Relationship between air pollution and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women: a case-control study.

Pre-eclampsia is the main cause of maternal and fetal death and disability worldwide. Its incidence in the Islamic Republic of Iran is 5%-12%. Air pollution has been reported to be one of the causative factors, and this case-control study determined its effect on pre-eclampsia in 195 pregnant women (65 with pre-eclampsia and 130 without) admitted to hospitals in Tehran. Women were divided into high and low exposure groups according to the mean density of exposure to pollutants during pregnancy. There was no statistically significant relationship between exposure to air pollutants including CO, particulate matter, SO2, NO2 and O3 and pre-eclampsia. The combined effect was also not significant. Air pollution is one of the problems of modern society and its avoidance is almost impossible for pregnant women. This study should reduce concern about pregnant women living in polluted cities.

A comparative study of the therapeutic effects of the Zataria multiflora vaginal cream and metronidazole vaginal gel on bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of most prevalent complications among reproductive-aged women. Metromidazole prescription, which is considered as the first-line treatment of BV, is usually followed by a few side effects. Besides, there is a growing tendency toward herbal medicines for the treatment of vaginitis. Antibacterial and antifungal effects of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of the Z. multiflora vaginal cream and metronidazole vaginal gel on bacterial vaginosis. This was a randomized clinical trial on 90 married women aged 18-40 affected by BV who attended for treatment to the gynecology clinic of Shabih-Khani Hospital. They randomly divided to two groups of 45 participants. Diagnostic criteria were Amsel's criteria and Gram stain. Z. multiflora vaginal cream or metronidazole vaginal gel for five-night usage were prescribed to each group, and after 2-7 days therapeutic effects on participants' complications and their Amsel criteria were assessed. Data analysis was performed by McNemar and Fisher exact tests. Patients' complication and their Amsel's criteria were significantly decreased after treatment with Z. multiflora or metronidazole (p<0.05). Relative risk for unresponsiveness to treatment with Z. multiflora, to unresponsiveness to metronidazole was 1.5, which was not significant. Therapeutic effects of Z. multiflora vaginal cream are similar to metronidazole vaginal gel on BV. Therefore it could be an appropriate choice to BV treatment for those interested in herbal medicines or those affected by side effects of metronidazole.

Assessment of quality of care in postpartum wards of Shaheed Beheshti Medical Science University hospitals, 2004.

PURPOSE: Despite 77 per cent antenatal care coverage and 90 per cent skilled attendant at delivery, adjusted maternal mortality in Iran is 76 per 100,000 births. Low quality of maternal health services is one cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. However, few and limited studies have been devoted to the quality of postpartum care in Iran. This study aims to assess quality of care in postpartum wards of Shaheed Beheshti Medical Science University hospitals to show weakness and gaps areas in the care procedure for future improvement intervention programs. It is a descriptive study to assess quality of care in postpartum wards of Shaheed Beheshti Medical Science University hospitals, in 2003. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Using quota sampling, 60 healthy women were recruited for the study. Data were collected using three forms including a questionnaire with demographic and obstetrics questions, a check-list for the postpartum care and education quality assessment. Control of vital signs, uterus assessment, perineum assessment, leaving bed, urinary system assessment, digestive system assessment, breast examination, extremities assessment, psychological assessment, as well as education about perineum self-care, breast-feeding, infant care, education before discharge and educational method. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire and checklist were assessed prior to use. Data were analyzed using SPSS. FINDINGS: Results showed compatibility of provided postpartum care with the standards as follows: method of patient's education (52.68 per cent); control of vital signs (43.21 per cent); education about breast-feeding (26.06 per cent); care in getting out of bed (25.83 per cent); psychological care (19.36 per cent); urinary system assessment (16.66 per cent); education about perineum care (13.12 per cent); uterus assessment (10.6 per cent); digestive system assessment (9.69 per cent); patient's education before discharge (7.99 per cent); education about infant's care (7.81 per cent); perineum assessment (6.72 per cent); breast examination (1.11 per cent); and assessment of extremities (0.81 per cent). The study demonstrated that weak postpartum care was provided in 82 per cent of cases but also that mothers were satisfied with provided care in all domains of care. Mothers were very satisfied with facilities and less satisfied with personnel interaction with their visitors in hospital. There was no significant correlation between quality of services and clients' satisfaction (Spearman test, p < 0.05). ORIGINALITY/VALUE: For the first time in Iran, this study has evaluated quality of care in postpartum wards of hospitals based on the defined standards. The study provided a defined standard for postpartum care, which is necessary for regular monitoring and evaluation and so evidence-based intervention programs to improve the system of care. It was also postulated that mothers' satisfaction with care is not always a good indicator of services quality.