BACKGROUND:Social support is one of the most effective factors on the diabetic self-care. This study aimed to assess social support and its relationship to self-care in type 2 diabetic patients in Qom, Iran.STUDY DESIGN:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 325 diabetics attending the Diabetes Mellitus Association.METHODS:Patients who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected using random sampling method. Data were collected by the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, with hemoglobin A1C test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and linear regression test, using 0.05 as the critical significance level, provided by SPSS software.RESULTS:The mean and standard deviation of self-care and social support scores were 4.31 ± 2.7 and 50.32 ± 11.09, respectively. The mean level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) of patients was 7.54. There was a significant difference between mean score of self-care behaviors and social support according to gender and marital status (P < 0.05). The regression analysis showed that disease duration was the only variable which had a significant effect on the level of HbA1C (P < 0.001). Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that self-care and social support significantly correlated (r = 0.489, P > 0.001) and also predictive power of social support was 0.28. Self-care was significantly better in diabetics with HbA1C ≤7%. Patients who had higher HbA1C felt less, but not significant, social support.CONCLUSIONS:This study indicated the relationship between social support and self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetic patients. Interventions that focus on improving the social support and self-care of diabetic control may be more effective in improving glycemic control.

No abstract

Background and Objectives: Pap smear is a screening test for diagnosing cervical cancer in females. It is considered a health-promotion exam, and it has been shown that this test can prevent up to %60 of all deaths resulting from cervical cancer. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of this test and its related factors based on the health belief model in females referring to health centers in Qom. Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 320 females, who had health records and had referred to health centers in Qom in 2014 were selected using the multistage random sampling method and through following inclusion and exclusion criteria. A valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, awareness questions, and questions based on the health belief model was used for data collection. The data were finally analyzed by SPSS software with 0.05 significance level. Results: Overall, %11.25 of the subjects regularly underwent Pap smear screening, %51.87 irregularly participated in cervical cancer screening programs, and %36.88 did not undergo the tests. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results showed that the mean scores of the health belief model constructs were significantly different in terms of Pap smear screening (P > 0.05). conclusions: The participants did not consider cervical cancer a serious disease. Even women who felt vulnerable tried to hide it. Therefore, while perceived vulnerability and perceived severity of the disease risk was low in them, they perceived more barriers and, for this reason, the level of utilization of Pap smear was undesirable.

Background and Objectives: Since one of the methods of educational needs assessment is self-assessment, thus, it can be useful to determine the training required by professors based on their job descriptions. The purpose of this study was educational needs assessment of the faculty members of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was carried on all faculty members of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Sampling method was census and 142 participants were included in the study. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire and faculty members' educational needs assessment questionnaire with 6 domains that was completed by the faculty members. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent t-test, and one way ANOVA. Results: In this study, the most needs in the field of education (how to develop creativity in the students, in the field of research (design and implementation of secondary research), in the field of individual development (how to work with SPSS software), in the field of executive and management activities (motivation management), in the field of therapeutic services and health promotion; (professional rules and regulations), and in the field of specialized activities outside the university (methods of providing individual counseling services to the community), were reported as the top priorities of the professors. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it is recommended that the Education Development Center of the university should take action according to the identified educational needs based on the priorities in order to organize workshops and training courses tailored to the needs of faculty members.