bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical pharmacology of cefazolin
Authors: Pacifici Gian Maria
Published: November 2022

Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin that is active against gram-positive bacteria and has modest activity against gram-negative organisms, and cefazolin is excreted by glomerular filtration. The efficacy and safety of cefazolin and cefazolin concentration in body tissues have been described. Cefazolin pharmacokinetics have been studied; six patients received cefazolin at a dose of 1 g thrice daily and one patient received cefazolin at a dose of 2 g once daily and this patient had acute kidney injury. The pharmacokinetics of cefazolin have been studied. The prophylaxis, treatment, and trials with cefazolin have been reported. The penetration of cefazolin into the cerebrospinal fluid has been studied. Cefazolin treats the meningitis caused by Staphylococcus meningitis or by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and cefazolin may become resistant to bacteria. Cefazolin freely crosses the human placenta and poorly migrates into the breast milk. The aim of this review was to describe cefazolin efficacy and safety, tissue concentration, pharmacokinetics, prophylaxis, treatment, trials, penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, treatment of bacterial meningitis, resistance, transfer across the human placenta, and migration into the breast milk.
Chromosomal abnormalities and clinical conditions associated with the male infertility among Emirati
Authors: Ebrahim Ferdos , Mahasneh Ihsan Ali
Published: November 2022

Background:

Male infertility is a global health issue that is poorly described in United Arab Emirates.

Methods

In this 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study, we retrieved data of 312 male patients attending Dubai Fertility Center in United Arab Emirates between January 2011 and January 2021. We identified the type and prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and hormonal and semen abnormalities among Emirati infertile males as compared with regional and global populations.

Results

Total chromosomal abnormalities accounted for 13.9% and 8% among azoospermic Emiratis and total Emirati infertile males, respectively. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Klinefelter syndrome, 47,XXY (4.0%); Jacob syndrome, 47,XYY (0.8%); mosaic, 48,XXXY/47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%); and mosaic 47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%). Structural chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Y chromosome microdeletion (1.2%), 46,XX/46,XY (0.4%), 46,XY,inv(5)(p15.1q11.2) (0.4%), and 45,XY,der(13;15)(q10;q10) (0.4%). About 59.0% of the Emirati cohort had azoospermia, whereas 28.46% were diagnosed with other conditions of spermatogenic failure as severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (7.63%), severe oligoasthenospermia (5.22%), severe oligozoospermia (4.41%), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (3.6%), asthenozoospermia (2.4%), oligoasthenospermia (1.6%), oligozoospermia (2%), teratozoospermia (0.8%), asthenoteratozoospermia (0.4%), and aspermia (0.4%). As for male hormonal profile of the Emiratis, azoospermic males with chromosomal defects had higher testosterone abnormality (72.2% vs. 45.4%), interstitial-cell stimulating hormone abnormality (66.6% vs. 42.6%), follicle-stimulating hormone abnormality (72.2% vs. 41.5%), and inhibin B hormone abnormality (100% vs. 83.8%) as compared to azoospermic males without chromosomal abnormalities.

Conclusion

This is the first study to report conclusively the profiling of chromosomal abnormality among Emirati infertile males, which falls within the regional and global range, and to highlight the critical role of genetic testing and counseling for evaluating male infertility.
Dosimetric analysis of patients receiving radiotherapy with VMAT technique in localized prostate cancer and its correlation with side effects
Authors: Akay Sıtkı U. , Çetin İlknur A. , Bekiroğlu Gülnaz N.
Published: November 2022

Aim:

The aim was to study the relationship between dosimetric data of localized prostate cancer patients who have been treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) and gastrointestinal (GIS), genitourinary (GUS), anal and sexual side effects, and whether there was a difference between dosimetric data and clinical findings between risk groups.

Methods:

