mohsen hosseinbor

In a crisis, rumors often get started, and societies use them to cope with ambiguous situations. Southeastern Iran, with its high rate of homeless addicts per population, is a suitable area to examine the accuracy of the rumor about the positive effect of addictive substances on preventing COVID-19.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the abundance of COVID-19 infection among homeless drug abusers in this area.

For each participant, the health experts completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics,symptoms and type, frequency and methods of drug abuse. For a definite diagnosis of COVID-19, a combined oropharyngeal/nasal sampling method was used in the laboratory under standard polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data was analyzed with SPSS v. 19. The chi-square test was used to compare COVID-19 cases across substance types, abuse methods, and consumption frequencies.

In total, 295 homeless drug abusers participated, and positive COVID-19 was recorded for 21(7.1%). Most participants were waste pickers (60.5%), and 3.9% had COVID-19. The statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the number of positive COVID-19 cases between narcotics, stimulants, and both combinations. Our study also did not prove the positive effect of drug abuse methods and the frequency of daily drug abuse on the incidence of this disease.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, unreliable, incorrect, and incomplete information on its prevention spread in societies. It is recommended that health-related rumors be investigated and officials publicly announce the results.

 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across China and many countries worldwide, and healthcare workers at the front lines of disease control are under high physical and mental pressure.

 The present study aimed to examine the correlation between medical staff mental health and perceived social support during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran (2020).

 This is a descriptive correlational study. Our targeted population was all the healthcare, administrative, and non-administrative staff, which were involved in the treatment of the coronavirus patients, of the cities of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. According to our investigational criteria, 320 samples were selected among our targeted population due to the purposive sampling method. General Health Questionnaire-28 Items (GHQ-28) and perceived social support questionnaire were information-collecting tools. The respondents completed and submitted the questionnaires online. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software version 22, using descriptive statistics (i.e., mean, standard deviation (SD), and frequency percentage), and inferential statistics (i.e., correlation analysis and regression analysis).

 There was a significant relationship and negative correlation between perceived social support and mental health (R = -0.334, P ≤ 0.01). The least prevalent mental health problem was depression (mean ± SD = 31.10 ± 56.3), while the most prevalent mental health problem was social dysfunction (mean ± SD = 14.24 ± 06.3). The regression model significantly predicts mental health (F = 14.06, P < 0.0001).

 Overall, the medical staff experienced moderate mental health problems, with social dysfunction causing the greatest psychological disorders during the COVID-19 outbreak in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. More attention should be paid to the mental health and perceived social support of these workers, and their mental status should be regularly assessed. Therefore, perceived social support can significantly predict the mental health of healthcare workers, as it reduces the psychological problems of the medical staff.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generated profound concerns in public. However, few validated scales measure COVID-related stress. We developed and psychometrically assessed a unique COVID-19 Stress Scale (CSS) in an Iranian non-clinical population. The CSS was developed to evaluate the existing stress measures, specialists' reviews, and interviews with healthy individuals. Experts provided feedback on content validity. The correlation of CSS with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was evaluated to assess convergent validity. Moreover, construct validity and reliability were assessed. Seven items were found acceptable after experts' review. The online method was used to collect information due to the dangerous conditions of COVID-19 and traffic restrictions in Iran. The scale link was shared as an invitation on the virtual social network pages for people to respond. The statistical population of this study included all Iranian people aged 18 - 60. All 755 people, including 511 females and 244 males who completed the questionnaire online, were selected as a sample. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed a one-factor structure. Correlations between items were acceptable, with item-total correlations being 0.49 - 0.58. The CFA resulted in acceptable factor loadings and fit statistics. Internal consistency reliability was found as α = 0.74. Regarding convergent validity, CSS had moderate to strong correlations with the depression (r = 0.53), anxiety (r = 0.59), and stress (r = 0.64) subscales of DASS-21 (P < 0.05). The seven-item CSS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and can be a useful measure of research and evaluation. There is a need to test the scale's validity in a random sample and other nationalities.

 Even though the nursing internship course has designed to promote clinical competence, increase self-confidence, achieve independence and, facilitate the role transition from a student to a clinical nurse, this course is not useful. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the level of responsibility for nursing internship students, from studentschr('39') viewpoints, instructors, and hospital personnel.

 It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with 30 students, 30 hospital staff, and ten instructors in Kerman in 2018. A simple random sampling method used. The data gathering tool was a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire on the level of responsibility provided from the viewpoints of hospital staff, instructors, and students, which used after the psychometric test. Data analysis performed using descriptive analysis.

 The results of this study from the viewpoints of personnel, students, and instructors showed that most staff cared for the patient due to the lack of adequate studentschr('39') skills. Therefore, students were involved in the care of the patients who were taken care of by the personnel themselves. The only care provided by the student was control of the vital signs.

 If clinical education of the nursing internship course followed by the involved responsibility and skills of students, nursing students will achieve occupational autonomy.

