bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the link between eustress and adolescent health in India: An empirical study
Authors: Saini Reena , Arora Astha , Joshi Hardeep , Gaurav Alok K.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Modern psychological research challenges the conventional view of stress as solely detrimental by introducing the concept of eustress versus distress, emphasizing the potentially positive aspects of stress. In the context of India, limited studies have investigated the distinct effects of eustress and distress on adolescents, a group prone to stress-related health issues. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the correlation between eustress and both mental and physical well-being among adolescents attending government schools in two districts of Haryana, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A non-experimental quantitative research approach was adopted to achieve this objective. The study involved a sample of 400 adolescent students, equally split between genders, aged 15 to 18 years, enrolled in grades 10 to 12. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling from two districts in Haryana. The assessment tools employed in the study included the Post Graduate Institute Health Questionnaire and the Eustress Scale, which were utilized to evaluate the participants’ mental, physical, and eustress levels.

RESULTS:

In our study involving Indian adolescents, we discovered a substantial positive correlation (r = 0.563, P < 0.01) between eustress and mental health, underlining the valuable role of positive stress in enhancing psychological well-being. Notably, male participants exhibited significantly higher eustress scores (mean = 26.63) than their female counterparts (mean = 22.82, P < 0.01), indicating gender-specific variations in stress responses. Furthermore, our findings emphasized the influence of cultural nuances inherent to the Indian context on how adolescents perceived and experienced eustress. These outcomes emphasize the urgency of culturally sensitive interventions to promote adolescents’ well-being.

CONCLUSION:

This investigation contributes valuable insights into the nexus between eustress and adolescent health in the Indian context. The study accentuates the potential advantages of leveraging eustress to foster positive development by underlining the differential influence of eustress and distress on adolescent health. Future research endeavors and policy formulation could delve into the mechanisms underpinning eustress and distress, thus guiding strategies to enhance adolescents’ health and overall well-being.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status among general masses: An in-deep analysis of the worst “hitters” of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rangarajan Priyadarshni , Sultana Shaik F. , Punnoose Kurian , Ahmed Hina , Singh Gautam , Kiruthika V. , Babu Suresh J. , Swarnalatha C. , Nayyar Abhishek Singh
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

A plethora of studies have reported the adverse psychiatric outcomes among the general masses during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, not much data is available in relation to the Indian population from this perspective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status among the general masses in the Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study was planned in a cross-sectional study design between July 2020 and October 2021 in which a well-structured questionnaire, consisting of questions assessing the sociodemographic profile, while, also, specific questions related to the stress and anxiety-related variables, was used. The questionnaire was validated through intra-class correlation with a strong correlation of 0.84. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis to test the association between the studied variables, while P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:

On comparison between the male and female participants using stress and anxiety-related variables, 43.81% of males as against 56.19% of the female participants reported that they felt horrified due to the pandemic with the results being statistically highly significant (P = 0.0043). Similarly, 45.18% of male and 54.82% of female participants expressed apprehension due to the fear of the pandemic with the results being statistically significant (P = 0.0217).

CONCLUSION:

The research findings of the present study indicated that men and women responded to stress differently, with women experiencing greater sadness and anxiety and were found to be at a relatively greater risk for developing anxiety and depression than men.
Body composition, cardiovascular fitness and attention of school-aged male children practicing sports club activities: A cross-sectional
Authors: Ates Bahar , Tanir Halil , Akinci Yasin
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

The positive effects of physical activity on physical fitness, bone health, academic achievement, cognitive functions, mental health, and reduced obesity have been proven. This study aims to investigate the relationship between sports club activities, physical activity selected health-related fitness, and the d2 attention test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in different sports clubs. A total of 78 male students aged 10-13 years participating in various branches of sports clubs were included in the study, 42 of whom were assigned to the sports group and 36 to the control group. Questionnaires were administered to assess sports club participation and attention levels, while physical health profiles were tested with body composition and Yo-Yo IR1C performance measures. Data were analyzed according to sports participation and the five most frequently reported sports. The means and standard deviation of each study value were calculated for the total subjects and by participating in sports activity using the IBM SPSS (version 23) analysis program. Data normality was checked and confirmed by the Skewness and Kurtosis Tests.

