Investigating the relationship between health literacy and preconceptual care components during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy:a cross-sectional study

Background and AimPreconceptual care aiming to improve health is influenced by various factors including health literacy. Considering the importance and necessity of high quality preconceptual care, this study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy and receiving components of preconceptual care prior to pregnancy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 693 participants with pregnancies of less than 14 weeks gestation referred to health centers and gynecologists in Shiraz city, Iran. Multi-stage sampling was done from May 2021 to February 2022 in 18 comprehensive urban health centers and 20 gynecology offices via proportional allocation method. The data collection tool comprised a questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: (1) individual and fertility characteristics, (2) information related to the components of preconceptual care and (3) health literacy for Iranian adults. This was completed by individual participants via the self-reporting method.ResultsThe majority of participants were between 30 and 34 years old. They also identified as women with a university education and were predominantly unemployed. The mean health literacy of participants was 76.81%. Health literacy obtained the highest mean score in the dimension of ‘understanding’ and the lowest mean score in the dimension of ‘access’. The frequency of preconceptual counseling, folic acid supplement consumption, exercise, blood testing, dental visits, genetic counseling, Pap smear testing and rubella, diphtheria, and hepatitis vaccinations prior to pregnancy was 66.8%, 53.8%, 45.6%, 71.86%, 44.44%, 12%, 53.4%, 10.83%, respectively. Many (> 64%) received preconceptual care at specialist gynecology offices. Results demonstrated that health literacy had a statistically significant relationship with preconceptual care, folic acid consumption, exercise and dental care, (p < 0.001), along with blood testing and Pap smear testing (p < 0.05).ConclusionOverall, our results demonstrate that despite health literacy being optimal, uptakes of some components of preconceptual care are low. As such, it will be important to further raise awareness of the importance of preconceptual care for people prior to pregnancy as a priority in health promotion and education

The effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and weight gain in the preterm infant: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Background and aims Human milk supports pre-term infants to thrive. Yet human milk production can be inhibited when infants are born prematurely. Pimpinella Anisum has been evidenced to increase milk production and infant weight gain in previous animal studies. The present study aimed to determine the effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and preterm infant weight in human populations for the first time. Methods Human milk supports pre-term infants to thrive. Yet human milk production can be inhibited when infants are born prematurely. Pimpinella Anisum has been evidenced to increase milk production and infant weight gain in previous animal studies. The present study aimed to determine the effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and preterm infant weight in human populations for the first time. Results There was a statistically significant difference in terms of milk volume in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days between the three groups of intervention, placebo, and control (p < 0.05). On the first day, the mean volume of pumped milk in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.008). On the second day, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. On the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days, the mean volume of pumped milk in the intervention group was significantly higher than the placebo and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of preterm infant weight on days 0, 3 and 7 between the three groups. Conclusion The use of Pimpinella Anisum or ‘Anise’ tea can increase the volume of human milk and since no specific side effects have been reported in its use, it may be incorporated easily, cheaply, and effectively in practice where appropriate to the benefit of preterm infant nutrition worldwide

The effect of orally consumed Lactuca sativa syrup on human milk volume and weight gain in the preterm infant:a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Human milk feeding can support premature infants to thrive. Yet those with premature infants can be challenged in human milk production. Considering this, and the use of potentially harmful human milk enhancers, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of orally consumed Lactuca sativa (L. sativa) syrup (lettuce extract) on human milk volume and subsequent weight gain in the preterm infant. Extracts from lettuce and other plants such as silymarin are already evidenced to be safe for use during lactation and have other therapeutic effects in humans. Yet this is the first study of its kind. This parallel randomized clinical trial included lactating participants with their preterm infants who were born at < 32 weeks' gestation and admitted to an intensive care unit. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. Eligible participants were allocated to groups randomly: intervention (n = 47), placebo (n = 46), and control (n = 47). The intervention group received one tablespoon of Lactuca sativa (L. sativa) syrup, and the placebo group received one tablespoon of placebo syrup 3 times a day for 1 week. Those in the control group did not receive any herbal or chemical milk-enhancing compounds. Routine care was provided to all three groups. Participants recorded their milk volume for 7 days in a daily information recorder form. Infant weight was measured prior to the intervention, and on the third, fifth and seventh days of the intervention period. There was a statistically significant difference observed in the adjusted mean volume of milk on the fourth and fifth days between the intervention, placebo, and control groups (P < 0.05). The adjusted mean milk volume of those in the intervention group on the first day was significantly higher than those in the control group and those in the placebo group. On the second day, the adjusted mean milk volume of those in the intervention group was higher than in those from the control group; and on the fourth day it was higher than in those from both the control and placebo groups; on the fifth day it was higher than in those in the placebo group; on the sixth day it was higher than in those in the control group and on the seventh day it was higher than in those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the mean changes (with or without adjustment) in the weight of preterm infants between any of the groups. Lactuca sativa (L. sativa) syrup increases the volume of human milk production and no specific side effects have been reported in its use. Therefore, Lactuca sativa syrup can be recommended for use as one of the compounds that increase human milk volume

