Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the nurses' quality of life scale: a validation study in Iran

BACKGROUND

The quality of life for nurses can be significantly impacted by various occupational factors that Influence their working conditions and professional performance. The current study aimed to translate and validate the Persian version of the Nurses' Quality of Life Scale.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

In this cross-sectional research, the Nurses' Quality of Life Scale (NQOLS) was utilized to assess the quality of life among 500 employed nurses in hospitals in the cities of Gonabad and Sabzevar. The translation process of the NQOLS followed the model proposed by Wild et al. The content validity of the Persian version of the scale was evaluated using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Structural validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while test-retest reliability was determined using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 and LISREL version 8.8 software.

RESULTS

The exploratory factor analysis of the Persian version of NQOLS revealed six factors that accounted for 62.15% of the total variance. The structural validity of the extracted factors was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and ICC for the entire questionnaire were 0.91 and 0.95, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study suggest that the Persian version of the NQOLS exhibits sufficient validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be used as an effective tool for measuring and examining the quality of life among nurses in Iran.

The formation of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes: a grounded theory research

Considering the adverse effects of procrastination on the care and treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes, examining the how, why, and contributing factors of procrastination in this group of patients through in-depth studies seems essential. This is a grounded theory research in which 28 participants were selected by theoretical purposive sampling from patients with type-2 diabetes, their families, and healthcare personnel. Data were collected through interviews, observations, field notes and memos. The data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss approach (2015) and MAXQDA 2010 software. The data obtained were classified into seven main categories. Health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes began to form in the patients when they perceived the hardships of self-care as their main concern. The ominous shadow of the disease, the prison of family care, patient-related factors, health system shortfalls, sociocultural background, and the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic laid the groundwork for abandoning diabetes self-care. Patients tried to abandon their diabetes self-care by adopting strategies such as escaping the reality of the disease, self-medication and procrastination. Wavering health-related procrastination was identified as the central category of this research. The formation of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes is a multidimensional process depending on the patients' background that consists of their interactivity with their family, the health system, and the society. The findings of this research can be used for the design, implementation and monitoring of treatment and care programs for these patients.

A cross-cultural concept analysis of healing in nursing: a hybrid model

BACKGROUND

As a familiar yet abstract and vague concept for nurses, healing is affected by the cultural needs of different communities. The concept of healing is nowadays recommended in nursing theories, and its clarification can develop healing-based nursing care. The present study was conducted to objectify and clarify the concept of healing in nursing care.

METHODS

The present research employed a hybrid concept analysis model developed by Schwartz-Barcott and Kim. The conceptual analysis model of Walker & Avant was used in the theoretical phase, i.e., literature review, where relevant articles in PubMed, ISI, Google Scholar, Scopus, SID and Magiran were reviewed irrespective of publication time. Unstructured interviews were conducted with ten participants in the field data collection phase. A final analysis was performed by combining the two phases.

RESULTS

The theoretical phase identified healing characteristics such as balancing and hope-making originated from mental and spiritual states. Analyzing the data in the fieldwork stage extracted five main themes, i.e. "comprehensive psychophysical health", "cure, a small part of healing", "healing, a spiritual recovery", "an individual's own role in healing" and "healing, an unexpected event". During the patient care process, nurses can help patients heal by establishing appropriate communication and comprehensive understanding of the patients by designing and implementing appropriate interventions and integrating healing strategies into their comprehensive care measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept of healing in nursing care is a general and complex process, and different people can interpret it differently on their road to health. Properly understanding the concept of healing enables nurses to assist patients in achieving health and healing through proper communication, holistic care, empowering patients to perform self-care and providing spiritual care.

Types of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes: a qualitative content analysis

Background and objectives:

Health-related procrastination refers to a delay in the performance of health-related activities, which is a rather neglected subject despite being critical. Due to the adverse effects of procrastination on the care and treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes, it is necessary to explore procrastination among this group of patients through in-depth studies. The present research was conducted to explain different types of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This qualitative study applied content analysis with 13 patients with type-2 diabetes selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through individual and semi-structured interviews. The data were then analyzed using Lundman and Graneheim content analysis method.

