Sadra Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2014 | Volume:2 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Background: Oral and dental health can be effective in children’s performance at school and their success in future. Health belief model describes health behaviors based on individuals’ beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of training based on health belief model on girl students’ oral and dental health behaviors and health belief models.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 140 students of the fifth grade of primary school in Ahvaz were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The information about health behaviors and health belief model was gathered before the study and after 8 weeks. Oral and dental health training based on the health belief model constructs was conducted in 5 sessions through lecture and group discussion. After all, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 21) and analyzed using independent and paired t-test.Results: Before the intervention, 58.6% of the intervention group students and 62.9% of the control group ones sometimes brushed their teeth. In addition, 41.4% of the students in the intervention group and 37.1% of those in the control group brushed their teeth once a day. Besides, 60% of the intervention group students and 34.3% of control group ones did not use dental floss. Also, 40% of the students in the intervention group and 65.7% of those in the control group sometimes used dental floss. After the intervention, 98.6% of the intervention group students and 38.6% of the control group ones brushed their teeth once a day. Additionally, 80% of the students in the intervention group used dental floss in a day. The results revealed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean score of health behaviors (brushing teeth and using dental floss) (P=0.001) and the constructs health belief model including perceived intensity, perceived sensitivity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, guidance for action, and perceived self-efficacy (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that health belief model was quite effective in improvement of oral and dental health behaviors. Thus, this model is suggested to be used for training students at schools.

Background: Studies performed in different jobs have reported different prevalence rates of musculoskeletal disorders which, if detected, can be improved by proper movements and behavioral patterns. Considering the importance of health in military personnel, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) in Military University students.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 400 military students were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling in 2013. Postural abnormalities were examined using scoliometer, goniometer, chessboard, and flexible ruler. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and analyzed using correlation coefficient tests.Results: The results showed that 41.25% of the subjects (n=165) had at least one spinal disorder. Besides, the most and least prevalent abnormalities were lordosis (26.25%) and pelvic tilt (7.75%), respectively. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between BMI and spine curves (lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis) (P<0.05).Conclusion: The study results showed that the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders was far lower in military personnel compared to other jobs. It seems that regular exercise programs and strengthening the muscles of upper extremities, particularly the muscles that support the spine, are important in reducing these abnormalities.

Background: Although demographic factors, such as age, sex, and race play a role in determining health, financial resources play a more important role in this area. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between health and economic indicators in selected countries.Methods: This descriptive–analytical study was conducted using the panel data of 176 countries for a period of 8 years (2004-2011). The data were extracted from the statistics of World Health Organization and the World Bank. Then, the data were analyzed using Stata software and Generalized Least Square regression methods. In addition, purchasing power parity was used to compare various currencies.Results: The mean of life expectancy was 78, 69, 58, and 70 years in developed countries, developing countries, countries with minimum standards of development, and economic transition stages countries, respectively. The results showed a significant relationship between life expectancy and gross domestic product per capita, health expenditures per capita, and development of countries (Confidence interval: 95%).Conclusion: The present study findings demonstrated that the increase in the society members’ income per capita and investment in the health sector were directly related to increase in health status. Hence, developing countries with limited resources, such as Iran, can reach higher levels of health status by more and more effective investment in the health sector and cost management.

Background: Birth of premature infants that require hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) leads to a lot of stress and shock for the parents because of disorder in playing their parental role, loss of control, and separation from the infant. The present study aimed to assess the stress level in parents of the premature infants admitted in NICU.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on the parents of the premature infants hospitalized in NICU selected through convenience sampling. The data were gathered from 42 fathers and 58 mothers using Miles and Funk parental stressor scale: NICU, 2011 on the second day of admission. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and analyzed using t-test.Results: The mean scores of stress were 94.63±17.24 and 84.16±20.55 in mothers and fathers, respectively. The results of independent t-test showed a significant difference between the fathers’ and mothers’ mean scores of stress (t=2.76, df=98, P=0.007).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the mean score of stress was higher in mothers compared to fathers. Therefore, medical team, especially NICU nurses, should provide more information, attention, and support for the parents through their infants’ hospitalization period.

Background: Staff, as the most important hospital resources, play a key role in increasing entrepreneurship. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between organizational climate and employee entrepreneurship in Motahari hospital, Jahrom, Iran.Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in Motahari hospital, Jahrom, in 2013. The study population included 217 clinical and administration staff selected through multistage sampling. The study data were collected using Halpyn climate questionnaire (1963) which includes 32 questions and Heidari’s standard entrepreneurial staff questionnaire which consists of 30 items. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, T-test, and ANOVA.Results: The mean scores of organizational climate and entrepreneurship were 102.4 and 100.8, respectively. This indicated that the organizational climate of Motahari hospital was at an average level. Besides, a significant relationship was found between staff entrepreneurship and all the components of organizational climate (intrusion, intimacy, interest, conservativeness, distance, penetration and dynamism, and emphasis on production), except for group spirit (P<0.05).Conclusion: Considering the relationship between organizational climate and staff entrepreneurship, hospital managers, as one of the most effective factors in improving the hospital environment, can promote entrepreneurship through providing suitable organizational climate in hospitals and identifying the creative individuals.

