فهرست مطالب ali soroush

Individuals with the same needs are eligible to use required healthcare services, which is rarely taken into account in health systems. The present research evaluated this issue by investigating the determinants of the need for outpatient healthcare services and subsequent utilization in Kermanshah, western Iran.

This was a before-after cross-sectional study which used two utilization surveys before (2006) and after (2015) the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in Iran. The surveys were performed in a multi-stage sampling manner, and the data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with household members. 2626 (before) and 2089 (after) subjects who were ≤15 years old completed the surveys before and after the HTP, respectively, and were included in the analysis. The logistic regression was used to analyze the determinants of the needs and utilization of outpatient healthcare services.

The need for outpatient healthcare services increased from 19.73% before the HTP to 27.09% after it. The utilization of such services in this period also increased from 44.78% to 57.95%. The logistic regression analysis showed that most factors caused an inverse relationship between the studied outcomes before and after HTP, except for supplementary insurance, which increased both the need for outpatient services and subsequent use.

Despite the increased utilization of outpatient services, it seems that some groups still have insufficient access to required healthcare services. Future healthcare reform in Iran must provide enough healthcare services to vulnerable groups.

 The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and vitamin D consumption on fatigue and performance of Imam Reza Hospital staff in Kermanshah.

 In this quasi-experimental study, 48 men and 48 women were randomly selected with a mean age of 41.25 ± 2.43 y, mean weight 76.50 ± 12.56 kg and BMI = 25.5 ± 2.153 kg/m2. Subjects divided into four groups (24 participants in each group) including: 1, Exercise group; 2, Exercise group with vitamin D supplementation (50,000 units per week); 3, Vitamin D group; and 4, Control group. The subjects exercised 3session per week for 30 - 60 min at 60 - 75 % of maximum heart rate for eight weeks. Employees job performance, appetite, quality of work life and lipid profile were assessed before and after the intervention. one-way analysis of variance as well as dependent t-test were used to examine the data at a significance level of (P < 0.05).

 Our results showed that there was a significant difference in the LDL and triglyceride variables between the three experimental groups with control group, but this change in HDL was not significant. Also, aerobic exercise and vitamin D intake have a significant effect on fatigue, job performance and quality of life.

 According to the results of the present study, it can be said that aerobic exercise combined with vitamin D consumption can increase the capacity of employees to withstand job stress in the workplace and improve their general health to some extent.

 Aggression toward staff and workplace violence are common problems worldwide that not only affect individuals' dignity but also affect their physical and emotional well-being.

 The study was conducted aimed to investigate aggression correlations of hospitalized stroke patients' entourage toward healthcare staff.

 The cross-sectional study data were obtained by examining 194 hospitalized stroke patients’ entourages in a hospital in Iran from September to December 2020. A list of demographic information and patients' records, national institutes of health stroke scale, and hospital satisfaction questionnaire were used for data collection. To analyze data statistical tests such as Chi-square tests, t-test, and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used.

 Prevalence of subjective anger and verbal aggression were 49.5% and 16.5%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, the entourages with an academic education (P < 0.001), spouses of the patients (P = 0.029), and those having less satisfaction with stay aspects and physical comfort of the hospital (P < 0.0005) report more subjective anger and those with academic education (P < 0.001), less satisfied with staff behavior (P < 0.001), and more satisfied with physician care (P < 0.001) showed verbal aggression.

 Subjective anger and verbal aggression are common up to 50% among the entourages of hospitalized stroke patients. Likely paying more attention to the high-risk entourages and providing necessary training in the field of appropriate behaviors with entourages by the medical staff can reduce tension and aggression in stroke patients' entourages.

