The Effect of an educational Intervention on Anxiety of Pregnant Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of study is the effect of educational intervention on anxiety of pregnant women. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study is done on the pregnant women referring to family physicians offices in Gerash City, Iran. 62 women were selected and divided into 2 groups (control and intervention). In intervention group the anxiety reduction training classes were held as a group discussion in 4 weekly 90-minute sessions. Control group received routine care. The anxiety assessment completed by two groups before and after the educational intervention. The measurement instruments included a demographic information questionnaire and the short form of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-17). RESULTS: Comparison of the mean scores of different dimensions of pregnancy anxiety in the pre-intervention and post-intervention stages in the intervention group using paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the dimensions Fear of childbirth, Fear of giving birth to a physically or mentally disabled child, Fear of mood swings and Fear of changes in marital relations (p < 0.05) in comparison with control group. CONCLUSIONS: Holding pregnancy-training classes using group discussion method is a good strategy to reduce anxiety in pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended that this educational strategy classes be used with mothers from the second trimester of pregnancy in urban family physician centers or those referred to a nearby clinic.

The Effect of an educational Intervention on Anxiety of Pregnant Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study / El efecto de una intervención educativa sobre la ansiedad de las mujeres embarazadas: Un estudio cuasi experimental / O efeito de uma intervenção educativa na ansiedade de gestantes: um estudo quase experimental

Objective. The aim of study is the effect of educational intervention on anxiety of pregnant women. Methods. This quasi-experimental study is done on the pregnant women referring to family physician's offices in Gerash City, Iran. 62 women were selected and divided into 2 groups (control and intervention). In intervention group the anxiety reduction training classes were held as a group discussion in 4 weekly 90-minute sessions. Control group received routine care. The anxiety assessment completed by two groups before and after the educational intervention. The measurement instruments included a demographic information questionnaire and the short form of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-17). Results. Comparison of the mean scores of different dimensions of pregnancy anxiety in the pre-intervention and post-intervention stages in the intervention group using paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the dimensions Fear of childbirth, Fear of giving birth to a physically or mentally disabled child, Fear of mood swings and Fear of changes in marital relations (p < 0.05) in comparison with control group. Conclusion. Holding pregnancy-training classes using group discussion method is a good strategy to reduce anxiety in pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended that this educational strategy classes be used with mothers from the second trimester of pregnancy in urban family physician centers or those referred to a nearby clinic.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de una intervención educativa sobre la ansiedad de las mujeres embarazadas. Métodos. Estudio cuasi-experimental realizado con la participación de mujeres embarazadas que acuden a las consultas de los médicos de familia en la ciudad de Gerash, Irán. Se seleccionaron 62 mujeres y se dividieron en 2 grupos (control e intervención). En el grupo de intervención, las clases de entrenamiento para la reducción de la ansiedad se impartieron en forma de debate grupal en 4 sesiones semanales de 90 minutos. El grupo de control recibió atención rutinaria. Los dos grupos completaron la evaluación de la ansiedad antes y después de la intervención educativa. Los instrumentos de medición incluían un cuestionario de información sociodemográfica y la forma corta del Cuestionario de Ansiedad Relacionada con el Embarazo (PRAQ-17). Resultados. La comparación de las puntuaciones medias de las distintas dimensiones de la ansiedad durante el embarazo en las etapas previa y posterior a la intervención en el grupo de estudio indicó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en las dimensiones Miedo al parto, Miedo a dar a luz a un niño discapacitado física o mentalmente, Miedo a los cambios de humor, y Miedo a los cambios en las relaciones conyugales (p < 0.05), en comparación con el grupo de control. Conclusión. La realización de clases de formación durante el embarazo utilizando el método de discusión en grupo es una buena estrategia para reducir la ansiedad en las mujeres embarazadas. Por lo tanto, se recomienda que esta estrategia educativa se emplee con las madres desde el segundo trimestre del embarazo en los centros de medicina de familia o a aquellas que sean derivadas a la consulta externa.

Objetivo. Avaliar o efeito de uma intervenção educativa sobre a ansiedade em gestantes. Métodos. Estudo quase experimental realizado com a participação de gestantes atendidas em consultórios médicos de família na cidade de Gerash, Irã. 62 mulheres foram selecionadas e divididas em 2 grupos (controle e intervenção). No grupo de intervenção, as aulas de treinamento de redução de ansiedade foram ministradas como uma discussão em grupo e em 4 sessões semanais de 90 minutos. O grupo de controle recebeu cuidados de rotina. Ambos os grupos completaram a avaliação da ansiedade antes e após a intervenção educativa. Os instrumentos de medida incluíram um questionário de informações sociodemográficas e a versão curta do Questionário de Ansiedade Relacionada à Gravidez (PRAQ-17). Resultados. A comparação das pontuações médias das diferentes dimensões da ansiedade durante a gravidez nas etapas antes e após a intervenção no grupo de estudo indicou diferença estatisticamente significativa nas dimensões; medo do parto, medo de dar à luz um filho com deficiência física ou mental, medo de mudanças de humor e medo de mudanças nas relações conjugais (p < 0,05), em comparação com o grupo de controle. Conclusão. A realização de aulas de capacitação durante a gravidez utilizando o método de discussão em grupo é uma boa estratégia para reduzir a ansiedade em gestantes. Portanto, recomenda-se que essa estratégia educativa seja utilizada com mães a partir do segundo trimestre de gestação em centros de medicina de família ou com aquelas que são encaminhadas ao ambulatório.