RESULTS:

The results showed that boys enrolled in a sports activity had lower body mass (-17.9%, P < 0.05 d = 0.72), body mass index (-13.4%, P < 0.05, d = 0.87), and body fat (%) (-54.1%, P < 0.05, d = 1.38) and higher VO2max 32.3% (P < 0.05, d = 3.67), than the non-active group. The boys active in sports clubs also had better results in the total number of items processed (11%, P < 0.05 d = 0.50) and in concentration performance (17.7%, P < 0.05 d = 0.56) than the non-active group. In correlation analyses, VO2max was negatively associated with body mass, body mass index, and body fat (P = 0.011; P = 0.001 and P = 0.00, respectively) and positively related to the total number of items processed and concentration performance (P = 0.003 and P = 0.015, respectively). In the Pearson Correlation analyses, body fat showed a lower negative correlation with TN (r = 0.33; P = 0.003) and CP (r = 0.28; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS:

Boys participating in regular sports have lower body mass, BMI, and BF values. In addition, boys who participated in sports showed higher imaginary fitness and selective attention and concentration capacity results, as expected, for any sports part compared to their body peers. Another attempt from this study is that body mass and body fat percentage recovery are negatively associated with fitness. Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents due to sedentary living, which has become a worldwide epidemic, it is recommended that pedagogical and public health strategies and policies be developed based on the physical fitness level of children.
Weight bias internalization and its association with psychological distress and weight-related factors among youths in university, Thailand
Authors: Yangyuen Suneerat , Somdee Thidarat , Yin Meihua , Chaichan Atchara
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with poor weight-related health and psychological health problems in adults. However, less is known about WBI in Thai youths, and its associated factors are scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between psychological, weight-related factors, and WBI among Thai youths.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional design was conducted on 1185 university youths from three universities in northeastern, Thailand from January to June 2023, with multistage sampling methods. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore factors that influence WBI.

RESULTS:

Most of the youth were female; with the average body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2. More than half (n = 628; 52.9%) of them reported a high level of WBI that was present across the weight spectrum. Approximately 41.4% (n = 490) reported being dissatisfied with their body image, and 50.6% (n = 600) had peers with obesity. WBI was positively related to depressive symptoms, perceived stress, the experience of weight stigma, BMI, and body image dissatisfaction. Conversely, it was negatively related to self-esteem and peers with obesity.

CONCLUSION:

WBI is influenced by several psychological and weight-related factors. Additionally, youths across body weight categories could be vulnerable to high WBI. Hence, consideration of these potential factors could be useful in designing targeted interventions to reduce WBI.
Prevalence and factors associated with the poor quality of sleep among Indian nurses
Authors: Kaur Jasneet , Upendra Sheela , Barde Sheetal
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Nursing health workers deal with a variety of issues that may have an unfavorable influence on their capability to peaceful sleep. The consequences of poor quality of the sleep can lead to increased fatigue, decreased concentration, and a higher risk of medical and nursing errors. The purpose of this research study was to determine in the occurrence and associated factors for poor quality of the sleep among Indian nurses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The participants in this cross-sectional study were selected by the use of a multi-stage sampling technique. A total of 25 hospitals (across 4 zones) were randomly sampled. A total of 850 (out of 1250) nurses participated in the study. To collect socio-demographic data, a self-administered questionnaire was employed. PSQI scale was implemented to assess quality of sleep, and the other scale of DASS-21 was used to assess mental well-being.

RESULTS:

The majority of nurses had mild (6–7 hours) as well as moderate (5–6 hours) levels of difficulty in the duration of sleep time. The occurrence of poor quality of the sleep in nursing professionals is high. 9.2% had depression, 13.7% had anxiety, and 18.9% faced, which appears to be linked to insufficient sleep in the adjusted model. In the univariate study, additional night shifts and additional shift hours were substantially related to insufficient sleep.

