Journal of Education and Community Health
Year:2021 | Volume:8 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Dear Editor: In December 2019, a viral disease was reported in Wuhan, China, which was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. The rate of the outbreak was so high that it affected all countries in a short time. This disease affected almost all important economic, political, social, and even military aspects of the world, so discussing the psychological effects of this disease on the mental health of people in society is known to be of great importance [1]. Since the COVID-19 crisis potentially imposes long-term emotional damage, it has devastating effects on people's physical and mental health and quality of life in the community. . .

Aims: Many non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure are related to unhealthy eating habits and patterns formed in childhood and the teenage period. This study investigated the effect of a training program based on the BASNEF model on snack consumption in elementary school girls in the second period. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 200 elementary school girls in Saveh, Iran, in 2019. Samples were selected by random sampling method and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups (100 people in each group). The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, BASNEF model constructs that were completed before, and 3 months after the experimental and control group's educational intervention. The training program was performed in 3 sessions of education for students, one session for parents, and one session for principals, deputies, teachers, and school buffet officials. Data were analyzed by SPSS 24 software using Chi-square, paired, and independent t-tests. Findings: Results showed that before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of attitude, enabling factors, subjective norms, intention, and snack consumption behaviors (p>0. 05). After the intervention, the mean score of attitude, subjective norms, enabling factors, intention, and healthy and unhealthy snack consumption behaviors in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Educational intervention based on the BASNEF model has effectively increased the consumption of healthy snacks and reduced the consumption of unhealthy snacks in elementary school girls.

Aims: Brucellosis is one of the most important public health problems in developing countries, especially in rural areas closely related to animals. This study determines the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on Protection Motivation Theory on promoting preventive behaviors from brucellosis between the farmer's ranchers in the comprehensive rural health center. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 ranchers of the farmer (in two groups of intervention and control) were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts; the first part included demographic questions, and the second part related to knowledge of the disease and the Protection Motivation Theory questions. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using Mann Whitney, Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, Regression, Fisher's Exact Test, and Chi-Square. Findings: After the educational intervention, awareness and all protection motivation theory structures in the intervention group compared to the control group have increased significantly (p<0. 05). Also, the structures of protection motivation theory predicted 0. 66% of the variance of preventive behaviors, and among them, self-efficacy and motivation related to behavior were the strongest predictors. Conclusion: This study confirms the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the Protection Motivation Theory on adopting brucellosis's preventive behaviors.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy, decision-making balance, and change processes with stress management in middle-aged women. Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2019 on 600 middle-aged women covered by Bushehr Comprehensive Health Services Centers. The method of sampling was stratified. Data was gathered by demographic questionnaire and TTM based questionnaire, including self-efficacy, decisional balance (perceived barriers and benefits), processes of change, and stage of changes. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test in SPSS 20 software. Findings: The lowest and highest mean stress management scores were in the women in pre-contemplation (13. 64± 3. 79) and maintenance (22. 58± 4. 10), respectively. The mean score of self-efficacy in the women during the stages of change from pre-contemplation (15. 71± 6. 80) to maintenance (33. 06± 5. 09) was upward, and this average score in the stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation was significantly lower than the stages of action and maintenance (p<0. 001). Regarding processes of change, consciousness-raising, dramatic relief, environmental reevaluation, self-evaluation, social liberation, self-liberation, stimulus control, counter conditioning, helping relationships, and reinforcement management are significantly lower pre-contemplation and contemplation than action and maintenance (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The results indicate the importance of TTM constructs in advancing individuals to higher levels of change. Based on this, it is recommended to design and implement educational interventions based on TTM to improve stress management behaviors.

Aims: Internet addiction is excessive use of the Internet (daily more than three hours). This is social and psychological damage with severe consequences for young people, especially college students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Internet addiction and identity styles in Bushehr University of Medical Sciences students. Instrument & Methods: The present research is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population was all students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. The sample included 277 students studying at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences who were selected using simple random sampling. The data were collected using demographic characteristics, the Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory, and Yang's Internet addiction questionnaire. For analyzing data, statistical Pearson correlation, ANOVA, t-test were used by SPSS 23 statistical software. Findings: The result showed that 90. 2 percent of students were non-addicted, and 9. 8 percent are addicted to the Internet. The average information identity is 40. 29± 6. 65, and the avoidance identity is 27. 89± 6. 21. The correlation between normative identity style (-0. 30) and information (-. 0. 26) with Internet addiction in a negative direction is statistically significant (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The present study's findings confirm the relationship between informational and normative identity styles and Internet addiction. According to the results of this study, it is necessary to develop programs such as training the Internet's correct use at universities and filling student’ s leisure time.

