ABSTRACT
Self-care activities during pregnancy can be effective in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Health Belief Model [HBM] is one of the most applicable models in educational need assessment for planning and implementation of educational interventions. The purpose of this study was to measurement of the constructs of HBM related to self-care during pregnancy in women referred to South Tehran health network. In this cross-sectional study 270 pregnant women who referred to health centers of South Tehran Health Networks participated. Demographic, knowledge and attitude questionnaires based on constructs of HBM was used to measure the status of knowledge and attitude of women. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS18. Results showed that 92.2% of women had the knowledge scores in good level. The scores of perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy and cues to action were in good level in almost of women but almost of women obtained weak point in perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and barriers. HBM can be used as an appropriate tool for assessment the status of pregnant women in the field of self-care behaviors during pregnancy and planning and implementation of educational interventions
ABSTRACT
Healthy eating in adolescent girls has a crucial role in normal growth and reducing the incidence of chronic disease related to nutrition in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine high school girl's eating behaviors in north of Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, 722 female students who were selected randomly from public high schools in four districts of Tehran participated. Demographic variables and nutritional status were evaluated using systematic interviews with them by health professionals. Anthropometric parameters were also assessed. Most girls [42.4%] had a normal BMI. The mean [SD] of daily consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products were 2 [1.1], 1.8 [1], 1.9 [1.07] servings, respectively. The mean [SD] of weekly intake of red meat, poultry, fish, eggs and beans were 3.08 [2], 3.15 [2.9], 0.95 [0.9], 2.6 [2.9] and 2.2 [1.2] times, respectively. The mean [SD] frequency of eating breakfast was 4.9 [2.6] times per week. 16.9% of girls never consumed fast foods. Girls who do not consume salty snacks and fast foods per week, had significantly normal BMI [p<0.05]. Low-fat milk consumption, daily consumption breakfast and non consumption of fruits were significantly associated with social status [p<0.05]. Do not eating breakfast had significant association with BMI [p<0.05]. The consumption of major food groups in this study was lower than the recommended amounts. Further research is needed to determine enabling and reinforcing factors to healthy eating behaviors. Also, improvement attitudes and empowerment of adolescent girls to adopt healthy eating behaviors can be effective
ABSTRACT
Low birth weight [LBW] is considered as an important outcome of birth and pregnancy, which is associated with long-term consequences and health-care problems. Maternal lifestyle and health care during pregnancy are powerful predictors of BW of infants. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a self-care educational program based on the Health Belief Model [HBM] on reducing LBW among a sample of pregnant Iranian women. In this randomized controlled trial, we recruited 270 pregnant women referred to prenatal clinics in the south of Tehran, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated to two intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group received an educational program to promote self-care behaviors during pregnancy. The control group received routine care. BW was compared between the two groups. Baseline demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude scores before the intervention in both groups were compared using the Chi-square test for categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to control the effect of demographic variables on BW. The results showed that LBW was reduced significantly in the intervention group at the follow-up measurement [5.6 vs. 13.2%, P = 0.03]. After controlling for demographic characteristics, we found a significant decrease in the risk of LBW in the intervention group [odds ratio [OR]: 0.333; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12-0.88, P = 0.02]. Implementation of a self-care educational program designed on the basis of an HBM on pregnant women was effective in reducing the rate of LBW