A Qualitative Study of Iranian EFL University Teachers’ Attitude towards Professional Development

Within the past few years, teachers have no longer been conceived as mere transmitters of knowledge. The image of the teacher as the exclusive holder of all the information related to teaching and learning has changed dramatically. It the new context, teachers are supposed to act as transformative agents who pay attention to new aspects of their profession in the process of developing professionally as individuals. In other words, the concept of teachers’ professional development (PD) has been recently viewed as a continuous process focusing on planned and systematic activities designed to trigger and enhance their growth. The current status of professional development in Iran, however, is not satisfactory. Summarizing the findings of the interview with the small group of English university teachers, this study attempted to find out the attitudes of participants to PD and discuss the constraints they faced on their way towards PD. Results indicated that a number of impeding factors have influenced the effective implementation of PD policies which need a reoriented and revitalized perspective to make them more compatible with new requirements of the present context

Electrochemical activities at the crack tip: A localized approach

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Maternal performance after childbirth and its predictors:a cross sectional study

Background and ObjectivesBirthing parents need to use specialized skills as the first caregiver of the newborn. Several factors may affect performance. Yet there is a paucity of research in this area, and evidence remains inconsistent. Consequently, this study aimed to determine maternal performance after childbirth and its predictors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with those (n = 450) who had given birth (< two months) and been referred for the vaccination of their newborn. The multi-stage sampling method was carried out from April 2022 to February 2023. Participants who met the inclusion criteria completed a demographic and obstetric information questionnaire, along with the childbirth experience 2 (CEQ2), Barkin maternal performance and maternal self-efficacy scales. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the predictive effect of the independent variables of childbirth experience, maternal self-efficacy, demographic and obstetric variables on the dependent variable of maternal performance.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 26.78 and the mean total score of maternal performance was 91.04 (0—120). The highest and lowest scores related to the ‘maternal competence’ and the ‘maternal needs’ domains, with mean score calculated at 77.51 and 72.81 respectively. ‘Childbirth experience’ and ‘maternal self-efficacy’ domains had a statistically significant relationship with maternal performance (P < 0.05). Among the predictive factors of maternal performance, the results of our linear regression demonstrated the variables of birth experience (B = 0.63), maternal self-efficacy (B = 1.53), spouse's employment status (B = 5.78 for worker level, B = 3.99 for employee level), the number of previous childbirth experiences (B = -8.46), frequency of receiving antenatal care (B = -6.68), length of stay in the birth suite (B = -2.22) and length of stay in the hospital (B = 2.84) remained in the model. 53.2% of changes in maternal performance can be explained by these independent variables.ConclusionThe promotion of evidence-based, person-centered, and respectful perinatal care during pregnancy and childbirth are of paramount importance. Strategies to improve the experience of childbirth and self-efficacy are especially required to improve maternal performance in the postpartum period. Prenatal care aimed at improving maternal function after childbirth will be important in achieving this overall

Storytelling in Pregnancy and Childbirth: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Background and Objectives. Storytelling is a common and popular way of conveying events, culture, ideas, and information. Stories have been used in various sciences to convey a particular concept that is influenced by the culture of individuals. Storytelling about childbirth may be useful to women in a number of ways. The objective of this review was to synthesize existing literature in relation to storytelling in the context of childbirth to inform future childbirth education programmes, interventions, and research. Methods. An integrative review of the literature was conducted, including peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2022. The following databases were used to search for relevant studies: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Ovid, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Magiran, Irandoc, and SID. A process of thematic synthesis was used to make sense of the data extracted. Results. Whilst 21 studies were retrieved, only 12 were relevant and thus met the inclusion criteria set. Two themes were identified from our thematic synthesis: (1) effects of childbirth storytelling on the storyteller and (2) effects of childbirth storytelling on the listener of the story. Subthemes included “reducing fear of childbirth,” “transferring information and raising awareness in line with community culture,” and “adjusting expectations.” Conclusion. The use of storytelling can be used as an effective method in educational interventions during pregnancy and childbirth. Due to limited high-quality intervention studies in this field, future studies could usefully be more robustly designed and incorporate digital storytelling methods to inform future directions

