Mahboobeh Khorshidifard; Mitra Amini; Mohammad Reza Dehghani; Najaf Zaree; Narjes Pishva; Nahid Zarifsanaiey
Abstract
Background: Education is a process beginning with informing, followed by attitude-making and finally leading to appropriate behavior and performance in trainees. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, as a term, is originated from the social cognitive theory structures of Bandura. This theory refers to one’s ...
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Background: Education is a process beginning with informing, followed by attitude-making and finally leading to appropriate behavior and performance in trainees. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, as a term, is originated from the social cognitive theory structures of Bandura. This theory refers to one’s beliefs and confidence in her/his ability to perform health behaviors like exclusive and successful breastfeeding.
Methods: In this study, 270 pregnant women with gestational age over 30 weeks were selected among those referring to health centers by cluster sampling method. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group was considered as the control group and the two other groups were educated through either face to face or small-group methods. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, performance assessment check list, and breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS.
Results: Data analysis on breastfeeding self-efficacy showed that there was no significant difference between 3 groups before training. The mean scores of women attending face to face and small-group education were 2.89 and 2.88, which increased to 4.73 and 4.18, respectively. There was a significant difference between the intervention groups after education (P < 0.001). Self-efficacy mean scores after delivery showed that face to face education is more efficient. The results showed that there was a significant association between self-efficacy and performance in mothers (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Face to face education method has positive effects on infant feeding pattern, mother performance, breastfeeding satisfaction and beliefs as well as self-efficacy.
Gabrielle Vernet; Helena Watson; Alex Ridout; Andrew Shennan
Abstract
Context: Preterm birth accounts for significant neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as substantial health costs. As our understanding of aetiology and risk factors for preterm birth increases, predictive tools and prophylactic interventions have been developed to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. ...
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Context: Preterm birth accounts for significant neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as substantial health costs. As our understanding of aetiology and risk factors for preterm birth increases, predictive tools and prophylactic interventions have been developed to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. These are effective, but require surveillance of asymptomatic high-risk women, as well as ultrasound and surgical expertise. This has led to the development of preterm birth surveillance clinics (PSCs), which pool these resources together and have changed the focus of care from reactive to predictive and preventative management.
Methods: A literature review of the evidence surrounding the predictive tests (cervical length, fetal fibronectin, Actim Partus, Partosure) and prophylactic interventions (cerclage, progesterone, Arabin pessary, antibiotics, and steroids) for preterm birth to understand what preterm birth surveillance clinics do and how effective they are.
Results: Measuring cervical length and fetal fibronectin levels are two of the most accurate predictive tests preterm birth, especially when used in combination. Other predictive tools like Actim Partus and Partosure are effective for symptomatic women, but their role in surveillance of asymptomatic women is unclear. Cervical cerclage is effective in reducing preterm birth in women with previous losses, but the role of progesterone and pessaries remains debated. Steroids remain one of the most effective antenatal intervention, but they need to be administered within a tight timeframe in order to confer maximal benefit. The role of PSCs in predicting the timing of birth and targeting women at highest risk to appropriate interventions is therefore crucial in optimizing care and improving outcomes.
Conclusions: Nearly every step of management is still debated although many have a strong evidence-base and effective interventions do exist. The challenge is finding the optimal management pathway, and details of which populations benefit from which interventions need to be evaluated. While evidence continues to be collated, the poor outcomes of preterm birth and the multiple options available to reduce them justify preterm birth surveillance clinics being resourced.
Fatemeh Ghodrati; Narjes Saadatmand; Marzieh Akbarzadeh
Abstract
Background: Substance abuse results in multiple complications for both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy.
Objectives: The present study aimed at evaluating the frequency of mothers’ addiction in legal abortion with fetal causes in Fars forensic centers.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical ...
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Background: Substance abuse results in multiple complications for both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy.
Objectives: The present study aimed at evaluating the frequency of mothers’ addiction in legal abortion with fetal causes in Fars forensic centers.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study with a sample size of 1664. The data including demographic characteristics, obstetric variables, and causes of fetal abortion were recorded. The data were analyzed by SPSS16, using analysis of the mean, median, and chi square test.
Results: The rate of addiction was reported to be 40.7% in the study population. This study estimated the prevalence of cigarette smoking, drugs, alcohol and other chemical substances as 31.9%, 5.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. Mother addiction had a significant association with maternal age (P ≤ 0/001). Mothers of babies with genetic defects smoked cigarette (63.7%), used narcotics (64.8%), and alcohol and other drugs (63.9%).
Conclusions: Cigarette was the most common addiction in mothers. Thus, promoting mothers’ awareness and knowledge should be an educational priority.
Mina Danaei; Moghadameh Mirzaei; Hossein Safizadeh; Mohammad Shojaei Baghini; Mehrdad Askarian; Mohsen Momeni
Abstract
Background: Managing pregnancy complications is a major health concern worldwide. This study aimed at investigating the pregnancy outcomes in mothers and infants in Kerman province and ranking important indicators in different cities of Kerman using cluster analysis method.
