Abstract Background Colorectal cancer is the second most prevalent cause of death from malignancies globally. The present study was conducted targeting the influence of an educational intervention ...based on the health belief model (HBM) on colorectal cancer screening behaviors in people 50 years old and older. Methods All 134 samples were included in this quasi-experimental study from Fasa City Health Service Center, equal halves were random into experimental group and control group. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that contained questions on demographic variables, knowledge, and HBM constructs (perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and screening behaviors). Both groups answered the questionnaire before and two months following the intervention. There were six 90-minute instruction sessions for the intervention group. SPSS 22 and descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test) were used for data analysis ( P < 0.05). Results 59 women and 75 men took part in this study. A majority of participants were married and had at least high school diploma. The findings indicated that the mean scores for knowledge, each of the HBM’s constructs, and cancer screening behaviors did not differ significantly from one another before the intervention between the test group and the control group. However, post the intervention, the intervention group exhibited a significant rise in all mentioned dimensions. Conclusion In light of the outcomes, the application of the HBM on colorectal cancer screening behaviors in people 50 years and older was successful. This approach might serve as a helpful foundation for planning, carrying out, and overseeing colorectal cancer screening programs.
Given the destructive nature of addiction and its relapse after quitting, the present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting substance abuse relapse based on the Theory of Planned Behavior ...(TPB) in male addicts covered by addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 male addicts covered by addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2021-2022. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software through descriptive statistical methods, linear regression, and binary logistic regression.
190 people (47.50%) were aged 31-40 years, 265 people (66.25%) were married, 224 people (56%) lived with their spouses, and 192 people (48 percent) had their first use at the age of 16-20. The substance respondents used were methamphetamine (59.5%), heroin (53%), opium (48%), and alcohol (40%). 138 people (34.5%) had their first place of consumption at friends' houses (Tables 1 and 2). 342 people (85.5%) had a history of relapse, and 172 people (50.29%) had 1-5 relapses. Marital status, occupation, and income were among the demographic risk factors, and addicted friends and close relatives were among the behavioral risk factors for drug relapse among people with a history of relapse. Personal desire and the insistence of friends were also among the individual and interpersonal factors of drug use among participants. The regression results showed that the constructs of awareness, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were predictors of drug relapse among addicts (P < 0.05).
The current study's findings indicate that among the behavioral risk factors for drug relapse in individuals with a history of relapse are addicted friends and close relatives, while marital status, occupation, and income are among the demographic risk variables. Among the individual and interpersonal factors influencing drug usage among participants were personal desire and friends' insistence. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the TPB's structures might be used to predict drug relapse in addicts.
Abstract
Background
The high impact of vitamin D on brain development and its relationship with inflammatory markers in the clinical course of psychiatric disorders have compelled researchers to ...investigate the potential association between vitamin D levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and the incidence of mental disorders. In the present study, we aimed to compare the serum levels of vitamin D and its related markers, including calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH), along with CRP, in 3 groups of patients with acute psychotic episodes, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and methamphetamine-induced psychosis, with a standard control group of the Iranian population.
Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a psychiatric hospital in Tehran, Iran, and involved a total of 185 subjects. The subjects included four groups: acute phase of schizophrenia (n = 49), acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder (n = 43), methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder (n = 46), and control group (n = 47). Among 138 patients in acute psychotic episodes, 33 patients were in their first episode of psychosis, while 105 patients were in acute exacerbation of their chronic psychotic disorders. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was measured by an expert attending psychiatrist for all patients. Then, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, vitamin D, and CRP were assessed in all study groups.
Results
Among our 185 study subjects, it was observed that individuals with higher education levels and those who were married had a lower prevalence of mental disorders. In all patient groups, the serum levels of CRP were significantly higher, and PTH levels were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.001). The serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D were not statistically significantly different between the patient and control groups of the study. In chronic psychotic patients, CRP levels were significantly higher (p < 0.031), and vitamin D levels were significantly lower (p < 0.044) compared to first-episode psychotic patients.
Conclusion
This study suggests that CRP levels are significantly higher and PHT level is significantly lower in acute psychotic patients. Moreover, vitamin D levels were significantly lower in chronic psychotic patients compared to first-episode psychotic patients.
