Investigating the factors affecting the self-care behaviors of patients with type II diabetes and the role of demographic variables: A case study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Self-care practices in diabetes patients are crucial to keep the illness under control and prevent complications. Effective management of diabetes will be a difficult task without an adequate understanding of the current level of practice related to diabetes self-care. Therefore, this study aims to assess the factors affecting the self-care behaviors of patients with type II diabetes and the role of demographic variables in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study is a descriptive-analytical study that was designed and conducted in 2022. This study population was type II diabetic patients at the Diabetes Research Center of Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah who were selected by available sampling method of 280 samples. Data collection tools included demographic characteristics questionnaire and standard self-care questionnaire for the Glasgow and Toobert diabetic patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS-23 software, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and stepwise regression.

RESULTS

The mean of self-care scores was 2.07 ± 2.08 and indicated an unfavorable condition. The highest mean scores of self-care were in the field of regular use of medications, and the lowest scores were in the field of blood-glucose testing. The mean scores of self-care were significantly different based on marital status, occupation status, residence, type of treatment, duration of diabetes, years, smoking status (P < 0.05). Regression results showed that the variables predictors; type of treatment, smoking status, the complication of diabetes, education level status, place of residence explained 515% of the variance of self-care.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that the extent to which individuals adhere to type II diabetes recommended management is substantially low. Improving awareness of patients and the community at large is imperative, especially on the diet, exercise, blood-glucose testing, foot care, and no smoking.

Role of demographic variables in investigating occupational stress of disaster and emergency medical management center

BACKGROUND

Emergency medical services face stressful environments such as departments dealing with injuries and sick patients that pose challenging situations for the healthcare staff. This present study investigates the role of demographic variables in investigating occupational stress of disaster and emergency medical management center in 2021.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This present descriptive study selected a sample size of 200 medical personnel associated with disaster and emergency medical management center in Iran, according to the inclusion chosen criteria. The study used a tool consisting of two parts, including demographic information and a job stress Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standard questionnaire. The study selected respondents through Cochran's sample size formula using stratified random sampling with a cross-sectional research design for data collection. This present study has analyzed received data using performed the descriptive and inferential information (t-test and one-way ANOVA) at a significance level P < 0.05. The participants of the survey were males only.

RESULTS

The study results specified that the mean age of respondents was 30.14 ± 5.96. The study results exhibited that the mean score of total occupational stress was 3.41 ± 0.26. The results showed the highest (4.34 ± 0.35) and the lowest (2.72 ± 0.86) stress levels were related to role dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings revealed a significant relationship between stress level and participants' age, marital status, educational level, type of base, workplace, and the number of work hours per month. Emergency medical personnel experience a high level of occupational stress. Senior managers can use similar studies to implement measures to reduce the experience of employees' stress.

The Relationship between Emotional Reactions and Coping Strategies of Nurses During the Outbreak of Covid-19 in Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful in 2020

Background:

Nurses face challenges when they are in a stressful situation and therefore use strategies to adapt.

Objective:

Considering the importance of the type of strategy used by nurses to maintain their mental health and considering the differences in the results of studies on the applicability of coping strategies, the present study investigates the emotional reactions and coping strategies of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods:

The present study is a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study involving 208 nurses working in Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful in 2020. The instruments used in the questionnaire are: emotional reactions, demographic and coping style questionnaire preference for modified coping practices.

Results:

The results showed that the mean age of nurses participating in the study was 31.15±7.25 years. Most emotional reactions were related to nurses' feelings of desire with an average of 3.44 ±1. 23, and the lowest related to disgust with a mean of 2.44 ±1.26. The highest coping actions of nurses were related to nurses' emotional coping strategy with a mean of 26.87 ± 4.5. There was a significant relationship between problem-solving coping strategy with emotional disgust and direct anxiety.

Conclusion:

Due to the high level of hope and anxiety in nurses and the adoption of coping strategies focused on emotion, hospital managers and mental health managers should focus on providing psychological support to nurses and teaching problem-oriented coping strategies. Support to deal with their high level of hope for the high anxiety caused by Covid disease.