prevention

Morbidity and mortality from coronavirus are more likely in vulnerable groups, such as cancer patients. Implementing self-care education for prevention in these patients is a priority. This study aimed to investigate the effect of telenursing education on self-care behaviors that prevent COVID-19 in cancer patients.

This interventional study was conducted at Vasei Sabzevar Hospital on patients with various types of cancer undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy in 2020 coinciding with the second peak of COVID-19, for one month (30 minutes daily). Two-stage sampling was conducted in the intervention group (31 participants) and the control group (26 participants). Self-care and patient follow-up training on the prevention of COVID-19 were conducted through WhatsApp. Data were collected using a researcher-made self-care questionnaire, a demographic questionnaire, and a medical information form. 

The mean age of the participants was 58.24±13.27 years, with the majority being female (n=35; 61%). Breast cancer was the most common cancer among the studied subjects (n=24; 42.1%). In the intervention group, the mean score of self-care before the intervention was 21.65±8.72 and after the intervention, it was 36.76±3.14. The results of the independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Fisher’s exact test did not indicate a significant difference between the two groups in terms of COVID-19 morbidity (P=0.118). 

The results of the present study showed that telenursing education improves self-care behaviors in the prevention of coronavirus in cancer patients.

Stress is an important psychosocial factor responsible for the hypertension. Globally, university employees reported a high prevalence of hypertension, and perceived stress; however, in Indian context, as few studies documented this association, we conducted a study documenting the prevalence of hypertension and perceived stress among employees of Solapur University.

A cross-sectional study was conducted during June – September 2022 to screen 231 university employees for hypertension following International Society of Hypertension guidelines. Perceived psychological stress was assessed with Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Chi-square test and both univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the hypotheses. The significance level for the p-value was set at ≤0.05, and statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 12.1. 

The overall prevalence of hypertension was 39%. More than half of employees (54%) were under moderate to high levels of stress, and they were more likely to be hypertensive than those under low stress. Staff with more than 30 years and in non-teaching posts were about two times more at higher risk of hypertension, and male staff, and those having moderate to high-stress levels were 2.5 times more likely associated with the risk of hypertension as compared to others.

University employees are under high levels of stress which are prone to developing hypertension. There is a need to screen more and more Indian university employees for the presence of hypertension and stress to design appropriate hypertension prevention programmes.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latina women. Screening mammograms reduces morbidity and mortality, although Spanish-preferred patients face linguistic barriers, with61% of patients in an Internal Medicine (IM) clinic beingup to date on screenings. The study aimed to increase breast screening rates among Spanish-preferred IM patients by 12% within six weeks using culturally tailored Spanish-language educational materials.

Spanish-preferred patients were identified by language preference, age, and breast cancer screening status. Thirty-six women IM patients (intervention) and twenty-six Family Medicine (FM) patients (control) were selected. The IM patients received a link to a Spanish screening education video via an electronic portal message or mailed letter. If no screening was completed, patients were then called by a native Spanish speaker. FM patients received no intervention. Screening rates were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the video in increasing screening.

Nine IM patients were excluded due to relocation or receiving care elsewhere. Post-intervention, screening adherence improved in both groups; the IM group improved by 25.9% (7 patients, P= 0.007) and 15.4% in the FM group (4 patients, P= 0.04). The change was significantly higher in the intervention group, P< 0.001.

Providing screening education in Spanish significantly improved adherence. Incorporating culturally tailored education in clinical practice mitigates language-related health disparities and improves screening rates. Further research is needed on a larger scale with education in other languages to determine the effects on screening rates when patients have education in their preferred language.

Dengue (DEN) virus is a common arboviral infectious disease that poses a significant threat to global public health, putting nearly half of the world's population at risk of infection. It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Dengue infection, caused by all four mosquito-borne serotypes (DEN-1 to DEN-4), is endemic in countries with tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. To date, there is no vaccine that provides effective immunity against all DENV serotypes. Additionally, there is limited information regarding the epidemiology and impact of this dangerous disease in regions with recent infection reports. In this study, we aimed to present a summary of the clinical symptoms, pathology, etiology, prevention, and treatment options based on previous studies, to facilitate a better understanding of dengue fever (DF). The results of this study show that the main effects of DF are on vital organs such as the liver (hepatocellular necrosis), lungs (pulmonary edema), kidneys (hematuria and proteinuria), heart (myocarditis), and brain (encephalopathy). These effects can be a major threat to a person's life if diagnosed incorrectly or late. Increasing public awareness through social networks, implementing appropriate waste management systems, removing breeding sites for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes by government institutions, and providing proper laboratory diagnostic and treatment tools for patients with DF are essential solutions that should be prioritized globally.

