Journal of Research and Health
Year:2015 | Volume:5 | Issue:1|Papers Count:17

Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) is one of the tests widely used to measure the nicotine dependence. The shorter copy of the test is known as the heaviness of smoking index (HSI). The aim of this study was psychometric properties of Persian version of FTND and HSI in smokers. The questionnaire was assessed in terms of validity and reliability. The internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire was examined through Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The participants were 230 smokers with mean age of 35.64 (±7.40) years. The mean score of FTND and HSI was estimated 2.38 (±1.05) and 1.06 (±0.954), respectively. In analysis of the construct validity, the exploratory factor analysis (on 130 samples) showed a factor with variance coverage of 42.73% for all items. Furthermore, the confirmatory factor analysis showed rather favorable fit for the indexes (NFI=0.92, CFI=0.95, GFI=0.93, RMSEA=0.07, c2/ df=2.0). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient confirmed the internal consistency (FTND=0.71 and HSI=0.68); and ICC also indicated the favorable reliability of the instruments (FTND=0.63 and HSI=0.70). The results showed that the Persian version of the instrument had favorable validity and reliability and could be used in smoking control programs in order to evaluate the cigarette dependence.

Using arbitrary of drugs and visiting frequency of specialist are important problems in Iran and can be studied in the field of medical sociology. In recent years, using medications and visiting specialists in villages have not been only medical problems but also cultural and social problems that have imposed considerable costs to the health system. This study was conducted to examine participants’ mentality toward using medications. This qualitative study was performed with 50 people using the ethnography and open-ended in-depth interview technique. The participants were selected using theoretical sampling, and the data were collected through observation and analyzed using the grounded theory method. The results of the study comprised five categories, including the changing rural lifestyle, changed attitudes toward treatment, patients influenced by the rural culture, gaining reputation and prestige out of using medications, and using medications more than needed. Moreover, excessive purchase and use of medications was the focus of this study. The results showed that treatment and using medications in villages was a cultural problem that was somehow influenced by the changes in rural lifestyle and lack of a specific treatment process and appropriate pattern of medication use. In villagers’ view, visiting specialists was a kind of prestige and indicated valuing patients. Frequent changes of physician according to others’ recommendation and use of others’ experiences were of special importance. Furthermore, they were proud of going to well-known hospitals in large cities and even buying foreign medications.

This study aimed to study the effectiveness of group Training for reciprocal behavior analysis on dimensions of self-efficacy among school counselors. 77 counselors were participated in the current study to complete general self-sufficiency scale. Then 28 participants (21 females and 7 males) who obtained the least scores were randomly replaced in the two groups of experimental and control. Intervention trial (group training for reciprocal behavior analysis) was conducted on experimental group for ten 90-minute sessions twice a week. At the end of trial, both groups carried out a posttest. Data was analyzed by using multivariable covariance analysis. Results revealed that regarding self-efficacy and its dimensions, there is no significant difference between experimental and control group so group training of reciprocal behavior analysis has no effect on the dimensions of self-efficacy among counselors. Thus, we may come up with this conclusion that self-efficacy is a characteristics that can be modified and promoted through training. Consequently, providing such short term educational courses is beneficial to school counselors.

The excessive use of short massage services can lead to traumatic psychological, interpersonal and social consequences. The aim of the study was the psychometric properties of the Short Message Service Problem Use Diagnostic Questionnaire (SMS-PUDQ). The Participants consisted of 200 students of Tehran university of medical sciences who were selected through convenience sampling. The participants responded to SMS-PUDQ, the Adiction Potential Scale (APS) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The validity SMS-PUDQ was investigated by convergent, discriminative validity and exploratory factor analysis. Results from factor analysis of the SMS-PUDQ, using Varimax rotation method, composed of 2 factors explained 75.50% of the total variance. SMS-PUDQ inter-factor correlations were significant. Convergent validity which was assessed by computing a correlation coefficient between SMS-PUDQ, APS and GHQ-28 total scores, was 0.75 and -0.42. Alpha Cronbach coefficient of internal consistency for total score SMS-PUDQ was 0.91 and 0.95 using a spilt-half method. In general, findings of this research confirm the validity and reliability of the Persian version of SMS-PUDQ and show that this questionnaire can be a valid scale for diagnosis of SMS Problem use among Iranian population.

