International Journal of Health Studies (IJHS - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences)
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Intention to Leave the Profession in Iranian Nurses: The Predictive Role of Organizational Commitment and Burnout
No full textBackground: Organizational commitment and human resource retention have gained increasing attention in healthcare. This study examined the relationship between organizational commitment, burnout, and intention to leave the profession among Iranian nurses.
Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 118 nurses with at least one year of work experience from Shahroud, Iran, were selected via simple random sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires on organizational commitment, burnout, and intention to leave the profession. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used for group comparisons, and multiple linear regression (by backward method) was conducted to assess predictors of intention to leave, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean scores for organizational commitment, burnout, and intention to leave were 93.54±9.37, 62.86±17.26, and 43.49±10.47, respectively, indicating average levels among nurses. Organizational commitment, burnout, job interest, and work experience emerged as significant predictors of intention to leave. Each one-point increase in organizational commitment was associated with a 0.2-point decrease in the intention to leave. Moreover, nurses with 10–20 and over 20 years of experience showed a 2.5-point reduction in intention to leave compared to those with less experience.
Conclusions: The average levels of organizational commitment, burnout, and intention to leave among nurses highlight the need for managerial interventions. Enhancing organizational support through strategies such as optimizing work schedules, revising salary systems, involving nurses in decision-making, improving workplace conditions, offering constructive feedback, and providing in-service training may strengthen organizational commitment, reduce burnout, and ultimately decrease nurses\u27 intention to leave the profession
Predictors of COVID-19 Patients\u27 Hospitalization Costs: A Cross-Sectional Study from Iran
No full textBackground: One of the important issues in managing COVID-19 is the correct, principled and timely provision of health services. To achieve this goal, full attention to its economic dimensions is important. The aim of the present study was to estimate direct medical costs of COVID-19 cases and its predictors at a referral hospital in Shahroud, Northeast of Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on all confirmed cases with COVID-19 infection who were hospitalized in the referral hospital in Shahroud, Northeast of Iran, between February 20, 2020, and May 23, 2020. A total of 744 confirmed cases were hospitalized during this period. Analyses were conducted on data from 697 patients who survived at admission and had complete records, with final status recorded as discharged or deceased. The bottom-up costing approach was applied to calculate direct medical costs. Univariate analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Spearman correlation test. Also, quantile regression was applied in the multivariate analysis. A significance level of 0.05 was used for all statistical tests.
Results: A total of 697 patients were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) of the costs was US 493.7 (366.5, 880). Of the studied patients, 120 (17.2%) were admitted to the ICU, with the mean (SD) and median (IQR) costs of US 2129.9 (1212.6, 3895.7), respectively. The highest mean costs were observed for bed and hoteling (42.5% of total costs) and for medications and supplies (34.5%). Age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, other comorbidities, and patients\u27 intubation had a significant association with the length of stay and the costs of hospitalization in the univariate analysis. The quantile regression results identified that male gender, cardiovascular disease, patients\u27 intubation, and length of stay all were predictors of the patients\u27 hospitalization costs.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that clinical management of COVID-19 inpatients incurs a significant financial burden to the healthcare system. Diseases severity was the only modifiable factor which increased the hospitalization costs at its different levels. Mitigating the incidence and severity of the disease through adherence to the health protocols, increasing vaccination coverage, and early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients can play an important role in reducing costs and effective use of health care resources in the management of COVID-19
Problem-Based Learning in Occupational Health & Safety: The Key to Fostering Critical Thinking and Creativity in Students
No full textAims: This letter highlights the importance of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) education as a means to develop critical thinking and creativity among students.Methods: A narrative review of global PBL applications in OHS education and analysis of challenges in Iran’s educational system.Findings: Traditional teaching methods inadequately prepare students for complex OHS challenges. PBL promotes active learning, problem-solving, and creativity, as demonstrated by successful implementations in universities such as Maastricht and McMaster. Barriers in Iran include faculty unfamiliarity, rigid curricula, and assessment systems focused on memorization.Conclusion: Adoption of PBL, supported by faculty training, curriculum reform, modern technologies, and university-industry collaboration, is essential to cultivate competent OHS professionals in Iran
The Effect of a Single Session of Exhaustive Aerobic Activity Combined with Negative Air Ions on Certain Pulmonary Functional Indices in Active Individual
No full textBackground: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a single session of exhaustive aerobic activity combined with negative air ion inhalation on certain pulmonary functional indices in active individuals.
Methods: Forty physical education students from Shahrood University of Technology, with a mean age of 22.70±0.61 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 21.59±0.74 kg/m², voluntarily participated in the study. This study was designed as a semi-experimental, double-blind crossover trial. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one exposed to negative air ions and the other not exposed. Both groups performed the Bruce test, with the protocol repeated after one week while the environmental conditions were reversed. Spirometry was conducted to measure pulmonary indices in two conditions: during exercise with ion exposure (before entering the isolated room and immediately after the Bruce test) and without ion exposure (before and immediately after the test). The data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests in SPSS software version 24.
