Original Article
COVID-19
Zahra Karimi; Zahra Davoodi; Leila Rabiei; Mahnaz Jafari; Mansoureh Kiani Dehkordi; Roy Rillera Marzo; Masoud Lotfizadeh
Abstract
Objective: COVID-19 prevalence is a new and serious threat to public health. The disease has had an impact on nearly every important economic, political, social, and even military aspect of many countries around the world. As a result, the psychological effects of this viral disease on different levels ...
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Objective: COVID-19 prevalence is a new and serious threat to public health. The disease has had an impact on nearly every important economic, political, social, and even military aspect of many countries around the world. As a result, the psychological effects of this viral disease on different levels of society's psychological health are critical, necessitating scientific research. This study looked into the possible link between COVID-19 and psychological distress and anxiety in Iran.Methods: The first large-scale global study of psychological distress and anxiety in public society, this cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was based on the participation of people from some Asian countries during the COVID-19 epidemic. Only the results from Iran were presented in this article. This study had 1480 participants and used a standard questionnaire called the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82.Results: It was discovered that 1171 (79%) of the participants were female, while 309 (21%) were male. The CPDI Questionnaire yielded a mean score of 54.16±6.13. There was a significant relationship (p=0.0002) between age group and total score of psychological distress and anxiety. The findings revealed a link between anxiety variables and education (p = 0.0001), monthly income (p = 0.008), and gender (p = 0.019).Conclusion: It can be concluded that the majority of study participants were in an unfavorable psychological distress and anxiety situation.
Original Article
Health Sciences
Shila Latifzadeh; Kourosh Zarea; Hossein Komaili-Sani; Malek Fereidooni-Moghadam
Abstract
Background: When there is betrayal and disloyalty in a family, the betrayed spouse suffers the most, resulting in mental health disorders and a loss of emotional and behavioral balance. The purpose of this study was to explain the divorce crisis in betrayed spouses.Method: This qualitative research was ...
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Background: When there is betrayal and disloyalty in a family, the betrayed spouse suffers the most, resulting in mental health disorders and a loss of emotional and behavioral balance. The purpose of this study was to explain the divorce crisis in betrayed spouses.Method: This qualitative research was conducted as a content analysis method in Ahvaz, Iran. Data was gathered through 18 semi-structured interviews with 14 betrayed participants chosen using purposeful sampling. The data was analyzed using the traditional content analysis method.Results: After analyzing the data, three main themes and seven subcategories were identified. Among the themes were divorce issues, with subcategories such as "fear of disclosure," "moving towards divorce," and "fear of consequences, lack of support, and parent household problems."Conclusion: According to the findings, some of the study participants had not forgiven their spouse after discovering their betrayal and had broken up, but others had to ignore their partner's flaws and carry on with their lives for a variety of reasons, including a fear of losing their children, loneliness, and a lack of support. More research in this area is recommended.
Original Article
Nursing
Shila latifzadeh; Alice khachian; Shaghayegh Sedigh; Sona Elyasi; Maedeh Mortezanasab; Ghazal Ghaderi
Abstract
Background and Objective: Leukemia is one of the top five cancers in Iran. Aside from physical issues, the disease causes a variety of social and psychological issues for patients. In this regard, one aspect that cancer may affect is quality of life, which can lead to anxiety. The collaborative care ...
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Background and Objective: Leukemia is one of the top five cancers in Iran. Aside from physical issues, the disease causes a variety of social and psychological issues for patients. In this regard, one aspect that cancer may affect is quality of life, which can lead to anxiety. The collaborative care model is a novel nursing model that improves treatment outcomes through collaboration. As a result, the purpose of this study is to look into the impact of a collaborative care model on quality of life and anxiety in leukemia patients.Methods: The current non-randomized clinical trial, which included a control group, was conducted on 60 leukemia patients at Firoozgar and Rasoul Akram hospitals in Tehran (affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences). The hospitals were randomly divided into two groups: control and intervention, and patients were chosen at random from each hospital using a convenience sampling method. The collaborative care model was implemented in the intervention group, while no specific measures were taken in the control group. Patients in both groups' quality of life was measured using the Quality-of-Life Questionnaire in Oncology Patients before, one, and two months after the intervention, and their anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Both groups completed their questionnaires using a self-report method.Results: In terms of demographic characteristics, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Prior to the intervention, no statistically significant difference in mean anxiety, quality of life, and its dimensions was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Following the intervention, a statistically significant difference in mean anxiety and quality of life scores was observed between the two groups (p<0.05), indicating a decrease in anxiety and an increase in quality of life among patients in the intervention group.Conclusion: Based on the findings, it appears that the collaborative care model has a positive effect on reducing anxiety and improving quality of life in leukemia patients, and it is preferable to use this model when caring for this group of patients.
