ABSTRACT
Background: given the importance of adolescents' health in establishing health in the newly thriving generation of every society, the first step for adolescents' health promotion is health needs assessment. The present study was, therefore, conducted to design a valid and reliable scale for health needs assessment of male adolescents
Methods: this is an exploratory sequential mixed method study [2014 2015]. The qualitative part was performed using content analysis approach and aimed to generate items pool. Data collection was performed by 7 focus group discussions with 51 male adolescents, and 10 semi-structured in-depth interviews with 10 other adolescents. Nine further in-depth interviews were also performed with 9 key informants. Purposive sampling was used and continued until data saturation. In the quantitative part, the designed scale was psychometrically assessed through the examination of the face and content validities using qualitative and quantitative methods and also the construct validity using the exploratory factor analysis along with the tool's internal consistency and stability
Results: the content analysis of the data from the qualitative part led to the extraction of 4 main themes and 103 items, which moved to the quantitative stage. The mean content validity index of the scale was estimated 0.91 and content validity ratio was 0.89. The exploratory factor analysis showed 4 factors for the designed scale [49 items], including physical, psychological, social and sexual health needs. The internal consistency and the stability assessment of the scale showed 0.79 and 0.89, respectively. [P<0.001]
Conclusion: according to the psychometric assessment, MAHNAS is a valid and reliable scale compatible with the Iranian culture that can be used in the health needs assessment of male adolescents
ABSTRACT
Vasomotor hot flash is the most common and distressful complication of menopausal women. Its treatment is the most frequent clinical challenge. As a result, an effective and harmless therapy is needed. This double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of licorice roots on the relief and recurrence of hot flash in menopausal women referring to the healthcare centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti Medical University in 2010. Ninety menopausal women complaining of hot flash were selected by reviewing their records in healthcare centers and randomly divided into 2 licorices [3 capsules daily containing 330 mg licorice abstract] and placebo [3 capsules daily containing 330 mg starch] groups over the 8 weeks of intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up. Two weeks prior to the intervention, the severity as well as frequency of hot flashes and the foods taken were asked and documented with questionnaires and data sheets. Data within and between the groups were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements and t-test respectively. Means of age and body mass index [BMI] of the subjects in licorice and placebo groups were 53 +/- 3.2, 52.69 +/- 2.8, 24.71 +/- 3.2 and 23.61 +/- 3.3, respectively. The groups were similar in terms of intervening variables. The frequency of hot flash decreased significantly in the experimental [than the placebo group] and this lasted for 2 weeks after the administration of the capsules. The severity of hot flash decreased in the licorice group as well. This decrease was also seen in the placebo group in the first week of the intervention. Decreased hot flash in the placebo group was only significant after the 1[st] week of intervention compared to the previous period. Recurrence of frequency and severity of hot flashes occurred 2 weeks after the termination of therapy. The significant decrease in the placebo group after the 1st week of the intervention may be attributed to the psychological effects of placebo. Licorice roots decreased the frequency and severity of hot flashes. The administration of this harmless, inexpensive herb well accepted by the menopausal women together with the appropriate and continuous physical activities and consumption of dairy products are recommended for relieving this complication
ABSTRACT
Regarding the high prevalence of hot flashes in menopausal women and its effect on the quality of life, and due to its controversial treatment, this study was run to assess the effect of Licorice root extract on hot flashes in menopausal women in families under the cover of health and medical centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in 2008. This double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 menopausal women who had experienced different degrees of hot flashes. Patients were chosen through the existing records in health and medical centres and then randomly divided into two thirty-four-member groups of Licorice [three capsules of 330 mg Licorice root extract each day], and placebo group [three capsules of 330 mg starch each day] for a treatment period of 4 weeks. Two weeks before taking the medicine, the intensity and number of hot flashes and type of food they had eaten were recorded using a questionnaire. To assess validity and reliability, content validity and repeated test with correlation index of 96% were used. Data were assessed by variance analysis test with repeated measurements and by t-test. Menopausal women in Licorice and placebo group were 53.3 +/- 3 and 53 +/- 2.6 years old, 73.6% and 61.8% had 1.5 years or less from their last menstruation, and 41.2% and 38.2% had hot flashes during night, respectively. In Licorice group, the average number and intensity of hot flashes were 7.6 +/- 0.5 and 10 +/- 1.8 before the treatment and 5.1 +/- 0.6 and 5.1 +/- 1.6 after it. However, the average number and intensity of hot flashes in placebo group did not change. Licorice was effective in reducing the number and intensity of hot flashes in menopausal women. It is essential that studies be conducted with a longer length of treatment and investigation of the time of recurrence of hot flashes after discontinuance of medicine