Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Impact of a training program on disaster preparedness among paramedic students of a tertiary care hospital of North India: A single‑group, before–after intervention study

. Sudip Bhattacharya; . Amarjeet Singh; . Jayanti Semwal; . Roy Rillera Marzo; . Neha Sharma, Manish Goyal; . Shaili Vyas; . Abhay Srivastava

Volume 10, Issue 1 , January 2020, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Disaster can occur at any time any place. Disaster preparedness plays an importantrole to reduce the loss of a community/country. The aim of this interventional study ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Disaster can occur at any time any place. Disaster preparedness plays an importantrole to reduce the loss of a community/country. The aim of this interventional study was to ascertainthe impact of a video‑based educational intervention program on improvement in knowledge andattitude of paramedical students in a hospital.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pre–post study (interventional study design) was conducted onparamedic students. Our study period was 6 months which was divided into Phases I, II, and III. Foradministrative purpose, we included all paramedical students, and our sample size was 119. Thebaseline assessment of knowledge and attitude of paramedic students was done by a pretestedquestionnaire (Observation 1) with having a baseline scoring. After that, intervention Phase 1 wasimplemented, and later, end line observation (Observation 2) was made. Changes in knowledge andattitude were observed by the score difference (Observation 2–Observation 1). Descriptive statisticswere calculated, and the mean of cumulative score was compared using the Wilcoxon signed‑ranktest. We applied Mann–Whitney U‑test for finding associations between dependent variables withan independent variable using SPSS version 22 (IBM, Chicago, USA) software.RESULTS: Our baseline results showed that most of our participants had averageknowledge (54.6%), followed by poor knowledge (24.4%). Approximately one‑fifth (21.0%) of theparticipants had good knowledge regarding disaster preparedness.   A significant improvement wasobserved in cumulative score (P < 0.005). A significant difference was observed in knowledge andattitude with respect to age and courses (P < 0.05). Forty percent of the students responded thatthey would like to get trained by that mock drill, and 26.1% were interested in disaster preparednessworkshops in the future.CONCLUSION: Our present study results indicate that the overall knowledge and attitude level ofthe students was average and required improvement. A similar result was reported in some studiesconducted globally for the same purpose. All of our students perceived that training for disasterpreparedness is necessary for all health facilities, and it is important to have an emergency planand disaster management committee. Regarding training methods, most of our students liked ourinteractive audiovisual method. However, their preferred methods were mock drill and workshops.It can be arranged in the future for them.

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Relationship between aggression and individual resilience with the mediating role of spirituality in academic students – A path analysis

. Yasaman Zahra Sadeghifard; . Yousef Veisani; . Fathola Mohamadian; . Akbar Azizifar; . Sakineh Naghipour; . Sehat Aibod

Volume 10, Issue 1 , January 2020, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: The importance of spirituality and spiritual growth in humans has been increasinglytaken to attention by psychologists and mental health professionals. In this study, we ...  Read More BACKGROUND: The importance of spirituality and spiritual growth in humans has been increasinglytaken to attention by psychologists and mental health professionals. In this study, we aimed toinvestigate the relationship between the tendency to aggression and individual resilience alsoconsidering the role of mediator of spirituality in academic students by path analysis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional study was conducted using structural equationmethod (SEM). The target population consisted all of undergraduate academic students in Ilam, IranUniversity of Applied Sciences, in 2018. Participants included 200 people whom were selected bystratified random sampling. Data collection tools were demographic, Buss and Perry aggression,spirituality assessment, and resiliency of Connor and Davidson questionnaire. In this study, bivariateanalysis was used to determine the directionality correlation between the study variables.RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant and positive correlation betweenspirituality and resilience (r = 154% r = 83%). Furthermore, there was a negative and nonsignificantrelationship between aggression with resiliency (r = −122% P = 101). In addition, there was nosignificant correlation between the aggression and spirituality (r = 0.05%, P = 0.942). The results ofSEM showed that spirituality and aggression can predict about 20% of the variations in the degreeof resilience in academic students. Accordingly, the results of SEM spirituality in an indirect pathreduce the aggression and thus increase the resilience (r = 0.102).CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed the effect of spirituality on increasing the level ofresilience and also positive mediator role of spirituality between aggression and resiliency.

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Investigation of the effect of communicational empowerment pattern on nursing student’s communicational competency

. Alireza Salar

Volume 9, Issue 12 , December 2019, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Today medical education is focusing on teaching human and communicationalskills, just like the basic theories in medicine. Making effective and efficient contacts andcommunications ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Today medical education is focusing on teaching human and communicationalskills, just like the basic theories in medicine. Making effective and efficient contacts andcommunications are very important in nursing. Although these studies had shown that these skillsare poor among nurses. Due to this, it is important to teach these skills to all health‑care providers.This study aimed to investigate the effect of communicational empowerment pattern on nursingstudent’s communicational competency.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 78 senior nursing students who werechosen randomly by the census method. Respondents were divided into case and control groups.In case group, the communicational empowerment method was conducted and in control group,no interventions were done. Data were collected by communicational competency questionnaire.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and t‑test through IBM, SPSSversion 19, United States 2016.  The significance level was considered 0.05 respectfully.RESULTS: The mean age was 22.23 ± 1.80. In the case of marital status, a number of 63 respondentswere single and 15 were married. The mean score of communicational competency in case group was112.38 ± 19.20 before intervention and 128.95 ± 11.98 after intervention. In control group, the meanscore of communicational competency before intervention was 107.55 ± 14.22 and after intervention,it was 117.11 ± 15.37. There was not any significant relationship between case and control groupsin the mean score of communicational competency before intervention (P = 0.0187), but a significantrelationship was assessed between case and control groups in the mean score of communicationalcompetency after intervention (P < 0.001). The level named “Good” in communicational competencywas increased among respondents from 56.8% to 90.9%.CONCLUSION: Using the communicational empowerment method in clinical education is possibleand it increases the communicational competency.

