Abbas Saremi; Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
Abstract
Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among ...
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Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among fertile and infertile Iranian women in 2022.Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 653 fertile women (mean age: 32.58±5.99 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 25.7±3.64 kg/m²) and infertile women (mean age: 32.59±5.38 years, mean BMI: 26.4±5.6 kg/m²) who sought assistance at infertility centers in six provinces (Guilan, Markazi, Hamedan, Sistan, and Baluchestan, Isfahan, and Khuzestan) during the research period spanning 2021 to 2022. Participants completed questionnaires regarding their lifestyle habits and physical activity levels, body composition was also assessed. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression tests were employed for data analysis.Results: Fertile women exhibited superior physical activity (P=0.04) and a lower BMI (P=0.001) than their infertile counterparts. Women with a high level of physical activity (OR=4.42, P=0.004) were more likely to experience infertility. Inactive women who spent more than 300 minutes per day sitting were 2.07 times more susceptible to fertility complications than their physically active peers (moderate activity) (OR=2.07, P=0.001).Conclusion: Given the simultaneous increase in obesity, inactivity, and infertility among Iranian women, it is imperative to place greater emphasis on lifestyle habits, including appropriate physical activity, to prevent and potentially treat infertility.
Arezou Rezaei; Bita Badehnoosh; Maryam Mohammadbeigi; Mostafa Qorbani; Farzaneh Emaminia; Alireza Mohammadyari; Fatemeh Jalalvand
Abstract
Background: Vaginal microbiota are believed to profoundly impact the overall quality of life. Moreover, reduced levels of circulating estrogen are responsible for the majority of the changes in the genital tract in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effects ...
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Background: Vaginal microbiota are believed to profoundly impact the overall quality of life. Moreover, reduced levels of circulating estrogen are responsible for the majority of the changes in the genital tract in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of E. angustifolia (EA) on the genitourinary system in postmenopausal women.Methods: In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 58 postmenopausal women to one of the two medicinal herb-receiving (15 g of whole EA fruit powder) and placebo-receiving (7.5 g of isomalt+7.5 g of cornstarch) groups. Initially and after 10 weeks of the treatment, urinalysis, vaginal microbial culture, and vaginal pH measurement were carried out. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20170227032795N4. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using the Chi-square and the ANCOVA tests, respectively.Results: The findings revealed that a 10-week treatment with EA had no significant effects on urine pH (5.733±1.014; P=0.728), specific gravity (1.022±0.006; P=0.438), as well as the count of red blood cells (1.533±2.562; P=0.080), white blood cells (3.750±7.109; P=0.349), and epithelial cells (2.116±1.798; P=0.595), and the qualitative parameters, including protein (P=0.612), blood (P=0.261), nitrite (P=0.483), bacteria (P=0.179), and mucus (P=0.564).Conclusion: Oral consumption of EA did not significantly change the studied parameters. Thus, further studies with larger sample sizes, longer duration, subjects of different age groups, and other routes of administration could be suggested.
Zeinab Karimi; Fatemeh Masjedi; Aida Doostkam; Jamshid Roozbeh; Leila Malekmakan
Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a highly contagious disease, which led to a pandemic health emergency. However, age distribution and sex, regarding factors affecting the severity of COVID-19, are controversial. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate ...
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Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a highly contagious disease, which led to a pandemic health emergency. However, age distribution and sex, regarding factors affecting the severity of COVID-19, are controversial. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effect of gender difference on the severity of COVID-19 infection in the studied age groups.Methods: Patients with COVID-19 of Valiasr Hospital (Khorrambid, Fars, Iran) from February 20, 2020, to February 20, 2021, are included in this retrospective study. The inclusion criteria were the age of above 15 years old and being residents of Khorrambid. COVID‐19 severity was classified as mild and moderate/severe according to the WHO standards. The obtained demographical and clinical data from the patient registry forms were analyzed using SPSS-24; P value <0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to assess the variables.Results: Herein, 218 patients were recruited with a mean age of 45.6±17.2 and a relatively equal distribution of men and women population. Out of this population, 23.8% had comorbid diseases, 48.2% had mild, and 51.8% had moderate/severe infections. Our results indicated that male gender and the age range of 25-64 years in men are the most important risk factors associated with the disease severity (P<0.0001).Conclusions: The current study revealed that the leading risk factor of the disease severity was higher age (≥65 years) in the studied women. Meanwhile, in the men group, this factor was the age range of 25-64 years. These results suggest that further research is required to identify the possible impacts of gender and age on various aspects of the ongoing epidemic.
