Showing 159 results for Health
Seyedeh Maryam Pourmousavi, Zoha Hajiha, Mohammad Marfat, Iman Zaghian, Hamed Moslehi,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and purpose: The purpose of this research was to write a critical review of the available service packages in the Mental and Social Health and Addiction Office (MSHAO) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in the areas of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, which are currently used in the primary health care system. The content analysis method was used to extract the specialists’ critiques.
Materials and Methods: Initially the MSHAO sent 1362 pages of information in the form of 47 files to researchers to be reviewed. The files were classified, eliminating/removing additional, unrelated and duplicated items; finally 840 pages in 29 files were studied and carefully examined. Then, seven experts in the field of addiction were asked to criticize the packages, using the content analysis method to extract the experts' critiques.
Results: The findings showed that comprehensive information about drugs, alcohol and tobacco addiction is provided to the clients. However, based on a critical review of the existing packages four main critiques were extracted, namely, sources/references, epidemiology, incompatibility of Iranian-Islamic culture, and technical-specialist issues. In addition, criticisms were also extracted in the following areas/services: the number of files and the variety of interventions, editing and writing problems, interventions and discussions with inappropriate in-text sources/citations, some old sources/references (published in 2013 and 2014), old interventions, lack of appropriate compatibility with the culture of the Islamic society of Iran, and direct translation of some parts of the original texts and documents of international meetings/gatherings.
Conclusion: Despite the efforts of the Mental and Social Health and Addiction Office to cover the needs of the majority of people referring to the primary care system, it seems that the high number of interventions and additional information can cause confusion of/for the physician, mental health care provider, family health care provider, general health care provider and other relevant individuals. It is, therefore, suggested that some packages be merged with each other, duplicate items be removed and specific sections be added, some packages be fundamentally revised based on the suggested items, and updated packages be developed with due consideration of to the culture of the Iranian society.
Hosein Izadi Rad, Fereshteh Narouei, Parisa Mohammadi,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Women referring to health centers are one of the most important groups at risk of disease. Thus, in order to enjoy a high level of health, it is necessary for them to have health literacy. The purpose of this research was to find the demographic predictors of health literacy in women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study including 400 women selected by random cluster sampling from health centers under coverage of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2022. The short form of the HELIA standard questionnaire was used to measure health literacy of the women. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software, the statistical tests being ANOVA, Kendall's correlation, and multiple regression.
Results: The subjects were between 18 and 60 years old. They were found to have obtained most of the information related to health and disease by asking doctors and healthcare workers (about 52.25%). The scores of the components of the subjects’ health literacy were as follows: average health literacy 69.91±23.34, reading 72.17±29.80, access 34.73±27.91, understanding 71.41±29.43, assessment 62.10±25.51, and the scope of decision-making and behavior 71.49±20.27. The strongest predictor of health literacy was found to be education, such that with an increase in the level of education, the health literacy of a woman would increase by 0.53 units. In addition, education variables, income level, age and ethnicity would predict 55% of the health literacy of the women.
Conclusion: This study shows that the health literacy score is related to age, education level, marital status, occupation, economic status and ethnicity, the strongest predictor of health literacy being the a high level of education. Therefore, considering the available evidence on the importance of health literacy and factors related to it and the low level of health literacy of women in this study, it is clear that women need to acquire, process and understand the basic information on health and therapeutic services in order to be able to make appropriate decisions. Briefly, women need to receive simple and understandable information and have more time to communicate with the health service personnel to understand health information.
Jalal Big Mohammadi, Mehdi Zanganeh,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The Health Transformation Plan (HTP) has been developed to be implemented in the rural areas with the goal of easy access of the villagers to the physician, their equitable benefit of the public facilities and improving the outpatient services. The present study was conducted to find and explain the experiences of family physicians of the rural centers and managers after the execution of HTP of the public health sector in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (ZAUMS), Zahedan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study using the content analysis method conducted in 1402 in the public health section in ZAUMS. The research population was the physicians and managers working in the rural areas of ZAUMS between 2015 and 2022; a sample was selected using the purposeful sampling method. Data were collected using the semi-structured interview based on the interview guide; content analysis was done using contract analytics.
