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As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of droughts, adaptive behavior becomes increasingly crucial. Farmers' capacity to modify their practices in response to evolving climate conditions is vital for ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability and food security. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the psychological factors affecting farmers' adaptation behaviors in response to drought, using the health belief model. The sample comprised 380 farmers from Kohdashat County in Lorestan Province, western Iran, selected via a three-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire, whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results indicated that self-efficacy; perceived benefits, perceived vulnerability, and perceived barriers explained about 49% of the variance in farmers’ adaptation behavior. Perceived benefits emerged as the strongest predictor of adaptation, while cues to action and perceived severity were insignificant. These findings support the health belief model's practicality and effectiveness in examining water conservation behavior among Iranian farmers.
 

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Aims: Drug users form the main HIV-affected group in Iran. About two-third of all the individuals affected by HIV in Iran are those who use drug through injection. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of health belief model (HBM) on prevention of HIV transmission among the opiate-dependent population in Zarandieh. Methods and Materials: This is a quasi-experimental intervention study carried out on 49 addicted men in Zarandieh. was collected using a questionnaire, based on HBM and the group completed the questionnaire. According to the pre-test, the educational intervention was designed and implemented. Three months after the intervention, the post-test was performed and analyzed using the primary questionnaire and χ2, T-test. Findings: The findings indicated that the mean scores of HBM Model constructs (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity and benefit) increased significantly after intervention and the perceived barriers decreased (p< 0.001). Also, the history of HIV testing reported 8%before intervention, while the rate increased to 48.6% after intervention. Conclusions: This finding provides initial support for designing and implementation of health education program, based on the HBM on Preventing HIV transmission among Opiate-dependent population.

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Background: Osteoporosis is one of the most common metabolic bone diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a walking education program based on the health belief model (HBM) on osteoporosis among women. Material and Methods: In this quasi-experimental research design, 120 patients (60 experimental and 60 control),who were registered with the health centers in Fasa City of Fars Province, Iran, participated in the study in 2014. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information and HBM constructs was used at pre-intervention, immediately after their intervention, and then six months later. Bone mineral density (BMD) was recorded at the lumbar spine and femur prior to and six months post-intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS19' through 'chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated measure ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Immediately and six months after the intervention, the experimental group showed increased in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers perceived, self-efficacy, perceived internal cues to action and walking performance compared to the control group. Six months after the intervention, the value of lumbar spine BMD T-Score in the experimental group increased to 0.127, while in the control group it decreased to -0.043. The value of the hip BMD T Score in the intervention group increased to 0.125 and in contrast, it decreased to-0.028 in the control group. Conclusions: This study showed the increased knowledge and walking behavior regarding walking benefits could improve bone density. Therefore, HBM model can be a basic framework for designing and 'carrying out' educational interventions for women’s osteoporosis.

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Aims: The oral health is one of the most of public health problems and women with pregnancy have high risk for dental caries and need more attention. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a health education intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on oral health behavior in pregnant women. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study carried out on 130 pregnant women selected with random sampling method from health centers in Arak in 2011 (case and control groups each of 65 women). Data collection with questionnaire was based on construct HBM, as well as their knowledge and performance about oral health. The women of the case group participated during the two month of intervention and again two month after، with 2 session meeting classes as the follow up after intervention. The data were collected 3 months after intervention and analyzed. Findings: Our findings indicated that mean scores of HBM Model variables, i.e susceptibility, severity, benefit and barriers perceived, were significantly increased in the case group compared to the controls after intervention. Also, oral health care (before intervention 45 ±9.2, after three months 77±9.7) improved significantly among the case group, compared to the controls (p<0/001). Conclusion: Applying the HBM Model is very effective for developing an educational program for oral health in pregnant women. Besides such programs, follow up education on controlling and monitoring is highly recommended.

