Showing 23 results for Eftekhar
R Dastjerdi , H Eftekhar Ardebili , A Poorreza , N Assasi , B Golestan ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4 2004)
Abstract
We performed a cross sectional study with the aim of assessing levels of habitual physical activity and associated factors (barriers and motivators), finding the stage of change among high school girls, and exploring relationships between physical activity and the following set of factors: age, parent education, type of school attended, knowledge, and attitude. 457 girls in the 1SI to 3rd grade of high school with a mean age of 15.6 (%95.3 cases were 14th to below 17Ih years old) in Tehran&aposs second region of educational office district were selected via proportional-to-size and cluster sampling methods. These girls attended 4 different types of facilities (public and private high schools / public and private vocational schools). The data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires. Our results indicated that %58.6 of students were in pre-contemplation and contemplation stages, while 24.7% were in action and maintenance stages of change.
The mean level of physical activity at work (in school) was 2.22, which was significantly lower than 2.75- the minimum acceptable level of physical activity at work (p<0.00 ). The mean level of sport activity was 2.73, significantly (p<0.001) higher than 2.33 (minimum acceptable level of sport activity). The mean level of physical activity at leisure time was 2.50, which had no significant difference with the minimum acceptable level of 2.50. (Note: all max. acceptable level is 5).
The most important barriers identified were: time constraints, lack of companions, lack of suitably located facilities and a general state of lassitude.
The most important motivators were individual interest, desire to lose weight, company of friends, and support of parents. The level of exercise did not show a significant relationship with age, probably because of the limited range of age categories enrolled in this study. Levels of physical activity at work and sport activity (p=0.004 for ph.act.work and p=0.012 for sport) showed a significant positive relationship with the mother&aposs level of education. No significant relationships were found between any type of physical activity and the father&aposs education. The level of sport activity in private high schools was significantly (p=0.005) higher than in public high schools. On the other hand no significant differences were observed between levels of physical activity in private or public high schools compared to private or public vocational schools. Only sport activity had a significant positive relationship with higher knowledge (p=0.005) and attitude (pO.OOl).
The majority of our population (%58.6) was in pre-cont. and cont. level of stage of change. Therefore more emphasis should be placed on improving health education. We must also teach our teenagers to organize their leisure time so they can do some simple and inexpensive physical activities like brisk walking between home and school or while shopping.
F Zamani Alaviche, H eftekhar Ardebili , N Bashardost , T Marashi , A Naghibi ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4 2004)
Abstract
The goal of this study is to evaluate women&aposs behaviors while their family planning programs fail or facing unwanted pregnancy. This is a cross-sectional study. The population is all 15-49 years pregnant women (788 people) in the villages (62 villages) of Najaf Abad City having active health center. Data were gathered through interview and their profiles. They were recorded in questionnaires.T test and X2 were used to analyze data.
The results showed that high-risk behaviors happen %44/3 more when family planning program fails. 105 (%31/72) of women having unwanted pregnancy did unsuccessful activities in order to end their pregnancy. The activities are different. %35 was physical such as: hitting, lifting heavy objects or using unhealthy vulva objects, %28/6 used injection, %9/5 eat chemical and plant medicine. And the other used two or three ones together. Women showed good behaviors in %91 of wanted pregnancy and %45 of unwanted pregnancy. There is significant relationship (p=0/001) between dealing with pregnancy and it&aposs being wanted and unwanted. There is also significant relationship (p=0/Q01) between women&aposs education and their behaviors toward pregnancy. According to the research findings more than one third of women did high-risk activities when a family planning program fails or facing unwanted pregnancy. These certainly influence their own and their family mental and physical health. So role of the prevention, counseling techniques and women&aposs support must be considered more than before. Society should be become aware of the unwanted pregnancy symptoms.
A Mohammadi , H Eftekhar Ardebffi , F Akbari Haghighi , M Mahmoudi , A Poorreza ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4 2004)
Abstract
Measuring of service quality is the basic prerequisite for improving quality. Patients&apos expectations and perceptions of service quality play an important role in the choice of hospital, loyalty to organization and behavioral intention. A first step towards improvement would be to determine areas of quality that are most defective. Studies show that consumers are in close contact with service providers, and they are involved in the service process. Therefore, this group can measure services quality better than any other group. This study was conducted to measure service quality based on patients&apos expectations and perceptions in Zanjan hospitals.
