[Color preferences for nurses' uniform from nurses, hospitalized 5-12 years old children and parents' perspectives]

There is a growing movement towards more casual uniforms within pediatric Nursing. The study aimed at assessing the color preferences of nurses, parents and children regarding nurses' uniform in selected university hospitals of Tehran City. A cross sectional study was conducted. Through non-randomized convenient sampling, 365 pediatric nurses, 744 pediatric patients and 480 parents, drawn from selected university hospitals of Tehran City were recruited to the study, during one year since 2007, summer. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting demographic data and two questions regarding the participants' color preferences. Five photos showing a nurse with different uniform colors [pink, white, light blue, dark blue and colorful] while checking a child's pulse were used. Descriptive and inferential statistics [analysis of variance with repeated measurement, chi-square and Cochran's test] were used to analysis the data by SPSS software [version 11.5]. Female children and their parents reported pink color as their first choice [45.2 and 45.6% respectively] while boys preferred light blue [31.4%]. The first choice of nurses was dark blue [42.2%] which 10.6% of mothers and 17.6% of girls liked it as well [P<0.001]. Nurses with less than ten years of nursing experience, preferred dark blue [49.1 vs. 32.9%; P=0.002]. Fathers preferences of colors were not statistically significant [P=0.017]. Pink and light blue were most preferred by children and their parents to dark blue of nurses. The study recommends changing the color of nurses'uniforms in pediatric wards, considering children and their parents' perspectives

Omega-3 fatty acid content in various tissues of different Persian Gulf fish

To investigate the level of omega-3 fatty acids in different kind of fish head, muscle and liver from 30 species of fish collected from Persian Gulf. In this experimental study, the fish were collected by hunting from Boushehr and Hormozgan sea ports. Their head, muscle and liver fatty acids were determined on their methylated fatty acids dissolved in N-hexin. Quantitative analysis of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography [GC] with methylmyristate used as the reference material in this analysis and the qualitative analysis of fatty acids was done by gas chromatography and mass spectrometer [GC- mass] and cod liver oil which contained all of omega-3 fatty acids used as standard. Our study showed that some fish were good sources of omega-3 fatty acids and Trout [Ghezel-ALA], Bartail flathead [Zaminkan-e-domnavari], Malabar blood snapper [Sorkhoo malabari] had maximum levels of omega-3 in all body tissues. Other types of fish were rich in omega 3 fatty acids in separate organs, such as liver in Bartail flathead [Zaminkan-e-domnavari], head in Sillago Sihama [Shoort] and muscle in Trout [Ghezel-ALA]. In contrast, lesser amount of omega 3 fatty acids is found in tissues of other species of fish such as Silver pomfret [Halva sefid], Longfin trevally [Gish-e-derazbale] and Xiphophorus Hellerii [Dom-shamshiri]. This research showed that the liver of fish had the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids and fish muscle contained more omega-3 fatty acids than the head and all fish tissues can be served

[Perceptions of parents and nurses on needs of hospitalized children's parents]

Due to the fact that family centered care have a crucial role in pediatric nursing, it seems compatibility of nurses' and parents' perception about parents' needs can lead to deliver higher quality care. The aim of this study was to compare parents' and nurses' perceptions about needs of hospitalized children's parents. This is a cross-sectional survey. One hundred and fifty parents and 80 nurses were selected using convenient sampling method. Data was gathered using Kristjansdottir's "parental needs of hospitalized children" questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical [Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests] methods. Research findings showed that there was significant difference between both parents' and nurses' perceptions about parents' needs [P=0.012]. Both groups believed that parents' needs are met partially in hospitals. There was not meaningful difference between the parents' and nurses' perceptions concerning meeting parental needs [P = 0.666]. Based on their perceptions, understanding of parents' needs help them to meet their requirements in health care facilities. There was a significant difference between parents' and nurses' perceptions regarding parents' need [P = 0.018]. Parents and nurses recognized all of the parents' needs to be important; there were also deficits in meeting these needs. Therefore, parents' cooperation with health care team is necessary to facilitate the recovery of sick children as well as meeting parents' needs