Journal of Education and Community Health
Year:2018 | Volume:5 | Issue:1 (17) |Papers Count:8

Background and Objective: Educating patients plays an important role in improving their quality of life. The collaborative care model is a new method of self-care training. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of collaborative care model on the quality of life and metabolic control indexes in patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes visiting diabetes clinic of Jiroft Hospital were studied. The participants were selected based on the convenience sampling method. To implement the collaborative model that included four stages of motivation, preparation, engagement, and evaluation, the patients were divided into four groups, and the model was executed for three months for each group. Data collection tools included a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic characteristics, metabolic indexes and vital signs and the quality of life questionnaire for patients with diabetes. The collected data were analyzed using Wilcoxon, Mac-Nemar and paired t-test in SPSS, version 20.Results: After performing the collaborative care model, the total mean quality of life increased from 50.7±5.7 to 68.3 ±5.2. The results of Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference in care and metabolic indexes (P<0.001). The quality of life improved in different dimensions compared to the pre-intervention stage (P<0.001).Conclusion: The implementation of this model improves the quality of life and metabolic indexes. Therefore, the use of collaborative care model as an effective model for educating patients with type 2 diabetes is recommended.

Background and Objective: The internet can sometimes endanger the users' mental health due to its improper use. Accordingly, this communication network has turned into an addictive factor in recent decades. This kind of addiction can lead to depression. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between internet addiction and depression among secondary school students.Materials and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted on secondary school students in Kordokuy city, Golestan, Iran, in the academic year of 2016-2017. The sample size was determined as 288 cases based on the Morgan sampling table. The study population was selected using cluster sampling method. The data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory and Internet Addiction Inventory by Young. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 21) using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results: According to the results, there was a direct relationship between addiction to internet and students' depression (r=0.324, P<0.001). The largest use of virtual networks was related to Telegram software with the mean value of 40.29. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between the male and female students in terms of internet addiction and depression (P>0.05).Conclusion: Given the significant relationship between the internet addiction and depression among students, it is recommended to design and implement educational programs for students and parents.

Background and Objective: One of the important determinants of health in every society is health literacy. The present study was conducted to determine health literacy status of employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and related factors.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 among 188 employees in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), which was completed through self-report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression in SPSS version 22.Results: Most of the participants (74.5%) received health-related information through the Internet. Among the five dimensions of health literacy, the comprehension dimension of health information was more desirable. The highest correlation coefficient between health literacy dimensions was related to the relationship between comprehension and decision-making (r=0.582, P<0.01). On average, health literacy of employees was borderline, and age, marital status, educational status, and sources of information were predictors of health literacy (P<0.05).Conclusion: Overall, the results of the study showed that the average health literacy of employees was borderline. It seems that interventions based on demographic characteristics are required to improve the health literacy status of employees.

Background and Objective: Currently, the effect of oral and dental condition on patients' quality of life and daily activities is an important issue in dentistry. Regarding this, the present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between malocclusion and oral health-related quality of life among high school pupils in Ahvaz, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 192 high school students (age range: 14-18) in Ahvaz city in 2016. The study population was selected through random multi-stage cluster sampling technique. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, Oral Impact on Daily Performance, and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 22) using the Spearman correlation test and One-way ANOVA.Results: The mean quality of life was obtained as 6.48±19.47. The results demonstrated that the oral and dental conditions of 26.6% of the participants affected their quality of life. Oral condition was found to mostly affect smiling (15.6%), followed by emotional situations (9.9%). There was no significant relationship between the mean oral health-related quality of life score and the dental health component of IOTN (P=0.130). However, a significant correlation was observed between the oral health-related quality of life and the aesthetic component of IOTN (P=0.004).Conclusion: As the findings of the present study indicated, the high school students did not have a favorable oral health-related quality of life. Given the importance of oral and dental health in improving the overall quality of life, it is recommended to consider the various social and psychological impacts of oral and dental health in the delivery of dental services to enhance the overall quality of life in the community.

