Journal of School of Public Health and

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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.

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Background and Aim: There is evidence that physical activity declines during adolescence in Western countries. However, this pattern has not yet been shown in Iranian youth. The purpose of this study was to detect changes in physical activity behaviors, psychological factors (including perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy), and interpersonal influences associated with exercise behavior during the transition from secondary school to high school in Sanandaj, Iran.
Materials and Methods: The data on a group of high school students in Sanadaj were collected in a cross-sectional study in 2006, with a follow-up in 2009. The study population in 2009 included 844 students (51% males and 49% females) with a mean age of 16.42 ± 1.73 years. Data on physical activity-related perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and interpersonal influences, as well as physical activity behavior, was collected, using self-reporting questionnaires. The SPSS-16 software was used for data analysis.
Results: The test of time effects indicated significant differences between the 2 sexes as regards physical activity and most of the psychological variables and interpersonal influences associated with exercise activities. The girls had less physical activity than boys at both time points. The duration of moderate physical activity at the first time point was 31.82 and 53.75 minutes for girls and boys, respectively the corresponding values at the follow-up were 23.7 and 44.7 minutes. Girls had lower self-efficacy and fewer perceived benefits and more perceived barriers for physical activity over time. The correlation test indicated more stability of family interpersonal influences for girls than for boys.
Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence for decreased physical activity in boys and girls and sex differences in cognitive variables and interpersonal influences.

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Background and Aim: This paper reports on the predictors of high school students' oral health behaviors (OHBs) based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) in an attempt to identify effective factors that may be addressed through intervention efforts.

Materials and Methods: A multistage cluster sample of 403 high school students were recruited from 8 high schools in Marivan County, Iran. The study was conducted between April and July, 2010. Appropriate instruments were used to measure the relevant variables. The statistical analysis of the data included bivariate correlations, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression.

Results: All HPM variables (perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, activity-related affects, interpersonal and situational influences and commitment to a plan of OHBs) were significantly related to OHBs among the respondents (p < 0.01), and a negative association was found between OHBs and perceived barriers (p < 0.01). All HPM variables were statistically significant predictors of OHBs and accounted for 42.2% of the variance.

Conclusion: Promotion of interpersonal influences and the students' perceived self-efficacy and also commitment to a plan of action should be priorities of any program aimed at promoting OHBs among students. School health care providers should suggest strategies to overcome the barriers of performing OHBs, rather than noting the benefits of these behaviors.