Results: A group of 31 individuals including 20 men and 11 women and 19 physicians and 12 managers entered the study. Data were collected, analyzed and grouped in 6 main classes, namely, service delivery, integrated health system, resources, people and service recipients, monitoring and supervision, and suggestions; 12 sub-classes were extracted.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that appropriate training, service quality, financial support, and sustainable skilled manpower are the factors that will help solve the challenges in the Health Transformation Plan. On the other hand, considering that one of the components of the health system for successful implementation of the Health Transformation Plan is human resources, the ability and flexibility of the personnel play an important role in the speed of service delivery and service quality.
Hamed Parvaz, Seyed Samad Beheshti, Ramin Moradi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether cultural intelligence, a construct measure of individuals' capacity to adjust to new surroundings and different cultures, has an effect on their social functioning and effective communication with others, ultimately influencing their overall social health.
Materials and Methods: This research was a quantitative survey conducted on a sample of 380 individuals aged 15 years and above selected by multi-stage sampling in Yasouj city, Iran using a questionnaire.
Results: Data analysis showed that the research population possessed higher levels of cultural intelligence and social health compared to the average levels, there being no difference between men and women. Married individuals were found to have higher averages of cultural intelligence and social health compared to single individuals. While there was no correlation between age and social health, there was a positive correlation between age and cultural intelligence.
Testing the hypotheses revealed that various dimensions of cultural intelligence had direct and positive associations with social health. Cultural intelligence with a standard regression coefficient of 0.372 accounted for approximately 14% of the changes in social health; age did not have an intervening effect on the relationship between these two variables.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study indicate that individuals with higher levels of cultural intelligence possess a greater ability to understand and accept other individuals’ perspectives, this leading ultimately to enhanced societal engagement and interpersonal interactions. Consequently, this heightened cultural intelligence positively impacts their overall social health.
Elham Fatholahi, Mohammad Jafari,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In recent years the interrelationships among environment, energy and health have attracted increasing attention due to their significant impact on human health. This study aimed to investigate the complex interactions among environment, economy, development, energy and the health outcomes in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this research the annual national data in Iran between 1981 and 2021 were used, using the fully modified least squares cointegration. The following variables affecting life expectancy at birth were included in the analysis: renewable energy consumption, health costs, air pollution, female literacy rate, inflation rate, Gini coefficient, GDP per capita, financial development and fossil fuel consumption.
Results: Data analysis showed the following: 1. financial development positively affects life expectancy with a coefficient of 0.037 ; 2. CO2 emissions and fossil fuel consumption decrease life expectancy by 0.015 and 1.02, respectively; 3. Renewable energy consumption and health expenses have improved life expectancy in Iran with positive coefficients of 0.025 and 0.035, respectively.
Conclusion: To improve health care outcomes action should be taken in the following areas: increasing health expenditures, increasing the use of renewable energy, reducing the use of fossil fuels, strengthening long-term financial development for easier access to medical treatments, decreasing disease risk, healthier lifestyles, and environmental quality improvement. In addition, as regards policy-making, planning to improve economic indicators can provide the basis for demand for healthy and educational goods and improve the health status of the society.
Aram Halimi, Goljamal Jorjani, Leyla Sharifi Aliabadi, Mohammad Reza Taherian, Haniyeh Yeganeh, Matin Shokrgozar, Gholamreza Ebrahimi, Mohammad Hossein Panahi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to assess and prioritize the health needs of a community served by the Imamzadeh Ghasem Health Center in Tehran city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted based on the North Carolina model for comprehensive community health assessment. General information and available facilities were extracted from secondary sources, while insights into specific community needs were gathered through interviews with 76 individuals representing diverse demographics. The assessment was made by secondary data analysis and direct interviews.
Finally, the prioritization of health needs of the community was based on a scoring system based on severity, extent, and ease of being solved.
Results: The findings revealed that sewage problems, construction issues and waste management were considered to be the primary health concerns in the region. Comparative analysis with the situation in other regions in Iran emphasizes the unique challenges faced by the community in the present study.
Conclusion: The prioritized health issues highlight the community's urgent needs, requiring targeted interventions. Proposed solutions include legal measures, public education and municipal interventions to address the sewage, construction and waste management problems.
Adil Hamidvand, Behnam Behari, Mohammad Azimi,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The soul and body of a person are one of the noblest subjects that require a person to study and reflect on. In this regard, the Holy Qur'an and Atrat, in addition to their basic purpose, which is to guide humanity to salvation, have also explained the issues essential for improving the quality of worldly life. Undoubtedly, the physical health of individuals and human societies is one of the most important concerns of contemporary wise people. In this research, different aspects of physical health are discussed. The objective of this study was to examine the components of physical health from the perspective of the Qur'an and hadiths.
Materials and Methods: This study was an applied research carried out in two stages. The first stage was a descriptive and analytical qualitative study. The triangulation method was used to extract and compile the materials, that is, the study was done by referring to the foundations of the Qur'an and the narrations of the innocents (PBUH) as well as using the related research and theoretical foundations. In the second stage the content analysis method was used to check the frequency and importance of physical health components in the Quran. The content of the research project was examined from the point of view of the respondent (the text of the Holy Quran) and nineteen main components in the area of physical health.
Results: Data analysis showed the absolute frequencies (A.F.) of the components of physical health from the perspective of the Qur'an to be as follows: (A). Components with an A.F. of 1: 1. Commanding people to look at foods; 2. Consumption of honey as a health promoting food; (B). Components with an A.F. of 2: 1. using animal skin to cover human body parts; 2. Abulition (ghosl), ablution before prayer (vozoo), abulition with earth or sand (tayammom); (C). Components with an A.F. of 3: 1. placing animals in a special place; 2. being halal the consumption of aquatic animals and plants (sea foods); (D). Components with an A.F. of 4: 1. prohibition (being haram) of eating the meat of dead animals; 2. eating decayed bodies of dead animals; 3. the prohibition of eating pork; 4. the prohibition of drinking blood; 5. allowing the milk of domestic animals for feeding; 6. prohibition of wine; 7. breastmilk to feed infants; (E). Components with an A.F. of 5: wearing clothes to cover the human body; (F). Components with an A.F. of 9: eating clean and halal foods; (G). Components with an A.F. of 13: 1. sending water for drinking and quenching people; 2. fasting; (H). Components with an A.F. of 14: being halal (allowed to be eaten) and permissible the consumption of the meat of halal domestic animals; (I). Components with an A.F. of 47 (the highest A.F.): growing all kinds of fruits and plants for feeding.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that among the components of physical health from the perspective of the Qur'an, the highest and the lowest coefficients of importance were growing all kinds of fruits and plants for feeding (0/055) and consumption of honey as a health promoting food (0/034), respectively.
Iman Zaghian, Seyyedeh Maryam Pourmusavi, Zahra Jannati, Hamed Moslehi,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Adolescence is a period of rapid biological, cognitive and neurological changes. The aim of this research was to conduct a cultural critique of the educational package of intra-family and extra-family communication for adolescents, which was implemented as part of the mental health services within the health network and based on Iranian-Islamic culture.
Materials and Methods: This qualitative study utilized the theme analysis method developed by Brown and Clark in 2006. The study population comprised all mental health contents within the health network. Targeted sampling was used to investigate the content related to communicating with adolescents. Data analysis involved the use of theme format analysis, theme network, and comparative analysis.
Results: Data analysis resulted in the extraction of 30 primary, 4 secondary and 2 overarching themes. The secondary themes included respect for parents, social norms, moral norms and a lack of cultural norms, while the overarching themes included values and norms.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the need to revise and rewrite the content of the family foundation-strengthening program for parents and adolescents.
Seyedeh Marzieh Farid, Reza Pourhosein, Gholamali Afrooz,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The suicide is one of the threatening topics for the health general of society, and spiritual health and ego strength strength are among the factors that can be effective in reducing it. Therefore, this study aimed to the causal modeling of suicidal psychopathology based on spiritual health and ego strength.
Materials and Methods: The present study was descriptive-correlation. The statistical population included all individuals with a history of suicide registered in the site of the Payesh Center in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) in the first half of year 2022. Among them, 210 people were selected by purposive sampling and they answered the Inventory of Motivations for Suicide Attempts (May & Klonsky, 2013), Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (Paloutzian & Ellison, 1982), and Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strength (Markstrom, 1997). Data were analyzed using path analysis of structural equation in SPSS23 and Amos24 softwares.