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Socioeconomic disparities in unhealthy weight: A need for health promotion among school‑aged children

. Shahin Soltani; . Zhila Kazemi; . Ali Kazemi Karyani; . Behzad Karami Matin; . Mohammad Ebrahimi; . Satar Rezaei

Volume 9, Issue 12 , December 2019, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity as a major public health issue can lead to adversehealth consequences during the life span. This study aimed to measure socioeconomic inequalityin ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity as a major public health issue can lead to adversehealth consequences during the life span. This study aimed to measure socioeconomic inequalityin unhealthy weight among school students in Kermanshah, west of Iran.METHODS: The cross‑sectional study measured the socioeconomic‑related inequalities in unhealthyweight among 1404 secondary school students aged 11–16 years in Kermanshah in 2018. Unhealthyweight is defined as body mass index of >25 kg/m2 in the study. Socioeconomic‑related inequalityin unhealthy weight was calculated using the concentration index (Cn). A logistic regression modelwas used to estimate the marginal effect of independent variables.RESULTS: The prevalence of unhealthy weight for the total sample was 0.13 (95% confidenceinterval [CI]: 0.11–0.14). Of these, the prevalence of unhealthy weight for girls and boys was0.11 (95% CI: 0.09–0.14) and 0.15 (95% CI: 0.12–0.18), respectively. The value of Cn for thetotal sample was 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03–0.2), which indicates a higher concentration of unhealthyweight among the high socioeconomic status (SES) students. Two factors of SES (49.11%) andgender (40.08%) had the largest contribution to socioeconomic inequality in unhealthy weight amongthe study students.CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic‑related inequality in unhealthy weight was concentered amonghigh‑SES students in the study. Thus, public health policies need to be formulated to change sedentarylifestyles and unhealthy dietary patterns among students with higher SES.

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Prioritizing health promotion lifestyle domains in students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences from the students and professors’ perspective

. Mahnaz Pouresmaeil; . Jaffar Abbas; . Mahnaz Solhi; . Arash Ziapour; . Esmaeil Fattahi

Volume 9, Issue 11 , November 2019, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: An individual’s lifestyle is closely related to the health so that a healthy lifestyleimproves the purpose of this study was prioritizing health promotion lifestyle ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: An individual’s lifestyle is closely related to the health so that a healthy lifestyleimproves the purpose of this study was prioritizing health promotion lifestyle domains in students ofQazvin University of Medical Sciences from the students and professors’ perspective.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was done in cross‑sectional method. The statisticalpopulation of this study consisted of students in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in the academicyear 2018. In addition, 10 faculty members in this university and five students were questioned inDelphi method from different educational groups. The questionnaire was used consisted of twoparts. The first part included demographic characteristics, and the second part included the standardquestions for Pender’s health promotion model. The Delphi needs assessment method was alsoused to collect the information.RESULTS: The mean score of students’ health‑promoting behaviors was average (135.22 ± 19.35).The greatest score of health promotion behaviors was related to the spiritual growth scale (25.3 ± 5.4),and the lowest score was for physical activity (19.7 ± 05.1). The results of the Delphi method alsosuggested that both groups of faculty members and students believe that the dimensions of healthaccountability, physical activity, and prevention of high‑risk behaviors in the students’ lifestyle, needto be intervened.CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicated that the students’ lifestyle at QazvinUniversity of Medical Sciences was in average condition and low scores in the dimension of physicalactivity. Planned interventions should be made to promote health‑promoting lifestyle among thesestudents.

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Teachers’ perceptions on student evaluation of teaching as a tool for faculty development and quality assurance in medical education

. Asitava Debroy; . Abhishek Ingole; . Abhay Mudey

Volume 9, Issue 11 , November 2019, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Student evaluation of teaching (SET) is considered to be one of the most importantas well as inexpensive resources for sustaining professional development in medical teaching. ...  Read More BACKGROUND: Student evaluation of teaching (SET) is considered to be one of the most importantas well as inexpensive resources for sustaining professional development in medical teaching. The aimof this project was to improve the quality of education in our medical college by using student feedbackas a tool for faculty development. However, it is also important to obtain teachers’ perceptions on SET.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an educational research study conducted on a singlepractical/tutorial batch of fourth‑semester students in pathology chosen by random selection.Feedback regarding teaching was collected for all the teachers in the department of pathologywhere the students had to rate the teachers on a scale of 1–5. Teachers’ perceptions on students’feedback were gathered with the help of another structured prevalidated questionnaire containing15 questions/items. The feedback data were obtained using a 5‑point Likert scale. The scoresobtained from the students’ evaluation data and the teachers’ perception data on the different itemswere analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0.RESULTS: Significant findings from students’ feedback were that 80% of teachers had a medianscore of >4 in explicit curriculum, indicating that most of the students agreed that the teachers teachtheir core subject well. However, only 20% of teachers had a median score >4 in implicit curriculum.Teachers, in their feedback, fully agreed that students should be involved in the evaluation of teachersand that student feedback ensures the overall faculty development in the institute and can be usedas a tool for quality assurance in medical education.CONCLUSION: Students’ feedback is one of the best methods of evaluation of teachers to ensurethe overall faculty development and quality assurance in medical education. Thus, a regular feedbackmechanism should be in place for the entire institution.