Original Article
COVID-19
Ram Prasad Sharma G; Kalpana Sharma; Niki Shrestha
Abstract
Background: When working in Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) wards and ICUs, Health Care Workers (HCWs) face numerous physical and psychosocial challenges. The purpose of this study was to look into the difficulties that HCWs face when caring for COVID-19 patients. Method: A qualitative phenomenological ...
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Background: When working in Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) wards and ICUs, Health Care Workers (HCWs) face numerous physical and psychosocial challenges. The purpose of this study was to look into the difficulties that HCWs face when caring for COVID-19 patients. Method: A qualitative phenomenological study was used, and the study sample included 12 HCWs (8 nurses and 4 doctors) who worked specifically with COVID-19 patients. A semi-structured interview guideline was used for data collection, and Giorgi's method was used for analysis. Results: During the pandemic, HCWs faced numerous challenges while caring for COVID-19 patients in a hospital. HCWs faced five major challenges: (i) increased workload and staff shortages, (ii) mental stress, (iii) social stigma and isolation, (iv) resource scarcity, and (v) a lack of specific skill training. Conclusion: While caring for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, health care workers faced numerous physical, psychological, and social challenges. As a result, these issues must be addressed in order to provide quality care in the hospital.
Original Article
Nursing
Ghazal Ghaderi; Mahni Rahkar Farshi; Mahnaz Jabraeili
Abstract
Background: Provision of pediatric palliative care is of particular importance. Therefore, this study aims to assess knowledge and attitude of nurses working in pediatric wards about this matter.Methods: The current descriptive study was conducted in 3 hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. The sample consisted ...
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Background: Provision of pediatric palliative care is of particular importance. Therefore, this study aims to assess knowledge and attitude of nurses working in pediatric wards about this matter.Methods: The current descriptive study was conducted in 3 hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. The sample consisted of all nurses working in pediatric wards, who were selected through a convenience sampling method. For data collection, a checklist for demographic variables, Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, and Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Patients were used. Collected data were then analysed using SPSS.Results: Of the total of 247 questionnaires distributed, 220 were returned completely. Most of the participants were female (96.3%). Their mean age was 32 years, and their mean work experience in clinical wards was 7.22 years. The results showed that the mean total scores of nurses’ knowledge and attitude about pediatric palliative care were 10.70±2.83 and 97.90±98.83, respectively.Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that nurses have a good attitude and poor knowledge about pediatric palliative care. Considering the findings of this study as well as the importance of pediatric palliative care, it is necessary to improve nurses’ knowledge about this matter. Further studies are also recommended in this regard.
Original Article
Epidemiology
Hulera Usman Kabido; Joseph Fuh Nfongeh; Victor Kolawole Fadayomi; Onyemachi Ifeanyi Adibe; Abdullahi Shuaibu Kabiru; Nafisat Tijjani Dalhat; Yahuza Jibrin Abubakar
Abstract
Background: Due to its persistent nature, ulcers brought on by Helicobacter pylori have been a significant public health concern. This study looked at how specific risk factors affected the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among peptic ulcer patients visiting medical institutions in Lafia, ...
