Showing 41 results for Alt
Niloofar Motamed, Seyed Alireza Ayatollahi, Najaf Zare, Ali Sadeghi Hasanabadi,
Volume 10, Issue 38 (3-2002)
Abstract
Background: Measuring perception of the population about their health in order to evaluate the usefulness of health care is important. To ascertain the reliability and validity of the Persian version of SF-36 health questionnaire, this study was conducted on the staff of Shiraz Medical School in 2001.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, we used alpha Cronbach's coefficient for reliability, one way ANOV A, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and linear regression for validity.
Results: Of some 134 questionnaires distributed, 112 ones (83.6%) were sent back. The responses rate was 83.6%. SF-36 was internally consistent as Cronbach's-Alpha coefficient was 0.87 which was more than the least recommended of 0.85. The construct validity of SF-36 was acceptable as the scores of physical component score and physical functioning decreased significantly with increasing age. Also, these two scores were less in married people. The correlation between physical and mental component scores and eight scales were acceptable.
Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the translated SF-36 were acceptably high. The translated SF-36 questionnaire is recommended for the assessment of population's health status due to its speed and simpleness. However, the choices regarding physical and psychological health seem to need reform. In the end, more studies with greater sample size to uncover other facts are strongly recommended.
Nahid Salarkia, Mahdi Hedayati, Fereidun Azizi,
Volume 10, Issue 39 (6-2002)
Abstract
Background: Considering the role of iodine deficiency in gaiter formation and its effect on the function of thyroid, and also since our previous study in 1993 showed a severe iodine deficiency in Ahar (a rural area in north of Tehran), this study was carried out after 6 years to monitor the iodine supplementation program in schoolchildren aged 6-14 years.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 61 female schoolchldren who had received iodized oil injection. Then, goiter grade was measured by palation based on WHO classification. Thyroid hormones concentration was measured by commercial kits and urinary iodine by digestion method. The results were compared with the data obtained from our previous research in 1993.
Results: A significant decrease in grade 2 goiter from 86% in 1993 to 5% in 1999 (P<0.001) and also a great increase in grade 1 goiter from 10% to 53% (P<0.001) were observed. Gaiter prevalence decreased 39%. The Mean level of urinary iodine excretion showed a remarkable increase from 1993 to 1999 (P<0.001).Serums T4, T3, TSH, and RT3UP were in normal ranges. The mean hormones levels in 1993 and 1999 were 160±41 and 151.626 ng/di for T3, 4.7±1.9 and 1.3±0.7 g/ml (P<0.001) for TSH and 30±4 and 28±25% for RT3UP respectively.
Alireza Shoghli, Yadollah Hamidi,
Volume 10, Issue 41 (12-2002)
Abstract
Background: Health services' cost is a determinant factor in policy making and strategy formulating. Activity- based costing (ABC) is a new costing method that was used in this study to analyse the costs of health services in Zanjan district in the financial year 1999-2000.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study primarily all of Zanjan DHS`s processes were identified and categorized in four levels, including: organization supporting level, health program supporting level, homogenous health activities supporting level and health services performing level. The financial informations of Zanjan DHS was recorded by a standard software. In order to calculate the cost of each service, data related to the frequency of performed service and average time spent for service performance were collected. Then, the cost of each identified process was calculated and classified based on the above mentioned levels. Finally, the cost of each service was calculated by tracing it from the related three sustained activity levels and adding direct resources expenses to it.
Results: The most and least expensive services were assessed to be visiting industrial factories and physical examination of urban students. At the organization supporting level the most expensive service was issuing the staff papers and the cheapest service was issuing the official missions documents. Drug educational process related programs and the disease planning were the most expensive and cheapest services at the level of health program support respectively. At the last level, industrial health activities and repaired maintenance were the most expensive services in contrast to drug related subjects and housekeeping which appeared to be the cheapest services.
Conclusion: With the exception of unit level costs, the costs in other levels of services were considered to be overheads. Regarding the ability of ABC method to separate the types of costs, it is possible to increase the productivity of health services by this method. Applying of ABC in health services pricing is recommended.
Mokhtar Mokhtari, Mehrdad Shariati, Noushin Gashmardi,
Volume 13, Issue 51 (6-2005)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Zinc as a heavy metal is known to be an environment pollutant. Research shows that high amount of this metal might pose health hazards by affecting the normal function of endocrine glands and metabolic activities. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of various amounts of zinc on thyroid gland and liver enzymes in adult male rats in Kazeroon in 2005.
