Growth and replication of infectious bursal disease virus in the fish cell line as an experimental vaccine.

Recently, several attempts have been made to replace egg-based with cell-based vaccines to prevent and control Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). This study aimed to evaluate a new fish cell line (M99) for culturing and replicating IBDV. After observing complete cytopathic effects (CPE) on the M99 cell line, virus titers were determined using the TCID50 test, and the presence of the virus was confirmed using an RT-PCR test. Subsequently, 135 broiler chickens (14 days old) were randomly divided into three equal groups for immune response measurements: G1: immunized with a commercial vaccine, G2: immunized with an experimental vaccine, and G3: control. Antibody responses, bursal index, and histopathological evaluations were examined on different days after immunization. Based on the results, CPE of the virus was noticeable from the first passage, becoming complete by the third passage. The infectious titer of the virus was log106.9. Antibody titer measured 21 days after immunization in both vaccinated groups were significantly differed from the control group (p < 0.05). The results obtained from examining the bursal index and histopathological evaluations showed no significant difference between the studied groups at different times. Overall, this research is the first report on the successful cultivation of infectious bursal virus on a permanent cell line of fish origin, with the advantages of tolerance to a wide temperature range (26-40 degrees Celsius). Therefore, this cell line has potential for use to attenuate, cultivate, and adapt other pathogens to cold temperatures in future studies.

Improving the reproductive health literacy of couples on the verge of marriage through the FOCUS-PDCA model: Mixed-method study.

Background & Aims: Education and counseling during marriage is an opportunity to raise some issues needed by couples on the verge of marriage. This study was conducted with the aim of improving reproductive and sexual health literacy of couples on the verge of marriage. Methods: This study was a mixed-methods participatory action research conducted based on the Find, Organize, Clarify, Understand, Select-Plan, Do, Check, Act (FOCUS-PDCA) model in nine steps during 2019-2020 in the city of Bandar Abbas. The Reproductive Health Literacy Scale and the Service Quality (SERVQUAL) Questionnaire were used to evaluate the interventions. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 26. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. Results: The mean age of women and men participating in the quantitative part of the study was 21 ± 5 and 25.84 ± 3.9 years, respectively, which was similar to their counterparts in this part of the study, and the difference in the mean scores of reproductive health literacy before and after the changes in the program showed a significant difference (p > 0.001). The study results showed that, except for the understanding dimension, most participants were at an insufficient level in other dimensions of reproductive health literacy. The result of measuring the satisfaction of service recipients indicated good satisfaction in the two dimensions of warranty and accountability, and there was a gap in empathy, assurance, and tangibility dimensions, which the biggest gap was related to the empathy dimension. Conclusion: The changes made in improving the reproductive health literacy of couples were effective, which can be taken into consideration based on the added items in the current program of providing educational services in marriage preparation classes for couples.

Midwives' Educational Needs in Iran: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Midwives have a major role in the improvement of health indicators in every country. In order for midwives to be able to play their role well, they must have sufficient updated knowledge. For this purpose, it is necessary to review their educational needs. The aim of the present research was to review Iranian studies that have investigated midwives' educational needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this narrative review, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Ovid, SID, and Magiran databases were searched for the full texts of Iranian studies published in Persian and English languages in the period of 2000-2018. Review, descriptive, and interventional articles consistent with the research aim were included in this study. RESULTS: Of the 53 found articles, 23 articles that were relevant to midwives' educational needs in Iran were investigated. The findings of the studies showed that the educational needs of the midwives can be categorized into the four groups of knowledge and performance, communication skills, occupational rules/regulations, and religious rules. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that midwives in Iran have different educational needs. Because the midwifery practice leads to the promotion of public health, it is imperative that midwives have comprehensive knowledge and the skills necessary for providing optimal care. In order to achieve this, short-term and long-term training programs tailored to the needs of midwives are recommended.

Prevalence of domestic violence on pregnant women and maternal and neonatal outcomes in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy by itself, imposes great physical and psychological pressures on a person and consequently, coupled with other stressors such as violence, can have adverse effects on the fetus and mother. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women and maternal and infants' outcomes. METHODS: This is a descriptive study using a questionnaire. Data were collected from 725 women who delivered their babies at Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas in the summer and autumn of 2013. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: demographic characteristics, factors affecting violence, areas of violence (physical, emotional, sexual) and maternal and fetal outcomes. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 18 using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological violence were 6.5, 14.8 and 9.9 %, respectively. The variables of age, duration of marriage, previous marriage experience and the husband's addiction, had a significant relationship with applying physical violence of the husband. There was significant correlation between physical violence and maternal outcomes (p<0.000). There was a statistically significant association between physical violence and low birth weight and growth delay in the uterus (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: Due to the relatively high violence in pregnancy, and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes, it is suggested that violence screening programs in the health system and educating health professionals and women at risk and also the implementation of programs to protect these women, can be effective in reducing the cycle of violence and its negative consequences.