Results: The results indicated that negative air ions significantly improved (P-value<0.05) forced vital capacity (FVC) (P-value=0.015), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (P-value=0.001), the FEV1/FVC ratio (P-value=0.001), and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75%) (P-value=0.001).
Conclusions: In conclusion, a single session of negative air ion exposure during exhaustive aerobic exercise significantly improved pulmonary function indices, suggesting potential benefits for respiratory performance
A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Spiritual Therapy and Group Grief Counseling on the Experience of Grief for the Loss of a Loved One during the COVID-19 Period
Get PDFBackground: High-impact disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, often lead to increased symptoms of grief disorders among those who have lost loved ones. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of spiritual therapy and group grief counseling in managing the mourning process during the COVID-19 period.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design, using a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up approach with both control and experimental groups. The research population consisted of individuals in Tehran who experienced the loss of a family member due to COVID-19 between July and September 2020. A total of 37 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The intervention consisted of six sessions of group grief counseling and eight sessions of spiritual therapy facilitated by a clinical psychologist. Sessions were held twice a week in a group setting at one of the study’s clinics. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test, repeated measures ANCOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test, with a significance level of 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 and JASP version 18.1.0.
Results: The findings of this study revealed a significant difference (Pvalue<0.001) in the Between-Subjects Effects for the "Feeling Guilty" variable across both groups. Similarly, significant effects were observed in the Between-Subjects analysis for the components of "Trying to Justify and Get Along," "Feeling Left Out," and "Shame" (Pvalue<0.001). However, for the components "Physical Reactions" and "Judging Someone or Others," a significant interaction effect between time and group was found (Pvalue<0.05).
Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that both spiritual therapy and group grief counseling are effective in alleviating grief-related symptoms. However, spiritual therapy uniquely enhances the well-being of individuals grieving during the COVID-19 period by reducing feelings of guilt and providing a sense of justification through a connection to a higher power. Therefore, it is recommended that spiritual therapy, alongside psychotherapy, be considered for those mourning a loss during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Effect of Eight Weeks Aerobic Training with Citrus Aurantium on miR-1 and miR-22 in Left Ventricle of Elderly Female Rats; An Experimental Study
No full textBackground: Heart attack is the main cause of mortality in the elderly. Although the beneficial role of exercise and medicinal plants on heart health has been reported, the simultaneous effect of these factors on micromolecular pathways in heart tissue is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training (AT) with Citrus Aurantium (CA) on miR-1 and miR-22 in left ventricle of elderly female rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 35 female Sprague-Dawley rats (age 14-18 months and weight of 270-320 g) were randomly divided into (1) control (C), (2) sham (normal saline/Sh) (3) CA, (4) AT and (5) AT+CA groups. The AT groups performed aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions per week each lasting 25-41 minutes at a speed of 20-27 meters per minute. The CA groups received 300 mg/kg CA intra-peritoneally. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey\u27s post-hoc tests was used for statistical data analysis (Pvalue≤0.05).
Results: miR-1 and miR-22 levels in AT and AT+CA groups were significantly higher than in C and CA groups (P-value=0.001). miR-1 levels in AT+CA group were significantly lower than AT group (P-value=0.005) and miR-22 levels in AT group were significantly lower than AT+CA group (P-value=0.001).
Conclusions: Aerobic training seems to be an effective factor on the improvement of miRs involved in left ventricular hypertrophy; nevertheless, Citrus Aurantium has no significant effect, or even modulates the effect of training
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Group Counseling on Prenatal Anxiety in Primiparous Women
No full textBackground: Anxiety during pregnancy is a natural mechanism for coping with maternal concerns that prepares a woman for specific changes and motherhood. However, this natural anxiety can be exacerbated and pathological during this period, and this study aimed to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based group counseling on pregnancy-related anxiety in primiparous women.
Methods: This study was a clinical trial on 56 pregnant mothers (30 controls and 30 test subjects) referred to Mashhad health centers. To collect data, a demographic information checklist, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and Vandenberg Pregnancy Anxiety Questionnaire were used. Data collection occurred in three time periods: before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. After collection, the data was entered into SPSS18 and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: In this study, the results showed that the average gestational age of the participants in the two groups was 20 weeks. 43.9% of the participants reported their stress level as moderate and 33.3% as severe, and only 10.5% of all had visited a psychiatrist during their lives. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the average anxiety score between the two groups, while immediately after the intervention (P-value=0.006) and also one month later (P-value=0.050) a significant decrease in anxiety scores was observed in the intervention group.
