Domestic violence against women, Islamic Republic of Iran: a grounded theory study.

Background: Although a silent phenomenon, violence against women has been well studied. Such violence is a universal problem with different regional and cultural patterns; it imposes heavy costs on society. Aims: This study aimed to assess the circumstances and features of domestic violence against women in Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: This was a qualitative study using the grounded theory approach. Individual semi-structured interviews were held with 24 purposely selected women who had experienced domestic violence and who had gone to the Legal Medicine Organization of Mashhad for help. Data were analysed according to grounded theory. Results: From analysis of the interview data, seven main categories emerged: risk factors of violence; protective factors against violence; excuses for violence; behavioural and cultural challenges in men; inevitable adjustment; escalation of violence; and presenting to legal medicine organizations. Constant comparative analysis of the data led to the identification of inevitable adjustment as the core variable of the study. Conclusions: Inevitable adjustment was the main strategy of women to deal with domestic violence against them. Promoting respect for the universal human rights of women, strengthening the network of services and social support for women and enforcing legal protection are necessary to reduce violence against women.

Comparison of birth weights of neonates of mothers receiving vs. not receiving zinc supplement at pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is an essential element for normal embryogenesis and embryonic and neonatal development. Therefore, we compared the birth weights of neonates born to mothers who consumed zinc supplement during pregnancy with that of neonates born to mothers who did not. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we divided 200 pregnant mothers into two groups: case group (mothers receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) and control group (mothers not receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) Then, the neonate's cord zinc level and mother's serum level were measured and neonate's growth charts (weight, height and head circumference)were completed. RESULTS: In this study, both groups of mothers were observed to have zinc deficiency; 35% of the mothers who consumed zinc supplements and 81% of the mothers who did not consume zinc supplements (P < 0.001). Based on the results, maternal serum of zinc (P < 0.001), neonatal birth weight (P = 0.008), maternal age (P < 0.001) and parity (P < 0.01) in zinc-supplemented group were higher. Neonatal birth weight was associated moderately with mother's zinc serum levels and poorly with neonatal serum zinc levels. CONCLUSION: Zinc consumption during pregnancy increases serum zinc level of mother and neonatal weight. Neonatal weight has a higher correlation to maternal serum zinc level.

Methodology of Interdisciplinary Studies in Nursing Based on Islamic Documents.

To meet the needs of people from various cultures, nursing research must be performed on the basis of these cultures. This research aims to invent interdisciplinary research method based on Islamic documents. This method is with three stages: first, to describe a desired concept; second, to define the concept from the viewpoint of humans. Finally, a nursing discipline is achieved on the basis of the human knowledge and its findings, and Islamic documents. Results of this research method assist nurses in offering nursing care with regard to Muslim's beliefs in addition to their culture and customs.

The effectiveness of familiar olfactory stimulation with lavender scent and glucose on the pain of blood sampling in term neonates: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates are exposed to multiple painful invasive procedures. Pain management in neonates is an ethical and important task for nurses. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of familiar olfactory stimulation with lavender scent and glucose on the pain of blood sampling in term neonates. DESIGN: A randomized, single blind clinical trial. SETTING: Hashemi Nezhad Hospital (Mashhad, Iran). INTERVENTION: Before and during blood sampling, one group was exposed to the scent of lavender (n = 40), the second group received 2 ml of edible glucose 30 % (n = 40), two minutes before the blood sampling, and the third group received no specific intervention (n = 40). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Simultaneously with needle insertion, the Douleur Aigue du Nouveau-ne (DAN) scale was used to calculate the pain score. The duration of crying (in seconds) was measured from start to end (silence). RESULTS: The study participants' mean age was 5.49 ± 2.13 days; 60 % of them were girls, and 65.8 % had the gestational age of 38-39 weeks. The mean pain scores were 4.47 ± 1.81, 4.80 ± 1.92, and 5.97 ± 1.94 in the aromatherapy group, the glucose group, and the control group respectively (p < 0.001). No significant difference was recorded between the groups regarding the crying time (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that use of aromatherapy with lavender and edible glucose as easy and applicable nursing care can reduce the pain of blood sampling in term neonates and can be considered as effective interventions in neonate pain management, although more research is recommended.

A Concept Analysis of Spiritual Health.

Spiritual health is an important dimension of health and forms part of a comprehensive care. This study was conducted to redefine and clarify the components of spiritual health based on different worldviews through Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. Being given a life and a soul and having beliefs are the antecedents of spiritual health. The attributes of this concept include a morality-oriented intellectual connectedness with the self, others, and the universe guided by a connection with the Transcendent and Superior being in order to create meaning in life and find its purpose in the context of culture and religion; transcendence is ultimately the consequence of spiritual heath. Using the attributes appeared in this conceptual analysis, nurses can evaluate the spiritual health of their clients and help them create positive outcome by providing appropriate interventions.