The association between vaginal candidiasis and health-promoting lifestyle in Iranian women: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common gynecological infection in the world that can bring about unfavorable consequences for the health and life of the women of reproductive age. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and its relationship with the health-promoting lifestyle in Boukan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 320 married women aged 15-49 years who referred to all health centers of Boukan. The subjects were selected using a convenience sampling technique from October 2018 to March 2019. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants who were then asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS, version 24. Results: A total of 124 women (38.8) had vulvovaginal candidiasis, and the total mean (standard deviation) score of health-promoting lifestyle was 2.4 (0.2) from the possible range of 1-4. None of the demographic characteristics and vulvovaginal candidiasis were significantly related based on the results (P 0.05). Conclusions: In general, more than one-third of the participants had vulvovaginal candidiasis. Eventually, the infection had no statistically significant relationship with any of the characteristics of demographic information and health-promoting lifestyle. © 2020 The Author(s)

The effect of physical activity on bone density in military personnel

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of life style factors including physical activity, calcium intake, and smoking on bone mineral density (BMD). Materials and Methods: From January 2012 to May 2013, calcaneal BMD of 335 male military personnel (aged between 35-55 years) in two equal separate groups; operative (active field soldiers) and non-operative (official army staff) were evaluated with dual X-ray and laser Calscan. Information about lifestyle factors including smoking, calcium intake and physical activity were collected through a questionnaire. Operative personnel had daily regular physical activity. Operatives were compared with non-operative personnel who did not perform the regular active field training maneuvers. Results: The mean age of participant was 44.7±0.5 years and all were male. The rate of osteopenia and osteoporosis was lower in operative group than in non-operative group. Linear regression revealed that BMD is significantly associated with job (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.01), calcium intake (p<0.05), and years of physical activity (p<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, years of regular physical activity and mechanical loading were the strongest predictors of calcaneus BMD. © Copyright 2016 by Turkish Osteoporosis Society Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis published by Galenos Yayinevi

Do psychosocial interventions have an impact on maternal perception of perinatal depression?

YesPoor perinatal mental health, in particular depression, affects at least 10% of new mothers in the UK. Current best practice recommends the use of talking therapies or medication, however, many women choose not to use medication or are deterred from accessing NHS services for example due to immigration status. Those who can access NHS treatment often face a long waiting list to see a clinician or therapist. Untreated perinatal depression impacts on the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies, consequently it is essential that alternative psychosocial interventions delivered by non-clinicians are considered. A systematic review was conducted on seven quantitative studies examining the effect of psychosocial interventions in reducing maternal symptoms of depression. Interventions focused either on physical activity or peer support, measuring depression scores on a validated screening tool. The review concludes that antenatal group peer support may benefit women in the antenatal period and that postnatal peer telephone support may be helpful for primiparous women but further large scale research is required

Predictors of sexual function in pregnant Iranian adolescents

Human sexual activity is one of the main aspects of life. The present study intended to determine the status of sexual function in pregnant adolescents at their second trimester of pregnancy and its predictive factors. This cross-Sectional research studied 136 adolescents aged 15-19 years in their 24th-30th gestational weeks. All eligible pregnant adolescents in all 80 health centers of Tabriz, Iran were considered as the study samples. The data were collected using a socio-Demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2). A general linear model was used to determine the relationships between sexual function and socio-Demographic characteristics and intimate partner violence (IPV). The frequency of sexual dysfunction in pregnant adolescents was about 65. The mean standard deviation (SD) of total sexual function score was 25.3 (5.9) from the attainable score of 2-36. The pregnant adolescents obtained the lowest and the highest mean scores in the sexual desire and sexual satisfaction subscales, respectively. Shorter marital duration and IPV were sexual function predictors. Considering the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnant adolescent, and the impact of IPV on sexual function, midwives should take the necessary actions in identifying and consulting this disorder and IPV in their prenatal visits. ©2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Predictors of sexual function in pregnant Iranian adolescents

Human sexual activity is one of the main aspects of life. The present study intended to determine the status of sexual function in pregnant adolescents at their second trimester of pregnancy and its predictive factors. This cross-sectional research studied 136 adolescents aged 15-19 years in their 24th-30th gestational weeks. All eligible pregnant adolescents in all 80 health centers of Tabriz, Iran were considered as the study samples. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2). A general linear model was used to determine the relationships between sexual function and socio-demographic characteristics and intimate partner violence (IPV). The frequency of sexual dysfunction in pregnant adolescents was about 65. The mean standard deviation (SD) of total sexual function score was 25.3 (5.9) from the attainable score of 2-36. The pregnant adolescents obtained the lowest and the highest mean scores in the sexual desire and sexual satisfaction subscales, respectively. Shorter marital duration and IPV were sexual function predictors. Considering the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnant adolescent, and the impact of IPV on sexual function, midwives should take the necessary actions in identifying and consulting this disorder and IPV in their prenatal visits. © 2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

The Effect of Educational Package on Nutritional Knowledge and Behavior toward the Coping with Complication and Supplement Consumption

Abstract Background & aim: Proper nutrition is essential in the prevention and improvement of maternal problems and fetal health during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutrition education package on knowledge and nutritional behavior of pregnant women coping with problems and taking supplements during pregnancy. Methods: In the present clinical trial, a number of 88 pregnant women referred to health centers in Karaj, Iran, were selected and randomly divided into two groups (Intervention and control group). Two sessions of approximately 60 minutes including classes on nutrition during pregnancy was held for the intervention group using presentation, booklets, and educational film sex education with similar method was held for the control group. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated measures analysis of covariance and logistic regression analyzes. Results: In the intervention group, in the field of knowledge dealing with problems during pregnancy and after the intervention supplements in two stages were significantly higher than the control group (p˂001). Scores in the intervention group in the field of nutritional problems during pregnancy included constipation, heartburn, swollen hands and feet, anemia and urinary tract infections during both stages of the intervention were better than the control group (p˂005). Iron and multivitamin supplementation in the intervention group during two phases after the intervention phase was better than the control group (p˂005). Conclusion: The content of educational package was evaluated as an appropriate policy in promoting nutritional knowledge and behavior among pregnant women. Key words: Education, knowledge behavior, nutritional supplements, pregnanc

The correlation between sexual dysfunction and intimate partner violence in young women during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Sexual function is one of the main aspects of life. Pregnancy affects sexual function. The aim of this study was to determine the sexual dysfunction in young pregnant women and its correlation with intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using two-stage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the relationships between sexual dysfunction with IPV and socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: The results of this study on 346 pregnant women aged 18-29 years showed that mean (SD = standard deviation) of the total sexual function score was 25.4 (5.9), within a possible score range of 2 to 36. About 66 of the young pregnant women had a sexual dysfunction. The lowest and the highest prevalence of sexual dysfunction were in sub domains of sexual satisfaction and sexual desire, respectively. The prevalence of overall IPV against young women was 63. The most common type of IPV experienced by women was psychological aggression (56.6). There were statistically significant relationships between sexual dysfunction and IPV (OR (Odds Ratio) = 0.4, 95 Confidence Interval = 0.2 to 0.6, p < 0.001), sufficiency of income for expenses (0.2, 0.1 to 0.6, p = 0.005), husband educational level (0.5, 0.3 to 0.9, p = 0.028) and marriage duration (1.9, 1.0 to 3.7, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction has a high prevalence in young pregnant women and IPV had correlation with sexual dysfunction. The routine screening for sexual dysfunction and IPV is recommended during pregnancy for detection and consulting