Investigation of the influencing factors with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose among the general population of Ardabil, Iran: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Vaccination is one of the most efficient approaches to combating COVID-19 if it is adequately embraced by the general population. Numerous factors influence the uptake or refusal of the booster dose. The goal of this study was to look at the different factors that affect how the general population in Ardabil feels about getting vaccine boosters (annual boosters) for COVID-19 and to evaluate those feelings. Methods and Materials: In the city of Ardabil, general population, perceptions towards the COVID-19 vaccine booster (annual boosters) dose were evaluated using a cross-sectional survey design between January 2 and March 25, 2022. A questionnaire was developed and filled out by 662 subjects via phone calls from healthcare providers. Descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, the correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were run for the analysis of quantitative data. Results: The findings of the research revealed that 238 participants, or 35.9%, had previously gotten the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, while 198 participants, or 29.2%, expressed a desire to do so as soon as feasible. A total of 187 (28.2%) respondents reported not wanting to get a booster dose, and 39 (5.7%) could not decide. In the factors found to affect decisions not to accept regular doses, adverse effects (45.4%) and the presence of misinformation (30%) were the most important. Regression in educational achievement, and following the COVID-19 news showed to be the major predictors of the subjects' attitudes toward the regular COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The present findings revealed that low confidence in the efficiency of the booster shot and misinformation are two critical factors to consider in educational planning and interventions.

Preventing falls of the elderly at home: Applying the precaution adoption process model.

BACKGROUND: Falling in the elderly causes a variety of issues such as dependence, decreased self-efficacy, depression and limitation in daily activities, hospitalization and imposition of costs on the individual and society. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevention of falls in the elderly at home by applying the Precaution Adoption Process Model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 200 elderly people participated, 100 of whom were in the intervention group and 100 in the control group. The sample was provided via stratified random sampling. The data collection instruments were a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic details, as well as the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) questionnaire. Educational intervention was performed during four 45-minute sessions, following which the data was analyzed through SPSS 20 software and was evaluated based on the Chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Investigating the distribution of participants in the phases of the PAPM indicated that most participants of both the intervention and control groups were in the passive fall prevention phase before treatment. However, after the intervention, most participants of the intervention group were in the active phases of fall prevention, while there were not any significant changes in the control group. Moreover, comparing the mean of the structures of knowledge, sensitivity, severity, benefits, perceived self-efficiency, and the cues to action in terms of preventing falls after the intervention, showed a significant increase in these structures in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Eventually, the findings of the study showed a significant decrease in the percentage of falls of the participants of the intervention group compared to that of the control group after the intervention (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Educational intervention on the basis of the PAPM promoted the elderly precaution from passive phases to active phases of preventing falls, thereby resulting in a decrease in the number of falls of elderly people.

Red Cell Distribution Width as a Prognostic Indicator for Mortality and ICU Admission in Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to an acute respiratory illness with a high hospitalization and mortality risk. Therefore, prognostic indicators are essential for early interventions. As a component of complete blood counts, the coefficient of variation (CV) of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) reflects cellular volume variations. It has been shown that RDW is associated with increased mortality risk in a wide range of diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between RDW and mortality risk in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 592 patients admitted to hospital between February 2020 and December 2020. Patients were divided into low and high RDW groups and the relationship between RDW and mortality, intubation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and need for oxygen therapy was investigated. RESULTS: The mortality rate in the low RDW group was 9.4%, while that in the high group was 20% (p < 0.001). Also, ICU admission in the low group was 8%, whereas this was 10% in the high RDW group (p = 0.040). The results of the Kaplan-Meyer curve showed that the survival rate was higher in the low group compared to the high RDW group. Cox results in the crude model showed that higher RDW values were directly related to increased mortality, although this was not significant after adjustment for other covariates. CONCLUSION: The results of our study reveal that high RDW is associated with increased hospitalization and risk of death and that RDW may be a reliable indicator of COVID-19 prognosis.

The predictors of the intention to receive Covid-19 vaccine using the health belief model and theory of planned behavior in South Khorasan province.

