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Since the (Covid-19) pandemic outbreak, questioning regarding climate and incident of Covid-19 infection rates has been debated, while there is no clear research evidence until now in Iran. This study has focused on investigating the association between Covid-19 cases and demographic –meteorological factors in arid and semi-arid zones of Iran (from March 1, 2020, to January 31, 2022) by analyzing with Via Poisson and negative binomial regression. As a result, the incidence rate of both Covid-19 hospitalization and mortality cases reached peaks in the summer followed by the autumn. Interestingly, Covid-19 hospitalization cases are associated with humidity, temperature, and wind factors seasonally and monthly, but mortality cases are just associated with wind. In conclusion, the result demonstrated that demographicand meteorological factorsare positively and negatively associated with Covid-19 cases. Therefore, identifying the environmental factors contributing to the excess Covid-19 can help to prevent future pandemic waves in Iranian arid and semi-arid zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While taking advantage of the educational benefits of smartphones, students also apply this device in inappropriate ways that cause certain disciplinary and educational problems. This study examines the effect of self-management training on smartphone dependence among male high school students. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, data were collected using the Cell Phone Addiction Scale (Koo, 2009), which was completed by the trial and control groups before and after the educational intervention. After assessing their normal distribution, the data were analysed using the Chi-square test, the independent and paired t -tests, Mann–Whitney's U -test, and the Wilcoxon test at a significance level of p <.05. Results: The results showed significant post-intervention reductions in the mean score of smartphone dependence (35.10) and its three domains, including withdrawal/tolerance (14.80), life dysfunction (8.70), and compulsion/persistence (11.60), in the trial group compared to the controls (44.80, 16.2, 12.10, and 16.50) and also in the mean score of certain applications of smartphones (p <.05). Discussion and conclusions: Despite the existing limitations, the results confirmed the efficacy of self-management training in reducing smartphone dependence in the students. The implementation of this programme is recommended for reducing dependence and promoting the proper use of this device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Marital satisfaction is vital for the continuation of married life, and one of the factors negatively affecting this satisfaction is women’s employment in stressful positions, especially in families where the division of domestic tasks is traditionally based on gender. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a family-centered program to manage domestic roles on marital satisfaction in female nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The study population consisted of married female nurses working in two hospitals in Zabol City, Iran. Based on the determined sample size, this study was conducted on 50 female nurses and their husbands, who were randomly divided into the trial (25 couples) and control (25 couples) groups. Data were collected using Carlson’s work-family conflict scale (WFCS) and the enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire (1998). The trial group received a family-centered educational-supportive program to empower them in performing domestic roles and was compared to the control group after a two-month follow-up. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 20 using the chi-square and independent tests for parametric data and Mann- Whitney’s U test for nonparametric data, at the significance level of P<0.05. Results: The mean score of marital satisfaction was significantly higher in the trial group compared to the control group after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: The educational-supportive program for family management based on familycentered care decreased work-family conflict (WFC) in female nurses and led to improvements in marital satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s knowledge about COVID-19 and their anxiety and fear of the unknown. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020 on Iranian pregnant women visiting comprehensive healthcare centers affiliated with the Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling strategy among pregnant women who agreed to participate, had a Telegram or WhatsApp account or phone number, and had no history of pregnancy complications. A demographic questionnaire, Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory, fearing the unknown questionnaire, and an uncertainty scale was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models using SPSS software, version 16. Results: A total of 190 pregnant women were included in the analysis. The Mean±SD for knowledge of COVID-19 was 8.82±1.72. The knowledge of 71.1% of participants was moderate. The Mean±SD for fearing the unknown was 36.2±9.1. The Mean±SD for the state anxiety about COVID-19 incidence in pregnant women was 47.6±10.2. The results showed that 65.3% of the participants had a moderate level of anxiety. Multiple regression analysis showed an increase of 0.16 (P=0.029) in the fearing the unknown score for each week of increase in the gestational age. Similarly, the anxiety increased by 0.56 (P<0.001) for each unit of increase in fearing the unknown. Moreover, the results showed that the anxiety of people using Telegram or WhatsApp was 3.44 units more than others (P<0.018) Conclusion: The findings