Journal of Community Health Research
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Jan-Mar 2023

Studies from developing countries, suggest that exposure to smoke from household fuels like wood, animal dung, and kerosene used for domestic cooking, may be a risk factor for airway diseases among women. This study aims to find the effect of household fuel smoke among them through clinical profile and pulmonary function test.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in respiratory medicine outpatient department of Sir T Hospital in Government Medical College, Bhavnagar. Female participants were interviewed with pretested semi-structured questionnaires. They included respiratory symptoms, housing condition, kitchen environment, type of household fuels, habits and history of passive smoking, the number of hours per day and the number of years spent for cooking (biomass exposure index). Chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests like spirometry and diffusion capacity of lungs were performed. Through purposive sampling, 100 female participants were included in the study, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 versions   and Chi-square test.

The total number of participants was 100 with a mean age of 46.89±12. Three out of 10 had a history of passive smoking. Most of the patients suffered from dyspnea (84%) and cough (76%) as the main symptoms. Nearly half (43%) of them had a runny nose. 30% were passive smokers and 70% were nonsmokers. The patients’ cough and expectoration had a significant association with forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) > 70 (P = 0.02). The study suggested that with aging, the odds for Fev1/FVC becoming <70 (OR: 4.24; 95% CI: 1.14-15.72, p = 0.03) goes higher. The patients who had a history of exposure to smoking had higher odds of having FEV1/FVC<70 (OR: 4.000; CI: 1.4851 to 10.7739, p = 0.006).

The findings suggest that clinical symptoms like dyspnea and cough are significant when there is exposure to household fuels like kerosene, animal dung and wood usage. Smoke emitted from such fuels play an important role in deterioration of lung functions. Efforts should be made to create awareness regarding household fuel smoke effect on health and reduction of their use.

Spread of COVID-19 worldwide created anxiety, stress. In the meantime, healthcare workers have been suffering from significant psychological distress due to providing direct care to the patient, side injuries and quarantine. The present research aims to investigate and identify the factors involved in reduction of psychological effects of COVID-19 by interpretive structural modeling.

This study was a mixed study (quantitative and qualitative). The study population included doctors, supervisors and nurses of the clinical departments of Khatam-ul-AnbiyaAbarkoh Hospital in Yazd. The participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. In the qualitative part of the research, mainly library studies and expert opinions were used. In the quantitative part of the research, the structural self-interaction matrix was used. The final analysis was performed by MATLAB2018.

The results show that the most psychological effects of Covid-19 are related to "appropriate measures to reduce the disease such as environmental ventilation" and "financial support of personnel" and "sufficient provision of personal protective equipment" and "dedicated sufficient manpower to the involved departments" (with a power of 8). And the lowest influence is related to "continuous training of stress management and constant presence of a psychologist" (with an influence of influence 5)

The basic factors in the research model include continuous stress management training, the presence of a psychologist, and inspection of infected areas. By the management team and providing adequate personal protective equipment.

Stress of managers and employees of the organization reflected in the efficiency of the organization. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between job fit and stress, and organizational performance of Yasouj Health Center Personnel in the west of Iran.

This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in Yasouj in the west of Iran in 2020.  The sample consisted of 196 managers, experts and staff in health centers of Yasouj who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The instrument used in this study was job Fit, job stress, and organizational performance questionnaires. Pearson correlation coefficient test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze data by SPSS 20 and a significance level of less than 0.05.

There was a direct and significant relationship between job fit, personality and job stress and organizational performance (r = 0.633 and P-value = 0.00) (r = 0.612 and P-value = 0.00); there was a significant relationship between job fit and job stress (r = 0.881 and P-value = 0.00). Moreover, all components of job fit and job stress were able to predict organizational performance (p < 0.05). The variables of job stress and job fit had an effect on the organizational performance of the employees.

Considering the strong and positive relationship between job fit and stress and organizational performance, the results of the study can be used in management planning for job suitability and reducing the stress of employees, and improving their performance.

Statistical indicators are essential parts of research in many scientific fields such as health and treatment. These indicators play a major role in the evaluation of many health indicators in the general population and can help predict future issues. Statistical indicators are needed to evaluate performance of the tests. Two of the primary indicators are sensitivity and specificity, and other indices are obtained from them. In this tutorial study, evaluation indicators of statistical performance such as false negative rate (FNR), false positive rate (FPR), false discovery rate (FDR), false omission rate (FOR), bookmaker informedness (BM), markedness (MK), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), prevalence threshold (PT), threat score (TS), prevalence (P), Fowlkes-mallows (FM), Phi-coefficient or Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) and F1 score have been reviewed.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected countries all over the world. Assessment of risk perception and scaling up appropriate behavioral practices are of utmost importance for its prevention and control. The objectives of this study were identifying risk perception, behavioral changes and perceived impact as a result of COVID-19 and its associated factors among general population.