Proton-pump inhibitors and risk of renal disease

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one group of drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion by binding irreversibly to the gastric proton pump. This paper aimed to review the impact of PPIs on kidney function and structure by presenting the updated information in this regard. In this review, we summarize in electronic databases including Google Scholar, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and EBSCO during the period of 1980 to 2017 by using the following search terms; proton-pump inhibitors, kidney injury, renal diseases, adverse events of protonpump inhibitors, acute interstitial nephritis, renal injury and chronic kidney disease. The PPIs are known as one group of drugs that are well tolerated in healthy subjects and where serious harms are rare. The some reports reveal that long-term administration of PPIs is associated with adverse effects such as: increasing the incident risk of kidney injury, hyper-secretion of gastric acid after their withdrawal, bone fracture, decreased levels of blood magnesium, interaction with metabolism of antiplatelet agents, increased risk of enteric infections and community-acquired pneumonia. Proton-pump inhibitors and risk of renal disease (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316284636_Proton-pump_inhibitors_and_risk_of_renal_disease [accessed Nov 08 2017]

Comparing the effects of breastfeeding in the laid-back and cradle position upon the experiences of primiparous women:a parallel randomized clinical trial

Background and aim Appropriate positioning is crucial to successful breastfeeding and its continuation. Positioning can create, prevent, or correct breastfeeding problems. This study aimed to determine and compare the effects of both the laid-back and cradle positions upon the breastfeeding experiences of primiparous (cisgender) women. Methods A parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted with a sample of primiparous women (n = 168) with a gestational age of between 31 and 34 weeks, referring to the perinatal clinic of Shahid Gharazi Hospital in Malayer (Hamadan Province, Iran). Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and allocated to one of two groups: intervention (laid-back position) (n = 85) and control (cradle position) (n = 83) using the random block method. Breastfeeding education was given to both groups during two sessions (weeks 31–34 and 35-–37 of pregnancy) by “baby-friendly” accredited hospitals in Iran. The intervention group was instructed on how to breastfeed using the laid-back position. The control group was instructed on how to breastfeed using the cradle position. In the immediate postnatal period, breastfeeding positions were assessed in both groups. Breastfeeding experiences were measured once at the time of participants returning home and again at both 1 week and 2 weeks following birth, using the breastfeeding experience scale. Data analysis was undertaken using the SPSS software version 21. A value of P \u3c 0.05 was considered significant. Results No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of concerns relating to participants nor their breasts, milk insufficiency, neonate, process, or breastfeeding experience at any time point measured. The means (SDs) of breastfeeding experience at the time of discharge, 1 week, and 2 weeks after childbirth in intervention group were 26.07 (4.533), 26.85 (3.812), and 26.65 (4.632) respectively. The means (SDs) of breastfeeding experience at the time of discharge, 1 week, and 2 weeks after childbirth in control group were 25.42 (3.315), 26.68 (3.872), and 25.41 (4.05) respectively. Conclusion There is no difference in breastfeeding experiences whether the laid-back or cradle position is used. Thus, broader education on breastfeeding and the provision of comprehensive support may be more effective in optimizing one’s experience of breastfeeding. Trial registration Registration date: 2021 July 21, Code: IRCT20180427039436N10, https://irct.ir/user/trial/57054/vie

Investigating the relationship between health literacy and preconceptual care components during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy:a cross-sectional study

Background and AimPreconceptual care aiming to improve health is influenced by various factors including health literacy. Considering the importance and necessity of high quality preconceptual care, this study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy and receiving components of preconceptual care prior to pregnancy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 693 participants with pregnancies of less than 14 weeks gestation referred to health centers and gynecologists in Shiraz city, Iran. Multi-stage sampling was done from May 2021 to February 2022 in 18 comprehensive urban health centers and 20 gynecology offices via proportional allocation method. The data collection tool comprised a questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: (1) individual and fertility characteristics, (2) information related to the components of preconceptual care and (3) health literacy for Iranian adults. This was completed by individual participants via the self-reporting method.ResultsThe majority of participants were between 30 and 34 years old. They also identified as women with a university education and were predominantly unemployed. The mean health literacy of participants was 76.81%. Health literacy obtained the highest mean score in the dimension of ‘understanding’ and the lowest mean score in the dimension of ‘access’. The frequency of preconceptual counseling, folic acid supplement consumption, exercise, blood testing, dental visits, genetic counseling, Pap smear testing and rubella, diphtheria, and hepatitis vaccinations prior to pregnancy was 66.8%, 53.8%, 45.6%, 71.86%, 44.44%, 12%, 53.4%, 10.83%, respectively. Many (> 64%) received preconceptual care at specialist gynecology offices. Results demonstrated that health literacy had a statistically significant relationship with preconceptual care, folic acid consumption, exercise and dental care, (p < 0.001), along with blood testing and Pap smear testing (p < 0.05).ConclusionOverall, our results demonstrate that despite health literacy being optimal, uptakes of some components of preconceptual care are low. As such, it will be important to further raise awareness of the importance of preconceptual care for people prior to pregnancy as a priority in health promotion and education