Journal of Military Medicine
Year:2021 | Volume:23 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background and Aim: Spouses in the role of caring for veterans are under the influence of stresses and problems which threaten their health and their families' health. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of psychological hardiness, spiritual wellbeing and perceived stress in predicting the social health of spouses of veterans. Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of the study includes all the spouses of veterans supported by Martyr and Veterans Affairs Foundation of Ardabil in 2019 (N = 3400). Using available sampling, 108 of them were selected as samples. For data collection, psychological hardiness (Ahvaz), spiritual wellbeing (Elison), perceived stress (Cohen), and social health scale (Keyes, Shapiro) were used. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression using SPSS version 18 software. Results: According to the results, a significant relationship was observed between psychological hardiness (r = 0. 59, P <0. 05), spiritual wellbeing (r = 0. 53, P <0. 05) and perceived stress (r =-0. 50, P <0. 05) with social health in spouses. Also, the results of multiple regression showed that psychological hardiness, spiritual wellbeing and perceived stress can predict the social health of spouses of veterans by 0. 54. (P <0. 05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the psychological hardiness, spiritual wellbeing and perceived stress are included in the variables relevant to social health and they can predict it. Therefore, it is suggested that psychologists and counselors consider the role of psychological hardiness, spiritual wellbeing and perceived stress to promote the level of spouses’ social health.

Background and Aim: In December 2019, a kind of viral pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) appeared in Wuhan, China and then a pandemic of COVID-19 created. We aimed to clarify the epidemiological, clinical findings and imaging characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, after reviewing the records cases of the patients who died from covid-19 referred to the Baqiyatallah hospital, as a referral center in Tehran (20 Feb 2019 to 20 May 2020). In this time, 3220 patients met clinical manifestation of COVID-19 which 278 cases were included in our study. Demographic data and clinical and imaging findings of patients were recorded. The data were entered into SPSS Ver. 26 software and analyzed subsequently. Results: 278 patients who died from COVID-19 enrolled in the study. The average age was 66. 01 (SD 13. 7), including 207 (74. 5%) men and 71 (25. 5%) women. 193 (69. 4%) patients at least had an underlying disease. The most common clinical presentations include fever in 194 (69. 8%), cough in 148 (53. 2%) and shortness of breath in 230 (82. 7%) patients. Ground-glass opacity in 243 (87. 4%) of the patients was the most apparent finding in their lung CT Scan. The Mortality rate of COVID-19 in this study was 8. 63%. although, there was no relationship between the pattern of CT-scan and oxygen saturation in the mentioned patients (P >0. 05). Conclusion: This study showed that two-thirds of the death cases were the old men who had a least an underlying disease; this requires a specific consideration on their management and follow-up; wherefore, their more prolonged admission days have a financial load on the health system.

Background and Aim: The spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic and passage of lockdown rules may increase overweight and obesity in people. Therefore, this research intended to study the effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) using a virtual group for weight loss and increasing weight efficacy lifestyle. Methods: This pretest-posttest equivalent to the control group quasi-experimental and applied study was conducted in Neyshabur in 2019-2020. The statistical population consisted of overweight females with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25. The research sample included 90 eligible individuals randomly divided into three groups: experimental, wait-list control and Treatment as Usual. The interventional treatment in the experimental group was in the form of 42 ICBT sessions. The weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire (WEL) produced in 1991 was used to assess weight efficacy lifestyle and BMI to evaluate weight. The data were collected prior to and following the therapy. Results: ANCOVA at a significance level of 0. 05 was employed to analyze the data. The results indicated that ICBT had significant effects via the virtual group and WhatsApp on BMI reduction (F (72, 2) = 15. 54, P <0/0005; Partialη 2 = 0. 30) and weight efficacy lifestyle increased (F (72, 2) = 3. 31, P <0/04; Partialη 2 = 0. 08) in the overweight female participants by SPSS-25 software. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, ICBT via the virtual group was very promising and could reduce BMI and increasing weight efficacy lifestyle among the female participants in spite of the spread of a pandemic such as COVID-19 during which regular physical presence of individuals was not possible.

