Health Education and Health Promotion

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a blended educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) about COVID-19 on teachers' preventive behavior.
Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on female teachers in four districts affiliated with Education Organization Karaj Iran. Then, one of these two districts was assigned to the intervention group (n=70) and the other to the control group (n=70) by the lottery method. The educational intervention was conducted via three online platforms. Our intervention was named BEHTA. It included a specifically designed website, holding virtual and group discussion classes, and using a popular social network messenger.
Findings: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups before training (p>0.05) but immediately and 12 weeks after training, the two groups had a statistically significant difference in all constructs (p<0.05). In the control group, the mean score of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy did not differ significantly (p>0.05), but the mean score of behavior decreased (p=0.027).
Conclusion: The educational intervention improves all constructs regarding COVID-19 in the intervention group.

Abstract The phenomenon of infodemic, characterized by the rapid dissemination of misinformation, disinformation, and misconceptions, poses significant threats to public health, social cohesion, and trust in institutions. This letter explores the role of metaphors in contributing to misconceptions and provides insights into effective infodemic management strategies. Metaphors, while powerful tools for simplification and understanding, can unintentionally perpetuate misconceptions. In an infodemic context, carefully crafted metaphors can be harnessed to combat misinformation, but caution must be exercised to avoid reinforcing misconceptions or oversimplifying complex topics. In conclusion, effective infodemic management necessitates leveraging metaphors thoughtfully and engaging experts from diverse fields. By implementing evidence-based strategies and integrating AI responsibly, society can better combat misinformation and promote accurate understanding during an infodemic.

Abstract Aims: In Iran and many countries of the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. This qualitative study aimed to explain the effects of physical and psychological changes following breast cancer and its treatments on the sexual function and sexual relationships of survivors.
Participants & Methods: A qualitative study based on Woods' sexuality theory was conducted from October 2019 to May 2020. Participants included married female breast cancer survivors (aged 20-49) with stage one to three breast cancer who had undergone primary treatment. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews with 17 patients and an oncology nurse in a teaching hospital affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Sampling continued until theoretical data saturation happened. Data analysis was done by Maxqda 10 software.
Findings: Sexual function in women surviving breast cancer included four categories: sexual desire and arousal, orgasm, sexual pain, and the sexual function of spouses. Sexual relationship included two categories: relations and intimacy with spouses; and satisfaction with relations with spouses.
Conclusion: Breast cancer and its treatments generally affect sexual function and relationships and, as a result, the sexual health of the survivors.

Abstract Aims: Sexual satisfaction is one of the aspects of sexual health that is vital in maintaining the couple's relationship and their quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the factors predicting sexual satisfaction based on the IMB model among Iranian men.
Instrument & Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. A number of 362 men living in Sanandaj, Iran, with a marriage age of fewer than 5 years were systematically included in the study. Data collection tools were Larson sexual satisfaction questionnaire, sexual health questionnaire based on information-motivation-behavioral skills model constructs, and men's sexual function questionnaire. Data analysis was performed at a significant level of 0.05 and with SPSS 20 software.
Findings: The results indicate that 1.4% of participants have no sexual satisfaction at all, 43.1% have poor sexual satisfaction, 53.9% have moderate sexual satisfaction and 1.7% have high sexual satisfaction. The regression model showed that the level of education, information, and motivation of the IMB model were predictors of sexual satisfaction with a 13% variance (F=19.48, p=0.001, r=0.13, R²=0.37).
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that sexual dissatisfaction is related to the level of education, information, and motivation of men about sexual issues.

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to design and psychometric a tool for measuring the knowledge, beliefs, and behavior of teachers regarding COVID-19 preventive behaviors.
Instrument & Methods: The goal was to create a tool that may be used to create an educational intervention that promotes preventive behaviors. A 60-item scale regarding COVID-19 preventive behaviors was developed upon literature review. Then, face and content validity were evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods, through the involvement of the participants and expert panel. The internal consistency and reliability were assessed and approved using Cronbach's alpha index and test-retest.
Findings: The face and content validity of the primarily developed scale was confirmed by item impacts of 1.5, 0.49 CVR, and 0.79 CVI, and the number of items dropped to 60. The reliability of the instrument was approved by Cronbach's alpha of 0.67 to 0.95 and a correlation coefficient of 0.65 to 0.93.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the scale that was developed using the constructs of the HBM for COVID-19 preventive behaviors among teachers had appropriate validity and reliability.

Abstract Aims: A pregnant woman’s nutrition is the main source for fetal development that affects both her and the fetus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of educational intervention on appropriate pregnancy weight gain in first-time pregnant women.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 86 first-time pregnant women who attended eight urban health centers in Khorram Darreh, Zanjan, Iran in 2018-2019. The subjects were selected by stratified sampling method and randomly divided into intervention (N=43) and control (N=43) groups. Before intervention, maternal body mass index was measured and the NUTRIKAP questionnaire was used on both groups. The education was provided by a trained nutritionist in three hour-long sessions in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. The posttest was done immediately after training. At the end of the third trimester, the weight of the pregnant women was measured in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using independent T, Chi-Square, and Univariate ANCOVA tests.
Findings: By controlling the pre-test effect, after the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (p=0.019) and practice (p<0.001) were significantly different between intervention and control groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of attitude variable (p=0.311). The two groups had a statistically significant difference in weight gain during pregnancy (p<0.015).
Conclusion: The educational intervention is effective on appropriate pregnancy weight gain in first-time pregnant women.