PAJOUHAN SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL
Year:2024 | Volume:22 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Background and Objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive period of life that is characterized by changes and rapid growth. These changes are related to behaviors that affect a person's health. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz City in 2021. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz city by random sampling with inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a demographic form and the Iranian Adolescents Risk-Taking Scale and analyzed by SPSS software version 22 with descriptive statistical tests. Results: The average age of the subjects was 16.27 years. According to the mean and standard deviation results, the highest prevalence of risky behaviors in female students was related to dangerous driving (14.92±5.44) and drug addiction (13.13±4.70). Correlation results showed that there was a significant relationship between annual check-ups and dangerous driving, as well as between a history of physical illness and the tendency to have a relationship with the opposite sex (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between drug addiction, alcohol consumption, smoking, violence, sexual relationship and behavior, relationship with the opposite sex, and dangerous driving with a history of mental illness and the death of family members (P>0.05). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of high-risk behaviors and the tendency to dangerous driving and drugs in female secondary school students, it seems necessary to perform psychological, educational, educational, counseling, and therapeutic interventions because prevention of high-risk behaviors is always easier, less expensive, and more effective than treatment.

Background and Objectives: Toilet training (TT) is a demanding experience for both parents and children, as it is considered one of the most crucial developmental tasks during childhood. The study aimed to investigate the start, completion, and duration of TT in the Iranian population while also examining any factors that may be associated with delayed TT. Materials and Methods: Between January and June 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted among families with children aged 2-6 years who had completed TT no more than 4 months earlier. The survey was conducted through interviews with parents in the pediatricians' waiting room and Urban Health Centers in Hamadan, Iran. Results: The study involved 315 children, with 164 girls and 151 boys, and found that the mean ages for initiation, completion, and duration of TT were 24.01±5.97, 26.91±6.14, and 2.93±2.34 months, respectively. Girls started TT earlier than boys, and the mother's education level, time of mother's presence, and communication with friends and relatives who had children with ages less than 5 years were positively correlated with earlier initiation and completion. Additionally, 42.8% of mothers reported having little or no knowledge regarding TT. Delayed TT (complete TT after 30 months) was found in 21.6% of children and was associated with the child's birth weight, mother's age, educational status, and time of mother's involvement. Conclusion: Given the crucial role and involvement of parents, especially mothers, in TT, it is suggested that educational programs be developed to provide guidance and support to parents. These programs should emphasize the importance of parental involvement and support and provide practical techniques for promoting a child's readiness for TT.

Background and Objectives: Children were one of the vulnerable groups in society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although children showed less severe form of the disease compared to adults, ignorance and fear of this disease lead to serious problems, such as anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. The purpose of this research is to investigate the state of anxiety disorders in children aged 6-12 years after the COVID-19 pandemic in Gorgan City. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach conducted on 490 patients who referred to the Taleghani Hospital clinic and two private practices of pediatricians in Gorgan. The required data for the study were collected using the standard Spence Children's Anxiety Scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 18 software using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. A significance level was considered at less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the children was 8.72 ± 1.51 years, and 257 (52.4%) of them were boys. The mean anxiety score was 19.78 ± 12.08. The subscale of fear of physical harm (4.71±3.07) and separation anxiety (4.88±3.61) obtained the highest scores among the dimensions of anxiety disorder. Girls had a higher anxiety score than boys (P=0.001). No significant statistical relationship was observed between history of infection with COVID-19 (P=0.689) and death due to COVID-19 (P=0.176) and anxiety score. Anxiety disorders were higher in preschool children (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between the parents' education level and the father's occupation and the total anxiety score (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between mother's occupation and anxiety disorder (P=0.136). Conclusion: According to the findings, the social and cultural factors of the family have a significant role in children's anxiety; therefore, it is necessary to consider the education of parents in order to prevent children from suffering from anxiety.

Background and Objectives: Children with hearing impairments often face challenges in developing self-esteem and maintaining quality of life due to communication barriers and interactive limitations. Group play activities, by providing opportunities for interaction and collaboration, can serve as an effective tool to address these challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the impact of painting based game on self-esteem and quality of life of children with hearing impairments. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial, and a total of 62 deaf children from a welfare center affiliated with the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected. They were then randomly assigned to either the play therapy group or the control group. The experimental group participated in group play sessions for 90 minutes every week over six sessions. In addition, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and the Quality of Life Children's questionnaire were completed as self-reports. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant increase in the average scores of self-esteem and quality of life and their dimensions in the experimental group compared to the control group immediately and one month after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: Painting-based games can have positive and lasting effects on the self-esteem and quality of life of children with hearing impairments. It seems necessary to create the conditions for conducting group painting based game in centers specialized for children with hearing impairments.