The cross-sectional design was used in this research. For data collection, SERVQUAL questionnaire was employed. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, the internal consistency reliability test (Cronbach alpha) was performed.
Findings: Cronbach alpha for service quality was .94. Results show that the assurance (knowledge, experience and ability to maintain patients&apos confidence and trust) was rated as the most important dimension. (SQ mean = -1.3). There were differences between patients&apos expectations and perceptions in all the dimensions.
the assurance dimension constitutes the most serious problem facing hospitals. It is recommended that physicians thoroughly explain the disease condition to patients, and that patients should be treated with dignity and respect.
H.h Salimzadeh , H Eftekhar , N Asasi , M Salarifar , A.r Dorosty ,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (7 2004)
Abstract
As adoptin and maintenance of healthy eating behaviours is an important factor for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) prevention , this research was conducted to determin dietetic risk factors in relation to IHD. This is a case – control study conducted in fall 2003 in Tehran Heart Center and Tehran Shahid Rajaii hospital. 100 subjects with IHD, as cases and 100 controls with no cardiovascular disease in their medical history, participated in the study.Nutritional data was collected by Food Frequencey Quastionnaire. Some important risk factors including hypertention, hyperlipidemia,diabetes, Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity were evaluated. There was a positive association between IHD and consumption of fats and a negative association between IHD and consumption of fruits and vegetables.The most important factors were low intake of fish and high intake of fried foods that increased the risk of disease 13.96 and 54.65 times, respectively. Also 73% of patients had high risk diet while only 17% of controls had high risk diet. High risk diet increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases approximately 20 times. The main dietetic risk factors in this study were : low intake of fish, fruits and vegetables and lower consumption of oiles while hydrogenated fats with undesirable trans-fatty acid content, were the main source of dietary fat, in case group. Therefore community-based educational programmes are nesseary to promote healty nutrition.
T Aghamolaei , H Eftekhar , K Mohammad , A Sobhani, D Shojaeizadeh , M Nakhjavani , F Ghofranipour ,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (4 2005)
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic disease of lifelong duration, and its management requires a
fundamental change in the patient’s lifestyle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
efficacy of a health education program on the knowledge, behavior, HBA1c and
health related quality of life of diabetic patients after following the patients’
participation in the program.
The study population consisted of type 2 diabetic patients attending at Bandar Abbas
diabetic clinic. Eighty patients were randomly selected and they were randomly
assigned to two groups, 40 to the intervention and 40 to the control group. At the
initial visit and 4 months after education, knowledge and behavior were assessed by
questionnaire HBA1c measured by colorimetric method and health-related quality of
life assessed by means of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The education sessions for
intervention group were held at diabetic clinic. The 40 patients that assigned to the
control group gave the appropriate consent and completed questionnaires at baseline
and after 4 months.
The intervention group had statistically significant increase in the mean of knowledge
score from 6.7 to 15.8(p=0.000), physical health from 64.7 to 77.2 (p=0.000) and
psychological health from 56 to 71.4(p=0.000) and had statistically significant
reduction in the mean of HBA1c from 9.4 to 8.2 (p= 0.000).Also the intervention
group had statistically significant increase in self-monitoring blood glucose, weight
monitoring, exercise and diet. Patients in control group showed no significant changes
in the outcomes measured except for knowledge.
L Moghadam Banaem , H Eftekhar Ardebili , F Majlesi , A Rahimi Foroushani , A.r Amini Manesh ,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (3 2007)
Abstract
Background and Aim: We studied 1800 pregnant women receiving routine prenatal care in the urban and rural health centers of Shahr-e-Rey in south of Tehran, for a comparative assessment of 5-minute neonatal Apgar Scores in wanted versus unwanted pregnancies.
