Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Professional Self-concept among Iranian Nurses

Objective. To determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence (SI) and professional self-concept (PSC) among Iranian nurses. Methods. This is a correlation study. A convenience sampling method was used and 344 nurses were selected from hospitals of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Data collection standard tools included two validated scales: Cowin’s Nurse Self-Concept Questionnaire (36 items scored ranged from 1 to 8; Maximum score=288; 6 subcategories: General Nurse Self-Concept, Knowledge, Care, Communication, Staff Relation and Leadership) and Abdollahzadeh’s SI Questionnaire (29 items scored ranged from 0 to 5; Maximum score=145; 2 subcategories: Relying on the inner core and Understanding and communicating with the origin of the universe. Results. The mean total score of PSC was 220.3±30.61 and 120.67±16.13 for SI. There was a significant statistical correlation between PSC (r=0.348, p<0.0001) and almost all subcategories and SI. The results of the regression analysis showed that SI predicts 13.3% of the variance of PSC (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Considering the correlation of SI and PSC among Iranian nurses, it is suggested that strategies be used to train and promote the SI of nurses

The relationship of Parental Pain Catastrophizing with Parents Reports of Children’s Anxiety, Depression and Headache Severity

Abstract:Introduction: Parental pain catastrophizing is a construct which is recognized to have a significant impact on experience and report of pain in both children and parents. The main aim of the current research is to investigate the probable relationship of parental pain catastrophizing with the parent reports of children’s anxiety, depression and headache severity amongst Iranian parents of children with chronic or recurrent headache.Method:In this study 212 parents (120 mothers and 92 fathers) of children with chronic or recurrent pain participated and completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; Numeric Pain Rating Scale, asking for the average of pain severity in last three months before the research, and the Anxiety and Depression subscales of the Children Behavioral Check List. Findings:The mean age of parents was 35.41 (SD= 5.58) and the mean age of children were 9.83 (SD= 2.77). A total of 72 girls and 60 boys participated in this study with a mean pain severity for headache in last three months before the research of 4.99 (SD=2.63). Probable sex differences according to pain catastrophizing, pain severity, anxiety and depression were assessed. In the next step, the predictability of pain severity from parental pain catastrophizing was evaluated. Results indicated a significant relationship in maternal pain catastrophizing and estimates of pain intensity by mothers.Conclusions:These findings represent the importance of parent’s cognitive factors affecting their reports of their children’s pain and related emotional disturbances

Combined Effects of Noise and Hand-transmitted Vibration on Workers’ Muscle and Mental Fatigues in a Simulated Construction Operation

Background: The frequent use of hand-held vibrating tools by construction workers exposes them to hand-transmittedvibratio n (HTV) and noise. This study investigated the effect of combined exposure to HTV and noise on workers’ fatigues under simulated work with a typical building destruction tool. Methods:The repeated measures study was conducted on 40 construction workers exposed to HTV (5 m/s2 rms with frequencies of 31.5, 63, and 125 Hz), HTV (10 m/s2 rms- 31.5 Hz), noise (90 dBA), and concurrent exposure (noise (90 dBA) + HTV (10 m/s2 rms- 31.5 Hz)) with the typical vibrating hand-held tool for 30 minutes. Electromyography signals determined each worker’s fatigue level in the Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle in two pre- and post-exposure periods. The subjects also filled out the visual analog scale to evaluate mental fatigue severity subjectively. Results: The mean difference of muscle fatigue parameters was significant in all scenarios except for the two scenarios of alone exposure to HTV (5 m/s2 -125 Hz) and noise exposure (p-value < 0.05). The mean difference of mental fatigue in all scenarios except for the two scenarios of exposure to HTV (5 m/s2 -125 Hz) and exposure to HTV (5 m/s2 -63 Hz) was significant (p-value < 0.05). The most differences in muscle fatigue parameters (Amplitude = 8.16±5.63, Mean frequency=-4.69±3.78) and mental fatigue (4.97±2.38) were observed in the simultaneous exposure to noise and HTV. Conclusion: Noise exposure alone cannot produce remarkable effects on muscle fatigue but can aggravate the effects of vibrations as a consequence of synergistic interaction. However, the role of noise on perceived mental fatigue was more dominant than the HTV.These findings should be considered to adapt the existing exposure limits to actual work conditions

