ABSTRACT
In eights month, that in comparison with month to month, increase in weight was significantly [P+/-1.16] in first month to [11.26+/-Introduction: Zinc is one of main micronutrient for human. Its deficiency may cause retarded growth, short stature, and delayed maturity. Zinc deficiency can increase chance of diarrhea and pneumonia. Borderline zinc deficiency is a common nutritional problem worldwide, specially in children of developing countries. Objective of this study was to determine the effect of zinc sulfate supplement on growth of 6-24 months old infants in Bushehr. Methods: In a random experiment, 241 infants from 6 to 24 months old who reported for treatments to city health and medical center were selected as the subjects for this study
The criteria for selection was that these children did not suffer from organic disease. These children were randomly divided into study and control groups. The study group received daily dose of 5 cc liquid zinc sulfate containing 5 mg zinc elemental for six months in addition to ferrous sulfate drops and multi vitamins. The control group received only ferrous sulfate drops and multi vitamins. Weights at birth of all children in two groups were recorded. These children's weight and height were measured and recorded every month during the experiment and three months after its completion
They were also tested for digestive and respiratory diseases
Results: Findings showed that mean of weight of experiment group increased of [8.62<0.005]
In respect to the height, the increases in experiment group were significantly higher in the first, fourth, seventh, eights month compared to the control group. However, when we compared the differences in weights and heights in consecutive months, the weight difference was significantly higher in the Sixth and eights month [P<0.04]. There was no significant difference in height during the study period [P>0.05]
Incidences of gastroenteritis and pneumonia were significantly lower in experiment group compared to the control group [P<0.05]
Conclusion: The results of study showed that mean weight of children who used zinc sulfate was significantly higher than the control group. However, there was no significant difference in heights between the two groups. So it is recommended to add Zinc supplement to children's food regimen specially those have stopped or slowed growth rate and also in children with recurrent infections
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Portfolios as new educational tools can play an important role in improving clinical competence of nurses. However, scientific evidences about the impact of portfolios on nurses' clinical competence are limited and few studies have been done in Iran. This study aimed to determine the impact of professional portfolio on nurses' clinical competence in a hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Methods: In this quasi-experimental, pretest- intervention- posttest study, from 22 units of the selected hospital, 4 general units were selected randomly. Nurses of 2 units were studied as experimental group and participated in a 12-month portfolio-based Professional development program. Nurses of 2 other units were considered as control group and participated in the routine professional development programs of their units. Data were collected by a valid and reliable scale measuring clinical competence of nurses. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, independent and paired t-test
Results: After intervention, mean clinical competence in experimental group showed a significant increase from 76.72 [+/- 6.45] to 85.68 [+/- 6.43] [p<0.001], while in the control group this increase 75.31 [+/- 11.9] to 80.69 [+/- 7.11] was not significant [p=0.08]
Conclusion: This study showed that portfolio is an effective tool for improving nurses' clinical competence. Studying about the efficacy of these tools in nursing practice in order to enhance nursing professional development is necessary?
ABSTRACT
Health workers are threatened by injuries caused by the insertion of sharp medical devices [Needle Stick Injury] contaminated with patients'? blood and body fluids. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a multimedia training program on the incidence of occupational exposure of nurses to contaminated sharp tools in a university hospital in 2009. In an experimental study, 120 volunteer nurses, working in a university hospital was randomly assigned to either experimental group or control group. The experimental group received a multimedia training program for prevention of exposure during two weeks but the control group did not receive any training. All subjects completed the occupational exposure and knowledge questionnaires during 4 months before and 4 months after intervention. After data collection, mean standard deviation, paired t-test and chi-square were used for data analysis. Significant level of P< 0.05 was accepted. in the experimental group, the incidence of occupational exposure to contaminated sharp tools decreased [p<0.05] but in the control group, this change was not significant [p>0.05]. Also the mean score for knowledge in the experimental group improved significantly from 8.05 to 14.1[p<0.05] but the increase in the mean score of knowledge in control group from 8.30 to 8.98 [p=0.33] was not significant. The knowledge and performance of the experimental group regarding occupational exposure to contaminated sharp tools improved. Continuous education is recommended