فصلنامه حیات
سال بیست و ششم شماره 4 (پیاپی 88، زمستان 1399)

Decreased level of consciousness is one of the life-threatening complications associated with brain injuries. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of auditory and tactile stimulation by a family member on patients’ consciousness level.

Methods & Materials: 

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 comatose patients with traumatic brain injury hospitalized in the intensive care units of Zahedan educational hospitals in 2019. Samples were selected by the convenience sampling methods and then randomly divided into experimental or control groups. Data collection tool included a demographic information questionnaire, and FOUR criteria for the level of awareness. For the experimental group, the intervention including auditory and tactile stimulation was performed by a family member for 10 minutes for seven consecutive days. The control group received routine interventions. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, analysis of covariance, chi-square and repeated measures ANOVA) were used through the SPSS software version 21.

The results indicated no significant differences in the level of consciousness between the two groups on the first and fourth days. Yet, independent t-test, analysis of covariance and repeated measures ANOVA showed that the intervention group had significantly a higher level of consciousness on the fifth, sixth and seventh days compared to the control group (P<0.001).

Findings showed that auditory and tactile stimulation by a family member is effective in increasing the level of consciousness in comatose patients with brain injury. So, this technique is recommended as an intervention in nursing care to increase the consciousness level in these patients.

Perimenopause is associated with severe changes in reproduction and hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of group counseling on the severity of menopausal symptoms in the transition to menopause.

Methods & Materials: 

This clinical trial study was performed on ninety perimenopausal women in Javanrood city in 2019. Women were randomly assigned into the intervention or control groups using the block randomization method. Counseling was conducted for the intervention group in groups of 11 to 12 people in four 60-minute sessions for four consecutive weeks. After 8 weeks, the severity of menopausal symptoms was measured using the Menopause Symptoms Scale. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of menopausal symptoms scores before the intervention (P=0.86). After the group counseling, the median (Q1, Q3) of menopausal symptoms, physical, mental and genitourinary symptoms in the intervention and control groups were 17.0 (15.0, 21.5) and 21.0 (17.0, 30.5) (P<0.001), 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) and 9.0 (6.5, 11.0) (P<0.001), 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) and 8.0 (5.0, 10.0) (P=0.004), and 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) and 6.0 (5.0, 8.5) (P<0.001), respectively. These values for the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group.

Providing group counseling for four sessions was effective in reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women. Therefore, it is suggested that this strategy be used to promote womenchr('39')s health in the premenopausal period.

The caregivers of Alzheimerchr('39')s patients frequently experience more psychological illness, depression, stress, and discomfort than their peers who do not care for Alzheimerchr('39')s patients or care for physically ill patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of problem-oriented coping strategies training on perceived stress in the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer.

Methods & Materials: 

The present study was a randomized field trial. The study population consisted of the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimerchr('39')s disease living in Kerman in 2017. The samples were 72 people who were randomly assigned into the control or intervention groups. The caregivers in the intervention group received eight 45-minute sessions about the problem-focused coping strategies based on the specified content, once a week. Data were collected using a 14-item version of the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale before and two weeks after the intervention, and were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square tests through the SPSS software version 18.

Due to the significant difference in the perceived stress score between the intervention and control groups in the pre-intervention stage (P=0.030), and the lack of significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (P=0.06), in order to determine the effect of the intervention, the mean of changes between the two groups were compared and a significant difference was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.02).

Considering the positive effect of the problem-focused coping strategy training on reducing perceived stress in the caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer, designing and implementing interventions with an educational approach can promote the health of caregivers and in turn improve the quality of care for Alzheimerchr('39')s patients.

The important aspects of maternal postpartum adjustment are readiness in caring for the family, newly-added member and self as well as return to pre-pregnancy functional status. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of postpartum maternal functioning.

Methods & Materials:

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 newly delivered mothers attended the healthcare centers of Bonab in 2016 using the cluster random sampling method. Data were collected through a socio-demographic characteristics form, the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, and the functional status questionnaire. The multivariate linear regression model on the SPSS software version 21 was used to determine the predictors of functional status.

Mean (SD) of the functional status total score was 2.3 (0.24). The maximum and the minimum scores were in the subdomains “infant care” [3.64 (0.32)], and “social activities and society” [1.43 (0.41)], respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between postpartum depression and total score of functional status, self-care and social activities and society subscales. According to the general linear model, postpartum depression, spouse’s age and job, economic status, mother’s education level and the number of pregnancy were the predictors of mothers’ functional status during postpartum period.

Postpartum depression and some socio-demographic characteristics are among the variables influencing maternal functional status. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression and consideration of the mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics, can improve maternal functional status and result in better maternal postpartum adjustment.

