[Assessment of starch dietary regimen regarding pre-manstrual syndrome among high school students in Sari during 2007]

Pre-menstrual syndrome [PMS] is one of the abnormalities associated with pre-menstrual cycles. Approximately 85% to 97% of women are suffering from psycho-somatic of physiological and behavioral symptoms from PMS, prior to menstruation. The most common PMS symptoms include: flatulence, stress anxiety, breast tenderness, depression, fatigue, unknown irritability, anger, poor concentration, and some degree in extremities edema. There are several therapeutic methods for PMS such as: oral contraceptive pills, GnRH antagonisms, diazole, use of Calcium and vitamin supplements, and dietary modification in which there is a controversy regarding type of diet. We assessed the effect of third- hour starch dietary regimen on pre-menstrual syndrome among high school students. This randomized quasi- experimental study was performed on students in grade 2 and 3 in Private and Governmental high schools in Sari. The sample size was calculated using randomize numbers table [478 participants]. A questionnaire composed of two parts was prepared. The first part included demographic characteristics, while the second part consisted of data related to history of menstrual cycle, pervious diseases and use of drugs. The symptoms of PMS were assessed at the beginning of the study and also at the end of the first, second and third month after beginning of the third-hours starch regimen. Data was gathered by self-reporting technique, analyzed by descriptive and comprehensive statistical techniques. The age range of participants was 14 to 19 years of age [16.89 +/- 1.12]. The mean of menstrual cycle was 28.87 +/- 2.1 days, and the mean of menstrual duration was 6.32 +/- 1.8. PMS symptoms score was 12.85 +/- 8.01 prior to dietary regimen, and at the end of one, two and three months, following dietary regimen in-take were 11.03 +/- 7.59, 12.47 +/- 7.79 and 11.13 +/- 6.71 respectively. This study indicated that there were significant differences among the groups. The results of this study revealed that carbohydrate-rich diet in-take can improve PMS symptoms. Therefore, it appears that codified teaching programs via medical health service and instruction to the students, is beneficial about the effects of diet on relieving PMS symptoms, and can reduce the usage of drugs during menstrual cycle

Role of Anxiety during pregnancy in pretem delivery

Preterm delivery has considerable social, economical and mental effects on neonate and related family. Factors predisposing to, and preventing preterm delivery are still not clearly recognized. However some studies have shown psychological factors to play some role. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of anxiety in inducing preterm delivery. In this cohort study conducted in sari [1384-85] a consecutive series of 282 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies reffered for routine prenatal care were included. Anxiety was assessed using self-administered Spielberger's state-trait anxiety questionnaire. The 75th percentile was used for anxiety scores. Mean score of state and trait anxiety of cases was 38.5 9.9 [20-74] and 41.2 9.2 [20-77] respectively. There was a meaningful statistical relationship between state anxiety and preterm delivery [P=0.02, RR=2.71] and trait anxiety and preterm delivery [P=0.009, RR= 1.59]. Further studies incorporating multiple psychosocial domains, gaining information about women's social environment, life circumstances and possible biologic pathways through which anxiety and stress operates may reinforce our understanding of the role of stress in pregnancy

[Survey of health beliefs of women about performing mammography in the health service centers of Sari]

Breast cancer is one of the most important non contagious disease with high incidence and mortality in females. It is the most commonly reported cancer and consists 18.9% of all reported cancer cases. Screening is a very important method for early diagnosis of breast cancer. Considering the important role of beliefs in performing as the most effective available method in diagnosis, this study was designed and done about the health beliefs of women towards mammography. This descriptive study was performed on 400 randomly selected women above 40 years of age referring to the health service centers in Sari. Their health beliefs about mammography was assessed by a questionnaire using Champion method. The obtained data were analyzed by inferential and descriptive statistical methods. Majority of the women [69.5%] did not practice mammography until the time of this study but 13.9% of their first family members did it. About 55.8% of them accepted that mammography insures individuals of their breast health. About 41.6% of them believed that early diagnosis of breast cancer prevents mastectomy. The most common obstacle of mammography was the concept that lack of any mass observation in breast self examination rejects requirement for mammography. About 34.5% of the patients, agreed that breast cancer affects their job activity and 34.7% agreed that breast cancer may lead to masteatomy. Statistical analysis did not reveal any relation between the occupation of the women and their beliefs about benefit of mammography and their vulnerability to breast cancer and its severity. Statistically significant relationship was observed between the education and the concepts of the women about the benefit and barrier of mammography [p<0.05]. Despite positive concept, about mammography, it is not routinely performed in the society. Hence, it is recommended to encourage women to take advantage of this method for breast cancer screening and also the procedure should be free of charge for women above 40 years of age attending heath cancers

[Umbilical venous administration of different dosages of saline on the length of the third stage of labor]

Since bleeding due to prolongation of the third stage of labor is one of the most common causes of mortality in the developing countries, we decided to conduct a comparative study on the effects of normal saline injection into umbilical vein on the shortening of the third stage of labor. This study was an experimental scientific research in order to compare the effects of different dosages of intraumblical venous injection of normal saline on the third stage of labor in women who admitted to lmam hospital in Sari. A total of 120 matched pregnant women who had normal delivery without any complications were divided into three equal groups of 40 subjects in each. Twenty and 30 ml normal saline was administered to groups 1 and 2, and the third group was considered as control. In control group the third stage of labor was accomplished without any intervention. This research showed that the injection of 20 or 30 ml normal saline intravenously into the umbilical cord shortened the duration of labor. Also the length of the third stage of labor with the injection of 30 ml normal saline was shorter than that in 20 ml normal saline group but this difference was not statistically significant. The results of our study suggest a clinically important beneficial effect of intraumblical normal saline injection in the treatment of retained placenta