Background & Aim: Medication errors are one of the most common medical errors and these errors have a double importance in neonatal intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and type of medication prescribing errors in neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods & Materials: This study is a descriptive-analytical research. A census sample of 71 nurses from the neonatal intensive care unit of 5 hospitals in Yazd was included in study in 2015. The tools of data collection were the demographic and occupational data questionnaire and “medication errors” questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the Chi-square statistical test, using SPSS software v.18.

Results: 47.9% of nurses (34 persons) had made medication errors. 35.2% of samples had made 1-2 errors, and 51.51% of errors had occurred on the night shift. The most frequent nonparenteral medication errors were errors in drug calculation, drug dosage, the drug route of administration, and incorrect medication. In parenteral medications, errors in the drug infusion rate, drug calculation, drug dosage, and the Lack of attention to drug-drug interactions were frequently reported. Nurses declared that the large number of patients was the first main cause of medication errors.

Conclusion: Given the high frequency of medication prescribing errors particularly on the night shift, as well as considering the disproportionate nurse-to-patient ratio as a major cause of the errors, future research is needed to further evaluate the causes and prevention strategies of the medication errors.

Background & Aim: Studies have shown that family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness affects their caring to mental patients and may reduce the quality of caring to them. This study aimed to determine the effect of group psychoeducation on attitude toward mental illness in the family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial study conducted in 2015, 74 family caregivers of the patients with bipolar disorder who had been hospitalized in the psychiatric wards of Razi hospital in Tabriz were selected by random sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. The families of experimental group participated in 8 continuous 90-minute 2 times a week psychoeducational sessions. Family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness was measured using the questionnaire of Opinion about Mental Illnesses (OMI) before and after intervention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA on SPSS software version 13.

Results: The results revealed that there was no significant difference in mean score of attitude toward mental illness between the experimental group and the control group before intervention (92.54±8.51 vs. 90.52±9.43, P>0.05). But the mean score of family caregivers' posttest in the experimental group significantly increased compared to the control group (105.43±14.72 vs. 90.52±7.50, P<0.05).

Conclusion: The study results demonstrate that psychoeducational program improves family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness. Training methods such as group psychoeducation can be effective in promoting positive attitude in the families of patients with psychiatric disorder.

Background & Aim: Pap smear test is an effective screening method for early detection of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the health belief model on women’s belief and practice regarding Pap smear test.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 100 married women under coverage of Bushehr health centers participated in the study in 2014-2015. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of demographic information, the questions concerning knowledge and the HBM constructs regarding Pap smear. The training program was performed in two group sessions. Three months after the intervention, women’s practice about Pap smear test was evaluated in both groups. After data collection, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated measure analysis of variance, independent t-test and Chi square on SPSS software v.20.

Results: Before the study, both groups had not any significant differences in all variables and constructs. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (P<0.001), perceived seriousness (P=0.015) and perceived barriers (P<0.001) were significantly different between two groups. Three months after the intervention, 42 (85.7%) in the intervention group and 4 (8.2%) in the control group had performed Pap smear test (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Designing and implementing educational program based on health belief model can promote women’s awareness and reduce their perceived barriers and as well as enhance their practice regarding Pap smear test.

Background & Aim: Although mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for many infants with respiratory distress syndrome, it carries potential complications. One of these complications is prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation. More than 15 days of mechanical ventilation is associated with increased risk of cerebral palsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among extremely low birth weight infants. The current study aimed to determine the relationships between the length of mechanical ventilation and its related factors in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods & Materials: In this analytical study, a convenience sample of 60 premature infants of 33 weeks’ gestation or less with respiratory distress syndrome was recruited from three hospitals (Mahdieh, Mofid, and Imam Hossein) affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2014-2015. Then, factors related to the length of mechanical ventilation such as sex, type of birth, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score at the first minute, Apgar score at the fifth minute were assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis on SPSS software v.20.

Results: The mean gestational age was 30.62±1.8 weeks and the mean weight of infants was 1510.33±390.940 grams. The mean length of mechanical ventilation was 3.58±2.97 days. There  were not any correlations between sex, type of birth and the length of mechanical ventilation (P>0.05). Gestational age and weight were significantly correlated to the length of mechanical ventilation (P<0.001). But in adjusted analysis using multiple regression, only gestational age remained a significant factor related to the length of mechanical ventilation (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed that among the studied factors, only gestational age was a factor affecting the length of mechanical ventilation.

