International Archives of Health Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Jan-Mar 2024

This study aims to explore community pharmacists’ perceptions of their evolving role in prescribing. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design was utilized. Pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Polokwane, South Africa, were purposefully selected. With data saturation achieved, 14 pharmacists participated in the study. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Tesch’s open coding technique. The majority of participants expressed satisfaction with their new role as prescribers, emphasizing that they possess the necessary knowledge and pharmacology skills to diagnose patients and recommend appropriate treatments. Findings underscore a variety of benefits, including advantages for patients, financial benefits, and professional growth for pharmacists. Pharmacists' involvement in prescribing has the potential to enhance rational prescribing practices, improve medication use, reduce medical costs for patients, expand pharmacists’ therapeutic knowledge, and enhance access to healthcare services. Increasing pharmacists' prescribing capabilities and the availability of approved training institutions may foster greater interest in this field.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Vitamin D levels and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and angina. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected as part of the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing (NeLSA) between 2016 and 2018. The effect of Vitamin D on CVDs was analyzed in conjunction with socioeconomic and medical history variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test and logistic regression in the R. Vitamin D levels were evaluated in 3414 participants (1527 men and 1889 women), with over two-thirds of participants showing insufficiency or deficiency of Vitamin D. Among them, 362 participants had self-reported diagnosed CADs. The study did not find a significant association between serum 25OH Vitamin D levels and the risk of CADs. Adjusted logistic regression revealed that male gender was a risk factor for MI (OR=4.7; 95% CI: 3.125-6), stroke (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.08-2.85), and angina (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.7). Additionally, having one or more medical conditions other than hypertension and diabetes was associated with angina (OR=7.14; 95% CI: 3.7-14.7), MI (OR=5; 95% CI: 2.97-8.3), and stroke (OR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-4.7). Participants aged over 70 years were more likely to experience angina (OR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.36-4.5) and stroke (OR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.35-4.5). The study revealed a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. While the protective role of Vitamin D against CADs was not supported in this study, it does not discount the potential benefits of Vitamin D supplementation for overall health in older individuals.

This study aimed to compare pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women in the third trimester with and without anemia.

A case-control study was conducted, involving 144 pregnant women with anemia (case group) and 144 pregnant women without anemia (control group) receiving prenatal care in the third trimester between April 2021 and March 2022. Various maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes, such as response to iron intake, incidence of preeclampsia during delivery, rates of cesarean section, postpartum infections, small for gestational age (SGA) infants, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and birth weight, were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly lower in women with anemia compared to those in the control group (p<0.001). The response rate to iron supplementation was 21.5% in anemic women and 97.2% in non-anemic women (p<0.001). SGA incidence in the case group was 7.6% (11 cases), while it was 2.1% (3 cases) in the control group (p=0.028). Although pre-eclampsia, cesarean section rates, and infant birth weights were lower in the case group compared to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in the rates of cesarean section, episiotomy site infections, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes between the two groups.

The results of this study indicate a correlation between maternal anemia and adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes, with a significantly higher incidence of SGA among anemic women. Therefore, healthcare providers in preconception care settings should identify anemic women prior to pregnancy initiation and provide appropriate interventions through dietary adjustments and supplements to mitigate adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the quality of nursing care in critical care units (CCUs) for patients with COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 nurses working in CCUs at a teaching hospital in Tehran from June to December 2021. Nurses' performance in caring for COVID-19 patients was evaluated through a nursing care quality measurement scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software, and using t-tests, ANOVAs, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regressions. The study revealed that 68.2% of nurses were female, and 67.2% of patients were male. The mean quality of care score ranged from medium to high (125.77±33.73), with better care provided to male patients compared to female patients (p<0.01). A significant negative correlation was observed between the quality of care and patients' age (r=-0.40; p<0.0001) as well as the number of monthly overtime hours worked (r=-0.206; p=0.03). Age and gender were identified as predictive variables for the quality of care (p<0.05). The quality of care in CCUs for COVID-19 patients was rated as medium to high. Increasing the number of nurses during pandemic such as COVID-19 is essential to enhance the quality of care. Furthermore, training programs should be implemented to improve nurses' attitudes in COVID-19 wards, particularly towards caring for the elderly.

This study aims to explore the relationship between attachment styles, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence. Also, it examines the mediating role of mentalization in the connection between attachment, well-being, and adherence to treatment. This cross-sectional study included 230 diabetic patients aged 20 to 65 who sought treatment at the Isfahan endocrinology and metabolism clinics from July to October 2021. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. All participants completed Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire, Collins and Read Attachment Style Questionnaire, Mentalization Questionnaire (Ments), and Tobert's Self-Care Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using correlation and structural equation modeling methods. A secure attachment style and psychological well-being were found to have a positive correlation with treatment adherence (p<0.05, T=4.32, p<0.05, T=2.79). Furthermore, mentalization was identified as a significant mediator in the relationship between psychological well-being, avoidant attachment style, and treatment adherence (p<0.05, T=4.38, p<0.05, T=2.05). The study highlights the significant mediating role of mentalization between treatment adherence, psychological well-being, and avoidant attachment. It emphasizes the potential of mentalization to improve treatment adherence, especially among individuals with an avoidant insecure attachment style.