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Background: Although the need for theory-based designs, evidences exploring exercising effects during pregnancy is limited by non-theoretical and cross-sectional assessments. This study aimed to prospect­ively examine women’s exercise behavior from their second to third pregnancy trimester using the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Methods and Materials: This was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 pregnant women (50 individuals in each group of control or intervention) with gestation age of 20 weeks or more were examined. Just the intervention group participated in eight 40-minute exercise classes with15-day interval between each class. The control group received only routine prenatal care. The researcher- made questionnaires for general demographic characteristics, and variables of Health Belief Model (HBM) regarding doing exercise during pregnancy were completed at two time points of initial of the study and follow up. Descriptive/analytical statistics were applied to analyze the variables using SPSS version18.
Results: The mean gestational age for intervention and control group were 27.40 ± 5.39 and 26.26 ± 5.31 weeks respectively. Despite similarity of two groups at initial of the study in terms of all studied variables,, all HBM constructs in intervention group were significantly higher than control group after intervention (all p value ≤ 5%).
Conclusion: This study revealed that the educational program based on HBM could provide the pregnant women with a conceptual framework to improve the beliefs of pregnant women regarding exercise doing.
 

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Aims: The presence of a patient with breast cancer in the family can be considered as a guidance for further prevention and increase the susceptibility of people against this disease. Champion's health belief model scale is translated and tested in different countries, but few attempts have been made to measure this scale in women with history of breast cancer. Methods: After the standard Champion's Health Belief Model Scale was translated, 28 items were extracted with the help of panel of experts (n=13) and focus group (n=42) in four subscales. The eligible women were selected randomly (n=200) and took part in this study. The participants filled in the questionnaire through interviews. To test the construct validity of the data, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied using AMOS software, moreover, test of internal consistency and test of reliability were applied by retesting (n=30). Findings: The confirmatory factor analysis, which, was repeated after omitting these two items for the subscale of perceived barriers and shows the proper fit of its structural model. Cronbach 'alpha coefficients were 0.72 (susceptibility), 0.75 (seriousness), 0.82 (benefits) and 0.76 (barriers). Internal consistency ranged from 0 .64 to 0 .79 and test-retest reliability correlation were from 0 .67 to 0.92. Conclusions: The Persian version of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale can be a reliable and valid measure in Iranian women with family history of breast cancer.

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Aim: Promotion of oral health in schools is one of the recommended polices of WHO. The aim of this study was to determine the role of Oral Hygiene Beliefs according to the Health Belief Model in regular brushing behavior, among the 9-10 years old female students. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on the female students of Rasht-Iran in 2012. Applying the statistical estimation, the sample population was determined 265 who were selected from 22 schools using systematic sampling method. Nearly 12 students were selected from each school using simple randomized method. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire and the results were analyzed using descriptive methods, and analytical methods including Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic regression. Finding: Among the samples, 17.4% brushed at least twice a day. The logistic regression analysis indicated that perceived severity (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.27- 0.86, P = 0.014), perceived barriers (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.29- 3.02, P = 0.002) and mothers' educational level (OR = 4.78, 95% CI = 1.24- 18.46, P = 0.023) were the significant predicting factors for tooth brushing twice a day or more. There are significant statistical correlations among the perceived severity of loosing good eating and good speaking, and perceived barriers of tiredness, laziness and impatience with desirable behavior. Overall 66.5% agreed with one of the two physical barriers: painful tooth brushing and gums bleeding. Conclusion: Promoting educational level and educational programs for Iranian women are recommended. Planning useful educational interventions for the students of concrete operational stage is required attention to the application of Piaget’s Theory of cognitive development. Educational interventions should focus on items of beliefs named above. At least 70 percent of Iranian people need to learn the correct ways of brushing teeth.

