Journal of Hayat

The relationships between structural and psychological empowerment and job satisfaction among nurses

Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani

Background & Aim: Job satisfaction is of the most fundamental components of mental health in every profession and one of the most important factors in career success. Therefore, identifying factors affecting job satisfaction is necessary. One of these factors is employee empowerment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between structural and psychological empowerment and job satisfaction among nurses.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional correlational study, the study population was all nurses working in public hospitals in Mashhad (N=4300) in 2015. The samples consisted of 340 nurses, were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Participants were assessed by the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II), Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire and Job Description Index (JDI). In order to analyze the data, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used through SPSS software v.19, and for validation stage, the confirmatory factor analysis were applied using AMOS software v.21.

Results: Results showed that there is a significant multiple correlation between structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and job satisfaction (P<0.001, R²=0.286). Of the eight variables entered into the regression analysis using stepwise technique, three variables including meaningfulness (β=0.30, P<0.001), impact (β=0.25, P<0.001) and access to support (β=0.13, P<0.001) altogether predict 28.6% of the variance in job satisfaction.

Conclusion: The results show the importance of psychological empowerment, the sense of meaningfulness, impact, and access to support as strong predictors of job satisfaction. So, providing the conditions needed for the empowerment of nurses is recommended to increase their job satisfaction and subsequently their efficiency and life satisfaction.

The relationship between violence during pregnancy and low birth weight: a meta-analysis study

Koroush Sayeh Miri

Background & Aim: Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Methods & Materials: This study is a meta-analysis that was performed on articles published in Persian and English languages from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 2015. Articles were extracted by searching in the databases of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, Science Direct, Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, and SID using key words of violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, physical, sexual and psychological violence and their compounds. The results of studies were combined using a random effects model in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using the I² index and meta-regression, and the data analysis was performed using STATA software v.11.2 and SPSS software v.16.

Results: Of 254 found articles, 16 relevant articles with the sample number of 117287 people were included in the study. The results of meta-analysis showed that physical OR:1.61 (CI95%:2.04–2.28), psychological OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) and sexual violence OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) during pregnancy, lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers.

Conclusion: Physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy are recommended.

Background & Aim: Birth weight is one of the most important indicators for evaluating the community health status.Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus and leads to irreversible consequences. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Conclusion: Based on the results, physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, the relevant authorities are recommended to identify at-risk mothers and control their exposure toviolenceby implementing educational and interventional programs, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy.

An evaluation of psychometric properties of the Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale-Extended among a sample of Iranian chemical warfare veterans

Mohammad Ali Soleimani

Background & Aim: Increasing understanding of death anxiety among different cultures and patient populations is critical to provide quality patient care. Researchers who investigate death anxiety, are looking for a reliable and valid instrument compatible with culture in order to achieve this goal. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale-Extended (TDAS-E) among a sample of chemical veterans of Iran–Iraq warfare.

Methods & Materials: In this methodological study, 300 veterans completed the Persian version of the 51-item TDAS-E in 2015. The face, content and construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity) of the TDAS-E were assessed. Also, its reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, construct reliability and intra correlation coefficient.

Results: Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses extracted four stable distinct factors including fear of the hereafter, fear of facing death, fear of the shortness of life, fear of dying following an incident and mishap. The fitness of the four-factor model of the Templer’s death anxiety construct was approved based on standard indices (c²/df=2.832, GFI=.915, AGFI=.873, PCFI=.657, PNFI=.612, RMSEA=.078). Discriminant and convergent validity of all factors were acceptable. Also, scale reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.88), construct reliability (higher than 0.70) and intra correlation coefficient (0.87).

Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed that the four-factor construct of TDAS-E had suitable validity and reliability among Iranian chemical warfare veterans. Given the proper psychometric properties, this scale can be used in future research to evaluate death anxiety in this population.

Background & Aim: Increasing understanding of death anxiety among different cultures and illness populations is critical to provide quality patient care. Researchers who investigate death anxiety, are looking for a reliable and valid instrument compatible with culture in order to achieve this goal. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale-Extended (TDAS-E) among a sample of chemical veterans of Iran–Iraq warfare.

Evaluating the effect of health sector evolution plan on cesarean rate and the average costs paid by mothers: A case study in Kurdistan province between 2013-2015

Ghobad Moradi

Background & Aim: Cesarean rate has had a rising trend in Iran during the last two decades. Natural childbirth promotion plan has been implemented in the form of health sector evolution plan (HSEP) in order to increase natural childbirth. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of health sector evolution plan on cesarean rate and the average costs paid by mothers hospitalized in Kurdistan province.

Methods & Materials: This descriptive study was conducted as longitudinal and retrospective study. Cesarean rate in all hospitals of Kurdistan province was assessed in 2013 and one year after the implementation of HSEP. Furthermore, data related to the percentage of out of pocket expenditures by pregnant mothers in one of the hospitals of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, which was randomly selected, was also studied. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20.

Results: There was a 14.02% reduction in the rate of cesarean in Kurdistan province one year after the implementation of HSEP compared to its basal rate in 2013 (P<0.001). The average out of pocket expenditures was 16.05% before the implementation of HSEP. This rate was reduced to 4.30% and 2.5% respectively after the implementation of first and third phases of HSEP.

