فهرست مطالب

Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume:9 Issue: 2, Feb 2019

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1398/02/17
  • تعداد عناوین: 25
|
  • Prachita P. Walankar, Vrushali P. Panhale, Sayli A.Situt Page 25
    INTRODUCTION

    Every individual has different learning approaches in acquisition and processing of knowledge. Physiotherapy, an evolving allied health science profession, is developing rapidly. Exploration of learning approaches among physiotherapy students will help the academicians to enrich the quality of learning. This study aimed to analyze the learning approaches among physiotherapy students.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    A cross‑sectional study was carried out among 435 physiotherapy students. The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students questionnaire was used to evaluate learning approaches in both preclinical and clinical students. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 21. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

    RESULTS

    A total of 435 participants, 233 (53.56%) in preclinical phase and 202 (46.44%) in clinical phase with a mean age of 19.01 ± 1.01 and 22.03 ± 1.43 years, respectively, participated in the study. Among the 435 students, 411 (94.49%) adopted the deep approach, while only 21 (4.83%) and 3 (0.69%) adopted strategic approach and surface approach, respectively. Preclinical students had significantly higher mean scores for strategic and surface approaches than clinical (P = 0.000) and (P = 0.000) using independent t‑test, respectively. Out of the 435 students, 50 (11.45%) were male and 385 (88.51%) were female. Male students appeared less likely to adopt the deep learning approach than female students (P = 0.013).

    CONCLUSIONS

    Assessment of learning approaches will assist the academicians to develop teaching and learning strategies and effective curriculum depending on the perspectives of students. Multiple methodologies focused on interactive student‑centric approach should be utilized to enhance positive learning outcomes.

    Keywords: Evaluation, learning approach, medical education, physiotherapy specialty, teaching
  • Sakineh Saghaeiannejad Isfahani, Farzaneh Hazhir, Reza Jalali Page 26
    CONTEXT

    Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) plays a significant role in supporting the emergency department (ED) workflow. Hence, it is vital to assess the services provided by this system in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

    AIMS

    The study aimed to assess the information systems in use in the ED of 11 teaching hospitals associated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) so as to identify their strengths and weaknesses and improving the quality of these systems. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted using descriptive‑applied research method.

    SUBJECTS AND METHODS

    Data collection tool was a checklist developed based on EDIS functional profile. It covered two sections of the profile, namely direct care and supportive functions and their respective subsections. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through the estimation of the frequency and frequency percentage for each respective section and subsections using SPSS software v. 20.

    RESULTS

    The content conformance rate of the information systems in use in the EDs of IUMS’ teaching hospitals was found to be 49.72% and 75.25% for the direct care section and supportive functions section, respectively. In addition, the overall conformance rate in the hospitals surveyed was up to 53.15%.

    CONCLUSION

    As per the findings of this study, it is suggested that some important clinical and administrative functions should be incorporated into the redesigned information systems in use in the EDs under study.

    Keywords: Assessment, emergency department information system functional profile, emergency department information system, HL7
  • Beyrambibi Bayat, Negar Akbarisomar, Neda Ahmadzadeh Tori, Hamid Salehiniya Page 27
    INTRODUCTION

    Self‑confidence means recognizing your abilities, self‑interest, and being aware of your feelings. Risk‑taking is one of the personality traits that may be affected by confidence. It can be defined as behavior that increases the probability of negative consequences. Considering the importance of students’ self‑confidence and its relation with risk‑taking, the aim of this study is to study the relation between self‑confidence and risk‑taking among the students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2017.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This cross‑sectional study was done on 363 students of TUMS by stratified sampling. The tool for collecting data is based on a self‑confidence questionnaire and a risk‑taking questionnaire developed by Moradi et al. Data analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

    RESULTS

    The mean age of participants was 21.86 years and 54.5% of participants were girls and the rest were boys. No significant correlation was observed between risk‑taking and self‑confidence in students according to the Pearson’s coefficient test (r = 0.05, P = 0.29).

    CONCLUSION

    The results indicated that there is no relation between self‑confidence and risk‑taking among students, and students who have higher self‑confidence are not exposed to high risks. Therefore, we need more studies in different age groups to validate this exact relationship

    Keywords: Medical science, risk‑taking, self‑confidence, students, university
  • Nirav Vaghela, Daxa Mishra, Jigar N Mehta, Hemal Punjabi, Hena Patel, Ishani Sanchala Page 28
    BACKGROUND

    Aerobic exercise is helpful in reducing elevated blood pressure (BP). It was also found that yoga is useful in reducing raised BP. Thus, they both can be used in prevention and treatment of hypertension. Hence, the study aimed to observe both awareness and practice of aerobic exercise and yoga among hypertensive patients in Anand city.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    A cross‑sectional descriptive study was conducted. A questionnaire was prepared containing 24 questions about awareness and practice of aerobic exercise and yoga among hypertensive patients. The questions were explained to all the patients, and 200 patients were recruited from Anand city through convenience sampling.