Findings:

Based on the analysis of the data, instances of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes were classified into six main categories, including minimizing self-care, poor adherence to treatment, poor nutritional habits, poor adherence to drug regimen, disregard for disease monitoring, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide an in-depth understanding of the various forms of health-related procrastination in patients with type-2 diabetes. These findings can be employed in the design, implementation, and monitoring of treatment and care programs targeting these patients.

The Effect of Acupressure at PC6 and REN12 on Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries with complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure at PC6 and REN 12 points on vomiting of patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a double-blind, randomised clinical trial performed on 60 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Using permutation blocks, patients were allocated in two groups (acupressure at PC6 and REN12 points). After the surgery and full patient consciousness, acupressure was applied on PC6 and REN 12 points separately in each group for 5 minutes; 2, 4 and 6 hours later, acupressure was repeated on those points. Two hours after each acupressure, frequency and severity of vomiting were determined.

RESULTS

The results showed that there was no significant difference between the frequency of vomiting before the intervention and 2 hours after the intervention in the two intervention groups (P ≥ 0.05). Additionally, none of the two intervention groups experienced vomiting at 4, 6, and 8 hours after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

It seems that acupressure at PC6 and REN 12 points are not effective in reducing the frequency and severity of vomiting in patients after inguinal hernia surgery.

Comparison the Effect of Golghand and Foot Reflexology on Constipation in Elderlies

Objective: Constipation is one of the most common problems of the elderly, causing many complications and high costs for these individuals and affecting their quality of life. This study aimed to compare the effect of Golghand (a pharmaceutical composition of roses and honey) and foot reflexology on constipation in the elderly. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 60 elderly people with constipation in 2017. Subjects were selected through simple and purposive sampling and were randomly allocated to Golghand and foot reflexology groups by permuted block method. The foot reflexology was carried out in the specific area of constipation twice a day and each time for 15 minutes for two weeks. Golghand group received Golghand half an hour before lunch (one teaspoon of Golghand in one cup of cooled boiled water). Constipation assessment scale was filled for the subjects before and at the end of the intervention by an evaluator, who was unaware of the intervention approaches of the groups. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using statistical tests of Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U, and Friedman test at the significance level of <0.05. Results: In this research, mean age of the participants was 66±8.66 years. According to the results of Mann-Whitney U, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the frequency of bowel movements on the first day after intervention (P=0.246). However, on days 2-14 after the intervention, a significant difference was observed between the study groups in this regard (P<0.05). Similarly, results of the Friedman test were indicative of a significant difference between the two groups regarding the frequency of bowel movements (P<0.001), in a way, that after the passing of the mean period, the number of bowel movements increased in both groups. However, this increase was higher in the Golghand group, compared to the foot reflexology group (P<0.001). Moreover, independent t-test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding mean intensity of constipation (P=0.01). Conclusion: Consumption of Golghand increased the frequency of bowel movements and reduced the intensity of constipation in elderly individuals. This method had greater impacts on constipation, compared to the foot reflexology technique.

Investigating the role of perception of aging and associated factors in death anxiety among the elderly

Background and objectives

The world’s growing elderly population highlights the necessity for further attention to the psychological problems of the elderly, such as death anxiety. Analysis of the elderly’s perception of aging and associated factors can contribute to prediction of their future physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of perception of aging, and a group of demographic factors, with death anxiety in the elderly living in Gonabad, Iran.

Subjects and methods

This analytical descriptive study was conducted on 330 elderly residents of Gonabad, who were selected by stratified random sampling. Research tools were a standard demographic questionnaire, Barker’s Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire, and Collett–Lester Fear of Death Scale. Data were collected by interview of respondents at their home. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS 16 using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Pearson’s test, independent t-test, and linear regression.

Results

Respondents had a mean age of 73.97±7.68 years, 42.4% of respondents were men and 57.6% were women. The total Barker’s Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire score was 63.18±8.75, with the highest score (17.10±4.70) associated with negative consequences and control. The total Collett–Lester Fear of Death Scale score was 128±14.80, with the highest score (35.13±4.06) pertaining to the subscale fear of other people’s death. Regression results indicated that the death anxiety score was predictable according to the age and all dimensions of perception of aging, except for the consequences and negative control dimension.

Conclusion

Age and the perception of aging are good predictors of death anxiety. The authors recommend further research on the determinants of death anxiety in the elderly and the development of a comprehensive care plan to reduce this anxiety among Iranian elderly.