The use of addictive substances is one of the most important problems of human societies and one of the major challenges for the social, health, and political realms. Although the problem is not confined to specific age groups, young people at risk are among the main groups.
This study examined the frequency of using alcohol and substances among students of Islamic Azad university in Zahedan in 2012.
Patients and This cross-sectional study included 1,014 students studying at the Islamic Azad university, Zahedan, using cluster sampling and distribution based on gender, college, and graduate level using the high-risk behaviors questionnaire. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire.
Smoking prevalence rates among female and male students were 6.80% and 39.1%, respectively. The prevalence of water pipe smoking in female students was 26.1%, and for male students, it was 56.7%. About 4.7% of female and 21.6% of male students reported using alcohol at least one or more times. The prevalence rates of drug use were 2.4% and 13.5% among female and male students, respectively.
The study results indicate a high prevalence of drug use among students. Thus, it is suggested that preventive and therapeutic interventions for university students are important and necessary.

Loneliness is one of the psychological variables related to high risk behaviors that should be investigated more.. The current study aimed to assess emotional, social, romantic, and familial dimensions of loneliness in drug abuser and nondrug abuser individuals..Patients and Two hundred and twenty eight individuals were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Hundred and eighteen drug abusers were recruited through random sampling among the clients referred to Baharan Psychiatric Hospital, and 110 non-substance dependent individuals were selected from their companions, students, and staffs. In addition to clinical interview, the Iranian short version of the social and emotional loneliness scale for adults (SELSA-S) was used to evaluate the participants.. There were statistically significant difference between the scores of all four emotional, social, familial, and romantic dimensions of loneliness in substance dependent individuals. Although there was no difference between the scores of men and women, the mean scores of romantic and emotional dimensions were higher in non-substance dependent women.. The feeling of loneliness is stronger in drug abusers rather than non-drug abusers that could develop the sense of being different from community and increase the probability of taking high risk behaviors and abusing drugs. Thus, it is suggested to consider the feeling of loneliness in all programs designed to prevent or treat addiction..

In order to maintain and promote social health, special attention should be directed towards risky behaviors and the relevant effective factors especially in high-risk groups.. This study was aimed to identify the prevalence of substance abuse and its related factors among adolescents in Zahedan, Southeast of Iran.. This cross-sectional study included a total of 1000 randomly-selected boy and girl high school students by cluster sampling method. Goldberg’s general health questionnaire and the risk behaviors questionnaire were used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency and percentage).. The incidences of first experience of water pipe smoking (hookah), chewing tobacco (Nas), tramadol, drugs and alcohol were 21.5%, 6.1%, 4.7%, 4.2% and 7.2%, respectively. The results the incidence in total also showed that 3.5% of the students started smoking in 2010. In addition, lifetime experience and annual incidence of these behaviors was 2 - 5 times more likely among adolescents with a family member or a friend who uses substances, compared with those without a history of substance use. Furthermore, such behaviors were 2 - 3 times higher in adolescents with abnormal general health compared with the normal ones.. Based on the results, the prevalence and incidence of risky behaviors particularly the age at the first experience among students is worrisome. Thus, it is imperative to begin prevention programs for younger adolescents..

In order to maintain and promote social health, special attention should be directed towards risky behaviors and the relevant effective factors especially in high-risk groups.. This study was aimed to identify the prevalence of substance abuse and its related factors among adolescents in Zahedan, Southeast of Iran.. This cross-sectional study included a total of 1000 randomly-selected boy and girl high school students by cluster sampling method. Goldberg’s general health questionnaire and the risk behaviors questionnaire were used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency and percentage).. The incidences of first experience of water pipe smoking (hookah), chewing tobacco (Nas), tramadol, drugs and alcohol were 21.5%, 6.1%, 4.7%, 4.2% and 7.2%, respectively. The results the incidence in total also showed that 3.5% of the students started smoking in 2010. In addition, lifetime experience and annual incidence of these behaviors was 2 - 5 times more likely among adolescents with a family member or a friend who uses substances, compared with those without a history of substance use. Furthermore, such behaviors were 2 - 3 times higher in adolescents with abnormal general health compared with the normal ones.. Based on the results, the prevalence and incidence of risky behaviors particularly the age at the first experience among students is worrisome. Thus, it is imperative to begin prevention programs for younger adolescents..

Family functioning is considered to have a significant impact on the beginnings and maintenance of substance use.. The main purpose of this study was to examine and compare the dimensions of family functioning among addicted and non-addicted individuals..Patients and In this cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of 228 individuals, including 118 addicted and 110 non-addicted subjects. The addicted persons were recruited from patients who attended the Baharan Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic for treatment of substance dependence disorders and 110 non-addicted (normal) individuals who were selected from normal populations (students, staff of the hospital and people accompanying patients without a history of substance use) through convenience sampling. The Family Assessment Device (FAD) was used to assess six dimensions of family functioning. The data were analyzed using descriptive indexes (ie, frequency, mean and standard deviation) and t test.. The results showed significant differences in the mean scores of family functioning dimensions including; problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behavioral control and overall family performance (P < 0.01).. Results of this study confirmed the lower functioning levels of substance dependent clients᾽ families on all subscales of the FAD, than in families of non-addicted individuals. It is therefore concluded, that providing interventional strategies for the prevention and treatment of substance use that focus on and involve families in the delivery of health care services is a necessity.