اعظم هنرمندپور

Health literacy is one of the most important indicators of health knowledge. This study aims to evaluate the relationship of health literacy with general health in Iranian patients with heart disease in Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2022-2023 on 254 patients with heart disease hospitalized in the coronary care unit of Khatam Al-anbiya Hospital in Shoushtar County. The data collection tools included a demographic form, the health literacy instrument for adults (HELIA), and the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 20 and AMOS software, version 18 using independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation test, and structural equation modeling.

The mean age of the participants was 45.27±16.47 years. The health literacy of 101 patients (41%) was at a good and sufficient level, while 58 patients (23%) had low and insufficient literacy. The general health of 100 patients (39.37%) was at a moderate level, while 78 patients (30%) had low general health. With the increase in health literacy, the score of general health domains decreased (improved) (P<0.001). Older age and low educational level had a significant relationship with low health literacy (P<0.05).

The health literacy of the patients with heart diseases admitted to the study hospital is sufficient, and their general health is moderate. With the increase in health literacy, their general health can be improved. Understanding the relationship between health literacy and general health in cardiac patients can provide useful information to policymakers and health planners in Iran to promote the patient’s health literacy and general health.

The COVID-19 epidemic led to the country's education system being affected due to absenteeism in schools, universities, and colleges. Considering the various dimensions of virtual education such as educational content, teaching-learning activities, feedback, flexibility, and support, it seems that evaluating this educational system requires the knowledge and active participation of teachers and learners and the support of educational centers.

This descriptive-analytical study included 32 faculty members and 212 students from various educational groups of the Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences in 2021. Participants were selected by stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was completed by all participants. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. The Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between qualitative variables, and an independent t-test was used to compare the means. p<0.05 was considered significant.

According to the results, the average age for faculty members and students was 37.15 ± 5.56 and 23.75 ± 6.42, respectively. The study showed that the virtual education system of the Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences is at an average or above-average level from the point of view of students and faculty members. However, the teaching and learning component, from the perspective of students (2.80 ± 1.15) and faculty members (2.95 ± 0.07), was evaluated below the average level (unfavorable level).

To improve the quality of the virtual education system, attention should be paid to removing obstacles and improving virtual education in terms of teaching and learning activities, interaction, and feedback.

 Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common psychosomatic disorder linked to menstruation in women at gestational age and can lead to absence from work and academic failure. 

 This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of PMS, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and associated factors among the female high school students.

 This descriptive-analytical study was carried using randomized classification method on 368  female high school students in Shoushtar, Iran in 2016. Data were collected by a demographic form and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS software using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-squared test, binomial test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test at a significance level of P<0.05.

 The Mean±SD age of participants was 16.3±0.87 years. The prevalence of PMS in students was 53.5% and for PMDD it was 12.22 %. The most prevalent symptoms were mood, behavioral and physical symptoms. The frequency of PMS was higher in students with a positive family history.

 The prevalence of PMS in high school female students was relatively high. Since this problem can interfere with one's personal, social and academic activities, an educational program at schools and informing students in this regard can be helpful and effective in promoting the health and young girls.