A study of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the women referred to health centers for cardiovascular disease (CVDs) and their risk factors.

Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. In the past decade a general increase in CVD risk factors in the population aged 65 and older, along with suboptimal control rates, have occurred. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the authors describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Iranian females regarding risk factors for CVD, in an attempt to help with the development of strategies to control risk factors and CVD. Participants were 200 women ages 15-49 referred to health centers in Yazd, selected from four different centers. Data were gathered through a questionnaire consisting of demographics and questions related to KAP. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by a health education specialist, with its reliability determined by piloting and measuring the related Cronbach's alpha (Alpha = 0.720). Measuring knowledge of CVD on a scale of 0-20, the mean knowledge score was 10.203.91. More than 76% of the participants knew that CVD is preventable. Ninety-one percent liked exercising and believed that exercising would make them feel better. The average mean scores for attitudes of participants toward CVD were 30.31 ± 3.21 out of 36. The authors conclude that there is a need for enhancing mothers' general knowledge about the disease, because of the increasing rates of CVD in females. This will lead to improvements in attitude and practice. Furthermore, learning in groups of 12 can be a beneficial educational method.

Application of the health belief model in promotion of self-care in heart failure patients.

Heart failure (HF) is a condition due to a problem with the structure or function of the heart impairs its ability to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs. In developing countries, around 2% of adults suffer from heart failure, but in people over the age of 65, this rate increases to 6-10%. In Iran, around 3.3% of adults suffer from heart failure. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the most widely used models in public health theoretical framework. This was a cohort experimental study, in which education as intervention factor was presented to case group. 180 Heart failure patients were randomly selected from patients who were referred to the Shahid Rajaee center of Heart Research in Tehran and allocated to two groups (90 patients in the case group and 90 in the control group). HBM was used to compare health behaviors. The questionnaire included 69 questions. All data were collected before and 2 months after intervention. About 38% of participants don't know what, the heart failure is and 43% don't know that using the salt is not suitable for them. More than 40% of participants didn't weigh any time their selves. There was significant differences between the mean grades score of variables (perceived susceptibility, perceived threat, knowledge, Perceived benefits, Perceived severity, self-efficacy Perceived barriers, cues to action, self- behavior) in the case and control groups after intervention that was not significant before it. Based on our study and also many other studies, HBM has the potential to be used as a tool to establish educational programs for individuals and communities. Therefore, this model can be used effectively to prevent different diseases and their complications including heart failure.

Mental health status of infertile couples based on treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is accompanied by numerous psychological and social problems. Infertile couples are more anxious and emotionally distressed than other fertile people. Previous studies suggested that infertility is more stressful for women than men. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the status of general health of infertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated general health of 150 infertile couples attending to Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility that were selected consequently. The data were gathered by the researchers, based on face to face interview before and after three months of treatment by two questionnaires. The first questionnaire had questions on demographic information and the second one was the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). This questionnaire has four sub- scales areas. All data were transferred directly to SPSS 15 and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 28.3 and men were 32.4 years. The scores for all sub- scales of GHQ in women were more than men. There was significant difference between age and general health at physical symptoms scales (p=0.002), anxiety and sleep disorders (p=0.003). The age group 25-29 years had higher scores (more than 7) than other age groups. There was significant difference between the scale of social dysfunction and results of treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results, similar to the previous studies have revealed negetive social and mental effects of infertility on women is more than men, so there is need that they be educated specially.

Effect of education on knowledge, attitude and behavioral intention in family relative with colorectal cancer patients based on theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of most common cancers in women and men and one of the major causes of death due to neoplasia. Colonoscopy is considered as the most accurate diagnostic procedure to detect colorectal cancer at the earlier stages. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of an education program using the Theory of Planned Behavior on promoting behavioral intention among first degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A quasi-experimental study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program to promote attitudinal factors associated with early detection of colorectal cancer in 99 first degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients aged more than 20 years in Yazd city, Iran. A researcher made questionnaire forwhich validity and reliability were confirmed by expert point of view and pilot testing was employed for data collection. Questionnaires were filled in before and after educational intervention. The registered data were transferred to SPSS 19 and analyzed by paired T-test, Man-Whitney and Wilcaxon. RESULTS: Mean scores of knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control and intention regarding colorectal cancer increased after education significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior has positive influence on promoting intention behavior. It is therefore recommended to apply educational programs to promote behavioral intention.