The Correlation between Adaptation to the Maternal Role and Social Support in a Sample of Iranian Primiparous Women

AbstractIntroduction: Adaptation to the maternal role is an important factor for health ofmothers and infants. With regards to numerous stresses after childbirth and effect ofsocial support in modifying stresses, the present study was conducted for detecting thecorrelation between adaptation to the maternal role and social support in primiparousfemales.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 260 primiparous females, whohad referred to public health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciencesin Tehran, during year 2016. Data gathering tools included the «DemographicQuestionnaire», «Adaptation to the Maternal Role in Iranian Primiparous WomenQuestionnaire», «Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support», andEdinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software(version 22) and it was based on descriptive statistics and statistical independent t-test,Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Spearman correlation, and linear regression. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: The score of adaptation to a maternal role had a significant correlation witha total score of social support and its subscales (P = 0.001). Also, the adaptation toa maternal role had a reverse significant correlation with the mother and father’seducation and the rate of family income, yet the results of the linear regressiondemonstrated that only two variables, “social support” and “mother’s education”, weresignificant in predicting the adaptation to a maternal role (P = 0.001), and they couldpredict 15% of variance for adapting to a maternal role.Conclusions: Social support is an effective factor for adaptation to the maternal role inprimiparous females. Therefore, providing an appropriate situation for these supportsis recommended. Also, it is required for health care providers to make sure about anadaptation to a maternal role, especially in mothers with higher education

Awareness of Pregnant Women about Folic Acid Supplementation in Iran

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of folic acid supplementation amongst Iranian pregnant women. Materials and methods: We selected 322 women through simple randomized method in a cross section study. Data was gathered on the base of questionnaire and interview. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. The value of p<0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: The obtained information revealed that 7.8% with high level of knowledge, 43.8% with intermediate level, 30.4% with low level knowledge, and 18% with no knowledge. Hospitals and health centers are two major sources for promoting popular awareness about folic acid. There is a significant relationship between the knowledge, education, employment, time of prenatal care beginning, age, gravidity, and sources of health information. The number of women with high level of knowledge was more among those with lower parity, higher level of education, employment, young age and looking for health information. Conclusion: Awareness of folic acid is low among Iranian women. The different strategies are required to elevate the knowledge about folic acid among the women in reproductive age and provide them with some information about the benefits of this supplement

Prediction of Adequate Prenatal Care Utilization Based on the Extended Parallel Process Model

Background: Pregnancy complications are one of the major public health concerns. One of the main causes of preventable complications is the absence of or inadequate provision of prenatal care. The present study was conducted to investigate whether Extended Parallel Process Model’s constructs can predict the utilization of prenatal care services. Methods: The present longitudinal prospective study was conducted on 192 pregnant women selected through the multi-stage sampling of health facilities in Qeshm, Hormozgan province, from April to June 2015. Participants were followed up from the first half of pregnancy until their childbirth to assess adequate or inadequate/non-utilization of prenatal care services. Data were collected using the structured Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale. The analysis of the data was carried out in SPSS-22 using one-way ANOVA, linear regression and logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Totally, 178 pregnant women with a mean age of 25.31±5.42 completed the study. Perceived self-efficacy (OR=25.23; P<0.001) and perceived susceptibility (OR=0.048; P<0.001) were two predictors of the intention to utilize prenatal care. Husband’s occupation in the labor market (OR=0.43; P=0.02), unwanted pregnancy (OR=0.352; P<0.001), and the need to care for the minors or elderly at home (OR=0.35; P=0.045) were associated with lower odds of receiving prenatal care. Conclusion: The model showed that when perceived efficacy of the prenatal care services overcame the perceived threat, the likelihood of prenatal care usage will increase. This study identified some modifiable factors associated with prenatal care usage by women, providing key targets for appropriate clinical interventions

Comparison of the Viewpoints of Midwives Working in Teaching Hospitals and Health Centers in Tehran City about Management Factors Associated with Midwifery Errors (Iran)

