The Relation between Awareness of Cancer Diagnosis and Spiritual Health among Cancer Patients

Introduction: Disclosure of cancer diagnosis is one the main challenges in caring of patients with cancer since it may have negative effects on the spiritual health of patients. No study has ever been performed in Iran to investigate the relationship between awareness of cancer diagnosis and spiritual health in cancer patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to review the effects of awareness of cancer on spiritual health in patients with cancer. Methods: This was a descriptive-comparative study conducted in Shahid Ghazi Tabatabaei University Hospital in 2009. The subjects included 150 patients aware of their cancer diagnosis and 150 unaware patients. The patients were selected through convenient sampling method. Using a questionnaire, the patient's spiritual health was assessed. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS17 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results showed the mean (SD) of spiritual health among aware and unaware patients to be 75.1 (3.8) and 75.4 (3.9), respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the spiritual health of the two groups (p = 0.96). Conclusion: These findings showed that awareness of cancer diagnosis had no effects on spiritual health of patients. It is not surprising considering Iranian culture. However, confirmation of this finding requires further studies

Attributes of Iranian new nurse preceptors: A phenomenological study

Preceptors should possess attributes which help them in successfully performing the demanding and challenging role in the preceptorship. This research utilises a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the attributes of new nurse preceptors. Six preceptors of a teaching hospital in Northwest of Iran who were selected by means of purposive sampling. Data were collected during eight months from July 2014 to March 2015 through in-depth semi-structured personal interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and then were analyzed with the interpretive approach using the Diekelmann's seven-stage method in the MAXQDA10 software environment. Findings included two main themes “feeling proud and honored” and “professionalism” with subthemes including empathy, being nonjudgmental, patience, and spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice was a unique attribute revealed in this research. Preceptors possessed several important attributes which are usually stressed in the literature as selection criteria for preceptors. These attributes could be further drawn upon when selecting new preceptors. Preceptors are role models. Existence of the spirit of self-sacrifice among preceptors could contribute to transferring of such spirit to new nurses and future preceptors as well as to preceptors’ patience with challenges of their role. Effective preceptorship needs preceptors who possess specific professional and personal attributes. These attributes could be drawn upon more objectively in the process of selection, preparation and evaluation of preceptors by clinical and educational nursing managers.This article was part of a PhD dissertation approved and financially supported by the Research Deputy of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Grant numbers 5/55/7687, November 24, 2

The attitude of Iranian nurses about do not resuscitate orders

Background: Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders are one of many challenging issues in end of life care. Previous research has not investigated Muslim nurses′ attitudes towards DNR orders. Aims: This study aims to investigate the attitude of Iranian nurses towards DNR orders and determine the role of religious sects in forming attitudes. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-comparative study, 306 nurses from five hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS) in East Azerbaijan Province and three hospitals in Kurdistan province participated. Data were gathered by a survey design on attitudes on DNR orders. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) software examining descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Participants showed their willingness to learn more about DNR orders and highlights the importance of respecting patients and their families in DNR orders. In contrast, in many key items participants reported their negative attitude towards DNR orders. There were statistical differences in two items between the attitude of Shiite and Sunni nurses. Conclusions: Iranian nurses, regardless of their religious sects, reported negative attitude towards many aspects of DNR orders. It may be possible to change the attitude of Iranian nurses towards DNR through education

Fear of cancer recurrence and its predictive factors among Iranian cancer patients

Fear of cancer recurrence (FOCR) is one of the most important psychological problems among cancer patients. In extensive review of related literature there were no articles on FOCR among Iranian cancer patients. Aim: The aim of present study was to investigation FOCR and its predictive factors among Iranian cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study 129 cancer patients participated. For data collection, the demographic checklist and short form of fear of progression questionnaire was used. Logistic regression was used to determine predictive factors of FOCR. Result: Mean score of FOCR among participants was 44.8 and about 50% of them had high level of FOCR. The most important worries of participants were about their family and the future of their children and their lesser worries were about the physical symptoms and fear of physical damage because of cancer treatments. Also, women, breast cancer patient, and patients with lower level of education have more FOCR. Discussion: There is immediate need for supportive care program designed for Iranian cancer patients aimed at decreasing their FOCR. Especially, breast cancer patients and the patient with low educational level need more attention

Relationship between Sleep, Pain and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is known as a progressive chronic auto-immune disease. Measurement of inflammatory markers are applied for follow up the activity of disease. So determining factors that effects these markers such as sleep and pain can help to prevent the severity of disease. The aim of study was to determine the relationship between sleep disorders, pain and inflammatory markers in patients with RA. Methods: Participants included 210 patients with RA referred to educational medical clinics of Imam Reza and Sina in Tabriz selected by convenience sampling. They were assessed by Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SDQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) also applied for pain measurement. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver.13 by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Most of participants (74%) were female, the mean age of participants was 48.41 years. The mean (SD) of sleepiness was 13.14 (5.6) and pain 6.09 (2.14). Significant relationship obtained between sleep disorders and pain. As well as sleep problems had significant relation with CRP. Also pain had significant correlation with inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Sleep pattern in RA appears to be disrupted by pain. Pain severity and sleep problems can predict increasing inflammatory markers that can be a clues of intensity of disease. So relieving pain and improved sleep can decrease the intensity of disease

Predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours by spouses in women with breast cancer