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Background: Due to its persistent nature, ulcers brought on by Helicobacter pylori have been a significant public health concern. This study looked at how specific risk factors affected the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among peptic ulcer patients visiting medical institutions in Lafia, Nigeria. Methods: The blood and stool samples of 180 individuals (71 men and 109 women) were collected randomly, checked for H. pylori using test strips for H. pylori antibodies and antigens (Azure Biotech Inc.), and the feces also were grown on Columbia blood agar base (TITAN Biotech Ltd). Using a standardized questionnaire, some participant risk data was also gathered.Results: A positive culture method (CM) test result was obtained from 14/71 (19.72%) of the 71 male patients and 37/109 (33.94%) of the 109 female subjects out of a total of 210 subjects. For CM alone, it was discovered that female participants had a considerably greater incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection than their male counterparts (p=0.038). Nevertheless, all analytical techniques discovered no evidence of a significant difference between age groups (p>0.05). Only the blood antibody (BAB) approach showed a substantially greater prevalence (p=0.021) in married patients, with 79/116 (68.10%) reactive instances. The presence of drinking water source (p < 0.001, 0.001, 0.002 using CM, BAB, and SAG, respectively) and number of occupants per room (p < 0.001, 0.001, 0.002 using CM, BAB, and SAG, respectively) as potential risk factors for H. pylori infection was also demonstrated.Conclusion: The majority of risk factors that were taken into consideration for this study demonstrated a strong correlation with Helicobacter pylori infection in Lafia, Nigeria.
Original Article
COVID-19
Jose Luis Turabian
Abstract
Background: Longitudinal data on SARS-CoV-2 re-infection are scarce. Objectives: 1) Characterize COVID-19 reinfection cases clinically and epidemiologically; 2) Determine whether the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection has altered over time in the context of the development of beta, delta, and omicron ...
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Background: Longitudinal data on SARS-CoV-2 re-infection are scarce. Objectives: 1) Characterize COVID-19 reinfection cases clinically and epidemiologically; 2) Determine whether the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection has altered over time in the context of the development of beta, delta, and omicron variants.Methods: From March 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, an observational, longitudinal, and prospective investigation of Covid-19 re-infections was done in a general medical practice in Toledo, Spain.Results: There were 43 cases in total, including 45 reinfections (2 cases presented 2 reinfections). The average period between first infection and reinfection was 346 days (range: 95-813 days). The average age was 41 years (range: 17-70 years). 5% were over the age of 65. 56% were female. 14% belonged to an ethnic minority. 82% of reinfections occurred among individuals who had been vaccinated (19%, 28%, and 35% in those who had received one dose, two doses, and a booster, respectively). They were symptomatic in 96% of the cases. All cases of reinfection were minor, with nonspecific symptoms (discomfort, asthenia, myalgia, fever, arthralgia) predominating (39%). Chronic illnesses were present in 60% of reinfection cases, with the Genitourinary (19%), Endocrine (17%), and Respiratory (16%) systems predominately. Reinfections have been steadily growing since 2020, with 67% occurring in 2022.Conclusion: We discovered evidence of a continual increase in the incidence of reinfections in Toledo, Spain, primarily beginning in January 2022, which is temporally congruent with the introduction of the omicron variety, indicating its improved ability to infect previously infected persons.
Review
COVID-19
Samuel Olorunfemi Adams; Godwin Somto
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has claimed the lives of millions of people in Nigeria and around the world during the last two years. It is a recognized global health crisis of our day, as well as a persistent threat to the earth. The goal of this study was to examine the trend and fit an Error Trend and Seasonal ...
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Background: COVID-19 has claimed the lives of millions of people in Nigeria and around the world during the last two years. It is a recognized global health crisis of our day, as well as a persistent threat to the earth. The goal of this study was to examine the trend and fit an Error Trend and Seasonal (ETS) exponential smoothing and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to Nigeria's COVID-19 daily fatalities.Methods: A dataset of daily COVID-19 confirmed fatality cases was used in the investigation. Data was acquired from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) web database between the 10th of July 2020 and the 2nd of December 2021. The ARIMA model and twelve (12) ETS exponential smoothing techniques were investigated using a dataset of COVID-19 pandemic deaths in Nigeria. The ARIMA and ETS exponential smoothing algorithms were evaluated using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), Hannan Quinn Information Criterion (HQC), and Average Mean Squared Error (AMSE) selection criteria.Result: The ARIMA (0,1,0) model was the best time series modeling for the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Nigeria since it had the lowest AIC=2863.51, BIC=2866.90, HQ = 2866.90, and AMSE = 0.55471 values.Conclusion: The ARIMA (0,1,0) model is preferred above the other thirteen (13) competing models based on daily confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Nigeria. This research would assist the Nigerian government in better understanding the pestilence's evolution pattern and providing adequate provisions, prompt mediation, and treatment to prevent additional deaths caused by the virus.