Nowadays, the world is experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. Iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D deficiency are two of the world’s most prevalent health problems. Severe COVID-19 patients were found with elevated serum ferritin and decreased vitamin D levels. There is a need to investigate the possible roles of micronutrients in the severity and mortality of COVID-19. This descriptiveanalytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 437 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized from April to August 2020. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the patients were collected. Medical experts determined the severity of the infection based on the severity of the clinical symptoms and the extent and degree of the lung infection. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software Version 16. The mean age of the participants was 60.74 ± 16.70 years old, and the most common comorbidities were diabetes type II (15.1%) and hypertension (12%). Shortness of breath (58.6%), anosmia (55.1%), and ageusia (45.1%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The mean serum vitamin D level was 28.86 ± 15.69 ng/mL, and vitamin D deficiency was found in 53% of patients. The mean serum ferritin level was 125.32 ± 97.99 for males and 302 ± 73.6 for females. Significant correlations were observed between serum vitamin D levels, lower oxygen saturation rate, and COVID–19 severity. A significant relationship was found between the serum ferritin levels and hospitalization duration (P < 0.05). Our findings indicated that COVID-19 patients treated in the hospital had a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. The severity of the disease was increased in patients with vitamin D deficiency and elevated serum ferritin levels.

One of the most common problems in the intensive care units (ICUs) is pressure ulcers (PUs). The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aloe vera gel, olive oil, and compound aloe vera gel‑olive oil in the prevention of PUs.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 240 patients. They were randomly divided into four groups, aloe vera gel (n = 60), olive oil (n = 60), aloe vera gel‑olive oil combination (n = 60), and control (n = 60). Braden scale and National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel scale were used to collect data. The intervention was performed for 30 days. In the intervention and control groups, the patient received routine care. In each intervention group, 10–15 ml of olive oil or aloe vera gel or a combination of olive oil and aloe vera was rubbed into body areas under pressure.

There were no PUs detected in all groups before the intervention; after the intervention, 12 patients in the olive group, 20 patients in the aloe vera group, 10 patients in the aloe vera‑olive combination group, and 22 patients in the control group developed PUs. The results reported 40% of the patients with stage 1 PU and 10% of them with stage 2.

Due to the effectiveness of olive oil and aloe vera‑olive oil combination in preventing PU, it is recommended to use these herbal compounds in preventing PU on ICU patients.

 

Low back pain is one of the most common pains that about 80% of people experience in their lifetime. Millions of dollars are spent annually on the treatment of chronic low back pain, so proper and timely treatment is essential. This study aimed to determine the effect of McKenzie-based and Pneumatic Lumbar Unloading Orthosis on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.

In this clinical trial, 27 patients with chronic low back pain who referred to the clinic of Shahid Adabian in Kermanshah in 2018 were included in the study by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to one of the study groups, which included the McKenzie-based group with Pneumatic Lumbar Unloading Orthosis, the McKenzie-based group, and the control group.

In both McKenzie-based and McKenzie-based groups with Pneumatic Lumbar Unloading Orthosis, pain and disability were significantly reduced. Although the intervention in the McKenzie-based group receiving Pneumatic Lumbar Unloading Orthosis resulted in a further reduction in pain and disability compared to the McKenzie-based group, the difference between the two groups in terms of pain relief was statistically significant (P< 0.05) but it was not significant in terms of the reduction of disability.

The Pneumatic Lumbar Unloading Orthosis with McKenzie-based reduced the pain and disability of people with chronic low back pain more effectively, so the simultaneous use of these therapeutic interventions in these people is recommended.

At present, the SERVQUAL model is one of the most significant tools for measuring customers’ expectations and perceptions in organizations. Determination of expectations and perceptions of students who are the main university customers from educational services can provide valuable information to the programmers to improve the condition of educational services. Therefore, this study aims to measure the quality of education services from the viewpoint of postgraduate students at Kermanshah Medical Sciences University using the SERVQUAL model in 2019.

This was a descriptive cross‑sectional study. The population under the study consisted of 162 students at the postgraduate education section (Master’s degree and Ph.D.) studying in the second semester of the academic year of 2019 at Kermanshah Medical Sciences University. The standard SERVQUAL questionnaire was used for data collection, which included five dimensions of the quality of educational services, and the random‑stratified sampling method was employed. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software (version 23.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and descriptive and other statistical tests, including the Pearson correlation coefficient, and paired and independent t‑tests were performed.

Based on the students’ perspective in the provision of service there was quality gap existed in all services, and the largest gap was in the reliability dimension (−0.37), and after that, empathy (−0.37), guaranty (0.27), and responsiveness (−0.24) dimensions, respectively, and the lowest one was in the tangible dimension (0.15). There was a statistically significant observed difference between the quality gap in different educational dimensions (P > 0.001).

