The relationship between midwifery students' attitudes towards couples' sexual relationships and their clinical skills in providing sexual health of counseling services

Background & aim: Midwives have a substantial role in evaluating and improving sexual health and providing family counseling. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical skills of midwifery students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in providing sexual health counseling services and determine their attitudes toward sexual relations of couples in the academic year of 2014-2015. Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed on 63 midwifery students, who were selected by convenience sampling. The data collection tools included an academic and demographic questionnaire, the questionnaire of attitudes toward couples' sexual relations, and a checklist to assess the midwifery students' clinical skills in taking sexual history, providing sexual counseling during pregnancy and menopause, and diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction. The checklist was completed by observers in objective structured clinical test consisting of five stations. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, repeated measures ANOVA, and regression, using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean score of students' attitude was 34.1±4.0 out of 40, and 85.7% of the participants had a very good attitude toward sexual relation of couples. The mean total score of the students' clinical skill was 22.6±8.0 out of 128, and 90.5% of the samples were at a poor level. Conclusion: Although providing sexual health counseling services is among the educational purposes of midwifery students and is one of the qualifications midwifery students and midwives must have, midwifery students' do not have satisfactory skills in this area. However, given the positive attitude of the students toward this issue, these skills can be promoted. Therefore, it is recommended to design and implement sexual health programs for midwifery students

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on saffron (Crocus sativus) effectiveness and safety on erectile dysfunction and semen parameters

Objective: We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis study to determine saffron (Crocus sativus) effectiveness and safety in male infertility problems. Materials and Methods: The databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, SID, IranMedex and Magiran until July 2016 and reference section of relevant articles, were searched to find both English and Persian clinical trials on male infertility issues that used saffron as medical treatment. Also, the quality of these trials was evaluated by Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine checklist. A total of six trials was ultimately included. All statistical analyses were done by Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) Version 2. Results: Only in one study conducted on sperm parameters, the mean percentage of sperm with normal morphology (

Psychological Predictors of Intention to Deliver Vaginally through the Extended Parallel Process Model: A Mixed-Method Approach in Pregnant Iranian Women

Objectives: Despite the fact that cesarean delivery does not offer significant health benefits for either mother or newborn, there has been a noticeable upward trend in elective cesarean births in Iran, over the last two decades. This study aims to examine whether knowledge, perception of health threats, efficacy, and personal beliefs act as psychological predictors towards the intention of women to have a normal vaginal delivery.Methods: The mixed-method approach was used as quantitative and qualitative design. Simultaneously, 290 pregnant women who visited prenatal clinics participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on Witte’s Extended Parallel Process Model, and four focus groups, respectively.Results: Women perceived lower personal risk but higher levels of efficacy. Perceived self-efficacy, severity, and response efficacy emerged as significant predictors of intention to experience vaginal birth. The participants’ insufficient knowledge and misconceptions about birth methods were prevalent. Major themes were identified and divided into negative and positive beliefs about vaginal birth.Conclusion: This educational model is useful for understanding women’s intention to undergo a vaginal birth, especially when it is combined with a qualitative approach. Maternal care providers should acknowledge their clients’ beliefs and intended childbirth methods prior to offering medical intervention

Childbearing through the Lens of Women with Minor Thalassemia: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: It is essential to provide key information and support to every woman regarding pregnancy and childbirth to enable all women to make a fully informed decision regarding their choice to reproduce. Of particular importance; however, is that women who suffer from a specific condition that increases risks associated with reproduction, to receive specific information regarding such risks and health complications regarding pregnancy and childbirth. This study aims to explore the feelings, experiences, and needs of women with minor thalassemia in relation to childbearing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This sample comprised of 12 Iranian women with minor thalassemia who attended to local health centers in Minudasht, Golestan province, from October 2017 to January 2018. The purposeful sampling technique was employed. The data were collected through deep semi-structured interviews, analyzed using conventional content analysis and processed by using the Graneheim and Lundman method. RESULTS: The findings were based on the participants’ experiences of pregnancy and fertility. Three major themes emerged; ‘Emotional and Physical Experience,’ ‘Satisfaction’ and ‘Social and Cultural Issues.’ The most common problem identified was the impact of emotional problems and difficulties regarding the negative implications of thalassemia on reproduction as well as the views and perceptions of family members and those within the community. CONCLUSION: From the findings, it is evident that thalassemia imposes a heavy psychosocial burden on those women who suffer from the condition. Local health centers in areas most affected by thalassemia would be considered the most suitable venues to introduce key health educational interventions

The effect of an interventional program based on the Theory of Ethology on infant breastfeeding competence

