M. Amiri, Hossein Vakilimofrad, F. Rostami, Samad Moslehi
Background: Self-medication is one of the challenging issues in health care systems. Health literacy seems to be an important factor in self-medication behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and self-medication among undergraduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey method, this descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2020. Among 2600 undergraduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, including nonclinical students, 335 people were selected by the convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using two questionnaires, including a standard health literacy questionnaire and a researcher-made self-medication questionnaire. The linear regression model was employed to analyze data by SPSS, version 23. Results: The results revealed that 174 people (52%) of the statistical population were women, and there is a significant difference between males and females in terms of self-medication (P=0.022). The effect of gender on self-medication was statistically significant (P=0.013), and self-medication decreased slightly more with increasing health literacy in males than in females. In general, without considering gender, the relationship between health literacy and self-medication was statistically significant (P=0.007), while health literacy had a negative relationship with self-medication. Conclusion: Health literacy among students was at an adequate level, and their level of self-medication is high. Health literacy as a factor affecting the capacity for decision-making and action in the field of health has a significant relationship with self-medication behavior. Therefore, due to its negative consequences, it is necessary to take measures to reduce this social phenomenon.
{"title":"Does Increasing Health Literacy Reduce Self-medication? A Case Study of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences","authors":"M. Amiri, Hossein Vakilimofrad, F. Rostami, Samad Moslehi","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.1805","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.1805","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Self-medication is one of the challenging issues in health care systems. Health literacy seems to be an important factor in self-medication behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and self-medication among undergraduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey method, this descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2020. Among 2600 undergraduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, including nonclinical students, 335 people were selected by the convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using two questionnaires, including a standard health literacy questionnaire and a researcher-made self-medication questionnaire. The linear regression model was employed to analyze data by SPSS, version 23. Results: The results revealed that 174 people (52%) of the statistical population were women, and there is a significant difference between males and females in terms of self-medication (P=0.022). The effect of gender on self-medication was statistically significant (P=0.013), and self-medication decreased slightly more with increasing health literacy in males than in females. In general, without considering gender, the relationship between health literacy and self-medication was statistically significant (P=0.007), while health literacy had a negative relationship with self-medication. Conclusion: Health literacy among students was at an adequate level, and their level of self-medication is high. Health literacy as a factor affecting the capacity for decision-making and action in the field of health has a significant relationship with self-medication behavior. Therefore, due to its negative consequences, it is necessary to take measures to reduce this social phenomenon.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47407057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-04DOI: 10.34172/jech.2022.a-10-1015-2
F. Rezapur-Shahkolai, B. Moeini, J. Faradmal, Maryam Barati, Ehsan Vesali-Monfared
Background: Athletes’ use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AASs) is a significant health problem. This study aimed to determine factors associated with AAS in male bodybuilders by applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: Using a multistage random sampling procedure, this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 429 athletes participating in gyms in Qom, Iran, in 2019. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic information and questions related to TPB constructs. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and linear regression using SPSS software, version 16. Results: The results demonstrated that 188 (48.2%) athletes had a history of AAS use. The attitude (β=0.39), subjective norm (β=0.26), and perceived behavioral control (β=-0.36) predicted 38% of the variance of intention to AAS use. Further, behavioral intention was the statistically significant predictor of AAS use among the studied athletes (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.87). Variables such as having friends (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.30) or a sports coach using AAS (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.58-6.42) and having a history of supplementation use (OR=5.8, 95% CI: 2.65-12.8), along with age (OR=4.3, 95% CI: 0.35-53.6) had a significantly predictive role in using AAS. Conclusion: The findings revealed that nearly half of the studied athletes had a history of using AAS and supplements. TPB is applicable to identify the determinants of beliefs, intention, and behavior to use AAS among athletes. These findings can be useful in designing appropriate programs to prevent AAS use.
