[Evaluation of body composition, physiological indices and motor-physical fitness of Emam Ali university cadets]

The aim of current study was the Evaluation of body composition, physiological indices and Motor-physical fitness of the first grade and last grade cadets of Emam Ali University. In this study 150 subjects with mean age of [18.5 +/- 0.5 and 23.1 +/- 0.31 years old] and weight of [65 +/- 7.05 and 67.4 =/- 8.13 kg] and mean height of [174.4 +/- 5.38 and 174.1 +/- 5.68] cm] were selected randomly and were assessed within two groups of first grade cadets [n=75] and last grade cadets [n=75]. First collected data were compared within first and last grade cadets, and then compared with USA military norms. For data analysis Independent Samples T Test was used [alpha =0.05]. Findings showed that there is a significant difference [P>0.05] between Motor-physical fitness indices of Emam Ali first and last grade cadets [except flexibility, balance and anaerobic power with lactic acid [P>0.05]. In comparison with USA military officers, norm, Iranians especially last grade cadets in elements of flexibility, coordination, balance and anaerobic power were respectively in good, intermediate, excellent and under intermediate levels. Also in the cardio vascular and muscular endurance achieved higher scores than norm. There aren't significant differences in body composition indices between first and last grade cadet [P<0.05]. About body fat percent indices, in comparison with American officers, Iranian cadets were in the lower level than normal level. In addition, physiological indices of first and last grade cadets were significantly different [P<0.05]. It is concluded that in the most of physical-motor fitness and body composition indices, final grade cadets are in more appropriate level than first grade cadets and norm. it can be as a result of effective training programs used in Emam Ali University

effect of mother - infant skin to skin contact on mother's attachment

Human being's mental health depends on the quality of personal communications. The first experience of this communication starts with mother infant interaction and increases mother's attachment to their infants. Since mother infant skin to skin contact is one of the methods to increase attachment, This study was conducted to investigate mother - infant skin to skin contact on mother's attachment. In this randomized control trial 79 cesarean-sectioned women were allocated. The first selection hospitals for groups assignment [40 women in case and 39 in control group] was random. The place of two groups changed during five days. Experimental group received skin to skin contact, 20-30 minutes daily. Mother's attachment tool was used to define attachment and anxiety regarding children. Mother's attachment was investigated on the first, third and tenth days post cesarean section. The data were analysed by t-student pairedt and regression tests. The findings showed a significant difference between mother's attachment on the third and tenth days in both groups. The findings also showed that there was a significant difference between mother's attachment in both groups on the first tenth and first-third days post cesarean-section. Regression test showed that only mother-infant skin to skin contact and mother's attachment on the first day affected mother's attachment on the third day. According to the findings, mother - infant skin to skin contact is an efficient method to increase mothers attachment and to lower their anxiety regarding children. Mother - infant skin to skin contact is suggested as a way to reach maternal health

Assessment the several types of pain in the first stage of labor: the effect of mother's selected positions

Attention to labor pain and its sedation are important parts of maternity care. Mother positioning seems to be effective in pain intensity and positions that women choose in order to become more comfortable are often those that tend to promote the baby's progress through the birth canal. Women often describe less pain when the fetus and pelvis are better aligned. This study investigated the effects of mother's selected positions on the intensity of several types of pain in the first stage of labor. This is a clinical trial on 68 pregnant women with singleton fetus in vertex presentation, 38-42 weeks gestational age and normal labor progress at Zeinab hospital in Mashad in 2004-5. They were randomly allocated to selective positions group and routine positions group. Mothers in selective positions group changed position as they wished while mothers in routine positions group were cared in bed. Pain intensity of low back and abdomen were measured hourly by visual analog scale. Data were gathered by using forms of interview and observation, and visual analog scale and analyzed in SPSS using Student t-test, Chi-square, Mann-whitney and Fisher's exact test. Scores of total pain [average of low back pain and abdominal pain] arid low back pain were significantly lower for the selective positions group than those for the routine positions group [p=0.007 and p<0.001 respectively]. Score of abdominal pain was the same in both groups. In accordance with time and location, the mean score of low back pain between contractions was significantly lower for the selective positions group than that for the routine positions group [p<0.001]. This study showed that in the active phase of the first stage of labor, mother's selective positions reduce intensity of low back pain between contractions. Therefore using alternative positions are simple and cost effective methods that reduce labor pain

Prevalence and outcome of the macrosomic infants

The birth weight is one of the important factors affecting the perinatal morbidity and mortality. Fetal macrosomia is associated with increased risks of cesarean section and trauma. To determine prevalence and outcome of the macrosomic infants, this case-control, prospective study is performed in the two university hospitals in Tehran during a 36- month period between 2002 through 2004. 1000 neonates with birth weight of at least 4000g [<90[th] centile] constituted the case group. Another 2000 Cases amongst the newborns delivered in the same period between 2500 and 3999g [10[th]-90[th] centile] formed the control group. A total of 17236 deliveries occurred during the study period. The prevalence of macrosomic deliveries was 5.8 and prevalence of the deliveries [>4500g or heavier] was 0.84%. The mean birth weight of study group was 4254 +/- 215 and 3245 +/- 310g of control group [P<0.001].While the cesarean section rate was 35.2% for study group and it was 18.5% for the control group [P<0.001] in the study group. 16 cases of clavicular fracture [1.6%], 13 cases of brachial plexus palsy [1.3%], [P<0.00l]. No perinatal mortality was recorded in two groups. There were 12 cases [1.2%] of asphyxia related to delivery in the study group [P<0.01]. The rate of maternal complication, were significantly higher in the study group [p<0.01]. The macrosomic infants are in increased risk for birth trauma and asphyxia. The risk of birth trauma for the infants weighing 4500g or more is even greater. The majority of factors which lead to the delivery of macrosomic infants are preventable

effect of mother's selected positions on the duration of the active phase of the first stage in labor