Acute coronary syndrome is the most common cardiovascular disorder. Hope and optimism lead to adaptation to and moderation of the damaging effects of depressed mood on the outcome of this disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of positive psychology-based audio messages on hope and optimism among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods & Materials:

 In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 84 patients with acute coronary syndrome were assigned to either intervention or control groups in Shahrekord educational hospitals in 2017-2018. The intervention group received audio messages based on positive psychology and cardiovascular self-care, and control group only received self-care messages in two hospital admissions and six weeks after discharge. The Life Orientation Test-Revised and the Snyderchr('39')s Hope Scale were completed before the intervention, at the discharge time, one week and six weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by c² and Fisher exact tests and analysis of variance using the SPSS software version 20.

No significant difference is observed in the mean score of hope before the intervention and at the discharge time. However, the mean score of hope was significantly different between the two groups, one week and six weeks after the intervention (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean score of optimism between the two groups before the intervention. Nevertheless, difference in the mean score of optimism was significant at the discharge time (P=0.027), one week and six weeks after the intervention (P<0.001).

Positive psychology-based messages improve hope and optimism in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, this intervention is recommended along with other treatments.

Midwives experience high levels of stress due to the nature of their work. Some factors can play a significant role in the occupational stress experience. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive role of emotional intelligence and individual-occupational factors on occupational stress among the midwives working in Rasht.

Methods & Materials:

 In this descriptive, correlational study, 250 midwives working in health centers and hospitals in Rasht, from May to September 2018 were included using stratified random sampling. Questionnaires on demographic characteristics, emotional intelligence and occupational stress were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed through the SPSS software version 23 using descriptive and inferential statistics including independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression at the significant level of 0.05.

The mean and standard deviation of emotional intelligence and occupational stress were 114.20±12.55, 119.66±15.48 respectively. Predictors of occupational stress (P<0.05) included workplace variables (private hospital: β=-0.19, P=0.012), overtime hours (β=-0.33, P<0.001), sleeping hours (β=0.13, P=0.011), social activity (β=0.11, P=0.029), age (β=0.25, P=0.045) and the overall score of emotional intelligence (β=0.55, P<0.001). These variables explained 54% of variance of occupational stress.

Overall, in the adjusted model of the workplace variables, overtime hours, sleeping hours, level of social activity, midwife’s age and the overall score of emotional intelligence were significant predictors of occupational stress. Accordingly, designing effective programs can improve the performance of midwives.

It is possible for food-related staff to be involved in transmitting covid-19 by their contact such as coughing or sneezing. Therefore, the knowledge of food-related staff about the transmission modes and prevention of covid-19 is very important. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the awareness and performance of bakers working in Iranshahr city regarding the prevention of covid-19.

Methods & Materials:

 In this descriptive study, 47 bakeries in Iranshahr city were selected using stratified random sampling in 2020. Data were collected by a demographic characteristics form, a researcher-made questionnaire to measure the level of awareness (15 items), and the hygiene performance checklist (17 items). The data were analyzed by Friedman test using the SPSS software version 25 at the significance level of 0.05.

Average age of the participants was 29.56±9.8. average work experience was 51.36±54, The highest percentage of education level was high school (36.2%), 64.9% were married), 89.4% were resident of Iranshahr city, and 46.8% were bread sellers. Average score of performance was 18.59±5.4 that was a little more than desirable amount (17). Average score of awareness was 25.48±2.9 that was much more than desirable amount (15).

Considering the importance of prevention and control of the epidemic and cutting the chain of transmission of the infection, appropriate educational interventions should be developed to improve the awareness and performance of each individual in the society, especially those who are involved in the preparation and distribution of the food products.

Patients with heart failure experience some outcomes such as poor self-management, poor adherence to treatment and low quality of life. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of self-management based discharge planning on treatment adherence in patients with heart failure.

Methods & Materials: 

In this quasi-experimental research, 80 patients with heart failure hospitalized in teaching hospitals in Zahedan in 2019-2020, were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly allocated into either intervention or control groups. The self-management-based discharge plan consisted of four educational sessions in hospital for the intervention group. In order to follow up, the first call was made 2-3 days after discharge. Then, the patients or their family caregivers were contacted weekly in the first month and twice a month in the second and third month. Data were collected by the treatment adherence questionnaire and were analyzed using independent sample t-test, Fisher exact test, Chi-square and repeated measures ANOVA by the SPSS software version 16.

The two-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant difference in the mean scores of treatment adherence over time (P<0.001) and in the intervention and control groups (P<0.001).

According to the findings, it is recommended that self-management-based discharge plan be employed in an integrated manner for patients with heart failure in medical wards.