Can internship programs affect nursing students' critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment?

BACKGROUND: Nursing students are given opportunities to develop critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment through clinical training. Therefore, nurse educators should move away from traditional methods toward new ones, such as internship programs in clinical training. This study assessed the effect of nursing internship programs on senior undergraduate nursing students' critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design but with no control group. The study sample included 46 senior students enrolled in nursing internship programs. A demographic questionnaire, the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI), the Caring Assessment Report Evaluation (Care-Q), and the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale (NPCS) were used to collect data before and five months after the nursing internship programs were implemented. RESULTS: The study findings revealed that the senior nursing students' caring behaviors improved, but the total scores of critical thinking disposition and professional commitment did not change significantly after the nursing internship programs (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, nurse educators are recommended to adopt strategies to improve the effectiveness of internship programs on critical thinking disposition and professional commitment among senior undergraduate nursing students.

The impact of massage and dry cupping on dysrhythmia in cardiac patients: A randomized parallel controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in many countries around the world and is linked to numerous complications. In addition to conventional pharmacological treatments, complementary and alternative medicines like massage and dry cupping are employed to help manage the disease and its symptoms. This study aimed to compare the effects of massage and dry cupping on dysrhythmia in patients with heart diseases. METHODS: This randomized parallel controlled clinical trial study was conducted in two critical care units of Shafa hospital in Kerman, southeastern Iran, in 2019-2020. A total of 90 eligible patients were allocated into three groups: massage (n = 30), dry cupping (n = 30), and control (n = 30) using a stratified block randomization method. In the massage group, the head and face were massaged for three consecutive nights, while the dry cupping group received dry cupping between the fifth cervical vertebra and the second thoracic vertebra for the same duration. Each intervention session lasted 15 min. Data collection tools included a socio-demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, a form for hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation), and a form for assessing dysrhythmia using electrocardiogram readings. Dysrhythmia in the participants was evaluated after each session. RESULTS: The results within each group indicated a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dysrhythmia in the dry cupping group after the intervention (P < 0.05), but this difference was not statistically significant in the massage and control groups. However, when comparing between the groups, no significant difference was found among the three groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the type of dysrhythmia between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: While there was no difference in the type of dysrhythmia between the three groups, the additional reduction of dysrhythmia in the dry cupping group could hold clinical significance. Further studies are recommended to validate or refute the findings of the present study.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Spiritual Self-Care Practice Scale in Iranian Patients with Cancer.

Spiritual self-care is defined as a set of patient-centered or family-centered spiritual activities aimed at promoting health and well-being. In chronic diseases such as cancer, the responsibility for care typically falls on the patient or their family, necessitating an accurate assessment of the patient's self-care practices to achieve this goal. The objective of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and examine the psychometrics of the Persian version of the spiritual self-care practice scale (SSCPS) in cancer patients. This scale is designed to be administered directly to patients to assess their spiritual self-care practices. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the oncology ward in Afzalipoor Hospital, Javad Al-Aemeh Clinic, and Physicians Clinics affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Kerman, southeast Iran. The study included qualitative and quantitative assessments of face validity, content validity, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (construct validity), and reliability. Data collection took place between March 20, 2023, and December 30, 2023. The scale's content validity index was calculated to be 0.948, with mostly minor revision comments for most items. The item-content validity indices ranged from 0.7 to 1. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution with 23 items, explaining 61.251% of the total variance. The identified factors were labeled as 'personal and interpersonal spiritual practices,' 'shaping and strengthening relationship practices,' 'religious practices,' 'physical spiritual practices,' and 'reshaping relationship practices.' Most of the confirmatory factor analysis indices were satisfactory (χ2/df = 1.665, CFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.935, RMSEA = 0.058). The Cronbach's α coefficient for the total scale was 0.89, while it ranged from 0.596 to 0.882 for the subscales. The Persian version of SSCPS with 23 items demonstrates reliability and effectiveness in assessing the spiritual practice performance of Iranian cancer patients. Compared to the original version, the Persian adaptation of SSCPS is concise, making it a suitable instrument for future research and practice on spiritual self-care among Iranian cancer patients.

