The Effectiveness of a supportive educative program on mothers’ knowledge and behavior about breast feeding in health care centers of Shahrekord city 2012

Background and aims: Breast feeding because of many advantages is preferred on any replacement feeding for all infants. One of the major causes of discontinuation of breast feeding is insufficient knowledge of mothers from the benefits of it. So, the aim of this study was the effect of a supportive educative program on mothers' knowledge and performance that referred to health care centers of Shahrekord city. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, carried out in 2012, 168 mothers (each group, 84 persons) were divided randomly into two groups: experimental and control. The program performed in nine sessions of 2 hours. Data collection tool was questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by both groups; the training received after re-training questionnaire was completed by two groups. The data were analyzed by software SPSS. Results: The demographic characteristics of 2 groups were not significant different. Average scores of breastfeeding information before launching the application in the experimental group was 78.59±18.49 and in the control group 75.93±18.62 and after the program in the experimental group was 89.90±13.85 and in the control group 77.24±15.45. The average of performance scores before the program in the experimental group was 45.41±24.62, and in the control group 50.62±25.33 and after the run the program in the experimental group 76.45±21.08 and in the control group 51.04±24.80 respectively. There was no significant difference between mean knowledge and performance scores of experimental and control groups before the intervention (P=0.35), but after the intervention, difference was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of this supportive educative program on increasing mothers' knowledge and performance about breast-feeding. Regarding the cheap, simple and appropriate ability to run of the program recommended that the program performed by health workers for breastfeeding mothers even be extended to other women of reproductive age

The effect of Cornus mas in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aims: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common and the second leading infections, after respiratory tract infections, in women. Currently, various chemical drugs are used to prevent the UTIs. Chemical drugs may cause antibiotic resistance and cause resistant strains likely grow in the long-term treatment with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cornus mas in preventing recurrent UTIs in women aged 15-45 years referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital Clinic in Shahrekord. Methods: This experimental study (Parallel Design and Triple-blind) was conducted on 42 women aged 15-45 years referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital Clinic of Shahrekord and diagnosed with chronic cystitis. The exclusion criteria were neurogenic bladder, genitourinary system anatomical abnormalities (hydronephrosis, ureterocele stone, etc), and bacterial resistance. The women were randomly assigned to 2 groups. At baseline, the women were examined for any functional and anatomical disorders and if it was necessary, they underwent ultrasound. After the current UTIs were treated and the women clinically recovered, one group was administered with Cornus mas tablet 500 mg and another group administered with placebo for 6 months. All the women were followed up for 6 months. Every 2 months, the patients were clinically examined and their urine cultures were investigated for the clinical signs of cystitis. As the symptoms of the UTIs occur, the patients were recommended to refer for repeated urine culture. All patients (42 women) completed the study. Results: In our study, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of recurrent UTI recurrence, although there were differences (P>0.005). Positive urine culture in Cornus mas group was 19 and in placebo was 33.4. In terms of dysuria in 6 months and the second time, there was a significant difference between placebo and Cornus mas (P=0.004) Dysuria in Cornus mas group was 14.2 and in placebo was 56.2. Conclusion: Cornus mas can decrease dysuria and frequent urination in patients with recurrent UTIs, so it can be used in the treatment of these patients

Caregiver burden among Iranian heart failure family caregivers: A descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study

Background: Living with patients of chronic diseases such as heart failure (HF) is a diffi cult situation for the caregivers. This study explored the Iranian family caregivers’ burden of caregiving for patients with HF. Materials and Methods: Eighteen family caregivers of the HF patients from two governmental medical training centers in Isfahan, Iran were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and was thematically analyzed concurrently. Results: Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts: Lack of care-related knowledge, physical exhaustion, psychosocial exhaustion, and lack of support. Family caregivers believed that they have little knowledge about the patients’ disease, drugs, and how to perform caregiving roles. They experienced negative physical and psychosocial consequences of full-time and highly extended caregiving roles, such as musculoskeletal disorder, fatigue, and sleep disturbance, and a high level of anxiety, stress, and social isolation. Caregivers believed that they receive little familial and organizational support on the emotional and fi nancial dimensions of caregiving. Conclusions: The fi ndings of this study can be used by healthcare providers, especially nurses, to provide more effective social, informational, and professional support for family caregivers