    RESULTS

    Two‑hundred patients were included in this study, of which 100% were aware of hypertension. 67.68% were aware of the role of aerobic exercise in hypertension, of which 58.29% practiced them. The awareness of the role of yoga in hypertension was noted in 33.67% of patients, of which only 13.07% practiced pranayama and 9.50% practiced asanas.

    CONCLUSION

    There was a complete awareness of hypertension among hypertensive patients. A large number of patients were aware of the role of aerobic exercise in hypertension, but only few of the patients practiced them. However, there was less awareness of the role of yoga in hypertension and even lesser number practiced them.

    Keywords: Aerobic exercise, asanas, awareness, practice, blood pressure, hypertension, yoga
  • Niloufar Abedi Page 29
    INTRODUCTION

    Dental and oral health is a core component of general health and well‑being. Few aspects of health are as accessible to personal control as oral hygiene which can be improved by simple behavioral changes. In recent years, dentists in the field of oral and dental health improvement have been research doing for measurement of validity and efficiency of available educational interventions. In this regard, meta‑analysis integrates the results of different studies then determines the effect size of educational interventions. This study seeks to investigate the effective educational interventions on improving oral and dental health improvement in Iran by following the meta‑analysis model.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    The present research was a meta‑analysis study. This research by using the technique of meta‑analysis to integrate the results of different studies, to determine the effect size of an educational intervention on improving oral and dental health improvement in Iran. Seventeen studies accepted in methodology were collected in Iran during 2001–2018, and analyzed through meta‑analysis. The research tool was meta‑analysis checklist. Effect size for each study was manually calculated.

    RESULTS

    The study findings showed that the rate of the effect size of educational intervention on Improving Oral and Dental Health Improvement in Iran was 0.62 (P ≤ 0.008) which according to Cohen’s table was intermediate.

    CONCLUSION

    Findings of this meta‑analysis support of the effectiveness of educational interventions on improving oral and dental health improvement in Iran. It seems that the educational interventions on improving dental and oral health can be used as a method for improving oral and dental health in Iran.

    Keywords: Dental, oral health, educational intervention, meta‑analysis
  • Morvarid Irani, Talat Khadivzadeh, Seyyed Mohsen Asghari Nekah, Hosein Ebrahimipour Page 30
    INTRODUCTION

    An appropriate exchange of information between the health‑care provider and the family is an important component of coping with stress following the prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the informational needs of pregnant women following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies in Mashhad, Iran.

    SUBJECTS AND METHODS

    This qualitative, conventional, content analysis study was designed through two referral centers for fetal anomaly. The data were collected from April 2017 to January 2018 in Mashhad (Iran) through individual semi‑structured in‑depth interviews, from 25 pregnant women with a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies.

    RESULTS

    Three categories and nine subcategories emerged. Category 1, information needed for clarifying the diagnosed anomaly and making a decision, containing four subcategories: The need to know the reasons of doing more diagnostic tests; The need to know the facts regarding the anomaly and its cause; The need for more information to gain control over the situation; and The need to know about legal permission for therapeutic abortion. Category 2, Information needed for preparing to the future, containing three subcategories: Practical and economic issues; The delivery and postnatal situation; and Future mortality and morbidity of especial anomaly. Category 3, the adequacy of the information provided, containing two subcategories: Information overload and Inadequate information.

    CONCLUSIONS

    Pregnant women receiving a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly have a variety of information needs that are not adequately met by the health‑care providers. Further research is required for finding a means to meeting this information need.

    Keywords: Congenital abnormalities, pregnant women, prenatal diagnosis, qualitative research, informational needs
  • Anas Ibn Auf, Heitham Awadalla, Magda Elhadi Ahmed, Mohamed H Ahmed Page 31
    INTRODUCTION

    In different countries around the world, the involvement of women in academic medicine was less in comparison with men. This study aimed to assess whether there were significant gender differences in research perception, practice, and publication in Sudan.

    METHODS

    This was an analytical cross‑sectional study was carried out using questionnaire among 153 teaching staff of five Sudanese medical faculties from both genders, including teaching assistants, lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.

    RESULTS

    There were no significant differences among participants’ gender regarding their universities, qualifications, research training received after graduation, and participation in research currently or in the past or current position, but female participants seem to be younger as their mean of age was 38.8 (±9.2) compared with 42.6 (±10.1) for males. Importantly, the males’ researcher has not only published significantly more than females but also appeared to have significantly more years of research experience. The mean score of research perception was higher among male participants who indicated that they had a more favorable perception of research.

