Social determinants of violence against adolescent married women and how the women respond to it: A qualitative study in the Kurdish areas of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: It is crucial to identify the factors that influence violence against women, one of Iran's most significant health and social issues. Thus, the purpose of this research is to explore the social determinants of violence against adolescent married women and how the women respond to it in the Kurdish areas of Iran via a qualitative approach. METHOD: The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and the conventional content analysis method among 33 married adolescent women who experienced violence and key informants in the Kurdish areas of Iran. Targeted and snowball sampling were used to reach the participants, and semistructured interviews were used to collect data. In order to improve the quality of the research results, Guba and Lincoln criteria were observed. RESULTS: Four categories, 18 subcategories, and 195 codes were obtained from the data analysis: (a) sociocultural factors (beliefs dictated by cultural norms, fatalism, incomplete social support, and weakness of the law), (b) family factors (the prevalence of silence in the face of violence, the existence of a model of violence and aggression in families, and inappropriate conditions of the husband), (c) individual factors (strong dependence on the husband, unstable position, low self-confidence, not having enough sexual skills, not having enough skills in interpersonal relationships, and too much insistence on continuing married life), and (d) reactions from the victims (silence and concealment, seeking support, tolerance, confrontation, and revenge). CONCLUSIONS: Violence against adolescent married women is influenced by various sociocultural, family, and individual factors, and women react differently to the violence of their husbands, the most common of which is silence and concealment. Therefore, prevention of this phenomenon requires individual, family, social, and cultural interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Challenges and reactions of families of women survived self-immolation: A qualitative study in western Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Families are a key source of support for women recovering from self-immolation, a common form of suicide in many parts of the world. Yet, we know little about the challenges these families face. The present study explores the challenges and reactions of the families of women saved from self-immolation in western. METHOD: This qualitative research used a phenomenological approach with the families of women who survived self-immolation in western Iran. Saturation was achieved with semi-structured interviews with 31 participants who were selected through purposive sampling and snowball sampling. The Colaizzi approach was used to analyze the data, and Guba and Lincoln's four criteria were used to improve the quality of the results. RESULTS: Two categories, 11 subcategories, and 163 primary codes were obtained from the data analysis. (a) Challenges include the cost of treatment, a lack of appropriate health and treatment centers, family stigma, fear, and worry, challenges in justifying the victim's continued treatment and counseling, unpleasant feelings, the spread of family tensions, and a lack of support. (b) Reactions include rejection of the victim, compensation for the past, tolerance of the victim, and changes in family life conditions. CONCLUSION: The families of women survivors of self-immolation face various challenges. It is possible to reduce their problems to some extent and improve their health through environmental, financial, social, and educational support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the challenges of men who married to adolescent girls in Western Iran: A qualitative study.

Background and Aims: Men face many challenges in their lives with adolescent girls that need to be identified. No research has been conducted in this field in Iran. This research aimed to explore the challenges of men married to adolescent girls in western Iran using a qualitative approach. Methods: This research was conducted using qualitative methods and a conventional content analysis approach. Participants were 28 men in western Iran who had the experience of marrying girls under 18 years of age. Semi-structured interviews were used both face-to-face and over the phone to collect data. Also, snowballing and purposeful sampling were used to select the participants. The data were also analysed using Granheim and Lundman's approach. Results: From the data analysis, 1 category, 9 subcategories, and 103 primary codes were obtained. The main category was lack of empathy and consensus, which includes the subcategories of sexual dissatisfaction, girls' dependence on the family, inability to fulfill the roles of a wife, not being understood in life, remaining in the world of childhood, emotional divorce, limiting progress and preventing the achievement of goals, betrayal, and chaotic life. Conclusion: Young couples problems can be solved by measures such as giving sex education and teaching skills necessary for married life, such as problem solving skills and anger control, to adolescent men and girls, as well as training families on how to properly support adolescent couples.

