Smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and osteoporosis among older adults: a cross-sectional study on PERSIAN cohort study in Fasa

BACKGROUND

With increasing life expectancy and a growing population of older adults, the prevalence of osteoporosis has risen, resulting in a higher incidence of bone fractures, which necessitate extended treatment and specialized medical care. This study investigates the relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and osteoporosis among older adults in southern Iran, utilizing cohort data.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study is derived from the Fasa Adult Cohort Study (FACS), which included 10,133 individuals. From this cohort, we selected 1,631 older adults using census sampling methods. Our study aimed to explore the correlation between smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse among older adults and the incidence of osteoporosis. We collected demographic information, nutritional indexes, medical history, glucocorticoid usage, and self-reported data on smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and osteoporosis through questionnaires. To investigate the relationship between smoking, alcohol, and drug use with osteoporosis while accounting for confounding factors, we employed logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The average age of the study participants was 64.09 ± 3.8 years, with a majority (898 (55.1%)) being female. Osteoporosis prevalence among the subjects was 25.20%. The results did not reveal a significant correlation between smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and osteoporosis (p > 0.05). Regression analysis identified gender, recent history of fractures within the past five years, history of using glucocorticoids, and physical activity as significant predictive risk factors for osteoporosis within the study population (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the significance of addressing osteoporosis risk factors in older adults. Healthcare policymakers and administrators can use these findings to identify and mitigate influential factors contributing to osteoporosis in this demographic.

A study of COVID anxiety, spiritual well-being and resilience levels in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in the south of Iran

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 with poor prognosis. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate anxiety, spiritual well-being, and resilience levels in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in the south of Fars Province, Iran.

METHODS

This is a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design conducted on the patients undergoing chemotherapy at Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital in Fasa from November 2021 to February 2022. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included in the study by census method. Out of 210 patients, 155 participated in the study. Data were collected electronically using the standard instruments of Ellison's Spiritual Well-being Scale, COVID-19 anxiety questionnaire, and Connor-Davidson resilience scale. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation tests, T-test, ANOVA and multivariate linear regression at a level of significance of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The participants' resilience mean score was 46.35 ± 26.51 and their spiritual well-being mean score was 69.58 ± 9.32. In addition, their COVID anxiety mean, score was found to be 16.85 ± 10.51. The results showed a significant direct correlation between the patients' spiritual well-being and resilience (r = 0.47, P < 0.001) and a significant inverse correlation between the patients' spiritual well-being and COVID-19-related anxiety (r = - 0.275, P < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between the variables of resilience and COVID-19-related anxiety (r = - 0.637, P < 0.001). Based on multivariate linear regression, the most common predictors in resilience were age and history of infection with COVID-19, and in spiritual health and anxiety, was a history of infection with COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Enhancement of spiritual well-being and resilience in patients should be an integral part of care as these qualities are valuable resources in fighting cancer and lowering patients' anxiety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association Between Playing Video Games, General Health and Academic Performance of Fasa Mid-Schools Boy Students

Background: Nowadays, children and teenagers are heavily influenced by video games. Excessive video games may affect children's physical and mental health as well as academic performance. Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the correlation between playing video games and general health as well as academic performance of Fasa mid-schools boy students at Iranian secondary school level. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 boy students at secondary school level in Fasa, Fars Province, Iran. The subjects were selected through multistage cluster random sampling method. The data were collected using a three-part questionnaire including demographic information, information about how to use video games. and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS22, descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient, t-test, and Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Findings revealed that there was a significant direct correlation between the amount of video game use and overall general health (r=0.25, P=0.03); a significant inverse relationship was also found between the amount of video game use and academic performance of the students in first (r=-0.41, P=0.002), second (r=-0.30, P=0.02) and third grade (r=-0.42, P=0.02) of mid school students. There was no significant difference in the general health between the two types of game played. There was also a significant relationship between students' academic performance categories and the type of video game (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that video games can play a crucial role in the general health and academic performance of students. Thus, it is vital that parents pay more attention to the duration of playing and type of games their children play.

Effect of educational intervention on improvement of physical activities of middle-aged women

BACKGROUND

Regular physical activity has important health benefits for women. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of theory-based educational interventions on the improvement of physical activities of middle-aged women.

