Coping strategies in renal transplants recipients: A qualitative study

Introduction: Renal transplantation is considered as the first and the most effective approach of alternative treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although receiving transplant can improve the quality of life, it may also cause new challenges and anxieties in recipients. To be adopted with new challenges, patients have to follow coping strategies. This study aimed to deeply understand the coping strategies used by those undergone renal transplantation to adopt with challenges emerged from that. Method: 11 in-depth semi-structured interviews were done to follow the aim of the study. The age of participants ranged between 18 and 57 years with mean average of 37 years. A purposive sampling was used to emerge statured data, codes and themes. Using content analysis inspired by Graneheim and Lundman, all interviews analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed ten subthemes that finally categories into four themes including: focus on spirituality, developing self-management and empowerment, improvement of self-reflective practice, and reality acceptance. Conclusion: Although it is not possible to say that each coping strategy is used in a specific time schedule, but it seems that in each step, patients are more likely to use a specific coping strategy. Therefore, if nurses and family members are aware of this process, they would be better perceiving the reasons behind renal transplant recipient behaviors. We suggest providing relevant education program for them. This consequently enables family members and care team to have an active role in supporting tranplant recipients. Keywords: Coping strategies, renal transplantation, renal transplantation recipient, content analysi

The Effect of Music Therapy on Anxiety and Vital Signs of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Study in the Cardiac Care Unit of Vali-Asr Hospital, Eghlid, Iran

Background: Acute coronary syndrome is an emergency situation, characterized by a sudden decrease of blood flow to the heart and chest pain during a heart attack or unstable angina. High levels of anxiety increases mortality risk up to three times. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music therapy on anxiety level and vital signs of patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted in the coronary care unit of Vali- Asr hospital, in Eghlid city. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 70 acute coronary syndrome patients who were eligible for the study during 2011-2012. Anxiety level was measured by the standard Spielberger Questionnaire and vital signs of patients were recorded before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed through SPSS18 and using mean, percentage, standard deviation, independent and paired t- test. Results: Music had no effect on vital signs but significantly reduced anxiety level (P=0.049). Anxiety was significantly higher in females, but showed no significant relationship with age and education. There was no significant relationship between age, sex and education with respiratory rate, heart rate and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Music as an easy and low cost intervention without any complication can be used to reduce anxiety in patients in Coronary Care Units

Effects of empowerment program on attitude toward disease in patients with diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease that produces serious incapacitating complications and education has an important role to successful control of it. Reviews of literature show perform of empowerment programs for activating patients in their self care roles are inadequate, so these kinds of survey are essential. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of empowerment program on attitude toward disease in type 1 diabetes patients. Method: In this semi-experimental research, subjects consist of 40 type 1 diabetes patients that randomly divided into two equal intervention and control groups. Diabetes empowerment scale were used for data collection, both of groups completed the questionnaires. Then empowerment program during six, 90 minutes sessions were held for intervention group. Six weeks after intervention both of groups completed the questionnaires again. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: Finding showed no significant difference in attitude toward disease before the intervention. (p>0.05) but after the intervention, positive changes had been created in intervention group (p=0.000). Conclusion: Implementation of empowerment program had significant effects on attitude toward disease for type 1 diabetes patients, and caused positive changes in total scale of attitude toward disease and patient’s autonomy subscale, so implementation of similar programs can improve attitude toward disease and therefore accept responsibility by patient, and finally can improve patient’s health status. Keywords: Empowerment program, Attitude toward disease, Type 1 Diabete

