The relationship between social determinants of health and postpartum weight retention based on the World Health Organization model: path analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) causes obesity, chronic diseases, and occurring adverse maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes. Given the social factors' effect on health and disease and considering the lack of information on social determinants of health (SDH) effects on PPWR, this study was conducted to survey the relationship between SDH and PPWR based on the World Health Organization (WHO) model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 400 women six months after delivery in 2020. Twelve health centers were randomly selected from the three universities of Medical Sciences in the city of Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected by convenience method and based on eligibility. Questionnaires used included: Lifestyle Profile Health Promoting II, Short Form Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Postpartum Social Support, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and questionnaires designed by reviewing the literature about breastfeeding, sleep, contraceptive, child health, unhealthy behaviors, postpartum nutritional awareness/beliefs, body satisfaction, access to postpartum care, socioeconomic status, demographic, and obstetric questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS-23, and the relationship model was examined using the path analysis method in LISREL-8.8. RESULTS: Path analysis indicated the direct effect of six intermediate factors on PPWR including: gestational weight gain (ß = 0.42), access to postpartum care (ß = 0.11), postpartum nutritional awareness/beliefs (ß=-0.17), anxiety (ß = 0.09), sleep duration (ß=-0.09), pre-pregnancy body mass index (ß = 0.09). Among the structural factors, woman's education and socioeconomic status had an indirect negative effect on PPWR. The model fit indices showed good fit (RMSE = 0/05, GFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.92, χ2/df = 2.17). CONCLUSION: The results indicate the effect of structural and intermediate determinants of health on PPWR. It is recommended to use the proposed model as an appropriate framework in the research, design, and implementation of programs to prevent and control PPWR.

Development and psychometric assessment of the sexual-reproductive health profile of women with type-1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: To improve the sexual-reproductive health (SRH) of women with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), plans should be formulated on the basis of the existing situation. The situation can be examined by a valid tool conforming to the specific domains of SRH in the target group. The present study seeks to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the SRH Profile of Women with T1DM. METHOD: Based on the extracted concepts of SRH Profile of Women with T1DM in a previously conducted study, a tool was designed using the following steps: The selection of the conceptual model, explaining the objectives, designing the roadmap and development of the tool. In the psychometric assessment phase, the content, face and construct validity (convergent validity and principal component analysis) were assessed with the participation of 365 married women of reproductive age with T1DM. The reliability of the tool was determined by the internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha) and its stability using the test-retest method (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients). RESULTS: The SRH Profile of Women with T1DM was formed with 53 items in two sections. Twenty-six items were about safe motherhood and reproductive system; 27 items were about the three components of concerns about the reproductive system health and function, sexual health and function, and violence related to T1DM. The three components in the second section explained 49.44% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.872 and the total intra-cluster correlation coefficient was 0.946. CONCLUSION: SRH Profile of Women with T1DM is a valid, reliable, and specific tool for assessing sexual-reproductive health in women with type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Correction to: The translation and psychometric assessment of the perception of empowerment in midwifery scale: the Persian version.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

The translation and psychometric assessment of the perception of empowerment in midwifery scale: the Persian version.

BACKGROUND: A major part of midwifery care involves the empowerment of women and their families for the control of factors affecting their health. To this end, midwives should experience their own empowerment first. The present study was conducted to translate and determine the psychometric properties of the Perception of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale among Iranian midwives. METHODS: A total of 380 people participated in this cross-sectional study. A demographic questionnaire and the 22-item Perception of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale were sent to the participants online. The validity of the scale and the analysis of its main components were carried out through exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the scale was assessed using the internal consistency method with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, average inter-item correlation (AIC) and McDonald's omega. RESULTS: Seventeen scale items were retained after the exploratory factor analysis, and five factors were extracted, including "effective management", "professional practice", "authority", "advocacy", and "professional informant", with factor loadings ranging from 0.489 to 0.899. The five latent factors explained 53.07% of the overall variance of the scale. The confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable goodness of fit. The internal consistency of the scale was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha above 0.7. CONCLUSION: The Persian version of the Perception of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale with 17 items has adequate reliability for midwives working in Iran. Given its appropriate psychometric properties, this scale is fit to be used among midwives in future studies.

The translation and psychometric assessment of the SCOFF eating disorder screening questionnaire: the Persian version.

