Fear of falling and related factors in older adults in the city of Kashan in 2017

Background: Fear of falling has been reported in various societies for different reasons and affects the quality of life of older adults. The present study was conducted to determine the level of fear of falling and related factors in older adults in the city of Kashan in 2017. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 414 older adults living in the city of Kashan, in 2017, were selected by cluster sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire (including age, gender, number of children, having a caregiver, education, marital status, occupation, smoking, alcohol use, use of anxiolytic medication, history of diseases, ability to carry out daily tasks, history of fall, injury due to fall, osteoporosis, access to medical care, access to social supports, walking aids, living alone, income, housing, insurance, and insomnia), and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and then were analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression. Results: Fear of falling was low in 63.3 of the older adults, moderate in 22.7, and intense in 4.3. Fear of falling showed a significant relationship with age, having a caregiver, education, history of taking anxiolytic and hypnotic medications, history of psychosomatic diseases, ability to perform daily tasks, history of falling, injury caused by falling, use of walking aids, access to social support in case of emergency, and income. Multivariate analysis showed that fear of falling in older adults had a direct relationship with age of over 70 years (odds ratio OR = 3.24), history of use of anxiolytic and hypnotic medications (OR = 0.26), and illiteracy (OR = 0.37). Conclusion: The results showed that a high percentage of participants suffered fear of falling, of whom one-third had moderate-to-severe fear. Age, use of anxiolytic medications, and illiteracy were effective in increasing the risk of fear of falling in older adults. Further studies and appropriate measures are required in this regard

The survey of pattern of abusing and causes of addiction tendency among women undergoing methadone maintenance treatment in Kashan city during 2017-2018

Background: The current prevalence rates indicate an increasing trend of substance abuse among women. This study aimed at determining the pattern of consumption and causative factors for tendency to drug abuse in woman referred to addiction treatment centers. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the study population was all women referred to addiction treatment centers of Kashan during 2017-2018. The research instrument was a demographic information questionnaire, causes of drug abuse tendency and structured clinical interviews with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (SCID) to assess the substance abuse disorder. Results: The mean age and onset age of drug abuse were 40±10.3 and 25±6.4 years, respectively. Opium was the most common abused drug (81) and smoking was the most cited method for drug abuse. Ten percent of the patients had a history of injection. The main causes of drug tendency from the perspective of the patients were addict family (77), easy access to drugs (64), as well as depression and disappointment (56). Conclusion: The pattern of drug abuse among women undergoing the method one maintenance treatment in Kashan is traditional on the basis of the opium derivatives. The addict family was the main cause of drug abuse. Therefore, it would be necessary to pay more attention to the family of the patients as vulnerable groups in planning and to provide training on the causes of drug abuse tendency and preventive measures

The Effect of Memantine Versus Folic Acid on Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Schizophrenia, as one of the most severe psychiatric diseases, has a chronic and debilitating process. The majority of patients with schizophrenia do not respond adequately to treatment with common antipsychotic drugs. Therapeutic problems induced by drug side effects as well as undesired results are major challenging issues regarding this disease. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of memantine supplementation on the improvement of cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Method: The present clinical trial was performed on 50 patients with acute schizophrenia who were admitted to Kargarnejad Psychiatric Hospital in Kashan in 2022 and who were diagnosed as schizophrenia cases at least three months ago. Patients were randomly divided into either the intervention group (n = 25) or the placebo group (n = 25). The intervention group received 5 mg of memantine per day for three months. The dose of memantine in this group was increased to the maximum of 20 mg per day. The placebo group received 1 mg of folic acid per day for three months. Moreover, an identical routine schizophrenia therapeutic regimen was administered to all patients. The effectiveness of memantine was evaluated using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), which assessed cognitive ability in older adults over a 12-week follow-up period. Results: The WAIS-III score in the 12th week of the study was significantly different between the placebo and intervention groups (P = 0.004), such that the score of the memantine group was higher than that of the placebo group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of drug side effects. Conclusion: Memantine can be supplemented in the treatment of schizophrenia so as to improve the cognitive symptoms of this disorder. However, subsequent studies involving larger sample sizes and different doses seem to be necessary to provide more accurate results in this respect

