Showing 19 results for Adolescent
F Rezaei, R Majdzadeh, S Nedjat, B Golestan,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cigarette smoking is a global problem, but is decreasing in most developed countries. Reports from the East Mediterranean show that unlike the 5 other WHO regions, cigarette smoking has not decreased in this particular zone. There is a vital need to address the problem, especially in the adolescent population. This qualitative study looks at the motives behind the smoking tendency in boys aged 13-15.
Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 6 focus group discussions performed in Tehran orientation (intermediate) schools participants were male students aged 13 to 15 years. Purposeful sampling was used to draw in participants who were willing and able to take part in the group discussions. Each group was composed of 6-8 students, whose voices were recorded to determine themes and subthemes.
Results: Family and social factors have a more prominent role in creating the smoking tendency compared to individual factors. The most important elements are family history of smoking, having friends who smoke, poor parental control, conflicts at home, divorced parents, failure to consult with parents, easy availability and relative cheapness of cigarettes, and lack of information.
Conclusion: Serious attention must be paid to the social and family factors in the initiation of the smoking habit. Social and political institutions must come up with effective programs to control the social and family factors that have a role in creating the smoking tendency.
K Amini, Sy Mojtahedi, M Mousaiefard,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (10-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Adolescence is the transition period between childhood and adulthood, a period in life that begins at puberty. It is one of the fastest growth periods in a person's life. During this time, physical changes affect the body's nutritional needs, while changes in one's lifestyle may affect eating habits and food choices. Nutritional health during adolescence is important for supporting the growing body and for preventing future health problems. In Iran, the prevalence of anemia, obesity, and other chronic nutritional diseases has increased in recent years due to undesirable eating habits. This survey was conducted to determine consumption of the four major food groups (vegetables, fruits, milk products, and meat) among a group of high school students in Zanjan Province, Iran.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 1500 students, selected by random cluster sampling, in Zanjan high schools, Iran in 2005. The daily intakes of the 4 food groups during the previous week were determined using a food frequency questionnaire. The potential determinants of the pattern of food consumption were also determined.
Results: The proportions of the students not having consumed fruits, vegetables, and meat during the weak were 16%, 6.8%, and 10%, respectively. More than 95% of the students said that they had consumed milk/milk products at least once a day. Only 8.7% consumed fruits and 27% consumed vegetables 3 times or more daily.
Conclusion: The consumption of the 4 food groups of large proportions of Zanjan Province adolescents is below the current recommendations. Health and nutrition educational programs would be a valuable tool to correct erroneous food habits of the adolescents leading to improvements in their nutritional status.
H Mohamadian, H Eftekhar Ardebili, A Rahimi Foroushani, M.h Taghdisi, D Shojaiezade,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
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.
M Khodaveisi, A Yaghobi, R Borzou, M Khodaveisi,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world. Several factors such as lifestyle can alter incidence of these diseases. Cardiovascular diseases originate from childhood therefore, early prevention must begin from childhood and adolescence in order to be able to modify risk factors. The aim of this study was to identify modifiable (tobacco smoke exposure, physical inactivity, hypertension, obesity, incorrect dietary habits and high blood pressure) and non-modifiable (family history) cardiovascular risk factors in Hamedani adolescents.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive- analytic Cross- Sectional study, including 1000 students selected by stratified cluster sampling, from 8 high schools in Hamden, Iran. The subjects’ height, weight and blood pressure were measured and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on life style.
Results: On the whole, 23% of the participants had a family history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The data also showed that 10.7% of the participants had a BMI more than 25kg/m², 59% had no physical activity, more than 50% had a high intake of salt, and 67% were exposed to passive tobacco smoke. The average length of time spent daily on watching T.V. or playing video games was 6 hours. Proportions of the subjects consuming saturated oils, high-fat dairy products, ready-to-eat foods, and junk foods (potato chips and puffed cereals) were 50.8%, 33.1%, 48.6%, and 75.4%, respectively. The most common method of cooking was frying (used by 35.9% of the families). Finally, 3.4% of the adolescents were smokers themselves and 25% of them said that their friends smoked, while 67.7% were exposed to cigarette smoke from their smoker-relatives.
