HAYAT
Year:2009 | Volume:15 | Issue:2|Papers Count:13

Background & Aim: Nausea and vomiting is one of the major side-effects of chemotherapy. Due to complex nature of its management, both medical and non-medical therapies are recommended. This study aimed to investigate the effect of music therapy on chemotherapy nausea and vomiting in children with malignancy. Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 children aged 8-12 who were under chemotherapy were recruited. After getting the current treatments, the children listened to a kind of music for 45 minutes at 6, 9, and 12 hours after the beginning of the chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting was measured using both numerical and descriptive scales every 8 hours for 24 hours after beginning of the chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using Willcoxon and Mcnemar statistical tests in the SPSS, version 11.5. Results: The rate of nausea was declined significantly at the 16th and 24th hours after music therapy. Assessment of nausea by descriptive scale showed a decline only at 24th hours after music therapy. The rate of vomiting did not show any significant difference between two stages. Conclusion: Music therapy could decrease the amount of nausea in children with malignancy under chemotherapy; however, it does not any effect on the rate of vomiting.

Background and aim: Routine episiotomy is often considered unnecessary.Episiotomy is associated with short- and long-term morbidities such as suturing, possible bleeding, infection, urinary and fecal incontinences, and dyspareunia. It has also adverse effects on self-esteem and mother-infant bonding. This study aimed to determine the effect of perineal massage during second stage of labor on perineal outcome among nulliparous women. Methods & Materials: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial. At 38-42 weeks of gestation, nulliparous women expecting normal vaginal delivery of a singleton were asked to join the study. Two hundred and four women were randomly allocated into the intervention and control groups. Participants signed the consent forms. In the intervention group, during the pushing time in the second phase of labor, the midwife inserted two fingers inside the vagina and used a sweeping motion gently to stretch the perineum. The control group received routine care. The rates of episiotomy and laceration were calculated. Results: In the intervention group, the rate of intact perineum, episiotomy, and laceration were 43.5%, 16.5%, and 40%, respectively and in the control group, they were 2.4%, 80% and 17.6%, respectively (P<0.001). In the intervention group, the first- and second-degree lacerations were 28.2% and 11.8%, respectively; but, the third and fourth degree lacerations were not seen. In the control group, first, second, and third degree lacerations were 4.7%, 7.1%, and 5.9%, respectively (P<0.001). The fourth degree laceration was not seen. The mean duration of the second stage of labor in the intervention and control groups were 40.06±20.74 and 51.06±21.23 minutes, respectively (P=0.003). The Mean of the first minute Apgar score was 8.51±0.76 and 8.73±0.60 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean of the five minute Apgar score was 9.58±0.62 and 9.78±0.47, respectively (P=0.102). Conclusion: This study showed that perineal massage reduces the rate of episiotomy and the degree of lacerations in the second stage of labor. Massage may increase blood flow, elasticity, relaxation, and softness of the perineum.

Background & Aim: Adjustment of nursing scheduling for specific periods of time to meet the needs of hospitals, nurses and patients is a time-consuming and challenging task for nursing managers. The aim of this study was to design a nursing scheduler system based on genetic algorithm to render better services to patients and overcome traditional scheduling problems. Methods & Materials: In this applied research, we designed software based on the data derived from interviews with the personnel of two pediatric wards. We transformed the expert entity planning procedure to mathematic function using Genetic Algorithm Programming and create the schedule. We compared the system-designed schedule with the schedule that was written by experts in MATLAB software. Results: The results showed that the system-designed schedule resulted in 57% reduction in the arrangement costs and 93% time saving for nursing managers in comparison with the expert-designed schedule during 6 months.Conclusion: System-designed schedule had higher efficiency than the expert-designed one. It entailed higher efficiency of managers and higher job satisfaction of nurses. It also reduced problems of working with paper schedules. Nurses' preferences and hospital requirements could be taking into account, as well. Since we used the limited data gathered from two selected wards for writing the program, the program should be modified based on the data provided from other wards. Further studies are needed to design similar systems with more details in order that it can be available in various wards of hospitals.

Background & Aim: Preeclampsi which is a common and important disorder in pregnancy is one of the three leading causes of maternal mortality. It is worthy to find out an appropriate screening test for it. This study aimed to assess serum hematocrit level as a screening test for preeclampsia. Methods & Materials: Using a randomized stratification, 660 women who were in the 24-28 weeks of gestation were recruited to the study from a prenatal clinic of Taamin Ejtemaei hospital in Tehran. Data were collected through observations and interviews. Data were recorded in a questionnaire and recording form. The women were followed up until delivery. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: There was significant differences in 24-28 weeks serum hematocrit levels in preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women (P<0.001). There were 58.6% sensitivity, 88.9% specificity, 33.7% positive predictive value, and 95.7% negative predictive value for serum hematocrit. Conclusion: A Serum hematocrit level in 24-28 weeks of gestation is a simple and inexpensive test that can help to detect high-risk preeclamptic women.

