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Rajabali Daroudi, Mahmoud Zamandi,
Volume 16, Issue 6 (1-2023)
Volume 16, Issue 6 (1-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The role of accurate information in decision-making and programs implementation has highlighted the need to design an appropriate costing system. The present study aimed to estimate the cost of student Training in the Department of Health Management and Economics at the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences using activity-based costing.
Materials and Methods: This research was an applied, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. In this study, all information was collected through interviews with seven officials, financial and administrative staff, and also by using available documents in the faculty. To analyze the costs, the administrative and educational sections were classified into three levels including overhead, middle, and final activity centers, and, using appropriate bases and Microsoft Excel 2013 software, costs of overhead, middle, and final activity centers, and finally, the total cost of each student was calculated.
Results: In this study, the total cost of education for each Ph.D. and master’s student in the department of health management and economics was estimated as 1.95 billion and 376 million IR Rials, respectively. So that the cost of each year of Ph.D. and master’s student education was 433 and 150 million IR Rials, respectively. Out of the total costs of the Department of Health Management and Economics, only 22% of the costs were related to overhead and middle activity centers, and 78% of the costs were exclusive to the final activity center, and the majority of these costs (97%) were related to the personnel, especially the faculty members.
Conclusion: The cost of training Ph.D. students due to the high coefficient of the degree and thus increasing the importance (cost share) of the field, receiving a scholarship from the Ministry of Health and a longer period of study, was estimated to be about 5 times that of a master’s degree. The Ministry of Health and universities can design and implement targeted research programs with the help of faculty members and graduate students, especially Ph.D. students, to solve problems and improve the health of the community, thus improving resource efficiency and productivity.
Materials and Methods: This research was an applied, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. In this study, all information was collected through interviews with seven officials, financial and administrative staff, and also by using available documents in the faculty. To analyze the costs, the administrative and educational sections were classified into three levels including overhead, middle, and final activity centers, and, using appropriate bases and Microsoft Excel 2013 software, costs of overhead, middle, and final activity centers, and finally, the total cost of each student was calculated.
Results: In this study, the total cost of education for each Ph.D. and master’s student in the department of health management and economics was estimated as 1.95 billion and 376 million IR Rials, respectively. So that the cost of each year of Ph.D. and master’s student education was 433 and 150 million IR Rials, respectively. Out of the total costs of the Department of Health Management and Economics, only 22% of the costs were related to overhead and middle activity centers, and 78% of the costs were exclusive to the final activity center, and the majority of these costs (97%) were related to the personnel, especially the faculty members.
Conclusion: The cost of training Ph.D. students due to the high coefficient of the degree and thus increasing the importance (cost share) of the field, receiving a scholarship from the Ministry of Health and a longer period of study, was estimated to be about 5 times that of a master’s degree. The Ministry of Health and universities can design and implement targeted research programs with the help of faculty members and graduate students, especially Ph.D. students, to solve problems and improve the health of the community, thus improving resource efficiency and productivity.
Mohammad Javad Kabir, Alireza Heidari, Nahid Jafari, Honarvar Mohammad Reza, Sajad Moeini, Zahra Khatirnamani,
Volume 16, Issue 6 (1-2023)
Volume 16, Issue 6 (1-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Many health policies are not implemented or incompletely implemented after approval. This issue significantly reduces the popularity and responsiveness of the top managers of the health system and leads to service disruption in the target community. Therefore, this study was conducted to explain the existing challenges in the implementation of health policies.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 2021. The participants in the study were 20 scientific and executive experts. The data was collected using an interview guide and the in-depth individual interview method and was analyzed using the content analysis method using thematic analysis with Graneheim and Lundman's approach.
Results: The challenges include the policies formulation (lack of evidence-informed decision-making, lack of attention to the details of the implementation, the change of the initial text of the policy, conflict of interests, unclarity the executives, the lack of proper integration between the political and technical components of the policies, the weak participation of the main stakeholders, the lack of the same understanding of policies concept between policy makers and executives and lack of budget forecasting), challenges of policies implementation (uncertainty about roles of executive organizations, lack of executive attachment, conflict of interest, lack of project management, change of formulated policies with change of executives, little belief among executives, lack of executive guarantee, lack of operational plan) and challenges of policies evaluation (Inadequate supervision and the absence of an informational and supervisory dashboard).
Conclusion: Using effective solutions to solve the challenges extracted in the stages of formulation, implementation and evaluation of health policies can lead to achieving the goals of the formulated policies and improving the health of the society.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 2021. The participants in the study were 20 scientific and executive experts. The data was collected using an interview guide and the in-depth individual interview method and was analyzed using the content analysis method using thematic analysis with Graneheim and Lundman's approach.
Results: The challenges include the policies formulation (lack of evidence-informed decision-making, lack of attention to the details of the implementation, the change of the initial text of the policy, conflict of interests, unclarity the executives, the lack of proper integration between the political and technical components of the policies, the weak participation of the main stakeholders, the lack of the same understanding of policies concept between policy makers and executives and lack of budget forecasting), challenges of policies implementation (uncertainty about roles of executive organizations, lack of executive attachment, conflict of interest, lack of project management, change of formulated policies with change of executives, little belief among executives, lack of executive guarantee, lack of operational plan) and challenges of policies evaluation (Inadequate supervision and the absence of an informational and supervisory dashboard).
Conclusion: Using effective solutions to solve the challenges extracted in the stages of formulation, implementation and evaluation of health policies can lead to achieving the goals of the formulated policies and improving the health of the society.
Mahdi Hadi, Ali Jahan, Lila Najafi, Mohamad Ali Shariat,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Parallel to the progress of services, organizational complexity levels in health care centers (HCCs) have increased. The influential factors in this regard include the variety of services, the non-uniformity of the centers’ management conditions, and the rising expectations from the health system. Therefore, considering many factors influenced and effective, improvement of health services requires development of a systematic approach to evaluate their efficiency and management system. The aim of this study was to develop a balanced scorecard (BSC) model suitable for HCCs using a hybrid approach that combines the Fuzzy Delphi and DNAP techniques.