Background and Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of cognitive play therapy and computer-based working memory training on the attention of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Farsan City in 2021. Materials and Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all students aged 7 to 12 years with ADHD (n=180) in the city of Farsan. Thirty children diagnosed with mixed ADHD were selected using purposive sampling from clients of the Sobhe Omid Counseling Center in Farsan, following diagnosis by a psychiatrist and the completion of a children's symptoms questionnaire. These children were assessed using a Continuous Performance Test for sustained attention and impulsivity. A working memory training software and a structured short-term play therapy protocol specifically designed for children with ADHD were utilized. For data analysis, mixed-design ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were applied. Results: The results showed that cognitive play therapy and computer-based working memory training affected the attention of children with ADHD in Farsan City (P<0.01, F=6.132, Eta=0.321). However, there was no difference in the effectiveness of cognitive play therapy and computer-based working memory training, and the effects of these interventions remained lasting. Conclusion: Therefore, both interventions can be utilized to reduce impulsivity in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of a sample of healthcare professionals regarding strategies for improving the care of children with disabilities in Iran. Materials and Methods: The six-stage Q methodology was employed to systematically predict the diverse viewpoints of 15 health professionals working in Iran. Results: The analysis of the participants' perspectives in the study (Q sorting) resulted in a five-factor solution (accounting for 62% of the total variance) to validate strategies for improving the care of children with disabilities in Iran. The five factors were insurance, health services, social and infrastructural supports (24%); financial, educational, and social support for families and children with disabilities (11%); addressing physical care needs and support from local organizations for the needs of children with disabilities (10%); facilitating access to public transportation, welfare, and sports services (9%); and life and social skills and facilitating service delivery (8%). These factors, as identified by the experts, collectively explained 62% of the variance. Conclusion: The identified strategies for improving the care of children with disabilities highlight areas that should be focused on in interventions to facilitate the successful implementation of financial, educational, and social support for families and children with disabilities; addressing physical care needs and support from local organizations for the needs of children with disabilities; facilitating access to public transportation, welfare, and sports services; and life and social skills and facilitating service delivery for the needs of children with disabilities in Itan and other developing countries.

Background and Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of cognitive play therapy and computer-based working memory training on the impulsivity of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Materials and Methods: This research was applied in terms of purpose and was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest design with follow-up and a control group. The research community consisted of all children aged 7 to 12 years with ADHD in Farsan City in 2023, among whom 30 people were selected as samples. The tools of this research included the Child Symptom Inventory-4 and the Continuous Performance Test. The analysis method of this research was an analysis of variance with a mixed design and Bonferroni post hoc test, which was used to examine the relationships of research variables. Results: The findings showed that cognitive play therapy and computer-based training of working memory had an effect on the impulsivity of children with ADHD (F=1263, Eta=0.493, P<0.01). However, there was no difference between the effectiveness of cognitive play therapy and computer-based working memory training, and the effect of the course of play therapy and computer-based working memory training is permanent. Conclusion: Therefore, both interventions can be used to reduce the impulsivity of children with ADHD.

Background and Objectives: Spiritual and religious beliefs can help create a sense of meaning and purpose in life and improve overall human health. These beliefs play an important role in reducing physical and mental illnesses, lowering stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhancing social functioning and physical health. This study examines the relationship between health dimensions and these beliefs among students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted cross-sectionally in 2024 with the participation of 531 students from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Stratified random sampling was used, and information was collected through standard questionnaires. The inclusion criteria were being enrolled in university and lacking any physical, mental, or social diseases. Four questionnaires were used to collect data: questionnaires on spiritual and religious beliefs, physical health, mental health, and social health. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Results: The results showed that 61.2% of the students were pursuing professional doctoral degrees. For each unit increase in the scores of physical, mental, and social health dimensions, the average score of spiritual and religious beliefs increased by 1.15, 1.35, and 1.42, respectively. Additionally, the average score of spiritual and religious beliefs of students with a medium economic family status was 1.11 units higher than those with a good economic family status (P=0.004). Conclusion: The study indicates a relationship between physical, mental, and social health and spiritual and religious beliefs. These findings highlight the importance of considering spiritual and religious beliefs in educational programs to help improve the overall health of students.