The phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal Lactobacillus with potential probiotic properties isolated from healthy women in northern Iran.

Background and Objectives: This study assesses the antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal Lactobacillus strains and provides data for determining the prevalence of certain antibiotic resistance genes in the new strains of lactobacilli serving as probiotics and selected from healthy women in northern Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred premenopausal non-pregnant women in the reproductive age range of 22-50 years participated in this study. The potential probiotic vaginal lactobacilli used in the study included Lactobacillus crispatus (34.2%), Lactobacillus gasseri (26.3%), Lactobacillus johnsonii (10.5%), Lactobacillus acidophilus (15.7%) and Lactobacillus jensenii (13.1%). The phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility of the strains was determined by E test and DNA extraction and PCR were performed to examine the antibiotic resistance genes. Results: 38 potential probiotic vaginal lactobacilli were isolated. All the strains of lactobacilli were resistant to metronidazole and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and all of the strains were susceptible to ampicillin and chloramphenicol antibiotics. The results showed that ermB, ermC, and ermA genes were observed in the strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Metronidazole resistance (nim) gene was also found in one strain of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus johnsonii. The aminoglycoside resistance (aac6'-aph2″) gene was observed in 8% of the strains. Also, tetM, tetK and tetW genes were found in more than 80% of the Lactobacillus strains. Conclusion: The antimicrobial susceptibility of vaginal lactobacilli is an important criterion for establishing whether or not the organism is a probiotic. A high level of resistance to clinical antibiotics, such as metronidazole and aminoglycosides, was demonstrated. Antibiotic resistant genes also appeared widely in vaginal lactobacilli.

The frequency of unintended pregnancy-associated factors among Iranian women in the poor part of the capital, Tehran.

Background and Objectives: Unintended pregnancy is considered one of the critical indicators of community health as being a risk factor in unsanitary abortions, miscarriage, and insufficient prenatal care. This study aimed to determine the frequency of unintended pregnancy and the related factors in married women. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 1013 married women aged 15-49 who were referred to health centers in the South of Tehran. To analyze the data, single and multiple logistic regressions were used. Results: About 50% of participants had already experienced at least one unintended pregnancy. Analysis showed the following predictive factors for unintended pregnancy: being within the age range of 26 to 40 (AOR, 95% CI = 1.91; 1.25-2.90), being over 40 years of age (AOR, 95% CI = 1.96; 1.04-3.71), spouse education level of high-school or lower (AOR, 95% CI = 1.64; 1.11-2.42), first marriage age range of 21 to 30 years (AOR, 95% CI = 0.64; 0.47-0.88), use of the DMPA method as contraception (AOR, 95% CI = 3.42; 1.16-10.06), history of tubectomy (AOR, 95% CI = 4.45; 1.99-10) and history of vasectomy (AOR, 95% CI = 4.61; 1.18-17.98). Conclusions: Training and distribution of free contraceptive methods would be much more effective and less expensive than paying for costly illegal induction of abortion and unwarranted complications due to abortion. Implications: Vulnerable women who are referred to health centers to receive health services should be trained in contraceptive methods and be informed of the probability of unintended pregnancy with each contraceptive method and the consequences of self-induced abortion.

Exploring the understanding and experience of women with rheumatic diseases regarding fertility intention- a qualitative content analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) have a lower desire to have children, fewer children, and a longer interval between their pregnancies, which can be due to the patient's personal choice, the physician's advice, changes in sexual activity, changes in fertility, and pregnancy failure. This study aimed to explore the understanding and experience of women with RDs regarding pregnancy intention. METHOD: In Mashhad, Northeast Iran, between December 2022 and March 2023, this qualitative inquiry was carried out. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty women with RDs. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Graneheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The data organization was done using MAXQDA 12 software. Credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability have been considered as elements of trustworthiness. RESULTS: The participants' data analysis revealed the following main theme: "duality of desire and fear in childbearing". Five main categories were identified, including "Individual health concerns following pregnancy", "motherhood and womanhood perceptions", "concerns about child harm", "contradictory beliefs and attitudes of significant family members and clinicians about pregnancy", and "lack of social support for fertility". CONCLUSION: In order to improve the outcomes of pregnancy for women with RDs, the medical professionals who manage them must actively and frequently inquire about their intentions to childbearing and offer them individualized guidance on how to be in the best possible health at the time of conception. Rheumatologists, gynecologists, and reproductive health specialists can better address the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population by enhancing their collaboration in the care of women with RDs.