Background & Aim: Evidence-based practice (EBP) education is essential in nursing education. Therefore, identifying factors influencing nurses' adoption of EBP is very important to perform optimum quality nursing interventions. The aim of present study was to determine the factors affecting the adoption of EBP based on Rogers' diffusion of innovations models in nurses.

Methods & Materials: This was a descriptive–analytical study. The research subjects were 130 nurses who worked in the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2014. The research instruments were four questionnaires including demographic data; knowledge, attitude and the adoption of EBP; individual innovation and perceived attributes of EBP. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis) on SPSS v.19 and EQS.

Results: The study findings showed that age and the working experiences of nurses had significant inverse relationships with knowledge of EBP (r=-0.809, r=-0.805). There was a direct relationship between individual innovation and knowledge (r=0.776). In addition, knowledge not only had a significant direct relationship with the adoption of EBP but also had the greatest impact on the adoption of EBP compared to other variables of model (r=0.937). Perceived attributes of EBP had significant direct relationships with attitude and the adoption of EBP (r=0.898, r=0.888 respectively). Attitude toward EBP also had a direct and significant relationship with the adoption of EBP (r=0.869). The results of the path analysis indicated the model variables to have an optimal fit (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The results of this study identify the factors affecting the adoption of EBP. Determining these factors can be an effective step to more adopt it in clinical environments.

Background & Aim: Chronic diseases are one of the most prevalent health problems affecting the quality of an adolescent's interaction with others. Social support can be important particularly during adolescence due to the many internal and external changes that happen to a person. This study aimed to determine the levels of perceived social support and its correlated factors in adolescents with chronic disease.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 172 adolescents 11-16 years with a chronic disease referred to Tehran’s selected hospitals, were included using purposive sampling during three months in 2014. Data were collected through “children and adolescents social support questionnaire”. Data were analyzed by independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression on SPSS software v.22.

Results: The total score of perceived social support (45.46±5.88) was at a high level. Among the demographic factors, gender (P<0.01), ethnicity, parental education, family income, number of children, birth order, and having insurance (P<0.001) showed a significant correlation with perceived social support. Among the factors related to illness, the type of chronic disease (P<0.01), the number of hospitalizations (P<0.001), the lack of participation in group activities due to illness (P=0.04), school absenteeism rates (P=0.002) and academic failure (P<0.001) were significantly associated with perceived social support.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, given the level of perceived social support and its related factors, it is recommended to pay more attention to caring for adolescents with chronic disease at the community level.

Background & Aim: Patient falling is one of the most important indicator of patient safety. Nurses have an important role in the prevention of patient falls and the improvement of patient safety standards. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between the incidence of patient falls and nurses’ professional commitment.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study,300 nurses employed in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were selected through a proportional stratified sampling method. Data were collected by a three-part questionnaire consisted of the demographic data, the Nurses’ Professional Commitment Scale and the reports on the number of patient falls in the past three months. Data were analyzed on SPSS software using statistical tests including Pearson's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-wallis and independent-t test.

Results: The mean score of patient falls in the past 3 months was 6±1.61(moderate) for each nurse and the mean score of nurses' professional commitment was 86±8.61 (committed).A significant and reverse relationship was observed between the incidence of patient falls and nurses’ professional commitment (R= -0.51; p<0.018).There is no relationship between nurses’ demographic characteristics and patient falls.

Conclusion: Despite the lower incidence of falls in the patient under the supervision of the committed nurses, its prevention entails taking into account all factors that influence this phenomenon besides improving professional commitment.

Background & Aim: Lack of orgasm during intercourse and loss of libido in menopause is very common and can reduce women's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Aphrodite on orgasm and sexual desire in postmenopausal women.

Methods & Materials: The study design was a randomized clinical trial with a control group. Participants were comprised of 80 postmenopausal women 50-60 years old. The instruments consisted of the demographic characteristics form and the Sabbatsbergsexual function scale that a part of itevaluates orgasm and sexual desire. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and independent t-test were used to analyze data through SPSS software v.16.

Results: The mean score of orgasm before intervention in the Aphrodite group was 30.25±20.6 and in the placebo group was 29±21.9. One month after intervention, this score increased to 41.12±10.08 in the Aphrodite groupand was 29.12±29.66 in the placebo group, that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.02). As well, for the sexual desire score, there was a significant difference between the two groups of Aphrodite and control after intervention (P=0.008).

