Development and psychometric evaluation of a Risky Sexual Behaviour Scale for Married Women (RSBS-MW) in Iran: a mixed-method study.

A valid and reliable culture-based scale for the evaluation of risky sexual behaviours for married Iranian women is lacking. This study aimed to develop, and psychometrically test, a risky sexual behaviour scale for married Iranian women. A mixed-method sequential exploratory design was conducted from 2016 to 2020 in Tehran, Iran. First, a qualitative study was employed to define the concept of risky sexual behaviour using 16 semi-structured individual interviews and 10 focus group discussions (n = 100). Then, an item pool was generated, and the scale was developed. Finally, in the quantitative study, the psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated by validity and reliability tests. A maximum likelihood extraction with promax rotation was performed on 400 sexually active married women to assess the construct validity. The six components: (i) 'quality of sexual relations'; (ii) 'unusual pleasures in sexual relations'; (iii) 'sexual coercion'; (iv) 'verbal violence in sexual relations'; (v) 'self-care in sexual relations'; and (vi) 'concealment in sexual relations' could explain 57.49% of the total observed variance. The findings showed that the 27-item Risky Sexual Behaviour Scale (RSBS-MW) for married women in Iran has excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94) and stability (ICC = 0.98). Health care providers can use it to access risky sexual behaviours in married Iranian women.

The relationship between sexual health and personality type in women with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Sexual health in the development of the human personality, personal, and social health and in achieving to comfort plays an important role. Women with epilepsy are at high risk of sexual dysfunction, which has a multifactorial etiology. This study is aimed to investigate the correlation between the sexual function of women with epilepsy and personality factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 women with epilepsy referred to selected centers in Tehran university of medical sciences by using continuous and availability sampling method between January and March 2014 (Iran) and evaluated with women's sexual function index questionnaire female sexual function index and NEO-five-factor of personality inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The mean sexual function overall score in participations was 23.33 ± 2.82 there was a significant negative correlation between neuroticism and sexual function (P = 0.00, r = -0.03) and was significant positive correlation between personality traits as extraversion (P = 0.00, r = 0.63), agreeableness (P = 0.008, r = 0.26) and conscientiousness (P = 0.04, r = 0.20) and openness to new experiences (P = 0.03, r = 0.21) and sexual function in women with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the personality traits can affect on sexual health and sexual function of women with epilepsy. Therefore, it is recommended that health-care providers with assess personality factors in women with epilepsy as a prognostic factor, take steps to prevent sexual dysfunction.

Exploring the care received by HPV-positive married women at a colposcopy clinic in Tehran, Iran: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Patient experience is the focus of individual care and services to meet patient needs, but this depends on how health care providers deliver their services. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive married women from the care they received from health professionals at a colposcopy clinic in Tehran, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three focus group discussions were conducted between September and December 2016 with 30 women who had recently been referred to the clinic for cervical screening or colposcopy. Samples were collected by a purposeful sampling method in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The focus group discussions were carefully recorded at the same time as data collection. After ensuring the data saturation, interviews were terminated and data were categorized. Data was analyzed by direct conventional content analysis using MAXQDA-10. RESULTS: Two themes and three sub-themes resulted from the data analysis, including emotional responses (anxiety and fear of women), and appropriate/inappropriate behavior of the healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers, by identifying factors that affect patient's stress, could help reduce the negative outcomes such as patients' emotional responses to HPV positive results.

Evening primrose oil and labour, is it effective? A randomised clinical trial.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of evening primrose oil (EvPO) on the duration of pregnancy and labour. The study was performed as a triple blind placebo controlled randomised clinical trial on nulliparous low-risk women with a certain gestational age of 40 weeks of pregnancy and a Bishop score of less than 4. In the case group (EvPO group), EvPO capsules were administered, 1000 mg, twice daily, for 7 days, and in the control group, placebo was administered similarly. The women of the two groups were followed up to delivery. In total, 80 women finished the study (40 in each group). The women of the two groups did not have significant differences according to age, BMI, Bishop Score at the beginning of the study, gestational age at entering the study, employment status and education level, the number of capsules used and duration of using medications. There was no significant difference between the two groups according to gestational age at delivery, need for induction or augmentation of labour, duration of different stages of labour, neonatal weight and Apgar scores, and the indications for hospital admission. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Evening primrose oil has been used for the treatment of systemic disorders, which are accompanied with chronic inflammation such as atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Also, it has been proposed for some women's health conditions including breast pain (mastalgia), symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms, cervical ripening and induction or augmentation of labour. What do the results of this study add? Evening primrose oil does not have any impact on Bishop Score and the duration of different stages of labour. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? According to the present study and the other performed studies, there is not enough evidence confirming effectiveness of Evening primrose oil for cervical ripening and duration of labour. It is suggested that pending further data its usage should be limited to experimental RCTs and its use in clinical practice should be prevented. Also, different routes of administration and different dosages should be investigated.

The impact of calendula ointment on cesarean wound healing: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean is one of the most common surgical interventions. Wound complications are one of the most common morbidities following cesarean section. Calendula promotes wound healing and might be effective in shortening the duration of wound healing. Limited researches have been done regarding the healing of this plant as the effect of this ointment on cesarean wound healing has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of calendula on cesarean wound healing in primiparous females. METHODS: This clinical trial involves 72 qualified primiparous females with surgical childbirth admitted in the Akbar-Abadi Educational Hospital. They were randomly categorized into two groups of experimental (n = 1) and control (n = 2) groups. The females in experimental group used calendula ointment every 12 h and the control group used hospital routine for 10 days. Wound healing was assessed on the 3rd, 6th, 9th days postcesarean using the REEDA scale (REEDA stands for redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation), which had criteria including redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation. The data were collected by demographic questionnaire and redness, edema were used Chi-square test and independent T-test for data analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-two females were included in the study. Thirty-six cases in the drug group and 36 cases in control group were studied. The age of patients in the two groups did not differ significantly (27/17 ± 4/72, 28/97 ± 4/99 years, respectively; P = 0/276). Moreover, there was no significant difference between studied groups regarding the education level of patients and their husbands, the mother's job and the economic situation. CONCLUSION: According to the results, using calendula ointment considerably increases the speed of cesarean wound healing so it can be used for quickening the cesarean healing.

