Modern Care Journal
Year:2012 | Volume:9 | Issue:2 (34)|Papers Count:14

Background and Aim: Nurses are the largest group of health care workers and lawfully and ethically should be responsive to the qualities of the primary care which is offered. Therefore, their viewpoint has got a special position in determining and evaluation of health care quality. The present study aimed at evaluat5ing nursing services quality from nursing scholars’ point of view and the views of the employed nurses in Alzahyra hospital in Isfahan. Meanwhile, it introduces Servqual model to health centers and assesses the present performance and the expected one from nurses’ viewpoint according to the mentioned model.Materials and Method: In this applied study, which was conducted in a descriptive cross-sectional way, the population covered all nurses on three shifts (morning, evening, night) in Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan (Iran). Out of the population, 94 nurses were selected through simple sampling. The necessary data was collected via Servqual questionnaire, which covers five aspects including means (facilities) / tangible things, reliance/interest and attention, and guarantee and empathy. The obtained data was analysed by means of the statistical independent t at the significant level a=0.05.Results: It was found that there was a significant relationship between nurses’ expectations and perception regarding educational degrees, type of recruitment, and history of their service, but other factors (sex and age) had no significant relationship. There was a significant difference between the expectations from and perception of the quality of services in the nurses of Alzahra hospital in Isfahan (P<0.05).The larges and the smallest gaps belonged to tangibility and empathy (-29.3 and -06.2, respectively).Conclusion: Clinical managers, by using services quality assessment models, will be able to diagnose the gap between the two services offering sides, i.e. patients and health care staff and plan for the improvement of the affairs and solving present problems.

Background and Aim: Ionizing radiation can cause irreversible damages in individuals who are somehow exposed to radiation. Counting blood cells (CBC) can be used as a criterion to reveal the extent of injury to the hematopoietic system by ionizing rays. The present study aimed at examining blood cells of the radiology staff in the radiology wards of Birjand hospitals in 2011.Materials and Methods: In this casecontrol study, 36 radiology staff of Birjand radiology wards (cases) and 36 individuals who worked in other wards and had nothing to do with radiation but were matched with the cases regarding intervening variables were assessed. Cell blood count was measured by means of sysmix machine. The obtained data was analysed at the significant level P=0.05 using SPSS (V.16) using statistical tests independent-T, one-way variance, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: The study population covered 18 males and 18 females. Mean white blood cells and monocytes in radiation personnel were lower compared to that of the control group. No significant correlation was observed between age, gender, educational level, and working record on hand with blood cell count, on the other.Conclusion: Regarding ever- increasing of ionizing radiation use in Medical Imaging, it is necessary to observe standards and more accurately in medical radiology centers, especially in nuclear medicine. Besides, the present study indicates that radiation exposure must seriously be followed up by authorities in charge.

Background and Aim: The most significant job problem, which is usually diagnosed in the form of a reaction against employmental and organizational involvement in various staff of different organizations, is job burnout. The present research aimed at determining the relationship between personality dimensions and job burnout in nurses.Materials and Methods: In this correlational study, 318 nurses in Zahedan were selected through randomized sampling. In order to evaluate different personality traits Maslach burnout inventory (MBI et al., 1981) and John Big Five Inventory (BFI, John et al., 1991) were used. Internal reliability of both questionnaires was more than 0.70 (r>0.70). The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software kolmogrov-smirnov tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression, and ANOVA (through repeating of measures and Bunfferoni post hoc test) and P£0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: Findings showed that personality characteristics of employees such as extraversion, agreeableness, dutifulness, and openness to experience were all negatively and significantly correlated with job burnout dimensions (e.g. emotional burnout, personality deficiency, and modest personal success) (P<0.05). But neuroticism was positively correlated with the two dimensions “emotional exhaustion” and “depersonalization of job burnout” (P<0.05). Moreover, multiple linear regression results, agreeableness (P<0.05, b=-0.36), dutifulness (P<0.05, b=-0.43), and openness to experience (P<0.05, b=-0.20) can predict job burnout.Conclusion: Different personality dimensions are decisive in job burnout in nurses. Thus, in case personality traits of nurses are assessed prior to their employment it can predict future amount of job burnout in them.

