Psychometric Properties of the Persian Food-Life Questionnaire Short Form among Obese Breast Cancer Survivors

OBJECTIVE

To assist weight control among women with breast cancer, improving their food attitudes may be an effective method. Therefore, the present study validated a short instrument assessing food attitudes (i.e., the Short Form of the Food-Life Questionnaire [FLQ-SF]) among Iranian women with breast cancer who are overweight.

METHODS

Women with breast cancer who were overweight (n = 493; mean ± standard deviation age = 52.3 ± 10.7 years) participated in the study. All of them completed the FLQ-SF, questions designed using the theory of planned behavior (TPB; including subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention), and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Both classical test theory and Rasch models were used to examine the psychometric properties of the FLQ-SF. More specifically, the factorial structure of the FLQ-SF was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the item fit was examined using the Rasch model, and the concurrent validity was evaluated using the correlation between the FLQ-SF, TPB elements, and FFQ.

RESULTS

CFA results confirmed the Persian FLQ-SF has a five-factor structure. Rasch models indicated that all the FLQ-SF items fit in the construct of food attitudes. Significant correlations between FLQ-SF and other instruments (TPB elements and FFQ) supported the concurrent validity of the FLQ-SF.

CONCLUSIONS

The psychometric findings of the present study demonstrated that Persian FLQ-SF is a reliable and valid instrument. Therefore, the Persian FLQ-SF can be applied to assess food attitudes among Iranian women with breast cancer who are overweight.

An Education-Based Text Messaging Program to Improve Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Related to Nosocomial Infections in Intensive Care Settings

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial infection (NI) is common in health care settings. Educational strategies such as mobile teaching methods for health care providers may help to resolve this problem. This pilot study assessed the influence of a text messaging program to improve intensive care unit nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice related to NI prevention.

METHOD

In this single-group experimental study, 32 nurses received an educational intervention via short text messages on their cell phones. Information on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding NI prevention was collected using a standard scale. Preventive messages about NI were prepared and sent to participants during a 2-month trial. Results were assessed 2 weeks after the intervention, and data were analyzed by paired t test.

RESULTS

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of participants increased by 17%, 3%, and 9%, respectively, from baseline to follow up. The average score on the knowledge dimension was lower than for other components. Knowledge components such as hand hygiene, work safety, and protective equipment increased to a lesser degree from pre- to posttest, compared with other aspects (p < .05 versus p < .001).

CONCLUSION

An education-based program operating through short text messages may be a useful in-service training strategy for intensive care unit nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(5):211-217.].

Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for 29 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study

Importance

Cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now widely recognized as a threat to global development. The latest United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs reaffirmed this observation and also highlighted the slow progress in meeting the 2011 Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the third Sustainable Development Goal. Lack of situational analyses, priority setting, and budgeting have been identified as major obstacles in achieving these goals. All of these have in common that they require information on the local cancer epidemiology. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is uniquely poised to provide these crucial data.

Objective

To describe cancer burden for 29 cancer groups in 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning.

Evidence Review

We used the GBD study estimation methods to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Results are presented at the national level as well as by Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income, educational attainment, and total fertility rate. We also analyzed the influence of the epidemiological vs the demographic transition on cancer incidence.

Findings

In 2017, there were 24.5 million incident cancer cases worldwide (16.8 million without nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) and 9.6 million cancer deaths. The majority of cancer DALYs came from years of life lost (97%), and only 3% came from years lived with disability. The odds of developing cancer were the lowest in the low SDI quintile (1 in 7) and the highest in the high SDI quintile (1 in 2) for both sexes. In 2017, the most common incident cancers in men were NMSC (4.3 million incident cases); tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer (1.5 million incident cases); and prostate cancer (1.3 million incident cases). The most common causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for men were TBL cancer (1.3 million deaths and 28.4 million DALYs), liver cancer (572 000 deaths and 15.2 million DALYs), and stomach cancer (542 000 deaths and 12.2 million DALYs). For women in 2017, the most common incident cancers were NMSC (3.3 million incident cases), breast cancer (1.9 million incident cases), and colorectal cancer (819 000 incident cases). The leading causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for women were breast cancer (601 000 deaths and 17.4 million DALYs), TBL cancer (596 000 deaths and 12.6 million DALYs), and colorectal cancer (414 000 deaths and 8.3 million DALYs).

Conclusions and Relevance

The national epidemiological profiles of cancer burden in the GBD study show large heterogeneities, which are a reflection of different exposures to risk factors, economic settings, lifestyles, and access to care and screening. The GBD study can be used by policy makers and other stakeholders to develop and improve national and local cancer control in order to achieve the global targets and improve equity in cancer care.

