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BackgroundAdolescent smoking problem has still remained as a public health concern, but factors that attributing to the initiation of adolescent smoking are not well known in Iran.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of smoking, and its associations among high school male adolescents in Iran, in the context of the theory of planned behavior (TPB).Patients and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving male adolescent students (high school) in the city of Zarandieh, Iran. A multiple-stage sampling protocol was used. The participants completed an anonymous, voluntary, and self-report questionnaire. Prevalence was estimated, and demographic variables, psychological factors, and the theory of planned behavior components were used to indicate factors contributing to adolescents’ cigarette smoking.ResultsIn all, 365 students were entered the study. The mean age of respondents was 16.49 ± 1.11 years. The prevalence of current smoking was 15.1%. The result obtained from logistic regression analysis revealed that all theory of planned behavior (TPB) components [knowledge (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: (0.59-0.97), attitude (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: (0.65-0.86), self-efficacy (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: (0.71-0.95), subjective norms (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: (0.72-0.98)] were significant predating factors for adolescents smoking habits. In addition, having parents who smoke (OR = 4.75; 95% CI: (1.38-12.35), smoking friends (OR = 3.76; 95% CI: (1.20-11.76), and smoking siblings (OR = 4.21; 95% CI: (1.17-11.16) were significant contributing factors to adolescents’ cigarette smoking behavior.ConclusionsThe results showed that the prevalence of cigarette smoking in adolescents was high, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) components were significant predictors of cigarette smoking. It seems that interventions targeting adolescents’ smoking habits might benefit using the TPB model.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Peer-Led Education (PLE)comparing with the Teacher-led education(TLE) approach about oral health behavior of female school- student aged at 6-12 in district 6 of Tehran, Iran. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study. Two primary public schools in Tehran district 6, were selected by simple random sampling and from each school one class considered for PLE and TLE. 120 fourth grade female students of the 6th district of Tehran were enrolled for study. All participants were assessed about knowledge, attitude, and practice in oral health by Pre-test one month before the intervention program. A valid questionnaire in Persin version used for data gathering. Two representatives including teacher and students from both groups trained under the supervision of a health educator. In PLE each of the six students trained 10 other students in the middle of the day per three consecutive sessions. In TLE one teacher trained one class with about 30students. Both education program set up at the same time and duration. The educational materials included educational short films, animation, and booklet powered driven by Oral Health Burea, Iran health ministry. Apart from, the intervention included role play and storytelling too. The evaluation had done by post-test with the same tool one month later after the intervention. Results: The average mean score of the knowledge, attitude, and practice in both group after educational intervention significantly increased (P<0.05).The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice in PLE have been effective than TLE. Conclusion: Health education with peer education approach is effective in improving oral health behavior in children at school age.

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Objective Iran has a low incidence of cervical cancer (CC). The country is introducing an organized screening system, including human papillomavirus screening. Studies show a high dropout rate among eligible women in continuing testing. Methods This descriptive-analytic study was part of the first phase of a clinical trial conducted on a random sample of 400 women aged 18–49 in Andimeshk City, Khuzestan Province, in 2020. The data collection tool consisted of a man-made questionnaire that included domains of demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy in the Pap smear test. The data were analyzed with Stata-16 using linear and logistic regression models. Results The mean knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy scores were 6.80±2.33, 34.99±4.32, and 28.67±7.34, respectively. In the multiple models, every unit increase in the knowledge or attitude scores raised the mean self-efficacy score by 1.04 and 0.48, respectively ( P <0.001). Every unit increase in the knowledge and self-efficacy scores increased the chance of performing Pap smear 1.61 and 1.41 times, respectively ( P <0.001). Conclusion Given the association of women’s knowledge and self-efficacy with practice in performing the Pap smear, it seems that an effective program promoting women’s health behavior regarding CC screening would include applied education to raise community awareness and improve women’s attitudes, self-efficacy, and practice.

Objective To assess the effect of a blended educational program to promote performing the PST among Iranian women. Design In a randomized control trial four main variables; knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST was evaluated using a man–made questionnaire for PST. Setting Women aged 18–49 living in Andimeshk (Khuzestan, Iran), covered by 16 health centers, participated in study from November 2019 till April 2019. Method The educational intervention conducted to increasing women’s performing the PST. The experimental group received an intervention, whereas the control group received usual care. Participants were tested at four-time points: pre-test (baseline), post-test 1 (immediately after the program’s completion) post-test 2 (4 weeks after the program’s completion) and post-test 3 (12 weeks after the program completion). Results A total of 84 women with average aged 32.27 (42 in the experimental group, 42 in the control group) were recruited from 16 health centers in Andimeshk, southern Iran. Significant group differences were found at different times in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST. Conclusion A blended method was effective in sustaining the effects of the educational program in the experimental group. The development of appropriate teaching method on restricted situation such as COVID-19 pandemic to promote participation is suggested.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to Evaluate of Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index in 12 Year Old Students of Tehran City, and to identify related factors that affect dental caries within this group. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of 12 years old in Tehran, Iran. Dental caries status was assessed in terms of decayed teeth (DT), filled teeth (FT) and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT). “Data were analysed using SPSS version 22; a multivariate regression analysis was used to determine statistically significant associations between DMFT and other variables (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 416 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of the students was10.94 (SD=0.628) years, and the mean DMFT was 1.03 (SD=1.41). So that, in this study DT (0.53 ± 0.95) had the highest and MT (0.14 ± 0.47) had the lowest mean. A multivariate regression analysis model results showed a significant relation between high DMFT scores and such variables as increasing age, lower levels of mother's education, higher family income, lower frequency of tooth brushing and dental flossing, having a history of no visits to the dentist (P<0.05). Conclusion: The current study shows that Iranian female students have a poor oral health behavior, as very few subjects use dental floss on a regular basis. Although there appeared to be a significant relationship between caries scores and demographic factors such as age and socio-behavioral variables include  family income, the level of mothers' education, the frequency of dental brushing and flossing, and both the frequency and type of visit to a dentist.