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Investigation the relationship between internet dependence with anxiety and educational performance of high school students

. Fatemeh Kheyri; . Akbar Azizifar; . Reza Valizadeh; . Yousef Veisani; . Sehat Aibod; . Fariba Cheraghi; . Fathola Mohamadian

Volume 9, Issue 11 , November 2019, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Internet is one of the most advanced modern communication technologies. Despitethe positive uses of internet, the existence of extreme behaviors and its harmful consequences ...  Read More BACKGROUND: Internet is one of the most advanced modern communication technologies. Despitethe positive uses of internet, the existence of extreme behaviors and its harmful consequences hasattracted the attention of all. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between internetaddiction with anxiety and educational performance.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is a descriptive correlative study. The statisticalpopulation of the study includes a total number of 4401 female students in the high school in the cityof Ilam‑Iran in the academic year of 2017–2018. The sample size includes353 students estimatedusing Cochran’s formula. They were selected by random cluster sampling. For data collection, theYoung’s Internet Dependency Questionnaire, Academic Performance Inventory, and Marc et al.,anxiety Scale were used. Data were analyzed at the significant level of α = 0.05.RESULTS: The results showed a positive and significant correlation between internet dependencyand students’ anxiety (P < 0.01). There is also a negative and significant correlation between internetdependency and academic performance of students (P < 0.01), and also a negative and significantcorrelation between anxiety and educational performance of students (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: On the one hand, the results indicate a high prevalence of internet dependency andits significant relationship with anxiety and academic performance in students, and on the other hand,the negative effect of internet dependency on the students’ educational performance. Therefore, it isnecessary to design some intervention programs to prevent harm to students who are increasinglyinteracting with internet. In addition, raising the level of the students’ awareness on the complicationsof internet addiction and the proper use of the internet seems to be necessary.

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Assessing the educational services quality of health information technology students

. Nahid Tavakoli; . Ghasem Yadegarfar; . Hossein Bagherian; . Fatemeh Ghasri

Volume 9, Issue 9 , September 2019, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Responsibility in the higher educational system requires the universities to besensitive on students’ needs and expectations. The purpose of the present study was ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Responsibility in the higher educational system requires the universities to besensitive on students’ needs and expectations. The purpose of the present study was to examine theeducational service quality among health information technology (HIT) students in Isfahan Universityof Medical Science based on the SERVQUAL model.METHODS: This was a descriptive cross‑sectional study and carried out at the Management andMedical Information Sciences faculty of IUMS in 2018. Sixty‑eight undergraduate and postgraduatestudents of HIT participated in this study. For collecting data, the standard SERVQUAL questionnairewas used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software in descriptive level.RESULTS: Findings showed that there was a positive gap in overall dimensions of educationalservices quality (mean discrepancy of expectations and perceives). Most mean of service gap wascontributed to responsiveness dimension 1.06 (0.98 standard deviation [SD]), following that empathy1.04 (0.97 SD), assurance 1.00 (0.83 SD), reliability 0.83 (0.76 SD), and the least gap was seenintangibles 0.61 (1.02 SD).CONCLUSION: According to the current gaps in all quality dimensions, as well as high amount ofexpectations in comparison with students’ perception, it is required to evaluate higher educationquality through implementing students’ knowledge skill and creative abilities. Therefore, to improvethe quality of educational services at the Faculty of Management and Medical Information, alldimensions, especially the responsiveness dimension, should be considered.

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Strategies to promote academic motivation in nursing students: A qualitative study

. Maryam Saeedi; . Soroor Parvizy

Volume 9, Issue 4 , April 2019, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Academic motivation is highly important in nursing education. Providing high‑qualitynursing care requires students who have motivation to acquire information and skills. ...  Read More BACKGROUND: Academic motivation is highly important in nursing education. Providing high‑qualitynursing care requires students who have motivation to acquire information and skills. However, nursingstudents lose their motivation gradually during their program. Thus, the present study is aimed atelaborating on the strategies to improve academic motivation in nursing students.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in Saveh University of MedicalSciences. The data were collected through focus groups and individual semi‑structured interviewswith forty nursing students, professors, and lecturers of nursing and midwifery school. The participantswere selected through purposeful sampling method. This method is used for the selection of peoplewho have had experience with or are part of the culture or phenomenon of interest. Data analysiswas done as a continuous process through conventional qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: The strategies to promote academic motivation of nursing students were categorizedinto four main categories including strategies pertinent to professors (empowering and motivatingto improve the quality of teaching), strategies pertinent to students (creating positive attitude towardnursing, empowering, and encouraging academic achievement), strategies pertinent to clinicaleducation (improvement of the quality of clinical training and optimization of the academic andclinical relationships), and strategies pertinent to faculty (providing extracurricular activities, propercurriculum programming, and educational and welfare facilities).CONCLUSIONS: The strategies to improve academic motivation are available in different areasincluding professors, students, faculty, and clinical education. In general, improving the quality ofeducation and creating positive attitude in nursing students increase their academic motivation.

