Journal of Education and Community Health
Year:2016 | Volume:3 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Background and Objectives: Application of effective strategies for prevention of tobacco smoking in developing countries seems to be necessary. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of web-based educational intervention on prevention of tobacco smoking among male adolescents in Hamadan, Iran based on prototype willingness model (PWM).Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, 114 male adolescents were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups in Hamadan, west of Iran. Data was collected using a questionnaire, including the PWM constructs and demographic variables. The intervention comprised 11 web-based sessions applied in the experimental group during two months. Both groups were followed for six months after the intervention. Data were then analyzed in SPSS18- using chi-squared, independent t-test, paired t-test and Kappa.Results: After the educational intervention, significant differences were observed in average scores of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, prototype and behavioral willingness between the experimental and control groups (P<0.05). Tobacco smoking was reduced in the experimental group, but this decrease was not statistically significant (P=0.392).Conclusions: The results showed that the application of web-based interventions would be considered as an efficient educational strategy for the prevention of possible increase in tobacco smoking among male adolescents.

Background and Objectives: Today, chronic diseases such as high blood pressure are increasing; this disease is closely associated with lifestyle. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the effect of lifestyle modifying educational intervention on blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.Materials and Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted on 210 patients with hypertension, referring to health centers of Shabestar County, Iran in 2016. Patients were assigned into two groups of intervention (n=105) and control (n=105) using random multi-stage sampling method. The data was collected using standard life style questionnaire (LSQ) in four dimensions of exercise, weight control, nutrition, and mental and spiritual health, before and two months after the educational intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS-21 using descriptive and inferential statistics, such as chi-squared, paired t-test and independent t-test.Results: The results showed that the mean scores of exercise, weight control, nutrition and mental health in the intervention group increased significantly after the intervention (P<0.05). However, the changes were not significant in the control group (P>0.05). Also, the educational intervention had a significant effect on reducing blood pressure in the intervention group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: According to the findings of the study, educational intervention is effective in promoting physical activity, improving weight management, nutrition and mental health in patients with hypertension. In addition, the results indicated that controlled blood pressure can be achieved by improving the lifestyle.

Background and Objectives: Oral health behaviors of pregnant women are important due to their effects on mother and child’s health. The objective of this study was to investigate dental care and its related barriers among pregnant women in Hamadan city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 280 pregnant women in Hamadan city in 2012. We used stratified cluster sampling to select the subjects and a researcher-made questionnaire was used. The questionnaire included demographic information, common dental problems, visit of a dentist during pregnancy and tooth brushing, as well as the perceived barriers of these two behaviors. The reliability and validity of the tool were evaluated using estimates of internal consistency and the opinions of a panel of experts, respectively. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 using logistic regression test.Results: The mean age of pregnant women was 27.2±4.88 years. Tooth brushing after each meal and use of mouthwash rates were 12% and 20%, respectively. Half of the participants had not seen a dentist during their current pregnancy. The most important barriers to brush twice a day were impatience and lack of energy. Dental visit barriers were cost, low priority, and stress related to dentistry. Factors associated with no dental visit included poor economic status (P=0.01) and working outside of home (P=0.04).Conclusions: Given the important adverse outcomes associated with poor oral health on mothers and babies, interventions to reduce the barriers of dental cares are crucial.

Background and Objectives: online game addiction is considered as a compulsive, excessive, uncontrollable and destructive physical and psychological behavior. With regard to the problem of persons with addiction to online gaming in the fields of experiential avoidance, families emotional atmosphere and self-control, this study was carried out with the aim of determining the relationship of experiential avoidance, families emotional atmosphere and self-control with online gaming addiction in the bachelor student of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.Materials and Methods: The research design was descriptive and correlational, performed on 200 bachelor student of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran. Sampling was conducted using multi-stage random sampling. Information were collected via SPSS 16 and to analyze the data, Pearson’s correlation and regression (inter) tests were used. Results: The results showed a significant positive correlation in familial emotional atmosphere and experiential avoidance with addiction to online games and there was a significant negative correlation between self-control and addiction to online games. Regression analysis indicated that familial emotional atmosphere determined 28% of the variance of addiction to online games.Conclusions: The results confirmed the relationship of addiction to online games with familial emotional atmosphere and experiential avoidance, also emphasized on the importance of family environment in intensified use of internet. The results of this study can be used to plan appropriate interventions, including awareness among students and practitioners in the field of symptoms and consequences of addiction to online games, and try to correct the use of internet among users, to prevent and effectively manage this disorder.

