فهرست مطالب mahnaz ghaljeh

Background & Aims :

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses working in psychiatric departments were also involved, which affected their mental health. The present study aims to determine the effect of psychological immunization on perceived stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19 in nurses working in the psychiatry department of a hospital in Zahedan, Iran.

Materials & Methods:

 This is a quasi-experimental study that was conducted from February to June 2022. Participants were 50 nurses from the psychiatry department of Baharan Hospital in Zahedan city who were selected by a census method, and were assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection tools included a demographic form, the perceived stress scale, and the corona disease anxiety scale. The psychological immunization was provided in two four-hour workshops. Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 16 using mean, standard deviation and chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Fisher’s exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results :

Most of the nurses had an infection with COVID-19 and were vaccinated. The mean and score of anxiety decreased from 11.96±10.05 to 8.12±6.92 in the intervention group (P=0.004) and decreased from 11.84±10.26 to 8.40±6.51 in the control group (P=0.07). The mean score of perceived stress changed from 27.45±5.56 to 27.20±4.20 after intervention in the intervention group (P=0.8) and from 27.48±4.71 to 28.32±4.87 in the control group (P=0.43).

Conclusion:

 The psychological immunization program has no significant effect on anxiety and stress caused by COVID-19 in nurses of psychiatric departments in Zahedan, Iran. It is recommended that psychiatric hospital managers should pay attention to the psychological problems of nurses at the beginning of the pandemic.

Fatigue and pain are of the most common symptoms in dialysis patients affecting their quality of life (QoL). One of the methods to reduce pain and fatigue is the use of complementary therapies.

This study was performed aimed to determine the impact of progressive muscle relaxation on fatigue, pain and QoL of dialysis patients.

This clinical trial study was performed on 60 patients undergoing dialysis in Zahedan, Iran, 2021. The subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups (n=30 in each group). Data collection tools included a demographic form, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), pain visual scale, dialysis quality of life questionnaire (KDQOL-SF), and a self-control checklist. In the intervention group, a progressive muscular relaxation was done in three training sessions for an hour by the researcher. The intervention group was asked to perform relaxation technique at home twice a day for 12 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 21). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean scores of fatigue, pain, QoL and its dimensions showed no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05). However, three months after progressive muscle relaxation technique, the two groups were significantly different in terms of the mean scores of fatigue, pain, and QoL (P<0.05).

Implications for Practice: 

The implementation of the relaxation technique reduces fatigue and pain and develops QoL of dialysis patients. Progressive muscle relaxation technique is recommended to be used as an intervention in nursing care.

Computer games have often been considered to have a negative impact on children’s sleep. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of distance teaching for mothers on the sleep habits related to computer games among the primary school boys living in Zahedan, Iran, during 2020. The present quasi-experimental study was carried out on the primary school students. 144 male students were randomly selected in two groups of intervention and control. Data collection tools included the Child Sleep Habits and demographic information Questionnaires. If the student was in the intervention group, before the intervention, the researcher held a face-to-face meeting with his mother to complete the questionnaire. Then, I created a group for mothers in Telegram and WhatsApp. The intervention was conducted in 4 weeks, during which the researcher sent the educational texts and videos to the students’ mothers, three times a week. Eight weeks later, the Sleep Habits Questionnaire was completed by the mothers. If the student was assigned to the control group, the demographic information and Sleep Habits Questionnaires were completed by the mothers, as the pre-test. No intervention was made for this group; and the post-test was completed after 8 weeks by the mothers. Data analysis was performed through IBM SPS. The results revealed that the mean and standard deviation of the sleep habits score and its dimensions were not significantly different in the intervention and control groups (P>0.05) before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the sleep habits score and its dimensions showed significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Maintaining the physical and mental health of students is an important responsibility of pediatric nurses and parents. It is suggested that teaching sleep habits to mothers should be considered.