Evaluating the performance of microwave sludge treatment : A comparison with conventional sludge treatment technologies

This document presents the results of a study for assessing the efficiency of a novel pilot-scale MW system, developed for the treatment of different types of sludges. The aim was to demonstrate if this technology can compete with those that are currently in high use in the 27-European countries. MW system is the main part of Shit killer®, a technology that has developed recently as a semi-centralized, mobile, and containerized technology for sewage, septic, and fecal sludge treatment and includes a set of highly advanced technologies for sludge treatment; mechanical pre-treatment, microwave irradiation, membrane separation, air treatment, solar energy conversion, and combustion of sludge. Pathogen removal in this technology is achieved by MW irradiation of sludge and so this technology is named Shit Killer®. The goal of this invention is to provide a robust technology for sanitizing and drying sludge in addition to producing highly treated, reusable permeate and condensate water in both on-site and off-site sanitation systems. For this purpose, the data for sludge treatment using the mentioned MW system were collected from the literature. Then 14 scenarios were defined in a way that results can be compared between the MW system performance and current technologies for sludge treatment. First, two sludge stabilization processes, anaerobic and aerobic sludge digestion, were defined for the treatment of three types of pre-thickened sewage sludges; primary, secondary, and a mixture of primary and secondary sludges. The quality of influent sludge was extracted from the reference books and literature and included COD, VS, TS, fecal coliforms, TN, NH4 content, and calorific value of sludge. The quantity of the influent sludge for each scenario was defined to be 1000 kg TS per day. The quality of the treated sludge with respect to heavy metals and fecal coliforms was not calculated but was collected from the literature. The consumed/produced energy for sludge digestion was calculated using the developed models in the literature. Reduction in the volatile and total solids of sludge, and also in COD were calculated using mass and energy balances by considering the factors and fractions extracted from literature. In some cases, assumptions were made. Then the results for centrifuge dewatering proses were calculated using specific gravities of volatile and fixed solids in sludges and mass balances. The energy consumption of centrifuge was extracted from literature. The required energy for sludge drying using a rotary drum dryer and MW system was calculated by mass and energy balances, thermodynamic tables, psychrometric charts, and calculating the volume of evaporated water. The next step involved making a comparison between different scenarios with respect to their energy consumptions per kg initial mass of sludge, sanitization performance, and the quality of traded sludge and produced condensate. The results showed that integrating an MW system to sludge treatment train makes it able to produce a class A biosolid with the expense of significantly lower energy than applying a conventional sludge dryer in train

Effect of crystallization process on the electrical, and piezoelectric properties of PLA scaffolds

This paper investigates the fabrication and characterization of piezoelectric properties in electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The aim is to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of the scaffolds to mimic native tissues. Thermo-mechanical processing techniques, including post-processing under various temperature, weight, and time conditions, are employed to modify the scaffolds. The effects of these processing parameters on the morphological, piezoelectric, and crystalline properties of the PLA scaffolds are examined. The scaffolds exhibit partially parallel beadles fibers with varying degrees of alignment and thickness, depending on the applied post-processing parameters. These morphological features play a crucial role in enhancing the piezoelectric properties of the scaffolds. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses demonstrate that thermo-mechanical processing promotes the formation of the α crystalline phase and increases the degree of crystallinity in the PLA scaffolds. The crystalline phase and orientation of the fibers are influenced by the applied weight, time, and temperature during post-processing. Furthermore, the study examines the electrical conductivity and ferroelectric properties of the PLA scaffolds. The results indicate enhanced piezoelectric properties in the scaffolds, as evidenced by the measured output voltages. However, ferroelectric behavior is not observed due to the absence of crystal symmetry in PLA