Materials and Methods: This research was a combined qualitative-quantitative study that was conducted with the aim of developing a BSC model suitable for HCCs. The statistical population consisted of 15 experts in health and medicine, who were selected based on the targeted snowball sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire and a 20×20 matrix questionnaire were used to collect the data. The questionnaire validity was calculated based on the experts’ opinions and the reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha and consistency rate. The data was analyzed using Excel and MATLAB, and DNAP technique was used to determine the cause-and-effect relationship and the influence levels of the objectives.
Results: According to the results of the Fuzzy Delphi technique in the panel of experts, 5 viewpoints with 20 objectives of the BSC suitable for HCCs were identified and replaced the traditional viewpoints of the BSC. In addition, these results showed that the views of growth and development, intra-organizational processes, and social responsibility are considered as the influential factors due to the positive D-R values, while the views of patients and society, financial status, and performance are considered as the factors that are effective due to the negative D-R values.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that those points of view that are consistent with the goals of the HCCs should be used in the BSC in order to evaluate their performance. Also, prioritizing and determining the cause-and-effect relationship and considering the contribution of each point of view for achieving the goals of the HCCs can increase the performance.
Materials and Methods: This research was a combined qualitative-quantitative study that was conducted with the aim of developing a BSC model suitable for HCCs. The statistical population consisted of 15 experts in health and medicine, who were selected based on the targeted snowball sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire and a 20×20 matrix questionnaire were used to collect the data. The questionnaire validity was calculated based on the experts’ opinions and the reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha and consistency rate. The data was analyzed using Excel and MATLAB, and DNAP technique was used to determine the cause-and-effect relationship and the influence levels of the objectives.
Results: According to the results of the Fuzzy Delphi technique in the panel of experts, 5 viewpoints with 20 objectives of the BSC suitable for HCCs were identified and replaced the traditional viewpoints of the BSC. In addition, these results showed that the views of growth and development, intra-organizational processes, and social responsibility are considered as the influential factors due to the positive D-R values, while the views of patients and society, financial status, and performance are considered as the factors that are effective due to the negative D-R values.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that those points of view that are consistent with the goals of the HCCs should be used in the BSC in order to evaluate their performance. Also, prioritizing and determining the cause-and-effect relationship and considering the contribution of each point of view for achieving the goals of the HCCs can increase the performance.
Negin Saldar, Rahim Shahbazi,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (5-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 2 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Health literacy plays a role in “reducing human casualties and financial costs” in a society. Emotional intelligence and media literacy also contribute to people’s success in life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of media literacy in the relationship between emotional intelligence and health literacy among graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University.
Materials and Methods: This research is based on the nature and general characteristics, quantitative; Based on the purpose, it is applied and based on the research method and data collection method, is a descriptive correlation based on structural equation model. The statistical population was graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University in 2020 (2218 students). The statistical sample of the research is 327 people who were selected by stratified random sampling method. To collect data, Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (1998), Montazeri et al. Health Literacy Questionnaire (2014) and media literacy questionnaire were used. The reliability of the questionnaires was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.91, 0.84 and 0.79, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (structural equation model) using SPSS and LISREL software.
Results: The findings showed the mean of emotional intelligence, health literacy and media literacy of graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University is 3.10, 3.47 and 3.58, respectively. Also, the results showed a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and students’ health literacy. According to the findings, there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence with media literacy, and media literacy with health literacy. Also, the media literacy variable plays a mediating role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and health literacy (coefficient) of 0.58 units. The results of the structural equation model test also showed that the proposed conceptual model fits the relationship between emotional intelligence, health literacy and students’ media literacy.
Conclusion: Media literacy can not only directly affect students’ health literacy, but also has a mediating role between emotional intelligence and health literacy. Due to the effect of emotional intelligence on students’ health and media literacy, it is recommended that the necessary planning to be done in graduate education and to strengthen emotional intelligence.
Materials and Methods: This research is based on the nature and general characteristics, quantitative; Based on the purpose, it is applied and based on the research method and data collection method, is a descriptive correlation based on structural equation model. The statistical population was graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University in 2020 (2218 students). The statistical sample of the research is 327 people who were selected by stratified random sampling method. To collect data, Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (1998), Montazeri et al. Health Literacy Questionnaire (2014) and media literacy questionnaire were used. The reliability of the questionnaires was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.91, 0.84 and 0.79, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (structural equation model) using SPSS and LISREL software.
Results: The findings showed the mean of emotional intelligence, health literacy and media literacy of graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University is 3.10, 3.47 and 3.58, respectively. Also, the results showed a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and students’ health literacy. According to the findings, there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence with media literacy, and media literacy with health literacy. Also, the media literacy variable plays a mediating role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and health literacy (coefficient) of 0.58 units. The results of the structural equation model test also showed that the proposed conceptual model fits the relationship between emotional intelligence, health literacy and students’ media literacy.
Conclusion: Media literacy can not only directly affect students’ health literacy, but also has a mediating role between emotional intelligence and health literacy. Due to the effect of emotional intelligence on students’ health and media literacy, it is recommended that the necessary planning to be done in graduate education and to strengthen emotional intelligence.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Parvaneh Isfahani,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Induced demand is the provision of healthcare services to patients by the influence of healthcare providers. Induced demand causes excessive use of health services, increases the waiting time for receiving health services, increases the price of health services, increases the costs and reduces the efficiency of the health system. Policymakers and health managers should take measures to reduce induced demand. Hence, they should understand the reasons for induced demand in the health system. Therefore, this research aimed to identify the reasons for induced demand in the health system.
Materials and Methods: This research was carried out using the scoping review method. All published articles and documents about the reasons for induced demand in the health system until June 21, 2023 were searched in nine databases and Google Scholar search engine. Finally, 38 articles were selected and reviewed. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis method and using MAXQDA10 software.