Methods: In this cross-sectional ...
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Background: Managing pregnancy complications is a major health concern worldwide. This study aimed at investigating the pregnancy outcomes in mothers and infants in Kerman province and ranking important indicators in different cities of Kerman using cluster analysis method.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, demographic information and pregnancy outcomes were extracted from the mother and infant national system of Kerman province in 2014 and imported into Excel file. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software through clustering.
Results: More than 98% of deliveries were performed in hospitals. The prevalence of cesarean section was 44%. Three maternal deaths occurred in hospitals and the prevalence of neonatal death was 0.9%. Approximately, 10.1% of infants born in Kerman had low birth weight. Clustering different cities of Kerman province showed 4 different clusters in Kerman province. Kerman was in a single cluster. Cities with no specialists or those very close to Kerman were in one cluster. Three large cities in the south of Kerman province and Rafsanjan were clustered. Two cities located in the southwest of Kerman were clustered in a group.
Conclusions: The rate of cesarean section is high and low birth weight is a health issue in this area. Thus, policymakers should pay more attention to mother and neonate deaths that occur in hospitals. Bad pregnancy outcomes are more frequent in referral cities, as high risk pregnancies are more frequent in such cities. Governments should focus on equipping hospitals in referral cities and build and upgrade hospitals in disadvantaged cities.
Hubert Amu; Kenneth Setorwu Adde
Abstract
Background: Ghana was unable to meet the millennium development goal five target of 190 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015, as the country’s maternal mortality ratio is still high (358 deaths per 100,000 live births). A target of the newly-set sustainable development goal three also ...
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Background: Ghana was unable to meet the millennium development goal five target of 190 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015, as the country’s maternal mortality ratio is still high (358 deaths per 100,000 live births). A target of the newly-set sustainable development goal three also requires the country to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. We examined the country's emergency preparedness in pursuit of this target.
Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, which collected data from 537 physicians and nurses/midwives at three regional level health facilities in Ghana using a 26-item questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and chi-square statistics were used in presenting the results and describing associations. All analyses were done using SPSS (version 22).
Results: We realized that about 6-10 maternal emergency cases were recorded at the selected facilities every week. Essential logistics such as oxygen, blood, and ambulance services required for managing such cases were either never available, or sometimes not available. Even though training courses/workshops were regularly organized to improve the emergency preparedness of health professionals, most of them did not attend.
Conclusions: Health professionals are not prepared to handle all maternal emergency cases due to non-availability of some essential logistics and a lack of regular training to update their skills to enable them to handle such cases. Ghana is, therefore, unlikely to meet the sustainable development goal three target by 2030. To forestall this, management of hospitals and the Ghana health service must ensure that all essential logistics are always available at hospitals to avert unwarranted maternal deaths. A whipping system should also be put in place to ensure professionals attend training workshops organized for them.
Alireza Salehi; Maryam Marzban; Fatemeh Amini
Abstract
Context: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women.
Objectives: This study aimed to summarize the results of all relevant clinical trials to draw a conclusion regarding the effect of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
Methods: In this study, we searched 19 databases (including Medline/PubMed, ...
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Context: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women.
Objectives: This study aimed to summarize the results of all relevant clinical trials to draw a conclusion regarding the effect of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
Methods: In this study, we searched 19 databases (including Medline/PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science) for the effects of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea up to November 2016. The reference lists of the reviews and related articles were consulted to identify eligible articles. Studies investigating combinations of fennel and other products, without a control group, addressing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and bleeding as the primary outcomes, and not being a randomized clinical trial (RCT) were excluded. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain a pooled estimate of effectiveness. The methodological quality was assessed using the modified Jadad scale. The registration number of this study is 95-01-65-11733.
Results: Our search identified nine relevant articles for inclusion. The meta-analysis showed favorable effects of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea for fixed effect (n = 727, OR = 0.573, 95% CI: 0.414 to 0.793, P = 0.001) and random effect (n = 727, OR = 0.141, 95% CI: 0.027 to 0.742, P = 0.021). The analysis also revealed a remarked heterogeneity (Q value = 198.318, P = 0.000, I 2= 95.96, τ 2= 6.065).
Conclusions: We found that the fennel extract is effective for primary dysmenorrhea. However, due to the heterogeneity of various findings, we were unable to find the effective dosage and concentration of this herbal medicine. We recommend multicenter clinical trials worldwide for evaluating the effectiveness of fennel in primary dysmenorrhea.
Arezoo Bagheri; Mahsa Saadati
Abstract
Background: Socio-economic factors, in addition to value and attitude changes, have had a major impact on fertility behavior of women toward childbearing. The main purpose of this study is to investigate childbearing desire of 6183 women in provinces with total fertility rate (TFR) lower (TFR ≤ 2) ...
