فهرست مطالب marzieh mahmoodi

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a high prevalent disease throughout the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the CRS patients.

A total of 241 CRS patients aged 15-70 years were recruited. The prevalence of allergic diseases and its association with CRS, disease severity, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using GA2LEN and SNOT-22 questionnaires, respectively. Patients' clinical diagnoses and allergic comorbidities were evaluated using paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT), nasal endoscopy, and paraclinical tests (smell identification test, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), skin prick test (SPT), pulmonary function test (PFT)).

The mean (±SD) age of all participants was 40.1±11.1 years, with a gender distribution of 56% male and 44% female. Nasal polyps (NP) were diagnosed in 42.4% of patients. The total mean SNOT-22 scores and the mean scores of the nasal symptoms category were significantly higher in CRS patients with NP (CRSwNP) compared to CRS without NP (CRSsNP) (OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 9.6–0.55, P = 0.028). Furthermore, there was a significant association between CRSwNP and persistent allergic rhinitis comorbidity (P = 0.006). Finally, a significant association was found between CRSwNP and severe SPT reactivity to Dermatophagoides farina and date palm pollen (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively).

This study suggests that higher SNOT-22 scores may impact QoL in CRSwNP patients. Additionally, a significant association was found between CRS and respiratory allergic diseases.

Translation is a major means of spreading a culture. The tenets and teachings of a school of thought as well as cultural concepts can, indeed, be spread or conveyed from one culture to another through translation. The success of this transmission depends on how challenging texts are to render and how skillfully translators cope with it. One of the text types that pose a considerable challenge to translators is religious texts. This is due to the ideological and rhetorical sensations that they may induce and the depth of religious concepts. A specific factor that makes the translation of such texts even more challenging is the presence of certain taboo terms. As culture-bound elements, some of these terms are not easy to convey cross-linguistically. In this regard, a descriptive-analytical method and library sources are used in the present study to evaluate the Persian translation of the terms about genital organs in Nahjul-Balagheh. As the results indicate, those terms refer to women’s breasts, milking, sucking of milk, male and female genital organs, showing of those body parts, and womb. It is also found that some translators such as Feyz al-Islam, Ayati, Shahidi, Ma’adikhah and Dashti have turned those terms into Persian mainly through the linguistic approaches of semantic maintenance and semantic substitution.

The use of digital games is highly prevalent among adolescents and can adversely affect their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of the stages of change in problematic digital games in high school students using a transtheoretical model.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 703 high school students in Bushehr 2020. A valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire was performed for data gathering and analyzed using SPSS ver. 22 by descriptive indices, one-way ANOVA, chi-square, and rank ordered logistic regression.

According to the results, self-efficacy, dramatic relief and social freedom were the predictors of the change stages of reducing and quitting digital games. This means that girls and students with higher self-efficacy (P = 0.037, OR = 1.054), have a better chance of being in higher stages of change and by increasing a unit of dramatic relief score (P = 0.025, OR = 1.09) and social freedom (OR = 1.135, P <0.001), the chances of individuals to be in the upper stages of change increased.

It seems that the design of educational interventions based on self-efficacy variables and taking into account the change processes of dramatic relief and social freedom, which increase the chances of people to be placed in higher stages of change, in reducing the behavior of digital games of students, especially for boys will be effective.

The environmental conditions potentially predispose the northern part of the Persian Gulf to the occurrence of dust storms. Outdoor PM2.5 and their water-soluble ions in Bushehr port were studied from December 2016 to September 2017.

A total of 46 outdoor PM2.5 samples were collected by high-volume air sampler and eight water-soluble ions, including Ca2 + , Mg2 + , Na + , K+ , F-, Cl-, NO3-, and SO42- in PM2.5 were also measured by ion chromatography (IC).

The 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 was in the range of 22.09 to 292.45 μg/m3. The mean concentration of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 was in the range of 0.10 ± 0.14 to 6.76 ± 4.63 μg/m3.The major water-soluble ions were the secondary inorganic aerosols (SO42- and NO3-), which accounted for nearly 41% of total water-soluble ions in PM2.5. The total water-soluble ions level of PM2.5 in winter was higher than that in spring and summer. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model showed that the source contributions of PM2.5 were in the order of dust (55.8%), sea salt (17.1%), secondary sulfate (11.8%), industries (7%), vehicular emission (4.7%), and secondary nitrate (3.7%).