Epidemiological changes over time have made chronic diseases increasingly important. Hypertension is also known as a chronic disease. The high prevalence of hypertension worldwide has made the disease a major health problem in communities. Spiritual health has been proposed as one of the health indicators and also as one of the predictors of self-care in chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual health and adherence to treatment regimen in patients with hypertension.

In this descriptive correlational study, 121 patients with hypertension were selected by continuous sampling method from cardiac clinics affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through demographic information form and validated spiritual health questionnaires Ellison, Paloutzian (1982) and Hil-Bone (2000) diet adherence. For data analysis, SPSS software version 16 and statistical tests of Spearman, independent t-test, Chi-square and analysis of variance were used.

The results of this study show that there is a negative and significant relationship between spiritual health and adherence to treatment regimen in patients with hypertension (p = 0.001 and r = -0.05).

As spiritual health increases, adherence to the treatment regimen in patients with hypertension decreases. Having spiritual health for this group of patient’s leads to less adherence to the treatment regimen.

The growing trend of substance use among students is a serious threat for the health of young adults. Using Network Scale-up (NSU) method.

The present study was designed to indirectly estimate the prevalence of substance use among students of medical science universities in the eighth macro-region of Iran to attract government attention to this problem.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 3,900 students from medical science universities in the eighth macro-region of Iran (2300 from Kerman and 1600 from Sistan and Baluchestan provinces) in 2019. The sample size of each university was determined using a multistage non-random sampling approach. The participants were asked to introduce their academic close friends who did high-risk behaviors during last year.

Out of 3,900 participants, 1,872 (48%) were males and 2,028 (52%) were females. Students from all academic degrees contributed to this study. The prevalence of alcohol, marijuana, hemp, chewing tobacco, tramadol, methylphenidate, and opium use were 20.6% (95% CI: 19.3 - 21.9), 13.5% (CI: 12.4 - 14.5), 4.1% (CI: 3.5 - 4.7), 6.3% (CI: 5.5 - 7.1), 3.1% (CI: 2.6 - 3.7), 6.5% (CI: 5.7 - 7.3), and 4.0% (CI: 3.1 - 4.9), respectively. Also, the prevalence of substance use was higher among male students than females.

Male students are more at risk for substance use. The rates of alcohol and marijuana consumption were higher among students. Training programs are recommended to increase awareness level of young people and the society about disadvantages of these behaviors.

Pre-hospital emergencies are one of the most stressful medical professions. Stressful jobs affect employees’ resilience and their ability to control anger. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of psycho-education on the level of anger and resilience among pre-hospital emergency staff.

In this quasi-experimental study, 120 people employed in urban and road centers in Zahedan were included through the convenience sampling method. To determine the intervention and control group, out of 24 available centers, 12 centers were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 12 centers to the control group. First, a demographic information form and the self-reported anger and resilience questionnaires were completed by both groups. Then, the intervention group participated in five sessions of psycho-education in groups of 8-12 people. The questionnaires were completed again by both groups two months after the intervention. Data was analyzed by the SPSS software version 16 using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, independent t-test and paired t-test).

The results of independent t-test showed no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of resilience score among pre-hospital emergency staff between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P=0.492), but after the intervention the difference was significant (P=0.009). Also, the results of independent t-test showed no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of anger control score among pre-hospital emergency staff between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P=0.672), but after the intervention, mean and standard deviation of anger control score in the intervention group were significantly higher than those of in the control group (P<0.001).

The present study showed that psycho-education improved the resilience of emergency workers, and the employees were able to control their anger by enhancing resilience. It is suggested that in-service training programs for pre-hospital emergency staff include a psycho-education program to enhance resilience and control anger in those who face many stressful situations.

Evaluating clinical performance is a challenge in nursing education. On the other hand, a single evaluation method cannot be used to judge different areas of interpersonal skills. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the evaluation of teachers’, peer, and self‑evaluation of nursing students in the psychiatric ward of Baharan Hospital affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.

In this analytical cross‑sectional study, forty trainee students were selected by a census method in a time period and they were evaluated by three methods including self‑, peer, and teachers’ evaluation. Their clinical skills were assessed using a school‑based clinical evaluation questionnaire containing 15 questions in the areas of taking history, examination of psychiatric health, and the ability to communicate with the patient. The analyses were performed by SPSS‑22 software.