Exercise is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary, comprehensive intervention for patients with chronic respiratory diseases who are symptomatic and whose daily living activities are often restricted. Exercise programs are designed to improve the physical and emotional condition of people with chronic respiratory disease and to promote long-term adherence to health enhancing behavior. This study was a semi-experimental study on 50 patients who were older than 60 years and had chronic respiratory disease. The patients were divided randomly into two groups of intervention and control. In the experiment group the exercise program was initiated with a pattern of 3 times per week for 2 months, according to the walking check list. The walking distance for the patients was 400 meters, following a physician’s approval and its duration was 15 to 35 minutes each time. At the end of the 2 months intervention, the quality of life was evaluated in both groups for the second time. the results showed a statistical significant relation between the quality of life in patients and some of their demographic characteristics. It was also proved that an exercise program can lead to an increase in the quality of life of patients with respiratory disease. It concluded that walking exercise program improved quality of life in chronic respiratory diseases.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine has remarkably increased in different societies across the world, such that the World Health Organization has emphasized in its recent approach the revival of traditional medicine in different regions of the world. Throughout the history, in particular, in the past centuries, human beings have attempted to improve their health status to achieve the longstanding goal of increased longevity.

Human flourishing is an issue that has occupied the mind of thinkers for centuries and recently has interested positive psychologist’s attention. Because there is no any valid questionnaire based on Seligman’s model so far, the aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure human’s flourishing based on Seligman’s model. Therefore, an initial questionnaire with 65 items was prepared. The studied population consisted all university students. At the initial stage, a participant of 50 participants was selected to assess the reliability, and at the second stage a participant of 400 participants was selected to examine the psychometric properties of the tool. According to the results of factor analysis, 28 items positively correlated with the whole test and at least had a factor loading of 0.35 or over were selected for the final questionnaire. The 28-items questionnaire consisted of a four-factor structure including positive emotions, relationships, meanings and achievements. Convergent validity of the Human Flourishing Questionnaire (HFQ) was examined and confirmed through concurrent implementation of this questionnaire with Ahvaz Self-actualization Questionnaire and Diener’s Flourishing Questionnaire and its divergent validity was examined through concurrent implementation of this questionnaire with Beck’s Depression Inventory. In addition, the reliability of the HFQ questionnaire using Cronbach’s alpha showed that HFQ has satisfactory reliability coefficients and can be used in psychological studies to measure flourishing in students.

Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality in women. One out of nine women suffers from breast cancer in developed countries. Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is an important screening activity for early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was carried out with the aim to identify the relationship between breast self-examination and stages of change model in health volunteers. For this analytical research, 410 health volunteers were selected through cluster sampling. Subsequently and proportionate to cluster size, sampling was conducted. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire based on stages of change model and breast BSE which was completed as self-report by the mentioned volunteers in the health centers. The data was then processed and analyzed by SPSS-16.5. The results revealed that the mean age of the subjects was 34.8+9.3. Regarding the rate and status of predicting breast self-examination through stages of change model; it was found that stages of change model were capable of predicting the stages of change by 54% of breast behavior self-examination. This study confirmed the effectiveness of stages of change model on prediction of breast self-examination among health volunteers of Mashhad, Iran. Moreover, the stages of change model are from the most influential factors on breast selfexamination; therefore, it should be reconsidered in design and implementation of educational interventions.

