Background & Aim: Menarcheal age is an important indicator of puberty development in girls and is influenced by a wide variety of factors including race, socio-economic status and etc. The relationship between age at menarche with weight, and BMI is controversial. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between age at menarche and BMI.

Methods & Materials: This was a cross–sectional study. The sample size was 580 primary and secondary schoolgirls of Tehran/Iran by using cluster sampling. The data was collected by completing questionnaire and measuring height (cm) and weight (kg) by one trained person and analyzed by Pearson and one way ANOVA.

Results: 580 schoolgirls participated in this study. The mean menarcheal age was 12/1(1/2), mean weight 45/6 (8/2) kg and the mean BMI was 18/4 (2/4) kg/m2. This result indicated that there were a statically significance difference in mean height (p<0/0001) and mean weight (p<0/006) at different age of menarche and no significance difference in mean of weight. The Pearson test, show linear positive correlation between age of menarche and height but reversed linear correlation between age of menarche and BMI.

Conclusion: According to this finding appears menarcheal age has significant correlation with BMI and height. Therefore as menarcheal age decreases, BMI increases.

Background & Aim: Health Promotion and Prevention of disease are two important aims of health programs. Despite many efforts which have been done for health promotion, sexually transmitted diseases is yet one of the societies health problem today. The educational and teaching efforts, can confined these infections which seems health educational models, such as health belief model has a key role in this matter.

Methods & Materials: This study was a semi - experimental survey conducted in case - control method. Sampling size included 30 couples in each group that was selected randomly. The couples in the experimental group were educated based on health belief model, during two 30 minutes educational sessions and the couples in the control group participated in the routine counseling classes. The data of this research was gathered by a questionnaire in two stages before and 4 month after education, then was analyzed by SPSS software.

Results: The results of this study indicated that there was no significant differences between two groups in demographic characteristics and agent of health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers of STDs). Comparing of those two groups indicated that after education, there were significant differences between perceived susceptibility (p<0.0001), severity (p<0.0001), benefits (p<0.0001), barriers (p<0.002) and practice (p<0.009).

Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that education through health belief model was effective in preventing STDs. Then this educational model can be applied in educating adolescents and other people for preventing STDs.

Background & Aim: Family history of one member suffering from hepatitis B of family is one of the most important ways of illness transmission in Iran. Thus attention to quality of self care of patients of hepatitis B family has vital role in prevention and control in family and society.

Methods & Materials: This research is descriptive study. Samples of this research included 250 patients which 160 persons belonged to simplex hepatitis B families and 90 persons belonged to multiplex hepatitis B families. Patients refer to the center of blood transfusion organization from all of area of Gillan province. In this study data has collected by patens’ questionnaire include: demographic qualifications that were designed in two parts 1- individual qualifications and illness qualifications and questions were about quality self care of drug regimen meal regimen, addictions, precautions standard, fallow up disease and diagnostic quality self care in these groups has been analyzed in SPSS statistical soft ware by statistical tests such as 2 test and fisher test. (p<0.005).

Results: Our results show that (%64) patients of simplex family and (85.6%) patients of family multiplex have not suitable quality self care. In response to hypothesises (there is relationship between quality of self care of patiens members in family and increasing of HBSAg cases) findings show that exists meaningful relation between self care about hepatitis B and increasing cases HBSAg in families (p<0.05).

Discussion: Regarding to dimensions of quality selfcare about hepatitis B disease has important role in preventing from increasing cases HBSAg in families. Particularly regarding to results of research which indicate unsuitable quality self care of patients about drug regime “diet or therapy” “addictions” follow up disease. Therefore in order to control the hepatitis B in family according to the results of this study it is suggested further efforts should be down. The results of this study can be used for other patients infectious such as hepatitis c and Aids.

Background & Aim: Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases). Smoking cessation is the most effective strategy for prevention or treatment of COPD. Counseling is a efficacious method for smoking cessation. One of the nurses’ roles is counseling that they can use it in patients’ care. The aim of this study is evaluating the effects of counseling in smoking cessation on patient with COPD.

Methods & Materials: This study is an interventional clinical trial and the subjects consisted of 160 patients who had eligibility criteria for this study. Sampling was convenience sampling and subjects were allocated to two patients groups (Interventional and control). In interventional group smoking cessation counseling was used during 12 weeks. Counseling consisted of individual counseling Telephone counseling and self- help material. The data were collected by the questionnaire and Fagrostrom test before study and smoking rate were recorded before, 1 and 3 months after study. Research data were analyzed with spss statistic program and use of descriptive and inferential methods, such as 2, exact fisher test, mann-whitney and etc.      

