Mohammad Namazinia

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), also known as Bland–White–Garland syndrome, is a rare congenit

Hospitalization of preterm neonates in the NICU is an intensely stressful experience for mothers, yet it may also lead to positive psychological changes known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study evaluated the impact of spiritual care on PTG among mothers of preterm neonates after NICU discharge. A clinical trial was conducted with 60 mothers of neonates born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestational age. The intervention group received eight spiritual care sessions, each lasting 30-60 min. PTG was measured using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by Tedeschi and Calhoun at three time points: before the intervention, immediately afterward, and one month post-discharge. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Prior to the intervention, mean PTG scores in the intervention and control groups were 68.20 and 67.93, respectively. While no significant difference was observed immediately after the intervention, the intervention group reported a significantly higher mean PTG score one month post-discharge compared to the control group (87.00 vs. 74.23, p = 0.001). These findings suggest that spiritual care effectively enhances PTG in mothers of preterm neonates. Nurses are encouraged to integrate spiritual care into their practice to support maternal psychological well-being.Trial Registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. IRCT20210627051721N1) on 14/08/2021.

The growing aging population has led to an increasing number of older adults with chronic illnesses such as stroke, placing significant caregiving responsibilities on informal caregivers. However, little is known about how health literacy (HL) affects caregiver burden (CB), particularly in Middle Eastern countries. This study explores the relationship between CB and HL among informal caregivers of older adult stroke survivors in Iran and Iraq. Conducted in 2021 with 300 participants selected through convenience sampling from Ghaem Hospital in Iran and Al-Sadr Hospital in Iraq, data were collected using the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Results indicated that Iranian caregivers experienced higher CB and HL than Iraqi caregivers. A multivariable linear regression analysis showed that CB was significantly associated with HL (β = −.25, p < .01), caregiver age (β = .21, p < .05), and the age of the stroke survivor (β = .18, p < .05), explaining 15% of the variation in CB. Higher HL correlated with lower CB, while older caregiver and patient ages were linked to higher CB. The study concludes that improving HL through educational programs can reduce CB, and health officials should consider demographic factors to enhance caregiver support.

Urinary catheterization (UC), a commonly performed procedure in emergency departments (EDs), is often associated with significant patient discomfort and pa

Chronic kidney disease affects 10–15% of the global population, with hemodialysis causing significant thirst and xerostomia due to fluid restrictions. These symptoms impair quality of life and treatment adherence. While ultrafiltration (UF) and sodium profiling have been studied separately, their combined effect remains understudied, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. We conducted a randomized crossover trial with 20 ESRD patients comparing: (1) ascending/descending UF with linear sodium reduction (150→138 mmol/L) versus (2) conventional HD with constant UF/sodium (140 mmol/L). Participants completed 16 sessions per protocol with washout periods. Outcomes were measured using validated Thirst Questionnaire (5-item) and Xerostomia Inventory (11-item), both showing excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α > 0.7/>0.8). The intervention group showed significant improvements versus conventional HD: 44% reduction in thirst scores (36.5 vs. 64.5, p < 0.001). 22% lower xerostomia (19.0 vs. 24.4, p = 0.002). 73% fewer hypotension episodes (15% vs. 55%, p < 0.05). These benefits are mechanistically linked to improved hemodynamic stability achieved through synergistic sodium and ultrafiltration profiling. This approach, which maintains plasma osmolality and intravascular volume, offers a practical, cost-neutral solution for symptom management. This approach significantly ameliorates patient-reported thirst and xerostomia and reduces intradialytic hypotension, offering a practical, cost-neutral strategy to enhance treatment tolerability. This approach should be adopted in routine practice, particularly for the growing ESRD population. Future studies should explore personalized strategies and long-term effects. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. IRCT20180429039463N5) on 07/01/2023. https//irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/67,695.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global mental health. Iran, with its high infection rates and prolonged restrictions, faced a notable increase in mental health issues. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of mental disorders during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among residents of eastern Iran and identify associated factors. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 residents of Torbat Heydariyeh using random sampling. Data were collected through home interviews between June 2020 and June 2023. Mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), with demographic data collected through a structured form. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, with a significance threshold of p ≤ 0.05. The prevalence of mental disorders was significantly higher during the pandemic (40.0%) compared to the post COVID-19 period (27.5%) (p < 0.001). Gender, economic status, and medical history were major determinants of mental health during the pandemic. Women (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.37–2.68), individuals with poor economic status (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.46–3.76), and those with a history of illness (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.21–2.92) had significantly higher odds of experiencing mental disorders. post COVID-19 period, economic status remained the only significant factor (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.22–2.63). This study highlights significant and enduring psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Interventions focusing on economic support and targeted mental health strategies are critical to mitigating long-term effects.

Oral health is a vital component of overall health, particularly for hospitalized patients who are at higher risk of oral complications due to factors such as reduced salivary flow, medication side effects, and limited mobility. Nurses play a critical role in providing oral healthcare, yet studies indicate gaps in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in this area. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of nurses regarding oral healthcare for hospitalized patients in northeastern Iran, a region with limited healthcare resources. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 112 nurses working in three hospitals in Torbat Heydarieh, northeastern Iran. Data were collected over a two-month period using a convenience sampling method and a validated questionnaire assessing knowledge (11 items), attitudes (16 items), and practices (8 items). The questionnaire underwent face and content validation, and its reliability was confirmed through a pilot study (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 7.01 ± 1.47 (out of 11), 31.58 ± 4.93 (out of 80), and 4.31 ± 1.05 (out of 8), respectively. Significant correlations were found between knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.279, p < 0.01) and attitudes and practices (r = 0.149, p < 0.01). Nurses with higher education levels and more work experience demonstrated better knowledge and attitudes, though these did not always translate into improved practices. Male nurses had significantly higher knowledge scores than female nurses (p = 0.021). The study highlights moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and suboptimal practices among nurses regarding oral healthcare. The weak correlation between knowledge, attitudes, and practices suggests that improving oral healthcare requires not only education but also institutional support and resource availability. Given the relatively limited sample size and the use of convenience sampling, caution is advised when generalizing these findings to other populations. Targeted training programs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and systemic changes are recommended to enhance oral healthcare practices in hospitals. Not applicable.