Materials & Methods: In this experimental study 40 adult male wistar rats were classified in to experimental, control and sham groups. Experimental groups received zinc in from of oral zinc sulfate 20 , 40 and 80 mg/kg for 15 days in three subgroups . Sham group received 1 ml distilled water while control group received no substance. At the end of 15th day blood sample was taken from ventricular part of the heart and concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH hormones and AST, ALT and ALP enzymes were measured through ELISA and trade kits and the data were analysed using Tukey test.
Results: The results showed no significant difference in T3 hormone concentration and ALP enzyme between experimental groups and control group, while T4 hormone concentration in the first experimental group (20mg/kg zinc sulfate) increased significantly compared with control group (P<0.05). The concentration of TSH hormone showed a significant decrease between experimental and control groups (P<0.05). Serum concentration of AST and ALT in the first experimental group increased significantly compared to control group while it showed a significant decrease in the second and third experimental groups (40 and 80 mg/kg zinc sulfate) (P=0.05).
Conclusion: The study results indicate that zinc affects thyroid gland and blocks the activity of 5'- diodinase through binding to sulfhydryl groups and decreases the conversion of T4 to T3. Zinc also decreases TSH amount and can damage plasma membrane and increase the amount of AST and ALT enzyme.
Seyedeh Vahideh Hosseini, Monireh Anoosheh, Fazlollah Ahmadi,
Volume 13, Issue 51 (6-2005)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Water - related diseases are among the most important public health problems in developing countries and providing the people with safe water is a key factor in health promotion. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of adolescents' participation on drinking water habits of Rostam Abad village in Bouin Zahra in 2004.
Materials & Methods: This research is a quasi - experimental study with 36 adolescent cases that covered 102 families. At first, training sessions were held for the adolescents and then each of them took charge of a few families (average 3 families) for education and control. Ultimately, the percentage of rural families who used healthy water (chlorinated or boiled) before and after adolescents' participation was compared. To compare the mean consumption of safe water pre and post intervention t-test was used.
Results: The results showed that none of the rural families consumed healthy water before intervention. However, 68.8% of the families used healthy water after intervention. Paired t-test showed a significant difference between mean consumption of safe water pre and post intervention (P=0.001). Conclusion: Adolescent participation affects the index of providing and consumption of healthy water in rural areas. Thus, it is suggested that this approach be applied as a practical means to increase the healthy water consumption in rural areas.
Majid Valizadeh, Fariba Sohbatlou, Nouraldin Mousavi Nasab,
Volume 13, Issue 52 (9-2005)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Normal growth is the most important indicator of child health and measurement of height and weight is the simplest and the most reliable means to its evaluation. Due to the significance of the issue, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the anthropometric indices of secondary school girls of Zanjan in 2004-2005.
Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 1010 students who had been selected through cluster random sampling from 10 schools. Height and weight were measured by standard method and body mass index (BMI) was calculated thereafter. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS softwares and χ 2 and t-tests.
Results: The survey of 1010 secondary schools girls showed that the height and weight of research group were 10.5 and 7.3% lower than the 5th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) respectively and also, 0.6% and 4.5% were higher than 95th percentile of NCHS respectively. However, the 5th percentile of BMI almost matched the 5th percentile of NCHS. Moreover, 21.7% of the short students were underweight and 3.8% were overweight which were statistically significant (P=0.0001). 13.5% of short stature students were from district 1 and 7.8% of them were from district 2, showing a significant difference (P=0.0003).
Conclusions: The research results and other reports throughout the country demonstrate that the height and weight of adolescent population in the country are below standard NCHS although the differences are not significant. However, NCHS curves overestimate the prevalence of underweight and short stature whithin our community.
Kourosh Amini, Abdullah Amini, Hossein Madani, Mohammad Hossein Pourmemari, Ramezan Fallah,
Volume 14, Issue 54 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Regarding the high prevalence of dental caries and its individual complications and the reports concerning the effects of healthy behavior on oral and dental hygiene, this study was carried out with the aim of investigating of different oral and dental-care procedures among adolescent population of Zanjan province during the academic year 2004-2005.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 1500 high school students through multi-stage cluster random sampling. The study tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been confirmed through content validity and repeated test respectively. Descriptive statistics and X 2 test were used to determine the difference among groups (based on a number of demographic features).