{"title":"Factors Associated With Anabolic Steroids Use in Bodybuilding Athletes Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior","authors":"F. Rezapur-Shahkolai, B. Moeini, J. Faradmal, Maryam Barati, Ehsan Vesali-Monfared","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.a-10-1015-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.a-10-1015-2","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Athletes’ use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AASs) is a significant health problem. This study aimed to determine factors associated with AAS in male bodybuilders by applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: Using a multistage random sampling procedure, this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 429 athletes participating in gyms in Qom, Iran, in 2019. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic information and questions related to TPB constructs. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and linear regression using SPSS software, version 16. Results: The results demonstrated that 188 (48.2%) athletes had a history of AAS use. The attitude (β=0.39), subjective norm (β=0.26), and perceived behavioral control (β=-0.36) predicted 38% of the variance of intention to AAS use. Further, behavioral intention was the statistically significant predictor of AAS use among the studied athletes (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.87). Variables such as having friends (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.30) or a sports coach using AAS (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.58-6.42) and having a history of supplementation use (OR=5.8, 95% CI: 2.65-12.8), along with age (OR=4.3, 95% CI: 0.35-53.6) had a significantly predictive role in using AAS. Conclusion: The findings revealed that nearly half of the studied athletes had a history of using AAS and supplements. TPB is applicable to identify the determinants of beliefs, intention, and behavior to use AAS among athletes. These findings can be useful in designing appropriate programs to prevent AAS use.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45718104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Mortazavi, M. Foroughan, H. Haghgoo, Malihe Safari, Zahra Mortazavi, H. Naderifar
Background: Social participation is one of the most important factors in the health of the elderly and also the main goal of health-related interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess social participation and its related factors in the elderly women population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 women aged 60 and older in Hamadan, Iran, in 2020. The samples were selected by a simple random sampling method and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A demographic questionnaire, Women’s Social Participation Factors Questionnaire, and mini-mental state examination were completed, and data were obtained from the participants by trained questionnaires. Results: The mean social participation score was 70.8±10.7, and scores ranged from 0 to 120. The level of social participation was moderate in 82% of the participants, weak and insufficient in 16.3%, and strong in 1.7% of participants. The obtained results indicated that 39% of the participants were employed before the elderly, and 22.67% had regular employment in old age. There were different types of occupation among this group: 30.33% had paid jobs, 23.67% voluntary jobs, 62% religious activities, and 76% were jobless. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between social participation and elderly employment history (P<0.01), level of education (P=0.01), and regular physical activity (P=0.03). Conclusion: The social participation of elderly women was found to be mostly moderate in this study, and people with higher education, regular physical activity, and a vocational history before old age had better social participation.
{"title":"Social Participation and Related Factors in Older Adult Women","authors":"S. Mortazavi, M. Foroughan, H. Haghgoo, Malihe Safari, Zahra Mortazavi, H. Naderifar","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.1862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.1862","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Social participation is one of the most important factors in the health of the elderly and also the main goal of health-related interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess social participation and its related factors in the elderly women population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 women aged 60 and older in Hamadan, Iran, in 2020. The samples were selected by a simple random sampling method and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A demographic questionnaire, Women’s Social Participation Factors Questionnaire, and mini-mental state examination were completed, and data were obtained from the participants by trained questionnaires. Results: The mean social participation score was 70.8±10.7, and scores ranged from 0 to 120. The level of social participation was moderate in 82% of the participants, weak and insufficient in 16.3%, and strong in 1.7% of participants. The obtained results indicated that 39% of the participants were employed before the elderly, and 22.67% had regular employment in old age. There were different types of occupation among this group: 30.33% had paid jobs, 23.67% voluntary jobs, 62% religious activities, and 76% were jobless. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between social participation and elderly employment history (P<0.01), level of education (P=0.01), and regular physical activity (P=0.03). Conclusion: The social participation of elderly women was found to be mostly moderate in this study, and people with higher education, regular physical activity, and a vocational history before old age had better social participation.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69815442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohadese Sadri, M. Barati, S. Borzouei, S. Bashirian, S. Khazaei, E. Jenabi, Sepideh Zareian
Background: Recent data from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirm that diabetes, along with advanced age, is an important risk factor for adverse prognosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the status of COVID-19 prevention behaviors and related beliefs among diabetic patients in Hamadan province using protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from April to September 2020. The research population included all diabetics, of whom 355 patients, who referred to an adult endocrinologist in Hamadan, were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with demographic variables and PMT constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics, correlation, and logistic regression. Results: According to the result, the PMT construct explained 15% of the variance in the frequency of the intention to perform preventive behaviors. Perceived sensitivity (β=-0.128), perceived response efficiency (β=0.140), and perceived response cost (β=0.386) were the best significant predictors of behavior (P<0.05). There was a significant relationship between gender (P<0.001), marital status (P<0.001), and level of education (P=0.040) in observing preventive behaviors. Conclusion: It is necessary to enhance the levels of awareness and self-efficacy of diabetic patients to reduce fear in this at-risk group. Further, it is appropriate to use PMT to promote preventive behaviors.
