Nursing Students' Competencies in Evidence-Based Practice and Its Related Factors

Background: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is one of the nursing professional roles that can lead them to provide the best and more effective care. However, no studies are available on nursing students’ competencies in EBP. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the nursing students’ knowledge, attitude and intention to implement EBP and its related factors in two nursing and midwifery faculties in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 170 undergraduate nursing students were selected from two faculties of nursing and midwifery in Tehran, Iran. A census sampling method was applied and they were all before graduation in 2013. The Rubin and Parrish questionnaire was used to assess the students’ knowledge, attitude and intention to implement EBP as well as factors affecting the implementation of EBP. Students completed the instrument through self-report. Descriptive statistics, Independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: The students mean scores of knowledge, attitude and intention to implement EBP was 31.08 ± 5.77, 50.40 ± 9.58, 36.01 ± 4.64, respectively. The students’ age was inversely correlated with their scores of knowledge, attitude and intention to use EBP (P < 0.05). However, the students’ GPA was in direct association with their knowledge, attitude and intention to implement EBP (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the males and females mean scores in the three subscales. However, significant differences were found between the students mean scores in the two subscales of knowledge and attitudes toward EBP in terms of familiarity with statistics and research methods (P < 0.05). Neither familiarity with research methods nor familiarity with EBP could significantly affect the students’ intention to implement EBP. Conclusions: The present study showed that nursing students have not a high mean score in the three subscales of knowledge, attitude and intention to implement EBP. It is essential for faculties and nurse managers not only to focus on education of EBP, but also to support nurses and nursing students to implement it in the process patient care

Audit of Intrapartum Care Based on the National Guideline for Midwifery and Birth Services

© The Author(s) 2018. Providing high-quality maternity care is a worldwide health concern that necessitates regular assessment of intrapartum practice. In an observational study, we aimed to audit intrapartum care based on the National Guideline for Midwifery and Birth Services. Using quota sampling, a total of 200 pregnant women, admitted for normal vaginal delivery, were recruited from four educational hospitals in Tehran, Iran. An observational checklist was developed based on the national guideline to assess the quality of provided care. Content and face validity of the tool were checked and confirmed. Reliability of the observational checklist and questionnaire was confirmed using concurrent observation (intrarater reliability; r =.93) and test–retest (r =.9) methods, respectively. We found that the compatibility of intrapartum care and the national guideline in different domains were as follows: history taking 88.3%, vital sign measurement 64.6%, performing Leopold’s maneuver 38.5%, initial assessment 83.4%, labor care 22.5%, using pain relief methods 63.5%, labor progress assessment 71.5%, process of delivery 89.5%, and postpartum management 89.5%. The findings indicate that additional attention and monitoring are required to align current intrapartum care practices with the national guidelines

Concepts and Dimensions in Continuous Midwifery Care Models Based on the Experiences and Expectations of Stakeholders: A Meta-Synthesis

Context: Pregnant women’s have access to different models of care especially to those who provide continuous care and this is one of the recommendations of the world health organization (WHO) for promoting maternal health. Moreover, to provide adequate services in care models, the experiences and perceptions of mothers, providers of prenatal care, and other stakeholders should be taken into consideration. Objectives: A systematic meta-synthesis was carried out to inquire into the findings of some qualitative studies aimed to explore the concept and dimensions of continuous midwifery care including experiences, perspectives and perceptions of engaged people. Data Sources: This study was the first step of an action research designed to develop a midwifery model of care. Qualitative research articles published between 2005 and 2015 on experiences, attitudes, expectations and opinions of stakeholders in models of midwifery care were collected from Google scholar, Elsevier, and PubMed databases. Study Selection: Following the various stages of the scrutiny of the abstracts and contents of the collected articles, five faculty members finally selected 21 qualitative research articles as eligible for inclusion in the meta-synthesis. Results: The findings of meta-synthesis showed that continuous midwifery care for pregnantwomenas a highly important process revolves around at least five basic themes: continuity of care, compliance with needs satisfaction levels, regulation of care environment, and the philosophy of providing continuous care. Conclusions: Given the importance of access to healthcare as a right for pregnant women and given the key role of continuous midwifery care in health promotion and maternal satisfaction, it is suggested based on the results of the study that rigorous local and national research in this area to be carried out so that adequate models of continuous midwifery care can be designed and implemented based on the findings

Knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding

BackgroundInfant feeding decisions depend on knowledge and attitudes toward breast feeding, which may be formed as early as adolescence.  PurposeThe purpose of this descriptive study was to assess knowledge as well as attitude of female non-medical students regarding breast feeding in selected universities of Tehran in 2006. Methods800 students selected by multi-stage cluster randomized sampling took part in the study. A questionnaire completed by the subjects was used to collect data. Content and test-retest methods were used for its validity and reliability respectively.  Results51.6% of the students had moderate knowledge and 41.6% had good knowledge regarding breast feeding. Knowledge of engineering students was more than the others. In addition, 75.4% of the subjects had positive attitude toward the feeding. There was a significant difference between attitude scores in three knowledge levels (good, moderate, poor) (

Fear-related factors in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy at psychiatric wards

BackgroundElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective intervention with no medication in many psychiatric patients. Since electricity and convulsions are evident in this method, many patients feel an unwanted fear from it, leading to noncompliance.  PurposeThis descriptive study was conducted to assess fear-related factors in patients undergoing ECT in psychiatric wards of hospitals affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in 2008.   Methods200 patients were selected with nonrandomized sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection, validated and made reliable by content and internal consistency methods respectively. Data were collected by self-report method. Results99.5% of the subjects reported fear from the therapy while 0.5% experienced no fear. Factors related to procedures during the therapy were the most fearful ones in this regard.    ConclusionMost subjects experienced fear during electroconvulsive therapy more than what has been reported in other studies. The fear from the procedure of the therapy was the highest, which is congruent with past evidence. It can be concluded that education and counseling can reduce the fear to make the therapy more comfortable and acceptable for the patients. Keywords: Fear, Electroconvulsive therapy, Psychiatry.

Effects of soy consumption on serum estrogen level of girls

Background and aimBreast 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 3rd, 13th and 23rd 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).   FindingsSerum 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: [email protected]

Relation between Helicobacter pylori and nausea and vomiting in pregnant women

Abstract Background: Gestational nausea and vomiting in pregnant women have a high prevalence. The disorder will usually be better after the third trimester but, in some cases, it persists throughout pregnancy and makes the life of pregnant women disturbed. Purpose: This case-control retrospective study was conducted to determine the relation between Helicobacter pylori and nausea as well as vomiting in pregnant women referring to the healthcare centers affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2006. Methods: 187 pregnant women at the third trimester of their pregnancy were selected. According to the experience of nausea and vomiting from the first trimester, they were divided into two groups: 89 women with the disorder and 98 women without it. A questionnaire in three parts was used for data collection: demographic information, history of nausea and vomiting, and socioeconomic status.The questionnaire was validated by context validity and reliability by test-retest method.Anti-Hp immunolobin G (IgG) serum antibody wastested by ELISA ti determine seropositivity. (r=0/89)  Results: The result showed a significant relation between helicobacter pylori and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The subjects did not have significant differences in terms of height, job, education of spouse, husbands’ job, pregnancy and BMI except for age and socioeconomic status (P=0.037 and