Background & Aim: Quality of health care services shows the degree of achievement of health outcomes. From ethical and legal perspectives, nurses should be responsible for quality of presented care. Retired nurses can help to elaborate real and valuable concepts related to effective factors on quality of nursing care due to their experiences. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of retired nurses on factors that affect quality of nursing care in Semnan.

Methods & Materials: In this qualitative content analysis method, 20 retired nurses were invited to the study using purposeful sampling. Data were collected mainly using semi-structured interviews. The analysis was carried out using content analysis.

Results: Findings of the study yielded to three significant themes including: 1) necessity of humanistic relationships 2) suitable selection and education (3) planning and organizing nursing cares related to quality of nursing cares.

Conclusion: Findings of this study explored perspectives of retired nurses on the effective factors on quality of nursing care. The three themes emerged in the study should be mentioned in planning programs.

Background & Aim: Patient satisfaction has been recognized as a key indicator of health care quality which is used by accreditation agencies to monitor quality of care in hospitals. A high proportion of health caregivers are nurses. The services provided by nurses are significantly influential in satisfaction of patients. The aim of this study was to assess patients&apos satisfaction from nursing care in hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2010.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 patients from different wards (except for special wards, Emergency department, Pediatric and Psychiatric wards) at the time of discharge from hospital through multistage sampling method. Data were collected using Patient Satisfaction Instrument (PSI). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and regression analysis.

Results: Majority of patients (72%) were moderately satisfied. Patient satisfaction had a significant relationship with the type of ward (P≤0.001), and type of hospital (P≤0.001). Of demographic variables, only patients&apos level of education was significantly associated with patient satisfaction (P≤0.019).

Conclusion: In this study, patients were moderately satisfied from nursing care services. Educating hospital staff, especially nurses and encouraging them to actively participate in activities to promote patient satisfaction should be a priority for hospital management. We should also consider that in a competitive market of health and treatment care giving, institutions that put patient satisfaction as their main goal are more successful.

Background & Aim: Patients adherence to medical recommendations requires new and effective strategies. Promoting self-efficacy is considered as an important measurement to help patients to participate in their own treatment protocol. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a nursing intervention on improving self-efficacy and reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with cardiovascular diseases in a public hospital in Urmia.

Methods & Materials: In this single group before/after study, 81 patients with at least two cardiovascular adjustable risk factors were recruited. The self-efficacy intervention was presented to the patients and one of their family members. The self-efficacy was scored before, immediately and one month after the intervention. The Cardiovascular risk factors were measured before and one year after the intervention. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA with repeated measures, paired t-tests, and McNemar test were used to analyze data.

Results: Overall self-efficacy scores and its sub-groups were significantly improved after one month. There were significant differences in the mean BMI, HDL, LDL, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and weight before and one year after the intervention. The number of smokers and patients with hyperlipidemia were significantly decreased one year after the intervention. However, there were not significant differences in the number of overweight patients and patients with hypertension before and after the intervention.

Conclusion: Results showed that our intervention to improve self-efficacy had positive effect on the overall self-efficacy score and the scores of its subgroups. Our intervention was also effective in controlling cardiovascular risk factors and in reducing the frequency of smokers and patients with hyperlipidemia. It seems that combination of medical orders with self-efficacy improving interventions on patients and their families are influential in controlling cardiovascular risk factors.

Background & Aim: Considering the importance and high prevalence of hepatitis C among substance abusers, especially injection drug users, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C in self-introduced substance abusers in Farabi Addiction Hospital in Kermanshah in 2007.

Methods & Materials: A total of 263 drug addicts&apos medical files were assessed during the study. Data (individual characteristics and results of serological tests) were gathered through the files. Data were analyzed by measuring frequency of correlation between the variables (Chi square test and logistic regression).