Eighty-seven patients who received curative radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer between 2014 and 2019 were included in the study. Dosimetrically; whether there was a relationship between V30, V40, V50, V60, V65, V70, V75 for rectum and bladder; D90 for the penile bulb, V72, V74, V76 for the bulbomembranous urethra, V30, V45, V53, Dmax for the anus, and V45 (cc) for the intestine data and the side effects were analyzed. It was evaluated whether there was a relationship between testosterone values and sexual side effects. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (F-test), and paired-sample t-test were used as statistical methods. For statistical significance, P < 0.05 was accepted.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 69 (50–86), the mean Prostat specific antigen (PSA) (ng/dL) before RT was 25.1 (0.9–339), the median RT dose was 76 Gy (74–78 Gy), and the mean follow-up period was 38.2 months. PTVmax, PTVmean, PTVmin, bladder V40, bladder V50, rectum V30, rectum V40, rectum V50, and intestinal V45 (cc) were determined as dosimetric data showing differences between risk groups. A statistically significant relationship was found between rectum V30 (P = 0.017), V60 (P = 0.019), V65 (P = 0.008), V70 (P = 0.007), and V75 (P = 0.034) and chronic GIS side effects. G2 GIS side effects were observed in four patients (4.6%) in the entire patient group during the acute period. A statistically significant relationship was found between the patients receiving hormonotherapy (P = 0.021) and testosterone values at the last control (P ≤ 0.001) and chronic sexual side effects.

Conclusion:

Attention should be paid to the rectum V30, V60, V65, V70, and V75 values to minimize the long-term GIS side effects in patients who have undergone RT. Testosterone level and ADT status affect chronic sexual toxicity.
Pediatric low-grade glioma and neurofibromatosis type 1: A single-institution experience
Authors: Ruggiero Antonio , Attinà Giorgio , Campanelli Anastasia , Maurizi Palma , Triarico Silvia , Romano Alberto , Massimi Luca , Tamburrini Gianpiero , Verdolotti Tommaso , Mastrangelo Stefano
Published: November 2022

Background:

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-related gliomas appear to have a clinical behavior different from that of sporadic cases. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of different factors in influencing the tumor response rate of children receiving chemotherapy for their symptomatic glioma.

Methods:

Between 1995 and 2015, 60 patients with low-grade glioma (42 sporadic cases and 18 cases with NF1) were treated. Patients with brainstem gliomas were excluded. Thirty-nine patients underwent exclusive or postsurgical chemotherapy (vincristine/carboplatin-based regimen).

Results:

Disease reduction was achieved in 12 of the 28 patients (42.8%) with sporadic low-grade glioma and in 9 of the 11 patients (81.8%) with NF1, with a significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). The response to chemotherapy in both the patient groups was not significantly influenced by sex, age, tumor site, and histopathology, although disease reduction occurred more frequently in children aged under 3 years.

Conclusions:

Our study showed that pediatric patients with low-grade glioma and NF1 are more likely to respond to chemotherapy than those with non-NF1.
A cross-sectional study of epidemiological determinants for Covid-19 infection among nurses of a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Shah Anuradha K. , Sawant Dattaprasad A. , Sadawarte Deepika M. , Dakshit Kosturi
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

All health care workers including nurses are working in the frontline against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which keeps them at high risk of getting infected. This study was conducted to identify risk factors for Covid-19 infection and compliance to Covid appropriate behavior among nurses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 nurses in a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical college in Mumbai, from April 2020 to December 2020. Data were collected telephonically using an interviewer-administered pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the nurses was 38.19 ± 12.14 years. The majority (80.7%) were exposed to Covid-19 while taking active care of Covid patients; a total of 108 (72%) were symptomatic at the time of testing; dietary modifications because of fear of Covid were performed by 121 (80.2%); 92.77% used the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) category according to the workplace; 121 (80.77%) followed all steps of donning and doffing at all times, and 19 (12.77%) reported a breach in PPE. A greater proportion of nurses working in Covid duties opted for hospital isolation than home isolation (p = 0.003). Risk factors such as sleep, shift duty, shift pattern, food timing, mode of travel, and type of PPE during travel were also found to be significantly associated with work type – Covid versus non-Covid (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of workplace appropriate PPE, proper donning and doffing facilities, duty shifts with a fixed duration, adequate hand hygiene practices, and regular food intake with adequate sleep can prevent Covid-19 infection at the workplace among nurses.
Prevention of osteoporosis in menopausal women
Authors: Mohammadi Azam , Behboodi Moghadam Zahra , Ghelichkhani Fatemeh , Alidost Farzane , Naghizadeh Somayyeh , Haghparast Zeinab , Azizi Marzieh
Published: November 2022

