effect of teaching by role playing on students' counseling and screening skills toward IUD clients

One of the most important barriers for using IUD [Intra Uterine Device] is inadequate provision of appropriate counseling. Since, employing new training methods is necessary for enhancing midwives' roles in providing appropriate counseling, this study was performed to compare the effect of two methods of traditional training and role playing on students' skills in counseling. In this experimental study, 62 midwifery students were randomly allocated in role playing and traditional training groups to participate in a 4 hour workshop about counseling skills for IUD clients. Before and after the workshop students' skills in counseling were assessed. The data gathering tools included a self evaluation form and evaluation checklists for assessing students' performance in counseling before and after IUD insertion. Comparisons were made using Chi square, Fisher exact text, t-student, Man-Whitney, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon by SPSS software. Results: The mean of students' score in counseling before and after IUD insertion was not different between the two groups in pretest, but the post-tests of the 2 groups in both skills were significantly different. There was a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores in both groups regarding the two skills. Teaching by role playing leads to a better learning of counseling skills. Employing this educational method is recommended for training counseling skills to students

effect of a learning and study skills workshop on talented students' learning and study strategies in Isfahan university of medical sciences

The significance of learning strategies used by students in their academic achievement has been argued. In this study, the effect of a study skills educational workshop on employing learning and study strategies by talented students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences has been investigated. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 40 talented students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. All students completed a learning and study strategies questionnaire and then, the students of intervention group participated in a 20 hours educational workshop on learning and study strategies. The questionnaire for learning and study strategies was again completed by all students. Information about students' experiences in applying the learned strategies during the educational workshop was gathered through interview, a month after that. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using student t-test, paired t-test, and Chi[2]. The results were also compared with the norm scores of United States' students. Students' scores in 5 domains of selecting the main idea [p=0.019], study guide [p=0.000], information processing [p=0.021], self-evaluation [p=0.006], and use of test strategies enhanced after participating in the workshop, compared to the control group. Moreover, the scores of the experiment group in these 5 domains showed a significant increase compared to their pre-test scores. In comparing with the norm scores of United States' students, our students' scores were low in motivation scale which was equal to 25[th] percentile and increased to 45[th] percentile after participation in the workshop. Investigating students' experiences demonstrated that their skills in study, time management, employing memorizing techniques, speed and amount of learning, improved significantly after participation in the workshop. This study showed that reflective skills and intellectual strategies can be taught and learned. This prepared educational program might be used for promoting students' learning and study strategies in 5 domains of choosing the main idea, study guide, information processing, self-evaluation, and test strategies. Using the results of this study, an optional course for study skills which can promote students' learning has been designed in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Effect of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding on infant growth and morbidity

A cohort study was conducted in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 1997 and February 1998 to compare the growth and morbidity of 100 infants who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 100 who received breast milk and complementary foods between 4-6 months. Infants' feeding pattern, weight and height were assessed and recorded. There were no significant differences in infants' weight and height gain between 4 and 6 months. The rate of diarrhoea between ages 4 and 6 months was significantly lower in exclusively breastfed infants than in complementary food-fed infants [11% versus 27%] and respiratory infections were also lower [23% versus 35%]. We conclude that exclusive breastfeeding is superior at least until an infant is 6 months of age

Comparison of the efficacy of PGE2 suppository and cervical foley catheter with pre - induction ripening of the cervix

An increasing success in induction of labor and subsequent termination of pregnancy in presence of unfavorable cervix requires cervical ripening in order to reduce complications and to diminish the rate of cesarean sections as well as the duration of labor. However, there is no consensus on the efficiency of conventional methods for cervical ripening. To determine and compare the effects of PGE2 suppositories and inflated Foley catheter on pre-induction ripening of the cervix. In a quasi-experimental study, 70 pregnant women with a gestational age between 14 and 28 weeks and unfavorable cervix, requiring induction of labor were randomly allocated into to 2 groups. For each mother, digital cervical examination was performed before and at regular intervals to determine the Bishop score. One group received vaginal suppository of 3 mg dino-prostone that was re-administered after 6 hours, if necessary. For the other group, a Foley catheter balloon was inserted in the internal os of cervix that was filled with 30 mL sterile normal saline and kept under traction. Serum oxytocin augmentation was given to both groups after 12 hours as a routine. The outcome variables including the change in cervical Bishop score, beginning of uterine contractions and complications during and after labor were assessed. Student's t test and Chi-square were used for the analyses of data. Result: Induction to delivery time in Foley catheter group [15.0 +/- 7.7 h] was significantly [p<0.01] lower than that of PGE2 group [20.8 +/- 5.8 h]. The rate of post-partum curettage for residual placenta or post-partum infections which required hospitalization and other complications were similar in both groups. The time saved for cervical ripening in Foley catheter group was 6.4 +/- 4.2 h

Mid upper arm and calf circumferences as indicators of nutritional status in women of reproductive age

Mid upper arm circumference [MUAC] is recognized as an effective means of screening for poor nutritional status in adults. The efficacy of calf circumference [CC] as a screening tool, however, is not well reported. We studied 2000 healthy women [age range: 15-49 years] in Mashed, Islamic Republic of Iran, to assess anthropometric measurements at reproductive age and the usefulness of MUAC and CC for estimating body mass index [BMI] and screening of women at nutritional risk. We found a strong correlation between MUAC and CC with weight and BMI, suggesting that MUAC and CC can be used to estimate BMI and detect nutritional disorders