    CONCLUSION

    The study showed that in Sudanese medical colleges significantly higher percentage of men published scientific papers more than women. In addition, the male also had a significantly higher mean score of research perception which indicated that they had a more favorable perception of research.

    Keywords: Academic medicine, female, male, Sudan
  • Hamidreza Sadeghi Gandomani, Negin Masoudi Alavi, Mohammad Afshar Page 32
    BACKGROUND

    Structural empowerment (SE) is an effective method of advancing work environments and has previously been widely discussed in Western countries. Due to the lack of culturally and academically accepted scales in Iran for measuring SE, localization of a foreign scale in this field is necessary.

    OBJECTIVES

    This study aimed at investigating the validity and reliability of the Persian Version of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire‑II (CWEQ‑II‑PV) among Iranian nurses.

    METHODS

    The present cross‑sectional methodological research was conducted during 2017–2018. Participants were 230 nurses working in four teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Kashan, Iran, who were selected using quota sampling. A standard forward– backward translation procedure according to Wild et al. (2005) was used to translate the English Version of the CWEQ‑II to Persian. The psychometric evaluation processes were achieved by face, content, and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]). Reliability was examined using test–retest and Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency reliability.

    RESULTS

    The CWEQ‑II‑PV showed good content validity (the mean content validity scores for relevancy, clarity, and simplicity were 94%, 96%, and 94%, respectively). In the CFA, the original six‑factor version with 19 items was confirmed. The original model was presented and incorporated in the CFA, indicating an acceptable fit for the model (root mean square error of approximation = 0.06, comparative fit index = 0.92, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.94, and adjusted GFI = 0.91). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.84 and for each component ranged from 0.71 to 0.87, indicating good internal consistency, and the test–retest Spearman and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.93 and 0.87, respectively, showing good test–retest reliability.

    CONCLUSIONS

    Evidence was found to support the reliability and validity of the CWEQ‑II‑PV scale that measures the quality of the work environment for nurses from a SE perspective.

    Keywords: Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire‑II, empowerment, nurses, psychometrics, questionnaire
  • Marzieh Torkmannejad Sabzevari, Mostafa Rad Page 33
    INTRODUCTION

    The lack of experienced midwifery in obstetrics and gynecology centers would have harmful consequences. Resilience could increase midwives’ endurance while caring for women and neonates in the maternity hospitals. Research on resilience of midwives is rare. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe resilience strategies against working pressures in midwives in Sabzevar, Iran.

    METHODOLOGY

    The qualitative study was conducted using content analysis method. Twelve midwives, who had at least 1 year of work experience, were selected by purposeful sampling. Data collection was conducted using semi‑structured deep interviews on midwives’ resilience strategies. The analysis was carried out using conventional content analysis method.

    RESULTS

    The five main categories of data were extracted, including self‑management, supporters in the workplace, sense of usefulness and reassuring, the nature of creation, and life dynamic in the workplace, and accountability. Reading recitation and recourse, obtaining decision‑making power, and problem‑solving were subcategories of the self‑management. Intimate the communication, peer support, physician support, and family support were subcategories of supporters in the workplace. The subcategories of sense of usefulness and reassuring were work autonomy, satisfaction of applying the knowledge in practice, the feeling of energy evacuating with much work, and trying to reassuring mothers.

    CONCLUSION

    All extraction factors were related to the midwife and did not relate to the therapeutic system and management. However, hospital managers can provide their supporting and facilitating role to reduce the risk of depreciation and burnout in midwives.

    Keywords: Content analysis, midwife, resilience, workplace pressure
  • Gokul Sarveswaran, Yuvaraj Krishnamoorthy, Manikanda Nesan Sakthivel, Karthiga Vijayakumar, Yamini Marimuthu, Palanivel Chinnakali Page 34
    BACKGROUND

    Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Environmental factors play an important role in development of risk factors. Hence, the study was done to assess the neighborhood environmental factors related to NCDs in urban area.

    METHODOLOGY

    This community‑based cross‑sectional study was carried out among three selected wards of urban Puducherry. All shops/establishments related to the risk of NCDs within the study area were study units. Information regarding tobacco, alcohol, diet, and physical activity‑related establishments was assessed using pretested semi‑structured pro forma. Shops/establishments were labeled either as “favorable” (prevents the risk of NCDs) or “unfavorable” (increases the risk of NCDs).