The mean and standard deviation of the evaluation scores of clinical teachers as well as peer and self‑evaluation in the areas of taking patient’s history were 13.82 ± 2.74, 14.46 ± 2.68, and 15.75 ± 2.56, respectively. In addition, the outcomes in the areas of psychiatric examination were 8.11 ± 1.54, 9.25 ± 2.70, and 10.43 ± 2.65 and in the areas of clinical communication were 8.93 ± 2.03, 9.04 ± 2.25, and 10.21 ± 1.98, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the mean of teachers’ evaluation and self‑evaluation scores (P = 0.003) as well as comparing peer and self‑evaluation (P = 0.048). However, no significant correlation was observed between teachers’ and peer evaluation (P = 0.062).

Due to the difference in scores of different methods of evaluation, self‑ and peer evaluation can be used as a complementary method with teachers’ evaluation in measuring the clinical performance of clinical students.

Nephrotic syndrome is a common disorder in pediatrics that is associated with glomerular disorders. Children with nephrotic syndrome experience frequent hospitalizations which affects the quality of life of the patient and family. This study conducted to investigate the effectiveness of self-care education on the quality of life in children with nephrotic syndrome.

This quasi-experimental study was performed in the pediatric ward of Ali Ebn Abitalib Hospital in Zahedan in 2018. 96 school-age children with Nephrotic Syndrome were selected by convenience sampling and as simply random with lottery method divided into two groups:  intervention (n = 48), and control (n = 48) groups. In the intervention group, self-care education was held for 4 sessions (30-45 min) for 4 days. Eight weeks after training, quality of life assessed. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds QL 4.0) used. T-test and SPSS v.21 were used for data analysis.

The mean of quality of life in the intervention group after the intervention (56.02±192.28) was higher than before the intervention (51.73±164.70) (P <0.05).  The mean of quality of life after the intervention was significantly different between the two groups intervention and control groups (P <0.05).

The results suggest that self-care education effected on quality of life, therefore we propose that nurses can use self- care education as a cost-effective and acceptable method for children with nephrotic syndrome.

Major thalassemia has a significant impact on the personal performance and life of the affected person and leads to reduced quality of life (QoL) of the patient. One of the ways to improve quality of life is to use the Continuous Care Model (CCM).

This study aimed to determine the impact of CCM on the QoL of patients with thalassemia major.

A clinical trial was performed with 60 thalassemia patients referring to Aliasghar Hospital in Zahedan, Iran. Eligible candidates were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups (n=30 each). Data collection tools included a demographic form, the quality of life questionnaire the brief version of the World Health Organization's QoL, and a self-control checklist. The intervention was performed in six training sessions three times a week in the presence of the patient and a family member; however, the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 21).

The mean scores of QoL and its dimensions showed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P>0.05); nevertheless, a significant difference was observed one and three months after the implementation of the model regarding (P<0.05). Implications for Practice: The finding indicated that the CCM improved the QoL of patients with major thalassemia. The model can be suggested as an intervention in nursing care to increase patients’ QoL.

Background:

 Children with Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) experience frequent hospitalizations, and readmission affects the quality of life of the patient and family. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of family- center education on quality of life and readmission in children with nephrotic syndrome.

This quasi-experimental study was performed in two groups the pediatric ward of Ali Ebn Abitalib Hospital, Zahedan, Iran, in 2018. Ninety-six children with Nephrotic Syndrome were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly into two groups:  intervention (n = 48) and control (n = 48) groups. In the intervention group, family-centered education was held for 4 sessions. Eight weeks after training, readmission and quality of life were assessed. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0), and demographic information were used before and after intervention.