A cross-sectional study was done during the first wave of COVID-19 among general population in Tamil Nadu, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared in Google forms and circulated using WhatsApp during April and June 2020. The sample size was calculated at 384. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0. Association between the variables was analyzed using Chi-square test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. 

Mean age was 38.4 ±13.8, and 52.1% of the participants were females. Almost 2/3rdhad perceived risk of catching COVID-19, which was more among respondents aged 20-39 and residing in urban area. Among the behavior change measures, wearing mask in public places was practiced by 95%, followed by hand washing (90.4%) and social distancing (80%). More than 50% had some form of psychological stress that included inability to perform their daily routines, anxiously browsing media for information about COVID-19, not going to work .etc.

General public staying in rural areas have not completed secondary school education, and the elderly have to be targeted to provide appropriate information about COVID-19 and its preventive measures.

Millions of people's lives, as well as their physical and mental health, were put in jeopardy when COVID-19 emerged. The pandemic resulted in a high death rate. Health protocols prevented the bereaved from attending the funeral. As a result, many people faced unfinished mourning. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the meaning of mourning and the strategies used by bereaved spouses

The research method was qualitative and based on descriptive phenomenological strategy. Among the bereaved people who met the criteria to enter the research, 15 people were selected using the   purposeful sampling method and using semi-structured interviews until saturation was reached. The data were coded using the Colaizi method and finally the results were analyzed using the MAXQDA software.

After extracting the research findings in the form of 460 concepts, 27subcategories, and 9 main categories, they were represented as an educational package. Major themes were the obligation to hold mourning, social feedback from others, gradual healing, the experience of widowhood, existential emptiness, psychological collapse, the progressive repercussions of widowhood, and comprehensive self-talk about complicated pathological
effects of death and mourning

Considering Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the lack of mourning for the loss of a spouse, health care practitioners must address these women's psychological and social needs. Thus, knowing these problems can assist health care workers and bereaved women's families in minimizing the psychological challenges of acute sorrow.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seeking prompt and appropriate healthcare could reduce child deaths by nearly 30%.  In this background, the present study was conducted to 1. assess the health services utilization for diarrhoea and ARI (acute respiratory infections) among under-5 children in South Bengaluru, 2. determine the factors influencing mothers for utilization of health services.

Authors conducted a cross-sectional study in 10 randomly selected wards of South Bengaluru from July, 2019 to January, 2020 using multistage sampling. 432 mothers with under-5 children were interviewed regarding morbidities of their children in the previous one month and the health services they utilised, using a semi-structured questionnaire derived from multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) by UNICEF. Data were analysed using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

95 of the participants had illnesses in the past one month; but, only 41 had used health facilities for treatment, mainly in the private sector (68.3%). The reasons for non-utilization of healthcare services were negligence (36.9%), long waiting time at the center (22.4%), financial constraints (20.4%) and mothers’ jobs (9.6%). The most significant factors influencing the health services utilisation were: literacy status of the mother (predisposing factor), low socio-economic status/ BPL (below poverty line) families (enabling factor), and severity of symptoms (need factor).

Utilisation of healthcare services for under-five morbidities in the studied population was inadequate. The influencing factors have to be addressed on a priority basis to fulfil the goal of universal health coverage.

This study aims to model structural relationships of schema with the readiness of addiction with the mediation variables stress coping strategies and cognitive regulation of emotion in addicts with drug rehabilitation.

This study is analytical-cross-sectional The sample consisted of 300 addicts with drug rehabilitation (18-55 years old) from 4 addiction treatment centers in 1401 in Amol city were selected based on stratified random sampling method. The questionnaire used in this study was Schema, Readiness of Addiction, stress coping strategies and cognitive regulation of emotion questionnaires. Analysis of data was performed based on the structural equations modeling in the software Amos 22. Sobel's test was used to examine mediating variables.

Findings showed that the schema affects the readiness for addiction with the mediation variables stress coping strategies and cognitive regulation of emotion in addicts with drug rehabilitation. The schema had a direct relationship with stress coping strategies in addicts with drug rehabilitation. It had a direct relationship with cognitive emotion regulation in addicts with drug rehabilitation. Cognitive emotion regulation had a direct relationship with susceptibility to addiction in drug addicts with drug rehabilitation. Stress coping strategies had a direct relationship with susceptibility for addiction in drug addicts with drug rehabilitation.

