Advances in Nursing & Midwifery

Back ground and aim

The regular physical activity can lead to physical, psychological and social health. Studies have shown that %80 of Iranian people does not exercise. Therefore, due to the importance of exercise performance and concepts of Theory of Planned Behavior, different studies are needed regarding its related factors according to a theoretical framework. The aim of this descriptive correlational study was to determine factors related to exercise performance according to the Theory of Planned Behavior in female students in 2009.

Materials and methods

444 female students were selected by stratified sampling method. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including 6 parts: 1- external variables, 2-attitiude to exercise, 3-subjective norms of exercise, 4- perceived control behavior toward exercise, 5- intention to exercise, and 6- exercise. Content validity index, face validity and reliability of the tool were identified by internal consistency and test-retest methods respectively. Data were analyzed by SPSS (ver. 15). Mean, standard deviation, distribution of frequency, regression and path analysis were calculated in data analysis.

Findings

Attitude and control of perceived behavior were positively correlated with intention to exercise and subjective norms, controlled perceived behavior regarding exercise as well as intention to exercise were positively correlated with exercise performance. Furthermore, control of perceived behavior was indirectly correlated with exercise performance through intention to exercise while subjective norms had no correlation with exercise performance.

Conclusion

Providing positive attitude and increasing the control of perceived behavior regarding exercise can motivate people to do it.

Keywords: Exercise, Theory of Planned Behavior, Students.

^*Corresponding Author: Hosseini, Meimanat.Lecturer, Dept. of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: meimanathosseini@yahoo.com

Background and aim

Blood transfusion is one of essential and important but dangerous parts of today's medicine in which if appropriate measures have not been done, fatal reactions may occur. Acute hemolytic reactions, febrile reactions, and allergic reactions are among the most important and most prevalent transfusion reactions that happen shortly after its beginning and can lead to considerable mortality and morbidity. The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the prevalence of acute reactions of blood and its products prepared by Urumia Blood Refinery Center.

Materials and methods

3880 blood product units transfused to 1261 patients were studied by convenience sampling method. Various instruments and methods such as sphygmomanometer, thermometer, urine analysis, interview and observation were used for data gathering. Collected data were documented in special forms designed for this purpose. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Findings

Among the blood recipients, 604 were female and 657 were male. The most frequent complaints of patients were coldness (22.5%), pruritus (20.1%) and chills (18.1%).  The prevalence of acute hemolytic reaction, febrile reaction and allergic reactions were 0.52, 6.2 and 11.1 per 1000 transfusions respectively.

Conclusion

In spite of improved blood refinement techniques, acute transfusion reactions can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, physicians’, nurses’ and midwives’ meticulous attention to early symptoms and signs of acute reactions to transfusion of blood and its products have an important role in preventing adverse outcomes of this life-saving remedy.

Keywords: Acute reactions, Blood products, Transfusion, Incidence rate.

^*Corresponding Author: Salimi, Saleh. Assistant Professor, Nursing Dept., Islamic Azad University, Urumia, Iran. E-mail: salimitr@yahoo.co.uk

Background and aim

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic, chronic and progressive disease in which stress and stressful events may play as a trigger in the occurrence and relapse of its symptoms. With respect to higher incidence of MS in women, the aim of this descriptive study was to determine perceived stress and demographic characteristics of women with symptomatic MS.

Materials and Methods

Subject population consisted of all women with signs and symptoms of MS referring to Association of MS patients or one of the hospitals affiliated to Iran, Shahid Beheshti and Tehran Medical Universities. A consecutive sampling method was used to select 190 women. A demographic questionnaire and Perceived Stress scale (PSS) were used for data collection. Although the scale was psychometrically evaluated in previous Iranian studies, content and Cronbach’s α methods were used for the validity and internal consistency of it respectively. For quantitative analysis, different descriptive statistical methods were applied for data analysis.

Findings

Most women (mean age=33.6) were married (63.5%) with high school diploma or academic education (75.7%) and household (65.8%) in middle class (76.7%). Mean duration of affliction was 5 years with at least 1 period of hospitalization and often with no social support (79.8%). In addition, more than half of them (53.7%) had high perceived stress and the rest experienced low stress.

