Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
Year:2015 | Volume:20 | Issue:4|Papers Count:20

Background: Nursing process is a scientific approach in the provision of qualified nursing cares. However, in practice, the implementation of this process is faced with numerous challenges. With the knowledge of the challenges associated with the implementation of the nursing process, the nursing processes can be developed appropriately. Due to the lack of comprehensive information on this subject, the current study was carried out to assess the key challenges associated with the implementation of the nursing process.Materials and Methods: To achieve and review related studies on this field, databases of Iran medix, SID, Magiran, PUBMED, Google scholar, and Proquest were assessed using the main keywords of nursing process and nursing process systematic review.The articles were retrieved in three steps including searching by keywords, review of the proceedings based on inclusion criteria, and final retrieval and assessment of available full texts.Results: Systematic assessment of the articles showed different challenges in implementation of the nursing process. Intangible understanding of the concept of nursing process, different views of the process, lack of knowledge and awareness among nurses related to the execution of process, supports of managing systems, and problems related to recording the nursing process were the main challenges that were extracted from review of literature.Conclusions: On systematically reviewing the literature, intangible understanding of the concept of nursing process has been identified as the main challenge in nursing process. To achieve the best strategy to minimize the challenge, in addition to preparing facilitators for implementation of nursing process, intangible understanding of the concept of nursing process, different views of the process, and forming teams of experts in nursing education are recommended for internalizing the nursing process among nurses.

Background: Lack of adequate training and support of primary caregivers of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is the major factor in causing stress, anxiety, and increase of burden. Therefore, the treatment team members such as psychiatric nurses can help these vulnerable people overcome psychiatric pressures effectively not only through their care and referral role but also through their supportive characteristic, which helps the patients improve their clinical status, together with their social, familial, and work adaptation. Therefore, the researcher tried to identify the effect of a group psycho-education program on the burden family caregivers with MS patients.Materials and Methods: This is a two-group three-stage clinical trial. The researcher referred to the heads of neurology clinics to present the purpose of the study and to start the sampling. The neurology clinics of AL Zahra University Hospital, and also a Private Neurology Clinic were selected to collect the data of the study. The subjects were randomly selected, and then, assigned to two groups of study and control.Results: Independent t-test showed a significant reduction in family caregivers’ burden immediately after and 1-onth after intervention in the study group, compared to control. Repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant reduction in caregivers’ burden mean score in the study group (P<0.001).Conclusions: As group psycho‑education reduced family caregivers’ burden, it is recommended to develop and design other programs for the family caregivers of the patients with MS.

Background: Medical malpractices in obstetrics are one of the main health concerns since in addition to the mortalities and morbidities caused for the two susceptible groups of mothers and neonates, they may lead to difficulties for the accused gynecologists and midwives in returning to their routine medical career and giving services to the patients. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate different types of malpractices in midwifery that were referred to the legal medical commission and medical council in Isfahan province.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we evaluated the data from all midwifery cases referred to the forensic medicine commission and medical council in Isfahan province between 2006 and 2011, with at least one lawsuit confirmed by the jury.Results: The results showed that in a total of 206 investigated cases at the medical council and forensic medicine commission in Isfahan, 66 cases of medical error sentences including 38 cases in medical council and 28 cases in forensic medicine commission were proved, which revealed 32% of malpractice in midwifery services in 2006–2011 in Isfahan. Negligence (39.2%), imprudence (23.5%), and disobedience of governmental regulations (19.6%) stood among the most commonly reported malpractices. Our findings also suggest that the most common malpractices happened in the postpartum period with a frequency of 44.7%; in addition, governmental hospitals were shown to have the most frequent malpractices with a frequency of 50%.Conclusions: Our results reveal that malpractices in midwifery services during and after delivery are so common, leading to irreversible complications to the mothers’ and neonates’ health in the society. On the other hand, considering the fact that most of these malpractices are preventable, related education, pertinent plans, and proper supervision sys.