Considering the predictive power of the variables, the results can be used in interventions and trainings in addiction treatment clinics.

The present study aims to use structural model in explaining the effect of unconditional self-acceptance, the quality of thematic relationships, and the hope for employment regarding the life quality of blind and visually impaired students based on the mediating role of the sense of agency.

This study used descriptive research method of correlation type, which was carried out by structural equations. Moreover, this project was practical in terms of purpose. The statistical population of the current research included all the 12 to 35 blind and partially sighted people who were members of the Blind Association of Khuzestan province in 2022 with, university education (associate to doctorate). Targeted face sampling was used, and research tools included the following questionnaires: Life Quality of the Blind and Visually Impaired (2000), Unconditional Self-Acceptance (2001), the Quality of Subjective Relationships (1985), the Employment Hope (2007) and the Sense of Agency for People with Visual Impairments (2007). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM).

The sum of squared multiple correlations (R2) for quality of life was equal to 0.58 (P = 0.001, β = 0.358). Accordingly, it can be said that the sense of agency mediates the effect of quality of the subject relationships regarding life quality of the blind graduates in a negative way, and the effect of hope for employment (β = 0.303, P = 0.001) and unconditional acceptance (β = 0.254, P = 0.001) on their life quality in a positive and meaningful way.

Hope for employment and self-acceptance and the quality of local relationships as well as the sense of agency affect the life quality of blind and visually impaired people, and psychologists and people who are in contact with them.

Internet addiction can affect students' general health. Regarding to the importance of healthy eating and the impact on health and academic achievement of students. This research was conducted to aim the assessment of relationship between internet addiction and dietary behavior among students.

In this an analytical cross-sectional study, 373 nursing and midwifery students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences participated in 2020. Data were collected by Young's Internet Addiction Scale, demographic data and Dietary Behavior questionnaire. Data analyzed by SPSS V.21 and descriptive indicators including frequency, percentage, and inferential tests including chi-square test. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.

The majority of the student population had no internet addiction by 91.4%. Also, 8.3% and 0.3% from student population were potential risk and high risk respectively. There was a statistical significant correlation between levels of internet addiction and dietary behavior in high-fat diets (r = 0.483, P = 0.004), snacking (r = 0.455, P > 0.001), emotional eating behavior (r = 0.543, P > 0.001) and poor dietary pattern (r = 0.632; P < 0.001).

It is suggested to improve students' beneficial use of the internet with training and improve their dietary behavior.

Healthcare workers caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at high risk of contracting the infection. This study is designated in imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, which is the largest hospital in east Iran, to determine COVID-19 cases characteristics among healthcare workers (HCWs).

In this descriptive, cross-sectional, single-center study in Imam Reza hospital in Iran, we enrolled confirmed healthcare workers with COVID-19 who worked at the forefront to fight against COVID-19 since its outbreak 2020. Demographic characteristics and work status and disease symptoms were studied in the affected personnel. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. The chi square test was used to investigate the relationship between the variables.

In total, out of 2195 people working in the two departments, 154 (7.01%) had coronary heart disease. most of HCWs who were infected to covid19 were nurse (60%) and women (65%) and the lowest has been observed in para clinical staff (1%). There was no significant difference between the use of personal protective equipment and disease in the general department (GD) and high-risk department (HRD). It was indicated that the HRD group had a higher risk of developing COVID-19 compared with the GD group. Common symptoms were Sweating (91.1%), fever (84.93%), Cough (79.31%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (78.77%).

Results have found that Sweating and fever are common in HCWs with COVID-19. Also HCWs worked in HRD had a higher risk of COVID-19. However, further large sample studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Finding meaning in life reduces stress and increases life expectancy in human beings. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of women recovered from breast cancer and the meaning of their lives.

This qualitative study was performed on cured women with breast cancer, who referred to Yazd cancer medical centers in January and February, 2021. Eleven women with breast cancer who have been healthy for at least 5 years were interviewed based on theoretical saturation, and purposeful, in-depth and semi-structured talks. Due to COVID-19 condition, all interviews were done by telephone the interviews were analyzed using the Colaizzi's method of data analysis.

Data analysis led to the emergence of a main theme called individual and social development and four sub-themes including spiritual perfection, oneness, individual well-being and social growth. The patients saw cancer as an opportunity to reflect their own values and goals and to correct them in order to draw themselves closer to spirituality and to love other beings.