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HIV, 1980-2017, and forecasts to 2030, for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017

BACKGROUND

Understanding the patterns of HIV/AIDS epidemics is crucial to tracking and monitoring the progress of prevention and control efforts in countries. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the levels and trends of HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence, mortality, and coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 1980-2017 and forecast these estimates to 2030 for 195 countries and territories.

METHODS

We determined a modelling strategy for each country on the basis of the availability and quality of data. For countries and territories with data from population-based seroprevalence surveys or antenatal care clinics, we estimated prevalence and incidence using an open-source version of the Estimation and Projection Package-a natural history model originally developed by the UNAIDS Reference Group on Estimates, Modelling, and Projections. For countries with cause-specific vital registration data, we corrected data for garbage coding (ie, deaths coded to an intermediate, immediate, or poorly defined cause) and HIV misclassification. We developed a process of cohort incidence bias adjustment to use information on survival and deaths recorded in vital registration to back-calculate HIV incidence. For countries without any representative data on HIV, we produced incidence estimates by pulling information from observed bias in the geographical region. We used a re-coded version of the Spectrum model (a cohort component model that uses rates of disease progression and HIV mortality on and off ART) to produce age-sex-specific incidence, prevalence, and mortality, and treatment coverage results for all countries, and forecast these measures to 2030 using Spectrum with inputs that were extended on the basis of past trends in treatment scale-up and new infections.

FINDINGS

Global HIV mortality peaked in 2006 with 1·95 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 1·87-2·04) and has since decreased to 0·95 million deaths (0·91-1·01) in 2017. New cases of HIV globally peaked in 1999 (3·16 million, 2·79-3·67) and since then have gradually decreased to 1·94 million (1·63-2·29) in 2017. These trends, along with ART scale-up, have globally resulted in increased prevalence, with 36·8 million (34·8-39·2) people living with HIV in 2017. Prevalence of HIV was highest in southern sub-Saharan Africa in 2017, and countries in the region had ART coverage ranging from 65·7% in Lesotho to 85·7% in eSwatini. Our forecasts showed that 54 countries will meet the UNAIDS target of 81% ART coverage by 2020 and 12 countries are on track to meet 90% ART coverage by 2030. Forecasted results estimate that few countries will meet the UNAIDS 2020 and 2030 mortality and incidence targets.

INTERPRETATION

Despite progress in reducing HIV-related mortality over the past decade, slow decreases in incidence, combined with the current context of stagnated funding for related interventions, mean that many countries are not on track to reach the 2020 and 2030 global targets for reduction in incidence and mortality. With a growing population of people living with HIV, it will continue to be a major threat to public health for years to come. The pace of progress needs to be hastened by continuing to expand access to ART and increasing investments in proven HIV prevention initiatives that can be scaled up to have population-level impact.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Institute on Aging of the NIH.

The association between social capital and quality of life among a sample of Iranian pregnant women

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept that is affected by various factors. According to the literature, social capital is one of the key determinants of QoL that improves the living conditions of the entire community. This study aimed to investigate the association between social capital and QoL in pregnant women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 240 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.98 years who were referred to healthcare centers in Qazvin, Iran. A two-stage random sampling method was used to select the health centers and participants. Social capital, QoL, demographic and obstetric characteristics were assessed.

Results

The mean scores of social capital, physical and mental dimensions of quality of life were 67.43, 70.2 and 71.88 respectively. All dimensions of social capital except for family and friends’ connection and tolerance of diversity had positive significant correlations with the physical and mental health dimensions of quality of life (r = 0.17 to 0.28 p < 0.05). A univariate regression model revealed that social capital had a significant association with both the physical health (B = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19–0.61, p < 0.001) and mental health (B = 0 .44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.58, p < 0.001) dimensions of pregnant women’s quality of life. In the adjusted model, each unit increase of social capital increased pregnant women’s QoL in both the physical health and mental health dimensions.

Conclusion

Social capital has a significant association with women’s QoL during pregnancy. Therefore, QoL during pregnancy could be improved by considering physical, psychological and social components of their healthcare.

Predictors for Early Physical Recovery for General and Orthopedic Patients after Major Surgery: Structural Equational Model Analyses

BACKGROUND

Attention to factors that may affect patients' ability to experience enhanced recovery after surgery is essential in planning for postoperative care.

AIMS

To create models of predefined pre,- peri-, and postoperative variables in order to analyze their impact on patients' physical recovery on postoperative days 1 and 2 after major orthopedic and general surgery.