Results: Thirty-eight studies about the reasons of induced demand in the health system were published between 1974 and 2021. The number of researches in this area has been growing since 2011. Overall, 32 reasons for induced demand in the health system were identified and grouped into three categories: macro (health system), meso (health care organization) and micro (provider and receiver of health services). The most frequent reasons for healthcare induced demand in the literature include inappropriate policies, insufficient monitoring, inappropriate payment system, large number of physicians, lack of attention to clinical guidelines, financial motivation of healthcare providers, patient insurance coverage, unreasonable patients’ expectations, inappropriate price of health services, the complexity of the health service and patients’ inadequate medical knowledge.
Conclusion: Induced demand has negative effects on the health system and will lead to an increase in health costs, waste of health resources, a decrease in the efficiency of the health system, and finally, a decrease in people’s access to essential health services. Several factors at different levels of the health system lead to induced demand for health services. Therefore, interventions should be systematically applied at three levels of the health system, healthcare organizations, and providers and recipients of health services to prevent and reduce healthcare induced demand.
Materials and Methods: This research was carried out using the scoping review method. All published articles and documents about the reasons for induced demand in the health system until June 21, 2023 were searched in nine databases and Google Scholar search engine. Finally, 38 articles were selected and reviewed. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis method and using MAXQDA10 software.
Results: Thirty-eight studies about the reasons of induced demand in the health system were published between 1974 and 2021. The number of researches in this area has been growing since 2011. Overall, 32 reasons for induced demand in the health system were identified and grouped into three categories: macro (health system), meso (health care organization) and micro (provider and receiver of health services). The most frequent reasons for healthcare induced demand in the literature include inappropriate policies, insufficient monitoring, inappropriate payment system, large number of physicians, lack of attention to clinical guidelines, financial motivation of healthcare providers, patient insurance coverage, unreasonable patients’ expectations, inappropriate price of health services, the complexity of the health service and patients’ inadequate medical knowledge.
Conclusion: Induced demand has negative effects on the health system and will lead to an increase in health costs, waste of health resources, a decrease in the efficiency of the health system, and finally, a decrease in people’s access to essential health services. Several factors at different levels of the health system lead to induced demand for health services. Therefore, interventions should be systematically applied at three levels of the health system, healthcare organizations, and providers and recipients of health services to prevent and reduce healthcare induced demand.
Roya Balaghiinaloo, Alireza Noruzi, Mohammadreza Esmaeili Givi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: It is not possible to provide health information services in health crises without a comprehensive understanding of these services and how to provide them due to the health crisis. Based on this, the aim of the current research was to obtain comprehensive information about the components of providing health information services in health crises.
Materials and Methods: The current research was conducted with a qualitative approach and a meta-combined method, using the seven-step method of Sandelowski and Barroso. The statistical population consisted of articles and theses published in persian and international databases between 1991 to 2022 AD and 1370 to 1400 solar. Out of a total of 8363 resources identified based on the critical skills assessment program, 40 resources were approved. Extracted information was coded and coding reliability was measured and confirmed using Kappa coefficient.
Results: From the results of the research, 74 codes were extracted in 21 concepts and 6 categories in the field of providing health information services to patients. which categories and codes include health information needs assessment (disease, health, health information sources, patients); accessibility and dissemination of health information (health information, access ways); Awareness and notification of health information (information, tools); Education (patients, managers and staff of hospital libraries, methods); Planning (health crisis, resources, budget, infrastructure, patients, librarians and Medical Information Specialists) and obstacles and limitations (expert force, budget, facilities and infrastructure and resources) were categorized.
Conclusion: Dealing with the issue and components of providing health information services to patients in health Disasters in hospital libraries can cause policymakers in this field to know more about the dimensions, concepts, and consequences of providing these services in order to provide access to health information for everyone, especially patients. According to the identified components, efforts can be made to prepare the necessary infrastructure in order to plan to strengthen the strengths and eliminate the existing weaknesses and make appropriate policies in order to play the role of health counseling and launch the health information service department in hospital libraries.
Materials and Methods: The current research was conducted with a qualitative approach and a meta-combined method, using the seven-step method of Sandelowski and Barroso. The statistical population consisted of articles and theses published in persian and international databases between 1991 to 2022 AD and 1370 to 1400 solar. Out of a total of 8363 resources identified based on the critical skills assessment program, 40 resources were approved. Extracted information was coded and coding reliability was measured and confirmed using Kappa coefficient.
Results: From the results of the research, 74 codes were extracted in 21 concepts and 6 categories in the field of providing health information services to patients. which categories and codes include health information needs assessment (disease, health, health information sources, patients); accessibility and dissemination of health information (health information, access ways); Awareness and notification of health information (information, tools); Education (patients, managers and staff of hospital libraries, methods); Planning (health crisis, resources, budget, infrastructure, patients, librarians and Medical Information Specialists) and obstacles and limitations (expert force, budget, facilities and infrastructure and resources) were categorized.
Conclusion: Dealing with the issue and components of providing health information services to patients in health Disasters in hospital libraries can cause policymakers in this field to know more about the dimensions, concepts, and consequences of providing these services in order to provide access to health information for everyone, especially patients. According to the identified components, efforts can be made to prepare the necessary infrastructure in order to plan to strengthen the strengths and eliminate the existing weaknesses and make appropriate policies in order to play the role of health counseling and launch the health information service department in hospital libraries.
Mohamad Jebraeily, Shima Touraj, Farid Khorrami,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In the health system, reimbursement methods are an important criterion for the allocation of resources and the performance of service providers. The use of diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system reduces the length of stay and additional costs of the patient, prevents unnecessary treatment, increases resource efficiency and transparency of health care services. The development of the DRG system focuses on the accurate documentation of medical records and the correct coding of diagnoses and procedures. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the documentation and coding requirements of medical records in the implementation of a payment system based on diagnosis-related groups in Iran.