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Background: Socio-economic factors, in addition to value and attitude changes, have had a major impact on fertility behavior of women toward childbearing. The main purpose of this study is to investigate childbearing desire of 6183 women in provinces with total fertility rate (TFR) lower (TFR ≤ 2) and upper (TFR > 2) than replacement level by classification and regression trees (CART) algorithm, as one of the most applicable classification trees. Method: In this study women’s job, place of residence, age, opinion, marriage age, educational level, and children ever born were investigated as predictors. The accuracy of fitted classification trees for CD in provinces with TFR ≤ 2 and TFR > 2 were 0.68 and 0.72, respectively. Results: As a result, women’s children ever born and age had significant roles on their desire to have a child in all provinces while their opinion toward childbearing had just effect on provinces with TFR ≤ 2. In provinces with TFR ≤ 2, 10 - 39 years old women with 2 children and less CEB were willing to have another child. Women with 2 or less children at the age of 10 - 29 as well as women with 3 or more than 3 children at the age of 20 - 29 had a desire for more children in provinces with TFR > 2. If the women have a positive attitude toward childbearing and their age is not high, they will desire to give birth to a child until they reach the ideal number of their children. Conclusion: Thus, policies in changing their attitudes toward childbearing and creating the necessary facilities to prevent delays in marriage could be an important step in changing fertility rates.
Fatemeh Abbasi; Kajal Shariati; Fakhri Tajikzadeh
Abstract
Background: Social anxiety is a clinical pattern of self-protection social behaviors that coincides with severe anxiety regarding negative reactions such as critique, being ridiculed, miss-communication, or miss-behaviors against others.
Objectives: This research investigated the effect of cognitive ...
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Background: Social anxiety is a clinical pattern of self-protection social behaviors that coincides with severe anxiety regarding negative reactions such as critique, being ridiculed, miss-communication, or miss-behaviors against others.
Objectives: This research investigated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the reduction of anxiety symptoms in females with social anxiety disorder. Methods The planning of this study was through a semi-experimental method of pretest and posttest type with two groups. The research population included the students of Sanandaj Payam-e-Noor University suffering from social anxiety disorder. The sample size was 40 women chosen by random sampling method and assigned to two groups of mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy. The subjects participated were the students of Payam-e-Noor University of Kurdistan in the academic year 2013 - 2014. Data were collected by Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS) and Minnesota multi-phasic personality inventory (MMPI). Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance and dependent t-test.
Results: The results showed that both cognitive behavioral therapy (P < 0.001, t = 2.40) and mindfulness-based stress reduction were impressive in reducing the stress, while mindfulness-based stress reduction (P < 0.001, t = 4.82) was more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Conclusions: In order to improve and decrease the anxiety in these patients, it will be essential to consider these variables during designing appropriate interventions.
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.
َArezoo Koohestani; Mehrdad Fathi; Keyvan Hejazi
Abstract
Background: Addiction not only causes social and behavioral disorders but also affects various aspects of physical health, causing huge financial damages to individuals, families, and societies. Addicts have lower health and physical activity than the general population. The objective of this study was ...
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Background: Addiction not only causes social and behavioral disorders but also affects various aspects of physical health, causing huge financial damages to individuals, families, and societies. Addicts have lower health and physical activity than the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of aerobic training (in the morning and afternoon) on some cardiovascular indices and quality of life in drug addicted women.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, we selected 30 addicted women in Bojnourd city in 2016 by convenience and purposeful sampling method and divided them into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The training protocol comprised six weeks of aerobic training (three sessions per week in the morning and afternoon) with each session lasting 45-60 minutes with an intensity of 50-70% of maximal heart rate reserve. All participants were briefed on all study procedures and potential risks; they signed a written consent form after having read and understood the details of the experiments. We used paired sample t-test and ANCOVA to compare within and between-group variance changes;p Results: Weight (66.93±3.23 vs 65.89±3.13), body mass index (24.23±1.95 vs 23.86±1.97), body fat percentage (18.84±2.00 vs 17.96±2.03), fibrinogen (345.80±36.46 vs 338.06±38.74), and serum C-reactive protein (167.40±7.66 vs 159.80±13.96) decreased significantly at the end of the six-week aerobic training period (p <0.05). There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups regarding the mean changes of weight (P=0.001), body mass index (P=0.001), body fat percentage (P=0.005), maximal oxygen consumption (P=0.01), physical restraint (P=0.001), general health (P=0.001), vital force (P=0.004), social activity (P=0.001), physical performance (P=0.001), emotional performance (P=0.001), and life satisfaction (P=0.001).Conclusion: Six weeks of aerobic training in the morning and afternoon is likely to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in female drug addicts.