DESIGN

An exploratory design with repeated measures was used, including 479 patients who had undergone orthopedic (289) or general surgery (190) at three hospitals.

METHODS

Pain, nausea, and level of physical ability were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 and 2 by using the Numerical Rating Scale and items from the Postoperative Recovery Profile. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the impact of the predefined variables on patients' physical recovery.

RESULTS

The orthopedic group contained significantly more women and significantly more patients with pain and opioid use. Although the models showed good fit, "traditional" preoperative (pain, nausea, physical abilities, chronic pain, opioid use) and perioperative variables (anesthesia, length of surgery) constituted few (orthopedic) or no (general surgery) predictive properties for physical recovery. Postoperative average pain intensity, average nausea intensity, and physical ability explained physical recovery on day 1, and physical recovery on day 1 predicted physical recovery on day 2.

CONCLUSIONS

"Traditional" predictors had little effect on patients' postoperative physical recovery, while associations with common postoperative symptoms were shown. Further research is needed to explore additional variables affecting early physical recovery and to understand how soon patients are physically ready to return home.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for sexuality (MBCT-S) improves sexual functioning and intimacy among older women with epilepsy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Women with epilepsy (WWE) frequently experience sexual problems, including sexual dysfunction and sexual distress. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for sexuality (MBCT-S) on sexual function and intimacy among older adult WWE in Iran.

METHODS

A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted at 15 neurology clinics in three Iranian cities. WWE together with their partners and healthcare providers were randomly assigned in patient and partner (PP; n = 220), patient, partner, and healthcare provider (PPHP; n = 220), or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 220) group. WWE and their partners in both the PP and PPHP groups received eight weeks of MBCT-S sessions. In the PPHP group, three individual sessions on sexual counseling were added for healthcare providers. Self-assessment scales were used at baseline, one month and six months after completing the intervention. Mixed linear regression models were developed to determine differences among the three groups. Multilevel mediation analyses were conducted to understand the mediating effects of mindfulness, intimacy, patient-physicians relationship and sexual counseling barriers.

RESULTS

Improvements in sexual function, sexual distress, and intimacy were found in both the PP and PPHP groups at one-month and six-month follow-ups. The PPHP group compared with the PP group had greater improvement in intimacy at both follow-ups. Regarding sexual function, the PPHP group performed better than the PP group at the six-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The MBCT-S appears efficacious in enhancing sexual function and reducing sex-related distress in Iranian older adult WWE. Future studies should examine its efficacy in other populations.

A theory-based intervention delivered by an online social media platform to promote oral health among Iranian adolescents: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Objective: Based on the Health Action Process Approach, we tested the efficacy of a theory-based program using an online social media platform (Telegram) to promote good oral hygiene behaviour among Iranian adolescents.Design: A three-arm randomized-controlled trial design was used, consisting of an adolescent only intervention group (A group; n = 253), an adolescent and mother intervention group (A + M group; n = 260), and a control group (n = 278).Main outcome measures: Psychosocial variables, toothbrushing behaviour, Visual Plaque Index, and Community Periodontal Index.Results: Increases in adolescent toothbrushing at the one- and six-month follow-ups in both intervention groups compared to the control group were observed. Adolescents in the A + M group showed significant greater improvements in their toothbrushing behaviour, Visual Plaque Index, and Community Periodontal Index scores than adolescents in the A group. Improvements to toothbrushing social cognitions were also observed.Conclusions: Current results support the use of the theory-based program delivered by Telegram in improving good oral hygiene behaviour and oral health outcomes among Iranian adolescents. Involving mothers in an intervention can confer additional benefits for adolescent oral health.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of a theory-based sleep hygiene intervention for adolescents

Study Objectives

To use theory to design and evaluate an intervention to promote sleep hygiene and health among adolescents.

Methods

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) were used to develop an intervention, which was then evaluated in a cluster randomized trial. Participants were high school students (N = 2,841, M age = 15.12, SD = 1.50). Adolescents in the intervention group received four face-to-face sessions providing behavior change techniques targeting the theoretical determinants of sleep hygiene. Adolescents in the control group only received educational material at the end of the study. The primary outcome was sleep hygiene measured at 1 and 6 months postintervention. A number of secondary outcomes were also measured, including beliefs about sleep, self-regulatory processes, and outcomes related to health and wellbeing.

Results

Sleep hygiene was improved in the intervention group when compared with the control group at both follow-up points (coefficients = 0.16 and 0.19, 95% CIs = 0.12-0.20 and 0.15-0.23 at 1 and 6 months, respectively, for scores on the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale), as were psychosocial and general aspects of health. Mediation analyses suggested that beliefs about sleep hygiene as specified by the TPB, along with self-regulatory processes from HAPA, both mediated the effect of the intervention on outcomes. In turn, the effects of the intervention on sleep hygiene mediated its impact on general health.

Conclusions

Healthcare practitioners might consider intervention programs based on the TPB and the HAPA to improve sleep among adolescents.

Clinical Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02551913) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02551913.

Mediated effects of insomnia, psychological distress and medication adherence in the association of eHealth literacy and cardiac events among Iranian older patients with heart failure: a longitudinal study

Background:

Given the importance of improving health for patients with heart failure, the present study examined the temporal associations between eHealth literacy, insomnia, psychological distress, medication adherence, quality of life and cardiac events among older patients with heart failure.

Methods:

With a longitudinal design older patients with echocardiography verified heart failure ( N=468; 50.4% New York Heart Association class II, mean age 69.3±7.3 years; 238 men) in need of cardiac care at seven Iranian university outpatient clinics went through clinical examinations and completed the following questionnaires at baseline: eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS, assessing eHealth literacy); 5-item medication adherence report scale (MARS-5, assessing medication adherence); Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ, assessing quality of life); insomnia severity index (ISI, assessing insomnia); and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS, assessing psychological distress). All the patients completed the ISI and HADS again 3 months later; and the MARS-5 6 months later. Also, their cardiac events were collected 18 months later. Three mediation models were then conducted.

Results:

eHealth literacy had direct and indirect effects (through insomnia and psychological distress) on medication adherence and quality of life. Moreover, eHealth literacy had protecting effects on cardiac events (hazard ratio (HR) 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37, 0.65) through the mediators of insomnia (HR 0.19; 95% CI 0.15, 0.26), psychological distress (HR 0.08; 95% CI 0.05, 0.12) and medication adherence (HR 0.05; 95% CI 0.04, 0.08).

Conclusion:

As eHealth literacy was a protector for patients with heart failure, healthcare providers may plan effective programmes to improve eHealth literacy for the population. Additional benefits of improving eHealth literacy in heart failure may be decreased insomnia and psychological distress, improved quality of life, as well as decreased cardiovascular events.

Effectiveness of an In-Service Education Program to Improve Patient Safety Directed at Surgical Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Patient safety is a critical issue in healthcare services particularly in surgical units and operation rooms because of the high prevalence and risk of medical errors in such settings. This study was conducted to determine whether a 1-day educational intervention can change the attitude and behavior of surgical residents regarding patient safety.

METHODS

A total of 90 surgical residents were recruited from 6 university hospitals located in Tehran and Qazvin, Iran, and were randomized to either the intervention or a control group. Those in the intervention group participated in a 1-day workshop on patient safety, whereas the control group received no intervention. Both groups were followed for 3 months after the intervention was completed. The Safety Attitude Questionnaire and Oxford Non-Technical Skills scale were administered at 3 points in time (baseline, 1 month after the intervention, and 3 month later). The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Total score on the Safety Attitude Questionnaire improved from 54.5 (SD = 14.4) at baseline to 58.3 (SD = 13.8) 3 months after the intervention in the intervention group; all dimensions, with the exception of working condition, showed significant changes. In addition, the Oxford Non-Technical Skills scale - as assessed by attending surgeons - improved significantly in all domains (p < 0.05). More than 60% of participants in the intervention group scored in the positive range for items assessing safety and teamwork climate.

CONCLUSIONS

A 1-day interactive educational workshop may be effective in changing the attitude and practice of surgical residents regarding patient safety. Further assessment of this intervention in other healthcare settings involving health professionals from various specialties and use of an objective measure such as number of reported medical errors are needed to corroborate these findings.

Psychometric properties of the Ethos Brief Index (EBI) using factorial structure and Rasch Analysis among patients with obstructive sleep apnea before and after CPAP treatment is initiated

BACKGROUND

Continuous positive airway treatment (CPAP) is the recommended treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Outcome measures often focus on clinical and/or self-rated variables related to the medical condition. However, a brief validated instrument focusing on the whole life situation (i.e., ethos) suitable for clinical practice is missing. The aim of this study was to investigate factorial structure, categorical functioning of the response scale, and differential item functioning across sub-populations of the Ethos Brief Index (EBI) among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before and after initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

METHODS

A prospective design, including 193 patients with OSA (68% men, 59.66 years, SD 11.51) from two CPAP clinics, was used. Clinical assessment and overnight respiratory polygraphy were used to diagnose patients. Questionnaires administered before and after 6 months of CPAP treatment included EBI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and global perceived health (initial item in SF-36). The validity and reliability of the EBI were investigated using Rasch and confirmatory factor analysis models. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning across gender groups, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, and ESS groups were assessed.