The effect of saffron and corrective exercises on depression and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system which causes various complications such as reduced ability to do daily activities, depression and early death of patients. The present study aimed to compare the effect of saffron and corrective exercises on depression and quality of life in women with MS. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 MS women for 12 weeks. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and allocated into four study groups (three intervention groups and one control group) using the stratified block randomization. The Expanded Disability Status Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale were used to collect data at the start of the study and also at the end of the sixth and the twelfth weeks. At the end of the twelfth week, the depression mean scores in all experimental groups (saffron group, corrective exercises group, corrective exercises + saffron group) were significantly different compared to the control group (P < 0.05), and this difference in corrective exercises + saffron group was more than the others. Also, at the end of the twelfth week, the mean scores of the quality of life (both physical and mental dimensions) in all experimental groups were significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). The saffron group in physical dimension and the corrective exercises + saffron group in psychological dimension showed a significant difference with other groups. Although each of the corrective exercises program and saffron consumption alone were effective in reducing depression and enhancing the quality of life in MS patients, the consequences will be more beneficial in case these two interventions are used together. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage MS patients to consume saffron supplement along with doing physical activities in caring and rehabilitation programs.

Determinants of observing health protocols related to preventing COVID-19 in adult women: A qualitative study in Iran.

Background: The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to observe health protocols. Therefore, identifying the reasons of following these protocols in order to plan and make intervention seems necessary. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of observing health protocols related to prevention of COVID-19 among the Iranian adult women with a qualitative approach. Method: In this qualitative study, the conventional content analysis approach was used. saturation was obtained after face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 38 women from Kermanshah who were selected through purposeful sampling and snowball sampling. Guba and Lincoln criteria were used for the strength of the research and Graneheim and Lundman method was used for its analysis. Results: After analyzing the interviews, 5 categories, 12 subcategories and 110 initial codes were obtained. Categories and sub-categories were: 1- Individual factors (personality traits, health literacy about COVID-19); 2- Perceived risk having underlying disease in oneself and family, history of getting COVID-19 and death in close relatives; 3- Fear of the destructive consequences of the disease (concern about the economic consequences of getting the disease, concern about the treatment process); 4- Social and cultural factors (social monitoring, religious insight, ability to properly manage social interactions, impressionability from important others); 5- Environmental factors (supportive living environment, access to health and anti-infective materials). Conclusion: Increasing the adherence of adult women to health instructions related to COVID-19 requires interventions at different levels of individual, environmental and social, and without accurate knowledge of the customs and culture of a society effective interventions cannot be established.

Experiences of cancer patients about seeking health information: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Searching for health information is an important strategy in dealing with cancer that contributed to the improved management of cancer. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of cancer patients seeking health information using the conventional content analysis approach. METHODS: The 18 participants were selected by purposive sampling and data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed by software MaxQDA 10 based on conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the emergence of three central categories, including "optimal cancer management," "poor information dissemination system," and "perceived health literacy." CONCLUSION: Knowing how cancer patients obtain health information can form the basis to promote patients' health literacy and design a health information dissemination system tailored to the patients' needs.

The effect of patient-centered education in adherence to the treatment regimen in patients with coronary artery disease.

This study aimed to determine the effect of patient-centered education on adherence to the treatment regimen in patients with coronary artery disease. It was a parallel randomized controlled study with a 1:1 allocation ratio. 104 patients who met the inclusion criteria were chosen through non-probability consecutive sampling and divided into intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, along with the usual education, two sessions of 45-60 minute patient-centered education were performed. The control group received only the usual education. The primary outcome was adherence to the treatment regimen which was measured before and after the intervention. The findings indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of adherence to the treatment regimen in three dimensions of diet, physical activity, and medication at the beginning and end of the research in intervention and control groups. Patient-centered education is effective in improving adherence to the treatment regimen in patients with coronary artery disease. Consequently, patient-centered education applied in the current study can be recommended as a simple, low-cost, and efficient technique in increasing adherence to the treatment regimen in patients with coronary artery disease.

