ABSTRACT
Objectives: Midwives have a crucial role in providing optimal care for pregnant women.One of the most important policies for quality improvement in maternity care is implementation ofevidence-based practice. However, the application of evidence-based practice within the maternityhealth care setting faces many challenges. The purpose of this study was to describe Iranianmidwives’ attitude and perceived barriers of evidence based practice in maternity care.Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a census sample of 76 midwives fromtwo public hospitals and urban health centers in Torbat Heydariyeh, a city east of Iran weresurveyed. Data collection tools were two reliable and valid questionnaires that measure midwives'attitudes and barriers of implementation of evidence-based practice. Data were analysed usingSPSS version 16.Results: The mean age and years of experience were 29.30 ± 4.86 and 5.22 ± 4.21 years,respectively. The mean score of attitude was 40.85 ± 4.84 (range = 30–60). This study also foundtime constraints (2.70 ± 0.92), inadequate facilities (2.64 ± 0.72), non-compilation of literaturein one place (2.59 ± 0.92), lack of cooperation of physicians (2.48 ± 1.06) and the feeling ofinadequate authority (2.45 ± 0.88) as the top five barriers to implementing EBP.Conclusion: Survey participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward EBP.Organisational comprehensive strategies such as time efficiency, adequate material and humanresources, familiarity with organisations such as the Cochrane Collaboration and managerialsupport for increasing professional legitimate authority are recommended to promote the use ofEvidence-Based Practice in Iran.
ABSTRACT
Background: Fertility intention is one of the strongest predictors of couple's fertility behavior that is affected by many variables. This study aimed to identify the relationship of socio-demographic factors, fertility behavior, and child's perceived value with fertility intention of women in a region in the east Iran
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 241 married women aged between 15 and 49 years of Torbat Heydariyeh City in 2015, were studied. The data collection scales included a demographic information form, fertility information questionnaire and Trommsdorff's child value questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 by Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, t-independent test and logistic regression. The significance level of P<0.05 was considered
Results: Most of the subjects [52.7%] had no fertility intention. Independent-samples test and Kruskal-Wallis revealed significant differences in fertility intention with the subject's age, mate's age, number of children and costs of children [P=0.001]. In addition, in subjects with children of both sexes, intention for childbearing was significantly lower when compared to subjects with only one sex in children [P=0.001]. However, when the logistic regression test was performed, being housewife, number of children, having children of both sexes, benefit and costs of children showed statistical significance [P<0.05]
Conclusion: The results indicate that being housewife, number of current children, having children of both sexes, and perceived childbearing costs are important in determining the odds that a woman will intend to have a child. These findings can contribute to the realization of new population programs towards higher fertility rate in the country
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The successful implementation of evidence-based practice [EBP] can lead to appropriate and effective midwifery care during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postnatal period. However, levels of knowledge and confidence in one's ability to apply EBP are related to its effective implementation. This study aimed to investigate levels of knowledge, practice of and self-efficacy towards the use of EBP among midwives in East Iran
Methods: This cross-sectional study took place between January and February 2016 and involved 98 midwives employed at two hospitals and all four urban health care centres in Torbat-e Heydariyeh, Iran. Two subscales of the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire were used to assess participants' knowledge and practice of EBP, respectively, while a modified version of a previously described scale was used to determine self-efficacy
Results: A total of 76 midwives participated in the study [response rate: 77.6%]. Mean knowledge, practice and self-efficacy scores were 4.48 +/- 0.94, 3.53 +/- 0.68 and 2.80 +/- 0.81, respectively. Significant relationships were found between mean self-efficacy, practice and knowledge scores and proficiency in English language [P = 0.001 each] and statistical methods [P <0.050 each]. Additionally, significant relationships were found between knowledge and practice of EBP and proficiency in the use of databases [P <0.050 each]. Knowledge and self-efficacy scores were significantly correlated with practice [P = 0.001 each]
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate a need for improvement in the self-efficacy, practice and knowledge of EBP among midwives in East Iran. Interventions that promote these factors may help increase the use of EBP in this population
ABSTRACT
Background: Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods [LAPMs] are the most effective approaches to reduce fertility. The study of factors associated with the use of LAPMs is one of the key steps in finding the population involved in reduced fertility
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting the use of LAPMs among married women of reproductive age in Torbat Heydariyeh city, East of Iran
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 304 married women aged 15 - 49 years in Torbat Heydarieh in 2016. Data were collected using demographic and fertility questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS 13 by descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis
Results: The current overall prevalence of using LAPMs was 21.4%. The multivariate analysis showed that utilization of LAMPs was less frequent among the participants with diploma [AOR = 0.357, 95% CI = 0.156 - 0.817] and academic education [AOR = 0.418, 95% CI = 0.174 - 1.003] compared to women who had primary and secondary education. However, the utilization of LAPMs was more frequent in those with high income level [AOR = 8.364, 95% CI = 3.994-17.511] and those with higher number of living children [AOR = 2.247, 95% CI = 1.585-3.187]
Conclusions: The persistent use of LAPMs is largely determined by education and income level and the number of surviving children. Reproductive health programmers can consider this group of women for interventions aiming at improving the fertility rate
ABSTRACT
Background: evidence indicates that sexual assertiveness is one of the important factors affecting sexual satisfaction. According to some studies, traditional gender norms conflict with women's capability in expressing sexual desires. This study examined the relationship between gender roles and sexual assertiveness in married women in Mashhad, Iran
Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 women who referred to Mashhad health centers through convenient sampling in 2014-15. Data were collected using Bem Sex Role Inventory [BSRI] and Hulbert index of sexual assertiveness. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 by Pearson and Spearman's correlation tests and linear Regression Analysis
Results: the mean scores of sexual assertiveness was 54.93+/-13.20. According to the findings, there was non-significant correlation between Femininity and masculinity score with sexual assertiveness [P=0.069 and P=0.080 respectively]. Linear regression analysis indicated that among the predictor variables, only Sexual function satisfaction was identified as the sexual assertiveness summary predictor variables [P=0.001]
Conclusion: based on the results, sexual assertiveness in married women does not comply with gender role, but it is related to Sexual function satisfaction. So, counseling psychologists need to consider this variable when designing intervention programs for modifying sexual assertiveness and find other variables that affect sexual assertiveness
ABSTRACT
Many parents do not believe in their ability to fulfill their parental responsibilities. Parental self-efficacy is crucial to parents' sense of well-being and is considered a predictor for quality of life. However, evidence is scarce on the factors that influence parents' perception of efficacy. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the predictors for parental self-efficacy in the early postpartum period. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 150 primiparous women referring to the health care centers of Mashhad during their early postpartum months. For data collection, we used demographic questionnaires, Bates' Infant Characteristics Questionnaire [ICQ], Scale of Perceived Social Support, Reece's parent expectations survey [PES], and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS]. For data analysis, independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression were performed, using SPSS version 16. In this study, a significant association was observed between self-efficacy scores and the parents' income, educational status, depression, and infant's gender. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between self-efficacy scores and infant's characteristics, mother's satisfaction with childbirth experience, perceived support from friends, infant's perceived temperament, infant's gender, mother's educational level, and depression, which could predict 26.1% of parental self-efficacy. According to the results of this study, the most significant predictors of maternal self-efficacy during the early postpartum months were maternal depression and educational status, infant's gender, and infant's characteristics