ABSTRACT
Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of telenursing on nutritional behavior and physical activity self-efficacy in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]
Background: NAFLD is the most common liver disorder, which has a chronic course. Therefore, routine monitoring of these patients by medical staff helps them actively participate in the healing process and promote their self-efficacy
Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were chosen through convenience sampling among patients with NAFLD. After obtaining written informed consents, the participants were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group [each containing 30 subjects]. The participants received diet consultation individually and were taught how to perform physical activities. Telephone intervention was conducted in the intervention group for 12 weeks. The study questionnaires were completed by the participants before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software
Results: Based on the results, the mean score of nutritional behavior and physical activity self-efficacy increased in the study groups after the intervention. This increase was statistically significant only in the intervention group. Additionally, the two groups were significantly different regarding the mean scores of nutritional behavior and physical activity self-efficacy
Conclusion: Telenursing could improve self-efficacy and physical activity in patients with NAFLD
ABSTRACT
Background: Prostate cancer has been reported as the second leading cause of cancer death among men in 2013. Prevention and early detection of cancer are considered as critical factors in controlling the disease and increasing the survival of patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Health Belief Model [HBM]-based education on knowledge and prostate cancer screening behaviors in a randomized controlled trial
Methods: This study was a non-blinded randomized controlled trial. We enrolled 210 men aged 50-70. Balanced block randomization method was used to randomize the final participants who had inclusion criteria into intervention [n=93] and control [n=87] groups. The participants of the intervention group attended training workshops based on HBM. Data were collected using three questionnaires, i.e. demographic questionnaire, Prostate Cancer Screening-Health Belief Model Scale [PCS-HBMS], and the Knowledge about Prostate Cancer Screening questionnaire, all given before and immediately one month after the intervention
Results: The mean scores of the perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits increased significantly after the intervention [P>0.05] in the intervention group. In the control group, such a difference was reported only for perceived susceptibility [P>0.05]. The rate of participation in prostate cancer screening in the intervention group increased from 7.5% to 24% and 43.3% one month and three months after the intervention, respectively
Conclusion: Our findings showed that the health education programs designed based on HBM could positively affect prostate cancer preventive behaviors of individuals by improving their knowledge level and leaving positive effects on perceived susceptibility and severity as well as considering the perceived barriers, benefits and health motivations
ABSTRACT
Background: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is characterized by macro vesicular steatosis in the absence of alcohol. Patients with [NAFLD]need extensive education and support in their treatment. Our aim was to investigate the effect of telenursing on liver enzymes [ALT and AST] in patients with NAFLD
Methods: our study is a randomized controlled clinical trial. In this study, 60 patients were enrolled from patients who referred to subspecialty gastrointestinal clinics affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Specialists confirmed their diseases by ultrasound and laboratory test. Simple randomization, based on random number table, was used to randomize the participants into intervention [N=30] and control [N=30] groups. Patients in both groups received dietary advice from a nutritionist and were trained to perform physical activities. Telephone intervention in the intervention group lasted for 12 weeks, in order to see the effect of follow up on the recommended diet and physical activities given by the specialist, while; the control group subjects were only followed up as usual by their physician
Results: the result of an independent t-test showed that the mean difference of liver Enzymes between the two groups was statistically significant [P<0.001]. The difference of AST and ALT in the intervention and control groups was 18.03, -1.27 and 40.70, 1.52, respectively
Conclusion: we found out that; telenursing could have a positive effect on reduction of liver enzymes [ALT, AST] in patients with NAFLD
ABSTRACT
Aging and its social-biological process naturally impair the functions of different body organs and cause progressive disabilities in managing personal affairs and performing social roles. Laughter therapy is an important strategy which has been recommended by experts for increasing health promotion in older adults. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of laughter therapy program on public health of senior citizens. In a randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 72 senior citizens aged 60 and over referring to Jahandidegan [Khold-e-Barin] retirement community center in Shiraz, southwest Iran during January to February 2014. The participants were assigned into experimental [N=36] and control [N=36] groups. Data were collected using General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] and demographic questionnaire. The participants of experimental group attended a laughter therapy program consisting of two 90-minute sessions per week lasting for 6 weeks. We found a statistically significant correlation between laughter therapy program and factors such as general health [P=0.001], somatic symptoms [P=0.001], insomnia and anxiety [P=0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant correlation among laughter therapy, social dysfunction [P=0.28] and depression [P=0.069]. We concluded that laughter therapy can improve general health and its subscales in elderly people
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged/psychology , Health Services for the Aged , Laughter Therapy/psychology , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common infections seen in all age and both sex groups which frequently occur among adolescent and young women. UTIs are the second most common cause of emergency department attendance for adolescents. Considering the importance of promoting preventive behaviors of UTI, we aimed to evaluate the effect of peer education based on health belief model [HBM] on preventive behaviors of UTI among first-grade high school female students
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, we recruited 168 first-grade high school girl students who were assigned into intervention [n=84] and control [n=84] groups. Data were collected using an HBM questionnaire which was designed by the researcher based on the review of the literature; before, immediately after and one month after the intervention. A total of 12 students in the intervention groups were selected as peer educator and attended two 2-hour training sessions for one week and were trained by the researcher. Afterwards, the trained peers taught the learned materials to their peers in two 1-hour sessions for two weeks through conferences and question-andanswer sessions. Data were analyzed by SPSS18 using t test and RMANOVA. The significance level was set at <0.05