The Impact of the Social Distancing Policy on COVID-19 Incidence Cases and Deaths in Iran from February 2020 to January 2021: Insights from an Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

Background: In December 2019, a viral outbreak occurred in China, and rapidly spread out worldwide. Due to the lack of immediately available vaccines and effective drugs, many policy- and decision-makers have focused on non-pharmacological methods, including social distancing. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of the implementation of this policy in Iran, one of the countries most affected by COVID-19. We conducted a quasi-experimental study, utilizing the interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) approach. Methods: We collected daily data between February 20, 2020 and January 29, 2021, through governmental websites from 954 public hospitals and healthcare settings. The Iranian government launched the social distancing policy on March 27, 2020. Statistical analyses, including ITSA, were carried out with R software Version 3.6.1 (London, UK). Results: During the study period, 1,398,835 confirmed incidence cases and 57,734 deaths occurred. We found a decrease of -179.93 (95% CI: -380.11 to -20.25, P-value=0.078) confirmed incidence cases following the implementation of the social distancing policy, corresponding to a daily decrease in the trend of -31.17 (95% CI: -46.95 to -15.40, P-value=0.08). Moreover, we found a decrease of -28.28 (95% CI: -43.55 to -13.01, P-value=0.05) deaths, corresponding to a daily decrease in the trend of -4.52 (95% CI: -5.25 to -3.78, P-value=0.003). Conclusion: The growth rate of confirmed incidence cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Iran has decreased from March 27, 2020 to January 29, 2021, after the implementation of social distancing. By implementing this policy in all countries, the burden of COVID-19 may be mitigated.

Efficacy of Valerian Extract on Sleep Quality after Coronary Artery bypass Graft Surgery: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of valerian root extract on the sleep quality of patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: The patients who participated in this triple-blind clinical trial were selected by permuted block randomization. The participants were assigned to the valerian (n=36) and placebo (n=36) groups. The valerian group received 530 mg of valerian capsules for 30 nights after CABG surgery, and the placebo group received 530 mg of the placebo capsules containing wheat flour. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were assessed on four occasions, including the baseline, the 3rd, 14th and 30th days following intervention. RESULTS: The odds ratio of worsened sleep quality significantly varied over time (the interaction of time and group) in the valerian group compared to the placebo group in various dimensions including total sleep quality (P=0.001), sleep latency (P<0.01), sleep duration (P=0.020), sleep efficiency (P=0.001) and daytime dysfunction (P=0.025). No significant difference was observed in the alterations of the odds ratio of PT in the two groups over time. (P=0.371). CONCLUSION: The consumption of oral valerian root extract over 30 nights could significantly improve the patients' sleep quality safely after CABG surgery.

The effect of the Iranian health transformation plan on hospitalization rate: insights from an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare policy- and decision-makers make efforts to build and maintain high-performing and effective health systems, implementing effectiveness programs and health reforms. In May 2014, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has launched a series of ambitious reforms, known as the Health Transformation Plan (HTP). This study aimed to determine the effect of the HTP on hospitalization rate in Iranian public hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. METHODS: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, counterfactual study utilizing the interrupted time series analysis (ITSA), comparing the trend of hospitalization rate before and after the HTP implementation in 16 hospitals in the Lorestan province. Data was collected from March 2012 to February 2019. RESULTS: In the first month of the HTP implementation, an increase of 2.627 [95% CI: 1.62-3.63] was noted (P < 0.001). Hospitalization rate increased by 0.68 [95% CI: 0.32-0.85] after the HTP implementation compared to the first month after the launch of the HTP (P < 0.001). After the HTP implementation, monthly hospitalization rate per 1000 persons significantly increased by 0.049 [95% CI: 0.023-0.076] (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The HTP implementation has resulted in an increased hospitalization rate. Health planners should continue to further improve this service. ITSA can play a role in evaluating the impact of a given health policy.