Results: The mean age was 31.82±9.18 years mean duration of drug abuse was 121.7±29.1 months for prisoners. From 263 individuals in the study, 22.1% were infected with HCV. The most common ways of substance use were injection (33.1%), and fumigation (32.3%). There was no history of imprisonment in 74.9% of individuals and 52.9% had no history of drug injection. There was a history of physical or mental disorder in 25.5% of individuals. The Chi square statistical test showed significant relationship between HCV infection and substance abuse, and the way of consumption and the t-test showed significant relationship with average daily consumption frequency. The highest relative risk ratio was for positive history of physical or mental illness (OR=8.33), and positive history of imprisonment (OR=5.94). Having multiple sexual partners increased the risk of being infected with the HCV (OR=2.92).

Conclusion: The risk of HCV infection was independently increased with having a history of imprisonment, having multiple sexual partners, presence of physical or mental illnesses, and consumption methods in substance abusers.

Background & Aim: Early diagnosis of breast lumps through breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early detection of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors predict the BSE behavior using Health Belief Model constructs in women referred to health centers in Bandar abbas, Iran.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 240 eligible women were randomly selected from eight health centers. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics and Champion&aposs Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). The CHBMS measures the HBM concepts of susceptibility (3 items), seriousness (6 items), benefits (4 items), barriers (8 items) and self-efficacy (10 items). All items were ranged in a Likert scale ranging from ‘‘strongly disagree (score: one)&apos&apos to ‘‘strongly agree (score: five)&apos&apos.

Results: A total of 240 women took part in the study. The mean age of participants was 37.2 (SD=6.1). Of all, 32.5% had high school education and 95.8% were married. The results showed that 31.7% of the women had performed the BSE however, only 7.1% had performed it regularly. Perceived BSE benefits, perceived BSE barriers and perceived BSE self-efficacy of the participants who performed the BSE were significantly higher than those who did not (P<0.03). The results from regression analysis indicated that the perceived BSE self-efficacy and perceived BSE barriers predicted breast self-examination behavior (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that perceived BSE barriers and perceived BSE self-efficacy were influencing factors in predicting the BSE behavior. Therefore, in order to improve self-efficacy and decrease the barriers, BSE training programs are strongly recommended.

Background & Aim: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common medical disorder in young women that affects their quality of life. According to the research studies, overweight and obesity increase biosynthesis of the prostaglandin and consequently increase the severity of dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and severity of primary dismenorrhea and its relation to anthropometric parameters.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 388 students from Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences were selected using random cluster sampling. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The height and weight, BMI, fat mass, waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were measured. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the severity of dysmenorrhea. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test. The p<0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 20.7±1.8 years. The mean age at menarche was 13.4±1.2 years. Moderate or severe dysmenorrheal were experienced by 71.65% of the participants. The severity of dysmenorrhea was significantly related to body fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and WHtR (P<0.05). However, there was no significant relationship between the severity of dysmenorrhea with weight or BMI.

Conclusion: Anthropometric parameters that are associated with central obesity such as waist circumference and WHtR are more related to the severity of dysmenorrhea. Increased visceral fat mass is a more effective predictor for dysmenorrhea. More studies are needed to clarify these relationships.

Background & Aim: Violence in workplaces threatens safety of personnel. Among health care personnel, nurses are more exposed to verbal and physical violence. The aim of this study was to assess confrontation of nurses with verbal and physical violence in hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences.

Methods & Materials: In this field study, all of nurses employed in hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences (n=302) were recruited to the study. Data were gathered using standardized questionnaire including four parts. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic (Chi square and Fisher&aposs exact test) statistics.

Results: More that 70% of the nurses had an experience of violence during their work period. Male nurses were more exposed to violence than the female nurses. Most of the violence was done by patients&apos relatives (40.4%).

Conclusion: The results showed that most of the participants had the experience of violence done by patients&apos relatives. In order to minimize violence in hospitals, preventive strategies including proper management, proper protection, and public education should be considered.

Background & Aim: The Non Stress Test (NST) is a main assessment tool for fetal wellbeing however, it has a high rate of false-positive results. External stimulation with halogen light has been recommended to aid in provoking fetal response, decreasing false-positive results and promoting the test. This study aimed to assess the effect of halogen light stimulation on nonreactive pattern of NST.