This study aimed to assess the antibacterial activity of the crude venom of Pseudocerastes persicus against some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using an antimicrobial susceptibility test. The susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and E. coli O157:H7 to the crude venom of Pseudocerastes persicus was investigated at a concentration of 100 µg/ml. Standard antibiotic disks were utilized as positive controls. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA was determined through the dilution method (160-1.25 µg/ml). These MIC values were compared with those of conventional drugs such as streptomycin (25 µg), tetracycline (30 µg), and neomycin (25 µg). The crude venom exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7. It displayed moderate effects on Salmonella typhimurium but showed no significant impact on Bacillus subtilis. The MIC values against these bacteria ranged from 160 to 80 µg/ml. The venom from Pseudocerastes persicus demonstrates antibacterial properties and shows potential therapeutic value. Further investigations involving fractionation are necessary to fully explore its therapeutic potential.

This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of coping styles on the relationship between anxiety triggered by COVID-19 and health-related anxiety in the general population of Kashan city during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online questionnaire was used to collect data from 390 participants in Kashan, Iran, between March and April 2020, during the peak of the pandemic. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling. The assessment tools included the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), and Body Vigilance Scale (BVS). Descriptive and correlation analyses were performed using SPSS-22, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted with Amos-22 software to analyze the mediating role of coping styles. The Pearson correlation results revealed that problem-solving, social support, and cognitive reappraisal were negatively associated with health anxiety, while emotion-focused and somatization coping strategies were positively associated with health anxiety symptoms (p < .05). The SEM analysis showed that cognitive reappraisal acted as a negative mediator in the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and health anxiety. Our findings support previous research indicating that emotion-focused coping strategies can exacerbate anxiety levels. Additionally, we found that cognitive reappraisal may serve as a protective factor in mitigating the transition from COVID-19 anxiety to health anxiety.

This study aimed to assess the effects of Liothyronine supplementation on memory performance in patients diagnosed with mood disorders (major depressive or bipolar disorder). This double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients with major depression and bipolar disorder. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving Liothyronine or the placebo group, with 33 patients in each group, for a duration of one month. Memory performance was assessed before the first, fourth, and final ECT sessions, as well as one month after the last session using the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). Data analysis was performed using independent-samples Chi-square test and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction factor. Liothyronine significantly enhanced communicative learning and visual memory in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder one month after the final ECT session. Additionally, a positive effect of Liothyronine on immediate recall was observed before the last ECT session. Liothyronine supplementation improves ECT-induced cognitive impairment in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the potential of Liothyronine as an adjunctive treatment for major depression and bipolar disorder.

This study aimed to evaluate the status of antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection. This case-control study was conducted at Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences from 2020 to 2022. Participants were divided into two groups: COVID-19 (n=35 recovered cases) and non-COVID-19 (n=34). The study assessed anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) including IgM, IgG, and antibodies against β2-glycoprotein (anti-B2GPI). Additionally, the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) test was conducted on patients not using anticoagulant medications. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for ACA and anti-B2GPI testing, while the LAC test was conducted using a fully automated coagulometer. The mean LAC among participants was 33.8 ± 7.53s for females and 36.39 ± 5.54s for males. Results of antibody tests indicated that ACA IgM was positive in 2 out of 33 cases, with none in the non-recovered COVID-19 and COVID-19 patients (P value = 0.15). Furthermore, the LAC test showed positive results in 5 and 2 patients in the case and control groups, respectively (P value = 0.26). Correlation analyses of LAC with other antibodies revealed no significant associations for non-COVID-19 patients, while a significant association was observed between LAC and β2GPI IgG and ACA IgG (r = 0.52; P <0.001 and r = 0.51; P <0.001, respectively). Negative correlations were found between LAC and ACA IgM and hospitalization in the case group (r = -0.22 and r = -0.04, respectively). For the control group, negative correlations were observed between LAC and β2GPI IgM, ACA IgG, and ACA IgM (r = -0.25, r = -0.03, and r = -0.03, respectively). Additionally, Anti-β2GPI IgG and anti-β2GPI IgM tests were positive in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups (two positives in total) (P value = 0.98 vs P value = 0.31). We recommend routine testing for aPL antibodies in recovered COVID-19 patients to assess their normal condition. Our findings suggest that APS antibodies in COVID-19 patients can serve as a negative prognostic indicator, guiding decisions on the need for intensive care based on antibody levels.

This study aimed to assess the age-friendly indicators in Kashan City, Iran in 2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of Kashan City, Iran. Researchers randomly selected 80 locations and used a specific checklist for observation. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Outdoor buildings and offices scored a mean of 8.95±2.25 out of 20 (range 5-14, 95% CI: 8-10.05), indicating an average condition. Urban roads and transportation scored 6.10±2.34 out of 20 (range 5-10, 95% CI: 5.8-7.0), also showing an average condition. Parks and public spaces received a score of 7.57±1.5 out of 16 (range 6-11, 95% CI: 6.8–8.1), reflecting an average condition. Religious places scored 10.09±2.6 out of 12 (range 7-11, 95% CI: 9.2–10.3), indicating a good condition. The majority of outdoor buildings and offices, urban roads and transportation, as well as recreational and religious spaces in Kashan City do not meet the necessary standards for an age-friendly environment. These findings highlight areas that require improvement to enhance the health, activity, and quality of life for the elderly population.