Journal of School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research

Women’s Beliefs about Egg Freezing and Its Demographic, Economic, and Social Determinants in Shiraz

Serajeddin Mahmoudiani

Background and Aim: The decline in fertility rates in Iran has prompted a reconsideration of population policies. Recent pronatalist policies have failed to increase fertility levels. Given the rising age at marriage among women and the consequent postponement of childbearing, maintaining fertility requires the utilization of modern technologies. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine women’s beliefs regarding oocyte cryopreservation and their association with individual characteristics.
Materials and Methods: The study population comprised married women of reproductive age. A total of 384 married women of childbearing age in Shiraz were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Sampling was performed through a combination of multistage cluster sampling and systematic random sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 27.
Results: Age was positively correlated with favorable beliefs regarding oocyte cryopreservation (r = 0.133). Higher ideal fertility was also associated with more positive beliefs in this regard (r = 0.017). Regression analysis indicated that an increase in ideal fertility was significantly associated with more positive beliefs about oocyte cryopreservation (β = 0.588). Women with university education held significantly more positive beliefs than those with non-academic education (β = 1.105). Age was also identified as a significant predictor of positive beliefs (β = 0.07).
Conclusion: Higher educational attainment and improved socioeconomic status among women may contribute to more favorable beliefs toward oocyte cryopreservation. Positive attitudes toward this technology may, in turn, help maintain fertility levels and potentially increase them in the future.

The Role of Inhibitory Control in the Psychological Disorder Symptoms of Mothers of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Background and Aim: Deficits in inhibitory control can lead to numerous problems, including academic, social, and occupational difficulties, and may also affect psychological and neuropsychological functions. This study aimed to examine the role of cognitive inhibition in the psychological symptoms of mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2024.
Materials and Methods: Ninety-three mothers were selected through convenience sampling. After obtaining informed consent, participants were assessed using the Stroop Color–Word Test and the SCL-90-R questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with SPSS version 26.
Results: Correlation and MANOVA results indicated that inhibitory control performance had a strong and significant association with the depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety subscales (p < 0.001). The observed effect sizes (ranging from 0.39 to 0.67) highlighted the influential role of inhibition as a key underlying mechanism in explaining the variance of these symptoms. No significant relationships were found between inhibition and the other SCL-90-R subscales.
Conclusion: Optimal performance of neuropsychological functions, particularly inhibitory control, can play a vital role in mental health. Accordingly, interventions based on cognitive inhibition training are recommended.

Comparison of the Effect of Direct Education and Peer-Led Education on Health-Promoting Behaviors among Female Students

Background and Aim: Adolescence is a critical period for educational investment, which can enhance individual quality of life and reduce the future burden of disease and healthcare costs. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of direct education and peer education on health-promoting behaviors among first-grade middle school students in Shush, Khuzestan, in 2024.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up was conducted on 448 female first-grade middle school students in Shush using multistage cluster sampling. In the peer education group, selected students served as peer educators after receiving training and passing written and practical evaluations. Data were collected using the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II). The intervention was delivered in eight 60–90-minute sessions. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software version 27, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Both direct and peer education significantly improved health-promoting behaviors (p< 0.05). Direct education had greater effects on overall scores and the dimensions of health responsibility, physical activity, and stress management, which persisted up to three months. Peer education had the strongest impact on interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth.
Conclusion: Both direct and peer education are effective in promoting health behaviors; however, direct education provides more durable effects on core health dimensions, while peer education primarily enhances interpersonal and motivational aspects. A combination of these methods may yield better outcomes in promoting student health.

Effects of Edible Film Containing Whey and Trachyspermum Copticum Essential Oil (in Free Form and Pickering Emulsion) on Physical, Chemical, Microbial and Sensory Properties of Beef

Hossein Jalali

Background and Aim: Edible films represent an innovative solution for meat preservation, helping to reduce spoilage and extend shelf life. This study aimed to investigate the effect of edible films containing whey protein and free-form or Pickering emulsion of Trachyspermum copticum L. essential oil on the properties of beef during refrigerated storage.
Materials and Methods: Edible films containing whey protein and T. copticum L. essential oil (in free and Pickering emulsion forms) were prepared. Their physical, microbial, and chemical properties, as well as sensory attributes, were evaluated.
Results: Physical tests demonstrated successful film preparation, with the average zeta diameter of nanoliposomes ranging from 73.91 to 110.53 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) from 0.451 to 0.471, zeta potential from −5.12 mV to −3.64 mV, and encapsulation efficiency from 49.61% to 64.23%. The best performance in microbial, chemical, and sensory evaluations was observed in the treatment containing whey protein with nano-essential oil (Pickering emulsion), compared to the control and free essential oil samples.
Conclusion: The results indicate that edible films containing whey protein and nano-essential oil of T. copticum L. can be an effective strategy for storing beef under refrigerated conditions, improving product shelf life.