Conclusion: The use of Aphrodite can improve sexual desire and orgasm in menopausal women. So, it is essential that healthcare providers be familiar with this herbal supplement.

Background & Aim: Mother-Child bonding is an emotional aspect of relationship between mother and baby that affects children's psychological development. This study was performed to determine the predictors of mother-child bonding.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed on 270 mothers 8 to 10 weeks postpartum referred to eighteen health centers of Tabriz, 2014-2015. Data were collected using the obstetric and socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The statistical tests including Pearson correlation, Independent t, one-way ANOVA and multivariate linear regression were used for data analysis through SPSS v.21. The significance level was considered as P<0.05.

Results: The mean (SD) of mother-child bonding score was 46.2±8.4, with achievable scores range from 0 to 125. 85.2% of mothers had a mother-child bonding disorder. The most frequent disorder pertained to the dimension of impaired mother-child bonding and the least frequent disorder was anxiety about child care. Variables of depression, state anxiety and unwanted pregnancy were among the predictors of mother-child bonding.

Conclusion: The study shows that anxiety, depression, and unwanted pregnancy are the determinants affecting mother-child bonding. Thus, the screening of mothers for the early identification and treatment of anxiety and depression, and also the reduction of unwanted pregnancy rate using purposeful family planning counseling can improve the mother-child bonding, resulting in improved children's growth and development.

Background & Aim: Male andropause begins with hormonal, physiological and chemical changes, and usually occurs in men between the ages of 40 to 55 years. These changes affect their quality of life. Hence, the current study investigated the quality of life of men with andropause and its related factors.

Methods & Materials: This preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted through the census method on 80 males aged 40 to 60 years, employed at the schools of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected in 2014 using a demographic questionnaire, the Short-Form 36 (QOL) questionnaire, and the Persian version of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software v.22 through descriptive and inferential statistics (Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise multivariate Regression). The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the andropausal men was 47.6±4.79 years and the majority (38.8%) of the samples were in the 45-49 age group. The mean quality of life score was 61.75±13.52. Stepwise regression showed a significant relationship between age and the scores of overall quality of life, physical and psychological health dimensions. Moreover, significant associations were observed between the overall quality of life score and the andropause severity, and between physical health dimension and sleep hours per day.

Conclusion: This study indicates that andropause lowers the quality of life, and age, andropause severity and sleep hours affect the quality of life in the andropausal men.

Background & Aim: Extravasation is one of the complications of peripheral intravenous catheters. Doing standard nursing cares leads to more effective and safer treatment and care of extravasation and the reduction in the length of hospital stay for neonates. This study aimed to audit nursing cares related to the treatment of extravasation in neonatal intensive care units.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive study (the audit), 200 nursing cares regarding neonatal extravasation were observed and assessed. Data gathering tool was a standard check list. The data collection method was the observation and recording of nursing cares related to neonatal extravasation in neonatal intensive care unit of selected hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics on SPSS software v.21.

Results: The standard cares were performed by nurses in some cases, and in some standards, nurses showed poor performance. Among 25 common nursing cares of extravasation, 22 cares were far from standards. After third and fourth degree extravasation, none of required nursing cares were done properly.

Conclusion: Nursing cares of extravasation for neonates in NICU are far from standard cares. This could be attributed to the lack of nurses’ awareness of the importance of proper extravasation care and its consequences, failure in nurses’ education, lack of authorities’ supervision on cares, lack of facilities and equipments, and nursing shortage.

Background & Aim: Pressure ulcers are a common complication in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. This complication continues to be a major problem in all health care systems and reflects the quality of nursing care in hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between nurses’ knowledge and quality of nursing care for prevention of pressure ulcers in intensive care units.

Methods & Materials: This was a descriptive correlational study on a purposive sample of 92 nurses employed in intensive care units of four hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing demographic and occupational information, the Pieper’s nursing knowledge questionnaire, and a checklist to assess the quality of nursing care for prevention of pressure ulcers. Descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation) were used to analyze data on SPSS software v. 21. The level of significance was considered at P≤0.05.

Results: The study results showed that the average score of nurses’ knowledge of pressure ulcers prevention was a total of 75.7±6.9. The quality of nursing care in more than half of cases (54.3%) was relatively favorable. There was no significant correlation between nurses’ knowledge and the quality of nursing care for pressure ulcers (P=0.86, r=0.01).

Conclusion: In addition to inadequate knowledge of pressure ulcers prevention, the nurses did not fully implement what they knew in clinical practices. Therefore, a more accurate evaluation is recommended in this regard.

