A survey of Information Literacy level and its related factors among the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences and Kurdistan University

Background & Aim: Professional ethics is defined as ethical commitment and conscience in regards to every profession, duty or responsibility in order to prevent patient harm, which in turn accelerates recovery. The present study aimed to determine the level of knowledge regarding professional ethics and its influential factors among midwives in Sanandaj, Iran in 2017. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 midwives employed in the hospitals and health centers in Sanandaj city. The subjects were selected via simple random sampling. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire. The first section consisted of demographic characteristics, and the second section contained data on the knowledge of various aspects of professional ethics. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics at the P-value of less than 0.05. Results: The general knowledge of the majority of the midwives (92) regarding professional ethics was favorable. In addition, significant associations were observed between marital status (P=0.046), workplace (P=0.010), and interest and motivation (P=0.013) with the general knowledge of professional ethics. Conclusion: According to the results, the midwives employed in the hospitals and health centers in Sanandaj had proper knowledge of professional ethics.

Background & Aim: Job burnout is defined as the response to the chronic psychological distress caused by oners occupation, leading to poor efficiency and loss of human resources. The present study aimed to evaluate the rate of job burnout and its influential factors in the midwives employed at the hospitals and health centers in Sanandaj, Iran in 2016. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 200 midwives employed at the hospitals and health centers in Sanandaj city. The subjects were selected via simple random sampling using a random number table. Data were collected using Maslach burnout inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics at the significance level of 0.05. Results: In terms of job burnout dimensions, low cynicism was observed in 62 subjects (31), moderate cynicism was observed in 72 subjects (36), and severe cynicism was observed in 66 subjects (33). Low emotional exhaustion was detected in 70 subjects (35), moderate emotional exhaustion was observed in 74 subjects (37), and severe exhaustion was reported in 56 subjects (28). With regard to personal efficiency, high self-effectiveness was denoted in 71 subjects (35.5), while the level was moderate and low in 78 (39) and 51 subjects (25.5). Conclusion: According to the results, the rate of job burnout was moderate among the studied midwives. Given the importance of midwifery in health care, preventive programs are recommended in order to promote the quality of care services and satisfaction of healthcare professionals, as well as reducing the rate of job burnout.

Background & Aim: Anxiety is a common psychological disorder among the elderly, which could deteriorate social and cognitive functions and lead to disabilities and low quality of life in this population. Physical exercise is an important, inexpensive therapeutic approach to improving geriatric psychological disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of tai chi chuan on the level of anxiety in elderly women. Materials & Methods: This clinical trial was conducted with a pretest-posttest design on 60 elderly women in the intervention and control groups in 2014. The subjects were the retired members of Tehran Petroleum Industry. The subjects were selected via stratified random sampling and allocated to two groups of intervention (n=29) and control (n=31). The intervention involved 24 sessions of tai chi chuan exercises for eight weeks (three times per week). Data were collected using demographic questionnaires and Spielbergerr state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Results: Mean score of anxiety before the intervention was 41.79 in the intervention group and 39.54 in the control group, which indicated no significant difference (P=0.368). After the intervention, the mean score of anxiety in the intervention and control groups was 29.41 and 39.38, respectively. According to the results of ANCOVA, the intervention could significantly reduce anxiety in elderly women (P=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, tai chi chuan exercises could decrease the level of anxiety in elderly women. Therefore, the implementation of this safe and economical method seems essential to enhancing the psychological health of the elderly.

The relationship between pain score and change in physiological indices of premature neonates under ventilation