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The relation between self‑confidence and risk‑taking among the students

. Beyrambibi Bayat; . Negar Akbarisomar; . Neda Ahmadzadeh Tori; . Hamid Salehiniya

Volume 9, Issue 2 , February 2019, , Pages 1-4

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Self‑confidence means recognizing your abilities, self‑interest, and being awareof your feelings. Risk‑taking is one of the personality traits that may be affected ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Self‑confidence means recognizing your abilities, self‑interest, and being awareof your feelings. Risk‑taking is one of the personality traits that may be affected by confidence. Itcan be defined as behavior that increases the probability of negative consequences. Consideringthe importance of students’ self‑confidence and its relation with risk‑taking, the aim of this study is tostudy the relation between self‑confidence and risk‑taking among the students of Tehran Universityof Medical Sciences in 2017.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was done on 363 students of TUMS bystratified sampling. The tool for collecting data is based on a self-confidence questionnaire and arisk-taking questionnaire developed by Moradi et al. Data analysis was performed using Pearson’scorrelation coefficient.RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 21.86 years and 54.5% of participants were girls andthe rest were boys. No significant correlation was observed between risk‑taking and self-confidencein students according to the Pearson’s coefficient test (r = 0.05, P = 0.29).CONCLUSION: The results indicated that there is no relation between self‑confidence andrisk‑taking among students, and students who have higher self‑confidence are not exposedto high risks. Therefore, we need more studies in different age groups to validate this exactrelationship.

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Predicting oral health behaviors among Iranian students by using health belief model

. Azam Goodarzi; . Alireza Heidarnia; . Sedigheh Sadat Tavafian; . Mohammad Eslami

Volume 9, Issue 1 , January 2019, , Pages 1-9

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is assessing predictors to oral health behavior in Iranianstudents based on the health belief model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is assessing predictors to oral health behavior in Iranianstudents based on the health belief model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted on 416 (applying thestatistical estimation) of fifth‑grade female students of Tehran in 2016. Random cluster samplingmethod was used to recruit students. The inclusion criteria were being grade five female student(aged 10–12 years), and studying in governmental schools, and having a signed consent from thechild’s parent or legal guardian. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the variables thatpredict oral health behaviors.RESULTS: Overall, 416 female students were entered into the study. Of these, only55.3% of the students reported that they were brushing at least twice a day, 22.4%were using dental floss at least once a day, and 23.1% reported checking their teethevery 6 months. The results obtained from the logistic regression analysis indicated thatperceived self‑efficacy, was the significant predicting factor for brushing at least twice a day(odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.06–1.69, P = 0.012) and use of dentalfloss at least once a day (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.14–2.27, P = 0.007). Furthermore, mother’s jobpredicted use of dental floss at least once a day by (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.07–3.10). Perceivedbenefits were the significant predicting factor for 6 months check (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.14–2.77).CONCLUSION: The current study provides evidence oral health can be promoted by increasingperceived self‑efficacy and enhancing perceived benefits in female students.

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Assessment of condition perception of educational ‑research environment and academic self‑efficacy

. Beyrambibi Bayat; . Hamid Salehiniya

Volume 8, Issue 8 , August 2018, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Academic self‑efficacy is the learners’ belief in their abilities in academic process.Perception of the educational‑research environment is one of the effective ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: Academic self‑efficacy is the learners’ belief in their abilities in academic process.Perception of the educational‑research environment is one of the effective factors on academicself‑efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine the perception of educational‑research environmentand academic self‑efficacy in students of the University of Tehran in 2016.METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was done on 385 students of Tehran University of MedicalSciences. Samples were selected through stratified sampling method. Data were collected throughquestionnaires of perception of educational‑research environment scale 24 and of academicself‑efficacy scale 32 that reliability and validity of that were confirmed. Data analysis was performedusing Pearson’s correlation coefficient.RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 25.31 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.94), and 56.1% ofthem were female and the rest were male. The mean perception of educational‑research environmentwas 65.79 (SD = 13.13), and the mean academic self‑efficacy was 107.44 (15.92). The Pearson’scorrelation test results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between perceptionof educational‑research environment with academic self‑efficacy (P = 0.001, r = 0.180).CONCLUSION: There was a significant statistical relationship between perception ofeducational‑research environment and academic self‑efficacy. Students who have high perceptionof educational‑research environment are high academic self‑efficacy. Academic self‑efficacy can beimproved by improving perception of the educational‑research environment.

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The codification of spiritual intelligence measurement model in librarianship and medical information science students of medical universities in Iran

. Zarrin Zarrinabadi; . Alireza Isfandyari-Moghaddam; . Nasrolah Erfani; . Mohsen Ahmadi Tahour Soltani