A qualitative study exploring approaches, barriers, and facilitators of the HIV partner notification program in Kerman, Iran.

BACKGROUND: HIV partner notification services can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to identify, locate, and inform their sexual and injecting partners who are exposed to HIV and refer them for proper and timely counseling and testing. To what extent these services were used by PLHIV and what are the related barriers and facilitators in southeast Iran are not known. So, this study aimed to explore HIV notification and its barriers and facilitators among PLHIV in Iran. METHODS: In this qualitative study, the number of 23 participants were recruited from November 2022 to February 2023 including PLHIV (N = 12), sexual partners of PLHIV (N = 5), and staff members (N = 6) of a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center in Kerman located in the southeast of Iran. Our data collection included purposive sampling to increase variation. The content analysis was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. The analysis yielded 221 (out of 322) related codes related to HIV notification, its barriers, and its facilitators. These codes were further categorized into one main category with three categories and nine sub-categories. RESULTS: The main category was HIV notification approaches, HIV notification barriers, and facilitators. HIV notification approaches were notification through clear, and direct conversation, notification through gradual preparation and reassurance, notification due to being with PLHIV, notification through suspicious talking of the physician, and notification due to the behavior of others. Also, the barriers were classified into individual, social, and environmental, and healthcare system barriers and the facilitators were at PLHIV, healthcare staff, and community levels. Stigma was a barrier mentioned by most participants. Also, the main facilitator of HIV notification was social support, especially from the family side. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlighted the multidimensionality of HIV notification emphasizing the importance of tailored support and education to enhance the notification process for PLHIV and their networks. Also, our results show that despite all the efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination in recent years, stigma still exists as a main obstacle to disclosing HIV status and other barriers are the product of stigma. It seems that all programs should be directed towards destigmatization.

Iranian nurses' attitudes towards the disclosure of patient safety incidents: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Statistics suggests that patients and officials are unaware of a large number of patient safety incidents in healthcare centres. This study aimed to explore the concept of disclosure of patient safety incidents from the perspectives of Iranian nurses. DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis. SETTING: The study population was nurses working in hospitals affiliated with The Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, military hospitals and private hospitals in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Sampling was done from January 2021 to September 2021. PARTICIPANTS: 11 female and 6 male nurses aged 27-59 years with a work experience of 3-34 years were included. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: This qualitative content analysis was to explore the experiences of Iranian nurses (n=17) using purposive sampling and semistructured, in-depth interviews. Maximum variation sampling (age, sex, work experience, education level, type of hospital and type of ward) was considered to obtain rich information. Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to increase the study's trustworthiness and rigour, and the Graneheim and Lundman method and MAXQDA 2020 were used to analyse data. RESULTS: We extracted one theme, four categories and nine subcategories. The main theme was the mental schemas of disclosure of patient safety incidents with four categories: (1) misconceptions of harm to the organisation or self, (2) attributes of the disclosure process and its outcomes, (3) reactions to the disclosing incidents and (4) interpersonal conflicts. CONCLUSION: Our study identified factors influencing the disclosure of patient safety incidents among nurses, including concerns about reputation, fear of consequences and perceptions of the disclosure process. Positive attitudes towards incident disclosure were associated with supportive organisational environments and transparent communication. Barriers to disclosure included patient and companion reactions, misinterpretation and anxiety. Healthcare organisations should foster a non-punitive reporting culture to enhance patient safety and accountability.