Ibrahim Abdulqader Naqid; Shivan Hassan Yousif; Nawfal Rasheed Hussein
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause a range of diseases in pregnant women and may lead to adverse fetal outcomes. Therefore, the detection of these infections is necessary during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma ...
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Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause a range of diseases in pregnant women and may lead to adverse fetal outcomes. Therefore, the detection of these infections is necessary during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma and Cytomegalovirus infections among the pregnant women with history of abortion in Zakho city, Iraq. Methods: Over a period of five years (2014-2018), blood samples were collected from 500 subjects aged 16-45 years old and tested to identify the presence of specific IgG and IgM to Toxoplasma and CMV infections by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) method. Results: Of 500 pregnant women, 145 (29%) and 7 (1.8%) were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM, respectively. IgG seropositivityto T. gondii infection varied significantly between age groups (P=0.05). Additionally, the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies for CMV was 475 (95%) and 9 (1.8%), respectively. Estimation of age specific subgroups showed high CMV IgG seropositivity rates for all age groups with no significant difference between them. Altogether, 145 cases were verified seropositive for specific IgG antibody against both pathogens and only 2 cases were positive for specific IgM against both agents. Conclusion: Anti-Toxoplasma and CMV IgG and IgM antibodies positivity rates among pregnant women determined in the present study are quite similar as compared to other studies reported in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Though, infection with those pathogens is not a major cause of abortion; it is useful to screen women with recurrent abortion for such infections in order to avoid undesirable fetal outcomes and other serious complications.
Laleh Kianpour Barjoee; Naser Amini; Moloud Keykhosrovani; Abdollah Shafiabadi
Abstract
Background: Women with breast cancer may suffer from numerous psychological, physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional problems. If their psychological disorders persist, they may perceive a high level of stress. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effect of positive thinking skills training ...
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Background: Women with breast cancer may suffer from numerous psychological, physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional problems. If their psychological disorders persist, they may perceive a high level of stress. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effect of positive thinking skills training and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on perceived stress among women with breast cancer in Ahvaz, Iran in 2019. Methods: This was an experimental controlled pretest-posttest study. A sample of 45 women with breast cancer was conveniently selected and randomly allocated to the positive skills training group, ACT group, and the control group. The first and second experimental groups underwent eight sessions (90-minute sessions per week) of positive thinking skills training and ACT, respectively. The research instrument included the Perceived Stress Scale. One-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean±SD of the post-test scores of perceived stress in the positive thinking skills training group was 17.01±2.32 while it was 22.53±1.45 in the ACT group, which was significantly different from the control group (54.10±4.37). Positive thinking skills training and ACT both reduced the perceived stress in women with breast cancer in the experimental groups compared to that in the control group. Positive thinking skills training had a significantly greater effect than ACT on mitigating perceived stress (p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, positive thinking training and ACT were effective in reducing perceived stress in women with breast cancer. Moreover, positive thinking training was more effective in declining stress in women with breast cancer.
Farideh Hamidi; Mahtab Otaghi; Fatima M.Paz
Abstract
Background: Self-assertiveness is the ability to stand up for one’s rights and express one’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in an appropriate and direct manner. Adolescence is an important time to establish the social position of individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ...
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Background: Self-assertiveness is the ability to stand up for one’s rights and express one’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in an appropriate and direct manner. Adolescence is an important time to establish the social position of individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of positive thinking training on adolescences. Methods: The target population was female students of Hazrat-e-Masumeh School in Ilam, Iran in the academic year of 2017-2018. According to simple random sampling, 42 subjects were randomly selected and allocated into two equal groups (experimental and control). The experimental group experienced Positive Thinking Training and both groups were given pre-test and post-test through Adolescence Self-Assertiveness questionnaire. Results: The findings showed that the mean of self-assertiveness in the experimental group was 18.81 before Positive Thinking Training (PTT) and 19.95 after PTT. In the control group, the mean of this variable was 18.95 before PTT and 18.51after PTT. This indicates that after training, the mean of self-assertiveness increased in the experimental group but decreased in the control group. Data analysis through analysis of covariance test (ANCOVA) showed significant differences between self-assertiveness scores F (1, 39)=4.65 in the experimental group level in post-test compared to that of the control group (P≤0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, PTT can be effective in increasing the self-assertiveness of teenage girls. The effect of positive thinking showed that optimism is an important factor in coping with difficult life events and assisting teenagers to deal with their negative thoughts and promoting their self-assertiveness.
Rahman Sheikhhoseini; Mohadese Kavianifard; Seid Esmail Hoseini Nejad; Hashem Piri
Abstract
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the prevalent injuries among athletes. This study aimed to compare the mechanical energy transfer of gait in female athletes with and without non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, based on convenience sampling method, we ...