Results: The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge, HBM constructs and preventive behaviors related to UTI significantly increased in the participants of intervention group immediately after and one month after the intervention.[P<0.001]
Conclusion: Peer education based on HBM seem to promote preventive behaviors related to UTI and reduce the risk of the disease among students
ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] is a systemic and inflammatory disease of unknown etiology which is mostly characterized by inflammation of the synovial joints. Studies have proved that most people with RA avoid doing physical activities due to fear that it may worsen the pain or cause pressure on joints, resulting in decreased muscle strength and ultimately leading to disability of patients. We aimed to investigate the effects of conditioning exercises on the health status and pain in patients suffering from RA. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 66 women with confirmed RA referred to the rheumatology clinic of Hafez hospital, Shiraz, southwest Iran during May-July 2013. Balanced block randomization method was used to randomize the participants into case and control groups [two groups of 33 each].Data were collected using visual analog scale [VAS], Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 short form [AIMS2-SF], and demographic questionnaire. After obtaining written informed consent, the participants in the case group were asked to participate in conditioning exercise programs including aerobic, isometric, and isotonic exercises and received a training booklet explaining the exercises that they could do at home after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference between the health status scores of the patients in the case groups before and after the intervention [P=0.001]. The pain score also decreased significantly in the case group compared with the control group after the intervention [P=0.003]. We concluded that physical training programs, especially conditioning exercises, could improve the health status and reduce pain in patients with RA
ABSTRACT
The most common treatment for asthma is transferring the drug into the lungs by inhaler devices. Besides, correct use of inhaled medication is required for effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. Thus, it is necessary to train the patients how to use Metered Dose Inhaler [MDI]. This study aimed to determine the effect of training about MDI usage with or without spacer on maximum expiratory flow rate and inhaler usage skills in asthmatic patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 asthmatic patients who were randomly divided into inhalation technique group with spacer, inhalation technique group without spacer, and a control group. Then, the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate [PEFR] was measured using a peak flow meter, as a basic test. In addition, the patients' functional skills of inhalation technique were assessed using two checklists. Afterwards, 3 sessions of training were arranged for both groups. PEFR and the ability to use the MDI were evaluated immediately and 1 month after the intervention. Finally, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software [v. 18] and analyzed using independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. After the intervention, MDI usage skills improved in the two intervention groups compared to the control group [P<0.001]. In addition, a significant difference was found between the intervention groups and the control group regarding the mean of PEFR after the intervention [P<0.001]. However, no significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups [P=0.556]. According to the results, providing appropriate training for asthmatic patients increased MDI usage skills, and both methods of inhalation [with or without spacer] could improve the PEFR among the patients
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Metered Dose Inhalers , Peak Expiratory Flow Rate , Inhalation , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Inhalation SpacersABSTRACT
Prostate cancer has been reported as the second leading cause of cancer death and the most common cancer diagnosed in men. Since Health Belief Model [HBM] has been intensively used for assessing health beliefs associated with cancer screening behaviors, we aimed to investigate the level of knowledge and health beliefs about prostate cancer screening among retired men. In this descriptive study carried out in 2013, we enrolled 180 men aged 50-70 years who were retired from Shiraz Education Department. Data were collected using three questionnaires including demographic questionnaire, HBM and the Knowledge about Prostate Cancer Screening questionnaires by interviewing the participants. Our findings showed that 95.6% and 85.6% of the interviewees had no experience of digital rectal examination [DRE] and prostatic-specific-antigen [PSA] testing for prostate cancer screening, respectively. 86.1% of men had no knowledge about such screening. 12.7% of the respondents reported good knowledge scores. 74.4% and 90.5% of them had good health motivation and perceived benefits scores, respectively. 81.6% of them revealed intermediate scores for perceived barriers. Moreover, 32.7% and 7.2% of the subjects reported good severity and susceptibility scores, respectively. Developing an assessment based on HBM could be effective in designing and implementing educational programs by helping to identify the needs and priorities of the target population
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Knowledge , Culture , Retirement , Mass Screening , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Falling is a major health threat for the elderly and has a significant impact on their well-being and quality of life. Yet, falls are preventable among the elderly. We sought to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention in reducing the fear of falling and improving balance among the elderly visiting Jahandidegan center in Shiraz, Iran. A preliminary study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale [MFES] for the Iranian elderly. Then, 40 individuals, 17 males and 23 females, between 60 and 74 years old were selected for the survey. The inclusion criteria were "MFES" score of less than 8 and Berg Balance Scale [BBS] score of less than 45. After completing the demographic questionnaire, MFES, and BBS, the participants were randomly allocated to the training or control groups. In the training group, each participant took part in one fall prevention class per week for 8 consecutive weeks. On the other hand, the control group received no interventions. BBS and MFES were completed immediately after the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed using independent sample t-test and Chi-square test. Besides, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding BBS and MFES mean scores [pre-post 8 weeks] [P<0.001]. The intervention reduced the fear of falling by 26.5% and improved balance by 4.3%. The study results indicated that attending the training classes was effective in decreasing the fear of falling and improving the balance.