For most athletes, sport is considered an emotional experience, and negative emotions can disrupt physical and mental performance. Accordingly, it is necessary for athletes to maintain emotional composure before, during and after competition. The present study was conducted with the aim to assess effectiveness of training components of emotional intelligence on mood of female student athletes. This applied study used quasi-experimental design with pre posttest approach. Of the study population comprising all female student athletes, 60 volunteers were selected and randomly divided into trial and control groups. Brunel Mood Scale was used for both groups in pretest and posttest. Emotional intelligence components were taught to the trial group in 11 sessions twice weekly. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS-18 using covariance analysis with 95% confidence. The results showed a significant increase in positive mood and reduction in negative mood in the trial group compared to the control. However, in variable of confusion as a negative mood, the difference between the two groups was insignificant. According to the present study findings, and in connection with previous studies, training components of emotional intelligence affects female student athletes’ moods. Thus, mental health experts, especially sports psychologists and school counselors can utilize positive outcomes of emotional intelligence training for their clients.

In many modern societies, the concepts of equity and equality are the most important notions for statesmen and people. Due to the rapid increase of expenses in the healthcare sector, more emphasis should be placed on measuring and monitoring inequalities across the country. This study aimed to evaluate inequalities in healthcare expenses, predict these expenses in Iran’s cities and prepare and interpret a statistical map. The data related to household’ healthcare expenses for 335 cities have been received from the Statistical Center of Iran. Data preparation, estimation and calculation of indicators have been carried out by programming in S-PLUS software. Spatial analysis and predictions were performed by geoR software and plotting statistical maps were carried out by Arcgis 9.2 software. According to the results, the mean and the Gini coefficient for cities are increasing from the East to the West of Iran on average. The Gini coefficient of expenses in all cities is high and especially inequality is higher in cities located in deserts and deprived areas than in other parts and the greatest inequalities are obtained for the cities in Provinces of Sistan-Baluchestan and some parts of Hormozgan province. To reduce inequalities and realize equity in healthcare, the government should try to allocate a special budget for decreasing the healthcare and medical expenses.

This research was conducted with the aim to increase psychological well-being and quality of life through emotional discharge with written structure in psychosomatic disorders. In this study, after implementing comprehensive well-being and quality of life questionnaires, 40 participants with psychosomatic disorder were selected among people attending Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran, based on convenience sampling and reviewing inclusion/exclusion criteria and were assigned into two experimental and control groups. Following written emotional disclosure, the analysis of research data using statistical SPSS-16 software and statistical test analysis of covariance showed that the emotional disclosure with written structure can lead to a significant increase in quality of life, physical health as well as psychological well-being in the experimental group subjects compared to the control group. So, emotional disclosure can help improve quality of life and psychological well-being and improve physical health of people through destroying inhibitory process of emotions in the long term.

Currently, there are millions of people around the world who are at serious risk of arsenic poisoning, in that the number of individuals exposed to arsenic in Asia is totally more than 100 million people. In this study, the ability of Pistacia atlantica extract was investigated as a natural coagulant aid for the arsenic removal from aqueous solutions. In this study, the effect of important utilization variables was studied such as ferric chloride coagulant dose (3-35 mg/L), Pistacia atlantica extract dose as the coagulant aid (0.5-5 ml/L), the initial concentration of arsenic (10-1000 mg/L), the initial turbidity (10-200 NTU) and the initial pH of the solution (2-12). The results showed that the optimum pH for maximum arsenic removal by ferric chloride is 6 and the highest removal rate for the initial concentrations of arsenic 100 mg/l was 94% using 5 mg/L ferric chloride and 0.5 ml/L Pistacia atlantica extract coagulant aid. The results suggest that using 0.5 ml/L coagulant aid will reduce 50% of iron chloride coagulant consumption, which is economically significant, and will also reduce sludge production and its relevant costs. However, based on the results, Pistacia atlantica extract is an effective coagulant aid in combination with ferric chloride for the arsenic removal from aqueous environments.

AIDS has affected all countries, races, and both genders across the world.The purpose of this study was the effect of a educational program based on the health belief model in health volunteers on AIDS preventive behaviors. In this quasi-experimental study, 150 health volunteers were chosen and placed randomly in the case group (75) or in the control group (75). A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The volunteers filled out the questionnaires one month after the educational program had ended. The data were analyzed through statistical tests, namely the independent t-test, the paired t-test, the chi-square test and the Pearson correlation test. After the educational intervention, mean scores of all constructs of the health belief model became significant. The results were indicative of the positive effects of health belief model-based educational interventions on AIDS-related awareness, skills and preventive behaviors in health volunteers and the households under their coverage.

