BACKGROUND:Leadership styles and conflict management strategies are key factors in improving organizational performance and enhancing the quality of healthcare services. Given the complexity of hospital systems, understanding the interaction between leadership styles and conflict management is of particular importance for hospital managers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between leadership styles based on the DISC model and conflict management strategies among senior, middle, and operational managers in hospitals. METHODS:This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among a sample of 248 senior, middle, and operational hospital managers in western Iran. Data were collected using the standardized DISC personality assessment and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI). Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression in SPSS version 26 with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS:The highest mean scores for conflict management strategies were observed in the areas of accommodation (18.69) and avoidance (17.95). Among leadership styles, conscientious (15.27) and steadiness (14.84) were the most prevalent. Significant differences were found between management levels in conflict management strategies; senior managers showed a greater tendency toward collaboration, while middle managers more frequently adopted avoidance. Correlation analysis revealed that the dominant style was positively associated with collaboration, and the conscientious style was positively associated with avoidance. CONCLUSION:The findings indicate that leadership styles based on the DISC model are significantly associated with conflict management strategies. Developing targeted training programs to strengthen collaboration and compromise strategies, along with integrating the DISC model into leadership development initiatives, may improve performance and enhance the quality of hospital services.
BACKGROUND:Maternal near-miss (MNM) survivors face unique long-term reproductive, sexual, and mental health challenges. AIM:This study compared MNM survivors with women who had uncomplicated deliveries. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 MNM women and 150 age-matched controls with uncomplicated delivery at a tertiary care center in North India. Recruitment was carried out at least 1 year after the life-threatening event and at most within 2 years of the event. Reproductive capacity, menstrual resumption, contraception use, sexual function (FSFI), and mental health (GAD-7, PHQ-9) were assessed one year post-delivery. RESULTS:Forty percent of MNM women underwent peripartum hysterectomy, resulting in a significant loss of reproductive capacity compared to controls (42.7% vs. 6.7%; p < .001). The mean time to resumption of menses was shorter in the MNM group (3.10 ± 2.29 months vs. 3.93 ± 3.15 months; p = .04). Menstrual irregularity and secondary amenorrhea were more common among MNM survivors. The desire for future pregnancy was lower among cases (13.9% vs. 25%, ANCOVA p = .02). Contraception use was comparable, but the duration of continuous use was significantly longer in MNM women (12.5 vs. 7.1 months; p < .001). FSFI total scores were similar between groups, but MNM women had lower satisfaction and desire scores after adjusting for confounders. Anxiety (24% vs. 6%) and mean depression scores (2.28 vs. 1.70; p = .02) were significantly higher in the MNM group. CONCLUSION:MNM survivors experience significant loss of reproductive potential, altered fertility intentions, extended contraception use, sexual dissatisfaction, and higher anxiety. Integrated reproductive, sexual, and mental health services are needed to address these unmet needs in MNM survivors.
BACKGROUND:Biomedical waste management (BWM) is an essential element of health safety and environmental protection. Government of Nepal introduced the Health care waste management guideline-2014; however, its implementation remains inconsistent. OBJECTIVE:To assess knowledge of BWM and practices of Personal protection measures and waste filled containers management in hospitals of Kaski district, Nepal. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 252 Health professionals (HP) and Waste Handlers (WH) of 14 selected hospitals of Kaski, Nepal. Participants were selected using stratified sampling. Data were collected through interview and analyzed using IBM-SPSS 22. Descriptive statistics were applied. RESULTS:Knowledge and practices were categorized based on Blooms Taxonomic classification. Only 2.2% of HP and 2% of WH had good knowledge of BWM. Majority (61.3%) of HP and WH (59.0%) had moderate knowledge while over one-third (HP-36.3% and WH-39%) had poor knowledge. Similarly, 5.3% HP and 19.2% WH had good practices; 72.7% of HP and 68.3% WH had moderate practices; and 22% HP and 12.5% WH had poor practices regarding BWM. CONCLUSION:HP and WH have considerably poor knowledge on different dimensions of BWM. Meanwhile, there was better waste management practices with WH having better practices than HP. There needs continuous knowledge enhancement, practice monitoring and motivational interventions for safety.
