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Background & Aims Nurses on the frontline of fight against COVID-19 faced with many stressors. The unpredictability of the situation and the seriousness of the risk can lead to intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in them. Nurses with IU perceive uncertainties about COVID-19 as distressing and stressful, and experience severe anxiety and worry. Anxiety in such situations leads to cognitive avoidance, rumination or other maladaptive coping strategies. The present study aims to determine the IU status during the COVID-19 pandemic in nurses working in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 240 nurses working in the coronavirus wards of teaching hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, whowere selected by a census sampling method and based on the inclusion criteria. A demographic form and Freeston et al.’s intolerance of uncertainty scale (IUS) were completed by them. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The mean score of IU was 62.58±20.36. The stress dimension of IUS showed the highest score (2.49±0.78) while the dimension of inability to take action showed the lowest score (2.15±0.80). The COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with IU (P=0.048). Conclusion The nurses working in the coronavirus wards of selected teaching hospitals had IU during the COVID-19 pandemic such that they had more IU regarding stress, but the amount of IU was not so high that can make them unable to perform their duties. Providing education to nurses on how to break the cycle of anxiety and IU, changing their beliefs about IU, reducing their negative orientation to problems, controlling and monitoring their performance, and facilitating the provision of care can help optimize nursing care and achieve quality patient care during health-related crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Patients with leukemia face mental distress that can affect their hope. One of the effective components in measuring psychological well-being is illness perception, which refers to the cognitive evaluation and understanding of a medical condition. This study aims to determine the relationship between illness perception and hope in patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study conducted on 200 patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Data collection tools were a demographic form, Broadbent et al.’s brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ) and Snyder’s adult hope scale (AHS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance. Results The mean total score of BIPQ was 37.45±9.10 and the mean total score of AHS was 32.39±1.88. There was negative and significant correlation between illness perception and hope (r=-0.489, P<0.001). Conclusion A more positive perception of leukemia can improve the hope of patients. It is recommended to implement interventions to create a positive illness perception in these patients to increase their hope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Despite the significant impact of immunosuppressive drugs on controlling and treating certain diseases, their continued use can predispose patients to infectious diseases such as COVID-19, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study aims to determine the levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms in patients treated with immunosuppressive drug during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 individuals treated with immunosuppressive drug such as those with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and transplant recipients in Firoozgar and Rasoul-e-Akram hospitals in Tehran, Iran, from July to December 2022. They were selected using a continuous sampling method. The instruments were a demographic/disease related questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential (Independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation test) statistics. Results In this study, the mean age of participants was 51.35±12.95 years, and 148 (44.8%) were female. The majority of the patients had normal levels of anxiety and depression (91.2% and 92.1%, respectively). The mean total IES-R score was 27.71 out of 88. The anxiety and depression scores did not have a significant relationship with any demographic, disease-related, and COVID-related characteristics of the study participants, but a significant correlation between income level and total score of IES-R was observed (P=0.043). Conclusion The individuals receiving immunosuppressive drugs in this study, despite being susceptible to COVID-19, had normal levels of anxiety and depression and obtained lower than average score in the IES-R. This finding can reduce the concerns about the mental health of these patients. Further studies using other questionnaires or a qualitative study on the experiences of these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Suicide and suicidal thoughts among adolescents have become a worrying psychosocial problem. This study aims to evaluate suicidal ideation among adolescents from the west of Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 256 boys and girls were selected from second-grade high schools in the west of Tehran by a convenience sampling method in 2022. The data collection tools were a sociodemographic form and the Beck scale for suicidal ideation (BSSI), which were completed using a self-report method. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test, analysis of variance). Results The mean age of the participants was 17.33±0.67 years. The mean score of BSSI was 3.19±5.66 out of 5. Among the sociodemographic factors, suicidal ideation had a statistically significant relationship only with the grade point average (P=0.004). Conclusion It is recommended to design and implement programs to educate and provide psychiatric services to high school students in Iran to reduce their suicidal ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims safe nursing care is the use of knowledge and skills by nurses to provide quality patient care and it is considered one of the health goals in intensive care units. The feeling of being supported by the hospital play a key role in achieving this goal; it can lead to job satisfaction, good job performance, and patient satisfaction. This study aims to determine the relationship between perceived organizational support and safe nursing care in nurses working in the intensive care units (ICUs) of public hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted on 200 nurses working in the ICUs of hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2021-2022, who were selected using a quota sampling method. Eisenberger et al.’s perceived organizational support scale and Rashvand et al.’s safe nursing care questionaire were used to collect data. Data analysis was done in SPSS v.16 software using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test). Results The mean score of perceived organizational support was 23.20±9.57, which was lower than the cutoff point. Safe nursing care was at a favorable level with a mean score of 