CONCLUSION:

Nurses’ quality of sleep is substantially hampered due to various reasons, and nurse mangers should devise the framework to avoid its harmful effects and to provide desirable management and high-quality patient care.
Structural equation modeling for skills analysis of health cadres based on knowledge and attitudes about health promotion and body immunity of pregnant women
Authors: Yusriani Yusriani , Alwi Muhammad Khidri , Herli A , Syahrani Vadiah
Published: July 2024

The health problem of pregnant women is a public health problem that needs to get major attention because it has an impact on the quality of life and future generations. Then examine the data/information empirically and theoretically. The sample units in this study were the skills of cadres in increasing the Immunity of Pregnant Women with the independent variables namely knowledge and attitudes. The sampling technique in this study was total sampling, then a sample of 85 cadres was obtained in the two puskesmas. The data collected is primary data, obtained from questionnaires filled out by health cadres, based on the data that has been obtained, then processing and analyzing the data is carried out according to the research objectives, and presented in tabular form accompanied by narrative as an explanation of the table. The research results obtained were that there was a significant relationship between the knowledge of cadres and the skills of cadres in carrying out health promotion to increase the immunity of pregnant women (P value 0.032 < 0.05). There is a significant relationship between the knowledge of pregnant women’s immunity and the skills of cadres (P value = 0.025 < 0.05), there is a significant relationship between the attitudes of cadres and the skills of cadres in health promotion to increase the immunity of pregnant women (P value = 0.004 < 0.05). The most significant factors for the skills of cadres in carrying out health promotion to increase the immunity of pregnant women.
Impact of sleep deprivation on stress levels and cognitive performance in young and middle-aged adults at a Medical University in Ajman, UAE
Authors: Shaikh Shaman A. , Alintakli Farid , Mohamed Moustafa , Mohammed Masud , Khanam Razia , Shetty Preetha J.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Inadequate sleep is a widespread public health concern, impacting physical and mental health, as well as cognitive well-being. This study explores the link between sleep quality, the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cognitive function in two age groups (18-25 years and 35 years and above) at Gulf Medical University.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh questionnaire, and salivary IL-6 levels were measured. Cognitive function was evaluated using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Psychomotor Vigilance Test (NASA-PVT), focusing on mean reaction time (RT), lapses, fastest 10% RT, and slowest 10% RT. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The descriptive statistics used were frequency, percentage mean, and standard deviation (SD). The inferential statistics used was the unpaired t-test. The level of significance was taken as P ≤ 0.05. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 28 was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS:

Approximately 75% of young adults and 80% of middle-aged adults reported good sleep quality. Sleep disturbances were reported by 65% of young adults and 95% of middle-aged adults. In both age groups, individuals with poor sleep exhibited higher IL-6 levels, but all IL-6 values remained within the reference range. NASA-PVT results indicated that individuals with poor sleep had higher mean RT and lapses compared to those with good sleep. In the older age group, both mean RT and lapses were higher than in the younger group, suggesting potential age-related effects on psychomotor vigilance.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest a connection between poor sleep quality, elevated IL-6 levels, and impaired cognitive performance.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and sleep quality are inter-correlated with flash glucose monitoring (FGM)-measured glycemia among children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Muayyad Mariam , Abusnana Salah , Mussa Bashair M. , Helal Radwa , Abdelrahim Dana N. , Abdelreheim Naguib Hassan , Al Amiri Elham , Daboul Mays , Al-Abadla Zainab , Lessan Nader , Faris MoezAlIslam E.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

We examined the inter-correlation between diet quality, objectively measured sleep duration, and subjectively measured sleep quality with flash glucose monitoring (FGM)-measured glycemia among young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Following cross-sectional design, Fitbit® accelerometers were used to objectively assess sleep duration, while the validated questionnaires Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence were used to subjectively assess sleep quality and diet quality, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and FGM-reported glycemia components among children with T1D were assessed as well.

RESULTS:

Of the 47 participants surveyed (25 boys, 22 girls, 9.31 ± 2.88 years), the majority reported high HbA1c, good sleep quality, and high adherence to the MD. However, only one-third of the participants reported a healthy sleep duration. Only the sleep latency was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the time above range level 2 and time below range level 2 (P = 0.048) components of the FGM. A positive correlation (r = 0.309, P = 0.035) was reported between adherence to MD and time in range of the FGM.