Background & Aim: Reducing water-pipe use is among the most effective ways to reduce chronic disease and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine effect of education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) by health volunteers on water-pipe use among women.

Methods & Materials: This Quasi-experimental study performed on 127 women who used water-pipe (63 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group) in Bushehr in 2014. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the HBM constructs about water-pipe use, knowledge about water-pipe complications, and behavior (frequency of water-pipe use in last week and nicotine dependence scale). Intervention group received two sessions of education based on HBM by health volunteers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-whitney test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and Friedman test on SPSS software version 18.

Results: Before education, both groups were similar in terms of demographic variables, the mean score of knowledge and all the HBM constructs (P>0.05). After education, the mean scores of HBM constructs and knowledge significantly increased and nicotine dependence decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). After 3 months, the frequency of water-pipe smoking significantly reduced in the intervention group (P=0.007). But in the same period, there was no significant difference in term of the frequency of water-pipe smoking in the control group.

Conclusion: The results show that education based on the behavior change patterns by health volunteers can be effective in changing beliefs and reducing water-pipe use among women.

Background & Aim: In recent years, health care workers' mobile phones have been considered important as a source of infection because they could have a significant role in nosocomial infections. The aim of this study is to determine the type of microbial contamination of health care workers' mobile phones in Sina hospital in Tabriz.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 140 samples were taken from health care workers' mobile phones by convenience sampling, in 2015. The samples were taken by a sterile swab and immediately transferred to the hospital laboratory. They were cultured after incubation for 48 hrs in two plates at 37° C. Finally, the grown microorganisms were identified by biochemical tests. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test on SPSS software version 13. A level of P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: 84.28% of phones were positive for bacterial contamination. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (45%) had the most frequency and Bacillus species (19.28%) were in second rank. Acinetobacter found in only 1 case (0.71%) had the least frequency. More than one microorganism had grown on 5 contaminated phones (3.57%). The contamination rate was significantly higher in the intensive care units than in general wards (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the findings, health care workers' mobile phones is significantly contaminated. Therefore, it is necessary that the staff to be informed of the role of cell phone in the nosocomial infection, as the role of other hospital equipment. It is also important to be trained about periodic cleaning of mobile phones with suitable material such as 70% alcohol and frequent washing of hands after using the phone.

Background & Aim: One of the non-pharmacological ways to reduce labor pain is husband’s attendance during childbirth. So, the present study aimed to evaluate couples' attitudes toward husband’s attendance in delivery room.

Methods & Materials: This study was a descriptive-analytical survey conducted on 259 pregnant women and their spouses who referred to Alzahra hospital in Rasht, in 2014. Samples were selected by convenience method. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and assess attitudes of mothers and their husbands toward husband’s attendance in delivery room. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software version 17.

Results: The mean age for mothers was 26.42±5.59 years and for their husbands was 30.69±5.71 years. The mean score of mothers' attitudes toward husband’s attendance in delivery room was 102.99±13.47 which 97.3 percent had positive attitude, 1.9 percent had neutral attitude and 0.8 percent had negative attitude. The mean score of husbands’ attitudes toward husband’s attendance in delivery room was 100.88±14.36 which 91.9 percent had positive attitude, 5.8 percent had neutral attitude and 2.3 percent had negative attitude. Also, linear regression determined that there was a significant relationship between mother's education level and attitude score, so that attitude score increased about 0.19 with increasing level of education.

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of couples’ positive attitudes toward husband’s attendance during labor and delivery, it is suggested that these findings be taken into account when designing essential facilities and measures for the implementation of mother-friendly hospital program and the promotion of natural delivery.

Background & Aim: Sexual dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes in women. Although sexual function is important, often is neglected as a component of diabetes care. This study aimed to investigate the effect of counseling on sexual function in women with type 2 diabetes.

Methods & Materials: The present study is a clinical trial conducted on 120 married women with type 2 diabetes and sexual dysfunction, referred to diabetes clinic in Gorgan in 2014. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Samples were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Sexual counseling sessions were held once a week for three weeks. Sexual function was assessed in two stages (before the intervention as well as two months after the intervention). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.

Results: There was a significant difference in the mean score of sexual function between the control and experimental groups two months after intervention (P<0.001). The comparison of different domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) before and after intervention showed a significant difference in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Sexual counseling has a favorable effect on sexual function in women with diabetes. Sexual function is recommended to be assessed in women with diabetes during routine health care visit.