BACKGROUND: Eating Disorders (EDs) are defined by abnormal eating habits. The SCOFF (Sick-Control-One stone-Fat-Food) is a simple screening questionnaire for EDs. This study was conducted to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the SCOFF questionnaire in Iranian university students. METHODS: A total of 310 Iranian students of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences completed a test battery of questionnaires including the well-known screener of eating disorder symptoms, the SCOFF. All measures were presented to the participants in Persian. The 5-item SCOFF questionnaire was translated to Persian using the forward-backward method. The face, content, criterion, and construct validity of the Persian version of the SCOFF were assessed. The validity and reliability of the Persian version of the SCOFF was assessed and factor analysis was conducted. RESULTS: All five items of the translated questionnaire were approved after face validity. Content validity ratio was 0.73 (range 0.66-0.83) and content validity index was 0.96 (range 0.91-1), so all items were approved. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor structure, which explained 52.47% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a very good goodness-of-fit for the 2-factor model. 2-factor and 1-factor models indicate a very good goodness-of-fit in females and adequate goodness-of-fit in males. Criterion validity showed an acceptable correlation between the SCOFF and the EDE-Q. Reliability was acceptable based on the stability [ICC = 0.905(95% CI .760-.962 p < 0.001)] and the internal consistency (KR20 = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Appropriate psychometric properties of the 5-item Persian version of the SCOFF (both models) were confirmed, suggesting its use as a valid questionnaire in EDs screening.

Eating Disorders (EDs) are defined by abnormal eating habits that affect a person's health. Eating disorders are common in Iranian young people. Early recognition of EDs can reduce its physical, psychiatric, psychosocial outcomes, improve the prognosis, and minimize the impact on patients and their families. However, timely recognition of EDs is difficult because of the variety of signs and presentations. The SCOFF (Sick-Control-One stone-Fat-Food) is a valuable screening questionnaire for rapid identification of people at risk for EDs. This study was conducted to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the SCOFF questionnaire in Iranian university students. The results of our study suggest that the 5-item Persian version of the SCOFF is a valid questionnaire in EDs screening.

The relationship between depression, stress, anxiety, and postpartum weight retention: A systematic review.

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a factor that causes permanent obesity and subsequent chronic and noncommunicable diseases. The relationship between depression/stress/anxiety and PPWR has been studied in some articles, but there is no definitive conclusion in this regard. The present systematic review was conducted to investigate the relationship between depression/stress/anxiety and PPWR. An extensive search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran, Irandoc databases using Medical Subject Headings terms (or their Persian synonyms) from 2000 to 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for articles selection. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Out of 371 reviewed articles, 24 articles were selected. The total sample size was 51,613 (range: 49-37,127). The mean of PPWR ranged from 0.5 kg (standard deviation [SD] = 6.49) to 6.4 kg (SD = 8.5). There was a statistically significant relationship between depression/stress/anxiety and PPWR in 12 of 23, 4 of 6, and 3 of 8 studies. This review demonstrates the relationship between depression/stress/anxiety and PPWR. Time of depression/stress/anxiety assessment is an important issue, as well as different measurement tools. Prevention of the mothers' psychological problems through educational and supportive programs may help to limit PPWR.

Pregnancy experiences of first-time fathers in iran: a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Fatherhood, similarly to motherhood, is an important role and responsibility. For accepting this role, one needs to be well-prepared. Awareness of father's experiences of pregnancy can help us to develop plans for the promotion of the role of fatherhood. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore how first time fathers describe their experiences of pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data in this qualitative study were collected by individual open-ended interviews in five public health prenatal care clinics in Tehran, Iran, during 2010 ‒ 2011. Participants were 26 Iranian and Moslem first-time fathers living in Tehran, whose partner was in the 32th to 40th week of her normal pregnancy. Qualitative content text analysis was used for analyzing interviews. RESULTS: Through analysis of fathers' experiences of their wives' pregnancy, four categories, as well as associated subcategories, emerged. The categories include: "Emotional responses to pregnancy, Feeling of change, Accepting the reality and satisfaction, Developing identity as a father." These categories describe the phenomenon of "Transition to fatherhood". CONCLUSIONS: Transition to fatherhood extends beyond only moderate mental and social changes, and may be influenced by cultural background and beliefs. Therefore, caregivers should be aware of fathers' changes and needs during pregnancy, and support them while taking into consideration their culture and beliefs.

Effects of calci soya balance and vitagnus on menopausal symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Menopause is a period of women's lives with changes and symptoms that affect their work, sleep and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to overcome these symptoms. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Calci soya balance and Vitagnus on menopausal symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This double-blinded controlled trial study was performed in public health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2011-2012). Seventy postmenopausal women with menopausal symptoms were randomly divided into two groups of treatments with Vitagnus and Calci soya balance. Data were collected using interviews, answering Cooperman's index questionnaires before four and eight weeks after the treatment. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used for analyzing the data. RESULTS: In both groups, Wilcoxon test showed a significant decrease in the mean of Cooperman's menopausal index as well as after four and eight weeks of treatment (P = 0.000). Mann-Whitney test did not show any significant differences between the two groups, before and after four and eight weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that both Vitagnus and Calci soya balance were effective on reduction of menopausal symptoms to a similar extent and medical community can administer each of these two drugs based on patients' conditions and costs.