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that is associated with negative physical and psychosocial consequences, so understanding the effective strategies that can be used in the prevention of osteoporosis is especially important. The aim of this study was to integrative review the published interventional of nonpharmacological studies regarding the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis among menopausal women. In this systematic review, databases such as PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, ScienceDirect, EmBase, Cochrane library, Google scholar, and Iranian databases, such as Scientific Information Database and Magiran, were searched. The latest search was performed between “November 2020 and December 2020” separately by two researchers and then double-checked by them. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Jadad score calculation tool. Twenty eight randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were included in this current study. The quality assessment indicated that 19 studies had acceptable (good) methodological quality and also 9 studies had weak methodological quality. The main results of this study were classified in three main categories such as exercise or physical activity training (n = 15), educational sessions (n = 11), and other interventions (n = 2). The results of most included studies showed that nonpharmacological strategies such as physical activity and educational interventions are considered as the appropriate actions to prevention of osteoporosis among menopausal women so implementing these strategies can be a good alternative for women with contraindication of hormone therapy or therapeutic treatment.
Utilization of elderly health promotion services during COVID 19 in Iran
Authors: Zahirian Moghadam Telma , Zandian Hamed , Shirin Bonyad Hadi
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for older adults to utilize ordinary elder services. This cross-sectional study investigated the status of feeling the need, seek, and utilization of health promotion services among older adults in Ardabil, Iran, covered by the country's comprehensive health system during the pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted on 739 elderly people in Ardabil province. Cluster random sampling method was used for sampling. Data were gathered by referring trained individuals to the place of residence of the selected older adults Questionnaires were consisted of three parts: demographic information, household's economic status, and feeling the need, seek, and utilization from health promotion services. Multivariate logistic regression was used to separately model the need, seeking for, and utilization of health promotion services in STATA ver. 14.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the older adults in this study was 68.88 ± 4.72 years. The results indicate that men showed significantly greater need, seek for, and utilization of health promotion services during COVID- 19 than women. According to the results, people over the age of 80 had 4.08 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.99–12.60) more need and utilization of health services than the older adults under 65 years. The results also indicate that use of health promotion services was significantly associated with being married (3.74, 95% CI: 1.22–2.62), having primary insurance and supplementary insurance (1.92, 95% CI: 1.21–3.12), and obesity (2.05, 95% CI: 1.13–3.76) in P < 0.05 level. Based on the results, people with chronic disease and obesity were more likely to utilize health promotion services.

CONCLUSION:

Findings suggest that the access and utilization of inpatient and outpatient health services by the elderly in the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat decreased, which could be due to the fear of the disease being referred to health centers by the elderly. Hence, enabling conditions such as parental health care were major factors affecting health-seeking habits among the Iranian elder population.
Effect of cognitive–behavioral training on fear of childbirth and sleep quality of pregnant adolescent slum dwellers
Authors: Khojasteh Farnoosh , Afrashte Mahdie , Khayat Samira , Navidian Ali
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Fear of childbirth is a common problem during pregnancy, which can give rise to sleep disorders and diminish sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive–behavioral training on fear of childbirth and sleep quality of pregnant adolescent slum dwellers who visited the slum health centers of Zahedan city, Iran, in 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 on 100 pregnant adolescent slum dwellers between 11 and 19 years old at 24–28 weeks pregnant. Multi-stage sampling was used and the participants were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received four sessions of cognitive–behavioral training at weekly intervals. The control group only received routine care. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were filled before and 4 weeks after the training course. The data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using independent t-test, paired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-squared test. and covariance. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS:

After the intervention, the fear of childbirth significantly decreased (P = 0.004), and sleep quality significantly improved (P = 0.001) in the intervention group compared with the control group. The results of analysis of covariance to control the significant effect of pre-test scores showed that the mean score of fear of childbirth (P = 0.03) and mean score of sleep quality (P = 0.001) in the two groups after the intervention was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

The results showed that in addition to reducing fear of childbirth, cognitive–behavioral training improved the sleep quality of women in the intervention group. Therefore, this training could be used as an easy and accessible method without complications to improve women's health.
Disaster planning approaches in Iran's health system
Authors: Mohajervatan Ali , Atighechian Golrokh , Khankeh Hamid Reza , Raeisi Ahmad Reza , Tavakoli Nahid
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Disaster planning and management pose a serious challenge to most countries. These challenges point to insufficient planning to deal with these events. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the methods and characteristics of the decision-making approaches in these events. In this study, we tried to identify most appropriate approaches for the Iranian health system by studying disaster planning approaches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was conducted using mixed methods in 2020–2021 in two phases: qualitative and quantitative. First, we reviewed at the research literature. Our goal was to identify studies that suggested approaches to disaster planning. The next step in this study was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants in qualitative phase included managers and employees from different parts of the Iranian health system from the provinces of Golestan, Fars, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Kerman, Sistan, and Baluchestan.

