The Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Participatory Decision-making and Performance of Educational Managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background: Due to the importance of university management, special attention to the managers' personality characteristics and providing suitable solutions in this area are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and participatory decision-making, and performance of educational managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, all managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. The NEO Five-factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was used to assess personality characteristics, participatory decision-making questionnaire was used to assess the participatory decision-making, and the academic score evaluation checklist was used to evaluate the performance of faculty members. Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: There was a positive and significant relationship between personality characteristics and performance of managers (r=0.76, P<0.001) and also between participatory decision-making and performance of managers (R=0.498, P<0.001). The components of personality characteristics such as excitation, conscience, and independent thinking and components of participatory decision- making such as inviting employees to comment, sharing knowledge, and consulting could predict the managers’ performance. Conclusion: Paying more attention to the personality characteristics of managers and providing an appropriate basis for participatory decision-making makes managers more committed to the organization and creates a suitable environment for their better performance in the organization

The relationship between meaning in life and resilience in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background Meaning in life has been considered necessary for the psychological well-being of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between meaning in life and resilience in the elderly in Kerman, Iran. Participants and procedure In this cross-sectional study, 300 older adults (aged more than 60 years) were included using the multistage sampling method in Kerman in 2018. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to investigate the resilience status, and for assessing meaning of life, Steger’s meaning in life questionnaire was employed. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and linear regression by IBM SPSS V21. Results The mean age of participants was 67.3 ±7.9 years. Resilience status was significantly different in terms of gender (p = .021), educational status (p = .032), and self-reported health status (p = .003). There was a significant positive relationship between meaning in life and resilience (r = .38, p = .012). Independent variables (meaning in life, self-reported health status, gender) accounted for 31% of the variance in resilience (p ≤ .001). Conclusions Considering meaning in life and resilience in older adults helps to improve psychological health and wellness and create a unique potential ability to confront the pitfalls of old age, which result in better physical, mental, social, and spiritual health in older adults.Background Meaning in life has been considered necessary for the psychological well-being of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between meaning in life and resilience in the elderly in Kerman, Iran. Participants and procedure In this cross-sectional study, 300 older adults (aged more than 60 years) were included using the multistage sampling method in Kerman in 2018. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to investigate the resilience status, and for assessing meaning of life, Steger’s meaning in life questionnaire was employed. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and linear regression by IBM SPSS V21. Results The mean age of participants was 67.3 ±7.9 years. Resilience status was significantly different in terms of gender (p = .021), educational status (p = .032), and self-reported health status (p = .003). There was a significant positive relationship between meaning in life and resilience (r = .38, p = .012). Independent variables (meaning in life, self-reported health status, gender) accounted for 31% of the variance in resilience (p ≤ .001). Conclusions Considering meaning in life and resilience in older adults helps to improve psychological health and wellness and create a unique potential ability to confront the pitfalls of old age, which result in better physical, mental, social, and spiritual health in older adults

The rate of hand-held mobile phone use while driving in Kerman, Iran

Background: The use of mobile phones during driving is a known road accident risk factor. However, little research has been done in Iran to determine the actual rates of mobile phone use while driving. In the current study we try to estimate the rate in one major Iranian city. Methods: This cross sectional study was done in the fall of 2010. In nine streets in Kerman including three central city streets, three suburban main streets and three highways sites, both in the morning and afternoon, on two separate days; data was collected. In this study, all drivers passing from one side of the street were observed in terms of mobile phone use while driving; and gender, age range, type of the streets and hours were recorded. Results: Among the 30,733 drivers who were screened, 1118 cases (3.63%) used a mobile phone. There was no significant difference between men (3.67%) and women (3.16%) mobile phone usage (p=0.25). However there was a significant difference between use in youth ages (4.85%), middle ages (3.56%) and the elderly (1.92%) (p< 0.001). In the main downtown streets 3.34%, suburban main streets 2.18% and the ring road 4.79% of drivers used mobile phones. Mobile phone use was significantly higher in the central city streets and the ring road (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Comparing this study with similar statistics from other countries shows that the rate of mobile phone use in Kerman car drivers (as an example of the situation in Iran) is higher than some other countries. Tougher laws and more intense public education should be imposed to decrease the use of mobile phones among drivers.Keywords: mobile phone, car driving, Kerman

Epidemiologic Study of Tuberculosis in Kerman City during 2011 – 2015

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the most important infectious diseases causing numerous social and economic problems. Understanding the epidemiology of tuberculosis and its related indices is one of the most important strategies for the prevention of this disease and accelerating the process of achieving sustainable development goals. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study, data were collected by a researcher-made check list and using the recorded data in the Tuberculosis surveillance system during 2011 to 2015. Data analysis was done through SPSS20 and using descriptive statistics, frequency distribution and Chi-square test. Results: A total number of 674 cases were studied of which, 87% were pulmonary and the rest were extra-pulmonary. The disease showed a decreasing trend during the years of study. The incidence rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis was about 10 per ten thousand. Approximately, 4% of patients had recurrent disease during the years of study. In pulmonary tuberculosis, the risk of recurrence and resistance was significantly higher compared to extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (P= 0.001). From all patients, about 4% had previous treatment for TB and 2.5% were HIV-positive. Conclusion: Indicators of tuberculosis in the city of Kerman in comparison with the indicators set by the World Health Organization were acceptable; however, due to the geographical location of Kerman that its closeness to eastern borders a stronger surveillance system is required