Conclusion

According to the study results and with respect to probable role of stress in triggering or relapsing MS signs and symptoms, more extensive studies are deemed necessary to identify stressful factors. In addition, by considering the lack of social support and high perceived stress in most subjects and changeability and modifiability of these variables, providing facilities for instruction and consultation to support the patients and manage their stress is recommended.

Keywords: Perceived stress, Multiple sclerosis, Women’s health, Social support, Mental health.

^*Corresponding Author: Bastani, Farideh. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

E-mail: fbastani@inms.ac.ir

Background and aim

Dental caries is a fundamental problem affecting children’s health. In spite of extensive preventive programs from dental disorders, baby bottle syndrome is still one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Since this syndrome is caused by many factors, no consensus exists regarding its etiology. The aim of this analytical retrospective study was to determine the relationship between gestational as well as neonatal disorders and baby bottle syndrome in children referring to health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2008.

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Materials and methods

101 children in two case and control groups were selected by purposive sampling method. Researchers described the purpose of the study for mothers of children of age 3 to 4 at the settings. In case of having their agreement and required qualifications to take part in the study, children were examined by a dentist for the diagnosis of baby bottle syndrome. A perinatal questionnaire was completed by mothers. Content and test-retest methods were used for validity and reliabilityof the questionnaire respectively. Data analysis was performed by SPSS package (ver 16).

Findings

Mean ages of healthy-teeth and baby-bottle-syndrome children were 3.67± 046 and 3.75±0.35 respectively. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of relative factors. 12% and 5.9% of mothers had gestational bleeding in the case and control groups respectively. In addition, during their pregnancy, 14% and 5.9% of mothers were hospitalized due to medical conditions, 4% and 2% had gestational diabetes, and 58% as well as 41.2% had caesarian delivery in the case and control groups respectively with no statistical difference. No significant difference was also found between gestational disorders, e.g. chronic hypertension, preeclampsia as well as multiple pregnancy and neonatal disorders, e.g. preterm delivery and low birth weight in the groups.

Conclusion

Some of the disorders such as gestational bleeding in the first and second trimester, hospital stay due to medical conditions, gestational diabetes and delivery type were more frequent in the case.

Keywords: Baby bottle syndrome, Gestational disorders, Neonatal disorders, Chronic hypertension, Preeclampsia, Premature labor.

^*Corresponding Author: Dolatian, Mahrokh. Lecturer, Dept. of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: mhdolatian@yahoo.com

Background and Aim

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women with an estimated new cases amount to 178000 in 2007. Although surgery is the most frequent intervention, patients experience problems both from the disease and from surgery, leading to negative impact on their quality of life (QOL). Accordingly, such exercises as walking can improve their QOL. The aim of this quasi-experimental one-group study was to assess the effect of walking on QOL of mastectomy patients in 2007.

Materials and Methods

34 subjects selected by purposive and convenience sampling methods took part in the study. A two-part questionnaire including demographic as well as QOL items and a self-report form were used for data collection. After determining content and face validities, the reliability of the questionnaire was figured by internal consistency (α=0.89) and test-retest (r=0.91) methods. Walking was performed in a flat area, 3 times a week and each time 30 minutes over 6 weeks. QOL items in the questionnaire were completed 2 times before and after the intervention.

Findings

Mean scores of physical domain before and after the intervention were %64.55±8.10 and 78.89±5.81, of psychological domain 52.89±10.74 and 64.92±8.64, of social domain 64.76±9.59 and 79.06±25.62, of economical domain 68.63±16.29 and 73.28±15.32 and of spiritual domain 79.96±12.57 and 82.54±11.18 respectively. Mean scores of total QOL were 66.16±6.30 and 75.74±6.59 before and after the intervention respectively. A significant increase was found in all domains except spiritual. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded that walking has positive effects on QOL of mastectomy patients to overcome their problems.