Results: The most common dental-care procedure among the students was brushing (89.7%) and statistical tests showed a significant difference in terms of gender (P=0.001), different educational levels (P=0.04), different schools (P=0.02) and different school areas (P=0.001).
Conclusion: The only common dental-care procedure used by the province adolescents was brushing. Hence, planning for various oral and dental-care procedures in adolescent population is highly recommended.
Mashallah Torabi, Nahid Ramezan Ghorbani,
Volume 15, Issue 58 (3-2007)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Emergence of information technology (IT) has influenced human life deeply. Presumably the strongest and deepest influence has been on education field so that any one could get access to required data any time, at any place. Development of IT is so remarkable that its influence on health education could not be neglected. Thus, a great number of countries have implemented basic website set-up for health information purposes. This study paves the way for future research on both e-health and e-education in the society and their effects on the overall health knowledge of the high school students.
Materials & Methods: The present study was performed on the basis of information obtained from questionnaires on personal, mental, nutritional, maternal and marital issues and family planning, common infections, AIDS and environmental health information of 649 students in 3 high schools. Information was collected in two steps (pre and post tests). T-test and Leven’s tests were used in the statistical analysis of the data.
Results: The results of t-test showed that training the students through health information website increased their health knowledge in the above-mentioned fields with a minimum of 14.5% for environmental health and a maximum of 48.9% for nutritional health which showed a significant difference in all fields (P=0.000).
Conclusions: Efficacy of the model in the improvement of knowledge was statistically significant in all health fields. Implementation of IT is a predictable and flexible procedure. Moreover, it enhances accessibility and provides active question-response methods.
Dr Masoud Saghafinia, Dr Nahid Nafissi, Dr Saeed Morovvati, Dr Reza Asadollahi, Dr Farzad Panahi,
Volume 16, Issue 64 (9-2008)
Abstract
Assessment of the Role of Prevention Training and Care in Trauma Patients in Rural Regions 2001-2005 Saghafi Nia M1, Nafissi N2, Morovvati S3, Asadollahi R2, Panahi F1 1 Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 Iranian Mine Victim Rescue Center (IMC), Tehran, Iran 3 Research Center of Molecular Biology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Corresponding Author's Address: Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail: dr_sagafi@yahoo.com Received: 19 Feb, 2008 Accepted: 4 Nov, 2008 Background and Objective: Trauma-related mortality (due to road accidents and gunshot and disaster…) is unexpectedly high in Iran. Short trauma care training course to rural health system and villager of Mehran, Eylam would improve the care for trauma victims. The objective of the present study is to describe the training and evaluate its effect using changes in physiological function of victims. Materials and Methods: Advanced trauma care course for physicians and nurses, complementary basic trauma care course for emergency technicians and health workers, basic trauma care for highly educated people and first aid short course for ordinary people were developed. After training, the region traumatic patients entered the system through two channels: to the local Mehran Emergency Clinic (some with primary treatment before the local emergency clinic) or directly to Ilam University Hospital. Outcome indicator was the physiological change assessed with the physiologic severity score (PSS). Results: During courses period, 185 physicians & nurses, emergency technicians & health workers, 239 highly educated people and 4410 ordinary people were trained for trauma care.During 3 years leater 366 injured were transported to Mehran Emergency Clinic (226 received primary treatment before the local emergency clinic) and 245 were admitted directly to Ilam University Hospital. Total mortality rate was 10.3 percent (66 out of 641 injured people) and the mine injured mortality rate was 20.7% (37 out of 179 mine injured). In the injured who received trauma care at Mehran Emergency Clinic, PSS mean was 6.4 which improved to 7.5 in the hospital (P<0.001) in comparison with 6.79 in the other group. Conclusions: Rural health worker and general population could be upgraded to care for victims of injuries by using available resources. This system can improve the indicators and reduce trauma mortality rate.
