Effect of portfolio assessment on student learning in prenatal training for midwives

The tendency to use portfolios for evaluation has been developed with the aim of optimizing the culture of assessment. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of using portfolios as an evaluation method on midwifery students’ learning and satisfaction in prenatal practical training. In this prospective cohort study, all midwifery students in semester four (n=40), were randomly allocated to portfolio and routine evaluation groups. Based on their educational goals, the portfolio groups prepared packages which consisted of a complete report of the history, physical examinations, and methods of patient management (as evaluated by a checklist) for women who visited a prenatal clinic. During the last day of their course, a posttest, clinical exam, and student satisfaction form were completed. The two groups’ mean age, mean pretest scores, and their prerequisite course that they should have taken in the previous semester were similar. The mean difference in the pre and post test scores for the two groups’ knowledge and comprehension levels did not differ significantly (P>0.05). The average scores on questions in Bloom’s taxonomy 2 and 3 of the portfolio group were significantly greater than those of the routine evaluation group (P=0.002, P=0.03, respectively). The mean of the two groups’ clinical exam scores was significantly different. The portfolio group’s mean scores on generating diagnostic and therapeutic solutions and the ability to apply theory in practice were higher than those of the routine group. Overall, students’ satisfaction scores in the two evaluation methods were relatively similar. Portfolio evaluation provides the opportunity for more learning by increasing the student’s participation in the learning process and helping them to apply theory in practice

Domestic violence among Iranian women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Context: Violence against women, or domestic violence, is both a physical and mental health issue that is rampant in many societies. It undermines the personal health of those involved by inflicting physical, sexual, and psychological damage. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the prevalence of domestic violence in Iranian society

Domestic violence and its associated factors in Iran: according to World Health Organization model

Background and Aim: Domestic violence is a global problem that led to many maternal and neonatal complications. Among the factors associated with domestic violence, social determinants of health are the most controversial issues in health policy domain. According to the WHO conceptual framework of Commission on Social Determinants affecting on health this study has been designed to investigate the articles that have been published on its prevalence and related factors in Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study reviews the Iranian articles published in four data bases (PubMed, SID, Iran Medex, Magiran) between 2000-2013, by searching violence, abuse, pregnancy in title, abstract and keywords of the articles. Results: Overall, 38 articles, 5 English and 33 Persian, were selected according to inclusion criteria and assess. 35 articles were descriptive (longitudinal and cross-sectional) and 3 were analytic (cohort and case-control). Prevalence of domestic violence in pregnancy was reported between 19.3% to 94.5%. Among domestic violence related factors, the most prevalent factors in structural determinant were maternal education and in intermediary determinant were material circumstance: housing, psychosocial circumstance: unwanted pregnancy, behavioral factors: partner substance abuse and health system: lack of prenatal care. ‍Conclusion: The prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy in Iran is a matter of concern and can be reduced by identifying high risk groups. Since many social determinants may affect domestic violence, performing etiological investigations is recommended

Effect of portfolio assessment on student learning in prenatal training for midwives

The tendency to use portfolios for evaluation has been developed with the aim of optimizing the culture of assessment. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of using portfolios as an evaluation method on midwifery students' learning and satisfaction in prenatal practical training. In this prospective cohort study, all midwifery students in semester four (n=40), were randomly allocated to portfolio and routine evaluation groups. Based on their educational goals, the portfolio groups prepared packages which consisted of a complete report of the history, physical examinations, and methods of patient management (as evaluated by a checklist) for women who visited a prenatal clinic. During the last day of their course, a posttest, clinical exam, and student satisfaction form were completed. The two groups' mean age, mean pretest scores, and their prerequisite course that they should have taken in the previous semester were similar. The mean difference in the pre and post test scores for the two groups' knowledge and comprehension levels did not differ significantly (P>0.05). The average scores on questions in Bloom's taxonomy 2 and 3 of the portfolio group were significantly greater than those of the routine evaluation group (P=0.002, P=0.03, respectively). The mean of the two groups' clinical exam scores was significantly different. The portfolio group's mean scores on generating diagnostic and therapeutic solutions and the ability to apply theory in practice were higher than those of the routine group. Overall, students' satisfaction scores in the two evaluation methods were relatively similar. Portfolio evaluation provides the opportunity for more learning by increasing the student's participation in the learning process and helping them to apply theory in practice

Daytime Napping and Nighttime Sleep During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in Iran