Review
Epidemiology
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
Background: During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of epidemiologists and epidemiology as a science is becoming clear. An epidemiologist leads the team that deals with health emergencies and pandemics. Whatever type of epidemiologist they are, they must have specific competencies, skills, ...
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Background: During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of epidemiologists and epidemiology as a science is becoming clear. An epidemiologist leads the team that deals with health emergencies and pandemics. Whatever type of epidemiologist they are, they must have specific competencies, skills, functions, and ethics.Methods: PubMed and Google were searched for full texts of studies published in English using the key words "epidemiologist" in conjunction with definition, competencies, skills, functions, roles, types, and ethics. This narrative review included all of the literature that was retrieved. We only included the most recent and pertinent articles. Standard epidemiology textbooks were also screened for the relevant review heading.Results: We summarized the contributions of key epidemiologists from Hippocrates to Austin Bradford Hill, as well as their competencies or skills, functions, and 16 types of epidemiologists. Finally, epidemiologists' ethics were discussed.Conclusion: For early detection and prevention of epidemics and health disasters, effective liaison between epidemiologists, clinicians of various specialties, and policymakers is required. This is especially important in developing and developed countries where the number of epidemiologists is low and the majority work in teaching institutions where their contributions are undervalued.
Original Article
Patient Care
Zahra Noori; Parvaneh Khorasani; Habibollah Hosseini
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the status of diabetes management among elderly people living in Isfahan nursing homes using the Donabedian framework in three parts: structure, process, and outcome.Methods: In 2018, the current descriptive-cross-sectional approach was used in 13 ...
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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the status of diabetes management among elderly people living in Isfahan nursing homes using the Donabedian framework in three parts: structure, process, and outcome.Methods: In 2018, the current descriptive-cross-sectional approach was used in 13 nursing homes in Isfahan. Data was collected using a dependable and valid research-created checklist that evaluated diabetes management through three components: organizational structure (8 dimensions and 33 items), processes (3 dimensions and 23 items), and outcomes (2 dimensions and 7 items). Data was collected by observing the equipment and human resources, interviewing key informants and nurses, reviewing documents, and collecting blood and urine samples under standard conditions.Results: Structure, process, and outcome mean scores were 34.5±2.6, 38.5±5.9, and 65.6±13.9, respectively. The highest and lowest structure scores were associated with "referral system" and "trained personnel," respectively; process scores were associated with "counseling and risk factor reduction" and "immunization," and outcome scores with "physical examination and history taking" and "documentation of laboratory results." The mean score of structure was found to have a direct relationship with process and outcome (p < 0.05). There was also a direct relationship (p <0.05) between the mean process and outcome scores. Linear regression analysis revealed that structure was a significant predictor of outcome (p = 0.01).Conclusions: The findings revealed some issues with the structure, process, and outcome of providing appropriate diabetes management care in nursing homes. To achieve positive results in this area, it is necessary to focus on the human resources, facilities, and equipment required to manage diabetes in nursing homes.
Original Article
COVID-19
Tintu Tom; Sonymol K
Abstract
Background: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 manifested as a serious infectious disease that affected people of all ages and genders, particularly older patients with comorbidities. Patients who have recovered from COVID have serious restrictions. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the ...
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Background: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 manifested as a serious infectious disease that affected people of all ages and genders, particularly older patients with comorbidities. Patients who have recovered from COVID have serious restrictions. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) in patients and the relationship between post-COVID-19 functional status and selected demographic characteristics.Methods: This study employed a descriptive survey research design and a quantitative, non-experimental research approach. Data were obtained from 190 COVID-19 recovered patients admitted to an Indian quaternary hospital who met the inclusion criteria utilizing an online survey approach and a mobile app. Prior to the study, the institutional scientific and ethical committees approved it. The study's findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square.Results: The percentage of demographic data is identified, and the post COVID functional limitation of samples shows that 58 percent have negligible functional limitation, 24 percent have no functional limitation, 16 percent have slight functional limitation, 1 percent have moderate functional limitation, and 1 percent have severe functional limitation. There was an association between PCFS and age, as well as PCFS and the COVID-19 group.Conclusion: Some COVID-19 survivors suffered functional difficulties after infection. The severity of the disease and its duration are important risk factors for the development of post-COVID-19 functional impairments. The study's findings assist healthcare professionals in improving their understanding of post-COPID functional status and providing appropriate care to post-COPID recovered patients.