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Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the prevalent injuries among athletes. This study aimed to compare the mechanical energy transfer of gait in female athletes with and without non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, based on convenience sampling method, we selected a total of 14 females with NSCLBP and 14 females without a history of LBP who referred to Tehran physiotherapy clinics . To capture marker trajectories and ground reaction forces, we used a Vicon 6 camera motion capture system (Vicon MX, Oxford Metrics, UK), which was synchronized with two ground embedded force plates (Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland). We performed gait analysis in the biomechanics laboratory of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. The independent t-test analyzed the data. All analyses were performed at a confidence level of 95% (p <0.05). Results: The mechanical energy transfer in female athletes with LBP differed from athletes without LBP (P=0.037). There were no significant statistical differences between the ankle and knee joints regarding mechanical energy transfer (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that female athletes with LBP had higher eccentric mechanical energy compensation coefficient in the hip joint, which is possibly a compensatory mechanism for lumbosacral region disorders.
Khadija Kahlout; Aymen Elsous; Aseel Alshorafa; Mariam Ghazal; Rima Yaghi; Ezat Askari
Abstract
Background: Menopause is accompanied with symptoms that could be bothersome to the point that quality of life can be affected. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life among women in their peri- and post-menopausal phase.Methods: This quantitative ...
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Background: Menopause is accompanied with symptoms that could be bothersome to the point that quality of life can be affected. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life among women in their peri- and post-menopausal phase.Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2022 on 332 peri-menopausal (n=162) and post-menopausal (n=170) women aged 45-55 years. They were recruited from the women who visited primary health centers in the East Gaza governorate using convenience sampling. The menopausal rating scale and a validated Arabic World Health Organization Quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Descriptive and inferential analysis were applied and P<0.05 was considered as the level of statistical significance.Results: The mean (SD) of the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) score was 2.27±0.49 vs 1.90±0.55 in the post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women, respectively. The most prevalent symptom was joint and muscle problems in peri-menopause (45.7%) and post-menopause (67.6%). The mean score of Quality of Life (QoL) dimensions, namely physical, social, environmental, and psychological domains was lower among the post-menopausal women compared to that among the peri-menopausal ones (3.19±0.73 vs 3.44±0.80, 3.46±0.72 vs 3.62±0.71, 3.50±0.60 vs 3.52±0.62, and 3.59±0.75 vs 3.68±0.77, respectively). Quality of life as well as the associated physical and social aspects were found to be significantly associated with menopausal symptoms (P=0.003 and P=0.048, respectively). Age (51–55 years; P<0.001), marital status (widowed/divorced; P=0.044), income (<300USD; P<0.001), and post-menopausal status (P<0.001) were significantly associated with severity of menopausal symptoms.Conclusions: Menopausal symptoms are common in the post-menopausal status. Their severity was found to increase as menopause status progressed. Psychological symptoms were the most severe symptoms reflecting the need for proper psychological supporting efforts. Menopausal symptoms with severe manifestations impair the quality of life and are associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables.
Shervin Assari
Volume 6, Issue 3 , July 2019, , Pages 16-21
Abstract
Background: Minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs) refer to smaller protects health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators for Blacks and other minority groups than Whites. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore Black-White differences in the association between educational attainment ...
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Background: Minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs) refer to smaller protects health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators for Blacks and other minority groups than Whites. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore Black-White differences in the association between educational attainment and exercise frequency among women in the US.
Methods: For the current study, we used the National Survey of American Life’s (NSAL) data, which included 3175womenwhowere either White (n = 876) or Black (n = 2299). The independent variable was educational attainment. The dependent variable was exercise frequency. Age, region, household income, financial distress, marital status, unemployment, and depression were the covariates. Race was the focal moderator. Linear regression was applied for data analysis.
Results: In the overall sample of women, high educational attainment was associated with higher exercise frequency (b = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.02 - 0.12). Race and educational attainment showed a significant interaction (b = -0.09, 95% CI = -0.19 - 0.00), suggestive of a smaller effect of education attainment on exercise frequency for Black women than White women. In race specific models, high educational attainment was associated with higher exercise frequency for White (b = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04 - 0.20) but not Black (b = 0.03, 95% CI = -0.03-0.08) women.
Conclusions: In line with the past research on MDRs, White women gain more health from their educational attainment than Black women. It is not race or class but race and class that shape the health behaviors of American women.
Rozita Nourbakhsh; Aliasghar Ravasi; Rahman Soori
Abstract
Background: Exercise training and L-arginine are believed to have a major role in managing the hypertension and also their combination may cause further improvement in blood pressure. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion ...
