Investigating the factors affecting the self-care behaviors of patients with type II diabetes and the role of demographic variables: A case study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Self-care practices in diabetes patients are crucial to keep the illness under control and prevent complications. Effective management of diabetes will be a difficult task without an adequate understanding of the current level of practice related to diabetes self-care. Therefore, this study aims to assess the factors affecting the self-care behaviors of patients with type II diabetes and the role of demographic variables in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study is a descriptive-analytical study that was designed and conducted in 2022. This study population was type II diabetic patients at the Diabetes Research Center of Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah who were selected by available sampling method of 280 samples. Data collection tools included demographic characteristics questionnaire and standard self-care questionnaire for the Glasgow and Toobert diabetic patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS-23 software, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and stepwise regression.

RESULTS

The mean of self-care scores was 2.07 ± 2.08 and indicated an unfavorable condition. The highest mean scores of self-care were in the field of regular use of medications, and the lowest scores were in the field of blood-glucose testing. The mean scores of self-care were significantly different based on marital status, occupation status, residence, type of treatment, duration of diabetes, years, smoking status (P < 0.05). Regression results showed that the variables predictors; type of treatment, smoking status, the complication of diabetes, education level status, place of residence explained 515% of the variance of self-care.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that the extent to which individuals adhere to type II diabetes recommended management is substantially low. Improving awareness of patients and the community at large is imperative, especially on the diet, exercise, blood-glucose testing, foot care, and no smoking.

Role of demographic variables in investigating occupational stress of disaster and emergency medical management center

BACKGROUND

Emergency medical services face stressful environments such as departments dealing with injuries and sick patients that pose challenging situations for the healthcare staff. This present study investigates the role of demographic variables in investigating occupational stress of disaster and emergency medical management center in 2021.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This present descriptive study selected a sample size of 200 medical personnel associated with disaster and emergency medical management center in Iran, according to the inclusion chosen criteria. The study used a tool consisting of two parts, including demographic information and a job stress Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standard questionnaire. The study selected respondents through Cochran's sample size formula using stratified random sampling with a cross-sectional research design for data collection. This present study has analyzed received data using performed the descriptive and inferential information (t-test and one-way ANOVA) at a significance level P < 0.05. The participants of the survey were males only.

RESULTS

The study results specified that the mean age of respondents was 30.14 ± 5.96. The study results exhibited that the mean score of total occupational stress was 3.41 ± 0.26. The results showed the highest (4.34 ± 0.35) and the lowest (2.72 ± 0.86) stress levels were related to role dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings revealed a significant relationship between stress level and participants' age, marital status, educational level, type of base, workplace, and the number of work hours per month. Emergency medical personnel experience a high level of occupational stress. Senior managers can use similar studies to implement measures to reduce the experience of employees' stress.

Prediction of self-care behaviors among diabetic patients based on social cognitive theory

Background

Diabetes is a global health issue and the most prevalent chronic metabolic disease, which requires lifelong self-care behaviors. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim of predicting the factors of self-care behaviors based on social cognitive theory in diabetic patients referred to comprehensive health service centers in Fasa.

Methods

This cross-sectional research comprised 106 type 2 diabetes patients who were referred to Fasa service providers to determine the optimal solution. Outcomes were assessed using an existing demographic questionnaire, the diabetic self-care questionnaire, and a unique questionnaire to assess social cognitive theory, the validity and reliability of which were estimated. SPSS21 software with a Chi license was used for data analysis, and Spearman correlations, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were performed.

Results

The age range of patients was between 33 and 67 years. There was a significant relationship between gender, education, and type of treatment with self-care. According to the findings, the variables of self-efficacy (r = 0.200), self-efficacy of overcoming obstacles (r = 0.285), environmental factors (r = 0.334), observational learning ability (r = 0.148), situational perception (r = 0.297), emotional adaptation (r = 0.051), outcome assessment (r = 0.114) and outcome expectation (r = 0.082) had a positive and significant correlation with self-care behaviors. Also, the self-efficacy variable (Beta coefficient = 0.340) had the highest predictive value.

Conclusion

In designing and implementing educational interventions for self-care of diabetic patients, the theory of social cognition can be used as a framework to promote and maintain public health in patients.

Comparison of clinicodemographic characteristics and pattern of vascular involvement in 126 patients with Takayasu arteritis: a report from Iran and Turkey

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an extremely uncommon vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and its branches. Due to the genetic and ethnicity effect, a diverse array of TA clinical manifestations has been reported worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to compare the clinicodemographic characteristics and pattern of vascular involvement of Iranian and Turkish TA patients. This study was a retrospective, cross-sectional investigation of 126 TA patients in Iran and Turkey. All of the variables analyzed were extracted from historical medical records. In 126 TA patients, the ratio of females to males was 8.6:1, and the average age at onset of disease was 30.5±11.1 years. Fatigue (49.2%) and a weak or absent pulse (79.4%) were the most prevalent symptoms and signs, respectively. The most prevalent angiographic classifications were types V and I in Iranian patients (41.09%) and type I in the Turkish population (47.7%) The left subclavian artery was the vessel most frequently affected by TA (66.6%). Our findings indicated that there were no significant differences between the two countries in terms of clinicodemographic characteristics or vascular involvement. Some clinical manifestations, such as claudication, were more prevalent in the Turkish population due to a higher incidence of occlusive lesions in the right subclavian artery.