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted between August 2018 and May 2019. The participants were 150 pregnant women who had been referred to 7 healthcare centers in the city of Qazvin, Iran and met the inclusion criteria. The Petersburg Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 2 questions about daytime sleep status and a demographic questionnaire were administered at 14-18 weeks and 28-32 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, the Fisher exact test, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results: In the present study, poor sleep quality affected 84.7% of the participants at 14-18 weeks and 93.3% at 28-32 weeks of gestation. The final model for preterm birth prediction incorporated age and the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters. Preterm birth increased by 14% with each unit increase in age. With each unit increase in the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters, preterm birth increased by 42% and 28%, respectively, but the p-values of these factors were not significant. Conclusions: Although a significant percentage of pregnant women had poor sleep quality, no significant relationship was found between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth

Correlation between self-esteem and perceived stress in pregnancy and ways to coping with stress

Background and Aim: Stress during pregnancy can have long-term negative consequences on both mother and fetus. Therefore, recognizing the factors that contribute to controlling stress can have a major role in pregnant women’s mental health. The current research was designed to determine the role of self-esteem on the level of stress during pregnancy and the ways to cope with it. Materials and Methods: In this regard, a cross-sectional study was conducted. The city of Tehran was divided into 4 geographic districts including north, south, east and west. A state hospital was elected for each district, and 450 pregnant women (24-32 of gestational week) were randomly chosen from the hospitals. After explaining the purpose of the study and obtaining an informed consent from the qualified pregnant women, they filled out the perceived stress, Rosenberg Self-Esteem and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. The level of significance was considered p<0.05. Results: The age of the 450 participating pregnant women was 28.55 years, 78.9 percent had high school or lower education, and 90 percent were housewives. In this study, self-esteem was 21.918.33 and the perceived stress was 20.094.5, respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between self-esteem and perceived stress. A significant difference was observed between individuals with different levels of self-esteem and the coping styles. ‍Conclusion: It appears that the level of self-esteem of pregnant women is effective on their level of stress and their coping style. By teaching techniques, which increase self-esteem, the level of stress can be decreased in pregnant women

Relationship between Structural and Intermediary Determinants of Health and Preterm Delivery

Abstract Background: Preterm birth is a major health problem that leads to infant morbidity and mortality. The main goal of this study was to find the relationship between social determinants of health and preterm delivery. Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was carried out on 500 pregnant women in their 24th to 28th gestational weeks in 2012. The pregnant women filled out a self-report questionnaire on the structural determinant, perceived stress, and perceived social support. The participants were followed up until labor and the data about mother and the newborn were collected after labor. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 and Lisrel 8.8 software programs using pathway analysis. Results: The final path model fit well (CFI=0.96; RMSEA=0.060). Path analysis showed that among structural factors, income had a direct effect (β=0.06) and the factors of income (β=0.00594), number of children (family size) (β=-0.024), as well as mother&apos;s education (β=-0.0084) had the greatest overall effect on gestational age at birth respectively. Also, the results showed that among intermediate factors of social determinants of health, stress in the direct path (β=-0.12) and among the overall effects, the perceived stress (β=-0.12) and perceived social support (β=0.0396) affected the gestational age at birth. Conclusion: The current study showed that some structural and intermediary determinants such as income and perceived stress had an effect on preterm labor

The association between sexual health literacy and sexual function of women in Iran

BACKGROUND: Considering the importance of sexual health literacy in promoting individual sexual health and ultimately improving family and social health as well as the effect of health literacy on sexual function, this study was designed and conducted to determine the association between sexual health literacy and sexual function among women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 420 women referring to health centers were entered into the study using one-stage cluster sampling method. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, Iranian Adult Sexual Health Literacy Assessment Questionnaire, and the Persian version of the Female Sexual Function Assessment Questionnaire (FSFI). Data were collected and entered into SPSS 22 and logistic regression. RESULTS: The results of the logistic regression test showed that the variable of sexual health literacy was effective on women's sexual function (P = 0.021) so that the chances of having a desirable sexual function in women with excellent were 4.222 times more than women with inadequate health literacy; the variables of employment status, level of education, duration of marital life, and the number of sexual intercourses per recent week were the factors affecting women's sexual function (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study pointed out the existence of an undesirable level of sexual function and a desirable level of sexual health literacy among participating women. Hence, designing and implementing the training plans to promote sexual function among these women is necessary