[ effect of educational- counseling program on general health of women as caregivers of patient, with Alzheimerdisease]

Background and aim: Long term delivery of care to patients with Alzheimer disease is associatesd with increase of physical and mental health problems for caregivers. Lack of necessary trainings has increased the caregivers' health problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of educational- counseling program on general health of women as caregivers of patient with Alzheimer disease

Method: In this study, 150 women [18-60 years old] who were close relatives to the elderly patients with Alzheimer disease were selected by simple sampling method. These women had been working as direct caregivers for a period of six month, at least. Women were enrolled for a pre-test in which they filled out demographic information questionnaire and Goldberg general health questionnaire. Then, they were randomly allocated to control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in educational- counseling program which was consisted of a group discussion session, educational pamphlet and 2 telephone consultations. Six weeks after the program, post-test questionnaire was carried out for both groups. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, paired t-test, chi-square and one-way ANOVA

Results: Findings showed that 17.3% of samples had weak general health before the intervention. After the educational- counseling program, the mean of general health in experimental group decreased from 39.68+/-15.3 to 19.09+/-10.03 [P<0.001], which showed an increase in general health care. In the control group general health mean increased from 37.43+/-15.68 to 43.9+/-14.9 [P=0.001], which shows decreased general health

Conclusion: According to the results of this study and unfavorable general health in women who work as caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease, effective educational methods are suggested for improving the caregiver's health

[Effect of mothers' participation in preterm infants'care in NICU on readmission rates]

Despite technology development, rate of infants' hospitalizations is still high, which endures emotional and economic burden to families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mothers' participation in care of preterm infant on readmission rate. In this randomized controlled trial, 100 mothers who had preterm infants [gestational ages: 30-37 weeks] with respiratory distress syndrome were recruited. Samples were selected using continuous random assignment. Collaborative programs for the intervention group were implemented in the form of an information session and presence and participation of mothers in their infants care. One month after discharge, readmission check list was completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and paired t tests. Results showed that readmission rate was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The average length of stay in hospital was 6.96 in the intervention group and 12.96 in the control group [P<0.00]. Participation of mothers in care of their infants reduced readmission rate

[General self efficacy in elderly living in rest-homes]

Self- efficacy is closely related with different dimensions of the elderly life such as their health and quality of life. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the self- efficacy of the elderly living in rest homes and its relationship with their personal characteristic in west Tehran. It was a descriptive, cross- sectional study. The sample consisted of 100 above 60 years old males and females elderly who were living in rest- homes of west Tehran for six consecutive months at least. Sample selection was done using stratified sampling with proportionate allocation during 2010. Data collected with GSE-10 and analyzed using T-test, ANOVA, Shefe exact test, and Regression analysis with SPSS [v.16]. The mean score for general self- efficacy was 21.44 +/- 3.83 [of maximum of 40 according to GSE-10]. ANOVA showed that the difference between the three age groups of 60-70, 71-80, and about 81was significant [p=0.001]. Self- efficacy of men was more the women [p=0.003]. There was a significant relationship between the elderly self- efficacy and their education [p=0.05], and duration of living in rest- homes [p=0.011]. Linear regressions showed that the general self- efficacy was mostly related with sex [beta 1.54, p=0.004]. Regarding the low level of self- efficacy of the elderly living in the rest- homes, especially the women, more attention should be paid to promotion of their self- efficacy, by heath care professionals. Interventional studies is recommended to assess the effect of appropriate programs on the elderly self- efficacy

[Factors associated with discotinuation of exclusive breast feeding by first time mothers]

Maternal exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of newborn's life has been recommended by World Health Organization. Recently, a high incidence of breast feeding discontinuation has been reported in Iran. Accordingly this study was done with the aim of determining the factors associated with discontinuation of exclusive breast feeding by first time mothers. It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study sample [n=331] was selected by conveniece sampling among first time mothers admitted to Shahid Akbar Abadi hospital. Data was collected by questionnaire and a check list. The condition of exclusive breast feeding was followed by phone after delivery. The data was analyzed using SPSS-PC [v.12]. Exclusive breast feeding was observed in 52.6% of the sample. The reasons for discontinuation of exclusive breast feeding included maternal factors [low breast feeding self efficacy, mothers' perception of inadequacy of the breast milk, lactation problems related to breast, feeding of baby by others] [38.9%0], neonatal factors [colic, hyperbilirobionemia, low birth weight] [21.7%], and a combination of these factors [39.5%]. Modification of maternal and neonatal barriers to exclusive breast feeing would be a good way for breast feeding adherence. Giving breast feeding information to low experienced mothers is recommended