According to the results, dust and sea salt are the main sources of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 in Bushehr port, which should attract much attention.

Healthcare workers, who work at the frontline of providing health services, are at risk of occupational stress due to several conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of virtual training based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory on occupational stress of healthcare workers in Bushehr, Iran.

This semi-experimental study was conducted on 63 healthcare workers in Bushehr city in 10 comprehensive healthcare centers randomly selected as intervention and control centers (n=5 each). The intervention group received four sessions of virtual training based on self-efficacy theory in the form of a webinar, while the control group received no training. The information of the studied subjects was collected using a questionnaire consisting of four sections, namely demographic information assessment, self-efficacy assessment, and occupational stress assessment before, two weeks, and one month after the educational intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24.

In general, knowledge and self-efficacy increased in the intervention group after training, and changes in knowledge and self-efficacy were significantly different between the two groups during the study period (P<0.001). In the intervention group, occupational stress improved two weeks and one month after training, compared to the pre-training period, whereas in the control group, although the changes were significant, these changes manifested as an increase in stress intensity. There was a significant difference in occupational stress changes between the two groups during the study period (P<0.001), and the condition improved in the intervention group.

The results of this study suggested that virtual stress management education based on self-efficacy theory could increase knowledge levels and self-efficacy and improve occupational stress in healthcare workers.

Hookah, as a traditional method of smoking, is widely used in Iran, especially in Bushehr province. It is essential to identify the most important determinants of modifying hookah smoking behavior. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of the stages of change in quitting hookah smoking in 15-60-year-old individuals in Bushehr province, southern Iran, based on the transtheoretical model (TTM).   This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 1173 Hookah smokers in Bushehr province. The samples were selected by two-stage random sampling from 10 cities. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire consisting of 5 sections (demographic characteristics, stages of change, processes of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy). Data were analyzed by R version.3.3.1 using analysis of variance and ordinal logistic regression at a significant level of 0.05.  The data revealed 82% of the participants were in the preparatory phase (55.3% in pre-contemplation and 26.7% in contemplation stages). Marital status, family members smoking hookah, cigarette smoking, level of education, number of family members, number of quitting attempts, self-efficacy, self-reevaluation, counter-conditioning, reinforcement management, and stimulus control were predictors of quitting hookah smoking. Given that most study participants were in the inactive stages of quitting hookah smoking, it seems necessary to design and implement behavioral interventions based on the predictive TTM constructs in this population.

The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between Cyberchondria and information literacy among the students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in 2022. The method of implementation of this research was descriptive-analytical of cross-sectional type, and to collect information Yazdani information literacy questionnaires (2012) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) were used. The findings showed a negative and significant relationship between Cyberchondria and students' information literacy; Also, the examination of the relationship between the five dimensions of information literacy and the Cyberchondria of students showed that the relationship between each of these dimensions with the level of illness is negative and significant. It was also a negative and significant relationship between the age variable and Cyberchondria of students. It means that as the age of the students increases, their Cyberchondria decrease. However, no significant relationship was observed between other demographic variables (educational level, marital status, and economic status) and the Cyberchondria of students. Among other findings of this research, we can mention the lack of significant difference between the average score of Cyberchondria between women and men. The results of this study showed an average to a high level of Cyberchondria among students. Considering the negative and significant relationship between information literacy and Cyberchondria, it is recommended to promote information literacy through educational workshops and includes this important topic in students' curricula.

Nurse-mother communication is a challenge in neonatal units, and many moral debates in these units are due to communication problems between mothers and nurses. The present study was performed to determine the status of nurses' and mothers' perceptions of nurse-mother ‎communication in the neonatal units of selected hospitals in ‎Bushehr ‎province in 2021‎.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in six hospitals in Bushehr province. Nurses and mothers who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study using the two-month census method. Data collection tools included the mothers’ and nurses’ demographic information forms and questionnaires on their perception of nurse-mother ‎communication. The validity and reliability of questionnaires have been confirmed in previous studies. ‎Data collected from 104 nurses and 236 mothers were analyzed using SPSS version 24.

