The effect of presence of family members on the anxiety level of candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anxiety and its control is a public health problem worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the effect of family members' presence on the anxiety level of patients who were candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was performed in Shahid Chamran hospital in city of Saveh in IR Iran. In this study, 96 patients who were candidates for EGD and met the inclusion criteria were assigned into control and intervention groups by simple random sampling method. The demographic questionnaire and Spiel Berger's State and Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI) were used to measure anxiety. Results: No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the mean level of anxiety before intervention (p= 0.13). After intervention, the level of anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group (p= 0.001). However, the mean level of anxiety was not significant in the control group after intervention (p= 0.09). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the presence of family members during endoscopy may reduce the patient's anxiety level, and thus it is recommended as a non-pharmaceutical, beneficial, and safe intervention.

Does the theory-driven program affect the risky behavior of drug injecting users in a healthy city? A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The horror of HIV/AIDS as a non-curable, grueling disease is a destructive issue for every country. Drug use, shared needles and unsafe sex are closely linked to the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Modification or changing unhealthy behavior through educational programs can lead to HIV prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of theory-based education intervention on HIV prevention transmission in drug addicts. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 69 male drug injecting users were entered in to the theory- based educational intervention. Data were collected using a questionnaire, before and 3 months after four sessions (group discussions, lecture, film displaying and role play) of educational intervention. RESULTS: The findings signified that the mean scores of constructs (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity and benefit) significantly increased after the educational intervention, and the perceived barriers decreased (p< 0.001). Also, the history of HIV testing was reported to be 9% before the intervention, while the rate increased to 88% after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The present research offers a primary founding for planning and implementing a theory based educational program to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in drug injecting addicts. This research revealed that health educational intervention improved preventive behaviors and the knowledge of HIV/AIDS participants.

Health locus of control and self-care behaviors in diabetic foot patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot affects more than 25% of diabetic patients and finally up to 20% of cases result in amputation. The most important factor resulting in severe complications or even death is lack of self-care. Health locus of control has been introduced as one of health factors and predicting factors of self-care. This research was performed for analyzing the correlation between self-care behaviors and health locus of control in diabetic foot patients. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 120 patients with diabetic foot were chosen using convenience sampling from endocrine clinic and wards of endocrine and vascular surgery of Teleqani Hospital of Shahid Beheshti Medical University. The data were gathered by demographic, self-care behavior, and health locus of control questionnaires. The t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and spearman coefficient were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: RESULTS of this research showed that there is a direct and significant relation between selfcare behaviors and internal health locus of control (p<0.001), and also in contrast with chance health locus of control (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have to consider these factors' role in nursing interventions and patient-care education programs and plans. Probably, interventions and programs that will lead to the strengthening of internal health locus of control improve and strengthen patients' self-care behaviors and their involvement in treatment.

Correlation between compliance regimens with health locus of control in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological changes leading to chronic diseases are becoming more important day by day. Hypertension is also known as a chronic disease. Worldwide prevalence of hypertension have caused serious complications. The disease has become a health problem in all communities. This research aims at analyze the correlation between compliance with the treatment regimen and health locus of control in hypertension patients. METHODS: In this study, 130 patients diagnosed with high blood pressure have been included using convenience sampling. Information has been gathered including demographic data, compliance with the treatment regimen and health locus of control. The patient's blood pressure was measured twice and the mean was compared with the first blood pressure recorded in medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: The results showed that there is a direct correlation between the adherence to the treatment regimen with internal health locus of control. In patients with internal health locus of control, better compliance with treatment regimen was detected. CONCLUSION: Health locus of control is associated with treatment regimen. Considering health locus control can help nurses and managers in their health programs and also can motivate patients to participate in their self-care and improve patients care quality.

Death with Dignity in End-of-Life Nursing Care: Concept Analysis by Rodgers' Evolutionary Method.

Background: The concept of dying with dignity is being discussed in various fields, including psychology, sociology, medicine, and nursing, with different definitions available for this concept. However, few studies investigated the concept of end-of-life nursing care, which plays an important role in the implementation of the concept. This concept can also affect people's perception, attitude, and behavior toward practicing dignified death in health-care centers. The current study aimed to clarify, understand, and further recognize the concept of death with dignity in end-of-life nursing care. Materials and Methods: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis was used to clarify the concept of death with dignity in end-of-life nursing care. MEDLINE, BLACKWELL, PROQUEST, Science Direct, and CINAHL databases and national databases of SID and Iran Medex were systematically searched to identify relevant studies using various combinations of the following keywords: "dignity," "dignified death," "dying with dignity," and "dignifying death" in combination with "end-of-life care." All articles with the above-mentioned terms in their title, abstract, or keywords and published in English from 2006 to 2020 were included. A total of 21 articles were finally identified for review. Results: Characteristics of dying with dignity were categorized into two dimensions of human dignity and holistic care. The antecedents included professional and organizational factors, and outcomes included good death and career promotion. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that end-of-life nursing care is an important dimension of clinical nursing that plays a unique role in admission and facilitating the process of dying and, eventually, dying with dignity.

The Effect of Oral Health Promotion Program on Early Dental Decay in Students: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The use of different models play a significant role in health education and its promotion. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on early dental decay in elementary students. Methods: This study was a single-blinded, cluster randomized controlled trial, in which 470 elementary students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades in Saveh, Iran were participated. A demographic questionnaire and a 5-item questionnaire consisting of questions on awareness, attitude, practice, tooth brushing, diet and referring to dentist, were used to data collection. The samples of the intervention (n=234) and control (n=236) groups filled out the questionnaires before intervention (pre-test), immediately after intervention and one month after intervention. The educational intervention based on the TPB was held in three 45-minute sessions. Finally, the data were analyzed, using the SPSS version 13. For analyzing, the Independent t-test, Chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: This study showed that there is a significant difference in the mean scores obtained from knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention and behavior among students in the experimental group (immediately after and one month after the intervention) and students in the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that using of TPB, as a framework for providing behavior-led training, can be effective in promoting oral and dental health of students. Nurses as an important member of the treatment team can use the results of this study in school health programs.