Introduction: according to the ethology theory mother infant separation immediately after birth can interfere with the infants innate behaviors for the initiation of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to the effect of an interventional program based on the Theory of Ethology on infant breast feeding competence Materials and Methods: 114 primiparous, Iranian, healthy, full term mothers between 18-35 years with normal vaginal delivery who intended to breastfeed their babies. They were put in direct skin to skin contact with their infants immediately after birth for two hours. Then, rates of infant breastfeeding competence were compared with a control group receiving routine hospital cares. Results: Rates of infant breastfeeding competence were higher in the skin to skin contact group compared to routine care group (p=0.0001). Conclusion: mother- infant early skin to skin contact promotes infants natural feeding behaviors leading to higher rates of infant breastfeeding competence. These findings confirm the Theory of Ethology

The Effect of Interactive Educational Workshops with or Without Standardized Patients on the Self-Efficacy of Midwifery Students in Sexual Health Counseling

Background & aim: Modifications in learning systems based on the concepts of self-efficacy and self-esteem are among the suggested strategies to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two interactive educational workshops with or without standardized patients (SPs) on midwifery students' self-efficacy in providing sexual health counseling at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran in 2014. Methods:In this quasi-experimental study, 62 B.Sc. and M.Sc. students of midwifery at Mashhad School of Nursing and Midwifery were randomly divided into two groups. The groups were trained, using one of two interactive educational workshops (with or without SPs) on sexual health counseling (10 hours). Data were collected, using a demographic questionnaire and a self-efficacy assessment tool. For data analysis, paired and independent t-tests were performed, using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean scores of students' self-efficacy in providing sexual health counseling in the two groups were not significantly different at the beginning of the study (P=0.587), while two weeks after the intervention, the scores were significantly higher in students who participated in SP-based workshops (76.0±10.9 vs. 66.7±5.9,

Exploration of reproductive healthcare needs among adult men regarding sexual transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS

Introduction: One of the most important public health issues is men’s sexual and reproductive health. Men are the most important counterparts in the prevention of sexual transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. A low level of men’s referral to utilize healthcare services and the stigmatization of reporting sexually transmitted diseases in society due to cultural issues calls for the designation of strategies for improving the men’s healthcare conditions. In addition, it is required to assess men’s healthcare needs with consideration of cultural-contextual, social, and economic issues. The aim of this study was to explore the reproductive healthcare needs of men regarding sexual transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was a qualitative study with 34 men and six women from the general population; health policymakers, reproductive health providers, and clergies were collected in two large cities of Iran, including Tehran and Mashhad, in 2015 through individual in-depth interviews. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling. In-depth individual interviews were conducted to collect data. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and using data analysis through conventional qualitative content analysis. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis with MAXqda. Results: The data analysis resulted in the development of four themes and 10 categories. The themes were “men’s educational empowerment,” “appropriate sociocultural background with advocacy,” “organizing sexual needs based on sexual ethics, religious doctrine and women’s empowerment,” and “meeting men’s preventive, caring and welfare needs.” Conclusion: Because men’s reproductive health is intertwined with public health, data collected regarding men’s healthcare needs with the consideration of social and cultural factors can be used for designing strategies for reducing the incidence/prevalence rates of STDs and HIV/AIDS

The Role of Midwives in Women's Empowerment: A Narrative Review

Background & aim: Midwives can participate in empowering women by improving women's health and supporting them through different life stages. Despite the emphasis on the role of midwives in empowering women, the strategies through which midwives can fulfill this role are not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to review the role of midwifes in women's empowerment.Methods: In this narrative review, which was conducted based on the Scale for Assessing Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), databases including ISI, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane library, PsycInfo, SID, Magiran and IranMedex were searched by two researchers without time limit up to September 2022, using keywords of "female empowerment", "empowerment", "midwife", "midwifery" and their Persian equivalents. All the original articles focused on midwives’ role in women's empowerment were included. Articles without access to full-text, conference papers, short communications and editorials were excluded. Qualitative synthesis was conducted on 27 articles included in the study.Results: Two main categories including "reproductive and sexual health" and "gender-based discrimination and violence" were identified. The first category included midwives' role in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding and family planning services. The second category involved midwives role to empower women in confronting domestic violence and harmful cultural practices.Conclusion: Despite midwives success in empowering women, they face many obstacles, both within and outside the health system, especially in combatting against discrimination and gender-based violence, which need to be addressed. To empower women, it is crucial that governments, communities and international organizations pay more attention to the role of midwives in women’s empowerment

Violence against Women by Their Intimate Partners in Shahroud in Northeastern Region of Iran

Deshoulières François. Galeries souterraines de Bourges. In: Bulletin Monumental, tome 89, n°1, année 1930. p. 162