The mean age of children with NS in the intervention group was (8.06 ±2.10), and in the control group it was (8.58 ± 2.87) (P>0.05). The mean of quality of life in the intervention group after the intervention (56.02 ±192.28) was significantly higher than before the intervention (51.73 ± 164.71) (p <0.001, t= 7.54). The mean of quality of life after intervention was significantly different between the intervention and control groups (P= 0.03, t= -3.03). There was also a significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean readmission (P < 0.001). 

Conclusion:

The results suggest that family-centered education effected on quality of life and readmission; so we propose that nurses can use family-centered education as a cost-effective and acceptable method for families of children with chronic illness.

Decreased level of consciousness is one of the life-threatening complications associated with brain injuries. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of auditory and tactile stimulation by a family member on patients’ consciousness level.

Methods & Materials: 

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 comatose patients with traumatic brain injury hospitalized in the intensive care units of Zahedan educational hospitals in 2019. Samples were selected by the convenience sampling methods and then randomly divided into experimental or control groups. Data collection tool included a demographic information questionnaire, and FOUR criteria for the level of awareness. For the experimental group, the intervention including auditory and tactile stimulation was performed by a family member for 10 minutes for seven consecutive days. The control group received routine interventions. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, analysis of covariance, chi-square and repeated measures ANOVA) were used through the SPSS software version 21.

The results indicated no significant differences in the level of consciousness between the two groups on the first and fourth days. Yet, independent t-test, analysis of covariance and repeated measures ANOVA showed that the intervention group had significantly a higher level of consciousness on the fifth, sixth and seventh days compared to the control group (P<0.001).

Findings showed that auditory and tactile stimulation by a family member is effective in increasing the level of consciousness in comatose patients with brain injury. So, this technique is recommended as an intervention in nursing care to increase the consciousness level in these patients.

Family caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders experience a great deal of psychological burden. Various interventions have been performed to reduce the psychological problems and psychological burden of caregivers. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a psychoeducational intervention and quality of life therapy on the psychological burden of family caregivers of patients with severe mental illness.

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 150 family caregivers of severely mentally ill patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Zahedan, Iran, in 2020. Caregivers randomly were allocated in three groups: quality of life therapy intervention (50 people), psycho-education intervention (50 people) and control group (50 people). The quality of life therapy intervention group received 8 sessions and psycho-education group received four sessions training during two weeks each lasting for 90 minutes. The psychological burden of caregivers was assessed before and 4 weeks after the training through using the Zarit burden questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22 using paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square and ANOVA.

The mean score of psychological burden of caregivers was significantly different between the three groups after the intervention (P = 0.002). Post hoc analysis showed that the mean score of psychological burden of caregivers in quality of life therapy group and psychological education was significantly different from the control group (P = 0.001). Also, the mean score of psychological burden of caregivers in quality of life therapy was significantly less than the score in psychological educational intervention group (P = 0.001).

Quality of life therapy was more effective in reducing the psychological burden of family caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders compared to psychological educational intervention.

 Providing high-quality nursing care is the vision of healthcare systems. Several factors contribute to providing high-quality care, which many of them need further investigation. In this line, qualitative research that helps researchers to access the thoughts and feelings of participants can play an important role in identifying care challenges.

 Therefore, this study aimed to identify nurses’ concerns about the nursing care quality process in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

 In this study, a conventional content analysis was used for data analyses. Data were collected by unstructured interviews with 10 ICU nurses. Participants were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The sampling continued upon reaching data saturation.

 In total 290 codes were extracted, that using analysis and compare were categorized into three 3 main categories: "care barriers ", "motivational barriers ", and "management barriers ". Twelve sub categories were also extracted, including: "high workload", "not considering the educational needs", "not considering the work standards", "out of duty cares", "ward's bad structure", "personal motivation shortage", "poor work motivation", "personal and organizational motivation interference", "rules without work support", "work inconsistency in the ward", "keeping the position", and "inefficient communications between nurses and physicians".

 In this study, barriers to nursing high-quality care and its related motivational and managerial dimensions were investigated. In other words, the present study identified barriers in different dimensions, and by identifying the effective factors in providing quality care has facilitated the implementation of measures to address the problems.