The effect of inspiratory muscle training on fatigue and dyspnea in patients with heart failure: A randomized, controlled trial.

AIM: Fatigue and dyspnea are debilitating symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on dyspnea, fatigue and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification in patients with HF. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 84 patients with HF (NYHA classes II-III/IV) with a mean age of 56.62 ± 9.56 years were randomly assigned to a 6-week IMT (n = 42) or a sham IMT (n = 42) program. The IMT was performed at 40% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in the IMT group and at 10% in the sham group. The main outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention and included dyspnea severity scale (Modified Medical Research Council [MMRC], Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS] and the NYHA functional classification (based on the presenting symptoms). RESULTS: The between-group analysis showed significant improvements in dyspnea, fatigue and the NYHA functional classification in the IMT group compared to the sham group (P < .05). The within-group analysis showed significant improvements in dyspnea (from 2.63 ± 0.79 to 1.38 ± 0.66, P < .001), fatigue (from 43.36 ± 8.5 to 28.95 ± 9.11, P < .001) and the NYHA functional classification (from 2.73 ± 0.5 to 2.1 ± 0.6, P = .001) in the IMT group, while fatigue and dyspnea increased significantly in the sham group. CONCLUSIONS: The 6-week home-based IMT was found to be an effective and safe tool for reducing dyspnea and fatigue and improving the NYHA functional classification.

The impact of the "Health Transformation Plan" and related policies on the prevalence rate of cesarean section in Iran: Insights from an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of cesarean section represents a major public health challenge worldwide. In 2014, the Iranian Health Transformation Plan (HTP) included programs promoting vaginal delivery. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the HTP on the rate of cesarean section in Iran. METHOD: The interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was used. Cesarean section- and vaginal delivery-related monthly data were collected from eight public hospitals affiliated with the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, from March 2012 to February 2019. The autocorrelation plots and the Durbin-Watson test were used for evaluating the autocorrelation between data points in the generalized least squares regression model. RESULTS: The ITSA showed that the rate of cesarean section decreased immediately after the HTP, by -0.002 per 1000 persons (95% CI, -0.004 to -0.001; P = .069). After the HTP, a significant decreasing trend of cesarean section per month was computed (-0.003; 95% CI, -0.005 to 0.012; P = .043). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the implementation of the HTP policy was effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section. This policy should continue, involving relevant stakeholders, raising mothers' awareness and motivation, and providing financial support.

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice in the first six months of life and its determinants in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the first 6 months of life is the best and most complete option for an infant, in that supplies the vitamins and minerals the baby needs. Several studies in Iran have been conducted concerning the prevalence of EBF. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of EBF in the first 6 months of life and associated factors in Iran synthesizing published studies. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ISI/Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Directory of Open Access Journals Directory (DOAJ) and Google Scholar as well as Iranian databases (Barakathns, MagIran and the Scientific Information Database or SID) up to November 2018. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Analyses were performed by pooling together studies using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model with 95% confidence interval. To test for heterogeneity, I2 test was used. The Egger's regression test and funnel plot were used to evaluate the publication bias. The strength of EBF determinants was assessed computing the Odds-ratios (OR) using the Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: In the initial search 725 records were found. Finally, 32 studies were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The sample size of studies varied between 50 and 63,071 subjects. The overall prevalence of EBF in Iran was 53% (CI 95%; 44-62). The OR for breastfeeding education received before pregnancy was 1.13 (0.94-1.36), for mother's job 1.01 (0.81-1.27), for education level 1.12 (0.89-1.42), for type of delivery 1.16 (0.98-1.37), and for gender of child 1.03 (0.83-1.28). CONCLUSION: In Iran health policy- and decision-makers should try to take interventions that encourage mothers to use their milk to breastfeed the infants.

