Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers, worldwide, which happens more among those with more sunlight exposure like farmers. The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of skin cancer preventive behaviors (SCPBs) among rural farmers using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). In this cross-sectional study, multistage random sampling was employed to enroll 238 farmers referring to rural health houses (HH) in Chaldoran County, Iran. A valid and reliable instrument based on PMT variables was used. Significant correlations were found between all PMT variables with SCPBs (p < 0.05). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were performed with Protection Motivation and SCPBs as outcome variables. Predictors for these two outcome variables were classified in two different blocks according to their natures. Demographic characteristics (p > 0.05) and PMT constructs (p < 0.001) explained 3 and 63.6 % of the observed variance in Protection Motivation, respectively. Also, no significant effect was found on SCPBs by demographic variables, in the first block (∆R = 0.025); however, in the second block, Perceived Susceptibility (p = 0.000), Rewards (p = 0.022), Self-efficacy (p = 0.000), and Response Cost (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of SCPBs (∆R = 0.432). Health care providers may consider PMT as a framework for developing educational interventions aiming at improving SCPBs among rural farmers.

ObjectiveThe effects of regular exercise on the health promotion of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been well documented. The present study investigated the long-term effects of regular exercise training on biological indicators among these patients.MethodsIn this quasi-experimental trial with pretest-post-test design, 65 patients with T2DM aged 33–69 years (experiment (35), control (30)) participated. After 8 years of conducting the program, the data on 30 patients (experiment (15), control (15)) were entered into analysis. The training program included aerobic exercise three sessions per week, 90 min, 50%–80% VO2max. Before and after the intervention, the biological indicators (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI) and VO2max) were measured. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.ResultsOur long-term exercise training program had a significant effect on HbA1C, BMI and Vo2max (P<0.05). Compared with patients in the control group, HbA1c was significantly reduced and BMI and VO2max were significantly improved among the experiment group.ConclusionsLong-term regular physical activity training was found to be helpful in improving glycemic control, body composition and cardiovascular fitness among patients with T2DM. Long-term continuous physical activity offsets the deteriorations of biological indicators found in the control group. Further research, with a particular focus on practical and real-world programming, is needed to determine the responsive health outcomes of such long-term programs on the patients.

The rural area residents suffered more from low functional health literacy, compared with their urban counterparts. Health literacy as a determinant of health and social welfare should be focused on with more detail by health decision-makers.

Background:Healthy lifestyle is a major strategy to promote current and subsequent health status. The aim of this study was to assess the status of health-promoting the lifestyle and its determinants among students.Methods:A stratified random sample of 500 students in a university in the city of Sabzevar, Iran participated in this cross-sectional study. Health-promoting lifestyle was measured using Walker's health-promoting lifestyle profile II.Results:There was a significant correlation between all domains of health-promoting the lifestyle. The highest score among the domains was for an interpersonal relationship (70.8%), and the lowest score was for nutrition (53.6%), and physical activity (53.4%). Significant differences were found in physical activity by gender (P ≤ 0.05). There were significant differences in health responsibility, spiritual growth and body mass index by marital status (P < 0.01).Conclusions:Since one out of five students in this study were overweight/obese, health program planning to promote lifestyle, especially physical activity and nutrition among students is recommended. Our findings may be helpful for faculty administrators, curriculum planners, and health educators in designing guidelines to structuralize a healthier campus and to develop health promotion programs supporting healthy choices among students.

In recent years, the number of quality-of-life (QOL) studies on patients with esophageal cancer has increased; however, the number of studies related to the effects of self-care education programs on QOL of these patients is scarce. This article reports on the effects of a self-care education program on QOL for patients with esophageal cancer in Babol, Iran. The quasi-experimental study had a convenience sample of 105 patients with esophageal cancer referred to oncology centers in Babol City. A quasi-random allocation technique was used to divide the sample into experimental (n = 55) and control (n = 50) groups. Appropriate instruments were used to measure QOL (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-30 and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Oesophageal 18). Questionnaires were completed by the respondents before and 3 months after implementing the educational program that consisted of group discussion, lectures, and pamphlets. There was no significant difference between QOL mean score of both groups before the intervention; however, after implementing the educational program, the QOL significantly improved in the experimental group (p = .001), whereas QOL decreased in the controls. We conclude that self-care education programs have positive effects on the QOL of patients with esophageal cancer. Planning and implementing such self-care education programs, when patients are under treatment, can help them improve their QOL.