Volume 8, Issue 5 , May 2018, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: According to the research mission of the librarianship and information sciences field,it is necessary to have the ability to communicate constructively between the user ...  Read More INTRODUCTION: According to the research mission of the librarianship and information sciences field,it is necessary to have the ability to communicate constructively between the user of the informationand information in these students, and it appears more important in medical librarianship andinformation sciences because of the need for quick access to information for clinicians. Consideringthe role of spiritual intelligence in capability to establish effective and balanced communication makesit important to study this variable in librarianship and information students. One of the main factorsthat can affect the results of any research is conceptual model of measure variables. Accordingly,the purpose of this study was codification of spiritual intelligence measurement model.METHODS: This correlational study was conducted through structural equation model, and 270 studentswere opted from library and medical information students of nationwide medical universities by simplerandom sampling and responded to the King spiritual intelligence questionnaire (2008). Initially,based on the data, the model parameters were estimated using maximum likelihood method; then,spiritual intelligence measurement model was tested by fit indices. Data analysis was performed bySmart‑Partial Least Squares software.RESULTS: Preliminary results showed that due to the positive indicators of predictive association andt‑test results for spiritual intelligence parameters, the King measurement model has the acceptable fitand internal correlation of the questionnaire items was significant. Composite reliability and Cronbach’salpha of parameters indicated high reliability of spiritual intelligence model.CONCLUSIONS: The spiritual intelligence measurement model was evaluated, and results showedthat the model has a good fit, so it is recommended that domestic researchers use this questionnaireto assess spiritual intelligence.

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Medical students’ perceptions of small group teaching effectiveness in hybrid curriculum

. Pradeep Kumar Sahu; . Shivananda Nayak; . Vincent Rodrigues

Volume 8, Issue 2 , February 2018, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was designed to investigate medical students’ perceptionsof small group teaching effectiveness in a hybrid curriculum.MATERIALS AND METHODS: ...  Read More OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was designed to investigate medical students’ perceptionsof small group teaching effectiveness in a hybrid curriculum.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional, descriptive survey was conducted at the Schoolof Medicine, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine where we collected the data from195 undergraduate students. A self‑administered questionnaire consisting of 25 items was used tomeasure students’ perception on the effectiveness of problem‑based learning (PBL) with regard tolearning experience, teamwork, confidence, communication skills, and role of the tutor. Statisticalanalyses included mean and standard deviation for the description of each item; t‑test to comparethe mean scores for gender and class year, and one‑way analysis of variance between groups forage group comparisons.RESULTS: The students overall perceptions of small group teaching effectiveness showed that thePBL sessions were beneficial to their learning process (mean: 3.63 ± 0.46). Students have positiveperceptions toward small group effectiveness, particularly in learning experience (mean: 3.98 ± 0.63)and teamwork (mean: 3.67 ± 0.58). The mean scores, measuring teamwork, for 2nd year students wassignificantly higher than that for 1st year students (3.76 ± 0.55 and 3.55 ± 0.60 respectively, P = 013).A similar significant trend was observed between 2nd year and 1st year students on communicationskills (3.48 ± 0.67 and 3.29 ± 0.55, respectively, P = 0.046).CONCLUSIONS: PBL is an effective small group teaching method for medical students. Facultydevelopment and students’ training programs are required before implementing PBL.

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What are the predictor variables of social well‑being among the medical science students?

. Nazila Javadi‑Pashaki; . Azar Darvishpour

Volume 8, Issue 2 , February 2018, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  CONTEXT: Individuals with social well‑being can cope more successfully with major problems ofsocial roles. Due to the social nature of human life, it cannot be ignored to pay attention ...  Read More CONTEXT: Individuals with social well‑being can cope more successfully with major problems ofsocial roles. Due to the social nature of human life, it cannot be ignored to pay attention the socialaspect of health.AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify variables that predict the social well‑being of medicalstudents.SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive‑analytical study was conducted on 489 medical sciencestudents of Gilan Province, the North of Iran, during May to September 2016.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The samples were selected using quota sampling method. Researchinstrument was a questionnaire consisting of two parts: demographic section and Keyes socialwell‑being questionnaire.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 19 andwith descriptive and inferential statistics (t‑test, ANOVA, and linear regression).RESULTS: The results showed that majority of the students had average social well‑being.Furthermore, a significant relationship between the academic degree (P = 0.009),major (P = 0.0001), the interest and field’s satisfaction (P = 0.0001), and social well‑being wasseen. The results of linear regression model showed that four variables (academic degree, major,group membership, and the interest and field’s satisfaction) were significantly associated withthe social well‑being (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that the different effects of the demographic factors onsocial well‑being and the need for further consideration of these factors are obvious. Thus, healthand education authorities are advised to pay attention students’ academic degree, major, groupmembership, and the interest and field’s satisfaction to upgrade and maintain the level of their socialwell‑being.

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Research self‑efficacy and its relationship with academic performance in postgraduate students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2016

. Amir Tiyuri; . Behzad Saberi; . Mohammadreza Miri; . Ehsan Shahrestanaki; . Beyram Bibi Bayat; . Hamid Salehiniya

Volume 8, Issue 1 , January 2018, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Research self‑efficacy is one of the main factors influencing the successfulconduction of research and following it in students. This study was performed with the aim ...  Read More BACKGROUND: Research self‑efficacy is one of the main factors influencing the successfulconduction of research and following it in students. This study was performed with the aim ofdetermining the research self‑efficacy and its relationship with academic performance in postgraduatestudents of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in 2016.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was performed on 320 postgraduatestudents of TUMS in 2016. Proportional stratified sampling was done with simple random samplingfrom each school. The data were gathered with Phillips and Russell’s research self‑efficacyquestionnaire, demographic questions, and grade point average (GPA) and were analyzed withindependent t‑tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regressions in SPSS 18.RESULTS: Out of 320 students participating in this study, 152 patients (47.5%) were male and168 (52.5%) were female with the mean age of 27.83 ± 4.3 years. The mean of research self‑efficacyscore was 186.18 ± 59.5 which was significant depended on college degrees and was significantlyhigher in doctorate students (P = 0.0001). However, no significant difference was seen in researchself‑efficacy score of students due to gender (P = 0.754) and school (P = 0.364). There was a significantdirect relationship between students’ GPA and research self‑efficacy score (r = 0.393, P = 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that the research self‑efficacy score of TUMSpostgraduate students is at an acceptable level, except the quantitative and computer skills thatneed appropriate educational interventions. As a direct and significant relationship existed betweenresearch self‑efficacy score and student’s academic performance, improving the research self‑efficacywill also increase students’ academic performance.

