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  Background & Aim: Lack of knowledge about acute myocardial infarction and its treatment result in feeling anxious among the patients. Implementing appropriate educational methods can decrease anxiety in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study was conducted to compare effects of two educational methods (face-to-face and electronic educational methods) on anxiety among patients with acute myocardial infarction .

  Methods & Materials: This was an experimental study in which 105 patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction in the "CCUs" of three educational hospitals were selected based on eligibility criteria and were allocated into three groups including face-to-face educational group, electronic education group, and control group using block randomized allocation. Data were collected using demographic check-list and the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire. The level of anxiety was measured before and immediately after the interventions in all three groups. Data were analyzed in the SPSS-16.

  Results: Both educational methods reduced anxiety significantly in patients with acute myocardial infarction. There were no significant difference between the two educational method groups in the anxiety level (P=0.94) .

  Conclusion: Both face-to-face and electronic educational methods reduced anxiety in patients with acute myocardial infarction. It is recommended that nurses use one of these educational methods to reduce anxiety among the patients .

  

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  Background & Aim: Premenopausal syndrome affects daily activities of many women. This study aimed to compare the effects of Vitexagnus and Flaxseed on premenstrual symptoms in women referred to health centers of Tabriz from October 2013 to September 2014 .

  Methods & Materials: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among 159 women suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The PMS was measured using the premenstrual assessment form (PAF) . The participants were allocated into three groups (n=53 per group) using block randomization. The group I received 25 grams/d Flaxseed powder and placebo of the Vitexagnus group II received 3.2-4.8 mg/d Vitexagnus tablets and placebo of the Flaxseed and the control group received both placeboes. The PAF was completed at baseline and 1 and 2 month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the general linear model . 

  Results: The PMS improved significantly in both intervention groups during the first and the second month after the intervention. In the Vitexagnus and Flaxseed groups, the mean total PMS score were significantly lower than that in the control group at the first months after the intervention (adjusted mean difference: -3.3 (95% CI: -4.0 to -2.1) -4.3 (-5.5 to -3.0), respectively). In the second month after the intervention, the mean total PMS score was -5.8 (-7.0 to -4.7) in the Vitexagnus group and -6.6 (-8.1 to -5.7) in the Flaxseed group. There was no significant difference between the Vitexagnus and Flaxseed groups in terms of the PMS score .

  Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Flaxseed and Vitexagnus are effective in improving PMS .

  

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Background & Aim: Violence against women is a serious social problem affecting public health. Given the relatively high prevalence of domestic violence and the need for screening, a simple tool for its correct diagnosis in a short time seems to be necessary. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic values of the HITS (Hurts, Insults, Threaten, and Screams) tool and CTS2 (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales) in domestic violence screening.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 married women referred to health centers in Tabriz in 2014. Data were collected using the socio-demographic questionnaire, HITS and CTS2. Kappa index was used to assess agreement between instruments.

Results: Results showed that HITS tool had relatively good sensitivity (75.7%) and high specificity (93.5%). Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96.8% and 59.5% respectively. There was a moderate agreement between instruments (Kappa=0.6).

Conclusion: Given the simplicity of HITS and the possibility to complete it in a short time, this questionnaire can be recommended to identify people experiencing domestic violence at the broad level. In addition, the development of this tool is recommended in future studies.

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Background & Aim: Improving and modifying lifestyle is necessary for health maintenance and promotion. Modification of lifestyle can have an important role in the long-term health of women with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the status of health promoting lifestyle and its socio-demographic predictors in women with PCOS.

Methods & Materials: This analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 women with PCOS referred to gynecology and infertility clinics in Urmia-Iran, in 2015. The data were collected through the socio-demographic and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data through SPSS software version 21.

Results: The mean (standard deviation) of total score of the health promoting lifestyle was 2.2 (0.3) out of 4. The highest mean score was in nutrition subscale [2.9 (0.5)] and the lowest mean score was in the subscale of stress control [1.2 (0.5)]. Based on the multivariate linear regression model, the variables of BMI, spouse’s education level, the first supporter and menstrual bleeding amount were predictors of the health promoting lifestyle in women with PCOS.

Conclusion: Considering that the mean of total score of the health promoting lifestyle and some of its subscales were in the middle of the range of possible scores, it is necessary that besides other therapies, the improvement of health promoting lifestyle in women with PCOS, according to the influencing socio-demographic determinants, be on the agenda of health providers.