Background and Objectives: Midwifery errors are associated with several problems for mother and fetus, which can lead to deadly consequences. On the other hand, if the causes of these errors are not identified, it is not possible to make appropriate decision to reduce or eliminate them. Therefore, identifying the factors associated with these errors is of particular value. The aim of this study was to identify the management factors that cause midwifery errors and the role of each factor in the occurrence of midwifery errors from the viewpoints of midwives working in Tehran city. &nbsp; Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 252 midwives working in Tehran city (2014). The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, which its face and content validity, were determined by calculating CVR and CVI indices. The reliability of the tool was confirmed by a test-retest method and calculation of Cronbach's alpha. &nbsp; Results: In this study, 176 midwives (69.8%) or their colleagues had the history of committing midwifery errors; 209 subjects (82.9%) believed that wrongdoer person reports his/her error; and 176 subjects (69.8%) stated that error report form is filled out. Moreover, the overall effect of management factor on the occurrence of midwifery errors, showed no significant difference from the viewpoints of midwives participating in the research. &nbsp; Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, management factors as the major cause of occurrence of midwifery errors, require more attention in order to reduce midwifery errors. &nbsp; &nbsp

The effect of a self-care program based on the teach back method on the postpartum quality of life

Background: The postpartum period is a critical stage of life with major changes in the quality of life. Therefore, special consideration is needed to this issue. Objective: To determine the effect of a self-care program based on the Teach Back method on the postpartum quality of life. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on eighty postpartum women who had given birth in health centers across Darreh Shahr County, Ilam Province, Iran in 2016. The control group received only routine postpartum care according to the national guidelines. The trial group received the routine care in addition to two sessions of physical and psychological postpartum self-care based on the Teach Back method. The two groups were assessed in terms of their quality of life before and after the intervention using the Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistic tests, Chi squared, independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney’s test was used. Results: Before the intervention, the postpartum quality of life score was 106.23±11.866 in the trial group and 107.30±13.197 in the control group; after the intervention, the score was 124.73±10.706 and 115.03±12.687 in the two groups respectively, suggesting a significant inter-group difference after the intervention (p<0.001). Significant differences were also observed between the two groups in terms of the mother's feelings toward herself, toward her child and toward her spouse and others, and physical health before and after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusions: Using the Teach Back model for a self-care program appears to dramatically improve the postpartum quality of life and is therefore recommended as a useful method for postpartum care. Trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the Irct ID: IRCT2015012820854N1. Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

The comparison of spiritual health and self-esteem in women with and without sexual violence

Background and aim: Sexual violence is a serious public health problem which is common around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate spiritual health and self-esteem in sexual violence victims. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 66 subjects in the group of sexual violence women and 147 subjects in the group of women with no experience of sexual violence who referred to Tehran Forensic Medical Center and the health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences respectively, in 2015, in Tehran, Iran. Sexual violence was considered as vaginal or anal penetration. Paloutzian & Ellison spiritual health questionnaire and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used for data collecting. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 21. The Kolmogorov Simonov test was used for normality distribution of variables. Descriptive and the Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was set to p<0.05. Results: Sexual activity in both groups was started at 20 years old. Most of the abused subjects were single (48.8%), with education level below diploma (55.2%), unemployed (67%) and with an average annual income of 200 million Rials ($7,000). Familiarity with the offender was mostly as friendship (42.4%), and the offence had occurred through deception (37.8%). No significant difference was found between the total mean scores of self- esteem in the two groups (M1: 21.89, M2: 21.02; p=0.76) while a significant difference was seen between the mean scores of spiritual health, which indicates a lower level of spiritual health in women with sexual violence (M1: 74.59 (2.03), M2: 86.39 (3.12); p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the importance of spirituality in sexual violence so policies to promote spiritual health are recommended to protect wome

Comparison of Physical Activity in Fertile and Infertile Couples in Kermanshah, Iran during 2013