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Effect of storytelling on hopefulness in girl students

. Shima Shafieyan; . Mohammad Reza Soleymani; . Raheleh Samouei; . Mina Afshar

Volume 7, Issue 6 , December 2017, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  BACKGROUND AND AIM: One of the methods that help students in learning critical thinking anddecision‑making skills is storytelling. Story helps the students to place themselves in ...  Read More BACKGROUND AND AIM: One of the methods that help students in learning critical thinking anddecision‑making skills is storytelling. Story helps the students to place themselves in the samesituation as the main protagonist and try different ways and finally select and implement the bestpossible method. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of storytelling on hopefulness ofstudents, age 8–11 in Isfahan’s 2nd ed.ucational district.METHODS: This is an applied, quasi-experimental study. The study population comprised of34 randomly selected students attending one of the schools in Isfahan’s 2nd ed.ucational district. Thedata gathering tool was the standard Kazdin hopefulness scale (α = 0.72) and data were gathered beforeand after 8 storytelling sessions for the intervention group. The gathered data were analyzed usingdescriptive and analytical (paired and independent t‑test) with the help of SPSS Version 18 software.RESULTS: The study’s findings showed a significant difference in the average hopefulness scoreof students in study group in pre‑ and posttest (P = 0.04). Furthermore, independent t‑test resultsshowed a significant difference in hopefulness score of intervention and control (P = 0.001). Theaverage hopefulness score of the control group after storytelling sessions was higher than that ofthe intervention and control.CONCLUSION: The results show the effectiveness of storytelling as a method for improvinghopefulness in students.

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Nursing students’ viewpoints toward two methods of clinical conference and clinical nursing round

. Maryam Gheidanzadeh; . Zahra Baghersad; . Parvaneh Abazari

Volume 7, Issue 4 , July and August 2017, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Clinical education provides a chance to combine theoretical knowledge and clinicalskills. Students are the key elements in the evaluation of clinical education efficacy. ...  Read More BACKGROUND: Clinical education provides a chance to combine theoretical knowledge and clinicalskills. Students are the key elements in the evaluation of clinical education efficacy. The presentstudy was aimed to define nursing students’ viewpoints concerning conformity to the characteristicsof clinical conference and clinical round.METHODS: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on the bachelor’s students of the 4th–6thsemester of nursing. Sampling was conducted using census sampling method during the 2nd semesterof 2014–2015 school year. Data collection tool was a three‑section researcher‑made questionnairecontaining demographic, nursing round, and clinical conference characteristics. Descriptive andinferential statistical tests (independent t‑test, ANOVA, and Spearman and Pearson correlationcoefficients) were used for data analysis.RESULTS: Participants were 134 bachelor’s students of the 4th–6th semester of nursing. Accordingto half of the participants, conformity to the characteristics of clinical conference (45.5%, 53%) andclinical round (44%, 51.5%) were poor and medium, respectively. Paired t‑test showed a significantdifference between students’ viewpoints toward the planning of clinical conference and clinicalnursing round (P = 0.006, t = 2.77).CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study on students’ viewpoints, clinicaleducation faces a serious challenge with regard to clinical education methods. Considering thenecessity and importance of clinical education, more investigation should be conducted to detect itsrelevant factors and plan for its improvement.

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Information seeking anxiety among M.A. Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

. Fereshteh Aghaei; . Mohammad Reza Soleymani; . Hassan Ashrafi Rizi

Volume 7, Issue 1 , March and April 2017, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  Background: Information‑seeking anxiety is a feeling caused by abundance of information orfailure to proper interpret the information that can adversely affect the ability of individuals ...  Read More Background: Information‑seeking anxiety is a feeling caused by abundance of information orfailure to proper interpret the information that can adversely affect the ability of individuals forseeking information and meeting their information needs. Therefore, it is necessary to investigateinformation‑seeking anxiety, factors causing it, and methods for addressing and reducingthis type of anxiety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate information‑seeking anxiety inpostgraduate students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: Thisstudy has been conducted using survey method. A total of 265 postgraduate students of IsfahanUniversity of Medical Sciences were selected with the help of stratified random sampling. Datacollection tool was a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The gathered data was analyzedusing descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results indicated that the topic selectionfactor played a more prominent role in creating information seeking anxiety compared to otherfactors. Apart from students of school of medicine, information seeking anxiety was belowaverage among the students. In addition, there was a significant difference between informationseeking anxiety in students from different departments. Finally, female students had higherinformation seeking anxiety compared to male students. Conclusion: Although informationseeking anxiety among students was lower than average in most cases, further reduction ofanxiety could be achieved by facilitating access to information resources and library informationservices and increasing the quality of students’ information literacy through training coursestailored to each discipline are necessary.

