Group social work intervention enhances the sexual satisfaction of women with Multiple Sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial study.

Sexual problems are among the most common disorders that people with Multiple Sclerosis have to deal with, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction and quality of life. The study is aimed to investigate the impact of group social work intervention on the sexual satisfaction of women with Multiple Sclerosis. The methodology was a randomized controlled trial and 58 participants recruited (30 for control group and 28 for intervention group). The intervention was based on group social work with an empowerment approach within eight sessions. The average age of the participants was 35.95 ± 6.41 most of whom had high school diploma (62.1%). The findings indicate that, in terms of sexual satisfaction (t = 5.47, Sig = 0.03, df = 56), primary disorders (t = 2.42, Sig = 0.019, df = 56), and tertiary disorders (t = 3.77, Sig = 0.002, df = 56), there is a significant difference between intervention and control groups.

Social Workers in Pediatric Oncology: A Qualitative Study in Iranian Context.

Background: As professionals, social workers have a special position in relation to considering the needs of children with cancer and their families. Hence, it is important to recognize the experiences and challenges of social workers to improve care of their clients. Method: This study was a qualitative content analysis that aimed to determine a comprehensive understanding of pediatric oncology social workers' experiences in Iran. In total, 19 social workers participated in the study. A purposeful sampling method was applied until reaching data saturation. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and field observations. Then, the gathered data were analyzed through face content analysis. The study lasted from 2015 to 2017. Finding: Concepts extracted from social workers' experiences consisted of the nature of oncology work, lack of professional competence, low organizational support and professional inferiority that were related to main concept of "exhausting and stressful service". The results indicated that social workers' involvement in stressful and emotionally demanding situations and facing with professional and organizational challenges caused personal exhaustion. Conclusion: In addition to explaining the social workers' experiences and related factors, the results emphasize the importance of taking care of service providers to prevent them becoming stressed and exhausted. It is also important to protect patients from the consequences of stressed and exhausted care providers so further research is recommended to develop specific intervention.

Community-based relapse prevention for opiate dependents: a randomized community controlled trial.

Relapse prevention (RP) programs mainly focus on patients and their families; however a patient's community can also play a significant role in RP. A randomized-controlled-trial was conducted among opiate-dependents discharging from residential abstinence-based treatment programs to assess the effect of a community-based relapse prevention program (CBRP) on the RP. Seventy-one participants were consented and randomized into CBPR (n = 35) or treatment-as-usual arms. Developing and implementing CBRP, social-workers and peer-group counselors facilitated and advocated thirty-six RP projects across 7 communities during a three-month follow-up period. Negative-drug-tests, 45 and 90 days after discharge from residential programs were considered as the main outcome. Abstinence rates were significantly greater for patients who received CBRP in comparison to the subjects in the treatment-as-usual arm at 45 days (27 and 20, P < 0.004) and 90 days (27 and 21, P < 0.007) after discharge. CBRP was an effective method for RP among opiate-dependents after being discharged from the residential programs.