Research findings showed that students were not meeting their expectations from the presented educational services. Hence, holding a training workshop is suggested in the field of how to serve and enhance communication skills for employees and teachers.

 Obesity is known as one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors.

 This quasi-experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of an eight-week aerobic exercise and garlic extract use on the blood pressure, fat percentage, and lipid profile of patients with hypertension.

 A total of 50 men with a mean age of 53 ± 7.6 years were recruited from among obese patients with blood pressure. They were randomly divided into five groups of aerobic exercise, garlic extract, aerobic exercise plus garlic extract, placebo, and control. The experimental groups underwent aerobic exercise (3 sessions per week, each session for 35 - 60 min with a maximum heart rate of 50 - 75) or garlic extract supplementation (daily use of 6 g) for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected before interventions and 48 h after the last exercise session. Statistical analysis was done by the dependent t-test and ANCOVA.

 Body weight, body fat percentage, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and serum LDL significantly reduced in the aerobic exercise, garlic extract, and aerobic exercise plus garlic extract groups compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Aerobic exercise and aerobic exercise plus garlic extract groups showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol level and serum triglyceride and an increase in serum HDL compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Aerobic exercise plus garlic extract group indicated a higher increase in serum HDL and a higher decrease in the body weight, body fat percentage, and serum LDL compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Aerobic exercise plus garlic extract group indicated a higher serum LDL decrease compared to the aerobic exercise group (P ≤ 0.01).

 Both aerobic exercise and garlic extract seem to be able to improve obesity, lipid profile, and hypertension. However, their concurrent use has no additional effects on the blood pressure control although it mostly influences lipid profile and body composition.

Analyzing child mortality, an important indicator of heath and development of countries, can help policy makers to develop health programs resulted in improving Childs’ health. Recognizing the causes of in-hospital deaths, also, assists health care givers to revise their medical services. The aim of this study was to explore the causes of death in the largest hospital of western Iran. this retrospective descriptive-analytical study conducted in Imam Reza Hospital (IRH) in Kermanshah, data including demographic characteristics (e.g., age), medical information, and causes of death of patients aged ≤ 18 years, from April 2012 to March 2017 were collected using a check list. The causes of mortalities were categorized based on the International Coding of Diseases (ICD, Version 10). Using logistic regression, Chi-square and Cramer's V test in SPSS, the relationships between outcome and predicting variables were assessed. The results showed 1113 deaths among 21,247 people ≤ 18 year people admitted to IRH during 5 years. About 55% were female and 74% neonate, with a dropping trend from 2011 (4.62%) to 2016 (4.00%). Medical records, mostly, used a variety of usual medical terms for the causes of death, rather than using ICD10 categories. Data were analyzed after alternating medical terms and re-coding data using ICD10. Respiratory system diseases by 34% (dominancy of hyaline membrane diseases), infectious diseases by 28% (leading by sepsis), and diseases of the blood by 13% (mostly disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)), respectively, were the most common causes of death. Age was the most important associated factor for all-cause mortality associated with infectious diseases and respiratory system diseases (P=0.01).  Having a significant number of neonatal mortality, paying more attention to the neonatal, prenatal and antenatal care is recommended. In addition, the fatality of infectious diseases is concerning and needs paying serious attention by health care system.

The qualification of managers in terms of management skills is one of the most important factors in the continuous success of each organization, and utilizing such skills can have a positive contribution in the effectiveness of the organization while improving the performance of the employees in line with the objectives and goals of the organization. The study's primary objective was to examine the necessary skills of the hospital managers and their capabilities to manage the challenges in providing health care facilities to their patients and employees.

This study is a qualitative that deep interviews were performed with 22 managers (senior and middle managers) of educational hospitals of Kermanshah city, and the sample size was 22 individuals. The interviews were analyzed by a MAXQDA software application after transcription.

This study includes 8 themes and 23 subthemes. The strategic skill, the perceptive skill, the human relations skill, work experience, and personal characteristics were among the skills necessary for hospital managers. Some of the challenges facing the hospital managers included rapid changes in the policies, the limitations of financial resources, and lack of proportion between the educational and occupational spheres.

