Depression after myocardial infarction

Depression after myocardial infarction [MI] is a common and debilitating condition that could increase mortality and morbidity in these patients. Depression in MI patients is three times more prevalent than general population and women are more susceptible to this event. Psychosomatic condition of MI patients could worsen with co morbidity of depression and therefore poor quality of life, inappropriate self-care behaviors and increased risk of recurrence and poor outcome. In addition lack of social support could expose them to more severe disease. Diagnosis of depression in MI patients is difficult because there are many overlap in symptoms of depression and cardiovascular disease. Therefore routine depression screening and management in MI patients should become one of the mainstays of their care. Medical and non medical management of depression in MI patients may improve their outcome, although it seems that combination therapy is associated with better response

Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran

The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression. The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 [78%], 260 [46%] and 180 [32%], respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 [90%] participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 [67%] cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age [p=0.02], as well as with the number of children in the family [p=0.03], and the mothers' trait anxiety [p<0.001]. Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.

effect of performing preoperative preparation program on school age children's anxiety

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of performing preoperative preparation program on children's anxiety. This study was performed in Amirkola Pediatrics Hospital, Mazandaran. A randomized controlled trail was performed on 122 children [7-12 years of age] admitted for elective surgery during 15 months. The researcher randomly assigned eligible participants in to the experimental and control groups, after pre-test baseline measurement had been taken. Analyzing was performed through independent t-test and x[2] test. P<0.005 was considered statistically significant. The experimental group received therapeutic play and the control group received routine preoperative information preparation. The mean and standard deviation of the state anxiety scores of children in experimental and control groups before intervention were 35.52 +/- 6.99 and 34.98 +/- 6.78, after intervention 31.44 +/- 5.87 and 38.31 +/- 7.44 respectively. The state anxiety score was lower significantly in the experimental group prior to preoperative surgery than in the control group [P=0.000]. Performing preoperative program with using therapeutic play intervention is effective for preparing children before surgery and decreases their anxiety