Lifestyle in People Living With HIV: A Study of Patients in Kermanshah, Iran.

There is limited research on the role of lifestyle in people living with HIV (PLWH). This study investigated the health-promoting lifestyle among PLWH in Kermanshah-Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 321 PLWH patients referred to the Kermanshah Behavioral Diseases counseling Center between 2017 and 2018. Patients were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a standard health promotion lifestyle profile (HPLP-II) questionnaire. Regression and T-tests were used in SPSS 21 and Stata software to analyze the data. The mean age of patients was 41.07 ± 9.14 years. The mean HPLP score of patients in stress management had the lowest mean score (19.44 ± 4.22), and health responsibility had the highest mean score (22.22 ± 4.57). Comparisons between women and men also showed that women had a lower mean score than men in stress management. In addition, significant differences in their HPLP were observed only in the area of physical activity. The final model had significant influence on the PLWH (P < .001), in which the main predictors were housing status, family members, and feelings of happiness. These variables had a negative effect on HPLP in PLWH's. An appropriate education and training has improved the PLWH health-oriented lifestyle. Given that the housing situation affected health responsibility, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, and stress management, may have caused severe anxiety and confusion in PLWH. Addiction also had a negative effect on patients' spiritual growth. Relatively simple lifestyle changes such as nutrition and stress management can significantly improve PLWH.

Controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS: the role of social support, family functioning, self-efficacy and AIDS risk perception.

OBJECTIVES: We believe that major steps can be taken towards Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention through identifying the relevant factors that are apt to predict risky behavior. The main purpose of the present study was to analyze and evaluate the relationship of social support, family functioning, self-efficacy and AIDS risk perception to controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS. METHODS: To conduct this cross-sectional study, 765 subjects (59% female) were selected from the youth inhabiting the western provinces of Iran through cluster sampling. Five questionnaires were used: AIDS risk perception, self-efficacy in controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS, controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the family assessment device. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that all two models enjoyed acceptable fitness, and the mediating roles of self-efficacy and AIDS risk perception were confirmed. Moreover, family functioning and perceived social support together could predict 20% of the variance of controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS. The results also indicated that family functioning with a standardized coefficient of - 0.24 and self-efficacy in controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS with a standardized coefficient of 0.58 could predict the controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that self-efficacy and AIDS risk perception play major roles in controlling risky behavior associated with AIDS. Therefore, it is recommended that families and psychologists promote self-efficacy in order to prevent the occurrence of high-risk behaviors.

Sleep Quality and Health-Related Quality of Life in Workers of Kermanshah Industrial Town: A Correlation Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep Quality (SQ) is one of the most important predictors of quality of life in individuals. This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life and SQ of industrial male workers in Kermanshah. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 404 male workers selected by stratified sampling in the Kermanshah Industrial Town participated. The research questionnaires included demographic information checklist, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed by SPSS18 software, using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and partial correlation tests. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 35.33 ± 7.31; ranged from 20 to 62 years old. The mean score of mental health and physical health were 55.01 ± 21.62 and 54.96 ± 21.93, respectively. Out of all participants, 58.6% of participants had a score of 50 or less in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQL). Two dimensions of subjective SQ (1.48 ± 0.97) and sleep duration (1.48 ± 0.97) had the worst mean score, and sleep efficiency (0.05 ± 0.3) had the most favorable mean score. The results of the Pearson's correlation test showed that the total score of SQ had a negative and significant correlation with the main dimensions of quality of life (P < 0.001). The highest correlation was found between physical pain (r = 0.350) and mental health (r = 0.332) with SQ. CONCLUSION: This study showed that more than half of the workers reported poor HRQL. Besides, a considerable number of workers had some degree of sleep disorders. The results of the study showed that there is a moderate correlation between SQ and HRQL.

Health-related quality of life in informal settlements in Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran: role of poverty and perception of family socioeconomic status.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is an important indicator for measuring health status, and information on quality of life of different groups in society can be used to assess the effect of interventions on health. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the relationship between urban poverty and perception of family socioeconomic status, and health-related quality of life in residents of informal settlements. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 residents of two neighbourhoods of informal settlements in Kermanshah in 2015. To measure poverty, the 16 indicators of 2011 Iranian census were used. The neighbourhoods were classified into three groups: high poverty (9.3%), middle poverty (49.2%) and low poverty (41.5%) levels. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the SF-36 questionnaire. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated and regression and ANOVA analyses were done. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the SF-36 scores for the three poverty levels, and no relationship between poverty and the health-related quality of life subscales (P > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between perception of family socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life (P < 0.05). In regression analysis, having a chronic illness, perception of family socioeconomic status, age and sex predicted the physical health domain of the SF-36, whereas perception of family socioeconomic status and having a chronic illness predicted the mental health domain. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective perception of family socioeconomic status can explain differences in health-related quality of life of low-income people.

Is enneagram personality system able to predict perceived risk of heart disease and readiness to lifestyle modification?

Background: Studying personality traits and patterns is of significant importance in adopting healthy behaviors. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between Enneagram personality types and perceived risk of heart disease and readiness to lifestyle modification. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 190 noncardiac patients (82.3% female) in an outpatient clinic in western Iran were selected using a simple random sampling method to fill out standard questionnaires. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results: The findings show that the performer personality (Type 3) can directly predict increasing readiness to lifestyle modification (P < 0.001). In contrast, there is a reverse significant relationship between the challenger personality (Type 8) and readiness to lifestyle modification (P = 0.019). Moreover, the helper personality (Type 6) is able to directly predict increasing the perceived risk of heart disease (P = 0.012). Conclusions: In the Enneagram system, unique personality types possess a unique risk perception and readiness to adopt healthy behaviors. The results of the current study can provide valuable information for healthy lifestyle programs professionals with regard to preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship of perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health.

