Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

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Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death worldwide which imposes heavy costs on global health economy annually. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of training program based on BASNEF model on blood pressure control.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study that was conducted on 158 female patients with hypertension who used primary health care centers. Method of sampling was multistage. In the first stage, 20 primary health care centers were randomly selected and randomly divided into control and interventional groups. Then 79 female patients from each group were randomly selected. Data collection tool was a questionnaire the validity and reliability of which were confirmed by experts and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data was collected and analyzed by SPSS version 16 using descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: The mean age of intervention and control groups was 62.05 ± 13.13 and 63.25 ± 13.17, respectively. The results showed that in intervention group, the mean of systolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 139/67 to 124/73 mmHg x. Also the mean of diastolic blood pressure significantly went down from 85.88 to 80.27 mm Hg(p <0/001).The enabling factors with effect of 0.329 among the model structurs was the strongest predictor of hypertension.

Conclusion: Educational program based on BASNEF model provided better results in the control of blood pressure compared to other conventional training.

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Background: Almost all women are at risk for unintended pregnancy, and reducing unwanted pregnancy is one of the priorities for health professionals. This study was conducted in Chabahar to evaluate the impact of education on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of urban women with high risk pregnancies.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled intervention study was conducted on 94 women aged 15 to 49 who got married in 2012 in Chabahar. It was a multi-stage random sampling method. Data were gathered by a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software version 19 by using paired t-test, independent t-test and, chi- square test. Training was given by group discussions, question and answer sessions through PowerPoint presentations.

Results: According to the chi-square test, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the experimental and control groups in terms of demographic variables. The experimental group^’s knowledge, attitude and behaviors increased significantly compared to the pre-intervention period (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The designed educational program was effective in knowledge, attitude, and finally promoted preventive behaviors regarding unwanted pregnancy. 

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Background: Technology advancement and modernity have ended up to physical activity depletion in human life. However, 70 % of diseases are associated with physical activity deprivation. Physical activity and exercise play an important role to maintain and enhance health significantly.

The aim of the present study is to assess physical activity levels among bank employees in Iranshahr.

Materials and Methods: It is a descriptive - analytical cross-sectional study. One-hundred twenty four bank employees in Iranshahr participated through convenience sampling. Data was collected through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), 7 days version. Data was analysed with SPSS software through descriptive & inferential statistics.

Results: It showed age mean (34±7.1), male (91.1%), married (88.7%) and diploma (56.5%). Weekly physical activity level was low (38.7%), moderate (50.8%) and severe (10.5%). Physical activity level did not reveal any significant association with age, sex, marital status, educational background and the number of children. But, there was a significant relationship between physical activity and marital status.

Conclusion: It is strongly recommended that bank employees modify their lifestyle and have a more active life particularly in transportation and their free time

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Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and the first ranked in Iranian women. Forasmuch as methods of screening are the best among early detection methods and doing of them significantly prevent from its prevalence. The present study aimed to determinate the effect of education on condition of knowledge, attitude and preventive behavior of breast cancer in female teachers at guidance schools in Zahedan.

Materials and Methods: This research is a quasi-experimental study. This study was conducted on 240 female teachers in secondary schools in Zahedan city in 2012 that were selected by multi-stage sampling in two control and intervention groups. The researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data including two parts: the first part includes demographic questions and the second part is related to awareness, behavior, and attitude that were used after the confirmation of validity and reliability. The data were collected through the questionnaire before and after training. The intervention was done through lecture, watching videos, group discussion, and question and answer. Two months after intervention, the second evaluation was performed. The data were analyzed through SPSS software and appropriate statistical tests like: Paired t-test, and Chi-square.

Results: The findings of this study showed that based on the paired t-test average scores of were as follows: awareness (from 34.55 to 40.27), attitude (from41.31 to 44.18) and behavior (from 11.05 to 12.81) in the intervention group, before and after intervention, there were significant differences (P- value<0.0001). But in control group, before and after intervention there was no significant difference.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that a regular educational program is effective on promoting attitude and knowledge level and preventive behaviors of breast cancer in teachers. The design and holding different educational programs lead to early diagnosis of breast cancer, enhancing awareness, attitude and action of teachers.

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Background and Aim: According to available statistics, AIDS is still one of the most deadly diseases in the world which killed 1.8 million people in 2010. This study aimed to assess the effect of educational program on knowledge, attitude and behaviors of disease transmission in patients with AIDS.

Material and Methods: This research is a quasi experimental study which involved 92 patients with AIDS / HIV Saravan and Sarbaz in 2012. Due to the low number of patients with the sampling, the method was census. Researcher-developed questionnaire included demographic information, knowledge questions, questions of attitude and performance in a preliminary test and again in the second test(after implementing the curriculum) were  used. Experts confirmed the validity of the questionnaire and its reliability coefficient alpha 0.72 was confirmed. To describe data, the parameters of the central (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation) for the analysis of independent t-tests, paired t-test,  Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used.

Results: Before the intervention, the mean score of knowledge, attitude and behavior was not significantly different between the two groups. T-test results showed that the mean scores of all variables after training in the experimental group has significantly increased (p<0/001). There was a significant correlation between knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

Conclusion: Survey results indicate that the training program on knowledge, attitudes and behaviors to promote effective prevention of HIV transmission and to increase the knowledge and attitudes can promote the preventive behaviors.

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Background: Malaria is one of the most serious diseases which threats people’s health in different parts of world. It’s one of the main infectious diseases in developing world, which accompanies with enormous socio-economic burden. This study is aimed to investigate the epidemiologic features of Malaria cases in Konarak since 2007 until 2011. Materials And Methods: This descriptive Survey investigates malaria-related factors during a 5 years period of time based on information extracted from the monthly and quarterly Malaria reports to Core of Malaria at Konarak’s Health Center by peripheral health centers and health houses. Results: Totally among 1250 malaria cases, 69% were incoming passengers. The total number of malaria cases has been decreased in 2011 compared to the 2007. Falciparum cases have been decreased significantly from 31 case in 2007 to 4 case in 2011. 53% of cases was diagnosed by the health staff which indicates the effectiveness of Malaria screening and surveillance program. This significant decline can be attributed to the improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria, distribution of R.D.T kits and insecticide-treated mosquito nets and development malaria laboratories. Conclusion: It seems that with political support and the effective work of health care workers and staffs in health system, malaria can be eliminated in the near future. Of course the negative impact of malaria epidemics in our neighboring country, Pakistan and the role of illegal immigrants should not be overlooked. To handle this problem undoubtedly we require to strengthen the intersectoral cooperations as well as improving educational activities.