Impact of preconception health education on health locus of control and self-efficacy in women

The preconception period is an ideal opportunity to optimize women's health. This study of women attending premarital clinics in the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed to evaluate the impact of a health education workshop on their health locus of control and self-efficacy in physical activity. The design was a randomized controlled trial with a questionnaire before and after the intervention. At post-intervention, there were significant increases in scores of internal health locus of control and self-efficacy in the experimental group [n = 109] compared to the control group [n = 101]. It was concluded that a short-term health education may empower women to adopt healthy lifestyles

[Perceived stress and demographic characteristics of women with multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a neurologic, chronic and progressive disease in which stress and stressful events may play as a trigger in the occurrence and relapse of its symptoms. With respect to higher incidence of MS in women, the aim of this descriptive study was to determine perceived stress and demographic characteristics of women with symptomatic MS. Subject population consisted of all women with signs and symptoms of MS referring to Association of MS patients or one of the hospitals affiliated to Iran, Shahid Beheshti and Tehran Medical Universities. A consecutive sampling method was used to select 190 women. A demographic questionnaire and Perceived Stress scale [PSS] were used for data collection. Although the scale was psychometrically evaluated in previous Iranian studies, content and Cronbach's alpha methods were used for the validity and internal consistency of it respectively. For quantitative analysis, different descriptive statistical methods were applied for data analysis. Most women [mean age=33.6] were married [63.5%] with high school diploma or academic education [75.7%] and household [65.8%] in middle class [76.7%]. Mean duration of affliction was 5 years with at least 1 period of hospitalization and often with no social support [79.8%]. In addition, more than half of them [53.7%] had high perceived stress and the rest experienced low stress. According to the study results and with respect to probable role of stress in triggering or relapsing MS signs and symptoms, more extensive studies are deemed necessary to identify stressful factors. In addition, by considering the lack of social support and high perceived stress in most subjects and changeability and modifiability of these variables, providing facilities for instruction and consultation to support the patients and manage their stress is recommended

Effect of stress management education on mood and perceived stress among oral contraceptive pill users

Mood changes and high perceived stress are considered as the controversial side effects of oral contraceptive pill [OCP] consumption. The belief that OCPs cause mood changes and depression could be a significant factor to discontinue OCP use in women, the event that inevitably leads to increase the rate of unwanted pregnancies with high costs on the families and society. Therefore, providing stress management educational programs could improve mood and perceived stress during OCP use, thereby, prevents discontinuation of OCPs. The aim of this study was to determine whether stress management education could influence mood and perceived stress in oral contraceptive users. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on ninety two women who were suitable candidates to use OCPs. Mood state and perceived stress were measured by PANAS and PSS, before intervention [as pretest]. Then, all of the subjects were randomly assigned into either experimental or control group. The experimental group [n=46] used OCP for three cycles with routine contraception counseling and concurrently exposed to one session of stress management education, and 3 times telephone counseling. The control group [n=46] received only routine contraception counseling during OCP use for three months. Mood and perceived stress were measured again after educational intervention. Significant reduction in negative mood and perceived stress and improvement in positive mood were found in the experimental group compared to the control group. The findings suggest beneficial effects of stress management education and counseling during OCP use that could reduce the rate of discontinuation and subsequent unwanted pregnancies. In addition, the stress management intervention could be considered as a significant factor to improve women's health promoting behaviors and quality of life during OCP use

[Breastfeeding self efficacy and perceived stress in primiparous mothers]

Breastfeeding is a health-promoting and disease-preventing activity of mother with acceptable cost-effectiveness. Successful breastfeeding depends on various physiological and psychological factors such as maternal breastfeeding self efficacy and perceived stress. The aim of this study is to determine exclusive breastfeeding self efficacy and perceived stress in primipara mothers. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of the demographic characteristics items, and breastfeeding self efficacy and perceived stress scales. Three hundred and thirty one primiparous women, referred to Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, were selected continuously [within three months] to complete the questionnaire. The results of this study showed that less than half of the subjects [46.5%] had high perceived stress level. In addition, more than 51.1% of mothers had high breastfeeding self efficacy. Therefore, according to the study findings and recent reports regarding reduced rate of breast feeding in Iran, it is necessary for health care responsible to provide appropriate strategies in order to increase breastfeeding self efficacy and stress management, especially in less experienced primipara women. Accoding to findings and with due attention to recent decrease in breast-feeding in Iran, it is necessary to develop proper strategies in order to improving breast feeding self efficacy and effective stress management, especially in primiparous mothers