Najmeh Maharlouei
Abstract
Transmission of viral infections from mother to fetus is an important issue as it can affect both the maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes. The world is currently struggling with COVID-19 which has affected all countries regardless of their economic status. There exist similarities between the genetics ...
Read More
Transmission of viral infections from mother to fetus is an important issue as it can affect both the maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes. The world is currently struggling with COVID-19 which has affected all countries regardless of their economic status. There exist similarities between the genetics of COVID-19 and other members of Coronavirus family, including SARS and MERS (1); therefore, it has been supposed that similar to SARS and MERS (2), COVID-19 has no vertical transmission (3). However, two systematic review studies provided some evidence which pointed to the contrary (4, 5). In a meta-analysis conducted by Kotlyar and colleagues the risk of vertical transmission from the infected mother to her baby was reported to be about 3.2% (5). This report is very important to healthcare systems as certain protocols have to be considered in screening babies born of infected mothers. Furthermore, there are still many questionable issues surrounding the behavior of agile COVID-19.
Mohammadmorad Khoshakhlagh; Fatemeh Sadat Marashian; Hamdollah Jayervand
Abstract
Background: The mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience extreme stress due to the limited social, communicational, and emotional competencies of their children along with inefficient cognitive development and maladjustment. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness ...
Read More
Background: The mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience extreme stress due to the limited social, communicational, and emotional competencies of their children along with inefficient cognitive development and maladjustment. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and pivotal response treatment (PRT) in family satisfaction in mothers of children with ASD. Methods: The research method was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The study population comprised all mothers of children with autism in Ahvaz, Iran in 2021. Forty-five mothers were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group (each with 15 members). The experimental group underwent positive psychotherapy (fourteen 90-minute sessions) and PRT (twelve 90-minute sessions). However, the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance. Results: The mean±standard deviation of the post-test scores of family satisfaction in the positive psychotherapy and PRT groups was 33.66±6.98 and 36.26±6.57, which was significantly different from the control group (18.53±4.05). The results suggested that both positive psychotherapy and PRT were effective in increasing family satisfaction in mothers of children with autism (p <0.001). There were no significant differences between the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and PRT in increasing family satisfaction in mothers of children with autism. Conclusion: It can be concluded that positive psychotherapy and PRT can be adopted to increase the family satisfaction of mothers.
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 ...
Read More
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.
Syahidatul Khafizah Mohd Hajaraih; Shelby P. Gordon; Karen M. Tabb
Volume 6, Issue 3 , July 2019, , Pages 7-15
Abstract
Objective: We conducted a scoping review to explore the excessive burden of disease and injury that garment industry workers experience in low-middle income countries (LMIC).
Evidence Acquisition: We employed Arksey and O’Malley’s methodology for scoping review to systematically identify ...
Read More
Objective: We conducted a scoping review to explore the excessive burden of disease and injury that garment industry workers experience in low-middle income countries (LMIC).
Evidence Acquisition: We employed Arksey and O’Malley’s methodology for scoping review to systematically identify and review eligible articles. A research question, “What is the available evidence in existing literature on health outcomes among workers in garments industry in LMIC?” guided the review. We synthesized and reviewed the existing evidence of health outcomes among garment workers in LMIC from these articles. Eligibility criteria for the articles included peer-reviewed research articles of studies conducted in LMIC and specified common health outcomes among garment industry workers. We included articles from 2010 to 2016 and were published in English.
Results: Nineteen studies from LMIC were included yielding descriptions of seven groups of health problems: orthopedic, respiratory, nutrition and digestive, vision or hearing, dermatological, female reproductive, and other health problems. Females represented majority of most study samples highlighting key disparities in women’s health outcomes such as nutrition and reproductive health needs.
Conclusions: Physical and mental health burdens are high among garment workers in LMIC. In addition, addressing the health needs of garment workers is a major women’s health issue. Our findings suggest the needs for a better documentation and research of health outcomes related to work among garment industry workers to address work conditions and health risks in LMIC.
Nessa Hashemi; Farideh Babakhani; Rahman Sheikhhoseini
Abstract
Background: Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is considered as the most prevalent problem in women. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of eight-week yoga exercises in water on the intensity and duration of pain in female students with primary dysmenorrhea.Methods: In this clinical ...
