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Abstract Background Social distancing is a key behavior to minimize and controlling COVID-19 infections. The current study applied an integrated Theory of Planned Behavior to identify the determinants of social distancing behavior, and the processes involved, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Iran among 1000 people from Shiraz by employing a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire based on the main constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS software version 22 and Amos version 24. Level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value of less than 0.05. Results according to the results, the subjective norms (F = 2.696, effect size = 0.139) and attitude (F = 3.582, effect size = 0.155) play an important role in the samples’ PBC (P ≤ 0.05). Final adjusted structural equation model of the effects of independent variables (Gender, subjective norms, attitude) on samples’ intention to adherence social distancing for prevention of Covid-19 with the mediating role of one main variable of PBC. The PBC alone can be an important factor in creating intensive behavior in the samples (F = 3.560, effect size = 0.18). Conclusion current findings highlight the importance of “attitude, subjective norms and PBC” as determinants of social distancing intention. Future research on long-range predictors of social distancing behavior and reciprocal effects in the integrated model is warranted. This evidence is relevant to public and private organizations in the process of developing strategies to promote and engage the population in adopting the behavior of “Adherence to Social Distancing” in Iran.

Abstract Introduction Globally, hypertension is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of premature death. Since this disease is incurable, it is necessary to promote patients’ self-care behaviors to control it. The goal of this research was to identify the elements that influence self-care actions in individuals with hypertension, utilizing the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) framework. Methods A study was carried out in Omidiyeh, located in southern Iran, using a cross-sectional design, involving 397 adults with hypertension (198 females and 199 males) who were selected from comprehensive health centers using a stratified random sampling technique. Data was gathered through a demographic data collection form and a questionnaire created by the researcher, which was based on the PMT. Data were assessed utilizing SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software, and various statistical tests including one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, independent t-test, and structural equation modeling were conducted. Findings The variables of intrinsic reward (r = 0.182), extrinsic reward (r = 0.288), and response cost (r = 0.126) showed a significant negative correlation with self-care behaviors. On the other hand, perceived susceptibility (r = 0.212), perceived severity (r = 0.110), self-efficacy (r = 0.555), and response efficacy (r = 0.424) demonstrated a significant positive correlation with self-care behaviors. Specifically, self-efficacy and response efficacy were the most powerful predictors of self-care behaviors, respectively. Conclusion The results showed that several factors can forecast self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension. Researchers are recommended to incorporate PMT in educational interventions and concentrate on self-efficacy and response efficacy constructs.

Abstract Background Menopausal women should learn self-care practices to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, positive health behaviors, and health status. In addition, the lack of self-care knowledge can lead to unhealthy attitudes and lifestyles, resulting in many complications. Improved self-care knowledge can foster positive attitudes, leading to healthier lifestyles as a beneficial cycle. However, menopausal women have limited knowledge about self-care and evaluation tools. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and investigate the validity and reliability of the Women’s Self-care Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (WSKAQ) in Iranian menopausal women. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 249 menopausal women, aged between 45 and 65 years and at least one year post-menopause, with a minimum literacy level of elementary education. Validation properties included construct validity, exploratory (EFA), and discriminant validity. Reliability was further established through Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s Omega. PASS 15 and SPSS 27 software were used to select centers, calculate sample size and analyze the data, respectively. Results The initial stage of construct validity involved the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and EFA, resulting in a 6-item self-care knowledge subscale, 47.29% of the total data variance, and 7-item self-care attitude subscale, 55.50% of the total data variance. Independent t-test indicated that menopausal women with education level equal to or higher than diploma have significantly higher self-care attitude scores than those with lower than diploma (p = 0.007). Additionally, significant correlations were observed between self-care knowledge and attitude (r:0.30). Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s Omega coefficients of the 13-item WSKAQ were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. Conclusions Based on the results, the WSKAQ, consisting of 13 items, was validated and reliable for assessing the self-care knowledge and attitude of Iranian menopausal women.

Abstract Background Suicide is an important social tragic phenomenon which occurs by different tools or methods in different communities. Considering deliberate poisoning as a common and important method in Ilam province for suicide, the present study was launched to epidemiologically assess committing suicide in Ilam province, Iran, based on intentional poisoning. Methods By a retrospective study, all the recorded data associated with intentional poisoning suicide in Ilam Province during 1993–2013 were analyzed. All the demographic variables and the suicides’ outcomes were analyzed using the Chi-Square test, and the univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results Totally, 6794 cases of suicide (annual incidence rate of 87.28/ 100, 000) associated with poisoning were evaluated. The incidence rate of suicide attempts was 84.63/ 100, 000 (94.51 in female and 74.98 in male) and the incidence rate of completed suicide was 2.17/ 100, 000 (1.94 in female and 2.40 in male). Also, the highest rates of attempted and completed suicide (annual incidence rate of 172.42 and 4.14, respectively) were attributed to the age group of 15–24 year. Conclusion Females had a greater tendency to commit suicide by poisoning, and the lower level of education, the age group of 15–24 years and single individuals were more associated with suicide using poisonings. The incidence of attempted suicide in females and completed suicide in males was higher in this method. Considering the high rate of suicide by poisoning, further attention and supervision on the sale and reserve of drugs and poisons is necessary. Meanwhile, it seems that due to momentary emotions during the pubertal stage, the risk of committing suicide is increased especially among unemployed individuals; therefore, performing an extensive psychotherapy intervention is needed in the societies with younger populations.

Abstract Aims More than three decades have passed since the end of the Iraq-Iran war, and this period has been concurrent with a rapid growth of the older community in Iran which includes the community of veterans who often suffer from serious psychological and behavioral problems. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of loneliness in middle and older veterans in southern Iran. Materials & methods A cross-sectional study conducted among 583 middle and older male veterans (50 years

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions curtailed physical activity. The current study applied an integrated Theory of Planned Behavior to identify the determinants of physical activity behavior and the processes involved in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz city, Southern Iran, among 2500 people who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected using the demographic information questions and questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs. The Questionnaire via WhatsApp, emails, and SMS was shared. Data analysis was performed using SPSS26 and Amos version 24. Mean and standard deviation was used to describe the data. Also, one-way ANOVA and structural equation analysis were used to analyze the data. The significance level in all the tests was considered to be 0.05. Results One thousand one hundred sixty-nine samples (46.8%) said they had been exercising less than 3 days a week, and 47.6% of them did not have any exercise or physical activities (n = 1191). The mean score of attitudes, SN, PBC, and intention were 9.38 ± 2.07, 9.27 ± 2.03, 9.32 ± 2.05, and 12.29 ± 2.35, respectively. The effect size values demonstrate the independent variables’ high coefficient of influence on explaining the theoretical model. According to the results, the factors play an important role in samples’ intention (η2 ≥ 0.2, p ≤ 0.05). The effect size of intention on doing physical activities and exercise during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is Eta square = 0.777, which means the measure was high. The obtained model was good based on the main goodness of fit indices (Chi2 = 108.6, df = 25, n = 2500, Chi2/df = 4.344, RMSEA = 0.036, AGFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.95, GFI = 0.90, Fornell-Larcker criterion = 0.87, HTMT = 0.89). Conclusion The TPB provides a useful framework to explore psychosocial determinants of physical activity behavior during the pandemic and identify key strategies for program planning aimed at improving exercise among people who were already influenced by quarantine and lockdown restrictions.