Relationship Between Assertion and Aggression with Addiction Potential: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2019.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the relationship between assertion and aggression with addiction potential among students in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, 500 students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, were selected by multistage random sampling, for a study using the Addiction Potential Scale, and Assertion and Aggression Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square, t test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the linear regression model. RESULTS: The mean scores of addiction potential, aggression, and assertion were 32.7 ± 17.2, 41.5 ± 12.9 and 139.4 ± 22.3, respectively. In this study, 38.8% (N = 194) of students had high aggression and 76.8% (N = 384) had high assertion. In the regression model, aggression, history of drug and addictive substances abuse, history of tobacco use, and history of alcohol abuse were significantly related to addiction potential (p ≤ 0.05). There was a negative relationship between assertion and addiction potential so that with one-unit increase in the assertion score, the addiction potential score decreased by -0.11. CONCLUSION: Given the direct relationship between aggression and addiction potential, and since more than three-quarters of the students had moderate to high aggression, it is necessary to pay more attention to this issue. Interventions may play an important role in improving the current situation.

Creativity and its determinants among medical students.

INTRODUCTION: The ultimate goal of education at all levels is the ability to generate and foster students' creativity. This study aimed at determining and comparing creativity and its influencing factors among medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, 720 medical students in Shahroud public and private universities were selected and studied through stratified cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Guilford Creativity Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and multiple logistic regression with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean creativity score of the students was 131.4 ± 13.8. The mean creativity scores on the fluency, elaboration, originality, and flexibility dimensions were 49.2 ± 5.3, 22.1 ± 3.4, 34.8 ± 4.7, and 25.4 ± 3.5, respectively. In terms of creativity levels, 75.2% of the students (n = 542) had moderate creativity and 23.8% (n = 171) had high creativity. A significant relationship was observed between creativity and educational level (P = 0.006). Multiple logistic regression results showed that educational level with an odds ratio of 0.59 was associated with a decreased chance of creativity. CONCLUSION: Most of the students had moderate creativity. Moreover, among the factors examined in this study, variables other than the field of the study and educational level had no significant effect on students' creativity. Therefore, using collaborative and cooperative learning and problem-based learning strategies, teachers' critical thinking styles, establishing teamwork groups, concept mapping, and using innovative and creative teaching methods can help to enhance students' creativity.

Burnout and its Influencing Factors among Primary Health Care Providers in the North East of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout is a popular research topics in service providing jobs, including the health care field. This study aimed at assessing the level of job burnout and to consider the important antecedents which might be related to job burnout among primary health care providers in Iran. METHODS: The participants in this applied cross-sectional study which was conducted in 2013 were 548 primary health care providers who were randomly selected from among those working in Shahroud, Sabzevar, Neishabour, Bojnord (provinces located in the north east of Iran). Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to the participants and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS through chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression model. RESULTS: The burnout mean score among the participants was 54.1 ± 27.2 and the mean scores of burnout components i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were 15.5 ± 13.6, 3.7 ± 5.4 and 35.5 ± 13.5 respectively. In terms of levels of burnout, 64.2% of the participants showed low levels (n = 352), 18.4% average levels (n = 101) and 17.3% high levels (n = 95). A significant relationship was observed between burnout, job resources and interest in job (p ≤ 0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between burnout and the place (university) of working, age, satisfaction with income, experience, gender, level of education, marital status, housing status, having a second job and place of residence (p ≥0.05). CONCLUSION: Lack of personal accomplishment was highly prevalent among the participating primary health care providers. Lack of career advancement and job transfer opportunities may play a role in the burnout of primary health care providers. Therefore, paying attention to this aspect may help to reduce burnout and even increase job engagement.

Social Consequences of Infertility on Families in Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Social reactions to infertility are one of the concerns infertile people. This study aimed to investigate the social consequences of infertility among urban and rural population of Shahroud in northeast of Iran. METHOD: This study is a comparative study that was conducted in 2013. In this study, 1,528 women (511 infertile and 1017 fertile ones) were randomly selected. The 36-item questionnaire included 18 items about women's attitude towards infertility and 18 questions about the consequences of infertility was used. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance and t test. FINDINGS: The prevalence of infertility in rural areas was estimated to be 2.23 percent. 42.2% of the participants were living the city (n= 645) and 57.8 % were living in the village (n= 883). 49.2% of the participants had education below high school diploma (n=751), 31.7% had high school diploma (n=484) and 19.2% had university degrees (n=293). 51.9% of the people referred to the infertility problem among distant relatives, 24.9% referred to infertility among the close relatives and 9% reported the infertility among their family members. The mean score of attitude of the fertile was 56.6±7.0 and that of the infertile was 56.8± 6.6 and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was a significant association between fertility status and encouraging divorce, encouraging remarriage and encouraging adoption (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Infertility causes a negative attitude toward infertile people. But the interference of others leads to further encouragement of divorce and remarriage among the infertile people.