Results: The findings showed that direct effect spiritual health (negatively) on suicidal psychopathology is significant (p <0.05). Also, the results of the mediating role of ego strength showed that ego strength have a significant mediating role between spiritual health and suicidal psychopathology (p <0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the spiritual health directly, and ego strength indirectly has been effective on the suicidal psychopathology. Therefore, it is suggested that mental health clinics pay attention to their spiritual health and ego strength in review suicidal psychopathology of individuals with a history of suicide.
Seyedeh Mahboobeh Hosseini Zare, Jafar Babapour, Maryam Zare, Ahmad Siar Sadr, Seyed Mahdi Mohsenzadeh, Bijan Khorasani ,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The prevalence of COVID-19 and its impact on mental health posed a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare systems were required, in addition to their responsibilities such as rapid diagnosis, controlling and slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, to adopt strategies to mitigate the psychological effects of this disease in the society. The objective of this study was to examine and review mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies adopted to cope with it in various countries.
Materials and Methods: All published articles on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and coping strategies between February and October 2020 were reviewed in four databases and one search engine. A total of 394 articles that met inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected using a 15-point tool developed by Miton and colleagues. Ultimately 25 articles were selected and analyzed.
Results: The most prevalent mental health issues identified in the reviewed articles were depression, anxiety and stress. In addition, vulnerable and high-risk groups were recognized as being women, individuals with pre-existing health issues, youth aged 18 to 29 years, frontline healthcare workers and individuals without an income.
Conclusion: Despite various strategies chosen and adopted in different countries, the majority of people suffered from mental health challenges arising from COVID-19. During an outbreak collaboration between health system authorities and media in providing accurate and effective information, as well as offering preventive measures, can facilitate the prevention of mental health within a population. Therefore, it is essential for the health systems to pay attention to mental health infrastructure and design comprehensive strategies to address future crises.
Hadi Kasbkar, Maryam Rasoulian,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medical residents play a pivotal role in the healthcare system of a country. Their mental health directly influences their professional performance and commitment. This study aimed to explore medical residents’ experiences of respect in the workplace and identify instances of disrespect within hospital environments.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study in which data were collected using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. Data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed through content analysis and coding-categorization methods. Qualitative content analysis was performed using the MAXQDA software (Version 20).
Results: The findings revealed that medical residents face numerous challenges, including injustice, verbal abuse, bullying and excessive workload. Educational inequity, overwhelming workloads, and unfair evaluations were identified as manifestations of injustice. Verbal violence, disrespect from the staff, and offensive language exemplified instances of disrespect. Coercion to perform tasks beyond their responsibilities and violations of human rights were categorized as bullying behaviors. These conditions have led to psychological stress, frustration, reduction of incentive and in some cases the use of psychiatric medications, and diminished motivation among residents.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the working environments for medical residents in many hospitals and educational centers are stressful and unsuitable. Reforms in educational, managerial and support systems are urgently needed to improve these conditions. Respectful behavior not only reduces stress and enhances job satisfaction but it also contributes to the professional development of residents.
Marzieh Khounani, Davoud Shojaeizadeh, Zahra Jalili,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Health brokers are responsible for conveying messages related to a healthy lifestyle to the target community, who are selected by them in the public participation houses, otherwise called People's Home for Participation in Health (PHPH). Implementing focused educational interventions can strengthen the self-efficacy of health brokers in performing health-promoting behaviors. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on the healthy lifestyle of health brokers.
Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental and interventional study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group in 2024. The statistical population included health brokers in PHPHs affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Using the simple random sampling method 4 participating households were selected as the experimental group, the rest acting as the control group; the total number of participants was 74. Four 2-hour training sessions were held for the experimental group, and reviewing of the topics and assignments and answering questions were done through a virtual training group. Data were collected using standard "self-efficacy" and "health-promoting lifestyle" questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 28, the statistical tests being Chi-square, T-test, Pearson, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests.
