Showing 66 results for Health
Salar Majidi Sakani, Jamileh Amirzadeh Iranagh, Hamidreza Khalkhali, Behrouz Fathi, Alireza Didarloo,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Osteoporosis is a common problem in menopausal women, and adopting preventive behaviors is crucial in addressing this issue. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on promoting osteoporosis-preventive behaviors in menopausal women.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted on 64 menopausal women referred to Urmia urban health centers in 2023. Participants were selected using random sampling and then randomly allocated into two groups: control (32) and intervention (32). The data collection instruments included questionnaires comprising demographic information, knowledge assessments, Health Belief Model constructs, food frequency, and physical activity items. Following pre-test evaluations and needs assessment, a training program was designed and delivered to the intervention group. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26.
Results: The mean scores for knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and cues to action in the intervention group significantly increased compared to both the pre-intervention assessment and the control group. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in the mean score for perceived barriers (P<0.05). These changes resulted in a significant increase in the mean score for osteoporosis preventive behaviors within the intervention group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Education based on the HBM has been effective in shaping the knowledge and health beliefs of menopausal women concerning osteoporosis and its preventive behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended that health educators incorporate the approaches and findings of this study when developing educational interventions related to osteoporosis.
Hosna Ghorbani, Akram Ghahramanian, Arefeh Davoodi, Leila Valizadeh,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Although chemotherapy is effective in treating leukemia, it is associated with multiple adverse effects. Mothers, as key members of the healthcare team, need adequate information regarding these side effects to provide optimal care. This study aimed to investigate the side effects of chemotherapy in pediatric and adolescent leukemia patients and examine their relationship with maternal treatment knowledge.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 and involved 110 mothers and their children aged 6-18 years hospitalized for leukemia at educational hospitals in Tabriz. A convenience sampling method was employed. Data collection instruments included the American Cancer Society's chemotherapy side effects checklist and an information questionnaire for parents of children with cancer, developed by Motlagh et al. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, applying chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, paired t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: The mean age of mothers was 37 years, and that of the children was 11.61 years. The majority of diagnoses were Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The severity of complications—such as fever, nausea, vomiting, mouth mucositis, diarrhea, anorexia, and bleeding—showed a significant increasing trend over the four-week observation period (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was observed in mothers' treatment knowledge between the first and fourth weeks (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between chemotherapy complications and mothers' treatment knowledge (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Mothers actively seek and obtain information regarding their children’s chemotherapy treatment, with their knowledge increasing as complication severity rises. Awareness of side effects and their management strategies enables parents to provide appropriate care and empowers caregivers to offer the best advice and support to patients and their families throughout the treatment course.
Malihe Izanloo, Abbas Shamsalinia, Sepide Mohammadi, Shahrbanoo Keyhanian,
Volume 31, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Emotional disclosure has been associated with improvements in psychological well-being, immune function, and physical health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of written emotional disclosure on health behaviors and loneliness among family caregivers of cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: This is an experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. Seventy family caregivers of cancer patients who scored high on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and low on the health behaviors scale for family caregivers of cancer patients were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to Intervention or Control groups. The Intervention group engaged in written emotional disclosure by documenting their deepest and most acute feelings for 15–20 minutes per session, over four consecutive days. The Control group received no intervention. Post-intervention assessments were conducted in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Comparative analyses included chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and paired t-tests.
Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in health behaviors or their components (P>0.05). Post-intervention, the Intervention group demonstrated significantly higher health behaviors scores and component scores than the Control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean loneliness score in the Intervention group decreased significantly after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Written emotional disclosure has a positive and significant effect on loneliness and health behaviors among family caregivers of cancer patients. Given its ease of learning, potential for unsupervised practice, and minimal need for therapist involvement, this method may be a practical adjunct in caregiver support programs.
Mehrnaz Miri, Mahnaz Ghaljeh, Farnoosh Khojasteh, Benyamin Saadatifar,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Hypertension is a common, often asymptomatic chronic disease that can lead to severe complications if not properly controlled. Patient education plays a vital role in improving blood pressure management and preventing related complications. This study aimed to compare the effects of mobile health (mHealth) and face-to-face education on treatment adherence among patients with hypertension.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 110 patients with hypertension referred to teaching hospitals in Zahedan, Iran. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Hypertension Treatment Adherence Questionnaire. In the mHealth group, patients received educational content via the Eitaa messaging application, and the adherence questionnaire was completed six weeks after the final message. In the face-to-face group, educational sessions were held once a week for three consecutive weeks, and the same questionnaire was administered six weeks after the last session. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 with independent and paired t-tests, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the two groups in total adherence scores and most of its subdimensions (except for dietary adherence). After the intervention, however, the difference between the two groups became statistically significant (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Both mHealth-based and face-to-face education effectively improved treatment adherence among patients with hypertension. However, mHealth-based education provides the additional advantage of flexible and continuous access to educational materials anytime and anywhere, making it a practical alternative for patient education.
Forough Ansarinik, Masoomeh Mahdavifar, Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi, Aref Faghih,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Asthma is a prevalent respiratory disease, and encouraging health behaviors is a crucial preventive strategy for managing the condition. This study aimed to assess the impact of self-care education delivered retrospectively on health-promoting behaviors in patients with asthma.
Methods & Materials: This two-group randomized clinical trial with a pre-test-post-test design was conducted on 100 asthma patients visiting Shahid Mofatteh Clinic in Yasuj in 1402. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group received three individual training sessions, one per week lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, delivered retrospectively. The control group did not receive any training. Data was collected using questionnaires on personal and disease information, as well as health-promoting lifestyle. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS version 26.
Results: Prior to the intervention, the mean health behavior scores in the experimental group were 124.52±16.05, and in the control group were 121.82±16.61, showing no statistical significance (P=0.411). However, following the intervention, the scores increased to 135.60±10.57 in the experimental group and 123.26±8.92 in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) indicating a significant improvement in the experimental group.
Conclusion: Self-care education delivered in a retrospective manner is recommended as a simple, practical, and cost-effective educational approach for individuals with asthma to enhance health behaviors.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20230529058325N1
Arezoo Rozbahani, Salam Vatandost, Bijan Nouri, Parvin Mahmoodi,
Volume 31, Issue 4 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background & Aim: The health of nurses’ work environments can influence their clinical competence and accordingly the quality of care they provide. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between a healthy work environment and clinical competence among nurses working in intensive care units of the teaching hospitals affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2023.
Methods & Materials: This cross‑sectional study was conducted using a census method on 245 nurses working in the intensive care units of Kosar, Tohid, and Besat teaching hospitals in Sanandaj during the winter of 2023. Data were collected using a demographic and occupational information form, as well as the Healthy Work Environment and Clinical Competence questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using STATA software version 12, using independent t‑test, one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests.
Results: In the present study, 198 nurses (81.1%) reported their work environment health as low, 43 nurses (17.6%) as favorable, and only 3 nurses (1.3%) as very favorable. Nurses reported their clinical competence as good (86.5±2.72). No statistically significant relationship was found between a healthy work environment and overall clinical competence or its dimensions (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The lack of a significant relationship between a healthy work environment and nurses’ clinical competence in this study does not diminish the importance of providing a healthy work environment for nurses. The findings indicated that the level of work environment health was not desirable, whereas nurses’ clinical competence was good. Considering the importance of a healthy work environment, implementing measures to improve work environment health is essential.