Background: Due to the special nature of their job and exposure to stressful situations, medical emergency personnel are more prone to physical violence compared to other medical staff. This study aimed to investigate physical violence against emergency personnel in the north of Khuzestan province.Methods: This cross–sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 144 emergency personnel in north of Khuzestan province through census in 2013. The data were gathered using a questionnaire which consisted of three parts, namely physical violence experience, response to violence, and its causes. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The results showed that about 34.7% of the staff had experienced physical violence, 85.7% of which had occurred at the accident scene and 41.7% had been committed by the patients. A significant relationship was found between the violence performed against the emergency personnel and work shifts (P=0.01) and the location of emergency missions (P=0.001). Moreover, from the personnel’s point of view, the most common cause of violence was low public awareness towards the medical staff’s duties and the most common response to violence was inviting the offender to relax.Conclusion: Considering the high rate of physical violence against the emergency staff, retraining programs are recommended to be held in order to train the necessary actions to minimize workplace violence and maximize the personnel’s effective performance when exposed to violence.

Background and Objectives: Staff play a major role in organizations and development of communities. Organizational chart represents the organizational view and attitude towards jobs, job specification, job monitoring system, and organizational relations. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of job specification training on staff’s knowledge about job qualifying conditions.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted on all the administrative and financial staff of Ilam University of Medical Sciences (n=227) in 2011. The data were collected using staff’s knowledge about job qualifying conditions questionnaire before and after the training. Then, the data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and paired and independent t-test.Results: According to the results, job specification training affected the staff’s knowledge about job qualifying conditions (P=0.01). In addition, a significant difference was observed in knowledge of job characteristics (P=0.001), individual and group job management (P=0.02), and knowledge of scientific qualifying conditions related to job (P=0.04) before and after the intervention.Conclusion: Success and progress of organizations will be possible if abilities and personal and collective characteristics of their human resources are in line with the organizations’ goals, missions, and responsibilities. Accordingly, planning and holding training courses for employees make them more familiar with the nature of the job, job description, and job specification. This in turn requires the staff to actively participate in organizational programs and benefit from all educational facilities inside and outside the organization.

Background: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are one of the most important issues of occupational health and are highly prevalent in all occupations. This study aimed at ergonomic assessment of the risk of MSDs in the workers of a shipbuilding company.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 193 male workers with at least one year working experience in the 17 jobs of Boushehr Shipbuilding Company. Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of the symptoms of MSDs. Besides, the risk of these disorders was assessed using quick exposure check technique. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS software (v. 19.0) and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.Results: The results of this study showed that the highest prevalence of symptoms of MSDs was related to the upper back (70.3%), lower back (68.4%), and knees (58%). Moreover, a significant association was found between the prevalence of MSDs and age, working experience, Body Mass Index (BMI), and marital status. The results of quick exposure check technique demonstrated that 14.3%, 29.7%, 42.5%, and 13.5% of the workers were in action levels 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.Conclusions: The prevalence of MSDs was high among the study workers. Besides, inappropriate posture, lifting and carrying heavy loads, and lower back flexion and twisting were the most common ergonomic problems among the study workers.

Background: Mothers of infants with congenital heart defects experience depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and hopelessness through their lifetime, which can have a negative impact on their general health. Some educational interventions may be useful in reduction of these problems. The present study aimed to determine the effect of educational program on general health of the mothers of the infants with congenital heart defects.Methods: This experimental and randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 56 mothers of the infants with congenital heart defects. The mothers were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group was trained for 4 weeks. Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire was used to collect the data before, immediately after, and 60 days after the intervention. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and analyzed using Chi-square test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Before the intervention, the mean general health of the mothers in the intervention and the control group was 72.53±8.74 and 70.03±11.51, respectively. The results revealed a significant difference between the two groups regarding maternal general health immediately after the training (t=-5.01, P<0.0001) and two months after the intervention (t=-3.96, P<0.0001). Also, a significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the means of general health and its dimensions, namely anxiety, somatic symptoms, and social dysfunction, across the three study periods (P<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that educational program could improve general health and reduce anxiety, somatic symptoms, and social dysfunction in the mothers of the infants with congenital heart defects. Thus, nurses are recommended to use educational programs to promote the general health of the mothers and their infants.

Chronic renal failure can negatively affect the patients’ mental status. Besides, depression is one of the most common psychological disorders in these patients. The current study aimed to survey the prevalence of depression and determine the effect of Islamic beliefs, praying, and reading holy Quran on mental status in the patients with chronic renal failure. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 142 patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on HD in Namazi and Shahid Faghihi dialysis centers, Shiraz, Iran. The severity of depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of Islamic beliefs, praying, and reading holy Quran were evaluated, as well. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The study results showed that 101 participants (74.8%) were depressed (BDI score>15). In addition, 85% of the non-depressed participants tended to read holy Quran, pray, recourse to the prophets, and follow the Islamic beliefs. Moreover, the depressed patients who had religious beliefs had lower levels of depression compared to the others. In conclusion, the study results revealed that religious beliefs were effective in reduction of the patients’ depression and improvement of their mental status. Religious beliefs improve the individuals’ mental health through various mechanisms. Besides, hope, motivation, and optimism which exist in religion strengthen the individuals’, particularly chronic patients’, mental health.