Development and Psychometric Properties of an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire for Childbearing Intentions and Behaviors in Iran / 가정의학회지

Background@#Childbearing is the most important determinant of population fluctuations, and its study is more important than other population phenomena. Owing to the lack of a valid questionnaire based on the extended theory of planned behavior, this mixed-method study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to examine related belief-based factors on the intention to bear children in Iranian society. @*Methods@#This study was conducted in two phases in Hamadan city, western Iran, in 2021. Phase 1 consisted of an extensive literature review and a qualitative study using a directed content analysis approach to generate an item pool. Psychometrics were measured in phase 2, including content, face, and construct validity. Reliability was assessed based on internal consistency and stability. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and AMOS ver. 24.0. @*Results@#Mean content validity ratio and content validity index were 0.7 and 0.85, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis of the 32 items identified an eight-factor solution. These factors jointly accounted for 79.1% of the observed variance in the outcome variables. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the data. The internal consistency based on Cronbach’s α was 0.85 (0.71–0.93). In addition, stability was confirmed using the test-retest method and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.74–0.94). @*Conclusion@#The designed questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating related belief-based factors on the intention and behavior of childbearing among married men and women in Iran.

Factors Affecting Breast Self-examination Behavior Among Female Healthcare Workers in Iran: The Role of Social Support Theory / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. Screening tests are the basis for early diagnosis. In Iranian women, the mortality rate of breast cancer is high due to insufficient screening examinations and delayed visits for care. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors affecting breast self-examinations among Iranian women employed in medical careers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 501 women working in the medical professions at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in western Iran in 2018. The subjects were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed, self-report questionnaire that contained demographic information and questions based on protection motivation theory and social support theory. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and model fitting with PLS version 2. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 37.1±8.3 years, and most of the women (80.4%) were married. Most women had a bachelor's degree (67.5%). The findings of this study showed that the coping appraisal construct was a predictor of protection motivation (β=0.380, p<0.05), and protection motivation (β=0.604, p<0.05) was a predictor of breast self-examination behavior. Additionally, social support theory (β=0.202, p<0.05) had a significant positive effect on breast self-examination behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of practicing self-examinations among women employees in the medical sector was low; considering the influence of social support as a factor promoting screening, it is necessary to pay attention to influential people in women's lives when designing educational interventions.

Psychological and Sociodemographic Predictors of Fertility Intention among Childbearing-Aged Women in Hamadan, West of Iran: An Application of the BASNEF Model / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Fertility and childbearing are the most important determinants of population variation around the world. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the psychological and sociodemographic factors predicting fertility intention among women referred to comprehensive health centers in Hamadan based on the beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms, and enabling factors (BASNEF) model. METHODS: This descriptive analytical study was performed in comprehensive health centers in Hamadan in 2016. Through a multi-stage sampling method, 484 women were enrolled in the study. The data collection tool was a self-report questionnaire based on the constructs of the BASNEF model. Data were analyzed using linear regression, independent t-test, and a one-way analysis of variance using IBM SPSS software ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean±standard deviation of the women's age was 31.85±6.13 years. The variables of motivation to comply (β=0.228), enabling factors (β=0.162), subjective norms (β=0.134), and attitude (β=0.122) were the predictors of fertility intention in women. This model was able to explain 16.8% of variance in behavioral intention. Also, lower age, higher education, shorter duration of marriage, and having a daughter resulted in a greater fertility intention. CONCLUSION: It seems that designing and implementing educational programs to improve attitudes, promoting positive subjective norms, and enhancing enabling factors can play a major role in increasing fertility intention in women.

Factors Affecting Breast Self-examination Behavior Among Female Healthcare Workers in Iran: The Role of Social Support Theory / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES@#In women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. Screening tests are the basis for early diagnosis. In Iranian women, the mortality rate of breast cancer is high due to insufficient screening examinations and delayed visits for care. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors affecting breast self-examinations among Iranian women employed in medical careers.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study included 501 women working in the medical professions at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in western Iran in 2018. The subjects were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed, self-report questionnaire that contained demographic information and questions based on protection motivation theory and social support theory. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and model fitting with PLS version 2.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of the participants was 37.1±8.3 years, and most of the women (80.4%) were married. Most women had a bachelor's degree (67.5%). The findings of this study showed that the coping appraisal construct was a predictor of protection motivation (β=0.380, p<0.05), and protection motivation (β=0.604, p<0.05) was a predictor of breast self-examination behavior. Additionally, social support theory (β=0.202, p<0.05) had a significant positive effect on breast self-examination behavior.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The frequency of practicing self-examinations among women employees in the medical sector was low; considering the influence of social support as a factor promoting screening, it is necessary to pay attention to influential people in women's lives when designing educational interventions.

