Background and Objectives: Venipuncture is one of the most uncomfortable and painful hospitalization experiences for children. The performance of nurses during the procedure of venipuncture can reduce the pain caused by the injection. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between the performance of the nurse in the procedure of venipuncture and the pain intensity of school-aged children. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted cross-sectionally in the Be’sat Educational and Medical Center in Hamadan City in 2023. Nurses working in children's internal departments were selected by census (28 people), and 145 children meeting the entry criteria were chosen using a convenience sampling method. Information was collected by three questionnaires, namely a demographic characteristics form, the Nurse Performance Questionnaire, and the Faces Pain Scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS-20 software and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean performance of nurses in the procedure of venipuncture in children was at a good level (75.42±14.86). The mean pain score of the children in the venipuncture procedure was 5.16±1.9. The performance of nurses differed with age, work experience, interest in nursing, and shift work, and children's pain score in the venipuncture procedure varied based on the child’s gender and age and accompanying parent (P>0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between nurses' performance and children's pain scores (P<0.001). Conclusion: The performance of nurses in the venipuncture procedure for children was satisfactory, and an increase in performance led to a decrease in the pain intensity. Therefore, there is a need for relevant authorities to pay more attention to nurses in pediatric departments in order to plan to enhance their performance in the venipuncture procedure and to consider the individual characteristics affecting the pain level of children.

Background and Objectives: The ability to successfully interact with peers and adults is one of the most important aspects of a child's development. Failure to acquire social skills has a negative effect on the development of the child's personality and his adaptation to the environment. The present study was conducted to investigate the social skills of 7-12-year-old children based on demographic factors in those who visited Taleghani Clinic in Gorgan City in 1401. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach on 301 children aged 7-12-year-old students in Gorgan city in 1401. The required data were collected through the Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS). The data were analyzed in SPSS23 software using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of this study showed that gender, birth rank, parents’ educational level, parents’ occupation, living with parents, and the number of children had a significant effect on social skills and problem behaviors; however, ethnicity had no significant effect. Conclusion: Various demographic factors affect children's social skills, and by being aware of them, the necessary interventions can be conducted just in time.

Background and Objectives: Students, as the builders of tomorrow's society, can be the foundation of many changes and developments. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship of emotional intelligence with hope and self-concept among nursing students of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 486 nursing students of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2022-23 who met the inclusion criteria. The samples were selected by census method. The data were collected using a demographic information form, the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, Miller's Hope Questionnaire, and Beck's Self-Concept Questionnaire. Data analysis was done in SPSS 20 software using Pearson's correlation tests, one-way analysis of variance, t-test for two independent samples, and linear regression. Results: In this research, 50.40% of the participants were male and 49.60% were female. Most of the participants (13%) were studying in the first and third semesters. The mean and standard deviation of study variables were obtained at 129.58±10.76 for emotional intelligence, 41.64±4.79 for hope, and 86.68±8.82 for self-concept. With the exception of the relationship between the emotion regulation component and the deviant expression component (P=0.548), other components of the emotional intelligence variable showed a significant direct statistical relationship with all the components of hope and also the total hope score (P<0.001). Regarding the strength of the relationships, the strongest relationship was observed between the emotional regulation component and the agency thinking component (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.431). The component of evaluating emotions in oneself and others only showed a statistically significant direct relationship with the job effectiveness component (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.114, P=0.012) and with total self-esteem score (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.031, P=0.031). Moreover, a statistically significant direct relationship was found between total emotional intelligence score and job effectiveness component (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.154, P=0.001), as well as total self-esteem score (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.103, P=0.023). Conclusion: The study indicates a positive relationship between emotional intelligence, hope, and self-concept among nursing students. The results of this study showed that improving emotional intelligence can enhance the skills and performance of nursing students, and it is proposed as an effective strategy for improving patient care in the nursing field.