The effectiveness of a supportive educative group intervention on family caregiver burden of patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND Living with heart failure patients is a complex situation for family caregivers. Few studies have been conducted to examine the effects of interventional programs to ease this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a supportive educative group intervention in reducing family caregivers' burden of caregiving. MATERIALS AND METHODS This randomized clinical trail was conducted at a selective teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran in 2012. The intervention consisted of four weekly multimedia training sessions of 2 h that included education and family support for 50 family caregivers. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Paired t-test, Student's t-tests, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test for significant differences of the mean scores of burden between the intervention and control groups over a 3-month period. RESULTS The intervention was successful in reducing caregiver burden over time both at the end of the intervention period (P = 0.000) and 3 months after the intervention (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Nurses and other healthcare providers can use the findings of this study in order to implement effective programs to reduce family caregivers' challenges and to provide them more support

Religious attitudes and spiritual health among elderly inpatient adults in Shahrekord hospitals

Background and Objectives: Human is a multidimensional creature and spiritual domain is the central dimension which has an undeniable effect on gaining health. The most important part of nursing care with family based approach is to help people in achieving optimal level of health. On the other hand, religious attitudes and spiritual health is an important domain of life in ageing period. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the religious attitudes and spiritual health among elderly inpatients in Shahrekord hospitals. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted in 1392 in Shahrekord hospitals. A total of 308 geriatric patients who were admitted to a surgical ward, were recruited through random sampling. Two sets of questionnaires regarding religious and spiritual health were used as the instruments. After collecting the data, descriptive (frequency, mean, variance, standard deviation) and analytical (independent t test, Pearson correlation) statistics were used by SPSS statistical software. Results: The results showed that 68.8% of patients possessed large religious attitude with an average of 140.68 ±30.14. Spiritual health in 51.3 percent of samples was described to be low while the obtained average score was 86.18 ± 16.61. However, Pearson test showed that there is a positive significant correlation between religious attitudes and spiritual health (r =0.83, P =0.05). Conclusions: The present study revealed that there is a significant relationship between religious attitudes and spiritual health and people with high religious attitudes have high spiritual health

The effect of an exercise program on the health-quality of life in older adults

INTRODUCTION: An essential public health goal is to reduce age-related disabilities in the elderly. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise program on health-quality of life (HQL) in older adults. METHODS: Subjects were sixty healthy adult volunteers over the age of �� years. None of the subjects had any experience in exercise programs but were physically active and able to perform activities of daily living independently. The subjects were randomly assigned into one of two groups each with �� people: test (exercise) group and control (no exercise) group. The test group was taken into a � - week aerobic exercise program. The exercises included a �- �� minute circulatory warm-up, a �� minute walking and a �-�� minute stretching/cool-down period. The exercises were performed three times per week under supervision of an experienced instructor. No exercise program was prescribed for the control group. Both groups were assessed before and after the exercise program. The LEIPAD questionnaire was used to measure HQL. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvements in all domains of the LEIPAD questionnaire whilst the level of HQL did not change and none of the scores obtained by the LEIPAD was significant. Measures of HQL improved with exercise so that there were no HQL changes in the control but significant changes were observed in the exercise group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an exercise program has resulted in a signific

Family Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Patients With Heart Failure: A Descriptive, Exploratory Qualitative Study

Background: Living with heart failure is a complex situation for family caregivers. Many studies addressing the challenges faced by heart failure family caregivers have already been conducted in Western societal settings. Sociocultural factors and perspectives influence the family caring experience and roles. The ethnic/culturally based differences in family caring behavior make this a subject worth further exploration and clarification. Purpose: This study explores the experiences of family caregivers in Iran of caring for patients with heart failure. Methods: A descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative approach was applied to gain authentic insight into the experiences of participants. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 21 family caregivers from three educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and field notes. Interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim and concurrently analyzed. Results: Three major themes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts: caregiver uncertainty, lack of familial and organizational support, and Allah-centered caring. Participants believed that they did not have the basic knowledge related to their disease and drugs. In addition, they received little guidance from the healthcare team. Lack of support and insurance as well as financial issues were major problems faced by the caregivers. They accepted the providence of Allah and noted that Allah always helps them accomplish their caregiving responsibilities. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The care performed by the caregivers of patients with heart failure exceeds their individual capabilities. Nurses, other healthcare providers, and health policy makers may use the findings of this study to develop more effective programs to address these challenges and to provide more effective support. Sociocultural factors and perspectives were the primary factors affecting the caregiving experiences of participants in this study. Improved understanding of these factors and perspectives will help healthcare providers develop and implement suitable intervention programs for caregivers. Healthcare professionals should develop context-based intervention programs to promote caregiver capabilities and encourage caregivers to participate to facilitate the caregiving roles of caregivers