Material and Methods: The subjects were studied in 2 groups, each comprising 900 pregnant women. Group A consisted of mothers with wanted pregnancy and group B of mothers with unwanted pregnancy. Inclusion criteria were gestational age less than 28 weeks at the time of entering the study. The two groups were followed through their prenatal care to the time of delivery. For each neonate, we extracted the 5-minute Apgar score from the birth certificate.
For a more precise assessment, the impact of conditions affecting the Apgar score of newborns (such as normal vaginal delivery vs. caesarean section, premature birth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, and birth place (hospital and health center, or house) was assessed by logistic regression.
Results: We found 15 cases (0.4%) of low 5-minute Apgar score (under 8) among newborns of wanted pregnancies and 4 such cases (1.1%) among those of unwanted pregnancies. The difference between the 2 groups was significant (P= 0.011). After applying the logistic regression model to adjust for other factors, unwanted pregnancies still had a significant association with low Apgar scores (increasing the risk 3-fold).The attributable risk for low 5-minute Apgar score in unwanted pregnancies was 0.54 (CI.95 = 0.132 to 0.813).
Conclusion: The estimated attributable risk means that with 95% confidence, between 13.2% and 81.3% of the low Apgar scores could have been prevented by eliminating unwanted pregnancy. As there have been no similar studies in Iran, more research with larger samples must be performed to assess these results more precisely.
M Firouzbakht, H Eftekhar Ardebili, F Majlesi, A Rahimi, M Ansari Dezfooli, M Esmailzadeh ,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (5 2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Hearing impairment is one of the most common congenital defects. Unfortunately there have been no studies so far on the prevalence of various degrees of neonatal hearing, loss in Iran. As accurate determination of prevalence is crucial in estimating disease burden and planning subsequent interventions, we carried out this study to determine the prevalence of neonatal hearing impairment.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we assessed the prevalence of hearing loss among the newborns in province capitals and also looked at the role of some putative risk suggested by the Joint committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH). In this research, 76500 newborns who had undergone audiologist-administered screening tests were assessed by a special questionnaire designed specifically for this study.
Results: After trapshooting the overall prevalence of hearing loss was estimated and then cases were classified as moderate (40 - 65 db HL), severe (65 - 90 db HL), or profound (>90 db HL) hearing loss. Among the newborns examined, a total of 362 were diagnosed with hearing loss and hence the overall prevalence was estimated at 4.7 per thousand 168 cases had moderate (2.2 × 10 -3), 114 cases had severe (1.5 × 10 -3) and 80 cases had profound (1.1 × 10 -3) hearing loss.The prevalence rate ranges from 2-3 × 10 -3 (in Hamedan and Mazandaran) to 7-8 × 10 -3 (in Yazd and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari). In newborns with a family history of sensory-neural hearing loss the prevalence was 16 × 10 -3, compared to 18 × 10 -3 in those requiring blood transfusions, 15 × 10 -3 in newborns with a history of admission to neonatal intensive care units, 17 × 10 -3 in those with craniofacial anomalies, and 19 × 10 -3 in newborns with birth weights below 1500 grams. The sample included 39376 boys and 37124 girls 193 boys (5 × 10 -3) and 169 girls (4.6 × 10 -3) were affected. The stratified prevalence in males (193) was 477 × 10 -3 for intermediate, 311 × 10 -3 for severe and 202 × 10 -3 for profound deafness. The rates in the female population were 437 × 10 -3 for intermediate, 320 × 10 -3 for severe and 273 × 10 -3 for profound hearing loss.
Conclusion: The results confirm the need for extensive neonatal screening programs, and the significant difference in prevalence between high-risk groups and the normal population provides justification for continuous audiologic screening in this group of newborns.
M. Hosseini, B Ghavami, H Salimzadeh, H Eftekhar Ardabili,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (23 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Unwanted pregnancy is a widespread problem globally and in Iran, which can lead to low birth weight (LBW)-one of the most important causes of mortality in newborns. This study was conducted to assess the risk factors among women with unwanted pregnancies leading to delivery of LBW infants. Other LBW risk factors were also studied.