Background: One of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension.1 billion people in the world and 25-35% of the adult population in Iran suffer from hypertension. Despite the emphasis on medicational treatments, non-medicational treatments and modification of lifestyle, including physical activity and exercise, are important for the control and treatment of hypertension and lead to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases. Among the various types of exercises, resistance exercise has been considered important by the cardiologists. The present study investigates the effect of resistance exercise on mean blood pressure in the cardiovascular patients.Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 40 patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit of cardiovascular research center were assigned to study and control groups. Demographic data were collected. Their blood pressure values were measured and recorded once 1 day before the beginning of the intervention and another time 1 day after its completion. All study subjects participated in two 45–60 min exercise sessions for eight straight weeks. The control group followed routine rehabilitation unit protocol that was aerobic exercise. The study group subjects performed resistance exercise in addition to routine exercise. The weight was determined in the first session of the intervention. At the beginning, the number of the repetitions in the range of motion was 10, which was increased gradually to 15. After it reached 15 repetitions, the amount of weight was increased by 3-5% and the number of sets increased.Results: One day before the beginning of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure was 128.21 (15.39) mmHg in the study group and 120.00 (20.51) mmHg in the control group. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 82.50 (9.35) mmHg in the study group and 82.00 (13.11) mmHg in the control group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P>0.05). After the end of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure values were 116.42 (7.18) mmHg and 112.00 (12.60) mmHg in the study and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups (P=0.24). Mean diastolic blood pressure values were 81.78 (7.99) mmHg in the study group and 78.25 (12.48) mmHg in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.35). At the end of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure in the study group decreased significantly (P=0.02).Conclusions: In the present study, the effect of resistance exercise on mean systolic blood pressure showed a significant difference, caused by the aerobic exercise.

Background: One of the most important challenges of Iranian health care system is “quality of care, ” and it is assumed that motivated nurses are more ready to provide better care. There are limited studies investigating Iranian nurses’ motivations; however, factors which motivate them have not been studied yet. Identifying the motivating factors enables nurse managers to inspire nurses for continuous quality improvement. The aim of this study was to identify motivating factors for Iranian hospital nurses.Materials and Methods: This is a cross‑sectional descriptive study in which 310 nurses working at 14 hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected by proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected in 2010 by a researcher‑developed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and independent t‑test, analysis of variance, Tukey post‑hoc test, Chi‑Square and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.Results: The mean score of motivation was 90.53±10.76 (range: 59–21). Four motivating factors including “career development” (22.63±5.66), “job characteristics” (34.29±4), “job authority” (18.48±2.79), and “recognition” (15.12±2.5) were recognized. The least mean of the motivation score, considering the number of items, was 3.23 for career development, while the highest mean was 3.81 for job characteristics.Conclusions: The findings showed that motivation of nurses was at a medium level, which calls for improvement. The factors that have the greatest potential to motivate nurses were identified in this study and they can help managers to achieve the goal of continuous quality improvement.

Background: Advances in coronary artery surgery have reduced morbidity, mortality, and rates of graft occlusion. Discharge programs are important services for the continuity of treatment and must encompass physical, psychological, and social aspects of individual patient care. This study aimed at investigating the effect of planned discharge training and counseling on the problems experienced by patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Materials and Methods: A semi‑experimental study was performed on 100 patients undergoing CABG surgery in the surgery department. During a period of 9 months from January to September 2013, the patients in the intervention group were provided with adequate discharge training and counseling with a booklet before surgery and counseling until 6 weeks after discharge, while the control group patients received only routine clinical procedures, i.e. prescribing medicine, controlling vital signs, and wound dressing. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. Frequency and distribution were used to describe the data, and paired sample t-test, variance analysis, Fisher’s exact test, and Chi-quared tests were also used.Results: The reported problems for both groups had a descending pattern during the three follow-ups. However, this pattern had a greater slope in the intervention group compared to the control one. As a result of these education programs, problems were fewer in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusions: Discharge training and counseling given to the intervention group had a positive impact on decreasing the problems that the patients had. Therefore, the institutions may be recommended to support multidisciplinary patient training and counseling activities using the methods described in this study.