Personal hygiene among military personnel: developing and testing a self-administered scale

OBJECTIVE: Good personal hygiene (PH) behavior is recommended to prevent contagious diseases, and members of military forces may be at high risk for contracting contagious diseases. The aim of this study was to develop and test a new questionnaire on PH for soldiers. METHODS: Participants were all male and from different military settings throughout Iran. Using a five-stage guideline, a panel of experts in the Persian language (Farsi) developed a 21-item self-administered questionnaire. Face and content validity of the first-draft items were assessed. The questionnaire was then translated and subsequently back-translated into English, and both the Farsi and English versions were tested in pilot studies. The consistency and stability of the questionnaire were tested using Cronbach’s alpha and the test–retest strategy. The final scale was administered to a sample of 502 military personnel. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses evaluated the structure of the scale. Both the convergent and discriminative validity of the scale were also determined. RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were >0.85. Principal component analysis demonstrated a uni-dimensional structure that explained 59 % of the variance in PH behaviors. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit (goodness-of-fit index = 0.902; comparative fitness index = 0.923; root mean square error of approximation = 0.0085). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that this new PH scale has solid psychometric properties for testing PH behaviors among an Iranian sample of military personnel. We conclude that this scale can be a useful tool for assessing PH behaviors in military personnel. Further research is needed to determine the scale’s value in other countries and cultures

Evaluation of onion cultivation energy balance in east Azerbaijan province

One of the estimating methods of agricultural development and production stability in agricultural locations is the use of energy flow method. In this consideration energy flow in agricultural ecosystems of onion in East Azerbaijan was calculated by the use of gathered information and data via questionnaire and statistics of related Province’s agricultural Jihad organization and farms. The related data of inputs and outputs were altered to equal amounts of consumer and productive energy and then energy efficiency was calculated. Energy amounts of used factors and input in this type of cultivation was estimated 22307134 kcal/ha and output (production) energy amount of onion yield was 18594060 kcal/ha. Also energy efficiency value (output/input) was 0.833 percent. Data show that most of the consumer energy of onion cultivation of East Azerbaijan province is related to irrigation water use and chemical fertilizers and energy that used in machinery. In such a condition it is suggested that through precise determining of the vegetable’s water need, replacing modern irrigation methods in regard to current methods, preventing irregular use of inputs specially nitrogen fertilizers, applying proper managing methods in dry regions and using fertilizer on the base of soil test and production potential by increasing usage of function, energy could be optimum

The association between acylcarnitine and amino acids profile and metabolic syndrome and its components in Iranian adults: Data from STEPs 2016

BackgroundEvidence, albeit with conflicting results, has suggested that cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and hypertension, are highly associated with changes in metabolic signature, especially plasma amino acids and acylcarnitines levels. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association of circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 1192 participants from the large–scale cross-sectional study of Surveillance of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Iran (STEP 2016). The circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in individuals with MetS (n=529) and without MetS (n=663).ResultsThe higher plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (Val, Leu), aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr), Pro, Ala, Glu, and the ratio of Asp to Asn were significantly associated with MetS, whereas lower circulating levels of Gly, Ser, His, Asn, and citrulline were significantly associated with MetS. As for plasma levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitines, higher levels of short-chain acylcarnitines (C2, C3, C4DC), free carnitine (C0), and long-chain acylcarnitines (C16, C18OH) were significantly associated with MetS. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that factor 3 (Tyr, Leu, Val, Met, Trp, Phe, Thr) [OR:1.165, 95% CI: 1.121-1.210, P&lt;0.001], factor 7 (C0, C3, C4) [OR:1.257, 95% CI: 1.150-1.374, P&lt;0.001], factor 8 (Gly, Ser) [OR:0.718, 95% CI: 0.651-0.793, P&lt; 0.001], factor 9 (Ala, Pro, C4DC) [OR:1.883, 95% CI: 1.669-2.124, P&lt;0.001], factor 10 (Glu, Asp, C18:2OH) [OR:1.132, 95% CI: 1.032-1.242, P= 0.009], factor 11 (citrulline, ornithine) [OR:0.862, 95% CI: 0.778-0.955, P= 0.004] and 13 (C18OH, C18:1 OH) [OR: 1.242, 95% CI: 1.042-1.480, P= 0.016] were independently correlated with metabolic syndrome.ConclusionChange in amino acid, and acylcarnitines profiles were seen in patients with MetS. Moreover, the alteration in the circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines is along with an increase in MetS component number. It also seems that amino acid and acylcarnitines profiles can provide valuable information on evaluating and monitoring MetS risk. However, further studies are needed to establish this concept

