Iranian Journal of Nursing Research
Year:2010 | Volume:5 | Issue:18|Papers Count:10

Introduction: Elder abuse by family members particularly where family provides care to an aging relative has been addressed as a serious problem by most societies. Considering the importance and prevalence of the issue, exploring lived experiences of elders in this regards is necessary to have a better understanding of elder abuse phenomenon. The study aimed to explore experiences and perceptions of elders regarding their abuse by family members. Methods: A qualitative study using hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed to conduct the study. Unstructured interviews were undertaken with fourteen elderly community dwellers of Tehran city. In-depth interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using van Manen method. Results: Four themes were identified including: 'being deprived of human rights and dignities', 'smashed up integrity', 'silent suffering' and 'painful ending'. Conclusion: The lived experience of the older adults evidenced elder abuse as a deprivation from the human rights and dignity which could result in negative physical, psychological, and socio- economical consequences, decreased quality of life and tough ending which they bear it in silence. The findings reveal significant concepts in providing care to elders and could contribute in increasing capabilities of healthcare workers specially nurses to assess, intervene and prevent it appropriately.

Introduction: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) caused by sharp objects are the most important issue in exposure of healthcare workers especially nurses to blood borne pathogens. Nursing and midwifery students are highly exposed to the risks as well when they perform clinical trainings. The present study aimed to determine frequency of those injuries and associated factors among nursing and midwifery students affiliated to Kerman University of medical Sciences.Methods: A cross sectional study method was conducted to recruit 190 nursing and midwifery students who were training in clinical settings. The data was collected using Shiao questionnaire including demographic factors and 25 specific questions regarding history of needle stick and sharp object injuries and associated factors as well as vaccinating against hepatitis B. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software using Chi-square and regression tests.Results: The study demonstrated that 30.1% of the students experienced the injuries during the previous year and 42.2% were exposed to minimum one injury during their university education. Needle stick injuries were the most common sort of injuries (71.6%). 33.9% of them reported the accident. The most frequent reason of not reporting was their confident of absence of any serious infection in their patients. Most of students were vaccinated against hepatitis B (93.6%). Students in their second educational year had experienced the most injuries. There was no significant difference between nursing and midwifery students also between students in their internship or earlier clinical trainings considering the frequency of injuries.Conclusion: The study indicated a relatively high rate of needle stick and sharp objects injuries among nursing and midwifery students in studies university. Although hepatitis B vaccinations was extensively practiced, but it is recommended to instruct the students to prevent the injuries and intervene appropriately after injuries.

Introduction: Cancer is one of the three health issues of the society and the third cause of mortality in Iran. Food habits play a significant role in preventing cancer. The present study therefore, was carried out to assess food habits of Tehran citizens for cancer prevention. Methods: This study is a cross- sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2500 Tehran citizens who were recruited through systematic cluster random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires including demographic factors and food habits. Validity and reliability of tool was gained through content validity and Alfa-Cronbach test. Data was collected in one time occasion and in person. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software using descriptive and inferential tests. Results: The showed demonstrated that the 38.2% of Tehran citizens had their BMI at the level of being overweight and upper. The food habits for cancer prevention were relatively appropriate for most of them (61.3%), but no one was at the desired level. Conclusion: Concerning the study results that no one had proper food habits for cancer prevention, public education and increasing awareness of people in this regards by ministry of health, cancer institute’s, mass media, educational system, ministry of labour and social affairs is strongly recommended.

Introduction: Depression is a mood disorder that is considered as a world epidemic problem. The prevalence of depression among women is twice of men. It accompanies some complications such as immobility and obesity. Literature shows women are at greater risk of obesity and consequent depression which both contribute in worsening women’s physical, emotional and health problems. Physical activities are ways to reduce depression. Conducing the present study which aimed to determine effect of physical activity on depression in obese women in Iran is therefore necessary.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. 222 depressed and obese women, referred to healthcare centers located in zone 17 of Tehran for their healthcare issues were recruited to the study. They were randomly allocated to two groups of intervention and control after being diagnosed by Beck standard questionnaire. Intervention group had physical activities as study intervention. The effects of physical activities were assessed before and after the intervention in both groups. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software, using Pearson, Chi-square, Kolmogrov-Smirnov and Mann Whitney tests.Results: The study demonstrated that after exercise, 70.1% of samples had reached to normal level. Depression level of obese women in intervention and control groups were found to be significantly different (P=0.001, NNT=2).Conclusion: The study showed that doing exercise was effective in reducing the level of depression in women and the number of women in need of treatment and prevention of bad outcome was two persons. So the study recommends including excersice to daily plans of Iranian women. This is a key point for adding exercise program to Iranian women daily activity living. All organization who have health affairs need to consider the correlation between life style and mental health as part of mental health plans for the society in order to present the complication of depression.

Introduction: Documentation is one of the most important practices in nursing. It sounds that nothing can reflect the total amount of nursing care giving patients as documentation does. Studies indicate that nurses spend on estimated 1/3 of total shift of activities. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between nurse's knowledge and practice regarding the principles of nursing documentation among nursing stuff affiliated to hospitals of Kerman medical university. Methods: Using descriptive- analytic study method, 226 nurses who were working in one of the four hospitals of Kerman medical university were selected through quota sampling. The data were collected through a researcher-made instrument that consisted of demographic characteristics, a questionnaire assessing their knowledge and a checklist for their practice. Descriptive and inferential static were used to analyze the data. All statistics were computed by SPSS software using Indices of central and dispersion and Kruscal Wallis, man-whiney u and spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The study indicated that 46.5% of nurses had moderate knowledge and also 85% of nurses had poor practice. It was demonstrated that there is a significant difference between nurse's knowledge and practice regarding the principles of nursing documentation (P<0.001) with positive correlation coefficient. However the value (r=0.24) didn’t show a strong relationship between them. It was also a significant difference between passing educational course of nursing documentation and nurse's knowledge (P<0.001). The rest of demographic characteristics didn’t have any significant difference with their knowledge and practice.Conclusion: The study revealed a weak relationship between knowledge and practice. Besides knowledge and applying it in practice, other contributor issues should be recognized and meet appropriately.