Dr Shamsoddin Niknami, Mahnaz Taheri Aziz, Dr Mino Mohraz,
Volume 17, Issue 66 (5-2009)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common infectious disease. It causes more than 2 millions deaths annually around the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of designed health education package on healthy behaviors of patients with tuberculosis at Pasteur Institute of Iran. Materials and Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study that was carried out on 31 smear positive patients who referred to Pasteur Institute in 2004. Questionnaire and self report checklist were used to collect the required data. The educational needs were recognized and then the health educational package was designed. After that, the questionnaire and checklist filled out and educational package was performed for 8 weeks. The effect of training was evaluated by post-test after two months and the obtained results compared with the results of pretest. The main data was analyzed by analysis of variance, paired T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient tests in order to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention on knowledge, attitude and behavior of the patients before and after the intervention. Results: The average age in study group was 33.71 years old (SD=13.68) and the sex frequency was 54.8 % for males and 45.2 % for females. There was a significant correlation between the change of attitude and the previous family history of TB (P<0/001). However, there was no significant correlation among the past jail and the previous tobacco use with the patient’s knowledge, attitude and practice. Analysis of the data, before and after the educational package intervention showed a significant difference among knowledge, attitude and practice before and after education (p<0/001). Conclusion: Health education has an important role in improving knowledge, positive attitude and adopting healthy behaviors in the patients with Tuberculosis.
Khadijeh Hajimiri , Gholam Reza Sharifirad, Akbar Hasanzade,
Volume 18, Issue 72 (11-2010)
Abstract
Background and Objective: High prevalence of dental disease in children is one of the essential reasons for oral health education. Use of right and correct educational pattern is a new way in health service field. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral health education based on health belief model for preventing carries and dental plaque on mothers who had 3-6 year old children. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental research was carried out on 56 mothers who had 3-6 year old children (28 women in control group and 28 in experimental group) in No 1 health center of Zanjan. The training was based on health belief model and certain behavior goals for about 60 minutes in 3 sessions. Mothers' functions were evaluated based on helping to brush the children's teeth and the number of brushing at zero and one month after the intervention time points. Finally, dental plaque was assessed based on Navy dental plaque index. Data was collected once in the first stage (before the intervention) and then in the second stage (after the intervention). Results: Mean score of all parts of health belief model in experimental group after educational intervention compared to before the intervention was increased significantly and also the mean score of all parts of health belief model was significantly increased after the intervention in experimental group comparing to control group. Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that by increasing the score of health belief model parts including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers, the preventive actions of oral health is also increasing. Therefore, results of this survey confirm the efficacy of health belief model in education of oral health.
Mohammad Masoud Vakili, Alireza Hidarnia, Shamsodin Niknami, Seyed Nouraldin Mousavinasab,
Volume 19, Issue 77 (6-2011)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The prevalence of AIDS/HIV is dramatically increasing worldwide. Iran and other Middle East countries are no exception in this regard. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of communication skills program and AIDS education on Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs among the health volunteers in Zanjan.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental trial. Eighty health volunteers were divided into two equal groups. The interventional group participated in two educational programs on communication skills and AIDS, compared to the control group that participated in AIDS education program only. Data collection was done both prior to and 20 weeks after the intervention using a self-report type questionnaire.
Results: The results of this study show that combining AIDS education program and communication skills training had a significant effect on susceptibility, (P<0.01) severity (P<0.003) and perceived barrier (P<0.0001) constructs of AIDS in the test group. By contrast, only the perceived barrier construct (P<0.0001) showed a significant change in the control group. Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor within the HBM.
Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate that a combination of communication skills training and AIDS education program could have a better effect on Health Belief Model constructs on AIDS in health volunteers than the AIDS education program by itself.
Fereshteh Besharati, Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Hazavehei, Babak Moeini, Abbas Moghimbeigi,
Volume 19, Issue 77 (6-2011)
Abstract
Background and Objective: In recent years, most developed countries have aimed at reducing the cesarean rate through education and other interventions. In our country, however, despite all efforts, the cesarean rate remains very high. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on choosing delivery mode in pregnant women, who were referred to the Rasht Health Centers.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 72 pregnant women referred to various Health Centers in Rasht in the spring and summer of 2010. After a pre-test by using a valid and reliable questionnaire for both groups, specific training was provided for the intervention group based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. At the end of the pregnancies, post-test were performed in both groups and the results were analyzed by SPSS-13 software.
Results: The results indicate that there were significant differences in the mean knowledge, evaluations of behavioral outcome, attitude (P =0.000), perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intention (P < 0.05) among pregnant women in the test group compared with the control. There was a significant difference in behavior between the two groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results show that maternal educations in the field for persuasion of normal delivery had been effective. Therefore, we recommend implementing training programs based on Theory of Planned Behavior, in order to persuade pregnant women for normal delivery and decreasing the rate of the cesarean section.
