Background: Adolescence is one of the most important developmental processes in one's life, and the habits gained during this period are likely to continue throughout life. This study determines whether there is a relationship between the... more
Background: Adolescence is one of the most important developmental processes in one's life, and the habits gained during this period are likely to continue throughout life. This study determines whether there is a relationship between the digital game addiction levels of adolescents and their quality of life (QoL). Methods: This is a quantitative study with a relational screening model. It was conducted in Ankara Province, Turkey, and involved 650 adolescents aged 14-18 years, selected via the simple random sampling method in the 2022-2023 school year. The personal information form, KINDL QoL scale, and digital game addiction scale were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using point double series correlation analysis and Pearson correlation analysis test. Results: The results showed that adolescents had a moderate QoL (Mean±SD 49.98±8.92), and they were in the risk group for digital game addiction (Mean±SD 44.6±17.51). There was no significant relationship between the QoL of the adolescents participating in the research and the levels of digital game addiction, except other than a significant, positive, and low-level relationship between the QoL and the emotion change and immersion, sub-dimension of the digital game addiction scale (r=0.079, P<0.005). In addition, there was a significant and positive relationship between the QoL, and a significant, positive, and moderate relationship between digital game addiction levels and gender of the adolescents (r pb =0.131, P<0.001; r pb =0.377, P<0.001). Conclusion: Precautions should be taken immediately because of the increased risk of addiction to digital games.
Research Interests:
Background: The presence of aflatoxin M1, a toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic substance, poses significant health risks. Hence, this study assesses the levels of aflatoxin M1 in raw, pasteurized, and sterilized milk obtained from the... more
Background: The presence of aflatoxin M1, a toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic substance, poses significant health risks. Hence, this study assesses the levels of aflatoxin M1 in raw, pasteurized, and sterilized milk obtained from the North Khorasan Province, Iran, and evaluates its potential impact on consumer health. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study randomly collected 189 raw milk samples. Additionally, 70 pasteurized and sterilized milk samples from supermarkets in the North Khorasan Province, Iran, were included. All samples were assessed for aflatoxin M1 contamination using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Meanwhile, statistical analysis (analysis of variance) was performed on the results. Results: The Mean±SD concentration of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk from the North Khorasan Province, Iran, was 18.44±34.6 ng/L, while pasteurized and sterilized milk had a higher mean concentration of 42.8±21.54 ng/L. The lowest concentration was found in Bojnord City, Iran, at 9.30±8.91 ng/L, while the highest concentration was detected in Jajarm at 30.70±80.50 ng/L. The mean contamination of aflatoxin M1 was not statistically significant (P=0.42) in most cities of the province. Meanwhile, 6.34% of raw milk and 11.4% of pasteurized milk samples had higher levels of aflatoxin M1 than the maximum limit recommended by the Iran National Standard Organization (INSO) (100 ng/L). However, none of the milk samples exceeded the permissible limit set by the Veterinary Organization of the country (500 ng/L). Conclusion: The mean concentration of aflatoxin M1 in raw and pasteurized milk from the North Khorasan Province is lower than the European Union (EU) standard of 50 ng/L and the approved limit set by the country's Veterinary Organization (500 ng/L). Therefore, it is not considered a significant threat to the health of adults.
Research Interests:
Background: Negative childhood experiences and emotional distress can influence the quality of a relationship. The present study identifies these factors to explain the structural pattern of relationship quality based on childhood trauma... more
Background: Negative childhood experiences and emotional distress can influence the quality of a relationship. The present study identifies these factors to explain the structural pattern of relationship quality based on childhood trauma and distress with the mediating role of psychological adaptation. Methods: This is an applied study regarding objectives and a descriptive-correlational structural equation-type study regarding implementation. The statistical population includes men and women (aged 18-60 years) in Tehran City, Iran in 2020-2021, of which 444 people were selected using the convenience sampling method. Study instruments include the childhood trauma questionnaire, psychological distress, qualitative relationship quality, and personality assessment questionnaire for adults. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 21, and Amos software, version 21 using structural equation modeling. Results: Childhood trauma (β=-0.135), psychological distress (β=-0.198), and psychological adaptation (β=-0.256) have direct and negative effects (P<0.01) on relationship quality and childhood trauma (β=-0.082). Meanwhile, psychological distress (β=-0.146) has an indirect effect through psychological adaptation (P<0.01) which has a negative and significant impact on relationship quality. The fit indices of the structural model after minor modifications were all at an acceptable level and the model was assessed to show a good fit to the data. Conclusion: Psychological adaption mediates the relationship between childhood trauma psychological distress and relationship quality. Therefore, it is beneficial to develop interventions that regulate emotions, reduce the impact of trauma on children, and improve mental adaptation.
Research Interests:
Background: Spiritual health is one of the most important psychological factors for university students, and it is perceived differently in various cultures and societies. Accordingly, this qualitative study investigates the definition of... more
Background: Spiritual health is one of the most important psychological factors for university students, and it is perceived differently in various cultures and societies. Accordingly, this qualitative study investigates the definition of spiritual health and the most important factors that affect the definition of spiritual health among Gonabad University students. Methods: This is a qualitative-based study designed using semi-structured interviews with the faculty members and experts from Gonabad University of Medical Sciences and Gonabad Seminary from December 2022 to November 2023. For data collection, a total of 13 semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted, and open-ended questions were asked. The data were analyzed using the framework analysis. Results: A total of 13 participants (7 men and 6 women) with threatening behaviors took part in this study. The participants' ages ranged from 30 to 60 years. After analyzing the data, the following 6 themes were identified through framework analysis: culture, family factors, education, justice, community characteristics, and modeling. Conclusion: This qualitative study highlights diverse conceptions of spiritual health among Gonabad University students and provides valuable insights for promoting spiritual well-being in higher education settings and educating families on behavior guided by spirituality and corresponding values.
Research Interests:
Background: Spiritual health is part of the general concept of child health. Considering the effects of spiritual health on the growth and development of children, it is necessary to understand the concept of spiritual health and its... more
Background: Spiritual health is part of the general concept of child health. Considering the effects of spiritual health on the growth and development of children, it is necessary to understand the concept of spiritual health and its dimensions in children. Accordingly, this study explains the dimensions of children's spiritual health. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 children and 9 researchers and specialists in the field of children's mental health. Interviews were conducted with an average duration of 30 min. Results: Dimensions of children's spiritual health with two themes of balanced relationship in 4 categories of relationship with God, relationship with self, relationship with others, and relationship with the environment, and the theme of relationship transcendence in 2 categories of transcendent behaviors and love of God were explained. Conclusion: Regardless of other developmental principles that follow the rule of maturity, the balanced relationship of spiritual health and the relationship transcendence of spiritual health in children did not follow the rule of maturity, and due to the innateness of the themes of balanced relationship and relationship transcendence of spiritual health. These characteristics have existed in children since childhood, regardless of any religious-spiritual measures within the family, and their spiritual health potential has been realized from their potential state.
Research Interests:
Background: To emphasize the essence of high-quality care in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed standards to support planners. This study describes the structures and care... more
Background: To emphasize the essence of high-quality care in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed standards to support planners. This study describes the structures and care processes that were in place to support perinatal care provided to pregnant women at three district hospitals in Bunyoro region, Uganda using the WHO standards as a benchmark. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using pre-tested structured questionnaires and an observation checklist among 61 facility managers and healthcare providers working in perinatal units. The data were collected on structures that focused on staffing, basic equipment, essential medicines and supplies, diagnostic capacity, and basic amenities. In addition, data were collected on the following processes: Supervision of perinatal care, in-service training for perinatal healthcare providers, transition in care, coordination of care, and continuity of care. Descriptive analysis was used for all the data using the STATA software, version 13. Results: Only 5 out of 18 doctors were designated to perinatal units. Each hospital had only one anesthetic officer. Two out of three of the hospitals did not have vital equipment in their postnatal units nor any communication equipment in all their perinatal units. No maternity unit had a designated waiting space for women in labor. The highest bed density for delivery and maternity beds was 6.6 per 1000 pregnant women. Refresher training was only offered once a year. Receiving units were not notified of the referral. Patient care records were paper-based using papers/exercise books as alternative documentation tools. Medications and laboratory or diagnostic findings were the least documented.
