Exploring the underlying factors of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Ahvaz, Iran: a comprehensive cross-sectional study

Purpose@#Around 70% of the Iranian population had received two doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines by the end of 2021. In this study, we evaluated the reasons for vaccination refusal among people in Ahvaz, Iran. @*Materials and Methods@#In this cross-sectional study, 800 participants (400 vaccinated and 400 unvaccinated) were recruited. A demographic questionnaire was completed through interviews. The unvaccinated participants were asked about the reasons for their refusal. The Shapiro-Wilk test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for analyzing data. @*Results@#Older people were 1.018 times more likely to refrain from vaccination (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001–1.039; p=043). People who were manual workers as well as those who were unemployed/housewives were 0.288 and 0.423 times less likely to receive vaccination, respectively. Those with high school education and married women were 0.319 and 0.280 times less likely to receive vaccination, respectively (95% CI, 198–0.515; p<0.001; 95% CI, 0.186–0.422; p<0.001). Participants who had hypertension or suffered from neurological disorders were more likely to receive the vaccination. Finally, people affected with severe COVID-19 infection were 3.157 times more likely to get vaccinated (95% CI, 1.672–5.961; p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The results of this study showed that lower level of education and older age were contributed to reluctance for vaccination, while having chronic diseases or being already infected with severe COVID-19 infection were associated with more acceptance of vaccination.

The effect of the SNAPPS (summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select) method versus teacher-centered education on the clinical gynecology skills of midwifery students in Iran / 보건의료교육평가

This study aimed to determine the effect of the SNAPPS (summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select) method versus teacher-centered education on the clinical skills of midwifery students in Iran. In this clinical trial, 36 midwifery students in their 4th year of education in 2015 were enrolled and divided into 6 groups, 3 groups for teacher-centered education and 3 groups for the SNAPPS method, with each group spending 10 days in the outpatient gynecology clinic. A questionnaire and a checklist were used to gather data. An independent t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Ability to gain the trust of the patient, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, history taking, preparation of the patient for gynecological examination, and diagnosis and treatment of common diseases were significantly better in the SNAPPS group compared to the teacher-centered education group (P<0.05). The SNAPPS education method can significantly improve the clinical skills of midwifery students in gynecology, in particular history taking, differential diagnosis, and treatment of common diseases.

Prevalence of unmet need and its related factors for family planning in Khuzestan Province, Iran: an epidemiologic study

Background: Women with unmet need are those who are sexually active in the reproductive age, but do not use any method of contraception despite they do not want more children. These women are at risk of unwanted pregnancies and abortions that can lead to maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and related factors to unmet need for family planning among reproductive aged women in Khuzestan province, Iran, 2012-2013

Methods: Samples were selected randomly from nine cities in the province. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was completed by interview. A 46 item questionnaire was designed to collect data about unmet need in family planning. Data were analysed using SPSS ver19. Descriptive statistics, Independent t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression tests were utilized for analyzing data

Results: Unmet need was 80 [3.42] for limiting and 288 [9.59] for spacing, The prevalence of unmet need in Khuzestan Province was 13%. The unmet need group had more pregnancies and live children compared to the met need group [P<0.05]. The women with her husband with primary education compared to illiterate ones, women with university education compared to illiterate ones, women with good knowledge about contraceptive methods compared to those with poor knowledge, were less likely to have unmet need

Conclusion: The unmet need for family planning in the Khuzestan province is rather high compare to some statistics from other cities as well as in the whole country. Improving awareness about family planning can help women to decide about safer and more reliable contraceptive methods

adaptation rate of preconception care with the national standard at Ahvaz Health Care Centers in 2014

Background: Preconception counseling is preventive medicine in obstetrics. Preconception care creates an opportunity for examining conditions before pregnancy improving pregnancy outcome. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the adaptation rate of preconception care with the national standards at health care centers, Ahvaz, 2014

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at health care centers in 2013 selected randomly. The samples of the study included 385 women at their fertility age who came to receive health services. Researcher observed simultaneous care and filled the related forms. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistic SPSS version 19

Results: Results showed that the presented preconception care as to the case history section was weak for 14.3% of the cases, medium for 42.3% and desirable for the remainders [43.4%]. In addition, presented preconception care at test's section was weak for 38.4% of the cases, medium for 50.1% and desirable for 11.4%. Presented preconception care at exam's section was weak in 82.3%, medium in 16.9%, and desirable in 0.8%. Presented preconception care at immunization's section was weak in 42.3% of cases, medium in 43.1%, and desirable in 14.5%. As to resented preconception care at education's section, it was weak in 81.6% of the cases, medium in 13.8%, and desirable adaptation with the standard guidelines of country in 4.7%. . 84.9% of women were completely satisfied with centers, 11.9% relatively satisfied, and just 3.3% were dissatisfied

Conclusion: Presented preconception care at health care centers is not in the same line with the national standard; thus, a more accurate control is needed

Awareness, attitude and participation rate of men in family planning programs in Iran

The aim of present study was to evaluate the awareness, attitude and participation of men in family planning program in Abyek, Iran. This descriptive study was done on 400 men and women in Abyek, Iran. Data regarding awareness and attitude of men in family planning program and their participation rate were gathered. The descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were used for analyzing data. The mean awareness, attitude and participation score of men in family planning was 7.40 +/- 2.37, 54.68 +/- 6.12 and 8 +/- 2.52 respectively. The percentage of awareness, attitude and participation was 52.8%, 84% and 66.6% respectively. A significant relationship was observed between knowledge and participation [r=0.293, p=0.005] and attitude and participation [r=0.328, p=0.005]. Awareness and participation of men in family planning program was not good, however; their attitude was acceptable. It seems that the knowledge and practice of men about family planning should be increased by educational programs