Khadijeh Asadi Sarvestani; Maryam Navaee; Razieh Rayanpour
Abstract
Background: A significant proportion of cancer patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) worldwide and especially in Middle Eastern countries. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of using Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) and Complementary and Alternative ...
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Background: A significant proportion of cancer patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) worldwide and especially in Middle Eastern countries. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of using Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among female cancer patients in Zahedan, southeast of Iran. Also, this study sought to determine whether the patients disclosed the use of ITM and CAM to their physicians.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 130 female patients, referred to three cancer treatment centers in Zahedan, were selected via the convenience sampling method, from November 2019 to May 2020. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The analysis of data and relationships between the variables was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) was highly and moderately used by 14.6% and 62.3% of the patients, respectively; more than 70% of them reported the use of herbal preparations (herbal medicines, medicinal plants, and herbal distillates). Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) was utilized at a moderate level by 91.5% of the participants. The prevalence of diet therapy and the use of vitamins and mineral supplements was over 56% and the increased use of CAM was associated with a higher monthly income. Although 92.3% of the patients were undergoing treatment, a significant percentage of them (80.8%) did not disclose the use of ITM or CAM to their physicians.Conclusion: The results highlighted the necessity of improving the physician-patient relationship in order to increase the patients’ trust and willingness to consult their physicians about the use of ITM and CAM. Our results also shed light on the need to educate patients about the necessity of consulting a physician about the use of such therapies to minimize the safety concerns.
Fariba Ramezani Siakhulake; Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei; Mehdi Mohammadi; Fateme Behmanesh Pour
Abstract
Background: Free-of-charge vaginal deliveries have been offered as part of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in Iran, but still a high proportion of deliveries are occurring at home. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for home deliveries after the implementation of HTP in southeast of Iran. ...
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Background: Free-of-charge vaginal deliveries have been offered as part of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in Iran, but still a high proportion of deliveries are occurring at home. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for home deliveries after the implementation of HTP in southeast of Iran. Methods: This case-control study included women who gave birth at home between September 2015 and September 2016 for their last pregnancy; considered as cases (n=300), and women who delivered at a health facility (hospital or Safe Delivery Posts), assigned to the control group (n= 600). Data were collected during face to face interview using a 77-item semi-structured questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression technique was used to identify independent predictors of home delivery. Results: Women who were worried about giving birth at a teaching hospital (OR=1.9, 95% CI:1.3 -2.8), women with negative experiences in the previous delivery (OR=1.6, 95% CI:1.0-2.4), illiterates (OR=3.8, 95% CI: 2.0-7.4), individuals with primary/secondary education (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3 - 4.4), women with no health insurance (OR=5.1, 95% CI: 3.5- 7.4), if the decision on choosing the place of birth was made by the women alone (OR=12.7, 95% CI: 7-22.8), women with financial constraints (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4), women with precipitate labour (OR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.7-3.5) and women with fear of the hospital environment (OR= 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1- 2.4) were more likely to deliver at home. Conclusions: Our findings highlight socio-economic and cultural barriers that need to be addressed to reduce home deliveries among the disadvantaged women.
Najmeh Maharlouei; Bahar Morshed Behbahani; Leila Doryanizadeh; Maryam Kazemi
Abstract
Context: Infertility is a complex reproductive issue worldwide. Knowledge about the prevalence of any health problems like infertility is the first step towards policymaking in order to make effective decisions. Methods: An electronic systematic review was conducted in 2019 through search in PubMed, ...
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Context: Infertility is a complex reproductive issue worldwide. Knowledge about the prevalence of any health problems like infertility is the first step towards policymaking in order to make effective decisions. Methods: An electronic systematic review was conducted in 2019 through search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and EMBASE data bases. Following the evaluation of the articles by the research team, 11 articles were accepted based on the inclusion criteria of the study. The information was analyzed utilizing Stata software version 11. Results: The results of analysis on 58,746 participants showed that the prevalence of primary infertility was 5.0% (95% CI: 4.0, 6.0%; I2: 98.20%) and the prevalence of secondary infertility was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.0, 3.0%; I2: 98.48%). The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility by gender was higher in women (6% and 3%, respectively). The prevalence of primary infertility was more common in people under the age of 35. Conclusions: In Iran, the pattern of infertility presents a higher prevalence of primary infertility, which is probably due to the differences in the pattern of sexual relations in Iran. The more prevalence is primary infertility and infertility in women under the age of 35, the more attention should policymakers pay to provide effective plans for reducing infertility in the future.