Research Interests:
Background: The present study investigates the incidence of breast cancer in Iran at the province level and also explores the impact of the covariates of some risk factors using the temporal risk of cancer, Poisson, log-normal, and... more
Background: The present study investigates the incidence of breast cancer in Iran at the province level and also explores the impact of the covariates of some risk factors using the temporal risk of cancer, Poisson, log-normal, and Besag-York-Mollie (BYM) models. Methods: This is an ecological study and the population includes all patients with breast cancer from 2005 and 2009 in Iran. Risk factors for the disease included physical activity and being overweight, according to an annual report on the registration of cancer cases in the country. Individuals with a positive diagnostic test or a biopsy for breast cancer were identified as definitive and registered at the breast cancer registry. Poisson, log-normal, and BYM models were used to estimate the relative risk indices, spatial risk, and temporal risk of cancer. Results: The total number of registered breast cancers from 2005 to 2009 in Iran was 32 694 cases. Among the provinces, the most observed cases are related to Isfahan Province with 2862 cases, and Khorasan Razavi Province with 2646 cases. The lowest incidence is associated with Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province with 104 cases. The highest relative risk of breast cancer was observed in 2009 in Tehran Province and the lowest in Kohkiluyeh Boyer-Ahmad Province, and Sistan-Baluchestan Province. Conclusion: Due to the better fit of the BYM model, it is recommended to use the BYM model in future studies, and considering the significance of the human development index variable, this variable should be considered in similar studies.
Research Interests:
Background: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus responsible for transmitting severe viruses, such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, pose a significant health threat in India. Challenges in vector control, including... more
Background: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus responsible for transmitting severe viruses, such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, pose a significant health threat in India. Challenges in vector control, including insecticide resistance and limited progress in vaccine development, coupled with factors like climate change and urbanization, contribute to an extensive expansion of mosquito habitats and disease transmission. However, the existing literature on how these factors influence mosquito behavior, genetic architecture, and virus transmission patterns in different regions of India is insufficient. Methods: This scoping review conducted a thorough search across online databases, such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The keywords that were used were as follows: "Ae. Aegypti," "Ae. albopictus," "breeding habitat," "feeding preference," "genetic diversity," "virus transmission," "dengue," "chikungunya," "Zika," and "India." The online search, conducted from October to November 2023, focused on English-language articles from 2013 to November 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed articles addressing Aedes behavior, genetic diversity, and disease transmission, while the exclusion criteria removed non-Aedes mosquito studies and duplicates. Article quality was manually checked and assessed. Results: The literature survey spanning the past ten years categorized the data into the following four subgroups: "Arboviral disease," "arbovirus transmission," "Aedes mosquito behavior," and "genetic diversity." The data synthesis emphasized the need to focus on Aedes mosquito breeding habitats and virus transmission patterns in common dengue endemic regions, like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in India. However, research on feeding behavior and genetic diversity is scarce. Hence, more research should be conducted in these areas. Conclusion: This analysis highlights critical gaps in our understanding, emphasizing the necessity for detailed mapping, studying virus evolution, socio-epidemiological research, and using advanced technologies for real-time monitoring. Understanding the complex relationships between blood-feeding patterns, host preferences, and diverse breeding habitats is crucial for effective disease control.
Research Interests:
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known psychiatric disorder that can occur after a major traumatic event and adversely impact the individual's mental health. PTSD is a multifaceted mental health problem that... more
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known psychiatric disorder that can occur after a major traumatic event and adversely impact the individual's mental health. PTSD is a multifaceted mental health problem that requires long periods of treatment and expensive treatment protocols. Despite significant advances in treatment, there is little evidence of the economic burden and social support associated with PTSD. Hence, this study examines empirical research on the economic burden and social support associated with patients with PTSD. Methods: In this study, we used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guided scoping review protocol to assess the research on the economic burdens and social support associated with PTSD patients. Accordingly, we selected 14 primary research studies examining the economic burden and 17 primary studies examining social support for PTSD patients. Results: PTSD patients incur a high economic burden worldwide with huge direct cost variability. Meanwhile, social support is an impactful approach to curbing the impacts of PTSD on patients. This study demonstrated the substantial role of social support in reducing PTSD symptoms and as a significant moderator in the treatment of PTSD patients. Conclusion: PTSD is a mental health problem associated with a highly variable economic burden on patients and healthcare systems across the globe. In addition, social support facilitates the speedy recovery of PTSD patients. Because of the high economic burden associated with PTSD, the World Health Organization (WHO) should formulate a policy that improves resource allocation specifically for vulnerable individuals with PTSD.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background: One of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is universal access to clean water and basic sanitation by 2030. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support SDG targets such as eliminating poverty and improving health and... more
Background: One of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is universal access to clean water and basic sanitation by 2030. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support SDG targets such as eliminating poverty and improving health and education. Methods: The sample of this study amounted to 30 schools consisting of 10 elementary schools, 10 junior high schools, and 10 senior high schools. Sampling was based on stakeholder decisions on several issues related to washing. Results: This study was conducted by directly observing schools regarding the amount of drinking water, number of toilets, bathrooms, handwashing facilities alone, and handwashing facilities with water and soap. The results showed that elementary and junior high schools have insufficient toilet facilities and low handwashing facilities with water and soap. The average number of handwashing facilities with water and soap in schools in Bekasi City, Indonesia, was 1 for elementary schools, followed by junior high schools and high schools for 4-5 points. Conclusion: As soap is still unavailable in many Bekasi City schools, and there are inadequate handwashing facilities, it is recommended that handwashing facilities must be available with soap and water.
Research Interests: Facility and HANDWASHING
Background: Years of life lost (YLL) is commonly used to determine the social and economic burden of loss due to premature mortality. The present study estimated YLL based on general mortality groups in Golestan Province, Iran, in 2018.... more
Background: Years of life lost (YLL) is commonly used to determine the social and economic burden of loss due to premature mortality. The present study estimated YLL based on general mortality groups in Golestan Province, Iran, in 2018. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, by referring to the province death registration system information and using standard expected years of life lost (SEYLL) of the World Health Organization (WHO), YLL was calculated due to premature mortality based on general mortality groups in ICD-10 (international classification of diseases 10th revision). Results: The total number of deaths in Golestan Province was 8543 in 2018. The overall YLL due to premature mortality was 129838 years, of which 57.4% occurred among men. The major causes of YLL due to premature mortality (YLL%) were diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) (32.3%), external causes (V01-Y89) (17.3%), certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96) (14.5%), and cancers (C00-D48) (13.9%). After diseases of the circulatory system, the most common cause of YLL due to premature mortality is external causes (22.9%) among men and cancers (16.2%) among women. In general, the highest YLL rate occurred due to circulatory system diseases (22.5 per 1000 people). Conclusion: According to the results of our study, most years of life lost in both sexes are related to diseases of the circulatory system, followed by external causes of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the diseases of the circulatory system and its causes, as well as external causes of morbidity and mortality.
Research Interests:
Background: This study investigated factors affecting self-harming behaviors and preventing self-harming thoughts and behavior in adolescent girls. Physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes accompany adolescence. The family and... more
Background: This study investigated factors affecting self-harming behaviors and preventing self-harming thoughts and behavior in adolescent girls. Physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes accompany adolescence. The family and school must support the adolescent in this regard. Methods: The research is a correlational study, and data collection was through the census method. All 150 girls aged between 12 and 24 years who lived in one of the villages (Benoband) of Bandar Abbas City, Iran, in 2022 were recruited. The deliberate self-harm inventory (Gratz, 2001), the Kutcher adolescent depression scale, the dual school climate, and school identification measure-student, the academic performance questionnaire (Pham & Taylor, 1999), and the affective family climate were used for data collection. The collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis in SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results revealed that depression has a direct relationship with self-harm (0.30), the emotional atmosphere of the family (-0.49), and school climate and identity (-0.49). Also, the academic performance had a significant negative relationship (-0.47) with self-harm (P<0.001). Regression analysis showed that these variables can explain 39% of the variance of adolescent self-harm behavior (F=25.16, P≤0.001). Conclusion: The research showed that teenagers need education and awareness in schools and families. Also, parents' education to familiarize them with the particular characteristics of adolescents, including their emotional and social characteristics, will lead to a greater understanding of the adolescent in the family and mental and psychological peace of the adolescents. A comprehensive health education program should include coping skills, interpersonal communication, goal setting, anger management, and advocacy skills.