Read More
Background: Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is considered as the most prevalent problem in women. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of eight-week yoga exercises in water on the intensity and duration of pain in female students with primary dysmenorrhea.Methods: In this clinical trial study, we recruited 40 female students aged 18 to 26 years old with primary dysmenorrhea. They were divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups completed the pre- and post-test questionnaires. The experimental group participated in an eight-week yoga exercise plan in water. Shapiro-Wilk test was used for the assessment of the normality of the data. The Wilcoxon test was employed to compare the data. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Also, this clinical trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20120215009014N245.Results: After eight weeks of yoga practice in water, a significant decrease was observed in the severity of pain (P=0.001), pain duration (P=0.001), and the number of painkillers used in the experimental (P=0.001) group whereas no significant changes were found in the controls.Conclusion: Doing yoga exercises in water can be an appropriate strategy to help reduce the severity and duration of pain and the number of pills used by females with primary dysmenorrhea.
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, ...
Read More
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.
Madeline A Foster; Lisa McDermott; Alec Knight
Abstract
Background: Each year, twice as many women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As there is no known cure for AD, preventing it has become a vital public health issue. One lifestyle intervention that may reduce the risk of AD is physical activity (PA). This scoping review aimed ...
Read More
Background: Each year, twice as many women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As there is no known cure for AD, preventing it has become a vital public health issue. One lifestyle intervention that may reduce the risk of AD is physical activity (PA). This scoping review aimed to examine the existing literature on PA and AD risk to identify whether PA has a sex-specific effect on AD risk in women.Methods: A scoping review was conducted based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Cochrane recommended databases, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched via Ovid between May and June 2022. Articles were screened at the title, abstract, and full-text level for inclusion criteria (female participants, results reported by sex, PA, or exercise reported separately from other variables, and participants with no known cognitive impairment). For each study, sample characteristics, PA and AD measures, follow-up times, and results were summarized.Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, and their results were assessed for quality using the Cochrane GRADE tool. Most studies (80%) reported significant results for females. When broken down by sex, six studies reported differences in result significance with some studies finding that PA can reduce AD risk in women but not in men. Increased weekly PA sessions, duration, and intensity all significantly reduced AD risk for women.Conclusion: While there are some limitations, including reliance on self-report, short follow-up times, and variations in AD and PA measures, the results have important implications. Findings may facilitate the development of tailored interventions that target women with unique lifestyle recommendations and inspire future research on the specifics of PA type, timing, and duration.
Hora Ameri Ahmad; Masoumeh Rostami; Sahar Dalvand; Azam Rahmani; Reza Ghanei Gheshlagh
Abstract
Contex: Sexual function during pregnancy affects martial satisfaction of couples and increases empathy in the completion of pregnancy and women’s self-confidence with reduction in fears. Studies on the sexual function of Iranian pregnant women have shown controversial results. The present study ...
Read More
Contex: Sexual function during pregnancy affects martial satisfaction of couples and increases empathy in the completion of pregnancy and women’s self-confidence with reduction in fears. Studies on the sexual function of Iranian pregnant women have shown controversial results. The present study aimed to review the sexual function of Iranian pregnant women. Methods: The international and national databases of Web of Science/ISI, PubMed, Scopus, MagIran, and SID databases using “sex”, “sexuality”, “sexual intercourse”, “sexual function”, “sexual dysfunction”, and “pregnancy” without a time limit. We included all the papers published in Persian and English reporting the mean score of sexual function of pregnant women. Based on the pre-designed form, the required data included the name of the first authors, year of publication, sample size, research setting, questionnaire type, and methodological quality, which were extracted and recorded. Data analysis was performed in STATA version 14 using a meta-analysis method and random-effects models. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated utilizing the I2 test. Results: In total, 11 articles with the total sample size of 2,657 were reviewed. The highest and lowest standard scores of sexual function were reported in the first pregnancy trimester (58.92%; 95% CI: 54.08-63.75) and the third trimester (47.70%; 95% CI: 23.18-39.56), respectively. In addition, publication bias was significant in the first (P=0.001), second (P=0.009), and third trimesters (P=0.014). Conclusion: The sexual function of women was found to reduce through pregnancy progress. Therefore, sexual function assessment and counseling on pregnancy care seem crucial for pregnant women.
Salar Doosti; Farzaneh Hooman; Saeed Bakhtiarpour; Sasan Bavi
Abstract
Background: Raising disabled children can lead to significant strain and psychological distress within families, particularly for mothers as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between quality of life and social support in mothers ...