Association of TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and TIM-3-1541C > T polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis in Isfahan population

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in central nervous system, affecting about 2.5 million people around the world. Probable involvement of two newly identified immunoregulator molecules, TIM-1 and TIM-3, has been reported in autoimmune diseases. In this study, for the first time, the association of TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and TIM-3 -1541C>T polymorphisms with MS in an Iranian population was considered. The results of our study showed that there is no significant association between TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and MS (P = 0.38); however, the frequency of CT genotype of TIM-3 -1541C>T in patient group was significantly higher than the control group, and there was a significant association between CT genotype and MS (P = 0.009, OR = 4.08)

Comparison between the therapeutic effect of Nifedipine and Hydralazine in patients with severe preeclampsia

History and Objectives: Due to the high mortality rate and the high incidence of complications of severe preeclampsia throughout the world particularly in the developing countries and regarding the controversies on the therapeutic effects and complications of Nifedipine and Hydralazine and in order to compare the therapeutic effect of this 2 medications, the present study was performed on patients with severe preeclampsia hospitalized at Shabihkhani maternity hospital during the years 1367 and 1377. Materials and Methods: A clinical trial study was performed on patients with ?+2 proteinuria, blood pressure of 160/110 that was measured at least on 2 occasions at an interval of 3 hours or clinical manifestations of severe preeclampsia. Patients were randomly classified into 2 groups. In one group sublingual Nifedipine was administered at a dose of 5 milligrams (Equal to 5 drops) and in the other group, which was considered as the control group, Hydralazine was administered as injection at a dose of 5 milligrams. The effect of the medication on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fetal heat rate and urinary volume was evaluated at 30 and 60 minutes after the administration of the medication. Also the effect of the medication on Apgar score and hospital length of stay of the neonates were studied. Results: 2 group were similar, percent reduction of systolic blood pressure 30 minutes after the administration of the medication was 11.4% and 8.03% in the Nifedipine and Hydralazine group respectively (P<0.01) and the percent reduction of diastolic blood pressure 30 minutes after the administration of the medication was 18.7% and 10.9% in the Nifedipine and Hydralazine group respectively (P<0.01). Average urine volume 30 and 60 minutes after the administration of the medication were 68 and 128.8 milliliters in the Nifedipine group and 29.3 and 53.8 milliliters in the Hydralazine group (P<0.01). Average fetal heat rate changes thirty and 60 minutes after the administration of the medication were 1.36 and 0.92 in the Nifedipine group and -2.4 and -1.77 in the Hydralazine group. Conclusion: Nifedipine administration results in a more fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a more urine volume production than Hydralazine. Hydralazine produces a significant decrease in fetal heart rate. Apgar score at five minutes and hospital length of stay of the neonates does not differ significantly in the Nifedipine group in comparison with the Hydralazine one

Informational needs and related problems of family caregivers of heart failure patients: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND Heart failure is incurable disease and patients often have an ongoing decline once diagnosed. The symptoms of heart failure may impair the ability of patient to perform activities of daily living. As heart failure progresses, patients normally increase their reliance on family caregivers. AIMS This paper explored the informational needs and related problems of family caregivers of heart failure patients as a part of the findings of a study exploring experiences of family caregivers in the caregiving situation. SETTING AND DESIGN Using a qualitative design, 19 family caregivers from three educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, were recruited. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed concurrently. RESULTS Four major themes were emerged from the analysis of the transcripts: "Lack of care-related knowledge", "Inaccessibility to responsible source of information", "Lack of guidance from healthcare team" and "caring with ambiguity due to unpredictable nature of the disease". Caregivers believed that they did not have the basic knowledge related to disease and medication administration. They received little guidance and support from the health care team on the caregiving roles. They experienced high level of ambiguity and stress in caregiving tasks due to lack of care-related knowledge and unpredictable nature of disease. CONCLUSION The care, which was performed by the caregivers of HF patients, is beyond of their knowledge, capabilities, and resources. Nurses and other healthcare providers can use the findings of this study to develop effective educational and supportive programs to facilitate these needs