Development and validation of the nurses sexual harassment scale in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the prevalence of sexual harassment has become a global problem, and nursing, like other professions, has not been immune to this issue. By having a valid and reliable instrument, healthcare personnel can be helped in preventing and managing this problem and reduce its negative consequences on mental health and well-being. The aim of this study was developing and psychometrically measuring the Nurses Sexual Harassment Scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is the second phase of a mixed method study. Initially in the first phase, a qualitative approach with conventional content analysis was used to explain nurses' experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace. To design the Nurses Sexual Harassment Scale, qualitative data and literature were reviewed. In the quantitative phase (second phase), the target scale was psychometrically evaluated using content validity (14 experts), face validity (12 nurses with being sexually harassed), construct validity (316 nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences), and reliability (internal consistency and repeatability). RESULTS: A 15-item scale with two components: "latent sexual harassment" (9 items) and "manifest sexual harassment" (6 items), which explained 68.4% of the total variance was developed. Also, due to the strong correlation between the Nurses Sexual Harassment Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (r = 0.67), convergent validity was confirmed. Also, the scale of the present study had good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.94, Omega coefficient = 0.94, and ICC = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Given the importance of sexual harassment among nurses, measuring the dimensions of this problem may allow professionals to plan interventions to prevent it. Overall, the results of the present study showed that the psychometric properties of the " Nurses Sexual Harassment Scale" with 15 items are acceptable and this scale can be used in the clinical environment. A further study within the nursing community is recommended to confirm the findings.

The effect of using a sports application on the quality of sleep in patients with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with heart failure often suffer from sleep disorders. Due to the side effects of medications used to treat this disorder, non-pharmacological methods may be used to improve these patients' sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of a sports application on sleep quality in patients with heart failure. METHODS: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 60 patients aged 30-70 referred to Shafa Hospital in Kerman were randomly assigned to control (n = 30) and intervention (n = 30) groups based on convenience sampling. The intervention group used the sports application for eight consecutive weeks. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). An independent t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons between groups and paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were used for comparisons within groups. RESULTS: The data analysis revealed a significant difference in sleep quality scores between the two groups after the intervention, meaning that the intervention group had better sleep quality than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study, it was found that the sport application improved the quality of sleep in patients with heart failure. Our recommendation is for healthcare providers to use this sports application to present educational content related to physical activity and improve the sleep quality of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT. 2019123045475N1." Registered 16 December 2019.

Effectiveness of massage and range of motion exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness in Iranian patients with COVID-19: a randomized parallel-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Muscle weakness is prevalent in intensive care patients. This study focused on comparing the effects of massage and range of motion (ROM) exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial that recruited patients (n=45) with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and divided them into three groups (ROM exercises, massage, and control). We evaluated muscle strength and ICU-AW in the arms and legs using a hand dynamometer. The Medical Research Council sum score was determined before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The study findings were that 0%, 20%, and 100% of the participants in the ROM exercises, massage, and control groups had ICU-AW on the 7th day of ICU admission. The ROM exercise group had greater muscle strength in the hands and legs than the massage and control groups, and the massage group had greater muscle strength than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Massage and ROM exercises could improve muscle strength and reduce ICU-AW in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU.

Is nurses' clinical competence associated with their moral identity and injury?

BACKGROUND: The enhancement of nursing care quality is closely related to the clinical competence of nurses, making it a crucial component within health systems. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the relationship between nurses' clinical competence, moral identity, and moral injury during the COVID-19 outbreak. RESEARCH DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was carried out among frontline nurses, using the Moral Identity Questionnaire (MIQ), the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professionals version (MISS-HP), and the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurse (CIRN) as data collection tools. PARTICIPANTS: and research context: The research population for this study consisted of all frontline nurses (n = 251) employed in a hospital in southern Iran. Sampling was conducted between May 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021, during the COVID-19 outbreak. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The present study received approval from the research ethics committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, with project No. 99267 and code of ethics ID No. IR. RUMS.REC.1399.262, dated 15.02.2021. RESULTS: According to the study findings, 42.2% of the nurses demonstrated high clinical competence, while 51.4% exhibited moderate clinical competence. The results indicated a positive correlation between moral identity and clinical competence but a negative correlation between moral injury and clinical competence. Furthermore, the variables of moral identity and moral injury were found to predict 10% of the variance in clinical competence. CONCLUSION: According to the results, moral identity and moral injury had an impact on the clinical competence of nurses. Therefore, implementing a program aimed at enhancing moral identity and providing training strategies to address moral injury during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to improvements in nurses' clinical competence and the overall quality of care they provide.

Evaluation of the Use, Reasons, and Satisfaction with the Complementary Medicine among Patients Living with a Permanent Ostomy.