RESULTS

The reliability of the EBI was confirmed using composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha. The results supported unidimensionality of the EBI in confirmatory factor analysis and the Rasch model. No differential item functioning was found. A latent profile analysis yielded two profiles of patients with low (n = 42) and high (n = 151) ethos. Patients in the low ethos group were younger and had higher depression scores, lower perceived health, and higher body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

The EBI is a valid tool with robust psychometric properties suitable for use among patients with OSA before and after treatment with CPAP is initiated. Future studies should focus on its predictive validity.

The effect of using a mobile application ("WhiteTeeth") on improving oral hygiene: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of the WhiteTeeth mobile app, a theory‐based mobile health (mHealth) program for promoting oral hygiene in adolescent orthodontic patients.

Methods

In this parallel randomized controlled trial, the data of 132 adolescents were collected during three orthodontic check‐ups: at baseline (T0), at 6‐week follow‐up (T1) and at 12‐week follow‐up (T2). The intervention group was given access to the WhiteTeeth app in addition to usual care (n = 67). The control group received usual care only (n = 65). The oral hygiene outcomes were the presence and the amount of dental plaque (Al‐Anezi and Harradine plaque index), and the total number of sites with gingival bleeding (Bleeding on Marginal Probing Index). Oral health behaviour and its psychosocial factors were measured through a digital questionnaire. We performed linear mixed‐model analyses to determine the intervention effects.

Results

At 6‐week follow‐up, the intervention led to a significant decrease in gingival bleeding (B = −3.74; 95% CI −6.84 to −0.65) and an increase in the use of fluoride mouth rinse (B = 1.93; 95% CI 0.36 to 3.50). At 12‐week follow‐up, dental plaque accumulation (B = −11.32; 95% CI −20.57 to −2.07) and the number of sites covered with plaque (B = −6.77; 95% CI −11.67 to −1.87) had been reduced significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The results show that adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances can be helped to improve their oral hygiene when usual care is combined with a mobile app that provides oral health education and automatic coaching. Netherlands Trial Registry Identifier: NTR6206: 20 February 2017.

Attitudes toward and beliefs about obese persons across Hong Kong and Taiwan: wording effects and measurement invariance

Background

The psychosocial consequences of obesity are important but often underrated. The Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) and Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) scales used to measure weight-related bias have little psychometric information, especially in East Asian contexts. The objective of this study was to use rigorous statistical methods to demonstrate the psychometric properties of these two instruments in Hong Kong and Taiwanese college students.

Methods

A convenience sample of 707 students was recruited from the universities in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Several competing confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted to confirm the factorial structure of the ATOP and BAOP. The best fit models for the ATOP and BAOP were chosen for the examination of the measurement invariance across subcultures. We then compared configurable models with or without loading and/or intercept constrained before correlating the latent constructs between the best models for the ATOP and BAOP.

Results

The comparison in multiple CFAs found that the model with one factor and two correlated-wording-method factors outperformed the other models for both the ATOP and BOAP. However, the internal consistency was suboptimal (ATOP: α = .56 to .80; BTOP: α = .57 to .65) and the measurement invariance was somewhat unsupported among the Hong Kong and Taiwan samples. Moreover, after controlling wording effects, the latent construct of the ATOP was moderately associated with that of BAOP (r = .356; p < .001).

Conclusion

Chinese versions of the ATOP and BAOP can be treated as a unidimensional factor for use in Hong Kong and Taiwan university students. However, further refinements of both instruments may be needed before using them to capture the social attitudes and beliefs toward obesity individuals, which is expected to advance our understanding of weight-related bias in East Asian contexts.

A Theory of Planned Behavior-Based Program to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight/Obese Military Personnel: A Randomised Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Designing a health promotion program to increase physical activity may contribute to weight management. The purpose of this study was to investigate a theory of planned behavior (TPB) program to address this problem in military people.

METHODS

Eighty-four obese/overweight military personnel were randomised into the intervention or control group. A questionnaire assessed demographics, aspects of the TPB program, and physical activity levels. Also assessed were blood glucose and lipid levels. The intervention consisted of seven educational sessions based on TPB. Data were collected at baseline and 3 months after the intervention.

