Epidemiological study of colon cancer in educational hospitals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences (2006-2011)

Background and aims: Among all cancers, colon cancer is common and deadly, yet preventable. The estimated worldwide incidence of colon cancer is more than one million new cases per year. This study was done to identify the epidemiological features and risk factors of colon cancer in different regions of Birjand. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive analytical study of patients with colon cancer was conducted in Birjand educational hospitals. This study examined the patients whose colon cancers had been confirmed by a pathologist (2006-11). Statistics related to these patients were collected from pathology centers affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Data were analyzed using descriptive (frequency and relative frequency) and analytical (chi square test) statistics. SPSS software was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Results of the present research showed that a total of 38 people with colon cancer were hospitalized in Birjand educational hospitals between 2006 and 2011. In the present study, there was a significant difference between the patients’ job and the type of morphology (P=0.018) and the therapeutic procedures (P=0.001); Adenocarcinoma was mainly reported among housewives (n=10, 76.9). Concerning therapeutic procedures, housewives underwent colectomy surgery more than other groups (n=8, 61.5). Conclusion: Controlling colon cancer which is one of the most common cancers in the world is a great epidemiologic success. The findings of this study presented a complete and exact image of epidemiology of this cancer in the region and provided the authorities with precious information; therefore, they can make decisions about identifying colon cancer risk factors in the region

School-based peer education intervention on physical activity in Iranian adolescent girls: an application of the theory of planned behavior

IntroductionThe level of physical activity (PA) among Iranian adolescent girls is significantly lower than the recommended level. This survey aims to examine the impact of school-based peer education Intervention on promoting PA using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among girls in high school.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted on 160 girls in high school of Gonabad, Iran. School-based peer education program was conducted for the intervention group through five training sessions and the three-month follow-up to enhance clarity. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on TPB, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and demographic information. The content validity Index, content validity ratio, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values demonstrated strong content validity and reliability (> 0.85). The obtained data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests using SPSS software 20.ResultsThe average age of the participants was 13.5 ± 1.2 years, and 65% had low levels of PA. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements across all constructs of the TPB compared to the control group. The mean scores for attitude toward behavior (p = 0.012), subjective norms (p = 0.023), perceived behavioral control (p = 0.003), and behavioral intention (p = 0.001) showed significant enhancement in the intervention group. Additionally, physical activity behavior improved significantly (p < 0.05) after the intervention, while no significant improvement was observed in the control group (p > 0.05). The Cohen’s d values for all constructs in the intervention group, except for subjective norms, exceeded 0.8, indicating a large effect size for these constructs.ConclusionSchool-based peer education using the TPB can be used as an effective theory to promote the level of PA among high school girls. This approach strengthens attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms, leading to improved behavioral intentions and increased PA among female students

Need and Priority Assessment of Kerman's Teaching Hospitals to Implementation of RFID Technology

Introduction: Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is one of the information technology achievements that can simultaneously cover the information management, authentication, and tracking. This study is intended to determine the needs and priority assessment of Kerman's teaching hospitals to implement RFID technology. Method: This study was a cross-sectional and quantitative one carried out in six wards of teaching hospitals in Kerman city in 2015. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that was separately designed for each ward. SPSS software version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that the emergency department, based on its functional status, had the most urgent need to implement RFID technology. Also, from the perspective of the study subjects, the priority of RFID implementation respectively in emergency departments and medical equipment was more than other wards. Conclusion: Since the studied wards of Kerman teaching hospitals have a lot of problems, and prevalence of any of these problems can lead to ineffectiveness of activity in hospitals, increase in costs, and ultimately endangering the lives of patients, implementation RFID system is essential to solve these problems. Considering the importance of time in the emergency department and also given the studied personnel point of view, emergency department had the greatest need to RFID Implementation technology