Nurses' perception of empowerment and its relationship with organizational commitment and trust in teaching hospitals in Iran.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between perception of job empowerment and organizational commitment and trust among nurses in teaching hospitals of Khorramabad (Iran). BACKGROUND: Lack of power has been widespread among nurses in their workplaces due to uneven distribution of power among hospital staffs. Giving power to only a few individuals at the top of hospital hierarchy may often make nurses feel weak in their workplaces and causes reduction in the patients' quality care. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study which included 160 officially employed nurses in four teaching hospitals of Khorramabad (west Iran) selected by stratified random sampling. The instruments used were: The Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (C.W.E.Q-II), which measures nurses' empowerment, the Pressure Management Indicator, which measures organizational commitment and the Trust in Management Scale, which measures organizational trust. The data were analysed by the SPSS software using the descriptive and analytic statistical tests employing chi-square, Fisher's test and the Spearman-Brown correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results showed that the nurses had a below moderate score in their perception of job empowerment ( < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 2.38 ± 0.70), with the highest score in their perception of access to "opportunity" subscale ( < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 3.11 ± 0.95), and the lowest score in their perception of access to "formal power" ( < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 2.43 ± 0.95). Additionally, moderate "organizational commitment" and "organizational trust" were reported with < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 4.5 ± 0.90 and < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 4.01 ± 1.11, respectively. The highest and the lowest perception scores were found for "continuous commitment" and "affective commitment" with < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 4.94 ± 0.97 and < ! [ C D A T A [ x ¯ ] ] >  = 4.26 ± 1.21, respectively. There were positive significant relationships between the three major variables of the study (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between nurses' perception of job empowerment, organizational commitment and trust. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers can increase the motivating factors among their nurses through evaluating organizational variables like empowerment and organizational trust. In fact, through recognition of the relationship between empowerment and organizational trust, one can design the interventions of structural empowering for the improvement of professional nursing practice, nurses' workplace well-being and safe quality care.

The challenges of implementation of clinical governance in Iran: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Policy- and decision-makers seek to improve the quality of care in the health sector and therefore aim to improve quality through appropriate policies. Higher quality of care will satisfy service providers and the public, reduce costs, increase productivity, and lead to better organisational performance. Clinical governance is a method through which management can be improved and made more accountable, and leads to the provision of better quality of care. In November 2009, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education implemented new clinical guidelines to standardise and improve clinical services as well as to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges of implementing clinical governance through a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies published in Iran. METHODS: Ten databases, including ISI/Web of Sciences, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Barakatns, MagIran and the Scientific Information Database, were searched between January 2009 and May 2018. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. This study was reported according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research guidelines. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Ten studies were selected and included based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In the first stage, 75 items emerged and were coded, and, following comparison and combination of the codes, 32 codes and 8 themes were finally extracted. These themes included health system structure, management, person-power, cultural factors, information and data, resources, education and evaluation. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study showed that there exist a variety of challenges for the implementation of clinical governance in Iran. To successfully implement a health policy, its infrastructure needs to be created. Using the views and support of stakeholders can ensure that a policy is well implemented. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42017079077 . Dated October 10, 2017.

The effect of the health transformation plan on cesarean section in Iran: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. In developed and developing countries, CS has grown significantly over the past decades. The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has developed a health transformation plan (HTP) in order to reduce CS rate and promote vaginal delivery. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the results of published studies on the impact of the HTP on CS in Iran. RESULTS: We searched Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI/Web of Sciences, Scopus, as well as Iranian databases (MagIran, SID and Barakatkns), from May 2014 to October 2018. To assess the quality of studies, the checklist "A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool: for Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions" was utilized. Twelve studies were selected. Seven studies reported statistically significant results, showing a positive impact of the implementation of the HTP on CS reduction. Despite the decreased CS rate in Iran after about 4 years of the implementation of this policy, the goal of a yearly reduction by 10% has not been achieved yet. Increasing access to maternity services and community-based education through mass media could help changing the attitudes of Iranian mothers towards CS.

