Introduction:This study was aimed to compare the effect of nutrition educational program based on HBM with traditional education recommended weight gain among pregnant women in Gonabad. Target population was pregnant women who were resided in Gonabad and went to urban health care centers for prenatal cares.Materials and Methods:110 pregnant women (case group: 54, control group: 56) were selected who had come to this centers in the first stage of prenatal care (6th -10th week of pregnancy) in 1388 and were consequently classified in case and control group. There is no significant difference for age, education, number of parity, history of abortion and job between case and control groups.Results:There was no significant differences in nutritional behavior mean score before intervention in case (74.42 ± 12.78) and control (77.14 ± 15.35) groups (P value = 0.82, independent t- test); but after education, intervention was significant in nutritional behavior between two groups (P value = 0.01, independent t-test);Discussion:after intervention, there also was significant difference in HBM structures mean score in case group compare with control group and the highest rise in score was related to perceived benefits (15.13 increment).

BackgroundSelf-efficacy is one of the factors involved in successful self-care of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate general self-efficacy and diabetes management self-efficacy and to determine their association with glycemic control in diabetic individuals, referred to the diabetes clinic of Aq Qala city, North of Iran.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 251 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled using census method. Data collection tools consisted of Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale (SGSES) and Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) with minor demographic adjustments and hemoglobin A1C test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical techniques include independent t-test, Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression were applied for further data analysis.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation age of subjects was 56.17 ± 10.45 years. The mean level of HbA1C of studied subject was 8.35 ± 2.02%. There was a negative correlation between age and general self-efficacy and diabetes self-efficacy while, there was a positive correlation between general self-efficacy and diabetes self-efficacy (P < 0.001). Results of the regression analysis showed that duration of the disease was the only variable which had a significant effect on the level of hemoglobin A1C (P < 0.001), so that for each year of having the disease, the level of hemoglobin A1C increased by 0.084% (CI 95% = 0.048–0.121).ConclusionsGeneral self-efficacy and diabetes self-efficacy does not affect glycemic control in diabetic individuals. The duration of the disease is the only affecting variable on glycemic control by its worsening in diabetic individuals. Interventions are recommended to help glycemic control in individuals who are having this disease for longer periods. Moreover, further studies on the affecting factors on poor glycemic control of diabetic patients as well as the role of time variable, are recommended.

Aims: Fertility is an important factor for population growth and its proportion. Regarding the overall decrease in the total fertility rate in Iran and reaching below the replacement rate, this study aimed at determining the effect of the education based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on women’s fertility intention. Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted on 100 pregnant women of reproductive age covered by the Gonabad community health centers. The subjects were selected through two-stage cluster sampling and randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups (n=50 per group). Data were analyzed using SPSS V. 20 and Independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test. Findings: There was no significant difference between the demographic characteristics of the subjects in the experimental and control groups. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the mean score of the theoretical constructs between the two groups. After the intervention, the mean score of attitude (P=0.014), perceived behavioral control (P=0.042), and behavioral intention (P=0.005) were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The results showed that the educational intervention based on TPB could positively affect the fertility intention of single-child women. Hence, it is suggested to use this model in educational programs related to population growth policy and to plan interventions encouraging couples to have another child.

IntroductionUnderstanding consumer perception of drinking water can contribute to improvements in water management and consumer satisfaction. The aim of this study was to assess the consumer perception of tap water quality and other drinking water sources in Gonabad as a small semiarid city.MethodsThis study was performed in autumn and winter 2013. For collection data a researcher-made a questionnaire consisting of nine questions, based on demographic information prepared. Questions were asked for participants to provide information regarding household drinking water usage and patterns, opinion about tap water safety, taste and reasons for purchasing bottled water. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 16 was applied in this study.ResultsResults showed that demographic variables had a significant relationship with consumer satisfaction (p < 0.05). Office employees, women and poor families had the most satisfaction from tap water quality. Peoples’ preferences for tap water, commercial softener, domestic softener, ghanat (a type of underground cistern) and bottled water were 27.8, 19, 27.8, 40.4 and 3.5% respectively. Dissatisfaction from production of foam, unsuitable taste, unacceptable appearance and other problems in tap water was 11.1, 95.6, 27.8 and 0.4% respectively. Consumer reasons for using domestic water softeners are: suitable taste (80%), easy availability (71%), economical (56%) and low health side effects (34%).ConclusionAccording to these results it was clear that each consumer group, based on self-condition, prefers using a specific drinking water source.

IntroductionAn environmental impact assessment (EIA) before embarking on any project is a useful tool to reduce the potential effects of each project, including landfill, if possible. The main objective of this study was to assess the environmental impact of the current municipal solid waste disposal site of Gonabad by using the Iranian Leopold matrix method.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the environmental impacts of a landfill site in Gonabad in 2015 by an Iranian matrix (modified Leopold matrix). This study was conducted based on field visits of the landfill, and collected information from various sources and analyzing and comparing between five available options, including the continuation of the current disposal practices, construction of new sanitary landfills, recycling plans, composting, and incineration plants was examined. The best option was proposed to replace the existing landfill.ResultsThe current approach has a score of 2.35, the construction of new sanitary landfill has a score of 1.59, a score of 1.57 for the compost plant, and recycling and incineration plant, respectively, have scores of 1.68 and 2.3.ConclusionResults showed that continuation of the current method of disposal, due to severe environmental damage and health problems, is rejected. A compost plant with the lowest negative score is the best option for the waste disposal site of Gonabad City and has priority over the other four options.