Methods and Materials: This was a prospective cohort study performed during March 2004 to April 2005 in the health centers of Shemiran, north of Tehran, Iran. A sample of 180 mothers, 15-49 years old, with an unwanted pregnancy (case group) and 430 mothers, in the same age group, with a wanted pregnancy (control group) were compared. To determine the effect of unwanted pregnancy three major type of variables (background, maternal, and neonatal variables) were selected, and the mothers were followed up for 11-12 months (from the first referral for prenatal care to about 2 months after delivery). Statistical univariate analyses were performed using the t- and χ2 tests. Also, multiple logistic regression was employed to identify the risk factors associated with LBW. SPSS 11.5 for windows was used for data analysis.
Results: The unwanted pregnancy prevalence was 11.7%. The mean of Apgar score was 8.6 in the case group and 8.9 in the control group, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.001).Mean birth `1234t5weight of neonate in the case group was about 2.984kg vs. 3.14kg in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001) . Univariate analysis showed that LBW was related to unwanted pregnancy (p<0.001), gestational age (p<0.001), mother's age (p<0.001), mother's marriage age (p<0.001), birth order (p<0.001), number of past pregnancies (p<0.001), family size (p<0.001), number of abortions (p<0.001), attempt to abort (p<0.001), high blood pressure (p<0.001), and diabetes (p<0.001). Finally, multivariable analysis revealed that LBW was only associated with unwanted pregnancy, high blood pressure, and diabetes in mothers, with adjusted odd ratios of 2.22, 2.81 and 3.55, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Prevention of unwanted pregnancies, increased gestational age, and appropriate management of mothers' chronic diseases can reduce the risk of LBW.
H Mohamadian, H Eftekhar Ardebili, A Rahimi Foroushani, M.h Taghdisi, D Shojaiezade,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (20 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Presently not sufficient attention is paid to adolescent health promotion in many countries, because of the widespread belief that adolescents are generally healthy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictors of adolescent girls' quality of life using path analysis based on Pender's health promotion model.
Materials and Methods: The Pender's health promotion model served as the framework of this cross-sectional study, which included a total of 500 adolescent girls (grades 9-11) selected by stratified random sampling from 20 high schools for girls in 4 districts of Kashan province, Iran. Inclusion criteria were being in grades 9-11 and a written informed consent (from teachers, parents and the girls themselves). Data were collected through interviewing the girls, the interviewers being trained persons, using several standard questionnaires (for perceived self-efficacy, perceived affect, perceived barriers, perceived social support health promoting lifestyle, and health-related quality of life). Data analysis was done using SPSS18 and LISREL 8.8, the statistical test being path analysis.
Results: All constructs of the health promotion model and health promoting lifestyle were significantly related to adolescent girls' quality of life. Perceived self-efficacy (β=0.70, p<0/01) and perceived affect (β=0.21, p<0/01) had the highest correlation with the quality of life. The model and the health-promoting lifestyle as a mediator accounted for 73% and 39% of variance in adolescent girls' quality of life, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the health promotion model can be used to explain and predict the quality of life of adolescent girls. Thus, the Pender's health promotion model is recommended to health planners for promoting the quality of life in this population.
Parviz Owlia, Farah Sadat Bahreini, Monir Baradaran Eftekhar, Mostafa Ghanei, Amene Setareh Forouzan, Mehdi Farahani,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (21 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Priority setting is one of the most important issues in health research systems. No national health system can afford to finance all research projects proposed by researchers, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we decided to set the main national health research priorities in Iran using the Essential National Health Research (ENHR) method.
Materials and Methods: All of the Iranian universities of medical sciences and other stakeholders collaborated in this study. The methodology for research priority setting was based on needs assessment and ENHR.
Results: The total number of research priorities gathered from universities of medical sciences was 6723. The proportions of topics related to basic science, applied and development subjects were 17%, 78% and 5%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that almost half (46.3%) of the research priorities were descriptive, 36.0% analytical, and 17.6% interventional. The research priorities were divided into 9 main areas, namely, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, health system research, pharmaceutical sciences and industrial pharmacy, basic science, traditional and herbal medicine, nutrition, environmental health, and dentistry.
