[Knowledge of midwives, from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary province to ward midwifery legal and religious commandments and some of the relevant factors in 2006]

Midwives always encounter the legal and religious orders in their area of work. Regarding progressions made in midwifery, and because of new indications in therapeutic abortion, contraception methods and new infertility managements, many religious commandments are explained from juriseonsults. Midwives are advised to note these legal- religious commandments. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge of midwives about midwifery legal and religious commandments in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary province. In this descriptive-analytical study, 151 midwives employed in health centers of the province, selected by simple sampling. Data were collected by questionnaires that included demographic characteristics and legal and religious questions. Data were analyzed using statistical tests include [t and Chi-square tests]. Mean age of the individuals studied was 26.9 +/- 7.8 years. Level of education in 66.2% of records was associate degree. Enough knowledge about total legal and religious commandments was seen in only 12.7% of records. Enough knowledge to legal commandments was seen in 15.3% and to religious commandments in 11.3%. 78.1% told that training during education is not enough for their present needs. 88.1% were inclined to train. There was no significant relation between knowledge and age or education of records. Because of low knowledge, need and inclination to train about legal and religious commandments, educational program to train midwives is most recommended. Also revision in matters that are trained to midwifery students is necessary

effect of valerian on hot flash in menopausal women

Menopause is accompanied by a number of complications, which affects the life quality and diminishes feeling of health. The most common of these complications is hot flash. Hormone therapy is commonly used for treatment of this symptom but it has a few side effects and thus is not used in some patients. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the effect of valerian on hot flash in a group of menopausal women. This double-blinded clinical trial was performed on 48 women aged 45-65 years complaining from hot flash. The women were randomly divided into two groups of experimental [taking valerian] and control [taking placebo]. The women were interviewed and a questionnaire consisting individual characteristics and hot flash severity [using Kupperman index] was filled. Hot flash severity was measured before and 30 and 60 days after treatment. The data was analyzed by SPSS using mann-whhitney and Wilkokson tests. Based on our results, 37.9% of the experimental group was suffered from severe hot flash. One month and two months after treatment, the rate decreased to 6.9% and 3.4%, respectively [p<0.001]. In the control group, the rate was 36.8%, before and 15% one and two months after the treatment [p<0.05]. Mann-Whitney test indicated that valerian was more effective than placebo in reducing the severity of hot flash during the menopausal period [p<0.01]. This drug reduced duration of hot flash, two months after the treatment [p<0.05] and decreased its frequency one [p<0.05] and two months [p<0.01] after treatment. The results of this study showed that valerian is effective for treatment of hot flash during menopausal period and it may be used as an alternative for hormone therapy