Razieh Zahedi; Maysam Rezapour; Hossein Molavi Vardanjani; Mohammad Reza Baneshi; Ali Akbar Haghdoost; Reza Malekpour Afshar; Farzaneh Zolala
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that breast cancer (BC) risk perception could be a motivation for screening behaviors. This study was conducted to compare the level of BC risk perception of women aged between 30-40 and 41-60 years, and to determine the factors affecting screening behaviors and ...
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Background: Previous studies have shown that breast cancer (BC) risk perception could be a motivation for screening behaviors. This study was conducted to compare the level of BC risk perception of women aged between 30-40 and 41-60 years, and to determine the factors affecting screening behaviors and examine the association between BC risk perception and BC screening behaviors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using a Rutherford instrument for BC risk perception on 754 women aged 30 to 60 years with no history of BC in 2018. The questionnaire included demographic information, risk factors of BC, screening practice, and risk perception of BC. The association between screening behaviors with women’s BC risk perception and some other variables were assessed utilizing pathway analysis method with the Structural equation modeling (SEM), which summarized the results by odds ratio index. Results:The mean score of BC risk perception was 28.9±24.3, which was 31.2±24.4 in women aged 30 to 40 and 25.9±23.9 in women aged 41 to 60 years (P value = 0.003). The association between mammography with risk perception was (OR:1 [95%CI: 0.9, 1]). According to this study, the most important variables affecting mammography were increased clinical examination (OR: 34.6 [95%CI: 16.3, 73.7]), age (OR: 8.8 [95%CI: 4.9,16]), family history of breast cancer (OR: 4 [95%CI: 1.3, 12.9]), and higher education level ([OR: 1.4[95%CI: 1.1,1.9]). Conclusions: The results of our study indicated that younger women had higher BC risk perception. BC risk perception was not found to have any direct effects on mammography. This survey revealed that physicians had an important role in encouraging women to perform mammography.
Sedigheh Abdollahpour; Elaheh Mansouri; Talat Khadivzadeh
Abstract
Context: The decline in fertility rate is one of the most important social changes that has happened in human history. Given the paucity of research done in this regard, the present study aimed to review the relationship between gender equality indicators and fertility rate. Evidence Acquisition: Gender ...
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Context: The decline in fertility rate is one of the most important social changes that has happened in human history. Given the paucity of research done in this regard, the present study aimed to review the relationship between gender equality indicators and fertility rate. Evidence Acquisition: Gender equity represent an important challenge for fertility research. Primarily, this paper briefly reviewed the research, conducted in certain countries, on gender roles and fertility followed by Gender Gap Index (GGI); because sudden change in population growth in countries led researchers to think about this issue. So searching the past and analyzing data in valid electronic databases, reviewing was done the concepts related to gender equality and population growth and fertility rate. Results: Our findings suggested that to increase fertility rate, gender equality should be achieved. Conclusions: The simultaneous attainment of gender equality and high fertility in any country is likely to be related to economic, social, cultural, religious, and familial conditions.
Najmeh Maharlouei; Hengameh Kasraei; Fatemeh Shaygani; Amir Reza Bahadori; Sharareh Khonyagar; Zahra Reyhani; Seyyed Shahrokh Mousavi; Maryam Kazemi; Kamran B. Lankarani
Abstract
Mental health is one of the most important of health components.Mental and behavioral diseases are major disease burdens. Women make up half of the world's population and raise the other half. While women are an integral part of societies, their diverse roles put them at a higher risk of psychological ...
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Mental health is one of the most important of health components.Mental and behavioral diseases are major disease burdens. Women make up half of the world's population and raise the other half. While women are an integral part of societies, their diverse roles put them at a higher risk of psychological issues The 8th conference on women's health was the collaboration of Health Policy Research Center, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical sciences, and Health Promotion and Women’s Health workgroup affiliated with the Academy of Medical Sciences. It is believed that we must move towards promoting and broadening women's health issues beyond the sole reproductive and sexual rights. Through a coordinated action, which has involved all concerned stakeholders including governmental health, social, and economic sectors, local authorities and stakeholders, industries, NGOs, volunteers, and the media aiming to enhance women’s mental health, the conference had three priorities: 1) family cohesion and lifestyle, 2) vulnerable women, and 3) resilience.