Because of their existential philosophy and differences with other service sectors, managing hospitals poses a particular sensitivity. In this regard, the role of the hospital manager is very important. Therefore, in order to meet the satisfaction of those receiving services, decision‑makers and policy‑makers must think twice when selecting and appointing hospital managers and evaluate and appraise this group in terms of abilities and skills necessary for managing such an important service section.

The purpose of the present study is to present Imam Khumeini’s approach to the political exegesis as an effective exegetical approach to the political transformations in the Muslim World. Explaining and discourse-building of this exegetical approach can pave the way for returning the Qur’an to the context of transformations in the Muslim World. The current research study aims to answer that what Imam Khumeini’s distinctive approach to the political exegesis of the Noble Qur’an is. This approach was explained relying on the theoretical framework of the theory of Two Fitrah. The results of the study showed that the Qur’an as an independent and efficient political school has not turned to a widespread discourse in the Muslim World yet because of 2 reasons: First, the petrified interpretations in the Muslim World have depoliticized the Qur’an by exaggerating the ancillaries of faith and marginalizing “Qur’anic objectives”; second, eclectic approaches have interpreted the Qur’an secular and separated from politics and society. Both of these reasons have led to the “seclusion of the Qur’an” and therefore the political thought and act in the Muslim World today are not affected by the Qur’anic objectives. However, Imam Khumeini’s special and distinctive approach to the political exegesis of the Qur’an could introduce this holy book as a political school and have serious effects on the political transformations and the Islamic revolution in Iran and the international level. Imam Khumeini’s most important principles of the political exegesis include goal-orientation, populism, pragmatism. The result of this approach is a special exegetical approach called “practical approach” seeking to fulfill Qur’anic objectives in the world.

Acinetobacter is a gram-negative coccobacillus that performs an essential role in nosocomial infection. Antibiotic resistance as a major problem in hospitals has increased in recent years. ICU-admitted patients have a high mortality and morbidity risk of disease with this organism.

This study was carried out to establish Acinetobacter’s pattern of antibiotic resistance in ICU wards.

In this analytical-descriptive study, Acinetobacter isolates from patients, staff, and equipment of ICU ward in Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran were identified using bacteriologic and biologic methods during six months in 2017. Then the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility was determined for ten different antibiotics using the Disc-Diffusion-Agar-Method.

Acinetobacter bumanii isolates were completely resistant to cefepime, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefazolin, trimethoprim, gentamycin, pipracilin, and imipenem.

This study revealed that Acinetobacter bumanii was highly resistant to various antibiotics. Although the methods in our study were not as reliable as E-test, regarding this agent’s potential role as a virulent pathogen in nosocomial infections, proper treatment with potent and effective antibiotics and infection control policies is needed to prevent the spread of this agent in ICU.

This study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to gender and other likely risk factors.

This study reports on data relating to 1,484 consecutive patients with STEMI registered from June 2016 to May 2018 in the Western Iran STEMI Registry. Data were collected using a standardized case report developed by the European Observational Registry Program (EORP). The relationship between in-hospital mortality and potential predicting variables was assessed multivariable logistic regression. Differences between groups in mortality rates were compared using chi-square tests and independent t-tests.

Out of the 1484 patients, 311(21%) were female. Women were different from men in terms of age (65.8 vs. 59), prevalence of hypertension (HTN) (63.7% vs. 35.4%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (37.7% vs. 16.2%), hypercholesterolemia (36.7% vs. 18.5%) and the history of previous congestive heart failure (CHF) (6.6% vs. 3.0%). Smoking was more prevalent among men (55.9% vs. 13.2%). Although the in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (11.6% vs. 5.5%), after adjusting for other risk factors, female sex was not an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality. Multivariable analysis identified that age and higher Killip class (≥II) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality rate.

In-hospital mortality after STEMI in women was higher than men. However, the role of sex as an independent predictor of mortality disappeared in regression analysis. The gender based difference in in-hospital mortality after STEMI may be related to the poorer cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile of the women.

Identifying the death reasons amongst elderly, may help prioritizing the research projects and interventions.

This study purpose was to determine the death pattern and causes, and also its likely associated factors, in a mega hospital in western Iran.

This retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted on elderly died from April 2011 to March 2016, in Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. The data were collected about the demographic characteristics, medical information, and the main death causes. The causes-of-death was classified adopting the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). The relationships between outcome and predicting variables were assessed by using Chi-square and Tukey's test in SPSS.

Totally, 2415 died elderly were registered during the study period. The participants mean age at the time of their death was 75.35±9.15 years old. The diseases of circulatory system (dominancy of stroke), infectious diseases (leading by septicaemia and septic shock, respectively), and respiratory system diseases were the most common death causes, respectively. Age was the most important associated factor for the allcause mortality related to the cardiovascular diseases (p=0.001).

The majority of deaths were the premature, which requires paying more attention. Although, cardiovascular diseases were the leading death causes and that is predictable, but the fatality of infectious diseases is still causing concerns.

(i) Cluster analysis and partitioning samples based on cardio-cerebrovascular histories and length of stay (LOS); (ii) Determining related demographic and medical factors in individual clusters; and (iii) Comparing clusters based on 12-month health outcomes.

The statistical population of the study included 2,293 stroke patients hospitalized in Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah city from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016. After a one-year follow-up, the data collection window was closed on December 31, 2017. The patients’ data were extracted from the electronic hospital information system (HIS). Two-step cluster analysis (TSCA), chi-square, Fisher exact, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests, as well as multinomial logistic regression analysis were the analysis methods.

This model suggested five distinct clusters: the patients (i) without any cardio-cerebrovascular history and LOS = 5 days (36.2%); (ii) without any cardio-cerebrovascular history and LOS = 6 days (21.6%); (iii) with cerebrovascular history and LOS = 6 days (18.6%); (iv) with cardiovascular history and LOS = 6 days (16.1%); and (v) with cardio-cerebrovascular history and LOS = 6 days (7.5%). Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were respectively the most significant modifiable risk factors, while sex, cerebrovascular diseases in the family, and age were respectively the most significant non-modifiable risk factors in high-risk clusters and LOS = 6 days. Compared to Cluster 1 (reference), during a one-year follow-up, a larger number of members in Clusters 3 and 5 were readmitted and/or expired.

Considering the modifiable risk factors identified in the current study, providing programs for preventing readmission and potential death caused by stroke for Clusters 3 and 5 seems essential

The rate of first hospitalization for incidence of stroke has been significantly rising over the past 20 years and this requires proper management of the neurology ward beds. In this regard, the present study was conducted to evaluate the correlates of length of stay in stroke patients.

the study design is descriptive and correlation. The study population consisted of 153 patients diagnosed with stroke admitted to the neurology ward of Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah in Iran, December 2014 to February 2015. The required data obtained from Hospital Information System (HIS) and it was confirmed by telephone follow-up. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

The linear regression analysis results show that type of transfer the patient to hospital can correctly predict the length of stay (P=0.012) and the patients who used ambulance for transfer to hospital occupy a bed almost 5 days more than others. Our model was able to explain only 7% of the variance for the length of stay.

It seems stroke patients who used ambulance for transfer to a hospital compared to others stay in the hospital for a longer time. Therefore, it is necessary that the number of beds required in stroke therapy wards be calculated according to the usual demand for dispatching ambulances and taking the ratio of personal referrals.

The current study aims to perform a cluster analysis on heart knowledge and risk perception of substance misusers and their correlates.

In this cross-sectional study, 156 participants (96.2% male, 18 - 65 years old with M ± SD = 39.0 ± 11.9) were selected using stratified random sampling. Heart disease knowledge questionnaire (HDKQ) and perception of risk of heart disease scale (PRHDS) were the data gathering tools. The findings were analyzed using two-step cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis.

This model suggested three clusters: (i) moderate knowledge with good risk perception (32.7%), (ii) moderate knowledge with poor-risk perception (44.9%), and (iii) poor knowledge with low cardiac risk perception (22.4%). Single individuals (P = 0.044, P = 0.014) and participants without a family history of hypertension (P = 0.045) show lower heart knowledge and risk perception. This model was able to accurately predict 20.3% to 39.8% of the variance in the criterion variable.

