BackgroundThe occurrence of occupational accidents is a serious public health issue in industrial workers and may impose life jeopardizing complications. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a training intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on helmet use of workers in cement factories in Khoy and Urmia, Northwest of Iran.Materials and methodsThis study was a controlled quasi-experimental investigation (before and after) which was conducted on 170 workers employed in Khoy and Urmia cement factories, Northwest of Iran. Eighty-five eligible subjects from Khoy (as intervention group) and 85 similar samples from Urmia (as control group) were selected and recruited. A valid and reliable four-part questionnaire was used to collect the data including socio demographic information, awareness, the theory constructs, and the behavior. After completing the study questionnaire and needs assessment, a specific educational program was implemented on the intervention group only. The effects of education were compared between the groups before and after intervention. The posttest was applied 1 month after educational intervention.ResultsThe mean age of workers in the intervention and control groups was 34.32 ± 8.19 and 33.62 ± 6.17 years, respectively. Before education, the mean score of awareness and helmet use behavior of intervention group was 6.15 ± 3.4 and 5.35 ± 2.8, but after education, those changed into 13.61 ± 3.10 and 9.15 ± 1.65, and the differences were significant (p < 0.01). In addition, before education, the mean score of attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, and behavioral intention of intervention group was 27 ± 5.17, 37.74 ± 6.92, 29.56 ± 6.17, and 17.65 ± 4.90, respectively. After education, the mean score of those changed into 37.26 ± 4.76, 48.34 ± 5.64, 42 ± 8.07, and 24.79 ± 5.33, respectively, and changes were statistically significant (p < 0.01), while no statistically significant differences were observed in awareness, the behavior, and the theory constructs in the control group after the intervention.Conclusion and recommendationsThe TPB-based educational approach had a remarkable effect on helmet use of workers. Applying this theory to improve workers’ personal protective behaviors is recommended and emphasized.

Background Waterpipe is one of the oldest methods of tobacco smoking, which has become the public health challenge, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Iran. This study aimed to investigate the waterpipe smoking (WPS) in the young people of Kermanshah in 2020, using a qualitative method. Methods This was a qualitative study conducted with the approach of content analysis. Participants were young waterpipe user aged 17 to 25 years selected by purposeful sampling method in Kermanshah city, located in the west of Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in face-to-face and audio-recorded methods based on an interview guideline during June to August 2020. Then researchers transcribed verbatim and analyzed the content of the interviews thematically. Results In this study, 23 young people who were waterpipe users at the time of the study participated. The results showed that social aspects in three sub-categories were involved in WPS including “socio-cultural aspects”, “socio-environmental aspects”, and “social relations”. Individual aspects of waterpipe use as second category also consisted of two sub-categories including “motivational aspects” and “lack of psycho-protective aspects”. Conclusions It seems that the implementation of the policy of reducing access to waterpipe in public environments is effective in reducing waterpipe consumption. It is suggested that educational and interventions, based on targeted models and theories be implemented in order to increase young people’s belief and perception on dangers of WPS, and to improve their self-efficacy to smoking cessation.

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Background A proper understanding of the protective factors against suicide attempt can provide the basis for planning preventive interventions. This study aimed to identify protective factors against suicide attempt among women. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in Kermanshah, Iran between January and May 2021. Participants were 20 Kurdish women, survivors of suicide attempt, selected by purposive sampling method. The data collection method was face-to face and audio-recorded semi-structured interview. Qualitative data analysis was done according to Diekelmann 7-step approach. Findings According to the results, the main topic was protective factors against suicide attempt in women, with two categories; “Individual factors” and “Social factors”. “Individual factors” had five subcategories including coping strategies, reasons for living, resilience, religious beliefs, and fear of death, and “social factors” had two subcategories including social support and effective communication. Conclusion This study showed that women who intend to commit suicide may encounter some individual and social factors that play a protective role against suicide. It is recommended to identify and strengthen these protective factors for the effectiveness of suicide prevention interventions.

Background: Beta Thalassemia Trait (BTT) and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) were two common clinical problems with clinical hypochromic and microcytic manifestations, and their differentiation from each other was very important and needs innovative formulas and laboratory tests. Since the consideration of anemia as a pair with BTT leads to beta-thalassemia major birth in 25% of cases, offering prospective parents detailed information about the likelihood of their offspring developing BTT is essential. The present study aimed to investigate the performance of common equations in differentiation of BTT from IDA. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, twenty common equations were selected in the differentiation of BTT from IDA. To evaluate the equations, the tests of 292 individuals (73 individuals with BTT and 219 individuals with IDA) were compared with the initial diagnosis of hypochromic and microcytic anemia using the formulas. Descriptive and value indices and Roc curve were utilized for all equations to analyze the results. Results: Among twenty differential equations, Bordbar, Kerman I, II and Srivastava equations had the highest area under Roc curve (AUC) of 0.841, 0.838, 0.836, and 0.830 respectively, but Kandhro I. equation had the lowest AUC (0.378). Conclusion: Given the importance of AUC and value indices of differential equations in clinical decision making, and results of evaluating common equations in differentiation of BTT from IDA. It is essential to improve the values of the equations by re-examining the parameters involved in them.

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