Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy And Its Adverse Outcomes

Abstract: Violence against women by their intimate partners (IPV) during pregnancy may lead to negative pregnancy outcomes. We assess the impact of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its adverse outcomes. The Design: Retrospective study implemented in 14 primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Madinah Al-Menawarh city, KSA for 4 months. Methods: A total number of four hundred and four pregnant women between the age of 15 and 35 years old were included in this study. A pre-constructed interviewing questionnaire and Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) were used for the purpose of data collection. Result: The findings revealed that there was a highly statistically significant association between exposure to IPV and adverse outcomes. Conclusion: IPV should be recognized as a potential cause of abortion, preterm birth and bleeding. Counseling of women experiencing abuse should be provided

Awareness and use of emergency contraception among women of childbearing age at the family health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt

AbstractObjectiveDespite the fact that emergency contraceptive (EC) methods have been available and registered for a long time in Egypt and some other Middle Eastern countries, EC remains relatively unknown and is discussed controversially in such countries. Considering the importance of EC in preventing unintended pregnancies, this study was conducted to investigate the awareness and use of EC methods among women of childbearing age at the family health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt.MethodsA descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on 151 women of child-bearing age (19–49years) attending two family health centers who were randomly selected. An interview schedule was used to collect the desired data in 4 domains: socio-demographic characteristics and history of unwanted pregnancy; knowledge about EC; attitude toward EC; and uses of EC.ResultsMost of the study subjects (75.5%) did not know EC, approximately an equal proportion (78.8% and 79.4%) stated that EC could be used after unprotected intercourse and in case of failed regular methods respectively. Only 21.5% ever used EC.ConclusionThe current study revealed that the majority of women in reproductive age, had a lack of awareness about EC methods and also did not use it before

Progressive muscle relaxation technique effectiveness on pain and fatigue among post-mastectomy women: A quasi-experimental study

Background: Post-Mastectomy Pain (PPMP) and fatigue are common conditions that can follow surgeries for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women. The progressive muscle relaxation technique appears to be effective, affordable, low-risk, adaptable, and simple to use. Because of the frequency of PPMP and its potential severity, it has received increasing research attention. Aim:  To evaluate the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation techniques on pain and fatigue among post-mastectomy women. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted at the inpatient and outpatient clinic of Sohag Oncology institution. Subject: A purposive sampling technique was enrolled to select a sample of 50 post-mastectomy women who were randomly assigned into two equal groups, with 25 post-mastectomy women in each group (the experimental and control groups). Tools: Three tools were used (I) demographic data of Post mastectomy women sheet, (II) a Visual Analogue Scale, and (III) a fatigue assessment scale. Results: The current study revealed that the majority of post-mastectomy women in the intervention group experienced mild pain and fatigue reduction during the post-test compared to the control group

Eco-Friendly Degradation of Natural Rubber Powder Waste Using Some Microorganisms with Focus on Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Biodegraded Rubber

Natural rubber (NR) powder wastes contribute to the pollution of the environment and pose a risk to human health. Therefore, Escherichia coli AY1 and Aspergillus oryzae were used to degrade NR in the present investigation. The biodegradation was further confirmed using E. coli AY1 and A. oryzae’s ability to create biofilm, which grew on the surface of the NR. Additionally, the biodegraded NR was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The highest weight loss (69%) of NR was detected (p E. coli AY1 + A. oryzae). In the SEM, the surface of the control treatment appeared uniform and normal, whereas the surface of the microbial treatment displayed an irregular shape, with apparent particle deformation and surface erosion. After biodegradation by E. coli AY1 and A. oryzae, the particle size range of the untreated NR dropped from (5.367–9.623 µm) to (2.55–6.549 µm). After treating NR with E. coli AY1 and A. oryzae, new bands appeared in the ATR–FTIR technique; others shifted down in the range of 3910–450 cm−1, suggesting the existence of active groups belonging to alcohol, secondary amine, aromatic amine, conjugated anhydride, aldehyde, alkene, and halo compounds. On the other hand, the GC–MS profile reports a significant decline (p p E. coli AY1 and A. oryzae, which rose 9-fold (p < 0.05) compared to untreated NR. Through the use of this research, we will be able to transform NR waste into a valuable product that possesses both antioxidant and antibacterial properties