Cluster analyses can appropriately partition substance misusers based on their level of heart knowledge and cardiac risk perception. The identified vulnerable groups are affected by a number of demographics and family histories of chronic diseases. The results of the current study provide useful insights for family physicians and cardiovascular health professionals.

Regarding the expanding population in developing countries who are at risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), identification and management of effective factors are important in reducing the risk of CVDs. So, the present study aimed to assess the role of perceived heart risk factors (PHRFs) in the prediction of cardiovascular risk among outpatient patients. The samples of this cross-sectional study included 150 outpatient patients who attend the clinic of Imam Reza hospital during October-December 2016. The participants were completed the Perceived Heart Risk Factors Scale (PHRFS) and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CRAQ). Data analyzed through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses. Based on the findings, 28%, 40%, 22.7%, and 9.3% of patients were low, medium, high, and severely high-risk, respectively. The strongest predictors of the cardiovascular risk were physiological (β = -0.273; P = 0.004), psychological (β=0.236; P = 0.020), and biological risk factors (β=0.209; P = 0.016), respectively. In addition, the strongest predictor of the lifestyle risk was physiological risk factors (β = -0.264; P = 0.007). Other variables do not play a significant role in predict the lifestyle risk (P > 0.05). Our model was able to explain 9.2% of cardiovascular risk variance and 5.7% of cardiovascular risk caused by lifestyle variance. The higher patients’ perception about biological and psychological risk factors is concerned as an alarm for increased cardiovascular risk while higher perception about physiological risk factors is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk caused by lifestyle and total cardiovascular risk. The programs reducing cardiovascular risk should target the high-risk groups to save cost and time.

Although sexual death during intercourse occurs rarely in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), most such patients avoid it because they fear a dangerous event. Given the significance of awareness about this issue among patients with CVDs, we sought to compare sexual knowledge between 2 groups of patients prepared for cardiac surgery and patients prepared for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This cross-sectional study, conducted between April and July 2016, recruited 157 patients with CVDs (107 candidates for surgery and 50 patients prepared for CR) in Imam Ali Hospital, in the Iranian city of Kermanshah. The cases, selected through entire counting according to our inclusion criteria, responded to a standard sexual knowledge inventory. Sexual knowledge and professionals responsible in providing sexual rehabilitation from the perspective of patients were compared using the independent t-test and the χ2 test. The participants’ mean age was 55.39±9.82 years (male: 58.6%). Overall, the 2 groups had poor sexual knowledge. Although the CR program started 57.85±13.92 days after surgery, the sexual knowledge of this group of patients was not significantly different from that of the patients prepared for surgery (P=0.904). This difference was not significant between the 2 genders (P=0.077). Finally, concerning the professionals responsible in providing sexual rehabilitation, the patients selected psychologists (P=0.006) and nurses (P=0.012) more frequently in the initial phase of CR program.   Sexual knowledge was poor in our CR patients at the outset of the program. Given the poor knowledge in these patients 2 months after surgery and the lack of significant difference in knowledge between these patients and those prepared for surgery, it is advisable that they be provided with the necessary information in this regard in this golden time before hospital discharge.

The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between the perceived behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and health-promoting lifestyle in men under methadone therapy. In this cross-sectional study, 68 patients who referred to methadone-maintenance treatment (MMT) centers in Kermanshah city were assessed during September 2017. Perceived heart risk factors scale (PHRFS) and health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP-II) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 39.4 ± 13.3 years. The results of correlation and regression analysis showed that there was a significant direct relationship between perceived behavioral risk factors and all subscales of HPLP-II (P < 0.001). The model generally could explain the variance of 14.9% to 35.8% related to healthy lifestyle components. It can be concluded that understanding harmful heart behavior patterns by drug addicts under methadone therapy may lead to adopting a comprehensive healthy lifestyle. Training must be focused on improved knowledge and perception of the drug addicts about behavioral risk factors of CVDs.

No Abstract

Dear Editor, Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRs) are among the most important third‑level prevention services that can have positive health outcomes and reduce cardiac death.[1] Despite the numerous evidences that indicate the usefulness of CRs, few patients-especially in developing countries-participate in these programs.[2] Compared to developed countries with over 70% participation in CRs,[3] less than 15% of Iranian patients participate in the programs.[2].....