[Effect of education based on health belief model with relaxation on anxiety of nulliparouse women]

Background and Aim: Scientific literature has emphasized the role of education and nonpharmacological methods such as relaxation techniques as the priority treatment for anxiety in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the effect of education, based on the health belief model [HBM] associated with relaxation on anxiety of nulliparous women

Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, 120 nulliparous women referring to health centers in Qazvin City were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups by means of multi-stage sampling. Intervention course included 3 sessions of group education and a relaxation training session in addition to an educational CD and theory-based training booklet. The data collection tools included demographic questions, 58 item Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire [PRAQ], Knowledge scale and HBM related questions which were filled out by the participants in a self-reported manner before and after the intervention. Using SPSS 20.0, data were analyzed by analytical tests such as T-test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and ANOVA

Results: The mean scores of knowledge, perceived sensitivity and severity, perceived barriers and benefits, self efficacy and cue to action constructs improved significantly in the experimental group after the intervention [P<0.001]. Results revealed a significant decrease in the total anxiety score [from 241.9 +/- 42.3 to 164.1 +/- 40.4, P< 0.01] and its dimensions in the experimental group after the intervention

Conclusion: Regarding the effect of theory based relaxations training on reduction of anxiety in nulliparous women, use of these interventions to improve the health of women during pregnancy is recommended

[Effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on the use of hearing protection devices]

Background and Aim: Noise is the most common and also preventable harmful physical pollutant in the workplace in the world. Although the hearing protection devices are the last way to prevent hearing loss, most people do not use the equipment properly and consistently. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of theory-based training on the rate of using hearing protection devices in workers of auto parts factories in Qazvin Industrial Towns

Material and Methods: Using random sampling method, 120 workers from two auto parts factories in Kaspian and Alborz Industrial Towns were entered into this experimental study. Data collection tools included demographic questions and self-reporting questionnaire to measure TPB related constructs indirectly. The intervention program was composed of two 90 minute group discussion along with targeted educational booklet. Using SPSS version 20, data collected at different times were analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and ANOVA

Results: After the intervention, we found increased mean scores for: attitude [from 36.0 +/- 17.3 to 64.5 +/- 22.8], subjective norms [from 28.5 +/- 10.7 to 46.8 +/- 12.4], perceived behavioral control [from 41.8 +/- 19.3 to 72.1 +/- 21.5], behavioral intention [from 3.6 +/- 3.1 to 7.5 +/- 3.8]. Also use of hearing protection devices significantly increased in the experimental group [P<0.001]

Conclusion: Educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior led to increased use of hearing protection devices among workers. Designing educational programs based on the above mentioned theory in order to increase the use of personal protective equipment in workers is recommended

[Psychometric properties of iranian version of female sexual function index]

Sexual problems in women are highly prevalent and frequently are associated with personal distress and impaired quality of life. The aim of the study was the validation of a translated and culturally adapted Iranian version of the FSFI-the IV-FSFI [Iranian Version of the Female Sexual Function Index]. In this cross-sectional study, 448 women [19 to 54 yr], after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria were eligible for this study. The instrument was translated into Persian, back-translated, and pilot tested to ascertain cultural sensitivity. Construct validity was evaluated by explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency was estimated with Cronbach's alpha and the average inter-item correlation. In addition, the test-retest reliability of the measure was determined at a 4-week interval [n=362]. Discriminant validity was assessed with betweengroups analysis of variance The overall test-retest reliability coefficients were high for each domain of the IV-FSFI [r ranging from 0.73 to 0.86] and the internal consistencies within the acceptable range [from 0.72 to 0.90]. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed a best fitting five-factor structure similar to the original FSFI. CFA confirmed the underlying domain structure, supporting the factorial validity of the IV-FSFI. In conclusion, the newly developed IV-FSFI has demonstrated to be a reliable and valid instrument with good psychometric properties that allows a quick and accurate preliminary screening of women with unknown sexual health status in clinics and others medical settings

[Effectiveness of an ergonomic education to modify of body posture, ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal pain severity in computer users]

