Religious coping and quality of life in women with breast cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of religious coping in quality of life of breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from October 2014 to May 2015. A total of 224 women with breast cancer completed measures of socio-demographic information, religious coping (brief RCOPE), and quality of life (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 47.1 (SD=9.07) years and the majority were married (81.3). The mean score for positive religious coping was 22.98 (SD=4.09) while it was 10.13 (SD=3.90) for negative religious coping. Multiple linear regression showed positive and negative religious coping as predictor variables explained a significant amount of variance in overall QOL score (R2=.22, P=.001) after controlling for socio-demographic, and clinical variables. Positive religious coping was associated with improved QOL (β=0.29; p=0.001). In contrast, negative religious coping was significantly associated with worse QOL (β=-0.26; p=0.005). Conclusions: The results indicated the used types of religious coping strategies are related to better or poorer QOL and highlight the importance of religious support in breast cancer care

Sexual orientation, theory of mind and empathy: A comparison of male homosexual and male and female heterosexuals

Background: Researchers have been investigating similarities of and differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals for past few decades. Several studies have shown that in the particular domain (e.g., spatial ability), male homosexuals would resemble female heterosexuals better than male heterosexuals. Executive function, however, has received more attention than social cognition in this line of research. Methods: This study focuses on theory of mind and empathy as two important components of social cognition in male homosexuals (N=14), male heterosexuals (N=15) and female heterosexuals (N=14). Results: Applying Reading the Mind in the Eyes test and the Empathy Quotient, no significant difference between groups was identified. Conclusion: This study suggests that similarities of male homosexuals and female heterosexuals may be confined to executive function and not extended to some social cognition abilities like theory of mind or empathy

Interventions based on PRECEDE-PROCEED for promoting safety behaviors in Primary school boys

Introduction & Objective: Pedestrian injuries are a significant source of morbidity, mortality and disability among children. Prevention of these injuries is thus a major priority for public health and requires a comprehensive approach and educational strategies. The purpose of this study was designing and evaluation of an educational program, based on the PRECEED-PROCEED model for improvement of safety behavior in primary school boys. Materials & Methods: This study is a field trial carried out in 6th areas of Tehran in 2007. Participants (n=88) were 10 – 11 year old who followed by items measuring the PRECEED-PROCEED model before and after two months of intervention. The collected data were analyzed with T test, X2 and pair T test using SPSS software. Results: After participating in educational program, significant improvements were found in knowledge, attitude, behavior, enabling and reinforcing factors of the components of PRECEEDPROCEED model. Conclusion: The findings suggest the beneficial effects of educational intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model on improving the safety behavior. It can be recommended that health education plan be used on educational models

Healthcare providers experience of working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide and has placed healthcare providers under immense physiological and psychological pressures. Objective: The aim of current study was to undertake an in-depth exploration of the experiences of health-care staff working during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: Using a thematic analysis approach, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 97 health care professionals. Participants were health care professionals including pre-hospital emergency services (EMS), physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, radiology technicians, hospital managers and managers in the ministry of health who work directly or indirectly with COVID-19 cases. Results: Data analysis highlighted four main themes, namely: �Working in the pandemic era�, �Changes in personal life and enhanced negative affect�, �Gaining experience, normalization and adaptation to the pandemic� and �Mental Health Considerations� which indicated that mental ill deteriorations unfolded through a stage-wise process as the pandemic unfolded. Conclusions: Participants experienced a wide range of emotions and development during the unfolding of the pandemic. Providing mental health aid should thus be an essential part of services for healthcare providers during the pandemic. Based on our results the aid should be focused on the various stages and should be individual-centred. Such interventions are crucial to sustain workers in their ability to cope throughout the duration of the pandemic. © 2020 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc

Making a symbolic gesture: a qualitative examination of self-immolation in Iran

Self-immolation is one of the most dramatic methods of committing suicide. Some regions in Iran have a high prevalence of suicide by this method. This study aims to understand and explore the experience of self-immolated women in Iran. Twenty women have interviewed in the burns centers of three different cities immediately the following hospitalization due self-immolation, and the data was analyzed using conventional content analysis. The results were categorized in three main categories: Cultural background and preparing the stage, making a symbolic gesture and events of the day of the incident. Making a symbolic gesture consists of the critical elements of self-immolation, including the presence of significant others, dramatic presentation of misery, bringing an end to misfortune, proof of innocence, creating a sense of compassion or guilt and inspiration from similar cases. The social situation of women in Iran is contributing to self-immolation through feelings of anger and helplessnes