The mean score of mothers' perception of nurse-mother communication was 59.27±12.82 and the mean score of nurses' perception of nurse-mother communication was 73.37±9.57. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between the mean score of mothers' perception of nurse-mother communication and the admitted unit and the gestational age of the baby. There was also a statistically significant relationship between nurses' perception of nurse-mother communication and their employment status.

Mothers' perception of nurse-mother communication was at a moderate level, while nurses' perception was at a high level. Considering the existing difference between their perceptions, planning is needed to enhance the role of nurses and strengthen their ‎communication skills consistent with the family-centered care approach. It is therefore suggested that nursing authorities provide a platform to educate nurses and make them more familiar with mothers' needs.

The World Health Organization considers preventive behaviors, which are influenced by several factors, the most important factor in breaking the COVID-19 transmission chain. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors based on an extended pattern of health beliefs in adults.

The present study is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study performed on 900 adults. The sample was selected through convenience sampling from the statistical population of Salamooz website users. In this study, information was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of four sections (demographic characteristics, health belief model constructs, perceived social support, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors) and statistically analyzed using the SPSS software (version 24).

Among the studied variables, age (P<0.001, B=0.04), sex (P<0.001, B=1.33), history of COVID-19 (P=0.001, B=-0.75), perceived sensitivity (P=0.007, B=0.13), perceived barriers (P<0.001, B=-0.24), perceived self-efficacy (P< 0.001, B=0.16), family social support (P<0.001, B=0.13), and friends social support (P=0.021, B=0.06) were predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. These constructs were able to predict 29% of changes in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Among them, perceived barriers were the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors.

Based on the predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors, it is suggested that policymakers, officials, and planners in the process of implementing behavioral change to improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors form strategies to increase mental sensitivity. In particular, they can use the risk of illness and inform families, as well as individuals, to improve their supportive role and self-efficacy to reduce barriers to performing preventive behavior.

This study was conducted with the aim of comparision study of the effect of educational intervention based on health belief model using two methods of web-based multimedia education and booklet on adherence to mammography in women 40 years and older in Bushehr.

This study is a quasi-experimental study that was performed on 126 women 40 years and older (three groups, each consisting of 42 people). Educational content was designed based on the Health Belief Model. Data gathered by questionnaire before and two months after the educational intervention and, were analyzed using chi-square test and repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS v.22.

after Intervention, comparison of the three groups showed that the mean score of knowledge in both Web-Based and booklet groups increased compared to the control group. Perceived benefit, susceptibility, perceived severity and health motivation also increased significantly after intervention in the web-based intervention group, but no significant change was observed in control groups. Perceived barriers also decreased in the web-based group after intervention. Adhering to mammography in the web-based intervention after training was significantly higher than the booklet and control group.

The results of this study showed that educational intervention based on psychological structures and web-based can be useful in improving women's beliefs about mammography behavior and promoting their behavior. It seems that the use of web-based teaching methods is more acceptable and effective than previous methods such as booklets. Therefore, designing studies using modern web-based educational methods is suggested.

Nomophobia is defined as the fear of being out of mobile phone contact and is considered a phobia of the modern age. The current study explored the effectiveness of the medical Librarian's web-based educational program on optimal use of smartphones among students with nomophobia based on self-efficacy theory.

This semi-experimental study applied random controlled clinical trial and before-after Design groups with a follow-up method. The population included all students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Of the population, 98 students with high score nomophobia were selected as a sample. They were divided into two groups, control, and intervention, randomly. The intervention group received a web-based educational program, plus an electronic pamphlet. Data were collected in two steps. SPSS software was used to analyze data.

The results indicated that the nomophobia score in an intervention group reduced significantly (P<0.001), just two weeks after the intervention (54.1±16.20) in comparison to the before (78.3±22.11). Also, the average score of self-efficacy increased remarkably (P<0.001), after the intervention (36.3±4.20) than before (30.8±4.79). The score of nomophobia and self-efficacy showed a significant difference between the control and intervention groups.