Methods & Materials: From 850 women who underwent NSTs, 50 women with singleton and cephalic fetuses who had nonreactive NSTs were allocated to receive halogen light stimulation through a halogen light source of 1,000,000 candle power. The light was applied to the lower abdomen above symphysis pubis over fetal head for 10 seconds. Results were compared to BPP scores as a backup test. We used mean± SD, chi-square Test and Fisher&aposs Exact Test. The >α0.05 was considered as significant level.

Results: Following stimulation, 68% of nonreactive results changed to reactive patterns. In half of the cases, first acceleration occurred in less than two minutes. Almost 90% of fetuses had reactive pattern within nine minutes.

Conclusion: Halogen light stimulation decreased the incidence of non reactive tests and testing time. Halogen light stimulation is safe and efficient in fetal well being assessment.

Background & Aim: Most of the recent studies in nursing education have been focused on outcomes of learning. Conventional clinical nursing education, which emphasizes on skill acquisitions, may not encourage students to adopt meaningful or deep learning approaches. This study examined the effect of Concept Mapping on learning approaches among nursing students.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 53 nursing students were randomly divided into two control (n=25) and experimental (n=28) groups. We taught concept mapping for the nurses in the experimental group to use it in caring patients and learning clinical skills. The control group received traditional nursing care plan lessons. Before and at the end of the intervention, the students&apos approach to learning was assessed using the Study Process Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using independent t test.

Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the control and experimental groups on demographics, surface and deep approaches to learning at the beginning of the study (P>0.05). Deep approach to learning increased significantly in the experimental group after the intervention (P=0.03). There was also statistically significant difference in the deep approach to learning between two groups (P=0.02). No statistically significant difference was found in the surface approaches to learning between two groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study provided empirical support for the use of concept mapping as a meta cognitive intervention to increase students&apos meaningful learning and academic achievement.

Background & Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most prevalent complains among elderly in primary care centers. The purpose of this study was to assess urinary tract disorders and prevalence of urinary tract infection in residents of Kahrizak elderly House.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 142 men and 114 women (mean age: 76.03±8.32 years) were randomly selected for the study. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. Weight and height of the participants was measured and urine cultures were ordered. Data were analyzed using c² and Fisher‘s exact test. The P<0.05 denoted statistical significance.

Results: Findings showed that 34% of elderly had urinary tract infection. Of those, 55% (46 cases) were women and 45% (41 cases) were men. Prostate hypertrophy (32.5%) and gyneacologic disorders (16.9%) were the most diagnosed disorders (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of urine tract infection in elderly with urinary system disorders is high. Recognizing at risk elderly and referring them to the health care centers can prevent urinary tract infection and its complications.

Background & Aim: Home care visits have unique advantages in many social problems and health complications such as psychologic complications and adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of postpartum care at home on quality of life among low risk mothers.

Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted in Akbarabad health center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. A total of 200 mothers were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups. Mothers in the control group received two post partum visits in health care center and the intervention group received care at home. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the mothers&apos quality of life items along with a growth and development monitoring chart for newborns. For analyzing data, Mann-Withney U, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used.

Results: Most of the mothers aged 20-29 years old. The number of visits were statistically different between the two groups (P=0.00, P=0.01). Dimensions of quality of life in the two groups were not statistically different: (Physical dimension: P=0.052), (Emotional dimension: P=0.775), (Public health dimension: P=0.068), (Social performance dimension: P=0.780) and (Total score: P=0.213).

Conclusion: the results of our study did not show no positive improvements in home postpartum care in comparison with the health care centers care. More studies are recommended.

Background & Aim: HIV/AIDS is a well-recognized global problem in the world, including Iran. It is necessary to comprehend and understand lived experience of HIV positive patients. The present study was designed and conducted to better understand the perspectives and experiences of HIV positive patients about the role of the spirituality and religious beliefs in their lives with HIV/AIDS.

Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach. In-depth, audio-taped and semi-structured interviews with 19 participants were conducted to collect data. Data were transcript. Observations were also recorded in comprehensive field notes. A hermeneutic approach was used to analyze the data, according to the method developed by Diekelmann.

Results: According to the findings, participants aged between 21 and 56 years of old at the time of contamination to the HIV. Almost half (47.4%) of the participants had CD4 counts under 200 cells/mm3. Analyzes of the data revealed three main themes: (a) Redefining religious values and communicating with God (b) Compensation and (c) Individual development. The themes included some sub-themes.

Conclusion: Experiencing difficult conditions in HIV positive individuals provide them with an opportunity to return to religious values, redefine themselves and give meaning to their lives, rather than fear or disappointment. Communicating with other HIV positive patients and religious experts are suggested as additional appropriate strategies.

Background & Aim: Provision of essential information to patients is essential in medical services. However, results­ of patient education surveys show that medical personnel&aposs perceptions may not align with those of patients about educational needs. This study was carried out to determine and compare educational priorities between patients and medical personnel.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 69 patients with epilepsy, and 85 medical personnel (physicians and nurses) working in neurology, neurosurgery and pediatrics units were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire consisting of three subsets with a total of 28 items. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA.

Results: More patients (58.2%) were male. Mean age was 30.8 years. Mean ages of nurses and doctors were 29.8 and37.8 years, respectively.­ Mean score of items regarding the disease in patients group was significantly higher than the medical personnel (P=0.00). Mean score of items about life style was higher in patients and nurses than the doctors (P=0.001). There were no significant differences about informational priorities of the drug therapy subset between three groups (P=0.53).

Conclusion: Education needs assessments should be done by considering patients&apos educational priorities in order to meet their educational needs­.

Background & Aim: Despite technology development, rate of infants&apos hospitalizations is still high, which endures emotional and economic burden to families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mothers&apos participation in care of preterm infant on readmission rate.

Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial, 100 mothers who had preterm infants (gestational ages: 30-37 weeks) with respiratory distress syndrome were recruited. Samples were selected using continuous random assignment. Collaborative programs for the intervention group were implemented in the form of an information session and presence and participation of mothers in their infants care. One month after discharge, readmission check list was completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and paired t tests.

Results: Results showed that readmission rate was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The average length of stay in hospital was 6.96 in the intervention group and 12.96 in the control group (P<0.00).

Conclusion: Participation of mothers in care of their infants reduced readmission rate.

Background & Aim: Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by an imbalance in vaginal natural discharges due to an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria as well as a concomitant decrease in the number of lactobacilli and increase in vaginal PH to more than 4.5. Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of pelvic inflamatory disease, postoperative infection following hysterectomy, cervix abnormal cytology and preterm birth. Microbial resistance and a growing tendency to move toward "natural therapies" have led to increase interests in non-antibiotic treatments for bacterial vaginosis. This study aimed to compare the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus suppository and Metronidazol vaginal tablet on treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Methods & Materials: In a double-blind, paralled randomized clinical trial, 40 out of 300 participants were included in the study from an out-patient private gynaecology clinic in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated to two treatment groups of Lactobacilli suppository and Metronidazol vaginal tablet.

Results: The cure rate for the Metronidazol group and the Lactobacilli supository group were 100 and 75 per cents, respectively.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Metronidazol was more effective in treatment of bacterial vaginosis than the Lactobacilli suppository. A combination of these medications are suggested for resistant to treatment cases.

Background & Aim: Cigarette smoking is a common risky behavior among teenagers. Theories and models of health education aim to design effective educational programs. This study has been conducted to assess the effect of a health education program designed based on the health belief model on preventive smoking behaviors among female teenagers.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 176 female teenagers from the Educational Cultural Centers of 17 zones of Tehran Municipality were randomly allocated to two equal experiment and control groups (88 girls in each group). The designed educational program was presented to the experiment group through three lecture and question/answer 45 minute sessions. Data were collected using a questionnaire before and eight weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-16.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the characteristics of the participants before the intervention. Comparison of the two experiment and control groups after education showed that the mean score of all studied constructs of the health belief model (i.e., susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers, cues to action), as well as the preventive behaviors were increased significantly.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the program seems to be helpful in promoting the smoking preventive behavior among teenagers.

