Iranian Journal of War and Public Health
Year:2016 | Volume:8 | Issue:4|Papers Count:11

Aims: Persons with lower-limb amputations need to achieve more natural gait through more effort, leading to an increase in the energy consumption in them compared to the healthy persons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the socket fit on gait energy consumption level in persons with lower limb amputations.Materials & Methods: In the semi-experimental study, 9 persons with below knee amputation, referred to Tehran Veterans Foundation Center, were studied in 2015. The subjects were selected via available sampling method. The study was consisted of two steps, including improper fit and proper fit conditions. The socket fitting was assessed by the trinity amputation scale and the socket comfort scale. The level of energy consumption of the subjects was measured by the physiological cost index. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using paired T test.Findings: Mean values of persons’ gait speed (p=0.001) and the physiological cost index (p=0.019) with improper fit and proper fit were significantly different. Nevertheless, the difference between gait heart beat and resting heart beat at two steps was not significant (p=0.093).Conclusion: Lower energy consumption can be achieved in persons with lower-limb amputations through the utilization of a proper fit, leading to a better gait.

Aims: Some of the present psychotherapy help challengaes in the veterans are reductions in the level of mental health and psychological capital of the veterans caused by the war damages, which require more attentions. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of mindfulness, based on the cognitive therapy, on the increasement of the psychological capital dimensions, including resilience, self-efficacy, optimism, and hope, in the veterans.Materials & Methods: In the controlled pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study, 20 veterans referred to Tehran Khatam-al-Anbia Hospital were studied in 2015. The injury percentage of the veterans was 70%, and they had a weak psychological capital. The subjects, selected by purposeful sampling method, were randomly divided into two groups including experimental and control groups (n=10 persons per group). Eight 120-minute cognitive therapy intervention sessions, based on mindfulness, was conducted in experimental group. Data was collected using Luthans psychological capital scale both in the pretest and posttest stages. Data was analyzed using multivariate covariance analysis with adjusted pretest effect.Findings: Mean posttest scores of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience in experimental group were more than control group (p<0.01). In addition, the treatment mindfulness intervention based on the cognitive therapy could explain 61.3, 78.6, 56.6, and 66.7% of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience variances, respectively.Conclusion: Mindfulness based on the cognitive therapy can increase the dimensions of the psychological capital including resilience, self-efficacy, hope, and optimism in the veterans.

Aims: The cognitive-emotional functions of the veterans might be affected by war and its long-term side-effects. Such functions show a person’s capability for inhibition, self-change, planning, organizing, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment based on the acceptance and commitment on the veterans’ cognitiveemotional functions.Materials & Methods: In the controlled pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study, 50 male chemically injured veterans of Arak were studied in 2016. The subjects, selected via available sampling method, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Data was collected using Barkly Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale. Ten 45-minute acceptance and commitment-based treatment sessions were conducted in experimental group. Data was analyzed by SPSS 23 software using multi-variable covariance analysis.Findings: Through controlled pretest effects, the acceptance and commitment based treatment improved self-inhibition (p=0.02), self-motivation (p=0.08), emotional self-regulation (p=0.047), and cognitive-emotional functions (p=0.001) in experimental group.Conclusion: Teaching the acceptance and commitment-based treatment improves the veterans’ cognitive-emotional functions.

Aims: The veterans and their families might face with many mental and behavioral problems due to the war outcomes. One of the problems is their children’s vulnerability at their adolescent. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the socio-emotional skills program training on anger control and social problem-solving skill in the veterans’ children.Materials & Methods: In the controlled pretest-posttest semi-experimental study, 30 male children of veterans, who studied at Shahed High School in Ardabil, were studied in 2015. The subjects, selected via simple random sampling method, were randomly divided into two groups including control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. Data was collected by anger control and social problem-solving skill questionnaires. Twelve one-hour socioemotional skill-training sessions were conducted in experimental group, while control group received no training session. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using multi-variable covariance test.Findings: The effects of pretest stage having been controlled, the mean posttest scores of the groups were significantly different in anger control, positive orientation toward the problem, logical problem-solving, negative orientation towards the problem, impulsive/carelessness style, and avoidance style (p<0.001).Conclusion: The socio-emotional skills training enhance anger control and constructive problem-solving skill, while it reduces insufficient problem solving skill in the veterans’ children.

