Effect of Jogging Program on Midwives’ Physical Fitness: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background & aim: Background & aim: Physical fitness is essential for maintaining optimal health and can be achieved and improved by doing physical activities. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) has been used as a measure of physical fitness. This study aimed to determine the effect of jogging program on midwives' physical fitness. Methods:In this randomized controlled trial two large healthcare centers in Mashhad were randomly selected and each center assigned to either intervention or control group. 60 employed midwives, working at these centers, were selected via convenience sampling. The intervention group performed aerobic exercises at 30-60% VO2 max during 24 sessions. At the beginning and end of the study, participants’ physical fitness was measured  by calculating VO2 max, using Bruce test. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests were carried out using SPSS version 19 to analyse data.  Results: The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of age, marital status, level of education, economic status and body mass index (P>0.05). Mean VO2 max in the intervention group (30.6±9.1) was significantly higher than that of the control group (24.3±7.3) (P=0.023). Participants' physical fitness was increased up to 30% by jogging. Conclusion:As the results indicated, jogging could improve midwives’ physical fitness. Therefore, it is essential that health system directors pay more attention to providing facilities at every workplace in order to improve employees’ physical fitness

The Relationship of Spiritual Intelligence and Religious activities with happiness of midwives working in hospitals and health centers

Background & aim: Happiness is one of the most important human needs that play an influential role in the health of the individuals and society. In the recent years, the role of spirituality and religion as important aspects of life has been considered in the health-related issues. The physical and mental health of the midwives plays a significant role in the quality of patient care. In this regard the current study was designed to investigate the relationship of spiritual intelligence and religious activities with happiness among midwivesworking in hospitals and health centers. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 midwives working in the maternity hospitals and health centers affiliated to the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, in 2015. The study sample was selected through cluster random sampling technique. The data were collected by the demographic and occupational characteristics questionnaire, life style questionnaire, Spiritual Intelligence Scale, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple regression using SPSS, version 16. Results: According to the results, spiritual intelligence was directly correlated with happiness (r=0.63,

The Effect of Interactive Educational Workshops with or Without Standardized Patients on the Self-Efficacy of Midwifery Students in Sexual Health Counseling

Background & aim: Modifications in learning systems based on the concepts of self-efficacy and self-esteem are among the suggested strategies to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two interactive educational workshops with or without standardized patients (SPs) on midwifery students' self-efficacy in providing sexual health counseling at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran in 2014. Methods:In this quasi-experimental study, 62 B.Sc. and M.Sc. students of midwifery at Mashhad School of Nursing and Midwifery were randomly divided into two groups. The groups were trained, using one of two interactive educational workshops (with or without SPs) on sexual health counseling (10 hours). Data were collected, using a demographic questionnaire and a self-efficacy assessment tool. For data analysis, paired and independent t-tests were performed, using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean scores of students' self-efficacy in providing sexual health counseling in the two groups were not significantly different at the beginning of the study (P=0.587), while two weeks after the intervention, the scores were significantly higher in students who participated in SP-based workshops (76.0±10.9 vs. 66.7±5.9,

Comparison of the Impacts of Auriculotherapy with Electrical Stimulation and Vaccaria Seeds on Colposcopy Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Colposcopy is an invasive medical procedure, which involves pain and discomfort. Auriculotherapy is a medical technique that can facilitate the reduction of pain. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of auriculotherapy with electrical stimulation and Vaccaria seeds on colposcopy pain. Method: This controlled randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 93 females undergoing colposcopy in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2017. The study population was selected through convenience sampling technique, and then randomly assigned into three groups, namely transcutaneous auricular stimulation (TAS), Vaccaria seeds, and placebo. The TAS group was subjected to electrical stimulation at four auricular acupuncture points 40 min before colposcopy, using a Pointer Excel stimulator (2 Hz). In the Vaccaria seed group, the seeds were fixed on the same acupoints three days prior to colposcopy. The participants were asked to press each point for 1 min, three times a day. The placebo group were provided with three adhesive patches without any seeds. After colposcopy, pain intensity was monitored using the visual analog scale. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and exact Chi-square tests in SPSS software, version 22. Results: The three groups were comparable in terms of the demographic data (P>0.05). The mean pain intensities in theTAS, seed, and placebo groups were 49.0±24.2, 49.5±26.0, and 65.1±26.6, respectively. A significant difference was observed among the three groups regarding the pain intensity (P=0.02). There were also significant differences between the TAS and placebo groups (P=0.01) and between seed and placebo groups in this respect (P=0.02). However, the TAS and seed groups showed no significant difference in this regard (P=0.94). Implications for Practice: The use ofauriculotherapy with TAS and seeds could effectively reduce the patient’s pain during colposcopy

Anxiety during pregnancy and preeclampsia: a case - control study

Introduction:  Preeclampsia is the common and dangerous complication of pregnancy with unknown reason. Multiple causes such as depression, psychological and physical stress may be involved in its development. This study was performed to determine the relationship between anxiety during pregnancy and the incidence of preeclampsia. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 150 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 150 healthy pregnant women referred to health centers and academic hospitals of Mashhad in 2014. The diagnosis of preeclampsia was made by systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg accompanied with urinary protein excretion more than 300 mg per 24 hours. The cutoff point for the presence of anxiety was the score of ≥8; the score of 8-9 was mild anxiety and the score of 20 was very severe anxiety. Data collection tools included the form of demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory signs of preeclampsia, and depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS 21). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and logistic regressions model. P Results: We found significant relationship between anxiety and preeclampsia (