Background. Considering the increasing use of the Internet in Iranian society, especially among students, and the importance of sleep quality, the present study investigated the relationship between ...sleep quality and Internet addiction among medical students in Shiraz. Methods. In this descriptive-analytical study, the sample included students of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences who were selected by a multistage sampling method in 2018. Each faculty was considered to be stratified, and the samples were selected from all strata by simple random sampling. A total of 400 student questionnaires were eligible for analysis. The level of sleep disturbance was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used to evaluate Internet addiction. Cronbach’s alpha for PSQI and IAT was 0.77 and 0.93, respectively. Results. 109 (%28.9) and 58 (%14.4) of all the people under study were at risk of Internet addiction or poor sleep quality, respectively. The highest percentage of poor sleep quality was in those who were addicted to the Internet (60%), but the lowest percentage was observed in the group without addiction (27%). In addition, there was a significant correlation between Internet addiction and subjective sleep quality (r = 0.191, p = 0.05), sleep latency (r = 0.129, p = 0.01), sleep duration (r = 0.119, p = 0.01), habitual sleep efficiency (r = 0.186, p = 0.05), sleep disturbances (r = 0.169, p = 0.01), use of sleeping medication (r = 0.203, p = 0.05), and daytime dysfunction (r = 0.188, p = 0.05). Conclusion. These findings help national health officials and planners in Iran to design appropriate and effective interventions to improve students’ health and prevent Internet addiction.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), commonly known as ubiquinone, is a vitamin-like component generated in mitochondrial inner membranes. This molecule is detected broadly in different parts of the human body in ...various quantities. This molecule can be absorbed by the digestive system from various nutritional sources as supplements. CoQ10 exists in three states: in a of reduced form (ubiquinol), in a semiquinone radical form, and in oxidized ubiquinone form in different organs of the body, playing a crucial role in electron transportation and contributing to energy metabolism and oxygen utilization, especially in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Since the early 1980s, research about CoQ10 has become the interest for two reasons. First, CoQ10 deficiency has been found to have a link with cardiovascular, neurologic, and cancer disorders. Second, this molecule has an antioxidant and free-radical scavenger nature. Since then, several investigations have indicated that the drug may benefit patients with cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and neurodegenerative illnesses. CoQ10 may protect the neurological system from degeneration and degradation due to its antioxidant and energy-regulating activity in mitochondria. This agent has shown its efficacy in preventing and treating neurological diseases such as migraine, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Friedreich’s ataxia. This study reviews the literature to highlight this agent’s potential therapeutic effects in the mentioned neurological disorders.
ABSTRACTThe research population for this cross-sectional study consisted of 1424 Shiraz-based parents of first-year secondary students who were chosen randomly. An online questionnaire with three ...sections for demographic data, the theories of planned behaviour, and a questionnaire about spiritual well-being served as the data gathering tools. A significance level of p < 0.05 was taken into account when analysing the obtained data using SPSS 26 and independent t, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression. The average parent participating in this study had two children, and the average age was 40. In addition to having average scores for attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, parents also had average spiritual health. Parents’ behavioural intentions and their spiritual well-being were significantly correlated. Except for perceived behavioural control, there was a significant association between conduct and all of the theory of planned behaviour’s dimensions and a significant relationship between intention and all of them.
Background. In all countries, the knowledge of driving guidelines is the most important and critical mechanism to ensure the safety of drivers. Naturally, it is expected that more knowledge and ...attitude towards driving laws would result in fewer driving violations. The aim of this research is to investigate both the knowledge and attitude of taxi drivers in the field of traffic rules and regulations in Shiraz city, Fars province, in 2019. Methods. This research is a cross-sectional study, based on which about 1077 taxi drivers were randomly chosen in Shiraz city, Iran. The data collection tool is a demographic information questionnaire and a questionnaire on driving guidance. After collecting these questionnaires, the obtained data were entered into SPSS version 20 and then analyzed by descriptive analyses (mean, standard deviation, and percentage). Afterward, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient are implemented and investigated. Results. The mean and standard deviation of knowledge score in drivers were about 26.8 ± 55.2 while the mean and standard deviation of drivers’ attitude were about 98.16 ± 59.3. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the variables studied (R = −0.07; P=0.02) and drivers’ attitudes toward driving (P=0.01). Conclusion. The results of this research show that the mean scores of knowledge and attitude of taxi drivers in Shiraz city are moderate in terms of driving rules and regulations; moreover, among taxi drivers of increasing age, the average score of knowledge was lower.
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and the second cause of death in developed countries. Having a rising incidence, skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Iran. Long-term UV radiations, ...particularly during childhood and adolescence, is a major cause of skin cancers. The Theory of Planned Behavior as the most precise indicator of behavior, contains motivational factors affecting behavior. This theory has been successful in predicting factors related to chronic diseases, especially cancer. As this model was successful in assessing sun-protective behaviors in previous studies, this study was designed to figure out how a theory-based educational intervention can affect the skin cancer prevention practices of Iranian female high school students.