Sara Noruzi; Masoomeh Maarefvand; Hamidreza Khankeh; Mostafa Eghlima
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the sources and studies on couple’s sexual satisfaction and the related factors. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was used in this study. The literature was searched in the following Iranian electronic databases: Google scholar, Iran Medex, ...
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the sources and studies on couple’s sexual satisfaction and the related factors. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was used in this study. The literature was searched in the following Iranian electronic databases: Google scholar, Iran Medex, Magiran, Scientific Information Database (SID), Iranian Research Institute for Information Science (IRANDOC), Novin Pajouh, and Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). After analysis of 117 papers and exclusion of irrelevant articles, 35 full texts were assessed and finally 22 articles were selected for analysis. Results: The related factors of sexual satisfaction were classified into five groups: physiological, physical, psychological, personal and demographic, communication, and social factors. Most studies are focused on examining the impact of different therapeutic and counseling approaches and few studies are concentrated on the role of macro-structural, social, religious, and cultural factors. Conclusions: Identifying factors related to sexual satisfaction from different social, religious, cultural, personal, and communicative dimensions help to better understand the subject and guide people for a more sustainable life.
Zahra Tolou-Ghamari
Abstract
Background: According to previous studies, breast cancer seems to be the most prevalent cancer and a significant reason of cancer-related deaths among women. Age, race, menorah history, characteristics of breast, reproductive patterns, and many other factors could be mentioned as the risk factors for ...
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Background: According to previous studies, breast cancer seems to be the most prevalent cancer and a significant reason of cancer-related deaths among women. Age, race, menorah history, characteristics of breast, reproductive patterns, and many other factors could be mentioned as the risk factors for this disease.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence rates associated with breast cancer.
Methods: Data related to topography code C50 for the period of 2011 to 2015 were obtained from the Isfahan Cancer Registry office, and its prevalence rate was calculated and expressed per 100000 persons.
Results: There were 4413 cases of breast cancer, 10% of which constituted death record data. The minimum and maximum reported ages were 19 and 94 years old, respectively. The mean age of women was 51.2 ± 12.9 years old. Breast cancer period prevalence was 179.8.1 per 100000 cases that indicated an increment in its incidence by 21.4%. Intraductal carcinoma was reported in 68% of the cases.
Conclusions: During our study period, there was a 21.4% increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Isfahan Province. Further attention of healthcare authorities associated to economic and moral supporting of women to face with this situation, routine detection methods', pharmacotherapy and surgical care recommends to be valuable.
Leila Asadi; Marjan Beigi; Mahbube Valiani
Abstract
Background: Maternal and neonatal health indicators have the important role in evaluating community development.
Objectives: In this study, we examined the effects of maternal and fetal complications leading to midwifery errors in referred cases to the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization and Medical ...
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Background: Maternal and neonatal health indicators have the important role in evaluating community development.
Objectives: In this study, we examined the effects of maternal and fetal complications leading to midwifery errors in referred cases to the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization and Medical Council of Forensic Medicine from 2006 - 2011 in Isfahan, Iran.
Methods: In this cross - sectional study, we evaluated all midwifery cases that were referred to the Isfahan Legal Medicine organization and Medical Council of Forensic Medicine from 2006 - 2011 that had at least one warrant issued by the outcome of the Disciplinary Board. The data were collected by a checklist and analyzed by SPSS - 18. Research data were qualitative and quantitative (discrete and continuous variables).
Results: A total of 206 cases were reviewed. In 66 cases, 32% of them the malpractice verdict in midwifery services was approved. According to our findings, the most maternal and fetal errors led to the complaint include: fetal or neonatal death (29.4%), maternal mortality (18.1%), and neurological disorders (15.3%). In addition, the highest rates of maternal medical malpractice were maternal mortality (56.8%) and in infant complications, infant mortality with 28.8% frequency (P = 0.03).
Conclusions: It seems the maternal health program effort is impaired in our country. The maternal mortality is unacceptable, due to the fact that many of them are preventable. Taking strategies to prevent replication errors within the care of pregnant women is recommended.
Shabnam Ghazanfari; Sedigheh Ebrahimi; Omid Asemani
Abstract
Background: Despite many studies, we are still in need of more investigations aiming at the implementation of patients’ rights in Iran; this would be more important concerning vulnerable groups like women. In this way, we have tried to study how much are Iranian women justified about Iranian patients’ ...
