ABSTRACT
Dysmenorrhea is one of the well-established problems among women of reproductive age and can have adverse effects on the quality of life of the individual. Some studies suggest a relationship between vitamin D (Vit D) and calcium deficiency and the emergence of early dysmenorrhea. Accordingly, a systematic study was performed to investigate the role of calcium and Vit D in the relief of primary dysmenorrhea. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar for papers published between 2010 and 2020. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklists were used to assess the quality of the studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Low calcium levels lead to an increase in uterine muscle contraction and can cause pain after decreased uterine blood flow. Furthermore, low levels of Vit D can increase primary dysmenorrhea by increasing prostaglandin production or reducing intestinal calcium absorption. That being the case, Vit D and calcium intake can be effective in reducing the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and in reducing the rate of analgesic use. Low levels of Vit D and calcium are inversely related to the severity of primary dysmenorrhea, and Vit D and calcium intake can reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated systemic symptoms. Therefore, the use of calcium and Vit D supplements can be recommended to relieve dysmenorrhea.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Recent studies have shown a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and systemic symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. @*Methods@#This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on female students aged 18 to 32 years with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency (25 [OH]D <30 ng/mL). The participants (n=116) received either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or placebo capsules on a weekly basis for eight consecutive weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity (scored 0 to 10), number of days with pain, number of consumed pain-relief medications (per day), and severity of systemic symptoms (fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea; total score of 0 to 12). @*Results@#Compared with baseline, our participants who received vitamin D experienced significant reductions in pain intensity (-1.0 and -1.5 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of days with pain (-1.0 day at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of consumed pain-relief medications (-1.0 at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), and systemic symptoms severity (-1.0 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001). No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group in terms of these outcomes. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D supplementation in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency could improve systemic symptoms and reduce pain intensity, the number of days with pain, and the need for consuming pain-relief medications.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#With the rise of urbanization globally, the problem of living in slums has become a problem for the civil society. As a vulnerable segment, women make up half of the population in these regions; therefore, women’s mental health has always been a concern. The purpose of this study was to review the social determinants of mental health in women living in slum areas. @*Methods@#We systematically reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2019 on the social determinants of women’s mental health in SID, Magiran, Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PsychARTICLES databases using MeSH keywords according to PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the studies was assessed depending on the type of study using Ottawa Newcastle” scale and Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tools. Finally, 23 studies were analyzed. @*Results@#Different social determinants influenced the mental health of women living in slum areas. Among the structural determinants, the socioeconomic level had the highest frequency, and gender was in the second rank with the highest correlation with poorer women’s mental health status. Among the intermediate determinants, living conditions, food insecurity, social capital, and social support were most frequently associated with mental health status. @*Conclusion@#Women living in slum areas are prone to developing mental disorders and poorer mental health; therefore, supporting these women and creating job opportunities to raise their incomes and, subsequently, improve their social, economic, and living conditions should be taken into consideration. In addition, this requires careful planning and comprehensive social support.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#In addition to the many social, economic, cultural, security, and environmental problems in the metropolitan areas, suburbanization has led to the growth and spread of domestic violence against women, and is still increasing. Different social determinants can play a role in violence against suburban women, so this study was designed to investigate the social determinants of domestic violence in suburban women of developing countries. @*Methods@#According to PRISMA guideline, the keywords, which were determined considering MESH, were searched in Google Scholar, MEDLINE, SID, Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct with the 2009 to 2019 time limit. STROBE checklist was used for evaluating quantitative studies and JBI for qualitative studies. Finally 30 high quality studies were included. @*Results@#The prevalence of general domestic violence among women of different ages was reported between 2.3-73.78% in the suburban regions of developing countries. The prevalence of physical, emotional and psychological violence was about 11.54-61.6% and 7.8-84.3%. The prevalence of sexual,economic and the verbal violence was about 0.8-58.8%, 13.7- 43.7% and 33.21-86.1%. The most common factors affecting violence against women were the structural factors of early marriage, the husband’s addiction to alcohol and drugs. @*Conclusion@#General domestic violence and its various types are prevalent in different parts of the world and the factors affecting domestic violence such as age, marriage age, low literacy, husband addiction to alcohol and drugs are all things that can be prevented by special health planning in these areas to improve women’s health and thus prevent violence against suburban women.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Recent studies have shown a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and systemic symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. @*Methods@#This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on female students aged 18 to 32 years with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency (25 [OH]D <30 ng/mL). The participants (n=116) received either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or placebo capsules on a weekly basis for eight consecutive weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity (scored 0 to 10), number of days with pain, number of consumed pain-relief medications (per day), and severity of systemic symptoms (fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea; total score of 0 to 12). @*Results@#Compared with baseline, our participants who received vitamin D experienced significant reductions in pain intensity (-1.0 and -1.5 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of days with pain (-1.0 day at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of consumed pain-relief medications (-1.0 at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), and systemic symptoms severity (-1.0 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001). No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group in terms of these outcomes. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D supplementation in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency could improve systemic symptoms and reduce pain intensity, the number of days with pain, and the need for consuming pain-relief medications.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#With the rise of urbanization globally, the problem of living in slums has become a problem for the civil society. As a vulnerable segment, women make up half of the population in these regions; therefore, women’s mental health has always been a concern. The purpose of this study was to review the social determinants of mental health in women living in slum areas. @*Methods@#We systematically reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2019 on the social determinants of women’s mental health in SID, Magiran, Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PsychARTICLES databases using MeSH keywords according to PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the studies was assessed depending on the type of study using Ottawa Newcastle” scale and Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tools. Finally, 23 studies were analyzed. @*Results@#Different social determinants influenced the mental health of women living in slum areas. Among the structural determinants, the socioeconomic level had the highest frequency, and gender was in the second rank with the highest correlation with poorer women’s mental health status. Among the intermediate determinants, living conditions, food insecurity, social capital, and social support were most frequently associated with mental health status. @*Conclusion@#Women living in slum areas are prone to developing mental disorders and poorer mental health; therefore, supporting these women and creating job opportunities to raise their incomes and, subsequently, improve their social, economic, and living conditions should be taken into consideration. In addition, this requires careful planning and comprehensive social support.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#In addition to the many social, economic, cultural, security, and environmental problems in the metropolitan areas, suburbanization has led to the growth and spread of domestic violence against women, and is still increasing. Different social determinants can play a role in violence against suburban women, so this study was designed to investigate the social determinants of domestic violence in suburban women of developing countries. @*Methods@#According to PRISMA guideline, the keywords, which were determined considering MESH, were searched in Google Scholar, MEDLINE, SID, Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct with the 2009 to 2019 time limit. STROBE checklist was used for evaluating quantitative studies and JBI for qualitative studies. Finally 30 high quality studies were included. @*Results@#The prevalence of general domestic violence among women of different ages was reported between 2.3-73.78% in the suburban regions of developing countries. The prevalence of physical, emotional and psychological violence was about 11.54-61.6% and 7.8-84.3%. The prevalence of sexual,economic and the verbal violence was about 0.8-58.8%, 13.7- 43.7% and 33.21-86.1%. The most common factors affecting violence against women were the structural factors of early marriage, the husband’s addiction to alcohol and drugs. @*Conclusion@#General domestic violence and its various types are prevalent in different parts of the world and the factors affecting domestic violence such as age, marriage age, low literacy, husband addiction to alcohol and drugs are all things that can be prevented by special health planning in these areas to improve women’s health and thus prevent violence against suburban women.
ABSTRACT
The name of 3rd author was published incorrectly. The authors apologize for any inconvenience that it may have caused.