Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: Self-efficacy and decisional balance in the Trans-theoretical Model play an effective role in oral self-care behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of education on inter-dental cleaning behavior based on the Trans-theoretical Model in pre-universstudents in the city of Yazd, Iran in 2009.

Materials and Methods: This was an intervention study. Based on statistical calculations, 361 pre-university students (mean age 17.53±0.55 years) were randomly allocated into groups of intervention (n=185, 51.2%) and control (176, 48.8%). Data on demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and decisional balancing (perceived benefits and perceived barriers) were collected using a questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. Based on the trans-theoretical model, a 3-month educational program was prepared with sections on self-efficacy and decisional balance and conducted. At the termination of the program variables of the model were evaluated and the gingival index was determined by a dentist. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, the statistical tests being ANOVA, paired t-test, t-test, Fisher, and correlation coefficient.

Results: Implementation of the educational program resulted in a significant decrease in perceived barriers (p<0.001) and significant increases in perceived benefits (p<0.001) and self-efficacy (p<0.001). In addition, the gingival index improved in the intervention group (p=0.01). The final mean self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and gingival index were not significantly different between the case and control groups, but a significantly positive effect was noticed in perceived benefits (p=0. 01).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the educational intervention influenced desirably the gingival index, self-efficacy and perceived benefits in the students. Since the self-efficacy factor is an important predictor in oral self-care behavior, it is suggested to use the trans-theoretical model in educational interventions aiming at improving self-efficacy, increasing perceived advantages, and reducing perceived obstacles.

Background and Aim: Many studies show that the only way to control diabetes and prevent its debilitating complications is continuous self-care. This study aimed to determine factors affecting self-care behavior of diabetic women in Khoy City, Iran based the extended theory of reasoned action (ETRA).

Materials and Methods: A sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes referring to a Diabetes Clinic in Khoy City in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the relevant variables (diabetes knowledge, personal beliefs, subjective norm, self-efficacy and behavioral intention, and self-care behavior) based on ETRA. Reliability and validity of the instruments were determined prior to the study. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS-version 16 software.

Results: Based on the data obtained, the proposed model could predict and explain 41% and 26.2% of the variance of behavioral intention and self-care, respectively, in women with type-2 diabetes. The data also indicated that among the constructs of the model perceived self-efficacy was the strongest predictor for intention for self-care behavior. This construct affected both directly and indirectly self-care behavior. The next strongest predictors were attitudes, social pressures, social norms, and intervals between visiting patients by the treating team.

Conclusion: The proposed model can predict self-care behavior very well. Thus, it may form the basis for educational interventions aiming at promoting self-care and, ultimately, controlling diabetes.

Background and Aim: Physical activity is a low-cost and uncomplicated way for the prevention of osteoporosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the interactive effects of constructs of perceived benefit, barriers, susceptibility and severity on perceived exercise behavior self-efficacy for prevention of osteoporosis based on the Health Belief Model in female-employees of Kermanshah City.

Materials and Methods: This analytic-descriptive study was conducted on 595 female-employees in the governmental and private organizations in 2014. Inclusion criteria included women between the age of 30 years and start of menopause and having no history of osteoporosis. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire including questions on demographic variables and questions related to the Health Belief Model and analyzed using the SPSS and Lisrel software.      

Results: Analysis of the data showed that perceived severity and perceived barriers had direct and indirect effects on self-efficacy for exercise behavior. Self-efficacy had the highest correlation with perceived benefits (r=0.319). Further analysis of the data revealed a significant inverse correlation between perceived barriers and perceived severity and a significant positive correlation between perceived benefits and perceived severity.

Conclusion: The results of this study show female-employees do not have a high perceived susceptibility or severity to osteoporosis. A high perception of barriers and a low self-efficacy perception indicate the need for implementing appropriate intervention programs and increasing preventive behaviors.