Factors Affecting Maternal Role Adaptation in Mothers of Preterm Infants Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Becoming a mother in the neonatal intensive care unit is very different from becoming a mother of a full term infant in normal conditions. This study was conducted to explore factors affecting maternal role adaptation in mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Method: This study was a qualitative research. Participants were mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit of social security hospitals and hospitals affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences located in Kermanshah City, Iran. Sampling method was purposive and data collection was through individual and semi-structured interviews. Data saturation was achieved after 17 interviews with mothers of preterm infants (under 36 weeks) who had history of hospitalization for at least one week in the NICU. Data was analyzed through conventional content analysis. In order to verify the trustworthiness of research data, credibility, transferability, conformability, and dependability were assessed. Results: Two main categories were explored in this study; individual factors which included three subcategories of emotional chaos, self-efficacy, and alienation; and social factors which included three subcategories of interaction, social support, and other’s judgment. Conclusion: By providing different kinds of supports, prevention of other’s judgment, and promote mothers' self-efficacy can empower mothers against problems and negative emotions and promote maternal role adaptation. Keywords: Qualitative research, Neonatal intensive care unit, Physiological adaptation, Preterm infan

Explaination of the Concept of Midwife-Mother Relationship in Delivery Rooms: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Introduction: The relationship that develops between the midwife and women is at the core of human care. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the communication features of midwifes and mothers in various situations and settings. Thus, their experience in the delivery room can be the basis for the body of knowledge in their profession and provide a clear and comperhensive concept of their relationship based on the prevailing sociocultural context. Method: The present qualitative content analysis was conducted on 32 participants who were selected through purposive sampling. The participants consisted of 16 midwifes and 16 mothers hospitalized in the postpartum ward of a hospital affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Data were gathered through unstructured and semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the conventional content analysis approach. Sampling ceased when data saturation was achieved. Results: The data analysis revealed 2 themes that encompassed the midwife-mother relationship. The 2 themes were communication as the essence of midwifery care and reflection of communication. Each theme consisted of clasifications and main codes. Conclusion: According to the results, the concept of the midwife-mother relationship in the delivery room was identified as therapeutic alliance. The findings enhanced understanding of the meaning and dimensions of the midwife-mother relationship beyond the traditional meaning. This study offers evidence of the essence of this relationship and may go some way towards the creation of a written body of midwifery knowledge. The results can assist midwives in providing holistic and high quality care to mothers during labour, and thus, provide positive outcomes in normal child birth. Keywords: Midwife-mother relationship, Qualitative content analysis, Delivery room, Concept

Effects of Sex Hormones in Combined oral Contraceptives and Cyclofem on Female Sexual Dysfunction Score: A Study on Iranian Females

AbstractIntroduction: Unwanted pregnancy can endanger reproductive health, and its complications could adversely affect quality of life in females, families, and the community. A large number of unwanted pregnancies are terminated with abortion or stillbirth. Sex is an important aspect of quality of life. According to reproductive rights, females have the right to experience a safe and enjoyable sexual relationship. This study aimed at comparing sexual function scores between females taking combined oral contraceptives and Cyclofem at health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences of Tehran, Iran, During Year 2013.Methods: This descriptive-comparative study was carried -out on 240 females (each group 120) in Tehran, Iran, by multistage sampling. Data collection tools had 3 parts; General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), demographic variables, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) that were completed by interviews. Descriptive statistics, independent t, Mann-Whitney test, chi-square, and SPPS16 were used for analysis of data. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The difference in sexual function between combined oral contraceptives and cyclofem was insignificant. Scores of desire and arousal dimensions were better in combined oral contraceptive consumers than cyclofem users.Conclusions: It is important for females to choose hormonal contraception methods, which are the most effective, yet, cause the least sexual dysfunction

ASSOCIATIONS OF DEPRESSION AND PREECLAMPSIA

ASSOCIATIONS OF DEPRESSION AND PREECLAMPSIA DURING PREGNANCY Moafi F ,Dolatian M *,Keshavarz Z ,Alavi Majd H Received: 26 Mar, 2014 Accepted: 24 May, 2014 Abstract Background & Aims: Preeclampsia has remained as one of the most important obstetrical problems for which different factors have been suggested. Recently, psychopathologies identified many risk factors for preeclampsia, but few studies have focused on the relation between maternal mental health status and preeclampsia risk. The aim of this study was to determine the association between depression and incidence of preeclampsia in pregnant women admitted to Mahdieh Hospital, 2012. Materials & Methods In this case-control study, Beck Depression Inventory was used as data gathering tool. 190 pregnant women, 95 as case group (preeclampsia) and 95 as control group (healthy), who had inclusion criteria, were included in the study. All participants were selected based on target sampling method. Results: The results of this study showed that 81.1% of healthy and 76.8% of preeclamptic women had some levels of depression. 35.8% of healthy, and 34.7% of preeclamptic women had mild depression, 31.6% and 17.9% had moderate depression and 13.7% and 24.8% had severe depression respectively. Among cofounders, numbers of prenatal cares was controlled by entering in logistic regression. After adjusting for cofounders the effect of depression remained ineffective. Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of depression in pregnant women, midwives and health care worker's should pay attention to the psychological health of pregnant women during prenatal period, and depression screening and appropriate treatment should be emphasized. Keywords: preeclampsia, depression, pregnancy Address: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Vali Asr Ave., Niayesh Cross Road, Niayesh Complex, Tehran, Iran, Tel: (+98)21-88655366 Email: [email protected]