Research Interests:
Background: Losing a love relationship in youth creates one of the most significant impacts that may occur for women, as they have been introduced to love trauma syndrome for the first time. This research study was conducted to determine... more
Background: Losing a love relationship in youth creates one of the most significant impacts that may occur for women, as they have been introduced to love trauma syndrome for the first time. This research study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of reality therapy in decreasing alexithymia and increasing posttraumatic growth among women who have experienced a love failure. Methods: This study was quasi-experimental research using a pre-test-post-test design with a follow-up. The statistical population comprised all women with emotional failure experiences referred to Aramandish and Chaman clinics in Tehran City, Iran, during 2021 and 2022. A purposive sampling method was used to select the samples. Thirty people were chosen as the study sample; 15 women were put in the experimental (reality therapy) group and 15 in the control group. The reality therapy intervention plan was applied to the experimental group in eight 90-minute sessions once a week, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The Toronto alexithymia scale and posttraumatic growth inventory were implemented before and after intervention sessions. Finally, the data were analyzed for variance analysis with repeated measurements and analysis of covariance using SPSS software, version 26. Results: The findings showed that after comparing the post-test and follow-up scores with the pre-test results, there is a significant difference between alexithymia (P<0.001) and posttraumatic growth (P<0.001). Likewise, a significant difference (P<0.001) in the research variables was observed between the experimental and control groups in all three measurement times. Conclusion: The findings showed that reality therapy had a significant effect on alexithymia and posttraumatic growth of women with emotional failure. Therefore, reality therapy can be used for emotional failure syndromes.
Research Interests:
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most common diseases in Iran. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the educational intervention based on the theory of conservation motivation on the prevention of... more
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most common diseases in Iran. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the educational intervention based on the theory of conservation motivation on the prevention of cutaneous leishmaniasis in boys in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades in the population covered by Mashhad Health Center No. 1, Mashhad City, Iran, in 2020. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 80 (out of the 23152) seventh, eighth, or ninth grade students covered by Mashhad Health Center No. 1 were selected by random cluster sampling. After determining the needs in the framework of the protection motivation theory, an educational intervention was designed and implemented for the experimental group. Two groups completed study questionnaires before, immediately after, and three months after the educational intervention. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests in SPSS software, version 24. Results: Before the intervention, the two groups showed no significant differences regarding the theoretical structure of conservation motivation. After the intervention in the experimental group immediately after and three months after the intervention, significant differences were observed regarding the mean scores of the perceived sensitivity (P>0.001), perceived intensity (P>0.001), fear (P>0.001), perceived response effectiveness (P>0.001), protection motivation (P>0.001) and behavior (P>0.001) of the cutaneous leishmaniasis. In the control group, the changes were not significant. Conclusion: The educative intervention based on motivational protection theory in male adolescents has a significant increase in the preventative behaviors of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the protection motivation theory can be used as a framework in designing educational programs to promote the preventive behaviors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in male adolescents.
Research Interests: Prevention and Motivation
Background: Nowadays, children and teenagers easily access computer games while parents are unaware of the dangers posed by excessive use of these games. The present study investigated the effect of educational intervention based on the... more
Background: Nowadays, children and teenagers easily access computer games while parents are unaware of the dangers posed by excessive use of these games. The present study investigated the effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on primary school boys' aggression levels. Methods: This research was a randomized controlled trial. The sample size was determined to be 180 considering a confidence interval of 95% and test power of 90% (group 1=90, group 2=90). The sampling environment was a multi-stage cluster with four primary schools from two education districts in Shiraz City, Iran in 2013. The participants were evaluated once before the intervention and then one week and one month after the educational intervention. We used the aggression checklist (12 items) and a researcher-made questionnaire according to TPB theory, which has suitable validity and reliability. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 19. Results: There was no difference between the two groups before the intervention. After the education program, the 4 constructs of TPB, including attitude, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions, and behavior, increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings, it seems that the educational intervention on mothers based on TPB leads to the reduction of aggressive behavior of elementary school students.
Research Interests:
Background: Africa is gradually becoming an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the current disease trend, Africa might be the last hardest-hit continent. While scientific investigations continue to develop effective management... more
Background: Africa is gradually becoming an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the current disease trend, Africa might be the last hardest-hit continent. While scientific investigations continue to develop effective management through medications and vaccines, existing knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes could be harnessed to develop an effective strategy to curb community transmission of COVID-19. The present study assessed the awareness level, perceptions, and attitudes of people living in rural, peri-urban, and urban communities in Northern Ghana and their preparedness for the prevention and containment of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a face-to-face interview and administered 553 semi-structured questionnaires in 18 rural, peri-urban, and urban communities in Tolon District, Kumbungu District, Sagnarigu Municipality, Savelugu Municipality, and Tamale Metropolis from April 23 to June 8, 2020. Results: The percentages of males and females among the respondents were 56.8% and 43.2%, respectively. Nearly half (41%) of the respondents had no formal education, and 91.3% of them were Muslims. Most respondents (85%) believed that COVID-19 is a punishment from God. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the first-time rural, peri-urban, and urban communities heard of COVID-19. The majority (63%) of the rural respondents depended on radio, while the peri-urban and urban respondents (51%) relied on TV for information on COVID-19. All respondents were aware of COVID-19, and 91.7% could mention at least two symptoms of the disease. However, 18% believed there was no COVID-19 in Ghana. Most respondents (69.6%) thought they would not contract the virus. Conclusion: Our findings may provide valuable data to the government and other stakeholders to control COVID-19.
Research Interests:
Background: The recent novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underlined the importance of risk score models in public health emergencies. This study aimed to develop a risk prediction score to identify high-risk... more
Background: The recent novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underlined the importance of risk score models in public health emergencies. This study aimed to develop a risk prediction score to identify high-risk hospitalized patients for disease progression on admission. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 171 COVID-19 patients, identified through the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test, admitted to Bohlool Hospital in Gonabad City, Iran, between April 4 and June 5, 2021. The patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected upon admission, and clinical outcomes were monitored until the end of the study. The discovery dataset (80% of the data) was used to develop the risk score model based on clinical and laboratory features and patient characteristics to predict COVID-19 progression. An additive risk score model was developed based on the regression coefficients of the significant variables in a multiple logistic regression model. The performance of the risk score model was evaluated on the validation dataset (20% of the data) using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software, version 21. Results: The Mean±SD for age of participants was 59.54±20.52 years, and 48.6% were male. Most patients (82.5%) fully recovered or showed improvement, while 5.2% experienced disease progression and 12.3% died. Three variables, interleukin-6, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lung involvement, were found to be significant in predicting risk, with a good discriminatory ability, having an area under the ROC curve of 0.970 (95% CI, 0.935%, 1.00%) in the discovery set and 0.973 (95% CI, 0.923%, 1.00%) in the validation set. Conclusion: The developed risk score model in this study can be used as a clinical diagnostic tool to identify COVID-19 patients at higher risk of disease progression and aid in informed decision-making and resource utilization in similar situations, such as respiratory disease outbreaks in the post-corona era.
Research Interests:
Background: It is well documented that India is an example of the unequal distribution of dental caries among different population groups, as higher prevalence and incidence have been reported among people with a low socioeconomic level.... more
Background: It is well documented that India is an example of the unequal distribution of dental caries among different population groups, as higher prevalence and incidence have been reported among people with a low socioeconomic level. The objective of this review was to systematically map the scientific literature on the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on dental caries among adults, identify the research gaps in this area, and propose recommendations for future research. Methods: This scoping review was conducted based on the updated framework recommended by Joanna Briggs Institute. Relevant studies undertaken in India were identified by searching Medline/PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. The search strategy was limited to journal articles published between January 2012 and October 2022. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were reviewed by two reviewers independently. Results: The scoping review comprised 7 cross-sectional studies and 1 cohort study. Most reviewed studies used the Kuppuswamy scale or its modifications to assess the SES. Four studies determined the caries status regarding mean values according to SES and reported higher DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) among the middle and lower-class SES. Three studies employed regression analysis to determine the association, and all found that the DMFT score was significantly associated with socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The findings of this review confirm the existence of inequalities in caries experience in adults from different socioeconomic backgrounds. More high-quality and follow-up studies are needed to establish the magnitude of the scientific evidence regarding the association between socioeconomic status and dental caries among adults in India.