RESULTS

All constructs of the TPB improved between baseline and follow-up in the intervention group (p < .001), while there were no significant changes in the control group (within-group comparisons). Between-group comparisons on TPB measures revealed differences in all domains when results were controlled for baseline covariates. Greater light and moderate physical activity was observed in the intervention group. Body mass index decreased significantly within the intervention group (p < .001). Changes in triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein also favored the intervention over the control group.

CONCLUSION

An intervention based on the TPB may be effective in promoting physical activity and decreasing weight in military personnel who are obese or overweight.

A thorough psychometric comparison between Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index among patients with advanced cancer

For patients with cancer, sleep disturbance is commonplace. Using classical test theory and Rasch analyses, the present study compared two commonly used psychometric instruments for insomnia - Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index - among patients with advanced cancer. Through convenience sampling, patients with cancer at stage III or IV (n = 573; 326 males; mean age = 61.3 years; SD = 10.7) from eight oncology units of university hospitals in Iran participated in the study. All the participants completed the Athens Insomnia Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Additionally, 433 participants wore an Actigraph device for two continuous weekdays. Classical test theory and Rasch analysis both supported the construct validity for Athens Insomnia Scale (factor loadings from confirmatory factor analysis = 0.61-0.87; test-retest reliability = 0.72-0.82; infit mean square = 0.81-1.17; outfit MnSq = 0.79-1.14) and for Insomnia Severity Index (factor loadings from confirmatory factor analysis = 0.61-0.81; test-retest reliability = 0.72-0.82; infit mean square = 0.72-1.14; outfit mean square = 0.76-1.11). Both Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index had significant associations with Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, as well as having good sensitivity and specificity. Significant differences in the actigraphy measure were found between insomniacs and non-insomniacs based on Athens Insomnia Scale or Insomnia Severity Index score. With promising results, healthcare providers can use either Athens Insomnia Scale or Insomnia Severity Index to understand the insomnia of patients with advanced cancer.

Investigating the effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing on pain intensity in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Unpleasant experience with the previous menstruation can increase the sensitivity to pain which may lead to moderate to severe pain in patients with dysmenorrhea. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological method to alleviate the distress from unpleasant memories and related events and can be used for other conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. This protocol was designed to investigate the effect of EMDR therapy on pain intensity in patients with dysmenorrhea.

Methods/Design

A randomized clinical trial was designed in compliance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). Female students who have moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea (based on a visual analogue scale [VAS] score of at least 4 for two consecutive months) and who live in dormitories at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Qazvin, Iran will be invited to participate in the study. The total sample size will be 88 girls, who will be randomly assigned to intervention (N = 44) and control (N = 44) groups. EMDR therapy will be performed for the intervention group, while the control group can use sedative or other pain relife methods as their routin... There will be six treatment sessions, which will be held twice a week. The duration of each session is 30–90 min, according to the convenience of each participant. The data will be collected using the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the VAS, the Subjective Units of Anxiety or Distress Scale (SUD), and the Validity of Cognition Scale (VOC). The data on pain intensity due to primary dysmenorrhea in both groups will be collected at 1 and 2 months before the intervention (to identify eligible participants) and 1 and 2 months after the intervention (follow-ups). Data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 25 software and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures with appropriate post hoc tests. A P value of less than 0.05 will be considered significant.

Discussion

The results are expected to provide the information on the efficacy of EMDR therapy to manage moderate to severe pain in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.

Ethics and dissemination

The research proposal is approved by the human ethics committee of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (IR.QUMS.REC.1397.100). The results of this trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed research journal.

Trial registration

IRCT20180823040851N1. Registered on 6, October 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3507-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Social media addiction and sexual dysfunction among Iranian women: The mediating role of intimacy and social support

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Social media use has become increasingly popular among Internet users. Given the widespread use of social media on smartphones, there is an increasing need for research examining the impact of the use of such technologies on sexual relationships and their constructs such as intimacy, satisfaction, and sexual function. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism why social media addiction impacts on sexual distress. This study investigated whether two constructs (intimacy and perceived social support) were mediators in the association of social media addiction and sexual distress among married women.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted where all participants (N = 938; mean age = 36.5 years) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale to assess social media addiction, the Female Sexual Distress Scale - Revised to assess sexual distress, the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale to assess intimacy, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support to assess perceived social support.

RESULTS

The results showed that social media addiction had direct and indirect (via intimacy and perceived social support) effects on sexual function and sexual distress.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study facilitate a better understanding of how problematic engaging to social media can affect couples' intimacy, perceived social support, and constructs of sexual function. Consequently, sexual counseling should be considered an essential element for assessing individual behaviors in the context of social media use.