CONCLUSIONS:

Diet quality and sleep quality are variably inter-correlated with FGM-measured glycemia among young patients with T1D and are suggested to be considered influential factors in FGM-monitored diabetes research on this age group.
Associations between total physical activity levels and academic performance in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Trott Mike , Kentzer Nichola , Horne Joanna , Langdown Ben , Smith Lee
Published: July 2024

Physical activity has been associated with positive health-related outcomes. Physical inactivity, conversely, has been associated with several negative health outcomes. One topic that has been consistently examined is the relationship between physical activity and academic performance in children; however, studies that involve university-level students have not been aggregated to date. It is therefore the aim of this systematic review to examine the relationship between physical activity and academic performance in university-level students. This systematic review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and included any study published until September 2023 that examined associations between physical activity and any measure of academic performance. SPORTDiscus, ERIC, the British Education Index, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched. A random effects meta-analysis was also undertaken, and risk bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. After screening, 36 studies were included, with six studies being included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found a significant association between physical activity (high versus low) and academic performance (high versus low performers) (odds ratio = 3.04; 95% CI = 1.84-5.02;P≤ 0.001; I2= 49.62). These results, however, were deemed to be of low credibility. The narrative analysis yielded mixed results, with 50% of studies reporting positive associations and the remaining studies reporting no significant associations. This trend did not differ depending on the subjective or objective measurement of physical activity. Although this review found meta-analytic significant associations between physical activity and academic performance, these results should be treated with caution, as the remaining studies yielded mixed results. Future studies should aim to focus on objective measurements of physical activity where possible to further explore this potential relationship.
Benefits of core stability exercise and relaxation technique for primary dysmenorrhea in an unmarried girl: A case report
Authors: Gopal S Radhika , Premkumar M , Kavitha S , Shipnu P
Published: July 2024

Primary dysmenorrhea denotes the onset of recurrent lower abdominal pain and uterine contractions throughout the bleeding phase of menstruation in the absence of any underlying pelvic pathology. Core stability exercise is considered a beneficial exercise program for managing several health problems. Various relaxation techniques can be used in womanhood with primary dysmenorrhea for relief of pain and improving their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to learn and understand the benefits of core stabilization exercise along with relaxation techniques for primary dysmenorrhea in an unmarried girl. This single-case study was planned to analyze the effect of core stability exercise along with relaxation techniques in the management of primary dysmenorrhea symptoms. Relaxation exercises along with core stability exercises were given to subjectswith primary dysmenorrhea for 20 sessions of 30 minutes spanned for 5 weeks, four sessions a week. Along with the demographic profile, pre- and post -intervention value of pain in the visual analog scale (VAS) and Working Ability, Location, Intensity, Days of Pain, Dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) score was obtained, recorded, and analyzed. This single-case study results showed significant improvement in the outcome of pain in the VAS and WaLIDD score after the intervention of core stability exercise along with relaxation exercise for the primary dysmenorrhea patients. Pre- and post-intervention of core stability exercise along with Mitchell’s relaxation exercises, measurements of VAS, and dysmenorrhea severity in WaLIDD scores revealed an effective reduction in pain and severity using core stability training and relaxation training in an unmarried girl diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea.
Stress levels and eating behavior among university students in Jordan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: AL-Dalaeen Anfal , Batarseh Nour , Al-Bashabsheh Zaher , ALjeradat Baha’Ghandi , Batarseh Dima , Karablieh Arab
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Increased body weight is common among university students; transitioning from high school to university may increase perceived stress levels, thus changing dietary habits and metabolism to promote overweight or obesity. The current study investigates the association between stress and dietary habits among university students in Jordan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 university students aged between 20 and 25 at Applied Science Private University [ASU]. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to university students. The questionnaires were divided into three sections: the first was about general characteristics, body weight, change in body weight, and stress eating.

RESULT:

The survey of 208 participants showed that 64.3% were females, and 84.2% of students lived with their families. Results showed that more than half [51.1%] of the respondents were dissatisfied with their eating habits. Females [57.7%] monitored their food intake more than males did. However, most males [77.2%] reported less eating during stress compared to females. In addition, the data analysis revealed that those who ate more were less likely to monitor their food intake [χ
2 =9.734, df = 1, P = .002] or quantity [χ
2 =16.704, df = 1, P < .001]. Only 20.8% of the participants preferred sports or hobbies as a stress reduction activity; 29.4% took showers, while 51.1% ignored what made them stressed. Finally, 56.3% of participants reported increased weight after starting university, and it was significantly correlated with stress eating while studying for exams [χ
2 =8.762, df = 2, P = .013]. Stress affects university students and can lead to unhealthy eating habits and health issues like obesity.

