The Sources of Academic Stress among Students of the School of Medical Management and Information

Background & Objective: Studying at a university is one of the important stressful situations. Previous studies have shown the adverse effects of stress on students' physical and mental health. The aim of the current study was to determine the sources of academic stress and its relation to demographic variables in students at the School of Medical Management and Information of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 students (65 women and 30 men) with a mean age of 21.9 ± 18-30 years (age range: 18-30). The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling method. Data were gathered using the Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ) and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent t-test, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA. Results: The findings indicated that the domain of "difficulty managing work, family, and university" had the highest mean score (4.02 ± 2.31) and the domain of "difficulty with interaction at the university" had the lowest mean score (2.61 ± 1.84). A significant negative association was found between age and the domain of "difficulty managing work, family, and university" (r = -0.026, P = 0.01). In addition, the mean score of second year students was significantly higher in the domains of "difficulty with academic performance in class" (P = 0.03) and "difficulty with academic performance outside the class" (P = 0.04) compared to other domains. The most common stressors were observed in the domain of "difficulty managing work, family, and university". This domain was more important among younger students. Conclusion: It is recommended that more attention be paid to this important issue in student educational and counseling programs. Key Words: Stress, Stressors, Students, Iran, School of Medical Management and Informatio

Low Resolution Face Recognition Using Mixture of Experts

Abstract-Human activity is a major concern in a wide variety of applications, such as video surveillance, human computer interface and face image database management. Detecting and recognizing faces is a crucial step in these applications. Furthermore, major advancements and initiatives in security applications in the past years have propelled face recognition technology into the spotlight. The performance of existing face recognition systems declines significantly if the resolution of the face image falls below a certain level. This is especially critical in surveillance imagery where often, due to many reasons, only low-resolution video of faces is available. If these low-resolution images are passed to a face recognition system, the performance is usually unacceptable. Hence, resolution plays a key role in face recognition systems. In this paper we introduce a new low resolution face recognition system based on mixture of expert neural networks. In order to produce the low resolution input images we down-sampled the 48 × 48 ORL images to 12 × 12 ones using the nearest neighbor interpolation method and after that applying the bicubic interpolation method yields enhanced images which is given to the Principal Component Analysis feature extractor system. Comparison with some of the most related methods indicates that the proposed novel model yields excellent recognition rate in low resolution face recognition that is the recognition rate of 100% for the training set and 96.5% for the test set

Evaluation of Performance of Pharmacy Information Systems in Hospitals of Shiraz

Background & Objectives: Medication error is a preventable event that can lead to patient harm. The Pharmacy Information Systems (PISs) promise to reduce medication errors. Considering the importance of these systems, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of pharmacy information systems in Shiraz hospitals. Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 pharmacies in Shiraz hospitals in 2018. Data were analyzed using standard checklist for the evaluation of hospital information system (HIS). After analyzing the data normalization by Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA test was used. Data were entered into SPSS version 24 software. Results: Public, private, and non-public hospitals had respectively the highest average scores in the pharmacies information systems. In terms of the performance of pharmacies information systems, most public (61.1%) and private (60%) hospitals and all non-public hospitals (100%) were at moderate level. In addition, there was no significant relationship between different dimensions of performance of the pharmacy information systems and hospital ownership type. Conclusion: It is necessary that the designers and analysts of the pharmacies information systems, while cooperating and consulting with users of these systems, pay more attention to design and modify the pharmacy information systems. Key¬words: Pharmacy information system, Hospital information system, Performance evaluation, Public hospital, Non-public hospital, Private hospital Citation: Khademian F, Bastani P, Bordbar N, Mehdi Tazangi Z, Hamzavi F, Bayati B. Evaluation of Performance of Pharmacy Information Systems in Hospitals of Shiraz. Journal of Health Based Research 2019; 4(4): 349-59. [In Persian

The effect of positive thinking training on hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Patients undergoing hemodialysis are exposed to psychological problems, such as despair, which in turn can be a trigger for them to abandon the treatment process. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients. Methods This randomized controlled trial was performed on 80 hemodialysis patients referred to two hemodialysis centers in Shiraz, Iran. They were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. Eight sessions of positive thinking skills training carried out individually on the patients' bedsides. The primary and secondary outcomes were hope and adherence to treatment, respectively. The data were collected using Snyder Hope Questionnaire, End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire, laboratory tests, and weight measurements. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and Paired and Independent T-test using SPSS software version 18. Results After the intervention, the mean score of hope was significantly higher in the intervention group (42.1 ± 6.1) than in the control group (38.7 ± 6.5) (p = 0.024). Moreover, after the intervention, the mean score of adherence to treatment was significantly higher in the intervention group (1070.2 ± 80.1) compared to the control group (1018.4 ± 105.3) (p = 0.019). In addition, blood urea nitrogen, phosphate and inter-dialytic weight gain were lower in the intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention. Conclusions The findings showed that positive thinking interventions could lead to improvement in hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients. Positive thinking training could be used in caring of hemodialysis patients to improve their hope and adherence to treatment. Trial registration RCT Registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; RCT registration number: IRCT20180915041044N1; Registration date: 19/12/2018