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Background: Exercise training and L-arginine are believed to have a major role in managing the hypertension and also their combination may cause further improvement in blood pressure. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion on the circulation of adropin, VEGFR-2, and nitric oxide (NO) in postmenopausal women with hypertension.Methods: The present study was a randomized double-blind placebo-L-arginine-controlled trial registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20210627051723N1. This work was conducted in the summer and autumn of 2021. We recruited 48 post-menopausal women with hypertension and assigned them randomly (choosing random numbers by participants) in four equal groups, namely training+Larginine (TL), training (T), L-arginine (L), placebo (P) groups. The study intervention (combined training, L-arginine, or both) continued for eight weeks. Before starting and after completing the intervention period, blood samples were collected and the levels of variables was measured via Elisa method. The SPSS version 24 and analysis of covariance test (ANCOVA), along with bonferroni post-hoc test were utilized for data analysis.Results: The obtained results represented a significant increase in the serum levels of adropin and VEGFR-2 in T and TL groups compared to those in P and L groups (p <0.001). Moreover, Nitric Oxide significantly increased in L (P=0.003), T (p <0.001), and TL (p <0.001) groups compared to P group. In addition, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in T, L, and TL groups compared to that in P group (p <0.001), and in TL group compared to L (p <0.001) and T (P=0.048) groups. On the other hand, we observed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in L (P=0.002), T (p <0.001), and TL (p <0.001) groups compared to that in P group; the same trend was seen in TL group compared to L group (P=0.003).Conclusion: Combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion has positive effects by decreasing blood pressure, which was partly exerted by upregulation of adropin and VEGFR-2. Moreover, L-arginine supplementation was found to be associated with an increase in combined training effect in decreasing blood pressure.
Maryam Kasraeian; Forouzan Esmaielzadeh; Giti Hozhabrian; Saeedeh Shadmehri; Nasibeh Kazemi
Abstract
Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most prevalent adverse physical, behavioral, and psychological changes in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It reduces fertility and quality of social life. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an eight-week ...
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Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most prevalent adverse physical, behavioral, and psychological changes in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It reduces fertility and quality of social life. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an eight-week elastic training and Foeniculum Vulgare consumption on PMS in adolescent girls.Methods: In this experimental study, we selected 40 inactive subjects diagnosed with PMS in Shiraz, Iran in October 2020. They were randomly divided into four groups: elastic training, fennel, elastic training and fennel, and control. Elastic training was performed three sessions (45 minutes) per week for eight weeks. Fennel was consumed as oral drops of phenylene 2% daily, 30 drops every 12 hours for two months. The subjects were assessed using a premenstrual symptom screening questionnaire in pre- and post-test phases. In order to analyze the data, we utilized analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), paired t-test, and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Results: The results showed that after elastic training and fennel consumption, mood (8.00±1.25 vs 16.50±2.32) and physical (6.17±1.08 vs 15.50±1.92) symptoms of PMS reduced compared to those in the control group (P <0.05). The combined use of elastic training and fennel consumption had the greatest effect on physical (3.14±0.72 vs 15.50±1.92, p <0.001) and behavioral (5.23±1.53 vs 16.50±2.32, P <0.001) symptoms reduction in adolescent girls.Conclusion: It could be recommended to use elastic training along with fennel consumption in order to reduce the physical and mood symptoms of adolescent girls with PMS.
Mohammad Hossein Pourfereydoun; Zahra Dasht Bozorgi
Abstract
Background: Mastectomy damages self-concept and sexual identity and also increases the risk of depression due to changes in the physical appearance of patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) on psychological distress and self-compassion ...
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Background: Mastectomy damages self-concept and sexual identity and also increases the risk of depression due to changes in the physical appearance of patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) on psychological distress and self-compassion in mastectomized women with depression.Methods: The research was a quasi-experimental study based on a pretest-posttest design with control and experimental groups. The study population consisted of mastectomized women with depression who visited counseling and psychological services centers and clinics in 2021, of whom 40 patients were selected through purposive sampling. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups of 20 members using a table of random numbers. Participants in the experimental group attended ten 90-minute sessions of CRT (two sessions per week). The research instruments included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of covariance in SPSS version 19.Results: The findings indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the pretest in terms of psychological distress and self-compassion. The mean±SD of psychological distress in the posttest of the CRT group was 15.26±3.43, which was significantly different from the control group (19.26±3.65) (P<0.001). The mean±SD of self-compassion in the experimental and control groups were 79.13±7.38 and 71.67±8.39, respectively, which was statistically significant (P=0.005). In other words, CRT significantly reduced psychological distress and increased self-compassion in mastectomized women with depression (P<0.001).Conclusion: The study findings suggested the effectiveness of CRT in reducing psychological distress and increasing the selfcompassion of mastectomized women with depression. Therapists and health professionals are hence recommended to apply CRT, along with other interventions and therapies, to reduce psychological distress and increase the self-compassion of such patients.
Saleheh Ahmadzadeh; Mandana Gholami; Shahram Soheili; Farshad Ghazalian
Abstract
Background: Exercise training and omega-3 supplementation are believed to have a positive effect on obese and overweight people. We conducted the present study in order to investigate the effect of aerobic training and omega3 ingestion on the levels of Adipsin and insulin resistance in overweight and ...