Health-based educations, especially web-based educations, can be considered a good solution during the pandemics for target audiences. The useful web-based educational program could have improved the recognition of the students toward nomophobia and increase their self-efficacy.

Although compliance with self-care behaviors is necessary for the successful management of diabetes, patients with diabetes often refuse favorable self-care. This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing self-care behaviors among type-2 diabetic patients who had limited health literacy based on social cognitive theory (SCT). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 diabetic patients with limited health literacy that was identified by S-TOFHLA. The data were collected using the summary of diabetes self-care activities, diabetes management self-efficacy scale, outcome expectancies questionnaire, and a researcher-made questionnaire for collecting data related to self-regulation and social support constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS ver.22 using multiple linear regression to determine the predictors of self-care behaviors.   In the case of patient’s adherence to self-care tasks, they had the best adherence to medication regime and the worst adherence to physical activity. Employment status (p <0.032, β=3.57), supplementary insurance (p <0.018, β=1.74), and history of participating in diabetes education classes (p <0.044, β=1.63) were predictors of self-care behaviors in the studied patients. Among the SCT constructs, perceived self-efficacy (p <0.001, β=0.21) predicted self-care ability. The mean score of self-care increased around 0.21 by increasing one single unit of self-efficacy. Overall, these factors predicted 67% (R2 = 0.67) of self-care changes. The results of this study showed that self-efficacy and demographic variables are significant predictors to improve self-care ability among diabetic patients with limited health literacy.

Internet addiction is excessive use of the Internet (daily more than three hours). This is social and psychological damage with severe consequences for young people, especially college students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Internet addiction and identity styles in Bushehr University of Medical Sciences students.

The present research is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population was all students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. The sample included 277 students studying at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences who were selected using simple random sampling. The data were collected using demographic characteristics, the Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory, and Yangchr('39')s Internet addiction questionnaire. For analyzing data, statistical Pearson correlation, ANOVA, t-test were used by SPSS 23 statistical software.

The result showed that 90.2 percent of students were non-addicted, and 9.8 percent are addicted to the Internet. The average information identity is 40.29±6.65, and the avoidance identity is 27.89±6.21. The correlation between normative identity style (-0.30) and information (-.0.26) with Internet addiction in a negative direction is statistically significant (p<0.001).

The present studychr('39')s findings confirm the relationship between informational and normative identity styles and Internet addiction. According to the results of this study, it is necessary to develop programs such as training the Internetchr('39')s correct use at universities and filling studentschr('39') leisure time.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy, decision-making balance, and change processes with stress management in middle-aged women.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 2019 on 600 middle-aged women covered by Bushehr Comprehensive Health Services Centers. The method of sampling was stratified. Data was gathered by demographic questionnaire and TTM based questionnaire, including self-efficacy, decisional balance (perceived barriers and benefits), processes of change, and stage of changes. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test in SPSS 20 software.

The lowest and highest mean stress management scores were in the women in pre-contemplation (13.64±3.79) and maintenance (22.58±4.10), respectively. The mean score of self-efficacy in the women during the stages of change from pre-contemplation (15.71±6.80) to maintenance (33.06±5.09) was upward, and this average score in the stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation was significantly lower than the stages of action and maintenance (p<0.001). Regarding processes of change, consciousness-raising, dramatic relief, environmental reevaluation, self-evaluation, social liberation, self-liberation, stimulus control, counter conditioning, helping relationships, and reinforcement management are significantly lower pre-contemplation and contemplation than action and maintenance (p<0.001).

The results indicate the importance of TTM constructs in advancing individuals to higher levels of change. Based on this, it is recommended to design and implement educational interventions based on TTM to improve stress management behaviors.

Chronic inflammation in urothelial tissues can lead to DNA damage and cancer formation. Inflammatory reactions in bladder cancer (BC) probably depend on the stages and grades of tumors. The aim of this research was to find out if there is a relationship between the serum levels of selected inflammatory factors and the pathological grades/stages of tumors in new cases of non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma patients.