This experimental investigation was carried out 2019–2020 using multistage cluster sampling method on 400 female high school students in Fasa, Fars, Iran. A questionnaire consisting of demographic data and a questionnaire including the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior was used to assess skin cancer preventative behaviors of both the trial and control groups of the study. An educational program based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was held for the experimental group for eight weeks regarding skin cancer preventive behaviors. The two groups completed questionnaires three months following the intervention for a second time.
The study's findings revealed that prior to the intervention, there was no considerable distinction between the two study groups with regard to knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions, and skin cancer prevention behaviors; yet, three months later, the experimental group demonstrated increases in each of the mentioned variables with a significant difference. In contrast, the control group showed no discernible difference.
The findings of this investigation highlighted the success of the Theory of Planned Behavior for designing educational interventions aimed at encouraging skin cancer prevention in a population of female high school students.
Background
One of the most crucial and essential methods for the prevention and management of respiratory infections is for healthcare professionals to take precautions for their own safety. Using ...Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), the current study looked into effective elements influencing the staff at Kazeroon's Valiasr Hospital's preventive actions against respiratory diseases.
Methods
One hundred ninety‐two male and 108 female employees of the Valiasr Hospital in Kazeroon, Iran, participated in this cross‐sectional study, in May 2022. Census data were used as the sample technique. A questionnaire based on the PMT and a questionnaire collecting demographic data served as the data collection method. The study's content validity was confirmed by 10 health education experts, and its reliability was assessed using internal consistency techniques, resulting in a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87.The statistical program SPSS 24 was used to examine the data using the independent t test, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation.
Results
The average age was 34.11 ± 8.91 for men and 32.77 ± 6.09 for women. The majority of participants were married (73.3%), had university education (76.7%), and earned a monthly income between 10 and 15 million Tomans (75%). Notably, 97.7% of participants had received the COVID‐19 vaccine, and 77.7% had undergone training related to respiratory infections. The most common preventive practices included avoiding touching the eyes, noses, or mouths, wearing appropriate protective gear, and maintaining a safe distance of 1–2 m from others. Analysis of PMT constructs showed that participants had a generally positive perception toward preventive behaviors. Perceived vulnerability (P = 0.02), perceived cost (P = 0.03), and motivation (P = 0.001) were the three analyzed components that had the greatest impact on respiratory infection preventative behavior. Logistic regression revealed that perceived susceptibility, cost, and motivation significantly predicted the prevention of respiratory infections, with a predictive power of 45%. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the factors influencing preventive behaviors among hospital staff, from respiratory infections like COVID‐19.
Conclusion
According to the findings, the personnel at Kazeroon's Valiasr Hospital wore gloves, goggles, and other appropriate personal protective equipment. The individuals' decision to wear personal protection equipment was also impacted by perceived susceptibility, cost, and motivation.
This study used the protection motivation theory to analyze factors influencing healthcare professionals' preventive actions against respiratory diseases. 192 employees at Kazeroon's Valiasr Hospital in Iran were involved. Common preventive practices included avoiding contact, wearing protective gear, and maintaining a safe distance. Perceived vulnerability ability, perceived cost, and motivation significantly influenced respiratory infection preventative behaviors.
Suicide is considered as an important, widespread phenomenon in the world, causing numerous deaths annually. This study is going to investigate how suicidal attempts are affected by several ...demographic and other underlying factors.
The present study was designed to investigate suicide attempts and its related factors in patients referred to Gachsaran Hospital, Iran.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 348 people who had attempted suicide (Please note that 348 was the number of suicidal attempts not the number of suicidal deaths). The data were collected by consent of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and necessary coordination with the Emergency Management Statistics Center of Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Gachsaran city. The data analysis was performed through the logistic regression test using SPSS software version 19. The significance level was considered 0.05.
A total of 348 individuals with a mean age of 23.9 ± 8.1 had attempted suicide in Gachsaran. Of these, 185 were female (53.2%) and 163 were male (46.8%). The results of multivariate regression showed that, after controlling the effect of probable confounding variables, the following variables had a significant relationship with suicide attempts in the individuals who had attempted to suicide: male gender, unemployment, and love problems.
Considering the high rate of suicide attempts among unemployed male individuals during one year, counseling centers in Gachsaran city should pay special attention to this group of people. Measures such as creating jobs for young people can help prevent this social dilemma.
Suicide attempt casesRelated factorsGachsaran hospital