Background & Aim: Communication is one of the basic concepts which nursing students must learn. Nurse instructors’ behaviors have key role on effective clinical education. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of situational leadership model on nursing students' communication competency. Methods & Materials: In this before-after trial, we recruited the students who had medical & surgical practicum in the second semester and summer of 1385-86 in public hospitals in Arak. They were selected randomly and then allocated to case (n=40) and control (n=35) groups. In the first week of practicum (before), we measured the students' communication competency using a self-structured questionnaire. For intervention, we defined behavioral objectives and designed a diagnosis form for identifying level of maturity and a feedback form for the students. After orientation of the students with behavioral objectives, we accompanied with main instructors based on their maturity levels in caring and applied effective leadership style. Along with the practicum period, we supervised the students' level of maturity in different nursing care skills. In the end (after), we measured the students' competency. We analyzed the data in SPSS, version 13. Results: The results showed that there was significant difference before and after the intervention (P<0.001). Also, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.001). Self-evaluation showed no significant differences between students' competency in two groups (P=0.335).Conclusion: The situational leadership model would promote nursing students' communication competency.

Background & Objective: High levels of assertiveness and low levels of anxiety are important factors that result in suitable communication. They also increase intellectual abilities, abstract thought, power & autonomy, and personal well-being among nursing and midwifery students. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety among midwifery and nursing students. Methods & Materials: In this correlational, cross-sectional study, 173 nursing students (68 males & 105 females) were recruited using census and rational methods. Seventy seven midwifery students were also recruited using census method. Data were collected using a self-report tool including "personal information form", "Trait Spilberger Anxiety", and "Assertion Inventory" (AI) of Gambrill & Richey. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: Results showed that more than half of the nursing and midwifery students (59.5% and 59.7%, respectively) had moderate assertiveness. Also, 43.3% and 36.4% of them had moderate and high levels of anxiety. Pearson correlation test revealed that assertiveness and anxiety had negative correlations in nursing (r=-0.51, P<0.001) and midwifery (r=-0.449, P<0.001) students. Some demographic variables had significant correlations with assertiveness and anxiety among the students.Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety and their effect on mental health, as well as educational and occupational functions of the students, more attention is needed to pay to theses issues. Also, it seems that appropriate interventions should be planned to increase assertiveness and to decrease anxiety among the students.

Background & Aim: Drug addiction, especially addiction to Ecstasy has ruinous effect on lives. Lack of knowledge is the most important cause of Ecstasy use among young adults. Research studies showed that students use these pills in order to get comfort and to overcome grieves. Addiction to ecstasy has been increased in Iran in recent years. This study was carried out to assess the factors associated to Ecstasy use in students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 students using clustered, random sampling. Data collection tool was a structured valid and reliable questionnaire containing 28 questions in two sections. Data were analyzed using Student t-test, ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: Results indicated that the prevalence of Ecstasy use was 1.5%. Prevalence of alcohol and cigarette use was 1.5% too. Mean score of knowledge on Ecstasy was 9.8% (SD=3.8). Knowledge of the female students was higher than the knowledge of male ones. About 86.7% of the students took Ecstasy in order to end grieve due to family problems. Most important associated factors to Ecstasy use were: positive attitude toward Ecstasy use, lack of knowledge (96.5%), peer pressure (96%), and lck of parents' attention to their young children (94.5%).Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about complications of addiction to Ecstasy is the most important factor leading to addiction among students. Living in places such as dormitories and rented houses, and lack of parents' control over their children can be important factors related to addiction of students to Ecstasy, as well.

Background & Aim: Unwanted pregnancy is one of the most important causes of mother and child mortality. It may end up to illegal abortion and result in inevitable physical and psychological consequences. This study aimed to determine the correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan. Methods & Materials: In this cross–sectional study, we recruited 229 pregnant women using random sampling. Women with at least one alive child were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive& analytical statistical tests. Results: The mean age was 30.7. The mean age at marriage was 19.7. Of all women, 32.3% had unwanted pregnancy. The results showed that there were significant relationships between age of marriage (P<0.05), current age of women (P<0.05), level of education (P<0.05), No. of children (P<0.01), employment (P<0.05), and income (P<0.01) with unwanted pregnancy.Conclusion: The prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancy was high in the studied population. Educational programs regarding correct methods of contraceptive usages are required.