Background & Aim: Mechanical ventilation is one of the most common treatments in neonatal intensive care unit and is however associated with many complications. One of the ways to reduce complications is providing nursing care according to standards. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the conformity of nursing care related to weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation to the standards in neonatal intensive care units.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive study (the audit), 105 nursing cares related to weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care units at the selected hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected and observed by the event sampling method in 2015. Data were gathered through a demographic questionnaire for nurses and hospitalized newborns, a checklist of nursing care related to weaning from mechanical ventilation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at the significance level less than 0.05.

Results: Conformity rate of nursing care related to weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation to standards, was 68.3 percent, and compliance with the standards of care was 71.4 percent before weaning, 65.7 percent during weaning and 66.4 percent after weaning.

Conclusion: Nursing cares related to weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation are far from standards, and for its improvement, applying clinical guideline for neonatal nursing care and clinical supervision by managers for optimizing its implementation are suggested.

Background & Aim: Violence against women is a serious social problem affecting public health. Given the relatively high prevalence of domestic violence and the need for screening, a simple tool for its correct diagnosis in a short time seems to be necessary. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic values of the HITS (Hurts, Insults, Threaten, and Screams) tool and CTS2 (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales) in domestic violence screening.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 married women referred to health centers in Tabriz in 2014. Data were collected using the socio-demographic questionnaire, HITS and CTS2. Kappa index was used to assess agreement between instruments.

Results: Results showed that HITS tool had relatively good sensitivity (75.7%) and high specificity (93.5%). Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96.8% and 59.5% respectively. There was a moderate agreement between instruments (Kappa=0.6).

Conclusion: Given the simplicity of HITS and the possibility to complete it in a short time, this questionnaire can be recommended to identify people experiencing domestic violence at the broad level. In addition, the development of this tool is recommended in future studies.

Background & Aim: Females’ quality of sexual life is one of the key issues of sexual and reproductive health. This is a subjective concept and defined as individual’s perception of sexual aspect of life. The aim of this study was to explore the factors affecting Iranian women’s quality of sexual life.

Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted by conventional content analysis. Data were collected by 17 in-depth, unstructured interviews and 14 sexual life narratives through purposeful sampling among married and reproductive aged women from five university-affiliated health centers in Tehran and Shiraz. Constant comparative method was used to analyze data.

Results: According to the participants’ experiences, 3 themes emerged as direct factors affecting the quality of sexual life including ‘preparation before sexual relationship’, ‘couple’s interaction and harmony in sexual relationship’ and ‘previous sexual relationship outcomes’. ‘Marital life status’ and ‘passive sexual socialization’ were explored as the factors which can conceptualize the context of females’ quality of sexual life.

Conclusion: In this study, factors affecting females’ quality of sexual life were identified. Attention to these factors is suggested to design appropriate interventions by health care system in Iran.

Background & Aim: Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Methods & Materials: This study is a meta-analysis that was performed on articles published in Persian and English languages from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 2015. Articles were extracted by searching in the databases of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, Science Direct, Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, and SID using key words of violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, physical, sexual and psychological violence and their compounds. The results of studies were combined using a random effects model in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using the I² index and meta-regression, and the data analysis was performed using STATA software v.11.2 and SPSS software v.16.

Results: Of 254 found articles, 16 relevant articles with the sample number of 117287 people were included in the study. The results of meta-analysis showed that physical OR:1.61 (CI95%:2.04–2.28), psychological OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) and sexual violence OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) during pregnancy, lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers.

Conclusion: Physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy are recommended.

Background & Aim: Birth weight is one of the most important indicators for evaluating the community health status.Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus and leads to irreversible consequences. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Methods & Materials: This study is a meta-analysis that was performed on articles published in Persian and English languages from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 2015. Articles were extracted by searching in the databases of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, Science Direct, Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, and SID using key words of violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, physical, sexual and psychological violence and their compounds. The results of studies were combined using a random effects model in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using the I² index and meta-regression, and the data analysis was performed using STATA software v.11.2 and SPSS software v.16.

Results: Of 254 found articles, 16 relevant articles with the sample number of 117287 people were included in the study. The results of meta-analysis showed that physical OR:1.61 (CI95%:2.04–2.28), psychological OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) and sexual violence OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) during pregnancy, lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers.

Conclusion: Based on the results, physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, the relevant authorities are recommended to identify at-risk mothers and control their exposure toviolenceby implementing educational and interventional programs, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy.