Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the sexual and reproductive health needs assessment questionnaire

No tools to assess women's general sexual and reproductive health needs have been validated in the Iranian context. This study in Sari in Mazandaran province of the Islamic Republic of Iran was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs Assessment Questionnaire [first developed for the International Organization for Migration and United Nations Population Fund]. The Persian version of the questionnaire was found to have adequate face and content validity [quantitative and qualitative] for assessing sexual and reproductive health needs among women [content validity index = 0.88]. The test-retest reliability showed that, except for the domain of sexually transmitted infections, all domains of the questionnaire had an acceptable reliability [intra-class correlation coefficients > 0.5]. This questionnaire is a valid tool for assessing the sexual and reproductive health needs of Iranian women and planning/designing strategies to meet them

[ frequency of episiotomy and its related factors]

Despite routine episiotomy is questioned in specialized midwifery books for more than a decade, this method is still routinely performed in Iran. In addition to increasing health care costs it will increase the workload of nursing and midwifery. This study was done with the aim of determining the frequency of episiotomy and its related factors in a labor ward in Sari city. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample [n=915], women referred to Labor ward of Emam Khomeini hospital of Sari city in Iran were recruited by census during 2007. Data was collected using an information sheet including three parts of demographic characteristics of women, obstetrical characteristics and probable related factors of episiotomy, and the type of delivery [with or without episiotomy]. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, X[2] and Mantel-Haenszel tests using SPSS-PC [v.16]. Episiotomy was performed in 812 cases [88.7%]. There was a significant relationship between episiotomy and maternal age [P=0.023], Parity [P=0.01], the first minute APGAR score [P=0.003], fifth minute APGAR score [P=0.000], and birth weight [P=0.000]. There was no relationship between prolonged second stage, use of forceps and vacuum, neonatal head circumference, maternal literacy and residency. Regarding the routine use of episiotomy in some labor wards, and in order to physiologic management of labor and creating a good experience for mothers, it is suggested that episiotomy only be performed on the basis of indication. It will also reduce mortality, complications, and the health care costs and also nurses' and midwives' workload

[ effects of testosterone and gonadectomy conditions on nociception and their effect on morphine-induced analgesia in male mice, using the formalin test]

There are too many disagreements about the effects of gender and sex hormones on the behavioral responses to noxious stimuli and morphine analgesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the different effects of testosterone and gonadectomy conditions on pain and morphine-induced analgesia, using the formalin test. The present study was conducted at Razi University, in Kermanshah. Sixty three male NMRI mice were divided into nine groups [n=7]. The effects of gonadectomy and testosterone on responses to noxious stimuli were evaluated in five groups [G1 to G5]. The effects of these factors on morphine-induced analgesia were investigated in other groups [G6 to G9]. According to grouping, each group received normal saline, testosterone, testosterone solvent or morphine and some groups were also gonadectomized and separately received these agents. Finally, the formalin test was taken from all groups. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The results showed that the response to the painful stimuli had no significant difference in 5 minutes [acute pain] in all groups. Testosterone increased the response to the noxious stimuli in sub acute pain [10-30 minutes] and chronic phase [15-60 minutes] stages. This increase was significant in the group receiving testosterone compared with the gonadectomized group in both stages. In the presence of morphine, there were no significant differences in response to painful stimulus in 5 minutes [acute pain] in all groups. But testosterone in the presence of morphine caused an increased in pain score in sub acute pain [10-30 minutes] and chronic phase [15-60 minutes] stages. Testosterone increased the response to the painful stimuli in sub acute and chronic pain stages. Testosterone also reduced morphine-induced analgesia in peripheral and chronic pain stages in mice

[Neonatal survival rate and its related causes in NICU of private and governmental hospitals in Sari by survival analysis technique during 2005-2007]

