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Background and Aim:Considering the global spread of the coronavirus and its adverse consequences, adoption of preventive behavior stratgies is a suitable solution to reduce the sequelae by this disease. Considering the effectiveness of the developed parallel process model in changing behavior, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the extended parallel process model on adoption of preventive behavior aginst coronavirus infection in young women. Materials and Methods: This intervention (experimental) study was conducted in 2022. Using a multi-stage sampling method 222 young women were entered into the study. Data were collected using a researcher's questionnaire based on the extended parallel process model. The educational intervention was performed through 4 virtual sessions. Three months after the last session, the participants completed the questionnaire again. Using SPSS software version 26, data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Results: The results of the study showed that after the educational intervention, the mean scores of the model and behavior structures showed a significant difference between the two test and control groups (P

Introduction and purpose: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among females, and one of the influential factors in the course of cervical cancer is the health literacy of patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy and determinants of performing Pap smear tests based on the Protection Motivation Model. Methods: A sectional study was conducted on eligible females visiting the health center in the city of Muchesh, Iran in the year 2022. In total, 216 individuals were selected through a census. Data collection was performed using the Population Information Questionnaire, the Health Literacy Assessment Tool for the urban population of Iran (18-65 years old), and the Structured Questionnaire of Motivational Protection Theory. The collected data were entered into SPSS software (version 22), and analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation. The significance level was considered at P < 0.05. Results: The study results showed that the mean scores of health literacy, reading comprehension, access, perception, evaluation, and decision-making were 84.24 ± 9.30, 18.28 ± 6.30, 78.29 ± 4.30, 65.27 ± 9.31, 21.24 ± 6.31, and 29.25 ± 7.30, respectively. Health literacy had a significant relationship with the perceived severity score, perceived susceptibility score, perceived response efficacy score, perceived self-efficacy score, perceived rewards score, and the overall score (P

Background and Aim: Self-care behaviors and commitment to health responsibility are regarded as measures against Covid-19 disease when there is no widespread access to vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health responsibility and self-care behaviors related to Covid-19 in Kurdistan citizens. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 in Kurdistan province and included 1008 participants above 15 years of age. Using convenient sampling method, people referring to health centers were entered into the study. Online data collection was performed via Whats App or Telegram using Covid-19 Self-Care Behavior and Health Responsibility Questionnaires. Using SPSS software version 22, data analysis was performed by Spearman correlation and chi-square test. Results: The study included 642 women (63.7%) and 366 men (36.3%), with mean age of 38. 6 ± 11.63 years. The correlation between health responsibility and self-care behaviors was positive and significant (p 0.05). A higher proportion of women compared to men were in the category of good health responsibility (60.8% vs. 39.2) and self-care behaviors (67.8% vs. 32.2) (p

Introduction and purpose: Relationship incompatibility is one of the potential risk factors for marital problems. General studies have demonstrated a decrease in couples' marital adjustment regarding infertility. The present study aimed to assess the effect of life skills training on marital adjustment in infertile women referred to the infertility center of Kurdistan province. Methods: In this interventional study, 90 infertile women who were referred to the infertility clinic located in the center of the province for follow-up, diagnosis and treatment were selected through continuous sampling. The data collection tool was the Spanier questionnaire. Data were entered into SPSS software (version 20) and analyzed using statistical tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups before the intervention in the scores of marital satisfaction, solidarity, agreement, expression of love, and adjustment. After the educational intervention, the score of marital satisfaction, solidarity, expression of love, and total adjustment in infertile women in the intervention group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P>0.05). Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in mutual agreement between the two groups (P= 0.29). Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, the necessary training can be designed and implemented to increase the level of marital satisfaction in infertile couples.

Introduction: One of the essential parts of postgraduate education is writing a thesis that has educational and research aspects which is an exclusive experience to students and teachers. The purpose of this study was to explore the teachers chr('39')experiences of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences on the process of writing a dissertation among postgraduate students. Methods: The present study was carried out with a qualitative approach and a qualitative content analysis method in 2019. By using the purposeful sampling method, 12 professors who worked at the Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences and having experience as a supervisor dissertation of postgraduate students have been selected and the semi-structured interviews conducted with them. The interviews recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the content analysis method. Results: From data analysis of experiences of the participants as a supervisor at the dissertation of postgraduate students writing process, four categories of results have been extracted: 1. Student unpreparedness, 2. Not a priority of education, 3. Poor teamwork, and 4. Executive problems. Conclusion: According to the findings, to prepare and more involving students with the process of writing a dissertation, to plan for coordination between different sections, to strengthen the spirit of teamwork, to improve policies and to upgrade the process of writing a dissertation recommended.

