Journal of Client-Centered Nursing Care
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Winter 2015

Pregnancy is often followed by considerable physical and physiologic changes which might lead to some fluctuations in sexual activity and satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction during pregnancy has been shown to affect emotional state and marital relations. In this study, we intend to evaluate sexual satisfaction of Iranian primigravid women and determine the factors that might have an impact on it. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out among primigravid women attending an antenatal clinic of a university hospital in Tehran. Socio-demographic data, pregnancy items and women’s concerns about and knowledge of sexual activity during pregnancy were gathered using a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. Sexual satisfaction was evaluated using the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) designed by Hudson (1992). Data were analyzed using SPSS. A total of 230 pregnant women completed the questionnaire. The mean score for sexual satisfaction of the participants was 133.6±11.2 (range: 109-153). Age and the level of educational qualifications of the participants and their partners, their occupation, the length of marriage, and information received about sexual activity during pregnancy from health care providers were found to have a significantly positive correlation with the degree of sexual satisfaction of the pregnant women; whereas unwanted pregnancy, experiencing common pregnancy complications, and having concerns about and fears of complications due to sexual activity during pregnancy were negatively correlated with sexual satisfaction.. The findings of the present study suggest that sexual satisfaction during pregnancy is influenced by several factors including socio-demographic features and, most importantly pregnancy sex education received from a reliable source, i.e., health care providers. Counseling sessions especially regarding pregnancy-related sexual problems during antenatal care visits are highly recommended.

In this clinical trial, we examined whether or not expressive writing as a psychological intervention reduces psychological distress in vitiligo patients receiving phototherapy. A total of 139 adult vitiligo patients were asked to complete the GHQ-28 in order to identify their psychiatric disturbances. The GHQ-28 scores showed that 78 patients (56.5%) had psychiatric distress. They were later enrolled in this randomized controlled trial conducted during June 2009 until Dec 2009 at Razi Hospital in Tehran. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A underwent the routine treatment protocol. Group B did the same, but they were also instructed to practice ‘expressive writing’. The intervention continued 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, patients in both groups were re-evaluated using the GHQ-28. The overall GHQ-28 scores and sub-scores were significantly reduced in both groups A (47.9+/-11.71, P = 0.000) and B (48.94+/-10.69, P = 0.000) after 4 weeks of intervention. However, no statistically significance difference was found between the two groups in terms of their overall scores (P = 0.7) and their sub-scores. The effect of expressive writing on reducing psychological distress in patients with vitiligo remains equivocal. Nonetheless, further studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration especially in non-western cultural contexts are recommended.

It appears that the incidence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is higher in diabetic women than in non-diabetic women. The current study was, therefore, conducted to determine the frequency and hygiene risk factors for UTI among women with type 2 diabetes. In this cross-sectional study, based on the presence or absence of UTI symptoms and the results of urine cultures, 511 non-pregnant women with type 2 diabetes were divided into 2 groups, i.e., those who had symptomatic UTI (Group A) and those who had asymptomatic UTI (Group B). Further, the personal hygiene risk factors associated with symptomatic or asymptomatic UTI were investigated. The incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic UTI among participants was found to be 6.2% and 1.8%, respectively. Of the variables examined, only the patient’s age and urinary frequency were significantly associated with the incidence of UTI. The present study revealed that the incidence rate of UTI among diabetic and nondiabetic women was almost the same. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that frequent urination was the only hygiene factor associated with an increased risk of UTI among women with type 2 diabetes.

Since hand hygiene is a key strategy for infection control, considering appropriate instrument for evaluating health care providers’ hand hygiene is essential. In this study, translation process and evaluating reliability and validity of hand hygiene questionnaire (HHQ) is described. HHQ was translated into Persian with combined method. In this cross-sectional study, the questionnaire was given to 60 nursing students in sixth semester. The internal consistency, test-re-test reliability, convergent construct validity of the questionnaire were measured. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, 16th version. The cronbach’s alpha of HHQ was 0.80. Intra class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.70-0.85 and standard error of measurement was low. There were no significant statistical differences between test and retest. Also convergent construct validity of HHQ was optimal. The results indicated that validity and reliability of HHQ-Persian version were appropriate and satisfactory. It can be used for nursing students; however, for other health care providers further evaluation is essential.