Achieving perfection, personal growth, striving for well-being and social interest play a significant role in life experiences of women recovered from cancer. Findings of this study can be used as a conceptual basis for designing meaningful teaching intervention models for patients who have recently been diagnosed with cancer.

The present study was conducted to develop and validate the Persian version of the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire (VEQ).

The statistical population of the analytical cross-sectional    research was the students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2022, selected using two-stage cluster random sampling.  Confirmatory factor analysis was used to fit the measurement model and factors obtained from exploratory factor analysis.The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and its validity was evaluated using face validity, content validity, and construct validity.The SPSS software version 24 and AMOS software version 24 were used for data analysis.

Descriptive findings showed that 310 questionnaires were completed (mean age: 21.94 ± 3.03 years).CVR, CVI, and impact score were calculated for each question. After calculating the CVR coefficients, all questions had a CVR above 0.99. All questions had a CVI above 0.79. In quantitative face validity, all questions had an impact score of ≥ 1.5 and therefore remained in the questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis led to the extraction of five factors and the model had a good fit and the values and parameters of the model were statistically significant (χ2/df: 2.15, CFI: 0.915, TLI: 0.884 RMSEA: 0.07). The results showed that the overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient calculated for the tool and its factors were acceptable (0.894). Also, the stability of the questionnaire with a 2-week interval showed satisfactory results (overall ICC: 0.576

  The results confirmed the measurement model and showed that the obtained factors had a favorable fit as the original version.

Childhood hypertension can have serious consequences for children, especially during their adulthood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its related factors in children aged 7 to 12 years in Larestan (Iran).

In this cross-sectional study, 1110 students from 7 to 12 years old in Larestan were enrolled in the study using cluster sampling. In order to collect educational data, 10 girls' primary schools and 10 boys' primary schools were randomly selected from all the girls' and boys' primary schools. Then, considering that each school has different number of students, 55 students of each school were randomly selected. Students' blood pressure was measured as standard. Their personal information was also recorded in a checklist. A checklist containing demographic information, factors and variables that affect the prevalence of hypertension in children aged 7 to 12 years was used. To collect information, a checklist was used that included demographic information such as age, gender, and place of residence. Also, in order to identify factors and variables effective in the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), tools such as sphygmomanometer and other risk factors including obesity, type of diet, physical activities, and body mass index (BMI) were used.

The mean age of girls was 9.11 ± 1.53 and boys were 9.19 ± 1.52, which did not differ significantly from the statistical point of view. The prevalence of pre hypertension was 6.03% (95% CI: 4.71-7.60) and the prevalence of hypertension was 4.14% (95% CI: 3.05-5.49). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure has direct relation with height and weight of children. Diastolic blood pressure also had a higher prevalence in girls (P < 0.001).

Overweight and obesity as a moderate aggressive factor were significantly associated with blood pressure. Also, the prevalence of HBP in children was significant, and it is necessary to pay attention to it in childhood. Moreover, hypertension cases should be identified and treatment should start faster for the affected person to prevent the adverse consequences in the future.

Traditionally, women assume the sole responsibility of improving child health. The patriarchal nature of the African society gives men more socioeconomic power and control at home, making the importance of investigating male involvement in child-care practices a priority. This study explored the opinions of community dwelling fathers on male involvement in child-care practices.

A community-based study was carried out among fifty-nine married men aged 21-49 years in Sepeteri, Saki East LGA, Oyo State. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted using a FGD guide. We explored the knowledge of childcare practices, men’s roles in childcare and readiness to partake in childcare practices among the participants. The resulting data were analyzed thematically, using direct manual content analysis.

Eight FGDs were conducted among 56 married men, 50 of the respondents believed that mothers are responsible for taking care of the children while men have to provide money and shelter for the family. Willingness to participate in childcare practices was low due to some societal perceptions around male involvement in such activities. However, a few respondents agreed to secretly helping out with household chores.

Male involvement in childcare practices was observed to be poor among the study group. To optimize child health and welfare in our society, there is a need for health education and health promoting-interventions that will enable men participate in childcare practices.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is a community-based program in India for the betterment of health and nutrition of children aged 0-6, pregnant and lactating mothers, and women aged 15-44 years. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of the utilization of services and the level of satisfaction of mothers regarding the services provided to their children in a block of West Bengal, India.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to November 2018, and simple random sampling was used to select ICDS centres. The centres’ were evaluated for determining the rate of utilization of the services. For evaluating satisfaction, a face and content-validated, pre-tested questionnaire was used. The first part of questionnaire was for collecting the socio-demographic profile of mothers. The second part was concerned about determining satisfaction regarding various services provided by centers to children below 6 years of age on a 5-point Likert scale. About 10% of children enrolled in each ICDS centre were selected, and their mothers were surveyed for satisfaction regarding supplementary nutrition services, informal education, immunization, and other health-related services and infrastructures. The data were expressed in number and percentages and the test of association between categorical variables was done using a chi-square test. The GraphPad Prism 6.01 (GraphPad Software, USA) was used for statistical test.