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Background: Despite many studies, we are still in need of more investigations aiming at the implementation of patients’ rights in Iran; this would be more important concerning vulnerable groups like women. In this way, we have tried to study how much are Iranian women justified about Iranian patients’ rights charter and how much are their rights observed during hospitalization.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 competent in-patients were selected by simple random sampling. A previously validated (face, content, and construct validity) and reliable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92) questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was designed based on the last version of Iranian patient rights charter and included four subscales. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 using parametric statistics.
Results: Patients’ rights charter was practiced weak (0.76 ± 0.24 out of 3) according to the patients. The weakest score was observed for the dimension of ‘accountability and handling of complaints’ (0.09 ± 0.27). Generally, the participants placed a relative importance (justified relatively well) for the charter (2.20 ± 0.46). Additionally, the "importance" of the rights was also significantly different regarding patients’ educational (P < 0.001) and employment status (P < 0.001) and place of residence (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was determined between "Importance" and “performance” subscales.
Conclusions: According to the findings, more attempts should be implemented aiming at informing and sensitizing women about their rights. Therefore, establishing and/or supporting the following measures could be helpful: hospital and media-based advising programs for both patients and professionals, patients’ rights movements, systematic controls and supervisions and carrying out patients’ rights as a firm policy.
Elham Azmoude; Haniye Behnam; Saeede Barati-Far; Maryam Aradmehr
Abstract
Background: Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) are the most effective approaches to reduce fertility. The study of factors associated with the use of LAPMs is one of the key steps in finding the population involved in reduced fertility.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess ...
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Background: Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) are the most effective approaches to reduce fertility. The study of factors associated with the use of LAPMs is one of the key steps in finding the population involved in reduced fertility.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting the use of LAPMs among married women of reproductive age in Torbat Heydariyeh city, East of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 304 married women aged 15 - 49 years in Torbat Heydarieh in 2016. Data were collected using demographic and fertility questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS 13 by descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis.
Results: The current overall prevalence of using LAPMs was 21.4%. The multivariate analysis showed that utilization of LAMPs was less frequent among the participants with diploma (AOR = 0.357, 95% CI = 0.156 - 0.817) and academic education (AOR = 0.418, 95% CI = 0.174 - 1.003) compared to women who had primary and secondary education. However, the utilization of LAPMs was more frequent in those with high income level (AOR = 8.364, 95% CI = 3.994-17.511) and those with higher number of living children (AOR = 2.247, 95% CI = 1.585-3.187).
Conclusions: The persistent use of LAPMs is largely determined by education and income level and the number of surviving children. Reproductive health programmers can consider this group of women for interventions aiming at improving the fertility rate.
Khadijeh Asadi Sarvestani; Suet Leng Khoo; Nor Malina Malek; Suziana Mat Yasin; Aliyar Ahmadi
Abstract
Background: Desired number of children is one of the main indexes showing the fertility preferences of couples. This issue is currently more important as Iranian policy makers are revising population policies to improve fertility rate.
Objectives: As a result, the main goal of this study was to investigate ...
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Background: Desired number of children is one of the main indexes showing the fertility preferences of couples. This issue is currently more important as Iranian policy makers are revising population policies to improve fertility rate.
Objectives: As a result, the main goal of this study was to investigate factors influencing the number of desired children among married women in the reproductive age. A theoretical framework was constructed based on demographic transition theory, demand-supply theory and diffusion theory.
Methods: This study was a quantitative research and its research technique was survey. The population of the study included all married women at the reproductive age (15-49), who were living in Shiraz County (Shiraz city and surrounding rural areas). Data was collected by interviews with 626 women, who were selected by multi cluster sampling and purposive sampling during year 2014. Data was analyzed by the SPSS (version 22) software.
Results: The findings showed that the desired number of children both in Shiraz city and its surrounding rural areas was exactly below the replacement rate. In addition, findings of this study demonstrated that the desired number of children as a dependent variable is affected by a set of socioeconomic and cultural factors. Results have revealed that the main predictors are couple agreement on the number of children, respondents’ income, son preference, respondents’ authority and ethnicity.
