The role of sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, and sexual assertiveness in the female sexual function.

BACKGROUND: Sexual function plays a very important role in the sexual health of people, and the determination of their related factors reflects the importance of paying attention to sexual function in the cultural context. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to the role of sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, and sexual assertiveness in the female sexual function. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 592 married women of reproductive age referring to comprehensive health centers in Rasht city (North of Iran) and eligible for the inclusion criteria were selected by cluster random sampling. The data collection tools were demographic information form, Halbert's Sexual Rights Questionnaires, Women's Sexual Self-Esteem (short form), Halbert's Sexual Desire, and Female Sexual Function Index. Data analysis was done with descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significant level (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of sexual assertiveness, sexual desire, and sexual self-esteem scores were 56.79 ± 18.24, 49.12 ± 26.04, and 98.52 ± 6.11, respectively. Sexual assertiveness (p < 0.01, r = 0.13), sexual desire (p < 0.001, r = 0.178), sexual self-esteem (p < 0.01, r = 0.34) of the participants with the total score, and all areas of female sexual function had a significant positive correlation. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, there is a direct and statistically significant relationship between sexual assertiveness, sexual desire, the adaptability of sexual self-esteem, and family income with sexual function in participants. However, the unemployment of the spouse had a negative effect on the female sexual function.

Factors Associated With Domestic Violence Against Peri- and Postmenopausal Women.

The goal of the study was to determine factors associated with domestic violence in menopausal women. This was a cross-sectional study that 350 menopausal women participated. Data gathering used a World Health Organization's violence against women instrument. Emotional violence was recognized as one of the most experienced types of domestic violence (48%). According to the multivariate logistic regression model, the status of exposure to sexual violence (before marriage) and the partner's substance abuse was the most robust risk factors for domestic violence, while factors such as employment of women and satisfaction of income were protective against domestic violence. This study has highlighted the factors associated with domestic violence that health program managers need to address.

The effect of Matricaria chamomile on menstrual related mood disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A significant percentage of reproductive-age women experience mood symptoms during the days before menstruation that can affect different aspects of a person's life, the use of some medicinal plants can be helpful in controlling premenstrual emotional symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile capsules on menstrual-related mood disorders. STUDY DESIGN: This clinical trial study was performed on 118 students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Participants were divided into two groups of chamomile and placebo. Both groups received one capsule every 8 h for 7 days before the onset of menstrual bleeding. The data collection tool was a Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney, independent t-test, Wilcoxon, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: According to the results of the Mann-Whitney test Chamomile capsules were more effective than placebo in reducing menstrual-related mood disorders (p < 0/001). The results of the analysis of covariance showed that after controlling the associated variables, the changes in the severity of mood symptoms between the two groups were significantly different (p < 0/05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the use of chamomile capsules can be an effective treatment in alleviating emotional symptoms related to menstrual cycles.

Efficacy of mobile app-based training on health literacy among pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial study.

OBJECTIVE: : Health literacy of mothers during pregnancy shows social and cognitive skills indicating the motivation and ability of mothers to receive and use useful knowledge to maintain and promote the health of themselves and their children. The present study was conducted aimed to determine the effect of mobile app-based training on health literacy among pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: A random allocation clinical trial was conducted on 140 eligible mothers. All participants were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. Data collection tools included personal information and maternal health literacy questionnaires. The questionnaires were completed and then a mobile app-based training intervention was performed for the experimental group. The participants of the experimental group were asked to read the contents of the software once a week for 8 weeks. The questionnaires were completed again after 8 weeks of the training intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Fisher, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way analysis of variance was used for this purpose. RESULTS: The participants showed no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic-social information (p > 0.05). The mean change in health literacy scores after the intervention was statistically significant between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.001). Also, the mean change in health literacy scores before and after the intervention in the experimental group was statistically significant (p < 0.001). But this change in the control group was not statistically significant (p = 0.609). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time we used mobile app-based training and results showed that it is effective in the health literacy of pregnant women especially in situations like the Corona Virus pandemic. Therefore, it is suggested that health care providers, especially midwives, use this training method to promote the health literacy of pregnant women.

