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
The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression. The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 [78%], 260 [46%] and 180 [32%], respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 [90%] participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 [67%] cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age [p=0.02], as well as with the number of children in the family [p=0.03], and the mothers' trait anxiety [p<0.001]. Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Maternal Behavior/psychology , Prevalence , Mother-Child Relations , Analysis of Variance , Anxiety , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Objective[s]: Adolescents health needs are unique. An understanding of these needs will assist in the development of services, risk-reduction strategies and preventive health activities
Methods: This qualitative study was a part of a mixed method study about female adolescents health needs and conducted in Mazandaran province, a province in the north of Iran.67 female adolescents between 12-19 years of age participated in 8 focus group discussion. Inaddittion, semi structured interviews were done with 11 key informants including: 5 parents, 3 teachers and school counselors, 2 obstetricians and one midwife. Participants were selected based on purposeful sampling and with maximum variety. All tape-recorded data was fully transcribed and thematic analysis was done
Results: Findngs of this research around the role of family in adolescents health needs emphasized on 4 overarching themes including: supportive family relationships, needs for responsible parents, well-informed parents and parental monitoring
Conclusion: In attention to the critical role of family relationships in adolescents health needs, Parents education in order to help them to improve their relationships with their adolescents is necessary
ABSTRACT
Objective[s]: To explore adolescents and key informants' perception and experiences regarding to RHS needs of adolescents to plan support services
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Sari in the North of Iran. Sixty-seven urban and rural female adolescents between 12-18 years of old participated in 8 focus group discussions. In addition, semi structured interviews were done with 11 key informants. Participants were selected based on purposeful sampling and with maximum variety. All tape-recorded data was fully transcribed and thematic analysis was done to identify key themes
Results: Findings of this research around the adolescents' reproductive health services needs emphasized on 5 overarching themes including: general services, exclusive services, reinforcement of facilitators, reduce barriers and appropriate management of services
Conclusion: Provision of comprehensive services for adolescents and appropriate youth-friendly services at all level are needed to promote female adolescents' health and to prevent high risk behaviors