Psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples: a protocol for a mixed-methods study

Abstract Background Regarding psychosocial factors affecting sexual health and in most cultures, healthy and pleasurable sexual relations are valued in the family context, the present study aims to identify the psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples. Methods The present mixed-methods study will be conducted in three phases. The first phase will be carried out qualitatively based on which psychosocial determinants of the sexual health of newly married couples will be extracted. In the second phase, questionnaire items of psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples will be compiled, and face validity (quantitative and qualitative), content validity (quantitative and qualitative), and reliability of the questionnaire will be evaluated. In the third phase, which will be the quantitative phase of the study, the construct validity of the questionnaire will be assessed by analyzing the main items. Moreover, at this stage, the relationship between the extracted psychosocial determinants and the sexual health of newly married couples will be investigated. Discussion By explaining the psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples, it is possible to identify key variables for designing interventions that improve the sexual health of this group, based on their cultural sensitivities

Midwives’ Experiences of Applying Critical Thinking in High Risk Situations at Labor Unit: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Critical thinking is an essential skill for being knowledgable about riskfull conditions of midwifery, evaluation of clinical decisions, and a proper care planning for mother and child. This study aimed to explore midwives’ experiences of employing critical thinking in high risk situations in labor unit. Methods: Fourteen bachelor midwives working in labor unit participated in this qualitative content analysis study. They were selected through purposeful sampling method. Data was gathered by individual interviews recorded on audiotapes, transcripted and then analyzed. Interview transcriptions were coded through repeated comparisons with similar groups and then classified. Finally two main categories and eight subcategories were emerged. Results: Analysis of participants’ viewpoints and their sayings about employing critical thinking lead to development of two main categories: “trying to screen high-risk situations among apparently healthy patients” with 5 subcategories, and “trying to diagnose when facing a mother in a high-risk situation” having 3 subcategories. Analysis of findings showed that novice midwives screened high-risk situations relying on their professional knowledge and analyzing the information inductively whereas experienced midwives tried to refer to their intellectual framework deductively based on their previous experiences of managing critical patients. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems necessary to revise and modify the curriculum of midwifery in order to improve critical thinking skill through acquisition of professional knowledge of midwifery and to educate students to manage high-risk cases. Therefore all midwives will acquire critical thinking skill and will be able to screen and diagnose high-risk patients