RESULTS:

By combining approaches taken from literature reviews and qualitative study, four main approaches were identified. The results of our study have shown that disaster response planning approaches include function, risk assessment, capability, and futuristic base.

CONCLUSION:

This study provides complete overview of disaster planning approaches that enable health professionals to use them to develop response plans. Our findings indicate that in complex and large-scale events such as floods and pandemics, it is necessary to combine the introduced methods for operational planning.
Developing patient safety standards for health-care quality promotion in neonatal intensive care units
Authors: Shahkolahi Zahra , Irajpour Alireza , Jafari-Mianaei Soheila , Heidarzadeh Mohammad
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of the accident-prone settings in the health-care system. There is a series of structural and process threats to the safety of infants hospitalized in this unit, which can be prevented by taking the right actions. For this purpose, developing standards based on current knowledge, available resources, and the context that provides care can determine patient injury prevention requirements. Likewise, it can be a source for national development and application of related guidelines and protocols. This study aims to develop patient safety standards in the NICUs of Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This mixed-methods study will apply the exploration, preparation, implementation, and sustainment framework to develop patient safety standards. In each phase of this framework, a set of activities take place. Exploration is based on the world health organization model to develop standards. Determining the validity and applicability of standards will be done in Phase 2 (Preparation) and Phase 3 (Implementation), respectively. Since the long-term effects are not desired, the fourth phase (Sustainment) will not be considered.

DISCUSSION:

Patient safety standards from this study will contribute to efficient and effective, equitable, and high-quality health-care delivery. The application of them will further promote patient safety and the quality of medical care in Iranian NICUs.
Comparison of the effect of two educational methods based on mindfulness and cognitive emotion strategies on psychological well-being and anxiety of eighth-semester midwifery students before the final clinical trial
Authors: Noroozi Mahnaz , Mohebbi-Dehnavi Zahra
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Midwifery services help maintain and improve the health of the community. However, a comprehensive examination reduces students’ psychological well-being by creating anxiety. For this purpose, the present study was conducted to determine and compare the effect of two educational methods based on mindfulness and cognitive emotion strategies on psychological well-being and anxiety of eighth-semester midwifery students before the final clinical trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was a quasi-experimental three-group study with available sampling method that was performed on 30 eighth-semester midwifery students of the School of Nursing and Midwifery of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2020–2021. Data collection tools were psychological well-being and Test Anxiety Questionnaire. Two intervention groups were trained for eight sessions. The control group did not receive any training program. The data collected by SPSS version 22 software were analyzed by analytical statistical tests of ANOVA and least significant difference post hoc test.

RESULTS:

The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of components of test anxiety and psychological well-being. Furthermore, emotion regulation training and mindfulness-based training reduced test anxiety and increased students’ psychological well-being before the comprehensive test (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

It is recommended that educational programs be considered before the comprehensive examination to promote the mental health and success of these students.
Online assessment in two consequent semesters during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abedi Farshid , Eghbali Batool , Akbari Narjes , Sadr Ehsan , Salmani Fatemeh
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Education and assessment have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic so that online courses replaced face-to-face classes to observe the social distance. The quality of online assessments conducted during the pandemic is an important subject to be addressed. In this study, the quality of online assessments held in two consecutive semesters was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

One thousand two hundred and sixty-nine multiple-choice online examinations held in the first (n = 535) and second (n = 734) semesters in Birjand University of Medical Sciences during 2020–2021 were examined. Mean, standard deviation, number of questions, skewness, kurtosis, difficulty, and discrimination index of tests were calculated. Data mining was applied using the k-means clustering approach to classify the tests.

RESULTS:

The mean percentage of answers to all tests was 69.97 ± 19.16, and the number of questions was 34.48 ± 18.75. In two semesters, there was no significant difference between the difficulty of examinations (P = 0.84). However, there was a significant difference in the discrimination index, skewness, and kurtosis of tests (P < 0.001). Moreover, according to the results of the clustering analysis in the first semester, 43% of the tests were very hard, 16% hard, and 7% moderate. In the second semester, 43% were hard, 16% moderate, and 41% easy.