{"title":"COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Related Beliefs Among Diabetics: The Use of Protection Motivation Theory","authors":"Mohadese Sadri, M. Barati, S. Borzouei, S. Bashirian, S. Khazaei, E. Jenabi, Sepideh Zareian","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.1829","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.1829","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Recent data from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirm that diabetes, along with advanced age, is an important risk factor for adverse prognosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the status of COVID-19 prevention behaviors and related beliefs among diabetic patients in Hamadan province using protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from April to September 2020. The research population included all diabetics, of whom 355 patients, who referred to an adult endocrinologist in Hamadan, were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with demographic variables and PMT constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics, correlation, and logistic regression. Results: According to the result, the PMT construct explained 15% of the variance in the frequency of the intention to perform preventive behaviors. Perceived sensitivity (β=-0.128), perceived response efficiency (β=0.140), and perceived response cost (β=0.386) were the best significant predictors of behavior (P<0.05). There was a significant relationship between gender (P<0.001), marital status (P<0.001), and level of education (P=0.040) in observing preventive behaviors. Conclusion: It is necessary to enhance the levels of awareness and self-efficacy of diabetic patients to reduce fear in this at-risk group. Further, it is appropriate to use PMT to promote preventive behaviors.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46245332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-12DOI: 10.34172/jech.2022.10-689-2
Z. Gharlipour, E. Tavassoli, Fariba Fathollahi-Dehkordi, M. Alidosti
Background: With a focus on people’s beliefs, a health belief model (HBM) attempts to define and promote the health performances of different population groups. The current study aimed to determine the effect of education, based on the HBM, on promoting the oral health behaviors of adolescent girls in Shahrekord. Methods: This interventional study was conducted on female students in junior high schools in Shahrekord during the educational year 2018-2019. Using the cluster sampling method, a total of 80 adolescent girls were selected from public schools in Shahrekord and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The required data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention. In addition, a standard checklist was employed to evaluate the station of oral health. The training was provided to the members of the experimental group in seven sessions, each lasting 50-60 minutes. Using SPSS 21, the data were analyzed via paired t test, independent t test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: After the intervention, the mean scores of perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy in the experimental group increased significantly (f=61.12, P<0.001). Moreover, the mean scores of oral health behaviors in the experimental group significantly increased two months after training (P<0.001). Conclusion: Training based on the HBM had an important role in creating a favorable attitude and thus practicing oral health behaviors in students.