Effect of lavender aromatherapy through inhalation on quality of life among postmenopausal women covered by a governmental health center in Isfahan, Iran: A single-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Various studies indicate the negative effects of menopausal symptoms and complications on the quality of life (QOL) of women. The tendency to use different methods of complementary medicine to control menopausal symptoms is increasing. In addition, lavender essential oil has been shown to have positive effects on some symptoms associated with menopause. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on the QOL of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted on 62 postmenopausal women referred to health centers of Isfahan, Iran. The subjects were divided into two groups of control and intervention. The intervention group inhaled 2% lavender essential oil every night before bedtime for 20 minutes during one month. The control group received the placebo (distilled water) in the same manner as the intervention group. The data collection tools were the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)and a demographic characteristics questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS software. RESULTS: The independent t-test showed a significant difference in the mean total score of QOL and its various dimensions (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual dimensions) after the intervention between the aromatherapy and placebo groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation aromatherapy using lavender essential oil can improve the QOL of postmenopausal women with a reduction in the severity of complications and physical-psychological symptoms.

The Relationship between Family Functioning and Academic Achievement in Female High School Students of Isfahan, Iran, in 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the most important problem of the educational system is the vast spread of school failure. Therefore, detection of the factors leading to or preventing students' academic achievement is of utmost importance. Family function is considered to be a critical component of academic success. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functioning and academic achievement in high school female students in Isfahan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive correlational study was conducted through random sampling among 237 female high school students in Isfahan during school year 2013-2014. Data were collected by participants' personal characteristics and Bloom family function questionnaires. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis) were adopted and computed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The results showed a significant correlation between family function (except lack of independence) and students' academic achievement (p < 0.05). Further, among family function dimensions, expressiveness (ß = 0.235, p < 0.001), family socialization (ß = 0.219, p = 0.001), and cohesion (ß = 0.211, p = 0.001) were more reliable predictors of academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that students' academic achievement is highly correlated with the performance of their families. Therefore, to improve students' educational status in cultural and educational programs, which are specified for them, family function centered plans should be at the heart of attention.

The Effect of Happiness Training Based on Fordyce Model on Perceived Stress in the Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate.

Introduction: A child afflicted with facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate usually affects their parents, because of difficulties in nutrition, speech, aesthetics and social connections, and also imposing a lot of stress on them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a happiness program on the perceived stress in the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study in which 64 mothers of children with cleft lip and palate were divided by simple random sampling into intervention and control groups (n=64). The program of happiness training was implemented within 10 sessions and the questionnaires of demographics and Cohen perceived stress were filled out prior to and two months after the last session in intervention group. Data analysis was done using SPSS Ver.13. Results: Independent t-test indicated a significant difference in the perceived stress mean score after training in the intervention and control groups. Also paired t-test indicated a significant difference in perceived stress mean score before and after training in the intervention group, but the difference was not statistically significant for the control group. Conclusion: Considering the effect of happiness program on reducing stress in the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate, it is recommended that this model can be used as an intervention in the maternal care for more involvement in the process of treatment and care of their child, in addition to reduce psychological problems in the parents.

The relationship between family functioning and self-esteem in female high school students of Isfahan, Iran, in 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: One of the most critical periods of the life of a person is adolescence. During this period, individuals face many problems such as low self-esteem. Self-esteem can be influenced by many factors such as school, friends, and inner personality, but it seems that the family has a crucial role in shaping self-esteem. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between family functioning and self-esteem in female high school students in Isfahan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive correlational study was performed with multi-stage random sampling method on 237 female high school students who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The data collection tools included Bloom's Family Functioning Scale and Pop's self-esteem questionnaire. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed through SPSS software. RESULTS: The results showed that the majority of the samples examined had moderate level self-esteem (48.5%) and family function (56.5%). There was a significant correlation between the dimensions of family functioning and areas of self-esteem (except for lack of independence, and public, academic, and physical self-esteem). In addition, the correlation between family aspirations and self-esteem (r = 0.636, P < 0.01) was higher than other variables. Moreover, across the dimensions of family functioning, a significant negative correlation was found between the lack of independence and the family self-esteem subscale. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that adolescents' self-esteem is highly correlated with their family's performance. Therefore, to enhance the self-esteem of adolescents, family-centered empowerment programs should be planned and implemented by health service providers, especially nurses, in order to improve and enhance family functioning.