Effects of web-based training and educational simulation on midwifery students' self-confidence in postpartum hemorrhage management

Self-confidence, as one of the key elements of clinical competence, plays an important role in one's actions and behaviours. Selection of proper instructional methods influences students' self-confidence. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of web-based training and educational simulation on midwifery students' self-confidence in postpartum hemorrhage management. This experimental study was conducted on 44 midwifery students of Mashhad School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad, Iran, in 2013. The subjects were selected via convenience sampling. The web-based group was trained at the clinical skill laboratory of School of Nursing and Midwifery; both groups were taught the same educational content. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, visual analogue scale to evaluate students' self-assessment of their ability to manage postpartum hemorrhage and C-scale to measure students' self-confidence Descriptive analysis, independent t-test, paired t-test, and two-way ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 11.5. Both groups showed a significant increase in self-confidence in postpartum hemorrhage management one month after the training [P=0.003 and P=0.030 in web-based and simulation groups, respectively]. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of self-confidence in postpartum hemorrhage management. Since the two groups showed no significance difference in self-confidence, web-based education, which is a more accessible method, could be applied as an alternative to the conventional method of simulation

Effect of jogging program on midwives' physical fitness: a randomized, controlled trial

Physical fitness is essential for maintaining optimal health and can be achieved and improved by doing physical activities. Maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max] has been used as a measure of physical fitness. This study aimed to determine the effect of jogging program on midwives' physical fitness. In this randomized controlled trial two large healthcare centers in Mashhad were randomly selected and each center assigned to either intervention or control group. 60 employed midwives, working at these centers, were selected via convenience sampling. The intervention group performed aerobic exercises at 30-60% VO2 max during 24 sessions. At the beginning and end of the study, participants' physical fitness was measured by calculating VO2 max, using Bruce test. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests were carried out using SPSS version 19 to analyse data. The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of age, marital status, level of education, economic status and body mass index [P>0.05]. Mean VO2 max in the intervention group [30.6 +/- 9.1] was significantly higher than that of the control group [24.3 +/- 7.3] [P=0.023]. Participants' physical fitness was increased up to 30% by jogging. As the results indicated, jogging could improve midwives' physical fitness. Therefore, it is essential that health system directors pay more attention to providing facilities at every workplace in order to improve employees' physical fitness

Effects of iron supplementation twice a week on attention score and haematologic measures in female high school students

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Iron deficiency, associated with a decline in cognitive function, is the most common nutritional deficiency globally. The present study aimed to identify the impact of weekly iron supplements on the attention function of female students from a high school in North Khorasan Province, Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a blind, controlled, clinical trial study, involving 200 female students who were chosen using the stratified randomised sampling method. First, laboratory studies were performed to detect iron consumption limitations. Next, the 200 students were divided randomly and equally into case and control groups. The case group was treated with 50 mg of ferrous sulfate twice a week for 16 weeks. We compared both groups' data on attention, iron status and erythrocyte indices. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, while clinical data was collected using complete blood count and Toulouse-Piéron tests. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, as well as paired and independent t-tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean attention scores of the case and control groups were 104.8 ± 7.0 and 52.7 ± 9.6, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean haemoglobin levels of the two groups were 12.5 ± 0.9 and 11.2 ± 1.0, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the attention scores and haemoglobin concentrations of the case group were found to be improved by approximately 90% and 10%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral iron supplements (50 mg twice a week for 16 weeks) were able to improve the attention span and haematologic indices of female high school students.</p>

[ effect of SP6 acupressure on length of labor]

Childbirth is a natural and physiologic process, but occasionally some problems such as prolonged labor phases occur, leading to medical interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure on length of delivery time in pregnant women. This double blind clinical trial was performed in 2006 at Delivery Room of Shahid Fayyaz Bakhsh Hospital of Karaj, on 128 women in labor phase, with 3 cm cervical dilatation. This study was approved by the local committee of medical ethics. They randomly assigned to 30-minutes SP6 acupressure group [experimental] or SP6 touch group [control]. Length of the first and second stages of labor was compared between the two groups. Individual characteristics and examination results collected in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics, frequency distribution tables, and Man whitney test. Length of the first stage of labor in SP6 acupressure group was significantly shorter than the one in SP6 touch group [p=0/027] and there was no significant difference in length of the second stage of labor between the two groups. These findings showed that SP6 acupressure could effectively reduces the Length of first stage of labor thus it may be used in active management of labor

[Comparison of the effect of early and late umbilical cord clamping on the Apgar score of the neonate]

After decades of discussion and dialogue, there is little agreement about suitable time for after birth umbilical cord clamping. By using the late cord clamping, neonate receives more placental transfusion that may affect the Apgar score. This study was designed to compare the effect of early and late cord clamping on the Apgar score of the neonate. This double blind, randomized, clinical trial carried out, in the year 2002 at Deziani Hospital of Gorgan, Iran. This study was approved by the local committee of medical ethics. Healthy full-term vaginally born neonates [n=64], were randomly allocated to early [30s] and late [3min] umbilical cord clamping group. During this period of time, the attendant held the neonate supine at the level of introitus. At the end of 1min and 5mins after birth. The Apgar score of the neonate, residual placental blood volume and estimated neonatal blood volume were determined. Data obtained by interview and observation, analyzed by SPSS software, Mann Whitney, t student and Chi-squared tests. There was a significant difference between early and late umbilical cord clamping groups [p<0.001], in the 1min and 5mins Apgar scores of the neonate. Placental residual blood volume in the late cord clamping group was 39.5% lower than the early cord clamping group [p<0.001]. Estimated neonatal blood volume in late cord clamping group was 7.1% higher than early cord clamping group [p<0.001]. Late cord clamping leads to a significant increase in the Apgar score of the neonate and the estimated neonatal blood volume. However, the placental residual blood volume significantly decreased. Further trials should delay cord clamping until cessation of cord pulse or alter the level that the newborn is kept