Head lice infestation is a significant health issue among students, leading to physical, social, and psychological consequences.

This research aims to determine the impact of an educational intervention on the adoption of preventive behaviors against head lice infestation among second-grade female elementary school students using the health belief model (HBM).

The present study was conducted semi-experimentally in the academic year 2023. The study was conducted before and after 2 months of educational intervention between the intervention and control groups. The allocation of regions to the control and intervention groups was done randomly (random allocation method). Then, one primary school was randomly selected from each district, and in each school, students were randomly selected from the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades (two-stage cluster sampling). The intervention group included 80 students, and the control group included 72 students. Educational classes for the prevention of pediculosis were conducted for the students in the intervention group in the form of lectures, reading stories and poems about the prevention of pediculosis, and using peer education. To collect information, a questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability based on the HBM was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software and descriptive statistical tests, independent t -test, paired t -test, and ANCOVA.

The results of the study indicated that before the educational intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean scores of the components of the HBM between the intervention and control groups [perceived sensitivity (P = 0.807), perceived benefits (P = 0.811), perceived barriers (P = 0.682), self-efficacy (P = 0.961), behavior (P = 0.140)]. However, the average scores of the perceived severity construct were significantly different between the intervention (10.41 ± 1.95) and control (9.58 ± 2.08) groups before the educational intervention. After the educational intervention, there was a significant difference in the average scores of all constructs of the HBM between the intervention and control groups (P < 0.001).

The study supports the effectiveness of education based on the HBM in promoting preventive behaviors against pediculosis among second-grade female elementary school students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly affected people in different countries. Recognizing individual and social patterns of behavior among communities is very effective in designing and implementing prevention models.

The aim of this study was to identify individual and social preventive behaviors associated with COVID-19 in Iranian men in 2022.

Data were collected using in-depth unstructured interviews with 15 Iranian men in 2022. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis.

In total, 939 primary codes were extracted from the interviews upon analysis. Overall, 5 themes, 13 categories, and 38 sub-categories were obtained after analyzing the collected codes. The themes included emotional perception of COVID-19, COVID-19 awareness, perceived barriers to COVID-19 prevention, perceived social measures for COVID-19 prevention, and individual actions taken to prevent COVID-19. Categories included negative feelings toward COVID-19, no worries about COVID-19, nature of the disease, disease recovery, disease symptoms, routes of transmission, diagnostic methods, individual barriers to COVID-19 prevention, social barriers to COVID-19 prevention, improving social skills and behaviors, revising the rules and reforming infrastructure, using personal protective equipment, and prevention by following healthcare programs.

Certain recommendations and challenges for COVID-19 prevention were reported by Iranian men. Some of the barriers to COVID-19 prevention were related to social behaviors, and others were related to managerial policies and infrastructure reform. Understanding People’s experiences and opinions about COVID-19 can provide potential benefits for preventing this disease.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer among women worldwide. In 2012, 528,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed globally, 85% of which were in less developed countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia (including India) and Central andSouth American countries. Currently, cervical cancer is the 2ndleading cause of cancer deaths in India which approximately accounts to 1/3rdof the global cervical cancer deaths. High-risk types are HPV16 & 18 and they account for more than 90% of cervical carcinoma and the route of transmission is mainly by sexual contact, which can be prevented by health education. The present study was conducted among rural reproductive women where the prevalence of cervical cancer is high and can be prevented by using a simple intervention method of health education.

An interventional, community-based comparative study was conducted among 388 women of reproductive age residing in Whitefield, Bengaluru, over a period of one and a half years (May 2016 –October 2017). The pre-tested, semi-structured (Questionnaire) data collection tool was used to collect data before and after intervention (IPC).

Out of 388 women who participated in the study, the majority 223 (57.48%) belonged to the age group of 15-29 years. The awareness about cervical cancer significantly improved post-intervention (IPC). 26.29% had underdone pap smear examination for cervical cancer post-intervention compared to only 18.04% pre-intervention. The findings suggest a significant improvement in awareness and screening practices post-intervention.

