Health Education and Health Promotion
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Spring 2019

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteinases in charge of extracellular matrix decomposition. The present research aimed at investigating the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic training on MMP plasma levels in lifeguards. This study was a quasi-experimental one with 19 volunteer participants who were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=8) or the experimental group (n=11). The latter did aerobic exercises in water for 8 weeks at 65 to 75% of their reserved heart rate. Fasting blood samples (10cc) were collected from the brachial vein before and after the training protocol. MMP plasma level was determined by applying ELIZA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) method and the data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results showed a significant increase in MMP-2 level in the experimental group as compared to the control group. Increasing MMP levels due to 8 weeks of aerobic exercise in water may play an important role in physiological functions and tissue homeostasis. It may indicate remodeling of muscle fibers and connective tissue.

Since communication problems between caregivers and the elderly cause reduction and deficiency in caring and issues such as ignoring elderly people and negligence in caring by the caregivers, therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the interpersonal communication skills of elderlies and their caregivers in Khorzugh, Isfahan province. In this descriptive-analytical research, 140 elderly people in Khorzugh were selected by convenience sampling method as a target community. Data collection tools were demographic information questionnaire and Queendam's communication skills questionnaire. Spss16 software, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square tests, and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis. The mean and standard deviation of elderly people and their caregivers were 66.39±6.16 and 55.0+6.38, respectively. Average score of communication skills of caregivers and elderly from 170 scores was 75.83±11.79 and 90.37±3.81, respectively. The communication skills showed a significant statistical relationship with the age in caregivers group and age and occupation in the elderly group (p<0.05). Also, in the elderlies, there was a significant statistical relationship between attitude toward communication with marriage status, listening with living condisions, and emotion control with number of children (p<0.05). According to the results of this study, the level of communication skills of caregivers and most of the elderly was moderate regarding the importance of these skills in establishing effective communication between caregivers and the elderly. The necessity of creating appropriate conditions is felt for improving these skills and it is better to conduct educational programs to enhance the communication skills of the elderly and their caregivers.

Due to the complexity of various factors threatening the health of nurses and the influences of their activities on patients’ well-being, their lifestyle promotion is of great importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among Rasht hospitals medical staff in Guilan, Iran. This descriptive cross sectional analysis was conducted to study health-related lifestyles of 244 hospitals staff of Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) Questionnaire was completed by the respondents. The samples were selected through classified random sampling method. The data were analyzed, using Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation coefficient, and logistic regression method via SPSS 20 software. The mean HPLP-II score was 137.82±5.20. Among the aspects of health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, physical activity and stress management had the lowest score. There was a significant relationship between work experience and stress management (r=0.171; p=0.012). Gender and educational level showed a significant relationship with the level of physical activity (p<0.05). The present study showed a low level of physical activity and stress management as two important healthy lifestyle behaviors. It is recommended that training programs focus more on these two aspects.

Shift work is an unusual work pattern compared to day work. It can have adverse effects on human life from various aspects. Effects of shift work on people depend on their job, organizational and social environment, personal traits, and shift work schedule characteristics. The present study aimed at determining the job burnout and problems of shift workers of a water & wastewater contracting company in Tehran. This is a cross sectional study conducted in a water and wastewater contracting company in Tehran in 2015. The subjects of the study were 89 males (51 shift workers and 38 daytime workers). The Survey of Shift workers (SOS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaires were used to assess the shift work-related problems and job burnout, respectively. Finally, the data were analyzed by R software and statistical tests. The findings of this study did not show significant difference in the values of job burnout dimensions in both groups (shift workers and daytime workers). Job burnout scores for shift workers group showed that 27.3% in depersonalization and 19.5% in personal accomplishment dimensions were in severe problems category. According to the independent samples t-test, there was a significant difference in sleep hours in both groups (p<0.05). Also, 5.8% of the shift workers and 23.6% of the daytime workers had cardiovascular disorders. In this study, most of the shift workers were satisfied with their shift work system. It seems that more surveys in this area for the future studies is necessary.

Food safety is a public health concern due to its great impact on the economy and health of the people in developing countries. Since food preparation is the final line of defense against foodborne diseases; women need to take extra precaution to reduce the chances of home prepared food contamination. This study examined the applicability of the trans-theoretical model of change to assess readiness to increase food safety among housewives’ women. The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 181 households’ women in 2017. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisted of food safety characteristics based on the stage of change. Data were analyzed by SPSS 24 for descriptive analysis, normality test, correlation, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Mean age (SD) of participants was 38.68±8.5 years old. 6.1% of participants were in the pre-contemplation stage, 21.0% in the contemplation stage, 23.2% in the preparation stage, 16.6% in the action stage, and 33.1% in the maintenance stage. Overall stage of change was not significant association with age, educational status and household income. Findings of this study may help in planning health intervention programs for housewives’ women for their improvement of knowledge, attitude and practice towards foodborne diseases and food safety. We suggested an intervention based on the Trans-theoretical Model for housewives’ women to promote food hygiene, at least in .

To find prevalence and related factors of diabetes mellitus in rural regions of Grash Town located in central Iran (Fars province) composed of 25 rural regions. This cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1523 adults aged ≥30 years, living in rural regions of Grash Town during 2015-2016. We used stratified random sampling. Participants were invited by calls and informed consent was obtained from all. We checked HbA1c of participants and demographic information, past medical history, and some risk factors (BMI, familial and personal history of diabetes and level of physical activity) among them were investigated. Cases with HbA1C≥6.5% were considered diabetics. Pregnant women and people with haemoglobinopathies, anemias, and chronic liver/renal diseases were excluded. Data were analyzed, using SPSS19 software. Statistical significant level was <0.05 in this study. In this study, 507(33.3%) cases were with HbA1c≥6.5%, of whom 241 (15.8%) were previously diagnosed as diabetic. Diabetes was associated with age (p<0.001), occupation (p=0.04), education (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001), and familial history (p<0.001). Age ≥ 50 years, familial history of diabetes, obesity/overweight, unemployment, low educational attainment, and loss of partner were all more frequent in diabetics. Prevalence of diabetes measured by HbA1c in this study was greater than most previous studies in Iran. However, most studies have used FBS and we need further studies to determine optimal threshold of HbA1c for diagnosis of diabetes in Iranian population. High risk people should be focused in preventive and control programs.

Professional ethics plays an important role in all professions; however, it has more importance among faculty members of universities. The aim of the current study was to explore the components of professional ethics in teaching from the perspective of faculty members in Iran. This qualitative study was conducted in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2017. Using purposive sampling, 15 faculty members of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences with educational experience were included in the study. Data were collected through individual interviews, group discussions, and field notes; and they were analyzed by conventional content analysis. To confirm the accuracy and strength of the data, acceptability, confirmability, and transferability factors were taken into account. The results of data analyses yielded four major themes, including “characteristics of professors”, “professors' capabilities”, “protect of respects”, and “promoting the university”. The results of this study showed that in teaching, there are different aspects in the field of professional ethics of professors.