[Nursing student's attitude and motivation towards work in cancer settings]

Introduction: One of the main goals of bachelor's degree program in nursing produce graduates to meet the needs of the community and employment in various settings of health and medical care while after graduation in Iran recruitment of nurses in cancer nursing is difficult. It is important to understand why working in cancer areas is not popular. The aim of this study identifies Iranian undergraduate nursing students' attitude and motivation toward employment in cancer settings after graduation

Method: A cross sectional study 2010 was carried out in three nursing schools. The participants were 469 nursing student who were in third and fourth year of their nursing education. Data was collected using self-completed questionnaires that their validity was substantiated by the results of the research from the perspective of experts in nursing and the reliability was measured through Cronbach Alpha Coefficient, the alpha coefficient of which was equal to 81% and then was analyzed by SPSS and by means of descriptive and inferential statistical methods

Results: Statistically significant difference was detected between gender, academic year, and clinical experience with cancer patient, and passing theory credit of cancer before practice. The independent Test also showed significant differences between the two academic years [P<0.05]. The fourth year students had higher grades in the parts of emotion, feeling, behavior, and total score of attitude and motivation questionnaires than the other. Students who had not passed the cancer theory credit had higher grades in parts of behavior, attitude and motivational factors which with use of the independent t-test a statistically significant difference was seen [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that nursing students have negative attitude towards working in cancer wards. The highest rank among motivational factors was the unusable theory trainings and the lowest rank was the disproportionate cancer theoretical course content with the real needs in the cancer ward. Changing these attitudes presents a significant challenge. Curricula need to be reviewed, and revise the content. Nursing schools and nursing educators must reconsider their performance and hospital managers must improve environment and working conditions of cancer settings

[ effect of peer-led education on depression of multiple sclerosis patients]

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and degenerative disease related to the central nervous system that causes depression in patients. Peer group can better encourage their peers to select the appropriate behavior. This study aimed to determine the impact of peer-led education on depression of multiple sclerosis patients in 2011. This quasi-experimental study was performed by selecting 110 multiple sclerosis patients and allocation of randomized two groups of tests and control groups [each group included55 patients].The MS Society of Iran was the research environment. After preparing the peer group, six training sessions were held during six weeks by peer group for the test group. Data collection tool was a questionnaire named Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] to assess patients' depression; this was completed by both groups before and4months after the program. The data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software and chi-square test, paired T and independent T. There was no significant difference in depression score between two groups before intervention but the difference was shown significant between two groups after intervention using independent t test [P=0.001]. Pair t test showed a significant difference in the depression reduction in the test group after peer group performance [P=0.000], whereas the same test showed no significant difference in the control group. Peer-led education caused depression reduction in patients with MS. Hence use of this teaching method in multiple sclerosis and patients with chronic diseases is recommended

[ effect of the group counseling program on the status of primary dysmenorrhea, dietary condition and exercise in shahreyar girl's high school]

Background and Objective: dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent females. They may usually not seek professional expertise in their attempt to alleviate this condition. The aim of this Quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of group counseling program regarding to nutrition and exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents at high schools

Methods and Materials: eighty girls between 14-18 years of age were selected by simple sampling and divided into two groups [test and control]. These groups were studied before and after the intervention. Data was collected in both groups based on a questionnaire concerning 24- hour diet, pain quality and severity and nutritional and physical practices. Group counseling was then held over 8 sessions each of which lasted 1.5 to 2 hours for test group. Both groups were followed up for 3 consecutive menstrual periods by a self-report checklist. Finally, they were assessed again at the end of the above study periods

Results: findings of this study revealed a significant difference in pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea before and after the intervention [P=0.000]. A significant difference was also seen in nutrition and exercise status in both groups before and after counseling program [P<0.05]

Conclusion: from this study it can be concluded that in order to decrease and prevent the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and improve the nutrition and exercise status, counseling programs are better to be performed in high schools

[ effect of educational intervention on continuous breast feeding in low birth weight infants]

Human milk plays a vital role in growth and development of infants especially in low birth weight and premature neonates. Lack of mothers' sufficient knowledge and also inadequate support given could lead to failure in continuous breast feeding. This study was performed to determine the effects of interventional education on continuous breast feeding in low birth weight and premature newborns. In this interventional study, 55 mothers of low birth weight infants, hospitalized in neonatal ward at Amirkolah children hospital in Babol [Iran], were selected by convenience sampling method. The population study was randomly divided into two study groups marked as experimental group [n=26] and control group [n=29]. The data collection tools were a questionnaire including parent and infant demographic information and a recording sheet to register the type of infants' diet. Interventional education was given both theoretically and practically to those in experimental group following the evaluation of mothers and neonates regarding the mothers' learning needs about breast-feeding. The members of control group were only taken care of according to the hospital routine. All study subjects were followed for three months after discharge to assess their nutritional diet through asking the mothers about continuation or discontinuation of breast-feeding and delivery of necessary instructions to mothers in experimental group having problem with breast feeding and repetition of educational program if needed. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Three months of exclusively continuous breast-feeding in experimental group led to a significant difference between two groups [p=0.03]. The decline in progress of breast feeding during the similar period in control group was quite noticeable compared to experimental group. Based on findings, delivery of necessary education and counseling on breast feeding to mothers according to their needs could enhance the success of continuous breast feeding practice by mothers