The Effect of an educational Intervention on Anxiety of Pregnant Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of study is the effect of educational intervention on anxiety of pregnant women. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study is done on the pregnant women referring to family physicians offices in Gerash City, Iran. 62 women were selected and divided into 2 groups (control and intervention). In intervention group the anxiety reduction training classes were held as a group discussion in 4 weekly 90-minute sessions. Control group received routine care. The anxiety assessment completed by two groups before and after the educational intervention. The measurement instruments included a demographic information questionnaire and the short form of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-17). RESULTS: Comparison of the mean scores of different dimensions of pregnancy anxiety in the pre-intervention and post-intervention stages in the intervention group using paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the dimensions Fear of childbirth, Fear of giving birth to a physically or mentally disabled child, Fear of mood swings and Fear of changes in marital relations (p < 0.05) in comparison with control group. CONCLUSIONS: Holding pregnancy-training classes using group discussion method is a good strategy to reduce anxiety in pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended that this educational strategy classes be used with mothers from the second trimester of pregnancy in urban family physician centers or those referred to a nearby clinic.

Effect of recorded male lullaby on physiologic response of neonates in NICU.

PURPOSE: Most infants in the NICU are exposed to sensory overloads and deprivations as part of their care. This study conducted to assess the effect of lullaby on physiologic response of neonates admitted to NICU. METHOD: This is a randomized double-blind intervention trial which was performed on 52 neonates in Jahrom (Iran) 2013-2014. The samples were randomly assigned into lullaby group and a control group (sampling was sequential and randomization was by lottery). Neonates in lullaby group (n=26) listened to male lullaby via headphones during 3days and daily for 20min. Headphones without sound were placed for the control group (n=26) during this period. Immediately before the intervention, 10min later, 20min after the start and 20min after the completion of it, changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded by heart monitor, then data were analyzed by software SPSS:V 21, Greenhouse-Geisser test, repeated measures and t-test. RESULTS: The mean of Heart rate in secondday at 20th and 40th minutes in lullaby group were less than control and this differences were significant (respectively p=0.013, 0.026). Also the blood oxygen saturation levels on the first day at 20th minutes, secondday at 10th minutes-20th and 40th minutes and the third on 40min were significantly different among groups. CONCLUSION: Lullaby (male voice and without music) could significantly reduce heart rate and increase blood oxygen saturation of neonates. Future studies are required to make music as a part of evidence-based strategies to promote outcome of neonates in NICUs.

A Study of the Correlation between Religious Attitudes and Quality Of Life in Students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2014.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: General health is not simply determined by whether or not an individual is sick, but is dependent on physical, mental and social factors too. One such important factor is an individual's religious inclination. The present study aims to explore the correlation between religious beliefs and quality of life in the students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. METHOD: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in 2014. The sample consisted of 273 students who were randomly selected. Data were collected using Religious Attitude Questionnaire and a quality of life scale. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and SPSS v. 23. RESULT: The students' average age was 21.36±2.15. The means of their quality of life scores and religious attitude scores were 87.23 and 146.31 respectively. The results of Pearson's correlation test showed that there was a significant relationship between quality of life and its subscales on one hand and religious attitude and its indexes on the other; in other words, the students' mental well-being was found to correlate with their religious beliefs. CONCLUSION: Since religious beliefs affect college students' mental well-being and quality of life, it is suggested that through organized education, students' religious awareness be raised.

Effectiveness of Self-Care Education on the Enhancement of the Self-Esteem of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The assessment of self-esteem in hemodialysis people is becoming increasingly important and necessary. Low self-esteem as a problem in patients undergoing hemodialysis decreases adherence to treatment. The researcher intends to carry out a study in order to investigate the effect of self-care education on enhancement of the self-esteem of patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. METHOD AND MATERIAL: This is a quasi-experimental study. The subjects of the study who were selected based on purposive sampling method consisted of 50 patients with advanced chronic renal disease treated with hemodialysis. Before the intervention, two questionnaires were completed by patients. There was no intervention in the control group and the patients received only routine care in the hospital. In the experimental group, the hemodialysis patients received 5 consecutive one-hour training sessions by the researcher. Then the Rosenberg scale was filled out by the patients 2 month later. RESULT: According to the results, Paired t-test showed a significant difference between the mean self-esteem score in both groups before and after intervention. CONCLUSION: Increasing the knowledge and awareness of hemodialysis patients must constitute a cornerstone of therapy and an integral part of nursing responsibilities. Nurses should educate the patients about self-care behaviors and remind them of the dangerous complications of abandoning these.