Background and Aim: Iran always exposed many chemical events and threats. Although, chemical events not common, they cause widespread and severe casualties. Hospital preparedness for these events has an important role in reduced morbidity and mortality. This study has attempted to develop a comprehensive and operational model of hospital preparedness against chemical events and threats in order to address existing challenges in hospitals and to fill the gaps. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to identify the dimensions and factors affecting hospital preparedness and through content analysis, 37 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with managers, experts and victims of chemical disasters were analyzed. In the third stage, the extracted components from the previous stage were presented as initial model and validated by Delphi method. Finally, after validation of the initial model, the final model was explained and presented. Results: Qualitative study findings included 9 themes: hospital risk assessment, management and organization, human resource empowerment, law, coordination and communication, documenting and recording, socio-cultural origins, hospital contamination, and challenges. Each of these themes had several categories and sub-categories. Following a Delphi step, all questions reached a percentage of agreement above 75%. Drawing the relationships of the final extracted themes formed the initial conceptual model of hospital preparedness against chemical events and threats. Conclusion: The present study showed that a model-based preparedness plan should be designed based on hospital capacities, hospital preparing level, up to date knowledge, personal protective equipment and adequate decontamination. Avoiding Security chemical events and raising the risk perception of managers, officials, and people will provide the basis for hospital preparedness. Followed by reduced the various undesirable consequences of chemical accidents.

Background and Aim: Infused black tea is one of the conventional drinks in Iran. Soil contamination with heavy metals can lead to accumulation in tea and causes adverse health effects. This study investigated the hazard potential of the residual heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd) in infused black tea samples in military centers. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in 2019. Six brands of highconsumption tea samples in military centers, including three Iranian and three foreign brands selected and randomized triplicated 5 g samples collected from each brand. After twenty minutes of infusion in boiled distilled water, the concentrations of heavy metals measured using ICP-OES. The results analyzed using Excel and SPSS software (Ver. 13) and the hazard potential indices calculated by THQ, TR, and HI. Results: Heavy metals concentration in Iranian brands was higher than the foreign with no significant differences (P >0. 05). The maximum and minimum concentrations of arsenic in foreign brands (Ahmad and Golestan) were 0. 019, 0. 011 mg/l and in Iranian Brands (Damaneh and Fumenate) were 0. 021, 0. 006 mg/l respectively. The maximum and minimum concentrations of cadmium in Golestan and Ahmad were 0. 002 mg/l and non-detectable and in all of the Iranian brands were 0. 002, 0. 001 mg/l respectively. The maximum and minimum concentrations of lead in Golestan and Ahmad were 0. 068, 0. 006 mg/l and in Refah and Fumenate were 0. 021, 0. 006 mg/l respectively. Hazard potential including THQ, TR and, HI indices for all brands, was lower than the recommended guideline values (>1). Conclusion: Concentrations of arsenic and lead in all of the samples were higher than the national standards and WHO Guidelines. However, the hazard potential of the residual metals based on the calculation of indicators was lower than the recommended values from points of health consequences.

Background and Aim: Military personnel is one of the levels of society whose psychological assessment is important in the current situation. During the prevalence of COVID-19, the military is also alongside health defenders has fought the virus, therefore, awareness of the mental state of the military forces has led to the recognition of their real needs, and helps planners to increase the optimal performance of military personnel. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the state of mental health and sleep quality between military and civilian personnel during the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: The research is descriptive-correlational. The researcher-made demographic information questionnaire, the Pittsburgh sleep questionnaire (PSQI) and Mental Health Questionnaire (DASS-21) were administered for 210 people (105 militaries, 105 civilians) coinciding with the holidays due to the spread of COVID-19 from March 5 to 20, 2020. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the available sampling method and online implementation were used. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test and chi-square and SPSS-24 software. Results: The results showed that military personnel had more contact with people with COVID-19 than civilians and there was a significant and strong relationship between the type of job and overall sleep quality during the prevalence of COVID-19 (P <0. 05). and also, the military was in a more unfavorable situation than the civilians in the overall score of sleep quality and in all dimensions of sleep quality. There was a significant and weak relationship between job type with depression, anxiety and stress during the outbreak of COVID-19 (P <0. 05) and the military was in a better position in terms of stress, anxiety and depression. It should be noted that in the total study population, the rate of severe anxiety was 67. 1% and severe depression was 46. 7%. Conclusion: Since sleep quality is directly related to physical, mental health and optimal functioning of individuals, it is necessary to find a solution to the problems related to military sleep and due to the high percentage of depression and severe anxiety in the study population, the influential factors should be investigated and the necessary solution applied.