Background: One of the most important problems after episiotomy is perineal pain which is more severe on the first day of postpartum period. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream in the management of post‑episiotomy pain.Materials and Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial, 60 primiparous women who had mediolateral episiotomy received 50 mg indomethacin suppository (n=30) or 2% lidocaine cream (n=30) in the postpartum period in Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord (Iran). The mean severity of post-episiotomy pain was assessed with the first complaint and at 6, 12, and 24 h after the delivery, and compared in the two groups. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain recording and data were analyzed with independent-samples t-test, c2, and Fisher’s exact tests, and significance was defined as P<0.05.Results: With the first complaint of pain, the mean intensity of pain was 4.9 (1.9) in the indomethacin group and 4.9 (1.8) in the lidocaine group, and the difference was not significant (P=0.25). Six hours after birth, it was 3.3 (1.3) in the indomethacin group and 3.2 (1.9) in the lidocaine group, and there was not a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.90). No significant difference was found between the two groups at 12 h after birth [2.3 (1.7) vs 2.5 (1.7); P=0.59]. Also, the difference was not significant at 24 h after birth [1.5 (1.3) vs 1.8 (1.3); P=0.31].Conclusions: It was concluded from the study that indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream have similar efficacy on episiotomy pain relief on the first day of postpartum period.

Background: Risk for anxiety and depression is increased in women with high‑risk pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety and depression in women with mild and severe preeclampsia at admission and 6 weeks postpartum.Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, 122 preeclamptic women who were admitted to the Public hospital and Tamin Ejtemaee hospital of Mashhad were included. Selection was done by convenience sampling method. Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI‑II) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed at admission and 6 weeks after delivery. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Repeated measurement.Results: The mean depression score was 4.81±4.09 at admission and 11.17±5.5 at 6 weeks postpartum. The mean of trait anxiety was 42.5±10.5 at admission and 32.3±6.5 at 6 weeks postpartum, and the mean of state anxiety score at admission was 43.09±9.5 and at 6 weeks postpartum was 31.99±5.9. There was a significant difference between the scores of depression (F=3.8, P<0.001), state anxiety (F=1.52, P<0.001), and trait anxiety (F=1.5, P<0.001) at admission and 6 weeks postpartum. No significant differences were found between severity of preeclampsia and the scores of depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety at admission and 6 weeks postpartum.Conclusions: The mean score of state and trait anxiety decreased significantly in preeclamptic women from admission to 6 weeks postpartum, but the mean score of depression increased. Severity of preeclampsia was not an independent risk factor of depression and anxiety.

Background: Burnout is one of the most important problems that the employees encounter. Many health problems arise due to burnout which is to be dealt with by the employees and the owners in the industry. Among many different ways of dealing with this problem, herbal therapy seems to be a promising solution. The present study intended to investigate the effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) on burnout in employees who work in industrial environments.Materials and Methods: An experimental study was performed to see whether RO has an effect on burnout or not. A total of 66 employees, aged between 20 and 60 years, who had worked for at least 1 year in the technical wards of Iran Chemical Industry Investment Company took part in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups of control (n=33) and RO (n=33). The RO group received 4 g of Rosemary in 150 cc water per day for 2 months. The control group, on the other hand, did not receive anything. The data were collected via Geldard (1989) Burnout Inventory before and after the treatment. A t-test was performed to analyze the collected data.Results: The results of statistical tests showed that after intervention, the score of occupational burnout in RO group was better, and a significant difference was found between the control and experimental groups (P=0.03), in favor of the experimental group.Conclusions: The results of the study revealed that Rosmarinus had a positive effect on burnout in employees in this study. Further studies in this field are suggested.