Blood samples were collected from 40 newly diagnosed non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma patients (before the surgery) and 40 normal individuals without the signs of acute and chronic diseases or cancer. All patients had proven BC and were sampled prior to the initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor and any medical intervention. Finally, the levels of selected inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Based on the results, the levels of IL-6 (3.041.32± vs. 0.76±0.23), TNF-α (18.5±5.24 vs. 10.52±2.67), and CRP (807.09±564.86 vs. 132.08±53.76) were significantly higher in samples obtained from cancer patients compared to the control group, respectively (P<0.001). In addition, changes in these markers were associated with tumor stages and grades (P<0.001). Eventually, there was a significant increase in the risk of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC) with elevated levels of IL-6 (odds ratio [OR]: 5.93) and TNF-α (OR: 2.39).

Overall, the results revealed a desirable relationship between the levels of inflammatory factors and tumor stages/ grades in NMBIC cases. These data may suggest that IL-6 and TNF-α are responsible for predisposing epithelial cells to genotoxic agents and cancer development. Finally, IL-6 and TNF-α, together with CRP are valuable inflammatory factors for the diagnosis of new BC cases.

Altmetrics enable monitoring, tracking, and evaluating the role of authors and scientific and research publications in line with citations. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of altmetrics on Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of articles published about osteoporosis by Iranian researchers and indexed in Scopus during 2008-2017 This study was a descriptive survey and the research population included all the articles on osteoporosis, as a keyword by affiliated authors of Iran, indexed in Scopus during 2008-2017. Based on the initial search, 512 articles were retrieved on February 25, 2018. In addition, the cut-off point was set to six, implying that all the articles with more than six citations were selected as samples. In this regard, 114 articles received at least six citations, and the FWCI for each of these articles was separately extracted from the Scopus database. Subsequently, PlumX data for these articles were manually extracted in five categories of Usage, Captures, Mentions, social media, and Citations. Finally, these data were analyzed using the statistical software R, version 3.3.1. Among the examined categories, Usage with the highest mean (216.482 ±468.081) was significantly different from the other categories. However, mentions (13.271±23.478) was least welcomed by users. Besides, among the studied metrics, ‘Exports-Saves’ (p=0.022), ‘Citation Indexes’ in CrossRef (p=0.041), ‘Time’ (p>0.001), and ‘Citation Indexes’ in Scopus (p>0.001) had a positive and significant correlation with FWCI. In general, the average FWCI increased by an increase in ‘Citation Indexes’ (in Scopus and CrossRef), ‘Exports-Saves’, and publication time. Therefore, it is recommended that universities, institutes, and research centers be made aware of the importance of researchers’ presence and membership in social networks. This increases the visibility of their research, and thus they can receive enough feedback to evaluate their works.

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of soy intake on liver enzymes, lipid profile, anthropometry indices, and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library covering up to 10 January 2020. A fixed-effect or random-effects models were applied to pool mean difference (MD) and its 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Four clinical trials comprising 234 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the controls, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (MD=-7.53, 95% CI=[-11.98, -3.08], P=0.001, I2=0.0 %), body weight (MD=-0.77, 95 % CI=[-1.38, -0.16], P=0.01, I2=36.9%), and the concentration of serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) (MD=-0.75, 95% CI=[-1.29, -0.21], P=0.007, I2=63.6%) were significantly changed following soy intake. Lipid profile was not significantly affected by soy intake. Moreover, no evidence of a significant publication bias was found. The present study suggests lowering effects for soy intake on ALT levels, body weight, and MDA in nonalcoholic liver patients. Therefore, further large-scale and well-designed clinical trials are needed to find conclusive findings.