Conclusion: Up to now the common procedure for research priority setting has been, with a top-to-bottom approach, managed by a limited number of researchers and experts, while in the method presented in this paper a bottom-to-top approach is used, which is more effective.
Alireza Didarloo, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili, Shamseddin Niknami, Ebrahim Hajizadeh, Mohammad Alizadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (21 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Many studies show that the only way to control diabetes and prevent its debilitating complications is continuous self-care. This study aimed to determine factors affecting self-care behavior of diabetic women in Khoy City, Iran based the extended theory of reasoned action (ETRA).
Materials and Methods: A sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes referring to a Diabetes Clinic in Khoy City in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the relevant variables (diabetes knowledge, personal beliefs, subjective norm, self-efficacy and behavioral intention, and self-care behavior) based on ETRA. Reliability and validity of the instruments were determined prior to the study. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS-version 16 software.
Results: Based on the data obtained, the proposed model could predict and explain 41% and 26.2% of the variance of behavioral intention and self-care, respectively, in women with type-2 diabetes. The data also indicated that among the constructs of the model perceived self-efficacy was the strongest predictor for intention for self-care behavior. This construct affected both directly and indirectly self-care behavior. The next strongest predictors were attitudes, social pressures, social norms, and intervals between visiting patients by the treating team.
Conclusion: The proposed model can predict self-care behavior very well. Thus, it may form the basis for educational interventions aiming at promoting self-care and, ultimately, controlling diabetes.
Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari, Niaz Mohammadzadeh Honarvar, Abdolreza Rajaiefard, Ali Akbar Owji,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: It is known that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Consequently, use of antioxidant for treating and preventing complications of this disease is believed to be beneficial. Considering the antioxidant effects of soy isoflavones, this study was initiated to determine the effects of genistein, one of the isoflavones in soybeans, on serum glucose, lipid profile, and paraoxonase activity in diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups, in 2 of which diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg body weight stereptozotocine dissolved in a 0.05 mol/liter citrate buffer the criterion for diabetes was a plasma glucose level above 250 mg/dl. All the 3 groups were fed a standard diet for 3 weeks, genistein (95% purity) being added to the diet of one of the diabetic groups at a level of 600 mg/kg diet. Fasting blood samples from the tail were taken at baseline and at the end of the period for measuring glucose, lipids, and paraxonase activity. The statistical test used for data analysis and inter-group comparisons was ANOVA.
Results: Supplementation with genistein had no statistically significant effects on the serum paraxonase activity or glucose level, but it brought about significant decreases in the serum triglyceride and total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels.
Conclusion: Genistein can potentially have a beneficial effect on diabetes-induced dyslipidemia
Zohreh Sadat Mirsaeedi, Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Keramat Allah Nouri Jalyani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (18 2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The most important single determinant of the quality of life of the elderly is health. Studies have shown that health declines with age. Because of high vulnerablity of the elderly due to many problems, they need particular attention and self-care programs for their health promotion. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life of elderly clients under coverage of the Southern Tehran Health Center and determine the effects of a self-care program on it.
Materials and Methods: This was a controlled interventional study conducted in 2010-2011. A total of 132 elderly clients (52 in the intervention, and 80 in the control, group) were selected by randomised cluster sampling from 5 Health Care Centers in Southern Tehran. A 3-month educational program was prepared with contents based on books published by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and implemented. The quality of life was assessed in both groups at the beginning and 2 months after the intervention using a short questionnaire (sf36). Data were collected through a structured interview (demographic characterstics) and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests.
Results: The mean quality-of-life score of the experimental group increased after education the mean score of physical domain of the quality of life increased from 52.75 in 66.11 and that of the emotional domain from 53.61 to 70.85. The scores of different domains of quality of life of the control subjects did not change significantly.
Conclusion: The findings show that a self-care educational program can have a positive affect on quality of life of the elderly.
Hashem Mohammadian, Gholamabbas Moosavi, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed gender variations about adolescents' health-related quality of life.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on four hundred students selected by a Stratified random sampling. Two-way analysis of variance was used for the analysis of total health-related quality of life scores among boys and girls in terms of demographic factors. Data analysis was conducted with software SPSS 18 and LISREL8.8 programs.
