Background Adolescents should be empowered to improve their reproductive and sexual health needs. The present study aimed to investigate effects of protection motivation theory-based education on student girls’ reproductive and sexual health self-care. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted in parallel on 90 female students living in dormitories of the Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The data collection lasted from January 2017 to May 2018. Convenience sampling was performed, and samples were put into intervention and control groups by block randomization. The intervention group received six educational sessions based on the protection motivation theory(PMT). The data collection tool of this research consisted of the protection motivation theory and reproductive health self-care questionnaires. Results There was no significant difference between control and intervention groups in demographic characteristics. The results of the repeated measures test indicated that the reproductive health self-care variable had a significant change (p = 0.000), and there was a significant difference between groups (p = 0.000). The total score of the Protection Motivation Theory Questionnaire was not changed over time (p = 0.54) and there was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.51) according to results of the repeated measures test. Conclusion According to effects of an educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory, it is suggested to utilize this model as an educational framework for adolescents’ reproductive and sexual health by healthcare providers, schools and universities as well as holding periodic courses educating adolescents within short-term intervals in order to achieve the higher sustainability of the educational results.

AbstractObjectivesIt is widely accepted that sexual and reproductive health in adolescents are among the health priorities in the world that affects health aspects and the formation of beliefs and socioeconomic development in the community. However, achieving goals related to sexual and reproductive health is not possible without awareness and participation of the adolescents. On the other hand, proper knowledge about such issues can prevent many problems in this regard.MethodsThis qualitative study was carried out for one month in schools of Alborz University of Medical Sciences using content analysis. Data were collected from semi-structured, individual and in-depth interviews with female students. In addition, data analysis was performed using guided qualitative content analysis (theory-based).ResultsAnalysis of the data led to the extraction of 11 primary codes classified in six categories of protection motivation constructs (perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, response efficiency, response cost, self-efficacy, and internal rewards) and two additional categories (communications and social contexts).ConclusionAll interviewees found themselves exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and emphasized sexual self-care even though the majority of these individuals had inadequate self-efficacy.

PurposeThis study, a theory-based interventional study, aims to promote self-care behaviors regarding sexual and reproductive health in adolescents (female) in Karaj, Iran.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted on 90 female students of the Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. For selecting subjects, the researchers went to two girls' dormitories on working days and tried to observe the proportion of students with different fields. Initially, 200 eligible female students were identified in the dormitories of Alborz University of Medical Sciences. Based on the sample size estimation, 100 research units were divided into two groups of receiving counseling (intervention group) and not receiving counseling (control group) by four-digit block randomization. Sexual and reproductive health self-care questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection before, after and one month after intervention. Data were analyzed by using X2 and ANOVA tests using SPSS (16).FindingsBoth groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics before the intervention. The results of the study indicated that after education, sexual and reproductive knowledge (p < 0.001), self-care of sexual health (p < 0.001), self-care of menstrual and genital health (p < 0.001) increased significantly. But, regarding parents' communications (p = 0.11), conversation barriers with parents (p = 0.83), interaction with (p = 0.79) and the perceptions of sexual risk behaviors relationships (p = 0.61) differences are not significant.Research limitations/implicationsFailure of parents to participate in this study and the implementation of this study only on the female sex were main limitations of the present study.Practical implicationsTheory-based education can improve sexual and reproductive health in adolescents' girls.Originality/valueAll Authors declare the manuscript entitled “Sexual and reproductive health self-care: a theory-based intervention” is original work of the author. All data, tables, figures, etc. used in the manuscript are prepared originally by authors; otherwise, the sources are cited and reprint permission is attached.

Aim: Implementing the Charter of Patients' Rights and adhering to a professional commitment improve the quality of health care. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of showing the correlation between professional commitment and the level of awareness and observance of the Charter of Patients' Rights in Nursing and Midwifery staff.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 281 nurses and midwives working in Kamali, Bahonar, Alborz (Karaj) and Fayyazbakhsh (Tehran) hospitals. The subjects were collected by stratified random sampling. P Data collection tool was two separate questionnaires. The first part was demographic information, the second part was a two-part questionnaire on the level of awareness and observance of patients' charter, and the third part was a professional commitment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software 16, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, Chi-square, and simple regression analysis.Results: Nurses' knowledge and observance of patient rights (49/4±9, 56/2±10/6) were moderate and high in the midwifery group (102/8±9, 76/5±7/3). Also, the professional commitment of the nurses (97±11) was shown at the desired level and for the midwives (83/3±7/7) at a very good level. There was a significant relationship between professional commitment and knowledge and observance of the Charter of Patients' Rights among nurses and midwives. Conclusion:Since awareness and commitment are the basis of practice, it is recommended to increase the knowledge of nurses and midwives in areas where they do not have a good level of awareness. In addition, it is essential hospital managers take the necessary steps to implement patients' rights by holding workshops.