Materials and Methods: This research was descriptive-cross-sectional and was conducted in 2022. The data collection tool was a researcher-made checklist, the validity of which was confirmed based on the opinion of experts (health information management health economics) and its reliability was obtained by calculating Cronbach’s alpha (0.83). The research population consisted of 418 medical records in five medical training centers affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, which were selected through stratified-proportional sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the evaluation of the documentation and coding requirements of medical records for the implementation of the DRG system showed that the demographic/administrative variables including age, sex, type of admission, length of stay, health insurance, and doctor’s expertise were completely recorded. Evaluation of clinical variables also showed that the main diagnosis, main procedure, secondary diagnosis and other procedures were documented in medical records in 98%, 97%, 88% and 75% respectively. Regarding the coding of the main diagnosis and the main procedure, 100%, secondary diagnosis 68% and other procedures 80% have been done.
Conclusion: Considering that some essential clinical variables for the implementation of DRG, especially co-morbidities, complications and other procedures are not recorded separately and completely, therefore it is necessary to define separate information elements in medical records and HIS for accurate recording of these variables and proper interaction between coders and doctors is established to increase the possibility of correct coding. It is also suggested that the DRG system be implemented in our country in a phased and gradual approach so that necessary changes are made in the documentation process and hospital information systems.
Materials and Methods: This research was descriptive-cross-sectional and was conducted in 2022. The data collection tool was a researcher-made checklist, the validity of which was confirmed based on the opinion of experts (health information management health economics) and its reliability was obtained by calculating Cronbach’s alpha (0.83). The research population consisted of 418 medical records in five medical training centers affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, which were selected through stratified-proportional sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the evaluation of the documentation and coding requirements of medical records for the implementation of the DRG system showed that the demographic/administrative variables including age, sex, type of admission, length of stay, health insurance, and doctor’s expertise were completely recorded. Evaluation of clinical variables also showed that the main diagnosis, main procedure, secondary diagnosis and other procedures were documented in medical records in 98%, 97%, 88% and 75% respectively. Regarding the coding of the main diagnosis and the main procedure, 100%, secondary diagnosis 68% and other procedures 80% have been done.
Conclusion: Considering that some essential clinical variables for the implementation of DRG, especially co-morbidities, complications and other procedures are not recorded separately and completely, therefore it is necessary to define separate information elements in medical records and HIS for accurate recording of these variables and proper interaction between coders and doctors is established to increase the possibility of correct coding. It is also suggested that the DRG system be implemented in our country in a phased and gradual approach so that necessary changes are made in the documentation process and hospital information systems.
Leila Erfannia, Azita Yazdani,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: With the spread of the Corona pandemic, the statistics of the number of mobile health applications have grown significantly. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the content of Persian language applications in the management of Covid-19.
Material and Methods: In this review research, a systematic search for Persian language programs in the field of Covid-19 management was conducted in four mobile application markets including Myket, Bazzar, Google Play and App Store. The content of the programs was evaluated based on a researcher-made checklist, which was verified according 3 specialist comments, in the five axes of ease of use, education, monitoring, privacy and data sharing. Programs that received more than 50% of the evaluation score were introduced as selected programs. By removing duplicate programs, 119 programs were extracted, of which 21 programs entered the final stage of quality evaluation based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and after a complete review of the content and capabilities.
Results: Based on the total points of the program, Safiran Salamat received the most score (31), Ac19 and mask were ranked next with 27 and 22 points, respectively. These three programs along with Corona Amar Tashkhis as fourth program received more than 50% of the content review and 17 other programs received less than 50% of the total score. Government has a great role in programs development (three program were government and one was non- government base). All 4 programs, had acceptable score in ease of use but none of them develop for user tracking. Pearson’s correlation test was used to test the relationship between the quality (total scores of apps) and the popularity (amount of downloads), and no significant correlation was observed.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Iranian mobile applications have an acceptable performance in the fields of education and information sharing, but their low popularity makes the achievement of these goals far from expected. Marketing strategies can be effective as one of the useful policy in increasing the use of mobile health programs. Also, the inclusion of capabilities such as contact tracing and online consultations can be fruitful in the pursuit of goals.
Material and Methods: In this review research, a systematic search for Persian language programs in the field of Covid-19 management was conducted in four mobile application markets including Myket, Bazzar, Google Play and App Store. The content of the programs was evaluated based on a researcher-made checklist, which was verified according 3 specialist comments, in the five axes of ease of use, education, monitoring, privacy and data sharing. Programs that received more than 50% of the evaluation score were introduced as selected programs. By removing duplicate programs, 119 programs were extracted, of which 21 programs entered the final stage of quality evaluation based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and after a complete review of the content and capabilities.
Results: Based on the total points of the program, Safiran Salamat received the most score (31), Ac19 and mask were ranked next with 27 and 22 points, respectively. These three programs along with Corona Amar Tashkhis as fourth program received more than 50% of the content review and 17 other programs received less than 50% of the total score. Government has a great role in programs development (three program were government and one was non- government base). All 4 programs, had acceptable score in ease of use but none of them develop for user tracking. Pearson’s correlation test was used to test the relationship between the quality (total scores of apps) and the popularity (amount of downloads), and no significant correlation was observed.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Iranian mobile applications have an acceptable performance in the fields of education and information sharing, but their low popularity makes the achievement of these goals far from expected. Marketing strategies can be effective as one of the useful policy in increasing the use of mobile health programs. Also, the inclusion of capabilities such as contact tracing and online consultations can be fruitful in the pursuit of goals.
Omid Ali Gholami, Jamil Sadeghifar, Bahareh Kabiri, Shabnam Ghasemyani, Sadegh Sarhadi, Reza Jorvand,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Health literacy is recognized as a key determinant of health and is a central focus of public health policy strategies. The present study aimed to assess the health literacy level and identify the factors influencing it among the clients of comprehensive health service centers in Ilam city.
