Healthy Beliefs regarding Breast Cancer Screening in Iranian Women Health Volunteers: A Path Analysis / 가정의학회지

Background@#In Iran, 82% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in late stages, resulting in low survival rates. In the present study, the Stages of Change Theory and Health Belief Model were used as theoretical frameworks for assessing Women Health Volunteer readiness to act on different breast cancer screening behaviors. @*Methods@#A total of 1,410 Women Health Volunteers were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography stages of change were measured independently. A standardized questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model was used to assess their beliefs about breast cancer screening methods. A path analysis using PASW SPSS ver. 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to test the effects of individual beliefs on breast cancer screening stages of change. @*Results@#Most participants were classified in the pre-contemplation stage of breast cancer screening behaviors. Perceived barriers, benefits, and susceptibility emerged as BSE stages of change predictors. No beliefs were significant mammography stages of change predictors. @*Conclusion@#Iranian Women Health Volunteers had a very low adherence to common BSE and mammography practices. Healthy beliefs have a strong association with the stages of change for performing BSE, but not for mammography. The impact of health beliefs on an individual’s readiness to act on different breast cancer screening methods may vary with respect to the type of screening method.

Healthy Beliefs regarding Breast Cancer Screening in Iranian Women Health Volunteers: A Path Analysis / 가정의학회지

Background@#In Iran, 82% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in late stages, resulting in low survival rates. In the present study, the Stages of Change Theory and Health Belief Model were used as theoretical frameworks for assessing Women Health Volunteer readiness to act on different breast cancer screening behaviors. @*Methods@#A total of 1,410 Women Health Volunteers were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography stages of change were measured independently. A standardized questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model was used to assess their beliefs about breast cancer screening methods. A path analysis using PASW SPSS ver. 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to test the effects of individual beliefs on breast cancer screening stages of change. @*Results@#Most participants were classified in the pre-contemplation stage of breast cancer screening behaviors. Perceived barriers, benefits, and susceptibility emerged as BSE stages of change predictors. No beliefs were significant mammography stages of change predictors. @*Conclusion@#Iranian Women Health Volunteers had a very low adherence to common BSE and mammography practices. Healthy beliefs have a strong association with the stages of change for performing BSE, but not for mammography. The impact of health beliefs on an individual’s readiness to act on different breast cancer screening methods may vary with respect to the type of screening method.

Association of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombospondin-1 to body mass index in polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynecological endocrine disorder that is characterized by disturbances in ovarian blood flow and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) serum levels with the body mass index (BMI) in patients with PCOS compared with healthy subjects. METHODS: The study was conducted with 80 subjects in 3 PCOS groups, including normal weight, overweight, and obese PCOS groups, and a control group of healthy subjects (n=20). The participants in all groups completed a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and obstetric questions. The PCOS diagnosis in the study subjects was confirmed based on the Rotterdam criteria, BMI was determined according to the World Health Organization guidelines, and the lipid accumulation product index was calculated for all groups. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants after fasting to measure the serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipids, insulin, VEGF, TSP-1, and leptin. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the serum VEGF level was significantly higher in the normal BMI PCOS group than that in the control group (P=0.03), and the TSP-1 level was significantly lower in the obese PCOS group than that in the control group (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that alterations in VEGF and TSP-1 concentrations are dependent on BMI. Because abnormal ovarian angiogenesis is considered to be the main feature of PCOS, the study of ovarian angiogenic imbalance is proposed as a new tool for PCOS diagnosis and management.

need for reviewing of log books in Birjand University of Medical Sciences clinical wards

Clinical education can be taken as a facilitating activity for learning in the clinical settings in which students gain experiences from patients' bedside and apply their previously learned concepts through their interactions with their teachers and routine works. Clinical education provides an opportunity for students to transform their theoretical knowledge into diverse intellectual and psychomotor skills essential to patient care. The evaluation process of teaching and learning is one of the noticeable activities in educational institutions because the training of skilled and competent manpower, to a large extent, is dependent on this process. The use of modern educational techniques, increasing productivity, and ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of educational centers is the goal followed all over the world but, this is more emphasized in the field of medical sciences that are directly connected with maintaining and improving the health of people and society. This is why for more effectiveness of medical education applying new methods is necessitated. One of the evaluated and structured methods focusing on learning experiences in education is "logbook". Logbook is a simple means for learners, a framework for organizing various educational activities and recording them. One of the unique characteristics of a logbook is that it requires students acquire a certain number of skills. This causes the students to do their tasks as planned and objectively too; and thanks to repetition and practice they would prevent probable errors. At present, a lot of clinical education aspects are different than in the past. Technology development, changes in the pattern of people's lifestyle and higher exposure to environmental risk factors [Such as the development of chemical industry, natural or synthetic chemicals, biological agents including viruses and other microorganisms, behavioral factors including psychological stress and drug addiction] cause changes in the pattern of diseases in general and particularly in the domain of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, in accord with these changes, the graduates and scholars are expected to promote their skills and abilities. Since, identification and analysis of the effectiveness of educational needs are prerequisite for a successful educational system, revision and continuous reviewing of educational programs based on the possibilities, conditions, and new needs are inevitable. Thus, the results of a study on 233 medical students passing their clinical stage [externs or interns] in Birjand University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2016-2017 showed that 24.5% of them knew high or very high helpful completion of their log books activities in attaining of clinical wards skills and 74.5% expressed the necessity of reviewing available log books in clinical wards. According to the obtained results the necessity of reviewing log books used in clinical wards of BUMS considering the latest clinical issues, diseases- including emerging and reemerging ones- and diagnostic - therapeutic methods in accordance with changes in diagnostic - therapeutic guidelines using the newest resources is critically felt. Furthermore, due to the pervasive use of electronic log books in recent years in medical universities across the country that are in line with developments and innovations in medical education, it is recommended that the log books at this university too, should be presented and evaluated electronically. Electronic log books with ongoing record of activities and clinical techniques based on educational objectives, in addition to learning consolidation, determine unavailable measures to achieve clinical objectives and, thus, cause regular monitoring and evaluation on the part of students