Background and Objective: Health literacy can affect individuals’ physical and psychological status and quality of life. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy and addiction in women of reproductive age referring to addiction treatment centers in Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 141 women of reproductive age referring to the addiction treatment centers of Tehran in 2017. The study population was selected through a census sampling method. The data were collected using the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults Questionnaire developed by Montazeri et al. The addiction level in women was determined based on the frequency of drug abuse. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 20) using Pearson correlation test and one-way ANOVA.Results: The mean score of health literacy was 65.11±16.49. Among the dimensions of health literacy, evaluation (31.5%) and conceptualization (17.82%) had the highest and lowest scores, respectively. The results also revealed an indirect relationship between health literacy and addiction rate in women of reproductive age (P<0.05).Conclusion: As the findings indicated, women with a higher level of health literacy had a lower tendency toward addiction. Health literacy seems to be an essential element of health among women and can have a positive impact on their lives.

Background and Objective: Health literacy refers to a collection of skills, which enable the individuals to read, hear, analyze, and decide on the health-related issues. The possession of these skills by women have a significant effect on the improvement of health and happiness in their family and community. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to determine health literacy level among the women referring to healthcare centers in Zanjan, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 323 women referring to the urban healthcare centers of Zanjan in 2016. The study population was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 21) using Pearson correlation test, t-test, and one-way ANOVA.Results: The mean health literacy among the participants was obtained as 71.56±17.8. According to the results, 22.6%, 22.3%, and 50.1% of the subjects had inadequate, borderline, and adequate health literacy, respectively. Furthermore, health literacy showed a significant relationship with education level (P<0.001) and occupational status (P=0.44).Conclusion: As the findings indicated, about half of the women had no favorable level of health literacy. Considering the critical role of women in preserving and promoting the health of their family and community, it is necessary to consider educational plan in order to improve the health literacy among this important group.

Background and Objective: Traffic and transport, as a political and social phenomenon, play an important role in the quality and socioeconomic structure of a society. This phenomenon constitutes one of the foundations of modern urban life and social needs of populations. Regarding this, the present study was performed to investigate the impacts of urban traffic and transport on the social determinants of health (SDH) based on the viewpoints of urban residents and key informants in Sanandaj, Iran.Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 22 urban residents and 8 key informants selected through purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed through conventional content analysis approach. Data collection was conducted using four focus group discussions (FGDs) (including 22 residents) and eight in-depth interviews. MAXQDA10 was applied for the purpose of data management.Results: The SDHs that were negatively affected by Sanandaj urban traffic and transport included socio-cultural (e.g., recreation and free times, daily work trends, safety of within-city commuting, tobacco use, and education) and environmental factors (e.g., vegetation, antiquities, noise pollution, urban aesthetic status, and environment, and soil, food, and water status).Conclusion: Urban traffic/transport stakeholders, health policy makers, and health professionals in Iran should pay much more attention to the impacts of urban traffic/transport plans on health and its determinants. It seems necessary to comprehensively assess urban traffic/transport on health status and its determinants in Iran.

Background and Objective: Pregnancy is one of the most important stages of women's life, which results in significant physical, mental, and social changes. Therefore, the empowerment of pregnant women to adapt to these changes is necessary. Child birth preparation classes have been targeted toward the fulfillment of this purpose. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to review the studies on the effect of child birth preparation classes on empowering pregnant women in Iran.Materials and Methods: The relevant articles published up to the beginning of April 2017 were searched in 12 valid databases and the Google Scholar search engine using several keywords. The search process resulted in the retrieval of 96 articles, the eligibility of which was investigated by studying their abstracts and full-text versions. Finally, 10 studies were included in the systematic review.Results: The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of tiredness, postpartum depression, duration of admission, as well as prenatal daily activities, back pain, and pelvic pain during pregnancy. In addition, there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups regarding the duration of active labor phase and the second stage of labor, anxiety level, self-efficacy, neonatal birth weight, satisfaction rate, and normal vaginal delivery rate. Totally, 81.46% and 55.88% of the women in the intervention and control groups had normal vaginal delivery, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results of the reviewed studies, it can be concluded that the education presented in child birth preparation classes is effective in the empowerment of pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended to encourage mothers to actively participate in these educational classes and also develop these classes across the country.