Conclusions: Overall, the variables considered in the research model explained only 32.7% of change in the dependent variable. This means that 67.3% of change in the number of desired children is related to factors that are not included in the research model. Moreover, most of the women in Shiraz County desired to have a small family size and this fact can result in further decline of fertility rates in the future because couples respect their desires in fertility. As a result, it is recommender for policy makers to pay more attention to factors influencing the desired number of children.
Shahram Etemadifar; Razie Sadat Hosseiny; Akram Ziraki; Atefeh Omrani; Masoome Alijanpoor
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a multi-aspect problem; it can cause major disturbances with emotional, social and psychological consequences including loss of life satisfaction. Spirituality is considered as an important source for individuals to adapt with stressful life events.
Objectives: The current ...
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Background: Infertility is a multi-aspect problem; it can cause major disturbances with emotional, social and psychological consequences including loss of life satisfaction. Spirituality is considered as an important source for individuals to adapt with stressful life events.
Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction in females with infertility.
Methods: After explaining the study goals to the subjects and attaining their written consents, the present cross-sectional co-relational study was conducted on 190 females with infertility referred to Isfahan fertility and infertility center, Isfahan, Iran. The subjects were selected through a convenience random sampling method in three months by the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) and spiritual well-being scale (SWBS) through face to face interview in 2013. Data were collected and then analyzed by SPSS ver. 17. Descriptive statistical methods (frequency distribution, mean, variance and standard deviation tables) and analytical statistical methods (Pearson correlation test, Spearman correlation coefficients, one-way ANOVA and T-test) were used.
Results: The results of the study indicated a direct relationship between the scores of life satisfaction and religious dimension of spiritual well-being (r = 0.375, P < 0.001), as well as the score of existential dimension of spiritual well-being (r = 0.732, P < 0.001), and the overall score of spiritual well-being (r = 0.643, P < 0.001). The score of existential dimension had a closer relationship with that of life satisfaction, compared to the score of religious dimension and the overall score of spiritual well-being.
Conclusions: The present study showed that people with higher spiritual well-being had a higher life satisfaction. Since infertility has numerous social and psychological complications and consequences, which can lead to lower life satisfaction, the medical staff can increase spiritual well-being and life satisfaction in females with infertility problems by taking proper measures and actions.
Neil Harris; Asiyeh Salehi; Elisabeth Coyne; Bernadette Sebar
Abstract
Background: Satisfaction with life indicates an individual’s overall evaluation of life, which is influenced by a range of factors including socio-demographic characteristics, psychological issues, and life experiences.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the main determinants of ...
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Background: Satisfaction with life indicates an individual’s overall evaluation of life, which is influenced by a range of factors including socio-demographic characteristics, psychological issues, and life experiences.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the main determinants of life satisfaction among young Iranian women.
Patients and Methods: 391 young Iranian women (18 - 35 years) were recruited through cluster convenience sampling to participate in this cross-sectional study. Satisfaction with life (SwL) was used as the dependent variable. Demographic characteristics together with the individual items of the Persian version of the WHO QoL-BREF (World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-brief version) were used as the independent variables and/or the determinants of SwL.
Results: The analysis showed that young Iranian women’s satisfaction with life was average (19.9 ± 6.4), ranging from 5 to 35. The regression analysis identified higher income, better living conditions, higher level of leisure activities, and satisfactory sexual life as the main predictors of higher satisfaction with life. Satisfaction with life diminishes with increased age, being divorced and/or widowed and being of Lor ethnicity (vs. Fars and Tork ethnicities). On the other hand, those with higher education and/or level of religiosity had a higher satisfaction with life.
Conclusions: In transitional countries, particularly those with different social and cultural situations, identifying and enhancing the main determinants of SwL is of importance in order to improve socially cohesive and robust community.
Mahmood Soveid; Nasrin Asadi; Mahnoosh Sianati
Abstract
Background: There is biologic and clinical evidence that links vitamin D deficiency to pre-eclampsia. The Vitamin D receptor is present in the placenta, cardiovascular system, and lymphocytes. It has anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-hypertensive properties and facilitates placental implantation. ...
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Background: There is biologic and clinical evidence that links vitamin D deficiency to pre-eclampsia. The Vitamin D receptor is present in the placenta, cardiovascular system, and lymphocytes. It has anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-hypertensive properties and facilitates placental implantation. Each of these processes is involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.
Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to study the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severe pre-eclampsia in a population residing in southern Iran that is generally known to have a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency. As a second objective, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women was investigated.