Results: The rate of smoking cessation after 1 month in interventional group was 28.8% (n=23) versus in control group was 22.5% (n=18) (p<0.0001) and after 3 month in interventional group was 41.3% (n=33) versus in control group was 26.3% (n=21) (p=0.006). Mann-whitney test showed significant difference between smoking cessation in two groups after 1 and 3 month after study.

Conclusion: Results supported the use of smoking cessation counseling to stop smoking on patients with COPD.

Background & Aim: Disorders of intelligence is associate with lack of growth in physical, social and educational dimensions. Also it can cause many problems for patient and their family in context of care and maintenance of patient. Psychiatric nurse recognize this problems and helping to resolve them. They can play the effective role to acceptance of mentally retarded adolescent by their family.

Methods & Materials: This research is a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study. Out of research population 406 subject were selected among sponsors of mentally retarded adolescent through convenient sampling (199 subjects had accepted their young adults in their families “daily class” and 207 subjects who had repelled their mentally retarded children “nightly class”) Data were collected through interview and filling questionnaire. And then were analyzed through SPSS software by using descriptive statistics and statistical tests like χ2 and t-test (in depended group).

Results: Findings of this research showed that among demographic characteristics of clients like age, level of education, causes and extent of mental-retardedness of Adolescents and acceptance by the family there is a significant correlation (p<0.05). There are also meaningful relation among individual factor such as ability to wear clothes, ability to feed, observing individual hygiene, precedence of lack of control on urine and stool, precedence of sleep disorder in form of insomnia, record of sensitivity and quick resentment, affliction to psychological disease, the problem of setting up communication with others, profile of hurting oneself and others, making noise and disturbance for others and background of escaping from home, and acceptance of mentally retarded young adult by family (df=1 p<0.001).

Background & Aim: Achieving to desire patients quality of life can result to programming for make use of strategies for prevention and control chronic complications of diabetes and promote quality of life.

Methods & Materials: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life among 310 diabetic patients with chronic complications. The data were collected through interview. The tool of data collection was the questionnaire that consisted of two parts, demographic and disease charactristics, and questions about dimentions of Quality of life. Score were analyzed by descriptive and infrerntial methods (Chi square, Fisher exact test, and Pearson correlation coefficient).

Results: The findings of research showed that quality of life in majority of the subjects (71%) was moderate. The most percent of the health perception (68.3%), mental health (67.7%), Physical functioning (56.1%), and social/ role functioning (54.8%) of the quality of life were moderate. Also there was no relationship between the number of complications and Quality of life. Also there was a significant relationship between demographic variables [age (p=0.028), sex (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.024), grade (p<0.001)] and Quality of life.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, quality of life in majority of patients with chronic complications of diabetes was moderate.

Background & Aim: Epilepsy as the most important chronic neurological disease affects on child and his/her family therefore it can lead to occur some stresses in family particularly in parents. This study has been done to determine ideas of parents with epileptic children about stressors and their coping with this agent in those who come to the optional therapeutic centers in Tehran.

Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-analytical research which 400 parents with epileptic children were selected based on aim. The method of collecting data was by questionnaire for literate persons and by interview for illiterates whose research tool was questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared in three parts (demographic information’s, stressors questions, and coping questions for parents with epileptic children. The data was collected in one stage and analyzed with SPSS software. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods (t-test, analyze variance) have been used.

Results: Statistical analysis showed that there is significant differences in stress between parents (p=0.001). The most percentage (86%) of fathers in comparison mothers (81.9%) have moderate level of stress and least percentage (5.4%) fathers and (4.4%) of mothers have low level of stress. The level of stress in parents showed significant correlation with personal variables. Most percentage (69%) of fathers and mothers (66.1%) have low-moderate level of coping and it has significant correlation with some personal variables. The analyze variance test showed that there was significant and converse relationship between stress and coping in parents with epileptic children and increasing stress lead to decrease coping. Conclusion: The results of this study have been shown that the stress in father of epileptic children is more that mothers however there is no significant differences in the level of coping.

Background & Aim: Many of the studies show benefit effects of exercise on mother and fetus during pregnancy. The aims of this research include of assessment of effects aerobic exercise on three factors: pregnancy age, birth weight and apgar score.

Methods & Materials: During an experimental study, 80 pregnant women who referred to prenatal clinics in zone of 17 of Tehran were selected and divided in two equal groups. Inclusion criteria included, 18-35 years old, 18 weeks of pregnancy, second gravidity, without history of medical illness and exercise before pregnancy. In case group samples were under 15-30 minutes aerobic exercises with 50-70% Vo2 max 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 10.5 soft ware and t test and 2 were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Total 80 pregnant women enrolled in two groups. There were no statistically significant differences between cases and control in demographic factors. The most of cases were in 40 weeks group and more and the most of control were in 38-40 weeks however, there are no statistically significant differences between cases and control. The most of infants of cases and control mothers (60% and 70%, respectively) were in 2500g-3500g group but no statistically significant differences between cases and control. There are statistically significant differences between cases and control in 5 minute apgar score (p=0.01).

