Sexual function index adaptation for breast cancer patients (FSFI-BC)- translation and psychometric properties of Persian version.

BACKGROUND: Effective interventions to improve sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors need screening of these dysfunctions with a suitable instrument. The aim of present study was translation and identifying psychometric properties of Female Sexual Function Index - Adapted for Breast Cancer (FSFI-BC) which has been specifically developed for breast cancer survivors. METHOD: This methodological study was performed between February 2017 and October 2018. 200 breast cancer survivors in stage 1 or 2 who were selected through convenience sampling method, completed the questionnaire. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alfa and test re-test analysis and construct validity was performed through confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis( EFA). RESULTS: Six factors were extracted in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). These factors explained 74.6% of the total variance in in NSA group and 0.821 in SA group. Reliability evaluation indicated high internal consistency and good test re-test reliability. Cronbach's alpha coefficient in all areas of the tool was above 0.7 (the lowest and the highest measures were 0.885 and 0.945, respectively), which is a good indicator for reliability of an instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fitness for seven factors of FSFI-BC questionnaire (Normed Fit Index or NFI = 0.9 for both groups, Comparative of Fit Index or CFI = 0.93 and 0.92, χ 2/df = 1.68 and 1.71 for SA(Sexually Active) and NSA(No Sexually Active) individuals, respectively) . CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest that Persian version of FSFI-BC is a suitable instrument for sexual dysfunction screening in breast cancer survivors.

Effect of a social network-based supportive program (WhatsApp) on the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer: A single-blind-randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual self-concept has an influence on the sexual behaviors of women with breast cancer. Supportive programs for these women have demonstrable empirical efficacy; however, their effectiveness has not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a supportive program based on social networks on the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer. METHODS: In this randomized controlled single-blind trial, 60 women were assigned to the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups using permuted block randomization. Overall, eight 45-min intervention sessions were held (twice a week). The primary outcome was sexual self-concept, and the secondary outcomes were women's sexual quality of life and participants' satisfaction. The questionnaires were completed by patients before the intervention and immediately and 1 month after the intervention. RESULTS: The generalized equation estimation test showed that the positive sexual self-concept score of the intervention group versus the control group had increased by 15.67 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 2.00) 1 month after the intervention. The negative sexual self-concept score had decreased by 2.65 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.74), and the situational sexual self-concept score had upturned by 6.82 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 2.08) in the intervention group at the same period. Also, the sexual quality of life score in the intervention group compared to the control group generally increased by 13.82 points (P < 0.001, Effect size = 2.08) 1 month following the intervention. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS: A social networking support program can be a promising approach to improve the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: Iranian Clinical Trial Register, IRCT20150608022609N8. Registered on 2 July 2020.

Iranian mothers' needs for reproductive health education of their adolescent daughters: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: In order to be effective in discussing high-risk sexual behaviors with adolescents, mothers need to be educated about their adolescent daughters' sexual issues. As no detailed and exact knowledge on mothers' educational needs concerning adolescent girls' reproductive health is available, the current study was intended to investigate mothers' educational needs concerning their adolescent daughters' reproductive health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a qualitative content analysis. Purposive sampling was performed to the saturation point. The samples included 26 mothers and 14 key informants. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Data authenticity was verified based on Lincoln and Guba's criteria and data analysis was conducted using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA10 software. FINDINGS: In this study, three themes and 13 main categories, each with a number of subcategories were extracted. The themes and main categories included: "appropriate educational content (reproductive health, sexual health, general health, psychological health, family health, social health and spiritual health)", "characteristics of the educator (communicative skill, cognitive skill and moral competence)", and "effective factors in learning (teaching method, learning conditions and environment, and the learner's readiness)". CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that mothers need to be informed about sexual, reproductive, general, psychological, family, social and spiritual health in adolescent girls. Consequently, the results can help the healthcare authorities to implement need-based programs and boost the effectiveness of education about adolescent girls' reproductive health for mothers.

The necessity of education about reproductive health of female adolescents to mothers in Iran: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Parents are challenged to provide the required information about reproductive issues for their adolescents. The study aims to explain women's perception of the necessity of education about adolescent girls, reproductive health to mothers. METHODS: This research is a qualitative content analysis. Sampling was performed using purposeful sampling to saturation of data. The study sample included 26 mothers and 14 key informants. To collect data, semi-structured interviewing was used. Data trustworthiness was verified based on Lincoln and Guba's criteria and the data was analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA10 software. RESULTS: Four themes and 13 main categories each with some subcategories were extracted in this research. The themes and categories included: "risky social-environmental factors (existence of inappropriate educational resources, a challenge between tradition and modernity in the society, social harms, and educational barriers)", weakness in awareness, attitude, and family relationships (mother's limited awareness, mother's negative attitude, improper interaction between the parents and the adolescent in the family, and lack of discussion about sexual and reproductive matters in the family), problems associated with sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls (puberty changes, insufficient perception, and understanding of the process of puberty and harms arising from early education), and high-risk behaviors of adolescents and their consequences (the adolescent's maladaptive behaviors and their outcomes). CONCLUSION: The results of this research necessitate education of adolescent girls' reproductive health to mothers.

The effect of Teucrium polium on the duration of menstrual bleeding: A triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Teucrium polium (T. polium; locally called 'kalpooreh') is a herbal medicine with therapeutic effects against diabetes and fungal infections, and it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well. It is also used traditionally as a remedy in treating headache, dysmenorrhea, convulsions and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antibacterial effects have been reported in recent studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of T. polium on reduction of menstrual bleeding. METHODS: This triple-blind, clinical trial study was performed on 70 single female students between 20 and 30 years old, studying at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. They were allocated randomly into two groups: In the T. polium group (n =35), they received 250 mg of T. polium powder compared to 35 subjects who received placebo. For the first 3 days of menstruation, subjects were asked to take the capsules they had been given, four times daily for two consecutive menstrual cycles. Duration of menstrual bleeding was determined by a Higham chart. Data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS version 20, using repeated measures and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups at baseline. Comprising the Higham chart showed that: the participants in the T. polium group had lower significant duration and amount of menstrual bleeding in the 1st and the 2nd menstruation cycles after treatment (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Teucrium polium, when taken during the first 3 days of menstruation, led to a significantly greater decrease in duration of menstrual bleeding compared to placebo. TRAIL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at the Thailand Registry of Clinical Trials with the ID TCTR20160818002. FUNDING: This research received financial support from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

Perceived needs in women with gestational diabetes: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. It can be associated with many complications for mother and fetus. Gestational diabetes is also one of the main health issues in Iran. Therefore, the present study is aimed at a deeper understanding of women's experiences of gestational diabetes and their perceived needs to inform future lifestyle interventions. METHODS: This qualitative content analysis study was carried out in 2015. Participants were pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the 24th to 36th week of pregnancy, who were referred to the clinics affiliated with Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University in Tehran, Iran. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants, using semi-structured questions. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was carried out for data analysis. Interviews continued until data saturation was obtained. Data were coded in MAXQDA software (version 11). RESULTS: Content analysis highlighted two themes; educational needs and need to support. The former was featured with five main categories: information sources, education process, unknown and known, weaknesses of public information system, and eagerness to learn. The latter was featured with two main categories: family support and social support. CONCLUSION: Clarifying the needs of the mothers with gestational diabetes, leads to better and proper education planning and a program toward the improvement of health, self-care, and prevention of diabetes.