comparative study on the effects of self-care program education run by health volunteers and health care staff on the elderly's quality of life

Introduction: The diseases and problems due to ageing can affect the quality of life [QoL] in the elderly. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of self-care program education run by health volunteers and healthcare staff on the QoL in the elderly

Methods: In this experimental, field trial study, 150 elderly people living in Mashhad were enrolled by multistage sampling in 2014. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 50 individuals in each; group A was educated by healthcare staff at healthcare centers, group B by health volunteers at the elderly's homes, and group C was control. The intervention groups [A and B] attended two independent self-care education programs for one month. The data were gathered by the SF-36 questionnaire administered before and one month after the completion of the program. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics [mean [standard deviation]] and analytical statistics [independent samples t-test and Kruskal-Wallis H-test]

Results: QoL score of the groups A, B, and C was derived 45.44 +/- 23.87, 45.36 +/- 23.81, and 45.38 +/- 23.83 before the intervention and 48.79 +/- 22.09, 63.15 +/- 19.03, and 46.08 +/- 22.67 after the intervention, respectively. The QoL score of the group B was significantly higher than the other two groups [p < 0.05] after the intervention. Besides that, after the intervention, the mean scores of QoL and physical function, role-physical, role-emotional, social function, bodily pain, and general health increased significantly more markedly in the group B compared with the other two groups

Conclusion: Self-care education by the health volunteers was much more effective than that by healthcare staff. In addition, implementing the self-care education program contributed to improving QoL and therefore life satisfaction in the elderly

effect of a multi-strategy program on developing social behaviors based on Pender's health promotion model to prevent loneliness of old women referred to Gonabad urban health centers

Loneliness is one of the most significant problems during aging. This research has been done to determine the effect of a multi-strategy program based on Pender's Health Promotion model to prevent loneliness of elderly women by improving social relationships. In this quasi-experimental study done in 2013 from January to November, 150 old women suffering medium loneliness referred to Gonabad urban Health Centers were enrolled. Data were gathered using Russell's UCLA loneliness questionnaire and the questionnaires based on Pender's Health Promotion Model about loneliness. The results were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-square, T-pair, and independent-T tests through SPSS, version 20. Loneliness decreased significantly in the interventional group compared to the control group [P<0.00]. In addition, mean scores related to variables of Health Promotion Model [received benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, interpersonal effectives of loneliness] in both groups were significantly different before and after the study [P<0.05]. Constructs of Pender's Health Promotion Model can be used as a framework for planning interventions in order to anticipate, improve and modify related behaviors related to loneliness in old women

[Application of behavioral analysis phase of PRECEDE model on women's psychological well-being in the menopausal period]

Background and Aims: positive psychology introduce mental health as a positive psychological functioning and represent it as wellbeing psychology and having positive characteristics such as self-esteem, positive social relationships, and life satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological wellbeing of postmenopausal women based on the behavioral analysis phase of PRECEDE model

Materials and Methods: this study is a cross-sectional survey and carried out through random sampling in the case of 110 postmenopausal women at Ferdows city, Iran in 2014. The psychological wellbeing variable was studied by Ryff test, including 84 questions and six components containing autonomy, purposeful in life, dominance on environment, personal development, positive relationships with others, and self-acceptance. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS v.20 using descriptive statistics and analytic statistics through correlation and ANOVA

Results: the mean age of participants and the average number of their children were 51.62 +/- 4.26 and 3.42 +/- 1.38, respectively. 61.80 percent of participants had primary education. Pearson correlation test indicated a positive and significant relationship between psychological wellbeing and predisposing factors [knowledge, attitude toward menopause], environmentalbehavioral factors, enabling factors and reinforcing factors [P < 0.01]

Conclusion: the results indicated that increasing awareness, creating positive attitude and promoting healthy behaviors are the effective steps to improve the psychological wellbeing in postmenopausal women

[Pattern of drug abuse based on demographic factors in self-report addicts of Quchan]

Introduction and Aims: this study was conducted to determine the demographic characteristic and patterns of drug abuse in Quchan

Materials and Methods: this study was a descriptive cross sectional study of the characteristics of 753 volunteer addicts whom admitted to detox centers of Quchan during one year. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS v.16 software

Results: 75% of 753 dossiers were due to men. Most of them [86.1%] were married and 32.4% were aged between 30-39 years. More than 50% of participants were illiterate and primary education that majority was self-employment. Opium sap, opium, crystal and heroin were the most commonly used addictive drugs. The main ways of consumption were fumigation [66.5%], eating [32.8%], and injection [0.26%] and snuff [0.39%]. There were no cases of inhalation and drink. Opium sap and opium were the first addictive drugs that were reported by addicts. 60.2% of participants had a history of abandonment