Situation analysis model of hospital emergency department promotion in Iran: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background and Aim The present study was conducted to develop a situation analysis model for Iran's hospitals' emergency departments (EDs). Methods The current research was a descriptive cross‐sectional applied study in three stages. The studies were reviewed in various library resources and valid sites in the first stage. In the second stage, the analysis model of the ED in Iran was presented. In the third stage, the model was validated based on the Delphi technique, and the final model was presented. Results The final situation analysis model of ED in Iran was approved in four main aspects, including goals, internal factors, external factors, and organizations and institutions participating in the situation analysis, and its implementation schedule was approved by 90% of experts. Conclusion Considering the importance of situation analysis in developing a strategic plan and improving the quality of health services in the ED of hospitals, implementing a coherent situation analysis model that includes all aspects leading to improving the ED quality and analyzing the internal and external factors is vital

Investigating the effectiveness of using a telemental health approach to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review

Abstract Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder that leads to impairment in various cognitive functions. Telemental health is applied in providing several telemental health and psychiatric services. It can provide health and psychological care, such as counseling, diagnosis, and treatment. Therefore, this study systematically examines the effectiveness of using a telemental health approach to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using the keywords telepsychiatry, telemental health, telemedicine, telehealth, videoconferencing, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and OCD up to November 2023. In addition to searching the mentioned databases, references to related articles were also examined. Results In this study, based on the search strategy, we identified 130 articles, 4 duplicate articles were removed, and the title and abstract of 126 articles were reviewed. Considering the selection criteria, 104 articles were excluded and 22 articles were included in the study. In 77.27% of the articles, videoconference telecommunication methods were used for communication. In 8 articles, the participants were children and adolescents. Reviewing these studies indicates mentions concerning the effectiveness of this method in most of them. Conclusions In general, telemental health interventions increase access to treatment and can be promising for patients with certain conditions. This systematic review contributes to the expanding literature indicating that delivering CBT through telemental health methods, particularly videoconference-based approaches, is a feasible substitute for in-person treatments

The Features and Processes of Poisoning Registries: A Scoping Review: Features and processes of poisoning registries

Background: Poisoning is a common condition worldwide that requires precise evaluation of the quality and rapid management. Registry plays an essential role in the management of toxins. This study aimed to examine the features and processes of poisoning registries.Methods: This review study was conducted in 2020. Several searches were conducted in the following scientific databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science using a combination of keywords, such as “data management, registry, poison, and toxic”. The review of titles, abstracts, and full-text of the selected articles was independently performed by two researchers. Besides, the obtained data were analyzed based on the research objectives by the content analysis method. Results: Some critical features of registries were considered the confidentiality of patients’ information, i.e., equipped with various technologies, such as Geographical Information System (GIS), warning systems, searches, and text retrieval tools. The most common sources of case findings were self-reported contacts by individuals and healthcare professionals to poison control centers. Moreover, the main tool for data collection was electronic forms. The major indices of data quality were the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of the data. Phone calls were usually made at follow-ups.Conclusion: The registry’s features and processes are an essential and fundamental step to achieve the registry goals, as well as designing and developing these systems. It is recommended that the registries be equipped with various technologies to better manage the exposure cases. It is recommended to use educational, incentive, competitive, participatory, and motivational mechanisms among all organizations and individuals involved in poisoning registry programs

Challenges of implementing diagnostic‐related groups and healthcare promotion in Iran: A strategic applied research

Abstract Background and Aim Implementing the diagnostic‐related groups (DRGs) promotes the efficiency of healthcare. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the challenges facing implementing the DRGs in Iran. Methods The present study is a strategic applied research conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the challenges facing DRGs were extracted through a literature review. Then the collected data is entered into a checklist consisting of five sections including technological, cultural, organizational, strategic, and natural challenges. In the second phase, data were collected by purposive sampling and semistructured interviews with 10 managers of the Medical Services Organization of Tehran, Iran. Data analysis was performed by conventional content analysis using MAXQDA software and descriptive using SPSS software version 19. Results The challenges facing the implementing DGRs from the experts' perspective included technological, organizational, nature, strategic, and cultural in order of priority. The three main fundamental challenges were reported; lack of integrating the DGRs with health information system (70%), frequent changes of management (70%), reducing the quality of care following early patient discharge (60%). Conclusion The results of the present study showed that the DRG system faced with challenges and healthcare officials should apply policies and guidelines to reform the system before changing the reimbursement system in Iran. By considering the leading countries experiences in the nationalizing the DRG system field, the problems and solutions of the system can be identified and aid in the more successful implementation of these systems