Explore of the reasons of irrational prescribing in Iran: A qualitative study

Background

Irrational prescribing is highly prevalent in Iran, and it is under the impact of different factors.

Objective

This research aims to recognize the reasons for Irrational prescribing in Iran.

Methods

A qualitative approach and a conventional content analysis were employed to perform this research. The research community includes some experts and key specialists in medication prescribing. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. The intentional sampling method was applied, and theoretical saturation was reached by conducting 40 interviews with experts. The data analysis process was done following the steps suggested by Graneheim and Lundman.

Results

Four main categories and 12 subcategories appeared after analyzing the data. The main categories are organizational and management factors, legal factors, cultural factors, and economic factors.

Conclusion

Irrational prescribing can be prevented by reforming the referral system, overseeing pharmacies and physicians, raising public awareness and correcting their misconceptions about the medications, and creating an appropriate mechanism for pricing and selling medicines.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the COVID-19 infection among adults Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background

Coronavirus illness (COVID-19) has spread globally and is affecting everyone severely. The evaluation of educational needs (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) is important in controlling COVID-19 situations. The goal of this study is to find out what adults in Ardabil City know, how they feel, and what they do about the COVID-19 infection.

Methods

In November 2021, a cross-sectional descriptive-correlational survey of 384 people was conducted using stratified-cluster sampling in Ardabil. The researchers created a self-reported questionnaire with 23 items as the data collection technique. The quantitative data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the correlation coefficient, and regression analysis.

Results

The correct answer rate for this research found that 73.17% of participants (n = 281) had appropriate knowledge, 61.19% (n = 235) had favorable attitudes, and 69.53% (n = 267) had enough practice behavior. However, knowledge was related to gender, employment, and location of residence. Age, marital status, education level, and location of residence were all connected with attitude. Age, gender, and marital status were all related to the behavior. The findings of linear regression analysis revealed that knowledge and attitude influence behavior.

Conclusion

The study findings revealed a high degree of understanding of COVID-19, a positive attitude, and a strong commitment to good practices. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were influenced to varying degrees by age, marital status, education level, employment, and location of residence. Furthermore, knowledge and attitudes influenced behaviors.

Diversity and species composition of mosquitoes (Culicidae: Diptera) in Noor County, northern Iran

Mosquitoes are highly important as public health problem due to their blood sucking habits and transmitting malaria, arboviruses and other diseases to humans. The present research was undertaken to determine the fauna, abundance, monthly distribution and activity of Culicidae mosquito larvae and adults in Noor County, northern Iran. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from August 2012 to November 2013 in the rural and urban outskirts of Noor. In each area, natural larval breeding places such as river beds, shallow wells, pits, sewer, marsh, small holes, tracks of animals as well as man-made breeding places like pools and rice paddy fields have been visited monthly for larval collection. To collect adult mosquitoes, human and animal dwellings including bedrooms, store rooms, toilets, barns, stables and pen were surveyed using WHO standard methods. A total of 844 larvae and 1484 adult mosquitoes were caught. Of the 665 Culicinae larvae, 501 were Cx. pipiens (75.3%), 108 Cx. mimeticus (16.2%) and 56 Cx. theileri (8.4%). Of the 179 Anophelinae larvae, 96 were An. hyrcanus (53.6%) and 83 An. maculipennis s.l. (46.4%). Among 889 adult Culicinae, 495 were Cx. pipiens (55.7%), 238 Cx. mimeticus (26.8%), 156 Cx. theileri (17.6%), and from 595 adult Anophelinae 371 were An. hyrcanus (62.4%) and 224 An. maculipennis (37.7%). Anopheles hyrcanus with 96 larvae (53.6%) and 371 adults (62.4%) and Cx. pipiens with 501 larvae (75.3%) and 495 adults (55.7%) showed the highest abundance and distribution in the county calling for more studies on their population, ecology, behavior and probable roles as vectors of various diseases.

