[Effect of Aphrodit capsule on somatic symptoms of postmenopausal women]

Background and Objective: Somatic and psychological altrations during menopause have negative impact on quality of life. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Aphrodit on somatic symptoms in postmenopausal women

Methods: In this clinical trial study 63 menopausal women were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Subjects in interventional group were received Aphrodit capsule [40 mg of Tribulus terrestris fruits, 12.27 mg ginger, 33 mg saffron and 11 mg of cinnamon] for four weeks. Somatic symptoms of menopause [including hot flashes, night sweats and tachycardia] and sleep disorder and muscluskeletal disorder were evaluated using Menopause Rating Scale

Results: After intervention, the mean of hot flash score in interventional and control groups was 1.29 +/- 0.1 and 3.1 +/- 0.6 [P<0.05].The mean of sleep disorder score in interventional group and controls was 1.82 +/- 0.2 and 2.82 +/- 3.1 [P<0.05]. The mean of muscluskeletal disorder score in interventional group and controls was 1.03 +/- 0.1 and 2.81 +/- 1.2 [P<0.05].There was no difference in the heart problem score between interventional and control groups

Conclusion: Consumption of Aphrodit capsule reduces hot flash, sleep disorder and muscluskeletal disorder in postmenopausal women

[ survey of the effects of olive oil and saj cream on striae gravidarum in the second trimester of pregnancy]

Striae gravidarum appears in many pregnant women and it creates aesthetic concerns among them. This study was done with the aim of determination of the effects of olive oil and Saj cream on the occurrence of striae gravidarum in the second trimester of pregnancy. This study was a randomized trial. The study sample included 105 nulliparous women in their second trimester of pregnancy. All the women were in their 18th -20th week of pregnancy and refered to health centers of Tehran. Two intervention groups applied Saj cream [n=30] or olive oil [n=30] and control group [n=30] did not apply any creams. Data was collected by interview and observation and analyzed using SPSS-PC [v.13]. Striae manifested among 40% of those taking olive oil, 16.7% of those using Saj cream and 56% of those in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two intervention groups and the control group [P<.006]. The findings of this study indicated that application of Saj cream during the beginning of pregnancy to the end of the second trimester had been effective in reduction of striae gravidarum. Studies investigating the effect of other herbal oils on prevention of striae are recommended

[Effect of sedamin capsule on sleep disorder among menopausal women]

Sleep disurbance is considered to be one of the most common problems in menopausal women. Herbal supplements are being used as herbal supplemental medication to solve the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Sedamin capsule on sleep disorder among menopausal women. This randomized controlled trial study was done on 100 Menopausal women aged 50-60 with sleep disorder. Women randomly divided into intervention and contol groups. Subjects intervention group were received Sedamin capsule [530 mg Valerian root] twice a day for 30 days. Women in control group were received capsule [50 mg of carbohydrate] twice a day for 30 days. Demographic data form and Pittsburg sleep quality index was instrumented for the evaluation of disorder. Data analyzed with using independent T and ANOVA tests. Mean score of sleep disorder peior and after intervention was 9.8 +/- 3.6 and 6.02 +/- 2.6 [P<0.05] in interventional group and 11.14 +/- 4 and 9.4 +/- 3.9 in controls, respectively. Also, 40% of the participants in the intervention group and 12% in the control group showed an improvement in the quality of sleep [P<0.05]. This study showed that consumption of Sedamin capsule improves the quality of sleep in menopausal women with sleep disorder

[ effect of valerian on sleep component among menopausal women]

About 50 percent of menopausal women have sleep problems that can lead to reduced quality of life; according to the population growth in postmenopausal women today, raising the level of their health issues are deemed important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valerian on sleep component among 60-50 year women. In this study, a randomized controlled trial design was employed. Participants consisted of 100 women with menopause aged 50-60, who suffered from insomnia. Instruments included demographic data form and Pittsburg sleep quality index. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Prevalence of sleep disorders by Pittsburg sleep quality index in this group was 70%. A statistically significant change was reported in the six component of sleep disturbance in intervention group in comparison to the placebo group [p=0.000]. But the sixth component [the mount of drugs] was not statistically different. The results show that valerian improves the component of sleep in women with insomnia. So, it is essential that health providers would be familiar with these herb supplements

[ effect of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact on infant's pre-feeding behaviors]

