Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume:8 Issue: 11, Nov 2018

Family planning and contraception is the effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality, child mortality, abortion, and unwanted pregnancies. Since the medical students are the future doctors, it is important to have proper knowledge and training on family planning services. This study aimed to explore the effect of teaching-learning process at maternal and child health (MCH) clinics on the students' knowledge, perceptions toward contraception methods, and family planning counselling.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the private medical institution in Malaysia. The same questionnaire was used to administer twice, before and after the posting. Moreover, a qualitative question on the issues related to family planning and contraception utilizations in Malaysia was added to the after posting survey. The quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 20) and qualitative data by RQDA software.

A total of 146 participants were recruited in this study. Knowledge on contraception method before posting was 5.11 (standard deviation [SD] ±1.36) and after posting was 6.35 (SD ± 1.38) (P < 0.001). Thematic analysis of the students' answer revealed four salient themes, which were as follows: (1) cultural barrier, (2) misconception, (3) inadequate knowledge, and (4) improvement for the health-care services.

The teaching-learning process at the MCH posting has an influence on their perception and upgraded their knowledge. It also reflects the role of primary health-care clinics on medical students' clinical exposure and training on family planning services during their postings.

One of the methods for involving breast cancer patients in their own treatment is to provide them with credible and simple information. To provide this information, it is first necessary to investigate health information-seeking behaviors of these patients including their information needs, sources, barriers, and attitudes regarding health information.

This is an applied type study using survey method. The statistical population included female breast cancer patients referring to Seyed-Al-Shohada Hospital of Isfahan (60 patients). Data gathered through questionnaire.

“Self-care,” “emotional-psychological support information,” and “treatment length and chance of relapse” were the most sought-after health information by patients. “Brochure and catalog provided by hospital,” “other cancer patients,” and “physicians and nurses” were the most important information sources. “High cost of information sources,” “Lack of response from treatment personal (physicians and nurses),” and “lack or trust in website information” were the most important information-seeking barriers. Regarding attitude, participants stated that health information can help them in areas such as “controlling their conditions,” “adapting to their conditions,” “stress and anxiety control,” and “preforming their social roles” and “hopefulness.”

Credible and relevant information can help patients to seek their treatment with renewed motivation and energy. This information should be provided for the patients from various sources such as brochures and websites according to their information-seeking abilities and health literacy with low cost. The knowledge of library and medical information experts can be used for evaluation and creation of easy-to-understand information sources.

Safe-driving behaviors of taxi drivers are fundamental to health. The present research aimed to predict the taxi drivers' safe-driving behaviors based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and habit.

The present research is of a descriptive/analytical cross-sectional type conducted on 184 taxi drivers in Bandar Abbas who were selected through a multiple-stratified sampling method. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of two sections (demographic information and the constructs of TPB.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were later on analyzed via SPSS ver 19 and Pearson's correlation coefficient as well as multiple regressions.

The mean age of the participants was 45.1 (standard deviation [SD = 11.1) years, and they had an average experience of taxi driving for 10.3 years (SD = 7.5). Subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and habits were the predictors of one's intention of driving safely (r2 = 0.30, F = 18.7, P < 0.001). Moreover, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and habits were found to be the predictors of safe-driving behaviors (r2 = 0.19, F = 8.1, P < 0.001). Finally, habits showed to be a stronger predictor of safe-driving behaviors than attitude and perceived behavioral control.

Consideration of individuals' behavioral habits and correction of unsafe habits, focus on the adverse effects of unsafe-driving behaviors, goal setting to change incorrect driving habits, attention to influential groups in altering unsafe-driving behaviors, and careful monitoring of abiding by the rules are suggested to promote safe-driving behaviors.

The educational environment has been confirmed as crucial factor for active learning. Team-based learning (TBL) is an interactive teaching method which improves students' perceptions and performance.

The comparison of the team-based learning method through lecture-based approach on health education curriculum in public health students

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 23 public health students of bachelor degree and 14 public health students of associate degree to teach communication and Health Education in Qom University of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to Jun 2016. Students of bachelor degree selected TBL and students of associate degree preferred the traditional lecture-based method. In the current study, educational outcomes were defined as educational environment and academic performance. At the last session of the semester, the educational environment and academic performance of both groups were evaluated. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney test.

