Effect of acupressure by sea-bands on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

To determine the effect of continuous acupressure at P6.applied by Sea-Bands with acupressure buttons on the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy during the 8-20 weeks. A two-group quasi-experimental posttest-only and posttest-repeated measure in seventeen medical clinics or offices in southern Tehran was carried out. A convenience sample of Persian-speaking; healthily pregnant women in their 8-20 weeks of pregnancy; who had at least one episode of nausea, vomiting, or both before their prenatal clinic/ office visit where they were recruited. The women were randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups. Treatment group [1] applied Sea-Bands with acupressure buttons to both wrists for 4 days and removed the Sea-Bands for 3 subsequent days. Placebo group [2] applied the Sea-Bands with out acupressure buttons to both wrists on the same time schedule as group 1. Self-reported daily diaries of the number of times per day that participants experienced nausea, the severity of nausea, the number of vomiting episodes per day, and the severity of vomiting were recorded. Mann-Whitney U test revealed that the treatment group had significantly less frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy while wearing the Sea-Bands than did the placebo group. The treatment group also had significantly less frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy while wearing the Sea-Bands than when not wearing the Sea-Bands. Sea-Bands with acupressure buttons are a noninvasive, inexpensive, safe, and effective treatment for the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

[ association between hyperemesis gravidarum [HG] and helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] infection]

HG is a severe form of expectancy nausea and vomiting, occurring in 0/5 to 2% of the expectancies. The etiology of HG is unknown, though hormonal stimuli, and psychologic predisposition are attributable to the condition. Recent studies suggest a relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. Forty pregnant women with HG [Treatment group] and forty asymptomatic pregnant women [control group] were assigned into the research from April to August 2006. Specific serum immunoglobulin G [IgG] for H.pylori was assayed by ELISA. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, Chi-Square and T-test. Out of 40 pregnant women with HG 25 individuals [62/5%] were found to have serologically positive H.pylori, whereas in asymptomatic pregnant women 19 [47.5%] individuals were positive, which shows no significant difference between H.Pylori infection with HG [P=0.178]. No significant difference was observed between positive H.pylori and the number of pregnancy, body mass index [BMI], and duration of hospital stay. Since HG has a multifactorial etiology and with regard to high prevalenve of H pylori in our country, research studies with higher sample sizes and utilization of more sensitive diagnostic methods for the detection of active H pylori is recommended

[Comparing the effects of educational methods of group discussion and lecture on attitude and practice of health communicators on milk and its products in health centers of Ray city]

Educational methods such as group discussion and lecture may have different effects for various groups of people in every society. The focus of this study is to evaluate this effect on attitude and practice of health communicators on milk and its products. In this research 180 communicators were randomly placed in 3 separate groups of control, lecture, and group discussion. Relevant information was gathered through questionnaires on demographic specifications, attitude evaluation and practice. Prior to educational intervention the questionnaires were completed by all groups. The educational intervention as to lecture or group discussion was carried out for 45 minutes and the questionnaires were completed once more after the program. After one month, questionnaires of attitude and practice were completed by three groups again and the data was analyzed by t-test and one-sided variation analysis. The evaluation revealed the positive effect of educational intervention on attitude of the two groups, compared with the control group [P=0.002]. But there was no difference between group discussion and lecture group [P>0.05]. The results indicate a significant change in using group discussion on practice [P<0.05], but no significant effect on lecture