Conclusion: Natural childbirth promotion plan has reached its predetermined goal, which was a 10% decrease in cesarean rate one year after the implementation of HSEP compared to its rate in 2013. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of out of pocket expenditures.

Factors affecting the interval between marriage and first birth using the Cox regression model

Maryam Kazemi

Background & Aim: Fertility is the most important factors affecting population fluctuations. Reproductive behaviors of a community can be studied through different methods. One of the methods is the evaluation of the interval between marriage and the birth of the first child. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the interval between marriage and first birth using the Cox regression model.

Methods & Materials: In this study, 1230 first-time mothers referred to urban and rural health centers of the city of Bandar Abbas were selected and studied in 2012-2013. The Cox regression model (proportional hazard) was performed to investigate the interval between marriage and first birth and the factors influencing this interval. Descriptive analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 22 and data modeling was performed by R software version 3.2.1.

Results: In this study, the mean interval between marriage and first birth was 27.63 (±24.35) months. Based on the Cox model, mother’s age at marriage with HR(Hazard-Ratio)=1.13 (1.01–1.25) and place of residence with HR=1.28 (1.12–1.46) had significant effects on the interval between marriage and first birth.

Conclusion: The results of the current study compared to previous studies show that the interval between marriage and first birth has decreased, and some changes are observed in the factors influencing this interval.

The effect of eye patching on the improvement of clinical symptoms in patients with UV keratitis: A randomized clinical trial

Abolfazl Rahmaninezhad

Background & Aim: Ultraviolet (UV) keratitis is an inflammation of the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva caused by UV radiation and is associated with the symptoms including severe eye pain, decreased visual acuity, severe tearing and red eye. The use of primary patching in the patients is doubtful. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of eye patching on the improvement of clinical symptoms in patients with UV keratitis.

Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 120 patients with UV keratitis referred to the emergency department of Khatam Al Anbia center affiliated to Mashhad University of medical sciences, were randomly assigned into two groups (each group contains 60 patients) with patching and non-patching in 2015 (IRCT2015092124124N1). In one group, both eyes were patched and the other group was not patched. All other care was similar in both groups. Clinical symptoms were checked and compared between two groups before and after 12 hours. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square and Wilcoxon using SPSS software version 23. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The results showed that redness (P<0.001) and tearing (P<0.001) were more improved in the non-patched group but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in visual acuity (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Eye patch does not have effect on the improvement of clinical symptoms such as tearing and redness, and these symptoms are more improved without patching.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the severity of restless leg syndrome in patients under treatment with hemodialysis

Moosaalreza Tadayonfar

Background & Aim: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is one of the common complications in patients under treatment with hemodialysis. Progressive muscle relaxation is a method which has been designed for reducing patients’ stress, pain and anxiety. The present study aimed to determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the severity of RLS in hemodialysis patients.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study (IRCT2015102824769N1), 74 hemodialysis patients were selected by convenience sampling method and divided into intervention and control groups based on records numbers. The intervention group was trained in progressive muscle relaxation technique in two half-hour sessions and they were asked to practice it twice a day for one month. RLS severity was measured using the standardized RLS questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests (independent and paired t-test, analysis of co-variance) using SPSS software version 23.

Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of variables in the intervention and control group before intervention (P>0.05). Before the intervention, RLS severity score was 28.24±7.33 in the intervention group and 25.57±9.85 in the control group (P=0.189). After the intervention, the score for the intervention group was reduced to 10.67±5.66 (P>0.001) while there was no significant change in the control group after the intervention (26.16±9.69). Also, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in the mean score of RLS severity after removing the effect of RLS severity on pretest (P>0.0001).

Conclusion: The use of progressive muscle relaxation technique reduces RLS severity in patients under treatment with hemodialysis. Therefore, this technique is recommended to be used as one of the non-pharmacological methods to improve RLS in these patients.

Comparing perception of nurse-mother communication between neonatal intensive care nurses and mothers of hospitalized neonates

Naiire Salmani

Background & Aim: Nowadays in the NICU, family-centered care is the foundation of care, and communication is at the core of family-centered care. This study aimed to compare the perceptions of nurse-mother communication between neonatal intensive care nurses and mothers of hospitalized neonates.

Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional study. 70 mothers of hospitalized newborns and 70 nurses working in the NICU ward of university hospitals and social security hospitals in Yazd, were selected by convenience sampling in 2015. The study questionnaires included the mothers’ and nurses’ demographic characteristics questionnaire, “nurses’ perceptions of nurse-mother communication” questionnaire and “mothers’ perceptions of nurse-mother communication” questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests and independent t-test on SPSS software version 19.

Results: The mean age for nurses was 33.36±6.99 years and for mothers was 29.77±6.40 years. Mean score and standard deviation of perception of “nurse-mother communication” for nurses was 69±6.92 and for mothers was 57.66±11.99. Independent t-test showed statistically significant differences between mean scores (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Due to difference in nurses’ and mothers’ perceptions of nurse-mother communication, it seems necessary that interventions be designed and implemented to familiarize nurses with mothers’ expectations of quality and way of nurse-mother communication.