Psychometric Properties of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale with Iranian Older People

OBJECTIVE

The main purpose of this study was the psychometric assessment of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale among Iranian older population.

METHODS

Using a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure, the original English version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale was translated into Persian. Internal consistency of the scale was checked by the Cronbach's α coefficient. Convergent validity of the instrument was appraised by the Social Skills Scale and General Health Questionnaire. Factor structure of the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale and possible interplay between its subscales were checked through recruiting a convenient sample of 300 Iranian older people and performing the confirmatory factor analysis.

FINDINGS

The estimated Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficients for the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale were in the vicinity of acceptable range, that is, 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The output of confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a four-factor model best fitted the study data (χ² = 323.49; df = 129; p < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.913; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.901; root mean square error approximation = 0.074; standardized root mean square residual = 0.078). Rasch estimates of item difficulty ranged from -1.28 (less difficult) to 1.33 (more difficult). No significant cross-gender differences were observed regarding the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale's items indicating its invariant psychometric properties for use in the Iranian men and women subgroups.

ETHICAL CONSIDERTAION

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee at the Tabriz university of medical science. Informed consent, information confidentiality, and voluntary participation were guaranteed.

CONCLUSION

The study findings were indicative of applicability of the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale as a reliable tool in measurement of the perceived social dignity among Iranian and probably other Persian-speaking older populations.

Validating patient and physician versions of the shared decision making questionnaire in oncology setting

Background: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) and the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire-Physician version (SDM-Q-Doc) using comprehensive and thorough psychometric methods in an oncology setting. Methods: Cancer survivors (n=1783; 928 [52.05%] males) and physicians (n=154; 121[78.58%] males) participated in this study. Each cancer survivor completed the SDM-Q-9. Physicians completed the SDM-Q-Doc for each of their cancer patient. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch model were used to test the psychometric properties of SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc. Results: SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc demonstrated unidimensional structure in CFA and Rasch model. In addition, the measurement invariance was supported for both SDM-Q-9 and SDM-QDoc across sex using the multigroup CFA. Rash analysis indicates no differential item functioning(DIF)across sex for all the SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc items. SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc were moderately correlated (r=0.41; P<0.001). Conclusion: SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc are valid instruments to assess shared decision making in the oncology setting.

Determinants of satisfactory patient communication and shared decision making in patients with multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE

To identify determinants of shared decision making in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) to facilitate the design of a program to maximize the effects of shared decision making.

METHODS

This prospective longitudinal study recruited 276 adult patients (52% male, mean age 62.86 y, SD 15.45). Each patient completed the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), Multidimensional Trust in Health Care Systems Scale (MTHCSS), Patient Communication Pattern Scale (PCPS), and 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) at baseline and the SDM-Q-9 again 6 months later. One family member of the patient completed the Family Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (FDMSE) at baseline. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the associations between eHealth literacy (eHEALS), trust in the health care system (MTHCSS), self-efficacy in family decision making (FDMSE), patient communication pattern (PCPS), and shared decision making (SDM-Q-9).

RESULTS

SEM showed satisfactory fit (comparative fit index = 0.988) and significant correlations between the following: eHealth literacy and trust in the health care system (β = 0.723, P < 0.001); eHealth literacy and patient communication pattern (β = 0.242, P < 0.001); trust in the health care system and patient communication pattern (β = 0.397, P < 0.001); self-efficacy in family decision making and patient communication pattern (β = 0.264, P < 0.001); eHealth literacy and shared decision making (β = 0.267, P < 0.001); and patient communication pattern and shared decision making (β = 0.349, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient communication and eHealth literacy were found to be important determinants of shared decision making. These factors should be taken into consideration when developing strategies to enhance the level of shared decision making.

Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

BACKGROUND

Neurological disorders are increasingly recognised as major causes of death and disability worldwide. The aim of this analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 is to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date estimates of the global, regional, and national burden from neurological disorders.

METHODS

We estimated prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]) by age and sex for 15 neurological disorder categories (tetanus, meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, brain and other CNS cancers, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases, idiopathic epilepsy, migraine, tension-type headache, and a residual category for other less common neurological disorders) in 195 countries from 1990 to 2016. DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, was the main method of estimation of prevalence and incidence, and the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) was used for mortality estimation. We quantified the contribution of 84 risks and combinations of risk to the disease estimates for the 15 neurological disorder categories using the GBD comparative risk assessment approach.

