BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease effects on all age group and sex, especially the elderly, due to the high mortality rate, it is very impressive and the protective measures can reduce mortality in the elderly. AIM: The present study was conducted to find the determinants of COVID-19 prevention behavior in the elderly in Urmia by emphasizing on the health belief model. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study on 1400 elderly people in Urmia, Iran in 2020 and the sample selection was by simple random sampling by simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire in this study that included demographic characteristics, health belief model questionnaire, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and linear regression tests using SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: The results showed that the COVID-19 prevention behavior score has been increased by increasing age rate and this behavior was higher in older women than men (p = 0.02). Furthermore, linear regression test showed the most predictive constructs as knowledge (B = 0.38), perceived susceptibility (B = 0.29), perceived intensity (B = 0.25), and perceived self-efficacy (B = 0.21, respectively) and these structures were statistically significant (p < 0/05). CONCLUSION: Effective interventions based on the health belief model and emphasizing on promoting knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, and perceived self-efficacy can prevent the elderly from developing this disease and its complications.

No abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of most common cancers in women and men and one of the major causes of death due to neoplasia. Colonoscopy is considered as the most accurate diagnostic procedure to detect colorectal cancer at the earlier stages. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of an education program using the Theory of Planned Behavior on promoting behavioral intention among first degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program to promote attitudinal factors associated with early detection of colorectal cancer in 99 first degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients aged more than 20 years in Yazd city, Iran. A researcher made questionnaire forwhich validity and reliability were confirmed by expert point of view and pilot testing was employed for data collection. Questionnaires were filled in before and after educational intervention. The registered data were transferred to SPSS 19 and analyzed by paired T-test, Man-Whitney and Wilcaxon. Results: Mean scores of knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control and intention regarding colorectal cancer increased after education significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior has positive influence on promoting intention behavior. It is therefore recommended to apply educational programs to promote behavioral intention.

Background: Skin cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in Iran and worldwide. Due to the nature of work, sailors are constantly exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which in the long run damages their skin and raises the chances of skin cancer. Thus, the present research aimed to predict the skin cancer protective behaviors among sailors in the south of Iran in the light of the protection motivation theory. Materials and Methods: The present analytical, cross-sectional research was conducted on 360 sailors in Bandar-Bushehr selected randomly from 4 border healthcare centers. To collect the required data, a reliable and valid questionnaire based on the protection motivation theory was used. The data were analyzed in SPSS21 using descriptive and inferential statistics including Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant positive correlation between protection motivation, perceived severity, fear, reward on the one hand and a statistically significant negative correlation between protection motivation and rewards and response costs. All constructs of protection motivation explained 43% of the variance of skin cancer protective behaviors. Among the influential predictors, perceived self-efficacy showed to be the strongest (β=0.328). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the protection motivation theory in determining skin cancer preventive behaviors among sailors, it can be concluded that this theory can be used as a framework in planning health education and promotion programs to motivate sailors to adopt more skin cancer protective behaviors.

No abstract