[Quality of midwifery care provided to women admitted for delivery in selected hospitals of Yazd]

The World Health Organization emphasizes the evaluation of health services to improve quality of care. Because the main purpose of quality measurement is to identify the weaknesses of a program, this study aims to assess the quality of midwifery care provided to women admitted for delivery in selected hospitals of Yazd medical science university. A total number of 100 women randomly selected and were included in a cross-sectional study conducted in Yazd, Iran. Data were collected in the labor and delivery wards of Shaheed Sadoughi and Afshar hospitals, between September 2010 and February 2011. A valid and reliable observation check list was used for data collection. The validity of check list was accessed by content validity and the reliability was approved by computing spearman coefficient [0. 93]. The check list included 247 items covered the 26 dimension of care across labor process. Observation was done by a midwife who was not practicing at the study sites, and was especially trained in study method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. The mean age of subjects was 24 / 43 +/- 5/4 years. The Number of pregnancies of was 1 to 2, in 64 percent of participants in the study. The results showed that the overall quality of midwifery care provided in different stages of labor, was not desirable. The highest scores of quality was related to midwife- mother communication and perennial repair, and the poorest score was related to vital sign control. it is essential that the authorities plan to control the services provided by staff, Installation and implementation of treatment protocols of ministry of health, informing personnel duties and holding workshops to take steps to eliminate the existing shortcomings. The protocols should be translated into action with an enhanced collaboration among midwives, obstetrics and reproductive health programmers

[Pap smear test structures for measuring health belief model and factors affecting women in Urban centers covered Zarandieh]

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and although pap smear is considered as an effective screening program, the level of using screening is low. The purpose of this study is pap smear test structures for measuring health belief model and factors affecting women in urban centers covered Zarandieh. This was a cross-sectional study [descriptive-analytical] which included 265 Urban Women's in Zarandieh. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire included demographic variables and knowledge and health belief model questions. Data was analyzed using chi-square tests, Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, at the significance level of p<0.05. Significant differences were detected between those tested and not tested in mean of score knowledge and all the variables HBM [sensitivity, benefits, barriers, threat and intensity perceived],]p<0.001]. The HBM constructs, age, level of study and knowledge accounted for 30.8% of the variance observed for Pap test. Perceived susceptibility and benefit were the most important predicting factors. These findings can be used to guide the development of more effective educational programs and increase the amount of women's participation in Pap smear

Air pollution and low birth weight: a historical cohort study from Tehran

This historical cohort study was designed to clarify the association between air pollution and low birth weight [LBW] amongst women referred to Tehran hospitals in 2007. In total, 225 eligible pregnant women who lived within 5 km of an air pollution monitoring station during their pregnancy were selected for the study. Data were collected via interview and hospital records. Exposure to each pollutant was estimated for each woman individually throughout her pregnancy and for each trimester. Exposures were modelled as categorical variables using inter-quartile ranges in a logistic regression model. The results showed a significant association between exposure to CO and LBW [OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.70-4.60], particularly during the second trimester [OR = 3.96, CI: 1.83-12.5. We conclude that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may be associated with LBW

[Health beliefs and performance regarding pap smear test in Zarandieh city women's]

Cervical cancer is the commonest malignancy among women in developing countries. Pap smear is only one proven strategy for the prevention by diagnosis of cervical cancer. The assessment of Health Belief Model construct about the performance s of Pap smear Test and its effective factors among Women's urban centers in Zarandieh. This is a cross-sectional analytical study carried out with 265 Urban Women in Zarandieh. This survey was done by completing a questionnaire based on health belief model. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent samples t-test, logistic regression and descriptive statistics. The mean age of participants was 34.6 +/- 4.25 years, and the mean score of all the constructs in this group was higher than that in the group with no history of pap smear [P<0.001].The most common reasons for testing was recommendation by health workers [71%]. Among those who were never tested, low levels of perceived susceptibility [79%] were the most common barrier. Significant differences were detected between those tested and not tested in mean of score of all the variables HBM [sensitivity, benefits, barriers, threat and intensity perceived][p<0.001]. Based on the findings of this study, health care professionals must design educational program about cervical cancer in which both the benefits of Pap smear test and other HBM constructs including sensitivity are utilized

[ relationship between CO ambient and low birth weight]

LBW is the strongest factor related to prenatal, neonatal, postnatal and childhood mortality and morbidity. Air pollution is one of the risk factors that is recently gaining attention. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the CO ambient and low birth weight in women referring to Tehran hospitals in 2007-2008. In this historical cohort study 225 pregnant women having lived within 5 kilometers of a monitoring station during pregnancy and referring to selected hospitals in Tehran were investigated. An information questionnaire was used for data collection and sampling was done by multistage sampling and convenience method. Women were assigned to low exposure group and high exposure group based on mean exposure to each pollutant during pregnancy. These two groups were matched with respect to confounding factors. SPSS software version 15, T statistics, chi2, Man Withnney, and Relative Risk procedures were used for data analysis. The result showed that 31.6% of CO high exposure group and 7.4% of CO low exposure group had Low birth weight baby. The result also showed a significant relationship between exposure to high amount of CO and LBW [p=0.001]. Relative Risk calculated with confidence interval [RR=4/67, CI=[1/76-9/43] was found to be 95% and the amount of attributable risk was 66%. Based on these finding, exposure to carbon monoxide pollution can cause LBW. There should be an educational program about the disadvantages of CO pollutant on pregnant women living in densely populated areas of the city. Moreover, practical approaches should be provided to reduce these pollutants