Evaluation of childbirth self-efficacy and associated factors among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the rate of Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD) and reducing elective cesarean section is one of the important concerns, especially in Iran. Childbirth self-efficacy can play an important role in managing the fear of childbirth and increasing the rate of NVD. The aim of this study was to determine demographic, fertility, and social factors related to childbirth self-efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a single-group, single-stage, multivariate, cross-sectional study that assessed childbirth self-efficacy and associated factors in 358 eligible pregnant women with gestational age of 37 weeks and over in Guilan (North Iranian province) from November 2018 to July 2019. Data collection was performed based on consecutive sampling method from the pregnant women referring to the prenatal clinic. Data collection tools included a demographic and reproductive characteristics questionnaire; Lowe's childbirth self-efficacy Inventory and Zimet's perceived social support multidimensional questionnaire. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between the educational level of pregnant women and Outcome Expectancy (OE) and Self-efficacy Expectancy (EE) and also between the spousal level of education and OE (P < 0.05). Parity, previous experience of birth, participation in pregnancy preparation classes, access to information sources about childbirth, and birth preference were significantly related to OE and EE (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the two domains of perceived social support, spouse and friends, and the OE and EE (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that birth preference was a predictor for OE and EE, while a pregnant woman's education level and perceived social support in the domain of significant others were predictors for OE. Spousal age, mean family income, and participation in the prenatal preparation classes were predictors for EE. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the importance of self-efficacy in childbirth in encouraging pregnant women to perform NVD, pregnancy and childbirth preparation classes with an emphasis on concepts including self-efficacy of childbirth should be focused by midwives and other health-care workers in order to improve pregnant women's knowledge regarding the benefits of NVD and to strengthen their belief in the benefits of pain-compatible actions.

Investigating the Relationship between the Attitude Towards Infertility and Stress Coping Strategies among Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Infertility and its treatment methods among couples have psychological and social consequences. To encounter these consequences, coping strategies are commonly used, which are influenced by various factors, such as the attitude of couples toward infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationship between attitudes toward infertility and stress-coping strategies among couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment, referring to the infertility clinic of Al-Zahra Educational Center. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study performed on 153 couples referred to Al-Zahra Infertility Clinic in Rasht. Three instruments (demographic questionnaire, attitude, and Lazarus coping strategies questionnaire) were used with regard to the inclusion restrictions. RESULTS: Between the two variables of individual and social information factors and the attitude of couples toward infertility, only the duration of infertility factor revealed a significant relationship (p <0.05); and in explaining the relationship between individual and social variables and coping strategies, the lack of insurance in both genders with an emotion-oriented strategy, the female infertility factor in women with the confrontational adjustment domain, and treatment in a discontinuous way in both genders have a significant relationship with the problem-oriented domain (p <0.05). Accountability and problem-solving strategies in women and an escapeavoidance strategy in infertile men have been identified as the most important predictors of attitude toward infertility. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between attitudes toward infertility and coping strategies. However, the impact of community culture on the type of coping strategies used in this study has led to different results in some cases from other studies.

The relationship between spiritual health and health-promoting lifestyle among students.

BACKGROUND: One of the components of a healthy life is attending to spiritual needs, which can reduce harmful behaviors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between spiritual health (SH) and health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) among students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 nursing and midwifery students at Guilan University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected using a self-administered socio-demographic questionnaire, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II) and the Spirituality Well-being Scale (SWBS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that the mean and standard deviation of the students' HPLP-II scores as 84 ± 28 and the mean and standard deviation of SWBS scores was 90 ± 15. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between HPLP-II scores and SWBS scores (r = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The finding of this study showed that SH impacts on a HPL. It is recommended for policy-makers and health providers due to the positive role of SH in improving HPLs.