Are health promoting lifestyles associated with pain intensity and menstrual distress among Iranian adolescent girls?

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the relationship between a health-promoting lifestyle and menstrual pain intensity and distress among adolescent girls in Qazvin. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study using a two-stage sampling method was conducted. The participants (n = 986) were female high school students aged 14-19 years living in Qazvin. Random cluster sampling was used to recruit participants from schools and classes from each grade. An online survey was provided to all participants to complete. Data were collected using a Demographic and Menstrual Characteristics Checklist, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess dysmenorrhea intensity, the Andresh Milsom Scale (AMS) to assess dysmenorrhea severity, the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDS) to assess menstrual distress, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) to assess a health promoting lifestyle. Data were analyzed using an univariable linear regression model at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The findings indicated that 421 participants (42.7%) experienced dysmenorrhea with a mean duration of 2.24 days (SD = 1.57) and a mean pain intensity of 4.62 on the VAS (SD = 2.87). The mean score on the menstrual distress on the MDDS was 13.55 (SD = 8.88) and the mean score on the HPLP was 2.55 (SD = 0.50). Based on the results of univariable linear regression, nutrition (ß=-0.18, p < 0.001) and exercise (ß=-0.17, p < 0.001) had the most significant effect on the severity of dysmenorrhea pain. Also, self-actualization (ß=-0.29, p < 0.001), stress management (ß=-0.25, p < 0.001) and nutrition (ß=-0.25, p < 0.001) had the most significant effect on menstrual distress. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it is suggested that (i) improving nutrition and exercise might reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea pain and (ii) improving self-actualization, stress management and nutrition might reduce the severity of menstrual distress. Overall, it seems that improving health-promoting lifestyle behaviors can help improve the severity of dysmenorrhea pain and menstrual distress among adolescent girls.

Predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy during the covid-19 pandemic.

Background: Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) is a strong predictor of the duration of breastfeeding. The aim of this study is to determine the predictors of BSE in breastfeeding mothers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 breastfeeding mothers who breastfed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. A battery of online questionnaires measured sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, breastfeeding self-efficacy, spouse postpartum social support, perceived social support, anxiety and depression, and fear of Covid-19. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression via stepwise method. The significance level in this study was α = 0.05. Results: The mean BSE score among participants was 58.19 ± 10.48 (out of 70). Spouse postpartum social support (ß = 0.732, p = 0.04), intention to breastfeed (ß = 0.17, p = 0.001), use of formula while breastfeeding (ß = -0.09, p < 0.001), and depression (ß = - 0.11, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of BSE. However, fear of Covid-19 was not significantly correlated with BSE (p = 0.514). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that fear of Covid-19 was not a significant predictor of BSE, while spouse postpartum social support and having the intention of breastfeeding were positively associated with BSE. Depression and simultaneous use of formula in feeding the infant was negatively associated with BSE during Covid-19. Overall, breastfeeding can be encouraged through counseling to improve receiving spousal support, increasing breastfeeding intent, and reducing depression.