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Background: Exercise training and omega-3 supplementation are believed to have a positive effect on obese and overweight people. We conducted the present study in order to investigate the effect of aerobic training and omega3 ingestion on the levels of Adipsin and insulin resistance in overweight and obese women. Methods: In this semi-experimental study conducted in Tehran, summer 2020, 40 overweight and obese women (aged from 20 to 35 years old, and BMI 29.6±1.93 kg.m2) were assigned in four equal groups, namely placebo (P), omega-3 (O), training (E), and training+omega-3 (OE) groups. The subjects in the training and training+omega-3 groups completed the eight-week (three sessions per week) aerobic training program. 2000 mg omega-3 supplement was consumed on a daily basis. Blood samples were obtained before and after completing the intervention and Adipsin and insulin levels were measured. The data were analyzed via repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test along with Tukey post-hoc test. The study was approved under the IRCT registration code of IRCT20200811048360N1. Results: The findings of the present research shed light on a significant decrease in serum Adipsin levels in the E and OE groups compared to those in the P and O groups (p <0.05). Moreover, insulin resistance significantly decreased in E compared with that in the P group (P=0.012) and also in the OE group compared to that in the P (P=0.001) and O (P=0.009) groups. Conclusion: The present study indicated that omega-3 supplementation could increase the effect of exercise training on the reduction in the Adipsin and insulin resistance; further effects may be observed by increasing the duration of exercise training period.
Seyedeh Malahat Athari; Mostafa Jannat Feridooni; Hadi Hashemi Razini
Abstract
Background: One reason for family breakups is failing to treat the problems of incompatible couples. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation (ER) and logotherapy (LT) on the psychological distress of incompatible couples.Methods: This study used an experimental design ...
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Background: One reason for family breakups is failing to treat the problems of incompatible couples. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation (ER) and logotherapy (LT) on the psychological distress of incompatible couples.Methods: This study used an experimental design with pre- and post-tests and a control group. The statistical population comprised all incompatible couples who had sought counseling services at Avaye Kherad, Neday Baran, and the Life Counseling Center in Sari City, Iran, in 2021. The research sample comprised 69 couples who were selected using purposive sampling and divided into two experimental groups (18 people in each group) and a control group (18 people). To collect data, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) Questionnaire (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used. The collected data were analyzed using the ANCOVA test (with a significance level set at α=0.05) and SPSS version 25.Results: The results of the analysis showed that ER and LT were effective in reducing the psychological distress of incompatible couples. The mean depression score was significantly lower in the ER group (10.27±2.19) compared to the LT group (11.61±2.30) and the control group (15.05±2.38; P=0.001). The mean anxiety score was also significantly lower in the ER group (8.77±2.07) compared to the LT group (13.72±2.24) and the control group (13.94±2.18; P=0.004). The effectiveness of ER (10±1.87) in reducing stress was significantly higher than LT (13.38±2.59) and the control group (15.38±2.42; P=0.001).Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that emotion regulation and logotherapy can be effective therapies to reduce the problems of incompatible couples.
Aida Fathi; Afsaneh Sobhi; Masoud Hejazi
Abstract
Background: Examining the evolutionary process in life span indicates that adolescence is known as one of the most vulnerable stages of life, during which the prevalence and occurrence of emotional problems increases significantly. The present study was conducted to determine the causal relationships ...
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Background: Examining the evolutionary process in life span indicates that adolescence is known as one of the most vulnerable stages of life, during which the prevalence and occurrence of emotional problems increases significantly. The present study was conducted to determine the causal relationships between problem solving, mindfulness, and social competence mediated by cognitive flexibility of female students. Methods: The method of the present work was correlational, which was performed in the form of path analysis. The statistical population included all the ninth-grade female students in Zanjan in the academic year 2019. Based on the population size, 338 were selected as a sample through cluster sampling. For data collection, questionnaires of mindfulness (2006), social competence (1990), cognitive flexibility (2010), and problem-solving inventory (1982) were employed. The collected data were analyzed by the use of path analysis method, maximum likelihood method, Pearson correlation tests, path analysis, and SPSS/Amos software version 25. Results: The results showed that there is a direct relationship between mindfulness (β=0.63, P=0.001) and flexibility (β=0.14, P=0.001) with problem solving. The study of indirect effects also revealed that the effects of social competence on problem solving (β=0.272, P=0.001), mindfulness on flexibility (β=0.165, P=0.002), and mindfulness on problem solving is significant. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that mindfulness, social competence, and cognitive flexibility can be considered as fundamental factors in solving the problem of ninth-grade female students.
Najmeh Maharlouei; Mohammadamin Sadeghdoust; Niloufar Salemi; Kamran Bagheri Lankarani
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders during pregnancy can lead to adverse neonatal outcomes in different ways. This research aimed to investigate the association between anxiety levels in pregnant women and neonatal health outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which ...