Patients and Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 59 patients with severe preeclampsia and 217 controls, all of whom were from southern Iran. Cases and controls were matched for age, body mass index, and gestational age. The study was carried out in autumn and winter. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using high performance liquid chromatography, and the results were compared between the two groups.
Results: Almost all controls and patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below normal, and 69% had levels below 10 ng/mL. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the patient and control groups were 8.4 (6.2) and 8.5 (6.9) ng/ml (P = 0.80), respectively. The level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D had no significant association with subjects’ body mass index or age.
Conclusions: Pregnant women in our region have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and in a population with severe vitamin D deficiency, there is no significant correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and preeclampsia. Severe deficiency masks any possible association in a case-control study. Controlled trials with vitamin D supplementation are recommended for further studies.
Najmeh Maharlouei
Raha Afshariani; Leila Malekmakan; Maryam Yazdankhah; Arghavan Daneshian; Mehrab Sayadi
Abstract
Background: Menarche is a woman’s first menstruation and is determined by multiple factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the age of menarche in girls at guidance schools of Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study attempted ...
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Background: Menarche is a woman’s first menstruation and is determined by multiple factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the age of menarche in girls at guidance schools of Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study attempted to evaluate the effect of regular exercise on the age of menarche in relation to demographic data in 483 randomly selected girls from guidance school in Shiraz, Iran, using statistical analysis including independent t-test, variance analysis and linear regression tests.
Results: Participants were divided in two groups including 181 and 302 athletic and non-athletic girls, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean age at menarche between athletic 12.4 ± 0.9 SD and non-athletic girls 12.1 ± 1.0 SD years (P = 0.003). Linear regression indicated that mother’s age (P = 0.049) and exercise (P = 0.001) both have significant association with age at menarche.
Conclusions: The age at menarche for the athletic group was significantly delayed. Exercise and mother’s age were significantly associated with age at menarche, whereas no significant association was observed between age at menarche and weight, BMI, father’s age, and mother’s and father’s educational levels.
Pegah Jahani; Sulmaz Ghahramani; Gholamreza Abdollahifard
Abstract
Background: Due to the increasing rate of cervical cancer screening, and the importance of teachers and faculties in changing the perspective of population on this issue, the present study was carried out to evaluate knowledge base, attitude and performance of teachers and faculty members in relation ...
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Background: Due to the increasing rate of cervical cancer screening, and the importance of teachers and faculties in changing the perspective of population on this issue, the present study was carried out to evaluate knowledge base, attitude and performance of teachers and faculty members in relation to cervical cancer screening test.
Objectives: This study attempted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and performance of teachers and faculty members on cervical cancer screening test in Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted on a community with high education level. The study was carried out on a sample of 417 randomly selected subjects involving 206 participants from high school teachers and 211 faculty members. Stratified random sampling method was used proportionate to the size, of the main population in each group. P value 0.05 was considered for estimating sample size. Valid and reliable questionnaires were completed via face to face interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software version 13.
Results: Mean score of knowledge (4.78 ± 0.71) was higher in faculty members than female teachers (4.21 ± 1.16). There was no statistically significant difference in mean scores of knowledge (P value = 0.748) and attitude (P value = 0.704) between teachers of different age groups. Mean score of knowledge (P value = 0.001) and attitude (P value = 0.009) was significantly different among faculty members with different academic degrees. Although academics had higher Knowledge and attitude, the mean score of performance among teachers (18%) was higher than faculty members (16.6%).
Conclusions: This study showed that in regard to screening of cervical cancer, there is no acceptable knowledge, attitude and performance level among faculty members and teachers in different zones of Shiraz.
Mohammad Bagher Saberi Zafarghandi; Mohsen Jadidi
Abstract
Context: The present review attempts to distinguish some management, challenges and solutions to drug dependency of women. The issues make clear the need for accomplishing different prevention and management strategies in both genders.
Evidence Acquisition: The present review comprised data of related ...
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Context: The present review attempts to distinguish some management, challenges and solutions to drug dependency of women. The issues make clear the need for accomplishing different prevention and management strategies in both genders.
Evidence Acquisition: The present review comprised data of related domain from different printed and online data bases such as UN, SID, ISC, Medline, ISI and etc., as well-known sources of scientific studies.
Results: The review of data in corresponding domain presented two distinct sections which are challenges of addiction in women, and strategies for sufficient treatment of addicted women which include some underlying strategic subcomponents.