Association between Social Mobility and Quality-of-Life Index in Women of Rasht: A Population-Based Study in the Iranian Context.

Background: Life course research has shown that socioeconomic conditions in childhood have a profound impact on adult health. However, little is known about the different health effects of social mobility. This study was conducted to answer whether the intergenerational social mobility of women in Rasht is related to their quality of life index. Methods: This cross-sectional survey conducted in 2020-2021, in which the researcher created a social mobility questionnaire, was used to study the association between social mobility and the quality of life index of women aged 30-65 in Rasht. The current socioeconomic status of 784 married women in this city was compared to the previous socioeconomic status of their parents. Also, Ferrans and Power's quality of life index questionnaire was used. Data analysis was done using t-test and ANOVA. Results: The mean (SD) score for the overall quality of life index was 21.60 (4.23) of 30. The majority of participants had immobility (350 of them or 44.6%). There was no statistically significant correlation between women's intergenerational mobility and their quality-of-life index (P = 0.734). Still, there was a statistically significant difference between the average score of the quality of life in the socioeconomic groups of the participants. Conclusion: Findings show that the women in Rasht did not have opportunities to promote their status or could not take advantage of these possibilities. Although our results did not show evidence for the effects of social mobility on quality of life, some scholars' findings support the idea of the impact (negative or positive) of intergenerational upward mobility on well-being.

Comparison of maternal outcomes in caring by Doula, trained lay companion and routine midwifery care.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in the care provided by Doula, trained lay companion, and routine midwifery care in the labor and obstetric units. In this study, only results related to maternal outcomes were presented. METHOD: This is a quasi-experimental study, which was conducted on 150 women with low-risk pregnancies who had been selected for vaginal birth at private clinics and public hospitals of Arak, Iran. Participants were divided into three groups, two intervention groups, doula and trained lay companion, and one control group, midwife's routine care. The intervention groups, in addition to receiving routine care from the labor and maternity units, also received support and training by doula or a trained lay companion, but 50 the control group received only routine midwifery care. In the control group and the trained companion, the samples were taken from 10 clinics of different parts of the city by random sampling method using the SIB center system. Then, among selected numbers, we randomly selected samples for each group. But in Doula group, because of limited number of samples, convenience sampling was used and all women enrolled in doula care were included in the study until the number reached 50. In each group, outcomes such as the duration of active phase and second stage of labor, as well as the severity of pain, anxiety and maternal satisfaction with birth were measured and compared with other groups. Data were collected by a researcher-made checklist, the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Pain Visual Assessment Scale (VAS), and the Hollins Martin's Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R). Data were analyzed by SPSS-22 statistical software using Kruskal Wallis, Chi-Square, ANOVA and Fisher's exact tests. FINDINGS: Based on the results, the mean duration of active phase between three groups was 234.68 ± 118.74, 256.66 ± 108.75 and 279 ± 94.37 min, respectively (p = 0.022). Also, the mean duration of second stage in three groups was 10 ± 5.61, 10.35 ± 5.1 and 22.30 ± 75.57 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The difference between mean pain scores in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth hours was not statistically significant. The average difference in anxiety score in the two stages of labor was higher in the lay companion group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001); however, the level of satisfaction in doula group was higher compared to the lay companion and control groups (p < 0.00 1). CONCLUSION: According to present study, doula care has a greater effect on reducing the duration of labor than other care models. Based on the study, there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of variables such as the severity of labor pain. However, the level of anxiety of pregnant mothers in the group supported by lay companion was lower than the other two groups, which indicates the positive effect of mothers' training on increasing maternal comfort and satisfaction. It is suggested that further research investigate the severity of labor pain in groups supported by different care models and also we recommend the use of lay companion' support during childbearing of mothers who could not afford doula. TRAIL REGISTRATION: This article has been registered in Iran's Clinical Trial Center with the code: IRCT20230620058548N1. 2023/08/29.

