Comparison of the Effect of Cumin Cyminum and Nettle Oral Drops on the Breast Milk Sufficiency Indicators in New Mothers

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and nettle (Urtica dioica L.) oral drops on the indicators of breast milk adequacy in lactating mothers. Due to the presence of phytoestrogens in the combinations of cumin and nettle, it is stipulated that they may have milk-increasing properties. Methods: A triple-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 117 lactating mothers who had given birth to healthy infants aged 10–15 days and who received cumin oral drops (n = 39), nettle oral drops (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) from August 2020 to March 2021. The participants were recruited from a regional public health care centre affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. The 3 study groups received 15 drops thrice a day for 4 weeks. Infant weight, breastfeeding frequency, number of wet diapers, diaper weight and frequency of infant defecation were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: At the beginning of the trial, no statistically significant differences were observed between the 3 groups for infant weight (P = 0.891), breastfeeding frequency (P = 0.921), number of wet diapers (P = 0.783), diaper weight (P = 0.841) and frequency of infant defecation (P = 0.898). However, following the intervention, the mean scores of all indicators were significantly higher in the experimental groups than in the placebo group (P <0.001). In addition, all the indicators in the cumin group increased significantly compared to those in the nettle group (P <0.001). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of cumin and nettle drops in increasing milk and the availability of these native plants in Iran, it is suggested that they, especially cumin, be used postpartum to increase breast milk production. Keywords: Cumin; Nettle; Breastfeeding; Iran

Role of the Educational Atmosphere on Self-Efficacy Among Dental Students

Background: Learning is due to behavioral changes in knowledge, skills, and attitude.Objectives: The current research assesses the state of the atmosphere, educational environment, and self-efficacy domains. It also assesses how the educational environment affects dental students' sense of self-efficacy.Methods: All clinical undergraduate dental students (N=190) at Tehran University of Medical Science's School of Dentistry were the focus of a descriptive-analytical research conducted in 2018. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), the demographic surveys, and the validated Persian version of the Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale were all employed by the researchers. The DREEM assessed students' perceptions of learning (PoL), teaching (PoT), academic self-perception (ASP), atmosphere (PoA), and social self-perception (SSP) in addition to other key categories. Demographic factors and educational data (academic level, admittance quota, overall average grade, final semester grade, employment experience outside of dentistry school, and self-perceived effectiveness) were included in the demographic questionnaire. The factors from the demographic questionnaire were compared to the educational climate and self-efficacy using linear regression analysis. Additionally, the association between the educational environment and self-efficacy was assessed using Pearson's correlation (rho) coefficient.Results: The majority of clinical dentistry students (87.3%) were single, female (52.6%), and lived in dorms. All DREEM domains and the overall educational environment, with the exception of the PoT domain (p-value=0.302), significantly correlated positively with students' self-efficacy (p-value < 0.05). Self-efficacy and the overall educational environment are highly associated (p=0.001, rho=0.311).Conclusion: A good educational atmosphere may enhance dental students’ self-efficacy

Role of the Educational Atmosphere on Self-Efficacy Among Dental Students

Background: Learning is due to behavioral changes in knowledge, skills, and attitude.Objectives: The current research assesses the state of the atmosphere, educational environment, and self-efficacy domains. It also assesses how the educational environment affects dental students' sense of self-efficacy.Methods: All clinical undergraduate dental students (N=190) at Tehran University of Medical Science's School of Dentistry were the focus of a descriptive-analytical research conducted in 2018. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), the demographic surveys, and the validated Persian version of the Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale were all employed by the researchers. The DREEM assessed students' perceptions of learning (PoL), teaching (PoT), academic self-perception (ASP), atmosphere (PoA), and social self-perception (SSP) in addition to other key categories. Demographic factors and educational data (academic level, admittance quota, overall average grade, final semester grade, employment experience outside of dentistry school, and self-perceived effectiveness) were included in the demographic questionnaire. The factors from the demographic questionnaire were compared to the educational climate and self-efficacy using linear regression analysis. Additionally, the association between the educational environment and self-efficacy was assessed using Pearson's correlation (rho) coefficient.Results: The majority of clinical dentistry students (87.3%) were single, female (52.6%), and lived in dorms. All DREEM domains and the overall educational environment, with the exception of the PoT domain (p-value=0.302), significantly correlated positively with students' self-efficacy (p-value Conclusion: A good educational atmosphere may enhance dental students’ self-efficacy.</p

