Prevalence and associated factors of persistent diarrhoea in Iranian children admitted to a paediatric hospital

To identify the frequency and associated factors of persistent diarrhoea in a paediatric hospital in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, children admitted with acute diarrhoea were followed prospectively until resolution of the episode. Persistent diarrhoea developed in 19.6% of the 424 diarrhoea cases. Children with persistent diarrhoea were significantly younger than those with acute diarrhoea [15.3 versus 29.4 months]. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli was the most prevalent pathogen in both groups, but otherwise the profile of symptoms and isolated organisms was similar in the 2 groups. History of dietary change prior to admission and use of antibiotics and anticholinergic drugs in the acute phase were significantly higher in the persistent than acute diarrhoea cases

Comparison of sleep quality in two groups of nurses with and without rotation work shift hours

Nurses with the nature of their own career and profession confronting with many issues and tension in their work environment; and different work shifts in day and night time make them susceptible to sleep disorders, particularly where the majority of nurses are females who have the responsibilities of caring of their families and other social and professional roles which limits the period of their sleep time. Therefore, this study is conducted with the purpose of comparison of sleep quality in two groups of nurses with and without rotation work shift hours. This study was a descriptive comparative desing with the sample size of 520 nurses that were selected with the stratified sampling method who have been working in different work shift hours in teaching hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences. The data collection instrument was Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. The findings showed that%69.6 of the subjects had a good quality of sleep and the remainder [% 30.4] had a bad sleep quality. About% 56.2 of the subjects with the rotation work shift had a good sleep quality and%43.8 had a bad sleep quality. The result of Chi-Square test showed that there is a significant difference between sleep quality among nurses with fixed and unfixed work shift hours. In other words, the nurses without rotation work shifts had better sleep quality than the nurses with rotation work shifts. Proper and efficient management of nursing work settings and accurate planning in work shifts are suggested to reduce nurses' sleep disorders. Improving sleep quality in nurses could increase their general health and ultimately promote the quality of caring in patients

comparative study of the general Health among staff nurses with fixed or rotating working shift

Long time working shifts and its related tiredness threatens the health of staff nurses in various dimensions. If nurses don't experience a good general health, they would not be able to deliver good patient care. The health status of nurses as caregivers influences the quality of care received by patients. Therefore, in order to reach the point of maximum performance, it is necessary for nurses to be healthy. This study aims to compare the general health among two groups of staff nurses with either fixed or rotating working shift in educational health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences in year 2006. This comparative study was conducted with a sample of 520 nurses. A GHQ-28 tool was used to survey the general health of staff nurses participated in this study. The findings showed that 72.3% of nurses with fixed working shift had good general health, 18.8% had nearly good general health and 8.8% had bad general health. Of nurses with rotating working shift, 62.3% had good general health, 26.2% had nearly good general health, and 11.5% had bad general health. The results of Chi- Square test showed a statistically significant difference in general health of nurses with fixed working shift compared with nurses with rotating working shift, indicating that the nurses with fixed working shift have better general health [P < 0.005]. Because nurses are responsible for society and patient's health taking their general health into consideration is of great importance. Based on findings of the present study, the researchers recommend the nurse managers to plan staff schedules in the form of fixed working shifts, in order to minimize untoward influences of rotating working shifts

Assesment of Nursing Students and Clinial Nurses' Attitude Toward Elderly Care

Generally, increased number of old people is because of increased life expectancy. This large group of population in communities with regard to their physiological and psychological needs, necessitate special care by positive attitude from health care providers towards them. In fact, the attitude of nurses as health professionals will affect their assessing of old patients is prominent. The aim of the study was to determine nursing students and clinical nurses' attitude toward elderly patients care. This study was a comparative descriptive design in which a self-report questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Through continues sampling method, 522 subjects participated in this study. The study results revealed that there were significant differences of attitude toward old patients care between the first and third year nursing students and clinical nurses [P=0.000, ?2=182.13]. Besides, clinical nurses had positive attitude and nursing students had neutral attitude toward old patient care [P=0.000, F=149.94]. In other words, the mean scores of attitude toward old patient care among clinical nurses was the highest and in the first year students was the lowest, score. Also, there were positive relationships between attitude toward old patient care and the time period of nursing employment [up to 15 years] in clinical nurses, and living with an old relative in the first year students. Moreover, female nurses had more positive attitudes toward old patients care than male nurses. According to the study findings, an extensive plan to improve nurses' attitude toward old patients is recommended. The researchers suggest that intervention to promote positive attitude in nursing, would be possible by implementing different strategies including curriculm revision