Zahid Emby

Assessing community leadership factor in community capacity building in tourism development: a case study of Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract The main purpose of the study is to assess the level of community leadership for community capacity building in tourism development. Six indicators were used to measure community leadership at the community level in the context of tourism development. Findings show that the level of community leadership as a factor of community capacity building is low. However the level in the old district is higher than the new district of Shiraz. t-test also shows that there is a significant difference between the level of community leadership in local communities in new Shiraz and the old Shiraz.

Predictors of Mammography Screening among Iranian Women Attending Outpatient Clinics in Tehran, Iran

Mammography utilization is low in Iran compared with other countries. Here a cross-sectional survey design was used to investigate psycho-social and individual factors associated with mammography among 400 women asymptomatic of breast cancer. The study was carried out at the four outpatient clinics of Tehran during the period from July through October, 2009. We found that mammography screening was related to higher self-efficacy and womens occupation. Future tailored interventions on potential psycho-social determinants and specific demographic factors are critical in increasing mammography screening rates among Iranian women.

Barriers to mammography among women attending gynecologic outpatient clinics in Tehran, Iran

The aim of this study was to understand barriers to mammography among women attending obstetric and gynecologic outpatient clinics. Women at 4 obstetric and gynecologic clinics affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey with self-administered questionnaire and divided into two groups. The participant group consisted of women who had mammogram in the last two years and the non-participant group of women who had never had mammogram or for whom it had been over 2 years since their last mammogram. A total of 400 women aged 35 to 69 years, were randomly selected using random cluster sampling: 86(21.5%) were evaluated as the participant group and 314(78.5%) as the non-participant group. The result showed that lack of doctors’ advice, for the participant group, and embarrassment, for the non-participant group, are the most salient barriers. Mammography screening remains a health challenge for women and results suggest a comprehensive approach to focus on the attitudinal and logistic barriers.

The Influence of Psycho-social Factors on Participation Levels in Community-based Breast Cancer Prevention Programs in Tehran, Iran

Background: Although significant consideration has been devoted to women participation in breast cancer prevention programs, our understanding about the psychosocial factors which influence participation remains incomplete. Method: The study applied a quantitative approach based on the cross-sectional survey design and multistage cluster random sampling. A total of 400 women aged 35-69 years, were surveyed at 4 obstetric and gynecologic clinics affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran: the participation levels of 86 women who have had a mammogram were analyzed based on their self-efficacy, belief, social influence, and barriers concerning mammography utilization. Results: Consistent with the study framework, in bivariate analysis, the higher level of women’s participation in breast cancer prevention programs was significantly related to more positive belief about mammography (p< .05), greater social influence on mammography (p< .01) and fewer barriers to mammography (p< .01). Self efficacy (p= .114) was not significantly related to the higher level of participation. Conclusion: Results suggest that women’s participation levels in breast cancer prevention programs might be associated with the specific psychosocial factors on breast cancer preventive behavior such as mammography screening.

Participatory of local operators in ecotourism services delivery: the nature-based tourism development in Pahang National Park, Malaysia

This article offers a look at the participation of local operators in delivery of ecotourism services, concentrating on the development of nature-based tourism at Pahang National Park and Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia. According to the author, the development of nature-based tourism depends on the managing agency and conditions by various endogenous and exogenous factors of stakeholders, including local communities. In the case of Malaysia, Taman Negara is administered by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and consists of three separately managed state parks.