Materials and Methods: In 2022, a descriptive-analytical study was conducted to examine 429 clients aged 18-65 years who visited comprehensive selected health service centers in Ilam city. For adults the data collection tool used was the Helia health literacy questionnaire. Sampling was conducted in nine clusters, with each cluster consisting of 50 samples. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, which included descriptive statistical tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: Based on the results, the average health literacy score was 80.16 ± 16.50. In terms of health literacy, 18.97% of people had inadequate or not very adequate health literacy, while 44.39% of the participants had excellent health literacy. The average health literacy scores across different dimensions are as follows: access to health information 65.74, comprehension of information 81/81, reading information skills 12.74, evaluation of information 05.75, and decision making and behavior based on information 61.92. A significant relationship was observed between job, education, and income variables and various dimensions of average health literacy (p-value≤0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between general health literacy and age, gender, and place of residence (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that vulnerable groups have significantly lower literacy levels. Furthermore, given the impact of education on enhancing people’s health literacy, it is advisable to leverage mass media, social networks, and educational centers to enhance literacy levels as a potential factor in community health.
Hamid Moghaddasi, Farkhondeh Asadi, Azamossadat Hosseini, Masoomeh Nouri Tahneh,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The Hospital Information System is a complete one to provide high-quality patient care and enhance community health, so it must be designed and produced accordingly. In this regard, the current research was carried out with the aim of providing the document of standards for producing Hospital Information System software for Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this study, following extraction of the features and services of the Hospital Information System from the texts, they were matched with the generalities of the document of standards compiled by the Statistical Data Management and Information Technology Office of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education (SDMITO). Also, the Hospital Information System was reviewed observationally, all defects of document of standards were identified, and the document was amended throughout. After providing the proposed document of standards, it was consulted by a group of experts, which included ten health information management professors, ten medical informatics professors (with at least seven years of experience as members of the academic staff), and five heads of the information technology field of the Ministry of Health. An agreement coefficient of 85% was considered to accept and approve the document of standards. After obtaining the agreement coefficient, The Hospital Information System software production document of standards was provided.
Results: The document of standards provided for the production of Hospital Information System software includes the Hospital Information System design meta model, Hospital Information System subtypes, standards for the structure and content of Electronic Health Record, information terminology standards, data classification standards, security data standards, data exchange standards, clinical services, and management services, which were placed in the four areas of “features”, “services”, “documentation requirements” and “rules and policies”.
Conclusion: The application of this document of standards leads to the production of a higher quality, efficient, and standard Hospital Information System software, which is effective in improving the health level of society and provides the conditions for the implementation of Electronic Health Record.
Alireza Hajizadeh, Reza Hafezi, Mrs Maryam Tajvar,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Futures studies are constantly evolving and help organizations and individuals for better identification of future events, opportunities, and threats. In the field of health, futures studies are also applied for better prediction of health issues in future, control of unpleasant condition and preparing for pleasant future in health system. The purpose of this study is to conduct a scoping review of the futures studies accomplished in the field of health in Iran,
Materials and Methods: This study is a scoping review, conducted based on the Arksey and O’Malley framework with 6 steps including research question identification, related study identification, study selection / screening, data segmentation, summarizing and reporting results and providing guidance and recommendations n. National and international databases and search engines including PubMed, Web Of Science (WOS), Scopus, ProQuest, SID, Magiran, IranDoc and Google Scholar were searched using related keywords. After removing duplicate articles, the remaining articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of the selected articles were finally categorized, summarized and reported based on the mentioned steps.
Results: Among of 6691 articles identified, 30 articles reached the final synthesis stage. The articles were classified into forecasting, foresighting, and mixed categories, with the scenario writing method being the most widely used and applied in 20 studies. Also, studies were classified in scope of nature based on quantitative or qualitative and time horizon. Types of futures studies methods in Iran, in the fields of public health, medicine, science and technology, financing, prescription, health tourism, diet, human resources, aging, Covid-19 epidemic, health policy, hospital and macro level of health system were used.
Conclusion: The use of futures studies methods in a targeted manner and on the issues of Iran’s health system can play an effective role in knowing the future for more informed decision-making and planning in order to build a desirable future. The results of this review showed that scattered studies have been conducted with futures studies methods in the field of health, among which the scenario writing method has received more attention.
Zahra Khaje, Kamran Yazdani, Ibrahim Abdollahpour, Mohsen Mohammadi, Saharnaz Nedjat,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease that causes cognitive disabilities, thinking, personality changes and disruptions in daily activities. Due to these disorders, patients need long-term care. Most care for Alzheimer’s patients is done at home by family members, which makes home caregivers mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and financially vulnerable. Health personnel have a key role to play in providing information and guidance and helping the family control these conditions. The purpose of this study was to examines the level of knowledge and attitude of health workers and determines the related factors.
Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude of health workers about Alzheimer’s disease and its related factors. All 260 health workers of Gorgan and Kordkuy districts were studied by census method to assess their knowledge and attitude about Alzheimer’s disease and its related factors. ANOVA and T-tests were used to determine the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Variables whose significant level of correlation with response variable was less than 0.2 in bivariate analysis were entered into the regression model and finally multiple linear regression was used to determine the factors related to level of knowledge and attitude.
Results: The mean level of knowledge was 46.73% (95% CI, 45.46 to 48.16) and the mean level of attitude was 55.61% (95% CI, 54.63 to 56.74). The results show that those with a history of previous education, a history of caring for Alzheimer’s patients, a higher level of work experience in the health care system, and having a female gender and be married have higher levels of knowledge and those with a history of previous education and Sistani descent had a higher attitude.
Conclusion: In general, the mean level of knowledge was 46.73(0-100) and the mean level of attitude was 55.61(0-100). Factors such as: gender, work history in the health system, history of participating in educational workshops, history of caring for sick patients, and marital status were related to the level of knowledge and factors such as ethnicity and history of participating in the training workshop were related to the level of attitude of the health care providers.
Saeed Barzegari, Marjan Ghazi Saeedi, Roghieh Nazari, Seif Ali Mahdavi, Seyed Alireza Hasani,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The use of Mobile-Health is helpful in facilitating therapeutic communication between students and healthcare providers. Considering the benefits of the Mobile-Health, it is very important to have a tool that can check the motivation to use Mobile-Health. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of Psychometric properties of mHealth Technology Engagement Index.
Materials and Methods: The present study is psychometric research that was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1401. The participants of this study were 450 students of medical sciences in Tehran in undergraduate, master’s and doctorate levels who were included in the study through convenience sampling. The psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire were examined through face, content and construct validity respectively. Principal component analysis was performed using varimax rotation in order to check the factorial structure of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was checked with the help of Cronbach’s alpha and intra- class correlation (ICC).