CONCLUSION:

To evaluate the tests’ quality, calculating difficulty and discrimination indices is not sufficient; many factors can affect the quality of tests. Furthermore, the experience of the first semester had changed characteristics of the second-semester examinations. To enhance the quality of online tests, establishing appropriate rules to hold the examinations and using questions with higher taxonomy are recommended.
The effect of case-based e-learning on academic performance and problem-solving ability in nursing students
Authors: Rezaee Rita , Haveshki Fateme , Barati-Boldaji Reza , Mehrabi Manoosh
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Case-based learning is a modern learning approach, aims to prepare students for practical skills. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of case-based e-learning (CBEL) on the academic performance and problem-solving ability of nursing students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this pre- and post-test study, census sampling method was used to select 128 nursing students who had nutrition courses during 2015–2017 at (blinded). Before and after the educational intervention, the students completed the problem-solving inventory including problem-solving confidence (PSC), approach-avoidance style (AA), and personal control (PC) and a scientific test for evaluating academic function. Continuous variables before and after the intervention and categorical variables were analyzed using paired t-test and Chi-square test, respectively.

RESULTS:

The mean scores of PSC, AA, and PC decreased after the intervention (P < 0.001). The mean scientific score of the students improved after the intervention (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

This study showed that the CBEL method had a positive effect on the ability to solve the learning problems and the academic performance of the students and can be used to train nurses to improve their ability to confront clinical problems in the future.
Knowledge, attitudes, and sociodemographic factors related to COVID-19 among older people living in the community in Malaysia
Authors: Syed Elias Sharifah Munirah , Rohinmi Nur Rasyidah
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Although older people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, there is a lack of research that focuses on COVID-19 in older people in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes related to COVID-19, and to identify the association of sociodemographic background with knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 among older people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional study involving 382 older people living in the community in Malaysia. Data was collected using convenience sampling through an online questionnaire that consisted of three parts: sociodemographic details, knowledge, and attitude related to COVID-19.

RESULTS:

The overall correct rate of knowledge was 77.3%, indicating that participants had slightly good knowledge related to COVID-19. The participants showed a positive attitude with a mean score of 26.0 (SD = 5.0). There were significant associations between knowledge and education level (P = 0.00) and marital status (P = 0.02). Marital status was significantly associated with attitude towards COVID-19 (P = 0.03). A weak positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.17, P = 0.00) suggesting that an increase in knowledge will increase the positive attitude among older people.

CONCLUSION:

Older people reported good knowledge and positive attitudes towards COVID-19. The Malaysian government should provide relevant health education for those with lower education levels and divorced or widowed to improve knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19.
Health-promoting behaviors in staff and students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Dargahi Abdollah , Gholizadeh Helia , Poursadeghiyan Mohsen , Hamidzadeh Arbabi Yousef , Hamidzadeh Arbabi Mohammad Hossein , Hosseini Javad
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

The staff of health and dentistry schools can play an important role in encouraging students and their clients to adopt health and preventive behaviors. The aim of this study was to compare health-promoting behaviors in staff and students of health and dental schools in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (ARUMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2021. The research population was staff and students of health and dental schools. Staff sampling was by census and students were sampled by simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been confirmed in previous studies. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics tests using SPSS version 20 software. Linear regression was performed using stepwise method.

RESULTS:

The results showed that the mean score of the individuals was 99.2 ± 20.24. In the leveling, the behaviors of 33 people (17.55%) were appropriate, desirable and good, and the health-promoting behaviors, 154 people (82.45%), were moderate and low. The correlation between age, gender, marital status, and workplace of the individuals with health-promoting behaviors was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The output of stepwise regression analysis showed that the variables were significant and could predict the scores of health-promoting behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Health-promoting behaviors in <20% of students and staff are desirable, and in more than 80% of them are moderate and poor. Therefore, educational administrators should use these results in curriculum planning to increase health-promoting behaviors of students and staff. The score of health-promoting behaviors is related to the above-mentioned areas, but the relationship may not be linear.
Depression and quality of life among elderly
Authors: Sahoo Soumya S. , Kaur Vazinder , Panda Udit K. , Nath Bhola , Parija Pragyan P. , Sahu Dinesh P.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Depression among elderly is an emerging public health concern. Along with other comorbidities, depression affects the quality of life and functional ability of the geriatric population. This study aimed to assess the depression and quality of life among elderly and compare these parameters among the inhabitants of old age home and in the community.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly of the community and old-age homes in the urban areas of Raipur, Chhattisgarh between March and July 2016. Hundred elderly (50 in each group) participated in the study. Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15) and Older People Quality of Life (OPQoL)-35 scale were used to assess the geriatric depression and quality of life, respectively. Association between depression and demographic variables were analyzed by Chi-square/Fisher's exact test. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between GDS-15 and OPQoL-35 scale.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of geriatric depression was 59%. Quality of life was better among the old-age home elderly participants than that of community elderly when compared for score of life over all (11.78 vs. 13.56), health (12.8 vs. 14.0), social relationship (10.48 vs. 13.9), control over life (11.92 vs. 14.08), home and neighborhoods (9.38 vs. 12.36), psychological and emotional wellbeing (10.96 vs. 13.7), financial circumstances (14.5 vs. 16.7), and leisure and activities (13.86 vs. 15.28). Moderate positive correlation was observed between depression and quality of life.