    RESULTS

    Among 655 establishments, 372 (56.8%) belonged to favorable and 283 (43.2%) to unfavorable category, respectively. Tobacco‑related establishments amount to 15.1% (95% confidence interval: 12.6–18.1) of the total establishments. Among these tobacco establishments, almost one‑third were selling tobacco to minor and located within 100 m of school. Fruits and vegetable markets contributed to 21.8% of the total establishments. About 22% of the establishments were fast‑food outlets. Public health sports facilities were only 6.8% of the total establishments.

    CONCLUSION

    The current study reported almost equal distribution of favorable and unfavorable establishments. However, among unfavorable establishments, tobacco establishments raised concern as one‑third of those were selling tobacco to minors. Healthy diet and physical activity related establishments were also found to be less. Hence, corrective measures are to be implemented which will reduce the burden of behavioral risk factors.

    Keywords: Exercise, noncommunicable diseases, tobacco products
  • Taheri Alireza, Changiz Tahereh, Tofighi Shahram Page 35
    INTRODUCTION

    Medical sciences effects on people’s health; therefore, it is necessary to identify all threats, opportunities, and challenges in its policy and planning particularly in the education field. The orthotics and prosthetics (O and P) field of study has great importance alongside other rehabilitation sciences due to its preventive status, therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of key factors and, subsequently, identifying uncertainties to compile and plot a bright and planned future for O and P education system.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    At first, the key factors seemed to be influential improving the education and training quality of O and P students, were identified, weighted and ranked. All these steps were based on documentations and opinions of elites and deans of O and P through a semi‑structured interview. Then, the final list of key factors and extracted drivers was placed and analyzed in cross‑impact matrix by MicMac software.

    RESULTS

    Among the initial list of key factors and drivers which identified 45 elements; 19 key factors and drivers scored the highest. Among 238 evaluable relationships in the cross‑impact matrix, 123 relationships (51.6% of total matrix volume) are 0, which means that factors do not affect each other and are not affected either. Two key factors were identified as critical uncertainties out of 19 key factors.

    CONCLUSION

    Achieving education development without a dynamic and active planning system is not possible. “Community‑based education” and “government financial support” were identified as critical uncertainties of O and P future education system.

    Keywords: Education, foresight, orthotics, prosthetics, uncertainty
  • Mozhgan Fardid, Mehdi Jafari, Abbas Vosoogh Moghaddam, Hamid Ravaghi Page 36
    BACKGROUND

    Family physician (FP) is one of the best strategies to reform health system and promote population health. Due to the different context, culture, and population, implementing this reform within cities would be more challenging than in rural areas. This study aimed to assess the challenges and strengths of Urban FP Program in Fars Province of Iran.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    It was a qualitative study using framework analysis for collecting and interpreting data. The participants included health policy‑makers, top managers, and involved health staff selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Participating in the program or working as a physician in urban areas were among inclusion criteria. Three focus groups with experts as well as the content analysis of national documents were also performed. The research tool was a semi‑structured interview guide. Interviews and focus groups were recorded and transcribed word by word. The framework of triangle for data analysis and the content was analyzed using MAXQDA 2010 software.

    RESULTS

    The participants’ mean age was 44.9 ± 6.4 years, with a mean work experience of 13.2 ± 7.4 years. The transcripts revealed six themes and 17 subthemes. The emerging themes included three challenges and three solutions as following: social problems, financial problems, and structural problems as well as resistance reduction, executive meetings, and surveillance.

    CONCLUSION

    Resolving staff shortage, decreasing the public resistance, and eliminating unnecessary referrals were among the strategies used by Fars, during FP implementation. To be successful in implementing this program, the required perquisites such as infrastructures and culture growth must be undertaken. The current study suggests the establishment of the electronic health record to improve the pace and quality of service provision as well as reducing violations

    Keywords: Family physician, Iran, qualitative research, Urban Health Services
  • Tulika Singh, Bratati Banerjee, Suneela Garg, Sanju Sharma Page 37
    INTRODUCTION

     The inappropriate use of drugs is a global health problem, especially in developing country like India. Irrational prescriptions have an ill effect on health as well as health‑care expenditure. Prescription auditing is an important tool to improve the quality of prescriptions, which in turn improves the quality of health care provided. The present study was conducted to investigate the rational use of drugs for completeness, legibility, and against the World Health Organization (WHO)‑recommended core drug use indicators.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    A cross‑sectional, outpatient department‑based study was carried out in a rural hospital of Delhi wherein 120 prescriptions were randomly sampled, irrespective of patient characteristics and diagnosis over a period of 1 month. All the prescriptions were analyzed for general details, medical components, and WHO core drug use indicators. The data obtained were summed up and presented as descriptive statistics using the Microsoft Excel and were analyzed using SPSS version 16.