Determination of health belief model structures and health-promoting nutritional behaviors in prevention of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death and disabilities in the world. The purpose of the present study is to determine Health Belief Model structures and Health-Promoting nutritional behaviors In Prevention of cardiovascular disease. Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytic survey in 2010. A total number of 68 housewives were recruited in this study using a randomly sampling method. Data were collected using a self-made questionnaire and FFQ. Obtained data analyzed by SPSS16 software in two categories of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results indicated that the scores of HBM structures were low. Also Mean consumption of fruits in housewives was 130/24±57/72 and Mean consumption of vegetables in housewives was 220/73±112/85. There was a significant relation between all the HBM structures and consumption of fruit and vegetables (p<0.001). Conclusion: It seems necessary; using interventional and educational approaches appropriate for target group features can help us take effective steps towards health promotion and Prevention of cardiovascular disease

Survey on Patients\' Satisfaction with the Services Provided at Pharmacies in the City of Kashan

Background & Objective: Patients’ satisfaction is a key factor in the evaluation of health system’s quality in developed countries. The purpose of the presnt study was to investigate Patients’ satisfaction with services provided at pharmacies in the city of Kashan and related elements. Materials & Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 440 patients who referred to pharmacies in the city of Kashan were surveyed randomly. The questionnaire was composed of 44 items and focused on four dimensions: patients’ expectations from the pharmasict, pharmacist’s communication skills, consultations offered by the pharmacist, and the location and physical environment of the pharmacy. In order to analyze the data of this study, SPSS software version 20, and parametric and ANOVA tests were used. Results: Patients’ highest expectations were courteous behavior from the pharmacist and the personnel (92/7%), low wating time (92%), explanation for medication indications (85%), and explanation on how to use the medications (82/5%). Patients’ satisfaction elements with the highest score were cordial and pleasant attitude of the pharmacist (78.9%), labeling the medications by the pharmacist (78%) and the illumination inside the drugstores facility (93%). Conclusion: The city of Kashan has variable levels of satisfaction with the quality of pharmacy services. To increase levels of satisfaction, it is necessary to provide appropriate training in pharmacies and quality of services promted in all domains

Evaluation models and criteria of the quality of hospital websites: a systematic review study

Introduction: Hospital websites are important tools in establishing communication and exchanging information between patients and staff, and thus should enjoy an acceptable level of quality. The aim of this study was to identify proper models and criteria to evaluate the quality of hospital websites. Methods: This research was a systematic review study. The international databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Proquest, Ovid, Elsevier, Springer, and EBSCO together with regional database such as Magiran, Scientific Information Database, Persian Journal Citation Report (PJCR) and IranMedex were searched. Suitable keywords including website, evaluation, and quality of website were used. Full text papers related to the research were included. The criteria and sub criteria of the evaluation of website quality were extracted and classified. Results: To evaluate the quality of the websites, various models and criteria were presented. The WEB-Q-IM, Mile, Minerva, Seruni Luci, and Web-Qual models were the designed models. The criteria of accessibility, content and apparent features of the websites, the design procedure, the graphics applied in the website, and the page’s attractions have been mentioned in the majority of studies. Conclusion: The criteria of accessibility, content, design method, security, and confidentiality of personal information are the essential criteria in the evaluation of all websites. It is suggested that the ease of use, graphics, attractiveness and other apparent properties of websites are considered as the user-friendliness sub criteria. Further, the criteria of speed and accessibility of the website should be considered as sub criterion of efficiency. When determining the evaluation criteria of the quality of websites, attention to major differences in the specific features of any website is essential

The effects of mentorship and educational videos on nursing students’ physical examination skills: a clinical audit

Abstract Background Poor competence in clinical examination skills among nurses has been reported in practice, and there is a strong consensus that physical examination (PE) education must be improved. However, deficiencies cannot be resolved by theoretical training alone, and new training approaches are required to enable nursing students to perform PE accurately. This study aimed to determine and compare the effect of two new educational methods (mentorship and educational video methods) on the physical examination skills of Iranian nursing students. Methods This study was a clinical audit with three group pretest posttest design. Eligible nursing students were recruited through the census method and assigned to three groups (mentorship, educational videos, and control group) using permuted block randomization. Students were taught PE skills in three vital systems through three approaches (mentors, educational videos, and routine educational methods). Data were collected using a two-part instrument consisting of a demographic information questionnaire and a 32-item checklist for assessing the students’ skills in examining the respiratory system (10 items), cardiovascular system (13 items), and 12 cranial nerves (9 items). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Results At baseline, students in all groups scored less than half of the possible scores in all three systems, and the mean scores of the three groups were not statistically different (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of students in the mentorship group increased significantly in all three systems (P 0.05). Furthermore, after the intervention, the mean scores of the educational video group and the control group did not significantly differ in any of the three systems (P > 0.05). The ANCOVA showed that with posttest score as the covariate, PE skills in all three systems improved one week after the intervention in the mentor group compared to the control group and the educational video group. However, PE skills in all three systems did not improve one week after the intervention in the educational video group compared to the control group. Conclusions The mentorship method is more effective than the educational video and routine methods for teaching PE skills to nursing students. Nursing schools can use the mentor method in training nursing students, and it is recommended to revise the PE lesson unit in the nursing curriculum and exchange it from a purely theoretical-based unit to a mixture of theoretical and clinical-based training. Educational videos alone cannot improve nursing students’ PE skills; thus, if educational videos are used to teach clinical skills, it is necessary to hold hands-on sessions to provide feedback to students and correct their mistakes

