[Patients, experiences with cardiovascular disease risk factors and healthcare providers of determinants of the nutritional behavior: a qualitative directed content analysis]

Unhealthy nutrition plays an effective role in increasing non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the experiences of patients with cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors, and healthcare providers working in diabetes unit of health centers, to ascertain the defeaminants of nutritional behavior based on the Health Belief Model. This qualitative study utilized the content analysis approach, conducted over a six month period in 2012, at the diabetes units of health centers, associated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences, located in Karadj- Iran. The data was collected based on individual semi-structured interviews with 50 patients and 12 healthcare providers in the diabetes unit. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection, using the content analysis directed method. Analysis of the data resulted in finding 54 primary codes, all of which were placed into predetermined categories of the Health Belief model, including threat perceived, benefits and barrier perceived, self efficacy and social support. Most patients were unable to follow healthy diets on a regular or continuous basis. Study results demonstrate the determinants of nutritional behavior as perceived by patients and healthcare providers and can help program planners in designing programs to select the most appropriate methods and applications to address these determinants in order to reduce unhealthy nutritional behavior and to eventually prevent CVDs

[Relationship of environmental tobacco smoke exposure with health beliefs and social pressure in adolescents of Yazd]

The aim of this study was to determine the environmental tobacco smoke exposure status in adolescents of the city of Yazd [Iran] and its associations with health beliefs and social pressure. A total of 281 subjects entered the present cross-sectional study using a clustered sampling. Data were collected through completion of a questionnaire for each subject and further analyzed using spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Of total study population, 42.7% reported of at least one exposure within the last seven days to cigarette smoke while staying with a smoker in a room. Similarly, 53.3% mentioned of at least one exposure to smoke while in a taxi within the last 7 days and finally 52.7% stated of at least one exposure to smoke within the previous 7 days while in open space. Perceived social pressure was found to be significantly associated with the environmental tobacco smoke exposure. A high percentage of Iranian youths are being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and perceived social pressure is considered as an important related factor. Regarding the extent of health problems associated with passive smoking, interventional education programs are necessary

[ effect of PRECEDE model-based educational program on depression level in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting]

Depression is among the most important barriers to proper treatment of cardiac patients causing failure in accepting their conditions, decreasing their motivation in following the therapeutic recommendations and thus negatively affects the patients' function and their quality of life. To investigate the effect of PRECEDE Model-based educational program on depression level in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery [CABGS] patients. This was a quasi-experimental study in which 54 post-bypass surgery patients of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center were investigated. The patients were randomly divided into two groups marked as intervention and control groups. The data were collected using two questionnaires. Primarily, the Cardiac Depression Scale Inventory questionnaire was used to measure the degree of depression followed by PRCEDE Model-based educational questionnaire to identify the role of educational intervention on patients. The PRECEDE Model-based intervention composed of nine educational sessions per week [60 to 90 min each]. The patients were followed up for two months post-intervention. Following the educational intervention, the mean score of Predisposing factors, Enabling factors, Reinforcing factors, and self-helping behaviors was significantly increased in intervention group compared to control group [p<0.001]. Also, a significant difference associated with the mean score of depression level in patients was demonstrated between two groups following the educational intervention [p<0.001] The findings of current study confirmed the practicability and effectiveness of the PRECEDE Model-based educational program on preventing or declining the depression level in CABGS patients