Background and Aim: The psychological health and well-being of military personnel affect their performance at the individual and national levels. One of the variables that can affect mental health and improve the quality of life of military personnel is happiness. In order to assess the level of military happiness or to evaluate the related educational and medical interventions, standardized tools are needed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire in the military. Methods: This study was a descriptive methodological study. For this purpose, three military units in Tehran were selected by available sampling. Then 403 servicemen were selected by available sampling and completed the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, NEO Personality Questionnaire (60-NEO) and the researcher-made demographic questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation by SPSS-22 and Amos-22 software. Results: The results of exploratory data analysis showed that the Persian version of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire in the military has a four-factor structure (life satisfaction, welfare, sociality, control and selfefficacy). Together, these four factors accounted for 41% of the variance in happiness. These factors were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (RAMSEA = 064, CFI = 0. 91, FIF = 0. 92). The face validity of the test was also confirmed. The results of convergent validity showed that all sub-components and total score of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (r = 0. 56, P <0. 001) and Neo Personality Questionnaire (extroversion subscale) had a positive and significant correlation (r = 0. 59, P <0. 001). Divergent validity was also confirmed through a significant negative correlation between the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and the Neo Personality Questionnaire (Neuroticism subscale) (r =-0. 61, P <0. 001). The reliability results of the questionnaire with the test-retest method during two weeks (0. 79-0. 82) and internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha (0. 84) showed the time reliability and good internal consistency of this instrument. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that the Persian version of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire in the military has good validity and reliability and can be used to measure happiness and psychological studies in the military.

Background and Aim: Speech is the main tool of human arousal. The psychological, emotional, and motivational functions of speech in a variety of situations can set the stage for a variety of behavioral actions. Address, as one of the main subfields of speech, has played an important role in social behavior processes. The present study tries to examine the psycho-motivational functions of address during, before and after the battle, based on Nahj al-Balaghah. Methods: The main method of this research is content analysis. In this way, first, the most important address of Nahj al-Balaghah about various situations of battle, before and after is examined. This data is then analyzed from a linguistic, visual and psychological perspective to determine their motivational functions. This study does not want to interpret the views in Nahj al-Balaghah based on current theories but will try to extract the general theory of Military Address Therapy from Nahj al-Balaghah through methodical analysis. Results: Analyzes show that pre-battle rhetoric is based on reprehensible, intentional, and visual dipoles. The addresses delivered during battle are based on stabilization, emphasis, and metaphorical images that refer to firmness. The main function of post-battle addresses is psychological refinement through insightful, reassuring, and cautious metaphors. Conclusion: In Nahj al-Balaghah about the motivations and psycho-motivational structures of soldiers during battle, before and after, special views have been proposed that can be considered as a special theory in the field of rhetoric in battle.

Background and Aim: In the health care system of any country, nurses play a pivotal role in improving and advancing matters related to community health. Therefore, it becomes very important to pay attention to this group’ s job motivation. The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze the factors that facilitate and inhibit job motivation in nurses working in the armed forces. Methods: The present study was qualitative and phenomenological. Eighteen participants were purposefully selected from nurses working in one of the hospitals affiliated by the Armed Forces in Tehran in 2020 until they reached data saturation. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews and for analyzing the data, ATLAS-ti software thematic analysis was used. Next, the main and sub-topics were identified. Results: In this study, 2 main categories including “ intrapersonal contexts” and “ Job-organizational contexts” were identified as facilitators, 2 main categories including “ individual problems and challenges” , and “ external barriers and deficiencies” were identified as barriers. 27 sub-themes were also obtained. Conclusion: Considering that individual and external factors play a role in facilitating the external motivation of nurses working in hospitals, it is necessary for managers and officials to consider these factors in planning and decision-making and take the necessary measures.

Background and Aim: The COVID-19 epidemic control has become a global challenge and many contributing variables are still unknown to policymakers. This case-cohort study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This case-cohort study was conducted on 1465 samples in Yazd Province in the first six months of 2020. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi-square, and Cox regression analysis. Results: Of a total cohort population of 1465, 1236 were assigned to the control group and 229 were assigned to the case group. The results of multiple Cox regression showed that increasing one year of age increases the chance of death by 2. 7% (HR = 1. 027, P <0. 001). Having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic neurological disease, chronic lung disease and malignancy increases the chance of death. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit had a 200% higher risk of death than others (HR = 3. 009, P <0. 001). Conclusion: The results showed a higher mortality rate in elderly patients as well as those with underlying diseases. Attention should be paid to at-risk and elderly patients in terms of ensuring a healthy diet, improving their self-care practices, and providing long-term medical and healthcare facilities.