ABSTRACT
Background@#Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed tumorous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the barriers to mammography adoption among Iranian women. @*Methods@#This study is a qualitative component of a large research project on exploratory sequential mixed method design, utilizing conventional content analysis. In total, 24 participants were selected from among women who had participated in the first phase of the study. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. @*Results@#Five main themes were extracted, consisting of unawareness of mammography, fear control, priority of mammography needs, inadequate competency of mammography centers, and a sense of losing family support. @*Conclusion@#Different perceived barriers within various levels (individual, intrapersonal, health systems, and community) play influential roles in women’s decisions to participate in breast cancer screening program, which indicates the cultural aspect of perceived barriers in different communities and countries. The study provides the basis for intervention planning in this regard.
ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mineral density [BMD] that leads to an increase in bone fragility, causing an individual to be at an increased risk for fractures. Asian-Indians are at an increased risk for developing Osteoporosis. Considering the number of Asian-Indians in the US is rapidly growing, they likely could be an underappreciated population at risk for bone fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate bone health and determine the factors affecting BMD in Asian-Indians living in the US
Methods: Asian-Indians residing in Northern Mississippi [n = 87] were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from June 2013 to August 2014. Eligible participants completed a self-administered Osteoporosis Risk Factor Assessment questionnaire. BMD and body composition were measured using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan [DXA]
Results: Eight-seven Asian-Indians [male: 62.1%] participated, with the average age being 28.49 yr old [SD = +/-6.62]. Overall, 31.0% and 48.3% had low femoral neck BMD and spinal BMD, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, percent body fat, and body mass index [BMI] significantly predicted BMD at femur neck [P<0.05]. Additionally, percent body fat, BMI, childhood milk consumption, and gender were statistically significant predictors of spinal BMD [P<0.05]
Conclusions: The findings from this study should be beneficial to healthcare providers that work with Asian-Indian population groups. Health promotion programs focusing on Osteoporosis prevention are needed among Asian-Indians to prevent the risk of fractures
ABSTRACT
There have been many studies that evidence the health hazards of sunlight exposure, but less study on sun safe intervention model, especially in China. Our aim was to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of a peer education model-based intervention to sun safe in children. Cluster random control intervention was conducted in one district in Chongqing, China. Two primary schools, selected through stratified clustered sampling approach [two grades in each school, three classes in each grade] were designated as intervention [n=304] and control schools [n=305] randomly. 36 students, selected as peer educators in intervention group, were trained for one month. Educational activities such as discussions were organized by peer educator for one month. There was no sun safe education to participants in control school during the project period. The evaluation of changes of sun safe knowledge [the primary outcome], attitude and behavior [the secondary outcome measures] were conducted before intervention and at months of 0, 1 and 6 of the intervention to two groups using quantitative and qualitative methods. After the intervention, sun safe knowledge score which gained by the students from intervention group has been remarkably improved, compared to baseline survey [24.48 +/- 6.17 vs. 29.51 +/- 6.75] [P<0.001], and it kept this high level [29.02 +/- 7.96 and. 28.65 +/- 8.96], while control group students' scores have made no difference [P=0.410]. Most of students have changed their sun safe behavior after the intervention. Peer education program is somewhat effective in some dimensions for improving children's understanding of sun safe knowledge and behavior