showed that the pregnant women’s knowledge was moderate at the time of research. However, with increasing gestational age, fear of the unknown, and sources of knowledge were associated with anxiety. This points to the essentiality of increasing supportive programs and it is required to screen pregnant women to prevent the adverse effects of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal care and family functioning are major factors in controlling childhood disorders. The present study aimed to compare the quality of maternal care and family functioning in single-parent versus biparental families with preschool children. The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 single-mother (divorced or widowed) and biparental families with 3- to 6-year-old children in Gonabad County. The data were collected using the maternal care quality questionnaire and the family assessment device (FAD). The mean maternal care quality scores in the single-parent and biparental groups were 116.36 (Standard deviation (SD) = 19.33) and 130.53(SD = 5.70), respectively. The total family functioning scores in the single-parent and biparental groups were 2.70 (SD = 0.18) and 3.02 (SD = 0.11), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed in the quality of maternal care and family functioning and their respective subscales between single-parent and biparental families (ps < 0.001). The quality of maternal care and family functioning in single-mother group was significantly lower than the biparental group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ability for effective communication is one of the most essential skills for health system staff, especially nurses, as parts of their roles takes place only through effective communication with clients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of education on effectiveness of nurses' professional communication related to clients' health. The participants in this study were 50 nurses who were selected by convenience sampling method. Data collection tool was the questionnaire consisting of two parts; the first part contains 8 questions about personal information and work nurses and the second part contains Sussman and Krivonos's Identify communication questionnaire. The intervention included effective communication traning workshop for nurses. 70 percent of participants were female. The mean age and work experience of participants respectively were 30.58±5.68 years and 10.42±6.42 years. the mean of samples' communication score increased after intervention in three subgroups including, subordinates 11.62, superiors 8.87 and colleagues 6.04, which these changes were significant in the three subgroups. the results show the effect of education on nurses' professional communication related to clients' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are some evidences for the decrease of sleep quality among diabetic patients. Because of negative impact of blood glucose on sleep disorders, we aimed at investigating The prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes and its related factors. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 507 patients with type 2 diabetes. For data collection valid and reliable questionnaire and the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire were used. The data were analyzed by software SPS-20 and descriptive statistics. The prevalence of sleep disorders in this study was 50.7%. 65% of participants were women, and mean (standard deviation) age of patients were 57.37 (12.15). Sleep disorder score significantly higher in women than men, and the marital status, education, occupation, daily glibenclamide, a significant relationship was observed in other diseases, and improve sleep program.In this study the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with diabetes was high. So it seems necessary to notice more to improve sleep disorders in diabetic patients and revise their care program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rising population of the elderly worldwide, especially in developing countries, old age and its accompanied conditions make mental and physical healthcare provision a critical issue of the 21st century.This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the epidemiological pattern of loneliness and its related factors in elderly women (age ⩾ 60 years) who were covered by the health centers of Gonabad, Iran. After estimating the sample size, 500 eligible subjects were selected through proportional stratified sampling. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing demographic characteristics and the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square tests in SPSS 20.0. The prevalence of moderate and intense loneliness was 50.4% and 39.4%, respectively. There were significant relationships between the levels of loneliness and marital status ,education , and family status.The results of this study highlight the necessity of attending to the feeling of loneliness experienced by the elderly people, identifying the situations and events that intensify this feeling, and establishing interventional programs to resolve the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentation disorder. The treatment of melasma with conventional drugs causes complications in patients. This study was conducted to compare the effect of the topical use of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) with that of 4% hydroquinone cream on reduction of the severity of epidermal melasma. Materials and Methods: This double blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2014-2015 in Iran The melasma area and severity index (MASI) were used to determine the severity of melasma. 