Investigating and comparing the dimensions of worry of Iranian primiparous women in each trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and childbirth are considered natural events in the life cycle of women. However, it is also a stressful experience along with physiological and psychological changes. Therefore, it is important to study the dimensions that cause more worry in each of the pregnant trimesters. This study aimed to determine and compare the dimensions of worry of Iranian primiparous women in each trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 primiparous women (n = 100 in each trimester) referred to seven health centers affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The sampling was multistage. We collected data from a demographic and fertility questionnaire and the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS). RESULTS: The mean score of worry during the entire pregnancy was 28.16. The mean and standard deviation of the worry score in the first trimester was (27.35 ± 12.22). The second trimester was (27.80 ± 12.53) and the third trimester was (29.34 ± 11.11). The highest mean score of worry in the first and third trimmers was the dimension of own health. The second trimester was the dimension of socio-medical. The lowest mean score of worry in all trimmers was the dimension of relationships. Among CWS-related items, the highest mean score of worry in the first trimester was giving birth (3.34) and the possibility of miscarriage (3.22). In the second trimester was the possibility of going into labour too early (3.3) and the possibility of miscarriage (3.12), and in the third trimester was the possibility of going into labour too early (3.33) and giving birth (3.27). The lowest mean score of worry in all three trimesters was related to problems with the law. CONCLUSION: pregnancy worry in the third trimester was more than the other two trimesters, and worrying about own health was the most important dimension of worry for pregnant women. Paying attention to the dimensions of worry of pregnant women helps design appropriate interventions to increase the mental and physical health of pregnant women.

Validation of the Iranian version of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale 12-item research short-form for use during global crises (PSAS-IR-RSF-C).

BACKGROUND: Due to its high pervasiveness and adversarial consequences, postpartum anxiety has been one of the most worrying public health concerns in the last decade. According to previous research, the occurrence of mental disorders among women in the postpartum period upsurges significantly in the course of universal disasters. The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale - Research Short Form - for use in global Crises [PSAS-IR-RSF-C] has not been used in Iran for postpartum women during a health system shock. Consequently, this study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version (PSAS-IR-RSF-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with 180 women who were between six weeks and six months after delivery, by random sampling method from December 2021 to June 2022. The validity of the PSAS-RSF-C in terms of face, content, was analyzed, and the construct validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire were measured using (Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's ω) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. RESULTS: The content validity index and content validity ratio of the Persian version of the PSAS-IR-RSF-C were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. A three-factor structure was extracted during the exploratory factor analysis process, and model validity was confirmed by the values of fit indices. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, McDonald's ω and intra-cluster correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) were 0.74, 0.92 (0.78 to 0.93) and 0.97 (0.93 to 0.98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For the specific assessment of postpartum anxiety among Iranian women during crises, the Persian version of the PSAS-IR-RSF-C is a valid and reliable tool.

Validation of Persian Version of Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in Iranian Women with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is now the most significant health issue in women, threatening diverse aspects of human health, including mental health and cognitive function. This research aimed to validate the Persian version of Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in Iranian women with breast cancer. METHODS: We gathered data on 229 women with breast cancer in Tehran through convenience sampling. They completed a demographic questionnaire, the Persian version of MAAS, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and DASS-21. SPSS-22 analyzed the Pearson correlation between the Persian version of MAAS, general self-efficacy, and DASS-21. Also, LISREL 8.8 was used to analyze the internal structure of the MAAS. RESULTS: Findings from the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the model with one factor fits well with the data (sbχ2=4.29 (P=0.36); SRMR=0.058; CFI=1.0; NFI=0.91; IFI=0.95; RFI=0.97; GFI=0.90; RMSEA=0.069). Significant negative correlations were found between MAAS and DASS-21 scores for anxiety (r=-0.51), depression (r=-0.48) and stress (r=-0.49), indicating an acceptable divergent validity. There was also a positive relationship between MAAS and general self-efficacy (r=0.37; P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Persian version of MAAS seems to be a valid scale for evaluating the extent of mindfulness of Iranian women with breast cancer.

How do I deal with breast cancer: a qualitative inquiry into the coping strategies of Iranian women survivors.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in Iran. Understanding the coping strategies employed by cancer survivors can provide valuable information for designing interventions to help them adapt to the problems produced by cancer and its treatment. This study aimed to explore the coping strategies of BC survivors in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in Mashhad, Northeast Iran, between April and December 2021. Fourteen BC survivors were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis adopted by Graneheim and Lundman. MAXQDA 12 software was used for data organization. Components of trustworthiness, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability, were considered. RESULTS: The main categories that emerged from the participants' data analysis were "behavioral coping strategies" and "emotional coping strategies." Behavioral coping strategies included efforts to adopt healthy nutrition, attempts to improve a healthy lifestyle, maintenance of everyday activities, use of specialized cancer support consultation services, and seeking to increase health literacy about BC. The emotional coping strategies consisted of denial as a temporary escape route, positive thinking and focusing on the positive aspects of life, reinforcement of spirituality, and seeking the support of relatives. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide an in-depth understanding of Iranian women's strategies for coping with BC. A trained team of oncologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and reproductive health specialists needs to contribute significantly to improving the coping ability of patients with cancer, which could lead to enhanced health promotion and a higher quality of life.

