Impact students counseling program on ther knowledges and attitudes about smoking

The size of smoking problem is big enough to be considered a warning of an impending epidemic. Colleges should have a greater role in health education for the students girls, therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of counseling program on their know ledges and attitudes about smoking. This study was conducted on 30 students Girls in Saudi Arabia Kingdom during the first trimester of the Academic year 2005-2006. Tools of data collection were; the socio-demographic characteristics sheet, knowledge assessment questionnaire, students attitudes toward smoking and the developed counseling program. All these tools were applied before counseling sessions as a pre-test and after sessions as an evaluating test, Results of the study revealed statistical significance difference between pre and post counseling about smoking, the study concluded that the improvement in student's knowledge and attitudes about smoking after the counseling session, the study recommended that: The onset of smoking in the students girls is alarming. This is of immense the importance of formulating health education strategies, which should be directed towards students, teachers and parents, the religious education should be the corner stone for any organized tobacco control activities. Students need family members able to comprehend their problems and to have therapeutic communication skills to help them recover and prevent relapse. Psycho-social nurses need to be actively involved in directing resources and talents toward public awareness and tobacco prevention programs, formulating public policy initiatives to control youth access to tobacco, and initiating cessation programs for youth, their efforts can be targeted at the schools, colleges and community and health care system. The spread of smoking, especially among women, should be target at schools and universities as the majority picks up the habit before the age of 20 years in Saudi Arabia

Perceived barriers and self-rated abilities as predictors of health promoting life-style among physically disabled young adults

People face many obstacles in performing health-promoting activities especially those having physical disabilities. The aim of this study is to examine the perceived barriers and self-rated abilities as predictors of health promoting life-style among physically disabled young adults. Sixty physically disabled young adults were included in the study. A descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. Four tools were utilized in this study: 1] A structured questionnaire which covered socio-demographic data, 2] Barriers to Health Promotion Activities Scale 3] Self-rated Abilities Scale, and 4]Health Promoting Life-style Profile. Results revealed that 51.7% of the sample their perceptions toward barriers were fallen between 30 - < 60 score and,68.4% of them their perceived self-rated abilities were fallen between 20 - < 50, while for 73.3% of them their health promoting life style ranged between 20 - < 50 score. Significant positive correlation was found between total score of self-rated abilities and total score of health promoting life style [r = 0.393, p < 0.01]. Significant negative correlations were detected between some of sub-domains of health promoting life-style [self actualization and nutrition] and barrier scores, where r = - 0.256, p <0.05 and r = - 0.316, p <0.05 respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, self-rated abilities was statistically significant independent predictor of health promoting life-style, where t = 2.76, p < 0.01. The study recommended that emphasis should be put on the role of community health nurses in providing health educational programs about healthy life-style to optimize health in the presence of chronic illness and disabling conditions. Governmental support is to be directed to disabled persons to eliminate barriers

Toward safe motherhood in rural community: the effects of health education on mothers practices during puerperium

Health education and increased knowledge of mothers in relation to their health is one of the major concerns of the public health sector throughout the world, and it is a strategy for improving maternal and child health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of health education on the mothers' practices during puerperium. The study sample consisted of 258 mothers residenting in El Khossous village, Qualiobeya Governorate. Three tools were used for data collection. The first tool was an interviewing questionnaire for collecting data related to socio-demographic characteristics, parity and mothers knowledge; second tool was an observation check-list for assessing mothers practices, house sanitation, and signs of illness; the third tool was physical examination for assessing infant growth and development. The results demonstrated significant effects of health education on mothers' knowledge and practices and a reduction in mothers and infants health problems. The study recommended that health education about puerperium care must be given to all pregnant women attending the Maternal and Child Health Center