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Background: The concept of self efficacy and physical self-concept have been shown to be an effective predictor of behavior in many areas of health. This study investigated the relationships between foot-care self-efficacy beliefs, Physical self-concept, self-reported foot-care behavior in people with diabetes.
Methods and Material: This is a cross sectional study in which the 90 diabetic individuals who had been admitted to the diabetic clinic of health centers located in Mashhad- Iran between the years 2015 and 2016 was invited to be entered into the study. The demographic questionnaire and the self-report "Foot Care Confidence Scale" (FCCS) questionnaire and also the self-report Marsh “Physical Self-Description Questionnaire” (PSDQ) were applied to measure data. SPSS 20.0 was used for the analyses.
Results: Ninety patients with a mean age of 51.82 ± 11.3 years were assessed. There is the significant association between foot-care self-efficacy beliefs and higher foot care behavior. (r = 0.4, P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant association between physical self-concept and foot-care, so that people who had a better physical self-concept had better foot care behavior.
Conclusions: This study has found that foot-care self-efficacy beliefs and physical self-concept improvement could help foot-care behavior improvement among diabetic people.

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Background: Preventive measures such as training and awareness and prevention skills for personal protection in the musculoskeletal areas are one of the most important strategies in health care systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on promoting preventive behavior of musculoskeletal problems in female Afghan health workers. Material and Methods: In this study, 60 female employees of Afghanistan health ministry were selected and divided randomly into control and experimental groups (N = 30 women for each one). Data, collected through a questionnaire based on health belief model on preventive behaviors of musculoskeletal problems. The experimental group received the educational intervention for a month, and three months after the program, both groups completed a questionnaire and data were analyzed. Results: The results indicated that before the educational intervention program, there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers and perform­ance. However, after the intervention, these factors significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group and also perceived barriers decreased (all P < 0. 001). Conclusion: According to this study, health education program based on Health Belief Model was an effective program on promoting preventive behaviors of musculoskeletal problems. Therefore, for successful implementation of these programs, control, monitoring and follow-up training is recommended.  

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Aim: Investigating factors affecting the adoption of preventive behaviors in women with osteoporosis is necessary. This study aims at determining the preventive treatment of osteoporosis in women in Fasa using the Health Belief Model (HBM) during 2014. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 401 women (aged 30-50 years) covered by the health centers in Fasa city were randomly chosen. Construct of HBM and the function of feeding and walking were determined to prevent osteoporosis in women. Findings: The mean age of women was 40/9±6/2 years. The variables of perceived susceptibility (p=0.007), motivation (p=0.009) for walking behavior and variables of perceived sensitivity (p=0.020) for feeding behavior were predicted. Conclusions: This study confirmed the power of HBM in predicting feeding and walking behavior for prevention of osteoporosis. Hence, this model can be used as a framework for designing and implementing educational interventions for prevention of osteoporosis in women.

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Background: One approach to face with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is to perform Relaxation Behavior (RB). The aim of this study was to assess the factors predicting the behaviors of relaxation among the patients with CLBP in Yazd, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive study conducted on 182 patients with CLBP, referring to the pain clinic in Yazd, Iran from October to December 2016. A socio-demographic questionnaire and a 14-item questionnaire regarding RB based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) were used to collect the required data. Data were fed into SPSS software v.23 and AMOS software v. 23 and analyzed using linear regression analysis procedures.
Results: A total of 182 individuals with mean age of 42/18 ± 13/12 years participated in this study. The results showed that attitude towards the behavior was a good predictor of intension to do RB (p < .001). However, subjective norm was not a good predictor of intention to do relaxation behavior (p = .058). This study showed that intention was a good predictor for doing relaxation behavior (p = .042).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the health care providers are recommended to change RB beliefs of the patients suffering from chronic low back pain in order to persuade them to do regular relaxation behaviors to improve their pain.

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The attitude or behavior, which is not based on logical actions- and cause and effect relations, has irrational origins;  it happens due to a person's fear, threat, habits, and the unknown factors which he she believes to prevent the unbecoming events, called “superstition”. An increase in the literacy level and the popular culture in the society leads to a decrease in superstitious beliefs. It must be acknowledged that even modern people cannot reject superstitions, or get rid of them actually. This study has examined the causes of these prevalent beliefs and the way people apply them, via content analysis. Although the prevalence of superstition origins is established on irrational bases, people have applied them to gain benefit by impelling and propagating the folklore, preventing harm by inhibition, alleviation, turning the evil (scapegoat), and empathy.

