Journal of Multidisciplinary Care
Volume:9 Issue: 1, 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women. Multiple-drug treatments and prolonged treatments often cause patients to discontinue the treatment. Considering the side-effects of chemical drugs, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the combination of cumin and fennel extract on the clinical symptoms of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

This clinical trial was conducted on 70 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, who were selected randomly from the patients referring to the teaching hospitals in Shahrekord, Iran. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received capsules containing fennel and black cumin, and the control group received placebo twice per day for four months. Before and after the intervention, the clinical symptoms of the subjects were evaluated in both groups. Data analysis was performed in SPSS.

In the intervention group, a significant reduction was observed in hirsutism, while the menstrual duration increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, these changes were not considered significant in the control group (P>0.05).

According to the results, the combination of fennel and cumin extract could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, the herbal mixture could be used as a non-toxic medication for the treatment of these patients.

Considering the increasing prevalence and incidence of disasters in today's world, the competency of nurses in the management of disasters is a remarkable issue. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of self-efficacy and disaster-related experiences on nursing competency in the prediction of disasters.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on the nurses employed in the hospitals in Rasht, Iran in 2017. In total, 200 nurses were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using the scale for disaster nursing core competencies, self-efficacy scale, and nurses' experiences of disaster scale. Data analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation-coefficient and multiple regressions.

Self-efficacy and disaster-related experiences could significantly predict the disaster nursing competency of the nurses (P<0.01).

According to the results, self-efficacy and disaster-related experiences were important influential factors in disaster nursing competency. Therefore, increasing the self-efficacy and disaster-related experiences of nurses could enhance their competency in the management of disasters.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of health literacy in patients with COPD in Shahrekord, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 70 patients with COPD in Hajar and Kashani hospitals in Shahrekord in 2019. The patients were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory and health literacy standard questionnaire (HELIA). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18 using regression analysis and Pearson's correlation-coefficient.

The mean score of health literacy was 43.17±24.78, while the mean scores of knowledge, skills, perceive self-efficacy, and reinforcement were 28.14±9.78, 56.84±15.31, 32.60±14.02, and 63.06±21.97, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that skills (P=0.006) and perceived self-efficacy (P=0.011) could predict health literacy in the patients with COPD.

According to the results, skills and perceived self-efficacy based on the social cognitive theory could be an appropriate framework for designing training interventions in order to improve the health literacy of patients with COPD.

The promotion of health behaviors plays a key role in maintaining cardiac function and reducing cardiac complications. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a lifestyle-based behavioral intervention on the left ventricular ejection fraction of patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Kashani Hospital affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in Shahrekord, Iran in 2019. The patients were selected via convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups of case and control (40 per each). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and checklist of left ventricular ejection fraction, which were completed in two stages before and three months after the intervention by both groups. The training intervention was performed based on modifications in lifestyle, physical activity, beliefs, communication, and nutrition in eight sessions by a cardiology nurse and a clinical psychologist. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 17 using descriptive and analytical tests, such as paired t-test, independent t-test, and Fisher's exact, at the significance level of P<0.05.

The mean percentage of the left ventricular ejection fraction before the psychological intervention had no significant difference between the case and control groups (P=0.33), while a significant difference was observed between the groups after the intervention (P=0.05). The mean percentage of the left ventricular ejection fraction in the case and control groups from before to after the intervention was significantly different (P=0.05) as the ejection fraction increased in both group; however, the difference was more significant in the case group.

According to the results, the cognitive-behavioral intervention based on lifestyle modification could effectively enhance the efficacy of the cardiac surgery in improving the left ventricular ejection fraction.

Nursing is a key profession in the healthcare environment, which plays a pivotal role in health and patient satisfaction. The improvement of the complex structures of spiritual values, beliefs, and attitudes in nurses is of utmost importance in maintaining the quality of the interactions of the services provided by these professionals. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between commitment and religious orientation on the quality of nursing care.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on all the female nurses (n=220) employed in Masoumeh Hospital in Qom, Iran. In total, 136 nurses were selected using the Morgan table and via simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Worthington religious commitment inventory (RCI-10), Allport-Ross religious orientation scale (ROS), and Qualipak nursing quality questionnaire (QUALPAC). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 24 using multiple regression and correlational methods.

The results of multiple correlation-coefficient regarding the effects of various dimensions of religious orientation on the quality of nursing care were significant (r=0.65; P<0.001), explaining 0.62% of the variance of nursing care quality. Moreover, the multiple correlation-coefficient regarding the effects of various dimensions of religious commitment on the quality of nursing care were significant (r=0.93; P<0.001), explaining 0.87% of the variance of nursing care quality. Intrapersonal religious commitment, interpersonal commitment, and internal religious orientation had positive, significant correlations with the quality of nursing care (P<0.001). However, external religious orientation had no significant association with the quality of nursing care (P=0.083).

According to the results, the internalized religious beliefs in nurses could enhance their commitment and quality of work through increasing their spiritual vigor.

In menopause, several factors are associated with depression and stress. Spirituality is a beneficial strategy to promote mental health during this period. However, conflicting results have been proposed in this regard. The present study aimed to investigate the correlations between depression and perceived stress with spiritual health in postmenopausal women in Isfahan, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 340 postmenopausal women referring to the selected health centers in Isfahan in 2019. Data were collected using Pulitzer and Ellison spiritual health questionnaire, Beck depression inventory, and Cohen's perceived stress questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation-coefficient, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test.

In total, 332 women were enrolled in the study, and the mean score of spiritual health was 80.56±20.63. A significant, inverse correlation was observed between depression and spiritual health (r=-0.647; P<0.001). In addition, a significant, inverse correlation was denoted between perceived stress and spiritual health (r=-0.619; P<0.001).

According to the results, the postmenopausal women with higher scores of spiritual health had lower levels of depression and stress. Therefore, proper strategies should be adopted to improve the spiritual health of postmenopausal women, which could in turn effectively decrease the prevalence of depression and stress in this population.

The experiences of research and educational service recipients are important for improving the quality these services. Since the views of the first postgraduate nursing students at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran have not been investigated so far, the present study aimed to describe the experiences of these graduates in terms of curriculum implementation and thesis status.

This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis on 19 nursing graduates, who were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews (20-40 minutes) until data saturation. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection using the OneNote software. The interview contents were reviewed repeatedly, and open codes were identified and categorized in the form of subthemes. The similar subthemes were organized as the main themes.

The findings were classified in seven main themes, including the necessity of the change and improvement of theoretical education, the necessity of the change and improvement of clinical education, research improvement, proper performance of thesis supervisors, the necessity to improve the performance of thesis advisors, proper performance of statistical thesis advisors, and the need to respect the students by the faculty members and educational personnel.

Although the graduates provided positive feedback regarding the implementation of educational and research programs, they were also faced with various challenges that require the revision of the educational curriculum by the nursing education board. Furthermore, the meticulous supervision of the university in the process of conducting student research activities is strongly recommended.