FINDINGS

Globally, in 2016, neurological disorders were the leading cause of DALYs (276 million [95% UI 247-308]) and second leading cause of deaths (9·0 million [8·8-9·4]). The absolute number of deaths and DALYs from all neurological disorders combined increased (deaths by 39% [34-44] and DALYs by 15% [9-21]) whereas their age-standardised rates decreased (deaths by 28% [26-30] and DALYs by 27% [24-31]) between 1990 and 2016. The only neurological disorders that had a decrease in rates and absolute numbers of deaths and DALYs were tetanus, meningitis, and encephalitis. The four largest contributors of neurological DALYs were stroke (42·2% [38·6-46·1]), migraine (16·3% [11·7-20·8]), Alzheimer's and other dementias (10·4% [9·0-12·1]), and meningitis (7·9% [6·6-10·4]). For the combined neurological disorders, age-standardised DALY rates were significantly higher in males than in females (male-to-female ratio 1·12 [1·05-1·20]), but migraine, multiple sclerosis, and tension-type headache were more common and caused more burden in females, with male-to-female ratios of less than 0·7. The 84 risks quantified in GBD explain less than 10% of neurological disorder DALY burdens, except stroke, for which 88·8% (86·5-90·9) of DALYs are attributable to risk factors, and to a lesser extent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (22·3% [11·8-35·1] of DALYs are risk attributable) and idiopathic epilepsy (14·1% [10·8-17·5] of DALYs are risk attributable).

INTERPRETATION

Globally, the burden of neurological disorders, as measured by the absolute number of DALYs, continues to increase. As populations are growing and ageing, and the prevalence of major disabling neurological disorders steeply increases with age, governments will face increasing demand for treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for neurological disorders. The scarcity of established modifiable risks for most of the neurological burden demonstrates that new knowledge is required to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on nutrition improvement and weight of overweight and obese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) program on weight reduction among Iranian adolescents who are overweight.

METHODS

Using a randomized controlled trial design, 55 adolescents who were overweight (mean [SD] age = 14.64 [1.69] years; zBMI = 2.18 [0.65]) were recruited in the CBT program and 55 in the treatment as usual (TAU; mean age = 14.88 [1.50]; zBMI = 2.09 [0.57]) group. All the participants completed several questionnaires (Child Dietary Self-Efficacy Scale; Weight Efficacy Lifestyle questionnaire; Physical Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; and self-reported physical activity and diet) and had their anthropometrics measured (height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, and body fat).

RESULTS

The CBT group consumed significantly more fruits and juice, vegetables, and dairy in the 6-month follow-up as compared with the TAU group (p-values <0.001). The CBT group consumed significantly less sweet snacks, salty snacks, sweet drinks, sausages/processed meat, and oils in the six-month follow-up compared with the TAU group (p-values<0.001). Additionally, the waist circumference, BMI, waist-hip ratio, and fat mass were significantly decreased in the CBT group in the six-month follow-up compared with the TAU group (p-values<0.005). The CBT group significantly improved their psychosocial health, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (p-values<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The CBT program showed its effectiveness in reducing weight among Iranian adolescents who were overweight. Healthcare providers may want to adopt this program to treat excess weight problems among adolescents.

The role of religious coping and social support on medication adherence and quality of life among the elderly with type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue particularly in the elderly. Religion may affect the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in such patients, mediated by factors such as religious coping and social support. This study aimed to investigate the impact of religiosity on medication adherence and HRQoL.

METHODS

793 adults (> 65 years old, 45% females) were recruited from 4 diabetes care centers and followed for 1 year. Duke University Religion Index, Spiritual Coping Strategies, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support, Medication Adherence Report Scale, WHOQOL-BREF and Diabetes-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire Module were used for assessment, as well as HbA1c and fasting blood glucose level. Using structural equation modeling, the potential paths were tested between religiosity, medication adherence and HRQoL; social support, religious coping and medication adherence served as the mediators.

RESULTS

Religious coping and social support were recognized as the significant mediators between religiosity and medication adherence (CFI = 0.983, TLI = 0.985, and RMSEA = 0.021). The relationships between religiosity and HRQoL were considerably mediated by social support, religious coping and medication adherence and these variables explained 12% and 33% of variances of generic and specific HRQoL, respectively. There was no significant direct effect of religiosity on HRQoL. HbA1c and fasting blood glucose level were successfully loaded on the latent construct of medication adherence (factor loading = 0.51 and 0.44, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of religiosity on medication adherence and HRQoL occurs through the mediators such as religious coping and social support. Therefore, to improve the adherence to treatment and quality of life, interventions may be designed based on these mediators.