Read More
Background: Raising disabled children can lead to significant strain and psychological distress within families, particularly for mothers as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between quality of life and social support in mothers of disabled children.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2022. The study population comprised all mothers of disabled children in Kermanshah, Iran. A purposive sampling method was utilized, selecting 379 individuals for the research sample. Data collection tools included the Quality of Life Scale, Social Support Inventory, and Parental Stress Questionnaire. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 27, AMOS version 25, and structural equation modeling (SEM).Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and mothers’ quality of life (r=0.37; P<0.01). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between social support and parenting stress (r=-0.63; P<0.01), as well as between parenting stress and mothers’ quality of life (r=-0.41; P<0.01). Moreover, the indirect pathway from social support to quality of life, mediated by parenting stress, was significant (P=0.010). The model fit results showed a good fit for our model (CFI=0.98; NFI=0.97; RMSEA=0.065).Conclusion: The proposed model showed a good fit. Consequently, enhancing social support and reducing parenting stress may improve the quality of life for mothers of disabled children.
Peymaneh Shokrollahi; Farzaneh Farahi
Abstract
Background: Reducing labor pain is known to be a challenging topic in modern midwifery. To reduce this pain, complementary medicine methods have attracted a great deal of attention. The present study aimed to compare the effect of reflexology of sole with non-aromatic oil (Olive) and aromatic oil (Lavender) ...
Read More
Background: Reducing labor pain is known to be a challenging topic in modern midwifery. To reduce this pain, complementary medicine methods have attracted a great deal of attention. The present study aimed to compare the effect of reflexology of sole with non-aromatic oil (Olive) and aromatic oil (Lavender) on reducing labor pain and anxiety.Methods: This multi-arm consecutive randomized controlled trial study of reflexology with non-aromatic oil and aromatic oil was carried out in 2020 on 99 primigravid mothers. They were divided into one control and two intervention groups, selected through random allocation. The data related to the mothers’ pain and anxiety were collected via the Pain Visual Scale and Spielberger three times, once before and twice after the intervention at 4-5 and 7-8 cm dilation. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20200810048357N1. The demographic characteristics, labor duration, and APGAR score were also recorded. Through the use of the SPSS version 16, parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, including paired and independent t-test, x² and ANCOVA, were utilized for analyzing the data.Results: In the 99 participants with an average age of 25.98±5.80, there were no significant differences in terms of age (P=0.699), education level (P=0.504), or occupation (P=0.140). Additionally, no significant difference was seen in the duration of labor (P=0.194) and the APGAR score (P=0.066). According to the intergroup analysis of pain results in both stages of 4-5 cm and 7 -8 cm after the intervention, the aromatic oil group had a significant difference in terms of pain reduction with the other two groups (P˂0.001, P=0.007, respectively). Although there was no significant statistical difference in the intergroup analysis, the increase in the rate of anxiety was significant in control group in different stages (P=0.002) while this factor remained fixed in the intervention groups.Conclusions: The reflexology with aromatic oil was found to be more effective than that with non-aromatic oil. Furthermore, the pain rate at the time of labor reduced in the intervention groups compared to that in the control group.
Fabiola Fedele
Abstract
Context: Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting 10% of women in their reproductive age worldwide. Endometriosis symptoms can seriously impact the quality of life and the mental health of women. Although it could be found in over 60% of adolescent girls and adolescents may suffer from advanced ...
Read More
Context: Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting 10% of women in their reproductive age worldwide. Endometriosis symptoms can seriously impact the quality of life and the mental health of women. Although it could be found in over 60% of adolescent girls and adolescents may suffer from advanced forms of it, there are not enough studies on psychological impacts of endometriosis in adolescence. Evidence acquisition: In this narrative review study, research studies and systematic review studies conducted from 2000 to 2021 were searched in the PubMed, Medline, and Scopus with the following keywords: “young women OR adolescents OR adolescence” AND “endometriosis” AND “psychologic* OR emotions OR well-being OR quality of life”. Results: Endometriosis symptoms substantially affect the psychological well-being of young women. They often report physical pain, reduced general health and vitality, poor physical and social functioning, as well as limitations in emotional functioning. Conclusions: These data highlighted the need for increased awareness concerning this disease for its early diagnosis and focused on healthcare assistance and psychological support for adolescent girls with this condition.
