Psychometric Evaluation of the Sex After Myocardial Infarction Knowledge Test in Iranian Context.

PURPOSE: To translate, adapt, and assess the psychometric properties of the Sex After MI Knowledge Test in Iranian context (where MI is myocardial infarction). DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was performed. The sample comprised 250 patients with MI. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to extract three indicators. FINDINGS: The Sex After MI Knowledge Test indicated good reproducibility (Cronbach's α = .76, Intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.729, CI = 0.7280-0.781, p < .001 ICC: Intraclass correlation). Nonnormed and normed fit indices (FI) were 0.89, and incremental and comparative FIs were 0.90. Goodness-of-fit index (GFI) and adjusted GFI were below the criteria. After a varimax rotation, the first six items of the instrument explained 58.71% of total variance. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The instrument showed acceptable psychometric properties in terms of construct validity and internal consistency. The instrument might be used to stimulate conversations patients with MI regarding sexual knowledge and concerns.

The Effect of Testicular Self-Examination Education on Knowledge, Performance, and Health Beliefs of Turkish Men.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young adult men and easily detected at an early stage by periodic testicular self-examination (TSE); however, health care providers seldom teach TSE, thus opportunities for early detection are missed. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TSE education on the knowledge, performance, and health beliefs of Turkish young men. This quasi-experimental follow-up research was conducted on 174 male Health Science university students in Turkey. The data was collected by a modified socio-demographic form and questionnaire, and the Turkish version of Champion Health Belief Model Scale which was performed at two stages: before and 3 months after education. Before education, 66.2% of the students did not know anything about TSE, and the main reason for not to perform TSE was the lack of knowledge prior to education. The results showed a significant increase in the perceived benefits in terms of TSE after education (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive improvement in the behavior of the students toward TSE was observed after education. These results indicate that TSE training is effective in young men, but TSE training should be repeated periodically for better efficacy. These results support that health professionals should have a more active role in the training of adult young men in colleges in terms of TSE.

Gender differences in symptom predictors associated with acute coronary syndrome: A prospective observational study.

Signs and symptoms (typical and atypical symptoms) of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) differ between men and women. Identification of gender differences has implications for both health care providers and the general public. The aim of this study was to determine the symptom predictors of the acute coronary syndromes in men and women. In this prospective study, nurse data collectors directly observed 256 men and 182 women (N = 438) with symptoms suggestive of ACS in the Emergency Departments of eight hospitals in Tehran. ACS was eventually diagnosed in 183 (57.2%) men and 137 (42.8%) women on the basis of standard electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme (CPK-MB) level. In men, chest symptoms (OR = 3.22, CI = 0.137-0.756, P = 0.009), dyspnea (OR = 2.65, CI = 1.78-4.123 P = 0.001) and diaphoresis (OR = 2.175, CI = 1.020-4.639, P = 0.044) were significantly associated with the diagnosis of ACS 3.78, 2.72 and 1.87 times more than in women having these symptoms, respectively. These results indicated that chest symptoms, diaphoresis and dyspnea were the more pronounced typical symptoms of ACS in men compared to women. Additionally, the numbers of typical symptoms can be considered as more predictive of ACS in men (OR = 1.673, CI = 1.211-2.224, P < 0.001) than women (OR = 1.271, CI = 1.157-2.331, P = 0.212). Therefore, clinicians need to take men showing typical symptoms into consideration carefully.