The Effectiveness of Sarizh Ointment Supplement on Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Clinical Trial Study

Armin Naghipour

Background and Aim: Excessive use of antibiotics increases bacterial drug resistance in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, the use of natural compounds as supplements may be effective in managing diabetic wound infections alongside conventional drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Sarizh ointment (containing natural ingredients) on the healing of infected diabetic foot ulcers.
Materials and Methods: This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients with diabetic foot ulcers hospitalized in the infectious disease department of Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah. Microbial cultures were obtained from the foot ulcers of all patients using the punch method. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: control and intervention. The control group received systemic antibiotics and a placebo dressing, while the intervention group received systemic antibiotics in addition to Sarizh herbal compounds as a supplement.
Results: A total of 30 patients with a mean age of 58.93 ± 6.15 years were included. The duration of hospitalization was 17.40 ± 3.06 days in the control group and 16.87 ± 3.52 days in the intervention group. The healing time was 17.34 ± 2.87 days in the control group and 12.06 ± 2.40 days in the intervention group. Sarizh ointment significantly reduced the healing time of diabetic foot ulcers (p = 0.001). Post-discharge bacterial cultures were negative, and complications such as redness, discharge, and pain at the wound site were similar between the two groups.
Conclusion: Sarizh ointment can be used as a complementary treatment alongside standard therapy to reduce healing time and promote wound recovery in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Predicting School Bullying based on Family Atmosphere with the Mediation of Sense of Belonging to School in Students

Background and Aim: Bullying in schools remains one of the major challenges of educational systems.This study aimed to investigate the prediction of school bullying based on family atmosphere, with the mediating role of students’ sense of belonging to school.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design using a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of all male students enrolled in public second-level high schools in Ardabil during the 2023–2024 academic year. A sample of 200 students was selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed standardized questionnaires, including the School Bullying Questionnaire developed by Patchin et al. (2011; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.94), the Family Emotional Climate Questionnaire by Heilbrun (1964; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86), and the School Belongingness Questionnaire by Mouton et al. (1993; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling in SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS version 4.
Results: The results of structural equation modeling indicated that family emotional climate (β = −0.61, p < 0.001) and sense of school belonging (β = −0.57, p < 0.001) had direct and negative effects on school bullying. Additionally, family emotional climate (β = −0.17, p < 0.05) had an indirect effect on school bullying through the mediating role of sense of school belonging. The model fit indices (NFI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.07) demonstrated a satisfactory fit of the model to the data.
Conclusion: From a practical perspective and in line with the obtained results, it is recommended that psychologists and school counselors implement educational workshops focused on strengthening family relationships and teaching positive social behaviors to enhance family atmosphere and students’ sense of belonging to school.

Analysis of Prescriptions in Pharmacies of Tehran University of Medical Sciences at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Level, Based on WHO Drug Prescribing Indicators: A Cross-Sectional Study 2016-2023

Afsaneh Mosleh

Background and Aim: Rationalizing drug use is a priority in drug policy-making. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the evaluation of prescriptions using drug prescribing indicators. Improving prescribing patterns leads to closer alignment with WHO indicators and, consequently, promotes rational drug use.
Materials and Methods: In this study, ten prescriptions were randomly selected from each pharmacy on a monthly basis. WHO prescribing indicators, including the average number of drug items per prescription and the percentage of prescriptions containing at least one antibiotic, one injectable drug, and one injectable corticosteroid, were calculated. The sample size of the prescriptions evaluated over eight consecutive years, stratified by network/center, was 4,800 in Shahr-e Rey, 14,520 in Eslamshahr, and 5,880 in the South Tehran Health Center.
Results: The average number of drug items per prescription ranged from a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 3.99, showing a considerable difference from the WHO-recommended average of 1.7. The percentage of prescriptions containing at least one antibiotic fluctuated from 33.36% to 63.93%, which was substantially higher than the WHO-recommended average of 20.3%.
Additionally, the percentage of prescriptions containing at least one injectable drug ranged from 23.7% to 44.9%, differing markedly from the WHO-recommended average of 18.75%.
Conclusions: Rationalizing drug use should be prioritized in drug policies. Adopting a principled prescription-writing model based on WHO indicators can serve as an appropriate criterion for evaluating physicians’ prescriptions at the primary health care (PHC) level.

Teamwork Attitudes and Conflict Management among Nurses in Hospitals of Islamic Azad University, Tehran: 2025

Leila Najafi

Background and Aim: The nursing profession, as a vital pillar of the healthcare system, plays a crucial role in delivering health and medical services. In clinical settings, teamwork and conflict management are key factors for improving the quality of care and reducing workplace stress. A positive attitude toward teamwork can enhance conflict management skills and contribute to higher job satisfaction among nurses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between teamwork attitude and conflict management among nurses, to better understand this association and propose strategies to improve team collaboration and reduce conflicts in healthcare settings.
Materials and Methods: This quantitative descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 in Tehran. After obtaining the necessary permissions, the researcher visited three hospitals affiliated with Azad University and distributed online questionnaires among nurses. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: Findings indicated that 63% of the nurses were female, and 44% were aged between 30 and 40 years. Eighty-five percent held a bachelor's degree, 49.5% were formally employed, and 37.5% worked at Farhangian Hospital. A strong positive correlation was observed between teamwork attitude and conflict management (r = 0.815). Significant differences in conflict management were noted across age groups (p = 0.03) and work experience (p = 0.03).
Conclusion: The results suggest that demographic factors such as age, marital status, and employment type significantly influence nurses’ conflict management and teamwork. Specifically, experience, communication skills developed with age, and social support among married nurses enhance team interactions. Moreover, cultural and organizational factors affect the impact of gender and work environment on conflict management. Therefore, targeted training and the establishment of supportive structures for diverse groups are essential for promoting effective teamwork in healthcare settings.