Background and Purpose: Left to their own choice, parturients will usually select positions they find most comfortable and will frequently change their positions over the course of labor. Maternal changing the positions will adjust fetus alignment to pass through the birth canal. Therefore, maternal positioning choice will include those positions with maximum comfort and those which improve the descent of the fetus through birth canal and make the labor process progress normally. This study is therefore intended to study the effect of mother's selected positions on the duration of the active phase of the first stage of labor

Methods and materials: This clinical trial was carried out in 1383-84 [2004-5] at the labor ward of the Hazrate Zeinab [S] hospital in Mashad, Iran. Subjects were 68 low risk pregnant women with gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks, who were randomly assigned into two groups: cases [selective positioning] and controls [routine positioning]. In the selective positioning group, mothers changed their positions at wish while mothers in the routine positioning group were given bedside care. Observation and interview checklists were used for data collection, and Student t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis in SPSS

Results: Mean duration of the active phase of the first stage of the labor was significantly lower for the selective positioning group [p= 0.002]. Mean +/- standard deviation were 156.75 +/- 66.48 and 207.25 +/- 61.04 minutes for the selective and routine positioning groups respectively

Conclusion: The study indicated that the duration of the active phase of the first stage of the labor was lower in the selective positioning group. Therefore, selective positioning can be advised for parturients to decrease the duration of staying mothers in maternity wards

relationship between maternal count of the fetal movements and non-stress test in the evaluation of fetal well-being in high risk mothers

Background and purpose: Fetal movement count and non-stress test are simple and non-invasive techniques used as first steps in the assessment of the fetal well-being. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between maternal count of fetal movements and non-stress test

Methods and materials: This descriptive correlational study was carried out at the Gynecology and Obstetrics ward of the Imamreza Hospital in Mashad, Iran. The sample included 410 non-stress test and fetal movement counts [205 tests from each group] from 101 high risk mothers in their third trimester. Mothers recorded the fetal movements 30 minutes after breakfast. Active fetus was supposed to have at least 10 movements in 12 hours; otherwise, it was assumed to be inactive. Non-stress test was done at 9:00 pm every night. Biophysical profile was taken whenever the fetus came out to be inactive or non-reactive by either test; then, the results of either test were compared with biophysical profile

Results: In 86.3% of the recordings, the fetuses were active. Nonstress tests were reactive in 78% and non-reactive in 19%. Reactive non-stress tests were observed in 88% of the active and 114.3% of the inactive fetuses. 85.7% of the inactive fetuses had non-reactive non-stress tests [p=0.0001]. A significant relationship was found to exist between the results of maternal count of fetal movements and non-stress test [p=0.0001]. Also, a significant relationship existed between the time required to feel 10 movements and non-stress test [p=0.0005]. The sensitivity, specificity and the negative predictive value of the test of fetal movements count were 15%, 85% and 93% respectively; corresponding figures for the non-stress test were 93%, 76% and 98% respectively

Conclusion: In many cases where maternal report was inactive fetus, the result of the non-stress test was reactive. However, the test of fetal movements count is of acceptable specificity and negative predictive value

[Comparison of lactobacillus acidophilous and clotrimazole vaginal suppositories in the treatment of vaginal candida infections]

To compare the success rate of lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories with clotrimazole vaginal suppositories in the treatment of women with vaginal candidal infections, who were referred to selected health and treatment centers in Mashhad in 1998, this double blind prospective research was carried out in the Virology Department of Ghaem Hospital and hygiene treatment clinics of Mashhad. Seventy female patients suffering from the symptoms of candidal vaginal infections and positive culture results were randomly placed in two equal groups---lactobacillus and clotrimazole. We gave 14 lg vaginal suppositories containing 10[9] live lactobacillus to each patient in the lactobacillus group to be used twice daily for 7 days. The clotrimazole group was given six 100 mg suppositories to be used in 6 nights. The results of this study show that the rate of successful treatment, which includes negative culture after treatment with lack of disease symptoms, in the clotrimazole group was 62.9% [n=22]; and the lactobacillus acidophilous group was 85.7% [n=30]. Treatment failura, positive culture and remaining disease symptoms was 37.1% [n=13] for the clotrimazole group and 14.3% [n=5] for the lactobacillus acidophilus group. Success was meaningful in the investigated groups [p<0.05]. Data gathered in the candida study included symptoms [itching, vaginal swelling , vulva swelling, burning, and dyspareunia]; the patient's main complaint, onset of symptoms, vaginal discharge cultre results before and after treatment, history of previous vaginal infections other than candida, health notes , and intercourse during treatment time with or without use of condoms were recorded