Health Education and Health Promotion

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and the university-to-work transition among graduates of the School of Health.
Instrument & Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 227 graduates of the School of Public Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, in the fields of public health, environmental health engineering, occupational health engineering, and health services management over three consecutive years (2023-2025). Data were collected via an online questionnaire developed using the Porsline platform, including demographic and educational parameters, the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and University-To-Work Transition Scale. Analyses were performed using independent t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, ANOVA, and multivariate regression in SPSS version 25.
Findings: The mean age of the students was 22.89±1.04 years; 75.4% were female, 24.6% were male, and 45.6% were relatively satisfied with their field of study. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between university-to-work transition and the four transition competencies—concern (r=0.77, p=0.0001), curiosity (r=0.80, p=0.0001), confidence (r=0.74, p=0.0001), and control (r=0.75, p=0.0001)—as well as perceived social support from significant others (r=0.13, p=0.037). Multiple regression indicated that field of study, satisfaction with the field, family financial status, and perceived support from significant others accounted for 15% of the variance in university-to-work transition.
Conclusion: Strengthening transition competencies and social support, along with field alignment and finances, can improve graduates’ readiness for the university-to-work transition and their employment outcomes.

Abstract Aims: Promoting healthy lifestyles among students is crucial, as they can facilitate health education within families and communities. This study aimed to assess health-promoting lifestyles among dormitory-residing students at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences.
Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 348 dormitory-resident students at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, selected via multistage sampling. Data on demographics and health-promoting behaviors were collected using a validated 49-item Persian HPLP-II questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22, which included descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA.
Findings: Of the 348 dormitory-residing students (mean age 22.42±2.32 years; 34.8% male), the mean health-promoting lifestyle score was 135.82±19.35. Females exhibited significantly higher total and subscale scores than males (p<0.05). Employed students scored higher in total, health responsibility, physical activity, and nutrition (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed based on educational level, mother’s education, father’s occupation, and family income (p<0.05), with lower scores generally associated with lower socioeconomic factors. No differences were found by marital status (except for health responsibility), semester, field of study, or mother’s occupation.
Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors, including gender, employment, educational level, mother’s education, father’s occupation, and family income play a significant role in health-promoting lifestyles.

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to investigate the role of health literacy and the health action process approach in predicting the adoption of breast cancer screening behaviors among Iranian women.
Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted on 350 women aged 30 to 69 years who were served by comprehensive health centers in the city of Alborz, Qazvin Province, Iran, selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tools included a demographic information form, questionnaires related to the constructs of the health action process approach, and a short version of the Health Literacy Measurement Scale for Iranian Adults. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 25 software using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for assessing data normality, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), and multiple regression analysis to predict screening behavior.
Findings: The mean age of the participating women was 44.73±10.22 years. The average health literacy score was 29.54, indicating a low level of health literacy. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between health literacy and the performance of breast screening tests, such that women with higher education levels, spouses with higher education, a history of mammography and breast self-examination, better financial status, employment, and health insurance coverage had higher health literacy. The constructs of perceived risk, perceived barriers, and coping planning explained 24% of the variance in screening behavior.
Conclusion: The health action process approach enhances women’s participation in breast cancer screening.

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga on the sexual function and sexual quality of life of women after vaginal delivery.
Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 36 women who were 8-10 weeks postpartum, recruited from a health center in Isfahan, Iran, from January 2020 to March 2021. The women were randomly assigned to two groups with a block size of four, including the intervention group that practiced sexual yoga techniques and the control group that received information on postpartum recovery and lactation. Both groups completed the Sexual Quality of Life-Female Questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index before the intervention, as well as one month, two months, and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by R software using the independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, Friedman’s test, and the Chi-square test.
Findings: The mean total score for sexual function three months after the intervention in the intervention group showed a significant improvement compared to before the intervention (20.52±7.86 vs. 29.56±3.53, t_{(34, 0.975)}, p<0.001). Additionally, the sexual quality of life in the intervention group significantly improved after three months of intervention compared to the control group (99.94±10.62 vs. 76.83±20.23, t_{(34, 0.975)}, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Yoga practices enhance the sexual function and sexual quality of life of women following vaginal delivery.

Abstract Aims: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological disorder affecting a person directly or indirectly that may appear as a threat to physical security, death or death threat, natural disasters, war, etc. The purpose of this study was to assess post-traumatic stress disorder in Iranian healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19.
Instrument & Methods: The present study was conducted cross-sectional and online, from 5 May to 23 August 2020, on 418 Iranian healthcare workers, including (physicians, nurse & laboratory technicians, health workers, administrative staff, and radiologists). Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire through the Porsline site by convenience sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA in SPSS 16 software.
Findings: Most participants in the study (40.4%) were in the age group of 30 to 39 years. Out of 286 individuals who had reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, the majority were women (73.1%) and married (71.3%). Among the healthcare workers with post-traumatic stress disorder, 16% had mild, 14.8% had moderate, 37.6% had severe symptoms, and 31.6% were asymptomatic. Post-traumatic stress disorder had a statistically significant relationship to gender, type of employment, smoking, a history of specific diseases, the probability of coronavirus exposure, and a history of contact with a COVID-19 patient (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Two-thirds of healthcare workers had some degree of post-traumatic stress disorder. Due to the professional and vital importance and role of this group in health systems and communities, providing appropriate psychological solutions and techniques and tailored interventions to promote the physical and mental health of healthcare workers must be considered in priority.

Abstract Aims: With age, a person faces many threats, such as developing chronic diseases. Health literacy plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy and multi-infection based on gender differences in the elderly.
Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on the elderly population over 60 years in Comprehensive Health Center and Health Post at Malekan City, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, in 2018. Four hundred eighty-seven people were sampled by the stratified random sampling method. Demographic and standard health literacy questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, chi-square, and linear regression model by SPSS 26 software.
Findings: The mean participants’ age was 64.9±6.5 years. The health literacy level of 63.86% of the participants was insufficient, and only 1.23% of the subjects had excellent health literacy. The rate of multi-infection in women was significantly higher than in men.
Conclusion: The level of health literacy and multi-infection rate in women is higher than in men.