Conclusion: Most of the Hamedani adolescents are at risk of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Primary intervention programs should be designed and implemented aiming at promoting the health and nutritional awareness and, ultimately, practice, of the general population with particular emphasis on adolescents.
Z Shahhosseini, M Simbar, A Ramezankhani, H Alavi Majd,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the social and cultural characteristics of Iranian adolescents, none of the quantitative instruments designed so far to assess their health needs is quite appropriate. The purpose of this study was to design a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess the health needs of Iranian adolescent females.
Materials and Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to instrument development were adopted in this study conducted in the District of Sari in the north of Iran. Sampling was objective-based, with an attempt to have female adolescent sample as varied as possible. In the qualitative phase, a content analysis approach was used to explore the concept of health needs as seen by female adolescents. Data were collected using 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with the presence 6-10 adolescents 12-18 years old in each FGD, as well as 11 semi-structured interviews, each one involving 11 well-informed individuals. In the quantitative phase, the psychometric properties, including content validity, face validity, construct validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, were determined.
Results: Five themes were identified in the qualitative phase of study, including psycho-emotional health, social health, physical health, and educational needs, as well as spiritual beliefs. The mean scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) was found to be 0.92. The factor structure of the instrument was identified by doing a Principal Component Analysis. Five factors were extracted with a total variance account of 45.37%. The reliability and consistency of the instrument were established with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.90) for the entire scale and test-retest reliability with a 2 week-interval Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC=0.984, p<0.001).There was a concurrent correlation between the instrument and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0) (r=0.66, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The instrument developed in this study is a valid, reliable and culturally appropriate instrument for assessment of health needs of Iranian adolescent females.
Shayesteh Shirzadi, Davoud Shojaeezadeh, Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi, Agha Fatemeh Hosseini,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (10-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Puberty as a stage of life is an important developmental process. Teen girls have numerous health care needs and their specific issues should be considered. This study mainly aimed to determine the impact of education based on health belief model on promotion of physical puberty health among female teenagers who were residents in welfare boarding centers in Tehran city.
Materials and Methods: It was a quasi-experimental intervention study, conducted in welfare boarding centers of Tehran city among inhabitant girls with 12 to 19 years old. All eligible persons were selected (n=61). Data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic information, health belief components, physical function during menstruation, completed before and one month after training by interview. Educational intervention was implemented in 3 months. Data was analyzed by Wilcoxon statistical test using SPSS16 software.
Results: After educational intervention, perceived severity (p<0.001), perceived susceptibility (p<0/001), perceived barriers (p<0.001), perceived benefits (p<0.001), and physical function during menstruation were significantly different.
Conclusion: Educational intervention improved girls' perceptions and performance. Thus, health belief model should be used for puberty health education planning in female adolescents.
N Bahrami, M Simbar, M.a Soleimani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Becoming to an adult who is sexually healthy is one of the key developmental activities for adolescents. sexual health is included of sexual development and reproductive health and also the ability to create and maintain good interpersonal relationships, are valued for their body, Respectful engagement with both sexes in correct method and expressed a desire, love and intimacy based on personal and stable social values.
Materials and Methods: In this study, using key words adolescence, sexual behavior, sexual risk behavior and sexual health and peers, related studies from 1370 to 1390 in IranMedex, Irandoc, Medlib, SID and Google scholar were investigated.
Results: Factors and challenges are associated with adolescent sexual health can be categorized into the following 4 themes (12 sub themes): Religious beliefs and spirituality (abstinence) lack of sexual education (false beliefs and knowledge about sexual function adolescents' attitudes toward risky behavior and sexual relations information sources of adolescents skills for "say no") community and youth issues(gender differences relationships with peers monitoring and control by the family communication challenges between teen and parents socioeconomical factors Centers for reproductive health services to adolescents) adolescents sexual relationship outcomes (catching sexually transmitted diseases probability).