Conclusion: more research is needed to better understand the epidemiological of addictive drug users in the province and other cities

Effect of life skills training on drug abuse preventive behaviors among university students

Drug abuse is now-a-days one of the gravest social harms. Recent years have experienced a drastic rise in drug abuse among school and university students. Thus, the need for special attention to the issue is deemed important. The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the impact of life skills training on promotion of drug abuse preventive behaviors. This field trial experimental study was conducted on 60 students of Gonabad Medical University selected through quota random sampling and assigned randomly into two Intervention and control groups. Data were collected through a questionnaire, including two sections of demographic information and drug abuse preventive behaviors. The questionnaire was first assessed as to its validity and reliability and then administered both before and after educational intervention and also as a follow-up 4 years after intervention - Data were then analyzed using t-tests and Chi-square. Comparison of post-test mean scores of drug abuse preventive behaviors of both groups showed a significant difference [P < 0.01] which remained stable 4 years after intervention. There was a significant relationship between father's educational level and drug abuse preventive behaviors [P < 0.01]. Life skills' training is effective in the promotion of drug abuse preventive behaviors of university students

[Comparative Effectiveness of group discussion and multimedia nutrition education among pregnant women in / learning domains]

Background: The most dangerous period of life of pregnant women during this period maternal nutrition affects the embryo and maternal nutrition. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of nutrition educationwith group discussion method on the scope and application of multimedia learning packages pregnant women.

Materials and Methods: This semi-experimentalis before and after control study on 150 pregnant women in the control group before the year 2013 a quota method selected at random from among the health centers of Mashhad was performed . Before the intervention, the subjects took the pre -test questionnaire andCronbach's alpha coefficient. Finally, a month after the intervention, post-test questionnaires were completed After data is collected using the software spss20 and p <0.05 was analyzed.

Results: Before the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed between the three groups . Emotional scores after the intervention was statistically no significant difference between the three groups .

Conclusions: Both methods use multi -media packages and group discussion led to a significant improvement Brnmrat cognitive intervention groups compared to pre- intervention and control groups were compared .

Food consumption behavior among elementary students of Gonabad

Most of the dietary habits are formed during childhood and pursuing a correct and balanced dietary pattern is one of the most important factors in preventing degenerative diseases in adulthood. In this cross-sectional study, 375 boy and girl students, ranging from grade one to grade five of primary school, participated through the stratified random sampling. The dietary information was collected through filling out Food Frequency Questionnaires [FFQ]. Finally, the data were analyzed by using SPSS-16 software. 88.3 percent of the children ate breakfast. The obtained dietary pattern indicated that consumption of food groups, including proteins, milk and dairy, fruit, and vegetables was lower than the recommended allowances. Considering the achieved dietary consumption pattern, compiled and extensive training programs should be designed to promote the knowledge level, insight and behaviors of parents and trainers

[ Prevalence of smoking and its relationship to self-esteem among students of Azad university of Gonabad]

The survey of smoking as the most toxic, common and cheapest addiction, and its psychological and demographic variables among specially the youth who are efficient and constructive persons of the society is of high importance. For this reason, this study has been done to determine the prevalence of smoking and to compare self-esteem on smoking and nonsmoking students of Azad University of Gonabad. At this descriptive-analytic study, 279 students from Azad university of Gonabad were selected through stratified random sampling. They completed demographic questionnaire and Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS-11. The result showed that 9.8 percent of the students were smokers [14.4% males and 4.1% females], smoker students' parents [33.3% vs. 12.7%] and brother and sisters [14.8% vs. 4%] smoked more cigarettes than nonsmoker students' parents and brothers and sisters. greatest rate of daily smoking has been 1-5 cigarette in the entire sample and on male and female groups. Also, the findings showed that there were not any significant relationship between the mean of smoker and nonsmoker students' self-esteem [P=0.87].In accordance with the lack of relationship between smoking and self- esteem as a basic component in mental health, it seems that students' smoking is related to other factors such as modeling with their parents, brothers and sisters.

