Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire among university staff in Iran.

Background: Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25) is an established tool for measuring a precision health state between health and illness. The present study aims to assess the validity and reliability of a Persian version of SHSQ-25 (P-SHSQ-25) in a university staff Iranian population. Methods: A sample of 316 academic and supporting staff (163 males, age range from 23 to 64 years old) from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran was recruited in this population-based cross-sectional study with a questionnaire validation from Apri1 to October 2022. Forward-backward translation method was performed for the SHSQ-25 translation from English to Persian. Internal reliability, content, convergence, discriminative and construct validity of the P-SHSQ-25 were examined. The factorial structure of the P-SHSQ-25 across groups was examined using measurement invariant test. Results: In the translation process, the conceptual equivalence of the P-SHSQ-25 with the English version was confirmed. The item-content validity index and content validity ratio of all P-SHSQ-25 items were higher than the cut-off values of 0.70 and 0.62, respectively. Cronbach's α was higher than 0.70 for all P-SHSQ-25 domains. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed the fitness of five factors on the data set (comparative fit index = 0.88, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.07). The CFA model fit did not change substantially across sex, age, occupation, economic status, and body mass index (Δ comparative fit index (CFI)<0.01). Conclusions: The P-SHSQ-25 can be used as a reliable and valid tool to measure health status for screening pre-chronic disease conditions in a primary care setting among Iranian population.

Effect of Convalescent Plasma Therapy on Clinical Improvement of COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Due to the critical condition of COVID-19, it is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of administrating convalescent plasma to COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we decided to design a clinical trial to investigate the effect of convalescent plasma of patients recovered from COVID-19 on the treatment outcome of COVID-19-infected patients. Materials and Methods: In this parallel randomized controlled clinical trial, patients in the intervention group received standard treatment plus convalescent plasma of patients recovered from COVID-19. We allocated 60 patients to each treatment group through balanced block randomization. Then, COVID-19 outcomes, vital signs, and biochemical parameters were compared between the two treatment groups by the independent t test and ANCOVA. Results: The mean age (SD) of the patients in the intervention and standard treatment groups was 52.84 (15.77) and 55.15 (14.34) years, respectively. Although patients in the intervention group reported more hospitalization days (11.45±5.86 vs. 10.42±6.79), death rates (26.67% vs. 18.13%), ICU admission (45 vs. 41.67%), and ARDS (11.67% vs. 3.33%), these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Moreover, the two groups were homogenous in vital signs and biochemical parameters before and after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusion: The present study indicated that convalescent plasma therapy has no significant effect on the survival, hospitalization, and ICU admission of COVID-19 patients.

Maternal death due to COVID-19 and high BMI: A case report from Hamadan, Iran.

Pregnant women suffering chronic illness or obstetric complications such as obesity are prone to severe pneumonia and COVID-19. Obesity in pregnancy is associated with many complications for both mother and fetus. Here, we report the death of an obese mother with COVID-19.

Pregnancy outcomes among symptomatic and asymptomatic women infected with COVID-19 in the west of Iran: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate pregnancy outcomes among symptomatic and asymptomatic women infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the west of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 45 pregnant women infected with symptomatic COVID-19 were compared with 45 pregnant women infected with asymptomatic COVID-19. The cases included women were referred for delivery to hospitals of Hamadan Province and infected with COVID-19-related symptoms. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on the results of real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (rRT-PCR) detection. The control group included asymptomatic women who were referred for delivery to hospitals in Hamadan Province infected with COVID-19. Data were collected by a checklist. For the data analysis, the Stata version 12 was used (StataCorp, College Station, TX). RESULTS: The odds of cesarean delivery in symptomatic women was more the fourfold higher (OR = 4.12, 95% CI (1.7, 10.05), p = .002). Moreover, the odds of LBW was significantly higher in symptomatic women (OR = 2.1, 95% CI (1.2, 6.29), p = .035). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that cesarean delivery and LBW were significantly higher in symptomatic women compared with asymptomatic women. In areas with high COVID-19 pandemics, the performance of the PCR test is recommended for all pregnant women upon admission for delivery.

Evaluation of maternal risk factors for preterm delivery in Fatemieh Hospital of Hamadan, Iran, 2019: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate maternal risk factors of preterm delivery in Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran, 2019. METHODS: In this case-control study, 7,478 hospital files of live-born neonates and their mothers in Hamadan Fatemieh Hospital in 2019 were examined. According to statistical estimates, 261 preterm deliveries and 736 term deliveries were studied. Information files of neonates and mothers were used to complete the study questionnaire. The data were compared in two separate groups and logistic regression was performed to estimate the crude relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics of term and preterm delivery. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 27.89 ± 6.48 years. Analysis of data revealed that academic education (OR: 2.02, P = 0.014), age group 25-34 years (OR: 1.5, P = 0.016), age of 35 years and above (OR: 1.66, P = 0.018), previous history of preterm delivery (OR: 5.3, P < 0.001), history of abortion (OR: 1.67, P = 0.004), history of surgery (OR: 1.54, P = 0.007), history of infertility (P = 0.016), and a history of cesarean (OR: 2.11, P < 0.001) were potentially associated with a higher odds of preterm delivery (P < 0.2). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is important to identify potential risk factors of preterm delivery in mothers and corrective interventions in strengthening consultation and education of pregnant women during pregnancy. Such a measure helps select the type of delivery and strengthen prenatal care in identifying mothers in high-risk groups and performing timely interventions.

