Showing 13 results for Knowledge
M Tslimi Talaghani, A Jazayeri, A Keshavarz, H Sadrzadeye Yeghaneh, A Rahimi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (7-2004)
Abstract
Many studies indicate that the nutritional knowledge and practice of adolescent girls are inadequate. Few surveys were performanced about effect of nutrition education on knowledge, attitude and practice in this vulnerable group. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two nutrition education methods (guidebook and group discussion) on the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice of first-grade guidance school girl students in Tehran ’s 8th district, in 2003.A total of 300 students were selected from 11 guidance schools by simple random sampling and divided into three 100-student groups: 1-guide-book, 2-group discussion, and 3-control. Data on the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice were collected using pretest and posttest questionnaires. The students in group1 were given the guide-book and required to study it at home, while group 2 students were told to discuss among themselves the contents of the guide-book. The control group were given nothing to study or to do. The pre-test showed that the mean scores of nutrition knowledge (K), attitude (A) and practice (P) were not statistically different among the 3 groups. The scores for the 3 variables increased in the guide-book and discussion groups significantly at the end of the study period (in all cases, p<0.001), while the inter-group comparisons also showed that the K and A scores were statistically different among the 3 groups the P, however, was not different among them. Conclusion: Both methods (guide-book and group discussion)increased the level of nutritional knowledge and attitude as compared to (a) – the control group,and (b) – the initial values. Also both methods increased the level of nutritional practice as compared to (b) – the initial values. The group discussion method was more effective than the guide-book method in the promotion of the nutritional knowledge of the students.
Abolhasan Naghibi, Kourosh Vahid Shahi, Jamshid Yazddani, Fahimeh Noshnaei,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (10-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the cause of about 18% of all malignancies in females. By breast self-examination (BSE) it is possible to diagnose a breast tumor in the preliminary stages and treat it. Basic changes in the knowledge, attitude and practice of women as regards regular BES and follow-up will lead to considerable success in campaigns against breast cancer. Considering the role and responsibilities of community health workers (CHWs) in the health services delivery system in the Islamic Republic of Iran, this study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice of female CHWs as regards BSE in 2006.
Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 89 female CHWs in the Iranian Mako township health houses. The data was collected through interviews using a questionnaire consisting of 4 sections, the first section containing 10 demographic questions, and the second to fourth sections containing 33 questions on knowledge, attitude, and practice. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed using the repeat testing with r=85%. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 11).
Results: The data showed that the BSE knowledge of 50.6% and 49.4% of the subjects was good and moderate, respectively 76.4% of them had a positive attitude towards BSE. The reasons for not self-examination were as follows: inability to do it alone (12.4%) fear of a positive result, i.e., existence of a tumor (1.1%) having no time (2.2%) fear of increased anxiety (5.6%) not believing in BSE, even if it was likely to have a tumor (11.2%). Further analysis of the data showed the practice of the subjects to be good, moderate, and weak in 9%, 61.8%, and 29.2% of the cases, respectively.
There were significant associations between knowledge and a positive attitude (p=0.038), between attitude of the unmarried subjects towards performing BSE as compared to the married subjects (p=0.00), and between attitude and practice (p=0.045).
Conclusion: This study showed a moderate to good knowledge, a relatively good attitude, and a moderate practice among female CHWs in the Makoo Township, Iran, with regard to BSE. Considering the role of CHWs, improving their knowledge, attitude , and practice of BSE is essential.
Tahereh Pashaie, Abbas Rahimi, Asou Ardalan, Fereshteh Majlesi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.The World Health Organization has estimated that 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the adverse consequences of FGM. Two of the major incentives for FGM are traditions and social pressure, and the practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers. Not only FGM has no health benefits for girls and women, but it has immediate and long-term complications. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and factors associated with it among women consulting health centers in Ravansar City, Iran
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 348 women consulting 5 health centers in Ravansar City, Iran. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and SPSS.16 was used for data analysis.