Patients living with a permanent ostomy encounter many physical, psychological, and social challenges due to the loss of function of a part of their body. Today, as the use of alternative therapies increases, some of these patients are seeking complementary medicine to relieve the symptoms and complications of their disease. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the use of, reasons for, and satisfaction with the complementary medicine among patients living with a permanent ostomy. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients living with a permanent ostomy who were referred to ostomy clinics in southeastern Iran. The census method was used for sampling. The research tool included a complementary medicine questionnaire. SPSS-25 was used for data analysis. The results showed that in physical methods, most of the participants used herbal medicines (83%), aromatherapy (79%), vitamin supplements (76%), and diet (66%). In mental methods, most of the participants used prayer/recourse/vow (91%) and music therapy (75%) (every day to several times a year). People with university education (p < 0.001), higher incomes (p = 0.002), and history of addiction (p = 0.048) used more methods of complementary medicine. Fifty-three point four of the participants used herbal medicines to reduce physical complications, 46.6% used them to improve anxiety and stress induced by ostomy, and between 66 and 80% was completely satisfied with the use of various types of complementary medicine. The study results showed that the frequency of complementary medicine use among patients living with a permanent ostomy varied from a few days to several years. Considering the use of complementary medicine by these patients, educational programs, and interventions are necessary to increase the general awareness of ostomy patients about the types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the effects of these methods.

Moral Injury and its Correlates among Iranian Nurses in the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with various health-related issues among nurses, including mental health problems such as moral injury. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between moral injury, general health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and type of hospital among Iranian nurses working in different clinical settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to recruit 334 nurses working in various clinical settings, including teaching and referral hospitals, in Kerman, Southeastern Iran from October 2021 to February 2022. The study used three measures, including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and The Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professionals version (MISS-HP). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS25. The results indicated that moral injury was highly prevalent among Iranian nurses, with 47% of the participants reporting experiencing it. A total, 26.9% of the participants reported experiencing mental health disorders and 57.2% of the participants reported experiencing this disorder. Significant correlations were found between moral injury, general health, and PTSD. Specifically, moral injury levels were higher among female nurses with a history of mental disorders and those designated to treat all kinds of cases, compared to other participants. The results suggest that Iranian nurses are at a high risk of experiencing moral injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers and health authorities should establish related health educational programs, provide counseling services to promote general health, and pay particular attention to moral injury and PTSD. Additionally, nurse educators should integrate materials related to moral injury into the nursing curriculum.

Correlation between professional quality of life and alarm fatigue symptoms among intensive care unit nurses.

Introduction: Medical devices and equipment are necessary for accurate and continuous monitoring of the patients admitted to intensive care units, one of which is alarm systems. Frequent sounds of alarms can affect nurses' concentration and accuracy when providing care. Complications such as headache, fatigue, and stress occur after repeated alarms, leading to poor quality of professional life among nurses. This study aimed to determine the relationship between quality of professional life and alarm fatigue syndrome among intensive care unit nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to select nurses working in intensive care units from three hospitals in southern Iran in 2021 (n = 201). Data were collected using three questionnaires, including sociodemographic form, the professional quality of life questionnaire (ProQOL), and the alarm fatigue symptom (AFS) scale. Results: The mean scores of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS) (subscales of the ProQOL), and AFS were 34.66 ± 7.54, 28.98 ± 7.59, 27.69 ± 5.87, and 13.48 ± 7.32, respectively. The majority of them had no or mild AFS, moderate CS, burnout, and STS. Among the study variables, only AFS were a significant predictor of CS and STS among ICU nurses. In addition, work experience in ICU, AFS, and a second job were significant predictors of burnout among ICU nurses. Conclusions: The study results showed a significant relationship between alarm fatigue syndrome, burnout, STS, and CS. Given that more than half of the nurses in the intensive care unit in the present study experienced some degree of alarm fatigue syndrome, it is necessary to plan and implement interventions to better manage the alarms in the intensive care unit.

