Predictors of safe road-crossing behavior among female high school students of Shahr-e Kord: an application of the theory of planned behavior.

OBJECTIVES: Traffic accidents in pedestrians is one of the most important causes of death. Understanding the status quo and identification of effective factors are necessary for the management and planning of efficient training interventions in the prevention of traffic accidents for pedestrians. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the predictors of safe road-crossing behavior among female high school students of Shahr-e Kord. METHODS: The present research was a descriptive-analytical study which was conducted on 347 female high school students of Shahr-e Kord in the academic year 2016-2017. The participants were selected using random sampling method and the required data were collected through a standard questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation test and regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of participants on the adoption of safe road-crossing behavior was equal to 57.06 ± 14.74. Among the independent variables of this study, the lowest and the highest scores were related to behavioral intention and outcome expectancy, respectively. The results of multiple regression test showed that behavioral beliefs, outcome expectancy, compliance motivation and behavioral intention are predictors of the adoption of safe road-crossing behavior. In total, these constructs were able to predict 25.8% of behavioral changes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study findings, the theory of planned behavior can be considered an appropriate framework for designing training interventions in order to improve students' road-crossing behavior.

Comparison of combined treatment with desmopressin plus oxybutynin and desmopressin plus tolterodine in treatment of children with primary nocturnal enuresis.

INTRODUCTION: Nocturnal enuresis (enuresis) is one of the most common developmental problems of childhood, which has often a familial basis, causes mental and psychological damage to the child and disrupts family solace. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared therapeutic effects of combination therapy of desmopressin plus oxybutynin with desmopressin plus tolterodine, in the treatment of children with primary nocturnal enuresis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study is a clinical trial study, where 59 patients with primary nocturnal enuresis in the age range of 5 to 14 years old were selected from the visitors of nephrology clinic of Dr. Sheikh pediatrics hospital (Mashhad, Iran). Patients were divided into 2 treatment groups where the first group received combined therapy with desmopressin and oxybutynin, and the second group received combined therapy with desmopressin and tolterodine. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 software and descriptive and analytical statistics (chi-square test). RESULTS: The mean of age of patients in total was 2.55 ± 7.90 years. In the treatment group with desmopressin and oxybutynin, 26 of 30 patients (86.7%) achieved a complete remission and 4 patients (13.3%) still suffered from enuresis during a 3-month evaluation. The comparison of 2 groups, in terms of the outcome of the 3-month treatment, showed significant differences between the remission and recovery of 2 groups, where the recovery in the group with desmopressin plus tolterodine was higher than the group with desmopressin plus oxybutynin (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that combined treatment with desmopressin plus tolterodine performs better than desmopressin plus oxybutynin .

Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Dormitory Students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a risky period with high tendency towards drug abuse. Addressing the problem of drug abuse among students is essential. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out in 2013 with the purpose of investigating the prevalence of substance abuse among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this descriptive analytical study, which was carried out in 2013, a total of 604 students living at dormitories of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected by random sampling method. A questionnaire designed by the researcher was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of substance abuse among the students was 15.4%. With respect to the types of the drug used by students, the highest frequencies belonged to smoking 4.47% and hookah with 42.9%. Forty-eight percent of the students, who used drugs, started it for the first time when they were 18 years old or younger. About 58% of students used drugs for the first time in dormitories and parks. Students' meetings and parties with friends were frequent occasions for substance abuse (47.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Students are considered one of the most vulnerable groups of society. The students living in dormitories are more vulnerable to drug abuse due to the lack of parental supervision and the impact of peer pressure. Therefore, localization of acceptance at Universities in order to prevent cultural mixing of students and education programs for teaching life skills to students efficiently reduce their substance abuse.