Results: The prevalence of FGM was 55.7% and the mean age of the women undergoing FGM was 9.2±14.2 years. The prevalence increased with age. Almost in all cases the operation had been performed by traditional local circumcisers. The data also showed that 96.2% of the mothers and 87.6% of the sisters of the subjects had also been mutilated. There were statistically significant associations between FGM and several independent variables as follows: the mutilated women's age (0.001) and education level (p<0.001) their mothers' education level (p=0.006) and their awareness of, and attitude towards, mutilation (p<0.001).
Conclusion: FGM is prevalent among Ravansar women. Religious leaders and health personnel should attempt to discourage FGM. Promoting public awareness of FGM and its undesirable consequences is essential. Research shows that if a community itself decides to abandon FGM, the practice can be eliminated rapidly.
Fatemeh Vasheghani, Fereshteh Majlesi, Mahmoud Mahmoudi, Davoud Shojaeezadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (10-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women with incidence of more than 500000 cases per year. It is preventable because of its long pre-cancerous period, suitable screening programs and effective treatments. Since the social and cultural barriers alongside the lack of knowledge are deterrents to participation in screening programs, the current study was performed to assess the effect of educational intervention through the Health Belief Model on knowledge and attitude of teachers about pap smear, considering their role in making people aware.
Materials and Methods: This was a controlled before-after interventional study conducted on 72 individuals selected through simple sampling, assigned to two groups. Data collection tool was a questionnaire used and compared before training and one month after that. Training methods (intervention) included lectures with questions and answers. Data were analyzed with SPSS, version 11.5.
Results: 47.2% of intervention and 45.8% of control group were 40 to 50 years old and majority of them (47.2% and 50% respectively) had undergraduate educational level and 86.1% were married. Respectively, 67.2% and 74.2% have experience of being examined via Pap smear, while the knowledge of women in both groups was moderate about the disease. Study results revealed significant differences in knowledge, attitude and Health Belief Model constructs within intervention group (before and after training) as well as between groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Using Pap smear test among the participants was lower compared with healthy people aims targeted by 2010. Therefore, necessity of education and knowledge promotions are obvious.
Bahador Haji Mohammadi, Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush, Sepideh Khalatbari, Asiyeh Amiri, Sakineh Gerayllo, Motahareh Hosseini,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Food poisoning occurs under circumstances where proper action for protecting foods from microbial contamination and chemical toxins is not taken. In the Iranian society women have an important role in preparing food in the home. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of women living in Yazd, Iran regarding food poisoning.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected through interviewing 266 women living in Yazd, selected randomly by calling at their homes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18. The minimum and maximum accessible scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 0 and 15, 15 and 45 and 0 and 20, respectively.
Results: The mean (± SD) score of knowledge, attitude and practice was 11.13 ± 2.54, 39.98 ± 4.52 and 17.73 ± 1.96, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that 63.2% of the women had no knowledge about safety of refrigerated cooked foods and 41.4% had an erroneous attitude about fruit and vegetable cleaning, believing that merely cleaning them would make them safe to eat. As regards practice, 68.8 % of the women prepared and ate semi-cooked eggs.
Conclusion: Yazdi women lack a sound knowledge about (a). some agents of food poisoning such as, for example, Salmonella and (2). food cooking and preserving temperatures. It is recommended to plan and execute educational programs aiming at promoting knowledge and improving practice of women in these areas.
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.
Zahra Karimian, Fatemeh Atoof, Razieh Maasoumi, Mohammad Ali Besharat, Effat Sadat Merghati Khoei,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering that the knowledge of, and attitude towards, sexuality is a key factor influencing sexual behavior, the main objective of this survey was to determine the bases of sexual knowledge and formation of attitude towards sexual script in women of reproductive age in Kashan City, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 500 women of reproductive age referring to all health centers in Kashan Iran, selected by simple random sampling,. The data collection tool was the Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Scale (SKAS). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression model.
Results: The age range of the majority of the participants (51.9%) was 26-35 years, and the educational level of 39.9 % of them was high school education. The majority of them had a high level of sexual knowledge and attitude (51.4% and 62.9% respectively). The Pearson correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude of the women (p<0.05), and based on the multivariate regression analysis their knowledge score correlated with education and economic status and their sexual attitude scores with age and education.
