International Journal of Health Studies (IJHS - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences)
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The Suicide Attempt and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northeast of Iran
No full textBackground: Suicide attempt is an important psychological problem all over the world, and its upward trend is alarming due to its harmful consequences on family, society, and the economy. This study was conducted with the aim of presenting a picture of suicide attempts and related factors in Northeastern Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, the trauma registration information forms of the ministry of health of Iran, were used in the emergency department(ED) of three hospitals in the city of Shahrood within two Iranian calender years. The data of people who attempted suicide and referred to ED of these hospitals were collected by trained nurses. Analysis was done by IBM SPSS statistics version 23. The significant level was considered 0.05.
Results: The findings showed that 793 individuals with suicide attempts were referred to the ED of hospitals within 2 years. Among them 321 (40.5%) were men and 470 (59.3%) were women. The rate of suicide attempt among men was 125.87/100,000,among women 186.00/100,000,totally155.84 /100,000. Suicide attempted in the age group under 30 (71.2%) was more than in other age groups and complete suicide was significantly more in men. The ratio of male : female suicide attempts was 0.68. In the age group of 10 to 60, the percentage of suicide attempts was higher in women than in men, but in the age group of 60 to 80, the percentage of suicide attempts was higher in men, and this difference was significantly higher (p-value=0.035). In addition, there was a significant difference in the place of suicide attempts in men and women (p-value=0.029).
Conclusion: Our results is more than Iranian average. Considering youth and teenagers, especially girls are vulnerable to suicide attempts, are teachers of a happy and dynamic generation in the near future. Effective preventive interventions are essential. These local interventions can be designed to provide psychological consultation and mental health educational services to families and individuals, and continuous monitoring of people with a history of suicide attempts is crucial.
Keywords: Suicide attempt, Iran, Shahroud, trauma, women suicide attem
Structural Model of the Relationship between Pathological Personality Traits and Adolescents\u27 Tendency to Self-Harm Behavior: The Mediating role of Hyper-Competitive Attitude
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Background: Self-harm is more prevalent than previously thought in adolescent and young adult populations. This study aimed to test the structural model of the relationship between pathological personality traits and adolescents\u27 tendency to self-harm behavior based on the mediating role of hyper-competitive attitude.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 205 girls with self-damage selected for sampling during 3 months (September to December) in Teheran, Iran, 2021. The participants were selected through snowball sampling method and answered the Competitive Attitude Scale (CAS); Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) questionnaires. The results were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), AMOS18 software.
Results: Findings of the structural model test showed that each of the dimensions of abnormal personality has a positive effect on hyper-competitive attitude, also the effect of extreme competition on self-harm was positive and significant. On the other hand, the mediating role of hyper-competitive attitude in the relationship between abnormal personality dimensions and self-harm was confirmed. Fit indices with values (X2 / df = 2.49, RMSEA = 0.08, GFI = 0.98, CFI = 0.98) also showed that the tested model has an acceptable fit with the concept model.
Conclusions: Individuals suffering from pathological personalities and self-harm tendencies exhibited hyper-competitive attitudes. In assessment and treatment settings, our findings provide the best prognostic information to explain psychopathology and to highlight abnormal personality traits and self-harm behaviors in adolescents.
Keywords: Pathological personality traits, Adolescent, Self-harm behavior, Hyper-competitive attitude
 
Mental Health of Children and Adolescents During the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic: The Importance of the COVID-19 Vaccine
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With the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, governments imposed measures such as closing schools, sports clubs, leisure activities, and severe social isolation, which led to many children and adolescents being locked up in their homes. Peers and teachers should be away and spend most of their time in cyberspace and online games1. Outbreaks of COVID-19 have a far greater impact on the daily lives of children and adolescents around the world than SARS, MERS, or swine flu. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that school closures have affected 862 million children and adolescents, making up almost half of the world\u27s population. This has led many researchers to express concern about the possible psychological effects on children and adolescents2. Childhood and adolescence are associated with many changes and challenges, including gaining independence from parents, choosing a field of study, discovering different areas of identity, and coping with problems in everyday life.
