Participation a key factor for life recovery after disaster: A grounded theory study in an Iranian context

Background: Since life recovery after disasters is a subjective and multifaceted construct influenced by different factors, and survivors� main concerns and experiences are not clear, the researchers intended to explore this process. MaterialsandMethods: This studywas conducted in 2011-2014 basedonthe grounded theory approach. Participants were selected by purposeful sampling followed by theoretical sampling to achieve conceptual and theoretical saturation. Data were collected through interviews, observation, focus group discussion, and document reviews. Data were analyzed by Strauss and Corbin�s (2008) recommended approach. Results: Transcribed data from 26 interviews (managers, health care providers, and receivers), field notes, and other documents were analyzed, and 1,652 open codes were identified. The codes were categorized, using constant comparative analysis, into five main categories including reactive exposure, subsiding emotions, need for comprehensive health recovery, improvement of normalization (new normality achievement), and contextual factors. The process of life recovery after disaster was also explored. Conclusions: The results clarified a deep perception of participants� experiences after disaster. The path of life recovery after disasters involves participants� striving to achieve a comprehensive health recovery, which starts with the need for all-inclusive health recovery as a main concern; this is the motivator for a responding strategy. This strategy is participatory, and the process is progressive; achievement of a new normality is the final goal, with new development and levels of empowerment. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Spirituality in HIV-Infected Individuals: A Phenomenological Study

Background & Aim: HIV/AIDS is a well-recognized global problem in the world, including Iran. It is necessary to comprehend and understand lived experience of HIV positive patients. The present study was designed and conducted to better understand the perspectives and experiences of HIV positive patients about the role of the spirituality and religious beliefs in their lives with HIV/AIDS.Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach. In-depth, audio-taped and semi-structured interviews with 19 participants were conducted to collect data. Data were transcript. Observations were also recorded in comprehensive field notes. A hermeneutic approach was used to analyze the data, according to the method developed by Diekelmann.Results: According to the findings, participants aged between 21 and 56 years of old at the time of contamination to the HIV. Almost half (47.4%) of the participants had CD4 counts under 200 cells/mm3. Analyzes of the data revealed three main themes: (a) Redefining religious values and communicating with God; (b) Compensation; and (c) Individual development. The themes included some sub-themes.Conclusion: Experiencing difficult conditions in HIV positive individuals provide them with an opportunity to return to religious values, redefine themselves and give meaning to their lives, rather than fear or disappointment. Communicating with other HIV positive patients and religious experts are suggested as additional appropriate strategies

Comparative study between behavioral patterns of sibling of children suffering from chronic diseases and healthy children

This research is a descriptive-analytical study conducted with the aim of examining and comparing adjusted behaviors of children (brothers and sisters) suffering from a chronic disease, referred to treatment centers with the siblings of the healthy children of the same age, in Tehran. The research sample was a group of 300 children along with a pair of parents. They were divided into groups of 150 siblings suffering from a chronic disease and 150 siblings who were healthy. For sample-taking of the children suffering from chronic disease parents of the children referring to hospitals or hospitalized in wards, who had the required qualifications were also studied through simple random selection. In order to select healthy children and their parents, the parents of the children referring to specified treatment centers for receiving medication and clinical treatment were selected as the control group, through the simple random sampling method. The basis of research comprised of a questionnaire comprising of two parts. The 1st part consisted of demographic particulars and the 2nd part constituted the form of questions put to the child's parents, whose form was prepared on the basis of the standardized child behavior checklist in accordance with Achen Bach's parents’ report. The form consisted of two parts: one concerning social merit (6 questions on activities, social relations and studying performance of the child); while the other related to behavioral problems of the child (102 questions in relation to social problems, anti-social behavior, aggressive behavior, difficulty in concentration, physical complaints, anxiety, depression, isolation disorder in thinking, sexual problems and miscellaneous matters). The results in relation to the research objectives point out that there is by p<0.001 and p< 0.005 and in a sensible manner, the behavioral problems of the siblings suffering from a chronic disease as compared with healthy siblings are more and their social merit is less

Outcomes of the performance appraisal and its relation with nurses job motivation

Background & Aim: The main aim of performance appraisal is aid to staff development and increasing job motivation. Outcomes of performance appraisal consider as a determining indicators of the amount of success in achieving the mentioned aims. The aim of this study is to determine the employed nurses’ views regarding the performance appraisal's outcomes and its relation with job motivation in medical-surgical wards of affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods & Materials: This investigation is a descriptive correlational study. The sample size was 120 of employed nurses in medical-surgical units in Tehran University of Medical Science that was selected by cluster sampling. The data was collected by questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for analysis. Results: Perception of the most samples was almost positive (65%) about performance appraisal’s outcomes. They believed that the rate of the job motivation in surveyed units was low. There was a statistical significance relationship between performance improvement as one of the outcomes of the performance appraisal and job motivation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Aiding to nurses performance improvement with using of performance appraisal was the only factor that was correlate with the job motivation in comparison with the other expectances of performance appraisal

Quality of life with vitiligo: Comparison of male and female muslim patients in Iran

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic pigmentary disorder of the skin that, although not life threatening, may considerably influence the psychological well-being of patients. It has been suggested that vitiligo patients suffer from low self-esteem, poor body image, and poor quality of life (QOL). Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and compare QOL in male and female patients with vitiligo in Iran. Methods: To obtain the patients' self-assessment of QOL, we used a 17-item multiple-choice questionnaire based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). All statistics used 2-way analysis of variance comparisons with an (α-risk of 5. DLQI scores were assessed using nonparametric comparisons, and qualitative variables were compared with ξ2 testing. Categorical regression analyses were also used as an exploratory aim. Results: A total of 77 Muslim patients with vitiligo (53 females, 24 males; mean age, 29.3 years) were included in this survey. The mean (SD) DLQI score of 42.9 (11.4) for females was lower than that of 51.6 (8.8) for males (P = 0.002). Female patients experienced significantly more impairment of general and psychological health (P < 0.003), social relationships (P < 0.02), and sexual activity (P < 0.001) than did male patients. Conclusions: This study indicates the specific areas of patients' lives that are most affected by vitiligo. Gender and location of disease independently affect QOL in Muslim patients in Iran. Women with vitiligo experience greater QOL impairment than their male counterparts. © 2006 Excerpts Medica, Inc

Factors affecting patients' rights practice: The lived experiences of Iranian nurses and physicians

Background: The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education published a 'Patient's Bill of Rights' in 2001. Aim: To gain insight into the perception and practice of patients' rights in Iran. This paper reports on Iranian nurses' and physicians' perceptions and lived experiences of respecting patients' rights. Methods: A purposeful sample of eight nurses and five physicians working in a central teaching hospital in Tehran were interviewed during 2005-2006 for a qualitative study. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The emerging themes were categorized as 'barriers to patients' rights practice' and 'facilitators of patients' rights practice'. Under these themes three subgroups were discussed: awareness, resources and accountability. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals' lived experiences are an important source of data if managers and policy makers are to make changes and legislate for protecting and promoting patients' rights. © 2008 International Council of Nurses