The Effect of Cognitive-behavioral Counseling on the Resilience of Female Adolescents with Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the causes of poor performance in women, with direct and indirect adverse effects on their marital, family, and social life. This study aimed to examine the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling on resilience in adolescent girls with PMS. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from February to May 2018 on 15-17-year-old girl adolescents in Hamadan high schools. Using the block randomization method and the block size of 10, we randomly assigned 120 participants with moderate to severe PMS into intervention (N=60) and control groups (N=60). Participants in the intervention group received eight 60-minute cognitive-behavioral counseling sessions for 8 weeks, and the control group received no intervention. Data were gathered using demographic questionnaire, Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool, and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. The Chi-square, independent-samples t-test, and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: The mean total resilience score and all its dimensions increased in the intervention group 3 months after the intervention (P<0.05). Mean scores of total resilience and all subscales except spiritual influences showed statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups 3 months after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral counseling can improve resilience in female adolescents with moderate to severe PMS. It is recommended that school counselors can use cognitive-behavioral counseling to improve the resilience of girls with moderate to severe PMS.Trial Registration Number: IRCT2015052615341N6.

Promoting maternal self efficacy and paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Counseling is one of the ways to improve the quantity and quality of breastfeeding. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of couple-centered counseling on fathers' attitudes and mothers' self-efficacy towards breastfeeding. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 60 primigravida pregnant women and their spouses who were randomly selected among the pregnant women referred to the two maternity hospitals of Malayer City, a city in the province Hamadan in western Iran. Data collection tools included the demographic characteristics questionnaire, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. The intervention was performed according to the principles of GATHER counseling (Greet, Ask, Tell, Help, Explain, and Return). Mothers' self-efficacy and fathers' attitudes toward breastfeeding were assessed before the intervention and 4 weeks after birth in both groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 software and using a significance level of p = 0.05. RESULTS: The participants of the control and test groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics. The change in mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy score after intervention in the test group had a statistically significant difference compared to the control group (30.43 ± 2.53; 95%CI: 25.41,35.44), and the change in the score of fathers' attitude towards breastfeeding had a statistically significant difference after the intervention in the test group compared to the control group (19.3 ± 2.05; 95%CI: -23.36, -15.23). In the test group, the change in fathers' attitude towards breastfeeding after the intervention was significant compared to before the intervention (30.36 ± 2.38; 95%CI: 25.43, 35.25). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate counseling programs can change fathers' attitudes toward breastfeeding and increase mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, so couples' presence in breastfeeding counseling is recommended.

The Effect of Exercise Plan Based on FITT Protocol on Primary Dysmenorrhea in Medical Students: A Clinical Trial Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effects of exercise based on a specific protocol on the severity and duration of primary dysmenorrhea in students residing in dormitories of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, western Iran in 2017. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial study. METHODS: Overall, 86 students (43 in the interventional group and 43 in the control group) with mild to moderate dysmenorrhea were enrolled. The exercise based on the FITT protocol (Intensity of exercise, time of exercise, and type of exercise) was implemented for the interventional group in 8 weeks. The McGill Pain scale was used to determine the severity of pain in dysmenorrhea. Duration of pain was calculated in terms of the day. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and the significance level was considered 0.05. RESULTS: The mean dysmenorrhea severity in the first menstrual cycle after the intervention in intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (3.06 (1.78) and 4.74 (2.14), respectively) and in the second menstrual cycle (2.01 (1.54) and 4.61 (2.01) respectively) (P<0.001). The mean duration of dysmenorrhea in the first menstrual cycle after the intervention in intervention group was less than the control group (1.29 (0.92) and 2.32 (1.26) respectively) P<0.001) and in the second menstrual cycle (0.94 (0.93) and 2.13 (1.24) respectively) P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sports activities based on a certain and organized protocol could improve dysmenorrhea.

Effect of Consultation on Adherence to Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography in Iranian Women: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Early diagnosis of breast cancer is directly related to success in treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of consultation based on the health belief model on performance of clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography in women. Methods: This research was a clinical trial study. Eligible women aged> 40 years attending to Hamadan health care centers in 2016 were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n = 75 in each group). The experimental group received 4 weekly sessions of breast cancer screening consulting based on Health Belief Model (HBM). Knowledge on breast cancer, HBM constructs, and practices were compared between two groups before, one and three months after intervention. Results: Before the intervention, no significant differences were observed in knowledge, HBM constructs and practice between experimental and control groups. While one and three months post intervention significant differences were detected between two groups on HBM constructs (except susceptibility and severity) and knowledge (p <0.05). Conclusions: The results showed the consultation promoted breast cancer screening in women.

Factors contributing to fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Hamadan (Iran) in 2016.

BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth is a considerable mental, social, and physiological phenomenon among women as well as their families, which can be effective in choosing cesarean section for delivery. AIM: To determine some factors contributing to the fear of childbirth among pregnant women. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 335 pregnant women referred to health centers in Toyserkan in 2016. Pregnant women with the gestational age of 16-40 weeks filled out Harman's Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ) as well as stating demographic and obstetrics characteristics. Data were analyzed by Software SPSS/19 through chi-square, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation tests. RESULTS: The mean age and mean gestational age of the pregnant women were 26.5±4.9 years old and 26.52 weeks, respectively; 89.3% of the women reported fear of childbirth. There was a significant difference among the mean scores of the women's fear of childbirth and education level, household income adequacy, gravidity, being familiar with the delivery process, and pre-pregnancy cares (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study found the relationship between women's fear of childbirth and their education level, household income, gravidity, familiarity with delivery process, and pre-pregnancy cares. It is necessary for health caregivers to take into consideration the vulnerable groups, especially nulliparous women during pre-pregnancy care as well as the social, and cultural status of women in order to identify the pregnant women exposed to fear of childbirth and reduce the chance of choosing cesarean section by providing appropriate services.

Effects of Breast Self-Examination Consultation Based on the Health Belief Model on Knowledge and Performance of Iranian Women Aged Over 40 Years.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide; lack of awareness of symptoms and delay on diagnosis of breast cancer are the main causes of mortality. This study was conducted with the purpose of assessing the effect of educational consultation for breast self-examination (BSE) based on the health belief model (HBM) on the knowledge and performance of women over 40 years attending health care centers in Hamadan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, eligible women admitted to health centers in Hamadan city in 2015 were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (n=75 in each group). The intervention group received 4 weekly sessions of breast cancer screening consulting based on the HBM. Control group received only routine care. Knowledge, HBM constructs, and BSE practice were compared between the groups before, immediately after and three months after the consultation. RESULTS: Before the intervention, no significant differences were observed in knowledge, health belief and practice between two groups. However, after the intervention a significant difference was observed between two groups in mean scores of perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy and the health motivations (<0.05). Significant differences were also observed in terms of knowledge and BSE practice (<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the importance of consultation on knowledge and beliefs to improve BSE performance and prevention of breast cancer in Iranian women.