Examining Factors Associated With Intention to Seek Professional Mental Health Support Among First-Generation Iranian Americans.

PURPOSE: Research suggests immigrants are at a greater risk of mental health disorders compared to native-born populations. Thus, the current study investigated factors associated with professional mental help-seeking intention among American immigrants. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 207 first-generation Iranian Americans, and data were collected using survey questionnaires. RESULTS: Younger Iranians living in western states in the United States and those with positive attitudes toward professional mental health services had greater intention to seek these services. Unexpectedly, those with better mental health literacy (MHL) held more mental health stigma (MHS). CONCLUSION: Findings elucidated valuable insights into the complex dynamics among sociodemographic factors, acculturation, MHL, MHS, attitudes, and intentions toward professional mental health help-seeking. We also highlighted the intricate relationship between MHL and MHS, suggesting that strategies to improve MHL may not necessarily mitigate MHS within this community. Therefore, integrating anti-stigma, contact-based approaches to MHL programs could effectively reduce stigma while facilitating mental health help-seeking. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Factors Associated with Professional Mental Help-Seeking Among U.S. Immigrants: A Systematic Review.

Structural and cultural barriers have led to limited access to and use of mental health services among immigrants in the United States (U.S.). This study provided a systematic review of factors associated with help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behaviors among immigrants who are living in the U.S. This systematic review was performed using Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Global Health, and Web of Science. Qualitative and quantitative studies examining mental help-seeking among immigrants in the U.S. were included. 954 records were identified through a search of databases. After removing duplicates and screening by title and abstract, a total of 104 articles were eligible for full-text review and a total of 19 studies were included. Immigrants are more reluctant to seek help from professional mental health services due to barriers such as stigma, cultural beliefs, lack of English language proficiency, and lack of trust in health care providers.

HIV Stigma Reduction Interventions Among Health Care Providers and Students in Different Countries: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Health care providers' stigmatizing attitudes are obstacles to patients' well- being and quality of life. Dealing with HIV-related stigma and understanding the impact of feasible interventions on reducing stigmatizing attitudes among health care providers are considered important strategies to improve the quality of HIV care, patient-provider relationships, and provide supportive and safe care services. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma among health care providers. METHODS: This systematic review was performed using Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, and APA PsycInfo, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition to search for quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to reduce HIV stigma among health care providers. The quality of eligible research studies was independently appraised by two reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 774 studies were screened, 100 articles were assessed for eligibility, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. All interventions effectively reduced HIV-related stigma. Elements of successful interventions included knowledge modules, peer education, patients' testimonials, Photovoice-informed stigma reduction training, stigma-free space intervention, and popular opinion leaders. Interventions were assessed and compared in terms of contents, delivery modes, HIV stigma measurements, follow-up, and limitations. CONCLUSION: This systematic review supports the effectiveness of in-person educational interventions at reducing HIV-related stigma among health care providers across countries. Comparisons of delivery modes of interventions indicated that educational interventions delivered by patients' testimonials and peer education strategies are more promising than lecture-based teaching methods. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of interventions on clinical behaviors and practices.

Development and Pilot Analysis of the Bruise Visibility Scale.

The accuracy of assessing and documenting injuries is crucial to facilitate ongoing clinical care and forensic referrals for victims of violence. The purpose of this cross-sectional, pilot study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and criterion validity of a newly developed Bruise Visibility Scale (BVS). Methods: The instrument was administered to a diverse sample (n = 30) with existing bruises. Bruises were assessed under fluorescent lighting typical of an examination room by three raters who were randomly selected from a pool of eight experienced clinical nurses. Colorimetry values of the bruise and surrounding tissue were obtained using a spectrophotometer. Results: The BVS demonstrated good single (ICC = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54 - 0.84) and average agreement (ICC = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78 - 0.94) between raters. A significant, positive moderate correlation was found between mean BVS scores and overall color difference between the bruise and surrounding skin (Pearson's r = 0.614, p < 0.001). Conclusion: With further research, the BVS has the potential to be a reliable and valid tool for documenting the degree of clarity in bruise appearance.

Determinants of Needle Stick Injuries Among Healthcare Providers at a Tehran University Hospital in 2016: A Descriptive Report.

BACKGROUND: Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) are the most common occupational injuries among HCWs. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and distribution of determinants for such injuries in a university hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Ziaeian Hospital, a teaching hospital of Tehran University. The medical records of 55 Health Care Workers (HCWs) who experienced NSIs in 2016, were extracted from the hospital registry and analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Available data of 55 HCWs with a history of NSIs were extracted from the hospital registry. The highest number of NSIs belonged to registered nurses (34.6%), licensed practical nurses (14.5%) and medical doctors (12.7%), respectively. The majority of the NSIs occurred in the morning shift (50.9%) followed by night shift (36.4%) and evening shift (12.7%). Most of the NSIs occurred in the emergency department (38.1%) and operating room (18.2%). The healthcare workers reported fatigue as the most common reason for being injured by needles (67.4%). All the HCWs were trained and familiarized with the safety and risk control measures after needle stick exposures in the hospital. DISCUSSION: The present study described the determinants of NSIs among HCWs in a university hospital. The fatigue and working overload were the main reasons for NSIs. The results of this study could be used to address the shortcoming in the guidelines and protocols to ensure the sustainable safety measures that could reduce the occurrence of the NSIs in hospitals in Iran.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) in a 15-year-old Girl with Facial Acne-like Ulcers: A Case Report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), is a multisystem autoimmune disease of unknown etiology often misdiagnosed as pneumonia. The hallmark features include necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and pauci-immune vasculitis in small and medium-sized blood vessels. We described a 15-year-old female with a history of six months of acne-like facial and peri-auricular lesions. She had received conventional treatment for acne (antibiotics + topical corticosteroid) with no response. She also had a history of chronic coughs, which always diagnosed and treated as sinusitis. In addition, she had a history of frequent dysuria, which always diagnosed and treated as a urinary tract infection. Given the history, with suspicion of a multi-systemic disease such as vasculitis; we performed some diagnostic laboratory and radiologic tests in order to rule out the possible etiologies. The results were positive for cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA). The urine analysis suggested the involvement of kidney micro-vasculature. In addition, two nodular lesions with the cystic pattern were observed in the CT scan of the lungs. However, the skin and nasal biopsies revealed no evidence of chronic necrotizing vasculitis or granulomatous lesion. Nonetheless, treatment was initiated with a strong suspicion of GPA. Following the treatment, the patient's symptoms completely disappeared, and the diagnosis of GPA was confirmed.