The effect of okra powder on blood glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A non-blinded randomized controlled trial

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the common medical complications during pregnancy, and a diet is the first line of treatment for it.Objectives: This study determined the effect of okra powder on the blood glucose levels of women with GDM who were on diet.Methods: This non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 women with GDM who were randomly allocated into two groups. The usual diet for gestational diabetes was taught to both groups. The intervention group also consumed 6 grams of okra skin and seed powder orally in a divided dosage twice daily for 4 weeks. Before, two and four weeks after the start of the study, fasting and 2-hour postprandial glucose (PPG) was measured. The data were analyzed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square, and Friedman test.Results: The mean baseline fasting blood sugar (FBS) did not differ significantly between the women in the intervention and control groups (P=0.954). However, mean FBS was significantly lower in the intervention group at two weeks and four weeks after the baseline (P<0.001). The mean baseline 2-hour PPG did not significantly differ between women in the intervention and control groups (P=0.955). However, the mean 2-hour PPG was significantly lower in the intervention group at two weeks and four weeks after the baseline (P<0.001).Conclusion: The okra powder was effective in reducing FBS and 2-hour PPG in women with GDM who were on diet therapy

Effect of self‐administration of medication programme on cardiovascular inpatients' medication adherence and nurses' satisfaction: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Aim To investigate the effect of self‐administration of medication programme on medication adherence in cardiovascular inpatients and nurse's satisfaction. Design Randomized clinical trial with parallel‐group design guided by the CONSORT checklist. Methods In this study, sixty cardiovascular inpatients were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to control and intervention groups, in 2018, Iran. The intervention group took responsibility for consuming their prescribed medication according to the self‐administration of medication programme and the control group took medications routinely. Medication adherence was measured one and two weeks after the discharge via telephonic follow‐up by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale MMAS‐8‐item and nurses' satisfaction by researcher‐made questioner. Result There was a higher medication adherence level in the intervention group rather than the usual care group at the follow‐up. Most nurses in the study environment were very satisfied. Conclusion The self‐administration of medication programme can effectively increase patients' medication adherence and nurses' satisfaction

Changes in the Clinical Competence of Beginner Nurses in Terms of Leadership Competencies of Theirs Head Nurses in Teaching Hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Nursing practice is highly dependent on head nurses’ effectiveness. And one of their most important missions is to maintain the continuing clinical competence of nurses in line with real professional needs .Development of nursing competence will be accomplished during the time when a newly graduated nurse moves towards being a professional nurse.  The aim of this study is to determine changes in the clinical competence of beginner nurses in terms of Leadership Competencies of theirs Head Nurses. Methods:The present study is done via cohort method; it was conducted in educational hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from 2014 to 2015. 37 nurse managers, 72 beginner nurses were chosen by census method and who in addition to 283 non-beginner nurses participated in this study. In order to assess the superiority of the head nurse, the Ezeukwu leadership empowerment tool was used. The qualifications of the nurses were evaluated in three stages: the beginning of the study, two and four months after the start of the study via self-assessment and peer-assessment using the Mortojja qualitative study questionnaire. The change in beginner nurses, clinical competency were evaluated in terms of their head nurses, leadership competencies. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 by Chi-Square‌, Fisher‌exact, ANOVA, Kruscal‌‌ Wallise, Repeated Measure, Pearson linear correlation and relative risk calculation.  Results: Average score of clinical competency of beginner nurses based on their head nurses, leadership competency in second and third evaluation stages have significant difference  (P<0/05). The Relative Risk of second stages with CI=0/92-2/13, RR=1/40, P=0/141 was no significant but relative risk of third stages with CI=1/38-2/66, RR=1/92, P<0/001 was significant. Conclusion: There was significant positive relationship between leadership competency of nurses and clinical competency of beginner nurses based on their head nurses, leadership competencies