Aims: There is a rapid increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19 throughout the world. The present study aimed to determine people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 in an Iranian sample. Instruments & Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted on people over 18 years of age in Saveh city, of Iran, in 2020. A multiple-stage sampling method was used. Participants (N=471) completed an anonymous and self-report questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables and KAP. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-tests by SPSS 21. The significance level was considered to be ≤ 0. 05. Findings: Of participants, 74. 5% did not have accurate knowledge of how the coronavirus is spread. In terms of attitudes, more than 63. 2% considered COVID-19 to be a dangerous disease. About 59. 6% of participants reported regular use of a mask in the past week. As compared to men, women reported attitudes and practices more aligned with recommended safety standards. Higher education level was significantly related to the mean KAP score (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Although the sample evidenced appropriate attitudes and some safety practices in general, a significant percentage of individuals did not engage in protective behaviors.

Aims: Adopting self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension is one of the most effective ways to control blood pressure. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the cognitive-behavioral intervention on self-care behaviors and blood pressure control. Materials & Methods: This clinical trial study conducted in 2019 on patients over 30-years with primary hypertension in Dorcheh 1 Health Center in Isfahan, Iran. Patients were randomly selected from 100 people with high blood pressure and divided into two groups, Intervention, and control. In addition to receiving routine care, the intervention group participated in a cognitive-behavioral educational intervention program. The required information was collected using background, cognitive, and behavioral information questionnaires related to blood pressure control, (with optimal validity and reliability) before and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25 software using statistical methods of Chi-Square, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney, ANCOVA, t-test. Findings: After the intervention, the mean scores of cognitive and behavioral variables in the intervention group were significantly different from the control group. Also, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the experimental group (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral intervention improves systolic blood pressure and improved the level of cognitive and behavioral variables associated with blood pressure control in patients.

Aims: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Asia, including Iran. Mammography is used for the early detection of breast cancer for about 73% of cases. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on mammography among women referring to health centers using planned behavior theory. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 140 women referring to Health Centers in Khorramabad in 2018 who were randomly selected and divided into two experimental and control groups. Data collection tools consisted of a demographic information questionnaire, knowledge, and researcher-made questionnaire based on the TPB structures. The intervention was held in four 45 minute sessions for four weeks. Both groups completed the questionnaires before and three months after the intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software using chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Findings: After the educational intervention, Mean± SD constructs of knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and the behavioral intention was 10. 97± 5. 07, 41. 24± 3. 44, 26. 54± 5. 3, 47. 36± 3. 91, and 8. 87± 2. 78, respectively. All the mentioned constructs were statistically significant (p<0. 05). Moreover, the rate and percentage of mammography in women in the experimental group (31=44. 3%) compared to the control group (3= 4. 3%) was significantly different (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The present study's findings confirmed the effectiveness of an educational program based on the TPB in promoting mammography.

Aims: Socioeconomic inequalities are major problems for public health in the communities. This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic inequality of health literacy (HL), self-rated health (SRH), and general health. Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Arak city, Iran, in 2019. The Wealth index was created using the principal component analysis (PCA) based on participant's assets. HL was evaluated using a validated questionnaire in Iran. The general health was evaluated using the WHO general health questionnaire. The relative concentration index (RCI) was used to assess HL's inequality, SRH, and general health. The simple random sampling method was used. The results were reported at a 95% CI. Stata software 14. 2 was used for data analysis. Findings: Overall, 750 adults with a mean± SD age of 34. 76± 9. 82 participated in this study. The prevalence of poor SRH was 2. 93 (95% CI: 1. 94, 4. 42). In general health domains, the highest poor prevalence was related to the feelings of sadness or depression in the 30 past days with 10. 80% (95% CI: 8. 77, 13. 24). The total prevalence of poor health literacy was 25. 60% (95% CI: 22. 60, 28. 85). In domains of poor general health, mobility, cognition, individual activities, and sleep disorders were significantly concentered among disadvantaged participants. Also poor health literacy was concentered among disadvantaged participants in term of wealth index and education, RCI=-0. 21; 95% CI:-0. 27,-0. 14 and RCI=-0. 25; 95% CI:-0. 32,-0. 19, respectively. Conclusion: Poor health domains such as mobility, cognition, individual activities, sleep, and poor health literacy were significantly concentrated among disadvantaged participants based on the wealth index and education.

Aims: Pregnancy is an important part of a woman's life, and the growth of the fetus and its health depend on the health and well-being of the mother. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically investigate the studies conducted based on models and theories of health education and health promotion in pregnant women's nutritional interventions in Iran. Information & Methods: In order to access Persian articles in Iran and Iranian articles published abroad, related domestic banks (Magiran, SID, IranDoc), foreign (Web of Science, Scopus, Proquest, PubMed, Medlibe) as well as Google Scholar search engine, the search was conducted between 1990 and 2019. The Cochrane checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. To avoid bias in the study, the data were analyzed by two researchers entirely independently. Any disagreement between the researchers was examined by a third party. Finding: Out of 203 articles, finally, eight articles entered the final list. Thus, the final articles were based on the model of Health Belief, Social Cognitive Theory, BASNEF model, and Pender model of health promotion. The Health Belief Model was most used to improve the studied variables. Conclusion: Intervention program based on Models of health education and health promotion has a vital role in promoting the nutritional behaviors of pregnant women. Hence, paying attention to other models and theories of health education and health promotion can be helpful.