Effect of Treatment of Vaginal Infection on Quality of Sexual Life – A Study from Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND Several factors affect the quality of sexual life. Vaginitis may impair the quality of life and lowers the self-esteem of a woman by distorting the mental image of her body. So far, no study has been done on the effectiveness of vaginitis treatment on the quality of sexual life. Therefore, considering the importance of quality of sexual life in family relationships, the present study was designed and conducted to determine the effects of vulvovaginitis treatment on women’s quality of sexual life. METHODS This experimental study was conducted on patients visiting Imam Sajjad Hospital in Shahriyar from 2017 to 2018. The Inclusion criteria in the study were as follows: having one of the vaginal infections, i.e., Candidiasis, Gardnerella, or mixed infection (both Candidiasis and Gardnerella) diagnosed by a specialist. The subjects filled in the quality of sexual life questionnaires before treatment and 2 months after the treatment. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 16 with paired t - test, univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), analysis of variance, and multiple regression test. The P - value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS In each of the three groups (candidiasis, Gardnerella, and mixed infection), the quality of sexual life differed before and after treatment, therefore the treatment improved the patients’ quality of life significantly. Mean and standard deviation of the quality of sexual life in Candidiasis group before and after treatments were 68.97 ± 19.59 and 75.82 ± 8.46 respectively; in Gardnerella group: 69.28 ± 19.04, 14.14 ± 72.15, and in the mixed group, they were 66.59 ± 18.91, 71.61 ± 13.47 respectively. In all three groups, the components of personal feelings and sexual life before and after treatment were different (P &lt; 0.001). The regression test proved the effects of such variables as education, body mass index (BMI) and duration of infection on the quality of sexual life (P &lt; 0.05), and the greatest effect was related to the duration of infection with a coefficient of - 0.342. CONCLUSIONS After treating the vaginal infections, these women's quality of sexual life improved. As a result, it can be concluded that the diagnosis and treatment of the disease can enhance the quality of sexual life. KEY WORDS Quality of Life, Quality of Sexual Life, Vaginitis, Treatment</jats:p

Comparison of Spouse Social Support and Spiritual Well-being in Women With Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies in Bushehr, South of Iran

Background & Aims Pregnancy is an important event in a woman's life. Unplanned pregnancy significantly contributes to negative outcomes. Social support, particularly from the spouse, plays a vital role in preventing the negative outcomes of unplanned pregnancy. The spiritual well-being of women can help with managing stress during unplanned pregnancies. This study aims to compare the spiritual well-being and spouse social support in women with planned and unplanned pregnancies in Bushehr, South of Iran. Materials & Methods In this descriptive-comparative study, 384 pregnant women (192 with planned pregnancy and 192 with unplanned pregnancy) participated. They were selected from mothers who visited comprehensive health centers in Bushehr from May to September 2023. Data collection tools included a sociodemographic/fertility form, Yildirim's spouse social support scale (SSS), and Paloutzian and Ellison's spiritual well-being scale (SWBS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The mean total score of SSS was 72.26±4.92 in women with planned pregnancies and 69.93±6.56 in women with unplanned pregnancies. The SSS score and its dimensions in women with unplanned pregnancies were significantly lower than in women with planned pregnancies (P<0.001). The mean total score of SWBS was 67.9±2.89 in women with planned pregnancy and 68.12±12.68 in women with unplanned pregnancy. The SWBS score was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.448). There was a significant correlation between the SSS and SWBS scores. The total SSS score was significantly related to religious well-being (P=0.017) and total SWBS score (P=0.037) in women with unplanned pregnancy, and the social support score of the SSS was significantly related to religious well-being (P=0.021) in women with planned pregnancy. Conclusion Increasing social support from the spouse can increase the religious and spiritual well-being of women with unplanned pregnancies. It can also increase the religious well-being of women with planned pregnancies. Trained midwives and healthcare providers can provide the couples with related education and help them adapt and enhance their spiritual well-being

Relationship of COVID-19-Related Fear and Self-care Behaviors with Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Mothers with a History of Covid-19 in 2021

