Investigation of Relationship between Occupational Stress and Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Nurses

Study of suicidal thoughts and intentions with regard to job stress among female medical students living in dormitory with a mental health promotion approach

BACKGROUND

Medical students are exposed to stresses which have irreversible consequences, such as suicidal ideation. The present study aimed to investigate the level of occupational stress in medical students and its relationship with the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attention among them and then provide mental health promotion approaches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 325 undergraduate medical students residing at the dormitory of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was determined by the census method. Osipow and Suicide Behaviors Questionnaires were used to measure job stress and suicidal ideation, respectively. The condition of entry into the study was living in the dormitory and spent at least one semester. Linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between variables.

RESULTS

The mean score of occupational stress among students with a mean age of 21 (±2.18) years was 158.84 (±27.07) and 60% (n = 180) of students had high levels of stress. There was a significant relationship between age and educational level with stress level and suicidal ideation (P < 0.05). They had the highest effect on stress (P = 0.031) and suicidal ideation (P = 0.001), respectively, among students. High level of stress was 11.829 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than low-stress level (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Stress and suicidal ideation are much higher in students of lower semesters and lower ages than students with higher semesters. Students should learn how and with what approach to control and manage exposure to stressors. Measures such as holding stress management training courses as well as managing stressful situations are among the effective measures in improving mental health and reducing stress levels and its effects.

Effectiveness of educational intervention on reducing oxidative stress caused by occupational stress in nurses: A health promotion approach

BACKGROUND

Nursing is one of the most stressful occupations. Educational intervention regarding stress management can play an important role in reducing occupational stress among nurses The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of educational intervention on reducing oxidative stress caused by occupational stress in nurses: A health promotion approach in a hospital in western Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present interventional study was performed in 2019 among 92 nurses working at the Kosar Hospital located in the city of Sanandaj in the country of Iran. Occupational stress was evaluated using the Osipow Occupational Stress Questionnaire. Oxidative stress was measured by taking blood samples and measuring the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde, and catalase (CAT) using SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), and CAT kits. Educational intervention was carried out in the second stage. Three months after the intervention, data were taken again.

RESULTS

The results of the present study indicated that there was a significant difference in occupational stress between before and after the educational intervention (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in MDA (P = 0.038) and SOD (P = 0.048) was observed after educational intervention, but this was not the case for CAT (P = 0.592). There was no significant correlation between occupational stress with oxidative stress parameters before and after the educational intervention (P < 0.05). No significant difference in occupational stress was observed between men and women. Among the oxidative stress parameters under evaluation, MDA was higher among men compared to women and this was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Educational intervention regarding occupational stress is effective in reducing oxidative stress among nurses. The group meetings teach stress management to the participants and enable them to better manage their stress by utilizing their own capabilities. Thus, attention to this issue is vital in maintaining the mental and physical health of nurses and, in turn, improves the quality of care rendered.

Investigating the effects of dust storms on morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases: A systematic review

New epidemiological studies acknowledge the detrimental effects of dust storms on health. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effects of dust storms on the morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The results of this study were obtained based on articles published in English-language journals. For the purpose of this study, all articles published until the end of 2020 based on the search in the "Scopus," "Web of Science," and "PubMed" databases were selected. Articles were searched independently by two trained researchers. Dust storms are the cause of many diseases and health-related complications, of which cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are common. It is necessary to recognize and investigate the harmful effects of dust storms to prevent serious harms to human societies. In the reviewed articles, the impact of dust storms on several diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, has been analyzed. Most of these articles acknowledge the effect of dust storms on increasing the incidence and mortality rate of these diseases, although in some articles this effect is not statistically significant. Many studies conducted around the world confirm the harmful effects of dust storms on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including increase in the number and duration of hospitalizations, as well as increase in mortality and exacerbation of these diseases. However, some studies do not consider the harmful effects of dust storms on the above diseases to be statistically significant.