Peer-led versus teacher-led AIDS education for female high-school students in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

Peer-led programmes on AIDS prevention have shown a good level of effectiveness when tested among high-risk populations. This study compared peer-led and teacher-led methods of education about HIV/AIDS among female high-school students in Yazd city, Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2009 students in 3 high schools were trained by their classmates [peer-led], by the research team [teacher-led] or had no education [controls]; 180 students completed a specially designed questionnaire based on the health belief model, before and after the intervention. Post-intervention mean knowledge scores increased 2-fold in the peer-led group, and this was significantly higher than the increase in the teacheHed group scores [1.5-fold]. Control group scores were unchanged. In the peer-led programme all of the components of the model were significantly improved whereas in the teacher-led programme, only perceived severity and perceived barriers scored significantly higher after the intervention

intervention based on protection motivation theory in reducing skin cancer risk

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable, curable and treatable of all other cancers. In the past decade, the rates for most cancers, specially the skin cancers increased visibly. Sun exposure is a major causative factor for skin cancer for which prevention is possible. Protection motivation theory [PMT] provides one model for increasing healthy behavior through persuasive communication. We apply this theory for skin cancer prevention behavior. This was an experimental study. Participants were 360 female students from four high schools in Yazd city, Iran that divided in two groups [180 in case and 180 in control group]. A self-report questionnaire was used to assess the variables in the PMT model at pretest, post-test and follow-up. The questionnaire was distributed before the intervention [pre-test] and afterwards [post-test] and following at a 2 month lag. For data analysis ANOVA, T-test, Wilcoxon, Pearson's correlation and coefficient were used. A significant difference between all variables except fear was noted in the case and control groups in follow-up [p=0.00]. There was significant difference between mean grades score of all of variables in case group, in pre-test and follow up. No significant difference was seen between mean grade scores of variables in control group in pre-test and follow up. There is significant difference between using methods for prevention skin cancer in case and control group after intervention. Results support the effectiveness of a PMT-based intervention to change the attitude and behavior associated with skin cancer risk. Theory-based intervention can motivate people to alert their attitudes and behaviors regarding sun exposure

survey about attitude and practice of Yazd motorcycle drivers on using helmet

Traffic and problems around it is one of the important problems of industrial countries the prevention of which can develop the country and determine the health people's. Cycle drivers are considered as high risk drivers of the roads for sustaining most loss. While putting on helmet can decrease roads deaths and injuries up to 20%-45%, WHO statistics reports the suffering of 25% of traffic victims from head injuries. This is a descriptive study conducted on 210 cycle drivers of Yazd city.The subjects were selected by cluster sampling method in 5 sections of the city. The data were collected by a questionnaire and were then analyzed by SPSS software. Different tests were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that most of the cycle drivers [37.6%] was at the age group of 17-20.Those who enjoyed a driving certificate was 48.6% while 51.4% lacked it. Of them 43.3% used a helmet while 56.7% did not. Also 58.9% of the drivers intended to use a helmet in future. The mean grade score of the attitude of the drivers in the age group under 17 was 55.28 +/- 4.57 and their practice stood at 1 +/- .57. Also the mean grade score of the attitude of the age group 17-20 was 55.08 +/- 6.77 while that for their practice score came to 1.54 +/- .74. The results indicate that using helmet by cycle drivers can have an appropriate effect on their health. It is also shown that using helmet by these drivers is rather low so calling for a need to draw attention of the authorities to the idea

survey on the relation between satus of the environmental health and health of the carpet workers in rural of Mehriz-Yazd Iran [2007]