Comparison of Social, Economic and Familial Empowerment in Married Women in Three Cities of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Women's empowerment was defined as their ability to achieve awareness and control their personal, social, economic and political forces aiming at taking measures in order to improve their lives. This study aimed to compare the empowerment of the married women in medical sciences university in social, economic and familial domains in three cities, IRAN. METHODS: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2016 on 399 married and employed women. Data collection instrument was a four-part questionnaire consisting of demographic, social, economic and familial domains and made by researchers. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16. Using paired t-test for intra-group and Chi-square and t-test for between groups comparisons. The significance level was set at<0.05. RESULTS: The total score of empowerment in Rasht (126.34±17.51) was more than the two cities of Shiraz (123.46±15.62) and Bandar Abbas (123.42±12.34). There was a significant relationship between the mean score of the total empowerment and monthly income of the participants in Bandar Abbas (P=0.04), and job of their husbands in Rasht (P=0.004). The mean score of family empowerment of the women was significantly interrelated with the number of their children in Rasht (P=0.001), and with the education of the participants' husbands in Shiraz (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The score of social empowerment in Rasht was more than two other cities. In economic domain, the scores of Rasht and Bandar Abbas were more than those of Shiraz. Scores of Rasht and Shiraz were more than Bandar Abbas in the familial domain. It is useful to carry out qualitative studies aiming at determining the effects of various factors on women's empowerment and strategies for improving it.

Association between body mass index (BMI) and duration of pregnancy in women referred to Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged pregnancy is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications. The role of body mass index (BMI) is not completely identified in the risk of occurrence of prolonged pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the association between BMI and duration of pregnancy in woman referred to the Shariati Maternity Hospital in Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan Province, Iran). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1100 pregnant women referred to the Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas in 2015. Gestational age determined by last menstrual period (LMP) or first-trimester ultra-sonography. The women were divided into two groups of less than 40 weeks of gestation and more than 40 weeks of gestation. The women were divided based on their BMI at the first trimester of pregnancy into four groups, including less than normal, normal, overweight, and excess weight. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney test, and chi-square test by SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: The average age of mothers studied was 23 ± 4.30 years. Average of gestational age was 39 ± 1.85 weeks. Among the study participants 1020 (92.7%) had term pregnancies, 53 (4.8%) had preterm pregnancies, and 27 (2.5%) had post-term pregnancies. Also among the study participants, 40% had a BMI less than 19.8 kg/m2, 45.9% had BMI between 19.8 and 26 kg/m2, and 9.8% had BMI between 26.1 and 29 kg/m2, and 4.3% had BMI less than 29 kg/m2. Mean BMI was 20.95 ± 4.02 for women with gestational age of equal to or less than 40 weeks and 23.34 ± 4.52 for women with gestational age of more than 40 weeks. Duration of pregnancy was significantly higher in women with higher BMI at the first trimester (p<0.00006). CONCLUSION: High BMI of a mother in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with prolonged pregnancy and may increase the risk of post-term pregnancy. Women are recommended to reach an ideal weight before pregnancy to decrease the risk of the pregnancy complications.

The effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 150 primiparous women in postpartum period, who attended the family planning or vaccination clinics, were enrolled for the study. Eighty-one had vaginal delivery with episiotomy and 69 had experienced cesarean section. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index within 3 and 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: About 29% in vaginal delivery group and 37% in cesarean delivery group had resumed their sexual intercourses four weeks after delivery (p=0.280).There were no significant differences between mode of delivery and sexual functioning, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that postpartum sexual functioning was not associated with the type of delivery.

The Effect of LI4 Acupressure on Labor Pain Intensity and Duration of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of LI4 acupressure on labor pain and duration during the first stage of labor. METHODS: Parturient women (n=149) with singleton pregnancies in the active phase of spontaneous labor, without any medical or obstetric problems, were enrolled in this single-blinded, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were placed into one of three groups: an LI4 acupressure group, a touching group, and a control group in which no pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods of pain relief were used. Pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale before and after the intervention in the first stage of labor. Pressure or touch was applied for 30 minutes during uterine contractions. RESULTS: The difference in the pain scores between the acupressure and control group was statistically significant (p<0.001) but there was no statistically significant (p=0.942) difference in the duration of the first stage of labor between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Acupressure is an effective, non-invasive, and easily applicable technique to reduce labor pain.