Cigarette smoking Prevalence and causes among students of Kerman universities

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is one important worldwide healthily dilemma، especially in students of universities. Hence identification of tendency factors is very effective in order to prevention of tobacco consumption. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of tendency to cigarette smoking and its reasons among universities students. Method: In a descriptive cross-sectional study، 460 male students responded to researcher made questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and SPSS software. Results: 52/8% of students were experienced cigarette smoking and 12/1% (n = 56) were permanent smokers، 54/4% initiated at under 20 age for cigarette smoking. important factors with tendency to cigarette smoking were : suggestion of others، to acquire experience and comfortable، encourage of friends and others، bigness sense and beauty، and obstinacy against parents. Conclusion: cigarette smoking rate among students of present study was lower than other studying، but in attention to 52/8% them were experienced cigarette smoking and average age of onset smoking was under 20 age، hence، we recommended educational programs for adolescents، having relationship with perfect persons، to select suitable patterns from no smoking behaviors، comfortable facilities، and consultation to students in order to decrease prevalence of smoking. Keywords: Cigarette, Tendency Factors to Cigarette Smoking, Student

Study of T-cell subsets, B and NK cells in Iranian patients with Behcet's disease by monoclonal antibodies

Behcet disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease of the unknown etiology. There is however, some evidence to suggest that immunological abnormalities are important in its pathogenesis, furthermore several T-cell abnormalities which may be quite relevant to autoimmune origin of the disease have been described. We report here our study of T-cell subsets, B and NK cells in 68 patients with BD in comparison to 30 normal controls, by monoclonal antibodies against CD3 (pan T-cell), CD4 (Helper) CD8 (Suppressor/cytotoxic), CD22 (B-cell) and CD16 (NK-cell) markers. The results show the increase (P=0.008) of T (CD3), T (CD4) (P<0.000001) and decrease of T (CD8) (P<0.000001) and reduction in ratio of CD4/CD8 cells (P<0.000001), but any alteration in B and NK cells number were not seen. In patients with BD 69.8% negative PPD test and above results suggests that the cellular immunity in these patients is anergic, which may be an important etiological factor

Exploring the experiences of Iranian adolescent mothers about the maternal role: a qualitative study

Background: Early motherhood is one of the most important issues in developing countries. Adolescent mothers are not sufficiently prepared to accept the maternal role. How to achieve success in the maternal role should be studied. Objective: To explore the experiences of Iranian adolescent mothers about the maternal role. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through a conventional content analysis approach from March to December 2016. Face to face in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 Iranian teenage mothers in Kerman province, Iran. Participants were selected purposefully and with maximum variation of the age of the first birth, child's age, place of residence and financial status. Data collection continued until data saturation and MAXQDA software was utilized to analyze the collected data. Results: Data analysis resulted in the extraction of the two main categories including optimizing the process of the maternal experience (use of maximum individual capabilities, planning and management of conditions, efforts to acquire maternal competency, and reliance on spirituality) and supporters for the acceptance of the maternal role (social support, professional services of health care providers, time lapse, care history). Conclusion: Early motherhood is not merely an unpleasant experience; if appropriate strategies and facilitators are used, it can have positive consequences. Health care providers should provide satisfactory services in care, education and support with adequate knowledge of adolescent characteristics. Opportunities in the community should also be directed to support this vulnerable group

Exploring the Challenges of Adolescent Mothers From Their Life Experiences in the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study

Objective: Early motherhood and its impact on mothers, children, families and communities is a prevalent health challenge in developing countries that needs to be urgently explored. The aim of this study was exploring the challenges encountered by Iranian adolescent mothers during the transition to motherhood. Materials and methods: Inductive conventional content analysis approach was used in this qualitative study. Face to face in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 Iranian teenage mothers in the Kerman province of Iran from March to December2016. Data collection continued until the point of data saturation and MAXQDA software was utilized in the analysis of the data. Results: Six main categories increasing burden of responsibility, experiencing physical problems, receiving insufficient support, inefficiency in maternal role, emotional and mental distress; and role conflict and 18 sub-categories were extracted from the data analysis. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that adolescent mothers experience many physical, psychological, mental and social challenges. Therefore, it is expedient that special attention and care support is made available to them by health care providers. A comprehensive understanding of the challenges encountered by adolescent mothers, will aid the development of culturally appropriate health promotion guidelines and strategie