 Agitation in mechanically ventilated patients with decreased consciousness is a challenge in the ICU and a threat to the process of mechanical ventilation. On the other hand, controlling agitation through medication and imposing physical limitations is associated with a number of undesirable side effects.

 This study aimed to determine the effect of auditory and tactile stimulation by a family member on the level of agitation in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and decreased consciousness.

 This quasi-experimental study was performed on 80 TBI patients with decreased consciousness who were admitted to the ICU of two teaching hospitals in southeastern Iran in 2019. Qualified patients were selected by convenience sampling and then randomized into the intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. Data collection tools included a demographic form and the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS). For patients in the intervention group, the researcher first completed the demographic form and the RASS. Then, they underwent the experiment, which consisted of auditory and sensory stimulation by a family member for 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the agitation level was measured again. This experiment was performed for seven consecutive days between 16:00 and 18:00 o’clock. Patients in the control group, however, did not receive any intervention other than routine care in the ICU. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 21 by using descriptive statistical tests and independent t-test, paired t-test, [analysis of] covariance, and chi-square test at the significance level of P < 0.05.

 The results indicated no significant difference in the level of agitation in the intervention and control groups between the first and fifth days; however, independent t-tests and analysis of covariance revealed that the patients who received auditory and tactile stimulation on the sixth and seventh days experienced significantly lower levels of agitation than the control group (P < 0.01).

 Auditory and tactile stimulation by family members is effective in decreasing the agitation of TBI patients with decreased consciousness. Therefore, it is suggested as a helpful intervention in nursing care programs.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating condition. Those with COPD often complain about fatigue, which can negatively affect activities of daily living, and consequently, the quality of life (QoL).

This study aimed at determining the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue and QoL in patients with COPD.

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 40 eligible patients with COPD admitted to two teaching hospitals in Zahedan in 2018 - 2019. The subjects were randomized into the experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups based on convenience sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, St George’s Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Multidimensional Fatigue inventory (MFI). The QoL and fatigue in both groups were initially measured through interviews. For three consecutive days, patients in the experimental group received three 30-45-min face-to-face training sessions. The pulmonary rehabilitation program was conducted on patients’ bedsides and included theoretical and practical dimensions. Additionally, after necessary coordination with the patients and their families, a summary session was held at patients’ homes. The control group received no training, except for routine care. At the end of the eighth week, the researchers made telephone contact with the two groups (patients or their families) and visited them at their home to complete the SGRQ and MFI. Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-squared test) at the significance level of less than 0.05.

The mean score of changes in QoL was 21.75 ± 7.06 in the experimental group and -1.93 ± 4.70 in the control group. The results of the paired t-test indicated that the mean score of QoL in the experimental group in the post-test was significantly different compared with the baseline (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean score of changes in fatigue was 35.65 ± 7.12 in the experimental group and 3.25 ± 144 in the control group. In this regard, the paired t-test results showed that the mean fatigue score of patients in the experimental group in the post-test was significantly different compared with the baseline (P = 0.001).

Pulmonary rehabilitation program reduced fatigue and improved QoL in patients with COPD. Therefore, it is suggested to consider this program in the care plan of these people.

Stress and burnout are among the challenges that nurses face, and the proper use of time can lead to its reduction. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of time management training on stress and job burnout among nurses in hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.

This was a quasi-experimental study which were conducted sampling 120 nurses, using a convenience sampling method. Intervention group samples were selected from Imam Ali hospital and the control group from Khatam al-Anbia hospital in Zahedan. Data were collected through demographic, ENSS job stress, and Maslach burnout questionnaires. In the interventional group, after completing the questionnaires, time management training was conducted in four sessions by two groups of 30 people per week for 90 minutes. This intervention included lectures using educational aids and PowerPoint for eight weeks.  After the final time management training session, the burnout and stress questionnaires were again completed in the intervention group and the control group. Data were analyzed through Independent and paired t-test, and chi-square.

