The Metabolic Syndrome among Postmenopausal Women in Gorgan

In this study, we aimed to assess levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in relation to metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in Gorgan. The study group included 100 postmenopausal women who were referred to the different Health Centers in Gorgan. Body mass index, waist circumference, Hip, waist to hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, but HDL-cholesterol was lower. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 31%. There were significant differences in 25-hydroxy vitamin D of postmenopausal women with and without vitamin D deficiency. Prevalence of the vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women was 30%. There were significant differences in 25-hydroxy vitamin D of postmenopausal women with and without vitamin D deficiency who had metabolic syndrome. Our results show that postmenopausal status might be a predictor of metabolic syndrome in this area. Our findings suggested that vitamin D levels have no association with metabolic syndrome. There were no significant differences in vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D deficiency is not associated with the metabolic syndrome

Middle-aged Iranian women�s accounts of their sexual health care practices: A conventional content analysis

CONTEXT: Little research has been done to examine sexual health care among middle-aged women, particularly in developing countries that are socioculturally conservative, such as Iran. METHODS: In 2015, as part of a descriptive qualitative study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 17 women aged 40�65 residing in Golestan Province, Iran. Graneheim and Lundman�s approach to conventional content analysis was used to interpret the sexual health care narratives of the women. RESULTS: Sexual health care for middle-aged Iranian women often took the form of self-care to preserve their privacy and confidentiality, and in general, any information on sexual health was appreciated. Data analysis identified three main categories of strategies for sexual self-care: sexual risk protection, prevention of sexual problems and undesirability, and sexual information seeking. Also, sexual self-care emerged as the central theme. CONCLUSIONS: To meet the needs of middle-aged Iranian women, health care providers should become familiar with such women�s sexual health care and self-care practices. Socioculturally sensitive policies and interventions should be developed to improve the sexual and reproductive health care conditions of middle-aged women. © 2019, Guttmacher Institute. All rights reserved

The Comparison of the Effects of Training Self-awareness and Problem-solving Skills on Marital Satisfaction of Married Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: One of the most important causes of marital dissatisfaction is the lack of life skills. This study aimed to compare the effects of training self-awareness and problem-solving skills on marital satisfaction of married women. Methods: This study was a randomized field trial conducted in Gorgan since October 2019 to September 2020. A total of 105 married women were allocated to one of two interventions or a control group based on triplex block randomization. Data collection tools were the Persian version of the self-awareness questionnaire, problem-solving questionnaire and Four ENRICH Couple Scales. The participants completed the questionnaires before (T1), immediately (T2), and one month after the intervention completion (T3). The first intervention group received self-awareness skills training and the second received problem-solving skills training one session per week for four weeks. The control group did not receive any training. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chisquare, Fishers exact test, exact test, repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni test, using SPSS 16. A P value 0.05). However, in the problem-solving group, the scale of marital satisfaction was significantly different at T2 and T3 (31.40±4.55, 33±5.21, P=0.008). In the self-awareness training group at T1 and T3, the mean of the conflict resolution scale (32.60±63.28, 33.94±5.74, P=0.03) was significantly different. Conclusion: The results showed that problem-solving skills training was more effective in increasing the score of marital satisfaction compared to self-awareness skills training. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20190721044290N1. © 2022, Shriaz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Perceived risk of COVID-19 acquisition and maternal mental distress

Background Pregnant women are a high-risk population for mental health effects during a pandemic. Objective This study aims to examine the association of perceived risk toward COVID-19 viral infection acquisition and maternal mental distress. Methods In a cross-sectional study, a total of 392 pregnant women were recruited. Data gathered using the perceived stress scale, State-Trait anxiety inventory, Beck depression inventory, and protective behaviour were assessed. Linear regression analysis was applied in both unadjusted and adjusted models to assess the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Results In all five unadjusted and adjusted models, the perceived risk of COVID-19 acquisition remained a highly significant predictor for stress, anxiety factor 1 and 2, depression, and protective behaviours (P<0.001). Conclusion COVID-19 may be an important additional stress source for pregnant women. © 2021 MA Healthcare Lt