The mean and standard deviation of individual test score between the two groups showed significant difference based on Mann–Whitney results (P = 0.036). The mean of final examination score in TBL group was significantly higher than the traditional lecture group (P < 0.021, Mann–Whitney). Our findings showed that in TBL group, 78.3% of students' perceptions were in very favorable condition while it was only 28.6% for students of the traditional method.

TBL method improves students' perceptions about each area of educational atmosphere and also provides opportunities to innovate which lead to active teamwork among learners, and it can effectively enhance students' academic performance.

Noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention is emerging as a public health priority in developing countries. For better health outcome in these countries, it is necessary to understand the different community-based interventions developed and implemented across the world.

The objective of the current review is to identify the best strategies used in community-based health intervention (CBHI) programs across the world.

For review, we searched in PubMed and Google Scholar with the keywords “community based,” “health interventions,” “health promotions,” “primary prevention,” chronic diseases,” “lifestyle-related diseases,” and “NCD.” Data were extracted using predesigned data extraction form. CBHI studies detailing their intervention strategies only were included in the review.

Out of 35 articles reviewed, 14 (40%) were randomized control trials, while 18 (51.4%) were quasi-experimental design. Individual level (n = 14), group level (n = 5), community level (n = 6), and policy level (n = 4) intervention strategies were identified. Twenty-three (64%) studies were based on interventions for 1 year and above. Twenty-eight (80%) studies were intervened among specific populations such as Latinos and so on.

Successful programs advocate for a package or a chain of interventions than a single intervention. The type of interventions at different levels, namely individual, group, community, and policy levels vary across studies, but individual, and group level interventions are more frequently used.

Human resources are the most important tool in agility of organization and is considered to be the most valuable asset of any organization. Agile emergency system can reduce production costs, increase market share, fulfill the needs of patients, and most importantly, it reduced the mortality and morbidity from diseases and crashes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of human resource agility with performance of the staff of Tehran Emergency Center (TEC).

This research is a descriptive-correlational study and 285 operatives from TEC, with a population of 1100 were selected according to Morgan table and simple random sampling. The data of this research were collected using human resource agility capabilities questionnaire and Patterson job performance questionnaire. SPSS/18 software and descriptive-inferential tests were used to analyze the data.

The results show that the correlation between organizational agility and employee performance is 0.754 and is significant (P = 0.01). The correlation between the employee performance and intelligence and knowledge (0.512), multiple competencies (0.61), knowledge management (0.57), empowerment culture (0.524), and information system (0.63) in significant level (P = 0.05).

The agility of the staff of the TEC is correlated with their performance. Due to the sensitivity of the work of TEC staff, it is recommended that they are planning in such a way that they acquire the agility of themselves and their organizations by acquiring the necessary skills at all levels, especially the operational level.

Childbirth fear is one of the major problems during pregnancy and postpartum, and it assesses the sense of management coherence in stress. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the association between the sense of coherence and childbirth fear in high-risk and low-risk pregnant women.

This was a cross-sectional correlation study performed on 440 low-risk and high-risk pregnant women referred to health centers in Isfahan in 2016. Sampling was carried out in several stages and clustered and accessible. The data gathering tool was Sense of Coherence and Fear of Childbirth Questionnaires.

The results showed that in high-risk pregnant women, the mean score of the sense of coherence was 108.23 and the fear of delivery was 41.7, and in low-risk pregnant women, the sense of integrity and fear of delivery were 19.109 and 42.25, respectively. In addition, the results of t-test showed that there is no significant relationship between the fear of delivery in high-risk and low-risk pregnant women (P = 0.056), while there is a significant relationship between sense of coherence score in high-risk and low-risk pregnant women (P = 0.02).

Having the desired level of success, happiness, well-being, ability to cope with stress and overcoming psychological crisis, and pleasant social relationships can increase the sense of coherence in pregnant mothers.

Cardiovascular diseases are the major public health problem in many countries and are responsible for more than half of the deaths in above 50-year-old women. The most common curable risk factor of these disorders is hypoestrogenemia resulting from menopause. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on plasma lipid levels in menopausal women.

The present double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted in 2013–2014 on 240 menopausal women between 40 and 60 years old referring to the Gynecology and obstetrics clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences who were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group received 3 mg melatonin tablets and the control group received the placebo for 3 months. The data were gathered using the demographic information questionnaire and lipid profile test before and 3 months after the intervention. Then, the data were analyzed through the SPSS statistical software (version 16). The repeated measures analysis of variance, the least significant difference, the independent-sample t, the Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were done for data analysis.

