The First Menstruation Experience among Student Girls

Introduction: Puberty is a beginning of significant developments to adolescents. This event is associated with many changes in different aspects of an individual’s life. One of the changes is menstruation. The first menstruation (or menarche) is a natural phenomenon and an important occurrence in a girl’s life, but sometimes it involves physical disturbances and health challenges that can have negative physical, mental and social effects. The literature indicates a strong relationship between understanding menstruation and cultural backgrounds. This study was carried out to explore the first menstruation experience among student girls. Method: 17 student girls were selected by purposeful sampling from target high schools. For data gathering, semi-structured interviews and the focus group method were used. The data were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis based on Graham and landsman method. Results: The findings of this study showed 5 themes including: inadequate readiness, paradox feeling, numerous problems, support, and subjective and serious event occurrence. Conclusion: The findings of this study gave a clear understanding of the menarche phenomenon in student girls. This understanding can be enriched by future studies and considering the above mentioned themes. These categories and themes can be used in teaching girls, mothers and instructors. Hence, a better understanding of girls’ wishes and concerns in this context is useful and vital.. Keywords: Menarche, Student girls, Qualitative content analysis, Experience

Salient Beliefs Relevant to Oral Contraceptives Among Withdrawal Users for Development of A Belief-Based Questionnaire: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Introduction: The aim of this study was to elicit the salient beliefs relevant to OCs among withdrawal user for development of a belief- based questionnaire. Method: This was a qualitative study. A sample of women attending a health care center in Tehran, Iran was entered into the study. Face-to face interviews were conducted to collect data. Content analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results: In this study determined TPB constructs including indirect attitude (behavioral beliefs, outcome evaluations), indirect subjective norms (normative beliefs, motivation to comply), indirect perceived behavior control and behavioral intention. The attitude scale had 10 items five items on beliefs about the outcome of using OCs and 5 items on evaluation of a given belief. The subjective norms scale included 10 items 5 items on beliefs about the expectation of significant others and 5 items that measured motivation to comply with significant others’ expectations. The perceived behavioral control scale was comprised of 4 items. The present study measured this variable with two items. Conclusion: In this elicitation study we found that belief about Oral contraceptives. It seems that health providers should address beliefs that exist about OC and highlight the noncontraceptive health benefits of OC to balance the information provided for women. Keywords: Theory of Planned Behavior, Oral contraceptives, Withdrawal contraception, Qualitative stud