Effect of a Childbirth Psychoeducation Program on the Level of Fear of Childbirth in Primigravid Women

Background: Severe fear of childbirth (FOC) is the most important cause of elective and emergency cesarean section and results in an unpleasant experience among women. Implementing a psychoeducational program can promote mothers’ knowledge and reduce the FOC. Aim: the aim of this study was to determine the effect of childbirth psychoeducational program on the FOC intensity in primigravid women. Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 122 primigravid women with a gestational age of 14 to 28 weeks referred to healthcare centers of Mashhad, Iran, during 2015-2016. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ), versions A and B, was used for the data collection. The subjects had the FOC scores of 66 or higher based on the W-DEQ, version A. The women in the intervention group received the psychoeducational program for three weeks (one 90-minute session per week) by a clinical psychologist; however, the control group underwent the routine prenatal care. The FOC intensity was reassessed using W-DEQ, version B, six weeks postpartum in both groups. Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 20, using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 23.2±3.6 and 24.2±4.4 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. After the intervention, the Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated a significant difference between the intervention (83.5±21.7) and control (92.6±18.4) groups regarding the mean FOC score (P=0.001). Implications for Practice: The childbirth psychoeducational program could diminish the FOC in primigravid women with severe FOC. We recommend midwives and expert psychologists to incorporate psychoeducational programs in childbirth classes

The Relationship between Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Job Satisfaction, and Occupational Stress among Midwives Working in Healthcare Centers of Mashhad, Iran, 2014

Background & aim: Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is a voluntary, organizationally desirable action that is not part of the employee’s formal job requirements. Job satisfaction and stress can affect mental health of midwives, and investigating the relationship between these variables can improve the quality of healthcare services. This study, therefore, was conducted to identify the relationship between OCB, occupational stress, and job satisfaction in Iranian midwives. Methods:This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 122 midwives working at healthcare centers of Mashhad, Iran, in 2014. The participants were chosen using a census approach. The tools for data collection included a demographic questionnaire, Podsakoff’s OCB Questionnaire, Minnesota Satisfaction Scale, and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Spearman and Pearson’s correlation, one-way ANOVA, and student t test were by SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of the midwives was 38.46±7.22 years. OCB had a significant direct correlation with job satisfaction (r=0.223) and a significant negative correlation with job stress (r=-0.270)(

Assessment of Midwives’ Communication Skills at the Maternity Wards of Teaching Hospitals in Mashhad in 2014

Background & aim:The quality of communication between midwives and parturient women is a determinant of maternal satisfaction with midwifery care. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the communication skills of midwives at maternity wards of Mashhad teaching hospitals in 2014.   Methods:In this descriptive study, 49 midwives, working at Mashhad teaching hospitals, were randomly selected. All midwives worked rotating shifts at the wards. The midwives’ communication skills were assessed by the researcher, using the self-structured  observation checklist of communicative performance.   Results: The mean age of midwives was 39.11±9.66 years and their mean work experience was 15.9±8.77 years. In total, 68.3% of the participants experienced childbirth themselves. 66.7% of midwives were moderately  keen on midwifery as a profession. The mean score of the checklist obtained by midwives was 67.9±10.7. There was no relationship between midwives’ communication skills and work experience, childbirth experience, age or interest in midwifery. Conclusion:Considering the inadequacy of midwives’ communication skills, which could be the major cause of maternal dissatisfaction with delivery care, it is recommended that in-service training courses be held by applying new teaching methods. Moreover, the educational needs of midwives, including communication skills, should be considered in these training programs

Naegleria species population found in pond water of parks in Mashhad city, Can the physicochemical factors affect it?

Naegleria species are the ubiquitous free-living amoebas that are found worldwide in soil and water. Among Naegleria spp., N. fowleri can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Ninety water samples were collected from the pond of parks. Also, the water quality parameters were measured at the sampling site (such as temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and Turbidity).After filtering, the samples were cultured on Bacto-agar enriched with Escherichia coli. A PCR assay was conducted on the culture-positive samples in the ITS1, 5.8SrDNA and ITS2 regions, and then the PCR products were sequenced.The pond water of parks was contaminated with some Naegleria spp. (except N. fowleri) and a Vahlkampfia avara. There was no significant relationship between water quality parameters and the presence of Naegleria (p > 0.05).Our protocol investigates to detect Naegleria spp. from ponds water of parks in Mashhad city and the relations between the water quality parameters and its presence. Protocol name: Naegleria species population found in pond water of parks in Mashhad city, Can the physicochemical factors affect it?, Keywords: Naegleria, Pond water, Physicochemical factor