A comparative analysis of stress, anxiety, and social well-being of working mothers and stay-at-home mothers during the covid pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The role of mental health is crucial in maintaining the dynamism and productivity of any given society. In contemporary times, a significant proportion of the workforce is comprised of women and mothers. Working in healthcare facilities, where exposure to pathogenic agents is an everyday nuisance, can have detrimental effects on mothers' stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, such exposure can also endanger the health of both the family and society. Conversely, the employment of mothers could positively impact their social well-being. The primary objective of this study is to assess and compare the stress, anxiety, and social well-being scores of mothers employed in healthcare facilities and stay-at-home mothers during the COVID pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 246 mothers, equally divided into two groups: Mothers who work in health centers and stay-at-home mothers (123 individuals in each group). The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022, a multistage sampling method was utilized and two questionnaires were administered: The DASS 21 (21 questions) and the social well-being questionnaire (48 questions). The data were analyzed using SPSS 18, and descriptive and analytical tests (Independent Samples T-Test, Mann-Whitney) were employed. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.7 ± 7.1 for working mothers and 34.3 ± 6.3 for stay-at-home mothers. The average stress score for employed mothers was 5.72 ± 4.7, and for stay-at-home mothers, it was 7.16 ± 4.3, which indicates a statistically significant difference in stress levels between the two groups (P = 0.04). However, the two groups had no significant difference in the mean anxiety score (P = 0.08). The mean score for social well-being was 165.5 ± 18.4 for working mothers and 162.17 ± 21.2 for stay-at-home mothers. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.18). Except for the social acceptance dimension (P = 0.003), no statistically significant differences were observed in the social well-being dimension between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The social acceptance of working mothers appears to be greater than that of stay-at-home mothers. Higher social acceptance suggests that they hold a more positive outlook on people and are at ease in social situations, which may have helped to alleviate their stress and anxiety.

Investigating the accuracy of Johnson's rule in estimating fetal weight.

BACKGROUND: Birth weight has a significant impact on perinatal mortality. Therefore, the estimation of fetal weight greatly influences the policies necessary for care during and after delivery. We aimed to investigate Johnson's rule in estimating fetal weight. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was a single-group longitudinal study that was conducted in 6 months from October 2021 to April 2022 on 150 pregnant women in Isfahan-Iran. The sampling method was accessible. Inclusion criteria include being term, singleton, without abnormality, intact membranes, cephalic presentation, and exclusion criteria include diagnosed polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios and mother's abdominal or pelvic known masses. After completing the informed consent, fetal weight was estimated by Johnson's rule and was compared with the birth weight. Descriptive and analytical statistics (mean-standard deviation (SD), number-percentage, t-paired, and Spearman's correlation coefficient) were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of Johnson's law. RESULT: The mean (SD) birth weight was 3032.88 ± 481.11 g and the mean (SD) estimated fetal weight (EFW) by the clinical method was 3152.15 ± 391.95 g. There was a significant difference between the averages (P < 0.001). The percentage error of EFW showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.286; P < 0.05) with gestational age (GA) and a significant positive correlation (r = 0.263; P < 0.05) with the fetal head station. The sensitivity and specificity of EFW with Johnson's rule, in normal fetal birth weight, were higher than in low birth weight fetal. The accuracy of EFW with ± 10% of the actual weight was higher in average for gestational age (AGA) (84.3%) and high-for-gestational-age (LGA) (70%) than in low-for-gestational-age (SGA) (4%). The EFW mean percentage error in SGA was higher than in the other two weight groups. This method, especially for AGA and LGA fetuses, can be a suitable alternative to other weight estimation methods. CONCLUSION: Clinical estimation of weight via Johnson's rule due to availability and no cost can be a suitable method for managing childbirth based on fetal weight.

Investigating the Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Resilience in Infertile Couples in Isfahan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Infertility is a psychological crisis for a couple, spouse, and their families. Due to the positive effects of spiritual intelligence on the positive adaptation and growth of the individual under difficult circumstances, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence and resilience in infertile couples in Isfahan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 on 162 infertile couples. Data were collected by the convenience sampling method from infertile couples referring to Infertility Centers in Isfahan through two standard questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods for quantitative variables. The relationship between spiritual intelligence and resilience score was investigated using inferential statistical methods of Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the mean age Standard Deviation (SD) of women and their spouses was 32.01 (5.86) and 36.30 (5.82) years, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there was a significant positive direct relationship between resilience score with total spiritual intelligence score (r = 0.36, p < 0.001) and its dimensions Critical Existential Thinking (CET) (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), personal meaning production (PMP) (r = 0.38, p < 0.001), Transcendental Awareness (TA) (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), and Conscious State Expansion (CSE) (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). The PMP (t = 6.38, p < 0.001) and the CSE (t = 2.15, p = 0.03) were significant predictors of resilience scores. Conclusions: The result of our study showed that couples with a higher level of spiritual intelligence had a better understanding of the problems and harms of primary infertility and would cope with it more efficiently.

