Advances in Nursing & Midwifery

Abstract

Introduction: Lack of evidence regarding the status of reproductive health in young people of Iran is a health problem compared with other age groups.

Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the knowledge and attitude of nonmedical girl students of governmental universities in Tehran, 2005.

Materials and Methods: A multi-stage cluster randomized sampling was used to select 1100 students of engineering, basic science, humanities, and art between 18 and 24 in 9 selected governmental universities in Tehran. A questionnaire completed by the students was used for data collection in 4 parts: demographics, knowledge in 3 themes (30 items: premarital genetic counseling, sexual health, venereal disease and AIDS), attitude toward these themes (18 items), and sources of their information. Content method and Cronbach’s α were used for validity and reliability of the tool respectively. Different statistical tests were used for data analysis.

Results: Mean age of the subjects was 20.9. Their knowledge was generally at moderate level and they had positive attitude toward the themes. However, their knowledge concerning premarital genetic counseling was more and about sexual health was less. Knowledge of basic science students was more than the other groups. Their main source of information in reproductive health according to the students was their friends and relatives.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that special educational programs in colleges and schools of Iran may be necessary to increase students’ knowledge with respect to their positive attitude in this regard.

Keywords: Reproductive health, Knowledge, Attitude.

Abstract

Introduction: Many children experience preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures each day, most of which are painful. Vein Puncture is one of the most common invasive procedures performed by nurses. Experiencing pain during these procedures can have extensive adverse effects.

Purpose: This cross-over clinical trial was conducted to identify and compare the effects of EMLA (Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) ointment with music on Vein Puncture pain in school-age children at Shaheed Dastgheib Hospital in Shiraz, 2006. 

Materials and Methods: 46 thalassemic children referring to Shaheed Dastgheib Hospital in Shiraz was selected by convenient sampling method. Each of the subjects was randomly assigned for routine, EMLA ointment, and music methods at 14-day intervals for Vein Puncture. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, CHEOPS behavior scale, Wong’s self-report scale and a checklist for possible side effects of EMLA. Content and inter-rater methods were used for validity and reliability of the tools respectively (r₌0.91). Different statistical tests were used for data analysis.    

Results: The pain of Vein Puncture with music and EMLA ointment was significantly lower than that with the routine method (P<0.001). No significant difference was found between the amounts of pain with music and EMLA. In addition, no short-term side effect was detected with the ointment.

Conclusion: Using EMLA ointment or music during Vein Puncture at school-age children can significantly reduced pain and they can be applied alternatively.

Keywords: Vein Puncture, Ointment, EMLA.

Abstract

Introduction: Women at child-bearing age are at risk of postpartum depression. This disease results in serious complications for the mother, infant and family. The cause of depression is not clear. Various studies indicate some effect of psychosocial factors in this regard but little information is available about biological factors.

Purpose: This analytical prospective study was carried out to determine the relation between anemia and postpartum depression in pregnant women referring to Fatemiye Healthcare Center affiliated to Hamadan Medical University in 2006.

Materials and Methods: 159 pregnant women were selected by purposive sampling method. Their blood samples were collected to check anemia between 38-40 weeks of gestation after their informed consent. They were then divided into two anemic (89 subjects) and non-anemic (70 subjects) groups and matched in terms of their characteristics. Subjects in both groups completed Edinburgh questionnaire on 28th day after delivery for postpartum depression. Chi-square¸ Mann-Whitney U and relative-risk tests were used to analyze data.

Results: %14.6 in the non-anemic group and %38.6 in the anemic group were depressed at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy and, in this period, anemia increased the probability rate of depression by 1.8 times (P<0.05). A significant relation was also found between the severity of anemia and postpartum depression (P<001).

Conclusion: It seems that there is a significant relation between anemia as well as its severity at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy and postpartum depression. It is recommended that women with gestational anemia receive more accurate checkups and better follow-up for postpartum depression to take necessary treatment.

Key words: Postpartum depression, Hemoglobin, Anemia.

Abstract

Introduction: Angiography is the most common invasive method for assessing coronary artery disease. This method is associated with vascular complications such as bleeding, hematoma and arterial thrombosis. To prevent these complications, patients are restricted to bed in supine position after the procedure, which is associated with back pain and discomfort. change Position in bed is considered an alteration in routine care protocols after coronary angiography, improving patients’ comfort and satisfaction.