Carpet industry is one of the most important traditional handicraft in IRAN. Considering the long history of carpet industry in Iran and the existence of working a lot of men and women in the villages of Iran in this field, carpet industry as can be regarded a complementary industry for farming so paying attention to the health of worekers in the field can play an important role in socio economic development of our villages. This descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted on 2200 carpet handicrafters in Mehryz, Yazd, Iran, selected through census. The relevant questionnaire was filled out by occupational health specialists and intern students of medicine via inspection, clinical examination and interviewing. Results:44.4% of the target group were between 15-24 years of age. 78.5% of the married subjects had 5 children or lower and 85.2% of them had different levels of literacy. 14.7% had a history of psychologic disorders; 4.6% ophthalmologic disorders, 4.5% endocrine disorders and 19.8% had history of infectious diseases. Results: indicated that there was a significant relationship between different disorders of mind, skin, heart, muscle, and skeleton with temperature of the mind, handicrafters working environment [P<0.05]. As we expected pulmonary disease was less prevalent among the subjects who possessed a better and more appropriate ventilating system for their morking place after correlation analysis, of the data it was revealed that with increasing the working years, the subjects' visual capacity also decreased. In addition, the working hours decreased in relation to the subjects' increase in blood pressure. The result of the study showed that some diseases like pulmonary and ocular diseases is high in carpet workers.The diseases in the subjects with inappropriate working place was higher than others. So it is nesseary today more attention to health of the carpet workers and their working places

Caesarean section, vaginal delivery and post natal depression

Depression is a kind of sorrow that decreases the level of juiciness. Most studies have maintained that psychological risk factors have the most profound effect on the development of postnatal depression [PND]. We compared the postnatal depression among the women with elective caesarean and vaginal delivery. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 women 1-4 months after their delivery. Samples were divided into two groups [60 mothers with caesarean and 60 with vaginal delivery]. The samples were selected by cluster sampling in Health Center of Yazd City, Yazd Province. To assess the level of depression, we handed the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] to participants. For data analysis, qui-square, ANOVA and descriptive statistic were used. The mean grade scores of depression of women with caesarean delivery was 17.16 [SD=11.57] and for women with vaginal delivery was 11.05 [SD=9.41]. The major depression in women with caesarean was twice the women with vaginal delivery [16.7via 8.3]. There was significant difference between mode of delivery and depression of participants [P=0.02]. Tendency of sexuality in women with caesarean was lower than women with vaginal delivery. Although the prevalence of PND symptoms seems to be the same across the cultures, risk factors differ significantly. This study identified caesarean delivery as a certain risk factor for increasing prevalence of depression in post-natal delivery. This factor must be taken into consideration when planning intervention and preventive strategies for these women

Knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS of schoolteachers in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

A cross-sectional interview study was made with 290 teachers in 10 high schools in Yazd city, Islamic Republic of Iran. More than 90% of the participants had previously received information about HIV and AIDS. Only 207 [71.4%] correctly answered all questions on methods of transmission of HIV/AIDS. Most knew about sexual contact [93.1%] and infected blood [92.1%] as methods of transmission. Some teachers [20.3%] thought that mosquitoes could transmit HIV/AIDS. Regarding attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, over 55% of the teachers agreed or strongly agreed that infected people should be quarantined, whereas 17% agreed or strongly agreed that AIDS is a specific disease of those with high-risk sexual behaviour. Married teachers held more positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS than unmarried teachers

survey about foot care in diabetic patients, based on health belief model in Kermanshah, Iran [2005]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common medical problems worldwide. Approximately 18% of persons over 65 years age are diabetic. WHO estimates that the prevalence of diabetes [4% in 1995] will increase to 5.6% in 2025. Diabetic foot problems, are potentially among the most preventable long term complication for diabetics. The purpose of this study was to test the utility of the Health Belief Model [HBM] in understanding and predicting the intention of diabetic patients in prevention of their foot lesions and amputations. This was a cross-sectional study, carried out in 108 diabetic patients in Kermanshah. The data were collected by using a researcher making questionnaire in four sections. All data were collected by direct interview and on basis of constructs of HBM. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. There was significant difference between mean grade scores of HBM, period of their disease and level of education in them [pv<0.000], there was no significant difference between the foot care and period of disease [pv>0.05]. The results of many studies in Iran and out of Iran are consistent with our results. All of these studies showed that HBM constructs may cause the changes and improvement of the behaviour in practice. It can be recommended that HBM model be applied in prevention and treatment of disease in the people

Depression in menopaused and nonmenopaused women

This cross-sectional investigation compared the depressive condition between menopaused and nonmenopasued women in the age of 45-55 in Yazd city in Yazd Province in center of Iran. The samples were divided into two groups [70 menopaused women and 70 nonmenopaused women], and were selected by cluster sampling from the city of Yazd. The depressive tendency of participants was examined with the Beck depression inventory. About 72% of women were free of any depressive tendency, or very minor depression. Thirty women [21.4%] suffered from intermediate depression and 9 women [6.4%] suffered from sever depression. More than 27% of subjects were suffered from some forms of depression. There was no significant difference between the depression and condition of menopause of women. It is a need to know the women's condition of depression and counseling as well as guiding them on basis of their needs to prevent any disorders