Use of computers with disregard ergonomics may lead to health problems, long-term discomfort and physical disabilities and lose workdays. To assess the effectiveness of an ergonomic education to modify of body posture, ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal pain severity in computer users. In this Quasi-experimental randomized controlled study, computer users were assigned to two groups: case group [n=75] receiving the theory based on intervention by using construct of theory of planned behavior and stage of change, and control group [n =75]. Both groups were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 3 and 6 months later. The following tools were used: the Rapid upper limp Assessment [RULA] method to assess upper-extremity work-related posture, self administrated questionnaire that evaluated TPB constructs, stage of change algorithm, ergonomic risk factors checklist, ergo- knowledge quiz and VAS for assessing musculoskeletal pain severity. The intervention included two program elements: staged matched informative brochure and personalized preventive educational counseling. The intervention group had significantly higher scores than controls in ergo-knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavior control, intention, as well as non natural posture maintenance as goal behavior [P<0.05] Also, finding showed the significant diminish in musculoskeletal pain severity [P<0.05]. At 3 and 6 months follow up, no significant differences were found between the two groups for subjective norms constructs. Intervention couldn't improve RULA risk level to low and very low area [1, 2 level] and only decreased risk exposure to medium level. According to the results preventive ergonomic campaigns would be more successful if educational intervention regarded as a part of multifaceted interventions: analysis and elimination of risk factors, engineering controls and administrative controls

[Predicting the stages of change in physical activity behavior of QUMS students with Pender's model]

Low level physical activity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases and evidences suggest that the level of physical activity is decreasing. Reversing the trend depends on a behavior change by most people. However, the association between various psychosocial determinants and physical activity are not well understood. The aim of this study was to predict the stages of change in physical activity behavior of QUMS students by Pender's model. This cross-sectional survey was carried out at Qazvin University of Medical Science in 2008. A total sample of 222 students completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of an exercise change. A test-retest method was applied to determine the reliability while the Cronbach's Alpha used to confirm internal consistency. Face and content validity were confirmed in this study. Also, ANOVA and Path analysis were performed to determine the association between these constructs and stage of physical activity behavior change. More than half of students were in inactive stage and exercised for 41.62 minutes a week on average. Exercise self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and perceived benefits were found to be significant predictors of the stage of exercise behavior change among medical students. Only self-efficacy and stages of change [P<0.001] could directly predict the significant variance of physical activity while other constructs from Pander's model indirectly influenced the physical activity behavior through mediating stages of change construct. Perceived benefits [P<0.001] directly and perceived barriers inversely [P<0.001] were predictor of stage of exercise behavior. Perceived health status could indirectly influence the stage of change via perceived benefit. Our results indicated that the change in stage of readiness for exercise is probably dependent on the student's perceptions of exercise self-efficacy, benefits and barriers as well as the perceived health status to engage in physical activity. Furthermore, the results of this study made moderate support for the health promotion model constructs to predict physical activity and exercise stage of change

Gastric neoplasia: a Clinicopathological study

A clinicopathological study of 94 patients with gastric neoplasia was done. Eighty nine patients had cancer stomach with a mean age of 57.3 years while 5 patients had benign gastric tumor with a mean age of 47 years. The most common presenting symptoms were weight loss, sense of epigastric fullness after meals and constitutional symptoms as easy fatiguability and malaise. Barium swallow, endoscopy, ultrasound and/or CT was done to diagnose the disease. Gastrectomy was carried out in 53 patients, esophagogastrectomy in 2 patients, palliative resection in 30 patients, bypass in 5 patients while nothing could be done in 4 patients. The histopathological study showed adenocarcinoma in 62 patients, 40 of them were undifferentiated and 22 were differentiated. Two had signet ring carcinoma while 10 with mucoid carcinoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were found in 15 patients. Benign tumors were; 2 leiomyoma, 2 leiomyoblastoma and 1 schwanoma. Regular follow up of 56 patients was carried out ranging from 6-34 months. Fourteen patients died during this period, however, the survival in patients with lymphoma was better. All patients with benign tumors are alive