Among the surveyed 62 ICDS centres, service utilization rates were 98.04% for immunization, 90.56% for supplementary nutrition, 82.52% for informal education, 40.27% for health check-ups, and 13.32% for referral services regarding different health problems. A total of 89.63% of the mothers were satisfied with the supplementary nutrition, 83.46% with immunization and health-related services, 77.42% with informal education, and 56.5% with infrastructures.

Using supplementary nutrition and informal education exceeded expectations, but immunization, other health-related services, and referral services need improvement to achieve the program's goal. ICDS center infrastructure needs improvement, and a holistic approach is necessary to meet the satisfaction of mothers regarding different services.

In the face of stressful situations, people can be helped with purposive exercises that enhance cognitive functions but don’t reduce social performances. The present study seeks to examine the effects of mindfulness exercises on the psychological health indices of active and inactive girl students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on three major indicators of psychological health including attention, concentration, and stress.

To this end, 80 girl students ranging from 15 to 18 years of age were selected from some schools in the city of Yazd, Iran. The selection was based on the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). In the pre-test phase, the students filled out a questionnaire about concentration and a stress questionnaire (DASS-21). They were then randomly classified into experimental active, experimental inactive, active control, and inactive control groups. The test groups attended 45-minute mindfulness training sesseions once a week for four weeks, while the control groups did their life routines. At the end of the last training session, the students took a post-test, and the results were recorded. The data were analyzed through repeated measures multivariate ANOVA in the SPSS software version 26.

The mindfulness exercises could significantly affect the active and inactive students’ attention, concentration, and stress (p < 0.05). Also, a comparison of the groups showed that the attendants in the test groups outperformed those in the control groups (p < 0.05).

Based on the findings, mindfulness trainings seem to be useful to improve girl students’ psychological health indices.

General practitioners (GPs) are the primary examiners of patients suspected of oral cavity cancer. The present study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of general practitioners regarding oral cancer in Tehran.

A 17-item questionnaire was applied to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of general practitioners in this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, in 2019. The questionnaires were completed by 154 GPs participating in different medical congresses. Data were analyzed with a linear regression model using SPSS-25. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Of 154 GPs, 44.8% were female   with a mean age of 44.5 ± 13.3, mean clinical experience of 14.6 ± 11.6 years, and mean time of 16.9 ± 12.1 years elapsed from graduation. Age, sex, and marital status had no significant association with knowledge, attitude, and practice; however, the time elapsed from graduation had a significant indirect association with knowledge (p = 0.04), and mean clinical experience had a significant direct association with attitude towards oral cancer (p = 0.04).

Educational interventions are required to improve the GPs’ knowledge and practice to improve the early diagnosis and prevention of oral cancer.

India's industries produce nearly 9,000,000 metric tons of disposable plastic annually. Government of Puducherry implemented a ban on single-use plastics from 1st August 2019. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) levels concerning the use and legislation of single-use plastics among rural Puducherry's community residents.

A 6-month community-based observational study was conducted in rural Puducherry using multistage random sampling among 450 households. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to an adult member (aged > 18 years) in each household before and after the plastic ban. Data collection utilized the Epi-collect 5 application, and SPSS v16 was used for statistical analysis, employing paired t-test and chi-square test (p-value < 0.05)

Mean age of study participants was 39.64 (13.23) years, nearly 57% of them were female.  Before ban, 80.4% of the subjects were carrying their shopping contents using plastic bags provided by the seller in the rural area, whereas after ban implementation, it has reduced to 16.4%. Mean KAP score before ban was 8 +2.8 (95% CI: 7.7-8.2) and after ban, it increased to 15.2 +1.8 (95% CI: 15-15.4). The pre- and post-ban KAP scores differences were found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). The perception of the law banning the use of plastic bags was found to be significantly higher in younger age group, female gender, and groups with higher educational and occupational status (p = 0.01)

The study results will be useful for planning future needs and Information, Education Communication strategies for effective implementation and plastic use reduction in future.