فهرست مطالب فاطمه باختری اقدم

Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce risk of morbidity and overall mortality. A study has displayed that achieving 10000 steps per day is associated with important health outcomes and have been used to promote physical activity. The aim of this study was to compare physical activity reported through pedometer (step counts) with physical activity reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In this cross-sectional study, 200 employed women of Tabriz University (Tabriz, Iran) were selected by convenience randomly sampling method. Data were collected by using IPAQ to measure objective physical activity and pedometer to assess subjective physical activity. The physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (30 min MVPA/day) were used for comparing. According to step counts, 48.8% of the participants were low-active. As assessed by the IPAQ, the guideline of 30 min MVPA/day was reached 86.6% and results of two instruments were not similar. Also, there was not seen significantly correlation between results of objective and subjective instruments of physical activity. Probably, this study was the first study assessed women physical activity by using pedometer compared with IPAQ in Iran. The results indicated that self-reported physical activity based on IPAQ was higher than step count; thus, there was not agreement between subjective and objective instruments of physical activity. It seems that researchers consider overloading results when using IPQA.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second cause of death due to women’s cancer after the lung cancer. Early detection is very crucial in improving the outcomes and survival rates. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent educational program based on health belief model (HBM) can change women’s health beliefs and behaviors of breast cancer screening. In a quasi-experimental study, 219 women referred to Health Care Centers in Tabriz were divided into case and control groups through cluster random sampling. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire consisted of 4 sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge of the breast cancer and related screening methods, health beliefs and behaviors of screening. Three months after the intervention, the two groups sat for posttest. Post intervention, there was a remarkable increase within the experimental group in perceived seriousness (P=0.02), threat (P=0.01) and benefit (P<0.001). However, within the control group there was a significant increase in perceived sensitivity (P=0.01) and a decrease in perceived seriousness (P=0.01). Moreover, there was a 15.4% increase in the frequency of breast screening examination in the experimental group. Overall, the screening behaviors in post intervention was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.03). The culturally-sensitive educational intervention based on HBM was to some extent effective in alteration of the health beliefs and screening behaviors. In future educational programs, it seems that focusing on perceived sensitivity enhancement and reducing the perceived barriers would have an important effect on mammography practice in long time follow up.

An increasing trend in the rate of cesarean section has been observed during the past years. Due to the surgical complications, vaginal delivery is preferred as a favorite procedure. However, women's attitudes play an effective role in this regard. WHO reported that 15% of childbirths in the world have indication for cesarean section. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of selection of cesarean section and its contributing factors in the pregnant women in Marand. In this cross - sectional study by convenience sampling, 450 pregnant women were face to face interviewed in three primary health care centers, two obstetric clinic, and two midwifery clinics in Marand, 2007. The questionnaire included some questions regarding demographic characteristics, fertility history, selection of mode of delivery and its reasons. Chi square test and independent t - test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS 13 and CIA software’s. In this study, 33.1% of all cases were selected cesarean section. Education, Previous history of cesarean section and referral place for control of pregnancy were associated with selection of mode of delivery (P<0.05). The reasons for selection of cesarean section were fear of labor pain, physician recommendation and history of previous cesarean. We concluded that rate of selection of the cesarean section was high therefore an educational program is essential at changing attitude about cesarean section.