Knowledge, attitudes and practice of general practitioners about disease notification [reporting] in Qom

Epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases through the mandatory-reporting System is crucial for disease prevention program and success in it related to physicien, partnership. The aim of this study was to identify statues of notification System among general practitioners [physicians] in Qom. In this analytical cross section study a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and attitude of notifiable diseases, self-reported practices, reasons for noncompliance with reportïng requirements, and suggestions to improve compliance. A total 140 general physicians completed the questionnaire. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed. 14/3% and 13/6% had a good knowledge and attitude about notification and only 47% had good performance. There was significant association between the participants' self-reported practices and knowledge total scores and participating in continuing medical education. The major barrier of reporting notifiable diseases was poor knowledge of the list of reportable diseases and reporting requirements. The most frequent suggestions for improving physiciens' compliance with disease reporting were to simplify the reporting process and giving awareness about list of notifiable diseases. Our findings suggest inappropriate knowledge, attitude and practices about disease notification requirements among GPs. Modifying physisicans' knowledge and motivation, eliminating barriers to disease reporting, and promoting some facilitating factors could help reduce the underreporting of notifiable diseases

[Calorie intake of pregnant women and related factors in health centers of Urban areas Qom, 2007]

Pregnancy is a critical period during which good maternal nutrition plays a key role influencing the health of both mother and child. The present study aimed at determining the intakes of energy and related factors in pregnant women. In this cross-sectional study 1036 pregnant women were selected from health centers of urban areas in Qom. Personal interviews using the questionnaire of 24 -hour dietary recall were carried out to elicit information. Calorie intake efficacy was calculated based on nutrient substance intake. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software program. X2 test was used to determine the significance of differences [p<0/05]. Calorie intake of 50% of subjects was adequate. The majority of pregnant women who had reported higher intake of energy were illiterate [%56.4] and house holders [%51/1] and in the third trimester [%58.8] There was a significant difference between calorie intake, occupation, level of education and stage of pregnancy. The mean of energy from oil and fat was higher than that of other food groups. The findings of the present study suggest that the nutritional education is a component of programs targeted at working women and low income families

[Dietary food intake of pregnant women based on food guide pyramid and its related factors]

Women's nutrition during their pregnancy is considered as the key factor in mother and fetus health. Adequate nutrients of different types are required to meet the increased demands of mother and the developing fetus. This study aims to determine the nutritional status of pregnant women considering different food groups and its related factors. In this cross sectional study 1036 pregnant woman were selected from health centers of urban areas in Qom by quota sampling. Personal interviews using the questionnaire method, 24h dietary recall were used to elicit data. Efficiency of food groups was Calculated by [[reported dietary intake - Predicted dietary requirement]/100]. Food consumption was compared with food guide pyramid. Consumption of bread and cereal [%65.3], meat, egg, nuts and legume [%45.7], milk and milk products [%57.4] was lower than recommended values. Fruits and vegetables were consumed more than daily requirements for pregnant women [%65.8]. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was higher in the second trimester of pregnancy [p=0.01]. Significant association was found between consumption of meat, legume, milk, milk products, fruits and vegetables and mothers occupation and their educational level [p<0.05]. Nutritional education and support for pregnant women especially, low income and employed groups are recommended

[Effectiveness of reflection in clinical education: nursing students' perspective]

Reflection has been emphasized as an effective educational strategy in clinical settings. Although this educational tool lead to promotion of skills and knowledge in nursing students but is rarely used. The aim of the present study was to determine the viewpoints of nursing students toward reflection in clinical education. It was a quasi-experimental study with one group, post- test design. The sample consisted of 35 senior nursing students recruited by census. The students were asked to reflect on their performance in clinical settings for four consecutive weeks. A guide for reflective thinking was given to students and they were asked to write their reflections about clinical care in personal journals. Data was collected by a self-constructed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS-PC [v. 11.5]. Personal domain of reflection was the most prominent subscale from the students' perspective [13.9 +/- 2.2]. Most of students [84.3%] believed that reflection has influenced their sense of empowerment and self-esteem. There was significant relationships between the students' perspective in all domains and their age [p<0.05]. There were also significant relationships between academic achievement, the score of personal domain and interest in nursing [p<0.05]. Reflection empowers nursing students and improves their self-esteem from their perspective. Employing this method in nursing clinical education is recommended

Nursing students' experiences of the modified problem based learning [MPBL] and small group work: a qualitative study

Background and Purpose: Despite the known effect of problem-based learning, there are still many challenges against its being replaced with the conventional methods. This research was conducted to find out the students' experiences of the modified problem-based learning [MPBL] combined with working in small groups

Methods and Materials: In this qualitative study, 35 nursing students participated. The course of Pediatric Nursing was instructed to the students by the modified problem-based learning method and working in small groups. There were 35 semi structured and 6 group-oriented interviews, which were analyzed by content analysis method

Results: Findings demonstrated that MPBL was associated with experiences of thinking, research, self-regulation, motivation and barriers. Barriers were its being time-consuming, difference of attitudes among group members and their resistance against change

Conclusion: Based on the results, MPBL is effective in reinforcing the learning mechanisms

[Assessment of the knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women who referred to Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2005 toward Islams hygienic instructions during their pregnancy and breast feeding periods]

Pregnancy and infancy are as diving profits, which are of the most enjoyable times of women. Islams living doctrine recommends some advises for pregnant women to have healthy generation with good physical, mental and social dimensions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women who referred to Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2005 toward Islam's hygienic instructions during their pregnancy and breast feeding period. In this descriptive-analytical study, a total of 300 pregnant women were selected from parental care unite using multistage sampling. The data was gathered through self-reporting questionnaire which contained some questions about the individuals characteristics, attitude and awareness. Subsequently, using chi2, Pearson correlation and Spearman tests, data were analyzed. The percentage of the knowledge about the Islams healthy instructions during pregnancy was graded: good 20.6%, average 64.7% and poor 14.7%. During breast-feeding, the knowledge was 6.3% good, 77% average and 16.7% poor. There was a positive relationship between the women's level of education and their knowledge about Islamic trainings. The attitude of the women about the instructions during their pregnancy was positive in 68.3% and negative in 31.7% of them. This attitude during breast feeding was positive in 64% and negative in 36% of the women studied. There was relationship between the knowledge toward the instructions and the level of education during pregnancy and also between this knowledge and the number of pregnancy and the level of education [p<0.01]. In addition to moderate knowledge and positive attitude of most of samples and undeniable religious force, on promoting health, recommended that health managers programmed to pregnant women care based on Islamic recommendations and health care workers have more attention in their education training