Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various systems of the body. The present study was conducted with the aim to explain the lived experiences of Iranian patients with RA. Materials and Methods: According to the research question, the phenomenological research approach was used. The participants were selected through purposive sampling, and sampling was continued until data saturation was achieved. The data was collected by conducting unstructured interviews and using an audio recorder. To interpret the data, an interpretive/hermeneutic approach was implemented using Van Manen's method. In addition, Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used to evaluate data robustness. Results: A total of 24 participants participated in the study. Overall, 145 basic concept codes were extracted which were classified into the four main themes of self-management with the participation of the family, spiritual resilience in the face of existing problems, the tendency to hide the disease, and the fear of an uncertain future. Conclusions: It is recommended that care providers use the findings of this study to develop care plans in the various aspects of the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of patients with RA based on their concerns and deep experiences. It is also suggested that other qualitative research approach methodologies such as grounded theory for explaining the process of patient care and providing an appropriate model, or action research for solving the problems of hospitalized patients through suitable care at home be implemented.
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with frequent recurrence. The associated complications cause disturbance in patients' quality of life. In addition to treatment procedures, use of self-care behaviors can be considered a cost-effective and applicable method in improving the patients' symptoms. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a self-care program in promoting self-care behaviors of patients with psoriasis. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a self-care program in promoting self-care behaviors among patients with psoriasis. Methods: This quasi experimental, before-after study was carried out on 32 patients. The educational program was implemented face-to-face and in groups (in areas such as medicine, bathing, and clothing). The samples were examined once every 2 weeks for 3 months. Two questionnaires and 1 self-report checklist with a correlation coefficient of 92.5% were used in this study. The validity of the questionnaires was determined using content validity. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS. Results: The patients' demographics were as follows: mean age, 42.37%; males, 16 (55.2%) and females, 13 (44.8%); married, 21 (72.4%), single, 6 (20.7%), and widowed, 2 (6.9%); secondary school education, 13 (44.8%); average disease period, 9.03%; most self-employed and housewives (9, 31%); history of disease, 7 (24.1%); and physician-diagnosed disease, 29 (100%). The results showed that the mean medication adherence rate increased from 7% to 9.72% after the intervention, and comparison of self-care behaviors before and after the intervention showed that the frequency of most behaviors significantly increased. Conclusions:The results showed that training could improve self-care behaviors. Use of simple, low-cost, and available programs for self-care behaviors is effective in reducing the patients' symptoms and improving their conditions.
Eye care is one of the most critical tasks of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Patients in this unit are exposed to potential ocular problems due to critical conditions. This study aimed to establish a new eye care protocol for preventing ocular surface disorders in patients admitted to ICU. This was a clinical trial study performed on patients admitted to ICU in 2019. The data gathering tools included the demographic questionnaire, the Schirmer test for dry eye, fluorescein staining and slit lamp manual for examining corneal ulcers, and slit lamp manual to check keratitis and conjunctivitis. A type of eye care protocol was performed on the patient's eyes. After five consecutive days of executing the protocol, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18. The use of eye care protocol reduced the risk of keratitis (P=0.027), conjunctivitis (P=0.012), eye dryness (P=0.001), and corneal ulcer (P=0.003) in patients admitted to ICU in the intervention group compared to the control group. Ophthalmology protocols reduced the incidence of keratitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and corneal ulcers in ICU patients. Therefore, using this method in ICU patients can improve nursing care.
Background and Purpose: Self-medication is a global medical issue, the rate of which has been reported to be on the rise in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of self-medication and the associated factors among the university students of Ahvaz city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Jundishapur and Shahid Chamran universities of Ahvaz, Iran in 2015. In total, 680 university students were selected from 16 different medical and non-medical schools to participate in this study. Using the easy sampling method, 45 students were selected from each school. Data collection tools included the socio-demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaires consisting of 12 items to evaluate self-medication. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.20 using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), independent T-test, and Chi-square test. Results: In this study, prevalence rate of self-medication among the selected university students was 81.6%. The most frequent medicines used by the students were adult cold (69.05%), analgesics (48.23%), and antibiotics (31.02%). Moreover, preventive factors of self-medication among the subjects included family and friends (96.32%), lack of belief in the effectiveness of self-medication (93.82%), and fear of the complications associated with self-medication (88.97%). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, university students had a positive attitude toward self-medication. Therefore, it is recommended that the knowledge and attitude of these individuals be promoted through the implementation of related training programs in order to reduce public tendency toward self-medication.
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