Keywords: Walking, Quality of life (QOL), Mastectomy.

^*Corresponding Author: Moshtagh Eshgh, Z. Lecturer, Dept. of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: z.moshtagh@yahoo.com

Background and aim

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Since this disease is hormone-related and its incidence is much lower in oriental population, it suggests a hypothesis that soy products may have an effect on hormonal status and, thereby on the incidence of breast cancer. The purpose of this before-after clinical trial was to determine the effects of soy on the levels of serum estrogen.

Material and Methods

10 healthy girls between 20 and 25 living in dormitory were selected for 3 one-cycle phases of the study. They were single with normal menstrual cycle and no experience of alcohol, cigarette and soy consumption. The participants followed their regular diet in the first phase and the levels of their hormones were measured at 3^rd, 13^th and 23^rd day of their cycle. In the second phase, 40 grams of Sobhan soy, a brand of soy in the market, were added to their diet and the same measurements were taken. At the final phase, the regular diet with no soy was followed with hormonal measurements by ELIZA method. In each phase, the weights of participants were measured with a digital scale (Seca). The validities of instruments were verified by choosing standard and authorized brands and samples in the kits were used for calibration. Data were analyzed by N4 software (ver. 4) and SPSS package (ver. 11.5). 

Findings

Serum estrogen levels showed no significant differences between the phases of the study.

Conclusion

Consumption of soy in a month may not be a useful measure to change hormonal levels in young girls.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Estrogen, Soy.

^*Corresponding Author: Koochkpoor, Gelare, Alumnus, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

 E-mail: glarekoochakpoor@yahoo.com

Background and aim

Clinical training is an essential part of nursing education. Its evaluation can deeply affect on its quality and has always been a challenge for nursing education. The aim of this descriptive study was to compare satisfaction of nursing students with two methods of clinical evaluation, namely, objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and practical examination in faculty of nursing and midwifery affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran in 2007.

Materials and Methods

44 sophomore students in their orthopedic clinical training were selected by convenience sampling method and evaluated by the two evaluation methods. Data were collected by a satisfaction questionnaire in 3 cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Content and inter-rater methods were used for validity and reliability of the questionnaire respectively. SPSS package (ver. 13) was used for data analysis.

Findings

Satisfaction rates of nursing students in the 3 domains were higher in OSCE than in practical examination with a significant difference in achieving educational goals in the domains  and in total (P<0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, OSCE was used in this group of students for their clinical training for the first time. It seems that this type of evaluation may better satisfy nursing students in their clinical training.  

Keywords: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), Practical examination,

                    Satisfaction of students.

^*Corresponding Author: Bolourchifard, Fariba. Lecturer, Dept. of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Bolourchi@sbmu.ac.ir

Background and aim

Portfolio is a set of evidence and documents of students, which shows their endeavors, achievements and successes in theoretical or clinical education. It is one of performance appraisal methods by which tutors can evaluate both the process and progress of learning. Portfolios differ according to design objectives that determine their contents. Main components of educational portfolio in nursing include critical incidents, clinical experiences, log book notes, patient interviews, performance observations, critical incident audits and clinical evaluation of nursing students. This study with a comprehensive literature review was intended to assess portfolio-based learning in nursing education.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive literature review from 1980 to 2009 with keywords including portfolio, learning and nursing education was carried out by searching Iranian and International databases including Iran Medex, IranDoc, Pub Med, ERIC, Emerald, Science Direct, Pro Quest and Ovid.

Findings

Studies revealed that portfolio-based learning is used as an educational and testing strategy in developed countries; however, it is not common in Iran, which warrants further investigation.

Conclusion

According to educationalists, a well-completed portfolio provides written documents with nursing students and their tutors regarding course objectives, learning needs and ways to meet them. This is very effective on achievement of objectives in theoretical and practical lessons and their evaluation.

Keywords: Portfolio, Learning, Nursing education.

^*Corresponding Author: Abdollah Khorami Markani, PhD Student, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Shariati, Tehran, Iran.

 E-mail: Khorami.Abdolah@gmail.com