Conclusion: In overall, the results show aerobic exercise improve 5 minute apgar score, but do not show significant effects on pregnancy age and birth weight.

Background & Aim: Labor pain is one of the most intensive type of pain and regarding its control still is a problem in many countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of transcendental meditation on pain and length of active phase of labor in primiparous women.

Methods & Materials: This study configured as a semi-experimental clinical trial work. Samples was selected by convenient sampling method and contained as 90 primiparous women’s (45 case and 45 control) whom refer to clinic and delivery room in Fatemieh Hospital of Hamadan. Samples were divided into two random group and accomplished to experience and observation transcendental meditation method used for training pregnant woman within third trimester of pregnancy (28th-30th week) and performed by them for two time a day during 10 to 15 minutes. The case and control groups were matched according their age, education and occupation case and control group were confined to bed when they were in the beginning of active phase (3-4 cm of dilatation). Collecting of data, questionnaire information of biophysical and other equipment for recording biophysical developments and other McGill instrument was used to record severity of pain. Reliability and validity instrument in the prior researches have been test. The length of active phase was measured over maternal and recorded.

Results: The results of this study showed that there is significant differences in the level of pain at the beginning of first, second and third hour of active phase of labor in case and control group (p<0.001). Also, the length of active phase of labor showed significant difference between case and control group (p<0.001). Although, the body temperature and systolic blood pressure in two group showed no significant differences but there was meaningful differences in diastolic blood pressure (p<0.029), however this differences was in normal range. Regard to rate of breathing significant differences has been shown in case and control group (p<0.006).

Conclusion: Transcendental meditation in participated samples over this research among the mothers agony experience group has less pain within all active phase hours.

Background & Aim: Pain is one of the important complication of chronic diseases such as cancer. Purpose of this study is to investigation of two non-pharmacological methods, progressive muscle relaxation and music, on pain relief in patients suffer from cancer.

Methods & Materials: This research is a intervention clinical trial which was done in a hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In this study, 100 cancerous patients that have inclusion criteria were selected by simple sampling method. The participants into two groups allocated, 50 patients in progressive muscle relaxation, and 50 patients in music group. Data collection tools were questionnaire, pain level recorded sheet, taps with headphone (is produced by Sony company) and music box including light music consist of classical, mild and Iranian traditional music. Questionnaire was designed in two parts, demographically characteristics and disease characteristics. Data were collected by interview and patient self report. After adequate education to two groups, asked them to perform that method 30minet per day until 3 days. Then, pain level, at previous 24 hours until 3 days were assessed and recorded in related sheet. Analysis of data were analyzed by SPSS software, inferential and descriptive statistics such as Mann Whitney, chi Square, Fisher’s exact test, and Friedman.

Results: The finding of research showed in both relaxation and music groups there were significant differences in pain level before and after intervention (p<.001). Also there were significant differences between two groups in pain level (p=0.016). It means that pain relief in relaxation group was more significant.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, although both progressive muscle relaxation and music are effective and decreasing of pain level but progressive muscle relaxation is more effective than music.

Background & Aim: Pain control in newborns is one of the important tasks, which produced many controversies in pediatric medicine. Nowadays, it is proposed the usage of non-pharmacologic pain control methods. This study has been done to investigate the effect of breast feeding on pain control in newborns.

Methods & Materials: A clinical trial was designed to evaluate analgesic effect of breast-feeding during injection of hepatitis B vaccine. 130 newborns had been referred for hepatitis B vaccination, were selected from Mirza Kochak Khan Hospital, Tehran, Iran. After describing the procedure was described the testimonial was took from parents. They were divided randomly in tow groups. In cases group, feeding was begun two minutes before injection and continued for 45 seconds. In the control group injection was made without breast feeding. Pain assessment was performed with Douler Aigue Nouveaune (DAN) scale.

Results: In the case group 35.4% of newborns got 4 points and no one got more than 7 points according to DAN scale. In contrast the control group 32.4% got 8 points or more and no one got less than 3 points. The mean of pain severity in case group was 3.5 and in control group was 6.7 and it show significant difference according to Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: This study shows that breast-feeding can significantly reduce pain in newborns. Therefore, we suggest this simple method generally for all painful procedure to prevent the development of possible permanent psychological effects in newborns.

Background & Aim: Because of importance of communication and its defects which has been observed in communication with clients, this study has been planned and done with the aim of investigation of usage of’ communication skills by midwives and its relation to client’s satisfaction.