Conclusion: The participating women were young and educated and their knowledge and attitude scores were high. However, they had erroneous attitudes and ideas, such as a feeling of shame and anxiety at intercourse, considering initiation in sexual relation responsibility of the man, and considering childbearing as the main purpose in sexual relations. It is essential to design and implement appropriate educational programs to help the women change their attitudes and ideas.
Hosna Janjani, Mohammad Mehralian, Zahra Shamsizadeh, Zohreh Sadat Sangsefidi, Maryam Khashij,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Paying attention to the hygiene and safety of food will have a great success for people around the world. In recent decades, due to mass production and food processing, the globalization of food trade, industrialization, etc., the prevalence of diseases associated with contaminated water and food is increasing. Therefore, the study of knowledge and attitude of people in this field have been a necessity and this research was conducted to investigate the knowledge and practice of people of Kermanshah city, Iran in relation to food hygiene and safety.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through questionnaires. 252 inhabitants of Kermanshah were randomly allocated by cluster sampling. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17 by Spearman and X2 test.
Results: Most of Kermanshah people were lack of proper knowledge and practice about food poisoning. Of these, 54% of people mistakenly thought that fully cooked foods also have microbes. In addition, 68.3% of the subjects did not have a proper health function regarding the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, so that they only cleaned it before consumption. Finally, the mean score of knowledge and practice was 11.62 ± 2.27 and 17.69 ± 1.59, respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the significant correlation between the level of knowledge and practice of the people living in Kermanshah about food safety, the necessity of conducting appropriate educational programs to increase the awareness and subsequently improve the performance of the related organs can upgrade status.
Maryam Jamshidi Moghadam, Gholam Reza Jahed Khaniki, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Nabi Shariatifar,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Safe food and proper nutrition play a vital role in the health of populations. Food-borne diseases are a serious public health problem. Food handlers working in the kitchen play an important role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. Food-borne diseases, especially those caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, are preventable. Proper manpower training is a key factor in provision of safe food and prevention of malnutrition.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional and applied study was conducted in 10 hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The knowledge, attitude and practice of 136 food handlers working in the kitchens of the hospitals was assessed using questionnaires.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that 8.08% of the participants had a good knowledge about food hygiene and safety (a score above 75%), while 16.7% of them achieved the full score as regards attitude. The hospitals’ performance was at a desirable level. The level of food hygiene and safety knowledge of the food handlers was significantly associated with their refresher trainings (p <0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the awareness of food handlers in most of the hospitals about food hygiene and safety is not sufficiently high. It is suggested to design and implement proper refresher training crash courses, as well as sensitize the personnel.
Zeynab Zarei, Azar Tol, Roya Sadeghi, Kamal Azam, Maryam Sabouri,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The practice of breastfeeding among mothers is affected by their knowledge of, and attitude to, it. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of intervention, using the transtheoretical model (TTM), on the knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women in the third trimester referred to Golestan University of Medical Sciences in hospitals in 2021.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention was conducted on 120 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 60) or a control (n = 60) group using the permuted block randomization. The data collection tools were a two-part questionnaire to collect data on demographic and obstetric characteristics and a researcher-made questionnaire based on the TTM. Due to the coronavirus Epidemic the education was conducted partly face-to face in five 30-minute sessions three times a week observing the health protocols and partly virtually via WhatsApp and Telegram messenger (audio file, video tutorial, electronic pamphlets and posters). The data collected one and six months after the intervention were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16, the tests being descriptive and inferential tests.
Results: The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, practice and the TTM constructs were not statistically significant between the intervention and control groups before the education intervention. One and six months after the intervention the mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice and the TTM constructs, as well as perceived barriers and benefits in decision-making and self-efficacy were found to be significantly different between the intervention and control groups (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings it seems that breastfeeding education of pregnant women based on the transtheoretical model can improve their knowledge, attitude and practice as regards exclusive breastfeeding.