Results: After the intervention, the health-promoting lifestyle score increased from 30.40±21.00 to 168.31±24.71 and the health self-efficacy from 68.57±10.21 to 84.57±11.84 in the experimental group (P<0.001). The highest significant correlation was observed between lifestyle dimensions and self-efficacy (r=0.741)
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that training based on self-efficacy theory can improve healthy lifestyle behaviors in brokers and can be used as an effective strategy in health education.
Javad Siahmoshtei, Mahmoud Zivari Rahman, Niloofar Mikaeili,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cancer patients face numerous psychological and physical challenges in which various psychological, social, economic and medical variables are involved. This study aimed to model the structural equations of coping strategies in cancer patients based on early maladaptive schemas with the mediating role of health literacy.
Materials and Methods: This was a correlation analysis study based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of cancer patients aged 20 to 60 years visiting private medical centers in Tehran between April 20th and September 21st, 2024, from among whom 665 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (1998), the Adult Health Literacy Questionnaire (2023), and the Coping with Stressful Situations Inventory Questionnaire (1990) and analyzed using the structural equation modeling methods using SPSS 25 and Amos 24 software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Data analysis showed that the early maladaptive schemas had a statistically negative relationship with health literacy (β = ─ 0.84, p < 0.001) and a positive relationship with coping strategies (β = 0.25, p < 0.001). In addition, health literacy had a negative association with coping strategies (β = 0.83, p < 0.001). In addition, health literacy had a negative association with coping strategies (β=─0.83, p<0.001).and an intermediary role in the association between primary maladaptive schemas and coping strategies (β=0.25, p<0.001). Goodness-of-fit indices indicated an adequate fit of the model (GFI = 0/916, IFI = 0/910, CFI = 0/909, and RMSEA = 0.078).
Conclusion: The findings show that early maladaptive schemas are associated with low
health literacy and coping behaviors in cancer patients. Improving health literacy can, as a mediating variable, moderate these negative effects, and can also contribute to better constructive coping behaviors. Educational interventions to increase health literacy can be useful in mental therapy and rehabilitation.
Zeinab Khaledian, Javad Moazzeni, Liela Najafi, Nasim Badiei, Fatemeh Yonesi,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Providing high-quality prenatal and postnatal care plays a crucial role (during pregnancy and at labor) in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and complications, improving outcomes, and increasing patient satisfaction and enhancing healthcare system efficiency. This study aimed to assess the quality of intrapartum care using the Comprehensive Quality Measurement in Health Care (CQMH) model.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted in 2020 at Ommol banin hospital in Mashhad, Iran, including 324 mothers admitted for childbirth. Participants were selected through simple random sampling and data were collected using the CQMH questionnaire, which assesses three dimensions of care quality, namely, technical quality, service quality, and customer (client) quality. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 27.
Results: The overall quality index score was 80.9. Technical quality was rated as favorable (mean score: 90.3), while service quality (mean score: 79.5) and customer quality (mean score:73) were rated as moderate. As regards service quality communication, continuity of care and preventive measures had the lowest scores.
Conclusion: While the technical quality of intrapartum care was found to be satisfactory, there is a pressing need to strengthen provider–patient communication and empower mothers to actively participate in theirown care during childbirth.
Sahar Hojjati Far, Majid Movahed Majd, Serajaldin Mahmoudiani,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Health literacy plays an important role in the health of a society and population during times of illness. During the coronavirus outbreak human resilience and health of the population were at risk. Health literacy and its various dimensions are known as an important factor in strengthening human health. Therefore, research on the relationship between the coronavirus pandemic and health literacy can help formulate policies to promote people's health.
Materials and Methods: This study was a survey in which data were collected using a questionnaire. The statistical population was all citizens of Shiraz city, Iran from whom a sample of 400 people was selected by random sampling. SPSS and LISREL were used to analyze the data.
Results: Analysis of the data collected revealed statistically significant positive correlations between reading, decision-making, health behavior literacy and gender with COVID-19 self-care (p < 0.05). The structural equation model showed that decision-making and behavior had the highest predictive power for COVID-19 self-care, with an impact factor of 3.36. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that reading, decision-making, behavior and gender are important factors influencing COVID-19 self-care, while assessment and access have the least impact. These findings can guide healthcare professionals to develop strategies aiming to enhance self-care practices in future pandemics.
