HAYAT
Year:2011 | Volume:17 | Issue:2|Papers Count:9

Background & Aim: Violence in workplaces threatens safety of personnel. Among health care personnel, nurses are more exposed to verbal and physical violence. The aim of this study was to assess confrontation of nurses with verbal and physical violence in hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences.Methods & Materials: In this field study, all of nurses employed in hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences (n=302) were recruited to the study. Data were gathered using standardized questionnaire including four parts. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic (Chi square and Fisher's exact test) statistics.Results: More that 70% of the nurses had an experience of violence during their work period. Male nurses were more exposed to violence than the female nurses. Most of the violence was done by patients' relatives (40.4%).Conclusion: The results showed that most of the participants had the experience of violence done by patients' relatives. In order to minimize violence in hospitals, preventive strategies including proper management, proper protection, and public education should be considered.

Background & Aim: The Non Stress Test (NST) is a main assessment tool for fetal wellbeing; however, it has a high rate of false-positive results. External stimulation with halogen light has been recommended to aid in provoking fetal response, decreasing false-positive results and promoting the test. This study aimed to assess the effect of halogen light stimulation on nonreactive pattern of NST.Methods & Materials: From 850 women who underwent NSTs, 50 women with singleton and cephalic fetuses who had nonreactive NSTs were allocated to receive halogen light stimulation through a halogen light source of 1,000,000 candle power. The light was applied to the lower abdomen above symphysis pubis over fetal head for 10 seconds. Results were compared to BPP scores as a backup test. We used mean± SD, chi-square Test and Fisher's Exact Test. The >α0.05 was considered as significant level.Results: Following stimulation, 68% of nonreactive results changed to reactive patterns. In half of the cases, first acceleration occurred in less than two minutes. Almost 90% of fetuses had reactive pattern within nine minutes.Conclusion: Halogen light stimulation decreased the incidence of non reactive tests and testing time. Halogen light stimulation is safe and efficient in fetal well being assessment.

Background & Aim: Most of the recent studies in nursing education have been focused on outcomes of learning. Conventional clinical nursing education, which emphasizes on skill acquisitions, may not encourage students to adopt meaningful or deep learning approaches. This study examined the effect of Concept Mapping on learning approaches among nursing students.Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 53 nursing students were randomly divided into two control (n=25) and experimental (n=28) groups. We taught concept mapping for the nurses in the experimental group to use it in caring patients and learning clinical skills. The control group received traditional nursing care plan lessons. Before and at the end of the intervention, the students' approach to learning was assessed using the Study Process Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using independent t test.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the control and experimental groups on demographics, surface and deep approaches to learning at the beginning of the study (P>0.05). Deep approach to learning increased significantly in the experimental group after the intervention (P=0.03). There was also statistically significant difference in the deep approach to learning between two groups (P=0.02). No statistically significant difference was found in the surface approaches to learning between two groups.Conclusion: The results of this study provided empirical support for the use of concept mapping as a meta cognitive intervention to increase students' meaningful learning and academic achievement.

Background & Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most prevalent complains among elderly in primary care centers. The purpose of this study was to assess urinary tract disorders and prevalence of urinary tract infection in residents of Kahrizak elderly House. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 142 men and 114 women (mean age: 76.03±8.32 years) were randomly selected for the study. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. Weight and height of the participants was measured and urine cultures were ordered. Data were analyzed using X2 and Fisher's exact test. The P<0.05 denoted statistical significance.Results: Findings showed that 34% of elderly had urinary tract infection. Of those, 55% (46 cases) were women and 45% ( 41 cases) were men. Prostate hypertrophy (32.5%) and gyneacologic disorders (16.9%) were the most diagnosed disorders (P<0.05).Conclusion: The prevalence of urine tract infection in elderly with urinary system disorders is high. Recognizing at risk elderly and referring them to the health care centers can prevent urinary tract infection and its complications.

Background & Aim: Home care ViSits have unique advantages in many social problems and health complications such as psychologic complications and adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of postpartum care at home on quality of life among low risk mothers.Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted in Akbarabad health center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. A total of 200 mothers were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups. Mothers in the control group received two post partum visits in health care center and the intervention group received care at home. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the mothers' quality of life items; along with a growth and development monitoring chart for newborns. For analyzing data, Mann- Withney U, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used.Results: Most of the mothers aged 20-29 years old. The number of visits were statistically different between the two groups (P=0.00, P=0.01). Dimensions of quality of life in the two groups were not statistically different: (Physical dimension: P=0.052), (Emotional dimension: P=0.775), (Public health dimension: P=0.068), (Social performance dimension P=0.780) and (Total score: P=0.213).Conclusion: the results of our study did not show no positive improvements in home postpartum care in comparison with the health care centers care. More studies are recommended.

Background & Aim: HIV/AIDS is a well-recognized global problem in the world, including Iran. It is necessary to comprehend and understand lived experience of HIV positive patients. The present study was designed and conducted to better understand the perspectives and experiences of HIV positive patients about the role of the spirituality and religious beliefs in their lives with HIV / AIDS.Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach. In-depth, audio-taped and semi- structured interviews with 19 participants were conducted to collect data. Data were transcript. Observations were also recorded in comprehensive field notes. A hermeneutic approach was used to analyze the data, according to the method developed by Diekelmann.Results: According to the findings, participants aged between 21 and 56 years of old at the time of contamination to the HIV. Almost half (47.4%) of the participants had CD4 counts under 200 cells/mm3. Analyzes of the data revealed three main themes: (a) Redefining religious values and communicating with God; (b) Compensation; and (c) Individual development. The themes included some sub-themes.Conclusion: Experiencing difficult conditions in HIV positive individuals provide them with an opportunity to return to religious values, redefine themselves and give meaning to their lives, rather than fear or disappointment. Communicating with other HIV positive patients and religious experts are suggested as additional appropriate strategies.

Background & Aim: Provision of essential information to patients is essential in medical services. However, results of patient education surveys show that medical personnel's perceptions may not align with those of patients about educational needs. This study was carried out to determine and compare educational priorities between patients and medical personnel.Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 69 patients with epilepsy, and 85 medical personnel (physicians and nurses) working in neurology, neurosurgery and pediatrics units were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire consisting of three subsets with a total of 28 items. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOV A.Results: More patients (58.2%) were male. Mean age was 30.8 years. Mean ages of nurses and doctors were 29.8 and37.8 years, respectively. Mean score of items regarding the disease in patients group was significantly higher than the medical personnel (P=0.00). Mean score of items about life style was higher in patients and nurses than the doctors (P=0.001). There were no significant differences about informational priorities of the drug therapy subset between three groups (P=0.53).Conclusion: Education needs assessments should be done by considering patients' educational priorities in order to meet their educational needs.

Background & Aim: Despite technology development, rate of infants' hospitalizations is still high, which endures emotional and economic burden to families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mothers' participation in care of preterm infant on readmission rate.Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial, 100 mothers who had preterm infants (gestational ages: 30-37 weeks) with respiratory distress syndrome were recruited. Samples were selected using continuous random assignment. Collaborative programs for the intervention group were implemented in the form of an information session and presence and participation of mothers in their infants care. One month after discharge, readmission check list was completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and paired t tests.Results: Results showed that readmission rate was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The average length of stay in hospital was 6.96 in the intervention group and 12.96 in the control group (P<0.00).Conclusion: Participation of mothers in care of their infants reduced readmission rate.