Application of Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting of effective Factors on heterosexual relationship in girls Adolescence of Birjand city

Background and Aim: Puberty is one of the most critical periods in life that makes individual to feel and behave in a different way. One of the major issues faced young people is the conflict between spiritual values, customary and familiar to the freedom or non-freedom of heterosexual relationships and how to deal with it. Therefore, this study aimed to determine Predicting Factors heterosexual relationship in girls Adolescence of Birjand city

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, samples were collected from girl students in high schools in different regions of Birjand in 2015. The survey was carried out via simple random sampling of 395 students. Data were collected by the validated and reliable questionnaire based on theory of planned behavior. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS20 and descriptive statistical tests and Pearson correlation, logistic regression, t- test and ANOVA tests in significant level less than 0.05

Results: Among the adolescents participating in this study 43.9% with an average duration was about 15+/-7 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that attitudes [P

Conclusion: According to the results of this study showed that the attitude and intention for the relationship with the opposite sex were strong predictors. So the theory of planned behavior can be used as an effective method for planning and intervention to prevent heterosexual relationship

[Epidemiological study of self-medication and its associated factors in visitors to Birjand pharmacies, 2015]

Background and Aim: Nowadays, scientific and industrial advances in medical field and pharmaceutics have provided access to various types of medications which, without proper monitoring, can lead to willful drug use. The present study aimed at determining self-medication epidemiology and its related factors in pharmacy visitors in Birjand in 2015

Materials and Methods: This analytical descriptive study was conducted on 944 Birjand pharmacy visitors, using stratified randomized sampling in the winter and spring of 2015. The necessary data was obtained by means of a validated and reliable questionnaire. Then, it was fed into SPSS [V:19] software and was analysed using the statistical testes X[2] ,independent T, Mann Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis ,and Tukey at the significant level P<0.05

Results: Mean age of the participants was 32.8 +/- 10.8 years. Among them, 84.5% from whom 58% were men, expressed their inappropriate self-medication. Common cold, allergy [61.4%] and analgesics [43.9%] had the highest rate of use. Unavailability of physicians [33%], easy access to medications in pharmacies [44.5%] and similar prescriptions [30.6%] were the main reasons for inappropriate self- medication

Conclusion: It was found that the inappropriate use of drugs, mainly in common cold, analgesic and antibiotic drugs, was high in the study population. The easy access to medicines pharmacies is probably the most important factor of the self medication

[Assessment of health belief model [HBM] impact on knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy of women in need of genetic counseling]

Background and Aim: Regarding the ever-increasing of genetic diseases, counseling for the prevention of these diseases has got overwhelming necessity. Thus, promoting individuals' awareness of. Genetic counseling is required. The current study aimed at determining the effect of an educational program based on Health Belief Model on knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy of urbanized women in need of genetic counseling

Materials and Methods: In this randomized field trial study, 80 married women in need of genetic counseling were divided into two equal case and control groups. Data collection means were a researcher designed questionnaire consisting of demographic data and health belief model queries, which were completed by interview. Educational intervention was done during three 90 minute sessions with one week interval between each one. Finally, the obtained data was fed into SPSS [version 16] applying the statistical tests of Chi-square, repeated ANOVA, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Friedman for analysis; and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level

Results: Mean knowledge, threats, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy in the two groups had no significant difference before intervention [P>0.05], but the difference became significant immediately and three months after intervention [P<0.001]. There was a significant difference between the knowledge, threat, perceived benefits, barriers and self-efficacy in the two groups three week intervals before and immediately after intervention, before and after the three months, immediately and after three months in the experimental group [P<0.001], but the difference was not significant in the control group

Conclusion: The results showed that educational interventions based on HBM increases women's knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy regarding the role of genetic counseling in the prevention of congenital malformations

[Breast cancer: a preventable disease]