27 patients in the control group received 4% hydroquinone cream (Eldopaque/Eldoqin), and 27 patients in the case group received Petroselinum crispum brewed every night for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test in the SPSS software (version 20). Results: Mean age of the participants was 32 years (range: 19-55 years). Mean severity of melasma decreased from 6.66 to 4.92 (p=0.002) in the case group receiving parsley, and from 6.68 to 5.06 (p=0.000) in the control group receiving hydroquinone. The decrease in severity was statistically significant in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the severity of melasma after the intervention (p=0.858). Conclusion: A similar positive response was found to both treatments with hydroquinone and parsley. Although further studies are needed in this regard, it seems that the topical use of parsley may merit the attention of nurses and other medical professionals as a costeffective therapeutic method that causes fewer complications and improves the self-image of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Breast congestion is a common problem affecting 40% of mothers after delivery and has adverse effects on proper breastfeeding. This study aimed to identify the effects of the local use of Hollyhock leaves compress with cold and hot compress on breast congestion in breastfeeding women. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 40 women in Abolfazl Hospital of Kashmar, Iran Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of control and intervention. Severity of congestion was evaluated by determining the total scores for symptoms such as redness, tension and pain. Intervention in the control group included hot compress before breastfeeding and cold compress after breastfeeding. In the intervention group, in addition to hot and cold compress, Hollyhock leaves compress was used. Data analysis was performed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) in SPSS. Results: In this study, both groups were homogeneous in terms of age, time of the onset of congestion, education status, occupation and type of delivery. Severity of congestion was on a downward trend during intervention in both groups, while the effects of intervention group on the total score of breast congestion was statistically significant (p<0.001). In addition, average breast congestion score of control subjects was 4.103, which was higher than the score in the intervention group. Also, time had a significant effect on the congestion score (p<0.001); in other words, congestion score saw a reduction with time. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, hot and cold compress alone and along with Hollyhock leaves had significant effects on breast congestion, while using Hollyhock leaves compress resulted in the rapid improvement of breast congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of laryngeal mask airway, endotracheal tube and oropharyngeal airway for airway management in prehospital emergency care., Methods: The study sample of this randomized clinical trial was 54 patients needing pre-hospital airway management. All cases of intubation (ETI); after two failed attempts (37 patients), were randomly assigned to the oropharyngeal airway (OPA), and the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) groups. Patients' hemodynamic, SaO2 and airway management parameters, were compared in three groups. The study data were analyzed by the Chi-square and one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc, using SPSS, v. 18.0., Results: The results demonstrated that before and after the study, there was no significant difference among the study groups in terms of hemodynamic variables (P > 0.05) expect SaO2 (P < 0.001). The results also revealed that in the ETI group (n=17), the number of attempts and the time spent on inserting the airway device was significantly more than other two groups (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Laryngeal mask airway is as effective as oropharyngial airway for pre-hospital airway management by paramedics.

Background: Self-esteem is one of the basic needs for all individuals especially in adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine associations between adolescents' self-esteem and perceived maternal parenting styles as well as its dimensions in terms of family type., Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 356 high school students (250 two-parent nuclear family and 106 single-parent family) participated and filled out the Coppersmith self-esteem and the Robinson and colleagues (2001) perceived parenting styles questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 18. To assess the relationship between participants' self-esteem and parenting styles and dimensions, Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test was used to adjust the effect of potential confounder variables. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: From a total of 370 questionnaires, 356 questionnaires were completed. The mean±SD of the participants' self-esteem score was 38.49±6.55. Mean±SD of self-esteem score among the two-parent and single-parent students was 39.06±6.36 and 37.42±7.28, respectively (P=0.034). Dominant parenting style in both families was authoritative style. There were significant associations between the respondents' self-esteem and their perceived parenting styles, after matching sex, family income, level of education, and parents job (P<0.005)., Conclusion: The results of this research can be used in educational interventions to modify the dimensions of parenting styles and improve self-esteem. Therefore, considering the relationship between child-rearing style and adolescent self-esteem, assessing other relating factors with adolescent self-esteem especially in single-parent family, such as father absence stigma, is suggested.