Ameneh Etemadi Asl; Sasan Bavi; Reza Johari Fard
Abstract
Background: Women diagnosed with breast cancer may be more inclined to take preventive measures if they believe they have control over their health. This study explored the mediating influence of cancer self-efficacy in the association between health locus of control (HLC) and health-promoting behaviors ...
Read More
Background: Women diagnosed with breast cancer may be more inclined to take preventive measures if they believe they have control over their health. This study explored the mediating influence of cancer self-efficacy in the association between health locus of control (HLC) and health-promoting behaviors in women with breast cancer.Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, a purposive sampling method was employed to select 282 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ahvaz, Iran, between November 2021 and June 2022. Participants were requested to complete the Health- Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC), and Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI). The data was then analyzed using path analysis conducted with SPSS Amos version 25.Results: The results indicated a significant correlation between cancer self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors among women with breast cancer (P=0.001). A significant correlation was also between health-promoting behaviors and HLC in women (P=0.001). According to the results, the mediating role of cancer self-efficacy in the relationship between HLC and healthpromoting behaviors was significant in women with breast cancer (P=0.001).Conclusion: Consequently, the research model exhibited a satisfactory fit. This study’s findings highlighted the influence of cancer self-efficacy in facilitating the impact of HLC on enhancing health-promoting behaviors in women with breast cancer.
Abbas Rezaianzadeh
Samira Behboudi Gandevani; Saideh Ziaee; Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani
Abstract
Context: Cash payments or other incentive policies to improve population growth rate have been used for many years; but the efficiency of these policies has not yet been fully understood. We provide a brief background to different incentive population policies for accelerating birth rate and its underlying ...
Read More
Context: Cash payments or other incentive policies to improve population growth rate have been used for many years; but the efficiency of these policies has not yet been fully understood. We provide a brief background to different incentive population policies for accelerating birth rate and its underlying rationale and consequences.
Evidence Acquisition: For our search strategy, we reviewed the J store, Medline, science direct, ISI database, and the WHO Reproductive Health Library. The study comprised all published and unpublished accounts on cash and other incentive programs, with especial reference to key considerations on the use of these policies. The majority of studies have been conducted in developed countries and policies are focused on addressing basic factors such as women’s decision making on childbearing, poverty, or western life style.
Results: In general, there are four different types of incentive policy instruments that can potentially influence childbearing: direct cash payments such as baby bonus payments and family allowances, indirect transfers such as tax exemptions, housing policies, health care or child tax credits, creating better working conditions for mothers like improving work–family compatibility such as maternity and paternity leave with or without salary-maintenance, or availability, acceptability, accessibility of high quality and inexpensive nursery in the workplace, and inadvertent policies such as new graduate recruitment system which help young people find regular jobs, and schools could act as go-betweens in the recruitment process since employers prefer hiring recent graduates.
Conclusions: We conclude that policies aimed at reducing the incompatibility between work and the factors associated with mothers' roles such as maternity leaves, childcare, and early education affecting women’s childbearing and younger age pregnancies. However, ongoing researches will shed more light on the efficacy of each incentive policies in the context of Iran.
Farnoush Davoudi; Maryam Rasoulian; Masoud Ahmadzad Asl; Marzieh Nojomi
Abstract
Context: This systematic review summarizes evidence that pertains to factors associated with physical domestic violence in Eastern Mediterranean region countries.
Evidence Acquisition: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, ISI, PsycInfo, IMEMR, Ovid, Global health, Cochrane Library, IranMedex, SID, IranDoc, Science ...
Read More
Context: This systematic review summarizes evidence that pertains to factors associated with physical domestic violence in Eastern Mediterranean region countries.
Evidence Acquisition: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, ISI, PsycInfo, IMEMR, Ovid, Global health, Cochrane Library, IranMedex, SID, IranDoc, Science Direct, Elsevier, Proquest and Magiran with no language limits until August 1, 2013. A hand search included lists of references from papers and the evidence list from "The Islamic Republic of Iran National Agenda for Preventing Domestic Violence". We chose quantitative studies on ever- partnered, non-pregnant women from Eastern Mediterranean Region countries that referred to either predisposing or protective factors of physical domestic violence at the victims' level. Criteria based critical appraisal was performed by three reviewers.
