Intimate partner violence and risky sexual behaviors among Iranian women with substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and risky sexual behaviors are serious and overlapping public health problems that disproportionately affect drug-involved women. Despite the fact that drug-using women experience extensive IPV, to date, no studies have investigated the association of IPV and risky sexual behaviors among drug-using women in Iran. METHODS: Drug-using women (N =120) were recruited from a rehabilitation center in Tehran from March to October, 2009. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), a standardized questionnaire, was used to collect data regarding violence. We used t-test and logistic regression models to explore the relationship between IPV domains and specific sexual risk behavior outcomes using SPSS 21. RESULTS: The means (sd) for CTS2 domains were as follows: negotiation 4.29 (1.55), psychological violence 2.55 (1.51), sexual violence 0.37 (1.00), physical abuse 1.17 (1.49), injury 2.18 (1.97), and the mean total score was 1.69 (0.96). We found significantly higher injury scores, but lower sexual abuse scores among women with sexually-transmitted infection (STI) compared to women without STI (p-values 0.030 and <0.0001, respectively). In addition, we found that psychological abuse was positively associated with STI (p-value 0.03) and increased condom use (p = 0.010), possibly mediated through an increased likelihood of having multiple partners. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that in Iran drug-involved women experience high rates of IPV and that IPV is associated with increased risky sexual behavior. IMPLICATION: Preventive interventions for violence that are integrated within drug treatment programs, as well as harm reduction programs are highly recommended.

Menopause negatively impacts sexual lives of middle-aged Iranian women: a cross-sectional study.

The study aimed to explore associations between sexual function, demographic variables, health and menopausal status among middle-aged Iranian women. Participants were 200 Iranian middle-aged women (40-65 years). All women completed the Female Sexual Function Index and the Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function. Data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation statistical test, a one-way analysis of variance, an independent t test, and a linear regression analysis. Advanced age, lower education, and socioeconomic status were significantly correlated with the lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index. Lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index were associated with being retired; having a hysterectomy or oophorectomy; and presence of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, health problems, prescription drug use, and cold sweats. There were no significant associations between middle-aged women's sexual function and ethnicity, body mass index, alcohol consumption, severity of hot flashes, and hot flash frequency. Sexual desire was decreased or absent in 94.5% of the postmenopausal respondents. Our findings appear that sexual function is associated with sociodemographic characteristics of Iranian middle-aged women. Gender-sensitive counseling and medical services for aging Iranian women can improve the quality of women's sexual lives.

Evaluation of the effects of acoustic stimulation and feeding mother stimulation on non-reactive non-stress test: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Non-stress test (NST) is known as one of the most common assessments for evaluation of fetus well being. Since the prevalence of its false positive results is high and majority of fetuses with non-reactive results are not at risk, it is important to find out effective approaches to identify such results to avoid unnecessary interventions. So this survey was conducted with the aim of comparing the effects of acoustic stimulation with feeding mothers stimulation on non-reactive NST results. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study preformed on 104 healthy pregnant women with non-reactive NST results and gestational ages between 32 and 42 weeks in Tabriz Alzahra hospital. Subjects were divided into two groups for acoustic stimulation and feeding mother stimulation. Half an hour later NST repeated for participants of each group in the same environmental condition and again the results evaluated. RESULTS: According to our findings, 75 % of subjects with non-reactive NST results changed to reactive after acoustic stimulation group. However, 80 % of participants with non-reactive NST results changed into reactive after feeding stimulation. No significant differences found while comparing test results. CONCLUSION: Both stimulating approaches were effective in the identification of false positive NSTs and might be useful in preventing the unnecessary interventions.

Comparison of the effects of Date Syrup with Saffron-Honey Syrup on the Progress of Labor in Nulliparous Women: A Single Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Assessing the progress of labor is a primary step in intrapartum care. This study was performed to assess comparison of the effects of date syrup with saffron-honey syrup on the progress of labor in nulliparous women. Materials and Methods: A randomized single-blind clinical trial study was conducted on 189 women who were referred to Bea'sat Hospital of Sanandaj from October 2019 to March 2020. Patients were randomly divided into three groups saffron-honey syrup, date syrup, and placebo syrup each including 63 cases. Each participant in the intervention and control groups received a maximum volume of 150 ml of saffron-honey syrup, date syrup, or placebo syrup. The syrups were given at the 4 cm dilation, and every 30-60 min until the end of the active phase of the first stage of labor. Data collection tools included a two-part questionnaire and a partograph form. The results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 24 using Chi-squared test, analysis of variance, and last significant difference as a post hoc test, the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The duration of the active phases of the first (F 2 = 92.70, p < 0.01), second (F 2 = 66.76, p < 0.01), and third (F 2 = 12.34, p < 0.01) stages of labor was shorter in the date syrup and saffron-honey syrup groups than in the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, both experimental groups exhibited no significant difference in terms of duration between the first (p = 0.312), second (p = 0.724), and third (p = 0.911) stages of labor. Conclusions: Date syrup and saffron-honey syrup can be used as one of the safe and available herbal methods to facilitate labor.

Diagnostic value of non stress test in latent phase of labor and maternal and fetal outcomes.

PURPOSE: The Non Stress Test (NST) is the one of the significant diagnostic fetal well being testes. The purpose of this study is to access diagnostic value of NST during latent phase of labor by considering maternal and neonatal outcomes. SUBJECTS: This case study control study was performed on 450 healthy pregnant women with gestational age between 38-42 weeks in AL-Zahra teaching hospital in Tabriz, Iran. All participants underwent NST after being admitted to labor during their latent phase of delivery. Participants were divided into groups including the study group which included 150 participants with non-reactive NST results whereas 300 subjects with reactive NST results assigned in the control group. Subjects in both groups were hospitalized for pregnancy termination because of the delivery time. In order to find out the importance of routine performance of NST during delivery, the relationship between NST results and maternal and fetal outcomes was evaluated. Several criteria including type of delivery, meconium defecation, descent arrest, bradicardia, Apgar score, and still birth were compared between two types. RESULTS: Finding of this study showed that descent arrest occurred in 2.7% of the subjects in the study group, whereas it occurred in 4.7% of the participants in the control group (p=0.44). Bradicardia found in 28% of the participants in study group and 3.3% of the control group (p<0.001). The low Apgar Score was found in 2.7% of case group however; no the low apgar score detected in the control group. Meconium defecation observed in 11.3% of the subjects in the study group and 9.7% of the participants in control group (p=0.62). The amount of stillbirth were found in control group. There was a significant difference between the results of both groups in terms of bradicardia, descent arrest, and the low Apgar score and cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Results of this study revealed that participants in study group with nonreactive NST results had more fetal complications than those with reactive NST results. NST was found to be a value diagnostic test for diagnosis of fetal distress during delivery in the latent phase. This findings of this study suggest that NST should be performed routinely as a valuable diagnostic test during the latent phase of delivery.

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.