    RESULTS

    All the prescriptions had general details mentioned in it. The diagnosis was mentioned in 64.2% of prescriptions, and 85.8% of drugs were prescribed by generic name. An average of 3.02 drugs per encounter was prescribed. The average consultation time and dispensing time were 2.8 min and 1.2 min, respectively. Only half of the patients had correct knowledge of dose.

    CONCLUSIONS

    Our study highlights the need to train our prescribing doctors on writing rational prescriptions for quality improvement.

    Keywords: Core indicators, prescription audit, quality, rational prescription, World Health Organization
  • Mehdi Jafari, Khosro Shakeri, Payam Mahmoudian, Seyed Ahmad Bathaei Page 38
    BACKGROUND

    Prehospital emergency care system is one of the important parts of the health system. Heavy traffic, increasing urban population, and growing demands for prehospital emergency services are challenges faced by this section of the health system. One of the approaches to deal with this issue is using motor ambulances.

    AIMS

    This study aims to investigate the missions of motor ambulances, ambulances, and the effects of motor ambulance services on response time and ambulance missions.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This applied research has been designed as a descriptive and cross‑sectional study. Overall, 267,836 missions carried out by ambulances and motor ambulances of Tehran emergency medical service (EMS) Center in the years 2014 and 2015 were investigated. The data were gathered personally by visiting Tehran EMS Center. The data were analyzed by Excel (2013) software.

    RESULTS

    The average response time for ambulances and motor ambulances were 16 min and 14 min and 13 s, respectively. Most of the ambulance and motor ambulance missions were reportedly due to weakness (20%) and heart problems (16%). In 57% of ambulance missions and 71.5% of motor ambulance missions, the patients refused to being transferred to the hospital. Most of the transport missions to hospital (24%) were caused by traffic accidents.

    CONCLUSIONS

    According to the results, the response time was higher than the national standards. Locating motor ambulances on the streets and outside emergency stations during peak traffic times decreased the response time by 2 min and by providing the necessary services in the scene and transferring fewer patients to the hospital, it is possible to provide further services by assigning ambulances to more urgent missions. Thus, it is recommended to employ more seasoned staff, multiply motor ambulances, and locate motor ambulances precisely to decrease response time and also at a lower cost more citizens are provided with prehospital care.

    Keywords: Ambulance, emergency medical services, motor ambulance, prehospital emergency care
  • Zahra Alipour, Narges Eskandari, Sareh Sangi, Esmat Gafarbegloo, Hoda Ahmari Tehran, Zahra Aghvam Karbasi, Azam Bagheri Page 39
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

    Due to the young population of Iran, a significant number of teenagers in our country and the importance of the health of adolescents, especially teenage girls who are the mothers and the future‑makers of the society, we designed this study to determine the health needs of adolescent girls living in the city of Qom.

    METHODOLOGY

    In this descriptive cross‑sectional study, the research population included 853 student girls in the middle and high secondary grades in the city of Qom selected and participated in the study through a randomized multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by completing the demographic information questionnaire, and the adolescent girls’ health needs questionnaire. Data gathered were analyzed using SPSS software version 19 using the descriptive and inferential statistics.

    RESULTS

    The study results showed that the scores of the adolescent girls’ needs in health‑related areas are as follows: health: 65.33 ± 22.08, nutrition: 52.81 ± 25.40, exercise and physical activity: 50.10 ± 30.55, social justice: 53.95 ± 23.82, counseling: 49.55 ± 34.97, school status: 52.69 ± 28.01, relationship with parents: 55.10 ± 27.44, social support: 50.64 ± 30.52, education: 51.88 ± 29.61, religious beliefs, and spirituality: 66.88 ± 20.87.

    CONCLUSION

    Based on the results of this study, the adolescent girls have a lot of perceived needs in various areas of health, including psychological‑emotional, social, physical, educational, and beliefs areas, which have not been met. Therefore, it is recommended to plan and carry out the necessary measures to meet the needs of adolescents with their participation and relevant authorities.