Results: Younger age at the time of the study, younger age at the time of marriage, unemployment, frailty, history of exposure to domestic violence, and a positive attitude toward male dominance were among the risk factors. Higher level of education was reported to be a protective factor.
Conclusions: Findings are consistent with most international evidences. Further investigations are needed to more comprehensively understand the remainder of the variables.
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: ...
Read More
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.
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 ...
Read More
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.
Manavi Handa; Mary Donovan Sharpe
Abstract
Context: This article discusses the paradigm shift in health care and bioethics from the concept of informed consent to informed choice.
Evidence Acquisition: Informed consent is linked to the concept of respect for autonomy-one of the four pillars of bioethics. This concept requires health care givers ...
Read More
Context: This article discusses the paradigm shift in health care and bioethics from the concept of informed consent to informed choice.
Evidence Acquisition: Informed consent is linked to the concept of respect for autonomy-one of the four pillars of bioethics. This concept requires health care givers to share information with patients so they can make appropriate health care decisions. However, the concept of informed consent has been critiqued as being paternalistic and not attentive to the complexities of modern health care decisions.
Results: As a result of a paradigm shift in health care and ethics, favoring autonomy over other principles-informed consent evolved to the more patient-centered concept of informed choice. Even so, feminist bioethicists critique the mainstream model of informed choice as being inattentive to inherent power dynamics within health care and society which may influence decision making. Drawing on the model of midwifery in Canada, this paper outlines an approach to health care that incorporates feminist definitions of informed choice.
Conclusions: This paper reviews the necessary criteria for informed choice to be attentive to the individual needs of women. Using the model of midwifery in Canada as an example, this paper demonstrates how feminist approaches to informed choice should be preferred in modern health care settings.
Mostafa Chashmposh; Saeed Shirali; Esmaeel Ebrahimi; Alireza Barari
Abstract
Context: Menopause is characterized by amenorrhea and increase in the level of Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) due to the permanent cessation of ovarian function. This process causes changes in hormonal and other serum markers. Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disabilities in women.
Objectives: ...
Read More
Context: Menopause is characterized by amenorrhea and increase in the level of Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) due to the permanent cessation of ovarian function. This process causes changes in hormonal and other serum markers. Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disabilities in women.
Objectives: The aim of this review was to investigate the correlation between hormonal and petrochemical changes and depression with menopausal status.
Data Sources: We searched in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus, Embase, the reference lists of all related studies and major relevant review articles from 1960 to October 2014, and also abstracts from associated congresses and meetings, using terms related to hormonal and serum markers, depression and its symptoms.
Study Selection: The survey included prospective, retrospective and case-control studies. The selected studies explored menopause in study population and investigated variables and different markers in depression or anxiety, as well as those measuring depression or anxiety intensity.
Data Extraction: Items for which data were extracted included the date and place of publication, study design, sources, human species, age, control groups, selection and appraisal methods, outcome measurement tools, and author’s conclusions. One investigator (Mostafa Chashmposh) collected the relevant reports, whereas two other authors independently reviewed the published data and reported different hormonal markers related to depression as evaluated by different studies. Disagreements were resolved by the fourth reviewer’s decision.
Results: The period of menopause is mostly associated with a gradual decline of estrogen activity and increased secretion of nocturnal melatonin. During menopausal transition, overnight cortisol levels were associated with changes in estrone glucuronide, testosterone, and FSH levels. In addition, whole blood serotonin concentration is reduced during menopause. Furthermore, lipid markers including total and LDL cholesterol levels increase during perimenopause. Moreover, plasma Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) concentration decreases significantly in postmenopausal period. Based on different studies, the reduction of hormones including estrogen, serotonin and BDNF during menopause are associated with depression in women. Further studies documented the relationship between depressed mood symptoms and cortisol levels.
Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that transition to menopause and its changing hormonal and other serum markers are strongly associated with depressed mood among women.
Aliyar Ahmadi
Abstract
Context: Social relations have been found to affect different aspects of people’s life. This article is a systematic review of attempts to consider the social support as a major determinant of health during life span.
Evidence Acquisition: For our research we retrieved data from the J Store, Springer, ...
Read More
Context: Social relations have been found to affect different aspects of people’s life. This article is a systematic review of attempts to consider the social support as a major determinant of health during life span.
Evidence Acquisition: For our research we retrieved data from the J Store, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Elsevier, Science Direct, PubMed database as well-known sources of scientific studies. The study comprised all studies considering social ties and relationships and health outcomes of both genders in different aspects of medical sociology and social epidemiology, with particular emphasis on comprehensive studies to identify the implications of and the effect of social support on women’s health.