Mohammad Bidkhori, Mahdi Akbarzadeh, Noushin Fahimfar, Bagher Larijani, Iraj Nabipour, Afshin Ostovar, Kourosh Holakouie-Naieni,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is a novel tool for assessing bone microarchitecture and identifying individuals at risk for osteoporotic fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of the SOST gene and TBS in Iranian postmenopausal women.
Materials and Methods: This study included 1/071 postmenopausal women from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Cohort study. Relationship between Seven independent SNPs in the SOST gene located on chromosome 17q21.31 were investigated with TBS L1–L4. Associations were tested using generalized linear models under additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. A genetic score was also calculated by summing the weighted number of risk alleles based on the regression coefficients of the SNPs.
Results: After adjustment for age and Body Mass Index (BMI), SNP rs2023794-C showed a statistically significant association with TBS in the additive model (β = 0/ 03, P = 4/7×10⁻⁵, PFDR = 0/0003) and the dominant model (β = 0/033, P = 2/5×10⁻⁵, PFDR = 0/0003). Furthermore, higher genetic scores were positively associated with increased TBS values.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potential role of SOST gene variants and derived genetic score in predicting bone quality in postmenopausal women. These genes could aid in identifying individuals at higher risk of poor bone quality and in developing personalized osteoporosis prevention strategies.
Shahram Ranjdoost, Zahra Khandani, Mohammad Azimi, Morteza Golshani Gehraz,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The present study aims to qualitatively analyze the content of lower secondary school science textbooks in terms of the reflection of health education concepts and assumptions, with the goal of improving students’ comprehensive health development and quality of life through the prevention of social harms.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a qualitative and descriptive content analysis using a deductive approach. The units of analysis included pages (texts, questions, exercises, and illustrations). The statistical population consisted of all lower secondary school science textbooks used in the 2017–2018 academic year. Purposeful sampling was applied, and all three textbooks were selected for analysis. A content analysis checklist was used as the research instrument. To ensure validity, face validity, content validity, and expert opinions were applied, while reliability was confirmed using the retest technique, yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.89.
Results: A total of 698 instances of health education components were identified across the three textbooks. The most frequent component was “familiarity with body functions and organs” with 344 occurrences. In contrast, components such as “assertiveness and self-confidence”, “healthy communication with others”, “empathy and compassion”, “awareness of diseases such as AIDS”, “drug abuse”, and “consultation in life” were entirely absent from the analyzed content.
Conclusion: The findings indicated that health education components are distributed unevenly across the science textbooks of lower secondary education. Some components were underrepresented or completely missing. Therefore, educational policymakers and textbook authors should pay greater attention to the balanced and comprehensive inclusion of health education elements in lower secondary science curricula.
Roghayeh Khosravi, Serajaldin Mahmoudiani, Maryam Rashidi,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Today, social health, as one of the four main axes of health, has gained a special significance in developmental and human-centered approaches, leading to the conduct of theoretical studies and extensive operational programs worldwide.
Materials and Methods: This study investigates the relationship between a health-oriented lifestyle and social health in infertile women, as reported by the Shiraz Reproductive Health Research Center. The overall design of this study is descriptive-correlational. 385 infertile women referring to reproductive health research centers in Shiraz were selected from infertility treatment clinics in Shiraz using a convenience sampling method and completed the research instruments. Then, the collected information was analyzed. Data analysis was examined in two parts: descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Data analysis showed that a health-oriented lifestyle has a positive and significant relationship with social health and its dimensions, and that health-oriented lifestyle dimensions predict social health of infertile women. There is a significant relationship between social health and age. Social health among infertile women varies significantly by education and employment status. Also, there is no significant difference in social health among infertile women in terms of the number of abortions and duration of marriage.
Conclusion: According to the research findings, it can be said that educating infertile women about a health-oriented lifestyle can be effective in increasing their social health and, as a result, increasing the likelihood of infertility treatment success.
Azar Houri, Roya Sadeghi, Azar Tol, Mahdi Yaseri, Yaser Tedadi,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
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.
Afsaneh Mosleh, Najmolmolook Amini, Masumeh Sehati, Maryam Soroush, Houra Askarian,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
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.