Background: Unsupportive responses from relatives and spouses play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients and their spouses, about whom little is known about them and their unsupportive responses predictors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of perceived spouse unsupportive behaviours in women with breast cancer and their spouses. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 220 couples, including women with breast cancer and their spouses, participated in random samples in chemotherapy and cancer hospitals in Iran in 2020. In the present study, data was collected using a demographic checklist and the Unsupportive Partner Behaviour scale. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, ANOVA, independent t-Test, Hochberg post-hoc test and Chi-square test were used for group comparison. Univariate and multivariate linear regression methods were also used to assess the effect size. Results: Predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours in women were: number of children (p = 0.047), life with relatives (p = 0.051), residence in suburbs (p = 0.006), marital status (p = 0.001), education and occupation of the spouse (p = 0.026), going to the hospital alone (p = 0.001), type of treatment received (p = 0.242), duration of diagnosis (p = 0.018) and type of residence (p = 0.051). Moreover, predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours in men included: education and occupation of men (p = 0.035) and women (p = 0.050), type of treatment received (p = 0.050), employment of women (p = 0.030) and men (p = 0.009), residence in suburbs (p = 0.014), marital status (p = 0.019) and going to the hospital alone (p = 0.006). Conclusions: The variety of socio-economic, demographic and therapeutic factors were shown to be predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours by spouses with breast cancer that can be modified by healthcare professionals in order to increase a couple’s mutual support

Effective chacteristics of Iranian nursing students in their relationship with clinical nurses

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of undergraduate nursing students, which may determine the nature of their relationship with clinical nurses. Relationships between nursing students and clinical nurses are critical to maximize student learning outcomes and produce skilled graduates for the future health workforce. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted from January to August 2016. Twenty nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 undergraduate nursing students in Tabriz nursing and midwifery faculty. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim (in Persian), and analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify themes. Results: Four key themes emerged: educational factors (cognitive knowledge and practical skills, and learning motivation); communication skills; perceived support (perceived support from nurses and educators); and psychological state (fear of the relationship and self-confidence). Self-confidence is an emphasized concept in nursing students' willingness and ability to relate with clinical nurses. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that educational, communicative and psychological factors are important determinants of student communication with nurses. However, self-confidence is the most important factor in establishing such relationship. Self-confidence could be further assessed to identify nursing students who need greater support or would benefit from greater educational interventions to achieve relational skills

The Study of Nurses Knowledge and Performance Quality of Qazvin Hospitals about the Process of Blood Transfusion

Introduction: Supplying blood and blood products, maintenance, transfer and injection of each component have its own specific process. Therefore, those responsible must at least have the awareness that relates to the transfusion medicine. The safety and effectiveness of blood transfusion depend on the knowledge and skills of nurses, who have taken the responsibility. The aim of this study is to assess the educational needs of nurses in the field of blood transfusion that leads to creating a good medical process for nurses in clinical departments of hospitals. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 124 nurses who participated in, were selected through random sampling in Qazvin hospitals in 1396. A questionnaire including 25 questions was used to evaluate the knowledge and performance of their awareness of different aspects of blood medicine, including maintenance, transferring, injection and post blood transfusion reactions. The scores of knowledge and performance encoded in three levels: low, medium, and good. Data analysis and correlation of variance were performed by using the software SPSS version 20. Results: Research results showed that most of the subjects are in the age group 20-30 years (68.7%) and females (93%) and have a bachelor's degree in nursing (95.6%). Results showed that the mean score of knowledge was 9.58±2.13, and score range was 9 (between 3 to 12). The mean score of performance was 38.96±2.17, with range 10 (scores were between 30 to 40). The analysis of variance used to examine the relationship. The results suggested that there was a significant relationship between performance and knowledge of subjects (P<0.05). Conclusions: According to this study, nurse’s knowledge level and awareness of blood transfusion are the media. Therefore, training, managers controlling and supervision programs seem to be necessary due to the great importance of the blood transfusion process and threaten the safety of patients. So, we recommend that this issue must be seriously included in academic courses and retraining in the field of blood transfusion, according to the latest available standards at the time of the nurse’s employment

The Protective Effect of Royal Jelly on Testicular Tissue and Sperm Parameters in Adult Mice Treated with Nicotine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: As a medicinal compound, nicotine has adverse effects on the male reproductive system. Since royal jelly can modify the oxidative stress through its antioxidant properties, this study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of royal jelly on testicular tissue and sperm parameters in adult mice treated with nicotine. METHODS: In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice were randomly divided into six groups of six. The first group received physiologic serum, the second group received royal jelly at 100 mg / kg / day, and the third and fourth groups received nicotine at 0.5 mg / kg / day and 1 mg / kg / day, respectively. The fifth and sixth groups received 0.5 mg / kg / day and 1 mg / kg / day royal jelly in addition to nicotine, respectively. After weighing and dissection, left testicles were used for histological studies and left epididymal sperm were used for sperm evaluations. FINDINGS: Nicotine caused a significant decrease in spermatogonial cells (0.5: 36.40±2.92 and 1: 31.80±5.12) and significant increase in non-motile (0.5: 36.40±2.92 and 1: 31.80±5.12), dead (0.5: 19.06±0.71 and 1: 25.38±1.41) and abnormal (0.5: 17.07±0.68 and 1: 32.25±1.27) sperm compared with the control group (8.12±0.27, 11.08±1.03 and 8.36±0.61, respectively) (p<0.05). The co-administration of royal jelly significantly reduced the spermatogonial cell count (0.5+royal jelly: 43.25±3.80 and 1+royal jelly: 42.22±5.28) and improved the amount of non-motile (0.5+royal jelly: 11.01±1.49 and 1+royal jelly: 12.36±1.21), dead (0.5+royal jelly: 11.73±0.97 and 1+royal jelly: 12.31±1.07) and abnormal (0.5+royal jelly: 10.62±0.85 and 1+royal jelly: 11.82±0.96) sperm compared with groups treated with nicotine. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that royal jelly reduces reproductive toxicity of nicotine in mice by improving the testicular structure and sperm parameters