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Investigation of educational intervention based on Theory of Planned Behavior on breakfast consumption among middle school students of Qom City in 2012

. Zabihollah Gharlipour; . Mohtasham Ghaffari; . Zahra Hoseini; . Akbar Babaei Heidarabadi; . Elahe Tavassoli; . Mohammad Hozuri; . Shahram Arsang Jang; . Mahnoush Reisi; . Maryam Sahraiyan

Volume 5, Issue 3 , May 2015, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  Background: Eating breakfast is crucial for adolescents to be healthy. It also improvesstudents’ capacity of learning and doing school homework. Although healthy habits such aseating ...  Read More Background: Eating breakfast is crucial for adolescents to be healthy. It also improvesstudents’ capacity of learning and doing school homework. Although healthy habits such aseating breakfast, weight control, and regular sleep increase the lifespan in adults, the effects ofhealthy habits on school‑age children have not been studied much. The present study aimed atinvestigating the impact of an educational program based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)on eating breakfast among middle school students. Materials and Methods: This interventionalstudy was conducted on sixth‑grade students in Qom City during the academic year 2012–2013.First, 97 students were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 97 other studentswere assigned to the control group. Then, a questionnaire was developed on eating breakfastby the researchers according to the TPB. A pilot study was conducted to assess the reliabilityof the questionnaire. To assess the validity of the questionnaire, advice by a panel of expertswas sought. To carry out a pre‑test, both groups answered the questions. After analyzing thepre‑test results, the required content was developed for the experimental group. Educationalmethods included delivering speech, discussion groups, pamphlets, and posters. The requirededucational content was provided for students during five sessions and for parents in one session.To determine the effect of educational intervention, a post‑test study was carried out 2 monthsafter the intervention. Collected data were analyzed using independent t‑test, χ,[2] and repeatedmeasures. Results: In the experimental group, 36.7% of students were eating breakfast at least ina day of a week, before educational intervention. After implementation of the educational program,only 32.7% of them were continuing their past habit. There was a significant difference between themean scores of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, intention, and practice of eating breakfast inthe experimental and control groups (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference betweenthe mean scores of subjective norms afterimplementing the educational program in bothgroups (P < 0.26). Conclusion: Using the TPBimproved students’ intentions and behaviorof eating breakfast. Thus, it seems necessaryto consider all effective environmental factorson the subjective norms in the educationof healthy eating behaviors or improvingbreakfast‑eating practice among students.

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Research self‑efficacy among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

. Hasan Ashrafi‑Rizi; . Nayere Sadat Soleimanzade Najafi; . Zahra Kazempour; . Behjat Taheri

Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2015, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  Introduction: Research self‑efficacy if the people’s judgment of their abilities in order toorganize and conduct meaningful research in different formats. The aim of this study ...  Read More Introduction: Research self‑efficacy if the people’s judgment of their abilities in order toorganize and conduct meaningful research in different formats. The aim of this study is todeterminate the rate of research self‑efficacy among students of Isfahan University of MedicalSciences based on Research Self‑efficacy Scale. Materials and Methods: The method of thisstudy is an applied survey method. Statistical population is all students of Isfahan University ofMedical Sciences and the sample size was calculated to be 361 samples based on Krejcie andMorgan table. Random sampling method was used with equal number of samples from everydepartment. Data collection tool is Salehi et al. questionnaire (with 7 dimensions) with Likertscale (5 grades). Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Psychology and Research Methodexperts and Cronbach’s alpha (r = 0.84) respectively. Data gathering method was direct visit toeach department. The data was then analyzed using t‑test and one‑tailed ANOVA using SPSS 16software. Results: The finding showed that among research self‑efficiency dimensions researchethics dimension had the highest and quality research dimension had the lowest means.Furthermore comparing the research self‑efficacy scores with demographic characteristicssuggests that there is no significant difference between total score of research self‑efficacy ofdifferent departments, genders or educational degrees (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Since the scoreof most of the research self‑efficacy dimensions were, lower than average, holding periodicalworkshops, inclusion of necessary courses in the educational plan, forcing student to performresearch activity such as writing articles in lower educational levels and improvement of researchculture for students with the help of experienced professors are some of practical solutions,which can lead to increasing the motivation of the students for conducting efficient research.

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The effect of preventive educational program in cigarette smoking: Extended Parallel Process Model

. Zabihollah Gharlipour; . Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Hazavehei; . Babak Moein; . Mahin Nazari; . Abbas Moghim Beigi; . Elahe Tavassoli; . Akbar Babaei Heydarabadi; . Mahnoush Reisi; . Hasan Barkati

Volume 5, Issue 1 , February 2015, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  The most important preventive measure is technique to resist against peer pressure. Anyeducational program should design with an emphasis upon theories of behavioral change andbased ...  Read More The most important preventive measure is technique to resist against peer pressure. Anyeducational program should design with an emphasis upon theories of behavioral change andbased on effective educational program. To investigate the interventions through educationalprogram in prevention of cigarette smoking, this paper has used the Extended ParallelProcess Model (EPPM). Materials and Methods: This study is a quasi‑experimental study.Two middle schools were randomly selected from male students in Shiraz. Therefore, werandomly selected 120 students for the experimental group and 120 students for the controlgroup. After diagnostic evaluation, educational interventions on the consequences of smokingand preventive skills were applied. Results: Our results indicated that there was a significantdifference between students in the control and experimental groups in the means of perceivedsusceptibility (P < 0.000, t = 6.84), perceived severity (P < 0.000, t = −11.46), perceivedresponse efficacy (P < 0.000, t = −7.07), perceived self‑efficacy (P < 0.000, t = −11.64),and preventive behavior (P < 0.000, t = −24.36). Conclusions: EPPM along with educatingskills necessary to resist against peer pressure had significant level of efficiency in improvingpreventive behavior of cigarette smoking among adolescents. However, this study recommendsfurther studies on ways of increasing perceived susceptibility in cigarette smoking amongadolescents.