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Background: Anxiety disorders during pregnancy can lead to adverse neonatal outcomes in different ways. This research aimed to investigate the association between anxiety levels in pregnant women and neonatal health outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which pregnant women were recruited via a prenatal teaching clinic between March and July 2020, at Hafez Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Neonate health outcomes were recorded, including the living status, gestational age, route of delivery, the APGAR at the 1st and the 5th minutes of life, anomalies, head circumference, weight, and height. To compare the effect of stress and anxiety of mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy on neonate health outcomes, we used the short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) score available from the previous phase of the study.Results: In the present work, 146 pregnant women were recruited. There was no significant difference in terms of living status, APGAR scores, and congenital anomalies of neonates born to mothers without anxiety (n=121) compared to those with an abnormal level of COVID-19-related anxiety (n=25) during their pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). Furthermore, our results revealed no association between COVID-19-related anxiety during pregnancy and poor neonatal outcomes, such as low birth weight, NICU admission, macrocephaly, or microcephaly (P=0.85).Conclusions: The obtained findings revealed that COVID-19-induced anxiety did not affect neonatal clinical outcomes. However, the concern still exists regarding the potential effect of COVID-19-induced anxiety on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Further investigation could be thus recommended using laboratory assessments.
Afsaneh Hosseini Geravandi; Parviz Asgari; Zahra Yousefi
Abstract
Background: The escalating number of visits to family therapy centers and the increasing divorce rates indicate a profound crisis in relationship status, resulting in family discord and divorce. This study endeavored to scrutinize the elements of female attractiveness in couple relationships as perceived ...
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Background: The escalating number of visits to family therapy centers and the increasing divorce rates indicate a profound crisis in relationship status, resulting in family discord and divorce. This study endeavored to scrutinize the elements of female attractiveness in couple relationships as perceived by family therapists with expertise in the field.Methods: This was a qualitative study employing a content analysis design. The statistical population encompassed all expert family therapists in Ahvaz, Iran in 2022. From this pool, eight therapists who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected as the sample. The research methodology employed content analysis, and data were collected through quasi-experimental interviews.Results: The outcomes revealed that the central and organizing categories consist of: 1. Personality Attractiveness (comprising self-esteem, agreeableness, stability, and conscientiousness as organizing codes). 2. Emotional attractiveness (with organizing codes related to positive emotional inhibition and positive emotional manifestation). 3. Cognitive attractiveness (characterized by cognitive capabilities and cognitive development as organizing codes). 4. Physical attractiveness (divided into sexual physical Attractiveness and non-sexual physical Attractiveness). 5. Relationship Attractiveness (encompassing family attractiveness, family relation attractiveness, emotional relation attractiveness, and spousal praise).Conclusion: Female Attractiveness is a multifaceted construct, and the absence of any of its dimensions can undermine its role in couple relationships. Therefore, adhering to these five dimensions can fortify marital bonds.
Mohammad Hashem Hashempur; Mahshid Naseri; Alireza Ashraf
Abstract
Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent complaint during pregnancy and lactation. During lactation both environment and hormonal changes can contribute to worsening the symptoms. Some authors believe that CTS in lactation is a separate clinical entity which develops in pregnancy. Therefore, ...
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Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent complaint during pregnancy and lactation. During lactation both environment and hormonal changes can contribute to worsening the symptoms. Some authors believe that CTS in lactation is a separate clinical entity which develops in pregnancy. Therefore, the specific conditions of these patients demand a special assessment of their treatment.
Evidence Acquisition: We searched Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar regardless of the articles' publication date. The search was performed using the terms “carpal tunnel syndrome” “median nerve entrapment” or “median nerve neuropathy” which were independently associated (by using "and" in the builder) with breastfeeding, lactation, nursing, postnatal, postpartum, puerperal, and puerperium. We restricted our search to the articles published in English or Persian. The abstracts of references were carefully reviewed and included, if related to CTS and lactation. Finally, the extracted data about therapeutic options available for mothers during breastfeeding were assigned to different areas such as surgical, medical, etc. Related articles were then discussed under the most appropriate topics.
Results: Usually, gradual resolution of the symptoms of CTS occurs after stopping breastfeeding. Reassurance and nursing advice on optimal positions for holding baby and breasts during breastfeeding is the first step of treatment. Intra-carpal steroid injection, diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might have some benefits, according to the few observational studies on lactating women with CTS. Splinting as a safe option that does not interfere with breastfeeding with good efficacy is suggested by all authors. Surgical intervention is spared for the patients experiencing severe symptoms for long periods, those with thenar muscles wasting or when conservative treatment fails.
Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that in addition to nursing advice regarding positioning during breastfeeding, similar treatment strategy for CTS in general population is suitable for lactating mothers. However, available studies suffer from many shortcomings and have not evaluated all therapeutic options in this field. Well-designed interventional studies with special focus on this issue are needed to provide evidence based recommendations.
