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Background: The theory if self-efficacy is the central concept of social cognitive theory with emphasis on the constructs of efficacy expectation, outcome expectation. Efficacy expectation is defined as the person's confidence to carry out a specific behavior. Outcome expectation is beliefs that carrying out a specific behavior will lead to a specific outcome. While the benefit of measuring outcome expectations has been established, there has been no large scale within the Iranian context. The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability-validity of the Persian version of the Perceived Therapeutic Efficacy Scale (PTES). Methods: This study was conducted among 160 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a self-administered instrument measuring outcome expectation. We used a methodological study design to assess the validity and reliability of the translated Persian version of the instrument. Results: The findings of the present study support the uni-dimensionality of the Persian version of the instrument. The 10 items of the scale account for 73.54% of the total variance and the un-rotated factor loadings ranged from 0.66 to 0.93. Moreover, this study offers support for convergent validity and internal consistency of the scale. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated good convergent validity, factor structure and internal consistency in a sample of 160 Iranian adults with T2DM. Therefore, the Persian version of the scale is a valid and reliable instrument and can be used in research and clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this research were to investigate whether there is any difference in the physical activity levels between Malay Muslim men (Muslim) and Malay Muslim women (Muslimah) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) before, during, and after the month of Ramadan, and also to determine the factors restricting their involvement in physical activities. Fifty-three UPM Malay Muslim male staff and fifty-four UPM Malay Muslim female staff participated in the research. The Yamex-Digi walker CW700 pedometer was used to measure the physical activity level of the staff for four consecutive days. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the physical activity levels of the Malay Muslim and Muslimah in UPM before, during, and after the month of Ramadan. The reported t-test results comparing the two genders before, during, and after the month of Ramadan were f=0.003, p<0.96, f=1.047, p<0.31, and f=3.106, p<0.08, respectively. It was reported that the lack of self motivation/laziness played the most important role in restricting the involvements of both genders in the physical activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a therapeutic place for monitoring critically ill patients. However, it is a stressful area for the patients and it is causing them great anxiety. Previous studies have identified three groups of stressors in ICU namely; physical, psychological and environmental. The aims of this study were to determine the ICU stressors as experienced by patients and to determine the level of stressors felt by patients in ICU. A cross sectional study was done on 70 patients from two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. A face-to-face interview with structured questionnaire was used for patients. Data collection occurred from 15 December 2006 to 31 January 2007. The five major ICU stressors perceived by patients were pain, being stuck with needles, boredom, missing their spouses and being too hot/cold. The ICU physical stressors were the major items ranked by post ICU patients. The findings from this study provided a set of baseline information to the health care providers, particularly ICU nurses in Malaysia, with which to provide better care for the patients in ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer are prone to malnutrition, which can lead to adverse health outcomes. A review of the literature revealed a lack of systematic reviews addressing risk factors for malnutrition in this population., Objectives: This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap by identifying risk factors for malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer., Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed®, Web of Science, Embase®, and Cochrane Library databases, spanning from their inception until June 2023. Three researchers critically evaluated the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two investigators independently screened the literature and extracted data, resolving any discrepancies through consensus., Findings: This systematic review includes 18 studies. The results indicated that risk factors for malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer encompass disease-related, genetic, lifestyle, nutritional health, physiologic, psychological, and treatment-related factors.