The Relation between Contraception Methods and Quality of Life

Objectives:  Assess the relationship between contraception methods and quality of life in women of reproductive age. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Gonabad, Iran. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select 18-45 year-old women with using a contraceptive methods during the last six months. Demographic and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Questionnaires were used for data collection. For statistical analysis the Stata11 and SPSS16 software were used. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. After performing different statistical tests in bivariate analysis, the multi-variable linear regression was used to assess the association between method of contraception and domains of quality of life adjusting for other confounding factors Results: Women with Tubal sterilization had significant worse “physical functioning” [adjusted regression coefficient=-5.14 (95%CI:-10.2 to -0.01)] but better “general health perceptions” [adjusted regression coefficient=6.8(95%CI: 2.1 to 11.5)] than those preferring male condom (reference). Women whose husbands had vasectomy had also on average significant better score of “general health perceptions” than condom users (reference) [adjusted regression coefficient=7.1(95%CI: 0.23 to 14)]. Withdrawal showed on average higher score of “vitality” than condom users (reference) [adjusted regression coefficient=25.07(95%CI: 7.44 to 42.6)]. Conclusion: The results showed that some aspects of women's quality of life could be affected by using different contraception methods

Readability and Suitability Assessment of Educational Materials in Promoting the Quality of Life for Postmenopausal Women

Introduction: Educational materials are frequently used by health providers to inform postmenopausal women about menopause acceptance behavior. However, little attention has been paid to the readability and suitability of these educational materials. The study aimed to determine the readability and suitability of educational materials in promoting the quality of life for postmenopausal women. Material and methods: Multiple instructional materials and books were used for the design and preparation of educational materials and were then tailored to the target group. Readability was measured by using the readability assessment of materials (RAM); and suitability was determined by the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) that considers characteristics such as content, graphics, layout/topography, and cultural appropriateness. Twenty reviewers, including 10 postmenopausal women, 5 postmenopausal women family members, and 5 health experts scored the educational materials. Results: The mean readability score ±standard deviation (SD) of the educational materials was10 ±1.6 and 8 ±1.4, for the pamphlet and daily activities’ booklets, respectively, which were increased to 14 ±0.6 and, 16 ±1.3, after tailoring the content. The average SAM scores before and after tailoring the content were 45% for the pamphlet, which was increased to 81%; 45% for the daily activities’ booklets, which was increased to 86%. The increase in all scores was significant (p \u3c 0.001). The final tailored educational material was rated “superior media” on the SAM ratings. Conclusions: Given that most of the printed materials are suitable for people with higher education levels, health providers are strongly advised to prepare simple and understandable education materials that may increase the likelihood of consumer perception and recall

The effect of needs assessment-based education on the fathers' attitude about puberty of male adolescents

Abstract Adolescence is the most important stage of every individual, and puberty is one of the most critical phenomena of this period. According to the important role of parents in helping children for safe and healthy transition of this stage, and the first step in educational program is need assessment of target group so, this study aimed to determine effect of need assessment-based education on father's attitude toward puberty health in male adolescents. This study is a quasi-experimental and the field trial. After determining fathers' educational needs by separate descriptive survey, a one-day educational workshop was planned. 30 subjects were randomly selected. Fathers' opinion measured by a researcher-made questionnaire and compared, before and after intervention. The data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS using Chi-square, paired t-test and Wilcoxon. The results indicates that there was a significant difference between total mean score as well as level of knowledge in pre-and post-intervention (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between total mean score of opinion about psychological-behavioral health and physical and sexual health in pre-and post-intervention (P<0.001), but level of opinion have no significant difference in before and after intervention (P=0.4). The results showed that needs assessmentbased educational program can promote the opinion of parents about puberty period in male adolescents. This makes them better able to help their children for healthy transition of this critical period

“Moving from uncertainty toward acceptance”: a grounded theory study on exploring Iranian women's experiences of encountering menopause