Comparing the effect of childbirth preparation courses delivered both in-person and via social media on pregnancy experience, fear of childbirth, birth preference and mode of birth in pregnant Iranian women:A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rates of cesarean section in Iran are unnecessarily high largely due to fear of childbirth (FOC), yet this may be reduced through education. Iranian women are keen to obtain information about pregnancy and birth online though sources may not be reliable. Consequently, the present study aimed to compare the effect of childbirth preparation courses delivered both online via the social media platform ‘Telegram’ and in-person on pregnancy experience, FOC, birth preference, and mode of birth. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study included 165 primiparous pregnant women referred to the prenatal clinic in Tehran, Iran. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants, who were subsequently divided into three groups; (A) social media-based educational intervention (n = 53); (B) in-person educational intervention (n = 52), and (C) a control group who received no prenatal education (n = 50). During the 18th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, demographic questions along with the pregnancy experience scale (PES), and version A of the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire (WDEQ‑A) were completed. In the 36th and 38th weeks of pregnancy, the PES and WDEQ‑A questionnaires, as well as birth preference form were further completed. Mode of birth was recorded in the first few days of postpartum. The Fisher’s exact test, along with ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between variables. A paired t-test was used to examine within-group comparisons. The Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test was used to investigate the intervening effect of economic status. RESULTS: Post intervention, the mean score of pregnancy experience and FOC did not differ significantly between the three groups. Also, 86.8% of participants in group A, 90.4% of participants in group B, and 62% of participants in the control group preferred to give birth vaginally, which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Moreover, 66% of participants in group A, 61.5% of participants in group B, and 50% of participants in the control group ultimately gave birth vaginally. None of the participants in group A underwent an elective cesarean section, while this rate was 7.7% and 24% for groups B and control, respectively (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Despite the non-significant differences identified between the three groups in terms of pregnancy experience and FOC, prenatal education delivered via social media may be usefully offered to Iranian women keen to receive education flexibly online. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name of the Registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. Trial registration number: IRCT20180427039436N2. Date of registration: 15/06/2018. URL of trial registry record: https://www.irct.ir/trial/30890

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contraceptive methods, abortion, and unintended pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

Background and Aim By creating an international emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to compromised reproductive health care, including family planning services, and thus increased unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. This study was conducted to compare methods of contraception, abortion, and unintended pregnancies in those served by the health centers of Babol city in Iran, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted including 425 participants registered to the health centers of Babol city, Mazandaran province, Iran. Using a multi-stage method, 6 urban health centers and 10 rural centers were selected for inclusion. Proportional allocation method was used for sampling those who met the inclusion criteria. A questionnaire was used to collect data in relation to individual characteristics and reproductive behaviors via 6 questions focused upon methods and preparation of contraception, number and type of abortions, and number and causes of unintended pregnancy from July to November 2021. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Significance level was considered to be p \u3c 0.05 in all tests. Results Most participants aged between 20 and 29 years old had a diploma level of education, were housewives and lived in the city. Prior to the pandemic, 32.0% used modern contraceptive methods and 31.6% used these during the pandemic. No change in the combination of contraceptive methods used was observed between these two periods. Approximately two-thirds used the withdrawal method in both periods. The majority of participants in both periods purchased their contraceptives from a pharmacy. Unintended pregnancy increased from 20.4% prior to the pandemic to 25.4% during the pandemic. Abortions increased from 19.1% prior to the pandemic to 20.9% during the pandemic, although these findings were not found to be statistically significant. Contraceptive methods had a statistically significant relationship with age, education, spouse’s education, spouse’s occupation, and place of residence. The number of unintended pregnancies had a significant relationship with age, the educational level of both participants and their spouses and socio-economic status, and the number of abortions had a statistically significant relationship with the age and education level of the spouse (p \u3e 0.05). Conclusion Despite there being no change in contraceptive methods compared to the pre-pandemic period, an increase in the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and illegal abortions was observed. This may be indicative of an unmet need for family planning services during the COVID-19 pandemic