Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery

Relationship between Balanced Emotional Empathy and Life Satisfaction,and Alexithymia in Nurses, Midwives and Operating Room Technicians

Borzoo Amirpour

Background and Objective: Alexithymia is a personality trait associated with difficulties in emotion recognition, regulation and emotional processing. However, in the field of health and care, emotions and affects play an important role in the relationship between specialists and patients, and in general, life satisfaction. This study aimed at determining the relationship between balanced emotional empathy and life satisfaction and Alexithymia in Nurses, midwives and operating room technicians.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 300 Nurses, midwives and operating room technicians selected via stratified random sampling in Kermanshah and Hamadan provinces, 2012.the instruments were Emotional Empathy Scale of Mehrabian & Epstein, Life Satisfaction Scale of Diener et al and Toronto alexithymia scale. Using SPSS-18, the data was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and simple linear regression.

Results: The results indicated that the mean score of alexithymia in midwives (62.19±11.66), life satisfaction in nurses (50.4±85.13) and emotional empathy in nurses (40.12 ± 95.100) was higher. The results showed that both life satisfaction (r=-0.13, P<0.05) and balanced emotional empathy (r=-0.16) had negative significant correlation with alexithymia (p<0.05). Based on regression analysis, life satisfaction (&beta =-0.18) and balanced emotional empathy (&beta =-0.15) were the negative significant predictors of alexithymia.

Conclusion: Given the results, we recommend considering the role of empathy in healthcare settings and the enhancement of life satisfaction among hospital staff.

Health Behavior among Female Carpet Weavers in Bandar Turkmen and Aqqala City, Iran, based on Health Belief Model (HBM)

Ali Zafarzadeh

Background and Objective: Carpet industry is the most important handicrafts in rural areas of Iran. Iranian carpet weavers are exposed to the risk of carpet weaving diseases and the side effects. This study aimed at assessing the health behavior of Bandar Turkmen and Aqqala carpet weavers based on the HBM, 2013.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 female carpet weavers selected via census in Bandar Turkmen and Aqqala city, Golestan province. The data was collected by a Demographic checklist and HBM questionnaire and analyzed by using Pearson correlation coefficient, One-way ANOVA, post-hoc test and independent T test (&le0.05).

Results: the mean age was 35.63±11.64 years. The perceived susceptibility was significantly correlated with perceived threat and perceived benefits (P<0. 001). Preventive behavior related to carpet weaving job diseases was insufficient among majority of the participants (78%).

Conclusion: Given their high-perceived threat and perceived benefits regarding to diseases, carpet weavers less likely do preventive measures. Further research is needed considering interpersonal and enabling factors.

Correlation of Depth of Anesthesia with Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients Undergoing Elective Abdominal Surgery

Fariba Baghani

Background and Objective: The usual method of assessing depth of anesthesia, which is not sensitive and specific enough, is measuring hemodynamic parameters, autonomic changes and subjective symptoms including movement, sweating and lacrimation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the depth of anesthesia and hemodynamic indices.

Material and Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 57 patients undergoing elective hernia surgery in Shahid Beheshti Hospital ,Sabzevar in summer 2014. An identical anesthesia technique was used for all patients. Depth of anesthesia was monitored quantitatively by bispectral index (BIS) at 5-minute intervals, with simultaneous recording of heart rate and blood pressure. We analyzed the data using Anova and correlation coefficient.

Results: The mean age was 45.54±13.46. The patients were males (n=36) and females (n= 21). Only 59.6 % of the patients experienced a normal depth of anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters were not significantly correlated with anesthetic depth except for heart rate in the first 5 minutes (P= 0.013).

Conclusion: Given that hemodynamic parameters have some limitations in determining the acceptable depth of anesthesia, we recommend using the monitors based on brain signal processing.

Relationship between Mental Health and Burnout in Al–E-Jalil Hospital`s Staff, 2014

Fariba Baiky

Background and Objective: Mental health is one of essential needs that has a critical role in sustainable development. Burnout , a physical and mental fatigue and a sense of reduced capabilities, is a leading factor in lowering mental health efficiency .this study aimed at determining the relationship between burnout and mental health in Al –E-Jalil hospital`s staff.

Material and Methods: This descriptive - analytical research was conducted on 179 Al–E-Jalil hospital`s staff recruited via Census method in 2014. The data was collected by mental health questionnaire (G.H.Q-28) and Burnout (Maslach) questionnaires, and analyzed by kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation.

Results: Significant relationship between mental health and burnout (P=0.0001, r=-0.844) showed that mental health enhancement reduced the level of burn out. The mean mental health (19.28± 10.77) was excellent . Two domains of “somatization" and "depression and suicidal tendencies" were better than "social dysfunction" and "anxiety and sleep disorders". The highest mean was related to "Depersonalization" and "emotional exhaustion" and the lowest one to " personal accomplishment".

Conclusion: The findings show that there is a negative significant relationship between mental health and burnout that means by enhancing mental health the staff experiences lower level of burn out.

Correlation of Self–Efficacy and Mental Health with Academic Achievement of Students in Bam Nursing School

Maryam Askaryzadeh Mahani

Background and Objective: Self-efficacy, one's belief in his ability to succeed in different situations, can have positive or negative effects on mental health. Students are considered as the community builders, and thus paying attention to their psychological dimensions is a paramount importance to health of community. This study aimed at determining the relationship of self–efficacy and mental health with academic achievement of students in Bam nursing school.

Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on all students with eligibility criteria in 2011. The instruments were General Self–Efficacy Scale (GSES), Symptom Checklist-25 (SCL-25) and Grade Point Average (GPA) for academic achievement. To analyze the data, we used Ttest, ANOVA and Pearson correlation.

Results: The level of self-efficacy was weak in 3.6 %, moderate in 84.8 % and strong in 11.5% of students. Regarding mental health aspects, the highest score was related to psychotism and depression (4.21) and the lowest to Obsessive-compulsive (3.43). The mental health of students with strong self-efficacy was higher than that of others. GPA was not correlated significantly with self-efficacy (p=0.44, r=0.062) and mental health status (p=0.96, r=0.044).

Conclusion: Mental health and academic achievement are not adequate therefore, we recommend planning some educational program based on self-efficacy theory to improve both mental health and academic achievement.

Growth Indices of Low and Normal Birth Weight of 2-5 year Old Children in Rural Areas of Gonbad , Iran

Behrooz Ebrahimzadehkor

Background and Objective: Given the correlation of birth weight with growth indices, this study aimed at determing the growth indices of low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight of 2-5 year old children in rural areas of Gonbad, Iran.

Material and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, using multi-stage cluster sampling, 200 LBW 2-5-year-old children and 200 normal birth weight were selected. The data was collected through interview and analyzed by Pearson correlation, t-test and chi-square.

Results: The prevalence of shorter stature and low weight-for-age in case group was higher than those of controls, and the high weight-for-age was higher in control group. Gestational age, maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), intepregnancy interval and age of delivery were determined as the most important factors related to LBW.

Conclusion: The results imply that LBW affects adversely on growth indices in 2-5 year old children. Considering gestational age, maternal BMI, interpregnancy interval and age of delivery, we recommend recognizing the mothers who are at risk for delivery of LBW to educate and take care of them.

Prevalence of Pain Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Relationship to Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Personnel of organizations in Gorgan ,2013

Mohammad Aryaie

Background and Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational complaints bringing about increased financial burden and reduced social productivity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and their relationship with psychosocial factors in the staff of organization.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 675 staff of the organizations in Gorgan where selected via cluster & stratified sampling. The instruments Nordic standard questionnaire and job content including areas of job demands, decision latitude, job nature, social interaction with managers and colleagues. We analyzed the data by independent t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression (P&le0.05).

Results: Seventy-seven of participants (11.4%) suffer from neck pain, 39 (5.8%) from shoulder pain and 97 (14.4%) from back pain. Multivariate logistic regression showed a significant relationship between neck pain and the support given by supervisor and Colleagues. Respectively, Freedom of decision-making and support are the most common factors associated with shoulder and back pain.

Conclusion: Based on the results, the support of supervisor & Colleagues and the freedom of decision are the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders.

Early Warning System and Disaster Preparedness in Motahari Hospital

Hamid Reza Khankeh

Background and Objective: Iran is a disaster-prone country and occurrence of disasters is inevitable. Early warning system is one of the most aspects in hospital preparedness. This research aim to determine the effect of early warning system on hospital readiness.

Material and Methods: This research was conducted in Motahari hospital in Tehran city, 2014. To perform early warning system based on the national program of readiness for disaster, we had frequent sessions with some health experts and the members of disaster committee. The level of readiness was evaluated by WHO's checklist before.

Results: Following intervention, hospital preparedness rate increased by 25 scores demonstrating significant raise from moderate to high.

Conclusion: In regard with average level of readiness in Motahari hospital and its significant increase after using early warning system, we recommend applying this system for improving the level of hospital disaster preparedness.

Nurses' knowledge, Attitude, Practice about Effective Communication Skills in Patient Education

Shahin Salarvand

Background and Objective: Effective communication is an essential characteristic of nursing care carried out as a necessity in education to empower patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine Nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice about effective communication skills in Patient education.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 275 nurses selected via stratified random sampling in teaching and therapeutic centers of Esfahan University of medical sciences, 2013.We collected the data by a research-made questionnaire related to knowledge and attitude, and a checklist to observe nurses' communication skills. To analyze the data , Central indices were calculated.

Results: of 275 nurses , 86.7 % made a friendly atmosphere with their patients and 72.2% showed positive feedback, while their knowledge about communication components were 79.6 % . They (67.3%) were active listeners and they (96.7%) had close communication during patient education.

Conclusion: given that nurses' communication skills are moderate, we recommend holding communication-skills workshops especially in patient education.

Nursing and Midwifery Students\' Emotional Intelligence and its Relationship with some Demographic Characteristics, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Hamideh Mancheri

Background and Objective: Nursing students are experiencing stress in related to academic and clinical training programs. Given the importance of promoting mental health and emotional intelligence in academic performance, the study of emotional intelligence and related factors could be the basis for strengthening this important variable by designing and implementing of effective training programs.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 125 nursing & midwifery students selected randomly in 2013. The instruments were a demographic checklist and Shyryng Sybrya Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. The data was analyzed in SPSS16 using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and ANOVA, T- TEST (p&le 0.05).

Results: The mean of emotional intelligence was 109.12±12.27 in nursing and 113.32±13.26 in midwifery students. The total score and the score of all dimensions of Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire were not related significantly with some demographic factors such as age, residential place, interest to major and economic status (P>0.05), in both nursing and midwifery students. In nursing students, the meaningful relation was found just between Self-awareness dimension and gender (P=0.034) and grade point average (GPA) (P=0.049). The score of Self-awareness was higher in female students and in the students with higher GPA.

Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between some demographics and emotional intelligence, we can design and implement effective educational programs to boost this important component.