Relationship between occupational stress and work ability among midwives in Mashhad, Iran

Occupational stress is one of the key factors in reducing staff productivity in organizations with physical and psychological impacts on employees. Nursing and midwifery are among the most stressful professions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between occupational stress and work ability of midwives in Mashhad, Iran in 2011. This cross-sectional study was carried on 123 midwives employed in the public hospitals and health centres in Mashhad, Iran using two-stage sampling method. Demographic and work-related data were obtained through a self-structured questionnaire. Occupational stress and work ability were measured using Occupational Stress Assessment Questionnaire [OSAQ] and Work Ability Index Questionnaire [WAIQ]. The statistical analysis was performed using student's t-test, One Way ANOVA, correlation coefficient, and linear regression model through SPSS statistical software [version 11.5]. The results showed that the mean score of occupational stress and work ability was 149 +/- 0.01 and 38.81 +/- 0.05, respectively. There was a negative correlation between job-related stress and work ability. Midwives with higher occupational stress experienced poorer work ability [P=0.021, r=-0.061]. Sever work stress is associated with reduced work ability. So it is recommended to eliminate or decrease occupational stress and increase work ability among Iranian midwives using preventive measures, although identification of sources of occupational stress seems necessary in order to adopt appropriate stress management strategies

Relationship between knowledge, attitude and tendency to care of HIV/AIDS patients among nurses and midwives, working in general hospitals and health care centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2013

Knowledge and attitude of the nurses and midwives towards HIV/AIDS patients could affect the quality of care provision. Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and tendency of nurses and midwives towards caring for HIV/AIDS patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 nurses and midwives at healthcare centers, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, using stratified sampling in 2013. All participants completed a four-section questionnaire including demographic data, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients. For data analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 16 As to the findings, 57% of the participants had insufficient knowledge, 98% had negative attitudes, and 86% had a moderate tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients. A negative correlation was seen between HIV knowledge and attitude towards HIV patients [P=0.042, r=-0.58]. Also a significant relationship was observed between attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and tendency to provide care for these patients [P=0.011, r=0.78]. As the knowledge, attitude, and tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients were not desirable among nurses and midwives, it is recommended that comprehensive courses be organized in order to change caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and tendencies towards care provision for HIV/AIDS patients

effect of E-learning education on primipar women's knowledge about neonatal care

E-learning is there to enhance knowledge of patients and can provide an efficient way to enhance personnel-patient interaction and provide patient-specific education. So the aim of this study was to Compare the effect of two educational methods, E-learning [multimedia] and painted booklet on Primipar Women's Knowledge about neonatal care. This was a quasi-experimental study based on pre- and post- tests that were carried out on 100 primipar women in Isfahan during the years 2012-2013. Participants were divided into two groups of e-learning or painted booklet learning, randomly. Participants' knowledge scores were collected via a researcher-made questionnaire. SPSS version 11.5 was used to conduct statistical tests such as independent t-test and paired t-test for analyzing the data. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. Before training, the mean score of knowledge of the e-learning education group was 5.4 +/- 1.2 and 5.5 +/- 1.2 for the painted booklet group; the difference between mean scores was not significant. At the end of the study, this score was 9.54 +/- 1.1 for the e-learning group and 6.5 +/- 1.2 for the painted booklet group and the difference was statistically significant [P< 0.01]. Also increase in the rate of knowledge in the e-learning group and the painted booklet group was 56% and 30%, respectively. This study showed that passing the e-learning training course could better improve knowledge of mothers about neonatal care than the painted booklet. So, different aspects of e-learning, including computer literacy, infrastructure of telecommunications should be revisited

[Relationship between job stress with menstrual bleeding pattern among midwives]

Job stress can interfere with endocrine function and result in dysfunctional menstrual bleeding patterns. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between job stress with menstrual bleeding pattern among midwives. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 150 midwives working in hospitals and health centers of Mashhad using two-stage sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Karazek Job Content, a daily diary for menstrual periods to record duration and interval of periods, and the Higham Chart for recording the bleeding amount. The diary was completed for three menstrual periods. Collected data were analyzed using independent t-student, one way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-squared test, correlation test and linear regression in the SPSS-14. The findings showed that 21.3% of the midwives reported mild job stress, 19.3% had moderate stress and 59.3% reported severe job stress. Mean of the duration of the periods was 7.06 days, the mean interval of the periods was 27.9 days and the mean amount of bleeding was 79.72 cc. There was a significant relationship between job stress and the duration and interval of periods [P<0.001]. There was not any significant relationship between job stress with the amount of bleeding. Our study showed that job stress was related to menstrual bleeding patterns among midwives. It is necessary introduce strategies to decrease job stress and provide professional support for midwives