The two study groups were similar regarding the demographic and clinical variables at the beginning of the study. In the melatonin group, the amount of triglyceride increased from 140.34 ± 48.29 before the study to 151.24 ± 54.60 3 months after the intervention and no significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (confidence interval [CI] = 95%, P > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found between the two groups concerning low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (CI = 95%, P = 0.125).

Melatonin was not effective in reduction of lipid levels. However, further controlled studies are needed to be conducted on the issue.

Due to exhaustive working climate, health-care professionals (HCPs) are highly exposed to emotional strain and work-related stress that leads to burnout syndrome (BOS).

We aimed to explore the prevalence of BOS among HCPs and delineate the factors that contribute to developing this emerging threat in HCPs working in Gondar University Hospital (GUH).

A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs using a self-administered validated questionnaire containing sociodemographic and job characteristics, symptoms of burnout using Astudillo and Mendinueta questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory scale. The prevalence of BOS was assessed by summation of answers to all 19 items with a range of 0–57. HCPs who scored >23 were considered as burned out. Pearson's correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between BOS and job factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

A total of 250 HCPs were approached out of which 248 responded (response rate –99.2%). The overall prevalence of burnout was 13.7% and majority of the respondents experienced debility (52.8%), self-criticism (56%), and depressive symptoms (46%). BOS symptoms were significant with age (P = 0.008), number of patients treated per day (P < 0.001), and HCPs working in shifts (P < 0.001). Higher mean levels of emotional exhaustion (5.4 ± 1.2) and inefficacy (5.1 ± 1.7) were noticed than cynicism (4.8 ± 2.0). Male HCPs, being single and years of experience, were determinant factors for all the three dimensions of BOS, whereas profession was significantly determinant for emotional exhaustion (P < 0.01).

The prevalence of BOS among HCPs working in GUH was 13.7%. Being male, unmarried, and years of experience were significant risk factors for all the three dimensions of BOS. Pragmatic measures are recommended to prevent stressful challenges for the physical and mental well-being of the HCPs in GUH.

Prenatal mental health has been shown to be related with postpartum depression. However, the role of mental and psychological factors in postpartum depression requires especial attention. Furthermore, the relationship between demographic factors and postpartum depression is contradictory. The study was aimed to identify role of prenatal anxiety and depression and demographic factors with postpartum depression.

A prospective cohort study was conducted with 303 pregnant women who have gestational age from 28 to 36 weeks and referred to health-care centers in Isfahan city and follow-up for 6–12 weeks after postpartum. Data were collected using the demographic form, Edinburgh depression, and anxiety Spielberger questionnaire during pregnancy and Edinburgh depression inventory in the 6th and 12th weeks after childbirth. Descriptive statistics and linear logistic regression were used to analyze the data. In demographic factors, data were analyzed using the Student's t-test, Chi-square, Pearson and Spearman test and after the meaningfulness of regression was used.

Results showed that the 6 and 12 weeks after childbirth, 61 patients (20/1%) and 33 patients (10/9%) had postpartum depression. The most important risk factors for depression in the first 6 weeks were history of infertility (confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–0.767) (P = 0.018) and history of depression (CI: 1.155–1.369) (P = 0.000) and in 12 weeks, postpartum were history of depression (CI: 0.072–1.305) (P = 0.001).

Infertility and history of depression during pregnancy were two risk factors of postpartum depression which should be taken into consideration during prenatal care.

Hepatic sickness is a serious problem for human health. The researchers are interested in using medicinal plants including barberry to cure many of these sicknesses. In this study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis vulgaris leaf on hepatic protection was assessed in rats.

Forty healthy male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups (n = 8): Group 1 (healthy control), intraperitoneal injection of olive oil; Group 2 (hepatotoxic control), intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride and daily gavage of distilled water; and testing groups, intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride along with daily gavage of B. vulgaris leaf extract 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of weight, respectively. After 6 weeks, the following were checked: enzyme level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as serum level of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and histopathological status of the liver.

The level of AST, ALP, and ALT was increased to 109 (IU/L), 95(IU/L), and 71(IU/L), respectively, in hepatotoxic control group than healthy control group, and there was a decrease of 0.86 (g/dl) and 0.04 (g/dl) in TP and ALB levels, respectively. The B. vulgaris extract in every three doses caused a significant decrease in hepatic enzymes level. However, the TP had a significant increase in 80 and 120 mg/kg of body weight. Regarding ALB, there was no significant difference among these groups. The histopathological results were not conformed to biochemical findings.