Najmeh Hamid, Roghaieh Mazarei, Sahar Pak,
Volume 21, Issue 84 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The aim of this research was to study the correlation between daily stresses and coping styles with mental health in migraine headache patients. Materials and Methods: The research method was comparative-casual method. The sample consisted of 60 patients with migraine headaches (30 males and 30 females) as the test group, whom were matched for various criteria including age, educational status, and suffering from headache for at least a two year period. The control group consisted of 60 healthy school teachers (30 males and 30 female). The instruments included Lazarous–Folkman Coping Style, Holms-Rahe life stress, and General Health questionnaires. The data were analyzed with the logistic regression method. Results: The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the test and control groups in daily stresses and coping styles (p<0.001). Furthermore, the rate of stresses in patients with migraine headache was significantly higher than the normal subjects. In addition, the rate of emotional styles in patients with migraine headache was higher than normal controls. Conclusion: There was a negative correlation between daily stresses, emotional styles, and mental health in patients with migraine headache.
Mohammad Saeed Heydarnejad, Parisa Yarmohammadi- Samani, Mohsen Mobini-Dehkordi, Samira Rahnama,
Volume 21, Issue 86 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have long been used to treat acute and chronic wounds. Very little attention has been paid to the toxicity of this nanoparticle. In this study, the possible toxicological effects of nanosilver particles, was assessed by determining the enzyme levels of liver along with hemoglobin over the period of skin wound healing in mice. Materials and Methods: A group of 50 Balb/c mice of about 8 weeks (weighting 24.2±3.0 g) were randomly divided into two groups: Ag-NPs and control groups, each with 25 mice. After creating the equal wound on the back of all animals, the wound bed was treated in the Ag-NPs group with a volume of 50 microliters from the nanosilver solution (10ppm), and in the control group with the same amount of distilled water. The experiment lasted for 21 days. On days 2, 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment the serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hemoglobin were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test. Results: Results showed that AST, ALT and hemoglobin levels were not significantly different between Ag-NPs and the control groups. Conclusion: The study suggests that treatment of wounds with silver nanoparticles may not produce toxicological effects on hemoglobin and liver function in mice (Mus musculus) as indicated by measurment of serum levels of AST and ALT enzymes.
Nader Rjabi Gilan, Seyed Ramin Ghaeemi, Soheila Reshadat, Sajad Rajabi Gilan,
Volume 21, Issue 88 (7-2013)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: Different studies have shown a relationship between social capital and health. The aim of this paper was to survey about the relation between social capital and health-related quality of life (QOL) among teachers. Materials and Methods: In this cross -sectional study, our target community was 375 people that were selected by Multi-stage cluster sampling method. For assessment of Social Capital Onyx and Bullen (2000) were used, and for assessing health-related QOL SF-36 questionnaires were used respectively. Data were analyzed with independent T, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and Regression tests. Results: The mean age of respondents was 40.7±5.26 and based on gender 51.9% of them were male. Mean and SD of total QOL and total social capital scores were 64.52±17.02 and 71.21±16.74 respectively. Pearson correlation test showed that there was a significant correlation between total social capital with total health-related QOL(r =0/153 p<0.004), cognitive social capital with physical health(r = 0/136 p<0.011) and also communicative social capital with mental health(r = 0/133 p<0.012). There was significant relationship between structural social capital and both dimensions of health-related QOL: physical health(r = 0/146, p=0.006) and mental health(r = 0/156, p=0.003). Also regression analysis showed that variables of "gender", "marital status" and "age" have not impact on the relationship between social capital and QOL and have been removed from model, but "income" was an effective variable in the main relationship of the research. Conclusion: Our finding showed that there was positive correlation between social capital and health-related QOL among teachers. It appears that focus voluntary groups activities could increases trust and personal network, and its issue could improve mental and physical health of teachers.
