Iranian Journal of Health Sciences
Volume:12 Issue: 2, Spring 2024

Palliative care is essential for improving the quality of life (QoL) for individuals with dementia, especially in nursing homes. This systematic review aims to recognize, weigh, and appraise different palliative care models specifically designed for people with dementia in nursing homes.

A systematic search was carried out on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to find palliative care models or interventions specifically designed for individuals with dementia cared for in nursing homes and studies reporting outcomes related to their characteristics or efficacy. The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) checklist and consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) were used to evaluate the quality of the included articles. The search period spanned from inception until July 2023.

Of 1880 articles retrieved, 5 were deemed eligible in the study. Also, 5 models were identified: The palliative care for older people in Europe (PACE) steps to success program, comfort first, palliative care consultations, Improving palliative care education and training using simulation in dementia (IMPETUS-D), and the compassion model.

By thoroughly examining these different models, we shed light on the achievements and obstacles in improving the quality of care for individuals with dementia in nursing homes. However, more research is needed to ensure the effectiveness of these models, specifically those tailored to dementia patients in nursing homes. Identifying these five models represents a crucial step forward, but further investigation is essential to validate their efficacy and suitability within this population.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) which is characterized by persistent fear of social situations is increasingly relevant, particularly among students in today’s competitive society. This study assesses the prevalence of SAD and identifies associated factors among health care students.

A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023 and included 325 participants from five colleges in Kathmandu City, Nepal. The sample size was calculated using the formula Z²pq/d². The participants were selected via the purposive sampling method. SAD was assessed using the 17-item social phobia inventory instrument. Logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors (P<0.05).

The majority of participants (63.7%) were in the 22-25 age group, with a mean age of 22.84±2.25 years. The prevalence of SAD was 39.1%, with a mean of the social phobia inventory score of 16.73±11.85. Significant risk factors included being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1, 3.4), history of mental illness (AOR=2.9; 95% CI, 1.2, 6.8), parental criticism (AOR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.1, 5.2), overprotection (AOR=2.6; 95% CI, 1.6, 4.2), excessive anger (AOR=3.9; 95% CI, 1.3, 11.3), conflicts with parents (AOR=2.1; 95% CI, 1.3, 3.4), exposure to abuse (AOR=2.7; 95% CI, 1.5, 5.0), experiences of bullying (AOR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.5, 5.2), and dissatisfaction with height, weight, color of skin, and facial features.

This study reveals a high prevalence of SAD among health science students, emphasizing the importance of public health interventions targeting identified risk factors. Early prevention and control strategies should be implemented by both parents and colleges.

Given the high prevalence of age-related diseases and physiological changes in addition to the susceptibility of the elderly to falls, this issue has become a major public health problem. This study assesses the risk of falls and related factors among the elderly living in rural areas.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 302 elderly people in rural areas of Yazd Province, Iran, using the multi-stage sampling method. They completed a multi-section questionnaire, including demographic questions and the Tinetti gait and balance scale for assessing gait and balance in the elderly. The data were entered into the SPSS software, version 20 and analyzed by the chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression model. The statistical significance level of P<0.05 was considered in all tests.

The results showed that 38.1% of the participants presented a high fall risk, 20.5% demonstrated medium risk and 41.4% showed a low fall risk. Gender, age and visual status had a significant relationship with the risk of falls in the elderly (P<0.05). The probability of falls in women was 2.6 times higher compared to men. Moreover, the likelihood of falls in people with visual impairment was 1.7 times higher compared to subjects with no visual impairment and the probability of falls increased by 15% as they aged.

Visual impairment, gender, and age factors are diagnosed as related risk factors for falls in rural elderly people. It is recommended to consider these factors for the greater effectiveness of interventions to reduce falls in the elderly.

This study investigates the dietary patterns of medical sciences students in Iran. 

This cross-sectional study was performed on 265 students living in dormitories of Semnan University of Medical Sciences in 2020. The participants were selected by the cluster sampling method. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire. The first part included demographic and anthropometric variables and the second part was the food frequency questionnaire. The data were entered into the SPSS software, version 26 and independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test were used for data analysis.

Among the participants, 64% were girls. The majority were single (93.6%) and 57.7% had a monthly family income of more than $100. Also, 32(18.7%) and 36(27.4%) of women and men were overweight or obese, respectively. There was a significant correlation between cereals food group and age (r=0.150, P=0.014), vegetable food group and the length of stay in the dormitory (r=0.137, P=0.026), fruit food group and arm circumference (r=0.165, P=0.007) and the miscellaneous food group with arm circumference (r=0.124, P=0.044) and body mass index (r=0.121, P=0.049). Also, the frequency of consumption of vegetables and salts and seasonings groups in women was significantly higher than in men (P<0.05). The frequency of fruit consumption in married students was significantly higher than in single participants (P<0.05). The frequency of consumption of the vegetable group in students with household incomes above $100 was significantly higher than below $100 (P<0.05).