Background and Aim: Depression is one of the common problems in all human societies, and in recent years it has been observed that a large number of adolescents in these communities are suffering from emotional and psychological problems. Surveying of mental health sources shows a completely different perspective on the prevalence of depression in intelligent and normal students. The purpose of the present study was to determine the extent and to compare the prevalence of depression in the two groups of gifted and normal students in Birjand city.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive- analytical study was carried out on 200 boys and girls from normal (N=90) and gifted (N=110) high schools in the school year 2008 in Birjand.90 gifted and 110 normal students participated in this study. Data collection means was a binary questionnaire the first part of which dealt with demographic characteristics of the subjects, and the second part included the short Beck test, which consists of 13 questions to assess depression symptoms. The gathered data was analyzed by using SPSS software (version 13), descriptive and inferential statistics, c2, and Mann-Whitney test at the significant level P<0.05.Results: The present study showed that prevalence of depression among gifted students was 61.1 % (24.4% mild, 30% moderate and 6.7% severe) and among regular students it was 42.7% (14.5% mi ld, 21.8% moderate, and 6.4% severe). Thus, prevalence of depression in gifted students was significantly higher than regular students (P=0.05). Comparison between mean of depression in gifted students and regular ones showed that it was significantly higher in the gifted (P=0.04).Conclusion: Regarding high prevalence of depression, especially in gifted students and the fact that students make up a large population and they are the main architects of future in our country, it is necessary to carry out new studies on them are necessary to obtain some information to be used in planning by those involved in health care in order to prevent, control, and cure the disease. More extensive studies with respect to this problem are recommended.

Background and Aim: Hypothermia is a condition in which body temperature drops to under normal range (36.5-37.5 C). Because hypothermia is a common problem with high morbidity before 28 days of age, in addition to rewarming newborns, the cause should be investigated and the infant should be hospitalized or referred to a special ward, immediately. The aim of the present study was to investigate nursing care conformity rate with existing standards, regarding prevention of neonatal hypothermia.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 400 nursing emergency care regarding prevention of neonatal hypothermia were observed using a checklist. The checklist that was designed according to existing standards included standard care regarding prevention of hypothermia. Nursing care related to preventing of neonatal hypothermia conducted in the operating room, delivery room, nursery and NICU wards of Mahdiyeh, Emam Hosein, Shohada, and Taleghany hospitals affiliated to Medical Science University of Shahid Beheshti, was compared with checklist items. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and c2 test at the significant level P<0.05.Results: Total scores of preventive nursing care of hypothermia in all situations was moderate (38%). The most conformity rate with standards was in NICU (45%) and in nursery and labor wards (37%). The lowest conformity rate was in the o perating room (34%).Conclusion: Nursing care related to prevention of neonatal hypothermia is far from standards, which can be attributed to carelessness of health providers, deficiency of training, and shortage of facilities and equipment.

Background and Aim: Considering the importance of the beliefs and perception of women about affecting pregnancy outcome, determining pregnant women’s perceived internal control of pregnancy outcomes and their related factors seems to be necessary. The present study was done to determine Zanjani pregnant women’s perceived internal control regarding the outcomes of pregnancy.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, internal control of 361 pregnant women was investigated using convenience sampling. Data collection was done by means of a questionnaire covering demographic status, folic acid use and questions regarding internal control. Reliability of the questionnaire was approved through Keronbach a coefficient (0.75). The gathered data was analysed at the significant level P<0.0 5 using SPSS software, one-way variance analysis test, T test, Pearson’s coefficient test, logistic regression, and frequency distribution table. The least acceptable point for internal control was taken 20.Results: Less than half of pregnant women (14.3%) had high internal control. Having adverse pregnancy outcome, taking of and having knowledge about folic acid, parity, type of job, and education level of mothers had a significant relationship with mean of internal control. There was a positive correlation between internal control and knowledge about folic acid (P=0.002, r=0.30), nevertheless, it was negative with parity (P=0.0001, r=0.20). Logistic regression multivariable analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between education and knowledge about folic acid with internal control.Conclusion: Regarding that the majority of pregnant women had a low internal control influenced by demographic factors such as education, planning to improve internal control of women before and during pregnancy through instructional programmes-especially with respect to illiterate women- is necessary.

Background and Aim: Children malnutrition is one of the important health problems in developing countries. Assessing anthropometric indicators are the most important tools to evaluate growth and nutritional status in children. The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of malnutrition in preschool children.Materials and Methods: This crosssectional and descriptive analytical study was done on 1132 preschool children in Birjand selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire and by measuring weight and height of the children on the basis of the standard method. Nutritional status of the children was evaluated according to three indexes: weight for age (e. g. underweight), height for age (e. g. stunting), and weight for height (e. g. wasting). Then, the results were compared with WHO standards. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software and chisquare test, taking P<0.05 as the significant level.Results: 46.5% of the children were boys and malnutrition prevalence regarding underweight, wasting, and stunting was 42.8%, 61% and 19.2% respectively. There was a significant relationship between malnutrition and mother’s age, gender, job, educational level, and residence with the three indices underweight, wasting, and stunting, and also between household size and stunting (P<0.05). However, there wasn’t a significant relationship between malnutrition, household size, and birth order.Conclusion: Regarding high prevalence of malnutrition in preschool children and its relationship to socioeconomic variables, the problem may be reduced through increasing families’ income and parents’ educational level.

