the experimental group participated in ACT sessions; but the control group only received diabetes drugs. The data were analyzed using covariance analysis, Tukey post hoc test and to compare post-test and medium follow up of two groups the dependent t-test was used through SPSS 20. Results: ACT in post-test and follow up increased as a psychological intervention of quality of life was used among patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: ACT can be used as an effective psychological intervention on the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Its incidence has increased in developing countries due to factors such as increase in life expectancy, urbanization and popularity of western culture. The aim of this study was to identify the social and cultural factors affecting breast cancer screening based on the PEN-3 model (perceptional, enabling and nurturers) among school teachers in Kermanshah, Iran. Materials and methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional one. Through random sampling 258 high school teachers were selected as samples. A questionnaire that consisted with 50 questions based on the PEN-3 model was used to gather the data. The validity of the questionnaire was measured with content validity and the reliability with Cronbach alpha coefficient. The data were analyzed through SPSS 21 using one-sample t-test, two-sample t-test and Chi-square test. Results: 48.1% of school teachers had a history of breast self-examination, 24.8% history of breast clinical examination by the physician and medical staff and 9.3% had at least one mammography. The most important affecting factors on screening were: belief to early detection of tumors (87.2%), ability to pay the screening cost (83.7%), negligence and forgetfulness (65.1%), being busy and lack of time (56.2%), fear (24.5%), and anxiety (21.3%). Conclusion: Due to fact that the affecting factors on breast cancer screening behavior are in the scope of the social and cultural range, a comprehensive plan for intervention and using a health education model, including the PEN-3 model, can be useful. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: With the advancement of networks and the Internet industry, computer games have considerably progressed in the recent years and have been released in various types. Hence, the objective of this study was to compare social support in adolescents interested in different types of computer games. Materials and methods: This descriptive study followed a casual-comparative design. The statistical population of this study included all male adolescents and young adults referred to Internet gaming centers in Zahedan, Iran. In this study, multi-stage cluster sampling method was applied through which 8 gaming centers were randomly chosen and then among all people who referred to the considered gaming centers, 156 individuals were selected randomly as the regarded sample. To gather the data, the Mary Procidano and Kenneth Heller's Social Support Questionnaire (1983) was applied. To analyze the data, frequency, percentage, medium, mode and SD and one- way ANOVA and post hoc Scheffe’s test was used through SPSS 23. Results: There was a difference among social support of people interested in different types of computer games. In this regard, those who were interested in online multiplayer games perceived higher levels of social support compared to those who were interested in single player games (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the findings demonstrated that subjects who chose Internet gaming centers and their houses as places to play compared to those who only selected their houses to play had higher levels of perceived social support. Conclusion: With the increasing development of computer games and diversification and expansion of its different styles, each type of computer games should be studied and investigated distinctly. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Physical activity (PA) is a multi-factorial behavior that is affected by intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and social factors. The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of PA among patients with cardiovascular (CV) metabolic risk factors based on the educational factors of PRECEDE Model. Materials and methods: This mix method study (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted in two consecutive phases. In the qualitative phase, the experiences of 50 patients with CV metabolic risk factors and 12 healthcare providers who worked in the Diabetes Units of Health Centers of Alborz University of Medical Sciences (ABZUMS) were explained based on the educational factors of PRECEDE Model. In the quantitative phase, the questionnaire of determinants of PA was developed and its validity and reliability were evaluated and confirmed and it was completed by 450 patients and the strongest determinants of PA using the Structural equation modeling (SEM) through AMOS 18 were identified. Results: Using path analysis the findings showed, self-efficacy (β= 0.90) and perceived barriers (β= -0.63) determinants of predisposing category, skill (β= 0.38) determinant of enabling category, motivation comply (β= 0.47), social support (β= 0.23) and behavioral outcomes (β= 0.17) determinants of reinforcing category were higher predictive power and they were significant. Conclusion: The determinants mentioned should be targeted in designing an intervention program for promoting PA. Identifying the determinants of PA helps health planners to select the most appropriate methods and applications to address these determinants in order to increase the PA behavior. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective:Standard precautions are a proper strategy for prevention of occupational diseases among nurses. The study was aimed to investigate the application of Standard precautions for prevention of transmission of hepatitis B and C and HIV in educational hospitals. Materials and methods:In this cross-sectional study 218 nurses, 174 female and 44 male, of two educational hospitals in Zahedan, Iran uses multi-stages sampling method were studied. A polychotomy standard questionnaire including demographic questions and health belief model constructs were used to gather the data. The participants responded to questions via self-report method. Through SPSS 16 and using descriptive (percentage, Mean) and analytical (paired T test, independent T test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression coefficient) statistics the data were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the precipitants was 31.73±6.28.Only 27.7% of nurses had a good level of knowledge and 23.9, 63.3 and 13.8% of them had good, average and weak level of practice, respectively. Also results of Liner regression showed that perceived barrier and self-efficacy predicted the 23.5% of predictive behaviors variances. Conclusion: Health Belief Model is a proper framework for designing and implementing the educational interventions in promoting the predictive behaviors of Hepatitis and AIDS in hospitals. Paper Type:Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Despite the many benefits of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle is still a public health problem among women. This study was conducted to identify factors associated with physical activity based on Stages of Change Model as one of the most effective models of behavior study among health volunteers in Rasht in 2014. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all of the active health volunteers in Rasht (N=176) completed the self-administered questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: demographic information, validated questionnaire of stages of change model constructs, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-long form). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Correlation and regression through SPSS 18. Results: Intensity of physical activity among health volunteers was respectively 10.2%, 61.4% and 28.4% in low, moderate and severe level. Among the structures of Stages of Change Model, self-efficacy (&beta = 0.2) and Cons (&beta = 0.17), had predictive power on the promotion of physical activity (p <0.05). 17% were in the pre-contemplation stage, 10.3% were in the contemplation stage, 17.6% in the preparation stage, 12.5% were in the action stage, and 42.6% were in the maintenance stage of regular physical activity. Conclusion: Since most of the health volunteers were in the middle-ages, and also the majority of them had moderate physical activity, appropriate for their age, therefore, due to the effective constructs (self-efficacy and Cons), it is necessary that these constructs to be strengthened in order to maintain the moderate level of physical activity in this group. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objective: In order to have effective parenting, which, in turn, results in children being happy, healthy and productive, it is necessary to design an effective indigenous pattern based on the Iranian culture. The aim of this study was to explore indicators of successful parenting of adolescents among Iranian families. Methods: This applied study used qualitative grounded theory to gather its data. 13 cases of successful parents were selected using theoretical sampling. They were studied using in-depth interviews over a period of 6 months. After collecting the data, they were recorded and coded in terms of categories, and then they were classified. In analyzing the data, the original codes were identified and based on axial coding, categories of parental role were identified. Results: In the context of the role of parents, appreciation, encouraging, sincerity, positive communication, navigation, responsibility, fairness, monitoring, control and modeling role of parents were identified as parenting indicators. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be helpful for parents in the upbringing of healthy young adults. Family counselors and psychologists could also apply the results of this study for educating families for successful parenting. Paper Type: Research Article [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Many parents face challenges to respond to child sexual questions. These questions are generally non-projected, but appropriate and proportionate response to such questions is the most challenging for parenting issues. So, identifying sexual questions that are frequently asked by children, and on the other hand, through proper education to parents, response to curious questions of children can be tailored to age and gender correctly. Therefore, this study was designed to explore children's sexual questions. Methods: This research was a qualitative content analysis study. The samples were selected on the basis of objective and purposive sampling. Samples consisted of 20 parents living in the city of Ahvaz. Data were gathered through semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively through content analysis simultaneously and using the software MAXQDA 10. Results: Children sexual curious questions suggested 3 main themes: 1) changes in sexual characteristics, 2) gender differences and relations between the sexes, & 3) pregnancy, child birth and pregnancy prevention- which consisted of 9 sub-classes. Conclusion: The reason and process of pregnancy, how baby is born and sex differences were the most questions that children had asked. In order to answer the sexual questions properly in regard to age and gender, it is recommended that an educational package be designed to answer children questions. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Pregnancy anxiety in a common problem during pregnancy period that is associated with negative consequences. The current study was conducted in order to determine the role of health beliefs and health promoting behaviors in predicting pregnancy anxiety among pregnant women. Methods: This research was a descriptive- analytical and correlational study. Pregnant women referred to health centers of the Ardabil city for medical cares from the first to ninth month of pregnancy in the second half of 2014 were the population of this study. One hundred and ten women were randomly selected via clustering sampling method from this population they were asked to fill in the questionnaires- demographic data, Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised (PRAQ-R), health belief model questionnaire and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). The data were analyzed by tests of Pearson correlation and multivariate regression. Results: Pregnancy anxiety had negative relationship with perceived susceptibility (r = -0.41 p < 0.001), severity of perceived consequences (r= -0.56 p < 0.001), benefits of medical treatment (r= -0.35 p< 0.001), total score of health promoting lifestyle (r= -0.67 p < 0.001), its components, namely health responsibility (r= -0.54 p < 0.001), physical activity (r= -0.42 p < 0.001), nutrition (r= -0.42 p < 0.001), spiritual growth (r= -0.55 p < 0.001), interpersonal relationships (r= -0.57 p < 0.001), and stress management (r= -0.64 p < 0.001). Regression analyses also revealed that 44% of variance of pregnancy anxiety of women was explained by health beliefs and 50% of it was explained by health promoting lifestyle. Conclusion: Positive beliefs about health and health promoting lifestyle play role in reducing pregnancy anxiety. The results of this research propose the necessary of training health beliefs and health promoting life style during pregnancy period for improving psychological health and coping with pregnancy anxiety. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: It is necessary to identify factors influencing smoking in order to design effective interventions to reduce this behavior. This study aimed to determine the predictive factors of smoking among adults of Arak city based on Transtheoretical model (TTM). Methods: This analytical- cross sectional study was carried out on 328 smokers 30 years of age and older in the city of Arak in 2014. Samples were selected randomly from family file numbers of Arak. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire including demographic information and questions related to Transtheoretical structure Model (stages of change, processes of change, temptation, Pros and Cons of smoking) and were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and linear regression. Results: Most of the subjects (52.7%) were in the precontemplation stage of smoking cessation. Linear regression revealed that variables of change stages (R2 = -0.46, p< 0.001), temptation (R2 = -0.18, p< 0.001), hazards of smoking (R2 = -0.12, p< 0.001), early age of smoking (R2 = -0.14, p< 0.006), dramatic relief process of change (R2 = -0.12, p< 0.015) and the number of friends who smoke (R2 = -0.12,p< 0.048) were the predictor of daily smoking rates. The model was able to predict 37% of smoking rate variance Conclusion: Most subjects were in the precontemplation stage of quitting smoking and according to predictive factors of smoking it is necessary to plan an effective educational program for quitting smoking. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Work settings provide a unique opportunity for health promotion interventions. Considering the issue of obesity among employees, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the intervention based on new communication technologies and the social cognitive theory on weight control in the governmental employees of the city of Hamadan in 2014. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted among “telephone-assisted intervention”, “web-assisted intervention”, and “control” groups comprising 435 employees with excess weight or obesity. The educational intervention was performed for 6 months under the title of “lifestyle program.” Then, the participants were evaluated in terms of weight and changes in the constructs of the social-cognitive theory 6 and 9 months after the intervention. A researcher-made questionnaire based on the Dishman and Dewar questionnaires was used to evaluate the constructs of social-cognitive theory. The data were collected and analyzed using one-way ANOVA, two-way analysis of variance, and linear Regression test through SPSS 20. Results: The lifestyle intervention resulted in a weight loss of 1.92 and 1.08 kg among the telephone-assisted and web-assisted intervention groups, respectively. The intervention in the mobile telephone-assisted group increased the mean scores of the participants in the constructs of self-efficacy, environment, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies. In the web-assisted intervention group, the mean scores of the constructs of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies increased. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed the effectiveness of the intervention based on new communication technologies and the social-cognitive theory (SCT). We recommend conducting studies to evaluate other health challenges based on the Social-Cognitive Theory in work settings. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Adjustment is the most important sign of mental health. Determination of factors which affect adjustment is important. This study aimed to determine the relationship between personal and social adjustment with locus of control and gender in intelligent high school students in Kermanshah. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study 106 high school students of Kermanshah were selected randomly. Data collection tools were Ratter's locus of control scale, the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) including 12 concepts of social and personal adjustment, and a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using correlation, ANOVA through SPSS16. Results: There was no significant difference between personal adjustment and gender. But social adjustment in girls' intelligent was more than boys' intelligent (p<0.03). There was an interaction between gender and locus of control with personal adjustment (p<0.03). The interaction between the effect of gender and locus of control in social adjustment was not significant. Neurotic symptoms, rejection tendency, dependence feeling (among personal adjustment components) and family relation, school relation (among social adjustment components social frames) had negative significant relative to locus of control. Conclusion: Locus of control is a related factor on social adjustment in the intelligent high school students and gender is a related factor in their social adjustment. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Assessment of physical activity patterns and its influencing factors among adolescents for change in physical activity patterns is valuable. Considering the importance of physical activity among youth, the aim of this study was to assess the physical activity in girl school students in the Tarom in Iran and its relevant factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study physical activity were assessed among 230 girl senior high school students in Tarom. The students were selected via classified multi-stage random sampling. Physical activity was evaluated by the standard, valid and reliable International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and pedometer to evaluate physical activity levels. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were also measured. Subjects wore a pedometer throughout the day for one consecutive week, and average steps per day (physical activity volume) were measured. Data were analyzed through SPSS18 using Chi-squared test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: Regarding the level of physical activity (Pedometer results), 32... of students were active and 68... inactive. The results of IPAQ showed that out of active individuals, 68... performed light, 28... moderate and 2... sever physical activity. There was only significant relationship between physical activity and father's jobs. In the case of level of mother and father's education, mother's jobs and household income had no significant effect on the frequency of adequate physical activity. Conclusion: The results indicated that the level of physical activity was not sufficient among girl students. Therefore, it is necessary to have an education plan to educate girl students regarding life style modification. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Skin and eye protection against UV sun rays (sunscreen, clothing, hats, and glasses) is one of the most important preventive behaviors of skin cancer in adulthood period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational intervention based on animation method on promoting protective behaviors in male students in Zahedan. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 200 sixth grade male students that were selected randomly by multi-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a multi-section questionnaire. The Validity of the questionnaire based on expert's viewpoint (80...) and its reliability by Cronbakh Alpha test (0.83) was assessed and confirmed. After primary data collecting, educational intervention included lecture along movie clip exhibition in the intervention group was performed and two months later data in both groups were collected again and analyzed in SPSS16 using independent, pair t-test and chi-square test. Results: After educational intervention and using visual media such as cartoon animation the promoting protective behaviors using protection tools (sunscreen, clothing, hats, and glasses) were meaningfully increased (p<0.001), and finding showed that using sunscreen the increase from 35... to 70. 9... after intervention had the greatest changes. Conclusion: Educational intervention using visual media such as cartoon animation is useful in increasing knowledge and promoting behaviors against to the sun rays harmful effects. It is also necessary to strengthen behavior change of educational process with public health policies. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Human in this period in the adaptability to the environment and his/her job is forced to undergo constraints and pressures. If we have extreme job stress, it can create physical, mental, behavioral complications for the individual, and in turn jeopardize his/her health. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of physical activity training on worker burnout. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, which was carried out among 200 employees of Electricity Office, City Hall, the Governor and the Department of Education of Agh Ghala county, north of Iran. The employees were selected by random sampling. A three-part questionnaire (Demography, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)) was used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 and descriptive statistics and independent t test, paired t test, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA test; significant level was considered 0.05 in all analyses. Results: 57.5% of the employees were men and 91... were married. Average age was 38.52±7.86 years. Results showed that the mean of physical activity had increased after the intervention and with the increase in physical activity the mean of lack of job accomplishment decreased, which in turn shows increase in employees' job satisfaction. And with the decrease in the mean of depersonalization, employees' relationship with coworkers and those receiving services improved. Conclusion: Physical activity is one of the ways of reducing depersonalization and lack of accomplishment among employees. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: One of the ways to achieve healthy communities is training adolescents in healthy behaviors. This study was conducted to assess the impact of peer education approach to health promoting behaviors in Bastak junior high school students. Methods: The study population was junior high school students in Bastak county, Hormozgan. In this semi-experimental study 201 students were placed in the intervention group and 157 students in the control group. The data were collected through The Adolescent Health Promotion Scale. The questionnaire measures health promoting behaviors in six areas, including nutrition, social protection, health personal responsibility, valuation of health, exercise and stress management. Intervention was performed through peer education. Data were collected before and two months after the intervention and analyzed by using SPSS19 and independent and paired t-test. Results: Health promoting behaviours scores showed a significant increase in the intervention group except health valuation area compared with pre-training (p<0.001) while the control group showed a significant decrease in average behavioral in all domains (p<0.05). After the intervention, students' health promoting behaviors in all six areas including nutrition, social protection, health personal responsibility, valuing health, exercise and stress management in the intervention group were statistically significant compared with control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that peer education approach can be effective in changing the behavior of young adults towards healthy behaviors. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Health promotion and providing health for the whole population is an important factor of progress in societies. Students of medical sciences have a significant role in the health promotion as health promoter and professional health care providers. Therefore, the health-promoting behaviors among these students have noticeable importance. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study,400 students were assessed by HPLP II questionnaire through two-stage stratified sampling. This questionnaire has six dimensions:responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, Stress Management, and interpersonal relationships. Descriptive statistics and T-test was used for data analysis through SPSS11.5. Results: The mean age of students was 21.36±1.6. The total mean score of health-promoting behavior was 113.08±25 (total score 208). The highest score was gained by spiritual growth (20.81±6.2), and the lowest score was by responsibility domain (19.26±6.8). Interpersonal relations between two sexes was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Due to the state of the health-promoting behaviors among students of medical sciences (intermediate levels),educational planning in health promoting behaviors is recommended for students. Paper Type: Research Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]