Using the appropriate dose of B. vulgaris leaf extract can help the improvement of laboratory symptoms of fatty liver.

CONTEXT:

In recent years, the media have had very massive effects on individuals, especially children and adolescents. Hence, they should be able to use media rationally also be able to create digital, multimedia texts, and attain media literacy. Media literacy is a skill based on understanding and gives the audience the opportunity to use the media appropriately and critically.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between media literacy and mental psychology of high school students in Semirom city.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This correlational study was conducted with the participation of 139 adolescent girls selected using multi-stage random sampling, in Semirom city, Isfahan province, the Central of Iran, in 2017.
SUBJECTS AND

Data were measured using researcher-made media literacy questionnaire, psychological well-being Scales of Ryff.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (Pearson correlations) were used. The statistical significant level was set as 0.05.

There was no significant correlation between family economic situation, parental education, and media literacy score. Media literacy was significantly correlated with total psychological well-being (r = 0.165, P < 0.05), personal growth subscale (r = 0.216, P < 0.05), and self-acceptance subscale (r = 0.218, P < 0.05).

Considering the importance of psychological well-being in adolescents' life, the design of educational interventions to increase media literacy is recommended.

Oral care of hospitalized patients is an important measure that aims to maintain and promote the health of oral and dental tissues. This study aimed to investigate nurses' attitudes and practices regarding oral care of hospitalized patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional, descriptive design was implemented. The research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire that was designed and distributed among 300 nurses working at five hospitals located in Riyadh.

Totally, 226 questionnaires were completed (response rate: 75%). Almost all participants (97.8%) think that providing oral hygiene is an important element of patient care and 90.7% think that nurses need to update their oral care knowledge and skills. Only 46% of the nurses reported the presence of a policy for oral care at their hospital unit and 55.3% indicated that patients are assessed for oral health at their department. About 56.2% of participants did not receive training on oral assessment and provision of oral care and a few nurses (2%) received training on oral care at their current job place. A large proportion of nurses (44%) expressed a desire to undergo training on oral care of hospitalized patients. Gender, nationality, and previous training were the most important predicators of a positive attitude.

The outcome of this study indicates a positive attitude among the surveyed nurses toward provision of oral care for hospitalized patients. Current oral care practice in Saudi hospitals is suboptimal. Saudi hospitals need to pay more efforts to train their nursing staff and issue clear policies and guidelines regarding oral care of hospitalized patients.

The contaminated hands of health-care professionals (HCPs) is an implicated vector in the transmission of potentially pathogenic organisms to vulnerable patients. The aim of this study was to derive baseline data on hand hygiene (HH) practices among a cohort of students at the Lagos State School of Nursing and to determine their perception about the adequacy of instructions they receive.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on a probability random sample of 69 nursing students at the Lagos State School of Nursing at the Alimosho Igando General Hospital. The knowledge, attitude, and practice as well as the perception of the respondents on the adequacy of their infection control instructions were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS software version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were done to assess which factors were truly significant predictors, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) specified as the measures of association between predictors and outcome variables.

Majority of participants were ≤20 years old (50.7%, n = 35) and were in their second year of study (44.9%, n = 31). Participants were least knowledgeable about the importance of discarding gloves and not washing or reusing them (16 [23.1%]). The mean score on the Hand Hygiene Beliefs Scale was 86.2 ± 9.0, with scores ranging from 23 to 88 out of a possible high score of 115. The most positive health beliefs were associated with being a role model for HH (3.57 ± 0.52), while the worst was associated with imitating bad HH practices performed by senior colleagues (1.29 ± 1.20). Caring for a wound (60 [87.0%]) was most associated with the need for HH, while demonstration and clinical practice were rated as the most effective teaching methods. Results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, with the outcome variable of good self-reported HH practices, revealed that the odds of appropriate behavior were higher if the student nurses were in their third year of study (OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.01–2.45). An appropriate behavior was also more likely in student nurses with a higher risk perception (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03–2.51).

Despite the overwhelming evidence that HH is effective in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections, its performance among HCPs remains far less than optimal. Since students will someday be influencing future HH compliance behaviors of other health-care workers, the importance of HH should be adequately incorporated into their school curriculum.