[Effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral training on physiological indicators and communication skills in the hospital staffs]

Introduction: high levels of stress in the health professionals and deficit in communication skills of this group can endanger their mental health and reduce their job efficacy. Current study aimed to identify the effectiveness of the group cognitive-behavioral training on physiological indicators and communication skills of the hospital staff

Method: this was a semi-experimental study using pre-test-post-test design. The sample group consisted of 32 people [16 experimental and 16 control groups] in one of the randomly selected Tehran hospitals. Intervention program was conducted weekly in 4 sessions each 4 hours on the subjects of the experimental group. Data were collected using Physiological Reactions to Stress [PRS] and Communication Skills Test-Revised [CSTR] before and after the intervention from both groups and was analyzed by analysis of covariance using SPSS software [v. 19]

Results: the results showed that the cognitive-behavioral training significantly increased the mean of communication skills and a significant reduction of physiological indicators in the experimental group compared with the control group

Conclusion: group cognitive-behavioral training is an effective way to improve mental health of health staff. Therefore, more attention from the health managers and clinical health researchers is needed in this field

[Comparing carotid intima-media thicknessin women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus]

Background and Aims: Women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] is noninvasive marker of sub clinical atherosclerosis assessment. The aim of the present study was to assess relationship between GDM and increased CIMT

Methods: Twenty women with previous history of GDM and twenty women without it [as a control group] were included in the study. Two groups were matched based on their age, body mass index [BMI] and parity. CIMT was measured one year after delivery in two groups by B-mode sonography and compared with ultrasonic results of CIMT in mid- and late-gestational periods

Results: CIMT in both groups increased in gestational period and decreased after delivery and this diminution was significant at late-gestational period in both groups and also significant at mid-gestational period in women with history of GDM

Conclusion: CIMT was significantly decreased one year after delivery in women with GDM

[Challenges of the bachelor program of health services management: a qualitative study]

Introduction: In recent decades, the quality of educational programs has experienced several challenges. Identifying these challenges can help planners in terms of any change, review, or enhancement in the quality of educational programs. This study aimed to survey the challenges of Health Services Management program at the bachelor level

Methods: In this qualitative study, 27 participants [Academics, Instructors, and Alumni] took part in the research. Participants were chosen based on purposive sampling. After verbal consent, data were gathered through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis approach was used for further analysis

Results: A deep concern about the curriculum, clinical fields and program goals/objectives emerged as the strongest themes from the interviews. It seems that the current curriculum and objectives of bachelor program of health services management are outdated and less effective than they should be. Furthermore; participants felt that clinical fields should be taken into consideration by means of orientation classes, hospital-based skills and skillful trainers

Conclusion: The findings can be helpful for decision makers, educational planners and academics to review the existing program and plan a more suitable one based on the needs of the health care system in the country in order to help alumni gain the required skills and competencies to run the health care units

[Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its relation with depression]

According to destructive consequences of untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], this study was done to evaluate of the prevalence of adult ADHD and its relation with depression among Iranian students. This descriptive study was carried out on 414 students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran during 2010-11. ADHD was screened by ADHD self report scale for adult ADHD and asking DSM-IV criteria from parents for childhood ADHD. Beck depression inventory questionnaire was used to determine depression. The prevalence of adult ADHD and childhood ADHD was 3.9% and 8.5%, respectively. Depression was more prevalent in those with adult or childhood ADHD. Depression was more prevalent in under graduate than post graduate students [P<0.05]. Depression is more prevalent in students with adult ADHD or with history of childhood ADHD

[Factors affecting the determination of secondary sex ratio]

Secondary sex ratio [SSR], i.e. the gender ratio of fetuses reaching viability has faced a declining trend in most societies in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the contributing factors such as season of conception, type of pregnancy, housing conditions, monthly income and financial stress on SSR in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 202 couples with children under one year old were studied. They were selected using two stage random sampling method from two healthcare centers in Tehran. Financial stress of parents was assessed based on a valid questionnaire. Data regarding other variables were gathered through a checklist. Uni-and multi-variate logistic regression tests were used to analyze the data [p<0.05]. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed a significant relationship between financial stress test score [OR=1.056, p=0.024] and rental housing [OR=1.89, p=0.029] and female newborns. Financial stress not only has physical and moral consequences, but also might play a major role in determining the sex ratio of future generations. Therefore, it is highly important that more effective guidelines be considered for improving welfare conditions and solving the housing problem