Factors predicting self-care behavior of cardiovascular patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 virus has had wide-ranging effects on all healthcare systems and a direct impact on all areas of human life in all countries around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive actions to reduce the prevalence and severity of the complications associated with this disease. The purpose of this study was to explain the dimensions of adopting general self-care behaviors (mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, and home quarantine) for preventing COVID-19 based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in cardiovascular patients. METHODS: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted with the participation of 420 patients referring to health and treatment centers of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, in 2022. Sampling was done using a non-random (convenience) method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing items addressing demographic characteristics, questions related to the TPB, and questions dealing with the adoption of everyday self-care behaviors against contracting COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (prevalence, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and linear regression) in SPSS version 25. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the rate of adoption of self-care behaviors against COVID-19 among cardiovascular patients was moderate. The results also showed that among the constructs of the TPB, Perceived behavioral control, Subjective norms, and Perceived behavioral intention were the most important predictors of adopting self-care behaviors among cardiovascular patients with a change variance of 46%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study have implications for health and treatment policy makers as well as planners of educational and behavioral interventions aimed at promoting the adoption of self-care behaviors against COVID-19. In this respect, managing and institutionalizing desirable behaviors among cardiovascular patients could be beneficial from economic, social, and health-related aspects.

The impact of theory-based education on promoting urinary tract infection prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women - experimental study.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a prevalent infection among the elderly population, often culminating in more severe and life-threatening complications. The prevalence of diabetes among elderly individuals is markedly on the rise, with UTI emerging as the most prevalent infectious ailment in this diabetic cohort. This study aims to ascertain the influence of theory-based education on promoting UTI prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women. Material and methods: In this experimental study, 100 elderly women with diabetes who sought care at comprehensive health service centres in Miandoab City between January and May 2022 were assessed. Multistage random sampling was employed, and an educational intervention was designed according to the health belief model (HBM) constructs. Data collected before and one month after the educational intervention were analysed with a validated and reliable researcher-designed questionnaire. Results: The participants had a mean age of 62.30 ±7.63 years. There was significant disparity between the experimental and control groups concerning the mean scores for knowledge, HBM constructs, and behaviour, with adjustments made for baseline differences. In essence, the intervention had significant affects, resulting in heightened levels of knowledge, improvements in HBM constructs, and more favourable behavioural changes. The effect size was moderate for perceived benefits and severity, while it was large for other variables (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The research findings validate the effectiveness of an intervention grounded in HBM for fostering UTI prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women. Consequently, such an approach is recommended for enhancing the overall health of elderly diabetic women.

Understanding risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian housewives: Development of a comprehensive health promotion behavior model.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal problems are a major source of disability, reduced productivity and poor quality of life. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Iranian housewives is particularly high. Understanding how housework causes the injuries, mobility restrictions and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders is vital to developing health promotion behavior models to support intervention. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of housewives with musculoskeletal disorders and, according to the risk factors identified, to develop a comprehensive behavior change framework to facilitate implementing a musculoskeletal health-promoting training intervention for women. METHODS: Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with Iranian housewives aged 20-65 years experiencing musculoskeletal pain over a 13-month period from September 2020 to October 2021. The conventional content analysis approach was used to interrogate the data. The transcript of each interview was considered a unit of analysis, and data analysis was performed using MAXQDA2018 software. RESULTS: The analysis of the interview data provided 1432 meaning units. From these codes, a conceptual framework was developed. This comprehensive model is comprised of 24 subcategories, eight categories and three themes: Individual and social predictors of MSDs and their control, Risk factors for MSDs, and Prevention and treatment of MSDs. Altogether the developed conceptual framework specified the multiple risk factors for MSDs in housewives. The findings were aligned to various health promotion models, and it was seen that ecological models, especially the Theory of Triadic Influence, can be very helpful as a supportive roadmap to implementing multilateral interventions to improve the quality of life of housewives. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed an evidence based comprehensive model that identifies the individual, psychosocial, and cultural factors that influence the status of MSDs in women's domestic work to support the development and implementation of effective ergonomic interventions to manage potentials for MSDs.

Factor affecting the activities of daily living among aging people during the COVID-19 pandemic - a structural equation modelling.

Introduction: The activities of daily living (ADLs) are a set of basic skills necessary for self-care. The inability of elderly people to perform ADLs leads to dependence, insecure conditions, and poor quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the daily life of the elderly. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with ADLs among elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic using structural equation modelling/path analysis. Material and methods: It was a descriptive-analytical study which had conducted on 487 elderly people who were selected randomly to participate in the study. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, an activities of daily living questionnaire, a knee pain and personal performance questionnaire Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), and the falls efficacy scale, which were completed by interview and self-report methods. SPSS-22 and AMOS software were used for data analysis. Results: Two structures of the fear of falling (FOF) and knee pain and personal performance questionnaire WOMAC had a significant role in explaining the ADL variance among the studied elderly people (p < 0.001, root mean square error of approximation = 0.063). These variables explained 64% of the ADL variance. Conclusions: The structures of this model (FOF and WOMAC) can be used as a reference framework to design effective interventions for improving ADLs among elderly people during the COVID-19 epidemic. It is also recommended that a multi-component program be provided, which includes exercise and psychological strategies for this population during the COVID-19 pandemic through online videos, distance health programs, etc.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to improve the quality of life of housewives with musculoskeletal disorders: a health promotion intervention based on a participatory ergonomic approach-the Housewives Ergonomic Intervention (HEI) trial.

BACKGROUND: A variety of household chores expose women to a variety of biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors. A result of this is many housewives with musculoskeletal disorders. Given the interactive effects of these risk factors, it is necessary to consider multiple strategies to mitigate their effects. Accordingly, the present study will investigate the impact of a health promotion training program based on a participatory ergonomic approach towards a reduction in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and an improvement in the quality of life of housewives. METHODS: Iranian housewives aged 20-65 years currently attending a specialist health clinic due to a painful musculoskeletal complaint will be invited to join the study. Recruitment will continue until a sample of 160 women provides informed consent to participate. The study will be conducted using a mixed-methods protocol in two phases. In the first phase, psychosocial and biomechanical risk factors will be identified using a qualitative approach. In the next phase, the results from the qualitative approach will be used to develop a conceptual framework based on health promotion theories and an intervention program based on a participatory ergonomic approach designed. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of four groups: (1) biomechanical intervention group, (2) psychosocial intervention group, (3) multidisciplinary intervention group (both biomechanical and psychosocial intervention), and (4) a control group. Data will be collected using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Work Ability Score (WAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the 36-item Short-Form health survey (SF-36) at baseline in 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments. The impact of the three interventions on musculoskeletal disorders, work ability, stress, and quality of life will then be evaluated. DISCUSSION: The study will provide a practical approach to reducing stress, reducing musculoskeletal disorders, enhancing the ability to work, and improving the quality of life of women with musculoskeletal disorders associated with housework. If the designed interventions in the present study are effective, they will have the great practical potential for generalization to all housewives. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov IRCT20200602047640N . Registered on 07 September 2020 with the IRCTID.