The relationship between the COVID-19 anxiety and self-efficacy of patients undergoing hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The spread of the COVID-19 increased anxiety and stress among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Unpleasant experiences in the lives of these patients reduced their quality of life. Self-efficacy is an effective factor that can improve the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the COVID-19 anxiety and self-efficacy in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study used purposive sampling to select 110 patients undergoing hemodialysis in Sirjan from October to late November 2021. Demographic and clinical information questionnaire, the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS25. A significance level < 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean score of COVID-19 anxiety was 13.14 ± 7.38, which was lower than the midpoint of the questionnaire. The mean self-efficacy score was 57.72 ± 9.68, with 73.8% (N = 79) of the participants having high self-efficacy and 26.2% (N = 28) having moderate self-efficacy. We found no significant relationship between self-efficacy and the COVID-19 anxiety (P = 0.31), as well as between self-efficacy and the psychological dimension of the corona disease anxiety scale (P = 0.96), but we observed a negative, poor and significant relationship between self-efficacy and its physical dimension (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing hemodialysis showed low anxiety and high self-efficacy. No significant relationship was found between COVID-19 anxiety and self-efficacy, but a weak correlation was observed with the physical dimension of anxiety. Increasing self-efficacy through patient education and support can improve outcomes and reduce hospitalizations for these patients.

Spiritual coping strategies: Relationship with physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms of patients with cancer.

Introduction: Spirituality is considered an important source against chronic diseases and can promote self-esteem, mental comfort, and hope in patients. Concerning its importance, the present study aims to investigate spiritual coping strategies and its relationship with physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms of patients with cancer who are referred to the oncologic ward. Method: This was a descriptive-correlative study that 159 patients with cancer participated in the study. Information was collected using a four-part questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale, physical symptoms as well as anxiety and depression symptoms. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Results of the study showed that the mean (±SD) of the application of methods of spiritual coping strategies was 35.69 ± 10.92 and for its subscales the mean (±SD) of the application of religious coping and nonreligious coping strategies were 16.92 ± 5.6 and 18.77 ± 6.24, respectively. Furthermore, physical symptoms perceived by patients were tiredness, drowsiness, and lack of appetite. There was no significant correlation between physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms and spiritual coping strategies (r = -0.12, P = 0.12; r = 0.07, P = 0.41; and r = -0.05, P = 0.5 respectively). Discussion: Regarding no significant relationship between physical, anxiety and depression symptoms and spiritual (religious and nonreligious) coping strategies in this study, belief towards cancer and cultural aspects of patients may be more essential to their sense of wellness and help them to cope with negative aspects of illness or treatment. Therefore, more study needs to be done in this area.

Anxiety, self-efficacy, and their determinants in school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey in Southeastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to various psychological disorders, including anxiety, particularly among the general public. It is crucial to monitor the mental health of school students, who are considered a vulnerable group in society, and assess their self-efficacy, as it can significantly affect their mental health. This study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety and self-efficacy among school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling to examine a sample of 335 school students from Sistan and Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran. An online questionnaire, distributed through social media platforms, was used to collect data. The questionnaire included demographic information, COVID-19 related items, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-MASC, and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children-SEQ-C. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 24, with a significance level set at < 0.05. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between children's anxiety and self-efficacy (r = -0.23, P < 0.001). Several factors were identified as predictors of anxiety, including low self-efficacy (ß = -0.29, P < 0.001), female gender (ß = 0.27, P < 0.001), concern about family members contracting COVID-19 (ß = 0.18, P < 0.001), persistent advice of others to adopt preventive measures (ß = 0.14, P < 0.005), level of education (ß = -0.12, P < 0.017), and perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (ß = -0.11, P < 0.030). These variables collectively accounted for 17% of the variance in anxiety. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study highlight the importance of addressing the mental health of school students, specifically their anxiety levels, during epidemics. The results also indicate that enhancing self-efficacy among students during a pandemic could be a beneficial strategy for promoting their mental health.

Quality of Life and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines among Narcotics Anonymous Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southeast Iran.

