لیلا شیخ نژاد

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with negative impacts on their health and well-being. Women’s perceptions of breast cancer can affect their preventive and screening behaviors. This study aims to survey the perceptions of breast cancer and identify the associated factors among women attending healthcare centers in Tabriz, north of Iran.

The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 372 women aged >40 years referred to healthcare centers in Tabriz city from December 2022 to March 2023. A cluster random sampling method was employed. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form and Taylan et al.’s breast cancer perception scale (BCPS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, ANOVA, and general linear model were utilized for data analysis in SPSS software, version 16.

The mean total score of BCPS was 65.04±8.60. The perceived fear dimension had the lowest mean score (8.27±4.02). A significant difference was observed in the BCPS score based on the woman’s educational level (P<0.001), the husband’s educational level (P=0.002), the number of children (P=0.04), and the history of a benign change in women’s breast (P<0.001). Based on the regression analysis, women’s educational level (B=-0.13, 95%CI=0.02-0.24, P=0.018) and number of children (P=0.048, B=-0.038, CI=-0.003-0.79) were the predictors of breast cancer perception.

The women in Tabriz City have a relatively low level of breast cancer perception, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions to improve their knowledge and mitigate their fear. More educational programs are needed for women with low educational levels and a high number of children in health centers to promote their breast cancer perceptions and screening outcomes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), as an acute situation, is one of the life-threatening complications of diabetes. The effective management of DKA affects patient outcomes. The present study aimed to identify and highlight the role of nurses in DKA management.

This study is a narrative review. The related articles were identified during a comprehensive search in electronic databases using the keywords, and after review, their important and widely used points were presented.

Nurses play a key role in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of DKA. The identified roles include striking a fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting the insulin dose received by the patient, and designing a discharge plan to prevent the recurrence of DKA.

The management of ketoacidosis is an interdisciplinary teamwork where nurses play a crucial role in identifying, controlling, as well as preventing the progression and recurrence of symptoms. For the successful management of ketoacidosis, it is necessary to employ skilled and knowledgeable nurses.

The concept of age-friendly cities has been introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in an attempt to pay more attention to the elderly. In Iran, this issue is more important due to demographic changes and age conditions. This study aimed to investigate the views of the elderly people living in Tabriz about the indicators of age-friendly cities.

In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 351 elderly people were selected from six age-friendly centers in Tabriz by simple random sampling method. The data collection tool was the standard questionnaire of the WHO in an age- friendly city. To analyze the data, both descriptive statistics (frequency, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (analysis of variance and t-test) were used. Also, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 was used and significance level was considered as 0.05.

Among the four studied indicators, the health component had the highest average (44.57 (11.81)), followed by the components of social respect (38.5 (11.5)), participation in social relations (34.8 (9.12)), and the cultural and recreational index (32.86 (10.54; range 1-100)). We also observed a significant relationship between gender and marriage with cultural and recreational component (P = 0.002).

Since none of the four indicators of age-friendly cities in Tabriz were standard, the managers of aging-related organizations should plan to standardize these indicators to achieve the desired conditions.

Childhood cancer as a life-threatening illness has negative consequences for both the patients and their family. Parents of children with cancer are experiencing high levels of psychological stress, and it affect many aspects of parents’ health. The aim of this study was to determine the depression and optimism among parents of children with cancer and relationship between these variables.

 This is a descriptive‑correlational study on 148 parents of children with cancer admitted to a pediatric hospital affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz/Iran. Participants were selected using convenience sampling method.“Life Orientation Test-Revised” and depression section of ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” were used to evaluate participants’ levels of optimism and depression. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.

The mean rank for optimism and depression was 16 (IQR: 4) and 8 (IQR: 7) respectively. Also, there was a negative, significant correlation between parents optimism and depression (P<0.001, R=-0.439).

Considering the rate of depression in parents of children with cancer, more attention is needed to the factors affecting this. In addition, due to the significant relationship between optimism and depression, incorporating optimism-promoting strategies into caring planes is recommended.

Satisfaction with life in the aged care home is crucial because living in the aged care home affects all aspects of the resident’s life. Identifying the factors affecting the satisfaction of the older people can be the basis for strategic planning to facilitate their life in the aged care home. So, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explain the factors affecting the resident's satisfaction with life in the aged care home.
This qualitative content analysis study was conducted in eight aged care home located in two provinces in Iran from Jan. 2015 to May 2017. The study participants included 17 people living in aged care homes and three formal caregivers who were selected using purposive sampling and were interviewed through the semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed through conventional content analysis by using the MAXQDA software.
Results showed that residents are not satisfied with living in the aged care home. Moreover, 8 subcategories were identified as effective factors in resident's satisfaction: Communication deprivation, monotone life, lack of attention to individual needs, lack of independence, care needs, nutritional problems, lack of amenities, and financial concerns. These subcategories were classified into two main categories of human factors and environmental factors.
The dissatisfaction experienced by Iranian older people in aged care home reflects the need for a review of Iranian aged care services. Designing family-based care, paying attention to the needs of the elderly, developing psychological counseling, and improving physical and staff structures can be helpful in this regard.