The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age.

BACKGROUND: Healthy sex can be affected by cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context (CSASCs) and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). Cognitive schemas are the nuclear structure of the cognitive system which facilitate the interaction between individuals and their environments. CSASCs are emotional and behavioral responses in the sexual context. EMSs are extremely stable, enduring and are developed throughout the life of the individual, beginning in childhood. The present study investigated the relationship between CSASCs and EMSs among married women of childbearing age. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 260 married women of childbearing age participated. Using two-stage sampling, ten comprehensive urban health centers were first randomly selected and then 26 individuals from each center were invited to participate. Data collection included demographic variables, the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) with 15 EMSs (emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust/abuse, social alienation, defectiveness, incompetence, dependency, vulnerability to harm, enmeshment, subjugation of needs, self-sacrifice, emotional inhibition, unrelenting standards, entitlement, and insufficient self-control), and the Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context Questionnaires (CSASCQ) with five subscales (undesirability/rejection, incompetence, self-depreciation, difference/loneliness, and helplessness). Data analysis was performed using a uni-variable and multi-variable linear regression model with a stepwise method at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 32.48 years and the average duration of their marriage was 10.34 years. The average score of early maladaptive schemas on the YSQ-SF was 151.5 (out of 450). Higher scores indicate more severe maladaptive schemas, although the total score has no defined cutoff point. Scores greater than 15 on each subscale constitute the internalization of that particular maladaptive schema. The highest average subscale scores were the schemas of self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards (M = 16.12, 15.90, respectively), indicating that these two schemas play important roles in the cognition of the participants. The mean score on the CSASCQ was 34.60 (SD ± 12.59; range: 25-125), with the highest mean reported on the loneliness subscale. Hypoactive sexual desire was the most common unpleasant sexual problem (6.9%) and disillusion was the most dominant feeling experienced by participants (33.3%). The results of the multivariable model showed that the following were significant predictors of the CSASC: three subscales of EMS (emotional deprivation [ß = 0.28], social isolation [ß = 0.31], and emotional inhibition [ß = 0.14]) and two demographic variables (job [ß = 0.11] and consanguineous marriage [ß = 0.20]). In total, the multi-variable model explained 92% of variance of CSASCs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a significant and meaningful association between EMSs and CSASCs adjusting for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics. The findings indicate that the study of schemas and schema therapy should be considered in both premarital and marital counseling.

Dietary Quality Index and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Adult Women.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is dramatically increasing particularly in developing countries. Among the different factors, diet has an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary quality index-international (DQI-I) and cardiovascular risk factors in adult Iranian women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 371 participants, aged 20-50 yr, and recruited from 10 health centers from health centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran in 2018. Usual dietary intake was evaluated by a validated and reliable 168-items food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). To assess overall quality of diet, the Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI) was used. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and fasting blood of samples were taken to assess biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: The results of linear regression showed that DQI-I score was inversely and directly associated with serum level of total cholesterol (TC) (0.27, confidence interval (CI): 0.13-0.58; P<0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (2.53, CI: 1.42-4.52; P=0.001), respectively. However, there was no significant association between DQI-I and other cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: A greater DQI-I score was associated with preferable lipid profile including TC and HDL-C. Future large-scale, prospective cohort or clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.

The effect of educational program based on beliefs, subjective norms and perceived behavior control on doing pap-smear test in sample of Iranian women.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is considered treatable as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Pap smear test is a screening tool that plays an important role in the early detection, prevention and can prevent any early cervical cell changes from becoming cancer. This study aims to survey the effect of educational programs based on beliefs, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control on doing the pap-smear test in a sample of Iranian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental interventional study was performed on 300 women admitted to Fasa City, Fars Province, Iran health centers in 2018-2019. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, Health Belief Model, and Theory of Planned Behavior constructs were used to measure on doing of Pap smear test in women before and after 6 months' educational intervention. RESULTS: The results revealed that 6 months after the intervention, 108 women (72%) in the experimental group and only 9 women (6%) in the control group received the Pap smear test. CONCLUSIONS: The current research results revealed that education based on the combination of the health Belief model and theory of planned behavior might be promoting participation and an increasing rate of receiving Pap smear tests in women.

Prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence among Iranian women.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, it dramatically influences the quality of life. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its risk factors among Iranian women in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted on 3100 Iranian women aged 15-80 years in 2017 in Kerman, Iran. The participants were selected via cluster sampling and were invited to complete the questionnaires. Their demographic information and medical history were assessed, the urinary incontinence questionnaire was completed, and the associated risk factors were also recorded. Quantitative variables are reported as mean ± SD, while qualitative and ranked variables are expressed in percentage. All analyses were conducted in Stata version 12 (Stata Corp.). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 46 years, and the overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated to be 63%. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of urinary incontinence were reported in the elderly and the youth, respectively (79% and 41%, respectively). Age, increase of body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, diabetes, anxiety, and depression were the associated risk factors. CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of urinary incontinence is high in Iran. Therefore, to control this condition and improve women's quality of life, effective plans are needed.

Exploring the impact of endometriosis on women's lives: A qualitative study in Iran.

AIM: Considering the wide impact of endometriosis on various aspects of health, this study aimed to explore the impact of endometriosis on Iranian women's lives. DESIGN: The present study used a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. METHODS: Twenty patients suffering from endometriosis referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran took part in this study. The sampling was done purposefully until data saturation. After deep semi-structured interviews, the content analysis of the interviews was done according to the steps proposed by Zhang and Wildemuth. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 34.53 (SD: 5.81) years (range: 23-43) with duration of illness of 6.30 ± 5.86 years. Their educational level varied from high school to university, and most of them were employed. Analysis of the data from participants' experiences led to the formation of 5 categories under the titles "Physical suffering, instability of marital life, mental disorder, disruption in social life and self-care" and 11 subcategories. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study showed that endometriosis can adversely affect women's lives including physical, sexual, psychological and social problems. Although in some cases patients adopt different strategies for self-care, the need for more support is felt.

Association between parity and obesity: a cross sectional study on 6,447 Iranian females.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between parity and obesity in Iranian women. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 6447 urban women aged 40-65 were studied. Parity(number of full-term births), age at menarche, menopausal status, age, height, weight, marital status, education level and occupation were gathered by a checklist. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Statistical associations between parity and obesity using multiple logistic regression model were examined. RESULTS: The mean age of the enrolled women was 48.40 ± 6.13 years. The mean BMI was 27.55 ± 4.47 kg/m2. Of the total participants enrolled, 3517 (54.55%) had < 3 parities, while 2930 (45.44%) had ≥ 3 parities. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and overweight (30 > BMI ≥ 25) was 27.50 % (95% CI 26.85-28.15) and 43.70% (95% CI 42.98-44.42), respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, women with ≥ 3 parities were at higher risk of being obese (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.35). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant positive association between higher parity and obesity. It is recommended that health policymakers plan appropriate weight loss programs for postpartum.

Different Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene in Patients with Pre-Eclampsia among The Iranian Women Population.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication and one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the world. PE is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to the other organs, most often the liver and kidneys. Given the importance of mutation in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and its correlation with the incidence of PE, the relationship of VEGF encoding gene polymorphisms rs922583280, rs3025040 and rs10434 with the incidence of PE in the population of Iranian women was studied, in this research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 100 pregnant women with PE diagnosis and 50 healthy pregnant women were evaluated using Sanger sequencing method to determine genotypes rs922583280, rs3025040 and rs10434. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the allele frequency of rs922583280 and rs3025040 polymorphisms between case and control groups (P>0.05), while frequency of the recessive allele (G) for rs10434 polymorphism was significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.014, case=24%, control=12%). Frequency of the allele A in the control group was higher than the patient group (case=76%, control=88%). Frequency of AG genotype in the patient group was also higher than the control group. In addition, frequency of AA genotype in the control group was higher than the patient group (case=57%, control=78). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated a significant difference between patient and control groups for the VEGF coding gene polymorphism rs10434 and it can affect the incidence of PE among Iranian women.