Vitamin D and calcium deficiency and its relationship with cardiac function in patients with beta thalassemia

Introduction: Heart disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with beta thalassemia. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency also is common in these patients. We studied and compared vitamin D and calcium levels and other parameters with echocardiographic findings in patients with beta thalassemia. Method: A cross-sectional study in patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia was conducted. 169 patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia were enrolled. Ejection fraction, valvular insufficiency and aortic diameter were determined. The aortic diameter of patients was measured using Mindray DC60 echo model. All of these patients were tested for levels of vitamin D, calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), platelet (PLT), and ferritin, Finally, the effect of these factors on aortic root (AR), aortic valve area (AVA) and ejection fraction (EF) was evaluated. One-way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative variables, and chi-square test with 95% confidence level was used to estimate relationships and compare ratios in groups. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and Serum Ca (P-value = 0.009). Our results showed that with the increase in the level of vitamin D, the EF also increased and the probability that the aortic root will have a normal size will be higher. Furthermore, disorder in PTH and PLT level causes a decrease in the EF. Conclusion: This study did show an association between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiac function in patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Vitamin D can be considered as a supplement in thalassemia patients

Public satisfaction with COVID-19 policy responses and their implementation: A cross-sectional study

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted significant changes in health policies worldwide. Policy-makers from various countries have responded by adopting and implementing diverse policy measures aimed at combating the spread and impact of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess people’s satisfaction with the primary policy responses and their perceptions of the success of their implementation and monitoring.Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Kerman, Iran, spanning the period of 2021–2022. The sample included adults aged 18 years and older who had access to the Internet and smartphone devices. An online platform was used to develop the questionnaire and collect the data. The face validity, comprehensibility and content validity of the questionnaire were tested and met. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were conducted. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0 software.Results In total, 3192 participants completed the questionnaire, resulting in a completion rate of 67%. More than half of the participants were female (55.51%), with a mean age of 37 ± 11.72 years, and the majority held an academic degree (74.97%). Overall, 54.79% of participants expressed satisfaction with the adopted policy responses, while 56.61% were dissatisfied with their implementation and monitoring. In multivariable logistic regression, factors positively associated with satisfaction included having a diploma [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–2.04], an academic degree (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.26–2.31) and middle socioeconomic status (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.07–1.69). In contrast, being male (AOR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.58–0.79) and having high trust in others (AOR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.61–0.92) were associated with lower odds of satisfaction.Conclusions The results of the study showed that more than half of the participants expressed satisfaction with the adopted policy responses made by the National Committee to Combat COVID-19. However, it seems that the government has performed poorly in implementing and monitoring adopted policy responses, leadingto a decrease in people’s satisfaction

Predicting the necessity of oxygen therapy in the early stage of COVID-19 using machine learning

Medical oxygen is a critical element in the treatment process of COVID-19 patients which its shortage impacts the treatment process adversely. This study aims to apply machine learning (ML) to predict the requirement for oxygen-based treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In the first phase, demographic information, symptoms, and patient’s background were extracted from the databases of two local hospitals in Iran, and preprocessing actions were applied. In the second step, the related features were selected. Lastly, five ML models including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), XGBoost, C5.0, and neural networks (NNs) were implemented and compared based on their accuracy and capability. Among the vari- ables related to the patient’s background, consuming opium due to the high rate of opium users in Iran was considered in the models. Of the 398 patients included in the study, 112 (28.14%) received oxygen-based treatment. Shortness of breath (71.42%), fever (62.5%), and cough (59.82%) had the highest frequency in patients with oxygen requirements. The most important variables for prediction were shortness of breath, cough, age, and fever. For opioid-addicted patients, in addition to the high mortality rate (23.07%), the rate of oxygen-based treatment was twice as high as non-addicted patients. XGBoost and LR obtained the highest area under the curve with values of 88.7% and 88.3%, respectively. For accuracy, LR and NNs achieved the best and same accuracy (86.42%). This approach provides a tool that accurately predicts the need for oxygen in the treatment process of COVID-19 patients and helps hospital resource management. Keywords COVID-19 · Opioid addiction · Oxygen treatment · Prediction · Machine learning · XGBoos

The Effects of Citicoline on Cerebrovascular Hemodynamic Status in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Introduction: Some recent studies have shown that citicoline improves clinical symptoms in patients with stroke. Citicoline's mechanism of action in improving the clinical symptoms is not recognized yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebrovascular hemodynamic status in patients with ischemic stroke treated with citicoline compared with the control group. Methods: In this study, 64 patients (20 male, 44 female) with supratentorial ischemic stroke were included. Patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography within 24 hours of admission and were divided into two equal groups (32 patients per group). One group was treated with citicoline (500 mg/day) and the second group was treated with placebo for one week. Then, patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography again. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In this study, no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, cardiovascular factors and NIHSS was observed. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) in RCCA, RICA, RVA, LVA, and mean flow velocity (MFV) in RICA and LACA were significantly different between two groups. As there was no significant difference in confounding variables between the two groups, therefore, the difference in PSV and MFV between the groups may be due to citicoline. Conclusion: Prescription of citicoline for treatment of acute ischemic stroke is associated with hemodynamic changes in cerebral arteries. This finding can be one of the citicoline's mechanisms of action in ischemic stroke process