The impact of continuous and intermittent supportive counseling on self-efficacy and continuation of breastfeeding in lactating women affected by COVID-19: a quasi-experimental trial.

BACKGROUND: Promoting exclusive breastfeeding can have a great effect in reducing the complications and mortality rate of mother and child. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to compare the effects of continuous and intermittent supportive counselling on the self-efficacy and continuity of breastfeeding among Lactating mothers with COVID-19. METHODS: The study was a semi-experimental research method and was conducted on 73 mothers with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran from May 2021 to April 2022. In the continuous counselling group, counselling was provided daily for 14 days, while in the intermittent counselling group, counselling was provided once a week for four weeks. Breastfeeding continuity was assessed based on the World Health Organization's classification, and breastfeeding self-efficacy was measured using Dennis' standard breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire (BSE) up to four months after delivery. The data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, paired t-tests, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier) with a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The survival analysis revealed that the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding occurred in 17 cases within the continuous counselling group and in 22 cases within the intermittent counselling group. The rates of continuation for exclusive breastfeeding were 52.8% and 40.5% in the continuous and intermittent counselling group respectively. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the continuation of breastfeeding and the trend of changes in the mean scores of breastfeeding self-efficacies between the continuous and intermittent counselling groups. Furthermore, comparing the change in breastfeeding self-efficacy scores between the one-month and four-month follow-ups within the continuous counselling group, a statistically significant increase was observed. CONCLUSION: The results indicated no difference in the effectiveness of continuous and intermittent counseling methods in improving breastfeeding continuity in women with COVID-19. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of different counseling approaches on breastfeeding outcomes during crises. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website on 29/06/2021 with the registration code IRCT20150731023423N19. It can be accessed via this link: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/user/trial/55391/view .

The effect of cognitive behavioral counseling on anxiety and worry level of women with intermediate risk during first trimester screening for down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety related to prenatal screening programs negatively affects maternal and child health. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling on the anxiety and worry levels of women with intermediate risk during first-trimester screening for Down Syndrome. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 52 pregnant women with intermediate risk (1: 51 - 1:1500) during first-trimester screening for Down Syndrome and without additional structural anomalies that referred to three cities of Zanjan province in 2021. The eligible women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, with a block size of four. The intervention group received CBC in four sessions of 120 min two times a week by phone. Data were collected using Vandenberg Anxiety Questionnaire, and Cambridge Worry Questionnaire in three phases baseline, after the intervention, and 6 weeks follow-ups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA at a 95% confidence level. (P < 0.05). RESULTS: In the counselling group, the mean (SD) of a total score of anxiety before the intervention was 67.11 (20.68) which decreased to 32.50 (13.58) in six weeks after the intervention. Furthermore, the mean (SD) of a total score of worry before the intervention was 56.19 (16.76) which decreased to 32.96 (8.89) six weeks after the intervention. Based on the repeated measures ANOVA test, the mean total score of anxiety and worry were statistically significant 6 weeks after the intervention compared with the control group(p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the study results, CBC can reduce the anxiety and worry levels of women with intermediate risk during first trimester screening for Down Syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website under the code IRCT20160608028352N8, ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/49998 ). The first trial registration date was (29/08/2020).

Quality of life and its related factors among Iranian cervical cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the main cause of malignancy-related death among women living in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) among Iranian cervical cancer survivors and its relationships with demographic and disease related factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was carried out on 65 consecutive cervical cancer survivors in three different oncology centers related to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. The QOL was evaluated using three different standard questionnaires: 1) EORTC QLQ-C30 for patients with malignant tumors; 2) EORTC QLQ-CX24 for cervical cancer patients; and 3) SSQ for assessing the social support. The data was obtained by telephone interviews. The test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the scales were examined. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency among items. Content validity was assessed to review the scales. RESULTS: Cervical cancer survivors stated a good QOL. However, its score was negatively associated with symptoms including short breathing, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, sleep disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and menopausal symptoms. Also, there was a positive association between QOL and economic conditions as well as QOL and social functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Although, the QOL in cervical cancer survivors was good, treatment of related symptoms can influence the QOL and improve the care of these patients.