CONCLUSION:

The higher prevalence in our study emphasizes the need to delineate the actual burden in the elderly population and provide necessary supportive measures. It needs to be addressed adequately through a coordinated primary care approach and community and social support. Timely and adequate management of depression can improve the quality-of-life outcomes.
Impact of COVID-19 on postgraduate medical education
Authors: Arora Manali , Waikhom Premila , Azad Sheenam , Thakker Vishal , Azad Rajiv Kumar , Srivastava Rajendra Kumar
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

The corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused widespread effect on the lives of health care professionals. The postgraduate medical students, who are the major pillars of medical institutions had to bear multitude of setbacks due to the pandemic involving academic, research and well-being issues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a cross sectional feedback based online survey done in the month of October 2021 to study the effect of COVID-19 pandemic induced changes in the postgraduate medical education; amongst 78 students pursuing MD/MS degree in all departments of a tertiary medical institute in Himalayan foothills of North India. The questionnaire consisted of ten questions; each of which needed to be answered on a five point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Results were assessed for the most common answers of each question (represented by mode) and association between various components of the questionnaire analyzed by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient.

RESULTS:

The internal consistency of the questionnaire as tested by Cronbach's Alpha (0.82) was good. Most number or respondents were from surgical branches (n = 31, 39.74%). There was a generalized agreement towards preference of resumption of onsite education (75.64%), the lack of variety of cases causing hampering of thesis work (88.46%) and increased mental stress during the pandemic (58.9%). While more time for self-study was seen as the only consensual positive aspect of online teaching (64%), most students opined that technical glitches are a major roadblock in online education (80.76%). Significant positive correlation was seen between disciplinary ease and punctuality in online teaching (R = 0.543, P < 0.001), lack of interaction and its effect on learning and mental health (R = 0.471; P < 0.001) and the lack of diversity in cases and difficulties in dissertation work (R = 0.351; P < 0.05). Negative correlation was observed between the satisfaction from overall learning through online teaching and the desire of resumption of offline classes (R = −0.491; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on medical education are long lasting. A comprehensive approach is required to rebuild the medical education curriculum, inculcating both traditional and newer virtual methods of education. A consistent support in academics and overall growth needs to be provided to medical postgraduate residents who have been the first line fighters in face of the massive disaster compromising their basic needs and education.
Factors affecting the health literacy status of patients with type 2 diabetes through demographic variables
Authors: Ziapour Arash , Ebadi Fard Azar Farbod , Mahaki Behzad , Mansourian Morteza
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Health literacy (HL) is the ability of a person to acquire the process, understand the necessary health information, and make the health services needed for conscious health decisions. Besides, diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder that affects patients’ quantity and quality of life. This study focused on determining the factors that affect the HL status of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) through the role of the demographic variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive-analytical research survey recruited a sample based on 280 patients with T2D at the Diabetes Research Center of Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah in 2020. This study selected patients with T2D using a simple random sampling technique. The study applied the demographic information questionnaire and the Functional, Communicative, and Critical HL Scale to collect data from patients with T2D. This study used the SPSS version 23 on the received data sets to perform statistical analysis, including t-test, analysis of the variance, and multiple regression, to predict the factors affecting HL among diabetes patients.

RESULTS:

The study results showed that the mean age of the participating patients with T2D was 55.80 ± 13.04. The results indicated the mean score and standard deviation of total HL score in patients with T2D 2.70 ± 0.44. The findings specified a statistically significant relationship between HL, gender, education, occupation, income, and place of residence. Results indicated that β-coefficients of the multiple regression analysis and the income variable (β = 0.170), age (β = 0.176), and employment variable (β = 0.157). These are the most predictive of the HL of patients with T2D.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study specified that the HL rate of individuals with diabetes type 2 is average. The potential communicative and critical HL influence is essential for communication and education for diabetes patients in the primary health-care system settings. The findings indicate that communicative and critical HL related to patients’ management and functional HL looks passable in this study.
Perception of educational environment with an assessment of motivational learning strategies and emotional intelligence as factors affecting medical students’ academic achievement
Authors: Kasemy Zeinab Abdelaziz , Kabbash Ibrahim , Desouky Dalia , El-Raouf Shaimaa Abd , Aloshari Samar , El Sheikh Ghadeer
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to investigate how medical students perceive their educational environment, as well as the implications of motivation, learning strategies, and the factor of emotional intelligence on academic achievement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In a cross-sectional study, 3384 undergraduate students were recruited from randomly selected Egyptian medical colleges. Students from second to final year, taking fundamental and clinical courses and, at a minimum, three professional exams, were enrolled and subjected to the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure scale, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, and Emotional intelligence questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The overall mean age of the studied students was 21.42 ± 1.61 years. Females represented 63.5%, rural residents were 52.2% and students with enough income represented 88.0%. The traditional system adopted 28.4% of the students versus 71.6% in the integrated system. Linear regression using path analysis was conducted to study the predictors of academic achievement, and it revealed that motivation was the highly significant predictor of academic achievement (β = 2.68, CI95%:2.35–3.05, P < 0.001), followed by learning (β = 1.09, CI95%:0.80–1.41, P < 0.001), emotional intelligence (β = 0.92, CI95%:0.87–0.97, P < 0.001), and the educational environment (β = 0.14, CI95%:0.13–0.15, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

The study's findings have implications for medical educators trying to understand the personal factors that influence learning and performance in medical school. Students’ motivation was the highly significant predictor of academic achievement followed by learning, emotional intelligence, and educational environment. Perception of the learning environment had improved because of the integrated student-centered system, which fosters motivation and emotional intelligence. To improve learners’ EI, optimal learning, and educational outcomes, the EI components can be taught and fostered.
The effect of modern technology app on the self-regulation skills of students with disabilities
Authors: Jdaitawi Malek , Alturki Saja , Ramzy Samah , Saleh Walaa , Mabrouk Sherin , Abdulgawad Rania , Hasan Heba
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Augmented reality (AR) is capable of facilitating constructive learning through the provision of a learner-centered environment, making for more flexible learning and providing a more distinct experience of learning. AR technology has a significant influence on the teaching approach provided to students with learning disabilities, particularly on their level of self-regulation, and this premise is what motivated the present study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The research is a quasi-experimental study that adopted a pre- and post-test control group design, involving 24 students who have disabilities. The students were divided into AR group and control group, and data were then exposed to the descriptive statistics and paired samplettest.

RESULTS:

The results showed that AR technology has a significant effect on the enhancement of the self-regulation of students with learning disabilities.

CONCLUSION:

The study indicated a significant effect of AR app on the self-regulation skills of students. The study, therefore, encouraged decision academicians to implement technology approaches in the disability setting.
Relationship between burnout, effort-reward imbalance, and insomnia among Informational Technology professionals
Authors: Raju Aruna , Nithiya Devi R. , Tipandjan Arun
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Work in informational technology (IT) professionals is highly competitive and stressful, leading to job stress. This can lead to burnout, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and poor sleep quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study examined associations of ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality among IT professionals using data from 200 software engineers (mean age of 29.3 ± 4 years, 32% women). ERI and overcommitment were assessed using Siegrist's “effort-reward” questionnaire. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) was used to assess burnout and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality.

RESULTS:

ERI, burnout and poor sleep quality were present in 72%, 60%, and 70%, respectively. Females had higher ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality compared to males. ERI is significantly associated with burnout (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and poor sleep quality (r = 0.31, P < 0.01). Linear regression to assess the ability of ERI to predict levels of burnout yielded a statistically significant (R
2 = 0.206, P < 0.01) indicating ERI to be a unique incremental predictor of burnout (b = 0.454, t = 7.16, P < 0.01). ERI tends to be a predictive factor of poor sleep quality with Odd's ratio = 3.5, 95%CI (1.81–6.73), P < 0.01.

CONCLUSION:

In summary, Intervention programs both at the individual and at the organization level have to be designed to combat ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality among IT professionals.
The role of psychological resilience in reducing psychological stress among teachers
Authors: El-Sayed Nahed
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Workplace causes tress which negatively affects the physical as well as the emotional well-being of individuals. However, it is widely reported in the literature that a number of factors have received significant attention in the professional life, stressing their significance to the individual's psychological, social, and professional life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The research is a descriptive that study adopted a quantitative method, involving 40 female teachers. A survey method was randomly distributed to teachers who are identified to have worked with students with disability using randomly sampling, and data were then exposed to the descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation.

