[Measurement of the constructs of health belief model related to self-care during pregnancy in women referred to south Tehran health network]

Self-care activities during pregnancy can be effective in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Health Belief Model [HBM] is one of the most applicable models in educational need assessment for planning and implementation of educational interventions. The purpose of this study was to measurement of the constructs of HBM related to self-care during pregnancy in women referred to South Tehran health network. In this cross-sectional study 270 pregnant women who referred to health centers of South Tehran Health Networks participated. Demographic, knowledge and attitude questionnaires based on constructs of HBM was used to measure the status of knowledge and attitude of women. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS18. Results showed that 92.2% of women had the knowledge scores in good level. The scores of perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy and cues to action were in good level in almost of women but almost of women obtained weak point in perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and barriers. HBM can be used as an appropriate tool for assessment the status of pregnant women in the field of self-care behaviors during pregnancy and planning and implementation of educational interventions

Effect of a self-care educational program based on the health belief model on reducing low birth weight among pregnant Iranian women

Low birth weight [LBW] is considered as an important outcome of birth and pregnancy, which is associated with long-term consequences and health-care problems. Maternal lifestyle and health care during pregnancy are powerful predictors of BW of infants. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a self-care educational program based on the Health Belief Model [HBM] on reducing LBW among a sample of pregnant Iranian women. In this randomized controlled trial, we recruited 270 pregnant women referred to prenatal clinics in the south of Tehran, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated to two intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group received an educational program to promote self-care behaviors during pregnancy. The control group received routine care. BW was compared between the two groups. Baseline demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude scores before the intervention in both groups were compared using the Chi-square test for categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to control the effect of demographic variables on BW. The results showed that LBW was reduced significantly in the intervention group at the follow-up measurement [5.6 vs. 13.2%, P = 0.03]. After controlling for demographic characteristics, we found a significant decrease in the risk of LBW in the intervention group [odds ratio [OR]: 0.333; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12-0.88, P = 0.02]. Implementation of a self-care educational program designed on the basis of an HBM on pregnant women was effective in reducing the rate of LBW

[Fetal electronic monitoring and cesarean section rate]

Objective [s]: To investigate whether the use of fetal monitoring had an effect on cesarean section rate at Mahdieh hospital

Methods: This retrospective, analytical cross sectional study involved patients' data from deliveries occurring at Mahdieh teaching hospital, Tehran, in 1385 and 1387. During 1387 fetal monitoring was available and use for all mothers in the labor, whereas during 1385 it was unavailable. Data on cause of cesarean were collected in 1385 and 1387

Results: 4346 deliveries used fetal monitoring and 4656 deliveries did not. 2133 Cesarean occurred in 1387 and 1739 cesarean occurred in 1385. Causes of cesarean were: Labor Dystocia, Meconium, Fetal Distress, CPD, Placenta Previa, Placenta Abruptio, Cord prolase, Preeclampsia, Multiple Pregnancy, Malpresentation, Abnormal Fetus, and Previous Cesarean. There was Statistical significance difference in Meconium[13/4 %, v/s 17/1%, P<0.05], Fetal Distress[11/78% v/s 13/92%, P<0.05], Abruptio placenta [2/1% v/s 6/14% P<0.05], Labor Dystocia [11/09% v/s 9/1%, P<0.05] and Malpresentation [13/6% v/s 10%, P<0.05]. There was no significance difference in Previous Cesarean, Multiple pregnancies, CPD, Preeclampsia, Placenta Previa, and Cord Prolapse

Conclusion: The Study shows 12% rising on cesarean rate from 1385 till 1387.Statistical difference was demonstrated in the rate of fetal distress that Cause cesarean section. Use of fetal monitoring detected any fetal distress in labor and cesarean performed for avoiding cerebral palsy and Low APGAR infant. There is no evidence that use of fetal monitoring improved newborn outcome

[Reproductive health and educational needs among pre-marriage couples]

To investigate pre-marriage educational needs of couples to plan support services. In a cross-sectional study, a self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 2117 participants in pre-marriage consulling sessions in Isfahan city. The questionnaire included educational needs in different subjects of reproductive health field, spousal relationships and Islamic rules and rights. The educational priorities in different fields are as follows: women cancers and safe sex in reproductive health, communication techniques and ways to solve problems with the spouse in the spousal relationships and legal rights related to sex and the advices of Islam about spousal relationships in the field of Islamic rules and rights respectively. The average age of women and men were 22.8 +/- 4.2 years, 26.2 +/- 4.3, respectively. Significant association was observed in the field of reproductive health between the educational needs and women's job [P=0.022], men's job [P=0.009], women's age [P=0.033] and the level of education [P=0.001], in the field of spousal relationships between the educational needs and women's job [P<0.001], men's job [P=0.043], age of both women and men [P=0.001], and in the Islamic rules and rights field, between the educational needs and women's job [P<0.001], age of both women and men [P=0.44] and the level of education [P=0.007]. In men with higher educational level, demands for learning increase however in women it reduce. By increasing the age, needs for education in both sexes reduce. Employed women had lower needs for education compared to other groups and employed men had more needs. There was no significant difference between rural and urban residents