Background & Aim: Spiritual well-being, religion, and hope are important factors in coping with cancer among patients. Nurses need to understand these concepts within a cultural context. This study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being, religion, and hope in patients with cancer.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 164 patients with cancer were selected using sequential convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyses the data.

Results: There were significant correlations between the existential well-being, religious well-being, and the hope. There were also significant correlations between the intrinsic religious, religious practices, and the hope. Existential well-being, organizational religiousness and intrinsic religious beliefs predicted hope.

Conclusion: The results of this study emphasized on the importance of the spiritual well-being and religion as variables affecting on hope in patients with cancer. This would help nurses and clinical specialists to focus on religion and spirituality well-being in order to increase hope in the patients.

Background & Aim: Physiologic signs of anxiety usually change hemodynamic variables in patients undergoing heart catheterization. This study carried out to determine the effect of Orientation Program on hemodynamic variables in patient undergoing heart catheterization.

Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 60 patients undergoing heart catheterization were randomly assigned to either the test or control group. Data were collected using the demographic checklist and a hemodynamic variables checklist for recording hemodynamic variables. The collected data were analyzed using the Chi-square, repeated measurement, and independent t test in the SPSS.

Results: According to the results, there were significant reductions in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, respiratory rate and systolic left ventricle pressure in the intervention group after the intervention (P<0.05). There were no significant statistical difference between the two groups in systolic aorta pressure (P=0.173), diastolic aorta pressure (P=0.104), and end diastolic left ventricle pressure (P=0.886).

Conclusion: Orientation program had positive effects on most of the hemodynamic variables in the intervention group. The Orientation program is recommended to be used during invasive diagnostic procedures in order to prohibit anxiety&aposs physiologic complications.

Background & Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurses&apos knowledge about pain and satisfaction from pain relieving procedures among postoperative CABG patients in selected Tehran medical university hospitals.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 100 nurses were recruited from the ICU Open heart. Also, 200 patients were selected from whom underwent CABG in 24 hours after surgery and were extubated using a simple random sampling method. Data were gathered using two questionnaires including 17 question about demographic characteristics of patients and their satisfaction, and 36 questions about demographic characteristics and nurses&apos knowledge about pain and pain control after the CABG. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods using SPSS-11.5.

Results: There was not significant relationship between the nurses&apos pain knowledge and the patients&apos satisfaction. However, there were a significant relationship between the knowledge of the nurses about pain control after the CABG and the patients satisfactions (r=0.209, P=0.037).

Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, there were some significant relationships between the nurses demographic and pain knowledge with the pain control after the CABG. There was also significant relationship between patients&apos satisfaction and some of them demographic characteristics.

Background & Aim: Hemodialysis patients have reduced physical capacity for various reasons resulting in increased dependence on others. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a designed exercise program on physical capacity using the Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT) in hemodialysis patients.

Methods & Materials: In a quasi-experimental design, 25 hemodialysis patients were selected conveniently from three hospitals of Tehran. The patients in the experimental group (n=12) followed a designed exercise program three days per week, which lasted for 8 weeks. The participants in the experimental group had to exercise for 20 minutes immediately after dialysis sessions followed by a 10-minute bed rest and deep slow breaths, with their eyes closed. The control group (n=13) did not receive any treatment. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis using SPSS-18.

Results: The difference in the means of the 6MWT was not statistically significant at the start and end of the fourth and eighth weeks of the exercise program in both groups. However, comparison of these values in the experimental group before and after the intervention was clinically significant, although not statistically significant.

Conclusion: In this study, physical capacity increased after performing the exercise in the experimental group, but this value was not statistically significant. Further studies are recommended in the field.