Damage Detection of Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls Using Mathematical Transformations

Structural health monitoring is a procedure to provide accurate and immediate information on the condition and efficiency of structures. There is variety of damage factors and the unpredictability of future damage, is a necessity for the use of structural health monitoring. Structural health monitoring and damage detection in early stages is one of the most interesting topics that had been paid attention because the majority of damages can be repaired and reformed by initial evaluation ,thus the spread of damage to the structures, building collapse and rising of costs can be avoided .Detection of concrete shear wall damages are designed to withstand the lateral load on the structure is critical .Because failures and  malfunctions of shear walls can lead to serious damage or even progressive dilapidation of concrete structures .Change in stiffness and frequency can clearly show the damage occurrence. Mathematical transformation is also a tool to detect damage. In this article, with non- linear time history analysis, the finite element model of structures with concrete shear walls subject to four earthquakes have extracted and using Fourier and wavelet transform, the presence of shear walls is detected at the time of damage

Web-based health Information seeking and eHealth literacy among college students: a self-report study

Objective. This study aimed to assess web-based health information seeking and eHealth literacy among Iranian college students. Methods. The study was conducted in five colleges of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran during 2018. The data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of seven questions on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with scores ranging from 7 to 28. These questions were: ′I know how to use the Internet to answer my questions about health′, ′I think there is enough information about health-related issues on the Internet′, ′I know the vocabulary used in health issues on the Internet′, ′I can tell high-quality health resources from low-quality health resources on the Internet′, ′I know how to use the health information I find on the Internet to help me′, ′I feel confident in using information from the Internet to make health decisions′, and ′Searching for health-related information on the Internet will increase my knowledge in this field′. High eHealth literacy level is defined as above the total mean score and low eHealth literacy level is defined as lower than the total mean score. Results. In all, 386 college students participated in the study. The results showed that the mean score of eHealth literacy was 19.11 out of 28; 205 participants (54.4%) had low eHealth literacy. In addition, the students used the Internet to search for information regarding diseases symptoms (70%), physical illnesses (67.1%), existing treatments (65%), and diagnosis (63.1%). Conclusion. The results showed that participants in this study usually searched for illnesses, symptoms, and treatments after they got sick and paid little attention to other aspects related to integral health.How to cite this article: KHademian F, Roozrokh M, Aslani A. Web-based health Information Seeking and eHealth Literacy among College students. A Self-report study. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2020. 38(1):e08.Objetivo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a busca de informações sobre saúde on-line e o nível de alfabetização em eSaúde entre estudantes universitários iranianos. Métodos. O estudo foi realizado em cinco faculdades da Universidade de Ciências Médicas de Shiraz, Irã, durante 2018. Os dados foram coletados com a ajuda de um questionário conduzido pelos pesquisadores, composto por 7 declarações com opções de resposta tipo Likert de 4 pontos, com uma faixa de pontuação de 7-28 pontos. Essas perguntas foram: ‘Eu sei como usar a Internet para responder às minhas perguntas sobre saúde’, ‘Eu acho que há informações suficientes sobre problemas relacionados à saúde na Internet’, ‘Eu conheço o vocabulário usado nas questões de saúde na Internet’, ‘Eu posso distinguir em Recursos de saúde de alta qualidade na Internet que são de baixa qualidade ‘,’ Eu sei como usar as informações de saúde encontradas na Internet para me ajudar ‘,’ Sinto-me seguro ao usar informações da Internet para decisões de saúde ‘e’ A busca de informações relacionadas à saúde na Internet aumentará meu conhecimento neste campo ‘. Foi estabelecido que havia alta alfabetização em eSaúde se a pontuação estivesse acima da média total e baixa literacia em eSaúde se essa pontuação fosse menor que a média. Resultados.386 universitários participaram do estudo. A pontuação média em alfabetização em eSaúde foi 19,11 dos 28 pontos máximos possíveis. 205 participantes (54,4%) tinham baixa alfabetização em eSaúde. Além disso, os estudantes usaram a Internet para buscar informações sobre sintomas da doença (70%), doenças físicas (67,1%), tratamentos existentes (65%) e diagnóstico (63,1%). Conclusão. Os resultados mostraram que os participantes deste estudo geralmente buscavam informações na Internet sobre doenças, sintomas e tratamentos após adoecer e prestavam pouca atenção a outros aspectos relacionados à saúde integral.Objetivo. Evaluar la búsqueda de información de salud en línea y el nivel de alfabetización en eSalud entre los estudiantes universitarios iraníes. Métodos.El estudio se realizó en cinco colegios de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Shiraz, Irán, durante 2018. Los datos se recopilaron con la ayuda de un cuestionario realizado por los investigadores que consta de 7 afirmaciones con opciones de respuesta tipo Likert de 4 puntos, con un rango de puntaje de 7-28 puntos: 1. “Sé cómo usar Internet para responder mis preguntas sobre salud”; 2. “Creo que hay suficiente información sobre problemas relacionados con la salud en Internet”; 3. “Conozco el vocabulario utilizado en temas de salud en Internet”; 4. “Puedo distinguir en Internet los recursos de salud de alta calidad de los que son de baja calidad”; 5. “Sé cómo usar la información de salud que encuentro en Internet para ayudarme”; 6. “Me siento seguro al usar la información de Internet para decisiones de salud”, y 7. “Buscar en Internet información relacionada con la salud aumentará mi conocimiento en este campo”. Se estableció que se tenía alfabetización en eSalud alta si el puntaje estaba por encima de la media total y alfabetización en eSalud baja si este puntaje era inferior a la puntuación media. Resultados. 386 estudiantes universitarios participaron en el estudio. La puntuación media de alfabetización en eSalud fue de 19,11 de los 28 puntos máximos posibles. 205 participantes (54.4%) tenían baja alfabetización en eSalud. Además, los estudiantes utilizaron Internet para buscar información sobre síntomas de enfermedades (70%), enfermedades físicas (67.1%), tratamientos existentes (65%) y diagnóstico (63.1%). Conclusión.Los resultados mostraron que los participantes de este estudio buscaban generalmente información en Internet acerca de enfermedades, síntomas y tratamientos después de enfermarse y prestaban poca atención a otros aspectos relacionados con la salud integral

Metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in Shiraz Heart Study (A cohort-based cross-sectional study)

Background and Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors is an increasing global concern. It predisposes individuals to a significant cardiovascular risk that is the leading cause of death in Iran. We investigated MetS prevalence and its risk factors in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: 7225 participants in the age range of 40 to 70 years were recruited from the Shiraz Heart Cohort Study. MetS was diagnosed according to the Adult Treatment Panel III definition. The trend test, univariate, and multiple logistic regression were performed via SPSS version 16 at 0.05 significance level. Results: Among the cases, 3780 (52.3 %) were female, and more than 73.4 % were overweight or obese. MetS prevalence in Shiraz is estimated around 45.5 % (95% CI: 44.4 - 46.7%), and female odds were 1.91 times more than males. Participants with low physical activity had nearly twice the risk of metabolic syndrome in comparison to individuals with high physical activity. The univariate logistic regression showed that age, gender, job, education, marital status, and physical activity are significantly associated with MetS. Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS in the Shiraz urban population is relatively high and has become more common amongst middle-aged people, which can significantly endanger public health. Since most of the risk factors are modifiable, it is imperative to set policies in order to control MetS and its associated risk factors

Probiotic or Conventional Yogurt for Treating Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea: A Clinical Trial Study

Background The popularity of probiotics is on the rise. Despite the beneficial effects of antibiotics, gastrointestinal health is at risk of diarrhea. This study aimed to investigate whether probiotic yogurt is of capability to prevent the incidence of diarrhea versus conventional yogurt. Materials and Methods This controlled, randomized, double-blind trial was designed to recruit 48 hospitalized children, whose treatments included different types of antibiotics. They were subsequently assigned into a 1:1 ratio into groups A and B at random. The first group was instructed to consume probiotic yogurt (Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus acidophilus), while the second were on conventional yogurt (placebo containing Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) at least for 7 days. The incidence of diarrhea, its onset and duration were compared between the two groups. Results The findings indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). No significant decrease was observed in the incidence of diarrhea between the groups following adjustment for negative C-reactive protein (CRP) (p > 0.05). Conclusion According to the results, the consumption of yogurt, either probiotic or conventional, reduced the incidence, duration, and onset of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in pediatric population. This study showed no significantly better performance for probiotic yogurt than conventional yogurt