ABSTRACT
Fasting in the month of Ramadan has several positive effects on the emotional and mental state and improves happiness in the community. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fasting on the level of happiness in the general population. In this study, we used pretest-posttest analysis to evaluate the hypothesis, and the study population consisted of the people of Kermanshah, Iran. In total, 110 individuals were selected randomly, and the evaluation of happiness was performed using MUNSH happiness survey including four scales of positive appreciation [PA], positive experience [PE], negative appreciation [NA] and negative experience [NE]. Data analysis was performed using T-test in SPSS V.18. In this study, a significant difference was observed between the level of happiness before and after the month of Ramadan. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the pre-test and posttest in terms of NA [P=0.032, T=2.16] and NE [P=0.001, T=3.302]. However, no significant difference was observed in PA and PE before and after Ramadan in the study population. According to the results of this study, fasting could positively affect the level of happiness in a community. Therefore, further attention needs to be drawn to the religious beliefs of people and their effects on the mental health of a society
ABSTRACT
Multiple studies have noted the positive effect of fasting on mental health improvement. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of fasting on mental health in the general population of Kermanshah, Iran. In this analytical research, one-group pretest-posttest design was used for the evaluation of 110 residents of Kermanshah city. General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] with four subscales was utilized in order to assess the subjects' mental health. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and paired t-test. There was a significant difference between pre- and post-test results in terms of general health score [t=3.138, P=0.002], i.e., fasting could increase the population's general health. There was a significant positive relationship between fasting and four subscales of general health including somatic symptoms [t=2.138, P=0.035], insomnia/anxiety [t=2.587, P=0.011], and social dysfunction [t=2.627, P=0.010]. However, fasting had no significant effect on severe depression and suicidal tendencies [t=1.700, P=0.092]. The obtained results showed that fasting has a positive effect on mental health in the general population of Kermanshah. Thus, more attention should be paid to fasting and its impact on people's mental health
ABSTRACT
For infertile women aged over 35 years, failure of the ZP [zona pellucida] to rupture is believed to be associated with a decreased implantation rate in vitro fertilization [IVF] or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]. In this research, laser assisted hatching [LAH] was offered to patients with advanced maternal age to evaluate a possible benefit. Nine hundred thirty two cycles of IVF/ICSI in females were analyzed. Women included in this study were allocated in 4 groups. In group I and II, embryos were cultured and transferred with and without LAH in women aged /= 35. Laser manipulations were performed using a suturn-Tm3 system using 2-3 pulses of 0.8 millisecond with 400 voltage duration. The size of the hole made in the zona was measured to be 5-10 micro m, depending on the zona thickness of each individual embryo. The performance of LAH significantly increased clinical pregnancy rates in all patients. In group I and II, the chemical [50.99% and 31.61% respectively], clinical [50% and 30.69% respectively] and multiple pregnancies [22.27% and 5.94% respectively] significantly differ between these groups. In the patients with advanced female age >/= 35 the performance of LAH significantly increased chemical [30.12%] and clinical pregnancy [27.71%] rates compared to whom without LAH [18.96% and 16.37% respectively]. Our data demonstrate in the patients who were less than 35 years old, multiple pregnancy rates were significantly increased compared to other groups who aged over 35 years old. In addition benefit of LAH in improving pregnancy rates after IVF or ICSI in women of advanced age [>/= 35] was shown