Promotion of osteoporosis-preventive behaviors in adolescents: Application of protection motivation theory.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is considered a health problem that can be simply prevented by lifestyle modifications in adolescence. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of protection motivation theory (PMT)-based training on osteoporosis-preventive behaviors in female high school students in Zahedan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study was performed on 240 female high school students who were selected by a multistage sampling technique in Zahedan in 2019-2020. To collect the data, a multipart questionnaire was distributed among the participants in three stages, namely at the baseline, immediately, and 2 months after the intervention. This instrument consisted of demographic information, socioeconomic status, knowledge, PMT constructs, and preventive behaviors. The intervention group was subjected to educational content. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) by descriptive and analytical tests (i.e., Chi-square, independent t-test, and ANOVA). RESULTS: Based on the results, the intervention and control groups showed no significant difference in terms of the mean score of knowledge, theoretical constructs, and preventive behaviors at the baseline (P > 0.05). However, the two groups were significantly different in terms of the mentioned variables immediately and 2 months after the intervention (P = 0.001). Mean score of preventive behaviors, the two groups also demonstrated a significant difference (i.e., calcium intake, physical activity, and sunlight exposure) 2 months after the intervention, compared to before the intervention. (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study were indicative of the PMT effectiveness, which can, therefore, be used as a framework for designing educational programs regarding osteoporosis prevention.

Investigating the effect of education on man immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome preventive behaviors in vulnerable women living in peripheral neighborhoods: Applications of the health belief model.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a pervasive disease, and its epidemic is spreading around the world. The only way to effectively fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is good-quality health. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational intervention program on HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in vulnerable women residing in peripheral neighborhoods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental research conducted among 200 vulnerable women, randomly selected from four community health centers in peripheral neighborhoods in 2019 in Zahedan, Iran. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, containing demographic information, HIV knowledge, and the HBM constructs. Besides, the data were collected before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention in both groups. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 24) using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: The findings revealed no significant difference in the mean scores of knowledge and the HBM constructs before the educational intervention (P > 0.05). However, after the intervention, this difference was significant in three time intervals (P < 0.05). Despite the effectiveness of the educational intervention in the mean scores of knowledge and the HBM constructs in the intervention group compared with the controls, the largest effect size was observed, respectively, in knowledge (d = 0.762) and perceived barriers (d = 0.612), and the smallest effect size was reported in cues to action (d = 0.421). As well, the F-statistic ratio (0.847) demonstrated that the selected demographic variables had failed to explain variations in knowledge mean scores (P = 0.497). CONCLUSION: HBM-based training interventions were positive for HIV/AIDS prevention behaviors. However, training alone does not seem to have enough effect on behavior persistence. Therefore, further research is recommended to investigate the role of predictive factors, especially social determinants of health and their relationship to different parts of the model, to take more effective measures for behavioral stability at the same time as training.

Reasons for Elective Cesarean Section amongst Pregnant Women; A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: A qualitative study was carried out on 200 pregnant women attending obstetric offices and Imam Ali Women's Clinic in Zahedan, Iran during January 2010 to August 2011. Twenty-nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 5-8 participants in each group were formed. The study included women in the third trimester of pregnancy with the intention or decision to undergo elective cesarean section. The women's views were explored and analyzed in group sessions. Subsequently, the responses were divided into four major categories. The majority (50%) of the opinions expressed were psychological in origin, or stemmed from low perceived behavioral control, improper subjective norms, or wrong attitudes about vaginal delivery. METHODS: Twenty-nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 5-8 participants in each group were formed. The study included women in the third trimester of pregnancy with the intention or decision to undergo elective cesarean section. The women's views were explored and analyzed in group sessions. RESULTS: The responses were divided into four major categories. The majority (50%) of the opinions expressed were psychological in origin, or stemmed from low perceived behavioral control, improper subjective norms, or wrong attitudes about vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to hold psychological skills training classes for pregnant women and their husbands to persuade them attend group discussion sessions to increase their control on perceived behavior, highlight their positive attitudes and direct them toward natural vaginal delivery.