Prediction of preeclampsia based on blood lead levels in early pregnancy

زمینه و هدف: پره اکلامپسی شایع ترین عارضه بالینی دوران بارداری است. با توجه به اهمیت پره اکلامپسی در بارداری و عدم وجود عوامل قطعی موثر بر آن، این پژوهش با هدف پیشگویی وقوع پره اکلامپسی بر اساس سطح سرب خون مادران باردار در نیمه اول بارداری انجام شد. روش بررسی: این مطالعه توصیفی - تحلیلی بر روی 1033 مادر باردار در درمانگاه های پره ناتال شهر تهران انجام شد. در بدو ورود به مطالعه نمونه خون جهت سنجش سرب اخذ و پرسشنامه دموگرافیک تکمیل گردید. مادران باردار از زمان ورود به مطالعه تا زمان زایمان تحت مراقبت و پیگیری قرار گرفتند. در صورت وجود فشار خون مساوی یا بیش از 140 بر 90 میلی‌متر جیوه و پروتئین‌اوری پس از هفته 20 بارداری تشخیص پره اکلامپسی برای مادر داده می شد. برای تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها از آزمون های آماری من ویتنی و رگرسیون لجستیک در نرم افزارSPSS استفاده شد. یافته ها: از 1033 مادر باردار 20 نفر (9/1) مبتلا به پره اکلامپسی بودند. میانگین سطح سرب خون مادران µg/dl9/4 ± 7/4 بود. ارتباط میان سرب خون مادر و پره اکلامپسی مستقیم و معنادار بود (001/0>(P. سطح موثر سرب خون (نقطه ی برش) در پره اکلامپسی دارای حساسیت 85، ویژگی 5/70، ارزش اخباری منفی 6/99 و ارزش اخباری مثبت 4/5، µg/dl 5 بدست آمد. نتیجه گیری: نتایج این مطالعه نشان داد که سطح سرب µg/dl 5 و بالاتر در نیمه اول بارداری می تواند با حساسیت نسبتاً بالا با وقوع پره اکلامپسی همراه باشد؛ لذا انجام این آزمایش به عنوان روشی در اوایل بارداری، برای پیشگویی وقوع پره اکلامپسی در مادران باردار فاقد عوامل خطرزای مهم پره اکلامپسی، پیشنهاد می گردد

Postnatal quality of life in women after normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caesarean section might increase the incidence of surgical interventions and problems resulting from hospitalization and thus affecting quality of life in women after delivery. This study aimed to compare quality of life in women after normal delivery and caesarean section.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a prospective study. A sample of women with normal delivery and caesarean section from 5 health care centers in Isfahan, Iran were entered into the study. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 at two points in time (time 1: 6 to 8 weeks after delivery; time 2: 12 to 14 weeks after delivery). Data were analyzed to compare quality of life in the two study groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all 100 women were interviewed (50 with normal delivery and 50 with caesarean section). Postnatal quality of life in both groups was improved from time1 to time 2. However, comparing the mean scores between the normal and caesarean delivery groups the results showed that in general the normal vaginal delivery group had a better quality of life for almost all subscales in both assessment times. The differences were significant for vitality (mean score 62.9 vs. 54.4 P = 0.03) and mental health (mean score 75.1 vs. 66.7, P = 0.03) at first assessment and for physical functioning (mean score 88.4 vs. 81.5, P = 0.03) at second evaluation. However, comparing the findings within each group the analysis showed that the normal vaginal delivery group improved more on physical health related quality of life while the caesarean section group improved more on mental health related quality of life.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the study did not show a clear cut benefit in favor of either methods of delivery that are normal vaginal delivery or caesarean section, the findings suggest that normal vaginal delivery might lead to a better quality of life especially resulting in a superior physical health. Indeed in the absence of medical indications normal vaginal delivery might be better to be considered as the first priority in term pregnancy.</p

A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of applying a simple acupressure protocol to the Taichong point in relieving dysmenorrhea