{"title":"Promoting Oral Health Behaviors of Adolescent Girls Using a Health Belief Model","authors":"Z. Gharlipour, E. Tavassoli, Fariba Fathollahi-Dehkordi, M. Alidosti","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.10-689-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.10-689-2","url":null,"abstract":"Background: With a focus on people’s beliefs, a health belief model (HBM) attempts to define and promote the health performances of different population groups. The current study aimed to determine the effect of education, based on the HBM, on promoting the oral health behaviors of adolescent girls in Shahrekord. Methods: This interventional study was conducted on female students in junior high schools in Shahrekord during the educational year 2018-2019. Using the cluster sampling method, a total of 80 adolescent girls were selected from public schools in Shahrekord and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The required data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention. In addition, a standard checklist was employed to evaluate the station of oral health. The training was provided to the members of the experimental group in seven sessions, each lasting 50-60 minutes. Using SPSS 21, the data were analyzed via paired t test, independent t test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: After the intervention, the mean scores of perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy in the experimental group increased significantly (f=61.12, P<0.001). Moreover, the mean scores of oral health behaviors in the experimental group significantly increased two months after training (P<0.001). Conclusion: Training based on the HBM had an important role in creating a favorable attitude and thus practicing oral health behaviors in students.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49106264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Due to the great importance of health literacy during pregnancy and its direct impact on the health of the mother and her child, this study aimed to evaluate the health literacy of pregnant women in a semi-urban area, Kuhdasht county, located in western Iran and to investigate its associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 300 pregnant mothers referred to a governmental prenatal care center in Kuhdasht county, Iran, in 2019. Data collection tools included a demographic form and the Persian version of the Maternal Health Literacy and Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (MHLAPQ). Collected data were then analyzed through SPSS software version 22 using the Pearson correlation test and Multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean score for the maternal health literacy dimension was 58.38±8.87 (out of 70), and it was 47.20±6.22 (out of 60) for the pregnancy outcome dimension. This indicates that the current pregnant women had adequate health literacy and pregnancy outcome. Further, there was a significant relationship between maternal health literacy and pregnancy outcome (r=0.58, P=0.001). Moreover, multiple linear regression results indicated that age, occupation, education, ferrous sulfate uptake, history of abortion, frequency of pregnancy, the trimester for prenatal care initiation, and birth weight of infants could not significantly predict health literacy in women (P>0.05). Conclusion: The health literacy level of pregnant women in Kuhdasht county, Iran, is adequate but not high. Accordingly, it is necessary to further consider maternal health literacy in socio-economic and health planning due to its effect on the health of the child and mother.
{"title":"Health Literacy and Its Predictors Among Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study","authors":"P. Baharvand, K. Anbari, Masoud Abdolian","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.25","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Due to the great importance of health literacy during pregnancy and its direct impact on the health of the mother and her child, this study aimed to evaluate the health literacy of pregnant women in a semi-urban area, Kuhdasht county, located in western Iran and to investigate its associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 300 pregnant mothers referred to a governmental prenatal care center in Kuhdasht county, Iran, in 2019. Data collection tools included a demographic form and the Persian version of the Maternal Health Literacy and Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (MHLAPQ). Collected data were then analyzed through SPSS software version 22 using the Pearson correlation test and Multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean score for the maternal health literacy dimension was 58.38±8.87 (out of 70), and it was 47.20±6.22 (out of 60) for the pregnancy outcome dimension. This indicates that the current pregnant women had adequate health literacy and pregnancy outcome. Further, there was a significant relationship between maternal health literacy and pregnancy outcome (r=0.58, P=0.001). Moreover, multiple linear regression results indicated that age, occupation, education, ferrous sulfate uptake, history of abortion, frequency of pregnancy, the trimester for prenatal care initiation, and birth weight of infants could not significantly predict health literacy in women (P>0.05). Conclusion: The health literacy level of pregnant women in Kuhdasht county, Iran, is adequate but not high. Accordingly, it is necessary to further consider maternal health literacy in socio-economic and health planning due to its effect on the health of the child and mother.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42245173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and the accompanying restrictions have caused disruptions in the lives of older Thais. The present study aimed to determine the associations of perceived risks with social, economic, and health changes that occurred among people aged 60 years old and over during the implemented lockdown measures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from a survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons in Thailand, with a sample size of 1230 collected in July 2020, were used for the analyses. An index was created using factor analysis from a list of perceived risks or worries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mentioned index was then employed in an ordinary least squares regression model to explore associated factors that involved social, economic, and health changes. Results: The results indicated that older individuals, who were married (β=-0.141; P=0.030) and resided in rural areas (β=-0.218; P<0.001), had lower levels of perceived risks or worries. Greater worry was related to individuals who had negative physical health changes during the pandemic (β=0.177; P<0.001) and those who had less mobility around their communities (β=0.356; P<0.001). Loss of employment (β=0.318; P=0.004) and income inadequacy before the pandemic (β=0.370; P<0.001) and only during the pandemic (β=0.169; P=0.040) had positive associations with perceived risk. Conclusion: Observing psychological health is necessary for the protection of the older population’s wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic being an unprecedented event has shown the need to ensure the social and economic protection of this age group as they are highly vulnerable.
