The Relationship between Perceived Stress and Attitude towards Delivery and Choosing Mode of Delivery among Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since choosing mode of delivery is one of the most important choices in a woman's life, the factors affecting this choice are necessary to be considered. In recent years, the effect of various psychological factors on attitude towards delivery has been considered. One of these factors is the mother's perceived stress. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between perceived stress and attitude towards delivery and choosing mode of delivery among pregnant women. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted among 305 pregnant women who were at week 32 of their pregnancy or above who referred to selected health centers of Ahvaz in 2016. "Demographic information", "Perceived stress" and "Attitude towards mode of delivery" were collected using a questionnaire. Perceived stress score was from zero to 56 (higher score indicates higher perceived stress), and attitude towards delivery score was from 68 to 204 (higher score indicates more positive attitude towards delivery). FINDINGS: The mean perceived stress score in subjects with positive, neutral and negative attitudes toward delivery were 27.08±10.86, 25.70±8.82 and 22.36±15.14, respectively, and in women with virginal and cesarean deliveries were 26.45±10.18 and 25.24±10.44, respectively. There was no significant correlation between perceived stress and attitude towards delivery (p=0.22) and choosing mode of delivery (p=0.49). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that there is no relationship between perceived stress and attitude towards delivery and choosing mode of delivery

Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Needs of Iranian Men: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of men have received little attention in Iran's healthcare system. Developing appropriate strategies to meet men's needs requires careful assessment and recognition of their health needs. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess men's SRH needs and satisfaction with received services. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 1068 adult men aged between 20 and 60 years in Ahvaz in 2014. For obtaining the SRH services needs of men, in addition to the self-reported felt needs, expressed needs and unmet needs, a need assessment was also done using a questionnaire that was developed for the research; its validity and reliability were assessed. Results: The men's perceived, expressed and unmet needs for SRH services were, priority-wise, screening and diagnosis of male genital cancers (63.3%), receiving contraceptive methods (36%), diagnosis, and treatment of male sexual dysfunction (86.9%), respectively. Preventing sexually transmitted disease/AIDS (72.1%), using contraceptives correctly (39.5%), and resisting peer pressure (86.6%) were, respectively, the first felt, expressed, and unmet skills men needed. The results of multivariate logistical regression showed that there was a significant statistical correlation between men's SRH needs and their socio-demographic factors (age, marital/educational status, income) (p < 0.05). Key words: Reproductive health, Needs assessment, Men