Introduction and purpose:The first permanent posterior molars begin to grow at the age of six, and the prevention of dental caries on these teeth assumes critical importance in oral health.‎ The present study aimed to assess the effect of ‎distance education on parentschr('39') behavioral intention regarding the prevention of dental caries on the first permanent molars in preschool children in Sanandaj. Methods: This experimental-interventional study was performed in Sanandaj in 2019. ‎According to statistical calculations, 120 parents of preschool children were selected via cluster-random sampling and assigned to two groups of intervention (n=60) and control (n=60). The data collection tool ‎was a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability‎. The intervention group received distance education. Data were analyzed in ‎SPSS software ( version 20) using chi-square and independent t-tests.‎ Results: Based on the results, no significant difference was observed between demographic variables ‎and constructs before the intervention (P>0.05).Nonetheless, following the educational intervention, a ‎significant difference was observed in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, abstract norms, ‎perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention‎ (P

Purpose- Agro-tourism and the development of farm-based tourism businesses have emerged as a creative and innovative approach to rural tourism, which exploits the potentials and capabilities of agricultural activities as unique opportunities for employment and development and poverty alleviation. The purpose of this study is to identify opportunities and areas for Agro-tourism development in rural areas of Tehran Province. Design/methodology/approach- This is an applied research that adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. The statistical population of the study consisted of the rural areas of Tehran Province, of which 8 towns and three villages from each town were selected as the sample. Data collection was conducted using both library and field survey methods; however, the main focus of the research was on field studies, which involved a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The questionnaires were prepared for three groups of villagers, tourists, and officials separately. The sample size for villagers was determined using Cochran formula (n=261). Also, since the exact number of tourists and officials was not known, the sample size of these two groups was selected using purposive method (n=31 and n=20, respectively). Data were analyzed using descriptive (mean and frequency) and inferential statistical methods (Chi-square test, one-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney test). Findings-The results suggest that government support and infrastructure improvement, the organization of local festivals related to farm products, the participation of tourists in harvesting, the direct presence of tourists in farming, job creation, and promotion of rural income levels are the most factors that influence Agro-tourism development in rural areas of Tehran Province. According to the results, showed all respondents agreed on the positive impact of the studied measures on Agro-tourism development.

Introduction Given the influential role of government actions and policies in the development of rural housing, plans and programs related to housing development, should be approached by holistic approach, In keeping with the villagers' needs, while upgrading the fortification of the houses, preserving the native architecture in terms of the aesthetics and functional diversity of the various rural home spaces. Today's rural housing in the country faces two issues: first, the limited number of rural housing development plans, and second, the high volume of deteriorated housing in the countryside. The province of Kurdistan currently has 121,238 rural housing units, which face numerous weaknesses in terms of quality and quantity. To this end, the present study seeks to answer the following question: How were the social, economic and physical effects of the Special Housing Improvement Project implemented in the rural areas of Kurdistan province? Methodology The present study is an applied one and descriptive-analytical in nature and method. The statistical population of the research is 38,467 renovated rural housing units in the province. Data were collected through library and field study methods. Based on cluster sampling method, three cities of Qorveh, Kamyaran and Sarvabad were selected. Cochran's formula was used to determine the number of samples and 316 individuals were determined. The validity of the questionnaires was assessed by experts and Cronbach's alpha was used to determine its reliability. To analyze the data, one-sample t-test and significance-performance (IPA) technique were used. Results and discussion The results of the t-test on the social dimension of rural housing show that the health component consisting of four propositions has the most desirable t-statistic with a significant level of 0.000 and mean 4.17, has the most favorable t-statistic and housing policies have had positive effects on this component. In order to examine the economic impacts of housing development policies, three components of core livelihoods, energy and fuel, and sectoral mobility, comprising 10 propositions, were used. Findings show that in all three components, the level of significance shows a desirable value (0.000). Concerning the physical dimension of housing, the findings show that the specific housing improvement plan has caused a physical transformation of the structural resistance dimension of housing. It can also be noted that the improved physical security status averaged 3.94. Conclusion Government policies have always influenced rural housing in various dimensions and reflected physical changes in the texture of these settlements. The findings showed that as a result of the implementation of the Special Improvement Plan (SIP), social transformation in rural housing has occurred and the health components have been improved qualitatively. These positive changes can be attributed to the transition from multi-family housing to single-family residence (reducing household density in residential units), the creation of sanitary spaces in the housing (kitchen, toilet and bathroom) and the separation of livestock storage spaces from households. The Special Economic Improvement Plan has had significant impacts, especially in the energy and fuel sectors, as well as on economic mobility and dynamics. But housing development policies have also had adverse effects on the economic dimension, including damage to livelihoods. With the decline in the level of new housing infrastructure, many of the spaces that are complementary to residents' economic activities have been eliminated, and somehow the livelihoods and economic structure of households have fluctuated negatively.

