[Causes and related factors of neonatal mortality in Qazvin NICU, 2010]

Introduction: Regarding the importance of measurements to reduce neonatal mortality rate, this study aimed to assess the causes of neonatal mortality and its related factors in two hospitals in Qazvin

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the medical files of the NICUs of Ghods and Kosar hospitals in Qazvin were assessed during April to September 2010. Data were assessed according to some related factors including gender, gestational age, birth weight, APGAR score, mothers' age, neonatal age, cause of death, maternal past medical history, and complications of pregnancy and delivery

Results: From 225 admissions, 50 deaths occurred during the study [neonatal mortality rate: 22.2%]. The causes of mortality were respiratory distress syndrome [26%], sepsis and its complication [DIC] [40%], asphyxia [16%], congenital heart disease [14%], and other causes [4%]. It was also revealed that the causes of death in low birth weight neonates were similar to those of premature neonates. There were significant relationships between death rate and gestational age, birth weight, APGAR score, age at the time of death, and complications of pregnancy

Conclusion: The most common causes of mortality were respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. Prevention of preterm labor is recommended to reduce premature births, its related complications and consequently, neonatal mortality rate

Effect of assertiveness training on self-esteem on nursing students

Self-esteem is an important factor in mental health that affects human functions, especially job performance. The number of nurses with low self-esteem is increasing and this is mostly due to role conflict. Only few studies have been done on this issue. This study was done in order to evaluate the effects of a course of assertiveness on self- esteem of female nursing students in Bushehr [1380]. A total of 80 students were recruited and were given preliminary questionnaires. The 22 students that got lower scores were then chosen as the samples. Using a simple random method, the samples were matched, and then divided into 2 equal groups, a case and a control group. A pretest and a course on assertiveness and a post test were given to the case group while the control group was only given a pretest and a post test. Tools used for this study were the Cooper Smith Self-esteem scale and the independent T and paired T test, respectively. Pretest results on self-esteem for the case group showed a mean score of 59.45, [SD= 10.25]. After training, post-test results improved to 75.90, [SD=9.49, p<0.001]. In the control group, no significant change was noted on the pretest and posttest scores. However, there was a significant correlation between financial status of the students' family and self-esteem in the case group. A course of assertiveness may have an important impact on promotion of self-esteem of female nursing students. The researchers suggest more study to be done in this field especially on other group of nurses