Results: The questionnaire’s content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were 0.91 and 0.86, respectively. In the formal validity check, minor changes were made in the words of most of the items. Based on the results of face validity, some minor changes were made to the vocabulary of most items. The ICC coefficient was more than 0.80 in all dimensions. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis extracted five factors, autonomy, competence, relatedness, goal setting and goal attainment, and their cumulative variance was %71.48. The fit of the five-factor model was optimal based on standard goodness of fit indices such as CFI=0.978, GFI=0.930, RMSEA=0.040, CMIN/DF=1.307. Convergent and divergent validity was accepted for all factors. The reliability of the questionnaire was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha test of 0.71.
Conclusion: The five factor structure of the questionnaire of interaction with mobile health technology has good validity and reliability. Therefore, this questionnaire can be used to check the level of interaction of users of medical science students with mobile health technology.
Materials and Methods: The present study is psychometric research that was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1401. The participants of this study were 450 students of medical sciences in Tehran in undergraduate, master’s and doctorate levels who were included in the study through convenience sampling. The psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire were examined through face, content and construct validity respectively. Principal component analysis was performed using varimax rotation in order to check the factorial structure of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was checked with the help of Cronbach’s alpha and intra- class correlation (ICC).
Results: The questionnaire’s content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were 0.91 and 0.86, respectively. In the formal validity check, minor changes were made in the words of most of the items. Based on the results of face validity, some minor changes were made to the vocabulary of most items. The ICC coefficient was more than 0.80 in all dimensions. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis extracted five factors, autonomy, competence, relatedness, goal setting and goal attainment, and their cumulative variance was %71.48. The fit of the five-factor model was optimal based on standard goodness of fit indices such as CFI=0.978, GFI=0.930, RMSEA=0.040, CMIN/DF=1.307. Convergent and divergent validity was accepted for all factors. The reliability of the questionnaire was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha test of 0.71.
Conclusion: The five factor structure of the questionnaire of interaction with mobile health technology has good validity and reliability. Therefore, this questionnaire can be used to check the level of interaction of users of medical science students with mobile health technology.
Reza Safdari, Sharare Rostam Niakan Kalhori, Afzal Shamsi, Homa Hajizadegan,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Atherosclerosis of coronary arteries is the most common heart disease and indication of coronary artery bypass graft(CABG). After CABG, patients need proper self-care and lifestyle changes to increase their quality of life. The present research aimed to the conceptual design of self-care Android software, focusing on the third phase of cardiac rehabilitation.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive research has been carried out in two main phases and a total of six steps in order to assess the informational and functional needs of self-care software and design its conceptual model. After searching in reliable scientific sources and guidelines and checking the available Persian software, through the content validity index questionnaire of Lavshe, Welts and Bassel, 23 people from the medical staff with a history of caring for heart patients participated in the step of determining the requirements and the results were analyzed using SPSS Software. Descriptive analysis was done. Finally, the software model was prepared using integrated modeling language and th mind map was drawn.
Results: Sixty two items were identified in 6 general categories (personal information, medical records, interventions, personal health record, essential information, emergency communication). In the phase of determining the requirements by the experts, 52 items were accepted and 10 items were included in the conceptual model of the application program with minor changes and revisions.
Conclusion: Using mobile health in self-care and cardiac rehabilitation will be a suitable solution in order to increase treatment, follow-up and optimal continuation of self-care in patients. By having different functions, this tool can facilitate lifestyle change and help patients in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and improve their health.
Azra Daei, Mohammad Reza Soleymani, Hasan Ashrafi-Rizi,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (2-2024)
Volume 17, Issue 6 (2-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The role of information in improving the health of society and reducing healthcare costs is undeniable. However, in practice, there exists insufficient and incomplete information among healthcare providers. This lack of comprehensive information among market players leads to inefficiencies and failure in market performance. The main goal of the current research was to investigate health information asymmetry and inadequacy within the health information market.
Materials and Methods: This article is a narrative and unsystematic review. Studies were retrieved from the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Magiran, Sid and Google Scholar databases by using the keywords of information inadequacy, Asymmetry of health information done in the fields of article title, abstract and keywords. Subsequently, according to the purpose of the study, the researchers selected relevant resources and summarized their findings.
Results: 18 paper were selected for this research. In this research, we specifically address health information inadequacies across three key sections: patients, doctors, and insurance. At the end of each section, ways to solve these deficiencies were mentioned. Results Showed patients faced with the phenomenon of injustice in accessing health information, and the continuation of this injustice leads to the poverty of health information, and due to the lack of proper access to health information, the asymmetry of information between the doctor and the patient was created. Doctors, on the other hand, faced challenges in accessing up-to-date and evidence-based information for patient care. Asymmetric information could be exploited, resulting in induced demand. Insurances face the problems of inappropriate selection, moral hazard and demand induction by the supplier or consumer.
Conclusion: Information asymmetry has seriously penetrated the health field and there is a high level of unconfident and uncertainty in it. One of the ways to overcome the health information asymmetry and insufficiency of the health information market is the access of all stakeholders to the information.
Maryam Andalib Kondori, Ahmadreza Varnaseri, Maryam Ghanbari Khoshnood, Seyed Abedin Hoseini Ahangari, Mohammad Karim Saberi, Hamid Bourghi,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (2-2024)
Volume 17, Issue 6 (2-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This research aimed to study the status of providing health information services in public libraries in Tehran, which was conducted based on the views of librarians working in these libraries.
Materials and Methods: The research method was applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive in terms of data collection, which was conducted as a survey. The statistical population was 150 librarians of public libraries in Tehran. The tool for collecting information was a researcher-made questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software..