CONCLUSION:

Many students face stress during their academic years, which affects their dietary choices. Policies promoting healthy eating habits and stress-reducing activities are important for university students.
Compare the effectiveness of two treatments, behavioral activation and acceptance and commitment therapy, on depression and mental rumination in mothers of children with cerebral palsy in Ilam city
Authors: Alirahmi Mostafa , Kikhavani Sattar , Soleimannejad Homeira
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Since in most families, mothers are more responsible for taking care of children and have more responsibility than fathers for monitoring the child, taking care of a disabled child can have a more negative effect on the psychological state of mothers. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of behavioral activation (BA) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in depression and rumination in mothers with children with cerebral palsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This research was quasi-experimental field research with a pre-posttest and control group. The study population comprised 237 mothers with children who had cerebral palsy and were referred to occupational therapy centers in Ilam, Iran. The sample consisted of 60 participants selected by convenience sampling, who were randomly divided into two experimental groups (BA and ACT) and a control group (n = 20 per group). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 with descriptive and inferential statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

RESULTS:

The results of both BA and ACT were effective in reducing depression (P < 0.01) and rumination (P < 0.01) in the two experimental groups compared with the control group in the posttest phase. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the ACT in reducing depression and rumination was found to be more significant than the effectiveness of BA (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The findings of the study suggest that both BA and ACT are effective in reducing depression and rumination in the research participants. However, the study also found that ACT was more effective than BA in reducing depression and rumination. Thus, both approaches can be used to strengthen treatment interventions to lessen depression and rumination in the research participants.
A comparative study of fennel and dimethicone capsule effects on flatulence rate after cesarean section: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jourshari Marzieh Shahbandari , Rezasoltani Parvaneh , Nazari Mojgan , Maroufizadeh Saman , Aski Soudabeh Kazemi , Qobadighadikolaei Roja , Yousefbeyk Fatemeh
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Flatulence is one of the gastrointestinal complaints after a cesarean section (C-section). A host of treatments have been used to reduce this symptom in hospitals, and most of them are based on chemical drugs. It is considered that herbal drugs may have fewer side effects than chemical drugs, and it seems that fennel can reduce flatulence through stimulation of bowel movements. This study compared the efficacy of fennel and dimethicone capsules on the flatulence rate in post-cesarean birth women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was a parallel double-blind randomized controlled trial, conducted in a teaching hospital. Eligible women who underwent a C-section and had the sensation of flatulence were randomly block allocated to the fennel and dimethicone groups (1:1). Each group received drugs every 6 hours for four doses after restarting oral feeding. Flatulence rate was the main variable measured before and one hour after taking each dose by the visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by statistical tests including repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) based on the intention-to-treat method in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.

RESULTS:

The dimethicone group showed a significant reduction in flatulence (F (7,245) =198.5, P < 0.001, η2
p = 0.850). The same trend was also obtained for the fennel group (F (7,266) =215.0, P < 0.001, η2
p = 0.849). However, there was no difference between groups on the flatulence level after adjusting for the baseline level of flatulence (F (1,72) =0.27, P = 0.607, η2
p = 0.004). The same result was also obtained one hour after taking capsule 4 (F (1,72) =0.63, P = 0.430, η2
p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION:

Both fennel and dimethicone capsules can reduce flatulence rate after C-section, although there was no significant difference among them.
The prevalence of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases among Iranian adults: Findings of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Saber Fatemeh , Ezadbakhsh Nasrin , Tarrahi Mohammad J.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Lack of accurate estimation of the risk factors associated with these diseases can impair the designing of effective interventions in this field; the present study aimed to investigate the risk factors attributable to cardiovascular diseases in males and females visiting comprehensive health service centers in 2018.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

This cross-sectional study is part of the national health transformation plan shaped in response to the emerging epidemic of noncommunicable diseases. In the present study, 6,331 participants aged 30 years and older were randomly and census selected from comprehensive urban and rural health service centers in Naein County, in Isfahan, Iran, respectively. The data were collected using the electronic health record from the IraPEN program in two sections: demographic information and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. They were then analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 24 software using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression.

RESULTS:

The participants’ mean age was 55.09 ± 16.11 years. The main risk factor was insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables while smoking was a negligible risk factor. Low physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and high body mass index were more prevalent in females than in males, whereas smoking was more frequently reported in males (P < 0.001). Risk factors such as age, gender, education level, place of residence, and marital status, played a significant role in determining CVD risk factors.