Hadi Soleimani Abhari, Sedigheh Soleimani Abhari,
Volume 22, Issue 90 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Since the effect of self-respect upon the mental hygiene and physical health of man and his social behavior cannot be ignored, it seems necessary to shed light on the standpoint of religion and science in this issue. The importance of this concern is manifested when we choose coexisting relationship exist between both religion and science. In this research, we demonstrate the concomitant relationship between religion and science concerning self-concept and self-respect and their effect on physical and mental health. The word " self-concept " as a social psychological term ,contains this kind of evaluation along with a series of one’s beliefs and feelings about himself or others about him, and is equal to the word "Mokhtal" in Quranic terms. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the data were collected from the documents and books and journals in the libraries. Results: Quranic emphasis on creation of an objective- based universe especially in the case of human beings causes to understand this fact that man should not miss his valuable pearl of existence very heedlessly. In the Social psychology, this kind of attitude toward the existence and man can be as a reason for "self -esteem", which is considered as the cornerstone for a normal behavior in society. Conclusion: Among the findings of this research is illumination of a mutual relationship existing between science and religion and providing some new evidence for the influence of this relationship on health of human beings.
Mohammad Saeed Ahmady,
Volume 22, Issue 90 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Mental health and self- esteem are psychological issues that have long been considered by psychologists, physicians and religious scholars and have also been influenced by a set of social and cognitive factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of training communication skills adopting a religious approach on self- esteem and mental health of male students. Materials and Methods: The research method was experimental using pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The instruments included the Cooper Smith Self-esteem Questionnaire (1986) and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (1988). The population of the research included all high school male students in Zanjan in the school year of 2011-2012. Out of this population, 60 students were randomly selected by multi-stage- cluster sampling method and were then divided into two experimental and control groups. Intervention (communicative skills improving through a religious approach) was carried out on the experimental group for fifteen sessions, each lasting for ninety minutes and once a week. SPSS 14 and Ancova tests were used to analyze the collected data. Results: The results of Ancova showed that there was a significant difference in the means of the experimental and control groups in terms of self-esteem (F=44.64, P<0.001) and mental health (F=85, P<0.001). Conclusion: The communication skills training by using a religious approach was effective in the improvement of self-esteem and mental health of students.
Seyed Rahmatoalleh Mousavimughaddam,
Volume 22, Issue 90 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: In health psychology, the issue of “normal human being”, which can be taken as an equivalent to healthy human being, is considered a fundamental and ideal paradigm in every educational system. In the Islamic cultural, religious and social system, particular attention has been paid to this, as the main goal of Islamic education is training healthy human beings. Materials and Methods: The present paper deals with this issue comparatively in Descartes’ philosophy representing the Westerns culture and Allameh Tabatabaei’s philosophy representing Islamic thoughts. Results: In Descartes’ thinking, who is a humanistic and subjective philosopher, a typical or normal human being is a self-based, purely rational being, and reliant on his own technologic power. This is a purely natural human being, separated from his meta-physical roots. The more he is able to master the nature, the more normal and ideal he would be. Descartes’ normal human being is mainly a constructive being who is after fulfilling his independence and does not believe in the superhuman principles and teachings, but in Allameh Tabatabai's view, based on the Islamic thoughts and culture, the concept of normal human being‘s health is mainly a spiritual issue. Conclusion: Qualitative life, which is a prerequisite to the normal human being’s attainments, rests upon a solid philosophical standpoint, access to genuine identity and the acceptance of religion. A normal or typical human being, in this perspective, is one who has a true vision of his life, his undertaking and responsibility, his relationship with God, the world and the facts of existence and eventually a human being who has a high life satisfaction.
Zeinab Ghahremani, Narges Heidari, Mina Shabani, Mozhgan Sadat Agvami, Mehri Hariri,
Volume 22, Issue 90 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The handicapped are grappling with many problems, which could jeopardize their mental as well as physical health. Several studies have demonstrated the correlation between religion and mental health. In the recent decades, religion and psychological studies have increasingly attracted the attention of researchers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between religious beliefs and mental health. Materials and Methods: Eighty eight members from Zanjan Handicapped Community (year 2011) constituted the sample for this study. The participants took two tests of Allport's Religious Orientation and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). These tests have already been translated and standardized for the Iranian society. Using SPSS, the test data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed a statistically reversed correlation between global religious score and third subscale of GHQ (how to cope with common life situations) at significance level of 0.01 (r= -0.29 and P= 0.006) and also between internal religious score and the same subscale at significance level of 0.05 (r= -0.224 and P= 0.036). Conclusion: It seems that the handicapped are not aware of the role of faith in their health thus, some measures should be taken in this regard to promote their health.
