ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With regard to the willing and starting tobacco smoking among young people in Iran. The aim of the study was to model the underlying factors in predicting the behavior of tobacco smoking among employed youth and students in Iran. METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, based on a random cluster sampling were recruited 850 high school students, employed and unemployed youth age ranged between 14 and 19 yr from Iran. The data of demographic and tobacco smoking related variables were acquired via a self-administered questionnaire. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed respectively for computing un-adjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios utilizing SPSS 17 software. RESULTS: A number of 189 persons (25.6%) were smoker in the study and the mean smoking initiation age was 13.93 (SD= 2.21). In addition, smoker friend, peer persistence, leaving home, and smoking in one and six month ago were obtained as independent predictors of tobacco smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The education programs on resistance skills against the persistence of the peers, improvement in health programs by governmental interference and policy should be implemented.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low fruit and vegetable intake is a major risk factor for cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke. The recommended intake of five portions per day would reduce death rates from these causes by 20%. In order to have reach fruit and vegetables in daily diet among students, this study examines a brief preventive intervention as for embedding schools action and students role for keeping and promoting fruit and vegetables consumption. METHODS: To promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption, this quasi-experimental study, was conducted among forth and fifth grade students (228 students: Intervention and control groups) in Hamadan, Iran from October 2007 to February 2008. The intervention consisted of behavioral curriculum in classrooms, serving fruit in the school, and parental support plus involvement. 24-hour and 1-week food recalls measured food consumption. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the intervention group significantly increased their knowledge of the 5-a-day optimum (P< 0.001) and also it was found visible improvement for consumption of fruit and vegetables but it was not significant based on adjusted by the Holmes- Bonfereroni procedure. CONCLUSION: School-based interventions can produce important changes in knowledge of and access to fruit and vegetables among students. However, educational programs need to advocacy for providing fruit and vegetables in each community.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Young people engage in risky behaviors unintentionally and these behaviors might be reduced or inhibited by preventative behaviors. Although adolescents' risky behaviors are known as unplanned or unintentional, preventative behaviors are intentional. The aim of the present study was to assess students' behavior intentions to avoid drug abuse. METHODS: This study was a cross sectional design that male high school students (n= 176) in Tehran, Iran completed a questionnaire assessing behavior intentions to avoid drug abuse, self-control, selfefficacy, perceived susceptibility, and negative attitudes toward drug abuse, peer resistance skills and substance abuse related behaviors. RESULTS: Peer resistance skills, negative attitude toward drugs, perceived self- efficacy, and high selfcontrol were four predictors on intention against drug abuse. Moreover, students' educational status, interested in school and truancy and spending with friends were other predictors for intention against drug abuse. CONCLUSION: Healthy behaviors are intentional. As a result improving behavior intentions to avoid drug abuse would act as a protective factor for preventing drug abuse among adolescents as well as preventing high-risk behaviors.