The findings of the study suggest that there was a positive impact of Interpersonal Communication on the overall increase in knowledge regarding Cervical cancer and its prevention among the women of reproductive age group in the study

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Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are among the preventable complications in healthcare settings. Patients and their caregivers should be encouraged to actively participate in the prevention and treatment of these ulcers and follow evidence-based guidelines to improve healthcare outcomes and the safety of the patient. This requires that healthcare professionals support the education of preventive measures.

Pregnancy striae, or stretch marks, are highly prevalent and often a source of cosmetic concern for many women, presenting challenges in both prevention and treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D cream on pregnancy striae in the thigh area of first-time pregnant women.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial involved 60 primigravida women, aged 18 - 20 weeks, referred to Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2022. Using blocked randomization, participants were assigned to two groups: The vitamin D cream intervention group (30 women) and the basic cream placebo group (30 women). Each cream was applied daily for 4 months, twice daily with a 12-hour interval. The severity of striae was assessed using the Atwal Scale before the intervention and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after the intervention commenced. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (frequency, minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, independent t -test, and Mann-Whitney test).

At the fourth, eighth, twelfth, and sixteenth weeks, the incidence of striae was as follows: Vitamin D group: 96.2%, 92.3%, 92.3%, and 88.5% without striae and 3.8%, 7.7%, 7.7%, and 11.5% with moderate erythema, respectively. Placebo group: 83.33%, 83.33%, 83.33%, and 66.67% without striae and 16.67%, 16.67%, 16.67%, and 33.33% with moderate erythema, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the severity of pregnancy striae at all follow-up times.

Over the 4-month follow-up period, vitamin D cream did not demonstrate greater effectiveness than placebo in preventing or reducing the severity of pregnancy striae in the thigh area.

The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect young and active individuals in developing and low-income countries, including Iran. Among high-risk populations in Iran, HIV prevalence peaks at 3.5% among people who inject drugs and 2.5% among men who have sex with men. Despite progress in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for HIV diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression, significant gaps remain in early detection and reaching vulnerable populations, including pre-exposure prophylaxis and targeted outreach to key populations. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial for preventing the spread of HIV, particularly among young people. However, there is a need to improve education and access to information and HIV services for key populations. Expanding HIV testing and counselling services is vital for early diagnosis and treatment. Addressing the issue of late diagnosis, which can negatively impact treatment outcomes and mortality rates, is essential. Integrating HIV services into primary healthcare can improve access and outcomes. A holistic and multi-sectoral approach, encompassing education, prevention, treatment, and care, is necessary to curb the spread of HIV and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by HIV infection in Iran.

To identify the effect of Iron as a preventive and therapeutic agent on depression and other hematological indices by a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International databases like Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane,  International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Scopus were searched until 27 July 2024 to identify eligible articles with the appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).  The risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was used for precise assessment.  Heterogeneity was determined using Cochran’s Q-test and the I2 index. To assess source of heterogeneity, meta-regression was used. The pooled standardized mean difference (PSMD) was calculated by considering the random effects model.

of 2154 studies,14 studies were included in systematic review and 6 studies were excluded from analysis due to lack of data for calculating PSMD and finally, 8 studies were included in meta-analysis. Based on the results, iron therapy led to improvement in depression symptoms (PSMD = -0.18; 95% CI: -0.32 to -0.03). The iron therapy led to increasing the blood level of Iron (PSMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.95), Ferritin (PSMD = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.85), HCT (PSMD = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.61), MCV (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.18 to 1.15) and Transferrin saturation (PSMD:0.26; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.50). Based on the meta-regression result, the sample size, participant age, and publication year had no significant role in heterogeneity between studies.

The use of iron supplements in patients with depression can be considered. However, there is a need to conduct further studies involving various kinds of depression.

 An effective approach to preventing cardiovascular issues is the use of mobile health applications to improve modifiable risk factors. This protocol for a randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the development and effectiveness of an educational mobile app that employs an integrated change model to reduce risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among individuals aged 20 to 69 years.

This study will be a parallel, randomized, single-blind clinical trial utilizing the randomized block design involving 430 participants. The participants will be divided into a control group receiving standard clinical care and an intervention group receiving standard clinical care along with app-based education, over approximately 6 months.

This application has been designed to enhance motivation, awareness, and positive habits to reduce risk factors in individuals at increased risk of ASCVD. Consequently, the results could improve cardiovascular health knowledge, manage biological risk factors, and modify cardiac behaviors through mobile applications. This research is expected to present a promising approach to utilizing mobile apps for managing cardiovascular health and contribute to the growing body of research on digital health interventions.