Results: The status of health information resources available in public libraries of Tehran is low and very low in most sources. The level of familiarity of librarians with health and public health issues is %20. The level of familiarity of librarians with selective dissemination of health information services is low and very low with %77.4. The participation rate of librarians in medical information workshops is faced with the non-participation of %70 of librarians. The familiarity of librarians with the services of selective distribution of health information is low and very low. %60 of librarians are not familiar with medical information systems. The percentage of familiarity of librarians with internal medical websites is %60-78 weak. The percentage of familiarity of librarians with foreign international websites in the field of health is average. Librarians consider the main reason for providing selective health information services to improve the level of health literacy in the society. Also, the main obstacle to providing health information dissemination services is the librarian not having enough time to provide services.
Conclusion: The country’s public libraries should consider measures to familiarize librarians with the field of health information and implement policies in this field. Considering the appropriate technical facilities of public libraries in Tehran, it is possible to create and access internal and external health systems and websites. and expanded the sources and documents of librarians’ health information.
Shahnaz Khademizadeh, Bahram Peymannia, Fatemeh Rafieinasab,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The term “information behavior,” with an emphasis on health and hygiene, refers to purposeful actions taken to satisfy informational needs related to health. The objective of the current research is to develop and validate a questionnaire on information behavior, with a focus on health and hygiene information.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quantitative research conducted with a tool design approach. Initially, a questionnaire for measuring this behavior was prepared using instrument design methods. The basis for extracting the factors of the present questionnaire has been argumentation and logical repetition. In other words, the researcher, in line with the background of these factors and their repetition in the sources, used them as influential factors in the questionnaire construction. After confirming the content and structural validity, the modified questionnaire was distributed among 238 patients with multiple sclerosis. The sample selection.
was done using the available sampling method. Then, the data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency of the data was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods with the help of SPSS and AMOS software.
Results: The content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated with the opinion of 20 experts in information behavior. The reliability of the health information behavior questionnaire was adequate and satisfactory with the overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.78 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the components between 0.71 and 0.94. In order to factor analysis, the sampling adequacy index and the value of Bartlett’s Crowley test were calculated, and all 29 items were statistically significant; which confirms the factorization of the correlation matrix. In the exploratory factor analysis, five factors (avoidance of information), the second factor (need for information), the third factor (exposure to information), the fourth factor (seeking information), and the fifth factor (use of information) were obtained. The indicators of confirmatory factor analysis showed the validity of the proposed structure. The results of the structural equation model test showed that the fit indices were favorable and also indicated the fit of the presented model in the MS patient population.
Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated that health information behavior in this questionnaire encompasses five factors: information needs, information-seeking behavior, information avoidance, information use, and information confrontation, which were confirmed. The designed scale for assessing health information behavior in the Iranian community has been evaluated and is recommended for use in measuring health information behavior effectively.
Malihe Ghanaatjoo, Nader Jahanmehr, Dr. Hamed Dehnavi, Aida Samadi,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The increase in the amount of information and the need for their daily monitoring have led to the development of tools called management dashboards that have the ability to analyze graphical data. In addition to preparing quick reports in different time frames and user-specific format, the dashboard can be useful for providing dynamic updated information for accurate decision-making and quick response to changes.
Materials and Methods: The current research was carried out in the form of qualitative studies and participatory action research method in 9 steps. In this applied and developmental research that was conducted cross-sectionally using the data of the first half of 2022, 11 members of the leadership team of a super-specialized children’s hospital were selected as research participants. The data collection tool was an interview using a questionnaire to determine the importance of indicators and a usability questionnaire (usability) of the dashboard based on three independent variables (usefulness, ease of use and satisfaction). The Excel file of data needed for the dashboard was collected from the HIS system of the hospital, and the dashboard was designed with Power BI software, and the capabilities and access levels of users were determined based on their duties. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Excel software version 2016.
Results: In the stage of determining key performance indicators, out of 39 indicators selected by the research team, 22 indicators scored an average score of 4 or higher (from 5 points) and 21 indicators were able to be implemented. The data repository in Excel format was used as an intermediate environment. The dashboard was displayed on six pages (indicators related to the performance of inpatient beds, mortality, emergency and other indicators) and the capabilities of each page were determined. After implementing the dashboard and determining the access levels of users, obtaining a high score from the questions of the usability questionnaire (5 out of 7 points) and obtaining an average score of 71.8 out of 5 questions related to usefulness variables, 70.5 out of 8 questions related to ease of use. And 71 out of 3 questions related to the satisfaction variable showed that the dashboard designed for the hospital had high usability.
Conclusion: Hospital management dashboard information can be a basis for informed decision-making to achieve benefits such as identifying the best performance, improving performance quality, making faster decisions, reducing errors, improving capacity management and work flow, allocating resources and planning for growth and development.
Materials and Methods: The current research was carried out in the form of qualitative studies and participatory action research method in 9 steps. In this applied and developmental research that was conducted cross-sectionally using the data of the first half of 2022, 11 members of the leadership team of a super-specialized children’s hospital were selected as research participants. The data collection tool was an interview using a questionnaire to determine the importance of indicators and a usability questionnaire (usability) of the dashboard based on three independent variables (usefulness, ease of use and satisfaction). The Excel file of data needed for the dashboard was collected from the HIS system of the hospital, and the dashboard was designed with Power BI software, and the capabilities and access levels of users were determined based on their duties. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Excel software version 2016.
Results: In the stage of determining key performance indicators, out of 39 indicators selected by the research team, 22 indicators scored an average score of 4 or higher (from 5 points) and 21 indicators were able to be implemented. The data repository in Excel format was used as an intermediate environment. The dashboard was displayed on six pages (indicators related to the performance of inpatient beds, mortality, emergency and other indicators) and the capabilities of each page were determined. After implementing the dashboard and determining the access levels of users, obtaining a high score from the questions of the usability questionnaire (5 out of 7 points) and obtaining an average score of 71.8 out of 5 questions related to usefulness variables, 70.5 out of 8 questions related to ease of use. And 71 out of 3 questions related to the satisfaction variable showed that the dashboard designed for the hospital had high usability.
Conclusion: Hospital management dashboard information can be a basis for informed decision-making to achieve benefits such as identifying the best performance, improving performance quality, making faster decisions, reducing errors, improving capacity management and work flow, allocating resources and planning for growth and development.