RESULTS:

The results showed that respondents had good psychological resilience level with moderate occupational stress level. Furthermore, a significant correlation between psychological resilience and occupation stress is supported.

CONCLUSION:

The present study indicated that the participants have acceptance level of psychological resilience which helps them to reduce their stress when performing their work. The study, therefore, encouraged decision academicians to regularly organize several positive counseling and psychological training to the teachers.
Factors influencing professionalism among nurse educators
Authors: Pareek Bharat , Batra Kiran
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Nurse educators require to exhibit specialized behaviors that demonstrate the beliefs of the nursing profession. The aim of the study is to explore the factors influencing professionalism among nurse educators in the selected nursing educational institutes of Indian States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Qualitative approach was adopted where multiple focus group discussions were planned and conducted. The study was carried out among nurse educators from the Northern Indian states. Thematic analysis, using the argumentative interactions approach was used. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guide were followed.

RESULTS:

Three types of factors, that is, individual (micro-level), organizational (meso-level), and external professional occupational (macro-level) were explored, where individual factors emerged as having a strong positive impact on nurse educators’ professionalism as compared to other factors. Poor organizational infrastructure, privatization of educational institutions, and other related factors were reported as having a negative influence on nurse educators’ professionalism.

CONCLUSION:

Most of the educational institutions included in the present study, lacked basic infrastructure/facilities for the professional development of nurse educators and professionalism.
Perception of online learning among health sciences’ students– A mixed methods study
Authors: Maheshwari Komal , Ladha Nidhi , Khapre Meenakshi , Deol Rupinder
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has led to a paradigm shift from the traditional classroom setting to online education and webinars. We could not identify any published multidisciplinary studies from Indian institutions that have explored the perception of online learning among health sciences students from different faculties. The study aimed to explore the perception of health sciences students regarding their experience, satisfaction, and challenges with online learning compared to offline learning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An explanatory sequential (QUAN–qual) mixed-methods study was conducted between November 2020 and June 2021 among 474 medical, nursing, physiotherapy, and dental students attending online classes. All the students were invited to participate in the study using Google Form questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed using MS Excel. For qualitative data, focused group interviews were conducted with a group of six to eight students from each discipline on an online platform for 45 min to 1 h and transcripts were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS:

Totally 474 students responded to the survey questionnaire. Nearly 56.3% (267) of the students were not satisfied with the online learning program. Around 62.2% (294) of the students felt that online learning could not retain their interest. Students reported that learning the assigned syllabus was difficult during online lectures. They agreed that online learning could be distracting, time-consuming, and did not provide an adequate pace of learning.

CONCLUSION:

Though online learning is an effective learning strategy, it needs to be further improved considering the valuable inputs given by students.
Perceptions and barriers of health-care professionals to develop and implement interprofessional education in UAE
Authors: Gillani Syed Wasif , Azhar Anam , Shadab Arshiya , Gulam Shabaz Mohiuddin
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to determine the perception, perspectives, and behaviors of health-care providers, as well as cues to action toward interprofessional education (IPE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The interview sessions were conducted from August 2020 to November 2020 at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman. The invited participants belonged to all the colleges which are a part of GMU, providing academic and practice support to the university. All were residents of UAE, and both genders were considered for qualitative assessment. The sample size based on data saturation plus two as standard guidelines in qualitative res earch. All the interviews were audiotaped for verbatim transcriptions. All the recorded interviews were transcribed to avoid bias. The prepared transcripts were then verified for accuracy by the relevant participant and after approval, data were analyzed. In case of an emergent theme, all the investigators were focused on refining the analysis.

RESULTS:

A total of 17 health-care professionals (HCPs) were interviewed. The participants were chosen from five different colleges at GMU. All the participants had similar perceptions about IPE, as it is a collaboration between different HCPs to achieve better patient outcomes. A diversity in perspectives toward IPE was found among the participants. Several barriers were identified during the interview session and also highlighted the importance of choosing the right topic for IPE, as it affects planning of the activities greatly. The participants also stressed that the lack of communication also contributes to decreased involvement of HCPs.

CONCLUSION:

This study identified inefficient implementation of IPE. The barriers were lack of team effort, lack of communication within the institute, and administrative support, despite the availability of resources and infrastructure in the university.