Yoga during pregnancy: The effects on labor pain and delivery outcomes (A randomized controlled trial).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of an antenatal yoga program on perceived maternal labor pain and delivery outcomes. MATERIAL & METHODS: This randomized control trial was conducted with sixty primiparous women, aged 18-35 years old, who were randomly assigned to either an antenatal yoga program or control groups. Labor pain and discomfort level of the participants were measured using a Visual Analogue Scale at cervical dilatation of 3-4 c and at 2 and 4 h after the initial measurement. Demographic and obstetrical information were collected. The antenatal yoga program consisted of a 1-h supervised yoga class, three times a weekly, starting at 26 weeks gestation. . RESULTS: Participants in control group reported higher pain intensity compared to experimental group at 3-4 cm of dilatation (p = 0.01) and at 2 h after the first and the second measurements (p = 0.000). Mothers in the antenatal intervention group that completed the yoga class required a decreased frequency of labor induction in comparison with control group (p = 0.008). In addition, mode of delivery of the intervention group resulted in a lower percentage of cesarean section than control group (p = 0.002). Lastly, the intervention group experienced a shorter duration of the second and third stages of labor. Interval level data was analyzed by using an independent t-test and chi-square. CONCLUSION: Yoga during pregnancy may contribute to a reduction pain of labor and improved adequacy of childbirth.

The Effect of Slow-Stroke Back Massage on the Anxiety Levels of Iranian Women on the First Postpartum Day.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorder is common during the postpartum period. Back massage relaxation techniques are one of the most important nonpharmacological interventions to prevent and control postpartum-related anxiety. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of slow-stroke back massage on the anxiety levels of primiparous mothers in the first days after delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind controlled clinical trial consisted of 100 primiparous mothers with normal deliveries. The mothers were randomly allocated to interventional (n = 50) or control (n = 50) groups using binary blocks. Both groups were followed up just before, immediately after, and the morning after the intervention. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Spielberger's state anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers was 22 years. There were no significant between-group differences in age (P = 0.333), education (P = 0.427), and medication during labor and the postpartum period (P = 0.412). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean anxiety scores of the experimental (6.66 ± 35.48) and control groups (9.05 ± 37.42) before the intervention (P = 0.268). Immediately after the massage and the next morning, there was a significant between-group difference in the anxiety scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that slow-stroke back massage is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and effective method to reduce the anxiety levels of primiparous women during the first postpartum day.

The Comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is known as one of the most common fungal infection among women of reproductive age and considered as an important public health problem. In recent years, due to resistance to common antifungal medication, the use of traditional medicine of anti-fungal and herbal treatment increased. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the effects of vaginal cream, mixture of yogurt and honey and comparing it with clotrimazole vaginal cream on symptoms of Vulvovaginal candidiasis in patients. METHODS: In this randomized, triple blind clinical trial of 70 non-pregnant women infected with Candidal vulvovaginitis were placed in two groups of Vaginal cream mixed of yogurt and honey recipients (N=35) and clotrimazole vaginal cream (N=35). Both groups were treated for 7 days. At the beginning of study, Clinical and laboratory signs and symptoms were registered 7 and 14 days after treatment by questionnaire, observation form and secretions culture results. Data by chi-square test, t test, McNemar tests were analyzed by SPSS version 21. Significance level of 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: The result of present study reveals the significant differences in symptom improvement of ' yogurt and honey, than clotrimazole group (P<0.05) and also Positive results of the first cultures (one week after treatment) in "yogurt and honey" and clotrimazole (20% versus 8.6%) and second time cultivation (14 days after treatment) (17/1% versus 8.6%) were similar and there was no significant differences between the two groups. (P>0.05) CONCLUSION: This study indicated that he therapeutic effects of vaginal cream, yogurt and honey is not only similar with clotrimazole vaginal cream but more effective in relieving some symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. Therefore, the use of this product can be suggested as an herbal remedy for candida infection treatment.

Episiotomy pain relief: Use of Lavender oil essence in primiparous Iranian women.

INTRODUCTION: Post-episiotomy discomfort and its consequences can affect maternal quality of life and mental health as well as the mother and baby relationship. Complementary medicine is increasingly used and Lavender oil is frequently prescribed due to its antiseptic and healing properties. METHOD: This clinical trial involved 60 qualified primiparous women admitted for labor in Kamali Hospital in Karaj, Iran. They were randomly categorized into two groups: case (using Lavender oil) and control (usual hospital protocol). Participants pain and discomfort were recorded using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge Scale (REEDA). Pain was evaluated at 4 h, 12 h and 5 days following episiotomy. Collected data was analyzed in SPSS 14 using an independent t-test and chi-square. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference in pain intensity scores between the 2 groups after 4 h (p = 0.002, and 5 days (p = 0.000) after episiotomy. However, differences in pain intensity between the two groups, at 12 h post-surgery, were not significant (p = 0.066). The REEDA score was significantly lower in the experimental group (Lavender oil group) 5 days after episiotomy (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: According to these findings, use of Lavender oil essence can be effective in reducing perineal discomfort following episiotomy. It is suggested that Lavender oil essence may be preferably to the use of Betadine for episiotomy wound care.