322.89±34.1. The perceived organizational support had no statistically significant correlation with safe nursing care and its dimensions. Conclusion Despite the unfavorable perceived organizational support of ICU nurses in Tabriz, their safe nursing care is favorable. There is no statistically significant relationship between their perceived organizational support and safe nursing care. This finding is probably due to the prevailing rules and professional beliefs in the work of nurses, which has caused the care provided to be safe despite the perception of low organizational support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with COVID-19 are in dire need of spiritual care due to being alone in quarantine, away from their families. The present study aims to assess the spiritual care competence of nurses in the special care units for COVID-19 in teaching hospitals in Arak, Iran Materials & Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants were 142 nurses working in the special care units for COVID-19 in hospitals affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2022, who were selected by a census method. The data collection tool was the spiritual care competence scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16. Results The mean total score of spiritual care competence was 100.71±14.45, which was higher than the median score of 81. The spiritual care competence had a significant relationship with marital status (P=0.044), willingness to work overtime (P<0.001), age (P=0.011), total work experience (P=0.03), and work experience in the special care unit (P=0.025), such that spiritual care competence was higher in older married nurses with a willingness to work overtime and a higher work experience. Conclusion The spiritual care competence of nurses in the study hospitals is at a favorable level. The results of this study can help future studies in improving the quality of nursing care and the competence of nurses in spiritual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Due to having multiple tasks in ensuring the health of patients, primary healthcare workers are under many stresses that may lead to job burnout. The present study aims to determine the relationship between occupational stress and job burnout of primary healthcare workers. Materials & Methods This descriptive, correlational study was conducted in 2019 on 128 primary healthcare workers in Saveh and Zarandieh cities, who were selected by a census method. Data was collected by a demographic form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and Spielberger’s job stress survey (JSS). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data, and independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test were used to analyze data in SPSS software, version 18. Results The mean score of JSS was 140.7±48.6, which was lower the median score (150). The mean frequency score was 23.43±8.3 for the MBI dimension of emotional exhaustion, 17±4.78 for depersonalization, and 14.43±6.74 for personal accomplishment. Occupational stress had a positive and significant relationship with the frequency of emotional exhaustion (r=0.59, P<0.001) and depersonalization (r=0.22, P<0.001), and a negative and significant relationship with the frequency of personal accomplishment (r=-0.47, P<0.001). This indicates that with the increase of occupational stress, the frequency of job burnout in two dimensions of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization increases, while the frequency of personal accomplishment decreases. Conclusion Primary healthcare workers in the study region have moderate occupational stress and a high level of job burnout in the areas of depersonalization and personal accomplishment. Considering the high level of job burnout and its relationship with occupational stress in these healthcare workers, and the fact that these factors can have a negative impact on the quality of healthcare services, it is necessary to carry out necessary interventions to reduce and manage occupational stress and job burnout of primary healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Interpersonal cognitive distortion (ICD) is one of the psychological problems in old age that causes a person not to have a correct and logical understanding of relations. Its continuation can lead to anxiety and depression. This study aims to determine the ICDs among the community-dwelling elderly in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods In this descriptive-correlational study, participants were 200 older people dwelling in the urban parks in Tehran, Iran who were selected using a cluster sampling method from December 2020 to October 2021. Data collection tools included a demographic form, abbreviated mental test score (AMTS), and interpersonal cognitive distortion scale (ICDS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 software using descriptive statistics (Mean±SD, No. (%)) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, analysis of variance). Results The mean total score of ICD was 52.53±8.29 out of 95, which indicates the moderate level of ICD among the elderly. In terms of the dimensions of ICDS, the unrealistic relationship expectations had the highest mean score (2.91±0.57), while the dimension of interpersonal rejection had the lowest score (2.64±0.52). There was a significant relationship between the age of the elderly and their ICD (P=0.03). Conclusion Considering the existence of a significant relationship between ageing and cognitive distortions, The nurses working in healthcare centers in Mashhad should take it into account in interventions for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Pregnancy is associated with physiological and psychological changes. Pregnancy in adolescence may affect the quality of life (QoL) of young women. This study aims to investigate the QoL of adolescent pregnant women in Arak, Iran. Materials & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 217 adolescent pregnant women referred to comprehensive health centers in urban areas of Arak city in 2020 who were selected by a multi-stage sampling method. A demographic form and the QoL gravidarum questionnaire (QoL-GRAV) were used to collect information. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test were used to examine the relationship between the study variables in SPSS software, version 22. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results The mean age of participants was 17.86±1.42 years. Their mean total score of QoL was 1.83±0.56, which was higher than average. They had the highest score in the psychological health domain (Mean=2.01) and the lowest score in the social functioning domain (Mean=1.5). Mother's educational level, husband's educational level, economic status, and pregnancy status (unplanned/ planned) according to women and their husbands had a statistically significant relationship with the QoL. Conclusion The QoL of adolescent pregnant women in Arak is higher than the average. Those with higher educational level, those with husbands having higher educational level, those with better economic status, and those with planned pregnancy have better QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Patient safety is an important component and one of the main elements of quality in health care systems. The patient safety status among the pre-hospital Emergency Medical Staff (EMS) in Iran is unclear and there is almost no information about adverse complications. Assessing the current patient safety culture can be a starting point for improving safety attitudes among health care workers, including pre-hospital EMS who are at the forefront of managing patients in critical conditions. This study aims to survey the attitude towards patient safety among pre-hospital EMS in Mashhad, Iran. Materials & Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 438 full-time pre-hospital EMS with at least 6 months of operational work experience in Mashhad city in 2019, who were selected by a census method. The assessment tool was the Emergency Medical Services Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (EMS-SAQ). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 16 using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test). The significance level was set at 0.05. Results It was reported that 13.75% had a positive attitude towards patient safety. The mean total score of EMS-SAQ was 53.55±10.60. The most positive attitude was related to stress recognition (34.2%) and the lowest positive attitude was related to safety climate and perception of management (5.7%). There was no statistically significant relationship between any demographic characteristics and overall attitude towards patient safety (P>0.05). Conclusion The patient safety culture of the pre-hospital EMS in Mashhad is not positive. This requires further research and also taking measures such as holding briefing sessions for managers and staff, increasing the number of staff, setting up an error reporting system, and including topics related to patient safety in the in-service training courses for the staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Risk management in academic research, courses, and degrees is crucial in universities. However, there is no evidence for risk management in most aspects of university management. This study was conducted to determine the risk management Evaluation from the Staff's Perspective of Iran University Medical Sciences In 2021. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The research samples were 224 staff of the Iran University of Medical Sciences selected by the available sampling method. The data collection tool was a risk management questionnaire. Risk management was classified into six dimensions. The first dimension is related to the level of employees' knowledge of risk management. The second dimension of risk management status. The third dimension includes policies and procedures. The fourth dimension is related to training status. The fifth dimension was the position of risk management, and finally, the sixth one was monitoring, analysis, evaluation, and risk control. In total, the questionnaire was examined in 45 questions on a 5-point Likert scale and was classified into three levels: poor (score less than 3), moderate (score 3 to 4), and good (score more than 4). The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. The numerical indices of minimum, maximum, Mean±SD for the quantitative variables of the research were used. Friedman test was used to examine the relationship between domains and independent t-test, and analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between individual variables and risk management. Results The results showed that most employees (59.4%) were women and the majority (48.7%) were 45- 36 years old. The majority of employees (72.8%) were married. Most of the participants (54.4%) worked in administrative headquarters. More than half of the employees (53.1%) had a university degree at the undergraduate level, and only 12.5% of them had completed risk management courses. The results showed that the total score of risk management was 2.44±0/82. The Friedman test result showed a statistically significant relationship between employees' knowledge of risk management and all areas of risk management (p = 0.00). Statistical tests showed that risk management had a statistically significant relationship with the variables of gender (P = 0.02), risk management (P<0.001), and education (P=0.02). The mean score was higher in men than women, and also in employees who had passed the risk management course was higher than other employees. Two-to-two Tukey comparison also showed that the average score obtained by employees with master's degree education was significantly higher than an associate degree (P=0.03). At other levels, this difference was insignificant. Conclusion The results showed that, generally, from the perspective of the Iran University of Medical Sciences staff, risk management at this university is poor. In this regard, the development of educational programs, the adoption of policies and procedures, and the establishment of monitoring programs to implement risk management should be seriously pursued at the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Childbearing is important for the increase of population; for countries where fertility rate is low, it is important for sustainable development. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship of accountability and religious orientation with childbearing intention in women referred to comprehensive health centers in Yasouj, Iran. Materials & Methods This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in 2019-2020 on 240 fertile married women aged 18-45 years referred to comprehensive health centers in Yasouj city, who were selected by a continuous sampling method. Inclusion criteria were no debilitating diseases, mental illnesses, or contraindication for pregnancy. A sociodemographic form, Harrison-Goff Accountability Scale, and Golriz and Baraheni’s Religious Attitude Scale were used to collect data. Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 20 using chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. P<0.05 was statistically significant. Results There was a negative and significant relationship between accountability and childbearing intention (P=0.036); the intention to have children was significantly lower in women with a higher accountability score. Religious orientation and its two dimensions (intrinsic and extrinsic orientation) had no significant relationship with childbearing intention. Age (P=0.001), length of marriage (P=0.001), and number of male children (P=0.011) had significant correlation with childbearing intention. Conclusion In Yasuj city, the fertile women’s intention to have children decreases with the increase in their responsibilities, age, length of marriage, and number of male children. Therefore, it is recommended that these women be encouraged to have children at a younger age. It may be possible to encourage women with higher accountability to have children by teaching childbearing skills to them. Further studies are needed in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]