{"title":"Perceived Risks and Social, Economic, and Health Changes Among Older People in Thailand During the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"P. Vicerra, Jose Carlo G. de Pano","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and the accompanying restrictions have caused disruptions in the lives of older Thais. The present study aimed to determine the associations of perceived risks with social, economic, and health changes that occurred among people aged 60 years old and over during the implemented lockdown measures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from a survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons in Thailand, with a sample size of 1230 collected in July 2020, were used for the analyses. An index was created using factor analysis from a list of perceived risks or worries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mentioned index was then employed in an ordinary least squares regression model to explore associated factors that involved social, economic, and health changes. Results: The results indicated that older individuals, who were married (β=-0.141; P=0.030) and resided in rural areas (β=-0.218; P<0.001), had lower levels of perceived risks or worries. Greater worry was related to individuals who had negative physical health changes during the pandemic (β=0.177; P<0.001) and those who had less mobility around their communities (β=0.356; P<0.001). Loss of employment (β=0.318; P=0.004) and income inadequacy before the pandemic (β=0.370; P<0.001) and only during the pandemic (β=0.169; P=0.040) had positive associations with perceived risk. Conclusion: Observing psychological health is necessary for the protection of the older population’s wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic being an unprecedented event has shown the need to ensure the social and economic protection of this age group as they are highly vulnerable.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43985121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Happiness is a measure of school-age children’s well-being. Many factors have been identified as the source of school-age children’s happiness, among which school experiences are particularly significant. This study aimed to investigate school-age children’s happiness and school experiences in various contexts. Methods: In total, 3282 Thai school-age children (first- and sixth-grade students) across the country were randomly selected in 2019. The exploratory research design was used for quantitative and qualitative data collection. The selected samples were administered self-reported questionnaires, interviewed, and observed in their school settings for five days a week. The collected quantitative data were analyzed with mean scores, standard deviations (SD), and the t test, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The mean score (±SD) of the first- and sixth-grade students were 2.290 (±0.32) and 2.220 (±0.30), respectively, which was interpreted as a moderate level of happiness. Factors such as grade levels, school types, food consumption, class hours, learning activities, and play activities had a statistically significant impact on school-age children’s happiness (P≤0.05). A qualitative examination of their routines and schedules on weekdays demonstrated that these children lost out on personal time and could not make decisions to spend time on the activities of their own interest and preference. Conclusion: School-age children are burdened with required schoolwork and barely have the time for any recreation and rest. Thus, children’s happiness is reduced with lower recess time.
{"title":"School Experiences and Happiness Levels of School-Age Children: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis","authors":"Yotsawee Saifah","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Happiness is a measure of school-age children’s well-being. Many factors have been identified as the source of school-age children’s happiness, among which school experiences are particularly significant. This study aimed to investigate school-age children’s happiness and school experiences in various contexts. Methods: In total, 3282 Thai school-age children (first- and sixth-grade students) across the country were randomly selected in 2019. The exploratory research design was used for quantitative and qualitative data collection. The selected samples were administered self-reported questionnaires, interviewed, and observed in their school settings for five days a week. The collected quantitative data were analyzed with mean scores, standard deviations (SD), and the t test, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The mean score (±SD) of the first- and sixth-grade students were 2.290 (±0.32) and 2.220 (±0.30), respectively, which was interpreted as a moderate level of happiness. Factors such as grade levels, school types, food consumption, class hours, learning activities, and play activities had a statistically significant impact on school-age children’s happiness (P≤0.05). A qualitative examination of their routines and schedules on weekdays demonstrated that these children lost out on personal time and could not make decisions to spend time on the activities of their own interest and preference. Conclusion: School-age children are burdened with required schoolwork and barely have the time for any recreation and rest. Thus, children’s happiness is reduced with lower recess time.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47502583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Giti, D. Shojaeizade, G. Heidari, Soheila Khodakarim Ardakani, Ali Ramezankhan
Background: The increase in smoking among female students in recent years has become one of the major public health concerns in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among university female students. Methods: This was an experimental interventional study that was conducted on 114 female students of Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon Branch (57 in each intervention and control group) in 2018. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the International Tobacco Survey based on HBM about the dangers of smoking which was completed in two stages before and one month after the intervention. The educational intervention was conducted in three sessions using two methods of lecture and group discussion. The collected data were analyzed using proportional tests and SPSS software, version 21. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean scores of the HBM constructs and smoking preventive behaviors between the two groups (P>0.05), but one month after the intervention, a statistically significant increase was observed in the mean scores of all constructs and preventive behaviors in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the HBM-based education was effective in preventing smoking among female students, and the implemented intervention was appropriate to the used model.