Many children younger than 1 year old [about 4/000/000] are dying annually around the world, that three quarters of this mortality is related to neonatal period [4 weeks after birth]. Several factors such as environmental conditions, social and genetic factors are causes of decreasing neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the neonatal survival rate and its related causes in NICU of private and governmental hospitals in Sari. This survival analysis was a descriptive study of 500 neonates who were admitted into NICU of private and governmental hospitals [Booali Sina, Nimeyeh Shaban, Amir-Mazandarani, and Shafa Hospitals] in Sari during 2005 to 2007. Data was gathered by using Self-making Informational Form [validity and availability was confirmed by content validity and alpha- kronbach]. Information were obtained by interview with mothers, study of patient's chart, observation of the neonates, or phone interviews, after being discharged from the hospital. Statistical analysis of data was done by using Kaplan-Mayer survival analysis technique, and survival tables. Furthermore, risk factors were determined by logistic regression. Three-hundred twenty six neonates [65.2%] were the first rank of birth. Sixty-three mothers [12.6%] experienced previous neonatal mortality. 217 of mothers [43.4%] were illiterate and 85 [17%] had diplomas or higher education. 119 neonates [23.85] died within 28 days of life. There was a relationship between higher education level of mothers, polyhydraminous [over production of amniotic fluid according to sonography report], and delivery method, neonatal weight at birth, congenital anomalies, and neonatal survival rate. Eighty-seven expired neonates [73.1%] had birth weight lower than 2500gr, and 21 [16.8%] had gestational age lower than 36 weeks. The survival rate was higher among neonates within 21 and 22 days of life. The mortality rate among neonates with 2 to 3 days of life was higher than the other age group. We have not achieved adequate success in comparison with other developed countries in the improvement of neonatal survival rate during low gestational age. On the other hand, the physical and cognitive abilities of neonates were not evaluated in this study. We recommend further studies with more samples for assessment regarding survival rate of the neonates without disability

[MR vaccination in pregnancy and its subsequent complications]

MR vaccination is prohibited among pregnant women, therefore pregnancy is recommended three months after vaccination. On the other hand, pregnant women acquiring these diseases face unwanted complications. We tried to determine the frequency of congenital disorders in the newborns of the vaccinated pregnant women under 25 years in Mazandaran province. This historical cohort study was done by consent method on 1031 cases throughout Mazandaran province. 406 cases out of the population were vaccinated without prior information about their pregnancy. The data were collected by questionnaires through referring to their healthcare files and telephone contacts just to make sure about their vaccination conditions. The data obtained from these cases along with the data from 493 pregnant women who were not vaccinated during the years 2002-2003 were statistically analyzed. Pregnancy complications were observed in 58 [6.5%] subjects; 24 [41.38%] in the control group and 34 [58.62%] in the case group. The rate of complications in the subjects under the study was as follows: premature delivery in 27 [46.57%] subjects; 8 [29.62%] in the control group and 19 [70.38%] in the case group; weight under 2500 gram at birth in 19 [32.75%] subjects; 12 [63.16%] in the control group and 7 [36.84%] in the case group; still birth in 6 [10.34%] subjects 1 [16.67%] in the control group and 5 [83.33%] in the case group; abortion in 6 subjects [10.34%]; 2 [23.33%] in the control group and 4 in [66.67%] in the case group. Only one person in the control group had intra uterine growth retardation. No significant pregnancy complication difference was observed between the case and the control groups in this study [P>0.05] Results of this study and the related researches indicate that though MR vaccination during pregnancy is safe, the randomly performed vaccination of pregnant women, should be advised and the followed up for the probable unwanted complications

[Study of infertile husbands' and wives' point of view to infertility and marital adjustment in patients refering to Royan infertility center of Tehran in 2005]

The rate of infertility is estimated 12-21% in Iranian couples. Cooperation of couples is needed for treatment. One potential risk factor for the development of marital problems is difference between partners in their approach to infertility. The aim of this study was to know the infertile couples' approach to infertility and marital adjustment. In this cross sectional study, 160 infertile couples reffering to Royan infertility center of Tehran were enrroled. The data concerning the infertility approach and marital adjustment were recorded in, Copper Smith self esteem and Dyadic adjustment scale [DAS] questionaire. SPSS soft ware was used for the ststistical analysis of the data. Findings showed that having children was very important to both husbands and wives and both involved in and wanted to talk about trying to have a baby. There was no difference between self esteem and marital adjustment in men and women. There was ststistically significant difference between approach to infertility and marital adjustment in both husbands and wives. Husbands' and wives' approach to infertility and marital adjustment can be used by psychologists in evaluation of infertile couples. Increase of couple interest and involvement in infertility treatment may lead to positive change in couples communication about infertility and to a more positive effect of infertility on the marriage