Abstract:Background and aimInfertility is a major reproductive health problem that affect 10%-15% of couples. According to the WorldHealth Organization, there are currently 50-80 million infertile couples in the world. Physical activity is alife style factor with possible positive or negative effects on reproductive. The aim of this study was tocompare the physical activity of fertile and infertile couples in Kermanshah, Iran during 2013.Materials and MethodsThis was a descriptive comparative study. The case group consisted of 118 infertile couples attendingMotazedi Infertility Center. One hundred and eight fertile couple attending to six public health centers inKermanshah, Iran, were the controls. The sampling method was convenience sampling. Data were collectedby a questionnaire. The questionnaire was consisted of two section. The first section was demographic andfertility characteristics and the second section was international physical activity questionnaire. The data ispresented by descriptive statistics and analyzed with logistic regression, independent t-test, chi-square, andgamma tests using SPSS v16.ResultsThe result of this study showed that the majority of fertile women(86.1%), infertile women(73.1%), fertilemen(87%) and infertile men(96.3%) had moderate level of physical activity. There was a significantdifference between fertile and infertile men and women in terms of physical activity. The fertile and infertilecouples, also, have significant difference in physical activity(P&lt;0/05).ConclusionsGiven the importance of physical activity on reproductive health and significant difference of physicalactivity between fertile and infertile couples in this study, it seems that more attention should be paid tolifestyle behaviors, especially in infertile couples.KeywordsLife Style; Physical Activity; Fertility, Ira

Comparison of lifestyle in fertile and infertile couples in Kermanshah during 2013

Background: Infertility is a major reproductive health in gynecology. According to the world health organization, there are currently 50-80 million infertile couples in the world. Objective: Considering the critical effects of lifestyle on reproductive health, this study aimed to compare the lifestyle of fertile and infertile couples in Kermanshah during 2013. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive cross sectional study that was done on 216 fertile and infertile couples attending Infertility Center and six medical centers that were selected through the convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire containing demographic and fertility-related information and also lifestyle items on nutrition, physical activity, perceived social support, responsibility for health, and inappropriate health behaviors. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis, independent t, chi-square and Generalized Estimating equation were performed to analyze the data. Results: Fertile and infertile women (86.1% and 73. 1% respectively, p= 0. 03) as well as fertile and infertile men were significantly different in terms of physical activity (87% and 96.3% p<0.001, respectively) and perceived social support (p<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference between fertile and infertile women in nutrition (p<0.001). Similar differences were observed in responsibility for health and inappropriate health behaviors between fertile and infertile men. However, all of the dimensions of lifestyle, except nutrition, were significantly different between fertile and infertile couples. Conclusion: As lifestyle plays a crucial role in reproductive health, the inappropriate lifestyle of infertile couples has to be modified through effective measures such as awareness promotion, behavioral changes, and development of a healthy environment

Exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media and consequent psychological distress and potential behavioral change

Abstract Exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) news pandemic is inevitable. This study aimed to explore the association between exposure to COVID-19 news on social media and feeling of anxiety, fear, and potential opportunities for behavioral change among Iranians. A telephone-based survey was carried out in 2020. Adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to collect information on demographic variables and questions to address exposure to news and psychological and behavioral responses regarding COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between anxiety, fear, behavioral responses, and independent variables, including exposure to news. In all, 1563 adults participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 39.17 ± 13.5 years. Almost 55% of participants reported moderate to high-level anxiety, while fear of being affected by COVID-19 was reported 54.1%. Overall 88% reported that they had changed their behaviors to some extent. Exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media was the most influencing variable on anxiety (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.62–3.04; P < 0.0001), fear (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.49–2.56; P < 0.0001), and change in health behaviors (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.28–3.19; P = 0.003) in the regression model. The fear of being infected by the COVID19 was associated with the female gender and some socioeconomic characteristics. Although exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media seemed to be associated with excess anxiety and fear, it also, to some extent, had positively changed people’s health behaviors towards preventive measures