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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the beliefs toward sexual health among couples attending marriage counseling centers, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 416 couples, aged 14 to 40 years, who referred to a marriage counseling center in Kermanshah in 2014. They were recruited through a simple random sampling method. The data gathering tool consisted of a self-administered questionnaire based on the HBM constructs and some demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed with SPSS-18 software using independent t-test, one way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Findings: According to the results, the level of perceived susceptibility of the consequences of unsafe sexual behaviors and perceived barriers among couples were not satisfactory; however, perceived severity and benefits were reported in a relatively good level. Internet and friends were the most important cues to action related to sexual health.
Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the framework of the HBM is useful for investigation of sexual health related beliefs among couples. Thus, design and implementation of interventions based on the results of present study may be effective in promoting knowledge and beliefs toward sexual health among couples.

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Henna is a plant with natural binary attraction including nice color, and specific properties, which has popularity and application among the nations and tribes. This plant has ornamental and medicinal properties. In addition, it is one of the most applicative cases in celebrations and racial customs. Henna is used in Hennabandan (an old custom in the ancient history of Iran). This celebration has been held on specific customs in different parts of Iran since the previous centuries because of insignificant customs and geographical positions of different areas in Iran. Most of these customs have the same origin, and their executive methods are similar. Although some customs have the same origin, they are held with different methods. This article compares the Hennabandan custom of ten towns and villages in Iran by using documentary way and studying the books and articles written about this typical custom and the applications of Henna in the culture of Iranian people. Final results are achieved through functionalism and diffusionnism.

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Human beliefs are important because they are considered as the primary capitals of folk literature. The significance of folk literature is due to the fact that it is the foundation of refined and cultured literature. The sociopolitical novel “Souvashoun”, which placed its author Simin Daneshvar with other great Iranian novelists due to its fame, is a combination of literary scholarship,  collectivism and pluralism; proof of beliefs and elements in the folk literature mentioned in this work is not a shortcoming, rather it is a piece of evidence showing eloquence and rhetoric. Contemplating this work of literature, the present article come up with the pieces of evidence showing the manifestation of beliefs and folk literature elements, as well as such folk beliefs as totem, taboo, fetishism, animism, manna, noma and superstition, which are primarily described and defined. Then several instances of such beliefs are extracted from the text. Specifications and functions of the folk literature are noted, and the narrative literature’s status as well as Souvashoun and its position are explained. It is also proved that Souvashoun, apart from its pluralism, is free from many unpleasantnesses of its contemporary prose like immeasurable vulgarity, fanaticism and senseless modernisms.

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Aim: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Iranian women. Clinical nurses and midwives are supposed to be at high risk of the disease. The present study aimed at comparing the knowledge and health beliefs of Iranian nurses and midwives about breast cancer screening using Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 nurses and 60 midwives working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (Yazd, Iran) were selected via convenience sampling. Three questionnaires were used to collect data including a demographic questionnaire, the Breast Cancer Knowledge Test, and Champion’s Revised Health Belief Model Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS-11.0 for Windows. Findings: According to the independent t-test results, the mean knowledge scores of the two groups were significantly different (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in mean health belief scores between the two groups (p>0.05). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient revealed a significant direct correlation between knowledge and health beliefs in both nurses and midwives (P=0.018; r=0.18). The same test suggested knowledge to have significant direct correlation with benefits of mammography (P=0.01; r=0.2), benefits of breast self-awareness (P<0.001; r=0.4), cues to action (P=0.001; r=0.2), and self-efficacy (P<0.001; r=0.3). Conclusion: There are some risk factors including unhealthy life-style behaviours, exposure to night light, and consequently, disruption in circadian rhythm, and that job stress can threaten the health of nurses and midwives. Thus, it is important to determine their perceived barriers of screening behaviours based on HBM.