Evaluation the relationship between social health and stress of assisted reproductive techniques in infertile women.

BACKGROUND: Fertility is highly valued in most cultures. In contrast, infertility as a crisis has the potential to threaten the stability of individuals, relationships, and communities. Many infertile people are at risk in the early stages of infertility treatment for health and mental health problems and severe stress. The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between the social health of infertile women and the stress of infertility treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed descriptively longitudinal correlation on 2020 women in infertility canters in Isfahan. Data collection tool in this study was three parts questionnaire. The first contained demographic information, the second was stress, and the third was the social health dimension questionnaire. Analyze the data was performed using the descriptive statistical methods for the quantitative variables Pearson correlation coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean standard deviation (SD) of social health was 155.1 (16.46), and the mean (SD) score of treatment stress was 22.91 (7.93). Pearson correlation coefficient showed that treatment stress score was not significantly related to overall social health score and its dimensions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no statistically significant relationship was identified between these two variables. Probably, due to the living conditions of the people of our country in these years and the existence of stress and their great concern about economic issues, etc. The results were not observed contrary to the researcher's expectations.

Relationship between fertility characteristics with spiritual intelligence and resilience in infertile couples.

BACKGROUND: Infertility and the use of assisted reproductive therapies affect infertile couples quality of life. Infertile couples face many physical, psychological, and financial challenges due to having a higher level of spiritual intelligence and resilience will help the infertile couple to adapt to infertility conditions and achieve their therapeutic goals. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between fertility characteristics and spiritual intelligence and resilience in infertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020 on 162 infertile couples referring to infertility centers in Isfahan who met the inclusion criteria. Samples were selected by convenience sampling method. Information was gathered using a questionnaire consists of three parts: demographic and fertility characteristics, spiritual intelligence, and resilience. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Chi-square). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there was no significant relationship between resilience score and spiritual intelligence score with age, duration of marriage, and duration of treatment (P > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between resilience score and spiritual intelligence score and its dimensions with the level of education and economic status of the family (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant relationship between demographic and fertility factors with spiritual intelligence and resilience.

The effect of walking on pregnancy blood pressure disorders in women susceptible to pregnancy hypertension: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertension in pregnancy is one of the most important unsolved problems in midwifery, and since it is the main cause of maternal death, preventive intervention measures are essential to control this serious complication. This study aimed to determine the effect of walking on gestational hypertension disorders in women prone to hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 pregnant women susceptible to gestational hypertension who were randomly (through a random number table) assigned into two groups of 36. The pregnant women in the experimental group had walking program for 20-30 min from weeks 14-34, four times a week. Data were analyzed, via independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results indicated that in the experimental group, 2 cases with transient gestational hypertension and 1 case of preeclampsia existed, and in the control group, 9 pregnant women were with gestational hypertension and 4 pregnant women were with preeclampsia. Therefore, the incidence of these two complications in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, the moderate walking, as an easy physical activity, is recommended for pregnant women susceptible to pregnancy hypertension.

The effect of auriculotherapy on the severity and duration of labor pain.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a common phenomenon and an inevitable part of the labor process. Labor pain is one of the most severe pains. Auriculotherapy is one of the nonpharmacological aspects of relieving pain, reduces the intensity of pain, and improves its compatibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of auriculotherapy on labor pain in primiparous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on 84 pregnant women aged between 18 and 35 years, who referred to Isfahan Shahid Beheshti Hospital in 2017. This study was carried out between two groups: control group (receiving routine hospital care) and interventional group (20 min for auriculotherapy). We used the McGill Short-Form Standard questionnaire with Visual Analog Scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using paired t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference between demographic variables in the two groups. Statistical analysis also showed that the severity of labor pain in the interventional group (auriculotherapy) was lower than that of the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy reduces the severity of labor pain in primiparous women. Due to the easy, inexpensive, and noninvasive nature of this method, its use has been recommended in these cases.