[Lifestyle of pregnant women living in Gonabad [Iran]]

With the onset of pregnancy, the pregnant woman undergoes many physical and mental changes which in turn cause changes in her health behavior and lifestyle. The lifestyle has long-lasting effects on the mother and infant's health during pregnancy. The descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed at studying the pregnant women's lifestyle. The participants were 115 pregnant women who were randomly selected based on stratified random sampling method from health service centers in Gonabad, Iran. The data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and a self-report questionnaire of pregnancy lifestyle. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS software version 16 at p<0.05 level of significance. The pregnant women's age average was 20 +/- 0.27 and their gestation age average was 23 +/- 0.6 weeks. 83.5% of them were housekeeper, 41.7% of them had a schooling of high school diploma, and 54.8% of them were primipara. The results obtained from different aspects of the lifestyle questionnaire during pregnancy showed that the participants' means were as follows: in food habits [7.93% +/- 0.14], in smoking [13.46 +/- 0.13], in health and physical activities [3.67 +/- 0.11], in stress control [6.71 +/- 0.17], and in safety [11.38 +/- 0.11]. The results indicated that the most desirable component of lifestyle was related to lack of drug and cigarette consumption. On the other hand, the most undesirable component was related to stress control. Regarding the findings of this research, it seems warranted to provide adequate education and information for the personnel especially in using techniques against stress and self-control in health areas and practicing physical activities properly and regularly.

Applying an educational-participatory program based on the PRECEDE model for promoting self-esteem and mental health of students in Iran

The students' vulnerability to different problems can have an impact on their mental health. Regarding the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of interventional programs based on health education planning models in this area in developing countries, an educational-participatory program based on the PRECEDE model was used, to promote the medical science students' self-esteem and mental health status, in Iran. In this experimental study, 154 students from the universities of medical sciences in the north east of Iran were selected by stratified random sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups of case and control. The questionnaires, including the enabling, reinforcing, and predisposing factors, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the GHQ-28 were used for data collection. Then, an intervention plan, including focus group discussions and training of selected life skills, based on the PRECEDE model, was conducted for the case group. The predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors, and the self-esteem and mental health of the students showed a significant difference between the case and control groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a correlation between mental health and knowledge [P =0.008], between self-esteem and knowledge [P =0.02], self-esteem and attitude [P =0.01], and mental health and attitude [P = 0.03]. Health promotion planning by using life skills training based on the PRECEDE model can result in participation and empowerment, in order to promote the self-esteem and mental health of the students

Evaluation of Body Mass Index and some socio-economic variables related to the primary schoolchildren in Gonabad

Body Mass Index [BMI] is one of the most important indicators of growth, especially in childhood that can influenced by many socio-economic variables. Using a stratified sampling, we entered 375 primary schoolchildren in the study. Our required information were collected through validate and reliable questionnaire. We also measured the students' height and weight. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. Comparing the respondents' BMI with the standard percentile, all the samples were in the standard range. There were significant associations between BMI and age of the children, mothers' educational level and job, and family income [P<0.001]. The socio-economic variables may correlate with the children's BMI via its impact on life style of the family.

effect of teaching courageousness based on PRECEDE model on the assertiveness of high school adolescents in Gonabad

Assertiveness is one of the social skills which are extensively applied in everyday interactions. It is also one of the factors associated with the human skill "to say no" against hazardous behaviors, including smoking, drug abuse, and sexual affairs. Assertiveness also takes an added emphasis regarding high schoolchildren due to such actualities as peer pressure and the adolescents' particular age conditions. This study was done to investigate the effect of teaching courageousness based on PRECEDE Model on high schoolchildren assertiveness in Gonabad. An experimental study was conducted across Gonabad high school sin the 2008-2009 curricular years. We applied multistage random cluster sampling to select 140 students [treatment group= 70, control group= 70] who were sitting in second grade of the high schools. Using a six-part questionnaire [proportional to PRECEDE model], we collected the data. After doing pre-test, educational intervention was performed in treatment group, based on the model. Post-test was conducted 8 weeks after the intervention. We used SPSS software to analyze the data. Prior to the intervention, knowledge, attitude, and assertiveness of the students was moderate while their saying no" skill was lower than the average. After the intervention, a significant increase [P<0.001] emerged in the mean score of the respondent's knowledge, attitude, skill, and assertiveness. In terms of sex, the male students showed higher level of assertiveness which was statistically significant. There were no significant associations in the other factors between the girls and the sons. The results showed that teaching courageousness based on PRECEDE model may positively effect on the students' knowledge, attitude, and assertiveness as well as the reinforcing and enabling factors. It seems the model could be employed alongside other methods to enhance high schoolchildren's assertiveness