Despite the same diet plan for students in dormitories, there is a difference in the frequency of consumption of food groups among students. Considering these factors is recommended to improve students’ food consumption patterns. Also, it is suggested that the necessary knowledge be given through public media, and public education, especially in universities, to improve eating habits following the recommendations of the food pyramid guide.

In recent years, new approaches such as physical activity hold promise as non-pharmacological interventions that have gained popularity in improving information processing and cognition. Besides examining the positive effect of long-term activities, researchers have recently noticed the advantages of one session of physical activity on cognitive performance. Considering the importance of this subject, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of one session of aerobic and resistance training with low and moderate intensity on working memory and selective attention of young girls.

This quasi-experimental study, with a pre-test and post-test design, was conducted in 2019-2020. A total of 16 women (age range of 25-30 years old) were selected by the available sampling and participated in the training sessions of aerobic exercise (with low intensity of 45%-55% and moderate intensity of 60%-65% of heart rate reserve) and resistance training (low intensity with 40%-50% of one repetition maximum (1RM) and moderate intensity with 60%-70% of 1RM) in the counterbalance method. The Stroop and n-back tests were measured in the pre-test and post-test. The study was conducted on the subjects sitting at the table, and the material’s content was psychologically neutral. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis of data. 

Short-term aerobic and resistance exercise with low and moderate intensity positively and significantly affects working memory (P≤0.05). However, no significant difference was found between training groups in working memory (P≥0.05). Also, the findings showed that physical activity does not significantly affect selective attention (P≥0.05). 

One session of aerobic and resistance exercise appears to positively affect working memory, but it does not significantly affect selective attention. Thus, it can be said that the mechanisms involved in improving working memory and selective attention are probably different.

Language learning and socialization is a natural process unique to humans. Profound hearing loss has far-reaching consequences for speech and personal-social development. This study aimed to compare the language and social skills development of normal-hearing children with hearing-impaired ones and studied the effect of hearing rehabilitation on selected developmental aspects of hearing-impaired children.

Of 149 children between 6 and 18 months recruited for this study, 55 girls and 65 boys were classified as normal-hearing children (NHC), 11 girls and 13 boys as non-rehabilitated hearing-impaired children (NRHIC) group, and 3 girls and 2 boys as rehabilitated hearing-impaired children (RHIC) group. The Denver developmental screening test 2 (DDST-II) evaluated their language and personal-social development. The obtained data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

The development of language between the NHC group and the RHIC (P=0.016) and NRHIC (P=0.001) groups was statistically significant (P≤0.05). The development of personal-social skills between the NHC group and RHIC (P=0.004) and NRHIC (P=0.001) groups were statistically significant. However, the difference in these two developmental aspects, language (P=0.770) and personal social (P=0.0421), between the two hearing-impaired groups was not significant.

Delays in language and social skills development are evident in hearing-impaired children at an early age, so the age of onset of rehabilitation should be reduced as early as possible. The Denver-II screening test is recommended to evaluate the language and skills development in the health centers and centers specialized for hearing-impaired children aged 6 to 18 months.

Trauma is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in children. This study examines the epidemiology of trauma in children under the age of 15 years in Semnan Province in Iran from 2014 to 2018. 

This retrospective study was conducted on 2218 traumatized children who were referred to the emergency department of Kowsar Semnan Hospital from 2014 to 2018. The study was conducted as a census. The data included demographic and clinical variables, extracted from the medical records department of Kowsar Hospital in Semnan from 2014 to 2018. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 26. Meanwhile, the P<0.05 was considered a significant level. 

A total of 2218 injured children were examined, of which 55.9% were boys. Most of the participants were in the age group of 10-15 years. The Mean±SD of hospitalization days in the general ward and the intensive care unit were 33.1±13.2 and 11.2±0.39 days, respectively. The most common site of injury was the upper limbs (54.4%). The home was the most frequent place of occurrence of accidents leading to trauma (40.7%). Most of the children’s traumas occurred in the summer season (53.4%). The most common event leading to trauma was falling (48.8%) and 0.4% died. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the cause of trauma and age (P<0.05).

The most common places of trauma were related to the house and the street due to falls and accidents; therefore, it is necessary to inform families of the dangers for children and pay attention to various measures, such as securing homes and teaching children traffic rules and regulations.

Myiasis is an infestation of vertebrates caused by the feeding of fly larvae on the living or necrotic tissue of hosts. Human myiasis is more prevalent among people who live in unsanitary conditions or have close contact with domestic animals. In this report, a case of nasopharyngeal myiasis in a 63-year-old patient admitted to the intensive care unit is presented.

A case of nasopharyngeal myiasis in a 63-year-old man with heart and respiratory failure in a hospital in Tehran City, Iran, is reported. By investigating the morphological characteristics of the isolated larvae and cultivating the pupa, Lucilia sericata was identified. 

It is recommended that necessary operations be carried out to prevent the entry of insects, including flies, into hospitals and control of them.