Effect of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight

Aim &Background: Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. Fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. Manypregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complicationsassociated with fasting and effects on fetal health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on neonatalbirth weight.Materials and Methods: The current historical cohort study was performed on pregnant women attending maternity hospitals in Kashan in 2008. Twofasting and non-fasting groups were compared. Multiple pregnancies and gestational age less than 37 weeks were considered as the exclusion criteria. In fasting and non-fasting groups, age, parity, gestational age, body mass index (BMI), mother's occupation, prenatal care attendance and intended or unintended pregnancy were matched. For the statistical analysis of the data, covariance analysis and SPSS v16.0 were used. Results: In this study, 293 cases were evaluated among whom 31.7% did notfast. In the two groups, the mean age, gestational age, parity and weight gain during pregnancy were not significantly different. The mean birth weight was 3338 g (±498 g) and 3343 g (± 339 g) in fasting and non-fasting groups respectively. The results showed that the mean birth weight of the neonates in fasting and non-fasting groups was not significantly different (p=0. 931) Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there is no significant relationship between the neonatal birth weight and maternal fasting during pregnancy. Therefore we declare thatfasting for pregnant women who receive prenatal care has no effects on neonatal birth weight

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting On Neonatal Weight In Different Trimesters Of Pregnancy

Background and Objectives: several investigations have been done to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal and maternal health, which have all led to controversial results. The role of Ramadan fasting time in birth weight is still unclear. This study evaluated the effect of fasting at different periods of pregnancy on birth weight. Methods: 250 pregnant women fasting at least one day during Ramadan participated in this retrospective cohort study. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups, namely first trimester (n=112), second trimester (n=68) and third trimester (n=70) of pregnancy. Demographic and anthropometric data, obstetric history and history of Ramadan fasting were recorded. After delivery, neonatal birth weight was measured. The mean of weight and frequency of low birth weight in each group were calculated. Probable related factors of low birth weight of neonates with fasting mothers were evaluated. Results: The mean of birth weight in different groups of Ramadan fasting time in first, second and third trimester of pregnancy were 3411.52±529.88, 3214.57±463.56 and 3336.86±444.89 gr respectively, which had a statistically significant difference (p=0.03). Frequencies of low birth weight in different groups of Ramadan fasting time in first trimester was 8.9%, in second trimester 8.8% and in third trimester it was 7.1%, which had no statistically significant difference (p=0.9). Among all evaluated factors, only neonatal sex was related to low birth weight. Conclusion: Time of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy does not affect birth weight

Reliability and Validity of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination in the Evaluation of Clinical Skills of Midwifery Students (Kashan, 2014)

This study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of OSCE in evaluating the clinical skills of midwifery students at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2014. This descriptive-correlational study was carried out on 23 senior midwifery students. The OSCE scores were calculated according to the structured objective checklists. Content and criterion validity and reliability were also assessed. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS-16 using ANOVA and Spearman correlation coefficients. There was a significant relationship between the clinical scores and the OSCE score (P=0.03). The reliability results of the evaluation of stations by two observers showed that the lowest and highest correlation coefficients between observers were 0.58 and 1.00, respectively. Owing to good reliability and validity of this test in the first period of its implementation in Kashan, it can be recommended for subsequent periods as part of the final exam for midwifery students

Development and psychometric properties of the online health information-seeking skill scale

Aims: Given the dearth of research about middle-aged people's ability to seek online health information in developing countries, this study was conducted to develop the Online Health Information-Seeking Skill Scale (OHI-SSS) and evaluate its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods: This is a methodological study in which a scale was developed within three factors and was validated by face validity, content validity, and structural validity methods. Four hundred and twenty middle-aged individuals completed the questionnaires. Internal consistency and test–retest were used to evaluate the reliability of the scale. Finding: The initial scale, consisting of 38 items on a 5-point Likert scale, was reduced to a 26-item scale following face and content validity measurement. The exploratory factor analysis extracted three subscales in OHIO-SSS that includes “information reception,” “provide and exchange information, and “identification and trust.” Internal consistency of the scale was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.93). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for subscales was 0.87, 0.795, and 0.74, respectively. Reliability analysis with test–retest revealed an acceptable estimate for the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92). Conclusion: The 20-item OHI-SSS has acceptable validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be employed as an appropriate instrument for the evaluation of middle-aged people's skills in seeking online health information