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Investigating the relationship between information literacy and academic performance among students

. Mohammad Reza Soleymani

Volume 4, Issue 4 , August 2014, , Pages 1-4

Abstract

  Background: Nowadays, no student can ever pursue the ends of his studies unless he makesuse of his information literacy skills. To become lifelong learners, they do need these skills.Information ...  Read More Background: Nowadays, no student can ever pursue the ends of his studies unless he makesuse of his information literacy skills. To become lifelong learners, they do need these skills.Information literacy is a set of information needed for searching, retrieval, evaluating, andmaking best use of information. This study uncovers the relationship between informationliteracy and academic performance among students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods: This is a practical study using a survey method. All MA studentsin Isfahan University of Medical Sciences make the statistical population for this study,according to the sample size determined by using Cochran formula 265 samples that wereselected by stratified random sampling. Data collection was through information literacyquestionnaires designed by Davarpanah and Siamak, verified by Library and InformationSciences experts; and finally, gave a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83. To determine academicperformance, the average scores of the students in previous semesters were considered.Results: The information literacy of all other students was significantly higher than mediumexcept for students at Nursing and Nutrition faculties. The students of Management andInformation Sciences faculty had the highest level of information literacy and students ofnutrition faculty were attributed with the least level. There was no significant differencebetween male and female students’ information literacy. We also found out that there wasa significant positive relationship between information literacy and students’ academicperformance in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.Conclusion: Information literacy isone of the most important factors that leads to educational success. As there is a significantpositive relationship between information literacy and students’ academic performance,we should necessarily provide them with relative skills dealing with information literacy toimprove their academic performance.

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The effective factors on library anxiety of students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

. Hasan Ashrafi‑rizi; . Maryam Sadat Sajad; . Sedigheh Rahmani; . Susan Bahrami; . Ahmad Papi

Volume 4, Issue 4 , August 2014, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

  Introduction: The efficient use of libraries can be an important factor in determining theeducational quality of Universities. Therefore, investigation and identification of factors ...  Read More Introduction: The efficient use of libraries can be an important factor in determining theeducational quality of Universities. Therefore, investigation and identification of factors affectinglibrary anxiety becomes increasingly necessary. The purpose of this research is to determine thefactors effecting library anxiety of students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and ShirazUniversity of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This was an applied survey researchusing Bostick’s Library Anxiety questionnaire as data gathering tool. The statistical populationconsisted of all students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University ofMedical Sciences (15011 students) with the sample size of 375 using stratified random sampling.The validity of data gathering tool was confirmed by experts in the library and informationscience and its reliability was determined by Cronbach’s alpha (r = 0.92). Descriptivestatistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t‑testand ANOVA) were used for data analysis using SPSS 18 software. Results: Findings showedthat the mean of library anxiety score was 2.68 and 2.66 for students of Isfahan Universityof Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences respectively which is aboveaverage (2.5). Furthermore, age and gender had no meaningful effect on the library anxietyof students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, but gender had a meaningful effect onlibrary anxiety of students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences while age had no sucheffect. Conclusion: The results showed that the mean of factors effecting library anxiety instudents of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and students of Shiraz University of MedicalSciences is higher than average and therefore not satisfactory and only factors relating to feelingcomfortable in the library is lower than average and somewhat satisfactory.

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The psychometric properties of cellular phone dependency questionnaire in students of Isfahan: A pilot study

. Seyyed Salman Alavi; . Mohammad Reza Maracy; . Fereshte Jannatifard; . Rezvan Ojaghi; . Hossein Rezapour

Volume 4, Issue 3 , June 2014, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

  Background: A number of diagnostic scales or questionnaires have been developed in recentyears, to assess mobile phone dependency. A valid and reliable assessment instrument forcorrespondence ...  Read More Background: A number of diagnostic scales or questionnaires have been developed in recentyears, to assess mobile phone dependency. A valid and reliable assessment instrument forcorrespondence of Iranian culture is essential. The aim of our study is to validate the Iranianversion of the Cell Phone Dependency Questionnaire (CPDQ). Materials and Methods: In thiscross-sectional study, data were collected from 784 students, who were studying in four mainIsfahan Universities. The participants completed the demographic questionnaire, CPDQ,anonymously. To analyze the data we used concurrent validity, factor analysis, internalconsistency, split-half, and test–retest. Results: We extracted three factors including Salience,Overusing of the cell phone, compulsive use of SMS. Cronbach’s alpha of the CPDQ was.88 (Cronbach’s alpha of the factors were 0.85, 0.70, and 0.76,, respectively). Conclusion: TheCPDQ proved to be a reliable questionnaire to assess the extent of problems caused by the‘misuse’ of the cell phone in Iranian society.

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