effects of antenatal training sessions on prenatal outcomes

To study maternal and neonatal outcomes, the nulliparous women submitted to a training program in third trimester. This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 64 nulliparous pregnant women divided into two groups according to their participation including; training group; n=34 or not; n=34. The program consisted of 8 meetings [between the 28 th and the 40 th gestational week] during which educational activities were developed. The control group received the standard care. Maternal and neonatal outcomes also were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16, and P<0.05 was considered significant. There was no significant difference in age and body mass index in both groups, but a significant difference was found in both the gestational age based on last menstrual period [LMP], and ultrasonography, as well as in the cervix dilatation at the time the women arrived for delivery in both groups [P<0.05].The difference was also significant in the reasons of admission in hospital [P=0.04], oxytocin induction [P=0.01], mode of delivery [P=0.01], and gestational age of infants based on physical examination in both groups. Birth outcomes were also similar in both groups and no adverse effects of the interaction were found. Antenatal training program in nulliparous women was associated with arriving at maternity ward in active labor, decreasing oxytocin induction, and cesarean section and increasing the gestational age of infants based on physical examination, Training program offered to pregnant women by midwives, is an important low-technology health promotion tool, and may be performed at low cost in most settings. Whether these results also apply to multiparous women or not, requires additional studies

[ experiences of nursing students, instructors, and hospital administrators of nursing clerkship]

Most studies concerning clinical education of nursing students have been performed qualitatively. This study was performed to more deeply investigate the students' education at nursing clerkship and explore the experiences of nursing students, instructors, and hospital administrators from the clinical education of nursing students. In a qualitative study a semi-structured interview was done with 8 nursing students at the end of clerkship, four nurses working as ward administrators, an education supervisor, and two supervising instructors. Qualitative content analysis was employed for analyzing the data. Six central variables were realized [emerged] including lack of readiness for entering into clinical learning environment, undesirability of student assessment process, lack of advantageous relationship between the nursing school and the hospital, ideal planning for clerkship shifts, deficiency in clinical education, and the effects of clerkship on hospital and patients' affairs. According to the findings of the study, it is necessary for the nursing administrators to place more effort to resolve the present problems specially the relationship between the nursing school and the hospital, and to renovate hospital into a favorable learning space to meet educational goals of nursing clerkship

[90th percentile of body mass index [BMI] and some obesity risk factors among 7-12 years old school children, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary, 2002]

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in the industrial countries, which has negative physical and emotional effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the 90th percentile of BMI and some risk factors of obesity in school-age children. The study had a cross sectional and a case-control part. In stage one weight and height of 2772 children were measured and 90th percentile of BMI was calculated. In stage two, 188 obese children as the case group and 282 non-obese children as the control group were selected and both groups completed a risk factors questionnaire. Our results showed that children with BMI<18.26 are non-obese. Prevalence of obesity was 9.97%. There was significant correlation between parental or close relatives' obesity, some kinds of foods, birth weight [only in girls] and children's obesity. There was no significant correlation between socioeconomic status, diseases such as asthma, education level of parents and children's obesity