Conclusions: As indicated by the studies, serious attention must be paid to the treatment needs of women, regarding tools, and practical and potentially equal strategies necessary for having a healthy community.
Parvin Mirmiran; Arefeh Fallah Ghohroudy; Somayeh Hosseinpour Niazi; Batol Ahmadi; Fatemeh Nayeri; Fereidoun Azizi
Abstract
Context: Diet is an important component of life and plays a key role in the prevention or development of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to determine different dietary patterns and their association with non-communicable diseases in Iranian women.
Evidence Acquisition: ...
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Context: Diet is an important component of life and plays a key role in the prevention or development of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to determine different dietary patterns and their association with non-communicable diseases in Iranian women.
Evidence Acquisition: Sources of Information: an electronic literature search was conducted on websites such as Pubmed, Science direct, Google scholar, Sid, and Iranmedex to identify original human studies, published in English and Persian up to August 2013 that included keywords or phrases relevant to the aim of this study.
Results: Studies were classified into eight groups according to their objectives and outcomes, including the relationship between dietary patterns and aspects such as bone mineral density, metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, markers of inflammation, hypertension, coagulation abnormalities, life style and factor analysis. Compared to healthy dietary patterns, the western and Iranian patterns were positively associated with conditions related to non-communicable diseases. The dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and is low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, refined grains, and sweets. This diet is associated with greater high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower body weight, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Conclusions: Adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is expected to secure a protective effect against non-communicable disease.
Majid Davari; Mohammadreza Maracy; Zohreh Ghorashi; Mitra Mokhtari
Abstract
Background: In the recent decades, the high rate of cesarean section is increased worldwide along with critical concerns about its primary benefits. Many researchers showed the positive relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of cesarean delivery. However, it seems that the ...
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Background: In the recent decades, the high rate of cesarean section is increased worldwide along with critical concerns about its primary benefits. Many researchers showed the positive relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of cesarean delivery. However, it seems that the prevalence of elective cesarean section is even rising in low socioeconomic classes.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the socioeconomic status and the prevalence of elective cesarean section in nulliparous women in Niknafs Teaching Centre, in Rafsanjan, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 459 nulliparous women and was carried out in Niknafs Teaching Center, in Rafsanjan from August 2011 to April 2012. A valid questionnaire was completed during a brief interview with the subjects. It included the demographic, economic, and educational statuses of the subjects as well as information about the delivery types. The collected data was analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests in SPSS version 16.
Results: Five socioeconomic groups were defined as very poor, poor, fair, good, and very good. Overall, 74% of the participants were placed in fair and lower groups. Significant relationships were observed between SES and primary elective cesarean delivery (P < 0.001) as well as the final rate of cesarean delivery (P = 0.02). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the reason for cesarean delivery and SES of the mothers.
Conclusions: The improvement of the SES has a linear relationship with demand for cesarean delivery. But elective cesarean section is notably high in Iran even in lower socioeconomic classes. This could verify that socioeconomic factors are not the only reason for the high prevalence of cesarean delivery in Iran and that other factors are in fact responsible for this level of performance.
Negar Darvish; Negin Hadi
Abstract
Background: The relationship between nutritional pattern and non-communicable diseases such as coronary artery diseases, diabetes, and obesity has already been established.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional pattern and education level of rural women ...
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Background: The relationship between nutritional pattern and non-communicable diseases such as coronary artery diseases, diabetes, and obesity has already been established.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional pattern and education level of rural women in Iran.
Materials and Methods: The present research was conducted on 209 randomly selected women who consented to take part in the study, and lived in kaftarak area of Shiraz during the past year. A questionnaire used in the study was prepared in collaboration with all residents of the department Community Medicine of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Chi-square and t-tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among participants, 45% were in the low educated group and 55% were literate. According to our findings, the participants used five major groups of food in appropriate amounts. Of these, 49% consumed fruits, 54.3%, vegetables, 69.5% protein, 57.6%, dairy products, and 5.7% bread and cereals. Our study showed a significant relationship between education level of the participants and the appropriate consumption of fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy products. However, there was no significant association between education level and consumption of fat and carbohydrates. The participants became overweight or obese when deriving most of their calories from carbohydrates. The mean BMI of the subjects was 26.68 ± 5.8 which was consistent with their inappropriate use of fats and carbohydrates.
Conclusions: The women in rural areas became prone to overweight and obesity by inappropriate consumption of some foods.