Aims: One of the requirements of every society is the adaptation of urban services and environments with the needs of the veterans and disabled persons. The aim of this study was to investigate satisfaction with the adaptation of the sidewalks and urban equipment on Enghelab Islami Ave. of Shiraz with needs of the veterans and persons with motor disabilities.Instrument & Methods: In the applied descriptive-analytic study, the satisfaction levels of 379 veterans and persons with motor disabilities of Shiraz with the equipment and urban services of Enghelab Islami Ave. were studied in2015. The subjects were selected by Simple Random sampling method. Data was collected via interviews, observations, and a researcher-made questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using descriptive statistics.Findings: On the studied avenue, lack of any planning in the adaptation of urban services and equipment with the physical status of the disabled persons was the major urban equipment problem of the veterans and disabled persons related to the physical barriers on the sidewalks. The levels of satisfaction with the public transportation, urban furniture, adaptation of sidewalk floor, and proper WC were 11.9%, 30.1%, 25.3%, and 22.2%, respectively. In addition, total satisfaction level percentage was 22.2%.Conclusion: Not properly designed, the urban environment and equipment of Enghelab Islami Ave. of Shiraz are not adapted with the needs of the veterans and persons with motor disabilities. The satisfaction level of the conducted adaptations of the avenue is 22.2%.

Aims: The secondary PTSD is a type of post trauma stress disorders that can throw other family members into mental disorders. It is supposed that the secondary PTSD might lead to some educational problems, such as the decline in the academic performance and motivation, in the children of such families. The aim of the study was to investigate the roles of the secondary PTSD and resilience in the academic performance and motivations in the veterans’ children.Instrument & Methods: In the correlational descriptive-analytic study, 187 high-school students, who were the children of veterans, were studied in Ardacan and Meybod townships in the academic year 2014-15. The subjects were selectd by available sampling method. Data was collected using the secondary trauma stress scale (STSS), the resilience scale (CD-RICS), and the academic motivation scale (AMS), as well as the students’ semester GPAs. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis tests.Findings: The secondary PTSD significantly and reversely correlated with performance (r=-0.37) and the academic motivation (r=-0.39). Nevertheless, resilience significantly and positively correlated with performance (r=0.54) and the academic motivation (r=0.56; p<0.01). In addition, the secondary PTSD and resilience could predict the students’ motivation and academic performance, showing a stronger predicting role for resilience than the secondary PTSD (p<0.05).Conclusion: The secondary PTSD and resilience might have a significant role in the prediction of the motivation and the academic performance in the students who are veternas’ children.

Aims: Negatively affecting the quality of life of the blind persons, damages and disabilities, if they accompany with mental disorders, doubly reduce their quality of life. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and screening of mental health problems in the unilateral blinded veterans in Fars Province.Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive cross-sectional study, 187 unilateral blinded veterans of Fars Province were studied in 2015. The subjects were selected via simple randomized sampling method. Data was collected by a demographic information questionnaire and SCL-90-R scale (a mental disorders symptoms checklist). Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 software using descriptive statistics and Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. Findings: The physical complaints (13.5%), hostility and anxiety (12.8%) were the most prevalent mental problem factors, respectively. In addition, the psychosis (8.9%) was the least prevalent factor than other factors. The problems of mental health were fully and significantly correlated with the educational level (p=0.02; r=13.16) and the accompanied damages (p=0.01; r=6.64).Conclusion: The physical complaints disorder, anxiety and hostility are the most prevalent mental problems in the unilateral blinded veterans of Fars Province. In addition, the psychosis and phobia are the least prevalent mental problems in the veterans.

Aims: After more than 25 years of Iran-Iraq war, it is required to have a standard and normalized tool to assess the post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) as a screening tool, based on the newest copy of the statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-V). The aim of the study was to investigate validity and reliability of the post-traumatic stress index (PCL-5) in the veterans.Instrument & Methods: In the applied descriptive study, 400 male veterans with chronic PTSD, who were residents of Tehran City and hospitalized in the army hospitals and being treated by the army psychologists and psychiatrists based on the diagnostic symptoms and signs, were studied from December 2015 to April 2016. The subjects were selected via purposeful and available sampling method. Data, collected by PCL-5, was analyzed through the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, correlational method, and Cronbach’s alpha, as well as retest.Findings: To explain and fit, the structure, based on four sub-scales, was proper. In addition, PCL-5 showed favorable convergent evidences (p=0.001; r=0.68). The credibility coefficients of Cronbach’s alpha and the index retest were more than 0.70 and satisfactory in the total scale and its dimensions.Conclusion: PCL-5 has proper validity and reliability and it can be used in the screening of the veterans.