{"title":"The Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model on Smoking Preventive Behaviors Among Female Students","authors":"A. Giti, D. Shojaeizade, G. Heidari, Soheila Khodakarim Ardakani, Ali Ramezankhan","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.24","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The increase in smoking among female students in recent years has become one of the major public health concerns in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among university female students. Methods: This was an experimental interventional study that was conducted on 114 female students of Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon Branch (57 in each intervention and control group) in 2018. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the International Tobacco Survey based on HBM about the dangers of smoking which was completed in two stages before and one month after the intervention. The educational intervention was conducted in three sessions using two methods of lecture and group discussion. The collected data were analyzed using proportional tests and SPSS software, version 21. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean scores of the HBM constructs and smoking preventive behaviors between the two groups (P>0.05), but one month after the intervention, a statistically significant increase was observed in the mean scores of all constructs and preventive behaviors in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the HBM-based education was effective in preventing smoking among female students, and the implemented intervention was appropriate to the used model.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43737870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asrin Esmaealpour, Manoj Sharma, M. Mirghafourvand, S. Pourrazavi, H. Allahverdipour
Background: Girls need special care regarding menstrual hygiene because of early pubertal development and related problems. The researchers aimed to explore the knowledge about the role of the mother-daughter relationship in menstrual hygiene among young teens. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (February-April 2020) among 190 elderly young teenage girls in middle schools who lived in Bukan, North-West of Iran. Data about demographic characteristics, menstrual information, knowledge of menstrual hygiene management, the practice of menstrual hygiene, the premenstrual symptom screening tool, visual analog scale for pain, and parent-child relationship survey were collected by a questionnaire using a multistage random sampling method. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS (version 25) through descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The most common severe signs and symptoms were anger/irritability (21.6%), fatigue/lack of energy (19.5%), and decreased interest in household activities (17.9%). A sense of shame was reported more among girls who have moderate relationships with their mothers (P=0.011), and a significant relationship was found between mothers’ low literacy and the severity of premenstrual symptoms in their daughters (P=0.036). Conclusion: Mothers play a crucial role in their daughters’ lives, which can buffer stressors and relieve anxiety, especially during the experiencing of menarche and during the menstruation period, indicating familial support to overcome the puberty-related crisis.
{"title":"Mother-Daughter’s Relationship With Menstrual Hygiene and Premenstrual Symptoms in Iranian Teenage Girls","authors":"Asrin Esmaealpour, Manoj Sharma, M. Mirghafourvand, S. Pourrazavi, H. Allahverdipour","doi":"10.34172/jech.2022.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34172/jech.2022.21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Girls need special care regarding menstrual hygiene because of early pubertal development and related problems. The researchers aimed to explore the knowledge about the role of the mother-daughter relationship in menstrual hygiene among young teens. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (February-April 2020) among 190 elderly young teenage girls in middle schools who lived in Bukan, North-West of Iran. Data about demographic characteristics, menstrual information, knowledge of menstrual hygiene management, the practice of menstrual hygiene, the premenstrual symptom screening tool, visual analog scale for pain, and parent-child relationship survey were collected by a questionnaire using a multistage random sampling method. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS (version 25) through descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The most common severe signs and symptoms were anger/irritability (21.6%), fatigue/lack of energy (19.5%), and decreased interest in household activities (17.9%). A sense of shame was reported more among girls who have moderate relationships with their mothers (P=0.011), and a significant relationship was found between mothers’ low literacy and the severity of premenstrual symptoms in their daughters (P=0.036). Conclusion: Mothers play a crucial role in their daughters’ lives, which can buffer stressors and relieve anxiety, especially during the experiencing of menarche and during the menstruation period, indicating familial support to overcome the puberty-related crisis.","PeriodicalId":36491,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Education and Community Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41932979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}