Purpose: Menopause as a universal phenomenon is influenced by social norms so that women’s experiences during menopausal transition are related to the social values and cultural symbols. This qualitative study was conducted to discover the Iranian women’s experiences of encountering menopause. Materials and Methods: In this grounded theory study 27 women living in Mashhad and Gonabad, North East of Iran, from May 2013 to July, 2016 were selected using purposive and theoretical sampling. Semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection until data saturation was achieved. Data was analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) recommended method through open, axial and selective coding. MAXQDA 2007 software was used for organizing data and managing the process of analysis. Results: The analysis revealed the core category of “moving from uncertainty toward acceptance”. The interrelated categories subsumed under the core category included challenging aging, observing the symptoms of menopause, responding to the menopausal symptoms, understanding the need for preparation, and assessing the right time to prepare. Conclusion: Moving from uncertainty toward acceptance was identified as the core concept in the Iranian women’s experiences of encountering menopause. Modifying the beliefs of people about menopause and aging as well as increasing their knowledge and information about menopause can help women to experience the menopausal transition with more ease

Relationships between anxiety induced by COVID-19 and perceived social support among Iranian pregnant women

Background The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the time needed to develop a vaccine or definitive treatment for the disease have caused great anxiety in communities, especially in pregnant women whose high levels of distress may have short and/or long-term maternal and fetal consequence. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between anxiety induced by COVID-19 and perceived social support in Iranian pregnant women. Methods This online cross-sectional study was conducted on 801 pregnant women from all over Iran in 2020. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the coronavirus disease anxiety scale. A standard multiple linear regression model was used to identify the association between perceived social support and anxiety, controlling for possible confounding variables. Partial r was used as an estimate of effect size. Results The mean anxiety score was 10.7 ± 8.0, in which its level was moderate in 122 (15.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 12.8–17.9%)) of the participants, and severe in 28 (3.4%; 95% CI: 2.3–5.0%) of them. The mean score of perceived social support was 48.2 ± 7.6. 6.9% (95% CI: 5.2–8.8%) and 93.1% (95% CI: 91.2–94.8%) of the participants reported mild and moderate levels of perceived social support, respectively. The results of the multiple linear model showed a significant negative correlation between perceived social support and anxiety levels in a way that for every 10 units increase in the perceived social support score, the anxiety level of pregnant women was decreased by 0.8 units (B= −0.08, t= −2.08, p = 0.037), which was a small effect size (partial r = −0.07). Conclusion There was a small significant relationship between the perceived social support and COVID-19 anxiety. Further studies are required to identify associated factors of anxiety level during COVID-19 in pregnant women

Educational needs of general practitioness about brucellosis (Khorramabad–Iran)

Background: Brucellosis imposes considerable economical, veterinary and public health devastating effects on society. Considering the high prevalence of brucellosis in Lorestan province in Iran, this study aimed to determine the educational needs of general practitioners about brucellosis in Khorramabad- Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013, Khorramabad- Iran. 140 general practitioners recruited using census sampling method. A researcher made questionnaire of 42 questions having four domains including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow up of brucellosis. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 with Pearson, Chi-square and Mann-withny tests. P value was considered statistically significant ˂ 0.05. Results: The results showed that 28.6% of the general practitioners had educational needs. The highest educational need was in diagnosis domain (78.6%) and the lowest educational need was in prevention area (17.1%). Assessment scores between male and female general practitioners had no statistical significant difference, but physicians, who were working in the village centers, had higher educational needs. Conclusion: Educational needs of general practitioners about brucellosis are moderate. Regarding the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this disease, it is suggested to pay more attention to this issue in continuing medical education

“Adopting self-sacrifice”: how Iranian women cope with the sexual problems during the menopausal transition? An exploratory qualitative study

Objective: In the menopausal transition sexual problems are an important issue and one of the most frequently presented health concerns of women attending menopause clinics. This study aimed to explore the ways of managing sexual dysfunctions during the menopausal transition among Iranian women. Methods: This exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Iran, from May 2013 to April 2015. Twenty-one women in three stages of menopausal transition, aged 42–55 years old, were purposively selected from urban health centers in Mashhad and Gonabad, Iran. Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted for data collection until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were recorded electronically and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis using Granehiem and Lundman (2004) recommended method. MAXQDA 2007 software was used for organizing data and managing the process of analysis. Results: Data analysis demonstrated one overarching theme entitled “Adopting self-sacrifice” consisting of three categories and seven sub-categories. Major categories included: (1) Confronting decline of libido with two subcategories of women’s libido decline and inability to fulfill husbands’ sexual needs, (2) Seeking strategies for coping with two subcategories of looking for experiences of peer menopausal women and choosing how to interact with the husband and (3) Achieving problem solving strategies with three sub-categories of obedience in sexual relationships (Tamkin), employing affection based on religious advice, and giving up own right to reach mutual understanding. Conclusions: The major finding of this study was “Adopting self-sacrifice” in the process of managing sexual dysfunctions during the menopausal transition. The reason for choosing this passive approach by the majority of women has deep roots in their cultural and traditional beliefs

