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Introduction Menopause is associated with symptoms and complications that can affect women's quality of life. Therefore, acceptance of the symptoms and complications can improve quality of life during this period. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to design an educational program based on the multi-theory model (MTM) to deal with complications of the menopausal period and improve the women's quality of life. Material and methods In designing this study, four phases are considered. In the first phase, the questionnaire of menopausal symptom acceptance behaviors will be designed based on the MTM using literature review and a panel of experts' viewpoints. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire will be confirmed at this stage. In the second phase, a descriptive study will be conducted by administering the questionnaire designed in the first phase along with the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire. The third phase includes the curriculum design based on the findings of the descriptive study, investigations of various studies, and viewpoints of the experts' panel. Therefore, the main components of the intervention will be identified. These components will determine the influential constructs of the MTM according to the descriptive research. Later, the related interventions and messages will be produced and designed from different sources. Intervention strategies will include group discussion, lectures, confidence-building skills, movie screenings, role play, preparation of daily activities booklets for postmenopausal women, and training classes for husbands and children to improve social support for women. The interventions, contents, and messages designed with the presence of health professionals and members of the target community will be pre-tested by examining factors such as audience perception of the message, appropriateness of the education to the audience's literacy and culture, as well as attractiveness, credibility, and acceptance of the materials. Finally, the fourth phase will be the implementation of the pre-test/post-test educational intervention using the intervention and control groups. Results and conclusions The present study provides good information about the needs and strategies to enhance the quality of life in postmenopausal women by utilizing a menopausal acceptance training program. Therefore, designing a program to increase the menopausal acceptance in postmenopausal women can be effective in improving the quality of life and reducing the treatment and medical care costs.

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the most important ways to empower nursing. The perspective of nursing managers about EBP plays an important role in the process of accepting the use of EBP by nurses. On the other hand, identifying facilitator of and barriers to EBP is necessary to improve its implementation. This study aimed to determine the facilitators of and barriers to EBP from the perspective of Iranian nursing managers.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 335 top nursing managers, who were selected by stratified random sampling from Iranian universities of medical sciences, was studied. The research instruments included three electronic questionnaires for demographics, barriers and facilitators of EBP. Data were analyzed in SPSS software using descriptive statistics and appropriate analytical tests.Results: A total of 277 individuals participated in the study (response rate of 80%), 51.6% of them were female (n=143) with an average age of 43/6±7 years. Iranian nursing managers believed that organizational factors were the most important domain for both EBP facilitators (34.7± 9.2) and barriers (28.37±6.2). Furthermore, the most important facilitator of EBP was manager’s increased support and encouragement (4.23±1.19) and the most important barrier was physicians’ not cooperating with nurses in applying research results (3.80±1.29).Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the most important facilitator of and barriers to EBP, and especially emphasized the key role of organizational factors in the implementation of EBP. Identifying facilitator and barriers and creating an organizational culture supporting evidence-based practice are effective interventions that result in improving the quality of nursing care.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health problem in Iran, with an increasing prevalence rate. Knowledge about the prevalence and risk factors of this disease in different health jurisdictions can help in planning to control this condition.In this cross-sectional study, 1285 individuals aged between 20 and 60 years old were recruited. Participants were selected from the general population residing in Gonabad, Iran, via simple random sampling in 2012. Demographic data were collected. Urine and blood test were performed, and the glomerular filtration rate was estimated based on the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.Sixty-five participants (5.1%) had CKD (5.1% men and 5% women; P = .90). The mean age was significantly higher in the CKD group (P = .001). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significantly more prevalent among the participants with CKD than those without CKD (P.001 for both). Proteinuria was significantly associated with CKD, whereas a history of urinary tract infection, a history of nephrolithiasis, smoking, serum uric acid level, lipid profile, and blood glucose level were not.Chronic kidney disease has a high prevalence rate in this part of Iran. We suggest further studies in other parts of our country for the better estimation of the prevalence of CKD in Iran and for better planning to prevent and treat this condition.

Background: Illness uncertainty is a source of a chronic and pervasive psychological stress for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWH), and largely affects their quality of life and the ability to cope with the disease. Based on the uncertainty in illness theory, the social support is one of the illness uncertainty antecedents, and influences the level of uncertainty perceived by patients. Aim: To examine uncertainty in PLWH and its correlation with social support in Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 80 PLWH presenting to AIDS Research Center, Tehran, Iran in 2013. The data collected using illness uncertainty and social support inventories were analyzed through Pearson′s correlation coefficient, Spearman′s correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Results: The results showed a high level of illness uncertainty in PLWH and a negative significant correlation between perceived social support and illness uncertainty ( P = 0.01, r = -0.29). Conclusion: Uncertainty is a serious aspect of illness experience in Iranian PLWH. Providing adequate, structured information to patients as well as opportunities to discuss their concerns with other PLWH and receive emotional support from their health care providers may be worthwhile.