METHODS

This experimental study was conducted on 160 middle-aged women referred to Ahwaz health centers Iran in 2017 who were selected through the cluster sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (n = 80) and control (n = 80). The educational intervention for the experimental group consisted of 4 consultation and 4 follow-up sessions. The study outcomes included physical activity change, self-efficacy, decision-making balance, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which were measured before the intervention and 2 months after that. The data were analyzed using the SPSS19 software as well as the Chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the mean scores of preparedness for change, decision-making balance, perceived self-efficacy, pre-thinking, thinking, preparation, practice and maintenance were significantly different in both the experimental and control groups (P value < 0.05). The t-test showed that after the educational intervention, the mean score of physical activity was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (726.3 ± 201.6 and 339.8 ± 90.2, respectively) (P value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study showed that the theory-based educational intervention was effective on the improvement of the middle-aged women's physical activities. Therefore, it is suggested that a theory-based educational program be designed and implemented in order to increase the physical activities of this group.

A comparative study on the quality of life and resilience of mothers with disabled and neurotypically developing children in Iran

BACKGROUND

Mothers who take care of their disabled children usually suffer from several problems, such as physical, psychological, and social problems. The disability of children can also directly impress the quality of their mothers' lives. This study is going to check out how the disability of children affects the quality of life of the mothers.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to compare the quality of life and resilience of mothers with disabled and typically developed children in Fasa, Iran.

METHODS

The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 240 mothers (120 mothers having disabled children and 120 mothers with typically developed children) referring to Fasa State Health Centers and Fasa State Welfare Office. They were randomly selected and included in the study. All samples were collected by the convenience sampling method. The data were collected by using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The collected data were then analyzed by the SPSS (v.22) software. The results of the descriptive statistics, Chi-square, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient were at a significant value of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean score of quality of life of mothers with disabled children on physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains was lower than that of mothers with neurotypically and statistically significant (p < 0.05); however, the mean scores on the resilience of mothers in both groups were not significantly different (p = 0.43).The results of the linear regression analysis showed that, having a disabled child (P < 0.001, t = 10.141), level of education (P < 0.001, t = 2.031), and resilience (P < 0.001, t = 8.205) affect the quality of life. The lower the education level is, the lower the quality of life. And higher resilience increases the quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The quality of life of mothers with disabled children was lower compared to mothers with typically developed children, but there was no difference between mothers' resiliency in these two groups. These results suggest the necessity to provide supportive and therapeutic programs for improving the quality of life of mothers with disabled children.

The effect of peer group on self-care behaviors and glycemic index in elders with type II diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is one of the most expensive and chronic diseases of elderly age. Knowledge and self-care behaviors play an important role in treating diabetes and preventing its side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of peer group on self-care behaviors and glycemic index in the elderly with type II diabetes mellitus in Fasa city, Fars province.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 elderly patients with type II diabetes (50 patients in the intervention group and 50 in control group) referred to the diabetes center. Among the elderly, the intervention group was selected as a trainer based on the checklist of the peer group and was trained by the researcher. In addition to the usual care of the diabetes clinic, the patients in the intervention group received training from their peers for 8 weeks during 8-45 min of training sessions. Data were collected using a valid self-reported questionnaire including demographic variables, awareness, and diabetes self-care behaviors (Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities), as well as free practice (fasting blood sugar [FBS] and hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), which was completed by both groups before and 2 months after the intervention. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software, version 22 and were analyzed using Chi-square test, independent t-test, and descriptive statistical methods. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The results showed that the two groups of intervention and test were identical in terms of demographic information. In the intervention group, before and after 2 months of educational intervention, there was a significant difference in increasing awareness and self-care behavior in diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing, foot care, and medication (P < 0.001). However, this difference was not significant in the control group (P < 0.05). In the intervention group, the mean FBS and quarterly (HbA1c) index decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that teaching self-care program, in the same way, has been effective in improving self-care behavior and blood sugar index in the elderly with diabetes and suggested that this educational method be used in other chronic diseases.