Empirical evaluation of the Q-Genie tool: a protocol for assessment of effectiveness

INTRODUCTION

Meta-analyses of genetic association studies are affected by biases and quality shortcomings of the individual studies. We previously developed and validated a risk of bias tool for use in systematic reviews of genetic association studies. The present study describes a larger empirical evaluation of the Q-Genie tool.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and the Human Genome Epidemiology Network will be searched for published meta-analyses of genetic association studies. Twelve reviewers in pairs will apply the Q-Genie tool to all studies in included meta-analyses. The Q-Genie will then be evaluated on its ability to (i) increase precision after exclusion of low quality studies, (ii) decrease heterogeneity after exclusion of low quality studies and (iii) good agreement with experts on quality rating by Q-Genie. A qualitative assessment of the tool will also be conducted using structured questionnaires.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will quantitatively and qualitatively assess the Q-Genie's ability to identify poor quality genetic association studies. This information will inform the selection of studies for inclusion in meta-analyses, conduct sensitivity analyses and perform metaregression. Results of this study will strengthen our confidence in estimates of the effect of a gene on an outcome from meta-analyses, ultimately bringing us closer to deliver on the promise of personalised medicine.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

An updated Q-Genie tool will be made available from the Population Genomics Program website and the results will be submitted for a peer-reviewed publication.

Knowledge and Attitude of Iranian Physicians towards Organ and Tissue Donation

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, organ transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage organ failure, which increases the importance of organ procurement. It seems that the attitude towards organ donation and transplantation affects people's satisfaction. Moreover, health care personnel, especially physicians, should be familiar with transplantation rules and standards. It seems that understanding the knowledge and attitude of this group can affect the transplantation center policies.

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge and attitude of a group of Iranian physicians towards organ and tissue donation.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 560 Iranian physicians including nephrologists, urologists and internists were asked to fill out a validated questionnaire containing their demographics, knowledge and attitude towards organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

RESULTS

Of 560 participants, 435 (78%) agreed with organ donation after death and 285 (51%) agreed with living kidney donation. The most common reason provided by those who agreed with donation was "helping people" whereas the most common cause of disagreement was "to honor the body." Only 32 (6%) physicians had no knowledge about transplantation rules. Complete awareness about theoretical basis and financial issues of transplantation was observed in 265 (47%) and 221 (40%) participants, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Physicians had a good attitude towards organ and tissue transplantation although less than half of them had knowledge of transplantation rules and its theoretical basis and financial issues; therefore, additional awareness and education of physicians is needed in all areas of the organ donation process in Iran.

Male erectile dysfunction following spinal cord injury: a systematic review

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

To review sexuality in persons with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and to report the effectiveness of erectile interventions.

METHODS

Reports from six databases (1966-2003), selected annual proceedings (1997-2002) and manufacturer's information were screened against eligibility criteria. Included reports were abstracted and data pooled from case-series reports regarding intracavernous injections and sildenafil.

RESULTS

From 2127 unique reports evaluated, 49 were included. Male sexual dysfunction was addressed in these reports of several interventions (behavioural therapy, topical agents, intraurethral alprosatadil, intracavernous injections, vacuum tumescence devices, penile implants, sacral stimulators and oral medication). Penile injections resulted in successful erectile function in 90% (95% CI: 83%, 97%) of men. Sildenafil resulted in 79% (95% CI: 68%, 90%) success; the difference in efficacy was not statistically significant. Five case-series reports involving 363 participants with penile implants demonstrated a high satisfaction rate, but a 10% complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

A large body of evidence addressing sexuality in males focuses on erection. Penile injection, sildenafil and vacuum devices generally obviate the need for penile implants to address erectile dysfunction. Interventions may positively affect sexual activity in the short term. Long-term sexual adjustment and holistic approaches beyond erections remain to be studied. Rigorous study design and reporting, using common outcome measures, will facilitate higher quality research. This will positively impact patient care.

SPONSORSHIP

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.

Fertility following spinal cord injury: a systematic review

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

To review systematically fertility of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and their partners.

METHODS

Reports from six databases (1966-2003), selected annual proceedings (1997-2002) and manufacturer's information were screened against eligibility criteria. Searches covered female obstetrical issues, and the efficacy of vibration and electroejaculation for males, as well as advanced fertility (AF) treatments for partners of SCI males. Data were pooled from case-series reports on SCI males' ejaculation, and pregnancies and live births for partners of SCI males.

RESULTS

In all, 2,127 unique reports were evaluated, of which 66 reports were included. No studies investigated fertility in SCI females. Ejaculation interventions in the last decade resulted in response rates of 95% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 91%, 99%), with 100% response rate reported in several recent publications. A total of 13 studies (1993-2001) yielded pregnancy rates of 51% (95% CI 42%, 60%) in partners of SCI males. Of these, 11 studies (1993-2003) yielded live birth rates of 41% (95% CI 33%, 49%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fertility of SCI males is extensively studied. Semen for fertility purposes can generally be obtained using vibration and electroejaculation. AF techniques are increasing pregnancy rates. Research is needed to improve sperm quality. Freezing of sperm is unlikely to significantly improve fertility rates. Fertility of SCI females is addressed only in case reports and opinion articles. The opinion that female fertility is unaffected by SCI should be further investigated using appropriate research methodology.