Iran Journal of Nursing

  Women are vulnerable population, particularly in their menopause period. During the last few decades, one of the health care concerns in women is the phenomenon of menopause with its complications and psychological disorders. Seemingly, knowledge regarding signs and complications of menopause could help women to cope and may improve quality of life in this period.

  This research was a quasi experimental study (before and after). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of health education training program on quality of life of women with menopause. In this research, the data gathering instrument was a questionnaire consisted of knowledge and menopause quality of life (MENQOL) items. A health education program design based on the pretest data and the post test data was within two weeks after the last session of performing the educational program.

  Data analysis showed that, the mean and standard deviation of participants' age were 45.5 yeary and (2.15) and the mean and standard deviation of knowledge scores, before education was 13.7 (2.4) and after education was 17 (2.92). The overall knowledge score, significantly improved after the education (t=4.39, P<0.000). The finding of this research, showed that quality of life of the women after intervention consisted of four dimensions, vasomotor (t=2.12, P<0.04), psychosocial
(t=4.17, P<0.000), physical (t =4.6, P<0.000), and sexual (t =2.1, P<0.004) that significantly improved as well.

  Also, this study showed that the knowledge of women about signs and complications of menopause were less than the level expected. It is suggested that women should receive special education programs regarding menopause to increase their knowledge.

  It can be concluded that, it is necessary to educate the women, before the menopausal stage occurs, through lectures, radio, TV programs, magazine, newspaper etc. That could improve women's quality of life.

  Background and Aim: Osteoporosis and the fractures associated with are a major public health concern, because of related morbidity and disability, diminished quality of life, and mortality. Evidence suggests that to adopt changes on some life styles can prevent or delay development of osteoporosis. Most important modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis are receiving inadequate calcium intake and not doing weight-bearing exercises such as walking. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an educational program based on health belief model on preventive factors of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.

  Material and Method : This study was a quasi-experimental research with two groups, experimental (n=43) and control (n=41) selected from 4 mosques situated in ray city. The subjects in experimental group participated in a 6-week educational program (each session 60-90 minutes) based on health belief model. Data collection tools included demographic information form, knowledge questionnaire, health belief scale and food frequency questionnaire which were completed by the subjects of two groups before and after intervention. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

  Results : Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge, health belief constructs, calcium intake and walking. After intervention, t-test showed a statistically significant difference between two groups in perceived susceptibility and severity (P<0.0001), barriers of calcium intake (P<0.0001), and barriers of exercise (P<0.0001). Perceived benefits of calcium intake and exercise were not significantly different between groups after intervention (P=0.06). Dietary Calcium intake increased to 906.55 ± 282.45 mg/day in experimental group, but there was not statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0.40). Changes in frequency of weekly walking was statistically significant (p=0.005) between groups, but the total time of walking wasn’t statistically significant between them (P=0.07).

  Conclusion : Educational program based on health belief model was effective in increasing health belief constructs and walking frequency but not in dietary calcium intake.

  impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of educational interventions based on individual empowerment model on knowledge, attitude, self efficacy, self esteem and quality of life of postmenopausal women.

  Material & Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 100 women covered by health care centers in Qazvin were randomly assigned to either experimental or control group. The data gathering tool included a demographic questionnaire , the Rosenberg Self-esteem questionnaire, self efficacy scale, Knowledge and attitude questionnaire and menopause -specific quality of life questionnaire (26 items). The procedure for experimental group consisted of five group discussions for 60-45 minutes according to empowerment model . Data were collected before and 3 months after intervention and analyzed by independent and paired t-test and chi-square using SPSS-PC (v. 17.0).

  Results: After education, mean scores of knowledge (from 38.11 ± 8.43 to 49.14 ± 9.23), attitude (from 14.43 ± 4.31 to 19.32 ± 5.54), self- esteem (from 13.82 ± 4.47 to 17.90 ± 5.61) and self efficacy (from 14.42 ± 5.43 to 20.06 ± 6.12) increased significantly in the experimental group (P < 0.001). Moreover, results showed a significant and positive reduction in the quality of life of the experimental group after empowerment program (P< 0.001).

  Conclusion: Training programs using empowerment model to improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women is recommended.

  Received: 2 May 2013

  Accepted: 19 Jul 2013