To determine the effects of foot massage on pain severity during in unconscious trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). In this randomized clinical trial (RCT), 80 unconscious trauma patients admitted in the ICU of a hospital in an urban area of Iran were included using the convenience sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups (n=40 in each group). In both groups, the intensity of pain was measured immediately, 10 minutes after the first change position and without any intervention before the change of position using the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CCPOT). In the intervention group, before the second position change, classic foot massage was performed for 20 minutes, but the control group received routine care. Pain was re-evaluated after the change position at desired times. The pain intensity was compared between the two study groups. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two study groups and no difference was found. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of pain after the change of position (immediately and ten minutes later) before the intervention in the groups (p=0.915 and 0.660, respectively). However, after the intervention, the pain intensity was significantly lower in the intervention groups compared to the control group (p<0.001). Foot massage decreases the pain intensity related to the change of position in unconscious trauma patients admitted in the ICU. Due to its simplicity and low cost, this method can be used along with analgesic drugs to reduce pain in patients. Clinical trial registry: IRCT2016121031327N1

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. This study Compared effects of combination of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon hydroalcoholic extracts with metformin on body weight, glycemic control, inflammation, oxidative stress and pancreatic histopatalogical changes in diabetic rat. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 13 animals. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (110 mg/kg, 15 min before STZ injection). Normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) rats received 1 mL of distilled water and two other diabetic groups received either 300 mg/kg (HETGCC) or 100 mg/kg metformin for 6 weeks. HETGCC and metformin significantly decreased serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA index), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations compared to DC group. A significant increase in the number and diameter of the islets of Langerhans (IL) and body weight was seen in HETGCC group compared to DC rats and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was observed in metformin treated group. HETGCC and metformin did not have significant effects on hsCRP, insulin and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in diabetic rats. HETGCC was shown to reduce the risk of diabetes and improve complications associated with diabetes such as hyperglycemia,dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, histopathological statue of islets of Langerhans and weight loss in T2D patients.

Self-medication is a high prevalent behavioral choice that may lead to serious consequences. it is necessary to identify the factors that influence and modify this behavior. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the role of psychological factors and health literacy on self-medication behavior in adults in Bushehr province.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study that was conducted on 1013 persons referred to Bushehr comprehensive health centers. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling and completed demographic, knowledge, psychological constructs of health belief model, health literacy, and self-medication questionnaires. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square and logistic regression models in SPSS software version 22.

Based on the results, occupational status, insurance coverage, knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and critical health literacy were predictors of self-medication behavior. According to the results, laborers and retirees were less likely to self-medicate than the unemployed as well as those who were not covered by insurance in comparison to those who were covered by the insurance services. Other results also showed that subjects with higher knowledge and perceived susceptibility had a 1.34- and 1.77-times higher odds of self-medication, respectively. Individuals with higher perceived severity and higher critical health literacy were less likely to practice self-medication.

Improving health insurance coverage and attention to occupation and knowledge, as well as modifying perceived susceptibility and severity beliefs, beside the considering and promoting critical health literacy can be effective in modifying self-medication behavior in individuals.

Accidents were just one of the general health problems. According to WHO forecasts (2013), deaths from road accidents will become the fifth-highest cause of death in the world by 2030. Therefore, we have attempted the application of non-parametric count models for modeling female’s accident rates.

All accidents in Hamadan Province, western Iran are referred to as one of the emergency centers located in the hospitals. Data regarding the accidents were obtained from 21 emergency centers across Hamadan for the period 2009-2016. To assess the trend and pattern of the accidents, the Generalized Additive Model for the accident rate has been utilized.

The Mean±SD age of the females in study was 31.23±12.88 yr old. For each of the three kinds of road accidents (car accidents, motor accidents and pedestrian crashes), the accident rates in the “residential urban” areas are lesser than in the “non-residential” area (P=<0.001) and in "public and sports grounds" and "great roads, avenues and streets" are more than in "others". For the three kinds of accidents, the functional effect in the monthly trend of the accidents was signification (P=<0.001).

The rates for all three kinds of accidents decreased. The increase in accident rates from the beginning of 2014 to Mar 2016 maybe due to the generalization of insurances in Iran and the increase in the number of accident victims being referred to the hospitals, which was the same with the results of other studies.

Child dental anxiety can be related to poor oral hygiene, along with more missing and decayed teeth. Information on the origin of dental fear and uncooperative behavior in pediatric dentistry is important for behavior management strategy. A limited number of studies have investigated the effects of environmental factors comparatively. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate dental anxiety in children who referred to Hamadan Dental School with respect to such environmental factors during 2018-2019.