Results: The results obtained from this review are presented in three main sections. These include perceived versus received social support, main effect versus buffering effect of social support, and finally the consideration of women’s health. Overall, empirical studies confirm the importance of social relationship to health and longevity and its different implications in women’s health.
Conclusions: To be healthier and more usefully active in the society, women need to have different kinds of support from social relationships. Women are required to be better informed about the significance of enjoying positive social relationships which provide potential health benefits, by social support, from both relatives and other people.
Marilize C. Burger; Shameemah Abrahams; Malcolm Collins
Abstract
Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy accounting for up to 90% of all entrapment neuropathies of the upper limb. Identifying potential risk factors might aid in the prevention of this injury. This systematic review aims to identify the current known non-occupational risk factors ...
Read More
Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy accounting for up to 90% of all entrapment neuropathies of the upper limb. Identifying potential risk factors might aid in the prevention of this injury. This systematic review aims to identify the current known non-occupational risk factors for CTS as published in three electronic databases.
Evidence Acquisition: Three electronic databases PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and SpringerLink were searched using the keywords “CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME RISK” for all published articles up to September 2015. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2755 unique titles were independently analyzed and narrowed to a final list of 83 articles. Only articles with a level of evidence of I, II, or III were included, in accordance with robust study design and data analysis methods. The level of certainty for each risk factor was determined using previously defined criteria.
Results: A total of 83 articles were included, which defined 29 individual, non-occupational risk factors. Only sex and previous musculoskeletal disorder/injury were found to have a moderate level of certainty to modify the risk of CTS. All other risk factors were evaluated as having a low level of certainty.
Conclusions: Considering the large number of studies reporting on non-occupational CTS risk factors as well as the differences in reporting between studies, a lack of consistency is observed in the current review. This review does, however, offer a broad outlook on the literature and the current evidence for risk factors commonly believed to be associated with altered CTS risk. Although several risk factors are commonly believed to be associated with altered risk of CTS, the current evidence to support these beliefs is limited. Prospective cohort studies, larger sample sizes, and consistent and robust measures of risk should be used in future research.
Virginia Thorley
Abstract
Context: Articles discussing human milk banking and the sharing of milk among women have increasingly been appearing in the medical and nursing literature in the early-21st century. The articles usually focus on Western-style milk banks, as well as informal ways of providing women’s milk to premature ...
Read More
Context: Articles discussing human milk banking and the sharing of milk among women have increasingly been appearing in the medical and nursing literature in the early-21st century. The articles usually focus on Western-style milk banks, as well as informal ways of providing women’s milk to premature or sick infants and others in need of human milk. This article will review this literature within the context of Muslims living in predominantly Islamic countries and the potential effects of migration within a country or to another country on knowledge of these issues.
Evidence Acquisition: Articles consulted were sourced from the bibliographies of the author’s previous articles and the references in other articles consulted during previous research. Following that, a search of the term “milk kinship” was conducted on Medline via Web of Science and in PubMed, but all relevant articles had already been accessed.
Results: A relatively few articles have discussed these matters in the Islamic context, to acknowledge the constraints that the creation of a kinship relationship by milk under Islamic law places on how breastfeeding or breast milk is shared. Nevertheless, these issues, and how needy infants can be provided with the life-giving breast milk they need, have begun to receive attention in international journals. Yet Muslim mothers may not be conversant with the issue of milk kinship in relation to milk banking or milk donation.
Conclusions: Some recent authors have made recommendations on how human milk donation can be achieved in the hospital setting through complying with the religious requirements. Donated human milk can be used in the hospital, provided the conditions are met.
Masoome Alidosti; Masoumeh Delaram; Lila Dehgani; Mojgan Maleki Moghadam
Abstract
Background: Burnout is a leading cause of physical and psychological injuries and evaluating the relationship between the self-efficacy and burnout of nurses could provide new knowledge on the organization of the subject.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy ...