Background: Stillbirth is one of the deepest losses that can inflict a broad range of cognitive, mental, spiritual, and physical turmoil. Many researchers believe that the failure to provide the care required by health teams during the hard times is the main determinant of maternal mental health in the future. In other words, social support can significantly improve the mental health outcomes of mothers after stillbirth. This study aimed to explore social support to aid mothers in adaptation after the experience of stillbirth.Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative content analysis in which 15 women who had experienced stillbirth participated. They were selected through purposeful sampling method. Data were gathered by individual interviews recorded on audiotapes, transcribed, and analyzed. Interview transcriptions were coded and then classified. Finally, two main categories and five subcategories emerged.Results: Analysis of participants’ viewpoints and their statements about social support led to the emergence of the two main categories of support from relatives and support from social support systems with two and three subcategories, respectively.Analysis of findings showed that mothers experiencing stillbirth need the support of their spouse and family and friends through sympathizing, in performing everyday activities and to escape loneliness. These women require support from a peer group to exchange experiences and from trauma counseling centers to meet their needs.Conclusions: It seems necessary to revise and modify the care plan in the experience of stillbirth using these results and, of course, to be considered by a panel of experts in order to provide social support to these women. Thus, midwives and healthcare provider can act, based on the development and strengthening of social protection of women experiencing stillbirth, to provide these women with effective and appropriate care.

Introduction: In developing countries, hemorrhage accounts for 30% of the maternal deaths. Postpartum hemorrhage has been defined as blood loss of around 500 ml or more, after completing the third phase of labor. Most cases of postpartum hemorrhage occur during the first hour after birth. The most common reason for bleeding in the early hours after childbirth is uterine atony. Bleeding during delivery is usually a visual estimate that is measured by the midwife. It has a high error rate. However, studies have shown that the use of a standard can improve the estimation. The aim of the research is to compare the estimation of postpartum hemorrhage using the weighting method and the National Guideline for postpartum hemorrhage estimation.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 112 females in the Omolbanin Maternity Department of Mashhad, for a six‑month period, from November 2012 to May 2013. The accessible method was used for sampling. The data collection tools were case selection, observation and interview forms. For postpartum hemorrhage estimation, after the third section of labor was complete, the quantity of bleeding was estimated in the first and second hours after delivery, by the midwife in charge, using the National Guideline for vaginal delivery, provided by the Maternal Health Office. Also, after visual estimation by using the National Guideline, the sheets under parturient in first and second hours after delivery were exchanged and weighted. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t‑test.Results: According to the results, a significant difference was found between the estimated blood loss based on the weighting methods and that using the National Guideline (weighting method 62.68±16.858 cc vs. National Guideline 45.31±13.484 cc in the first hour after delivery) (P=0.000) and (weighting method 41.26±10.518 vs. National Guideline 30.24±8.439 in second hour after delivery) (P=0.000).Conclusions: Natural child birth education by using the National Guideline can increase the accuracy of estimated blood loss. Therefore, training the personnel to use this guideline is recommended. However, It has less accuracy than ‘sheet weighing’. Consequently, usage of symptoms and the weighing method is recommended in cases of postpartum bleeding.

Background: While nursing workload is a worldwide challenge, less attention has been given to the determining factors. Understanding these factors is important and could help nursing managers to provide suitable working environment and to manage the adverse outcomes of nursing workload. The aim of this study was to discover nurses’ experiences of determinant factors of their workload.Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, the participants included 15 nurses working in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected through 26 unstructured interviews and were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The rigor has been guaranteed with prolonged engagement, maximum variance sampling, member check, and audit trail.Results: Resource-task imbalance was the main theme of nurses’ experiences. It means that there was an imbalance between necessary elements to meet patients’ needs in comparison with expectation and responsibility. Resource-ask imbalance included lack of resource, assignment without preparation, assigning non-are tasks, and patients’ and families’ needs/expectations.Conclusions: A deep and comprehensive imbalance between recourses and tasks and expectations has been perceived by the participants to be the main source of work overload. Paying more attention to resource allocation, education of quality workforce, and job description by managers is necessary.