The effect of Teucrium polium on the duration of menstrual bleeding: A triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Teucrium polium (T. polium; locally called 'kalpooreh') is a herbal medicine with therapeutic effects against diabetes and fungal infections, and it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well. It is also used traditionally as a remedy in treating headache, dysmenorrhea, convulsions and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antibacterial effects have been reported in recent studies. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of T. polium on reduction of menstrual bleeding. Methods: This triple-blind, clinical trial study was performed on 70 single female students between 20 and 30 years old, studying at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. They were allocated randomly into two groups: In the T. polium group (n =35), they received 250 mg of T. polium powder compared to 35 subjects who received placebo. For the first 3 days of menstruation, subjects were asked to take the capsules they had been given, four times daily for two consecutive menstrual cycles. Duration of menstrual bleeding was determined by a Higham chart. Data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS version 20, using repeated measures and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were no differences between the two groups at baseline. Comprising the Higham chart showed that: the participants in the T. polium group had lower significant duration and amount of menstrual bleeding in the 1st and the 2nd menstruation cycles after treatment (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Teucrium polium, when taken during the first 3 days of menstruation, led to a significantly greater decrease in duration of menstrual bleeding compared to placebo. Trail registration: The trial was registered at the Thailand Registry of Clinical Trials with the ID TCTR20160818002. Funding: This research received financial support from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Perceived needs in women with gestational diabetes: A qualitative study

Introduction: Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. It can be associated with many complications for mother and fetus. Gestational diabetes is also one of the main health issues in Iran. Therefore, the present study is aimed at a deeper understanding of women’s experiences of gestational diabetes and their perceived needs to inform future lifestyle interventions. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was carried out in 2015. Participants were pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the 24th to 36th week of pregnancy, who were referred to the clinics affiliated with Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University in Tehran, Iran. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants, using semi-structured questions. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was carried out for data analysis. Interviews continued until data saturation was obtained. Data were coded in MAXQDA software (version 11). Results: Content analysis highlighted two themes; educational needs and need to support. The former was featured with five main categories: information sources, education process, unknown and known, weaknesses of public information system, and eagerness to learn. The latter was featured with two main categories: family support and social support. Conclusion: Clarifying the needs of the mothers with gestational diabetes, leads to better and proper education planning and a program toward the improvement of health, self-care, and prevention of diabetes

Sexual function index adaptation for breast cancer patients (FSFI-BC)- translation and psychometric properties of Persian version

Abstract Background Effective interventions to improve sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors need screening of these dysfunctions with a suitable instrument. The aim of present study was translation and identifying psychometric properties of Female Sexual Function Index – Adapted for Breast Cancer (FSFI-BC) which has been specifically developed for breast cancer survivors. Method This methodological study was performed between February 2017 and October 2018. 200 breast cancer survivors in stage 1 or 2 who were selected through convenience sampling method, completed the questionnaire. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s alfa and test re-test analysis and construct validity was performed through confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis( EFA). Results Six factors were extracted in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). These factors explained 74.6% of the total variance in in NSA group and 0.821 in SA group. Reliability evaluation indicated high internal consistency and good test re-test reliability. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in all areas of the tool was above 0.7 (the lowest and the highest measures were 0.885 and 0.945, respectively), which is a good indicator for reliability of an instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fitness for seven factors of FSFI-BC questionnaire (Normed Fit Index or NFI = 0.9 for both groups, Comparative of Fit Index or CFI = 0.93 and 0.92, χ 2/df = 1.68 and 1.71 for SA(Sexually Active) and NSA(No Sexually Active) individuals, respectively) . Conclusion Study findings suggest that Persian version of FSFI-BC is a suitable instrument for sexual dysfunction screening in breast cancer survivors

Circulating Tumor Cells as a Promising Tool for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver cancer is a significant contributor to the cancer burden, and its incidence rates have recently increased in almost all countries. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Because of the late diagnosis and lack of efficient therapeutic modality for advanced stages of HCC, the death rate continues to increase by ~2–3% per year. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising tools for early diagnosis, precise prognosis, and follow-up of therapeutic responses. They can be considered to be an innovative biomarker for the early detection of tumors and targeted molecular therapy. In this review, we briefly discuss the novel materials and technologies applied for the practical isolation and detection of CTCs in HCC. Also, the clinical value of CTC detection in HCC is highlighted

Novel Gene-Correction-Based Therapeutic Modalities for Monogenic Liver Disorders

The majority of monogenic liver diseases are autosomal recessive disorders, with few being sex-related or co-dominant. Although orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) is currently the sole therapeutic option for end-stage patients, such an invasive surgical approach is severely restricted by the lack of donors and post-transplant complications, mainly associated with life-long immunosuppressive regimens. Therefore, the last decade has witnessed efforts for innovative cellular or gene-based therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy is a promising approach for treatment of many hereditary disorders, such as monogenic inborn errors. The liver is an organ characterized by unique features, making it an attractive target for in vivo and ex vivo gene transfer. The current genetic approaches for hereditary liver diseases are mediated by viral or non-viral vectors, with promising results generated by gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Despite massive progress in experimental gene-correction technologies, limitations in validated approaches for monogenic liver disorders have encouraged researchers to refine promising gene therapy protocols. Herein, we highlighted the most common monogenetic liver disorders, followed by proposed genetic engineering approaches, offered as promising therapeutic modalities