Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the most important factors that increase the risk of
chronic diseases and postpartum death in infants. The aim of this study was to determine the maternal
factors that affect the birth of preterm infants in the city of Bandar Abbas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case–control study that was performed on 400 preterm
infants. Sampling was done by a simple method, and information was gathered by interviewing the
mothers and their medical records. Data were collected by SPSS software version 16. To compare
risk factors in the two groups, conditional logistic regression was used, and P < 0.05 was considered
statistically significant.
RESULTS: Results showed that factors such as type of delivery (odds ratio [OR] = 3.584, 95%
confidence interval [CI]: 1.981–6.485), preeclampsia (OR = 2.688, 95% CI: 1.164–6.207), history
of PTB (OR = 4.171, 95% CI: 1.483–11.728), premature rupture of membranes (OR = 3.273,
95% CI: 1.745–6.137), care during prenatal (OR = 0.334, 95% CI: 0.159–0.701), placental
abruption (OR = 3.209, 95% CI: 1.209–8.519), placenta previa (OR = 9.333, 95% CI: 2.086–41.770),
and cervical insufficiency (OR = 11, 95% CI: 1.381–87.641) were independent risk factors of preterm
infant birth.
CONCLUSIONS: The PTB risk is higher for women with cervical insufficiency, history of placenta
previa, and history of preterm. Early recognition and management of these high‑risk conditions among
pregnant women may lead to a reduction in PTB rates.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Mortality and disability rates were reported to be respectively 2‑3 and 5‑10 times
higher in C‑sections compared to Vaginal delivery.
OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to explore the factors involved in selecting the birth type among
primiparous women.
METHODS: The present cross‑sectional research was conducted on 220 primiparous women,
who visited the health‑care centers of Bandar Abbas. They were recruited in their first trimester of
pregnancy with a simple randomized clustering method. Data were collected in a researcher‑designed
questionnaire. Its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and reliability was tested and approved
through the test–retest method. Mean, standard deviation, independent sample t‑test, and Chi‑squared
tests for data analysis were done by SPSS 16. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 27.40 ± 6.07 years. The main barriers to the choice
of vaginal delivery were the fear of pain and fear of vaginal area tears and ruptures, fear of injury to
fetus, and doctor’s recommendation. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the
age, education, employment, income, awareness, and the reasons for preferring surgical childbirth.
CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the rate of unnecessary cesarean sections (C‑section), the following
recommendations are suggested: Reducing fear of pain in expectant mothers, modifying wrong
beliefs about the culture of natural childbirth, increasing awareness of fewer adverse effects of
vaginal delivery including the vaginal tears if the mother abides by all midwife(s) instructions during
the delivery procedure, providing educational courses for the necessary movements during the
delivery, decreasing surgeons’ payment for C‑section, and increasing payment for natural childbirth
and implementing barriers for optional delivery to reduce the C‑section.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Consuming fish plays a key role in human health and prevention of diseases. The
aim of this study was using transtheoretical model to analyze the trend of fish consumption among
women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive‑analytic research, 383 housewives who referred
to health centers in Bandar Abbas were selected through a stratified sampling method. Data were
collected by a questionnaire to determine fish consumption based on transtheoretical model and
analyzed by using SPSS software version 19.0. with the significance level of P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Nearly 11.7% of the patients were found to be at the precontemplation stage; 3.9% were
at the contemplation stage; 13.6% were at the preparation stage; 7.3% showed to be at the action
stage, and 63.4% were at the maintenance stage. The results showed a significant relation of the
constructs of the model with the stages of change of consuming one or two meals of fish a week.
Moving through the stages of change from the precontemplation stage to maintenance stage was
accompanied by an increase in decisional balance, self‑efficacy, and processes of change (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: It is suggested that in designing educational interventions in the light of this model,
more emphasis is placed on perceived benefits and self‑efficacy. The processes of change are
advised to be used more often, and perceived barriers to fish consumption need to be reduced as
far as possible.

Abstract Introduction: Although cesarean section has saved many mothers’ and infants’ lives,
the problem is in its increasing prevalence. According to recent statistics, the current rate
of cesarean in Iran is in fact 3–4 times as more than the standard rate defined by WHO.
Therefore, the present study is aimed to estimate the effect of an instructional program based
on health belief model on reducing cesarean rate among primiparous pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: In this semi‑experimental research, 60 primiparous women who
had visited Bandar Abbas Healthcare Centers were selected as the subjects. They were in
their 26–30th week of pregnancy. They were selected in a multi‑stage cluster sampling method
(a combination of clustering and simple randomization), and were divided into two groups,
subjects and control group. The data were gathered using a valid and reliable questionnaire.
The instructional intervention was done after the completion of the pretest questionnaire based
on the sub‑constructs of the health belief model in six instructional sessions. 1 month after the
intervention, posttest questionnaires were completed by the subjects in both groups. The data
were analyzed using descriptive statistics, standard deviation, independent t‑test, and paired
t‑test. The significance level was set at <0.05. Results: Two groups had a significant difference
between awareness score, perceived sensitivity, intensity, benefits, barriers, self‑efficacy, and
the performance (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, nine subjects (30%) had a natural
delivery. Conclusion: According to the findings of the current research, an instructional program
illuminated (designed) by the health belief model can significantly influence pregnant women’s
awareness, intention, and choice of delivery type.