The Association between Social Support and Happiness among Elderly in Iran / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Elderly people's life is affected by multiple factors including social support, which is of the utmost importance. This study aimed to explore the association between social support and happiness as well as the impact of types of social support on happiness among elders. METHODS: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 411 elderly men and women referred to the retirement, cultural, and rehabilitation centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Participants were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. The research instrument included a questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic information, the Oxford Argyle Happiness Inventory, and a Questionnaire derived from Social Support Theory. The questionnaire was completed through a self-report study. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance in IBM SPSS Software ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean for happiness was reported as 41.17±15.2. The values given for social support were 29.40±11.95 and for its dimensions were 7.53±3.89 and 13.70±4.90 for informational support and emotional support, respectively. Moreover, the mean value for appraisal support was 3.48±2.37 and was 4.70±2.56 for instrumental support. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that social support and demographic variables could account for approximately 25% (R2=0.25) of changes in the variable of happiness. CONCLUSION: High social support could increase happiness among elders. The quality and quantity of social support can be taken into account as proper determinants and predictors of happiness among elders.

Factors associated with hookah use among male high school students: the role of demographic characteristics and hookah user and non-user prototypes

Background: As students' hookah use has become a widespread problem in the developing countries, it is time to understand the cognitive determinants of students' decisions to do so. This study aimed to investigate the roles of psychological and demographic factors associated with hookah use among male high school students

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed among 601 high school male students, recruited through multistage sampling method in the Kermanshah City, west of Iran in 2016. The data-gathering tool consisted of a self-administered questionnaire with questions about hookah use behavior and demographic, behavioral and psychological variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18 software using chi-square and logistic regression

Results: 36.1% of the participants reported ever hookah use and 17.1% mentioned using hookah in the past month

Pleasure [28.1%] and sensation seeking [22.5%] were common reasons of hookah use. In comparison to non-users, hookah users evaluated a typical hookah user as more clever, less immature, more popular, more attractive, more self-confident, more independent, and less selfish [P<0.001]

Conclusions: The results revealed the importance of psychological factors when examining students' hookah use status. Thus, design and implementation of interventions might be effective in prevention of hookah use among students

Predicting tobacco smoking among male adolescents in Hamadan city, west of Iran in 2014: an application of the prototype willingness model

As adolescent tobacco smoking has become a widespread problem in developing countries, it is time to understand the cognitive determinants of adolescents' decisions to engage in tobacco smoking. This study aimed to investigate the predicting factors associated with tobacco smoking among male adolescents based on Prototype Willingness Model [PWM] as a theoretical framework. This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 810 male adolescents of Hamadan City western Iran, recruited with a multistage sampling method. The data-gathering tool consisted of a questionnaire based on the PWM constructs. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-19 software, by bivariate correlations, liner and logistic regression tests. The prevalence of current tobacco smoking was 17.2%. Behavioral willingness and subjective norms were the most important predictors of behavioral intentions, whereas subjective norms, attitude and prototype were the most important predictors for behavioral willingness. The result obtained from logistic regression analysis revealed that both pathways of PWM constructs [behavioral intention [OR=1.207; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.28] and behavioral willingness [OR=1.334; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.41] were significant predicting factors for tobacco smoking among male adolescents. The framework of the PWM is applicable and useful in understanding tobacco smoking among male adolescents. In addition, the results revealed the importance of social reaction path when examining adolescents' smoking status

health belief model and self-care behaviors among type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem worldwide. The diabetes self-care behavior is an effective strategy to control diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the predictors of self-care behavior based on the Health Belief Model [HBM] among type 2 diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 390 diabetic patients referred to Hamadan Diabetes Research Center with a simple random sampling method. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, self-care behaviors and HBM constructs. Data were analyzed using parametric tests in SPSS-19 software. According to the findings, the diabetic patients had a moderate level of self-care behaviors. Also results showed that, HBM explained 29.6% of the variance in frequency of self-care behaviors. Perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived barrier and perceived susceptibility were the best significant predictors [P<0.05]. The researchers suggest to promote self-care behaviors, preparing training packages tailored to the needs of diabetic patients with emphasis on increasing self-efficacy and removal barriers of normal self-care behaviors are necessary

health belief model and self-care behaviors among type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem worldwide. The diabetes self-care behavior is an effective strategy to control diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the predictors of self-care behavior based on the Health Belief Model [HBM] among type 2 diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 390 diabetic patients referred to Hamadan Diabetes Research Center with a simple random sampling method. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, self-care behaviors and HBM constructs. Data were analyzed using parametric tests in SPSS-19 software. According to the findings, the diabetic patients had a moderate level of self-care behaviors. Also results showed that, HBM explained 29.6% of the variance in frequency of self-care behaviors. Perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived barrier and perceived susceptibility were the best significant predictors [P<0.05]. The researchers suggest to promote self-care behaviors, preparing training packages tailored to the needs of diabetic patients with emphasis on increasing self-efficacy and removal barriers of normal self-care behaviors are necessary

