Evaluating the effect of educational intervention based on the health belief model on the lifestyle related to premenstrual syndrome and reduction of its symptoms among the first-grade high school girls.

INTRODUCTION: A healthy lifestyle can reduce the rate and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Thus, the present study evaluates the effect of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model on the lifestyle related to premenstrual syndrome and reduction of its symptoms among the first-grade high school girls. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 first-grade high school girls. They were divided into two intervention and control groups (40 people in each group). The data collection tools included the participants' demographic information questionnaire, premenstrual symptoms screening tool, and a researcher-made questionnaire based on the constructs of the health belief model about PMS and the behaviors reducing its symptoms. Data were collected in two phases (before and three months after the educational intervention) via WhatsApp. Educational sessions were held in the form of four 45-min sessions for intervention group subjects regarding PMS and the behaviors that reduce its symptoms during one month via WhatsApp. RESULTS: According to the results of this study, the mean scores of knowledge about PMS and health belief model constructs (including perceived susceptibility), perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, cues to action, lifestyle/behaviors that reduce PMS symptoms) and the percentage of people who did not have PMS symptoms or had a mild type of PMS increased significantly after implementing the educational intervention in the intervention group compared to before the intervention and compared to the control group. Also, the perceived barriers construct score PMS decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The health belief model education focused on a healthy lifestyle was effective in reducing PMS symptoms. It is recommended to use the educational intervention designed in this study, along with other health care in schools and during puberty as an easy, low-cost, and effective intervention.

Predictors of retirement satisfaction in the older adults of Urmia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Retirement is a challenge that, as a process, influences the individual's role, status, life patterns, expectations, and available resources. Therefore, the present study aims at determining the predictors of retirement satisfaction among men in the city of Urmia. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical study, 140 retired men living in Urmia were selected by multi-stage sampling method. The instruments used are the Retirement Satisfaction Scale, life satisfaction, and quality of life questionnaires. Data were analyzed in SPSS v.21 using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and regression at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Based on the results of this study, the mean score of retirement satisfaction was 115.37 + 10.13 and there was no significant difference (p = .068) in retirement satisfaction of the retired men based on level of education. Also, the retrospective multiple linear regression model indicated that 44.4% of the variance of retirement satisfaction score is predicted by two subscales of life satisfaction and quality of life. CONCLUSION: According to the results, it seems that life satisfaction and quality of life are inseparable, effective factors in retirement satisfaction, so, to promote retirement satisfaction in all of its scales and subscales, it is recommended to improve these two factors.

The effect of study preparation on test anxiety and performance: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Health care education is an important issue in the development of countries, and student's academic achievement plays an important role in this respect. Test anxiety can affect the academic performance of students. This study aimed to investigate the effect of study preparation on test anxiety and performance of public health students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of study preparation on reducing test anxiety and improving the performance of public health students at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran, in the academic year 2016-2017. All second- and third-year bachelor's students in public health major were assigned into the intervention (n=20) and control groups (n=25). The assignment was based on the study preparation items and the defined benchmark. Data on general stress and test anxiety were collected by subjective self-assessment via paper-and-pencil surveys in the first week of the semester and before the final exam, respectively. Results: No significant difference was found in the level of general stress between the two groups at the beginning of the semester (p=0.55) based on the study preparation items. The level of test anxiety in the intervention group (47.90) was lower than in the control group (34.64) at the end of the semester (p=0.001). The mean value of exam scores was higher in the intervention group (p=0.015). Conclusions: The intervention reduced the level of test anxiety and improved the performance of students. Faculty members and heads of the departments should help students learn about the study preparation over the semester with engagement in learning-oriented approaches and class activities.

Reproductive factors influencing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

This study examined the relationship between reproductive characteristics and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women who had been referred to the menopause clinics of the National Population and Family Development Board and of the Hospital Kuala Lumpur from July 2011 to January 2012. The participants of this study were 201 postmenopausal Malaysian women aged 45-71 years. Some socio-demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors were recorded. Calcaneal BMD was measured by quantitative ultra-sonography. Correlations of reproductive factors with BMD were assessed by Pearson's correlation test and multiple regression analysis. Age at menopause was not significantly correlated with BMD, while the years after menopause, age at the first menstrual period, number of pregnancies, and total lactation periods were inversely correlated with it. Among reproductive factors, only the association between lactation duration and BMD remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, activity, and calcium intake. The results indicated that except for prolonged total time of lactation, other reproductive factors were not significantly associated with BMD in postmenopausal women.