In this cross-sectional study, the level of child dental anxiety was evaluated by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) and Venham picture test (VPT). The study was conducted on 121 children aged 9-12 years old and the obtained data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 20. In addition, analytical methods such as t test, Freedman test, and independent t test (α = 0.05), as well as one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney were utilized for analyzing the data. Finally, the correlation between the two questionnaires was measured using the Pearson test.

Tooth extraction and injection in the gum were operated with the highest level of anxiety. The relationship between MCDAS and VPT scores was significant. According to the MCDAS score, having a dental experience was the only factor that was significantly related to child dental anxiety. Based on the VPT score, gender, dental experience, clinic type, and mother’s education level were the variables with a significant relationship with the child dental score.

In general, aggressive dental treatment such as tooth extraction and restoration should be avoided in the first visit of children. The level of dental anxiety among female children was higher compared to male children, therefore, female children need more attention in this regard. Eventually, mothers’ awareness of dental and oral hygiene also plays an important role in reducing the dental anxiety of their children.

Diabetes mellitus as one of the prevalent endocrine disease is associated with a high burden of oxidative stress due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may lead to decreased antioxidant defense system, increased risk of inflammation, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. All of thesemay, in turn, cause a reduced quality of life in these patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E and vitamin C on the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Forty-five patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into three groups to receive vitamin E (400 IU day-1), vitamin C (1000 mg day-1), and placebo for six weeks. Before and after the intervention, the quality of life was assessed with a valid Persian version of SF-36 (short-form health Survey-36) questionnaire.

Supplementation with vitamin E and vitamin C were associated with significant improvements in the role limitations due to physical health (P = 0.02) and general health (P = 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant increases in the role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, social functioning, and general health in the vitamin E group. Also, a significant increase was observed in general health score in the vitamin C group.

This study indicates that short-term supplementation of vitamin E and vitamin C may improve the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes through alleviating oxidative stress.

The skills that are required for understanding and applying health information to everyday life have been conceptualized as health literacy. Limited health literate people have more health problems, given that health promoting behaviors can play a protective role for people's health, therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and health promoting behaviors.   In this cross-sectional study, 402 individuals over 18 years of age referred to the health centers (in the city of Bushehr, south of Islamic Republic of Iran), completed the (FCCHL) scales for assessing health literacy, (HPLP II) for assessing health promoting behaviors and a demographic questionnaire. The sampling method in this study was two-stage cluster sampling. Multiple regression model was performed in the analysis using R software (version 3.3.2) to predict health literacy outcome.   Functional, communicative and critical health literacy were related to some aspects of health-promoting behaviors but not to all. All the health literacy subscales were significant predictors of health responsibility and none of them predict interpersonal relations.   Health literacy plays an important role in successful health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, but the impact differs by context. These findings can be used in planning and the implementation of educational interventions to improve healthy lifestyles.

Organ transplant is considered the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage organ disorders. This process improves recipient’s longevity and quality of life. However, organ shortage for transplantation has remained an unresolved global issue. One of the primary sources of organ donation is brain-dead bodies. The most important factor that impedes the success of donation is lack of family's consent. Exploring effective factors on decision making of the families of brain-dead patients for organ donation helps policy makers plan how to facilitate organ donation. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 223 employees and 222 clients of Shohadaye-Khalij-e-Fars Hospital in Bushehr province in 2016. Samples were selected through a proportionate stratified random sampling from each hospital. Knowledge and Attitude towards Organ Donation and Brain Death Questionnaire, developed by Iranian Society of Organ Donation, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16. Mean scores of employees' knowledge and attitude towards donation were higher than those of hospital clients. However, clients' mean score of religious belief was higher than employees'. There was a significant positive relationship between employees' attitude and religious belief. A significant relationship was also observed between employees' knowledge and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation. Furthermore, the relationship of hospital clients' attitude towards donation with their religious belief, knowledge and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation was significant. The relationship of their knowledge with their religious belief and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation was also significant. Considering that organ donation can save people's lives, the need to train and improve the factors observed in this research is felt to encourage people to donate organs.