Impact of Family Caregiver Training on Care of Burn Patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a family caregiver training program on care provision to burn patients. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 96 family caregivers of burn patients admitted to a burn hospital in Iran. The caregivers' knowledge and training needs were measured at baseline. Four training sessions were provided for the experimental group and caregivers' practices were measured 6 weeks after discharge. Comparing the scores of knowledge and total care with its subdomains (i.e., diet and medication, wound care, itch decrease, wound scar healing, pain management, use of mobility assistive devices, and follow-up considerations) revealed a significant difference between the two groups of caregivers after the intervention (p < 0.01). The caregivers' practices regarding provision of care to burn patients were improved after attending the training program. Receiving sufficient and continuous information from admission to discharge can empower family members.

The effect of a planned lactation education program on the mother's breastfeeding practice and weight gain in low birth weight infants: a randomized clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) infants are more prone to possible growth disorders, and their mothers need more specific education sessions regarding breastfeeding practice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a planned lactation education program on the mother's breastfeeding practice and weight gain in LBW infants. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 80 mother-LBW infant dyads admitted to a gynecology and obstetrics hospital. The participants were selected randomly and divided into an experimental group and a control group, each with 40 mothers. Information on LBW infants' weight and the mothers' breastfeeding practice was collected using a questionnaire at birth. Then, a planned lactation education program was implemented in the experimental group in two sessions in the hospital and three 20-minute sessions in comprehensive health centers. Finally, the weight of 14-15 day-old and two-month-old LBW infants and the mothers' breastfeeding practice for 14-15 day-old LBW infants in the two groups were recollected and analyzed using SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: Comparing the LBW infants' weights and mothers' breastfeeding practice revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups pre-intervention. However, significant differences were observed between the two groups post-intervention in terms of weight gain in the LBW infants over 14-15 days and two months of age (F = 4720.6, p < 0.001) and the mothers' breastfeeding practice for 14-15-day-old infants (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the positive impact of lactation education on the mother's breastfeeding practice and LBW infants' weight, planned lactation education courses should be applied for LBW infants' mothers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered in the Clinical Trial Registration Center of Iran, with the code: IRCT20120215009014N421 on 14/04/2022.

Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education on Infection Control Standard Precautions in Prehospital Emergency Staff: A Clinical Trial Study.

BACKGROUND: Standard precautions are a basic strategy to prevent occupational exposure in prehospital emergency staff. The Health Belief Model (HBM)-based education can be used to promote and educate health behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the HBM-based education on infection control standard precautions in prehospital emergency technicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial study was conducted on 84 prehospital emergency staff of Hamadan who were randomly assigned to two groups: Experimental (n: 42) and control (n: 42) using a cluster method. The data were collected by a researcher-developed questionnaire. Before education, the questionnaires were completed by both groups, and then three educational sessions were held for the experimental group within one month. Two months after the intervention, the two groups completed the questionnaire and the data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software. RESULTS: Before education, there was no significant difference in the mean scores on HBM constructs and performance between the two groups (p > 0.05). The results of the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) after educational intervention showed there was a significant difference in the mean scores of all constructs and performance between the two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBM-based educational intervention could affect the scores of the model's constructs and improve the use of standard precautions in emergency medical technicians. In-service training is recommended to be developed for the staff based on HBM.

The effect of self-management intervention program on the lifestyle of postmyocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with myocardial infarction (MI) suffer from one or more risk factors such as obesity and overweight, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity (PA), and high blood pressure. Individual control of these risk factors by lifestyle modification raises the probability of survival in these patients; hence, we used a self-management intervention to assess its effect on the lifestyle of post-MI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 92 hospitalized MI patients in Hamadan province in 2016. Convenience sampling method was used for selecting the participants. The patients were selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. The main parameters (diet, blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]) were measured at the baseline and 8 weeks after discharge. Domestic PA was the only parameter measured 8 weeks after their discharge. A self-management intervention was adopted for the experimental group. The data were analyzed using paired and independent-sample t-tests with SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: The comparison of the scores obtained for diet, blood pressure, waist circumference, and BMI in post-MI patients revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups at the beginning of the study (P > 0.05). Following the intervention, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score for diet and domestic PA (walking program from 1st week to 8 weeks), compared to the control group (P < 0.001); however, the intervention had no significant effect on BMI, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic pressure (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the program had an impact on some risk factors. Therefore, it is recommended to use self-management support in MI patients during the discharge process to improve their lifestyle.