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Background & Aim: The important aspects of maternal postpartum adjustment are readiness in caring for the family, newly-added member and self as well as return to pre-pregnancy functional status. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of postpartum maternal functioning.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 newly delivered mothers attended the healthcare centers of Bonab in 2016 using the cluster random sampling method. Data were collected through a socio-demographic characteristics form, the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, and the functional status questionnaire. The multivariate linear regression model on the SPSS software version 21 was used to determine the predictors of functional status.
Results: Mean (SD) of the functional status total score was 2.3 (0.24). The maximum and the minimum scores were in the subdomains “infant care” [3.64 (0.32)], and “social activities and society” [1.43 (0.41)], respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between postpartum depression and total score of functional status, self-care and social activities and society subscales. According to the general linear model, postpartum depression, spouse’s age and job, economic status, mother’s education level and the number of pregnancy were the predictors of mothers’ functional status during postpartum period.
Conclusion: Postpartum depression and some socio-demographic characteristics are among the variables influencing maternal functional status. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression and consideration of the mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics, can improve maternal functional status and result in better maternal postpartum adjustment.
 

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Background & Aim: Self-care education is one of the effective ways to improve the quality of life and health in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of applying the specific situation theory on the quality of life in patients with heart failure.
Methods & Materials: In a clinical trial study, 80 patients with class 2 or 3 heart failure, referred to 12 Farvardin hospital in Kahnooj in 2018 were included. Data collection tool included a three-part questionnaire: demographic variables, Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale to assess patients' quality of life, and Self-care Heart Failure Index. The questionnaires were completed at the first visit and three months after follow-up. Data was analyzed using independent and paired t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation through the SPSS software version 20.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the scores of quality of life and self-care between the two groups. After the intervention, the mean score of quality of life and self-care dimensions increased (P<0.001). Regarding self-care after the intervention, the highest score was related to self-care confidence with mean and standard deviation of 21.43 and 3.30 respectively, and the lowest score was related to self-care management with mean and standard deviation of 17.45 and 5.5 (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Paying attention to the dimensions of self-care based on a specific situation theory can lead to a better understanding of these patients’ problems and appropriate planning, and in turn improvement of the quality of life. Since in this study, most of the participants were illiterate, using visual teaching aids, adjusting the schedule according to the patient's conditions and readiness, and if necessary, family involvement can have positive results. It appears necessary to consider the underlying factors in the implementation of self-care programs, especially in people with lower levels of education and income.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20141109019862N6
 

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Background & Aim: In women experiencing intimate partner violence, resilience can serve as a protective factor against the worsening of psychological problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has emerged as a potential means to enhance resilience in these individuals. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the resilience of women experiencing spousal abuse.
Methods & Materials: This is a quasi-experimental study. A total of 80 women experiencing spousal abuse were selected through quota sampling from the women referring to the health houses affiliated to the Mashhad ol-Kube health center in Arak, Iran between 2020 and 2021. The participants were then divided into intervention and control groups using the block randomization method. The intervention group received the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in eight sessions, lasting 90 minutes each, once a week. The data collection tools included a questionnaire on personal and health characteristics, the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, and the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale. The Resilience Scale was completed by both groups one week and five weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed through the SPSS software version 23 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. A significance level of P<0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of the resilience score for the intervention group increased from 59.21±13.29 before the intervention to 64.31±11.27 and 72.34±10.49 in the post-test and follow-up periods. For the control group, these figures were 52.47±17.2, 51.94±14.72, and 52.47±15.3, respectively. Based on the results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of resilience between the intervention and control groups at the three time points examined (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The implementation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can significantly improve the resilience of women experiencing spousal abuse. This intervention holds great potential for being incorporated into mental health improvement programs specifically designed for women who have experienced spousal abuse.

 

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Background & Aim: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the most widely utilized diagnostic tool in medicine. However, nursing students often have problems with interpreting ECGs, highlighting the need for revised training methods. This study aimed to assess the effect of ECG drawing assignments on nursing students' learning and their perspectives on this teaching method in the context of a critical care nursing course.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved 52 fifth-semester BSc nursing students enrolled in the fall and spring terms at Qom University of Medical Sciences. For the fall group, traditional lectures and Q&A sessions were conducted during the first half of the semester, followed by an assignment requiring students to draw common ECGs in the second half. In contrast, for the spring group, students drew ECGs during the first half of the semester. Learning outcomes were assessed through a written test, while students’ perspectives on the drawing assignments were evaluated using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, employing Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests to compare groups.
Results: The mean score from the perspective questionnaire regarding ECG drawing was 14.86±3.34 (maximum score of 18). In most cases, students had positive or relatively positive views towards this teaching method. A significant difference was observed between the course exam scores of students when they engaged in drawing ECGs compared to when they did not (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Drawing ECGs can be helpful in enhancing learning outcomes in the critical care nursing course and may increase students’ motivation to learn.