Association of self-care status with some relevant factors in middle-aged women in their early menopausal stage

BACKGROUND: Through self-care, people can solve their health-related problems through increasing their awareness and correcting their lifestyles. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association of self-care status with some relevant factors in Kashanian middle-aged women in their early menopausal stage. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on 351 women in the age range of 45–60 years. Women were selected based on cluster sampling method from the individuals at health-care centers in Kashan, Iran. Researcher-constructed questionnaire on self-care was used. The validity and the reliability of the questionnaire were calculated. The information gathering method was questionnaire completion by the study participants or interview with them. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software. T-test, ANOVA, Spearman correlation, and linear regression analysis were applied. RESULTS: The mean (±standard deviation) of the self-care score was 108.14 ± 20.43. Self-care scores were weak in 13.92%, intermediate in 71.02%, and good in 15.06%. Regression analysis showed that the mean of self-care was significantly higher in those with higher educational level of women's (P = 0.045) and their spouses (P = 0.001). Women who were covered by insurance also showed higher self-care; in addition, there was no significant relationship between self-care and participants' job, spouses' jobs, marital status, marital satisfaction, economic satisfaction, number of children, number of households, and type of accommodation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that self-care is inadequate and that the level of education of couples and insurance coverage has a positive effect on the level of self-care in postmenopausal women. To promote self-care in old age, education and empowerment can be considered

Development and psychometric evaluation of the menopausal self-care questionnaire in a sample of Iranian postmenopausal women

Background: Self-care assessment is a prerequisite to self-care promotion interventions. However, there is no specific measurement instrument for self-care assessment among postmenopausal women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop the menopausal self-care questionnaire and evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of Iranian postmenopausal women. Methods: This methodological study was conducted in 2017 based on Waltz's method for instrument development. Questionnaire items were generated based on a literature review, and then, face, content, and construct validity of the questionnaire were assessed. For construct validity assessment, a sample of 357 women aged 45-60 years were selected through cluster and stratified sampling from health-care centers in Kashan, Iran. Then, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure of the questionnaire. Moreover, reliability was assessed through calculating Cronbach's alpha and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The primary version of the questionnaire contained 36 items. Two items were deleted due to their limited content validity. The impact scores, content validity ratios, and content validity indices of the remaining 34 items were at least 2.84, 0.70, and 0.70, respectively. During factor analysis for construct validity assessment, one item was deleted and the questionnaire was found to have a seven-factor structure, accounting for 54.87 of the total variance. The factors were general health care, screening, nutrition, memory, hot flashes and night sweats, sexuality, and social communication. The ICC and Cronbach's alpha value for the questionnaire were 0.76 (P < 0.001) and 0.88, respectively. Conclusion: The menopausal self-care questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for self-care assessment among postmenopausal women. It can be used in health monitoring programs for middle-aged and elderly women

The effect of acupressure at third liver point on the anxiety level in patients with primary dysmenorrhea

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea may lead to severe anxiety and pain relief during menstruation may reduce the anxiety levels. This study was aimed to determine the effect of acupressure at third liver and placebo points on the anxiety level in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in parallel in the control and treatment groups for three menstrual periods at the dormitory of Kashan University of Medical Sciences between March and June 2012. Students with pain score equal to or greater than 4 were selected and divided into groups based on severity of pain using a randomized block design with the allocation ratio of 1:1. Acupressure was applied in two acupoints including third Liver point (Liv3) and placebo points. Spielberg (STAI) anxiety questionnaire was completed before and after intervention. Randomization, subjects, and data analyzer were blinded to the analysis. Chi-square tests, t-test, Mann-Whitney, paired sample t-test, and univariate analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean [standard deviation (SD)] values of apparent anxiety levels before and after intervention for liv3 were 45.100 (9.769) and 38.100 (10.608), respectively. For the control group, they were 41.200 (9.795) and 38.900(10.140), respectively. Difference was significant only in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Hidden anxiety did not show a significant change before and after intervention. There was no difference between groups in apparent or hidden anxiety after intervention. Conclusions: Pressure on liv3 point reduces anxiety. As there are no previous studies on this topic, further studies with more samples are recommended