Comparison of the Effects of Fenugreek Vaginal Cream and Ultra Low- Dose Estrogen on Atrophic Vaginitis.

INTRODUCTION: Atrophic vaginitis is a common problem in postmenopausal women and results from decreased levels of blood estrogen. It is associated with symptoms of itching, burning, dyspareunia, and postmenopausal bleeding. The present study evaluated the effects of fenugreek extract on atrophic vaginitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 postmenopausal women in Ardabil, Iran, in 2018. The participants were selected using block randomization with the allocation ratio 1:1. Those in the intervention group received 0.5g (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) fenugreek vaginal cream 5% twice a week for 12 weeks. The control group received conjugated estrogens vaginal cream at the dose of 0.625 mg (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) containing 0.3 mg of conjugated estrogens. Atrophic vaginitis was evaluated before and after the treatment through clinical examination, clinical signs, and measurement of Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI). FINDINGS: After the 12-week intervention and modification of the baseline score, the mean (standard error) score for atrophic vaginitis signs was 3.100 (1.43-4.75). This difference was statistically significant in intragroup comparison and in favor of the control group in intergroup comparison (p=0.001). VMI was less than 49% in 86.7% and 46.7% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. This was a significant difference in favor of the control group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that total fenugreek extract could be effective in treating signs of atrophic vaginitis, but it was not as effective as ultra-low-dose estrogen.

Development and validation of a cultural competence questionnaire for health promotion of Iranian midwives.

INTRODUCTION: Cultural competence is the main component of cultural care; therefore, it is necessary to be aware of its levels. The lack of a suitable tool that can measure cultural competence levels among midwives led us to carry out the present study aiming to develop and validate a cultural competence questionnaire for health promotion of Iranian midwives. METHODOLOGY: This methodological study was performed on 302 midwives selected through three-stage cluster sampling method in 2018 in East Azarbaijan Province. The initial tool was designed after qualitative study and searching similar studies. Then, the tool validity was assessed through evaluating the face and content validity in midwives and performing survey and psychometrics. Finally, the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS version 19 through exploratory factor analysis, item analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and Pearson correlation, at the significant level of <0.05. RESULTS: The initial tool was constructed with 42 items in the five-point Likert scale. By eliminating 9 items during face and content validation and 6 items during factor analysis, the final 25-item questionnaire was developed in five areas of theoretical and practical learning, clinical application, cultural skill, cultural excellence, and cultural competence. According to Cronbach's alpha, reliability of the tool was at a good level (0.889) with a confidence interval of 0.95 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The cultural competence questionnaire for Iranian midwives, with five-factor verification and acceptable validity and reliability can be used in studies considering the components of Iranian culture.