Background and Objectives: Dietary restrictions in phenylketonuria (PKU) can prevent children’s normal growth, and compensatory intake of carbohydrates and fats can cause excessive weight gain. This study aimed to investigate some growth indicators in PKU patients aged 6 months to 18 years in Hamadan City in 2023. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, the height, weight, and age of all patients ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years, who were registered at the PKU Center of Besat Hospital in Hamedan, were measured and recorded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and weight information. In addition, the corresponding z-scores were calculated using the online growth calculator software. Z-score values were classified into five levels using World Health Organization criteria. Results: In this study, 80 PKU patients (including 44 girls and 36 boys) were examined. The average age, as well as the average Z-score of height, weight, and BMI for age, were not significantly different in boys and girls. Moreover, 7.5% of children were underweight, 1.3% were severely underweight, 10% were stunted, and 2.5% were severely stunted. Ten percent of children were severely wasted and 6.3% were wasted. On the other hand, 11.3% were overweight. None of these children were obese. Conclusion: In addition to controlling the dietary intake of phenylalanine, it is necessary to continuously monitor the growth indicators of these children and also to control the intake of calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients accurately based on the child's needs.

Background and Objectives: Social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents is associated with some psychological problems that require effective treatment. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on emotion regulation and sleep habits of children with social anxiety. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretestposttest control group design. The research population included primary school students in the fourth to sixth grades in Qom City, Iran in 2019 academic year. In total, 46 students whose scores were higher than 29.5 in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, were selected and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The participants answered the pre-test Emotion Regulation Checklist and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Afterward, the intervention group participated in 16 sessions of therapy and the control group remained on the waiting list. Finally, the participants were evaluated at the post-test stage and the collected data were examind by analysis of covariance and SPSS software. Results: Based on the results of multivariate analysis of covariance, after the control of pre-test effects, there was a significant difference in the linear combination of emotion regulation and sleep habits variables of the two groups (Wilks' lambda=0.063, F10,23=34.182, P=0.001). The tests of univariate analysis of covariance also showed a significant increase in emotion regulation and significant decrease in emotional lability/negativity and sleep disorders (except the sleep onset delay) in the intervention group after the theraputic sessions. Conclusion: Emotion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is an important and effective threatment for emotion regulation and sleep habits in socially anxious children who are referred to mental health professionals.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Factors on the Occurrence of Emotional-behavioral Problems in Children

Background and Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk of insufficient nutrient intake due to inappropriate eating habits, problems in sensory perception, and choosing monotonous foods. Minerals play an essential role in the central nervous system, and their deficiency or excess can cause a variety of health issues and can contribute to the development of ASD. This study aimed to compare the dietary intake of zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese in two groups of children, with ASD and healthy controls, in Gorgan City, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, the food intake of 35 ASD children aged 6 to 12 years and 70 healthy children was recorded using the semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. The average daily intake of zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese was estimated using ShaFA software. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the dietary intake of zinc, copper, and selenium; however, the intake of manganese was significantly lower in ASD children (median±IQR: 2.39±1.83) than in healthy children (median±IQR: 3.24±1.94; P=0.03). Considering the existence of problems related to eating habits in children with ASD, the results of this study showed the necessity of frequent and regular nutrition assessment for ASD children. Studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.

Background and Objectives: Health anxiety is one of the common mental problems in chronic patients.Due to the nature of the disease and the level of physical vulnerability, this problem is more common in teenagers with diabetes, and depending on the physical problems, it also affects the mental health of people.The present study aimed to assess the health anxiety of adolescents aged 10-16 years with type 1 diabetes in Tehran. Materials and Methods:The current study was conducted based on a descriptivecorrelational design.The statistical population included all adolescents aged 10-16 years old with type 1 diabetes of Oj and Meraj General Clinic in Tehran.Mong this population, 248 cases were selected by convenience sampling method.The data collection tool was the Health Anxiety Questionnaire (Salkovskis et al., 2002).Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24)using Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, as well as Kramer V and Kendall Tau correlation coefficients.Results: Based on the results, 91.27%, 33.04%, and 39.05% of participants had low, moderate, and high health anxiety, respectively.Conclusion: Health anxiety is common in teenagers with diabetes.Special attention should be paid to the mental health of people with chronic diseases according to the time and duration of the disease, along with their physical health.

Materials and Methods: Results Conclusion:

Comparison of Dietary Intake of Vitamin A in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Healthy Children in Gorgan City in 2021: A Case-control Study