Conclusion: In some areas, including relationships between parents with children, gender differences, attitudes and sexual behavior and the influence of peers, Studies conducted in our country is well. But in areas such as spirituality and religious beliefs, self-control, prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, life skills in adolescents and intervention strategies to promote sexual health of adolescents there are a great gap.
Sedigheh Sadat Tavaffian, Teymour Agha Molaei,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In recent years great emphasis has been put on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the lifestyle of high school and pre-university students in Bandar-Abbas, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Using a multistage sampling method a total of 410 high school and pre-university students in Bandar-Abbas, Iran were selected. To assess the lifestyle of the students the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale was used. This 40-item scale assesses six health-promoting behaviors, including those related to nutrition, social support, personal responsibility, health valuation, physical activity, and stress management.
Results: The mean age of the students (49.8% males and 50.2% females) was
16.5 (SD=1.34) years. The data showed the mean score of the total scale to be 64.89 out of 100. The mean scores (out of 100) of the subscales of nutrition, social support, personal responsibility, health valuation, physical activity and stress management were 71.06, 63.00, 63.12, 82.11, 41.49, and 68.58, respectively.
Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that the health-promoting behaviors of high school students living in Bandar-Abbas are not, on the whole, desirable. The regular physical activity subscale had the least score, which shows that a sedentary lifestyle is a common, serious problem among thestudents.
Effat Merghati-Khoei, Neda Shams Alizadeh, Alireza Bayat, Fatemeh Zarei, Shahnaz Rimaz,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Health-risk behaviors are socially constructed and influenced by the given culture. Therefore, the health-risk behaviors are prioritized differently in diverse cultures. In this study, we aimed to explore the priority of health risk behaviors among high school students in Tehran.
Materials and Methods : In this qualitative study using rapid assessment approach, we interviewed 130 individuals who voluntarily participated in the focus group discussions (FGDs, n=17). They were students (n=9 FGDs), the parents (n=5 FGDs), and the teachers (n=3 FGDs). Four of the principals were individually interviewed. Interviews focused on (1) perceptions about and description of healthy or unhealthy behaviors (2) priority of health risk behaviors in adolescents (3) perceptions and beliefs about the formation of the risk behaviors among adolescents. All sessions were embarked on the public schools located in the area five in West Tehran. After obtaining a written consent form from the participants, primary investigators and three of the trained facilitators (male and female) conducted the sessions. We employed content analysis to extract the major themes and sub-themes. The rigor of the data was obtained.
Results : Addiction, risky sexual behavior, and social misconduct ion (aggression) were identified as the main concerns for the boys. Risky sexual behavior, early marriage, eating unhealthy habits, physical motionless, and fear of the future (job, education, marriage) were identified as the main health-risk behaviors for the girls.
Conclusion : According to our findings, health risk behaviors are classified differently for boys and girls. However, sexual risk behaviors are common findings for both groups. The adolescents' risky behaviors are formed throughout their socialization and seriously influenced by the given culture. Understanding of gender schema was identified as an important factor in the way participants do priority health-risk behaviors of young people. Comprehensive and holistic health education and promotion programs targeting adolescents as well as training programs for parents are suggested.
Nahid Mostofi, Gholamreza Garmaroudi, Ahmadreza Shamshiri, Elham Shakibazadeh,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Sex education is an important health issue among adolescents. Mothers are the most reliable source of information for adolescents’ sex education so they should be equipped with proper knowledge, attitude, and practice to be able to educate their children properly. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of group education on knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers of adolescent girls as regards sex education in Tehran, 2015.
Materials and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial including 30 mothers of adolescent girls randomly assigned to an intervention and 30 in a control group. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers about sex education of their adolescnt girls were determined using valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaires. Based on the results, the intervention group, then, attended three educational sessions (active learning, group discussions) of 45-60 minutes duration each. The control group received only educational pamphlets. Three months after the intervention outcome variables were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed by the SPSS-22 using the Chi-Square, exact Fisher and T-tests.
