International Archives of Health Sciences
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Oct-Dec 2023

This study aimed to assess the impact of nurses' training on the implementation of preventive measures for falls in hospitalized elderly individuals. A quasi-experimental study was conducted, involving 64 nurses employed at Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful, Iran. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants between April 15th and July 15th, 2020. The nurses were then randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Initially, a checklist was utilized to assess both groups' fall prevention activities for older patients. Subsequently, the intervention group received workshop training, while no specific intervention was provided to the control group. After a two-week period, the fall prevention behaviors were reassessed in both groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 16, employing independent t-tests, paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and analysis of covariance. Prior to training, the mean score for nurses' fall prevention behaviors was 12.31±4.12. Following the training, the mean score significantly increased to 26.78±3.41 (p<0.001). Furthermore, after controlling for underlying characteristics such as ward and job experience, as well as baseline values, significant changes in mean scores between the control and intervention groups were identified (p<0.001). Workshop training sessions tailored to nurses' needs can effectively enhance their implementation of fall prevention behaviors for elderly patients. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct similar comprehensive training interventions for nurses to mitigate falls and their associated complications among hospitalized elderly individuals.

This study aims to develop strategies for risk management and accurately model the potential outcomes in hazardous zones.

The initial step of this study involved conducting HAZOP studies to identify all process nodes and deviations in an urban water-treatment plant located in Markazi province. Subsequently, all risks associated with the identified deviations were evaluated using a qualitative risk matrix. To enhance the scientific accuracy of the risk assessment results, the fuzzy HAZOP methodology was employed. Finally, the assessed risks were prioritized with precision, and PHAST software was utilized to visualize critical scenarios and determine the zones of catastrophic consequences.

The initial findings from the HAZOP investigations conducted in the chlorination unit of the treatment facility reveal a total of 41 deviations out of 55 identified risks. Out of these risks, 47 (85%) were classified as high risk (HR), while 8 (15%) were categorized as medium risk (MR). The results of the risk assessment clearly demonstrate that the risks are of significant concern, despite the presence of existing controls. Ultimately, eight scenarios were identified and extracted from the analysis.

Based on the research results, it is imperative that all chlorination facilities undergo redesigning to prevent corrosion, erosion, leakage, and rupture and to conduct risk-based inspections (RBI). Furthermore, regular chlorine leakage drills should be included to enhance emergency response and preparedness.

To assess the prevalence of substandard products, a quality study based on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards was conducted on the veterinary medicinal product ivermectin. From September 2020 to January 2021, a cross-sectional quality analysis was carried out on 19 samples of pharmaceutical products. These samples were obtained from all veterinary retail outlets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The analysis included organoleptic assessment for packaging-related information and physical appearance, as well as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based physicochemical analysis for identity, assay, packaging uniformity, and HLB ratio. The procedures followed were in accordance with the USP recommendations. The quality analysis took place at the national veterinary drug quality test center. The quality analysis has revealed the presence of substandard products for uniformity of packaging (15.8%), API assay (15.8%), and filling to a volume (16.67%). However, both sampled products demonstrated the expected API, recommended physical appearance, and consistent packaging information. The prevalence ratio values for all H1B1a/(H1B1a+H1B1b) chemical species were greater than 0.95. The findings from this study clearly indicate the alarming presence of substandard veterinary pharmaceutical products. This highlights the need for strengthening the regulatory surveillance system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted to Beheshti hospital in Kashan.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 CAP patients admitted to Beheshti hospital in Kashan. Serological tests were performed using the ELISA method to evaluate IgG and IgM antibodies for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia pneumoniae. A questionnaire was also completed, which included demographic data, hospitalization time, and clinical and paraclinical findings. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20).

The study found that 19 (11.9%) cases tested positive for M. pneumoniae IgM antibodies, while 132 (82.5%) cases tested positive for M. pneumoniae IgG antibodies. For C. pneumoniae, 16 (10%) cases tested positive for IgM antibodies, and 151 (94.4%) cases tested positive for IgG antibodies. There was no significant association between M. pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections with sex, underlying illness, pneumonia severity, ICU admission, hospital death, hospitalization time, CRP, hematocrit, and platelet count. However, a significant relationship was observed between M. pneumoniae and chief complaint (p<0.001), as well as age (p = 0.122). Additionally, a significant relationship was found between C. pneumoniae and white blood cell count (p = 0.001), as well as changes in chest radiography (p = 0.001).

