[ cross sectional study on the results of participatory needs assessment in zone 17 of Tehran: three years after intervention]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a previously conducted needs assessment on West Abouzar neighborhood changes after three years

Methods: This was a cross sectional study in two qualitative and quantitative parts. In the qualitative phase, we conducted semi-structured interviews to determine the types of interventions and selection criteria, and their effects on the approaches of the local headquarters. Based on the qualitative results, a questionnaire was designed in order to use in the quantitative part of the study. A total of 352 individuals selected through random cluster sampling were recruited to the study. Data were gathered by local trained individuals and were analyzed using appropriate methods

Results: The results revealed that for all identified problems, except for drug abuse and unemployment, at least one intervention was performed. Majority of interventions were constructive, while in social issues limited interventions were conducted. It was shown that 29.5% of the interventions were good in quality, 47% were moderate and 23.5% were weak. More than half of the participants [51%] stated that interventions were effective regarding their quality of life; however, they expected more influential interventions. A total of 21.1% of respondents believed that the interventions were relatively effective; 11.1% reported that the interventions were very effective; and 17% stated that the interventions had no effect on their lives

Conclusion: Participatory needs assessment and conducting interventions based on the local needs are effective approaches to resolve health-related problems

[Death anxiety - amongst nurses in critical care and general wards]

Death is a phenomenon even thinking about which can produce anxiety. Death anxiety in staff nurses can be influential on their communication with and quality care delivery for dying patients and also affects nurses' job satisfaction and mental health. The aim of this study was to determine death anxiety in nurses working in critical care and general wards and related factors. This was a cross-sectional study in which 387 nurses [155 nurses working in critical care wards and 232 nurses working in general wards] from a teaching hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were recruited by census sampling. Demographic information sheet and Templer's Death Anxiety Scale were used to collect data. Then the data were analyzed using Chi-square, T-test and regression. The results showed a statistically significant difference between mean score of death anxiety of nurses working in critical care [8.30 +/- 2.4] and those working in general wards [8.26 +/- 2.1]. Death anxiety was correlated with some variables such as marital status [p=0.046], organizational situation [p=0.001] and the ward which nurses now worked [p=0.02], but it was not significantly correlated with age, sex, shift, care of end stage patients, and partnership in patient resuscitation. Death anxiety affects physical and emotional aspects of nurse's life, thereby affecting process of caring. Results showed that death anxiety was higher in critical care nurses and they faced more dying and death than general ward nurses. So, they need special attention about death anxiety and its causes, and require institutional support to enable them for providing quality care for patients

[ study of knowledge and attitudes of relief workers located in Norouz rescue and relief bases of red crescent society of Mazandaran in 2010 towards relief subjects]

Regarding the significant role of trained and skillful relief workers in reducing losses caused by disasters, it is important to improve training programs qualitatively and quantitatively. So, this paper aims to determine knowledge and attitudes of relief workers in relief and rescue bases [fixed and mobile] at Norouz in 2010. In this descriptive-analytical study, 90 male relief workers of Red Crescent Society were selected at Norouz relief and rescue bases in Mazandaran province in 2010. Using a two-part questionnaire, some data was obtained as demographic information, knowledge and attitudes of relief workers. According to the results: the workers age average was 23/9 +/- 5/l years; the score average of general knowledge [from 20 points] was 17/6 +/- 4/9; the score average of public knowledge was [20 points] and professional [10 points] 12/4 +/- 3/6 and 5/3 +/- 1/8 respectively. Most relief workers [66/7%] had a moderate or very good knowledge and half of them had a very good attitude towards the whole training courses

[Protecting patients' privacy by medical team and its relation to patients' satisfaction]

Privacy is a basic humanity principle. Protecting patients' privacy is a necessity in health care organizations; and along with the patients' satisfaction, is one of the main indicators of quality of care. The objective of this study was to assess patients' privacy protecting by medical staff and its relation to patients' satisfaction. This is a cross-sectional survey in which 360 inpatients were recruited using convenience sampling method from an emergency department. Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analyzed using statistical tests in the SPSS. According to the results, about one half of the patients reported poor privacy protecting and one other half [49.4%] reported that their privacy was protected "relatively good" to "good". A strong correlation was found between level of privacy protected and the patients' satisfaction in various dimensions. There was significant correlation between some of demographic variables with privacy protecting and patients' satisfaction. In our study, protecting patients' privacy and also patients' satisfaction was not generally appropriate. More attempts of clinicians are required to improve the quality of care to promote patients' privacy as well as patients' satisfaction

[Assertiveness and anxiety in midwifery and nursing students]

High levels of assertiveness and low levels of anxiety are important factors that result in suitable communication. They also increase intellectual abilities, abstract thought, power and autonomy, and personal well-being among nursing and midwifery students. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety among midwifery and nursing students. In this correlational, cross-sectional study, 173 nursing students [68 males and 105 females] were recruited using census and rational methods. Seventy seven midwifery students were also recruited using census method. Data were collected using a self-report tool including "personal information form", "Trait Spilberger Anxiety", and "Assertion Inventory" [AI] of Gambrill and Richey. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results showed that more than half of the nursing and midwifery students [59.5% and 59.7%, respectively] had moderate assertiveness. Also, 43.3% and 36.4% of them had moderate and high levels of anxiety. Pearson correlation test revealed that assertiveness and anxiety had negative correlations in nursing [r=-0.51, P<0.001] and midwifery [r=-0.449, P<0.001] students. Some demographic variables had significant correlations with assertiveness and anxiety among the students. Regarding the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety and their effect on mental health, as well as educational and occupational functions of the students, more attention is needed to pay to theses issues. Also, it seems that appropriate interventions should be planned to increase assertiveness and to decrease anxiety among the students