BACKGROUND: Widespread vaccination coverage in the shortest time is one of the most effective ways for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors affecting people's intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine are of great importance. The present study aimed to investigate the predictors of the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine based on the constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) in South Khorasan Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional-analytical study, 320 people over 18 years in South Khorasan province were randomly selected by cluster sampling method in 2021. The data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire, including demographic information (9 questions), and the constructs of the health belief model (19 questions), and the theory of planned behavior (13 questions), using the self-report method. Finally, data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, linear regression, and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 36.57 ± 11.56 with a range of 18-66 years. In the regression model, perceived susceptibility (ß = 0.247, P = 0.003), perceived severity (ß = 0.247, P = 0.003) from HBM, attitude (ß = 0.247, P = 0.003), and perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.247, P = 0.003) from TPB were significant predictors of the intention to get the Covid-19 vaccine. The constructs of the two models were able to explain 33% of the variance of the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings reveal that HBM and TPB can predict factors affecting an individual's intention to receive the vaccine. The results can be utilized to design interventions with the aim of increasing vaccine uptake.

Statin Use in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients and Outcomes: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might affect everyone, but people with comorbidities such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) may often have more severe complications and worse outcomes. Although vaccinations are being performed worldwide, it will take a long time until the entire population of the world is vaccinated. On the other hand, we are witnessing the emergence of new variants of this virus. Therefore, effective therapeutic approaches still need to be considered. Statins are well-known lipid-lowering drugs, but they have also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of statins on the survival of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 583 patients admitted to a highly referenced hospital in Tabas, Iran, between February 2020 and December 2020. One hundred sixty-two patients were treated with statins and 421 patients were not. Demographic information, clinical signs, and the results of laboratory, and comorbidities were extracted from patients' medical records and mortality and survival rates were assessed in these two groups. Results: The results of the Cox crude regression model showed that statins reduced mortality in COVID-19 patients (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97; p = 0.040), although this reduction was not significant in the adjusted model (HRs=0.51, 95%CI: 0.22, 1.17; p = 0.114). Using a composite outcome comprising intubation, ICU admission, and mortality, both crude (HR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.73; p = 0.002) and adjusted (HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.99; p = 0.048) models suggested a significant protective effect of statin therapy. Conclusion: Due to anti-inflammatory properties of statins, these drugs can be effective as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Predictors of mammography based on Health Belief Model in Khorramabad women.

BACKGROUND: Health beliefs play an important role in people's willingness to participate in health-promoting behaviors. Given the role of beliefs in women's function and the importance of the benefits of mammogram, and because the predictors of a behavior are a major prerequisite to codification of an effective prevention program, the present study was conducted with the aim of predicting mammography based on Health Belief Model (HBM) in women in Khorramabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 262 women referring to health centers in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, in 2018, were selected by randomly sampling. The data collection tool was a four-part questionnaire including demographic information, knowledge on breast cancer and mammography, Champion's Health Belief Model, and Champion's Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Mammography. Validity and reliability of the tool were investigated and confirmed. Data were analyzed by version 16 of SPSS software using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 49.26 (±7.79) years. Seventy-nine (30.85%) of the 262 participants reported mammography. Constructs' sensitivity, benefits, barriers, and perceived self-efficacy were significantly different in terms of performing mammography (P < 0.05). Participants with a history of breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 11.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [3.73-33.46]) had lower perceived barriers (OR = 3.54, 95% CI= [1.77-7.09]), were more likely to undergo mammography than women with no family history of breast cancer, and had moderate-to-high perceived barriers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that health managers are required to pay more attention to training and promoting screening methods. Understanding the barriers to mammography in women by managers can help design and implement effective programs that enhance mammography in women.

Psychological Aspects of Cosmetic Surgery Among Females: A Media Literacy Training Intervention.

INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the favorable attitude of a sample of female university students regarding elective cosmetic surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, self-esteem and body dissatisfaction following a media literacy training intervention. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental type. The study sample included 140 female university students who were allocated to either the intervention (n=70) or the control group (n=70). Attitude toward cosmetic surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, self-esteem and, body satisfaction was measured in both groups before the intervention and 4 weeks later. Four media literacy training sessions were conducted over 4 weeks for the intervention group. The data was analyzed through analysis of covariance, student's paired-samples t test, and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Our findings showed that favorable attitude, body dysmorphic disorder and body dissatisfaction scores were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the intervention group than the control group. Furthermore, self-esteem score increased significantly in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underscores the importance of media literacy intervention in decreasing female's favorable attitude towards elective cosmetic surgery, body dysmorphic disorder and body dissatisfaction as well as increasing self-esteem.