Read More
Background: Burnout is a leading cause of physical and psychological injuries and evaluating the relationship between the self-efficacy and burnout of nurses could provide new knowledge on the organization of the subject.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and burnout among nurses in Behbahan city, Iran, in 2014.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 151 nurses were randomly selected from 3 hospitals in Behbahan city proportionate to their staff number. Data were collected using the Maslach burnout and the Scherer self-efficacy questionnaires. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test and Spearman correlation coefficient by SPSS software version 16. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: From a total of 151 nurses, 39 cases were male and 112 were female. The mean age was 33.5 ± 8.7 years and the mean of self-efficacy was 60.89 ± 6.58. Most nurses had low burnout in the subscales of depersonalization (63.6%) and emotional exhaustion (64.2%); however, regarding lack of personal accomplishments most of them (65.6%) reported higher levels of burnout. The results also showed a significant and inverse difference between the self-efficacy and three dimensions of burnout, depersonalization (P < 0.001, r = -0.29), emotional exhaustion (P < 0.001, r = -0.49), and lack of personal accomplishments (P = 0.01, r = -0.26).
Conclusions: The findings of the present study show that increasing self-efficacy among nurses can lead to a decrease in burnout in the subscales of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and lack of personal accomplishment. Adopting strategies for increasing the self-efficacy would help reduce the burnout and increase motivation and satisfaction among nurses.
Abbas Rezaianzadeh; Seyedeh Leila Dehghani; Masoomeh Mousavi; Ramin Rezaeianzadeh
Abstract
Background: Uterus cancer is one of the main causes of death in the female population, which mostly occurs in low- or middle-income countries. Up to now, many descriptive studies have been conducted on the prevalence of uterus cancer in Iran and its relationship with various factors. Thus, the present ...
Read More
Background: Uterus cancer is one of the main causes of death in the female population, which mostly occurs in low- or middle-income countries. Up to now, many descriptive studies have been conducted on the prevalence of uterus cancer in Iran and its relationship with various factors. Thus, the present study aimed to summarize the data relevant to the incidence of uterus cancer in Iran.
Methods: All the published reports on the incidence of uterus cancer in Iran were gathered through exploration of international journals. Accordingly, population-based articles and those that defined the topic clearly and reported age-specific rate (ASR) were included in the study. In order to extract the required information, all the articles were studied carefully and some were entered in the report.
Results: Out of the 130 articles, three were selected through careful screening for the final report. These studies were performed on 1086, 8359 and 652 cases and reported ASRs of 0.01, 0.027, and 0.026 in 1000 individuals, respectively.
Discussion: In this study, the incidence of uterus cancer and its geographical diversity in Iran was systematically taken into consideration for the first time. A total of 19875 individuals were studied in three selected articles. The results indicated that the incidence of this cancer followed an ascending trend.
Parvin Mirmiran; Zeinab Ghorbani; Firoozeh Hosseini-Esfahani
Abstract
Context: Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. This review aimed at providing an updated overview of obesity in Iranian women and its associated complications.
Evidence Acquisition: In this narrative review study, related systematic reviews or meta-analysis studies of high ranking journals ...
Read More
Context: Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. This review aimed at providing an updated overview of obesity in Iranian women and its associated complications.
Evidence Acquisition: In this narrative review study, related systematic reviews or meta-analysis studies of high ranking journals conducted from 2000 to 2016 were searched in the PubMed, Medline, and Scopus with the following keywords: “women OR female” AND “weight OR overweight OR obesity”, “risk factors OR complications”, “reproduction OR cancer OR cardiovascular disease OR diabetes OR gestational diabetes OR maternal obesity OR fertility OR pregnancy OR polycystic ovary syndrome” OR management.
Results: In Iran, women have shown a constantly higher risk of obesity compared to men. After a 9- year follow-up, the age-standardized incidence rate (95% CI) of diabetes was 10.1 (7.24 - 13.9) in women. The increases in overweight and obesity in menopausal women have an important role in endometrial, colon, and breast cancer. Obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer 2.4 to 4.5 folds compared to the normal weight women. Maternal obesity increases the risk of gestational hypertension 4.5 to 8.7 times compared to normal weight women. An increasing number of obese women becoming pregnant is associated with short- and long-term maternal and child outcomes. The prevalence of childhood obesity in children of obese women aged 3 to 5 years increases up to 25%; and these children have an almost 6- fold chance of being obese in young adulthood. Weight reduction of obese women is accompanied with lower incidence of obesity complications. The most effective interventions are multiple behavioral management activities.
Conclusions: Considering the large population of young people in Iran and the lack of any effective preventive policy, the burden of obesity and its associated outcomes will be problematic in the near future.