Given the significant incidence of atypical infections in CAP patients and the difficulties in laboratory detection, effective antibiotics targeting Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are strongly suggested in the empirical therapy of CAP.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of education based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) on the promotion of protective behaviors in medical laboratories’ staff in Yazd, Iran. This interventional study utilized a census method to survey 90 stafffrom medical laboratories. Data were collected in two stages, before and after the intervention, using a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability that administered through self-reporting. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, as well as the constructs of PMT (91 items) and protective behavior (20 items). Following the pre-test, the intervention consisted of six one-hour sessions. The same questionnaires were completed three months after the education. Following the education, there was a significant increase in the constructs scores of perceived vulnerabilities (approximately 4 units), perceived self-efficacy (approximately 2 units), fear (approximately 3 units), protection motivation (approximately 3 units), and protective behavior (approximately 6 units) among the medical laboratory personnel. However, there were no significant differences observed in the constructs of perceived severity, response efficiency, response cost, and perceived reward before and after the intervention. Intervention interventions aimed at promoting protective behaviors can effectively help reduce laboratory hazards, particularly by focusing on increasing protection motivation. Therefore, the protection motivation theory can serve as a valuable framework for the development of education programs to enhance protective behaviors in medical laboratories.

The objective of this study is to develop a model for managing primary health care (PHC) services for the elderly in Iran. This study consists of four main steps. Firstly, comparative research was conducted by reviewing literature and analyzing content from the top 10 countries ranked in the Global Age Watch Insights 2018. Secondly, a questionnaire was developed using items extracted from experts' opinions, which were evaluated for content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Thirdly, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 248 participants from April 8th to July 14th, 2021, and the reliability of the data was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Lastly, Bartlett's and KMO tests, the Varimax method, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to select and arrange the items and main themes of the model. The analyses were performed using SPSS version 21 and AMOS 24 software. The comparative research and literature review yielded a total of 70 items for the model. Through content analysis, CVI, and CVR, the number of items was reduced to 52. After conducting reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha (0.934) and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the final model consisted of 48 items and five main themes: planning, organization, control, financing, and coordination. The findings indicate that the designed model has good construct validity. Therefore, managers, policymakers, and health planners can utilize this model for the planning, development, and improvement of PHC services for the elderly.

The aim of this research was to investigate the application of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting the influential factors in Iranian road accidents.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study involved a population of 240 Iranian drivers, with a mean age of 39.1 years and a mean driving experience of 16.5 years, selected through a convenient available sampling method. The study utilized questionnaires based on the theory of planned behavior construct and Manchester Driving Behavior. The collected data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression in SPSS version 26.

The findings indicated that 62% of driving behavior variance could be predicted by the variables of attitude, behavioral intention, and drug abuse. Additionally, drug abuse and drunk driving were significant factors in determining the attitude and behavior of drivers.

The theory of planned behavior is a suitable conceptual framework for planning interventions to reduce traffic accidents. This study highlights the most important predictors of drivers' behaviors leading to accidents and identifies the relationships between them to reveal the main priorities. Based on the results, policymakers and stakeholders can plan effective and practical interventions to reduce casualties and promote compliance with accident prevention behaviors.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of allergic asthma symptoms in children between the ages of 3 and 15 years who tested positive for COVID-19 through PCR testing and were admitted to an educational hospital in Iran. In 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study that included 75 pediatric patients who tested positive for COVID-19 through PCR testing and were admitted to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. We used telephone interviews to complete the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to gather information on the frequency of allergic asthma symptoms and the demographic characteristics of the patients. The results showed that 12% of the children with COVID-19 had a history of wheezing, and 77.8% had mild wheezing in the past 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed that children with smoking fathers were 6.3 times more likely to wheeze than children with non-smoking fathers, and the likelihood of wheezing increased with age. The wheezing history of nine children revealed one allergy history in the family, one pet care in the home, seven home heaters, and two boilers. Nine children lived in personal houses and two lived in apartments, none of which were associated with wheezing. The child's age and father's smoking behavior were found to have an impact on wheezing in asthmatic children with COVID-19. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric populations, and the public health community should focus on studying this area more thoroughly.