Conclusions: Given the effectiveness of mindfulness-based group counseling programs in reducing anxiety, planning for implementing these programs during pregnancy should be done
Study of Radiation Dose in Common Fluoroscopy Methods in Adult Patients Referred to Namazi Hospital in Shiraz during 2018-2019
Get PDFBackground: The basis of the largest source of human radiation exposure is ionizing radiation used in medical and clinical sciences. This study aimed to investigate the radiation dose in common fluoroscopy methods in adult patients referred to Namazi Hospital in Shiraz in 2018.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 adult patients (18 years and older) who were referred to Namazi Hospital in Shiraz for fluoroscopy. Data were collected using a checklist prepared from patient records, including demographic information of patients including age, gender, height, weight, and BMI, and information related to fluoroscopy including type of fluoroscopy, duration of fluoroscopy, and dose of fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy-related data were extracted from the PACS system or manually based on the final report of each patient\u27s file. Data were analyzed using SPSS18 software and independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.56 ± 15.59 years (18-90 years). 36.5% were male and 63.5% were female. The mean BMI was 24.85 ± 4.87 (13.43-67.20). The most commonly used fluoroscopy method was B. SW (43.7%), followed by DEFECO (23.5%), and the least used method was RCG in only 10 patients (1.7%). The mean time of fluoroscopy was 2.08 ± 1.51 (0.1-9.60 minutes). The mean dose received in all fluoroscopy methods was 1650.42. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the dose of fluoroscopy and the duration of fluoroscopy (r=0.0403. P-value<0.001) and BMI (r=0.249, P-value<0.001), and the age of the patients had no significant relationship with the dose received in fluoroscopy (r=0.075, P-value=0.066). The difference in the mean duration of fluoroscopy based on different fluoroscopy methods was statistically significant (P-value<0.001). The difference in the mean dose of fluoroscopy based on different fluoroscopy methods was statistically significant (P-value<0.001).
Conclusions: In general, the results of the study showed that most fluoroscopy was performed with the barium swallow method. With increasing fluoroscopy duration and BMI, the dose received by the patient increased significantly, and the highest dose received was observed in the barium enema method and the longest fluoroscopy time was observed in the UGI method, but further and better investigation is still needed to identify the influencing factors
The Effect of Effective Interpersonal Communication Training on Psychological Symptoms (Stress, Anxiety, Anger, and Depression) In Incompatible Couples
No full textBackground: One of the causes of marital problems is the lack of communication skills between couples; communication encompasses the entire life of a person. Life begins with the beginning of communication and ends with its termination. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of effective interpersonal communication training on psychological symptoms (stress, anxiety, anger, and depression) in incompatible couples referring to counseling centers.
Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test study with a control group. The sample size was 40 people who were selected from the aforementioned population using convenience sampling. 20 people were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control group. The research tools used were psychological symptom questionnaires. The experimental group received effective interpersonal communication training weekly for 8 1.5-hour sessions. After collection, the data was entered into SPSS 18 and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: The results confirm that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the post-test dimensions of psychological symptoms (stress, anxiety, anger, and depression) compared to the pre-test control. Accordingly, it can be said that a significant difference has been created in at least one of the dependent variables, namely the dimensions of psychological symptoms (stress, anxiety, anger, and depression), and the effect coefficient shows that 66.9% of the difference between the two groups is related to the experimental intervention. Therefore, communication skills training helps the individual to have a better understanding of himself and to better adapt to others. It is also important in personal and professional communications. This skill helps a person express their opinions, beliefs, desires, needs, and emotions and ask for help and guidance from others when needed. The skill of asking for help and guidance from others in times of need is an important factor in a healthy relationship.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be stated that interpersonal skills training plays an important role in understanding each other and appropriate planning should be done to implement these trainings for couples
Examining the internship challenges of students of the operating room and Anesthesia fields of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences
No full textBackground: Clinical training is an important and fundamental part of training in the operating room, the presence of any problems in clinical training will cause problems in the efficiency and effectiveness of this part of training. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the internship challenges of students of the operating room and Anesthesia fields of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted by census method on 113 students of Anesthesia and operating room of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. that a series of entry and exit criteria were set at the beginning of the work, The data was collected with the help of the demographic information questionnaire and the Tolit et al. questionnaire, after which the data was entered into SPSS 18 and analyzed with the help of descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: In this study, the results showed that the average age of the participants was 22.47 ± 3.81 years. Most of the participants were female (63 individuals, 55.8%), from the operating room field (59 individuals, 52.2%), interested in their field of study (46 individuals, 40.7%), and satisfied with their field of study (84 individuals, 74.3%). A majority had an average economic status (81 individuals, 71.7%), were non-native students (71 individuals, 62.8%), and lived in dormitories (57 individuals, 50.4%). Regarding entry year, 33 students (29.2%) were admitted in 1401, and 62 participants (54.9%) were between 18 and 21 years old. Also, there was a significant relationship between gender (p = 0.001) and field of study (p = 0.001). satisfaction with field of study (0.001), economic status (0.001) and being native (0.001) with internship challenges. Among the subgroups of internship stressors, the most variable in both fields of Anesthesia was 18.88±4.71 and the operating room was 18.98±4.50 in the educational environment. And there was a significant relationship between the two groups in all subgroups. Also, the highest mean in the subgroups under investigation was the educational environment subgroup of 18.94±4.56.
Conclusions: Since the educational environment plays an important role in solving educational challenges, special attention should be paid to these environments. Based on the findings of the current research, clinical education officials should reduce the challenging factors of clinical education by adopting and implementing effective decisions