The Effect of Stress Management Education Based on PRECEDE Model on Occupational Stress of Nurses in Hospitals of Iranshahr, Iran

Background & Objective: The phenomenon of occupational stress is an inevitable part of professional life that has negative effects on different areas of life. The purpose of this research was to identify the effects of PRECEDE model-based training on reduction of nurses’ occupational stress. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study on nurses. First, subjects with a medium to high stress level were chosen. Then, the nurses of Iran and Khatam-Ol-Anbia hospitals, Tehran, Iran, were randomly assigned as intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 41) groups. Data gathering tools included the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) to determine nurses’ occupational stress and PRECEDE Model Structures Questionnaire to provide educational intervention. Training was carried out in two 4-hour sessions in two consecutive days. Subjects were monitored for 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed before, and 1 month and 3 months after training using SPSS software. Descriptive statistical tests, independent t-test, repeated measures one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were used. Results: Mean NSS score of the intervention group reduced from 112.80 ± 17.46 to 93.15 ± 28.79 after the training. Moreover, after training, the variables of reinforcement, enabler, and manner showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that the PRECEDE model for stress management education was effective in the reduction of nurses’ stress level. Key Words: Occupational stress, Nurses, PRECEDE model, Educatio

The Perceived Feelings of AIDS Patients toward their Illness and its Stigmatization

Introduction: The recognition of effective factors associated with HIV stigma and designing of effective interventions are the key to success of AIDS prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the views of AIDS patients on their illness and the stigma associated with it. Method: Due to the limited number of patients, 17 patients, who were referred to a behavioral health counselling center in 2012, were selected using purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed based on a content analysis analysis of themes. Results: The main themes emerged within the patient’s perceived feeling toward the disease include spiritual orientation, and relating the disease to other factors and the sense of inability. The main themes of social stigma associated with the disease include the perceived internal emotions (feelings of hopelessness, and rejection and separation) and the perceived external emotions of patients (feelings of disgust and blame). Conclusion: The perceived emotions of AIDS patients express the threatening nature of the disease. The disease has strengthened their spiritual dimension and has caused them to reconsider their worship rituals by reflection on and returning to their values. The patients' perceived awareness of the stigmatization of the disease reflects the fact that these patients not only struggle with adverse health outcomes, but also face the consequences of the stigmatization of this disease. This is to the extent that the mental and social health of these patients is targeted. Therefore, further investigation of these misperceptions about the disease, and the development of training programs for the public, especially the patient’s relatives and friends, and integration of these programs with educational programs seem necessary to promote preventive behaviors. Keywords: Feelings, AIDS patients, Stigm

Effectiveness of Education Based on the Health Belief Model on Performing Preventive Measures for Breast Cancer Among Female Teachers in Zahedan

Introduction: Preventive behaviors such as screening tests have an important role in prevention and control of breast cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of educational programs on preventive behaviors of breast cancer based on the health belief model among female teachers of guidance schools in Zahedan city. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 240 female teachers from (120 participants in each of the control and intervention groups) Zahedan guidance schools. The data-gathering tool was a multipart questionnaire containing demographic variables, knowledge and health belief model structures. An educational program was performed based on the health belief model in five sessions through lectures, training videos, question and answer session for participants in the intervention group. Questionnaires were filled before and two months after the intervention in the two groups. Data was analyzed by independent T-test, chi-square and multiple linear regressions using SPSS-15 software. Results: There was no meaningful difference in the mean scores of knowledge, health belief model constructs, and performance between the two groups before the educational intervention, but the mean scores of variables increased significantly after the intervention (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The health belief model was effective to promote preventive behaviors. Hence, educational interventions with an emphasis on raising awareness, change in beliefs and improving self-efficacy regarding breast cancer are recommende

Estrogen receptor alpha XbaI GG genotype was associated with severe preeclampsia

Purpose: Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) plays an essential role in the adaptation of increased uterine blood flow during gestation. Therefore, ERα gene could be a possible candidate for preeclampsia (PE) susceptibility. In current study we aimed to investigate the association of the ERα gene polymorphisms and PE in an Iranian population. Methods: A total of 192 pregnant women with PE and 186 normotensive women were genotyped for ERα gene (PvuII and XbaI) polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of ERα PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were not different between PE and normotensive control women. However, higher frequency of GG genotype was observed in women with severe PE compared to mild PE (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3]; p = 0.02) and in severe PE compared to normotensive women [OR = 1.8 (1.1–3), p = 0.02] after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and primiparity. Conclusions: The GG genotype of ERα XbaI polymorphism could be a genetic risk factor for PE predisposition

Different Profile of Serum Leptin between Early Onset and Late Onset Preeclampsia

Aim. This study was designed to clarify the role of leptin and adiponectin in preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis and different subtypes of preeclampsia. Method. This case control study was performed in 45 PE patients and 45 healthy controls matched for age, BMI, and ethnicity. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Maternal serum leptin and adiponectin were significantly higher in PE women than controls. Serum leptin was elevated in early onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and late onset preeclampsia (LOPE) compared to controls. Among PE patients, serum leptin was higher in EOPE than LOPE women. However, serum adiponectin was not different between EOPE and LOPE women. The serum leptin was significantly higher in severe PE than mild PE. The serum adiponectin was significantly elevated in severe PE compared to controls. Significant positive correlation was observed between leptin and adiponectin and also between leptin and BMI in controls. Moreover significant positive correlation was observed between adiponectin and BMI in PE patients and controls. Conclusion. The present study showed that serum leptin level may play a significant role as a biomarker to differentiate early and late onset PE and also its relation to BMI and severity of disease

The placental vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and preeclampsia/preeclampsia severity

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy-specific condition, which originates from placenta and finishes after delivery. The present study has investigated the association between placental VEGF I/D (rs35569394), −1154G/A (rs1570360), and −634G/C(rs2010963) polymorphisms and maternal VEGF −2549 I/D (rs35569394) polymorphism with PE and PE severity. In this case-control study, the maternal blood of 217 women with PE and 210 normotensive pregnant women and the placenta of 84 PE women and 103 normotensive women were collected after delivery. Genotyping was done by PCR or PCR-RFLP methods. The maternal VEGF-2549I/D genotypes were not associated with PE or PE severity. The placental VEGF −2549 I/D genotypes were not associated with PE too; however; the placental VEGF-2549 DD genotype was statistically different between women with severe PE and mild PE or the controls. The placental VEGF −634GC and CC genotypes were significantly higher in PE women and associated with 2.6 and 2-fold higher risk of PE, respectively. The VEGF −634GC and CC genotypes were associated with PE severity. No association was found between placental VEGF −1154G/A polymorphism and PE or PE severity. The placental DGC haplotype of VEGF −2549 I/D, −1154G/A, and −634G/C polymorphisms was associated with 2.9-fold higher risk of PE. However, the placental IAG haplotype was associated with 0.3-fold lower risk of PE. In conclusion, the placental VEGF −2549 DD genotype was associated with severe PE and the placental −634GC and CC genotypes were associated with PE and severe PE. No association was found between VEGF −1154G/A polymorphism and PE or PE severity