Fatemeh Mirshekari, Elham Maserat,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the growing trend of cancer in Iran, the development and implementation of digital health literacy systems accelerates the capabilities of digital health and the self-management process of patients. Digital health literacy means the ability to effectively and consciously use digital technologies to access health-related information and services. This skill plays an important role in accessing medical information, disease management, improving the quality of life of people, especially cancer patients. Digital health literacy is considered as one of the most key factors of equal access to digital health information. The purpose of the present study was to formulate the requirements of the digital health literacy system with a focus on cancer.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in two phases of literature review and validity and reliability of requirements in 2023. In the first stage, a literature review was conducted with the keywords of digital health literacy, cancer, requirements, system and application in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, academic Jihad scientific database and specialized websites. To check the content validity of the survey, 62 experts were surveyed and CVI and CVR were calculated.
Results: Hundered and twenty seven functional and non-functional components were approved. Requirements in the functional section was divided in six main dimensions information literacy module (8 functional components), information and communication technology literacy module (18 functional components), media literacy (5 functional components), public, specialized and population-oriented health literacy module (47 functional components) ), digital health literacy module (28 functional components), and digital health literacy module in cancer (6 functional components) were divided. In the section of digital health literacy in cancer, the main components of needs assessment, digital health literacy training, evaluation and monitoring of the effectiveness of digital interventions and information search skills were approved. Fifteen non-functional components were also approved. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient obtained (92%) indicated high reliability and reproducibility.
Conclusion: Digital health literacy systems can facilitate health care services. Considering the acceptable validity and reliability of the study, the defined requirements can be used to implement digital health literacy systems centered on cancer.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in two phases of literature review and validity and reliability of requirements in 2023. In the first stage, a literature review was conducted with the keywords of digital health literacy, cancer, requirements, system and application in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, academic Jihad scientific database and specialized websites. To check the content validity of the survey, 62 experts were surveyed and CVI and CVR were calculated.
Results: Hundered and twenty seven functional and non-functional components were approved. Requirements in the functional section was divided in six main dimensions information literacy module (8 functional components), information and communication technology literacy module (18 functional components), media literacy (5 functional components), public, specialized and population-oriented health literacy module (47 functional components) ), digital health literacy module (28 functional components), and digital health literacy module in cancer (6 functional components) were divided. In the section of digital health literacy in cancer, the main components of needs assessment, digital health literacy training, evaluation and monitoring of the effectiveness of digital interventions and information search skills were approved. Fifteen non-functional components were also approved. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient obtained (92%) indicated high reliability and reproducibility.
Conclusion: Digital health literacy systems can facilitate health care services. Considering the acceptable validity and reliability of the study, the defined requirements can be used to implement digital health literacy systems centered on cancer.
Mina Shirvani, Mostafa Roshanzadeh, Maryam Rabiey Faradonbeh, Razieh Mirzaeian,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Volume 18, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Nursing students are exposed to various educational, family, and social stresses and various factors can affect their mental health. Therefore, in order to pay attention to different dimensions of health and investigate the effects of spirituality on health, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of fasting on the mental health of nursing students of Borujen Faculty of Medical Sciences.
Materials and Methods: The present semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design was conducted in 2022 at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Ninety nursing students of Borujen Faculty of Medical Sciences were selected by available methods and assigned to two intervention and control groups by a simple random method. The intervention in this study included at least 23 days of fasting during Ramadan. The data before and after the intervention were collected by the demographic information questionnaire and the 21-question depression, anxiety, and stress standard tool (DASS). The validity and reliability of this questionnaire were conducted for the first time in Iran by Sahebi et al. in 2005. SPSS was used for analysis. Descriptive statistical tests including frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistical tests including t-test, paired t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square were used.
Results: There was no significant difference in the total mental health score between intervention (32.32±11.62) and control (29.87±14.09) groups before the intervention (P=0.08). There was a significant difference in this score between intervention (20.6±5.71) and control (29.49±8.9) groups after the intervention (P=0.04). The total mental health score in the control group before (29.87±14.09) and after (29.49±8.9) the intervention had no significant difference (P=0.15); while in the intervention group before (32.32±11.62) and after (20.6±5.71) the intervention had a significant difference (P=0.001). Mental health dimensions before and after intervention, indicated that anxiety (P=0.04) and stress (P=0.003) decreased significantly after the intervention in the intervention group. However, there was no significant difference in the depression dimension (P=0.06).
Conclusion: According to the results, it should be said that regular and periodic examination of the health level, and the promotion of educational and training programs on the subject of fasting to improve mental health, should be considered.
Materials and Methods: The present semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design was conducted in 2022 at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Ninety nursing students of Borujen Faculty of Medical Sciences were selected by available methods and assigned to two intervention and control groups by a simple random method. The intervention in this study included at least 23 days of fasting during Ramadan. The data before and after the intervention were collected by the demographic information questionnaire and the 21-question depression, anxiety, and stress standard tool (DASS). The validity and reliability of this questionnaire were conducted for the first time in Iran by Sahebi et al. in 2005. SPSS was used for analysis. Descriptive statistical tests including frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistical tests including t-test, paired t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square were used.
Results: There was no significant difference in the total mental health score between intervention (32.32±11.62) and control (29.87±14.09) groups before the intervention (P=0.08). There was a significant difference in this score between intervention (20.6±5.71) and control (29.49±8.9) groups after the intervention (P=0.04). The total mental health score in the control group before (29.87±14.09) and after (29.49±8.9) the intervention had no significant difference (P=0.15); while in the intervention group before (32.32±11.62) and after (20.6±5.71) the intervention had a significant difference (P=0.001). Mental health dimensions before and after intervention, indicated that anxiety (P=0.04) and stress (P=0.003) decreased significantly after the intervention in the intervention group. However, there was no significant difference in the depression dimension (P=0.06).
Conclusion: According to the results, it should be said that regular and periodic examination of the health level, and the promotion of educational and training programs on the subject of fasting to improve mental health, should be considered.
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