Predictive factors of regular physical activity among middle-aged women in West of Iran, Hamadan: application of precede model

Background: Regular physical activity is important for midlife women. Models and theories help better understanding this behavior among middle-aged women and better planning for change behavior in target group. This study aimed to investigate predictive factors of regular physical activity among middle-aged women based on PRECEDE model as a theoretical framework

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 866 middle-aged women of Hamadan City western Iran, recruited with a proportional stratified sampling method in 2015. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including questions on demographic characteristics and PRECEDE model constructs and IPAQ questionnaire. Data were then analyzed by SPSS-16 and AMOS-16 using the Pearson correlation test and the pathway analysis method

Results: Overall, 57% of middle-aged women were inactive [light level] or not sufficiently active. With SEM [Structural Equation Modeling] analysis, knowledge b=0.84, P<0.001, attitude b=0.799, P<0.001, self-efficacy b=0.633, P<0.001 as predisposing factor and social support as reinforcing factor b=0.2, P<0.001 were the most important predictors for physical activity among middle-aged women in Hamadan

Conclusions: The framework of the PRECEDE model is useful in understanding regular physical activity among middle-aged women. Furthermore, results showed the importance of predisposing and reinforcing factors when planning educational interventions

Quality of life and its related factors in infertile couples

Health related quality of life [QoL] has now been considered as a main tool for outcome measurement in infertility. The present study aimed to determine the association be-tween general and specified QoL with different psychological aspects of self-esteem, social sup-port, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction in a sample of Iranian infertile couples. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 infertile couples referred to the Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan City, western Iran in 2012.To measure the self-esteem, the Iseng test was used. The social support scaling developed by Cassidy and Long was used for as-sessment of social support. The sexual satisfaction was also assessed by the Lindaberg ques-tionnaire. For assessing the general QoL state, the WHO-QoL-BREF and FertiQoL tools were employed. Self-esteem scores were lower in the couples with longer infertility duration. The social support mean score was lower in low income couples. Those with higher educational level, shorter infertility duration, and higher income were more satisfied from their marital relationships. Besides, we revealed that the previous failed efforts for treatment of infertility were adversely associated with the lower social support and sexual satisfaction. The higher educational level, higher monthly income, living in urban area, shorter duration of marriage and infertility, and male gender were associated with better QoL status in the most components. Associations between QoL and self-esteem, social support, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction were significant [P<0.05]. The QoL status in infertile couples is directly associated with their self-esteem, social support, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction.

Comparison of the effect of two educational methods on academic advisors' knowledge attitude and practice in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences

According to the educational policy and regulation, offering academic advising tothe students is one of the essential faculty members' responsibilities and medical universities mustguide the students during their education in order to prevent any academic problems and barriersand improve academic achievement. To Compare the effect of two educational methods on academic advisors' knowledge,attitude and practice. Eighty-seven advisors participated in this experimental study. The participants wererandomly divided into two groups. The first group [N=43] receiving self-learning educationalmaterials participated in a one-day workshop. The second group only received self-learningeducational materials. A reliable and valid questionnaire was distributed to gather data. The findings indicated the knowledge of the advisors about advising and counselling inthe first group [x =14.77, SD=3.1] was higher than the advisors in the second group [x =11.54,SD=2.76], so that a significant difference was observed between the two groups [P<0.001]. Butattitude and practice of the advisors in the two groups showed no significant difference. According to this study, holding planned workshops, role playing method and groupdiscussion work will cause active and dynamic learning rather than receiving self-learningmaterials. This research findings can help plan advisors education