Comparison of the conformity rate of dental age based on Demirjian and Nolla methods with chronological age in 5-16 year old children in Hamedan city

Background: Considering the different results of dental age estimation tests for different populations and lack of sufficient studies on the Iranian race, this study was designed to compare the conformity rate of Demirjian and Nolla methods in dental age estimation. Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 185 panoramic radiographs were assessed using patients' medical documents of pediatric and orthodontic departments. The maturation of each mandible left side permanent teeth except the third molars was categorized as A-H in Demirjian and 0-10 in the Nolla method. Results: The mean age of the participants was 9.6±2.8 years. For both genders, the Nolla and Demirjian methods had underestimation and overestimation, respectively, compared to chronological age. Pearson correlation coefficients for chronological age in the Nolla and Demirjian methods were (Pmale=0.982, Pfemale=0.985) and (Pmale=0.987, Pfemale=0.988), respectively. The difference between chronological age and dental age in the Nolla method ranged from -0.02 to 0.77 and -0.1 to 0.70 for boys and girls, respectively and ranged from 0.02 to 0.76 and 0.05 to 0.9 similarly in the Demirjian method. Conclusion: The Demirjian and Nolla methods are always associated with an overestimation and underestimation respectively compared to chronological age. Considering the difference between chronological age and dental age in the two methods, the average of differences in the Nolla method was lower compared to Demirjian. So, the Nolla method has more accurate estimation of chronological age. Therefore, in the present study, the Nolla method is more preferable than the Demirjian method

Development and Validation of an Instrument for Clinical Evaluation of Nursing Teachers (Student Form) in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: It is necessary for a correct evaluation to use valid instruments prepared exactly according to the study population and special field. This study aimed to determine valid and reliable criteria for clinical evaluation of nursing teacher in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: In this exploratory-descriptive study, reviewing different sites and literature, primary clinical evaluation form with 60 items based on the Likert scale was designed. Face validity of the instrument was determined based on students', teachers', and nursing and educating professors' opinions and content validity was determined based on Waltz and Bausell index. Construct validity was determined by factor analysis. Also, reliability of instrument was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half coefficient and test-re-test. Results: Factor analysis to determine construct validity created two factors: educational behaviors factor with 21 phrases, factor coefficient of 0.633-0.788 and eigenvalues of 20.059; and supportive behaviors factor with 6 phrases, factor coefficient of 0.629-0.799 and eigenvalues of 1.915. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of clinical evaluation instrument was 0.95 totally, 0.96 for factor 1 and 0.85 for factor 2. Split-half coefficient was 0.81 and total Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.77 (P > 0.001). Pearson correlation coefficient of answers to final question "what do you evaluate your teacher finally?" was 0.81 for factor 1 (P > 0.001), and 0.72 for factor 2 (P > 0.001). Conclusion: Our instrument for clinical evaluation of nursing teachers (student form) was designed with two factors: educational behaviors factor with 21 phrases and suportive behaviors factor with 6 phrases and had a high degree of validity and reliability. We suggest this instrument can be used for clinical evaluation of nursing teachers in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Keywords Validation Clinical evaluation instrument Nursing teache

Investigating of Moral Distress and Attitude to Euthanasia in the Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Background: Considering the religious and legal structures in Iran, the occurrence of euthanasia seems to be impossible; however, the attitude of nurses towards euthanasia and its related factors may also affect creating moral distress conditions for nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate of the moral distress and attitude of Adult and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (AICU/ NICU) nurses toward euthanasia. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, all the nurses working in intensive care units of Educational Hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Ahvaz city, Iran) were selected by census. Data were collected using Corley's Moral Distress Scale and Holloway’s Euthanasia Attitude Scale. Single-variable and multivariate linear regression tests were used to analyze the data and to determine the relationships between independent and dependent variables. Analyses were done using SPSS software (version 22).Results: The attitude of all nurses towards euthanasia was negative (min score=20, max score=73, mean score= 43.78±7.99). The mean Moral distress frequency and Moral distress intensify were 47.01±12.90 and 48.42±11.62, respectively (indicates moderate ethical distress). In AICU nurses, there was a significant relationship between the frequency of moral distress and the nurses’ attitudes. However, there was no significant relationship between the intensity of moral distress and the nurses’ attitudes. In NICU nurses, there was no significant relationship between the frequency of moral distress and intensity of moral distress with nurses’ attitude toward euthanasia. Conclusion: The religious and cultural conditions of the country have caused all nurses did not consider euthanasia to be acceptable under any circumstances. Further studies are needed to better understand the attitude of nurses towards euthanasia, especially with regard to the culture of Iranian society

Comparison of the conformity rate of dental age based on Demirjian and Nolla methods with chronological age in 5-16 year old children in Hamedan city

Background: Considering the different results of dental age estimation tests for different populations and lack of sufficient studies on the Iranian race, this study was designed to compare the conformity rate of Demirjian and Nolla methods in dental age estimation. Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 185 panoramic radiographs were assessed using patients' medical documents of pediatric and orthodontic departments. The maturation of each mandible left side permanent teeth except the third molars was categorized as A-H in Demirjian and 0-10 in the Nolla method. Results: The mean age of the participants was 9.6±2.8 years. For both genders, the Nolla and Demirjian methods had underestimation and overestimation, respectively, compared to chronological age. Pearson correlation coefficients for chronological age in the Nolla and Demirjian methods were (Pmale=0.982, Pfemale=0.985) and (Pmale=0.987, Pfemale=0.988), respectively. The difference between chronological age and dental age in the Nolla method ranged from -0.02 to 0.77 and -0.1 to 0.70 for boys and girls, respectively and ranged from 0.02 to 0.76 and 0.05 to 0.9 similarly in the Demirjian method. Conclusion: The Demirjian and Nolla methods are always associated with an overestimation and underestimation respectively compared to chronological age. Considering the difference between chronological age and dental age in the two methods, the average of differences in the Nolla method was lower compared to Demirjian. So, the Nolla method has more accurate estimation of chronological age. Therefore, in the present study, the Nolla method is more preferable than the Demirjian method

Nursing Students\' Self-Assessment Regarding Clinical Skills Achievement in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (2009)

Introduction: Acquiring clinical skills is an important issue in nursing education. This study aimed to determine senior nursing students’ opinion toward their achievement level of clinical skills in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2008-2009 academic years.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, sixty students who were selected by census from those who were passing the last semester of the Nursing BSc program. Data collecting tool was a questionnaire on ordinal scale. It included 190 items on clinical skills regarding medical-surgical nursing in areas of caring patients with common medical–surgical diseases, nursing (care) procedures, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, care before, during, and after diagnostic procedures, recording, medication administration, working with therapeutics equipments, and students' demographic information. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistical analysis.Results: Most students believed that clinical skills of medical surgical nursing were 18.3%, 63.3%, 18.3% respectively as excellent, good, and average. Total mean score of clinical skills was 365.51±79.08 out of 570 and was reported as good. The best clinical competence reported to be in medication administration and nursing procedures, and the lowest competence reported to be in care before, during and after diagnostic procedures.Conclusion: Most students reported their own clinical skills of medical surgical nursing as excellent and good. Since in some areas clinical skills reported as moderate to poor, or in some cases as not performed, it seems that an accurate evaluation of students’ clinical performance prior to graduation is highly needed. Clinical training programs also should be revised along with putting emphasis on its strength points