Study of relationship between illness perception and delay in seeking help for breast cancer patients based on Leventhal's self-regulation model

One of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients is delay in seeking help. Leventhal's self-regulation model provides an appropriate framework to assess delay in seeking help. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between "illness perception" and "help seeking delay" in breast cancer patients based on Leventhal's self-regulation model. In this correlational descriptive study with convenience sampling conducted in 2013, participants were 120 women with breast cancer who were diagnosed in the last year and referred to chemotherapy and radiotherapy centers in Rasht, Iran. Data collection scales included demographic data, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R)and a researcher made questionnaire to measure the delay in seeking help. Pre-hospital delay (help seeking delay) was evaluated in 3 phases (assessment, disease, behavior). The data were analyzed using SPSS- 19. The mean (SD) age calculated for the patients was 47.3±10.2. Some 43 of the patients had a high school or higher education level and 82 were married. The "pre-hospital delay" was reported �3 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that none of the illness perception components were correlated with appraisal and behavioral delay phases. In the illness delay phase, "time line" (p-value =0.04) and "risk factors"(p-value=0.03) had significant effects on reducing and "psychological attributions" had significant effects on increasing the delay (p-value =0.01). "Illness coherence" was correlated with decreased pre-hospital patient delay (p-value < 0.01). Women's perceptions of breast cancer influences delay in seeking help. In addition to verifying the validity of Leventhal's self-regulation model in explaining delay in seeking help, the results signify the importance of the "illness delay phase" (decision to seek help) and educational interventions-counseling for women in the community

Postpartum Sexual Function; Conflict in Marriage Stability: A Systematic Review

Background: One of the most important issues affecting the stability of marriage is sexual function, so its problem can lead to divorce or separation of the couple. Pregnancy and delivery as one the most important periods of women's life can have significant effects on sexual function. This study reviews the postpartum sexual function and its related factors in Iran.Methods: This study is a systematic review of the sexual function after childbirth in Iran. By using of valid keywords and searching in databases such as Google scholar, SID, Magiran, Medlib, Irandoc, Iranmedex, the total number of 15 articles between 2005 and 2012 years have been evaluated. Results were reported quantitatively and qualitatively.Results: Total Sample was 4109 women, with an average of 274 samples per study. Plenty of studies in Tehran was 46% and other cities was 54%. The majority of studies showed no relation between mode of delivery and sexual function (P=0.14), but there were significant relation between lactation and postpartum sexual function (P&lt;0.05) as, breastfeeding decreased sexual function. Also sexual function score has decreased with increasing parity.Conclusion: According to the effects of lactation and parity on women sexual function, therefore high risk for divorce, sex education after childbirth, especially in the first six months after delivery, maybe helpful in prevention of sexual dysfunction after delivery

Phytotherapeutic and naturopathic adjuvant therapies in otorhinolaryngology

Phytotherapeutic pharmaceuticals and herbal medicinal products with its roots in classical phytotherapeutic medicine have a well-established role in otolaryngological therapy, especially for diseases of the upper airways and acute and chronic infections. A thorough selection and application could mean huge benefit for the patient, in particular in cases with contraindications, chemo- and antibiotic resistance or patient request. Besides, it might spare other medications. Phytotherapeutic pharmaceuticals must fulfil the same criteria of quality, effectiveness and harmlessness of evidence-based medicine like chemical pharmaceuticals, although they are often prescribed due to its well established or traditional based use. This review focuses on phytotherapeutic therapies well established within the European Community for otolaryngologic disease patterns by referring to clinical studies or meta-analysis

Managing hyperemesis gravidarum: a multimodal challenge

Up to 90% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting. When prolonged or severe, this is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which can, in individual cases, be life threatening. In this article the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment strategies will be presented based on a selective literature review. Treatment strategies range from outpatient dietary advice and antiemetic drugs to hospitalization and intravenous (IV) fluid replacement in persistent or severe cases. Alternative methods, such as acupuncture, are not yet evidence based but sometimes have a therapeutic effect

Alterations in sexual drive during pregnancy in women referring to hospitals affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University

BackgroundWith respect to physical and emotional alterations in pregnancy, alterations in sexual drive are of concern in sexual health of this period. 4 patterns of gestational sexual drive are suggested: 1. Increased drive; 2. Decreased drive in the 1st trimester, moderate increase in the 2nd, and decrease in the 3rd trimesters; 3. Deceased sexual drive in pregnancy; and 4. Lack o drive.  Purpose This descriptive study was conducted to identify changes in sexual drive of women referring to hospitals affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in 2006. Methods400 women referring to prenatal clinics were selected by quota sampling for each hospital and simple random method in each setting. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Content validity and test-retest reliability were used for the tool. An expert with the Master of Science in midwifery interviewed the subjects to complete the questionnaire. ResultsMean ages of women and their husbands were 26.1±4.8 and 31.6±5.7 respectively and their marital period was 5.9±4.8. 3%, 28.8% and 68.2% were in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. 61% had no specific problem at this stage. 58% considered their sexual contact disgusting. 96%, 92.2% and 94.1% experienced less pleasure than before from sexual relationships in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester respectively. 83.2%, 80% and 77% had decreased sexual contacts in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. 50%, 41.7% and 56% experienced less arousal than before in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester respectively. 75%, 57.4% and 62.3% had less sexual desire than before in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester respectively. 49.25% believed that pregnancy had no effect on their sexual contact. ConclusionIt seems that sexual drive decreases in pregnancy. Thus, proper instruction and consultation programs are recommended for better coping of couples to decrease related problems and complications. Keywords: Pregnancy, Sexual desire, Arousal.   

Severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its related factors in students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Background and aimPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one or more symptoms from a great combination of physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms, occurring in 70%-90%of women at childbearing age. 95% of women suffer from mild symptoms of PMS while, in 3%-10%, the symptoms are severe and disabling. The aim of this study was identify the severity of PMS and its related factors in students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Health Services,. Materials and methodsIn this descriptive study, of 980 students in the dormitories of the university, 85 with PMS were selected by purposive sampling method. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a diary form derived from criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-4). Validity and reliability of the tools were determined by content and test-retest (r=0.82) methods respectively. Data collection method was self report questionnaires. FindingsMeans of age and body mass index of the subjects were 22.20 and 22.59 respectively. 58.8%, 38.8% and 2.4% had mild, moderate and severe physical symptoms respectively. The corresponding figures for psychological symptoms were 30.7%, 66.1% and 3.2 respectively.  ConclusionThe severity of symptoms in more than two thirds of the subjects was moderate and mild. A significant relationship was found between the onset of symptoms as well as educational term of the students and syndrome severity.  Keywords: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Student, Menstrual disorders.  *Corresponding Author: Giti, Ozgoli.  Dept. of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Tehran, Iran E-mail: [email protected] 

Self - treatment with drugs during gestation

 BackgroundPregnancy due to its nature is associated with some problems, which may increase the need for drugs. Drug self-treatment can cause severe complications and lack of information of mothers concerning the indications of drugs may have detrimental effects on family as well as society. Purpose This descriptive study was conducted to identify knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding self-treatment with drugs in healthcare settings affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in 2006.  Methods180 pregnant women referring to healthcare centers were selected in 2 steps by cluster sampling method. The stage of their gestational period was not important. An information form was used for data collection.  ResultsFindings showed that 98.3% of women knew the forbiddance of chemical drugs during pregnancy without prescription. 70.6% agreed chemical drug prescription by a professional. Of 180 women, 100 (55.5%) took chemical drugs during their pregnancy and 97.8% used the drugs by prescription. 11.1% took herbs by prescription while 84.2% used them without prescription and by recommendation of their acquaintances or their own views. 4.7% took herbs by suggestion of herbalists.  Conclusion It can be concluded that despite good knowledge of women about indications of chemical drugs, their information regarding herbs is not satisfactory. Therefore, developing appropriate educational plans in media, healthcare settings and prenatal clinics to improve their knowledge seems necessary. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Self-treatment, Pregnant women.  

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the average age of menopause among iranian women

Background: Menopause age is a determinant of health status and the risks for future diseases. Aim: The current study aimed to determine the average age of menopause among Iranian women in a meta-analysis. Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in August 2017. The articles were searched in Persian databases, including Iran Medex, SID, and Magiran, as well as international databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Knowledge, without any time limitation. The search process was accomplished using the following keywords: "Menopause" OR "Menopause age" OR "Age of menopause" OR "Menopause age and Iran". Begg's and Egger tests were used to identify publication bias. Data analysis was performed in Stata statistical software (version 14) using random effect model. Results: The search process resulted in the inclusion of 28 articles with a total of 40,042 subjects published during 1998-2017. The mean age of menopause was evaluated as 48.57 years (CI: 47.96-49.18). Analysis of subgroups indicated that the mean ages of menopause were evaluated as 47.21 (CI: 46.94-47.48), 48.43 (CI: 47.76-49.10), 47.53 (CI: 47.17-47.88), 47.80 (CI: 47.49-48.11), and 47.83 (CI: 47.34-48.32) in smoking women (based on nine studies), non-smoking women, women with normal body mass index (based on eight studies), overweight women (based on seven studies), and obese women (based on six studies), respectively. The minimum mean age was 47.97 years, which belonged to the north region. Implications for Practice: The results suggested that the average age of menopause is still within a normal range despite its rise with a normal slope. It seems that the changes in the women's lifestyle have affected the menopause age. Consequently, special attention should be paid to some factors confounding menopause age among Iranian women to promote their health and reduce the health problems related to menopause. © 2018 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Prevalence of Infertility In Iran: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of infertility in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of studies was conducted in June 2019 based on the electronic method, across databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Irandoc and Google scholar. The study used the keywords related to the infertility. The search for articles was limited to the recent 20 years published articles with Persian and English language. In this study only population based studies were included. The data was analyzed using the STATA software 11.1. In this study, the random-effects model is considered, when there is heterogeneity among the studies (I2>50). RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed that the overall prevalence of infertility in was 7.88, 95 CI: 5.61-10.51, Q=323.63, p<.001. The current primary infertility prevalence after sensitivity analyzes was 3.09, 95 CI: 2.27-4.02, Q=245.14, p<.001. The secondary infertility prevalence after sensitivity analyzes was 2.18, 95 CI: 1.56-2.89, Q=150.92, p<.001. The rising slope of the meta regression line showed that the prevalence of primary (p=.7), and secondary infertility (p=.4), based on year in Iran is rising with a slow slop and overall prevalence decrease (p=.7). CONCLUSION: It is emphasized that the results of this study are related to the areas where studies have been conducted and there are high hetrogenity. Given that information is not available in all parts of Iran, a population-based study, or the design and implementation of studies that are not carried out, are suggested

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