    Keywords: Adolescent girls, health needs, need assessment
  • Sudip Bhattacharya, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Amarjeet Singh Page 40

    Now, lifestyle diseases are quite common globally. The risk factors of lifestyle diseases such as sedentary habits, lack of physical exercise, and lack of fiber result in the development of noncommunicable diseases. However, when the point of discussion slightly shifted toward toilet habits, it is always seems to be a secret affair. In fact, the discussion of defecation‑related matter openly is considered a taboo. This is not uncommon even in medical fraternity. In fact, during the early 1980s, some researches on the association between the diarrhea prevalence, open‑air defecation, and latrine use rate were documented. However, nobody acknowledges it socially desirable, now, to discuss defecation‑related issues. The public health experts completely ignored the discussion of ill‑effects of the use of pedestal latrine on human health. It is evident from scientific studies over a period, that many of the abdominal disorders of the human due change in his toilet habits from a squatting‑to‑sitting posture using a pedestal latrine. That disease correlation was ignored at that time. The increase in disease burden is due to nonmaintaining the ergonomic design during the construction of this kind of toilets. Squatting posture for the defecation is the most appropriate way, as in this case, abdominal muscles work actively and complete evacuation takes place. To conclude, the time has come to reacquaint people with their natural habits and put this unfortunate experiment to an end.

    Keywords: Defecation, health promotion, pedestal toilet, squatting, toilet
  • Zahra Toghiani, Farzane Ghasemi, Rahele Samouei Page 41
    AIM AND BACKGROUND

    Social anxiety can interfere with performance and academic success in students. One of the third‑generation treatments for social anxiety is acceptance and commitment therapy. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on social anxiety of female dormitory residents of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

    METHODS

    This was a semiempirical study with pre‑ and posttest conducted on 71 female students living in the dormitory of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The study was carried out in five training sessions using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and second version of acceptance and commitment scale whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Data were analyzed using Student’s t‑test.

    RESULTS

    The findings showed that acceptance and commitment group therapy has affected the social anxiety in female dormitory residents of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (P < 0.0001). CONCLUTIONS: The findings of this study can be used by student deputies of universities, consultation centers, as well as counselors and psychologists to improve the conditions for students.

    Keywords: Acceptance, commitment, group therapy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, social anxiety
  • Saurav Basu, Suneela Garg, M .Meghachandra Singh, Charu Kohli Page 42
    BACKGROUND

    Over 1 billion young people globally are at risk of hearing loss and road traffic accidents due to unsafe listening practices while using personal audio devices (PADs). Rapid proliferation of mobile phones with built‑in music playback facility has rendered nearly universal PAD access. The objective of this study was to ascertain the knowledge of risks and patterns of usage of PADs among medical undergraduate students in Delhi, India.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    A cross‑sectional study was conducted among medical students] aged ≥18 years. Data were collected using a pretested self‑administered questionnaire during December 2016–May 2017. Chi‑square test was used to find an association between the categorical variables.

    RESULTS

    A total of 255 male and 133 female students were enrolled (n = 388). Male students used PADs with greater frequency and perceived lesser susceptibility to adverse health effects on prolonged PAD usage compared to female students. However, volume preference for PAD usage did not vary across gender. Self‑reported history of hearing loss and tinnitus which persisted for at least 3 days in the previous 6 months was 10.6% and 6.4%, respectively. Nearly one in ten students agreed to the possibility of crossing the road while listening to music on their PADs.

    DISCUSSION

    Unsafe music‑listening practices using PADs is potentially compromising the health and safety of young people in India. Strategic approaches supporting information education communication activities for promoting awareness of hearing and health risks related to prolonged PAD use at loud volumes and enactment of policies restricting undesirable PAD usage threatening road safety need consideration

    Keywords: Hearing loss, India, medical students, personal audio devices, road safety
  • Mina Hajihashemi, Maryam Amidi Mazaheri, Akbar Hasanzadeh Page 43
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS

    Parenting self‑efficacy, which is one of the main determinants of effective and positive parental behavior, has been commonly defined as the parents’ opinions and beliefs to develop their ability to affect their children in a way that raises their confidence development and adjustment. This study was performed to examine the effect of educational intervention on parenting self‑efficacy in parents of primary school students.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This quasi‑experimental study was conducted on 104 parents of primary school students in Khomeini Shahr city, Isfahan province of Iran, in 2017. In this study, 104 parents (52 couples) of primary school students were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Then, an educational intervention was implemented in the experimental group during 6 sessions of 2 h while the control group received only the usual family school education program. The parenting self‑efficacy was measured before the intervention and 2 months afterward. The data were analyzed by independent t‑test, paired t‑test.

    RESULTS

    There was no statistically significant difference between the demographic variables of parents in both groups. Both the experimental and control groups were similar in terms of age, number of children, education, and employment as well as parenting self‑efficacy. Two months after the intervention, the mean of total parenting self‑efficacy, as well as play and entertainment with the child, discipline and boundaries, self‑acceptance, learning and knowledge in the experimental group, were significantly higher than the control group, but the mean scores of other areas were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).

    CONCLUSION

    Educational interventions that engage parents in group task and facilitate expression of experiences, are feasible in the primary school meetings and have a helpful effect on parenting self‑efficacy.