Sleep hygiene and its related factors among the elderly in Tabriz, Iran

The aim of this study was exploring sleep hygiene and its related factors among the elderly in Tabriz, Iran. This study was conducted on 100 elderly men and women over the age of 60 in Tabriz, Iran. This was a cross-sectional study which conducted on 100 men and women over 60 years old who were selected among four active retirement centers in Tabriz, Iran in 2010. A questionnaire consisting of four sections was used for data collection. Data was gathered on socio-demographic, personal, environmental and nutritional- pharmaceutical factors of sleep hygiene. Overall sleep hygiene was considered to be as optimal if the score of three domains was between 119 and 177, moderate with score 60- 118 and unfavorable with score 0-59. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Most participants [74%] claimed that they wake up frequently during the night. Sleep hygiene in 16% of the participants was optimal and in 84% was moderate. Regarding personal, environmental and nutritional- pharmaceutical factors, sleep hygiene in 18%, 16% and 54% of the samples was optimal respectively. There was a significant relationship between gender, marital status, number of household, the amount of revenue, marital life satisfaction with sleep hygiene in the elderly [p<0.05]. The findings revealed that only small number of participants enjoyed sleep hygiene. Considering the optimal impact of sleep hygiene and its importance in fixing sleep disorders, improving sleep hygiene through educational programs can decrease the sleep disorders and improve the quality of life

Diet intervention to improve cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian postmenopausal women

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability and remains so in the future. The aim of this study was to detect the impact of a 6-month diet intervention on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal Iranian women. It was a randomized controlled trial that carried out in the East Health Clinic in Ahvaz-Iran. This study started on June 2007 and was completed on May 2008. A total 64 healthy postmenopausal women recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (35) and control (29). Over the six months follow-up, the intervention group received five educational sessions (two face to face and three lecture discussion classes with slide demonstration) at the first month. These sessions were about menopause, cardiovascular disease and healthy diet. Every participant in the intervention group received one face to face education session at the 3rd month, and also received a telephone call at the end of each month starting with the second month to remain on the diet. Pre-intervention and post-intervention anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood lipids and dietary intake were assessed. Data analyzed using the SPSS version 15. Descriptive (means and SD), univariate (Paired-t test, Chi-Square and Independent T-test) and multivariate (GLM Repeated Measure) statistics were used. Participants in the diet group had significantly lower weight (-0.9 kg), body mass index (-0.4 kg/m2), and fasting blood sugar (-4.5 mg/dl). The diet group significantly increased their daily intake of fiber (+2.3 g, P = 0.05), decreased their intake of sodium (-28 mg, P = 0.04), and consumption of fruit and vegetable > or = 5 serving a day (80%, P = 0.03) compared to the control group. Post menopausal women are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Healthy diet using educational intervention can be an effective means of reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.

Health beliefs and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women in Iran

To determine beliefs and cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors of Iranian postmenopausal women. This was a cross-sectional study based on baseline data of the clinical trial which tried to improve the CVD risk factors among the postmenopausal women. This study started on July 2007 and finished on May 2008. One hundred forty seven postmenopausal women where enrolled in the study, in whom menopause occurred at least one year ago and did not have any medical problem which required medication due to cardiovascular disease. These women came to the Central East clinic of Ahvaz [Iran]. Their knowledge and perceptions toward CVD were assessed using 64 questions which were prepared according to the Health Belief Model [HBM]. The physical activity of participants was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]. Anthropometric measurements of participants were measured. Biochemical tests were done using a fasting blood sample and in one reference laboratory. The mean age of menopause was 46.7 years. Most of participants had good knowledge about CVD [87.8%], but their attitude toward CVD risk factors were weak [40.2% of participants had good attitude]. The average of energy expenditure per week among participants was 344.8 [SD=318.3] minute per week. Participants were at high risk for CVD because of their abnormal BMI [Mean: 30.4, SD: 5.61], waist circumference [Mean: 89.2, SD: 9.5], Cholesterol [Mean: 217.5, SD: 36.5] and HDL [Mean: 47.1, SD: 14.2]. The mean 10 years risk estimation of CVD according to the Framingham risk assessment equation was 1.47. Iranian post menopausal women need to receive effective educational programs to change their health beliefs toward cardiovascular disease [CVD]

Peer education vs. health provider education in knowledge and attitude about prevention and transmission of AIDS in high school students

To compare knowledge and attitude of high school students who have thought about prevention and transmission of AIDS by peer group and health provider. This is an experimental study carried out on 417 students from six urban schools in Kerman. Group-1[n=212] received peer education, and group 2 [n=205] experiences health education. Both groups were administered, survey at three times: pre intervention and post intervention immediately after four and 6 weeks after the first post test. For both the groups eight sessions were organized about AIDS in 4 weeks. Every session lasted 30 minutes. Independent sample T test and repeated measure ANOVA were conducted to assess at baseline and after 4 and 6 weeks. Both groups had significant improvement in knowledge and attitude [p=0/000] and it was highly significant in peer education group [p=0/000]. Six weeks follow up after intervention showed that peer education was better than health provider education [p=0/000]. Education increases the knowledge and improves attitude of students about prevention and transmission of AIDS. Peer education is a more effective method than health provider for AIDS education in adolescent