DISCUSSION:

More than half of Iranian adults had one or older cardiovascular disease-related risk factors, and the prevalence of such factors was higher in females than in males. Given the importance of gender differences in cardiovascular disease-related health habits, it is necessary to reduce the majority of these diseases in society, especially in women, by controlling modifiable risk factors.
Using the ecological approach to explain risk factors of elder abuse in Iran (A qualitative study)
Authors: Andani Maryam Rahmati , Zamani Fereshteh , Rahimi Majid , Mansourian Marjan , Mostafavi Firoozeh
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

World Health Organization suggests that different societies should investigate the causes of abuse in their culture.

AIMS:

This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of elder abuse in Iran using an ecological approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a qualitative study, and the participants were older adults and caregivers. The data were collected using 66 interviews. Analysis of data was simultaneously performed with data collection, using MAXQDA 10, and results were reported based on Elo’s recommendation.

RESULTS:

Five main categories of data analysis were obtained based on Bronfenbrenner’s model: exo-system: conflict of care with caregivers’ jobs, meso-system: failure to meet expectations of support systems, macro-system: social culture, socioeconomic structure, status of enactment, and implementation of legal and financial laws.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed risk factors of elder abuse in the sociocultural context of Iran, and its results can be used for health promotion interventions.
Instances of unethical performance of academic faculty members in conducting and publishing research works
Authors: Samouei Rahele , Meshkineh Narges , Mojiri Shahin
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Today, compliance with ethical principles and standards has become a concern of research ethics committees more than in the past, and the informed society is more demanding of researchers’ considerations and adherence. In this regard, a survey was conducted with the aim of determining instances of unethical behavior of faculty members in conducting and publishing research works.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was performed cross-sectional with 100 faculty members answering in the form of systematic random sampling from the scientific measurement system of the Ministry of Health of Iran in August 2023 and testing using a checklist containing 32 examples of unethical research behavior. The data were reported using descriptive statistics and analytical methods such as Student’s t-test and analysis of variance.

RESULTS:

The findings of this study showed some instances of unethical practice in the field of research by the respondents, including submitting the article instead of the corresponding author, adding a guest author in the article, mentioning untrue affiliation, not observing the conflict of interest, conducting judgment with connivance, overlapping publications, manipulation of results, and other cases according to the findings of the text of the article, which was reported in professors of the master’s degree with a higher average (0.001, 7.12), but according to the gender and academic rank of the respondents, no significant difference was observed in the averages.

CONCLUSION:

The findings of this study show some clear instances of unethical practices in the field of research among faculty members and academic groups, and it requires targeted planning and more seriousness to investigate and manage its causes. The results of the study can be used for scientific groups and individuals who are directly and indirectly affected by the research results and researchers’ performance.
Psychological distress and coping skills used by individuals in the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bazrafshan Mohammad-Rafi , Bargrizaneh Farshad , Sarvi Fatemeh , Parviniannasab Ali Mohammad , Niknam Noureddin , Soufi Omid , Delam Hamed
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Psychological distress, as a key indicator, describes a person’s emotional problems and psychological reactions to adapt to the environment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and coping strategies used by individuals during the crisis caused by COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The current research is an analytical cross-sectional study that was designed in 2021. The sampling area included the three cities of Lar, Gerash, and Evaz in the south of Fars province in the south of Iran. The study population was the residents of these three cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final sample size in the present study was 384 people. Individuals were selected through available sampling. By answering questions from the self-assessment system of COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education filled out the necessary information for individual screening and registration of the symptoms of COVID-19 disease. Then, they completed the Coping Methods Questionnaire and the Psychological Distress Questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the participants was 40.90 years. One hundred sixty-seven (43.5%) participants were male, and 217 (56.5%) were female. The mean score of problem-oriented coping style was significantly different between the levels of education (P = 0.001). The mean score of problem-solving coping style for the participants suspected of being infected with COVID-19 was 6.18 scores lower than others, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Multiple regression with a forward selection also showed that among the studied variables, age, problem-oriented, and emotion-oriented coping strategies were important variables affecting mental distress.

