[Concept and factors concerning to health in an adolescent's point of view]

Health is a dynamic concept and its definition differs according to age, sex and developmental stages. Adolescence period is one of the most crucial stages of development during ones life time. Adolescent developmental situation and attitude about health concept can be underlying factors in health deviation. The aim of this review study was to explor the concept of health and the related factors in an adolescent's point of view. A comprehensive review of literature was performed in databases of Science direct, ProQuest, Springer, PubMed, IranMedex and SID using keywords of adolescence, health concept, health perspectives and factors during 1990-2011. The review indicated that adolescents defined concept of health as independence, communication, socio-economic situation, mental health, religion and educational facilities. Psychosocial health related factors were also more important for them than physical factors. Exploring adolescent perspectives on health is important for maintaining healthy society. Policy makers should consider Adolescents' perspectives on health for developing effective prevention and intervention programs about adolescent's health

[Social factors contributing in women health in Tehran city: a qualitative study]

Women constitute half of the population and their health is the keystone of family and society's health. Women's problems could adversely affect physical health and in particular mental health of the family, society, and future generations. The present study aimed at determining the social predisposing factors on women's health in Iran. Using qualitative method [content analysis], semi-structured interactional interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 22 women aged 20 to 50 years who were living in Tehran. Interviewing the participants were continued to reach data saturation. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed. They were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis method. Six themes were identified in data analysis: gender disparities, burden, economical problems, appropriate occupation, women sport and cultural and educational growth which reflect effective social factors on women's health. The study revealed that women are still suffering from disparities. They need appropriate social welfare, sport, job and education to be healthy. Knowing these, nurses could make an effort to acculturate men participation in house chores and to develop gender equalities in order to provide health for women and families

[Exploring the concept of healthy family from adolescents'perspectives in Zanjan]

Adolescents' development is one of the excellent goals of societies. Adolescence is peak of health, however there are risk factors address adolescents and developmental characteristics at this age which some are based on family's condition. These developmental changes impose new situations for the families which can result different functions. Identifying adolescents' perspectives and families' functions in that regard is nurses' responsibilities. The study aimed at exploring adolescents' perspectives on healthy family in Zanjan. Using qualitative method [content analysis], semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 27 adolescents, range in age from 10 to 27 to reach the data saturation level. Adolescents emphasized on family role in categories of communications within the family, healthy family, limitations, facilities and religious beliefs. The adolescents point out the importance of being understood by parents, the necessity of close relationships with them, having tolerance for their children mistakes, religious beliefs, not being limited as characteristics of a healthy family. Healthy family is crucial for adolescents' health. It is a fundamental issue in prospective health which require strategies for social and cultural reforms. Nursing is an interdisciplinary science and nurses have an extensive role in both adolescents' and families' health. Policymakers can provide realistic plans to facilitate family health issues by understanding adolscents' perspectives

Barriers to and facilitators of empowerment in people with diabetes

Empowerment in individuals with people diabetes is well researched. However, few researchers have focused specifically on the barriers to and facilitators of empowerment in Iranians with diabetes. Understanding the barriers and facilitators that affect the empowerment process could help health professionals to more effectively facilitate self-empowerment. A grounded theory research design was used with in-depth interviews to collect the data from a purposive sample of males and females aged 21-73 years. Data were collected between February and July 2007. Themes were identified using the early steps of the grounded theory data analysis. Common barriers to empowerment were similar to other chronic diseases viZ prolonged stress, negative view about diabetes, ineffective healthcare systems, poverty and illiteracy. Diabetes education, fear of diabetes' complications, and hope for a better future also emerged as being crucial to empowerment. Facilitators specific to Iranians were the concept of the doctor as a holy man, accepting diabetes as God's will and the body as God's gift and support from peers and especially from daughters. Iranians with diabetes describe similar facilitators and barriers to empowerment quite similar to those as people from other countries as well as some specific to Iran. Empowerment is strongly affected by cultural and religious beliefs in Iran. Health professionals with deeper understanding of information about diabetics' lives and sources of strength could facilitate the process

[Adolescents' health: a qualitative study on adolescents in Khorramabad]

Importance of the health as a fundamental concept, the adolescence as an important period, lots of age-related special risk factors, and the uniqueness of adolescents in their perspectives to the society are some examples. The aim of this content analysis study was exploration of perspectives on health among adolescents of Lore ethnicity as an important Iranian ethnic minority. There are some reasons for doing qualitative researches: the considering to ethical issues until data saturation. A Qualitative Content Analysis has been carried out for data analysis. Twenty-five adolescents have been interviewed deeply and openly experiencing educational difficulties, the role of internalized religious beliefs in adolescents' health, economical problems, and social resources and supports. Adolescents pointed out on educational and socio-economical factors as well as the crucial role of religious behaviors and social participations. Some related factors for the sense of not being healthy were: the experience of discrimination, lack of educational facilities, motiveless teachers, exam stress, economical problems, exhausted busy parents, and lack of social facilities. Adolescents' health promotions are among priorities of national development program. Therefore, social facilities like job opportunities, cleaning society of cigarette, alcohol and addictive materials play a crucial role in adolescents' health from their points of view. Content analysis on explanation of adolescents showed four categories: Promotion of social services, especially job opportunities, controlling alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking and providing teaching can promote adolescents' health. Providing adolescents' health is the milestone of national development

Adolescents' perspectives on addiction: a qualitative study

The aim of this qualitative project was to ascertain the adolescents' perspectives regarding health and addiction. 41 adolescents from Tehran [22 males, 19 females] between 11 and 19 years of age were evaluated by way of open and semi-structured interviews. These subjects were selected by sampling based on the project objectives. The interviews with the subjects were tape-recorded, then transcribed, and finally content analyzed. 87% of subjects under the study claimed friendships and connections with cohorts and 15% declared family as the reasons for the prevalence of addiction. Other reasons of the adolescents were being relieved of problems and being carefree, feeling superior and powerful, compensating for social restrictions, unemployment and lack of recreations, oppositional tendencies, and curiosity. Considering adolescents as builders of the future and also pervasiveness of addiction problem, attaining information is indispensable regarding the perspectives of this vulnerable group vis-a-vis the relation between the concept of health with addiction. This can be useful in cultural, health, and social program planning as well as need and priority assessments