With regard to high cancer incidence, as one of the major mortality causes worldwide, following human societies industrialization in recent years breast cancer, dealt with in the present article, has got a particular impact on women who possess a pivotal role in family and society. Thus, adoption of effective diagnostic procedures in the early stages of the disease is very important, which must be considered as a substantial component of the strategies aimed at women's health promotion and decreasing of breast cancer mortality rate. Meanwhile, women's education and their awareness promotion and advising them to carry out different methods of breast cancer screening in the early stages of the symptoms, as preventive measures, play important roles. The present review article attempts to study prevalence and epidemiology of breast cancer, its risk factors and its different stages of prevention

[Demographical condition of neonates with congenital abnormalities under Birjand city health centers during 2007-2012]

Background and Aim: Along with extensive control of communicable diseases and decrease in their prevalence, congenital anomalies [CA] has grasped much attention in recent years. Almost 20% of babies' mortality under one year of age is associated with CA. The present study was conducted to determine the percent of newborns with CA under Birjand city health centers

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical and retrospective study all newborns with CA under Birjand city health centers during 2007-2012 were studied. Necessary data was collected by meansw of a researcher- designed questionnaire whose content validity had already been confirmed The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software [version 16] and Kruskal Wallis descriptive analytical statistical test at the significant level alpha=0.05

Results: Out of 22076 newborn babies during 2007-2012, 118 cases had CA [CA prevalence . was 5.34%]. It was found that CA was more prevalent in boys than in girls [55.9% vs. 44.1%].The babies' parents were mainly [58.5%] relatives. Congenital heart diseases [36.5%] and musculoskeletal disorders [16.1%] were accounted as the most prevalent. Most of the babies with CA had passed away when the present study began CA. Kruskal wallis analysis showed a significant difference in mean age of the deceased babies regarding their types of abnormalities [P=0.03]

Conclusion: Most of congenital anomalies had a relationship with nervous and cardiovascular systems. Abnormal babies were very prone to death, and frequently they died while being uner one year. Thus, regard to premarital genetic couynseling and undergoing prenatal diagnostic tests are necessary

[Factors affecting physical activity behavior based on. Transtheoretical Model in the employees of Birjand universitiesin 2014]

Background and Aim: Physical activity is an effective health behavior not only to prevent various health problems but also to promote healthy lifestyle. Transtheoretical model [TTM] is one of the models applied to assess physical activity behavior. The aim of the current study was to investigate factors affecting physical activity behavior among employees of Birjand universities, based on transtheoretical model

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 employees in deputies of Research and Education sectors in Birjand universities, who were recruited through Census method. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire including demographic variables and having the constructs of transtheoretical model. The questionnaire was completed through self-reported method. Validity of the questionnaire was tested by experts regarding its face and content validity. The questionnaire`s reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha and correlation coefficient through test-retest method. The obtained data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Kruscal-Wallis and post hoc Tukey's test using SPSS software [V: 16] and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level

Results: Mean age of the participants was 36.9 +/- 8.9 years. Out of 200 subjects 90 [45%] were male. Among the participants 14% were in precontemplation stage, 28% in contemplation, 29% in preparation, 7.8% in the action, and 21.2% in maintenance stage of physical activity behavior. ANOVA test revealed a significant difference between the physical activity stage of change and pros, decisional balance, process of change, self-efficacy [p<0.001]

Conclusion: Since the majority of employees had a sedentary lifestyle, it is a necessity to conduct some planned interventions in order to promote their physical activity behavior. This, interventions based on transtheoretical model can be helpful

Narcotic drug abuse and other risk factors in 100 operated patients for acute cholecystitis in Birjand, Iran

To study narcotic drug abuse, particularly opiate addiction, and other risk factors in patients with acute cholecystitis. In this prospective cross sectional study, variables such as age, gender, weight, narcotics drug abuse, hormone taking, number of pregnancies, and coexistent diseases were recorded in pre-designed forms for 100 consecutive patients who underwent operation for acute cholecystitis between October 2001 and June 2005 in Imam Reza Hospital, Birjand, Iran. Relevant statistical tests were applied, using SPSS version 13.0. From the studied patients 62 females, 38 males with a mean +/- SD of 60.8 +/- 15.9 years, 66 were underweight, 23 were overweight, and only 11 patients had normal weight. Most of the patients 76 had calculous cholecystitis, of which 50 65.8% were female, and 26 34.2%, were male. Seven females 11%, and 14 males 37% revealed jaundice p<0.002. Most 72% had a history of narcotics abuse, of which 69 95.8% abused opiates constantly, and 3 4.2% abused recreationally. A significant p<0.01 relationship was found between acute cholecystitis and opiate addiction. Opiate addiction was more common in patients from rural areas than urban p<0.03. Seventeen female patients 27.4% had a history of taking oral contraceptives. The patients were mostly from low socio-economic populations, and rural areas. The study revealed that narcotic opiate addiction is a major risk factor for occurrence of acute cholecystitis in this area