Research Interests:
As an artificial intelligence (AI) branch, machine learning has pioneering applications in public health, ranging from disease diagnosis to epidemic prediction. Machine learning (ML) is a strategic lever to improve care services’ access,... more
As an artificial intelligence (AI) branch, machine learning has pioneering applications in public health, ranging from disease diagnosis to epidemic prediction. Machine learning (ML) is a strategic lever to improve care services’ access, quality, and efficiency and create health systems based on learning and value. In the following, we mention only a part of ML assistance in public health.
Research Interests:
Background: Hydatidosis is a leading zoonotic parasitic disease causing economic losses and public health concerns worldwide. The current study aims to determine the seroepidemiological status of hydatid cysts (HCs) and assess the... more
Background: Hydatidosis is a leading zoonotic parasitic disease causing economic losses and public health concerns worldwide. The current study aims to determine the seroepidemiological status of hydatid cysts (HCs) and assess the relationship between risk factors and this disease in high-risk individuals in Gonabd City, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Gonabad health centers in 2018-2019. Sampling was performed using the census method. A total of 393 serum samples were collected from 259 men and 134 women at risk for HC. A questionnaire was prepared for all participants. Demographic information, such as gender, age, place of residence, education level, participation of children in animal husbandry, the way of washing vegetables, and work experience in animal husbandry were recorded. The levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The infection rate was 9.7% for men and 10% for women, showing no significant correlation between gender and hydatidosis. Among the affected population, the prevalence rate was 10.4% in undergraduates and 16.3% in the age group of 20-30. Additionally, individuals with less than ten years of experience in animal husbandry had a prevalence rate of 11.7%. Those who had contact with dogs had a prevalence rate of 7.9%, while individuals who did not use disinfectants to wash vegetables had a higher rate of 12%. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant prevalence of HCs in at-risk individuals. This indicates the need for effective preventive measures to reduce the burden of infection. The recommendations include washing vegetables with disinfectants to eliminate any potential sources of contamination. Additionally, obtaining identification certificates for livestock dogs and collecting stray dogs can help control the spread of the disease. It is essential to implement a comprehensive public health strategy to address this issue effectively.
Research Interests:
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and adolescence, which is associated with various psychological problems. This study aims to compare the effect of group... more
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and adolescence, which is associated with various psychological problems. This study aims to compare the effect of group internet-delivered self-management training (iSMT) and "patient child" play (PCP) on externalizing and internalizing problems in children with T1DM in Isfahan City, Iran. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 2020 to October 2021. From all children aged 8 to 11 years with T1DM diagnosed by endocrinologists, 75 children were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned into three groups, iSMT, PCP, and control (each group was 25). Their parents filled out the child behavior checklist (CBCL) for them in the pre and post-treatment stages. The iSMT group received 10 sessions of education via Skyroom and the playgroup performed PCP for 10 sessions. The control group did not receive any psychological intervention. All participants received routine diabetes medication. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 23 and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for 59 children in 3 groups (iSMT=19, PCP=20, and control=20). Results: The results showed that the PCP group had more improvement in SP compared to the iSMT group as well as a significant improvement in rule-breaking behaviors (RB) compared to the control group. Conclusion: PCP is effective in improving SP and RB of children with T1DM and can be used as a complementary treatment for them.
Research Interests:
Background: Considering the profound influence of parent-child relationships on child vulnerability and mental health, prioritizing the improvement of this bond becomes crucial. While combined programs have garnered substantial... more
Background: Considering the profound influence of parent-child relationships on child vulnerability and mental health, prioritizing the improvement of this bond becomes crucial. While combined programs have garnered substantial recognition for their heightened effectiveness, regrettably, no research has yet explored a comparative analysis of their efficacy. This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness of combining parent management training (PMT) with both acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) and mindful parenting in improving the parent-child relationship. Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental design, specifically a pre-test and post-test method, with a three-month follow-up period. A control group was included to enhance the validity of the results. The statistical population comprised all mothers of preschool children in Semnan City, Iran in 2022. Using convenience sampling, 36 mothers were selected and randomly assigned to three groups, two experimental groups and one control group. Random assignment was achieved using a lottery-based method without replacement. The sample in experimental groups participated in an integrated training program, which consisted of two-hour sessions conducted eight times per week. Conversely, the control group was placed on a waiting list. The data analysis phase involved utilizing SPSS software, version 23 and applying multivariate covariance analysis. Results: The results of the study indicated that both combined programs exhibited a significant impact on reducing conflicts within the parent-child relationship and fostering closeness (P<0.001). However, no significant effect was observed on parent-child dependency (P>0.05). Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the two combined programs regarding their effectiveness in enhancing the parent-child relationship. These results remained consistent during the follow-up stage. Conclusion: This study highlighted that these programs have exhibited a significant capacity to enhance the parent-child relationship by fostering a sense of closeness and effectively mitigating conflicts. These results indicated that the integration of ACT or mindful parenting principles with PMT can provide valuable interventions for enhancing parent-child.
Research Interests:
Background: Stress and anger are among the most common mental health problems in adolescents. The skill of coping with stress and controlling emotions is one of the vital skills in adolescence. This study aims to investigate the effect of... more
Background: Stress and anger are among the most common mental health problems in adolescents. The skill of coping with stress and controlling emotions is one of the vital skills in adolescence. This study aims to investigate the effect of educational intervention on anger and stress management skills in female adolescents based on social cognitive theory (SCT). Methods: The present pre-test post-test clinical trial was conducted among 12-14-year-old girls in Birjand City, Iran in 2019. One school was randomly selected as intervention and one school as control. The participants included 80 girls randomly selected and assigned to the intervention and control groups. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire investigating the effective factors on anger and stress control skills based on the SCT. The validity and reliability of this scale were confirmed by a panel of experts and Cronbach's α was above 0.7. Questionnaires and informed consent forms were completed by participants in the pre-test stage and two months after the educational intervention. Seven training sessions were held in two months. The implementation of the project lasted for four months. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 and t-test. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of perceived social support (P=0.003), perceived reinforcement (P=0.03), and self-control (P<0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group after the intervention. Moreover, the mean score of self-efficacy (P=0.007) changed significantly in the control group after the intervention. Conclusion: Parent training has been effective in promoting social support and perceived reinforcement. Paying attention to the role of parents, preparing a suitable training package, and using active training methods have played a role in the effectiveness of the intervention. Therefore, the application of this educational package is recommended in future related interventions and similar studies.
Research Interests:
Background: Junk food consumption is associated with various health hazards, such as childhood obesity, hypertension, and juvenile diabetes. This study aims to investigate junk food consumption rate among children and adolescents from the... more
Background: Junk food consumption is associated with various health hazards, such as childhood obesity, hypertension, and juvenile diabetes. This study aims to investigate junk food consumption rate among children and adolescents from the rural and urban areas of a tertiary hospital in Puducherry, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children and adolescents in the urban and rural field practicing area of Aarupadai Veedu Medical College. The cluster sampling technique followed by age and gender stratification was used in each cluster interviewed using a quasi-structured questionnaire in a field practice area with about 360 samples. The statistical analysis used was nonparametric (chi-square test) and multiple logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of junk food consumption in 144 children (5-12 years old) was 40% and in 90 adolescents (13-18 years old), it was 25%. The most common junk food eaten by the participants in 173 children was chocolate (38.88%) and in 73 adolescents, it was chips (38.02%). Junk food consumption was significantly more common per day and less than 3 days per week compared to the weekly thrice and 4 times frequency of junk consumption per week. The age category of 5-8 years had 2.73 higher junk food consumption compared to the age category of 13-18 years of age and it was statistically significant (P=0.001). The unemployed mother consumed 2.35 junk food compared to the employed mother, and was statistically significant (P=0.002). Urban had 2.41 higher junk food consumption compared to rural, which is statistically significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: The most common junk food, fast food, instant food, and street food eaten by children and adolescents were chocolate and chips, samosa, noodles, and golgappaa/pani puri, respectively. Junk food consumption was higher in children and urban compared to adolescents and rural, respectively. The literate father and unemployed mother were associated with increased. In a formal system, all schools should encourage balanced diets and draw attention to the adverse effects of junk food.
