Drug users (opiate dependency) account for about 65% of all AIDS cases in Iran. Drug injection has been identified as the most common way of HIV transmission in these patients. This study aimed to determine self-efficacy, and perceived benefits / barriers of AIDs preventive behaviors in opiate dependency. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009.The study population was 86 drug user men at Re-birth association in Zarandieh city. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires includeing demographic characteristics, perceived benefits/barriers of self-efficacy and AIDS preventive behaviors. Data was analyzed with ANOVA, regression and correlation coefficients and descriptive statistical methods. Regression analysis showed that age, education level, knowledge and perceived benefits/barriers, self-efficacy, all together explain 28% of AIDS preventive behaviors variance. Perceived barriers and self- efficacy were the most important predicting factor. 63% of the samples believed that they have ability of HIV-preventive behaviors. The study showed the relationship of perceived benefits/barriers, self- efficacy with AIDS preventive behaviors. It is suggested that the findings of this study may be used as a basis for designing interventions to improve better performance in the concerned area.

In spite of many clear benefits of an active life style, lack of physical activity is considered to be a significant health problem in the college population. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Health Promotion Model-based Training on promoting physical activity of the students. This study is a randomized controlled trial one, in which 90 male students of Islamic Azad University of Zarandieh were selected utilizing random sampling and were randomly divided into two equal experimental and control groups (45 in each). Data was collected using a questionnaire based on Health Promotion Model about physical activity. According to the data obtained from pre-test, a training program was designed and performed in the experimental group. 2 months after training intervention data was collected using the same questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. The findings showed that 67.5% of university students had risky and weakly physical activity status, before training intervention. Also the mean scores of HPM Model variable, i.e. benefit and barriers perceived, self efficacy and interpersonal influences, were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to those of control ones after intervention, and after 2 month, physical activity rate improved significantly among the experimental group, compared to those of control ones (p<0.05). HPM based training programs are effective in improving students’ physical activities

Many adult smokers initiate the smoking habit during adolescence or as young adults. So prevention of cigarette use among adolescents has been recognized as an important public health priority around worldwide. The purpose of this study was to measure Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs regarding Cigarette use among the adolescents. This study was a cross-sectional one which was conducted on 215 adolescent (high school) students aged 14-19 in the city of Zarandieh. Data were gathered by a self-administered questionnaire that was constructed based on a literature review of research on smoking and on the TPB. Independent T-Test and logistic regression were employed to analyze the data. 14. 41% of the subjects were smokers. The TPB components (Attitude، subjective norms، outcome expectancies and perceived behavioral control) and variables like smoking friends، smoking family accounted for 42. 7% of the variance in intentions. Significant differences were detected between smokers and non-smokers regarding means of score of all the variables TPB (p<0. 001). The results indicate that the TPB is an effective model for predicting lifetime cigarette use among adolescents; these findings may contribute to the development of tailored interventions for the prevention of smoking among adolescents.

Self-medication can be defined as obtaining and consuming drugs without the prescription of a physician either and it might have serious consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of education based extended parallel process model (EPPM) on the self-medication among elderly in Zarandieh. In this quasi-experimental study، 110 elderly men were selected randomly and were randomly divided into two equal groups of experimental and control groups (45 in each). Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of extended parallel process model (EPPM) questions and a performance checklist on self-medication which was used in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational program. The participants in the two groups filled out the questionnaire، and then intervention was done during a month in 5 sessions، 45 minutes، and finally the data of the two groups were collected and analyzed using SPSS18. Before educational program، there was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding self-medication and extended parallel process model constructs. However after intervention، independent sample t-test showed a statistical significant difference between two groups (P<0. 05) in knowledge، perceived susceptibility and severity، response efficacy، self-efficacy and practice. In addition، self-medication rate decreased significantly among the experimental group compared to controls after intervention (p<0. 01) (33% V. S 13%). Results of this study confirmed the efficiency of extended parallel process model in prevention of self-medication behaviour among elderly individuals.