Background and Objective: Pregnancy under the fear of Covid-19 may bring numerous maternal and neonatal consequences. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of COVID-19-related fear and self-care behaviors with pregnancy outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the sampling was performed on 300 pregnant mothers who were referred to at Akbarabadi Educational-Medical Center in Tehran during the Covid-19 pandemic from June to September 2021. The research instruments included demographic and pregnancy information questionnaires, Carvalho's Covid-19-related self-care questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and maternal-neonatal outcomes questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean age of 300 subjects was reported as 29.35±5.60 years. The gestational age of 266-278 days had the highest frequency (36%). Furthermore, the mean gestational age for all participants was 262.11±18.76 days. Moreover, 1% and 3.6% of subjects had the most and least severe COVID-19-related fear, respectively. Maternal outcomes were positively and significantly correlated with fear of COVID-19. Higher mean scores of fear were associated with more maternal outcomes; nonetheless, there was no relationship between neonatal outcomes and COVID-19-related Fear. Self-care behaviors were not correlated with maternal outcomes; however, they were related to neonatal consequences. Conclusion: Fear of Covid-19 was associated with an increase in the adverse consequences of pregnancy; therefore, it is necessary to raise mothers' awareness of Covid-19 and reduce their fear by training them on correct self-care behaviors and health protocols

Using a 360 degree feedback system for Performance Appraisal of Midwifery Students in Shahid Akbar Abadi Maternity Hospital

Introduction: Assessment of clinical competence is one of the fundamental aspects of medical education.&nbsp; Three hundred sixty degree feedback system for performance appraisal is a common practice that appraisee is evaluated by the people around and then he receives feedback. With&nbsp;&nbsp; respect to important role of midwives and importance of training midwifery students in improving health of more than half of society, the present study has been conducted using a 360 degree feedback system for performance appraisal of midwifery students at Shahid Akbar Abadi maternity hospital. Methods: The present research is a cross- sectional comparative study. The appraisal questionnaire for the quality of care and performance of nurses at midwifery office the ministry of health and medical education is the research instrument used in this study. Students' performance was examined at four different stages using Likert scale by hospital-delivered mothers, midwifery personnel, educators, practitioners in delivery room, and students' self-assessment. Results: Mean and standard deviation of sum of appraisal scores at different stages of delivery&nbsp; from the view point of clinical educators, students, midwives in charge of the labor, midwives in delivery room, practitioners in delivery room, and hospital-delivered mothers are equal to 223.63&plusmn;18.70, 216.80&plusmn;17.28, 192.00&plusmn;21.34, 186.90&plusmn;31.17, 163.20&plusmn;46.04, 16.2&plusmn;13.52. Mann - Whitney test indicated that appraisal scores of students' performance from the view point&nbsp; of clinical educators have been greater than&nbsp; thoe of other groups except for students' self-assessment (P<0.001) and minimum appraisal score relates to hospital-delivered mothers who evaluated performance lower than other groups (P=0.0001). Conclusion: three hundred sixty degree feedback system for performance appraisal is a common practice for performance appraisal, and the results of it can be used in education planning

The Effect of Pregnancy-Adaptation Training Package on the Anxiety of Pregnant Women with a Prior History of Fetal or Neonatal Death

Background & aim: One of the factors of affecting maternal anxiety is a history of fetal death or neonatal death. This anxiety affects fetal and maternal health. By consideration the impact of anxiety on fetal and maternal health and the lack of protective activities in this field, this study was done to determine the impact of adaptation with pregnancy educational package on anxiety and maternal fetal attachment in pregnant women with a history of baby loss. Methods:60 pregnant women were selected in two studying group with previous fetal death or neonatal death by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Educational package includes: teaching session's adaptation with pregnancy in four 60- minutes, training booklet and CD, maternal educating was beginning from 23 week gestation. Maternal anxiety measured before and after the intervention in both groups using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test and STAI anxiety questionnaire was compared. Results: visible and invisible Anxiety scores had not significant difference between two groups pre-intervention. Immediately after the intervention visible and invisible anxiety scores in the experimental group was better than the control group (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.05 vice versa). Conclusion: Adaptation with pregnancy educational package reduces anxiety in pregnant women with a history of fetal or neonatal death. So, due to reduce the damaging effects of anxiety on the mother and fetus in pregnancy, holding effective proceeding for reducing anxiety such as: holding training courses are recommended for pregnant women with a history of fetal or neonatal death