Research Interests:
Background: Due to the low consumption of fruits and vegetables in adults, most of them are employed in workplaces; this condition is a good opportunity to implement an intervention to influence the behavior of this group. This study aims... more
Background: Due to the low consumption of fruits and vegetables in adults, most of them are employed in workplaces; this condition is a good opportunity to implement an intervention to influence the behavior of this group. This study aims to determine the effects of social marketing techniques in an intervention on fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake among office staff. Methods: This descriptive study was a formative research. This study was conducted on 70 administrative staff in a government office in Ghaemshahr City, Mazandaran Province, Iran in two stages, formative research and developing intervention strategies according to social marketing techniques. Formative research consists of two distinct phases, qualitative and quantitative. The categories were extracted using the direct content analysis method by MAX QDA at the qualitative stage, and the questionnaire data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 22 using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: In the qualitative section, factors affecting F&V consumption were extracted into five main categories, including product, place, price, promotion, and organizational support. In the quantitative stage, the mean age of participants was 42.14±6.84 years, and the lowest percentage of mean scores related to the commitment to the action plan (29.16%) was related to the construct of Pender's health promotion model (HPM). Previous related behaviors, behavioral outcomes, preferences, and immediate demand predicted 43% of F&V consumption behavior. The mean intake of F&V per day was 1.57±1.32 and 0.45±0.75 units, respectively. Conclusion: Although social marketing is a planning process, using theory can lead to the development of effective and accurate marketing strategies by covering all aspects of behavior to take more effective action to improve it.
Research Interests:
Background: Protective behavior is recommended to prevent COVID-19. However, the existing gap is no reliable evidence of protective behavior in southern urban areas in Iran. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of face mask usage... more
Background: Protective behavior is recommended to prevent COVID-19. However, the existing gap is no reliable evidence of protective behavior in southern urban areas in Iran. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of face mask usage and shield use among pedestrians in the Abadan, Khoramshahr, and Shadegan southern cities of Iran. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2021 in the southwestern urban population of Iran. In this study, 7 425 pedestrians were selected from 85 neighborhoods. Sampling was conducted using a multi-stage method. The data were collected by observation passers on the street with a checklist and analyzed by SPSS software, version 26 statistical and WINPEPI software. The acceptable significance level was P<0.05. Results: A total of 55.4% of the subjects were men. The prevalence of face mask usage was 3990(53.8%) (95% CI, 52.7%-55%). The correct use of the face mask and shield were (38.5% and 0.4%), respectively. The use of a face mask was higher in men than women (54.3 vs 53%). Pedestrians under 10 years (39.2%) and over 70 years (44.7%) had the lowest use of the mask. The use of face mask was more in the evening and night (58.1% vs 54.3%), and a significant relationship was observed between the use of the face mask and age (P<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of the use of face mask is relatively low. Therefore, the possibility of controlling the infection may be difficult. Promoting media literacy, emphasizing the perceived benefits of preventative behavior, and setting rules may improve mask use.
Research Interests:
Background: Multiple factors shape health and mental well-being (MWB). These factors are considered indicators for a holistic assessment of the well-being construct. Analyzing existing literature on indicators related to health and MWB is... more
Background: Multiple factors shape health and mental well-being (MWB). These factors are considered indicators for a holistic assessment of the well-being construct. Analyzing existing literature on indicators related to health and MWB is necessary to support a comprehensive evaluation in the sub-Saharan African context to assess and improve the population's health and MWB. Methods: This study is a literature review conducted by adapting the POWER framework while leveraging the Web of Science (WoS) database, complemented with random Google-led searches. Leveraging the POWER framework, this paper reviewed related literature on mental health and well-being (HWB) to provide a framework for action. Results: Going through the planning, writing, and reflection phases, of the POWER framework, the WoS database search produced 22 pieces of literature published in South Africa from 2014 to 2022 and 5 pieces of literature published in Nigeria from 2019 to 2022 with 26 manuscripts across higher institutions in South Africa and eight manuscripts with various organizations. The study revealed abilities to realize potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and meaningful community engagement as some of the crucial mental health indicators. The reviewed literature revealed that MWB as a multi-phased construct is fast gaining attention in sub-Saharan African contexts. Conclusion: This study concluded that mental HWB assessment has multiple indicators being largely deployed linearly using Western-developed or validated assessment instruments. Therefore, an adaptive health and MWB assessment with a more accurate assessment capacity should be developed as a transdicsiplinary illness prevention intervention.
Research Interests:
Background: No bibliometric study of published research subjects was conducted on obesity and hypertension to identify trends and novelties. As a result, this study aims to look into the trend of number of publications, trend of... more
Background: No bibliometric study of published research subjects was conducted on obesity and hypertension to identify trends and novelties. As a result, this study aims to look into the trend of number of publications, trend of citations, journal with the most publications, area with the most publication approval, network visualization, overlay visualization, and density visualization on the topic of obesity and hypertension using bibliometric analysis. Methods: This study uses a bibliometric analysis. The data in this study are based on Internet searches conducted using Dimensions app. The VOSviewer software, version 1.6.18 was used to create and display the latest trends in network visualization, overlay visualization, and density visualization. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) flowcharts were used to show the steps after data collection. Step 1 (identification), step 2 (screening), step 3 (study eligibility) and the final sample (included) in phase 4 were all documented. Results: The search for publications on obesity and hypertension yielded 995.13 articles. After screening using the specified criteria, 9 541 articles were found. Most publications on obesity and hypertension were published in 2021, the fewest in 2003. Research on obesity and hypertension is conducted by health sciences. In addition, trends in obesity with hypertension currently focus on the impact of obesity and hypertension on specific populations (e.g. children, and elderly), novel therapeutic approaches, or the role of technology in monitoring and managing these conditions. From the density visualization, the topics that visualized the low category are mortality rate, severity, risk of hypertension, and metabolic abnormalities. Conclusion: From the results of the bibliometric analysis using these keywords, researchers can identify information about trends and innovations in obesity research topics in the future. This study recommends other researchers choose topics from the low visualization category to conduct new studies in the future.
Research Interests:
Background: The health information system is an essential part of the health system and has a vital role in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system, especially in primary health care (PHC). This study was... more
Background: The health information system is an essential part of the health system and has a vital role in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system, especially in primary health care (PHC). This study was conducted to determine the minimum data set required in the electronic health record (EHR) for primary health care (PHC) in the health system of Iran as an example of a low-middle-income country. Methods: This study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods conducted from 2021 to 2022, and includes three main stages, reviewing the theoretical foundations of research and designing the main framework of interview guide questions, a qualitative study through an interview with 42 managers of the health system at the national level to determine the minimum data in the electronic health, and determine the validity of the data via Delphi method using SPSS software, version 15. Results: After reviewing the minimal data set in EHR in seven selected countries, and during the interviews conducted with specialists, 7 main concepts and 5 sub-concepts were extracted from the interviews. Based on this, 159 information elements were included in the survey, and in two Delphi rounds, 145 information elements in seven sections of children, mothers, mental health, elderly, para-clinic, medicine, and vaccination were agreed upon by the experts. Conclusion: To standardize the data structure, it is necessary to create a database of national health information in the country's EHR. The existence of a standard minimum data set can lead to the access of accurate and unambiguous information to the service recipient. It is essential to pay more attention to mental health programs and the elderly and use the latest information in the design of the minimum data set in the health system.
Research Interests:
Background: This paper aims to present open-source computer simulation programs developed to simulate, track, and estimate the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: The programs included two separate parts, one set of programs built in Simulink... more
Background: This paper aims to present open-source computer simulation programs developed to simulate, track, and estimate the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: The programs included two separate parts, one set of programs built in Simulink with a block diagram display, and another one coded as a script in MATLAB R2020b. The mathematical model used in this package was the suspectable-infected-removed (SIR), suspectable-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR), and susceptible-exposed-infected-recovereddeceased (SEIRD) models represented by a set of differential-algebraic equations. It can be easily modified to develop new models for the problem. A generalized method was adopted to simulate worldwide outbreaks in an efficient, fast, and simple way. Results: To get a good tracking of the virus spread, a sum of sigmoid functions was proposed to capture any dynamic changes in the data. The parameters used for the input (infection and recovery rate functions) were computed using the parameter estimation tool in MATLAB. Several statistical methods were applied for the rate function, including linear, Mean±SD and root mean square (RMS). In addition, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was employed and proposed to train the model and predict its output. Conclusion: This procedure is presented in such a way that it can be generalized and applied in other parts and applications of estimating the scenarios of an event, including the potential of several models, including suspectable-infected-removed (SIR), which is sensitive to pollution, etc. This program can be used as an educational tool or for research studies and this article promises some lasting contributions in the field of COVID-19.