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Aim: Hypertension is a chronic and asymptomatic disease leading to death of at least 45% of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Self-care is important to minimize the risks and complications caused by hypertension.
This aim of the present study was to determine the predictive power of constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in self-care behaviors of patients with hypertension.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study of cross-sectional type carried out on 125 patients over 30 years old with hypertension who referred to the rural health centers in Rasht city. Sampling was done in multi-stage form, and the patients were selected randomly. To collect data, a valid and reliable questionnaire containing demographic information and questions of constructs of the HBM and self-care behaviors was used.
Findings: Based on Pearson’s correlation analysis, a significant and negative relationship was observed between self-care behaviors and construct of perceived barriers. Also there was a significant and positive relationship between self-care behaviors and the construct of cues to action. Based on linear regression analysis, the HBM could predict 19% of variance of self-care behaviors by two constructs of perceived barriers (B=0.22, SE=0.04, P=0.01) and cues to action (B=0.19, SE=0.06, P=0.02).
Conclusion: According to the predictive power of the HBM and the role of constructs of perceived barriers and cues to action in self-care behaviors of patients with hypertension, it is needed to focus on educational interventions based on this model to reduce the perceived barriers and influencing the cues to action.

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“The girl of Narenj and toranj” is one of the most famous Persian tales about which there are many different narratives. It has been registered by universal code no. 408. It includes some mythical motifs. The motif of the girl’s death and her revival who lives inside fruits, is reminiscent of Plant God. The role of horse, girl’s long hair and her relationship with water, are some other evidences which prove this association. On the other hand, the prevalence of narratives in which the girl comes out of sour orange, citron and pomegranate shows that these fruits were related to myths and they had a kind of importance or special place for the public in the past. In fact, they were used as symbols in some customs like proposal and marriage ceremonies. Sour orange and citron were the symbols of happiness and fertility. Also, pomegranate was the symbol of fertility and blessing. Moreover, it was associated with love and its myths

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Aim: Nowadays, life is endangering women’s health, so that without organizational support, women are engaged in unhealthy life styles. Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease that increases the risk of bone fracture by creating a structural abnormality in the bone. Osteoporosis is a common disease among middle-age and older persons, especially women. Therefore, the necessity of implementing strategic plans to prevent osteoporosis is significantly important. This study was designed to determine the prediction of osteoporosis preventive behaviors using the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 200 women referred to the health centers in Taft in 2016. A stage simple random sampling was used. In order to gather the data a questionnaire consistent with the structures of HBM was used. Data were analyzed using the SPSS v16 and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean±SD) and analysis (Linear regression). The significance level was 0.5.
Findings: The mean age of the participants was 53 years. Linear regression analysis showed the perceived awareness among the participants (p> 0.001).
Conclusion: The results showed that HBM is able to predict well the osteoporosis preventive behaviors in women. The findings of this survey confirm the efficiency of HBM in adopting preventive actions of osteoporosis.

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In the early human thought, the objects or person's names were consistent with his essence, because primitive man thought that the relationship between the name and object or person is not conventional, and the forces of evil can harm him through his name. This vision is not spatially bounded, and there is in all societies and to all of them has been imposed special rules as taboo naming. In Iranian folklore and Shahnameh, we can easily see the following statements: Sometimes the name is same person's essence. This kind of taboo is seen when Rostam speaks about Siavash murderers by Human. Another example of taboo is the choice of two names to escape the magic injury. We can see this kind of taboo in the southern coast of Iran and among Turkmens. In Shahnameh we can see this factor in the story of Ghobad and Shide. The third example of taboo naming is to not say the name in the battlefield. This can be seen in the following two ways in the Shahnameh: 1- to repudiate the name explicitly. 2- to avoid saying the name. The latest example of taboo naming is replacing or renaming, that were used for deceiving spirits and escape from their damage.