Knowledge, attitude and use of complementary and integrative health strategies: a preliminary survey of Iranian nurses / 中西医结合学报

<p><b></b>BACKGROUND</p><p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Disagreement exists regarding the need for knowledge about complementary and integrative health (CIH) strategies, as well as for the need to consider such strategies in clinical nursing practice.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and use of CIH strategies among nurses in Iran.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>A cross-sectional study of nurses working in two hospitals of Zabol University of Medical Sciences, in southeast Iran, was conducted from October 2014 to April 2015. The questionnaire, developed specifically for this research, was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and use of CIH by nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret the survey responses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Most nurses (n=95, 60.5%) have average knowledge about CIH strategies with most holding a positive attitude about use (n=81, 51.6%). The majority (n=90, 57.3%) of nurses, however, never applied CIH methods. Where CIH was used, massage was most often clinically applied (n=129, 82.2%) and a large percentage believed it useful for treating illness (n=136, 87.9%). Other CIH methods commonly used included prayer and herbal medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nurses have positive attitudes about CIH though knowledge was typically weak. Educational programs should carefully consider how knowledge about CIH methods could be strengthened within curricula.</p>

[Toxic epidermal necrosis syndrome after taking Phenytoin; a case report]

Introduction: the toxic epidermal necrosis syndrome is defined as severe skin and mucosal reactions which usually appears by some drugs such as phenytoin. Case Presentation: a 35-year-old man who consumed phenytoin hospitalized due to diffuse mucocutaneous lesions and bullous lesions. After diagnosing its etiology, therapeutic actions were done similar to severe burns which led to improvement of wounds and discharging from the hospital.

Conclusion: finding the etiology of every disease is crucial step in its treatment. When the disease is caused by drug, it is necessary to discontinue immediately consumption of this and start treatment.

[Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis]

To report a case of unilateral Aspergillus fumigatus interface keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK]. A 22-year-old woman developed corneal infiltrates located at the flap- stroma interface in her left eye 48 hours after myopic LASIK. The infiltration progressed despite administration of topical fortified antibiotics therefore, the flap was lifted and irrigated with antibiotic solution. Six days after LASIK, visual acuity was counting fingers at 30 cm and a large full-thickness corneal infiltrate was located at the flap-stroma interface. On scanning confocal microscopy, fungal hyphae were observed as high-contrast filaments. The LASIK flap was amputated. Corneal scraping revealed fungal filaments in smears and culture. The fungus was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus. Fortified antibiotic drops were discontinued and intensive topical natamycin and systemic ketoconazole were initiated which controlled the keratitis. Two months after surgery the eye was quiet and vision improved to 20/200. Interface fungal infection after LASIK is a potentially vision-threatening complication. Early lifting of the flap, fungal culture and aggressive antifungal treatment are required to treat this complication. Confocal microscopy may be a fast and safe diagnostic tool in determining the presence of fungal hyphae in vivo within the human cornea