CONCLUSION:

People who were not suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms had a higher mean problem-oriented coping score than those who were suspected of having COVID-19. Therefore, early identification of suspects and the implementation of counseling and training programs can be very effective.
Evaluation of an acceptance and commitment therapy with religious content to control obsessive-compulsive disorder, dysfunctional beliefs, feeling guilty, scrupulosity, and thought control among Muslims in Iran
Authors: Dehaghi Ashraf Akbari , Dolatshahi Behrooz , Taremian Farhad , Pourshahbaz Abbas , Ansar Hasan
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

The present study aimed to develop an integrated protocol by combining religious content and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and evaluate its effectiveness in controlling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), dysfunctional beliefs, feeling guilt, scrupulosity, and thought control among Muslims in Tehran, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An exploratory mixed-method research design was applied in this study. In the qualitative stage, the document analysis method was used to extract components related to ACT with religious content. Also, the content and face validity of the intervention were confirmed by experts. Subsequently, a semi-experimental, pretest–posttest, control-group design was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted protocol with a 3-month follow-up. In the quantitative stage, the inclusion criteria were meeting the diagnostic criteria for OCD based on the diagnostic interview of a psychiatrist, having religious purity/impurity obsessions, not receiving minimum psychological treatment for at least one month before entering the study, religious commitment; minimum age of 18 years and maximum age of 50 years; and having at least a high school diploma. The exclusion criteria from the research were as follows: age over 50 years; educational level of less than a high school diploma; having a personality disorder; receiving other treatments, inability to participate in sessions; and being introduced by a family member. The experimental and control groups participated in 25 individual treatment sessions based on the adapted protocol and 8 conventional ACT sessions.

RESULTS:

According to the results, the effectiveness of the religion-adapted ACT intervention on the severity of obsession and dysfunctional religious beliefs was higher in patients with OCD compared to the control group in the posttest.

CONCLUSION:

The present study showed that adding religious components to the ACT protocol can increase its effectiveness in reducing the severity of purity/impurity obsessions compared to the conventional ACT in the Muslim Iranian population.
Developing and validating of educational-therapeutic package based on psychological flexibility for nurses in the intensive care unit of COVID-19: Application of grounded theory
Authors: Ebrahimi Amrollah , Khorasani Parvaneh , Andalib Sima , Ahmadi Mahnaz , Mousavi Sayed Mohammad Hossain
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Caring for COVID-19 patients has caused high stress and burnses. Therefore, the current research aims to develop and validate an educational-therapeutic package based on psychological flexibility for COVID-19 nurses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The approach of this research was Exploratory Sequential Mixed Method, which was carried out in 2019 to 2021. In the qualitative phase, to identify the paradigm model of the research, the grounded theory of the Strauss and Corbin model, purposeful sampling, and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 nurses were used. Goba and Lincoln’s criteria were used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. In the quantitative phase, based on the Paradarim model, a training package according to psychological flexibility was developed with the approval of 10 experts from the fields of medical, psychology and nursing education.

RESULTS:

The qualitative analysis of the data obtained from the interviews led to the identification of 29 primary concept codes, 8 subcategories, and 3 categories in the conceptual format of context, process, and consequence. The categories included “psychological insecurity in the workplace,” “strategic immunization in facing special conditions,” and “safe communication.” “Psychologically safe exposure” was identified as the central category. In several stages, based on the findings of the qualitative stage, the educational-therapeutic package was compiled. The validity of the package was confirmed by calculating two relative coefficients of content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) equal to 0.91 and 0.85, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

This research led to the development of an educational-therapeutic package of safe psychological exposure for nurses, which can be used by managers and nurse educators through in-service training courses. Therefore, it is suggested to use training and safe coping strategies to improve the quality of life in nurses.
Diagnostic accuracy of cerebroplacental ratio in anticipating adverse perinatal outcome in uncomplicated appropriate for gestational age pregnancies at term
Authors: Maity Abhijan , Sonawane Bhawana , Deshpande Anagha , Bhutada Sunita
Published: July 2024

Introduction:

Anticipating which babies are in danger of experiencing poor outcomes during the perinatal period in uncomplicated appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies at term is difficult in obstetric practice. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) is emerging as a significant indicator of negative perinatal results. The current study sought to establish how effective CPR is in predicting negative perinatal outcomes in term uncomplicated AGA pregnancies.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a hospital-based prospective observational cohort study conducted at a single center. Patients were chosen depending on different criteria for inclusion and exclusion. A prenatal ultrasound with a color Doppler scan was carried out to calculate CPR. Patients were grouped according to their last CPR measurement before delivery into either normal CPR or pathological CPR categories. Doppler results did not impact clinical decisions and delivery followed institutional protocols. After childbirth, data on the outcome of the perinatal period were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Negative perinatal outcomes were assessed through the delivery method, APGAR score, perinatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality. These outcomes were correlated with CPR.

