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Background & Aim: Although cervical cancer has high prevalence, few qualitative studies have been carried out to reflect the perceptions of women on the influential factors that affect cervical cancer screening in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore a culturally-based experience of Karaji women regarding the barriers to and motivating factors for Pap smear screening test among Karadj women in 2007.

Methods & Materials: In this content analysis, eight focus groups were conducted using semi-structured guide questions (n=86).

Results: Findings revealed that factors such as medical advice, advice from friends and family, knowledge about symptoms and pap smear screening method, free and accessible services, and perceived threats would influence the women to undergo a Pap test. Major barriers were lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and its causative factors, inappropriate beliefs, fear from cancer diagnosis, and pain related to the procedure.  

Conclusion: Regarding the influencing factors on the rate of Pap smear screening test, it seems that designing appropriate educational programs in order to promote knowledge and correct health beliefs using mass media and local communications will result in referring more women to undergo Pap smear screening test.

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Background & Objective: Life style has potential role in bone mass density and prevention of osteoporosis in adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine the life style of female students influencing osteoporosis prevention in Nursing and Midwifery school at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods & Materials: All female students (n=166) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Data were gathered using three questionnaires: 1) demographic questionnaire, 2) General Practitioner Physical Activity Questionnaire, and 3) dietary recall questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were determined. Date was analyzed using descriptive statistic, Chi-square, and t-test.
Results: Mean calcium intake was statistically different between dormitory and non-dormitory students (P<0.001). Regarding physical activity, only 19.2% of the students had appropriate activity. The main activity of the students was walking (83.5%). There was a significant difference between economic status and life style (P=0.047). There was no statistically significant difference between life style with the parents&apos educational level, and the educational program.
Conclusion: It seems that life style-related osteoporosis preventive behaviors are not appropriate among nursing and midwifery students. Planning appropriate educational programs could promote high standard nutritional plans and physical activity among the female students.

 

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Background & Aim: Regarding the importance of determining the determinants of diabetes self-care, this study aimed to examine two major determinants of self-care activities, i.e. perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy among type two diabetic patients in Tehran, Iran.
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 128 patients were recruited to the study using convenience sampling. The validated diabetes instruments were completed by the patients. The included participants aged older than 18 years. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlation and path analysis.
Results: The mean score of the perceived barriers and perceived self-efficacy were 3.05 and 2.18, respectively. The maximum score of self-care was 4.18. There was a positive correlation between self-efficacy and the self-care (r=0.22 P<0.01). Positive correlations were also found between education with self-efficacy and self-care (r=0.28 P<0.05), (r=0.29 P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between perceived barriers and self-care behaviors (r=-0.68 P<0.000). Using serial multiple regressions and path analysis, we had a final model (RMSEA=0.05 GFI=0.95 CFI=0.98 P=0.44 and Chi-Square=26.5). This model showed that perceived barriers were the strongest predictor for self-care behaviors. Perceived barriers mediated the effect of self-efficacy on the self-care behaviors.
Conclusion: The intervention efforts that address the studied determinants related to self-care behavior could potentially impact type two diabetic patients&apos self-care activities. These determinants should be mentioned in the program developing.

 

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Background & Aim: Diet rich in fruits and vegetables is shown to be an important factor in prevention of chronic diseases. Adolescence is a critical period in adopting eating behaviors. Schools are important social environments in adolescents' lives and are important settings for interventions that aim to improve eating behaviors, including fruit and vegetable intake. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of a school-based intervention based on social cognitive theory on fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake of female adolescents in Tehran.

Methods & Materials: This experimental school based field trial was conducted on 296 female students aged 10-13 years old (157 in the intervention and 139 in the control groups). The intervention included classroom nutrition education on F&V and increasing availability of F&V through school buffet. Psychosocial characteristics of the students were assessed using a questionnaire and F&V intake were measured using 24-hr recall method, at baseline and after three months intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

Results: After the intervention, vegetable and fruit intake were 0.6 and 0.63 servings higher in the intervention group compared to the controls. Knowledge and self-efficacy scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Home availability and observational learning scores were significantly decreased in the intervention group.

Conclusion: Through the intervention process, many valuable experiences were gained to be used in future interventions.

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Background & Objective: Appropriate physical activity help to promote women&aposs health during pregnancy. Providing appropriate educational programs for pregnant women seems to be necessary. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a group educational program on pregnant women&aposs physical activity.

Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted among 280 nulliparous women. The participants were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Women in the experimental group participated in eight 90-minute group-based educational classes. Those in the control group received routine care. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the educational program. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test and the t-test in the SPSS.

Results: There were no statistical differences on age, body mass index, education level, employment status, and physical activity between the two groups at baseline. The physical activity score was more in the experiment group (37.38±14.89) in compare with the control group (13.7±11.12) after the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The group-based educational program seems to promote physical activity during pregnancy. These kinds of programs should be implemented in prenatal clinics.

 

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  Self-care is a series of learned actions and goal-directed activities done by individuals in order to provide, maintain, and promote health. Self-care activities involve health promotion, disease prevention, treatment of diseases and injuries, and treatment of chronic diseases. Although the impact of the self-care on improvement of health outcomes and reduction of costs are proven in numerous studies, implementation of self-care programs requires systematic educational and supportive interventions provided by health care providers including nurses to overcome health problems.
Many health professionals in Iran emphasize on negative aspects of unhealthy behaviors to persuade people to do preventive and healthy behaviors. For example, in drug abuse preventive programs, disadvantages of drug abuse as well as the increasing rate of drug abuse and other addictive behaviors, and the economic costs resulting from drug abuse are presented to youth.
Although the emphasis on negative aspects and side effects of unhealthy behaviors is worthy, especially when negotiating the budget with the competent organizations and key supplier, it is not always the best way of proposing behavior change to individuals. For example, showing the pictures of amputated parts of body, and/or blindness to patients with diabetes who are mostly depressed and seek treatment in the diabetes clinics does not seem to be an appropriate approach. Is not there any other positive ways to announce messages to people?
To answer this question, let's take a look at the concept of commercial marketing. Do successful companies highlight negative content of their products and services? The answer is: not often. In commercial marketing, products are presented in a positive way. In fact, everything from cars to clothing, from food products to furniture is offered positively in the market. Car reminds success, health and welfare; cloths helps people to seem younger and more fit; food products help people to feel refreshed, healthy and happy; even furniture is for a modern and convenient life. In commercial marketing, foot blisters of a walking individual are never shown to make people to buy cars.
 

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Background & Aim: In recent years, women's experience of disrespect and misconduct during childbirth has been raised as a significant problem around the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disrespectful maternity care and its associated factors.
Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 on 357 mothers who gave birth at hospitals affiliated to TUMS. The data collection tool included socio-demographic characteristics form, and the disrespectful maternity care questionnaire, measuring various domains of abuse. The questionnaire was completed by interviewing mothers. Data was analyzed using descriptive tests, Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression through the SPSS software version 24.
Results: All participants reported at least one form of disrespect, of which “not allowing for mobility, fluid and companion” was the most prevalent (99.7%) and “stigma and discrimination” was the least prevalent (4.5%). Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between older age, ethnic minority, primiparity, higher socioeconomic status, delivery time (night, day) and a history of illness with more experience of different forms of disrespect.
Conclusion: This study confirmed a relatively high prevalence of disrespectful maternity care in hospitals based on international standards, which requires serious and prompt attention of top-level managers to take action to eliminate or limit this type of behavior.