Background: Addiction, a chronic and recurrent disorder, is associated with lasting changes in the brain and can significantly affect the quality of life of people. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) along with modern medical treatments can improve the quality of life of individuals. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and quality of life in narcotics anonymous patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 189 narcotics anonymous patients in southeastern Iran. Using questionnaires such as the demographic information, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), CAM, and satisfaction with the use of CAM, the researcher was able to compile a comprehensive picture of the population. Results: The mean score of overall quality of life and general health was 64.02 ± 23.32. Overall, 66.1 percent (n = 125) of the participants reported using at least one type of CAM in the previous year. Last year, 25.9% of participants used at least one kind of CAM, 22.8% used two types of CAM, 7.9% used three types of CAM, and 4.8% used four to five types of CAM. Thirty-nine point seven percent of them reported using prayer, 36.5% reported using medicinal herbs, 15.3% of participants reported using massage, 14.3% of participants reported using dietary supplements, 12.2% reported using wet cupping, and 8.5% reported using meditation. There were no significant differences in physical, psychological, environmental, and overall quality of life between CAM users and non-CAM users. The prayer users had significantly higher scores in terms of social relationships, environment, and overall quality of life than nonprayer users. Employed participants and opium users had significantly higher overall quality of life than others. Conclusion: Although there was no difference in quality of life between CAM and non-CAM users, the present study showed that prayer and medicinal herbs were the most commonly used methods among narcotics anonymous patients. However, prayer and religious beliefs were successful in improving the quality of life of these individuals. Physicians and other healthcare providers must advise patients with addiction to use different CAMs in order to improve their quality of life and quit narcotics. Future in-depth studies could help these patients use CAMs and improve their quality of life.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine for reducing fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: Does it work?

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors is a psychosocial concern that affects recovery and quality of life. They use complementary and alternative medicine to prevent the side effects of drugs and relieve anxiety and fear of cancer recurrence. This study aimed to examine the correlation between the use of complementary and alternative medicine and the fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study enrolled 280 cancer survivors referred to oncology centers and medical offices in Kerman using convenience sampling. The research tools included complementary and alternative medicine questionnaire and the fear of cancer recurrence inventory. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 was used to analyze the data. Results: The study findings revealed that 78.2% of the participants used at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine in the last year; 71.8% used medicinal herbs, 19.6% used nutritional supplements, 7.5% used relaxation and meditation, 7.1% used dry cupping, and 5.7% used wet cupping. The mean score of fear of cancer recurrence was 80.72 â€‹± â€‹18.46, which was almost near the midpoint of the inventory score (84). The fear of cancer recurrence and its dimensions did not differ between users and nonusers of complementary and alternative medicine. Conclusions: Our results suggested that most of the survivors used at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine in the past year, and medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements were the most used types. Patients with cancer must be aware of the effects of different kinds of complementary and alternative medicine. A moderate level in the mean score of fear of cancer recurrence was found, and no difference was noted between users and nonusers of complementary and alternative medicine. Health managers and planners should conduct effective psychological interventions and strategies to minimize the fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors.

Postmenopausal women's usage of complementary and alternative medicine and its relationship to sexual function: A cross-sectional study in southeastern Iran.

Background and Aims: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common problems in postmenopausal women that affect their lives. Due to the widespread disadvantages and age limit of drug and hormone therapy, the demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods has increased. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study. A total of 297 postmenopausal women who were referred to health centers in Kerman, southeastern Iran, were selected during the years 2020-2021. The use of CAM and sexual function were examined by Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index, respectively. Data were collected through a combination of face-to-face and online forms. Results: More than half of the participants used at least one type of CAM in the preceding year for any general reason. The mean satisfaction score for CAM use was 21.7 ± 5.84; Most reasons of use were for improving quality of life, improving physical function, reducing sleep disorders, improving mood status, reducing vasomotor symptom, and improving sexual function, respectively. Most reasons of use were related to sexual dysfunction. Specifically, the mean score for sexual function was 17.96 ± 7.50 which was lower than the scale's midpoint of 28. According to different subscales of sexual function, 52.9% of participants had good desire, 49.5% good arousal, 34.7% good lubrication, 56.9% good orgasm, and 2% had no pain, and 52.5% were satisfied with their sexual function. There were no significant differences between CAM users and nonusers about sexual functions and all its subscales. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between CAM users and nonusers about sexual functions and all its domains. Further research in different communities with different health systems is recommended to investigate the relationship between CAM and sexual function among postmenopausal women.