With all these challenges, the outbreak of COVID-19 also caused many problems for children and adolescents. According to studies, children and adolescents reacted differently to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. To the extent that adolescents reported more anxiety and depression than children. Children were also more concerned about their caregivers and the attention they received3.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, many first-time students attended virtual classes and did not experience such an epidemic. This led to significant fear and stress in them. In April 2020, the United Nations Children\u27s Fund (UNICEF) surveyed the mental and physical health of approximately 1,700 children and adolescents in 104 countries. The results showed a high prevalence of psychological disorders in children and adolescents, which led to a decrease in their immune system, academic performance, and social interaction. It was also predicted that the psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 on vulnerable children and adolescents would be felt in the long run. In general, children and adolescents\u27 reactions to critical situations depend on their previous exposure to emergencies, physical and mental health issues, socio-economic conditions of the family, and their cultural background4.
The process of vaccinating and immunizing the people of the world against diseases is recognized as one of the greatest achievements of public health. Immunization programs have significantly reduced mortality and the incidence of infectious diseases, including the eradication of the Poliovirus worldwide5. During the outbreak of COVID-19, after the clinical trials of some vaccines were confirmed, some people were skeptical about getting vaccinated and participating in the nationwide vaccination process. However, over time and the positive effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 infection, many people became more positive and accepting of the WHO-approved vaccines6. All of this research has been done over the past year to encourage people around the world to participate in the vaccination process to show the many benefits that vaccination can bring. The success of the global vaccination process depends in part on people\u27s perceptions of the benefits and risks of the vaccine, as well as how much trust they have in their government and country. Researchers believe that the refusal or delay of vaccination is due to the lack of knowledge and awareness of people about the safety of the vaccination process7.
Due to the appropriate efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the elderly and adults, on May 10, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency permit for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to adolescents aged 16 to 17 years. On May 11, 2021, it extended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine emergency license to 12- to 15-year-olds. Also on August 23, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine for people under the age of 16 8. In this regard, Scherer et al.9 in a study examined the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents. Studies show that 13.2% of adolescents had to be vaccinated due to returning to school. Also, 17.1% were due to fear of COVID-19, 15.5% due to participation in social activities and 14.5% of people wanted to get vaccinated to increase travel. On the other hand, obtaining more information about vaccine safety (21.7%) and effectiveness (17.6%) were among the factors that led to the rejection of the vaccine among adolescents. In another study, Frenck et al.10 in a study examined the efficacy and safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in adolescents. In this study, 2260 adolescents aged 12 to 15 participated, of which 1131 received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 1129 received a placebo. Studies showed that 86% had injection site pain, 66% fatigue, and 65% headache. Among the participants who received the second dose of the vaccine, there were no cases of COVID-19, which indicated that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 100% effective in adolescents. Ali et al.7 in a study examined the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine on adolescents. 3732 people participated in this study, of which 2489 people received the Moderna vaccine and 1243 people received a placebo. Of those vaccinated, 93% had pain at the injection site, 70% had a headache and 67.8% had fatigue. Also, two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Moderna vaccine, no cases of COVID-19 were observed in individuals.
After several months of the vaccination process in many countries around the world, we are witnessing the reopening of stadiums, schools, universities, businesses, and amusement parks, which can lead to the improvement of the mental and physical health of individuals. People have a high degree of confidence when they receive the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which in turn reduces their risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus 2019 6. In this regard, Perez-Arce et al.11 in a study investigated the association of the COVID-19 vaccine with psychological distress. 8003 American adults participated in this study. Studies have shown that depression is significantly reduced in people who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was also found that the risk of mild and severe depression was reduced by 4% and 15%, respectively.
Overall, since childhood and adolescence are known to be among the fast and sensitive developmental stages, a lot of vulnerabilities await the development of children\u27s mental health during the outbreak of COVID-19. The most important reasons for this are the experience of stress and anxiety due to home quarantine, distance from peers, strict rules, and concerns about the health and financial status of the family. In addition, given that most mental health impairments occur during adolescence, people of this age range are due to COVID-19-induced stress factors such as school, university closures, decreased social interaction, and fear. They are more vulnerable to mental health than coronary heart disease. To this end, it is necessary to start the process of vaccination of children and adolescents as soon as possible, so that we can witness the reopening of schools, ,clubs and leisure centers by creating an appropriate level of safety in the world
Construction and Validation of Four-Dimensional General Health Questionnaire based on Health-Oriented Approaches
Get PDFBackground: Health assessment has evolved recently with the evolution of perspectives and is now focused on a four-dimensional model. This study aimed at construction and validation of the Four-Dimensional General Health Questionnaire based on health-oriented approaches.
