Perceptions of illness as predictive factors for perceived stress in patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Psychosocial risk factors, such as perceived stress, not only increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but also act as barriers for treatment adherence and cardiac rehabilitation. In this study, we examined the predictive role of perceptions for illness to perceived stress in Iranian patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 to determine correlations of demographic variables and domains of illness perception with perceived stress, and to develop a predictive model for perceived stress. In total, 150 patients with cardiovascular disease, who were admitted to a cardiac rehabilitation center, completed the questionnaires. (i) demographic and health-related characteristics; (ii) the Perceived Stress Scale-14; and (iii) the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. The mean perceived stress was 16.2 (8.4), and five illness perception subscales - timeline, personal control, treatment control, understanding and emotional response - were associated with increased perceived stress. Variables in the multi-variate predictive model accounted for 48% of the total variance in perceived stress. The results demonstrated the value of assessing and managing the patients' perceptions of illness to reduce their perceived stress, which could support adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Challenges of Tobacco Control Program in Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the status of cigarette marketing in Iran as well as the attitude of smokers toward smoking and the policies and tobacco control programs in the country. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3480 volunteer smokers in six provinces, using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The study population consisted of smokers who used at least one cigarette per day. The data collection tool was an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including basic information and 20 five-choice questions related to participants' attitude toward smoking habits (Cronbach's alpha; 79.73%.). RESULTS: The majority (66.9%) of participants started smoking at the age of 10 to 19 years and 61.1% used foreign cigarettes. Of 160 marketed brands, 38 (23.8%) were domestic and 122 (76.2%) were foreign, including 63 (39.3%) imported and 59 (36.9%) smuggled brands. Being tempted (25.0%), getting nervous (24.1%), and seeking euphoria (24.1%) were the most common reasons for restarting cigarette smoking after cessation. The majority of participants believed that smoking in public places was a violation of the rights of others and smoking should be avoided in such places. CONCLUSION: Smoking prevention programs should focus on adolescents as the most vulnerable age group. Raising the retail price of tobacco products through increasing taxes can reduce consumption, particularly among first starters and youth. However, increasing taxes and prices of tobacco products may be effective when simultaneous effective measures are implemented to eliminate all kinds of illicit trade in all forms of tobacco products.