Sexual health literacy and its related factors among couples: A population-based study in Iran.

Sexual health literacy is one of the factors that affect sexual health. Several factors can influence sexual health literacy. As a result, the current study was carried out to determine sexual health literacy and its associated factors among Iranian couples. In 2022, 410 couples of reproductive age were referred to comprehensive health service centers and private clinics in Kerman city for the descriptive-analytical study. The study questionnaires included sexual health literacy for adults, sexual knowledge and attitude scale, marital intimacy scale, sexual intimacy scale, depression anxiety stress scale, sexual self-efficacy, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and socioeconomic status. Finally, multiple linear stepwise regression models were used to determine the factors related to sexual health literacy using the SPSS software version 22. According to the findings of this study, the mean(SD) of sexual health literacy in couples was 68.76(12.96), which was a desirable level. Furthermore, the findings revealed that sexual self-efficacy (B = 0.649، P<0.001), sexual knowledge and attitude (B = 0.217، P<0.001), the ability to identify reliable and non-reliable sources (B = -3.116، P<0.001), feelings of shame and embarrassment for obtaining sexual information (B = 1.860، P = 0.011), social support (B = 0.127، P<0.001) and the obscenity of sexual issues in family (B = 1.764، P = 0.015) were the final predictors of sexual health literacy in couples. It is suggested that researchers and health managers consider these factors when designing interventions to promote sexual health literacy.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) effects on the worries of women with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the women's most common endocrine disorders that can cause anxiety, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental was implemented on 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, referring to health centers in Kerman, Iran, from April to September 2021. In the intervention group, MBSR was conducted in eight 90-minute sessions twice a week. A researcher-made questionnaire with 34 questions (with six domains including worries related to mental complications, interpersonal problems, non-pregnancy physical complications, pregnancy complications, sexual complications, and religious issues) on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome was completed by the participants in two intervention and control groups as pre-and post-test and one month later. 22 SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of worries in the intervention group (48.18 ± 5.18) compared to the control group (75.73 ± 8.08) was significantly reduced in total and all six domains immediately after the intervention (P < 0.0001). One month later also, the total mean score of worries and subtitles decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) in the intervention group (38.27 ± 3.58) in comparison with the control group (76.13 ± 7.52). CONCLUSION: Results showed that the method of reducing stress based on mindfulness had caused a significant reduction in worries in the intervention group. Therefore, this method can be used to improve the mental health of this group of patients in health centers.

Factors Related to Health Literacy Among the Iranian Population: A Scoping Review.

Background: The identification of the determinants of health literacy is an essential prerequisite for developing health literacy promotion programs. While these factors have been reported in previous studies, there is a lack of a comprehensive review specifically focused on the Iranian population. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the factors related to health literacy in Iran. Methods: This scoping review used the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. A search was performed in English-language databases-Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed-using the MeSH keyword of "health literacy," and in Persian-language databases-Magirean and SID-using the related keywords. A narrative synthesis was conducted to describe all included studies' characteristics and explore factors associated with health literacy. Results: A total of 76 studies were included. Based on the results of the study, related factors included personal factors-including sex, age, education level, field of study, parents' education level, marital status, occupation, work experience, employment status, ethnicity, income, socioeconomic status, medical history, duration of disease, addiction, number of children, media literacy, information literacy, computer literacy, and self-efficacy-situational factors-including use of the internet, use of social networks, social support, source of information, and participation in health education classes-and societal and environmental factors-including place of residence and type of insurance. Conclusion: Modifiable factors identified in this study were self-efficacy, social support, information sources, media literacy, information literacy, computer literacy, internet or social networks, and participation in health education classes. Planners can consider these factors when developing interventions to promote health literacy.

Effect of fennel on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complaints for women is dysmenorrhea. Several studies investigated the treatment effects of medicinal plants on primary dysmenorrhea. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effect of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) on pain in primary dysmenorrhea in comparison to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as mefenamic acid. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Science Direct, ProQuest, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, Iran Medex, and Irandoc were searched up to January 2019. Quality assessment of clinical trials was conducted using Jadad scoring system. Totally, 12 studies were entered in the meta-analysis. I 2 was calculated to determine heterogeneity. Fixed effects and/or random effects models were applied. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of these trials showed that F. vulgare intake decreased significantly the intensity of dysmenorrhea compared to the placebo (SMD -0.632; CI: -0.827 to -0.436; p<0.001; heterogeneity p=0.807; I 2=0%; fixed effect model; seven articles). However, the effect of Mefenamic acid with F. vulgare was not different from each other (SMD=-0.214; CI: -0.446 to 0.017; p=0.07; heterogeneity p=0.58; I 2=0%; fixed effect model; six trials). CONCLUSION: The F. vulgare alleviates dysmenorrhea. Regarding the same effect of F. vulgare with NSAIDs, it is highly recommend to the women suffered from dysmenorrhea specifically the ones who have high tendency toward herbal medicine.