Methods: This research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, to make a questionnaire, based on theoretical foundations, interviews with experts and review of existing questionnaires, the initial form of the questionnaire was made with 106 items and in a sample of 160 people (80 men and 80 women) Was conducted. The results were analyzed by principal component analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis and the final form of 60 questions was developed. In the second stage, this form was implemented in a sample of 1651 people (791 males and 860 females) and its validity was calculated by validity coefficients of the criterion (convergent and divergent validity). through correlation with Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale (RSPWB) and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), respectively, and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach\u27s alpha internal consistency and split-half methods.
Results: The results led to the extraction of 4 factors which were named as physical health, mental health, social health and spiritual health and confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed these factors. Also the results showed the high validity and reliability of this questionnaire.
Conclusions: This questionnaire can be used to assess health in physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. It can also be a basis for further research in the direction of developing questionnaires based on health-oriented approaches.
Keywords: Four-Dimensional General Health Questionnaire, Health-oriented approach, Validation
Communication Skills and Related Factors in Health Care Providers
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Introduction: Communication skills have a significant impact on the medical, psychological, and social aspects of patient satisfaction. Furthermore, acquisition of these skills by the staff reduces their burnout level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the communication skills of medical personnel.
Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 280 medical personnel of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Data were collected through the standard Queendom Communication Skills Questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 34 items with the minimum score of 34 and the maximum score of 170. The data were analyzed using and T test.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.52± 6.2 years and 82.3% of them were female. On average, the mean score of the communication skills of the participants was 107.94± 9. 3. Communication skill score was found to be optimal in this study. Mean work experience was significantly higher in the high communication skills group compared to the low communication skills group.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, communication skills of medical personnel was at a desired level. Due to the importance of communication skills in patients and staff, and for the improvement of these skills in newly-recruited staff, it is recommended that their communication skills be assessed and training workshops be regularly held.
Keys word: Communication Skill, Medical Personnel, sati
Structural Model of Social, Physical and Mental Health and Physical Image Evaluation with Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Limitations due to Chronic Pain of Elderly
Get PDFBackground: Chronic pain in the elderly leads to spending plenty of time and money, using health services, negative emotions, as well as reducing the quality of life and malfunctioning in the family. This study aimed to design a model of social, physical, and mental health and physical image evaluation with quality of life: the mediating role of limitations due to chronic pain of elderly in Tehran.
Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical, retrospective study with a structural modeling approach that was performed on 270 elderly people (138 females and 132 males) between 60 and 70 years old living in Tehran. The sampling method was cluster random and convenience. To collect the data used Keyes social health questionnaire, Ware and Sherbourne health assessment questionnaire 36- SF, Body image evaluation of Godoosi, Manouchehri chronic pain limitation, and WHO elderly quality of life scales. Data analysis was performed using SPSS22 and Amos software through structural modeling using path analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.
Results: The restriction variable due to chronic pain showed a negative relationship with physical and mental health (Pvalue<0.01, β =-0.734), evaluation of body image (Pvalue<0.01, β =-0.676), and social health (Pvalue<0.01, β =-0.691) in the quality of life of the elderly. A strong positive correlation (0.694 to 0.764) was obtained between the predictor variables (physical-mental health surveying, body image valuation, and social health) at a significance level of less than 0.01.
Conclusions: The quality of life of the elderly was moderate and low; findings showed limitations caused by chronic pain are moderate the relationship of the quality of life in elderly with social, physical, mental health, and physical image evaluation.