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediatory role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health. We enrolled 440 students (age 18-30 years) at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method. The study tools were demographic checklist, GHQ-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed by SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM). There was a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and experiential avoidance, and alexithymia and mental health problems (P < 0.001). SEM showed that the relationship between perceived stress and mental health problems by experiential avoidance was 0.19 [(ß = 0.19; standard error (SE) = 0.09; P = 0.001], and the relationship between alexithymia and mental health problems through experiential avoidance was 0.09 (ß = 0.09; SE = 0.43; P = 0.01). The mediatory role of experiential avoidance was confirmed in such a way that the effects of alexithymia and perceived stress decreased.

Mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship of perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediatory role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health. We enrolled 440 students [age 18-30 years] at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method. The study tools were demographic checklist, GHQ-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed by SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling [SEM]. There was a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and experiential avoidance, and alexithymia and mental health problems [P < 0.001]. SEM showed that the relationship between perceived stress and mental health problems by experiential avoidance was 0.19 [[beta = 0.19; standard error [SE] = 0.09; P = 0.001], and the relationship between alexithymia and mental health problems through experiential avoidance was 0.09 [beta = 0.09; SE = 0.43; P = 0.01]. The mediatory role of experiential avoidance was confirmed in such a way that the effects of alexithymia and perceived stress decreased

La présente étude transversale a examiné le rôle de médiation de l'évitement expérientiel dans le rapport entre le stress perçu, l'alexithymie et la santé mentale. Nous avons inscrit dans cette étude 440 étudiants [âge compris entre 18 et 30 ans] de l'Université des Sciences médicales de Kermanshah par la méthode d'échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié. Les instruments utilisés dans l'étude étaient la liste de contrôle démographique, le questionnaire sur la santé générale en 28 items, l'échelle d'Alexithymie de Toronto à 20 items et l'échelle de mesure du stress perçu. Les données ont été analysées au moyen des logiciels SPSS-18 et AMOS-18 en recourant à la corrélation de Pearson, l'analyse de régression hiérarchique et la modélisation par équation structurelle. Il y avait une corrélation positive significative entre le stress perçu et l'évitement expérientiel, et l'alexithymie et les problèmes de santé mentale [p<0,001]. La modélisation par équation structurelle a montré que la relation entre le stress perçu et les problèmes de santé mentale causés par l'évitement expérientiel était 0,19 [[beta =0,19; erreur standard [ES]=0,09 ; p=0,001], et que la relation entre l'alexithymie et les problèmes de santé mentale causés par l'évitement expérientiel était 0,09 [[beta =0,09; ES=0,43; p=0,001.] Le rôle de médiation de l'évitement expérientiel a été confirmé de telle sorte que les effets de l'alexithymie et du stress perçu diminuent

The role of individual and personality factors in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS: Proposing a causal model.

BACKGROUND: Investigating previous studies show that personality traits have an important role in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between AIDS health literacy, personality traits and mental health and controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS through self-efficacy. METHODS: The statistical population includes all the young people in western provinces of Iran, 2015. Data analysis was carried out for a sample of 756 participants (59% female). RESULTS: The results show that except for the socializing trait, all the other variables are related to controlling risky behaviours. In addition, variables of health literacy related to AIDS, mental health, activity, impulsive sensation seeking and hostility have a direct relation to controlling risky behaviours. Also, the predicting behaviours can predict 62% of the variance in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS. The analysis results show that health literacy has an indirect impact on controlling risky behaviours through self-efficacy. In other words, health literacy related to AIDS leads to controlling risky behaviours when self-efficacy is high for controlling risky behaviours. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is recommended that the role of self-efficacy in controlling risky behaviours be considered as a strategy for preventing AIDS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Perceived Stress, Alexithymia, and Psychological Health as Predictors of Sedative Abuse.

BACKGROUND: The harmful effects of sedative medications and substances in conjunction with limited research regarding predictive psychological constructs of drug abuse necessitate further investigation of associated factors. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the roles of perceived stress, alexithymia, and psychological health as predictors of sedative abuse in medical students. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 548 students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected using stratified random sampling. The data were obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale, an alexithymia scale (Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), and a General Health Questionnaire to assess psychological health. Data were analyzed using discriminant analyses. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the user and non-user of sedative substances groups had significantly different predictive variables (except for social function disorder) (P>0.05). Physical complaints, alexithymia, and perceived stress, which had standard coefficients of 0.80, 0.60, and -0.27, respectively, predicted sedative drug use. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that perceived stress, alexithymia, physical complaints, anxiety, and depression are associated with sedative drug abuse.

Municipal leachate treatment by Fenton process: effect of some variable and kinetics.

Due to complex composition of leachate, the comprehensive leachate treatment methods have been not demonstrated. Moreover, the improper management of leachate can lead to many environmental problems. The aim of this study was application of Fenton process for decreasing the major pollutants of landfill leachate on Kermanshah city. The leachate was collected from Kermanshah landfill site and treated by Fenton process. The effect of various parameters including solution pH, Fe(2+) and H2O2 dosage, Fe(2+)/H2O2 molar ratio, and reaction time was investigated. The result showed that with increasing Fe(2+) and H2O2 dosage, Fe(2+)/H2O2 molar ratio, and reaction time, the COD, TOC, TSS, and color removal increased. The maximum COD, TOC, TSS, and color removal were obtained at low pH (pH: 3). The kinetic data were analyzed in term of zero-order, first-order, and second-order expressions. First-order kinetic model described the removal of COD, TOC, TSS, and color from leachate better than two other kinetic models. In spite of extremely difficulty of leachate treatment, the previous results seem rather encouraging on the application of Fenton's oxidation.