The Association between Sexual Self-Efficacy and the Quality of Life among Menopausal Women.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the association between sexual self-efficacy (SSE) and quality of life (QOL) among menopausal women. METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 558 menopausal women were enrolled. Consecutive and available sampling was performed for the sample collection. The instruments used for data collection included a three-part questionnaire consisting of demographic information, Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and SSE questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, the maximum and minimum scores of SSE were related to sexual desire (2.88 ± 0.60) and orgasm (0.85 ± 0.17). The highest and lowest scores of QOL were related to psychosocial (4.14 ± 1.24) and sexual activity (3.03 ± 1.74) domains. A significant correlation was observed between the QOL and the domains of SSE (P < 0.001). The maximum and minimum correlation of QOL were related to sexual desire (P < 0.001, r = 0.030) and orgasm (P < 0.001, r = 0.108), respectively. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the SSE score and all domains of QOL except for the vasomotor domain. With regard to the SSE score, the maximum association was found with the sexual activity score (P < 0.001, r = 0.466). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this study, a significant direct correlation was observed between the QOL and SSE of menopausal women. Thus, further research and developing education and consultation as intervention programs for enhancing SSE can promote the QOL among women.

Challenges and strategies to end child marriage.

OBJECTIVES: Child marriage is one of the most important challenges of the current era that threatens women's health and violates human rights. The present study aimed to systematically review studies evaluating the challenges and strategies to overcome child marriage. CONTENT: Medical databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, and Social Science Research Network, as databases for English studies and IranMedex, Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, and Iran Doc as databases for Persian studies) were systematically searched from January 2010 to February 2020. To better identify appropriate studies, reference lists of relevant studies were searched. All potentially relevant abstracts and full-text were screened by two independent reviewers. Disagreements between two reviewers that could not be resolved were resolved via arbitration or consultation of a third author. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: From 225 articles included in this review, 16 research articles met our inclusion criteria. Most of the articles were dedicated to negative health outcomes related to child marriage. Ten studies addressed the program of overcoming the Child marriage and six studies reported challenges of it. Although, many studies have shown the efficacy of strategies to decline Child marriage. On the basis of the available evidence, it seems there are a number of obstacles to end Child marriage. To delineate the most effective strategy to end Child marriage is required further research.

Women's reproductive health needs assessment questionnaire: development and validation.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of reproductive health (RH) needs is necessary for describing the status of women's RH and identification of the actions needed. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire for the assessment of the women's RH needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sequential exploratory mixed method study (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted with Iranian women of reproductive age (age 15-49 years) living in Rasht. The qualitative exploratory phase was used to explain the concept and dimensions of RH needs. The qualitative exploratory phase was used to develop and validate a questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of the qualitative section, RH needs consists of two themes "Reproductive Health Education Needs" and "Reproductive Health Services Features". A Women's Reproductive Health Needs Assessment Questionnaire (WRHNAQ) was designed with 19 items. The content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) of the questionnaire were 0.89 and 0.93, respectively. The instrument's internal consistency was confirmed by an alpha coefficient of 0.881. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the WRHNAQ is a culturally sensitive, valid and reliable scale for assessing the RH needs. The WRHNAQ will be helpful for identifying needs and need-based intervention.

Couple Therapy and Vaginismus: A Single Case Approach.

Although Vaginismus, or an involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, is one of the reasons sexual intercourse difficulty is relatively common in Iran, few studies have addressed it. This research is a single-case type (AB) design. Initially, a pretest was taken from all participants. The number of sessions was estimated between 4 and 6 sessions, and the duration of each session was 45-60 minutes. Couple therapy sessions were conducted by an individual with a PhD in sexual and reproductive health. An FSFI questionnaire was completed before counseling, just after counseling, and 4 weeks after the last counseling session. During each session, the therapist reviewed the homework assignments of the previous session regarding emotions, thoughts, and experiences, and at the end of each session, the therapist answered the couples' questions. We introduce and follow up on five casesof couples who suffer from Vaginismus. The mean age for females was 29.5, and for males it was 32. The mean length of marriage was more than 5 years. The FSFI score of participants improved from baseline (A) after intervention (B). The study would appear to show that this treatment format may be a cost effective intervention for couples presenting with Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (Vaginismus).