Objective The aim of this study was to explore the burden of care for patients undergoing hemodialysis from the experiences of family caregivers. Methods In this qualitative study, a content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis. Participants were 16 family caregivers selected through purposive sampling from four medical education centers affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were held to collect data. Results Four categories were developed as follows: ‘care challenges’, ‘ psychological vulnerabilities’, ‘the chronic nature of care ’and “care in the shade”. The categories led to the development of the main theme of ‘progressive exhaustion’ experienced by the family caregivers during the provision of care to patients undergoing hemodialysis. Conclusion Family caregivers have a significant role in the process of patient care, and this role leads them to progressive exhaustion; therefore, the overall health of the caregivers should be taken into account and more attention should be paid to their quality of life, social welfare, and satisfaction level.

BackgroundQuality of life in patients affected with chronic diseases has developed into a therapeutic objective as the best tool to evaluate response to treatment and medical care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life and its related factors in tuberculosis patients receiving directly observed treatment short-course in Iran.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional research with a descriptive-analytic design. Sample size included 71 patients affected with tuberculosis based on census method; so that, at the time of the study, all the tuberculosis patients were recruited in this research. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of two parts including demographic characteristics information and standard 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The data were also analyzed using SPSS Statistics along with descriptive and analytic statistics and independent t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Chi-square test.ResultsThe lowest mean score was 63.58 ± 10.16 and 62.82 ± 15.2 related to limited physical activity following mental problems and social functioning, respectively. Furthermore, the findings of the independent t-test demonstrated that the mean scores of quality of life among men and women, those with pulmonic and non-pulmonic tuberculosis, patient's place of residence and the stage of treatment were statistically and significantly different.ConclusionAccording to the above results, tuberculosis and its treatment have impact on the social function, mental, and emotional aspects of the quality of life of patients, Attention to and monitoring of the quality of life as a follow up of the treatment and care intervention in these patients is necessary.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency, which presents wide-ranging negative impacts on individuals with diabetes. To examine psychosocial well-being and diabetes outcomes in individuals with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate how these factors vary in different countries. Methods Between April and June 2020 we employed a cross national comparative research study in the United States (US), Brazil, and Iran to collect data from 1788 adults with type 1 diabetes using web-based survey. Study participants answered questions relevant to diabetes distress, diabetes burnout, depressive symptoms, COVID-19 related changes, and socio-demographic characteristics. They also reported their last Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and daily Time-in-Range (TiR) blood glucose. We analyzed data using comparative tests (Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis and McNemar test), logistic and linear regression adjusted for fixed effects. Results There were significant changes prior and during the pandemic regarding access to diabetes care, diabetes supplies and medications, healthy food and safe places to exercise in all countries (p < 0.05). Participants in Iran experienced higher levels of diabetes distress (57.1%), diabetes burnout (50%), and depressive symptoms (60.9%), followed by Brazil and US (p < 0.0001). US participants reported better glycemic control (HbA1c = 6.97%, T1R = 69.64%) compared to Brazil (HbA1c = 7.94%, T1R = 51.95%) and Iran (HbA1c = 7.47%, T1R = 51.53%) (p < 0.0001). There were also significant relationships between psychosocial well-being, diabetes outcomes, socio-demographic data, and COVID-19 related challenges in overall sample (p < 0.05). Conclusions Regardless of differences among US, Brazil, and Iran, our findings revealed that different countries may experience similar challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic which can impact negatively diabetes outcomes and psychosocial well-being in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Countries need to consider modifiable variables associated with poor diabetes outcomes and sub optimal psychosocial well-being and target vulnerable population using significant socio-demographic variables.

Although the rate of suicide is low in Muslim countries, there is evidence that it is increasing. An integrated analysis was made of data on suicide attempts (nonfatal and fatal) from studies carried out in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1981 to 2007. Of 54 published studies concerning suicide, 48 (covering 26 768 cases of attempted suicide) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The weighted mean rate of suicide attempts was 26.5 per 100 000 and the average rate of death by suicide was 6.7 per 100 000. The mean age of suicide attempters was 25 years; on average 41.8% were male, 50.5% single and 70.0% from urban areas. Most suicide attempters were not working: 54.2% on average were housewives, 24.5% students and 21.0% unemployed men. Medical history showed that 16.2% of suicide attempters had a history of disability and 42.0% had a history of psychological disorders. The rates were compared with studies from other nations/religious groups.