The Effect of Educational Program Based on the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action on Self-Care Behaviors in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of educational program based on the extended theory of reasoned action on self-care behaviours in women with type 2 diabetes in Fasa. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 100 women with type 2 diabetes who referred to diabetes clinics in Fasa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The data were collected using a questionnaire based on the extended theory of reasoned action and self-care behaviours that were completed by both the control and experimental groups before and 3 months after the educational intervention. Data were analysed by SPSS software version 22, descriptive statistics tests, Chi-square test, independent T-test, and paired T-test.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed that after the educational intervention, the mean scores of all constructs of the extended theory of reasoned action in the experimental group were significantly increased compared to the control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Also, the educational intervention had a significant effect on the promotion of patient's self-care behaviours in the experimental group and the HbA1c level decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P <0.05). In addition, it was found that the extended theory of reasoned action could be a suitable framework for designing educational interventions for promoting self-care behaviours in diabetic patients.

The Effect of Educational Program Based on Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Enabling Factors Model on Changing the Metabolic Indices in Elderly Patients with Type II Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is the most common disease related to metabolism disorders. Today, diabetes in the elderly is one of the major epidemics of the century. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutrition and jogging-based Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model in changes in metabolic parameters that performed in elderly patients with type II diabetes in Fasa city.

METHODS

This study was a randomized clinical trial on 108 elderly patients with type II diabetes (54 patients in the experimental group and 54 in control group) referred to the diabetes center in Fasa City, Fars Province, Iran, in 2016. Data were collected using a valid self-reported questionnaire including demographic variables and BASNEF Model (knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, and enabling factors), checklist for patient's practices nutrition and jogging based on self-reporting patients, assess the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and HbAlc patients which was completed by both groups before and 3 months after the intervention. The experimental group received the training in eight sessions; each session lasted for 70 min. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS 22 software (SPSS Inc., IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t-test. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean scores of the BASNEF components (knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, and enabling factors) in two experimental and control groups after intervention were a significant difference. After training program, nutritional and jogging performance in the experimental group was better than the control group. Furthermore, FBS (P < 0.001), LDL (P < 0.001), HDL (P < 0.001), TG (P < 0.001), and HbAlc (P < 0.001) improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Plan and implement nutrition and jogging education using the BASNEF model to improve metabolic parameters in diabetic patients are very effective and beneficial. Moreover, in the implementation of these programs, control, monitoring, and follow-up educational are recommended.

The Effect of Health Education Program Based on Health Belief Model on Oral Health Behaviors in Pregnant Women of Fasa City, Fars Province, South of Iran

Aims and Objectives:

Pregnant women are at risk of dental caries and periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of health education program based on health belief model (HBM) on oral and dental hygiene behaviors in pregnant women in Fasa city.

Materials and Methods:

This is a clinical trial study carried out on 110 pregnant women selected using random sampling method from health centers in Fasa city in 2016 (55 patients in the experimental group and 55 individuals in control group). Data collection with questionnaire was based on construct HBM, as well as their performance about oral health. At first, two groups completed the questionnaires. And then, the intervention was conducted for the experimental group based on HBM. Four months after intervention, two groups completed the questionnaires twice. To analyze the collected data, the researchers used SPSS version 22 and descriptive and analytical statistics tests such as independent t-test and Chi-square and Mann–Whitney test.

Results:

The age of the pregnant mothers was 28.25 ± 3.02 years in the experimental group and 27.8 ± 4.20 years in the control group. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a significant increase in their knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, and performance and decrease in perceived barriers 4 months after the intervention.

Conclusion:

Applying the HBM is very effective for developing an educational program for oral health in pregnant women. Moreover, in the implementation of these programs, control, monitoring, and follow-up educational are recommended.

Educational Intervention on Breast Self-Examination Behavior in Women Referred to Health Centers: Application of Health Belief Model

Introduction and aims:

Screening can play a major role in reducing deaths associated with cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a cheap, non-complicated and non-invasive method for breast cancer screening. This study aimed to examine the effects of an educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on BSE behavior in women referred to health centers in Fasa, Iran.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 92 women, divided into an experimental and a control group. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, knowledge, HBM constructs and breast self-examination performance. An educational program was performed in five sessions through group discussion with questions and answers and training videos for participants in the experimental group. Questionnaires were filled before and three months after the intervention in the two groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS-22 software for descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results:

The results of this study showed that the mean scores for knowledge, HBM constructs and self-examination behavior in the experimental group were elevated compared to the control group after the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Education based on the HBM is effective in promoting breast self-examination behavior. Thus development and implementation of training programs based on the model are proposed for officers involved in education and health promotion in Iran.