Research Interests:
Background: Stress is inevitable in nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 and may cause compassion fatigue. Spiritual health seems to play a crucial role in coping with stress. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship... more
Background: Stress is inevitable in nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 and may cause compassion fatigue. Spiritual health seems to play a crucial role in coping with stress. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual health, nursing stress caused by COVID-19, and compassion fatigue in nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 216 nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 participated from Bohlool Hospital (31), Nohomeh Day Hospital (100), and Razi Hospital (n=85), Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran, in 2021. The nurses of the COVID departments were selected by a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, spiritual health questionnaire, Figley professional quality of life questionnaire, and nursing stress questionnaire. Due to the non-normal distribution of the data, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between spiritual health, nursing stress, and compassion fatigue at a significance level of 5%. Results: A significant direct relationship was observed between spiritual health and compassion fatigue (P<0.001, r=0.35). Thus, compassion fatigue increases with higher spiritual health. Also, a significant and direct relationship was observed between nursing stress and compassion fatigue (P<0.001, r=0.27), whereby compassion fatigue increased with increasing nursing stress. Conclusion: According to the study results, higher spiritual health and higher nursing stress are associated with higher compassion fatigue. Thus, it is suggested that nurses be trained in nursing stress management techniques that can reduce compassion fatigue.
Research Interests:
Background: Mothers are more responsible for raising their children and are usually the main caregivers of disabled children. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of behavioral activation therapy on depression, mental... more
Background: Mothers are more responsible for raising their children and are usually the main caregivers of disabled children. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of behavioral activation therapy on depression, mental rumination, and social avoidance in mothers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test with a control group. The statistical population included all mothers of children with cerebral palsy in Ilam City, Iran in 2022. The sample size included 40 mothers who were referred to occupational therapy centers from the mentioned population who were selected by convenient sampling method and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Behavioral activation therapy was given to the experimental group for 8 sessions of 90 minutes once a week. Data were collected using the Beck depression inventory-second edition (BDI-II), rumination questionnaire, and social phobia questionnaire in two stages before the intervention and after the intervention. In this research, covariance analysis was used to analyze data. Results: The results of the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed that behavioral activation therapy has a significant effect on reducing symptoms of depression (P≤0.001), rumination (P≤0.001), and social avoidance and its components (P<0.05) except for fear (P>0.05). Conclusion: Behavioral activation therapy has a positive and significant effect at the 0.05 level in improving depression symptoms and reducing rumination and social avoidance in the subjects of the present study. This study proposed that behavioral activation therapy is a suitable treatment for depression, rumination, and social avoidance and its components, which can be tested in future research.
Research Interests:
Background: The COVID-19 outbreak, the ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019, has become a clinical threat worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of educational intervention, based on the health belief... more
Background: The COVID-19 outbreak, the ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019, has become a clinical threat worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of educational intervention, based on the health belief model (HBM), on adopting COVID-19 preventive behaviors in clients referring to urban health centers in Zabol City, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on clients referring to urban health centers in Zabol City (Southeast of Iran) in 2021. A total of 160 participants (80 each in the intervention group and the control group) were selected using the convenience sampling approach. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was completed by all participants before and one month after the educational intervention. The educational intervention was conducted using an educational program based on the HBM for 4 weeks. The intervention was performed during 8 sessions of face-to-face interactions in the classroom (two 1 hour sessions per week). The statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS software, version 22. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-test, and paired t-test. The P was considered 0.05 in this study. Results: The mean age of participants in the intervention and control groups was 35.0±12.34 and 33.87±11.33 years. The mean score of awareness, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors significantly increased one month after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated the effectiveness of educational intervention based on HBM on COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended that health centers employ educational intervention programs based on this model
Research Interests:
Background: Despite numerous research reports demonstrating the effectiveness of mindfulnessbased stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on psychological well-being, it is unclear how MBSR intervention affects primary school teachers' job... more
Background: Despite numerous research reports demonstrating the effectiveness of mindfulnessbased stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on psychological well-being, it is unclear how MBSR intervention affects primary school teachers' job stress, especially in a developing country like Nigeria. This study aims to examine whether MBSR intervention is effective in stress reduction among primary school teachers in Nigeria. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. A total of 70 primary school teachers with stress symptoms were selected using a random sampling technique in Nsukka City, Nigeria during the third academic session of 2023. Thereafter, the sampled teachers were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (each group=35). The teacher stress scale (TSS) and perceived stress scale (PSS) were administered. Teachers in the experimental group received a MBSR intervention for eight weeks while the control group received no treatment. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS software, version 29. Results: The results showed that the MBSR interventions had a significant reduction in the job stress of primary school teachers in the study (F (1.126, 68) =159.386; P=0.001, η 2 =0.221). Also, a statistically significant interaction effect was observed between time and intervention (F (2, 67) =120.272; P=0.001, η 2 =0.115). Conclusion: This intervention relies on the individual's ability to consciously involve their efforts to pay attention to the surroundings, body sensations, thoughts, and emotions in dealing with job stress. This study adds to the emerging literature on mindfulness-based interventions in solving related psychological problems.
Research Interests:
Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults, little is known about its impacts on children, especially in terms of the relative roles of joint and nuclear families. Using a qualitative... more
Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults, little is known about its impacts on children, especially in terms of the relative roles of joint and nuclear families. Using a qualitative design, we explored the protective roles of joint and nuclear families in shaping the children's life outcomes during COVID-19. Methods: In a qualitative study, 16 full-time mothers of children aged 9-12 years (8 each from joint and nuclear families) from Sagar City, India were interviewed during June and July 2020. Interview contents were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: Five major themes were identified, negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, differences in positive engagements, emotional protective benefits, promotion of positive health habits, and routine activity management strategies. The results showed that the joint families availed and utilized more resources to positively engage their children in creativity, studies, exercise, and entertainment during the restrictions of the lockdown compared to the nuclear families. Contrary to the nuclear families, the joint families emphasized resolving emotional grievances, promoting positive emotional engagement, and extending more emotional support to their children. The joint and nuclear families also differed in their children's food habits, health grievances, and physical exercise. Also, the joint families played more positive roles in managing children's play behaviors, sleep habits, television watching, and other children's activities compared to the nuclear families. Conclusion: The distinctive availability of experiential, emotional, relational, and positive value resources and knowledge repertoires of the two family systems may have extended differential protective benefits to their children during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Research Interests:
Background: University freshmen experience increased stress levels, and women, in particular, experience more stress and anxiety. Maintaining mindfulness through mindfulness programs may contribute to a successful university experience.... more
Background: University freshmen experience increased stress levels, and women, in particular, experience more stress and anxiety. Maintaining mindfulness through mindfulness programs may contribute to a successful university experience. This study aims to determine the effects of a mindfulness-based education program on mindfulness, emotional regulation, interoceptive awareness, and university-life adjustment among Korean university freshmen. Methods: This study was a single-group pre-test-post-test design and a clinical trial (No. KCT0008309) registered with the clinical research information service of South Korea. This study was conducted with 46 female university freshmen using a volunteer sampling approach in Korea from March 2023 to June 2023. The mindfulness-based education program was conducted in 12 sessions, 1 day per week, for 12 weeks. Standard questionnaires were used, including the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills, positive affect, and negative affect schedule, multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness, and college life adjustment scale. A paired-sample t-test was used for statistical analysis using IBM SPSS software, version 29. Results: Only attention related to mindfulness had a significant difference before and after the intervention (P=0.013). Interoceptive awareness sub-items, including accept (P=0.022), return to the body (P<0.001), and trusting (P=0.035) showed significant increases following the intervention. The interpersonal relationships required during university-life adjustment also revealed a significant improvement (P=0.025). However, no significant changes were observed in the emotional regulation variables after the intervention. Conclusion: These results suggest that implementing a mindfulness program can effectively improve self-awareness and mutual acceptance skills among female university freshmen. This can help them establish strong social connections with their peers and professors. Therefore, we suggest incorporating a mindfulness program into university curricula to support adjustment to university life among female university freshmen experiencing various forms of stress.