Results: There were important differences in health-related quality of life total score between boys and girls in relevance rank of birth, level of education and BMI. Although, these differences weren't statistically significant (p>0.05), Girls’ reports were higher compared to boys except for the emotional functioning subscale.
Conclusions: Teachers and parents should make great efforts for meet the requirements and difficulties of emotional and behavioral in adolescent girls. It is Necessary to execute coping mechanisms by the training consultants to minimize stress and anxiety for the mother to be.
Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Farhad Lashkar Boloki, Abolghasem Jazayeri, Mohammad Ariaei, Mansoureh Minaei,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background an Aim: Aging trend especially in developing country is increasing. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of the elderly and its associated factors in Gorgan .
Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study that two-stage cluster sampling method was used for considering participant. The data were collected using Mini Nutritional Assessment and anthropometric questionnaire which was referred to the elderly inhabitant in urban area. 541 elder were interviewed and data were analyzed by chi square, independent T test and one way ANOVA tests.
Results : The prevalence of malnutrition was %4/8 and nearly %44/7 of the elderly were at the risk of malnutrition. %51/9 of the elderly were on a special diet due to a disease or specific condition. Malnutrition frequency and the risk of it were higher in woman than men and the difference between sexes was statistically significant. BMI, mid arm circumference and calf circumference measures in elderly with malnutrition were less than elderly with good nutrition, and the difference was statistically significant
Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition in elderly who exposed to socio-economic, mental and also dental difficulties, living alone and female old age was higher than others groups. The implementation of supportive and nutritional programs is more important in this group.
Hashem Mohammadian, Seyed Gholam Abbas Mousavi, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili, Jafar Kord Zanganeh,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: It is known that personal behavior influences one’s health. The present study was designed to investigate lifestyle of non-medical students of governmental and private (Azad) universities in Kashan, Iran and factors affecting it.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 520 non-medical students in Kashan, Iran, selected by convenience sampling, in academic year 2013-14. Data on demographic characteristics and health behaviors were collected using standard valid questionnaires, for the latter the questionnaire being the Pender’s Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II). The data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by t-test, and U Mann-Whitney test to compare the means of the two populations.
Results: The m ean age of the students was 21.75 ± 2.5 years. Their overall health-promoting lifestyle score was of 2.43 (SD = 0.38). This score, as well as scores for the subcategories ─ nutritional behavior, spiritual development, physical activity, health responsibility, and stress management ─ were lower for the subjects with an experience of stressful events. Further analysis of the data showed that t here were significant differences between boys and girls as regards physical activity (P = 0.000), between single and married students as regards nutritional status (P = 0.032), and between working and non-working students as regards spiritual development (P = 0.014).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that experienced stressful events lay the ground for the adoption of risky behaviors in university students. Therefore, universities should design and implement programs aiming at improving lifestyle of the students and promoting their health.
Elham Gheysvandi, Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Kamal Azam, Mohammad Reza Vafa, Mojtaba Azadbakht, Tohid Babazadeh, Shadi Fathizadeh,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim : Milk and dairy products provide more than 50% of the calcium requirement in the daily diet of Iranians. In order to promote adolescents’ health and prevent the devastating effects of osteoporosis in adulthood, appropriate action should be taken to increase milk consumption among adolescents. The objective of this study was to increase milk and dairy products consumption among eighth-grade girl-pupils in Kamyaran City, Iran through designing and implementing an educational program based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
Materials and Methods : This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in 2014, including a total of 168 eighth-grade girl-pupils from two (out of six) schools, one as the intervention and the other as the control group, selected randomly by cluster sampling. The intervention group received education in 4 sessions, the educational tools being a pamphlet and a poster. Data were collected on the TPB constructs, food intake (by 24-hour dietary recall), and frequency of milk and dairy product intakes during the previous 3 days. All the participants completed the questionnaires at the beginning and 3 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-18 software, the statistical tests being chi-square, independent-t and paired t-tests.
Results : The intervention brought about statistically significant increases in the mean scores of behavior intention, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (p<0/001). In addition, an increase was observed in the frequency of milk and dairy product intake, which was 0.36 units per day initially (p<0/001).