The relationship between functional ovarian cysts and vitamin A, vitamin E, and folate intake

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between functional ovarian cysts and vitamin A, vitamin E, and folate intake. This case-control study evaluated 265 women of reproductive age who presented at gynaecology clinics of three hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. While women in the ovarian cyst group [n = 132] had functional ovarian cysts, control group [n = 133] consisted of women without functional ovarian cysts. The participants’ vitamin A, vitamin E, and folate intake was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results showed that folate intake was significantly higher in the ovarian cyst group [p = .040]. No significant differences in vitamin A and vitamin E intake were observed between the two groups [p = .950 and .230, respectively]. It is concluded that women with functional ovarian cysts had significantly higher folate intake. Vitamin A and vitamin E intake had no significant effects on the incidence of these cysts

Knowledge, Anxiety, and Fear of the Unknown Among Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s knowledge about COVID-19 and their anxiety and fear of the unknown. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020 on Iranian pregnant women visiting comprehensive healthcare centers affiliated with the Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling strategy among pregnant women who agreed to participate, had a Telegram or WhatsApp account or phone number, and had no history of pregnancy complications. A demographic questionnaire, Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory, fearing the unknown questionnaire, and an uncertainty scale was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models using SPSS software, version 16. Results: A total of 190 pregnant women were included in the analysis. The Mean±SD for knowledge of COVID-19 was 8.82±1.72. The knowledge of 71.1% of participants was moderate. The Mean±SD for fearing the unknown was 36.2±9.1. The Mean±SD for the state anxiety about COVID-19 incidence in pregnant women was 47.6±10.2. The results showed that 65.3% of the participants had a moderate level of anxiety. Multiple regression analysis showed an increase of 0.16 (P=0.029) in the fearing the unknown score for each week of increase in the gestational age. Similarly, the anxiety increased by 0.56 (P<0.001) for each unit of increase in fearing the unknown. Moreover, the results showed that the anxiety of people using Telegram or WhatsApp was 3.44 units more than others (P<0.018) Conclusion: The findings showed that the pregnant women’s knowledge was moderate at the time of research. However, with increasing gestational age, fear of the unknown, and sources of knowledge were associated with anxiety. This points to the essentiality of increasing supportive programs and it is required to screen pregnant women to prevent the adverse effects of anxiety

Risk Assessment of Using Entonox for the Relief of Labor Pain: A Healthcare Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Approach

Introduction: In order to prevent medical errors, it is important to know why they occur and to identify their causes. Healthcare failure modes and effects analysis (HFMEA) is a type of qualitative descriptive that is used to evaluate the risk. The aim of this study was to assess the risks of using Entonox for labor pain by HFMEA. Methods: A mixed-methods design (qualitative action research and quantitative cross-sectional research) was used. The modes and effects of failures in the process of using Entonox were detected and analyzed during 2013- 2014 at Hefdahe Shahrivar Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Overall, 52 failure modes were identified, with 25 being recognized as high-risk modes. Results: The results revealed that 48.5% of these errors fall into the care process type, 22.05% belong to the communicative type, 19.1% fall into the administrative type, and 10.2% are of the knowledge and skills type. Strategies were presented in the forms of acceptance (3.2%), control (90.3%), and elimination (6.4%). Conclusion: The following actions are suggested for improving the process of using Entonox: Close supervision by the midwife, precise recording of all the stages of the process in the woman’s medical record, the necessity of the presence of the anesthesiologist at the woman’s bedside during labor, confirming the indications for use of Entonox, and close monitoring to ensure the safety of the gas cylinder guards