Objective: To examine whether applying a simple acupressure protocol to the Taichong point is effective in relieving dysmenorrhea. Methods: In this single-blind trial 194 students with dysmenorrhea were randomized to receive acupressure 5 days before menstruation for 3 months on either the Taichong or a placebo point. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed in the first and last of the 4 study cycles using the Andersch and Milsom scale. The �2 test, t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis. Results: The difference in dysmenorrhea severity between the 2 groups was not significant in the first cycle but it was significant in the fourth cycle (U = 2377.00, P &lt; 0.001), and the decrease in dysmenorrhea severity was also significant in the study group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Applying a simple pressure protocol to the Taichong acupoint was an effective and inexpensive way of decreasing the severity of dysmenorrhea. © 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Barriers to healthcare provision for victims of sexual assault: A grounded theory study

Background: Victims of sexual assault need comprehensive healthcare services to deal with the consequences of their experience. However, there are still many girls/women that delay seeking healthcare after they experience sexual assault. Objectives: To explore the process of health care and clinical services for victims of sexual assault in the health care centers of Iran. Patients and Methods: This was a qualitative study based on the grounded theory method. The sample consisted of 23 health care providers and 10 victims of sexual violence. Unstructured interviews and observations were used for data collection. Constant comparative analysis was used according to the Strauss and Corbin method. Results: The analysis of all data led to the extraction of four categories: �performing routines�, �victims� expectations�, �conflict between expectations of victims and existing healthcare services�, and the core category of �neglect of healthcare providers to address the needs and expectations of victims�. Providers were offering health care to the victims of sexual violence regardless of their needs. Due to this neglect, victims sought illegal solutions to overcome the consequences that led to social stigma. Conclusions: The findings indicate the lack of mutual understanding between health care providers and victims of sexual violence in relation to the expectations and priorities of victims. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

The Effect of Acupressure at the 3rd Point of liver Channel on Quality of Life of Female Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea in Tehran Teacher Training Center in 2008: A Randomize Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Dysmenorrhea affects women’s quality of life; moreover it results in physical, mental, social and economical problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure at the third point of liver channel (liv3) on quality of life in female students of Tehran Teaching Training (Tarbiat Moallem) Center with primary dysmenorrhea.Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 194 female students of Nasibeh Tarbiat Moallem center in Tehran who had had inclusion criteria. In the first cycle, the severity and duration of pain and quality of life were determined. Therefore, the participants were randomly assigned to either experimental or control group. In the second, third and fourth cycles, acupressure at liv3 and placebo point during 3-7 days before menstruation for 20 minute were carried out. In the fourth cycle, participants completed SF-36 questionnaire after menstruation again. Data-gathering Instruments used in this study included wrong-Baker faces pain scale,Beck-21 questionarre, SF-36 questionnaire, clock, Acuhealth tens pro 900 set, force guage. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16 and x2 test, Man Whitney U, independent and paired test. P values were set as 0.05(p0.05) but there was a significant difference in mean quality of life dimension between two groups in the fourth cycle (p0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between two cycles in Role Emotional functioning and social functioning dimensions in experimental group (p>0.05).Conclusion: with regard to the results of this study, acupressure at liv3 point is suggested as useful, effective, cheap and available treatment for primary dysmenorrhea

The Impact of Breast Cancer Knowledge and Attitudes on Screening and Early Detection Among an Immigrant Iranian Population in Southern California

BACKGROUND: Few studies explore factors influencing breast cancer screening and early detection behaviors among immigrant Iranian women residing in the United States. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional survey, a convenience sample of 319 Iranian-American women was selected to explore the impact of breast cancer knowledge and attitude on screening. A self-administered questionnaire assessed: breast cancer screening knowledge, attitude, and mammography use (ever, previous year and future intention). RESULTS: 79 % of the women in the study reported ever-receiving at least one mammogram and 74 % received a mammogram in the past year. Personal attitude had an independent significant effect on: mammography use in the last year, ever use of mammography and future intention to screen. Knowledge and morality-induced attitude influenced screening behavior but not significantly. CONCLUSION: Interventions targeting breast cancer screening among immigrant Iranian women in the US should focus on enhancing personal attitudes in order to influence actual screening behavior