    Keywords: Educational intervention, parenting self‑efficacy, parents, total parenting self‑efficacy, Iran
  • Narges Rouhi, Hasan Abolghasem Gorji, Mohammadreza Maleki Page 44
    INTRODUCTION

    Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role to provide humanitarian services in natural hazards. However, few studies have been conducted on the coordination models of NGOs. Using these models, NGOs are expected to act along with other agencies to provide unified and effective humanitarian’s services. The present study aimed to identify the published coordination models of NGOs.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This systematic review was conducted from October to November 2017. Electronic source, including PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest Research Library, and Scopus were examined. All English articles published in journals or presented at conferences were included in the study. Nonjournal and irrelevant articles were excluded from the study. Furthermore, papers which were not available as a full text and published in languages other than English were also excluded. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the articles.

    RESULTS

    From 871 documents which captured in initial search, only 7 studies identified as eligible articles for extract 8 coordination models of NGOs in disasters and emergencies including: (1) Sphere project, (2) Cluster approach, (3) Code of conduct, (4) Decentralized approach, (5) National Disaster Response Framework, (6) Conceptual integrated NGO collaboration framework for community postdisaster reconstruction, (7) Model of temporal coordination of disaster response activities, and (8) Collabit application.

    CONCLUSIONS

    This systematic review identified eight proposed coordination models that have been implemented internationally, nationally, and locally in natural hazards. However, these models are not enough, and there are some gaps between what is it and what should be. More effective and efficient models and strategies are needed to increase the effectiveness of coordination activities at all levels of community. These results should serve policy‑makers and administrators of NGOs delivering humanitarian services during and postnatural hazards to choose from a number of options on how to coordinate their efforts.

    Keywords: Model, natural hazards, nongovernmental organizations coordination
  • Ramandeep Singh Gambhir, Jaspreet Singh Batth, Gagandeep Arora, Samir Anand, Arvind Bhardwaj, Harveen Kaur Page 45
    INTRODUCTION

    Oral health is an important component of general health. The World Health Organization has highly recommended the integration of oral health promotion into general health care. In majority of the cases, patients visit their physicians with simultaneous oral and systemic complaints, and primary oral complaints are more frequently encountered. Therefore, primary care physicians can play an expanded role within oral health care to raise the overall health of the patients.

    AIM

    This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of family physicians regarding oral health.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    An observational (cross‑sectional) study was conducted among 250 family physicians who are practicing in Tricity. A self‑structured questionnaire (close‑ended) prepared by a panel of oral health experts in English language (close‑ended) was administered to the study participants. The questionnaire which was divided into two parts, A and B, contained 15 questions on knowledge and awareness regarding oral health. Categorization of knowledge scores was done at three levels: low, medium, and high. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Student’s t‑test.

    RESULTS

    Males comprised 72.8% (182) of the study population and 55.2% (138) of the participants were doing combined practice (academic and private both). Low knowledge scores were reported in 47.2% (118) of the participants whereas only 22.4% (56) of participants had a high score. The mean knowledge score according to educational level and working profile was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION

    The results of our study showed a considerable lack of knowledge among family physicians regarding connection of oral health with general health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase their knowledge by various continued medical education and training programs.

    Keywords: Knowledge, oral health, physicians, primary health care, private practice
  • Ahmadreza Izadi, Mohammadkarim Bahadori, Shahram Tofighi, Ali Ebraze, Maryam Yaghoubi, Ehsan Teymourzadeh Page 46
    CONTEXT

     Iranian National Health Scientific Map is a national plan the implementation of which remarkably influences the progress of the country, though it is facing challenges in its implementation phase.

    AIMS

    The present study has been conducted with the main aim of identifying the challenges facing the comprehensive scientific health map of Iran. SETTING AND DESIGN: This is an applied and qualitative study.

    SUBJECTS AND METHODS

    The study was done in 2017 with the content analysis approach among experts of research and technology management. Some 18 people were selected and were deeply interviewed, meanwhile observing the credibility of research. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was performed based on content analysis and using ATLAS.ti software.

    RESULTS

    Data analysis resulted in the identification of 427 codes, 84 subthemes, and 12 themes. Twelve themes were specified including policy‑making, management, university autonomy, quantitative development, consideration of science production chain, designing and monitoring of science map, finance, qualitative assessment, human resources, research ethics, as well as allocating attention to the infrastructure and communication.

    CONCLUSION

    The scientific map of health challenges are indicative of the need for modification of the scientific map and adhering to solutions in line with the removal of the identified challenges. Today, paying attention to the solutions capable of meeting such challenges is a must.