Zahra Tavakoli, Bahram Mohebbi, Roya Sadeghi, Azar Tol, Mirsaeed Yekaninejad, Masoud Alimardi,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Physical activity and nutrition are important topics in adolescent health. This study aimed to determine the predictors of nutritional knowledge, behaviors, and physical activity in fifth-grade elementary school female students
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 480 female students in the fifth grade of the elementary school in Gods city in 2020-2021 by cluster random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire two-part questionnaire of contextual questions and questions about knowledge, nutritional and physical activity, virtual in the Shad messenger. The content validity ratio and content validity index was used to determine validity, and the intra-cluster correlation index to determine the reliability, of the questionnaire. In data analysis, descriptive statistical tests, Pearson
correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were performed using SPSS 27.
Results: The results of multiple regression analysis showed the effect of nutritional knowledge variables on nutritional behavior (p <0.001, β = 0.159) and physical activity knowledge on nutritional behavior (p = 0.008, β = 0.120) if the Physical activity knowledge variable was not effective on physical activity behavior and also nutritional knowledge variable had no effect on physical activity behavior.
Conclusion: Increasing knowledge of nutrition and physical activity improves students' nutritional behavior, but this increase in knowledge does not affect physical activity behavior. The sedentary lifestyle and the presence of the Covid-19 pandemic appear to have significantly reduced physical activity. By increasing knowledge, nutritional behavior and physical activity can be improved to some extent
Yasaman Tabatabaie Ranjbar, Shohreh Alian Samakkhah, Fahimeh Toorian,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This was a 3-month cross-sectional study conducted from October to December 2021 on 170 people involved in food preparation and distribution in Haraz intercity road restaurants with the aim of measuring their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding food preparation and distribution.
Materials and Methods: The data collection tool was a questionnaire with two sections, that is, a researcher-made demographic questionnaire (age, gender, level of education, type of job in a restaurant, work experience, place of residence and history of attending training courses), and a section with questions about knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment based on the World Health Organization standards.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that 97.1%, 100% and 100% of the people had a good level of knowledge, a positive attitude and good practice, respectively. In addition, there were statistically significant relationships between knowledge and age, educational level and participation in educational courses.
Conclusion: The 25- to 40-year age group, people with university education and those with experience in participating in training courses were found to have the highest level of knowledge. The level of knowledge in key number four (keeping food at a safe temperature) and attitude and practice in key number 3 (full cooking) had the lowest averages. Also, considering that 82.4% of the people had not participated in any training courses, the need to hold appropriate training courses for them by the relevant agencies and motivate them to increase their knowledge and, subsequently, increase and improve their attitudes and practice can improve the situation.
Serajeddin Mahmoudiani, Majid Movahed Majd, Hadiseh Mohammadiha,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Healthy eating habits are undeniably one of the most crucial determinants of people's health in today's world. Undoubtedly food literacy and its components are key variables influencing food habits. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between food knowledge, food skills, resilience and healthy eating habits in the adult population of Shiraz City, Iran.
Materials and Method: A sample of 384 adults in Shiraz City was selected by cluster sampling and completed a questionnaire in 2023. Food literacy included 3 components, namely, knowledge, skill and resilience, determined using a standard 14-item questionnaire. The scale used to measure healthy eating habits included 6 items. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 software.
Results: The majority of the sample demonstrated average levels of food knowledge, food skills, resilience and healthy eating habits. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between age and healthy eating habits, while individuals with university education exhibited significantly healthier eating habits compared to illiterate individuals. Furthermore, it was found that food knowledge and resilience had the most significant effect on healthy eating habits, respectively.
Conclusion: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the components of food literacy and healthy eating habits in the adult population of Shiraz City, Iran. Food knowledge and resilience had significant effects on healthy eating habits. In general, it can be concluded that the implementation of targeted training courses with a special emphasis on improving food knowledge and skills should be prioritized by relevant authorities. Promoting food literacy has the potential to promote healthy eating habits and ultimately elevate the overall level of community health.