Research Interests:
Background: The internet has become indispensable for everyone in today's technology world, which makes its responsible usage a crucial concern. Internet use habits and addictions among adolescents are a pressing public health issue... more
Background: The internet has become indispensable for everyone in today's technology world, which makes its responsible usage a crucial concern. Internet use habits and addictions among adolescents are a pressing public health issue because they represent the future adult population. Therefore, this research aims to explore the predictive role of media literacy on internet addiction among Turkish adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ankara Province, Turkey, and the population included 401 adolescents aged 15-18 years in the academic year of 2020-2021. Since the data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sample selection was not feasible, and the study included adolescents who volunteered. The data were collected using a "personal information form," "new media literacy scale (NMLS)," and "young's internet addiction testshort form (YIAT-SF)." The data were analyzed using various statistical techniques, including Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskall-Wallis H test, Tamhane's T 2 post hoc test, Spearman correlation analysis, point-biserial correlation analysis, and multivariate regression analysis. Results: It has been determined that adolescents have a high level of media literacy (x̄=126.76) and are in the risk group in terms of internet addiction (x̄=39.01). The average media literacy among girls (U=153; z=-3.851; 05) and internet addiction among boys is high (U=163; z=-2,961; 05). The results of regression analysis revealed that media literacy predicts internet addiction in adolescents (ß=-0.151; R 2 =0.060), and also emphasizes the importance of media literacy education in enhancing these skills and mitigating internet addiction. Conclusion: It is evident that media literacy predicts internet addiction. Therefore, it is essential to provide media literacy education to adolescents. Thus, adolescents' awareness of media literacy should be increased, and they should become conscious users.
Research Interests:
Background: Undoubtedly, breastfeeding has beneficial consequences for the health of infants and their mothers as well as many benefits for families. Restrictions, quarantine, and social distancing from COVID-19 have led to the separation... more
Background: Undoubtedly, breastfeeding has beneficial consequences for the health of infants and their mothers as well as many benefits for families. Restrictions, quarantine, and social distancing from COVID-19 have led to the separation of mothers and infants after birth. This study aims to consolidate the results of studies on the effects of COVID-19 on breastfeeding since the beginning of the pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metaanalyses (PRISMA) standard guidelines were used to follow up the review process and report results. Based on this, from the beginning of December 2019 to January 30, 2023, all relevant articles were extracted from CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. Risk bias assessment of articles was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. Results: Of the 110 articles searched, 11 articles on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding in 2020 and 2021 were finally included in the systematic review. COVID-19 hurt the breastfeeding process in various studies. Also, it led to adverse effects on maternal performance in neonatal care, change in the hospital admission procedure for delivery, no skinto-skin contact between mother and baby at birth, hospitalization of the baby in a separate room, and no recommendation for breastfeeding. Conclusion: Mother-baby separation hurts the mother-child relationship and can disrupt breastfeeding. Therefore, further studies should be conducted in this area to examine the possibility of vertical transmission of the COVID-19 virus through breast milk with more determination and to take effective steps to improve the health of mothers and children.
Research Interests:
Any health strategy aims to improve people’s health level and quality of life with special emphasis on the development of health education. Health system workers must have sufficient knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and... more
Any health strategy aims to improve people’s health level and quality of life with special emphasis on the development of health education. Health system workers must have sufficient knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and assessing health education programs. One of the critical points in educational planning is the selection of the most suitable educational methods and media to convey the content of the education to the audience to lead to the desired learning of the learners.
Research Interests:
Background: Difficulty regulating emotion has been identified as a trans-diagnostic factor common to various psychiatric diagnoses and behavior problems. This study aims to implement emotion regulation training techniques on adolescents... more
Background: Difficulty regulating emotion has been identified as a trans-diagnostic factor common to various psychiatric diagnoses and behavior problems. This study aims to implement emotion regulation training techniques on adolescents with a disruptive mood disorder, emphasizing the irritability, alexithymia, and interpersonal issues in adolescents with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Methods: This quasi-experimental research used a pre-test and post-test design on 30 disruptive mood disorders in Tehran City, Iran, from 2022 to 2023. The participants were selected via simple purposive sampling. They were randomly assigned to two 15-member groups (experimental and control). The intervention group received self-regulation training over two months through eight 90-min group therapy sessions, whereas the control group received no treatment. The data were collected using the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20), and the inventory of interpersonal problems short-version. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 25, and the multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: As indicated by the results, a significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of irritability (F=26.45, P=0.001, η=0.695), alexithymia (F=38.91, P=0.001, η=0.781), and interpersonal problems (F=31.27, P=0.001, η=0.734). Moreover, according to the alexithymia's largest effect size (0.781), emotion regulation training had more effect on alexithymia. Conclusion: Based on the results, emotion regulation training can be implemented effectively in clinics and psychological treatment centers. Also, because of using emotion regulation training, it is possible to improve these people's psychological characteristics and social relations. It is also suggested that relevant organizations train specialists and school counselors accordingly.
Research Interests:
Background: Failure to establish and maintain close romantic relationships with commitment can hinder an individual's development and impose adverse effects on their well-being in life due to the potential emergence of serious problems.... more
Background: Failure to establish and maintain close romantic relationships with commitment can hinder an individual's development and impose adverse effects on their well-being in life due to the potential emergence of serious problems. The present study investigates the relative effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and schema therapy on love trauma syndrome and self-compassion in unmarried girls with emotional breakdowns. Methods: The statistical population of this study included all unmarried girls with emotional breakdowns who visited counseling centers in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran, in 2022. The convenience sampling method was employed to select 45 individuals randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (n=15 per group). This quasi-experimental research adopted a pre-test-post-test design with a control group design and follow-up. The love trauma inventory and the self-compassion scale-short form were used to collect the data. The analysis of covariance was used for data analysis in the SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results indicated that ACT and schema therapy significantly affected the love trauma syndrome and self-compassion in unmarried girls with emotional breakdowns (P<0.001). Moreover, schema therapy had more significant effects than ACT on the participants' love trauma syndrome and self-compassion (P<0.001). The results also demonstrated that the effectiveness of act and schema therapy on self-compassion and love trauma syndrome continued until the follow-up phase. Conclusion: Schema therapy is a more appropriate method for addressing the love trauma syndrome and self-compassion in unmarried girls with emotional breakdowns. Based on these results and considering the role of schema therapy, it is possible to help women with emotional breakdowns to enjoy self-compassion and reduce their love trauma syndrome by holding schema therapy sessions.
Research Interests:
Background: With the onset of the first wave of COVID-19 in Iran, along with the preventive quarantines, children who had to stay at home were in contact with drugs, alcohol, and disinfectants. This study compares the prevalence rates of... more
Background: With the onset of the first wave of COVID-19 in Iran, along with the preventive quarantines, children who had to stay at home were in contact with drugs, alcohol, and disinfectants. This study compares the prevalence rates of poisoning for children and adolescents hospitalized during the first wave of COVID-19 to the previous year (pre-COVID-19 period in 2019). Methods: This analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted based on the administrative data obtained from the referral teaching hospital in Yazd and Taft cities, Iran. This study was conducted on children under the age of 15 years who were admitted to the hospital because of poisoning. The study was conducted from February 19, 2020, to February 18, 2021 (12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic) compared to 2019 as the reference period (pre-COVID-19). The data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 20. Results: Multivariate regression analysis showed that by adjusting the effects of age and sex, the chance of alcohol poisoning (odd ratio [OR]=0.3, P=0.03), poisoning with oil and its derivatives (OR=0.33, P=0.05), and drugs-opioids poisoning in the period before the outbreak of COVID-19 was lower than during the outbreak of COVID-19. Additionally, the chance of poisoning with medications in the period before the outbreak of COVID-19 was 67% higher than during the outbreak of COVID-19 (OR=1.67, P=0.01). Conclusion: The results indicated a significant increase in poisoning with alcohol, drugs-opioids, oil, and its derivatives in children and adolescents in Yazd City, Iran, during the 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research Interests:
Background: A precision healthcare approach is needed in the context of the healthcare system, especially as an effort to improve the self-management activities of diabetes patients. Accordingly, this study explores the perception of the... more
Background: A precision healthcare approach is needed in the context of the healthcare system, especially as an effort to improve the self-management activities of diabetes patients. Accordingly, this study explores the perception of the possibility of implementing a precision healthcare program in hospitals through interviews with policymakers and health professionals. Methods: The purposive sampling via one-on-one, in-depth semi-structural interviews was conducted to collect the data in this study. The data saturation was achieved after interviewing 17 policymakers and health professionals in the selected hospitals. The participants discussed the possibility of a program being implemented in Indonesia and the challenges to implementing the program, as well as discovering the solutions. The narratives were analyzed by the Colaizzi phenomenological analytic method. Results: The three themes that were identified to illustrate the perception of the possibility of implementing precision health care programs at hospitals in Indonesia were as follows: 1) Precision health care for diabetes related to genetics, big data, and patient preference; 2) Barriers to implementing precision health care in Indonesian hospitals; and 3) The implementation of precision health care succeeded step by step. Conclusion: More time is needed to implement Indonesia's precision healthcare concept. It requires time; however, applying the concept has great potential to be developed in reducing the risk of complications caused by diabetes mellitus in the future.
