Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco use is a public health problem. This study explored students’
beliefs about smokeless tobacco use in Chabahar, Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative study was conducted using three Focused Group
Discussions among 24 students aged 12–14 years in Chabahar City. Focus Group Guide Morgan
was used. Qualitative Content Analysis was used to explore and extract codes and themes. The
data analysis process was carried out in accordance with the stages of proposed by Graneheim and
Lundman. Guba and Lincoln criteria were used for evaluating research transferability.
RESULTS: Two main themes emerged from the analysis including; beliefs of being useful and
harmful. Each of these themes is divided into subthemes with useful or harmful physical and
psychological beliefs. Four subthemes included: beliefs of being useful physically, beliefs of being
useful psychologically, harmful beliefs physically, and harmful beliefs psychologically.
CONCLUSIONS: One of the more significant findings to emerge from this study is that many students
mentioned the benefits of using smokeless tobacco to reduce toothache, relieve headaches, and bad
breath. This information can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing smokeless
tobacco consumption. However, more research on this topic needs to be undertaken before the
association between kinds of beliefs and smokeless tobacco consumption is more clearly understood.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Over the past decades, the pattern of diseases in human societies had changed
from infectious diseases to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and according to the report by the
World Health Organization, the highest burden of disease is attributed to NCDs. The study was
conducted to determine the status of hypertension, type‑2 diabetes, lipid disorders, and body mass
index (BMI) among the patients aged over 30 years admitted to health centers of Karaj, Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross‑sectional study, the population included 2947 men and
women aged 30 years and above admitted to six health‑care centers in Karaj. The questionnaire
includes demographic characteristics and had the questions on hypertension, diabetes and their
risk factors, like lipid disorders and BMI was administered. The data were analyzed in SPSS,
version 23, software using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and
analytical (Chi‑square and analysis of variance) tests (P < 0.01).
RESULTS: About 10% of the participants had diabetes and 15% of the participants had hypertension.
About 32% of the participants had dyslipidemia and 87% of the participants were overweight or obese
and over 35% were obese. Furthermore, with the increase in BMI, the prevalence of lipid disorder,
hypertension, and type‑2 diabetes increased in the studied population (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: According to the results, a high percentage of people had hypertension, type‑2
diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and BMI in the population. Gender segregation showed that lipid disorders,
overweight, and obesity in women were more than in men and percentage of people with hypertension
among male were significantly higher than in females. In the case of type‑2 diabetes, the results
showed no statistically significant differences between men and women. The results may be helpful
in developing educational strategies and prevention and control of these diseases.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: One of the most thought‑provoking problems in the world is child marriage that is
affected by various factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the social determinants
of child marriage in Kurdish regions of Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content
analysis approach. The participants of the study were 30 Iranian‑Kurdish women married under the
age of 18 who were selected through purposeful and snowballing sampling. Data collection was
conducted through semi‑structured interviews and face‑to‑face interviews and continued until the
saturation of concepts was achieved. Graneheim and Lundman method was used to analyze the
data, and Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to strengthen the research.
RESULTS: In general, findings include 5 categories and 17 subcategories: 1 – economic
factors  (financial problems and economic benefits); 2  –  sociocultural factors  (social customs,
cultural beliefs, community encouragement, social learning, gaining prestige, and social support);
3 – individual factors (physical characteristics, personality traits, lack of awareness of the damaging
consequences of early marriage, and fear of the future); 4 – family factors  (dysfunctional family,
weak awareness of parents, and harm prevention); and 5 – structural factors (high demand, limited
access to educational services, and the lack of supportive social and legal structures).
CONCLUSION: By raising the level of awareness and attitude of girls and their families about
the consequences of early marriage, creating the culture of correcting cultural beliefs and social
misconceptions, passing appropriate laws, and the use of local and national media to prevent child
marriage, this social harm can be reduced.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The qualification of managers in terms of management skills is one of the most
important factors in the continuous success of each organization, and utilizing such skills can have
a positive contribution in the effectiveness of the organization while improving the performance of
the employees in line with the objectives and goals of the organization. The study's primary objective
was to examine the necessary skills of the hospital managers and their capabilities to manage the
challenges in providing health care facilities to their patients and employees.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a qualitative that deep interviews were performed with
22 managers (senior and middle managers) of educational hospitals of Kermanshah city, and the
sample size was 22 individuals. The interviews were analyzed by a MAXQDA software application
after transcription.
RESULTS: This study includes 8 themes and 23 subthemes. The strategic skill, the perceptive
skill, the human relations skill, work experience, and personal characteristics were among the skills
necessary for hospital managers. Some of the challenges facing the hospital managers included
rapid changes in the policies, the limitations of financial resources, and lack of proportion between
the educational and occupational spheres.
CONCLUSION: Because of their existential philosophy and differences with other service sectors,
managing hospitals poses a particular sensitivity. In this regard, the role of the hospital manager is very
important. Therefore, in order to meet the satisfaction of those receiving services, decision‑makers
and policy‑makers must think twice when selecting and appointing hospital managers and evaluate
and appraise this group in terms of abilities and skills necessary for managing such an important
service section.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Internet has drastically affected human behavior, and it has positive and
negative effects; however, its excessive usage exposes users to internet addiction. The diagnosis of
students’ mental dysfunction is vital to monitor their academic progress and success by preventing
this technology through proper handling of the usage addiction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive‑analytical study selected 447 students (232 females
and 215 males) of the first and second semesters enrolled at Kermanshah University of Medical
Sciences, Iran, in 2018 by using Cochrane’s sample size formula and stratified random sampling.
The study applied Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28
for data collection. The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through the
t‑test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient by incorporating SPSS Statistics software version 23.0.
RESULTS: The results of the current study specified that the total mean score of the students for
internet addiction and mental health was 3.81 ± 0.88 and 2.56 ± 0.33, correspondingly. The results
revealed that internet addiction positively correlated with depression and mental health, which
indicated a negative relationship (P > 0.001). The multiple regression analysis results showed students’
five significant vulnerability predictors toward internet addiction, such as the critical reason for using
the Internet, faculty, depression, the central place for using the Internet, and somatic symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: The study findings specified that students’ excessive internet usage leads to
anxiety, depression, and adverse mental health, which affect their academic performance. Monitoring
and controlling students’ internet addiction through informative sessions on how to use the Internet
adequately is useful.