Aims: Change of nutritional style of students and their progress toward fast food consumption is one of the health problems in today's world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of education based on the theory of planned behavior on the decrease of fast food consumption in the students of girls' vocational schools in Sanandaj city, Iran. Material & Methods: This semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and control group, was carried out between 160 students from girls' vocational schools of Sanandaj city. The subjects were selected by the random cluster sampling method and were classified into the two groups of control and intervention (N=80). The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts of demographic information and the structures of planned behavior theory. The educational methods for the intervention group were lecture, question and answer, video play, and use of books and brochures which was implemented in the 3 one-hour sessions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software through Chi-square and independent T-test. Findings: After the intervention, the mean of all studied structures in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p

Bacground and Aim: Frequency rates of many non communicable diseases can be reduced by changing lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the status of lifestyle indices in relation to nutrition, physical activity and body mass index in middle-aged people referring to health centers in Kurdistan Province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5022 middle-aged (30-59 years old) in 2016. Sampling method was census. Demographic data about nutritional status, physical activity and body mass index were obtained from the apple system. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent T-test and chi-square test. Results: 5022 participants with equal sex ratio and a mean age of 41.8 ± 12.46 years were entered into the study. In our study men had more physical activity during walking and working than women (p

Bacground and Aim: Frequency rates of many non communicable diseases can be reduced by changing lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the status of lifestyle indices in relation to nutrition, physical activity and body mass index in middle-aged people referring to health centers in Kurdistan Province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5022 middle-aged (30-59 years old) in 2016. Sampling method was census. Demographic data about nutritional status, physical activity and body mass index were obtained from the apple system. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent T-test and chi-square test. Results: 5022 participants with equal sex ratio and a mean age of 41.8 ± 12.46 years were entered into the study. In our study men had more physical activity during walking and working than women (p

Background and objective: Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women. Although Pap smear test is an effective screening program, it is not conducted very frequently. This study aimed to recognize the determinants affecting women's participation in Pap smear test screening, with a qualitative approach, based on the health belief model (HBM). Materials and methods: This was a qualitative research, based on thematic analysis, conducted in 2015. Participants were 30 rural women who participated in this study voluntarily in Sarvabad County in Kurdestan Province in Iran. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants and sampling continued until data saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Based on participants’ perception, more of the women believed that they were not at risk for cervical cancer; however, they perceived the severity of the disease. Some of them did not have an adequate understanding of the test benefits. They pointed to financial difficulties, fear of test result and lack of awareness are the main barriers in taking Pap smear test. Conclusion: Several factors affect women's participation in screening and Pap smear test. These factors include the components of social, economic, cultural, attitudes, individual beliefs, lack of awareness, fear, etc. Findings of this study could help health administers and planners in designing and implementing interventional programs such as theory-based educational programs, face-to-face educational classes, expert advice and speech of clergy people and influential community people to increase women’s participation in Pap smear test screening program. Paper Type: Research Article.

The presence of trace amounts of phosphorus in treated wastewaters from municipalities and industries results in eutrophication.Therefore, its removal is crucial for controlling eutrophication in receiving water. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phosphor adsorption from aqueous solution using single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as a sorbent. The batch experiments were performed at laboratory scale. The SWCNT was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of operational parameters such as adsorbent dosage, pH, and initial phosphor concentration on initial phosphor removal were evaluated. The isotherm and kinetics of phosphor adsorption were determined. The results showed that phosphor removal was directly proportional with increase in adsorbent dosage and it was reversely proportional with increase in initial phosphorous concentration. Therefore, with adsorbent dosage increased from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/l, the percentage of removal increased from 83.0 to 92.5%. Moreover, the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order kinetic, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data. The experimental data fitted well with pseudo-second order kinetic model. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin adsorption models. It was found that the adsorption isotherm was correlated reasonably well with Freundlich isotherm. The high adsorption capacity of SWCNT indicates that this adsorbent might be a suitable alternative to remove pollutants from aqueous media. It is concluded that the SWCNTs have a high potential for phosphor adsorption and can be used as an effective adsorption for removal of phosphor form effluents.