This study has been conducted to investigate the effect of family-centered support program on satisfaction of the family members of patients in intensive care unit. Hospitalization of patient in intensive care unit causes crisis in family. It is very important to pay attention to the role of patient’s family in support and care of patients in intensive care unit, to pay attention to fulfillment of the family’s needs in order to increase their satisfaction. This study was a quasi-experimental study with control group. 76 family members of the patients hospitalized in medical and surgical intensive care units were recruited through purposeful sampling method and were divided in two groups (control and trial with 38 people in each groups). In the control group, action was taken according to routine way of the unit and in trial group, intervention was conducted within three days in three dimensions of support, information and reassurance. In the fourth day, satisfaction was measured using Family Satisfaction Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU) questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation of the satisfaction with care in the control and trial groups were 37.78(18.36) and 69.26(8.39), respectively, mean and standard deviation of satisfaction in information and decision-making domains were 25.65(17.48) and 61.84(12.21) and total satisfaction score were 32.73(16.92) and 66.17(9.07), respectively. These scores indicated significant increase of satisfaction after intervention (p< 0.001). This research showed that information, emotional support and reassurance of the family of patients in intensive care unit has considerable effect on increase of their satisfaction. It is suggested to educate intensive care nurses and other health care personnel about psychosocial and behavioral skills to support family members during hospitalization of their patients in intensive care unit.

The unplanned departure of endotracheal tube is one of the main complications for endotracheal intubation. In addition to endotracheal extubation, its movement can also lead to damage to the oral cavity. Stabilizing endotracheal tube is the most important factor that can prevent unplanned departure of endotracheal tube as well as its movement. The current study was done with the aim of determining and comparing the effect of stabilizing endotracheal tube by a holder with routine method on quality of airway care in patients hospitalized in ICU. This study was a clinical and quasi-experimental trial with a control group which was done on 100 patients having endotracheal tube attached to mechanical ventilation by a holder. The samples were selected randomly from patients hospitalized in ICU in Hazrat Rasoul Akram hospital. The samples were then divided into control group and test group. At the end of the study, the homogeneous samples were selected and studied. The endotracheal tube was stabilized by a holder in test group and by a routine method (gauze) in control group. The quality of managing airway was studied through 3 frequency indices: endotracheal tube extubation, frequency of linear movement of endotracheal tube, damage to oral mucosa. For the first two indices a self-designed tool was used and a modified version of Oral Assessment guide was used for the oral trauma assessment. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, qui square test and independent t-test by SPSS version 17. The findings showed no significant statistical difference in frequency index of endotracheal extubation. Linear movement of endotracheal tube was lower in test group compared to control group. There was no significant difference regarding oral trauma in both groups. A difference was observed in both groups in comparing scores before and after using two methods in “lips” and “Gingiva”. According to the results of this study, it was indicated that using ETT holder for stabilizing endotracheal tube compared to routine method only has preference in movement of endotracheal tube on quality of airway management. While applying methods of stabilizing endotracheal tube, it should be noted that not only type of stabilizing, but also other nursing cares from patients in ICU can affect quality of airway management. Therefore, it is recommended to do further studies on other factors inflencing airway management.

Approximately 12.3 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. Breast cancer is accompanied by alternation in body image and worries about sexual attractiveness. Thus, sexual life of breast cancer survivor’s needs special attention. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of breast cancer on women’s sexual function. In this case-control study, 30 women who referred to surgical departments of breast cancer and 30 healthy women in Shiraz, Iran were selected through purposive sampling. These women underwent treatment during two months. The study data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire based on DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria which evaluated the women’s sexual dysfunctions. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (version 16) and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Two groups were matched according to age, education level, occupation, number of treatments for breast cancer, types of treatment and menopausal age (P > 0.05). The results indicated that sexual desire disorder, sexual arousal disorder, and orgasmic disorder were more prevalent in the case group compared to the control group (P<0.05). In contrast, sexual pain disorder and aversion disorder were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the sex-related imagination and fantasizing (P=0.007), lubrication, orgasm, and remaining aroused (P<0.05). The study results revealed no significant relationship between type of surgery and sexual dysfunction. Whereas, a significant relationship was observed between years after treatment and sexual dysfunction. Our findings show that breast cancer adversely affects women’s sexual function. It is highly recommended to pay attention to the sexual aspect of the women with breast cancer using couple therapy.