ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic problem. In some cases, non-medical treatments are considered to be more effective, with fewer side effects. Ginger and exercise are alternative treatments for dysmenorrhea, but in the present study they were not combined.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In this study, the effects of ginger and exercise on primary dysmenorrhea were compared.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>This randomized controlled trial was performed in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Two groups of female students were recruited by simple random allocation. In each group, 61 students with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea with regular menstrual cycles and without a history of regular exercise were assessed. The ginger group received 250 mg ginger capsules from the onset of menstruation. In the exercise group, belly and pelvic stretching exercises were performed for 10 min, 3 times per week.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>Intensity of pain was assessed according to a visual analogue scale after the first and the second month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exercise was significantly more effective than ginger for pain relief (31.57 ± 16.03 vs 38.19 ± 20.47, P = 0.02), severity of dysmenorrhea (63.9% vs 44.3% mild dysmenorrhea, P = 0.02) and decrease in menstrual duration (6.08 ± 1.22 vs 6.67 ± 1.24, P = 0.006), in the second cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stretching exercises, as a safe and low-cost treatment, are more effective than ginger for pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>The trial was registered in www.IRCT.ir with No. 201203118822N2.</p>
ABSTRACT
Special attention has been paid to instructor and preceptor in nursing and midwifery education. This study aims to explore the experiences and Perceptions of midwifery students about implementing Preceptorship Program in delivery setting. The current study is a qualitative research. The focus groups and in-depth interviews were used as data collection tools. Targetful sampling was employed to choose 10 midwifery students from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in order for them to participate in two discussion groups and in-depth interviews. The content analysis method was used for data analysis. 10 categories, 5 themes and 238 codes were conducted. The themes were: the characteristics of a good preceptor, relationship, motivation and self-esteem, the expectations of a preceptor, and preceptorship experience. The study showed that solving communication problems in educational environment, improving student-preceptor interaction, boosting motivation level and self-esteem among midwifery students, and coordinating procedures conduction are among the important principles of teaching and learning in clinical setting. The present study results can convey the essential knowledge to midwifery education planers on this aspect of educational process and benefit from the advantage of peer preceptors via the instructor's supervision
ABSTRACT
To assess whether honey can accelerate the wound healing in women undergoing cesarean section. This was a triple blinded randomized prospective clinical trial. Women with cesarean section were randomly designated as drug [37 cases] and placebo [38 cases] groups. The drug group received local honey gel 25% while the placebo group received similar free-honey gel on abdominal cesarean incision twice a day for 14 days. REEDA scale [Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge and Approximation of wound edges] was used to assess wound healing. The mean REEDA was 2.27 +/- 2.46 and 3.91 +/- 2.74 [p=0.008] on the 7[th] day and 0.47 +/- 0.84 and 1.59 +/- 1.95 [p=0.002] on the 14[th] day for the drug and placebo groups, respectively. Redness, edema and hematoma in the drug group were significantly lower on the 7[th] and 14[th] days. Honey was effective in healing the cesarean section incision. Using topical honey is suggested as a natural product with rare side effects in order to reduce the complications of cesarean wounds
ABSTRACT
Many studies have determined desirable outcomes of elective episiotomy. However, the clinical practice is not based on results in many hospitals. For this reason, the present study assessed the view of practitioners regarding routine episiotomy. This qualitative study was done by content analysis. A through semi-structured interview was done with obstetricians, midwives and midwifery trainers. After gathering information, common points of interviews were coded and stratified. Continuous comparison was done to obtain confidence of internal constancy in coding. For validity and reliability, three members of group coded the interviews independently, followed by defining the final theme. Themes were then returned to participants for confidence of their accuracy. Twenty-four participants were assessed. Factors that influence the usage of routine episiotomy included 5 total concepts. Also, some partial concepts appeared as subcategory of total concepts. They were: 1. delivery agent [personal experience, skill, deficit of agents, fatigue and impatience, low knowledge, ability of communication with mother, and agent's role]; 2. Mother [prevention and decline of injuries, anatomical differences, culture, not cooperating and, diseases]; 3. Fetus [prevention and decline of trauma, conditions]; 4. Legal problems [mother's complaints, remonstrance by seniors]. 5. Method of management [non availibity of advanced technology, non usage of new methods for delivery, Mothers not being prepared]. In a prolonged clinical practice, such as routine episiotomy, change is difficult. As studies recommend the limited use of episiotomy, intervention is necessary for changing practitioners' attitude and practice. Training of delivery agents, students and pregnant women are basic