Prevalence and factors associated with methamphetamine use among adult substance abusers

The use of methamphetamine and other drugs among young adults has been a theme of growing interest and concern on the part of researchers and health associations. This paper reports recent use of methamphetamine and its relation with some demographic variables among substance users in west of Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 559 substance users of Hamadan, western Iran recruited through a snowball sampling method in 2012. The participants received a self-administered questionnaire contained questions regarding substance use, reasons of drug abuse and pattern of MA use. Data were analyzed using SPSS software using Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression methods. A number of 248 [44.4%] people reported a history of having ever used methamphetamine and the mean drug abuse initiation age was 17.8 [SD= 3.9]. According to the history, reducing effect of previous drug and resurfacing of new drug were common reasons associated with the changes in previous drug to use of methamphetamine. In multivariate analysis, 'being single' and higher school were obtained as independent predictors of methamphetamine use [P<0.001]. Methamphetamine use is common among adult substance abusers in Iran. Demographic, behavioral and psychosocial correlates of methamphetamine use identified in this research may be helpful for the development of preventive interventions

[Prevalence and predictive factors of psychoactive and hallucinogenic substance abuse among college students]

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of psychoactive and hallucinogenic substanceabuse among college students in Hamadan. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on 400 college students of Hamadan which were recruited with a stratifiedsampling method. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done with the SPSS software [version 13], using CHI[2] tests and logistic regression methods. The results showed that lifetime prevalence of methamphetamine, ecstasy and LSD were 18, 8.5 and 4.8%, respectively. In logistic regression, factors influencing psychoactive substanceuse were status of dwelling, having drug user friends and use of other drugs [P<0.05]. The high prevalence of psychoactive and hallucinogenic substance abuse which is usually accompanied by use of other drugs should be considered in educational programs

Communication skills of heads of departments: verbal, listening, and feedback skills

Managers' communication skills are one of the most important topics in educational sector of universities of medical sciences and may have considerable effect on faculty members and employees. This study was performed to determine the level of communication skills [verbal, listening, feedback] of the heads of department of faculties and its relation with some demographic variables. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2009 to January 2010. We enrolled all of the heads of departments [N=60] in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, western Iran. The participants received a self-administered 24-item questionnaire in Likert format [six general items and 18 items related to communication skills]. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The average scores of verbal, listening and feedback communication were 22.5, 16.1 and 21.1, respectively. Accordingly, 78.3% of participants in verbal communication, 16.7% in listening communication and 73.3% in feedback communication had high status. There were significant differences between the average score of listening skills and age [P=0.013] as well as gender [P=0.042]. In addition, there was a significant statistical difference between verbal skills and gender [P=0.021]. The overall communication skills of more than half of the heads of departments were moderate. These needs designing some pro-grams for improving department managers' communication skills

Association between physical activity and mental health among high-school adolescents in Boushehr province: a population based study

Mental health is one of the evaluating factors of community indicators, and physical activity is considered an important tool for the importance of public health. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between physical activity and mental health, but these studies did not include those populations in which training children have some traditional and religious aspects. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to compare the prevalence of mental health among those who had inactive, minimally and HEPA activity in a representative sample of adolescents aged 15-19 in South of Iran using data from the Mental Health Survey [n = 2584]. The GHQ-28 and IPAQ-short forms were used to evaluate the mental health and physical activity, respectively. A total of 2584 adolescents [1401 male and 1178 female] participated in the study. The observed odds of psychological symptoms in boys compared to girls is 1.2 times [p=0.018]. We observed that HEPA-activity decreases odds of somatic distress and social dysfunction compared with inactivity [p=0.031 and 0.001, respectively]; minimally activity decreases odds of anxiety compared with inactivity [p=0.038]; but physical activity rate was not affected on odds of adolescents' depression [p>0.05]. Physical activity decreases mental health subscales except for depression among adolescents in Boushehr, southern city of Iran