Avicenna Journal of Aging and Healthcare
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Autumn-Winter 2023

 Improper lifestyle and unfavorable self-care in diabetic patients have led to the emergence and spread of complications and problems caused by the burden of the disease. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the PRECEDE model on improving the self-care behaviors of diabetic elderly.

 This is a semi-experimental study that was conducted on 200 elderly people with diabetes referring to Fasa diabetes centers in 2019-2020. The experimental group was trained in self-care skills based on the PRECEDE model in 6 training sessions of 50-55 minutes. Before and after the intervention, the self-care behaviors of the patients and the constructs of the PRECEDE model were measured in both groups using questionnaires. After entering the SPSS version 20 software, the data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test.

 In the experimental group, the average score of their self-care behaviors increased significantly from 101.31±36.2 to 139.01±35.8 (P<0.001), also in the experimental group, the mean scores of all constructs of the PRECEDE model increased significantly after the intervention (P<0.05). In the control group, there was no significant change in the average score of the constructs of the PRECEDE model and self-care behaviors before and after the intervention (P>0.05).

 The results of the study indicated the effectiveness of the educational program based on the PRECEDE model on improving the self-care behaviors of the elderly with diabetes.

 With age, major changes in sleep pattern and structure occur that causes sleep disturbances and frequent complaints resulting from it. The aim of this study was to determine sleep quality and its related factors among the older adults of Malayer city, west of Iran.

 This descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 298 elderly people in Malayer city. The participants were selected by multi-stage random sampling from the elderly referring to comprehensive health centers in Malayer city. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 18 using independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

 The mean and standard deviation of the age of the participants was 68.3±6.7 years. According to the results, 25.5% of the elderly did not have a desirable sleep quality and were suspicious of sleep disorders. Also, there is a statistically significant association between age, number of children and having an underlying disease with sleep quality (P<0.05).

 The findings of this study showed that the sleep quality of a significant part of the older adults is poor, so it seems necessary to emphasize the importance of performing sleep hygiene behaviors.

 Pressure ulcer is one of the serious complications of patients, especially the elderly during hospitalization, which increases the cost of health care and decreases the quality of life of the patient, and often results from long stay in the hospital. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of bedsores among elderly hospitalized in Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 5698 patients referred to Imam Reza hospital between 2019 and 2022. The inclusion criteria were more than 65 years old. Wound assessment was performed based on Braden criteria and wound grading by trained experts. After entering the SPSS version 16 software, the data were analyzed using a chi-square test.

 The average age of the participants in the study was 77.02 ± 8.27 years, and the highest frequency of bedsores (22.3%) was reported in the age group of 65 to 69 years. Wound grades 1 and 4 had the highest and lowest frequency respectively. The chi-square test analysis showed that the degree of wound and the risk assessment of pressure ulcers were not significant according to gender (P<0.05).

 According to the results of this study, the prevalence of bedsores in Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah is high, therefore, health and medical units can play an important role in preventing bedsores by knowing about the at-risk populations and implementing appropriate preventive strategies.

 Pressure ulcer is one of the common problems in hospitals, especially in long-stay inpatient departments and intensive care units. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of planned nursing care on the occurrence and severity of pressure ulcers in patients admitted to the intensive care units.

 In this interventional study, 80 patients were gradually placed in two control and experimental groups. The participants of the experimental group received the care plan based, while the participants of the control group received only the daily and routine care plan. The rate of pressure ulcer development was evaluated based on the scale of the International Pressure Ulcer Society. The data were analyzed using chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test in SPSS version 16 software.

 The relative and absolute frequency distribution of the research units according to the presence or absence of pressure ulcers after the intervention showed that pressure ulcers in the experimental group decreased significantly (P≤0.05). Also, the difference in the severity of pressure ulcers in the two groups indicated that the intervention reduced the degree, severity, and depth of pressure ulcers.

 Carrying out planned care in patients who have a high risk of pressure ulcers will reduce the possibility of pressure ulcers, especially with high severity and degree. Therefore, applying the principles of pressure ulcer prevention by the care team is emphasized and recommended for patients who are not able to do this themselves.

 Today, paying due attention to providing primary health services for the elderly is of high importance, and significant studies have been conducted in this regard in the world. The present study aimed to analyze the performance and drawing a scientific map of publications in the field of geriatric health services with a scientometric approach.

 In this scientometric study, all the scientific outputs in the field of geriatric health services in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE-Web of Science) in the period from 1980 to August 18, 2023 were included. For data analysis, biblioshiny and Excel software were used.

 Among 33238 documents in the field of geriatric health services indexed in the SCIE, the most of them were original articles. The growth trend of these documents was increasing so that the lowest number is related to 1987 with two documents and the highest number is related to 2022 with 3315 documents. BMJ Open was the most productive journal and Lancet was the most cited journal in this field. Univ Toronto was the most prolific institution and Cohen AD was the most prolific author. The keywords health services research and epidemiology were the most frequent.

 By presenting a comprehensive picture of the current state of studies in the field of geriatric health services, this study can determine the direction of future research. In addition, the findings of the present study can guide the direction and effectiveness of the research in this field.

 Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant public health issue. Developed countries have observed an increasing number of OHCAs in the elderly population. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are facing a growing number of OHCA cases in elderly patients, requiring special attention and consideration. As of 2020, the latest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines prioritize chest compressions as the initial course of action in OHCA situations.

 A year-long statistical analysis (2020-2021) of elderly individuals in the pre-hospital system of Hamadan province examined 10 cases of OHCA in the elderly in 2020-21 that occurred after consuming food (postprandial myocardial infarction).

 Ten of 90 cardiac arrest cases attended by EMTs occurred in elderly individuals after eating, and despite resuscitation efforts by the EMTs, none of these cases were successful. Consequently, this complication significantly reduces the chances of successful resuscitation in these patients. Therefore, addressing the issue of aspiration in elderly individuals during resuscitation is crucial.

 Continued research, collaboration, and adaptation of resuscitation protocols will contribute to advancements in the field and enhance the life-saving potential of elderly individuals who experience cardiac arrest.