Results: There were no statistically differences in the knoweldge, attitude and practice of sex education between the two groups at baseline (p>0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of the study variables increased significantly (p<0.001) in the intervention group, while there were no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the variables in the control group before and after the intervention (p>0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that group education could bring about significant changes in the knowledge, attitude and practice of the mothers of adoloscent girls as regards sex education.
Masoumeh Majdpour, Mohsen Shams, Saadat Parhizkar, Ali Mousavizadeh, Zahra Rahimi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Sexuality education is one of the most important educational needs of adolescents, and mothers can have a key role in sex education of their daughters. This study aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating a skill-based training program for mothers for sexuality education of adolescent girls in Mahshahr, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a field trial conducted on 140 mothers having 12- to18-year-old girls between September and March 2012. Data were collected using two reliable questionnaires developed by the investigators ─ a "Parent-Child Relationship: Mother" questionnaire for assessing the mothers’ communication skills completed by the adolescent girls, and a "Knowledge and attitude about sexuality education of adolescents" questionnaire for assessing the mothers’ knowledge and attitude about sex matters and communication, skills completed by the mothers themselves. Based on the results, an educational intervention for mothers was designed consisting of three training sessions and implemented. The mothers’ knowledge, attitude and communication scores after a period of three months were compared with the respective baseline scores.
Results: Three months after the intervention, the mean scores of mothers’ knowledge and attitude about sexuality matters increased significantly (in both cases p <0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the initial and final scores of mothers’ communication skills (p = 0.37).
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that the designed educational program was effective in improving the knowledge and attitudes of the mother about sexuality matters although it did not affect their communication skills. Promoting communication skills of mothers as an important factor for sexuality education of their daughters requires regular, continuous educational sessions, as well as practice and experiences.
Esmaeil Kazemi, Gholam Reza Garmaroudi, Elham Shakibazadeh, Saeid Yekaninejad,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Mental health plays a vital role in psycho-social development of an individual in various periods of life, particularly during adolescence. Addressing the mental health problems of adolescents is considered as a global health promotion and disease prevention priority. The aim of this study was to assess the mental health status of adolescent boys and determine the role of contextual factors and life skills in predicting mental health of the students in 2016 and present n appropriate model.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 550 secondary male school tudents, selected by cluster random sampling, in Ray County, Iran. Data were collected using a standard valid General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-28) and a life skills questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS software 22.0, the statistical tests being Chi-square and logistic regression.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that 46.9% of the students were suspected of having mental health problems, the rest (53.1%) having no disorder. The most common disorder (56%) was in the social functioning. As regards life skills, the proportions of the students with a low, moderate and high life skills were 35.3%, 32.5% and 32.2%, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were found between mental health and its four dimensions on the one hand and the independent variables, namely, self-awareness, decision-making and age on the other.
Conclusion: The findings indicate a fairly moderate prevalence of mental disorders among the students and demonstrate the role of life skills training in promotimg mental health in adolescents and the youth.
Homeira Soleimannejad, Hamid Poursharifi, Jahansha Mohammadzadeh, Kourosh Sayemiri,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Adolescents' attitude to suicide is one of the major problems in mental health. Thus, research in this area is of utmost importance. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an integrated protocol in reducing the negative attitude toward problem solving as a determinant of suicidal tendency in adolescents and young people 15-24 years old in Ilam, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a control group, a sample of 40 adolescents 15-24 years old were selected by random cluster sampling in Ilam city, Iran. All of the participants completed a suicidal attitude questionnaire, as well a negative- attitude-toward-problem solving questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-V19 software, the statistical test being the multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA).
Results: Multivariate analysis of variance analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the attested scores of the two groups (P <0.01, F = 0.408, Wilk's Lambda = 0.506). The differences between the experimental and control groups were significant as regards all of the components of the negative attitude. The training based on the integrated approach to negative attitude in problem solving was found to have been effective. The post-test scores of two variables, namely, problem tendency-avoidance and personal control, decreased in the experimental group; however, one other variable, namely, trust in problem-solving, increased.