Oral health-related quality of life in older people in Kashan/Iran 2015

Background: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) means the subjective perception of oral health and its impacts on the quality of life. It is an important indicator in oral surveys. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate OHRQOL in older people in Kashan city (Iran) in 2015. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 500 elders aged Results: The 58.6 of participants were male. Mean age was 73.79 ± 10.13 years. The 284 (56.8) participants were edentulousness. The GOHAI total score was 43.08 ± 8.35 that showed the above average scores of measurements. Statistical tests showed that the OHRQOL was significantly better in married persons, with negative history of smoking, and those who used mouthwash, toothpicks, regular tooth brush, and tooth floss (P Conclusion: The physical indicators of the oral cavity in older people of Kashan were not satisfactory although the OHRQOL was above medium level. In Kashan, it seems that use of full dentures is more common than other treatments such as filling caries or using implants

Etiology and clinical features of precocious puberty in children referred to the endocrinology clinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background and Aim: Precocious puberty presents a variety of causes and clinical features, with its prevalence on the rise. This study aimed at investigating the etiology and clinical characteristics of precocious puberty in children referred to the endocrinology clinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical records of children diagnosed with precocious puberty who attended the pediatric endocrinology clinic at Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between 2007 and 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. A comprehensive history and clinical examination were conducted by a pediatric endocrinologist, along with left hand X-rays and specific hormonal tests. Results: Among the 357 children meeting the inclusion criteria, only two were boys, one with isolated adrenarche and the other with central precocious puberty. Out of the 355 girls, 315 (88.2%) had central precocious puberty, 19 (5.3%) presented with premature thelarche, 20 (5.6%) exhibited pubarche, and three (0.8%) had transient thelarche. Only 172 children maintained regular follow-up visits, with an average follow-up duration of 23±16 months. Of these, 42 were undergoing treatment, while 130 were monitored for the progression of puberty and the necessity for intervention. Over a 3-6-month period, no change in pubertal stage was observed in 49.6% of children, while 42.6% progressed in thelarche or pubarche, and 7.8% advanced in both pubarche and thelarche. Additionally, 24.8% of children experienced a height growth rate exceeding the 97th percentile. Conclusion: Central precocious puberty emerged as the predominant cause of precocious puberty symptoms in this study. Furthermore, more than half of girls with true precocious puberty displayed a slow progressive course that did not warrant therapeutic interventions

The effect of sukha pranayama on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography: a single-blind randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Anxiety is among the most common problems experienced by coronary angiography (CA) candidates. Different modalities are used to manage anxiety. This study sought to examine the effects of a pranayama exercise on CA candidates’ anxiety. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 2015 on 80 eligible patients. The patients were randomly allocated to a control and an experimental group. Before undergoing angiography, patients in the experimental group performed sukha pranayama exercises. They were trained to breathe slowly and rhythmically at a rate of ten breathing per minute for five consecutive minutes. Patients in the control group only received routine pre-angiography care. Data collection tools were a demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. The level of patients’ anxiety in both groups was measured before, half an hour after, and one hour after the intervention. The data were analyzed through doing the independent-sample t and the chi-square tests. Results: Before the intervention, the mean of anxiety score in the experimental group was 53.37, which significantly decreased to 40.75 after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In the control group, the mean of anxiety score decreased from 54.27 to 51.4. This decrease was not statistically significant. Moreover, between-group comparisons revealed significant differences between the groups regarding between-measurement mean differences of anxiety score (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Sukha pranayama is effective in alleviating CA candidates’ anxiety