Background: Increase in nitric oxide (NO) concentration accompanied by alteration in peritoneal immune defense reactions is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of NO synthase. This study was designed to compare NO metabolite (nitrite), asymmetric dimethylarginine, and estradiol concentrations in serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with and without endometriosis.Materials and Methods: Subjects were assigned to two groups based on their laparoscopic results. The groups consisted of women with and without endometriosis (90 and 89 participants, respectively). The serum and peritoneal levels of nitrite (stable NO metabolite), asymmetric dimethylarginine, and estradiol were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. These parameters were analyzed and compared between the groups statistically using SPSS software version 16.Results: Both nitrite and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were significantly higher in the serum of the participants from both groups than those in the PF group (P<0.05). However, no significant difference in the asymmetric dimethylarginine level was detected between the two groups. In addition, the PF level of nitrite increased significantly in patients with endometriosis when compared with non-endometriosis subjects (P<0.05). The PF levels of estradiol in both groups were significantly higher than the serum levels of estradiol (P<0.05).Conclusions: The NO metabolite level of PF implies the possible role of NO in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Background: Patient safety is considered as the most important quality for healthcare. One of the main factors that play an important role in the promotion of healthcare institutes is patient safety. This study describes the nurses’ awareness of patient safety culture in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 83 nurses working in neonatal intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection tools consisted of the demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software.Results: The dimension that received the highest positive response rate was “expectations and actions of the supervisor/manager in promoting safety culture.” The dimension with the lowest percentage of positive responses was “frequency of error reporting.” 21.70% of the NICU nurses reported one or two incidents in their work units in the previous 12 months.Conclusions: In order to create and promote patient safety, appropriate management of resources and a correct understanding of patient safety culture are required. In this way, awareness of dimensions which are not acceptable provides the basic information necessary for improving patient safety.

Background: Despite advances in the field of intravenous therapy, phlebitis is still a common complication of peripheral venous catheter and finding an appropriate solution to prevent and reduce the incidence of this complication remains challenging. One of the methods used in reducing the incidence of phlebitis is the use of saline lock, which is forgotten in most hospitals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate its impact on the incidence and severity of phlebitis.Materials and Methods: In a single-blind (the researcher) clinical trial, 88 patients with peripheral venous catheter admitted in cardiac care units in selected hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected through convenient sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control groups using random number table. The intervention group received 3 ml of 0.9% normal saline sterilized before and after each intravenous drug or every 12 h. However, in the control group, the intravenous drugs were given as routine and saline lock was not used. The evaluation of intravenous catheter regarding the incidence of phlebitis and its degrees using Jackson’s Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale was performed 6 times within 72 h (every 12 h). Results were evaluated by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, Chi-quare test, t‑test, and Mann–Whitney test.Results: Results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the degree of phlebitis (P=0.003). The percentage of phlebitis incidence in the control group was 88.6% and in the intervention group was 43.2%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). The risk of incidence of phlebitis in the group without saline lock (control), compared to the intervention group, was 10.3 times greater (CI=95%). The incidence of phlebitis in both groups increased with increase in the duration of catheter placement.Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the use of saline lock in the intervention group compared to the control group, in which saline lock was not used, can have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of phlebitis and its degree.