Background and Aim: Organizational commitment necessitates employees continuing to work in the same organization for a longer period of time. The present study aimed at exploring the relationship between organizational commitment and productivity of psycho-rehabilitation team members.Materials and Methods: In this correlational study, 90 members from 291 psycho-rehabilitation team members of Razi center who were selected by stratified sampling out of the staff with different disciplines were assessed. Allen-Meyer organizational commitment questionnaire (Content Validity Index) /CVI =0.68, test, re-test reliability=0.94, and Heresy and Goldsmith productivity questionnaire (CVI=0.61, test, re-test reliability=0.88) were used to evaluate the participants organizational commitment. Both questionnaires were self-contained. After trying the normality of the distribution of the points by means of Kolmogorov Smirnov correlation between productivity and each component of organizational commitment was evaluated using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient.Results: The study population included 10 psychiatrists, 11 occupational therapists, 15 psychologists, 9 social workers, and 45 nurses. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between organizational commitment and productivity (r=0.357), between affective commitment and productivity (r=0.239), between continuous commitment and productivity (r=0.303), and between normative commitment and productivity of psychorehabilitation team members (r=0.275).Conclusion: In general, it is necessary to promote productivity of rehabilitation teams through planning for due efforts and necessary interventions.

Background and Aim: Nursing students will be one of the groups in the community health management in future, therefore, identifying the factors that can endanger their mental health is necessary. The aim of the present study was to determine nursing students’ mental health status and its risk factors in nursing students of Jiroft medical university.Materials and Methods: The present descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 110 nursing freshmen. Necessary data was collected by means of demographic and Goldberg’s general health (GHQ- 28) questionnaires. The obtained data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and c2 statistical tests and a=0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: Results showed that general health scores were 15.63±25.59 and 16.29±28.17 in men and women respectively. Mental health score of 53.6% of the students was above the cut-off point. There was a significant relationship between mental health status and residence, marriage status, occupation, mother’s, education, average in the term, interest in the course of study, and body mass index (P<0.05). The relationship between general health score and university acceptance quota, and academic year was not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: More than half of the students of Jieroft medical university scores are above the cut-off point, therefore, their mental health is low. So, careful planning to identify the factors contributing to the promotion of their mental health is essential.

Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women. Given the importance of breast cancer and the necessity of screening studies in the community, as well as the important role of female teachers, the present study aimed at determining Knowledge, attitude, and practice of female teachers regarding breast cancer screening in Birjand.Methods and Materials: In this descriptiveanalytical study, 400 female teachers from schools in Birjand were selected using multistage sampling method. After explaining the study objectives and encouraging them to collaborate, questionnaires were completed through interviews. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests atr the significant level P=0.05.Results: Out of 400 participants, 307 (76.8%) had Bachelor degrees and 386 (96.5%) were married. Mean age of the teachers was 38.22±6.48 years. Only 127 (31.8%) used to do regular breast self-examinations (BSE). Mean score of knowledge about breast cancer, BSE, risk factors, and symptoms was 2.10±0.67, 1.10±0.77, 8.05±3.34, and 6.80±2.73, respectively. There was no significant difference with respect to age, marital status, and history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives and acquaintances. Mean knowledge score of cancer and its risk factors was higher in women with higher education (P=0.01, P=0.007, respectively). Mean score of perceived susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits and barriers was 12.74, 6.31, 39.68, and 20.78, respectively. There was no significant difference in terms of education and history of breast cancer in relatives. Mean score of perceived susceptibility was significantly different in different age groups (P=0.009).Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, education about breast cancer screening, particularly training to improve women’s practice is recommended.

Background and Aim: Life satisfaction is one of the mental health components and spiritual well-being is accounted as the latest construct of health. Occupational tensions are abundant in nursing can affect mental health and life satisfaction. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction in the nursing staff.Materials and Methods: This correlational and descriptive study was conducted on 93 of the nursing staff at Hasheminezhad Hospital in Mashhad, who were selected through simple sampling in 2011. Spiritual wellbeing questionnaire (SWBS) and life satisfaction questionnaire (SWLS) were filled out completed by the nurses. Range of spiritual wellbeing and life satisfaction was found to be 20-120 and 5-35, respectively. The collected data was analyzed by means of SPSS (V: 15) using independent t test, pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression at the significant level P<0.05.Results: Out of the participants, 65.6% were women. Mean age, mean working record (in yrs), mean life satisfaction, and mean spiritual wellbeing was 32.52±7.24, 8.66±6.96, 23.4±5.8, and 94.13±16 respectively. Mean life satisfaction in individuals with moderate spiritual wellbeing was 21.2±5.7 and in those with high wellbeing it was 26.94.2 which was statistically significant (P <0.001) According to stepwise regression model, only the variables spiritual well-being and being married had a positive and significant relationship with life satisfaction.