Introduction: Shift work and rotational shift schedule interrupt interaction of the parents with their children. As shift workers (nurses, midwives, enrolled nurses, nurse aid and operating rooms’ technicians) are obliged to have shift words, the present study designed to assess the effects of their shift word on strengths and behavioral problems of their children, aged 7-12 years among shift workers of private and university hospitals in Tehran city.Methods: Using a cross sectional study design, 489 shift workers drawn from private and university hospitals in Tehran city were selected along with their children’s teachers. Data were collected using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), specific to parents and teachers including scales of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems and prosocial behaviors. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software using chi-square, logistic regression (stepwise method), and spearman and ANOVA tests.Results: No significant relationships were found between parents’ shift with strengths and difficulties problems of their children based on their self-reported questionnaire. It was revealed that some of demographic factors have significant correlations with the scales such as number of children and their gender with conduct problems, parents educational level, gender, their shift work schedule, history of physical/psychiatric diseases of children with emotional symptoms and parents’ educational degree with hyperactivity/inattention, parents’ gender. History of morning-evening and evening-night and rotational shifts with peer relationship problems and finally parents’ gender and history of rotational shifts with prosoci.al behaviors.Conclusion: The study didn’t demonstrate impact of shift work on behavioral problems of shift workers’ children. However, behavioral and emotional problems of the children were correlated with some of their parents’ demographic and job related factors which calls for considering it among shift workers of nursing profession.

Introduction: The advantages of breast feeding especially exclusive breast-feeding have been clearly demonstrated. It has also been emphasized in our religious instructions. Breastfeeding infants by mother as an inclusive food could empower immunology system of infants. Breastfeeding as the ideal method of feeding infants is well accepted around the world because of its protective effect against intestinal and respiratory infection. The present study therefore designed and conducted to determine modes of breast feeding at one year age and its relation to respiratory infections of infants referred to healthcare centers of Sanandaj during 1386. Methods: In this case-control study, 100 infants with acute respiratory infection were recruited conveniently. The samples were drawn from hospitals and health centers. 100 matched healthy infants were also recruited to the study from the health centers. The diagnosis of ARIs were made by physicians. Data were gathered through structured interviews based on a questionnaire contained demographic factors and modes of breastfeeding. The data was analyzed using Chi-square and t student tests. Results: A significant correlation was demonstrated between breastfeeding modes in two groups of infants with Acute Respiratory Infection and healthy infants (P=0.000) OR=5.44 (2.15:13.76). It was also found that there is a significant relationship between breastfeeding modes with starting time of complementary nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding in both groups.Conclusion: The study revealed the increased risk of respiratory infections among infants who don’t receive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding during the first year have considerable protective effects against respiratory infections and could significantly reduce the disease duationa dn related mortality rate. Exclusive breastfeeding during first six months reduce the risk of respiratory and infectious diseases among infants because of its ingredients. Public education regarding the differences of breastfeeding compare to other milk sources could be effective.

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is still a leading cause of preventable brain damage, physical and mental handicap, and early death among newborns in many countries. In spite of this fact, Iranian mothers seem not to approach their newborn jaundice appropriately. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore mother’s viewpoints regarding their newborn jaundice. Methods: Using qualitative method, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of fifteen mothers who their infants were hospitalized in one of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a diagnosis of jaundice newborn. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Two themes and two sub-themes were identified in data analysis. The main themes were challenge between traditional and modern approach to newborn jaundice (with two sub-themes of traditional understanding of disease’ nature and challenges in treatment and follow ups) and mothers concerns for their infants’ future. In general, mother weren’t aware of disease’ nature and their traditional approach had caused challenges in treatment of their newborn jaundice. Conclusion: Considering the finding of the study, in order to help mothers to approach their newborn jaundice appropriately and disease follow up, it is recommended that nurses and midwives instruct mothers about their newborn jaundice and plan for perinatal care.

Introduction: Depression is the fourth most disabling disease affecting people worldwide. It is also the most common psychological disorder among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The present study aimed to assess and compare the depression level between hemodialysis patients and rental transplant recipients.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to recruit 180 patients (61 hemodialysis patients and 47 renal transplant recipients) during 1383-84 in Sanandaj city. Depression level was measured using the Beck depression scale (BDI). All statistics were computed by the SPSS.win software using chi-square and t-tests.Results: The mean age of hemodialysis patients and renal transplantation patients was 47.4±15.5 and 39.9±9.7 years respectively which was significantly different (P<0.003). Male and female participants didn’t show any significant difference in their depression level. A total of %93 of hemodialysis patients were depressed (mild to severe) compare to 56% in renal transplantation patients. Severe depression was found among %16.4 of hemodialysis patients and %6.4 of renal transplant recipients. Difference of depression level between these two groups were statistically significant (P<0.000). There were no significant difference between the level of depression and demographic factors of age, gender, marital status and education.Conclusion: The study revealed high rate of depression among hemodialysis patients and renal transplantation recipients which was much higher in the first group. Benefiting self-administrative test of BDI could prevent us mixing up the symptoms of ESRD with depression during assessing and screening depressed patients. Therefore, it offers a simple and economical method to diagnose and treat their depression among on time among.