Results:

The research included 605 women, separated into normal and pathological CPR groups. Of these, 153 (25.3%) were classified in the pathological CPR category, whereas 452 (74.7%) exhibited normal CPR. In our study, there were 138 patients who experienced adverse perinatal outcomes in the pathological CPR group, whereas 44 patients had such outcomes in the normal CPR group. The diagnostic accuracy of pathological CPR to predict any negative perinatal result was 90.25%.

Conclusions:

CPR shows potential in detecting fetuses at risk in full-term uncomplicated AGA pregnancies.
Common presentations of an uncommon disease: A report of two pediatric cases with mixed connective tissue disease
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumar Manish , Sharan Shambhavi , Dutta Suchismita , Prakash Jayant
Published: July 2024

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is one of the rarest connective tissue diseases. Incidence is around 2–3 cases per 100,000 people. The diagnosis is often difficult due to multiple diagnostic criteria and overlapping features with other connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). An accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment and follow-up. We report two pediatric cases, who initially presented with common diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and JIA, but later turned out to have MCTD after completing the workup. Both patients had strongly positive anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies. The first patient had features of Raynaud’s phenomenon as supportive evidence of MCTD. The second patient had hand edema, aseptic meningitis, and myositis as the supporting evidence in addition to clinical features and strongly positive anti-U1-RNP antibodies. Both patients showed good improvement after proper treatment and are under our follow-up.
Oral mucocele: A narrative review
Authors: Swain Santosh Kumar
Published: July 2024

A mucocele stands out as the most prevalent mucosal lesion found in the oral cavity. It is characterized as a cyst filled with mucus that can manifest within the oral region. This condition arises from the buildup of mucus secretion triggered by the factors such as trauma, habits like lip-biting, or changes in minor salivary gland function. Oral mucoceles (OMs) represent benign masses of soft tissue, typically appearing as smooth, spherical, translucent nodules with a soft consistency, commonly observed in the buccal mucosa or lips. OM can manifest anywhere within the oral mucosa, including the lips, cheeks, and floor of the oral cavity, although it predominantly occurs in the lip region. There are two primary types of OMs such as extravasation and retention types. OM mostly affects young patients but can affect all groups. OMs typically present as asymptomatic, although occasionally they may cause discomfort by hindering chewing, speech, or swallowing. The diagnosis of OM is based on the clinical appearance and history. The histopathological study confirms the diagnosis of OM. Treatment options for OM encompass various approaches such as complete excision, marsupialization, cryosurgery, carbon dioxide laser therapy, electrocautery, and intralesional injection of sclerosing agents. This review focuses on details of OM including its etiopathology, classification, clinical features, and its current management.
Comparing the effect of warmwater footbath with effleurage and petrissage massages on fatigue of patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Afrasiabifar Ardashir , Hamzhiekia Shekoofeh , Mohammadhossini Sima , Mosavi Asadolah
Published: July 2024

Background:

Few comparative studies have been carried out into the effects of nonpharmacological interventions on reducing fatigue in hemodialysis patients. This study compared the effect of warm footbath with effleurage and petrissage massages on fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods:

Seventy patients undergoing hemodialysis referring to two dialysis centers in 2016 were included in this clinical trial study. However, 62 hemodialysis patients finally completed the study. The patients were selected through a nonrandom sampling method, but were later assigned to one of the three groups of warmwater footbath, effleurage, and petrissage massages based on randomized blocked allocation. Using a multidimensional inventory, fatigue was assessed before the commencement of the interventions, at the end of the first and the 2nd month of the interventions. The data were analyzed using statistical software of SPSS, version 25, through descriptive statistics by running median and Friedman tests with considering 95% confidence interval.

Results:

Warmwater footbath, effleurage, and petrissage resulted in a significant reduction or improvement in global fatigue and types of fatigue of patients undergoing hemodialysis at the end of the first and 2nd month of the interventions (P = 0.001). The results of the between-groups comparison showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in fatigue reduction among the three groups of warmwater footbath, effleurage, and petrissage massages in terms of the median index of fatigue scores.

Conclusion:

Warmwater footbath, effleurage, and petrissage massages have similar positive effects on fatigue in patients undergoing hemodialysis.