The importance of pre-feeding behaviors in successful breastfeeding and duration of exclusive breastfeeding necessitates the detection of factors influencing these behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact on pre-feeding behaviors of healthy full-term infants of primiparous women. This study was a randomized-controlled trial conducted in labor and maternity wards of Shahid Akbar-Abadi hospital in Tehran. One hundred healthy primiparous mother-infant dyads were randomly assigned to receive either skin-to-skin contact [n=50] or routine care [n=50]. A demographic information form and The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by SPSS. For testing research hypotheses, Mann-Whitney U test was used. There was a statistically significant difference between skin-to-skin contact group and routine care group in infant's pre-feeding behaviors including wakefulness [P

[Effect of olive oil on striae gravidarum]

Striae gravidarum is one of the cutaneous physiological changes during pregnancy with a high prevalence. This study was done to evaluate the effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 100 nulliparous women referring to Tehran health ceatens were gone under investigation during 2009. Those whom had the inclusion criteria were divided to experimental group [using olive oil] and control group. The questionnaire was completed via interview and observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Moderate striae gravidarum was seen 32% and 22% in intervention and control groups, respectively. Severe striae gravidarum was 6% and 14% in intervention and control groups, respectively, but this difference was not significant. This study showed that olive oil did not demonstrate to have any role in reducing of striae gravidarum

[Evaluation the effect of vitamin E on premenstrual syndrome]

Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] is a most common disorder of premenopausal women that affected 95% of reproductive age women. This syndrome was diagnosed by recurrent psychological and behavioral and physical symptoms in premenstrual cycle that disappeared one or two days after menstruation. According to previous research, vitamin E has beneficial effects on reduction of PMS symptoms such pain, mastalgia, carbohydrate craving, irritability, and anxiety. To evaluate the effect of vitamin E on PMS and hypothesis beneficial effects of high dose vitamin E on PMS. This is a triple blind randomized study which was performed on 79 students that they were not any diseases. Diagnosis of syndrome according to the American Psychiatry Association [APA[includes one psychological and physical symptom from common symptoms of PMS. 250 students of medical science of Iran university completed PMS questionnaire for three cycle of menstruation. Then 79 subjects affected by PMS allocated randomly to two groups of vitamin E [400 UI] and placebo [500 mg starch powder]. They completed rating scale of PMS in one week before menses with drug for three cycle of menstruation. Data was analyzed by pair-t-test and independent -t-test. Severity of syndrome in vitamin E group was reduced in comparison with result before treatment; their difference was significant [p /= 0.005]. According to this study 400UI vitamin E caused effective treatment of PMS but was not rather than placebo. More studies in this field can be recommended to compare several different dose of vitamin E on severity of PMS. Also we recommended change of placebo, because carbohydrates can effect on PMS

[Comparison the effect of breast feeding with routine clinical procedure on pain relieving during immunization injection]

Pain management is the challenging concepts in health workers. Since neonates have higher pain sensitivity in compare to childhood and adults. The objective of this study was to examine the pain relieving effect of breast feeding during immunization infections in healthy neonates. In this control randomized clinical trial, samples were divided two groups [by age and sex] of 76 healthy 2-4 months old term infants. In breast-fed group, 2 minutes before, during, and 15 seconds after the DPT immunization injection were in mother hug, and in control group as routine of clinic, were lied on the examining table during injection. Appearance of Neonates were observed and assessed by Modified Behavioral Pain Scale[MBPS] during 5 second before immunization to 15 second after it. In breast fed and control group mean of age were 81.53 +/- 41.46 and 81.61 +/- 40.59 day and for weight were 6.65 +/- 1.17 and 6.70 +/- 1.14 kg for height were 64.27 +/- 5.5 and 63.38 +/- 5.06 cm respectively. There were significant differences in Behavioral Pain Scores of two groups include: facial expression [4 items], cry [5 items], and movements [6 items]. [P<0.0001]. There is no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups for age, sex and the time of feeding prior to vaccination. Regarding to significant difference in behavioral of pain responds in two groups, it is suggested, with simple and safe intervention method of straight breast feeding reduce pain during immunization and muscular injections too

Comparison of Maternal Fetal Attachment between Primgravidas and Multigravidas Women with Past History of Fetal or Neonatal Death