Findings showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of job stress scores after time management training in the intervention and control groups (P> 0.001). Mean changes in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and personal achievement of burnout after time management training were significantly different between the intervention and control groups (P < 0. 001).

Given the importance of time management in nursing, nurse managers should hold in service time management training courses for their employees, nurses.

The outcomes of hospitalization anxiety are mental health disorders. One of the methods of anxiety reduction is massage, which can cause reduction of pain and changes in physiological parameters.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on hospitalization anxiety and physiological parameters in school-age children.
This clinical trial study included 80 school-aged children from Ali Ebne Abi Taleb hospital, located in Zahedan, who were selected using sequential sampling and randomly divided into two groups: a massage group (40) and a control group (40). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the state-trait anxiety inventory for children (STAIC). Subjects in the massage group received SSBM, using sesame oil, for 3 days. Massage was given three times a day, and each massage session lasted for 15 - 20 minutes. Physiological parameters and hospitalization anxiety were determined from the second to fifth days. T-test and Chi-square were used for analysis data.
There was a statistically significant difference (P The results suggest that massage reduced hospitalization anxiety, PR, and BP. Therefore, we propose that nurses can use massage to reduce anxiety in school-age children in hospital. This method has no side-effects and is easily applicable.

Low back pain is a common complaint in different communities. Low back pain has negative effects on different aspects of the life. Different methods has been used for reduction effects. Foot reflexology causes pain reduction. This study has been conducted to examines effect of foot reflexology on pain intensity in patients with low back pain.

in this quasi- experimental study and 3 groups، 150 men with low back pain visited to Baghiatallah hospital in Tehran، First were selected by purposive sampling and then they with random allocation method had been divided into three groups: Experimental (foot reflexology was applied in real points once a week for three weeks)، placebo (sham foot reflexology was applied low pressure in all points once a week for three weeks) and control (without any intervention). Date was collected by demographic questionnaire، Visual Analog Scale a nd Short Form Mc-Gill Questionnaire. For analyzing of data Spss 18، univariance and q square have been used.

The results of study with univariance showed that pain is reduced between three groups after intervention (p<0. 001). Foot reflexology massage caused reduction in pain intensity in patients by low back pain

In the end، the study showed foot reflexology massage has effect on reducing pain intensity. So it is suggested for nurses to use foot reflexology for reducing pain in patients with low back pain.

Nurses are vulnerable to various sleep disorders because of the nature of their job. If nurses do not experience a good general health, they will not be able to do their job (patient care) well. We conducted a descriptive-comparative study in 180 nurses that were selected with the stratified sampling method who have been working in different work shift hours in teaching hospitals. We used PSQI and GHQ-28 questionnaire for collecting data. The study results showed a statistically significant difference in sleep quality and general health of nurses based on two questionnaires (p=0.01; p=0.05) respectively. According to our findings we suggest fixed working shifts versus rotating one for nurses to reduce the side effects.

Malnutrition is one of the important health problems throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, having undesirable effects on mental and physical health of children. It is an underlying factor for infection and an important cause of children mortality in these countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized children aged 1-36 months at Imam Ali Hospital in Zahedan.

This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 360 hospitalized children aged 1-36 months, between June and November 2005. Data were collected through measurement of weight and height, and questionnaire was completed by interviewing children’s parents. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Nutritional status of the subjects was evaluated according to the weight- for age, weight- for height, and height- for age (Waterlow’s classification) based on which.height, based on which the prevalence of malnutrition were 68.6%, 60.1%, and 38.4%, respectively. Malnutrition in children had statistically significant association with birth weight, mother job, and duration of breast feeding (P<0.05). Malnutrition increased among children in rural areas, low birth weight ones, those whose mothers were housewives, with short duration of breast feeding, and late beginning of complementary nutrition.

regarding high prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized children and its association with the above mentioned variables, measures such as increasing parents’ awareness and literacy, constancy of breast feeding until the age of 2, starting complementary nutrition in due course, promoting complementary nutrition in due course, promoting economic, social, and health status of families, and preventing infections diseases- particularly gastroenteritis are recommended.