The effect and safety of Berberine on polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effect of Berberine (BBR) on women's health to provide greater insights about its effect on women with polycystic syndrome for both patients and health care providers. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were systematically searched from the base to July 1th, 2019 to identify clinical trials and randomised controlled trials that had explored the effect of BBR on the polycystic syndrome. With regard to the weight and composition body, BBR did not have any significant effect on reducing body weight and conflicting findings had been reported about waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). However, BBR led to a significant decrease in waist to hip ratio (WHR), profile hormonal insulin resistance (IR), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Further, androstenedione dropped significantly following treatment with BBB. However, BBB did not have a significant effect on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

The Effect of Zizyphus Jujube Fruit Lotion on Breast Fissure in Breastfeeding Women.

Nipple fissure is a common problem during breastfeeding. Zizyphus Jujube Fruits is one of the oldest medicinal plants which can heal wounds through its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of jujube lotion on the recovery of breast fissure. This double-blind clinical trial recruited 100 primiparous lactating women who were randomly divided into two groups. In Jujube group, mothers used 0.5 mL of Fruit Lotion, and in control group mothers applied 4-5 drops of their breast milk five times a day, after breastfeeding. Both groups were examined on the 7th and 14th days after childbirth. The damage severity was assessed using the Amir scale and the presence or absence of nipple discharge was recorded. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in the extent of nipple damage before intervention on the 3rd day after childbirth and after intervention on the 7th and 14th days after childbirth (P = 0/02، P = 0/000). No significant difference was observed in sore nipple discharge between the two groups before the study and on the 7th day, while a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups on the 14th day (P = 0/1, P = 0/01). The finding of this study revealed that the Zizyphus jujube fruits lotion heals nipple fissure faster and better than breast milk.

The effect of green tea ointment on episiotomy pain and wound healing in primiparous women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The delayed healing of episiotomy wound and its associated pain is a major problem in obstetrics. Because green tea has analgesic and wound-healing properties, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of green tea ointment on episiotomy pain and wound-healing. The green tea extract was also standardized by measuring its Phenolic and flavonoid compounds, antioxidant activity, and one of its active components, that is, Epigallocatechin gallate. The present clinical trial was conducted on 99 primiparous women visiting Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman in 2015. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups, including a green tea ointment group, a placebo ointment group, and a routine care group. The 2 ointment groups smeared 2 cm of the green tea or placebo ointments onto their sutured area twice daily for a total of 10 days. The severity of pain was assessed in the subjects using the visual pain scale and wound-healing using the Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation (REEDA) scale before the intervention and on the 5th and 10th days after delivery. To standardize the extract, Epigallocatechin gallate was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phenolic and flavonoid compounds, as well as antioxidant activity of the extract were also determined by spectrometry methods. Before the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the 3 groups in terms of their personal and obstetric details (p > .05), the severity of pain (p = .118), and the REEDA score (p = .212). On the 5th and 10th days after delivery, the severity of pain was significantly lower in the green tea group than in the other 2 groups (p < .0001). The mean REEDA score on the 5th and 10th days showed a better and faster healing in the green tea group compared to the other 2 groups (p < .0001). Total content of phenolic and flavonoids contents of green tea were 74.2 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent and 16.3 mg/g Rutin equivalent, respectively, and its antioxidant capacity was 46% of b-carotene. Green tea ointment appears to be effective in relieving episiotomy pain and improving wound-healing in this study. Further studies are recommended to be conducted on the effectiveness and safety of the different doses of green tea ointment.

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Capsella bursa pastoris on Early Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Clinical Trial Study.

OBJECTIVES: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of three main causes of maternal mortality and a life-threatening condition throughout the world. PPH can have irreversible complications for the mother even if it does not lead to death. This study was conducted to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Capsella bursa pastoris on early PPH. DESIGN: The present study was a single-blinded, randomized, clinical trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in Afzalipour Hospital of Kerman in 2015. SUBJECTS: The subjects included 100 women who had given vaginal birth and met the study inclusion criteria. INTERVENTION: The participants were selected and randomly assigned into an intervention group (n = 50) and a placebo group (n = 50). Immediately after placental expulsion, the intervention group was given 10 sublingual drops of the hydroalcoholic extract of Capsella bursa pastoris plus an infusion of 20 U of oxytocin in 1 L of Ringer's solution, and the control group was given 10 sublingual drops of the placebo plus an infusion of 20 U of oxytocin in 1 L of Ringer's solution. OUTCOME MEASURES: The amount of bleeding was assessed in both groups. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured in all the participants 6 h after childbirth. The statistical analysis of the data was performed in SPSS-17 using the following tests: independent t, paired t, repeated measures ANOVA, Friedman's, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Fisher's exact, and chi square. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). After the intervention, there was significant decrease in the amount of postpartum bleeding in both groups. However, the mean decrease in the amount of bleeding was significantly more in the Capsella bursa pastoris group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with the mere administration of oxytocin, sublingual Capsella bursa drops appear to be effective in reducing PPH in this study. Further research regarding the efficacy and safety of various doses of Capsella bursa pastoris is required.