Background: Critical care patients are at higher risk for untreated pain. Pain has persistent and untreated effects on most of the body systems and results in development of complications, chronic pain, and increased length of stay. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the implementation of a pain management program on the length of stay in patients with decreased level of consciousness, admitted in Al‑Zahra hospital intensive care units (ICUs) in 2013.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 50 subjects with decreased level of consciousness were selected by convenient sampling from the ICU wards of Al‑Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran and were randomly assigned to two groups of study and control.Pain management program was applied on the study group and routine care was implemented in the control group. Data including demographic data and length of stay of patients in the ICUs were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi‑square test, independent t‑test, and paired t‑test.Results: Results showed that out of 50 subjects attending the study, there were 40% female and 60% male subjects in study, and 52% female and 48% male subjects in control group. (P=0.395). Overall mean length of stay of the patients in the ICUs was significantly lower in the case group [3.2 (1.4)] days compared to the control group [7.4 (4.8) days] (P<0.001).Conclusions: This study showed that overall mean length of stay of patients in the ICUs was significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group. It is suggested to use this program for patients in ICUs with decreased level of consciousness after a general surgery.

Background: One of the main causes of stress in the lives of people is their jobs. Occupational stress is causing a wide range of significant issues in health and community services. Nursing is the most stressful profession in the health services. Massage therapy is one way of coping with stress. This study was conducted to determine the effect of massage therapy on stress in nurses.Materials and Methods: This study was a clinical trial on 66 male and female nurses working in intensive care units (dialysis, ICU, and CCU) of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Participants were selected according to the aims and inclusion criteria of the study. Then, they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI) (Osipow and Spokane, 1987) was completed by participants of the two groups before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the intervention. General Swedish massage was performed on participants of the experimental group for 25 min in each session, twice a week for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics [Chi‑square, t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)] using SPSS software.Results: Results showed that the difference in overall mean occupation stress scores between experimental and control groups 2 weeks after the intervention was significant (P<0.001).Conclusions: According to the results, it is recommended that massage, as a valuable noninvasive method, be used for nurses in intensive care units to reduce their stress, promote mental health, and prevent the decrease in quality of nursing work life.

Background: Sexuality is a basic and important factor in human experiences, which varies among different types of cancers. This study was carried out with the aim of defining the relationship between sexual dysfunction and related factors in genital and breast cancers.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 women with genital and breast cancers admitted to two specialized hospitals in Isfahan and by using a two‑stage sampling method. Participants completed demographic/disease questionnaire and sexual function questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 14 and statistical tests of correlation coefficient, Student’s t-test and one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: The obtained results showed that 47% of women had sexual dysfunction with the mean (SD) age of 47 (7.7) years (with the range of 25-65 years). There was a significant correlation between sexual functioning and age, occupation, educational level, and treatment duration (P<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the stage of disease, primary disorder (0.003), and recent disorder (0.028). Meanwhile, Chi-square test showed no significant relationship between cancer type and primary disorder (0.403) and recent disorder (0.416).Conclusions: Breast and genital cancers may result in significant difficulties with sexual functioning and sexual life. Addressing these problems is essential to improve the quality of life in women with cancer and further investigations should be conducted for prevention and treatment of disorders by the health authorities.

Background: Several studies have reported that medical sciences students are usually dealing with severe stress. However, no study is available on ways of coping in medical sciences students in Iran. As socio-cultural factors may affect the students’ responses toward stress, this study aimed to investigate the stressors and ways of coping among students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS).Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 487 randomly selected students in GUMS in 2012. The student stress scale and Lazarus ways of coping scale were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Also, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, Kruskal-allis and Mann–hitney U tests, and logistic regression analysis were utilized for data analysis.Results: In the majority of students (61.4%), interpersonal factors were the dominant stressor. Most of the students used problem‑focused ways of coping (79.7%). Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between gender and ways of coping (P=0.03).Conclusions: Interpersonal sources of stress were the most common stressors among the medical sciences students. Establishing workshops on communication skills and effective counseling system are suggested.

Dear Editor: The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus as an international public health emergency. This outbreak originated in Guinea in the month of March, and gradually involved five nations in the West Africa (viz. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo). The outbreak was caused by the Zaire species of Ebola virus which is generally associated with high case fatality rate. The disease estimates suggest that the magnitude of the Ebola virus disease was way beyond the previous similar outbreaks and magnitude, and has grown at an exponential rate, with the number of new cases getting doubled every 20–30 days.