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that education based on an eclectic (integrated) approach towards the negative attitude to problem solving can be effective in adolescents and the youth 15-24 years old with suicidal tendencies ─ suicidality. Hence, it is recommended to administer training programs such as problem-solving, emotional regulation and mindfulness to help psychologists, parents, adolescents, health professionals and social pathologists to reduce and prevent suicide in adolescents.
Afzal Akbari Balootbangan, Siavosh Talepasand, Ali Mohammad Rezaei, Eshagh Rahimian Boogar,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In recent years bullying behaviors among school adolescent have risen and have raised concerns for psychologists, teachers and their families around the world. The use of bullying control methods in schools is important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bullying control training program on health promotion behaviors in bullying adolescents in Tehran.
Materials and Methods: The statistical population consisted of students aged 12 to 17 years old in public schools in Tehran. A total of 40 subjects (20 controls and 20 experimental groups) were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control groups. Using a pilot, pre-test, post-test and one month follow up with the control group, Hartler's bullying questionnaire and health promotion behaviors were implemented on both groups. Then, experimental testing of bullying control training was performed in 8 sessions on the experimental group and after the completion of the sessions the post-test was presented to both groups. After that, a month's follow-up was carried out. For data analysis, multivariate analysis of repeated measurements was performed using SPSSV22 software.
Results: The results showed that the cognitive-behavioral bullying control training program on health promotion behaviors between the two groups was significantly different in three stages (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, bullying control education can be effective on health promotion behaviors of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years and can be used to improve their health. Parents, teachers, managers and other professionals can learn from these trainings.
Neda Karimi, Shahrzad Saadat Gharin, Azar Tol, Roya Sadeghi, Mehdi Yaseri, Bahram Mohebbi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Since many of the healthy behaviors are adopted and develop during adolescence, proper choice of such behaviors is very important in this period of life. In addition, paying attention to the health of girls is crucial because they will transfer such behaviors to the next generation. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the role of health literacy and demographic variables in determining health-promoting behaviors among second-grade high school girl students in the City of Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 female students using cluster sampling method in 2018. Data were collected using demographic, Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents (HELMA) and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS25.
Results: The results of multivariate regression analysis revealed that there were statistically significant direct associations between health-promoting behaviors and the following variables: one’s health literacy (β= 0.39, p<0.001), interest in health topics (β= 1.35, p<0.001), reading of journals and newspapers (β=0.76, p= 0.007), father's education (p= 0.002), body mass index (p= 0.022), field of study (p<0.001), the first source of health information (p<0.001) and place of residence (p = 0.023). Further analysis of the data showed an indirect association between health-promoting behaviors and age (β= -1.69, p<0.001) and health assessment (β=-1.67, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Based on the findings it is concluded that the subjects’ health literacy and health-promoting behavior scores were “not sufficient” and “intermediate”, respectively. It is recommended to design and implement appropriate training/intervention programs aiming at increasing the heath literacy and promoting health behaviors of female students.
Ensiyeh Babaie, Fereshteh Bakhshian, Aram Karimian, Reza Saadatmehr,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering that a person’s identity in formed during adolescence and that such identity formation is of particular importance in this period and the many factors that play important roles in it, the present study was conducted to determine the factors related with identity formation among high school students in Mazandaran Province, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study. The participants were 394 high school students in Mazandaran Province, Iran selected by random cluster sampling. Data were collected using 3 questionnaires, namely, the Benion and Adams Identity Scale Questionnaire (EOM-EIS-2), the Identification Factors Questionnaire and a Demographic Questionnaire. For data analysis, Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation and linear regression tests were used.
Results: Over half (51.8%) of the participants were girls and 48.2% boys. The results of regression analysis showed that the factors studied (family, personality, school, community and culture and media) could explain 22.7%, 11.2%, 10.5% and 21.2% of the variance in turbulent, early, delayed and advanced self-identification in adolescents, respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to organize parenting and student training courses and make the school environment more favorable for the students, as well as include extracurricular activities in the school to help students identify themselves more easily.