Purpose: This clinical trial was conducted to identify the effects of position change in bed on vascular complications after coronary angiography.

Materials and Methods: 130 patients hospitalized for coronary angiography were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two equal control and experimental groups. The control group remained supine in bed during the first 6 hours after coronary angiography. The position of patients in the experimental group was changed each hour into supine, semi-Fowler’s (up to 30°) and elevated (up to 45°) positions. A checklist was used for data collection.

Results: None of the patients developed bleeding, hematoma or arterial thrombosis; therefore, no significant difference was found between the groups.

Conclusion: change Position in bed may reduce back pain and promote physical comfort without increasing vascular complications.

Keywords: Coronary angiography, change Position, Vascular complications.

Abstract

Introduction: The mechanism of respiratory infections is the colonization of aero-digestive tract and the subsequent aspiration of contaminated secretion into the lower part of respiratory tract. In the first 48 hours of admission, the normal oropharyngeal flora change to anaerobic gram negative bacilli and the dental plaques are suitable environments for growth of pathogens.

Purpose: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of chlorhexidine with normal-saline mouthwashes on dental plaque formation in ICU patients under mechanical ventilation.

Materials and Methods: 80 patients with endotracheal tube were randomly divided into two equal control and experimental groups. The experimental and control groups received chlorhexidine %0.2 and normal saline mouthwashes twice a day with tooth and mouth swabs. Plaque index was calculated over 3 days.

Results: The total incidence of the pneumonia was 27.5%. the incidence rate in experimental and control groups were 22.5% and 32.5% respectively with no significant difference (CL=95%0.439-1.336, RR= 0.765 , P= 0.453). Also there was no significant correlation between pneumonia incidence and variables of sex, internal or surgical conditions and history of antibiotic therapy but a correlation was found with severity of disease (p= 0.00).

Conclusion: Findings showed difference between twice-a–day oral decontamination with Chlorhexidine 0.2% and normal saline solution in prevention of ventilator pneumonia. This was probably as a result of physical effects of oral rinse.

Key words: Mouth rinse, Chlorhexidine, Normal saline, Dental plaque.

Abstract

Introduction: Communication is an inevitable aspect of nursing care of patients and the elderly and an essential factor in attaining positive aspect of treatment. Removing communication barriers can have a significant role in improving quality of care in the elderly and facilitating recovery of patients.

Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to determine communication barriers from nurses’ and elderly patients’ points of views at medical-surgical wards of hospitals affiliated to Isfihan Medical University. 

Materials and Methods:  A questionnaire completed by was used for data collection. Subjects included 110 nurses and 110 elderly patients. The nurses and patients were selected by randomization and convenience sampling methods respectively. Different statistical tests were used for data analysis.    

Results: Communication barriers from nurses’ points of views included tiredness of nurses (%89.8), speaking too fast (%88.9), forgetfulness and weak memory of the elderly patient (%92.6), auditory and visual disorders (%89.8), badly injured patients in the wards (%97.2) and crowdedness of the wards. The points of views in the elderly patients mostly included lack of respect to their dignity (%98.2) and lack of attention to their questions (%93.6).

Conclusion: With respect to the findings, nursing authorities should pay attention to the working condition of nurses and provide facilities for them. Nurses should be supported to be able to dedicate their time and energy for effective communication. In addition, continuing education programs regarding communication skills with the elderly and regular evaluation of these programs can be helpful. Geriatric nursing education should also be integrated in the baccalaureate program of nursing.

Abstract

Introduction: Sampling is an important phase in research, which directly influences on applicability and generalizability of findings. Therefore, it is critical in research process.

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to assess sampling methods in published articles at the first 3 issues of  the Journal of "Nursing Research" in 2004.

Materials and Methods: A checklist was first made by reviewing literature and all articles in the issues were chosen. A critical appraisal of literature review, methods, results and discussion of the articles was performed by the checklist. SPSS package was used for data analysis.

Results: Findings showed that samples in most studies were healthy people. Published articles explained about the target population, accessible population, the number of subjects and their features. However, a systematic bias was observed in all studied studies.

Conclusion: Most authors did not describe the sampling method of their studies completely. This may make the critical review of sampling design, duplication of study and future meta-analysis hard. In addition, sample representativeness, sampling errors and systematic bias cannot be thoroughly evaluated. In most articles, authors referred to limitations resulted from failure in sampling design, which may restrict generalization.

Keywords: Research Critique, Sampling.