Factors associated with preventive behaviours of COVID-19 among hospital staff in Iran in 2020: an application of the Protection Motivation Theory.

This study was conducted to predict the preventive behaviours of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards COVID-19 based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted on 761 HCWs in Hamadan, Iran, using multi-stage random sampling. The preventive behaviours against COVID-19 among HCWs were assessed at a relatively desirable level. Based on the PMT, threat and coping appraisal were predictors of protection motivation to conduct COVID-19 preventive behaviours (P<0.001). The intention was also predictive of COVID-19 preventive behaviours (P<0.001). Consideration of personnel's self-efficacy and their knowledge regarding the effectiveness of protective behaviours in designing staff training programmes are recommended.

Predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention among Iranian adults: an application of the preventive health model.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer among adults in Iran. CRC screening is an effective way in reducing mortality rate from this cancer. However, the screening rate of CRC is very low among Iranian adults. This study investigated predictors of Iranian average-risk adults ' intention to take up CRC screening with fecal occult blood test using a mediator model. METHODS: Participants of this cross-sectional study comprised of 477 average-risk adults who were selected using a national sampling frame in Hamadan city, west of Iran. Data was collected through the questionnaire based on the preventive health model constructs. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the relationship using Smart PLS 2.0 software. RESULTS: All measures were robust in terms of the reliability and validity. Benefit (b = 0.12, p < 0.01), self- efficacy (b = 0.36, p < 0.01), social support (b = 0.10, p < 0.05) and barriers (b = -0.14, p < 0.01) predicted the intention to be screened for CRC. Self- efficacy partly mediated the effects of social support and perceived barriers on intention. The study model explained approximately 24% of the variance in CRC screening intention with fecal occult blood test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the preventive health model constructs such as self -efficacy, social support and barriers are useful in understanding CRC screening intentions and can help health planners to develop effective interventions to encourage Iranian adults to undergo CRC screening.

Iranian Female Adolescent's Views on Unhealthy Snacks Consumption: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing prevalence of obesity among Iranian adolescents and the role of consumption of unhealthy snacks in this issue, interventions that focus on factors influencing food choice are needed. This study was designed to delineate factors associated with unhealthy snack use among female Iranian adolescents. METHODS: The theory of Planned Behavior served as the framework of the study. Qualitative data were collected via nine focus group discussions in two middle schools (6(th) to 8(th) grades) in a socio-economically diverse district in the city of Tehran in spring 2008. The study sample included 90 female adolescents aged 12-15 years. The sampling strategy was purposive method. Data analyzed using the "framework" method. RESULTS: Major factors identified by the respondents were taste, peer pressure, parental influence, easy access to unhealthy snacks, limited availability of healthy snacks, appeal of snacks, habit, high price of healthy snacks, and media advertisements. Nutritional value and healthiness was not one of the first priorities when buying snacks, as adolescents thought it was too early for them to worry about illness and adverse consequences of eating junk foods. CONCLUSIONS: For developing culturally sensitive evidence-based interventions that can motivate adolescents to choose healthy snacks, a broad range of factors should be taken into account.