Need Assessment of Nursing Personnel of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences Using Delphi Technique in 2008

Introduction: Continuing nursing education programs have been administered for years, yet it is still necessary to continue research to assess nurses' educational needs and priorities. This study was designed and administrated to assess the educational needs of nursing personnel in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a survey study using Delphi 4-stage need assessment technique. Sampled population was all 35 matrons in hospitals affiliated with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. The consensus level was set as 51%. Data was collected by three round questionnaires containing open ended and close ended questions content analysis, mean and mode were used for data analysis. Results: There was consensus among all participants about 26 priorities. Consensus in the first round was 38%, the second round 53% and in the third it was 62% and finally 4 priorities for matrons, 15 for newly graduated nursing personnel, and 17 for tenured nurses were agreed upon as continuing nursing education priorities. Top priority needs for nurses were nursing laws and regulations, principles of communication both with patients and colleagues, and CPR. Also all nurses needed to receive continuing education on principles of infection control, ECG interpretation, ward equipment handling, writing nursing report, research method, and accident & emergency nursing. Conclusion: The need assessment showed in-service nursing education is necessary for nurses, though educational priorities for nurses of different ranks and with different levels of experience and clinical responsibilities are different. Continuing nursing education could provide the necessary in-service training

The Role of Medical Students in Outbreaks of Coronavirus: Opportunity or Threat

Letter To Edito

The Quality of Journal Club Implementation in Iranian Nursing Faculties

Introduction: Journal club is one of the classical methods of training instructors. This study aimed at investigating the quality of implementing journal clubs in Iranian nursing faculties from the viewpoints of university instructors. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on instructors of nursing faculties in faculties of nursing where journal clubs were implemented in 2013-2014 academic years. Participants were selected through the census method. Data collection tool was a research-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were verified. Five-point Likert scale in terms of desirability (completely desirable, desirable, relatively desirable, undesirable, and completely undesirable) was used for the responses in the questionnaire. Data were analyzed by conducting descriptive statistics. Results: The mean of the whole quality of journal clubs implementation was 1.83±0.34 out of 4 that is “relatively desirable”. The highest quality was in the implementation domain (post implementation) 2.47±0.53, organizing and planning domain (prior to implementation) 2.43±0.89 and implementation domain (during implementation) 2.08±0.43 respectively. Conclusion: Given the relatively desirable quality of journal club implementation in nursing faculties it is suggested to carry out more researches in various faculties in order to examine and improve the quality of journal clubs

Assessment of Darab County Villagers\' Satisfaction with Family Doctor Functions from Different Aspects

Background and Objective: Health care systems in different countries are organized to provide services, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of people, and they are influenced by political, economic, and cultural factors. Health and safety are the basic rights of each and every individual in society. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction level of individuals referring to the rural health centers in Darab County in the Fars Province. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study. The collective data tool was a self-made questionnaire with two parts. The first part comprised demographic characteristics, and the second part contained 20 items for the assessment of satisfaction with family doctor functions from different aspects. Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to determine samples. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and inferential statistical analysis was performed. Results: In this study, 100 cases were investigated. The majority of the study population were women, married, and aged between 30 and 39 years [mean= 30.42 (5.3) years]. Overall satisfaction averages were 9.47% very high, 20.04% high, 33.09% moderate, 15.12% low, and, 22.28% very low. In all the items, the majority of the participants did not report a high level of satisfaction. Conclusion: Allocating more resources and equipment, providing educational programs to improve physician and staff skills, holding training courses in villages to raise awareness about the goals of the family doctor, and careful monitoring of the quality of services provided by physicians will enhance the satisfaction level of people with this nationally important program