Pregnancy outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women with and without underlying diseases: a case-control study.

This study aimed to examine the pregnancy outcomes in women infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with and without underlying diseases in western Iran. This case-control study compared 49 pregnant women with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with underlying diseases (the case group) and 49 women with COVID-19 without underlying diseases (the control group). The groups were pregnant women with COVID-19 admitted to Hamadan hospitals for delivery. COVID-19 was diagnosed by using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). Data were evaluated using a checklist. Further, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used for data analysis. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The odds of preterm labor were five times higher in women with underlying diseases (OR=5.95, 95% CI (3.01, 7.15), p=0.034). Moreover, the odds of preeclampsia and eclampsia in women with underlying diseases was (OR=3.35, 95% CI (1.18, 4.93), p=0.048) and (OR=2.65, 95% CI (1.43, 3.54), p=0.035), respectively. The results revealed that preterm labor, preeclampsia, and eclampsia were significantly higher in women with COVID-19 and underlying diseases compared to those without underlying diseases. Thus, the need to identify and educate pregnant mothers on underlying diseases and attention to prenatal care, particularly in high-risk groups, is necessary for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluating Clinical Course and Risk Factors of Infection and Demographic Characteristics of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 in Hamadan Province, West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a new viral disease with a rapid outbreak. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of contracting viral infections including COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course and risk factors of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID 19 in Hamadan Province, west of Iran. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The convenience sampling was performed using 50 papers and electronic files of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 according to the WHO's temporary guidelines. They were hospitalized in health centers and clinics of Hamadan Province. The data-collecting tool employed was a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed via SPSS software version 19. RESULTS: The mean age of pregnant women with COVID 19 was estimated to be 29.20 ± 5.8 yr and their average gestational age estimated to be 28.8 ± 8.20 weeks. About 32% of them had an underlying disease, 32% a history of influenza, and 40% recently traveled to infected areas. The most common findings were CT scans and multiple mottling and ground-glass opacity chest radiology. The most common symptoms were fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About 8% of the women required ICU hospitalization and the average length of hospital stay was 4.04 ± 2.38 and 29% had premature births. Moreover, 28% of infected mothers had a normal delivery and 20% had a cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of Covid-19 disease is essential in pregnant women. Because there is a possibility of worsening complications in the mother and fetus.

Perceived risk and protective behaviors regarding COVID-19 among Iranian pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Despite the vulnerability of pregnant women, few studies have been conducted on their perceived risk and protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate the perceived risk and protective behaviors regarding COVID-19 among pregnant women, in Hamadan, Iran. Using a two-stage cluster sampling method, 225 pregnant women referring to the health centers completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests as well as a stepwise linear regression model at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: 93.8% of pregnant women had a high level of knowledge, 97.3% had a high performance in protective behaviors, and 72.9% had a moderate level of risk perception related to COVID-19. The highest mean score of knowledge was observed in women who had a history of influenza in their previous pregnancies (90.97 ± 5.94). The mean score of protective behaviors was significantly higher in women with a high economic level (97.78 ± 5.11), and the highest level of risk perception was observed in nulliparous women (59.97 ± 9.80). Risk perception was an independent predictor of protective behaviors related to COVID-19 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women had a high level of knowledge, high performance in protective behaviors, and a moderate level of risk perception related to COVID-19. History of influenza in previous pregnancies, high economic level, and nulliparity were associated with higher levels of knowledge, protective behaviors, and risk perception, respectively. Risk perception of pregnant women regarding COVID-19 can predict their protective behaviors.

Postpartum women's perception of stressors in the delivery ward: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Delivery is a challenging event in women's lives. What happens during childbirth is stressful for most women. Regarding the short and long-term effects of stressors of the delivery ward on childbirth and neonatal outcomes, and given that understanding the stressors are influenced by existing social culture and factors, the present qualitative study was conducted to investigate women's perception of stressors in the delivery ward. Participants were 13 newly delivered women who were monitored in the recovery room at the Fatemieh Hospital of Hamadan, Iran. Purposive sampling was performed and continued until data saturation. The data collection method was in-depth and semi-structured. RESULTS: The content analysis of qualitative data led to the emergence of two themes of human stressors and environmental stressors as well as four categories; i.e., personal factors, care staff-related factors, environmental factors, and equipment-related factors. The research findings indicated that several personal, environmental, staff-related, and equipment-related factors could lead to stress in the labor and delivery ward. Although ignoring them and increasing stress during childbirth may jeopardize the childbirth consequences, most of them are ignored and overlooked. It is necessary to consider measures to control these factors as much as possible.