Keywords: Social health, Physical-mental health, Body image evaluation, Limitation due to chronic pain, Quality of lif
Enhancing Autobiographical Memories through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Training: An Intervention for Depression Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFBackground: The coronavirus [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] pandemic has introduced extraordinary life changes and stress, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group training on improving autobiographical memories in adolescents with depression during Covid-19.Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study and a pre-test, post-test with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all adolescent females with depression in the education of the 13th district of Tehran in 1400. The sampling process applied in this study was purposeful. Regular random sampling from among 240 female students in junior high school, 40 people (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) were selected according to the depression score. The Autobiographical Memories test and Beck Depression Inventory were performed as a pre-test on the participants, then the experimental group received 8 sessions of mindfulness group training intervention and at the end of sessions, the research tool as a post-test was administered on both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS-20 software using analysis of covariance. The significant level was set at 0.05.Results: Based on the results, the implementation of the independent variable on improving episodic memory dimension (Pvalue<0.001, F=12.430 (24 and 1) and semantic dimension (Pvalue<0.001, F=11.134 (24 and 1) in adolescents with depression was effective. Therefore, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group training has been effective in strengthening episodic memory and semantic dimension in adolescents with depression.Conclusions: The result of the study showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had a significant effect to improve episodic memory in adolescents with depression during the COVID-19. Therefore, this study suggests that therapists use this approach properly to reduce depression.Keywords: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group, Autobiographical memories, Adolescents, Depression
The Effects of Balance Training on Postural Sensory Organization against External Disturbances in People with Chronic Ankle Instability
Get PDFBackground: Injury to the ankle sensorimotor control system and impairment in the integration of sensory information and awareness of the sense of motion is an important factor in reducing balance and consequently re-injury. This study aimed to investigate the effects of balance training on postural sensory organization against external disturbances in people with chronic ankle instability.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 male athletes with chronic ankle instability purposefully selected and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups were pre-tested and the experimental group had six weeks of balance training. Against the perturbation, post-test performed again on both groups, using a dynamic computerized post-chromography device to measure postural organization. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Statistical operations performed by SPSS software version 22 at a significant level of 0.05.
Results: The score of postural sensory organization in the experimental group in the first condition is higher than other conditions and in the sixth condition is lower than other conditions. The mean score of postural sensory organization in the exercise group was significant compared to the control group (Pvalue≤0.05).
Conclusion: The results showed that the subjects in the exercise group had better sensory organization against external disturbances than the control group. Motion control and faster sending of sensory information, which ultimately leads to improved postural sensory organization.
Keywords: Balance training, Sensory organization, External disturbances, Chronic ankle instabilit
The Effectiveness of Solution-focused Strategies on Coronavirus Anxiety and Mental Toughness in Tehran Female Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFBackground: A serious and urgent concern for the health and well-being of the student population is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a solution-oriented strategic approach on coronary anxiety and mental toughness of female students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Methods: The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with the control group. The statistical population included all female students of the Payame Noor University of Tehran during the corona outbreak in the academic year 2020-2021. 32 people were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n=16) and control (n=16). Questionnaires such as coronary anxiety and mental toughness were used for data collection. The solution-oriented strategic approach was performed for 8 sessions, 90 minutes each for the experimental group, and the control group received none. To analyze data, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was applied as main statistical procedures.
Results: The results showed that the Solution-oriented strategic approach was effective in improving mental endurance and coronary anxiety of female students during coronary heart disease and these results continued until the follow-up stage (Pvalue<0.001).
Conclusions: This study showed that the solution-based approach could assist references incorrectly identifying the risks, barriers, and crisis points of their lives and in providing them with appropriate insight into the capabilities and resources of the individual\u27s support system.
Keywords: Solution-oriented strategic approach, Coronary anxiety, Mental toughness, Female students, COVID-19 Pandemi
the The Effect of Four Months of TRX Training on Lumbar Bone Mineral Density and its Relationship with Serum Adiponectin Level in Osteopenic Women
No full textBackground: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease augmenting the risk of fractures. The biological mechanisms of bone osteogenic response to mechanical loads are not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of four months of TRX training on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and its relationship with serum adiponectin in osteopenic women.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 osteopenic women were selected by purposive sampling and then randomly divided into two groups of TRX (n=15), and control (n=15). The experimental group performed TRX exercise protocol for four months, three sessions a week, and 45-60 minutes per session. At the beginning and end of the intervention, blood samples were obtained to determine serum adiponectin using a specific ELISA kit (Bio vendor, Czech Republic). The bone mineral density of the lumbar was assessed by 2D Dexa instrument (LEXXOS DIGITAL, USA). Data analysis was performed applying paired and independent sample student t-test and Pearson correlation in SPSS 20 software.
Results: Lumbar BMD (Pvalue=0.000) and serum adiponectin level (Pvalue=0.000) significantly increased in the TRX group compared to the control. In within-group comparison, significant elevations were observed in lumbar BMD (Pvalue=0.000) and serum adiponectin level (Pvalue=0.004) after TRX exercise. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between lumbar BMD and serum adiponectin in osteopenic women (Pvalue=0.000).
Conclusions: According to the results, it seems that TRX exercise can improve lumbar BMD and serum adiponectin levels in osteopenic women.
Keywords: Osteopenia, TRX exercise, Lumbar bone mineral density, Adiponecti