Comparison of artificial neural network and logistic regression models for prediction of mortality in head trauma based on initial clinical data

BACKGROUND: In recent years, outcome prediction models using artificial neural network and multivariable logistic regression analysis have been developed in many areas of health care research. Both these methods have advantages and disadvantages. In this study we have compared the performance of artificial neural network and multivariable logistic regression models, in prediction of outcomes in head trauma and studied the reproducibility of the findings. METHODS: 1000 Logistic regression and ANN models based on initial clinical data related to the GCS, tracheal intubation status, age, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate, injury severity score and the outcome of 1271 mainly head injured patients were compared in this study. For each of one thousand pairs of ANN and logistic models, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) statistics and accuracy rate were calculated and compared using paired T-tests. RESULTS: ANN significantly outperformed logistic models in both fields of discrimination and calibration but under performed in accuracy. In 77.8% of cases the area under the ROC curves and in 56.4% of cases the HL statistics for the neural network model were superior to that for the logistic model. In 68% of cases the accuracy of the logistic model was superior to the neural network model. CONCLUSIONS: ANN significantly outperformed the logistic models in both fields of discrimination and calibration but lagged behind in accuracy. This study clearly showed that any single comparison between these two models might not reliably represent the true end results. External validation of the designed models, using larger databases with different rates of outcomes is necessary to get an accurate measure of performance outside the development population

Developing criteria for Cesarean Section using the RAND appropriateness method

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and a rapid increase has been observed in Iran. Disagreement exists between clinicians about when to use cesarean section. We aimed to identify the appropriateness criteria for the use of cesarean section in Iran.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A consensus development study using a modified version of the RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM). We generated scenarios from valid clinical guidelines and expert opinions. A panel of experts participated in consensus development: first round via mail (12 members), second round face-to-face (9 members). We followed the RAM recommendations for the development of the scenario lists, rating scales, and statistical analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>294 scenarios relevant to cesarean section were identified. 191 scenarios were considered appropriate, of which 125 scenarios were agreed upon. The panel found cesarean inappropriate for 21% of scenarios, and 'equivocal' for 14% of scenarios.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RAM is useful for identifying stakeholder views in settings with limited resources. The participants' views on appropriateness of certain indications differed with available evidence. A large number of scenarios without agreement may partly explain why it has been difficult to curb the growth in cesarean section rate.</p

DISC1 4�bp deletion in association with schizophrenic patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 4 base pairs deletion in exon 12 of DISC1 genes in schizophrenic patients and its association with this disorder. A total of 130 schizophrenic patients referred to psychiatric centers were randomly selected. Also, 130 healthy individuals were considered as control group. Genotyping of DISC1 gene for 4 bp deletion have been done using ARMS PCR and PCR RFLP. The mean age of schizophrenic patients was 42.39 years. Among the cases, seven patients (5.3) had the history of drug addiction. We have found 57 (56.15) patients with heterozygous 4 bp del genotypes. In this study, there was no significant relationship between disease genotype for DISC1 gene and schizophrenia. By increasing the heterozygote genotype in the population, the probability of the disease will increase and mutant homozygote genotypes will also be visible. © 201

Psychotherapy training in Iran: A survey of Iranian early career psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees

Introduction: Psychiatry's postgraduate training curriculum in Iran has been revised and one of the core revisions has been the incorporation of full-time 9-months of psychotherapy training. However, little is known about psychotherapy training in Iran. Methods: An online anonymous survey was developed by the Early Career Psychiatrists (ECP) Section of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). The survey included 16 questions about the: (a) quality of psychotherapy training (supervision, type of psychotherapy training available, barriers in accessing training); (b) organizational aspects of psychotherapy training (compulsoriness, payment, and assessment); (c) satisfaction with training in psychotherapy; (d) self-confidence in the use of psychotherapy. This survey was circulated to Iranian early career psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees. Results: 112 early career psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees from across Iran responded to the survey; 98.2 of which stated that psychotherapy training is included in their psychiatry training, and cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy were the most reported modalities integrated into their psychiatric training. Moreover, 43.3 of the participants reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their psychotherapy training during the training years. Discussion: Psychotherapy is integrated into psychiatric training programs in most educational centers in Iran. The modalities and satisfaction of trainees are similar to that of high-income countries in other continents. Supervision and training in modalities like family therapy could be further implemented and adapted to the Iranian culture. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Lt