Conclusion : Considering the effectiveness and low cost of this intervention, expanding this program can potentially lead to a rise in milk and dairy products consumption among the pupils.
Soodabeh Yarmohammadi, Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Mahmood Mahmoodi, Seyed Abolghasem Jazayeri, Maryam Chamari,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Nutritional knowledge acquired by young girls as would-be mothers will play an important role in children’s and family health protection and promotion in the future. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an educational program based on the BASNEF model on the nutritional behavior among guidance school first-grade female-students.
Materials and Method: This was an interventional study carried out in the form of a clinical trial including 160 female-pupils divided into two groups ─ a case and a control group ─ randomly selected by two-stage sampling, namely, classification and cluster sampling. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire. Education about healthy nutrition was imparted to the case group in 4 60-minute sessions in the form of lectures, group discussions, and question-answer in addition, pamphlets were distributed among the subjects. Data were collected and analyzed using the SPSS-18 software, the statistical tests being Chi-square, fisher , independent and paired t-tests.
Results: The data showed that the mean scores of knowledge and BASNEF model components as regards nutritional behavior increased after the intervention in the case, they being higher significantly in the case group as compared to the controls. The most important subjective norms after the intervention were the pupils’ parents .
Conclusions : The findings indicate that a 3-month educational intervention based on the BASNEF model can bring about desirable changes in some of the undesirable nutritional behaviors in guidance school pupils, and that designing and implementing interventions of this kind, with the support of health and school authorities, is quite feasible.
Jalal Abdi, Hasan Eftekhar, Mahmood Mahmoodi, Davoud Shojayzadeh, Roya Sadeghi,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on modern communication technologies and the social cognitive theory on the lifestyle of the government employees in the City of Hamadan, Iran in 2014.
Materials and Methods: A randomized control trial [IRCT2014083118989N1] was conducted including a total 435 employees with overweight or obesity. They were divided into a control group receiving no education and two intervention (experimental) groups (IG1 and IG2) receiving a 6-month education under the title of “lifestyle program”. The educational intervention was “telephone-assisted” in IG1 and “web-assisted” in IG2. Six and nine months after the intervention the lifestyle and changes in in the constructs of the social-cognitive theory were determined and compared between the experimental and control groups. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS-20.
Results: In both intervention groups, the lifestyle program resulted in promoting lifestyle status from “Good” to “Very good” (p=0.001). The intervention in the telephone-assisted group led to increases in the mean scores of the constructs of self-efficacy, environment, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies, while in the web-assisted intervention group increases were observed only in the mean scores of the constructs of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention based on modern communication technologies and the social-cognitive theory.
Masoumeh Dashtian, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili, Kambiz Karimzadeh Shirazi, Mostafa Shahmoradi, Kamal Azam,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Self-care has a vital role in the control and prevention of complications in patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), two important behaviors in self-care being medication adherence and physical activity. Regular physical activity has been shown to improve glycemic control, reduce blood pressure, reduce lipids and improve cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with T2DM. In addition, medication adherence is a key factor in controlling and decreasing the risk of related complications. This study aimed to determine and predict the most important factors affecting the levels of physical activity and medication adherence in patients with T2DM based on the theory of planned behavior.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, based on the planned behavior theory, was performed on 160 selected men and women with T2DM referring to urban health centers in Yasuj, Iran in 2016; the selection was done by random cluster sampling. Data on medication adherence and physical activity were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software, the statistical tests being descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression; a p<0/05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results: Altogether, 45% and 43% of the patients had a low and medium level of physical activity, respectively, only 12% having an acceptable level. The adherence to medication was much better ─ 76% had a good adherence. As regards the planned behavior theory constructs, perceived behavior control had a significant relationship with physical activity and medication adherence. Results of multiple linear regression also showed that perceived behavior control was a predictive variable for physical activity level and medication adherence in the patients.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, which indicate that the most important construct is perceived behavior control as regards medication adherence and level of physical activity, it is concluded that it is vital to strengthen the self-care component of health programs and support such programs.