Background and Objectives: The best way to prevent osteoporosis, at old age is to prevent bone loss and at young age is trying to keep bones healthy, therefore the aim of this study was to determine the effect of combined exercise on bone mineral density of premenopausal females.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted among 20 premenopausal females between 40 and 45 years old, which were randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control groups) in Hamadan city, during year 2016. The experimental group completed a 12-week combined exercise-training program (6 weeks in water and 6 weeks on land), three times a week and 70 minutes per session. Before and after the 12 weeks, femoral bone mineral density in all samples was measured by DEXA bone mineral densitometry. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 21 software using descriptive and inferential statistics, such as independent and paired t-test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).Results: Bone mineral density of femoral neck and total hip of the experimental group, had significant differences with corresponding areas of the control group (P<0.05). In other words, the results revealed that 12 weeks of combined exercise increases femoral bone mineral density in the experimental group with a significant decrease in the control group.Conclusions: According to the results, to prevent a decrease in bone mineral density during the menopausal period, combined exercises are recommended for females at this age.

Background and Objectives: Obesity has been increasing around the world and this phenomenon is creating many physical and psychological problems. Hence, this study considered the effectiveness of Buckroyd’s group-based therapeutic approach on increasing self-esteem and improving eating attitude of obese 20- to 30-year-old females in Esfahan.Materials and Methods: This study was semi-experimental, statistical society of which involved all obese females referred to Sepahan Salamat Clinic in Esfahan, during year 2014. Overall, 30 over-weight females, who had a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 35, a minimum education of diploma, and age of 20 to 30 years old were selected purposefully and divided randomly to two equal groups. Buckroyd’s therapy was performed in sixteen sessions and each session lasted two hours twice per week. Research measurements included body mass index, demographic form, self-esteem and eating attitude questionnaires. Variance analysis and frequency measurement were performed with the SPSS 20 software and were used for confirming the hypothesis.Results: Results showed that Buckroyd’s group therapy increased self-esteem (P<0.001), but didn’t improve eating attitude (P>0.05). Conclusions: The findings showed that Buckroyd’s therapy approach can be used for increasing self-esteem but cannot be used for improving eating attitude of obese females.

Background and Objectives: The first step in educational planning is identifying and prioritizing the educational needs. The initial point is needs assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study was needs assessment and determining priorities in health education of youth covered by the Health Departments of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: The research method was descriptive and 2842 youth aged 18 to 29 years were enrolled from areas under coverage of Iran Medical University. Two-stage sampling was used: First cluster sampling from health centers and then random sampling of young people. The sampling tool was a questionnaire prepared by the Ministry of Health and descriptive statistics were used.Results: The most important need for health education in all centers is teaching life skills (4.47±3.34). The period of examination needs to be established or reevaluated in primary health care services (1.38±0.57). The most required health consult is consulting on skills before marriage (2.82±1.89). In most cases, the preferred educational training is listed through family.Conclusions: Solving the problems of young people in society is the duty of every health care system. To do this, it is needed to identify problems according to available resources and priorities. For each priority, educational programs should be specified. In this process, the consensus of all stakeholders on the priority list of programs is documented.

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer accounts for almost 30% of all cancers and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The World Health Organization introduces two main measures to prevent breast cancer including relevant education and mammography as the fastest way of diagnosis before the appearance of disease symptoms. This study aimed systematic review to evaluate educational interventions designed to increase the rate of mammography screening.Materials and Methods: We searched electronic databases published between January 2010 to February 2016 and inclusion criteria through Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science, SID, Iran Medex, and Iran Doc, selected the articles that focused on determining educational interventions.Results: Most of the studies were RCT. Interventions were more educational, motivational and supportive and were performed in different times. Data collection was in self-report method and an expected impact was action to mammography screening.Conclusions: Identification of effective factors in mammography and using the appropriate interventions as well as effective strategies in the knowledge, attitude and behavior fields will lead to early detection and treatment of breast cancer.