Iranian Women's Decision Making: Preferred Roles, Experienced Involvement, and Decisional Conflict When Undergoing Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment decision making largely depends on patients' own preferences. However, the availability of different treatment approaches often results in decisional conflict, discomfort, doubtfulness, and uncertainty about the best option. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated decision-making participation regarding surgery among women with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study included 328 Iranian women with early-stage breast cancer. A convenience sample completed a demographic questionnaire, the Control Preferences Scale, the nine-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire, and the Decisional Conflict Scale. FINDINGS: Most participants preferred to maintain passive roles. High decisional conflict was associated with uncertainty about surgical treatment options, whereas lower decisional conflict was related to values clarity. Although preferred roles were not related to experienced involvement, they were related to heightened decisional conflict.

Understanding the relapse process: exploring Iranian women's substance use experiences.

BACKGROUND: Relapse is one of the main challenges that must be tackled in the drug addiction treatment. Different factors contribute to the relapse process but it remains unclear how relapse occursin women. Describing the relapse phenomenon in women might be of interest to practitioners and academics. The aim of this study was to explore the relapse experiences of Iranian women with a substance use disorder. METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with women with a substance use disorder. The interviews contained open-ended questions regarding relapse experiences during previous treatment. Interviews were digitally recorded. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. RESULTS: In total, 20 women who use drugs took part in the study. The mean age of the women was 34.57 (age range = 9.6 years), and the minimum age of participants was 23 years. The following five main themes were explored: socioeconomic backgrounds, physical complications of drug withdrawal, psychological burden of drug withdrawal, family atmosphere, and cultural factors. The findings highlighted the different treatment needs in women with a substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the interviews, it seems necessary to develop female-specific comprehensive treatment programs by putting more emphasis on pain treatment intervention, relapse prevention, the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, couples counseling, and financial support. Furthermore, policymakers should be committed to providing a nonjudgmental social environment to remove or reduce stigma of women with drug use problems.

Relationship between hedonic hunger and serum levels of insulin, leptin and BDNF in the Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has led the scientific community to investigate the cause of this multifactorial metabolic disorder. Highly palatable foods can stimulate hedonic hunger and could be a cause of obesity. In the present study, for the first time, the relationships between insulin, leptin and BDNF levels and hedonic hunger were investigated. Ninety overweight and obese women were studied. The demographic characteristics and anthropometric indices were measured and the power of food scale (PFS) questionnaire was used to assess hedonic hunger. In addition, the serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, leptin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined. Regression analysis was used to predict hedonic hunger using age, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) as covariates. The levels of insulin and leptin were found to be significantly correlated with the PFS total score and the scores of PFS-FA (food available), PFS-FP (food present), and PFS-FT (food taste). The BDNF level showed a significant negative correlation only with PFS-FT. Multiple regression analysis showed statistically significant associations between hedonic hunger and levels of insulin [ß coefficient: 1.29 (SE: 0.32), p < .001], leptin [ß coefficient: 0.2 (SE: 0.09), p = .023] and BDNF [ß coefficient: -6.29 (SE: 2.81), p = .028]. These three values were found to be predictors of hedonic hunger. The findings provide further evidence in favor of the role of these hormones in hedonic hunger.

Sexual motivations during the menopausal transition among Iranian women: a qualitative inquiry.

BACKGROUND: Women's sexuality may be adversely affected during the menopausal transition. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted to explore how women assign meaning to and process sexual motivation during the menopausal transition. METHODS: We purposefully approached 22 married women ages 44-59 (52.81 ± 3.6 years) in urban health care centers and workplaces in Tabriz city, located in northwest Iran. Individual face-to-face interviews were performed at a place and time convenient to the women. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed to create verbatim written accounts. Inspiring Graneheim and Lundman approach, we employed conventional content analysis to derive coding categories directly from our row data. FINDINGS: Four main themes emerged from data analysis: "Diminished sexual capacity" (effect of menopause, Illnesses associated with mid-life, desire discrepancy); "intimate coupling" (lack of physical and/or emotional intimacy, couple communication and romance); "sociocultural scripts" (sexual script, parental responsibilities); and "sense of youthfulness" (having an active and happy life, maintaining physically attractiveness). CONCLUSION: The qualitative findings suggest that providing sexual health education and counseling, to encourage critical discussions regarding current sociocultural scripts and to create an environment that would enable men and women alike to adopt a healthy and happy lifestyle for eliminating barriers and preserving and enhancing motivational factors associated with sexuality.