Research Interests:
Background: Food waste is a severe problem, and Indonesia is the world's second-largest producer of food waste. A limited waste management system will decrease environmental quality, such as air, water, and soil pollution. So far, the... more
Background: Food waste is a severe problem, and Indonesia is the world's second-largest producer of food waste. A limited waste management system will decrease environmental quality, such as air, water, and soil pollution. So far, the waste management system is limited to reducing waste generation. The life cycle assessment is a method to analyze environmental aspects or environmental impacts at all stages in a resource's life cycle, from the initial process of raw materials to disposal. This study aims to analyze the environmental impact and provide waste management policies to obtain sustainable household waste management and environmental sustainability. Methods: The study design used in this research is cross-sectional by conducting direct observations and interviews at the Waste Bank. Interviews were conducted to identify more in-depth findings about waste management problems and the characteristics of respondents and waste characteristics. Observations were made to calculate waste generation that refers to Indonesian national standard methods of sample collection and measurement of urban waste generation and composition (SNI 19-3694-1994.) The sampling technique was carried out by the total sampling method, resulting in 100 households. Results: The research results with organic waste processing with the black soldier fly method. This method impacts global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and ozone depletion. Of the four elements that produce the most negligible impact is the impact of global warming of 0.281 kg CO 2 eq compared to the other effects. Conclusion: BSF processing can reduce environmental impacts, especially global warming. Meanwhile, education affects people's behavior in generating food waste; therefore, there are policy recommendations for Waste Bank stakeholders in processing food waste.
Research Interests:
Background: The essential strategies to avoid diabetes complications are lifelong health education and self-care. This study determines the impacts of an educational intervention based on a health belief model. Methods: This... more
Background: The essential strategies to avoid diabetes complications are lifelong health education and self-care. This study determines the impacts of an educational intervention based on a health belief model. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes using convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n=55) and control groups (n=55). A standard questionnaire was used to collect the data. The healthy behaviors were measured again after 3 and 6 months, and the data analysis was performed using the SPSS software, version 20. Results: The mean value of perceived susceptibility boosted in the intervention group from 18.94 before the training to 22.90 and 22.3 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score perceived severity increased in the intervention group to 31.30 and 31.42 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean score of perceived benefits increased in the intervention group from 10.06 before the training to 11.61 and 13.32 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score of perceived barriers decreased in the intervention group from 19.50 before the training to 13.35 and 12.21 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score of perceived self-efficacy boosted in the intervention group from 24.16 before the training to 29.44 and 29.48 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean value of cues to action boosted in the intervention group from 20.15 before the training to 22.2 and 23.2 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the importance of designing educational programs based on the health belief model constructs over 3 and 6 months in adopting healthy behaviors by subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Research Interests:
Background: Increasing the desire to have children is an important priority of the healthcare systems, which requires targeted planning. This paper describes the development of an intervention program using an intervention mapping... more
Background: Increasing the desire to have children is an important priority of the healthcare systems, which requires targeted planning. This paper describes the development of an intervention program using an intervention mapping approach (IMA) to increase the childbearing desires. Methods: From July to November 2022, the steps of the IMA process were completed. Starting with needs assessment, in this stage, we conducted a literature review, created focus groups, and conducted interviews with local stakeholders; meanwhile, the program objectives and the target audience were determined. Then, the road map for targeted interventions was prepared. Results: The needs assessment completed questionnaires (n=1288), the literature review, 3 focus groups (n=25 participants), in addition to interviews (n=30 participants) indicated that the most effective factors in the parents' childbearing low desires were concern about the future of their children, economic problems, low parenting skills, and low skills to interact with their spouse. According to the PRECEDE-PROCEED model awareness, attitude, and self-efficacy were categorized as determinants at the individual level, perceived subjective norm at the family level, and organizational changes at the social level based on the results of the needs assessment. The findings from each step of the process informed successive steps. Conclusion: The IMA is a control-oriented, systematic, participation-based technique to design and implement targeted and ongoing health promotion programs.
Research Interests: Design and Intervention
Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is a global health challenge that requires continuous care. Non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling and treating type 2 diabetes can be less costly and have fewer complications.... more
Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is a global health challenge that requires continuous care. Non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling and treating type 2 diabetes can be less costly and have fewer complications. Accordingly, this study identifies non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling and treating type 2 diabetes through systematic review. Methods: This study is a systematic review of the papers published in non-pharmaceutical interventions to control and treat type 2 diabetes. The authors have used the standard guideline of systematic review (PRISMA). A total of 41 papers were selected from 529 full-text articles published between 2014 and 2020. The search included the electronic data banks, including Medline, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and the Google Scholar search engine. Results: Non-pharmaceutical interventions were classified into four categories: Lifestyle, treatment devices, traditional treatment, and education. The results showed that lifestyle modification is the most effective non-pharmaceutical intervention for treating type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Study findings show that applying non-pharmaceutical interventions effectively controls and prevents type-2 diabetes complications. Education is a part that needs to be given more attention.
Research Interests:
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted positively and negatively a variety of industries, including the food industry [1-3]. Meanwhile, the food industry is more affected by this disease compared to other industries because of its wide... more
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted
positively and negatively a variety of industries,
including the food industry [1-3].
Meanwhile, the food industry is more affected
by this disease compared to other
industries because of its wide relationship
with the household and the community. Various places,
such as restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and schools
were either closed during this period or did not provide
services same as in the past. As a result, many blows
were inflicted on such industries. The demand for food
by households decreased during this period and caused a
part of the food market to be lost [4]. Global average prices
for a variety of food products increased by 2% to 9%
with half of the tracked goods rising by 7% or more.
positively and negatively a variety of industries,
including the food industry [1-3].
Meanwhile, the food industry is more affected
by this disease compared to other
industries because of its wide relationship
with the household and the community. Various places,
such as restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and schools
were either closed during this period or did not provide
services same as in the past. As a result, many blows
were inflicted on such industries. The demand for food
by households decreased during this period and caused a
part of the food market to be lost [4]. Global average prices
for a variety of food products increased by 2% to 9%
with half of the tracked goods rising by 7% or more.
Research Interests:
Background: Pain control and adherence to treatment is one of the most common problems in dialysis patients. Psychological treatments can be effective in reducing the problems of these patients. This study attempted to investigate the... more
Background: Pain control and adherence to treatment is one of the most common problems in dialysis patients. Psychological treatments can be effective in reducing the problems of these patients. This study attempted to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on pain control and adherence to treatment among dialysis patients. Methods: It was a semi-experimental pre-test, post-test study with a control group. The statistical population consisted of 40 people who were referred to a dialysis clinic in 2022 and an available sampling method was used to select and randomly assign patients to two experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, ACT was performed in eight sessions of 90 minutes. McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) and adherence to treatment scale were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 21 and analysis of covariance. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean scores of pain control and adherence to treatment in the two experimental and control groups (P<0.05). The effect of this treatment on increasing the pain control score was 51% and on increasing the adherence to treatment score was 44%. Conclusion: ACT can increase pain control and adherence to treatment in dialysis patients; thus, it can be used in designing treatment plans for dialysis patients.