Although pregnancy is one of the loveliest events in the developmental processes of a woman's life, history of previous fetal or neonatal death may have a negative effect on the adaptation of woman for her new pregnancy. It can also have a major influence on development of emotional distress in the attachment between mother and her fetus. This study has been done to assess and compare maternal fetal attachment of primgravidas and multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death which haven't had living child. One hundred and twenty literate Iranian pregnant volunteer women with the ages of 20-40 years were selected by non-randomized sampling method [sequential] during their 3rd trimester of planned current pregnancy. Forty samples didn't have living child, had past history of fetal or neonatal death and 80 samples were primigravidas. The tools of this study that filled in by samples had two main parts of personal demographic and "maternal fetal attachment scale [MFAS]. A statistically significant difference was found in 5 subscales of the MFAS between the primigravidas and multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death. The average score of every subscales of maternal fetal attachment in primigravidas women was higher in comparison with multigravidas women. The independent t-test also showed a statistically significant difference between average of total score of maternal fetal attachment between two groups [P=0.000]. Due to lesser maternal fetal attachment in the multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death it is necessary to plan supportive, educational, and counseling program for this vulnerable group. The researchers suggest replicating the study during the first and second trimester of pregnancy and postpartum period of women with past history of fetal or neonatal death and also, in clients referred to the other clinics

[Trend of exercise before, during and after pregnancy]

Pregnancy and Postpartum is the best period for gaining health behaviors, including exercise, to promote quality of life is pregnancy and postpartum. The aim of the present study was to examine the trend of exercise activities before, During and after pregnancy. This was a retrospective longitudinal study, in which 225 women were enrolled by continuous sampling. The most frequent exercise, before, during and after pregnancy was walking. The result of Repeated measure test showed that trend of exercise before pregnancy to 3 months after that was negative. This study showed that the trend of physical activity decreased from the priod before pregnancy to 3 month after that, so it is suggested that professional care in prenatal ward, vaccination clinic and family planning clinic focus on encouraging women to continue their activity, during and after pregnancy

Knowledge and attitudes of women towards sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS

Today, sexually transmitted diseases are developed as a threatened health problem in the developed and developing countries. According to several studies, approximately one million people are affected by sexually transmitted diseases per day, with 333 millions cases in the world. The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge and attitude of women towards sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS and the relating factors. The design was descriptive study. The study sample consisted of 500 literate women from 15 to 49 years old in reproductive age. In this study the stratified random sampling was used. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. After completing the questionnaires, the scores of knowledge and attitude were categorized and then the association between knowledge and attitude, was determined in women in Andimeshk. The results showed that the mean and standard deviton of age scores in women, was 27.18 +/- 9. Most of the women [62.8%] had diploma in education. Only 11.2% of women were wellinformed and had high knowledge level. Also 52/4% of the subjects had negative attitude in the transmitting ways of sexually transmitted diseases, and preventive strategies of AIDS. The analysis of variance showed significant correlation between knowledge and the variables of age [P=0.002], education [P=0.000], job [P=0.000], and the spouses' job [P=0.008] and partners' education [P=0.025]. Also there were signifcant correlation between attitude and age [P=0.000], education [P=0.000], and job [P=0.003]. Pearson correlation coeffiaent showed that there was a direct significant relationship between knowledge and attitude [P=0.000]. Based on the study findings, appropriate knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS leads to desired attitude and behavior, and reducing unreasonable fear. It seems that most of women need more education in this field with mass media

Comparison of maternal anxiety between primigravid women and pregnant women with the history of previous fetal or neonatal death

Pregnancy is a significant event for pregnant women who need to adapt physiologically and psychologically, though it is a normal phase of a woman's life. In addition, previous history of fetal or neonatal death can have a negative effect on the adaptation, and this experience can also increase maternal anxiety during pregnancy that may produce adverse effects. The aim of this study was to assess and compare maternal anxiety in primgravid women and pregnant women with the history of previous fetal or neonatal death. A descriptive comparative design with multistage sampling method [sequential] was used. One hundred and twenty Iranian, literate pregnant women, who were in their 3 rd trimester of current pregnancy with [20 - 40 years old age] were selected. Forty subjects had previous history of fetal or neonatal death [without any live child] and 80 of them were primigravid. The data collection tool, had two main parts: personal characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes questionnaire [POQ, Theut et al 1988]. In this study, t-test showed, there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding maternal anxiety during pregnancy [P=0.001]. The mean score of maternal anxiety in the pregnant women with previous fetal or neonatal death was more than primigravid women [P<0.001]. Accord in to the study findings and due to the increase of anxiety level in the pregnant women with previous history of fetal or neonatal death, it seems that it would be necessary to plan supportive, educational and counseling programs for this high risk group of women. It is suggested that further studies should be conducted during trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum period in clients