Iranian Nursing Students' Experiences of Case-Based Learning: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students of the implementation of case-based learning in an emergency nursing course. The present qualitative study was conducted using the qualitative content analysis method. Participants consisted of 18 third year undergraduate nursing students selected through purposive sampling, which continued until the saturation of the data. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and were analyzed concurrently with their collection through the constant comparison method. The process of data analysis led to the emergence of 4 main themes, including "the continuum of knowledge from production to transfer competence," "a positive atmosphere of interaction," "the process of stress relieving," "the sense of role-playing in professional life," and the emergence of 12 subthemes signifying participants' experiences and perceptions with regard to the implementation of case-based learning (CBL) in teaching the emergency nursing course. The results of the present study showed that CBL is a stressful but pleasant and empowering experience for Iranian nursing students that develops critical thinking and stress management skills, reinforces peers' potentials, improves diagnostic abilities, and helps acquire professional competencies for use in future practices through the creation of a positive environment.

The Prevalence of Job Stress and its Relationship with Burnout Syndrome among the Academic Members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout syndrome is one of the consequences and the results of occupational or job stress emerged in the form of emotional exhaustion feeling, depersonalization and decrement personal accomplishment. The aim of this study was to determine the occupational stress and its relationship with burnout syndrome in the academic members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 111 of the faculty members via multistage sampling. Data were collected by the questionnaire of Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and Osipow Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI- R). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics as well as analytical statistics such as chi square, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney tests and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results showed that the most of the participants had a low level of burnout three dimensions including emotional burnout (72.1%), depersonalization (81.1%), and the decrement of personal accomplishment (56.8%). Moreover 79.3% of samples had a low occupational stress, but there was a meaningful relationship between occupational stress and dimensions of burnout syndrome with an exception for the intensity of decrement of personal accomplishment. CONCLUSION: Academic members were in an appropriate condition concerning burnout syndrome and occupational stress. However by applying some strategies to decrease stress and determining stress resources, we can improve their psychological health of academic members.

Perception of Patients With HIV/AIDS From Stigma and Discrimination.

BACKGROUND: Stigma and discrimination among patients with HIV/AIDS cause various problems for the patients and their health systems. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explain the perceived experiences of the patients from stigma and discrimination and their roles on health-seeking services among patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a qualitative research using content analysis approach and semi-structured interviews, conducted on patients living with HIV/ADS, during 2013 - 2014 in Iran. Sampling started purposefully and continued in a snowball. RESULTS: The experiences of patients with HIV/AIDS from stigma and discrimination led to exploring three main themes and nine subthemes. The main themes were multidimensional stigma, rejection, and insult and discrimination in receiving health services. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma and discrimination play an important role in patients' lives and hinder them from accessing the treatment. The patients' responses to this event by secrecy strategy can be an important factor in the disease prevalence.

Metabolic effects of olanzapine and risperidone in patients with psychotic disorders.

Objectives. Atypical anti-psychotic drugs are new medications proposed for treating psychotic disorders. This study was designed to investigate the metabolic (blood sugar and lipid) and adverse effects of olanzapine and risperidone in psychotic patients. Methods. In this randomized double-blinded clinical trial, psychotic patients were randomly categorized to be treated with olanzapine or risperidone. All the subjects were initially assessed for blood sugar and lipids, and, where normal, were included. Blood sugar and lipids measurements were performed for all subjects at 1 week and after 3 months the initiation of therapy, and they were assessed for other complications as well. The data were subsequently analyzed using SPSS software. Results. The levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride rose significantly after 1 week and 3 months of therapy (P<0.001); the difference in rise of cholesterol and triglyceride in the olanzapine and the risperidone groups was significant (P<0.001), whereas the difference in blood sugar rise was not significant (P>0.05). Other complications including restlessness, impotence, weight gain, edema and drowsiness were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion. According to the study findings, we recommend more caution in the application of atypical antipsychotic drugs in high risk patients.