Predictors of self-care behaviors among diabetic patients referred to Yazd diabetes research centre based on extended health belief model

Diabetes is the most common disease related to metabolism disorders with long term complications. It needs lifelong specific self-care, as it causes a promotion in quality of life and decreases disease costs. The Health Belief Model [HBM] is a psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors. This is done by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals. The model has been used for studying diabetes self care behaviors. The aim of this study was determination of predictors of self-care behaviors among diabetes patients referred to Yazd diabetes research centre based on extended health belief model. This cross-sectional study carried out on 120 diabetic patients referred to Yazd diabetes research centre who were entered in the study by convenience sampling. A questionnaire was used for data collection with a private interview which included questions regarding extended health belief model constructs including perceived benefits, barriers, severity, sensitivity, threat, self-efficacy, social support, metabolic control and locus of control and some demographic variables. There was a positive significant correlation between model variable of perceived benefits, severity, sensitivity, threat, self-efficacy, social support, metabolic control and internal locus of control with self-care behaviors, and also a negative significant correlation between perceived barriers [P = 0.001], chance locus of control [P = 0.037] and self-care behaviors. The above variables explained 45.3% of variance in diabetes self-care behaviors, with self-efficacy as the strongest predictor. The results of this study approved the effectiveness of extended health belief model in predicting self-care behaviors among diabetic patients, which can therefore be used as a framework for designing and implementing educational intervention programs for control of diabetes

survey of outdoor air pollution on the basis of pm[10] SO[2], CO and smoke factors in Yazd city and offering educational strategies for controlling it-1382

Air pollution is one of the most pressing problems around the world but more common in industrialized countries. Pollution of the atmosphere occurs due to industrialization and urbanization and has now reached a level imposing a potential threat to the health of populations as well as adverse effects upon the climate and weather. In an analytical cross- sectional study, the status of air pollution was identified in Yazd city. Air sampling was randomly performed at different settings. Our results showed that the maximum rate of pollution was due to the transportation system of the city from center to the north and east in which emission factors for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were found 22 PPM in Imam khomeini street and 15 PPM in the northern and eastern streets. The maximum mean variations of pollutants were related to the sulfur dioxide in winter [27-34 g/m[3]] and aerosols in autumn [241- 285 g.m[3]]. The range of variation of carbon monoxide in winter was also greater than that of other seasons [8-22 PPM]. The measurement results also showed that the amount of emission of these factors in spring and summer were about 30% more than the permissible level. However, the carbon monoxide contaminants were approximately 80% higher than the permissible level in autumn and winter. It, therefore, may be concluded that the high levels of hydrocarbons and carbon monxide were associated with the number of automobils in winter and autumn and /or with the activity of the services of schools

[Quality of life in diabetes type II patients in Yazd]

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects and decrease the quality of life. The incidence of diabetes is increasing and the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Iran is 4.5-6% and in population aged above 30 years is more than 14%. The prevalence of this disease in Yazd is 14.2%. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality of life of diabetes type II patients in Yazd and utilize the results for betterment of the quality of life of the patients. The object of this study was to assess diabetic patients' perceptions of their quality of life and its relation to certain socio-demographic variables. The data was collected by a questionnaire [SF=20] from 120 randomly selected patients at the Diabetes Research Center of Yazd. The data was analyzed with SPSS software and chi[2] test. The age of 40% of the samples was lower than 50 years while 60% was more than 50 years. Diabetes had affected quality of life of patients. The overall QOL, of patients was less than 50 percent.. There was no significant relationship between the level of education of patients and their QOL. There was a significant relationship between the job of patients and their QOL. About 87% of them had neuropathy and 78% had retinopathy. The QOL of patients with complications was lesser than those without complications. The findings of this study can help planners of diabetes management and education programs to identify persons at risk of decreased QOL at an early stage and tailor preventive interventional programs to bring about significant changes in patient's QOL