[Comparing the effects of using earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality of patients in coronary care unit [CCU]]

Sleep disturbance depends on factors such as noise and light in cardiac care unit [CCU]. It can lead to acute coronary syndrome in some patients. This study was designed to compare the effect of using eye mask and earplugs in improvement of sleep in CCU patients. This randomized clinical trial conducted on 90 patients in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Jiroft in 1390. The IRCT registration code was IRCT201205139731N1. Participants at the first night of admission were randomly divided into three groups: eye mask, earplugs and both eye mask and earplugs users. According to crossover method, half of the patients in each group were assumed control for themselves the first night and the other half on the second night. The VSH-scale was used. The data was analyzed by paired T-test. The mean score of sleep quality showed a significant difference before and after the intervention in all groups [P<0.05]. This difference was just on the sleep disturbance criterion in eye mask and earplugs group [p=0.044] and was in the criterion of sleep disturbance [p=0.003] and effectiveness [p=0.004] in eye mask group. Patient of earplug group showed advances in all criterion of sleep quality [supplement, disturbance and effectiveness] [P<0.001]. Results suggest that eye mask and earplugs improve sleep but earplugs are more effective. Eye mask and earplugs as low-cost, comfortable and uncomplicated devices can improve sleep quality in patients. Nurses can use these devices for reducing the environmental factors to help patient's sleep.

present status of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a recently emerged focus in south-west of Kerman province, Iran

The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of the cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] disease and identification of the causative agent by nested-PCR for current control strategy. This study was carried out as descriptive house-to-house visits in Orzoieh district in Kerman Province, south-east Iran, during 2011-2012. A questionnaire was completed for each individual consisting of demographic and clinical data. Suspected individuals were examined by direct smear microscopy and subsequent identification by nested-PCR. Chi[2]-test was used for any significance [P<0.05]. A total of 18308 inhabitants [mean age; 22.7 yr] consisting of 9011 males [49.2%] and 9297 females [50.8%] were examined for the presence of active or chronic lesions. the overall prevalence was 4.7%, including 30 cases of active and 839 cases of scar, distributed more significantly [P<0.01] in females [5.2%] than males [4.3%]. Individuals <10 years of age showed the highest [6.3%] and >50 years the lowest rate of CL disease, respectively [P<0.001]. The proportion of infection was the highest in Soltanabad [14.7%], followed by Vakilabad [6.8%], Dolatabad [3.2%] and Shahmaran [2.8%]. The majority of cases had 2 lesions [mean; 2.1 lesions]. Hand was the most common site of involvement [35%], and then face [26%], and multiple locations [39%]. Nested-PCR displayed 29 isolates as Leishmania major and one isolate L. tropica. The CL disease first emerged in 1998 as epidemic in the area and appeared endemics, thereafter. L. major was the sole species caused ZCL. These findings are necessary for future control programs and strategic planning

[ effect of family-centered empowerment model on the knowledge and attitudes of mothers with thalassemia children]

Objective: Thalassemia disease is providing many problems for patients, families and health care system. In family-centered empowerment model, individuals feel threatened with knowing the disease and its complications. This study was aimed at determine the effectiveness of family-centered empowerment model on the mothers' knowledge and attitudes about thalassemia disorder

Methods: This semi-experimental study was performed on 86 thalassemic children that were randomly divided into case and control group. The research tool was researcher maker questionnaire of parents' knowledge and attitude about the disease and it was used after determination content validity and reliability [internal correlation]. The next was intervention stage

Results: Data analysis showed that before the intervention, the average of mother's awareness and attitude in testing group was 12/98 [+/-4.99], 13/58 [+/-13.9] and in control group was12/47 [+/-3.87], 11/02 [+/-11.26].There was no significant difference between average of knowledge and attitude in testing and control groups [p>0.05]. But after performing model in the test group, the average of mother's awareness and attitudes was 18/86 [+/-3.63],22/09 [+/-10.02] and in control group was13/16 [+/-3.65], 12/13 [+/-10.83], that shows significant differences between two groups [p<0.05]

Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that implementation of the family-centered empowerment model is effective on knowledge and attitudes of mothers of children with thalassemia. Using of this model was suggested in care of thalassemia patients for improvement mothers' knowledge and attitude about disease