    Keywords: Health policy, Iran, national health programs, research, development
  • Sahar Ghanbari, Leila Bazrafkan Page 47
    BACKGROUND

    The objective of rehabilitation therapists is to increase the functional abilities and quality of life in people with disability. Hence, cooperation becomes a basis for enhanced quality of care. The current study aims to investigate the experience of faculty members at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, regarding teamwork education for rehabilitation students.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This was a descriptive‑exploratory qualitative study. Maximum variation purposive sampling was used, where in‑depth, semi‑structured interviews were conducted with 13 faculty members working at four departments of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, in the year 2015–2016. Each interview was transcribed word‑by‑word and went under analysis through MAXQDA 10. Finally, after reviewing the transcripts several times, the primary codes, subthemes, and themes were formed.

    RESULTS

    Data analysis resulted in the formation of 469 open codes. Three themes emerged, including the experienced challenges to interprofessional education (IPE), experienced facilitators of team collaboration, and optimization of IPE. The subthemes of the first theme included personal challenges, academic context, and sociocultural atmosphere. The subthemes of second theme‑included experience with various forms of interprofessional (IP) collaboration, IPE in certain clinical areas, and scarcity of role models for IPE. The subthemes related to the third theme involved the development of macro policies to facilitate IPE increased interpersonal collaboration and reduced expectation of competition, and management and development of educational capability in professors.

    CONCLUSIONS

    It seems that faculty staffs do not provide the same definition of teamwork education and often do not prioritize it in their clinical teaching. Furthermore, barriers, facilitators and some solutions were discussed by them.

    Keywords: Interprofessional education, qualitative research, rehabilitation, teamwork
  • Raj Bharath Rudrappan Page 48
    BACKGROUND

    Blood transfusion service is an important part of our healthcare system whose aim is to provide safe, effective blood components for the patient’s requirement. The laboratory technicians and nurses working in the blood bank form the core for the effective functioning of blood bank. The study was to analyze the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses and paramedics such as laboratory technicians working in blood banks and whether intervention of a training program had any benefit to the participants.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This study was conducted in our department which is a regional training center approved by the National AIDS Control Organization for training medical officers, laboratory technicians, and staff nurses working in blood banks. There were a total number of 48 government run hospital blood banks who participated in the study and we conducted six training programs for 43 nurses and 64 laboratory technicians working in blood banks from the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in India. The training program was for 5 days for technicians and 3 days for nurses with theory sessions followed by hands on practical classes regarding the daily activities in blood bank. They were given a pre‑evaluation questionnaire to test their knowledge, attitude, and practice followed by a post evaluation questionnaire after conducting the training program.

    RESULTS

    The mean percentage score in the pre evaluation test before the training program for nurses and technicians was 47% and 53% while after the training program; the mean percentage was 66.8% and 77% which was statistically significant in both the groups. The correct blood bank practices followed by nurses and laboratory technicians overall were 67% and 75%, respectively. The technicians and nurses scored poorly in blood bank practices related to hemovigilance.

    DISCUSSIONS

    Regular and standardized training can lead to improvements in the knowledge, skills, and practice of nurses and paramedics who provide blood transfusion services. The constraints faced by the nurses and paramedical personnel needs to be addressed for the overall betterment of blood transfusion services.

    CONCLUSIONS

    The increase in the knowledge subsequently contributed to a better practice in the technicians. The concept of haemovigilance and error reporting has to be stressed on the nurses and paramedics to improve their good practices.

    Keywords: Haemovigilance, paramedics, training
  • Sara Sahranavard, Aliakbar Esmaeili, Hamid Salehiniya, Susan Behdani Page 49
    INTRODUCTION

    The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for anxiety, hardiness, and self‑efficacy in female students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    This was an interventional study. A sample of 30 participants were selected through the available sampling method and randomly assigned into experimental (CBT) and control groups (each group, 15 female student). The data collection instrument was the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. The questionnaires of Beck Anxiety Inventory, Ahvaz Hardiness Inventory, and Schwartz’s General Self‑Efficacy Scale were completed by all participants in two stages (pretest and posttest). A 6‑session protocol of cognitive behavioral group therapy was performed only on the experimental group. The data were analyzed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Levene’s F, Mbox, analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance tests.

    RESULTS

    The intervention group showed that the mean of anxiety decreased, whereas (P < 0.001) the means of hardiness and self‑efficacy increased in the posttest for the experimental group (P < 0.001).

    CONCLUSION

    Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety, hardiness, and self‑efficacy. Therefore, through managing anxiety, the levels of hardiness and self‑efficacy can be increased in students of university to be able to cope with the different challenges in their life.

    Keywords: Anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy, hardiness, self‑efficacy