Soodabeh Bassak Nejad, Mahtab Rahimi, Sasan Razmjo,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The family relationships of parents suffering from cancer change following the onset of physical problems, the experience of depression and the lack of emotional access. This study aimed to compare the negative orientation of adolescent girls with mothers with and without breast cancer toward the problem, hopelessness and perceived stress.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population was all the adolescent girls 13-18 years old referring to the oncology ward of Golestan Teaching Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during a 6-month period accompanying their mothers suffering from breast cancer. The girls for the group with mothers with cancer (n=57, mean age 16.31 ±4.65 years) and the group with mothers without cancer (n=57, mean age 16.02 ±3.27 years) were selected using convenient and multistage sampling, respectively. Both groups completed the Robichuad and Dogus negative orientation to problem questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Chohen Pecieved Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using the one-way and multivariate analysis of variance (with a p<0.05 to show statistical significance) with the software SPSS-22.
Results: There were significant differences between the two groups as regards the variables of negative orientation toward the problem and hopelessness (F= 4.21; p<0.05), while no significant difference was found between them as regards perceived stress (F= 0.015 P= 0.90).
Conclusion: The children of cancer patients have psychological problems and, therefore, need guidance and support. Improvements in the psychological conditions of children will improve their relationship with their mothers, who will then feel more relieved.
Masoomeh Parvaneh, Solmaz Babaei Bonab,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Although staying at home seems to be the best way to reduce the risk of Covid 19 virus and stay safe from it, the home has physical and psychological effects on people, especially vulnerable populations. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women which, in addition to many physical problems, it has many psychological manifestations. Thus, the present research was conducted to determine the effect of home-made aerobic activity on the psychological state of adolescent girls with PCOS in home quarantine conditions.
Materials and Methods: In this 12-week study a sample of 40 adolescent girls with PCOS participated ─ 20 in the intervention, and 20 in the control, group, the intervention group performing home-based aerobic training for the whole period. In both groups anxiety and depression, as well as body image concern were determined at the beginning and at the end of the period, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression and Littleton Body Image Concern questionnaires, respectively; so was body composition by weight and height. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-22 software, the statistical tests being the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Analysis of covariance.
Results: Before the intervention, the experimental and control groups did not differ significantly as regards anxiety, depression, body image concern and body composition (p> 0.05). Further analysis of the data revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding these variables (p = 0.001) at the end of the period.
Conclusion: Supervised aerobic exercise in the home has a favorable effect on the psychological state of adolescent girls with PCOS and can be recommended as a safe therapy for these patients in corona conditions.
Somayeh Mokhtari Molaei, Roya Sadeghi, Azar Tol, Maryam Sabouri, Shahrzad Saadat Gharin, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Food preferences and health literacy ─ key determinants of food choices in childhood and adolescence ─ are determinants of chronic diseases in adulthood. This study aimed to determine associations between food preferences, health literacy and body mass index (BMI) among elementary school students in Malekan city, east Azarbayejan Province, Iran in 2021-2022.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study included 582 male and female primary-schoolers in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades in both the public and private schools in Malekan County (Malekan, Lilan, and Mubarakshahr) selected by the two-stage randomized cluster method. A questionnaire including background questions and questions about health literacy and a researcher-made checklist of food preferences was used to collect data online using the Pros-Online Platform. The content validity ratio and index were used to determine validity and Cronbach's alpha index to check for the reliability of the questionnaire (CVI=0.98, CVR=0.91, Cronbach's alpha > 0.7). Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS 26.
Results: The average health literacy score of all the students was rather low (52.9±00.33), that of the female students (55.7±36.49) being slightly higher than that of the boys (49. 9±29.79). Further analysis of the data showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the students' food preferences and health literacy variables (p<0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant relationships were observed between the students' BMI and their food preferences (p˂0.001) and health literacy (p˂0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the low level of health literacy of the adolescents and a positive relationship between health literacy, food preferences and BMI in adolescents, it can be concluded that increasing their health literacy will improve their healthy food choices. Therefore, it seems that interventions based on a theoretical framework aiming at increasing the students’ health literacy and improving their food preferences can be beneficial to them as a potential strategy for improving their healthy eating patterns resulting in preventing overweight and obesity.