Life satisfaction is a subjective and unique concept for each person and constitutes an essential component of the subjective well-being. The aims of this study was investigating the psychometric properties of Multidimentional Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS). 307 students from Tehran high schools were selected as participant size by stratified multiphase cluster sampling. To calculate the convergent validity of MSLSS, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Body Image Concern Inventory were performed. Confirmatory factor structure for the first-order approach of MSLSS estimated using Weighted Least Squares (WLS) criteria for assessing the adequacy of the data model with RMR, RMSEA, CFI, AGFI, GFI, 2c, / df2 c and 2 D c used. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of MSLSS was above 0.70 and the limit was in satisfactory level. The first order factor structure of the MSLSS using confirmatory factor analysis was confirmed. Correlation coefficient analysis showed that MSLSS has a significant positive relationship with Satisfaction with Life Scale and significant negative relationship with Body Image Concern Inventory which shows the convergent validity. A single firstorder factor structure of MSLSS was better fit with the observed data. Confirmatory factor structure, reliability and validity of the MSLSS for research applications and clinical diagnostics were in acceptable limits.

Twenty-first century challenges of nursing work is increasing complexity of care in the workplace. The most common medical errors that identified are medication errors. With changing patterns of health services, the complexity increases in all workplaces. The aim of study was assessing factor analysis, validity, reliability and psychometric characteristics of nursing care complexity scale in medication errors. In this study the scale translates by Wilde and colleagues model, 115 Iranian nurses were selected by convenience sampling method. Data was analyzed using SPSS-18. The age of nurses was 34.8 ± 7.87 years and almost them were female (n=78) and mean work experience in ward was 6.07±4.13 years. The factor analysis, rotated matrix determined 5 factors: 1) organizational technology, 2) client condition, 3) critical care condition,4) decision making methods and 5) creativity in care. Also reliability using Cronach’s alpha coefficient showed moderate reliability of scale (a=0.61) and correlation coefficient in test- retest emerged (r=0.88). Although translations of care complexity scale in medical errors has satisfactory reliability and validity and can be used in the Iranian health system.

The aim of this study was to design and assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire for drug abuse avoidance in Iranian male adolescents based on the theory of reasoned action. A sample of adolescents (n = 433) completed the survey instrument. The instrument was validated using content validity and construct validity (Exploratory & confirmatory factor analysis). The reliability of the scale was assessed by two different methods: internal consistency and test-retest analysis. The results obtained from exploratory factory analysis showed that the questionnaire contained 4 factors (attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, intention and self-efficacy) that jointly accounted for 57% of variance observed. The results from confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit for the data. Reliability as assessed by Cornbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient showed satisfactory results (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.72 and ICC = 0.85). Overall the findings suggest that the Persian extended version of TRA scale is a valid measure and can be used in future studies.

This study was conducted over four seasons from 2011 to 2012 on people refering to medical laboratories for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To confirm the disease, a smear was prepared from of patients’ ulcer, then stained by Giemsa and examined by light microscope. From a total of 100 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 58 percent were women and 42 percent were men. The highest rate of the disease was observed in the age group of 20-29 years (34%) and in the age group of 0-9 years (24%). According to confirmation of laboratory diagnosis, the highest rate of the disease (40%)was observed in patients in fall and the lowest rate (15%) was seen in spring. The results showed that 18% of patients had contact with dogs and rodents at home or office. A total of 217 ulcers were counted in 100 patients with the highest rate of ulcers observed in hands and face and the lowest rate seen in legs. In this study, 76% of patients had dry ulcers and the rest had wet ulcers. The results of the study indicate a relatively high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mashhad. Given the results, health authorities need to pay attentiontocontrol and prevent the disease.