Abstract Introduction: Major thalassemia is a hereditary, chronic blood disease caused by the synthesis
deficiency of one or more polypeptide chains of globin during childhood. This leads to the rise of
blood pressure and family tensions. Therefore, the coping strategies of the family could seriously
affect and facilitate the thalassemic child’s healthy growth. The present research sought to investigate
the mental health and coping strategies of families with major thalassemic children in Bandar Abbas
in 2013. Materials and Methods: This study is of a descriptive‑analytical and cross‑sectional
type. Research population consisted of 140 parents of major thalassemic children who visited
Shahid Mohammadi Hospital of Bandar Abbas. The instruments used were the 12‑item General
Health Questionnaire of Goldberg and Williams along with the coping strategies questionnaire.
Nonprobabilistic, convenient sampling method was used. To analyze the data, Spearman’s
correlation coefficient, Chi‑square and descriptive statistical tests were used. The significance
level was set at P < 0.05. Results: Data analysis showed that parents’ mental health (32 ± 4.25)
along with their coping strategy scores (45 ± 7.50) was about the average. The most prevalent
coping strategies among the parents were represented as: “I trust in God in order to get my problems
solved” (87%), “to get mentally and spiritually relieved, I would visit mosques and holy shrines” (53%),
and “to overcome problems, I make harder attempts” (50.7%). A significant correlation was found
between the parents’ coping strategies and general health (P < 0.001). A significant correlation
was also observed between mother’s educational level (P = 0.044), age (P = 0.022) and general
health. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the results of this research, it is categorical for
the ministry of health and medical education and those in charge to pay special and adequate
attention to the social, spiritual, and mental health of these children and their families.

Abstract Background and Purpose of Study: Statistical indices show a growing increase in the elderly
population around the world and our country. On the one hand, senior citizens are more exposed to
tragic events than other age groups due to natural physiological changes. Falling down, accidents
and scalds are among the most prevalent deadly events in this age group. Environmental security
is vital in maintaining the elderly’s health. Therefore, the present research was conducted seeking
to determine the prevalence and causes of falls among the elderly hospitalized in Bandar Abbas
hospitals. Methods and Materials: The present research is of a descriptive, cross‑sectional
type. Research population is comprised of all the elderly patients in Bandar Abbas hospitals.
The sample included 300 individuals who were selected according to convenience sampling
method till the sample was saturated. The instrument used was a questionnaire and the data were
also gathered through interviews. The collected data were later analyzed by SPSS version 16.
To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were used along with
the Chi‑squared test. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: From among the 300
subjects, 47.3% had experienced falls since the age of 60. In 22 of cases, it had led to injury and
they were obliged to visit a doctor. The results of this research revealed that the causes of falls
among the elderly were respectively: 43.33% of unbalance, 12.3% of poor eyesight, 11.66% of
non‑existing handles or fences, 12% of slippery ground, 2.66% of insufficient lightning, 8.66% of
unbalance and poor eyesight and 9.33% of other reasons. As the results revealed, a correlation
existed between falls and educational level (P < 0.025). Moreover, a significant correlation was
found between sex and falls (P < 0.011). A similar significant correlation was also observed
between the place of residence and falling down (P < 0.045). Conclusion: According to the
research results, planning to prevent events and traumas among the elderly and securing their
residential environment is of an essential significance.

Abstract Introduction: Suicide is committed by a person himself or herself and whether conscious
or semiconscious it is aimed to end one`s life. This action is not committed inadvertently or
incongruously. However, it could be related to one`s unmet needs and feelings of despair. Studies
on the prevalence of suicide are related to environmental and seasonal circumstances. As there
are diverse populations in Bandar Abbas of different races due to its geographical position, and as
its weather condition is different from the other parts of country there is no study with this regard.
Hence, the aim of this research is to investigate the correlations between and among demographical
variables and suicide in different seasons of the year. Materials and Methods: This study is a
cross‑sectional one. Participants included 80 persons who had attempted suicide and were
hospitalized within 2011 in the Ebnesina Hospital of Bandar Abases, Iran. The variables under
investigation are the suicidal patients` demographic characteristics, where, when, and how the
person had committed suicide. All of these data were available in their profiles. These data were
analyzed by using the SSPS software. Results: The results showed that 45% of the suicidal
people were the young and adolescent. Also, 75.5% of these people were single and 22.5% of
them were married. Most suicides occurred in summer, which makes up 41.3% of all the suicidal
people. On the other hand 11.3% of the suicides were committed successfully and 88.7% of them
had been unsuccessful; 42.5% of suicidal people had used drugs and 38.8% of them had used
pesticides to commit suicide — 78.8% of these patients had psychotic disorders and 12.5% of
them suffered from mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Furthermore, a significant relationship
was found between seasons in which suicide was committed, marital status, age, mental illness,
and educational and occupational characteristics of suicidal patients. Conclusion: This study
showed that the most vulnerable people
committing suicide were from among the
young and adolescent. Singles had attempted
suicide more than the married. Most of suicide
attempters had used drugs to commit suicide.
Generally, in the current study, some variables
including season, marital status, age, history
of mental illnesses, and educational and
occupational variables were all associated
with committing suicide.