The relationship between sleep quality and road traffic crashes of urban drivers in Hamadan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Sleep quality is one of the main human factors related to urban road traffic crashes. This study aimed at determining the relationship between sleep quality and road traffic crashes in urban drivers. METHODS: This correlational study was conducted in Hamadan, a city located in the western part of Iran. The study samples consisted of 309 Hamadan drivers (i.e., 103 with road traffic crashes (RTCs) and 206 without RTCs), who were referred to police centers to change or renew their driving licenses. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire including demographic information and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire was filled out in a self-administered manner. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS-16 software and applying logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The comparison of sleep quality scores between two groups, using the adjusted logistic regression test, showed a statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.019). This means that the sleep quality of drivers without RTCs was 1.8 times better than drivers with RTCS (OR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 - 3.07). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between poor sleep quality and the occurrence of RTCS in urban drivers. As a result, it is recommended paying more attention to the sleep quality of urban drivers to prevent and control RTCs.

Lecture-based versus problem-based learning in ethics education among nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Moral reasoning is a vital skill in the nursing profession. Teaching moral reasoning to students is necessary toward promoting nursing ethics. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of problem-based learning and lecture-based methods in ethics education in improving (1) moral decision-making, (2) moral reasoning, (3) moral development, and (4) practical reasoning among nursing students. RESEARCH DESIGN: This is a repeated measurement quasi-experimental study. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: The participants were nursing students in a University of Medical Sciences in west of Iran who were randomly assigned to the lecture-based (n = 33) or the problem-based learning (n = 33) groups. The subjects were provided nursing ethics education in four 2-h sessions. The educational content was similar, but the training methods were different. The subjects completed the Nursing Dilemma Test before, immediately after, and 1 month after the training. The data were analyzed and compared using the SPSS-16 software. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The program was explained to the students, all of whom signed an informed consent form at the baseline. FINDINGS: The two groups were similar in personal characteristics (p > 0.05). A significant improvement was observed in the mean scores on moral development in the problem-based learning compared with the lecture-based group (p < 0.05). Although the mean scores on moral reasoning improved in both the problem-based learning and the lecture-based groups immediately after the training and 1 month later, the change was significant only in the problem-based learning group (p < 0.05). The mean scores on moral decision-making, practical considerations, and familiarity with dilemmas were relatively similar for the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of the problem-based learning method in ethics education enhances moral development among nursing students. However, further studies are needed to determine whether such method improves moral decision-making, moral reasoning, practical considerations, and familiarity with the ethical issues among nursing students.

The effect of nature as positive distractibility on the Healing Process of Patients with cancer in therapeutic settings.

BACKGROUND: Environmental design has a positive effect on patient health. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nature on positive distraction on the Healing Process of Patients with Cancer. METHOD: This research is a descriptive-correlational study which conducted on 80 cancer patients in an educational center with two different outlooks (natural view and no natural view) in Hamadan, Iran from March to May 2017. Patients were selected by convenience sampling method based on inclusion criteria. Two kinds of questionnaires including State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and visual analog scale (VAS) about pain were distributed among who view natural landscapes (nature group) and who don't view natural landscapes (no nature group). Two groups compared in terms of pain and anxiety. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Findings of the study indicate that admitted patients viewing natural scenery had less anxiety (P < 0.001) and pain (P = 0.02) than admitted patients viewing no natural scenes. CONCLUSION: Natural scenes caused to reduce the pain and anxiety, so using this healing power of nature leads to positive distraction.

Pediculosis capitis and relevant factors in secondary school students of Hamadan, west of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Pediculosis capitis is a problem in children and has worldwide distribution. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of pediculosis degree and its relevant factors in the secondary schools in Hamadan west of Iran. METHODS: The study was carried out in two phases. A cross-sectional procedure was used to determine the prevalence of pediculosis, and the case study was done to identify the relevant factors to the infestation. Totally, 10841 secondary students were chosen and classified in accordance with the clustering sample. RESULTS: The prevalence of pediculosis was 1.05%. It was 1.27% among the urban student; whereas 0.05% among the rural students. About 2.3% belonged to female students, and 0.11% was pertained to the male students. The greatest amount of infestation prevalence was reported from the schools of urban areas particularly in the public schools of suburbia. Furthermore, the prevalence of infestation was more where some individuals had pediculosis previous history and suffered from head inching. It turned out to be a significant relationship between pediculosis, head itching (P<0.001) and previous history of pediculosis (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pediculosis in Hamadan is low, but is more in the areas which are deprived of the access to health facilities. Therefore, there is a need for educational campaigns about danger of infection and regular mass screening at school.