Methods & Materials: In a correlational study 50 midwives and 400 clients were investigated. Data collection method included observing midwife- client encounter using a checklist and interviewing clients to fill out satisfaction questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics included chi- square test, fisher’s exact test and Pearson correlation (p<0/05) were used for data analysis.

Results: The results of this study showed that midwives’ communication skills (verbal and non- verbal) was undesirable (62% and 56%). There was no relation between demographic variables and midwives’ communication skills application. Just there was a relation between marital status and non-verbal communication skills application. Also clients’ satisfaction with midwives’ verbal and non-verbal communication skills (50% and 48/4%) was related meaningfully to midwives’ communication skills application. There was a relation between clients’ satisfaction and their age, educational status service they needed.

Conclusion: According to undesirable usage of communication skills by midwives, administering interim training programs for midwives is recommended. Also it seems better to include communication skills training to midwifery curriculum.

Background & Aim: It is important to identify modifiable causes of preterm delivery and low birth weight which are strong predictors of infants&apos later health status and survival. Research findings show that there are less low birth weight and preterm labors in the communities that have high intake of sea food. Consumption of Sea foods rich in w3 fatty acid can increase birth weight by prolonging gestation and reduce the risk of occurrence of preterm delivery.

Methods & Materials: In this prospective cohort study, samples (n=1200) were selected among pregnant women with different pattern of seafood intake at 16^th week of pregnancy receiving routine antenatal care in Gilan prenatal clinics. Subjects were selected by random sampling method. Women who had risk factors for preterm delivery or fish allergy were excluded. During 2004-2005 the pregnant women were visited monthly to determine their dietary habits (seafood intake). Infants&apos weight and mothers&apos gestational age were determined at the time of delivery. Data were collected by means of a validated self-determined questionnaire and a check- list.  Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software package.

Results: Results showed that the per cent of term delivery (more than 37 gestational weeks) in women with more than 3 times, 1-3 times, and less than once sea food intake in a day is respectively 94.5%, 91%, and 91.5%. Moreover, birth weights more than 3000 gram in the neonates of these women were respectively 75.7%, 74.7%, and 71.2%. There was significant relationship between more than 3 times consumption of sea food in a month with gestational age (P<0.001) and birth weight (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Sea food consumption is effective in decreasing preterm delivery and low birth weight. Related nutritional educational programs for pregnant women are recommended.

Background & Aim: Working conditions in some professions particularly among health care providers result in exposure to various stressors in daily work life that can affect mental health status. Regarding specific conditions that midwives encountered in their workplace, this study investigates mental health status among midwives working in Tehran&aposs public hospitals and its related factors.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study all midwives working in Tehran&aposs public hospitals who had inclusion criteria (n=370) were studied. Data were gathered using GHQ-12 questionnaire and then were analyzed using chi-square statistical test.

Results: The results showed that 35.1% of subjects had not good mental health. Midwives&apos mental health was significantly related to their educational level (P<0.001), economic statue (P=0.04), marriage status (P<0.001) and shift work (P=0.02).

Conclusion: Regarding high prevalence of poor mental health status among midwives, it is recommended to investigate related occupational factors in order to improve working conditions of midwives working in hospitals.

Background & Objective: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in young women that affect their activities. Various alternative methods including relaxation have been proposed to manage primary dysmenorrheal. The objective of this research is to study the effects of relaxation on primary dysmenorrhea among first year nursing and midwifery female students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Methods & Materials: This is a quasi-experimental study. The samples (n=80) were randomly assigned in two groups. Experiment group (N=40) received the relaxation technique. Relaxation technique was done twice a day each section lasted 20 minutes for 3 menstruation cycles. The questionnaire on pain measurement were completed in the first, second and third day of cycle. Control group (N=40), completed questionnaire in the same days. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and tested using chi-square, t-test - Willcoxcon and fisher exact tests.

Results: The result showed that relaxation therapy had no significant effect on primary dysmenorrhea in the first (P=0.149) and second cycles (P=0.390) in the Experiment group. It had a significant effect on primary dysmenorrhea in third cycle (P=0.023).

Conclusion: The results showed that relaxation technique is an effective method in reducing the symptoms of primary dysmanorrhea in the young women.

Background & Objective: According to Iranian national statistics, every year 400 to 500 thousand unwanted pregnancies occur in Iran. The emergency contraceptive methods are easily accessible and affordable for the women of this region. Regarding the important role of health care providers in representing these methods, this study is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of these staff toward required contraceptive methods.

Methods & Materials: In this semi-experimental study, 216 health personnel working in south of Tehran health centers were randomly selected. Two 30- minute educational sessions were presented to the staff. The methods of education included face to face, and group discussion. At the end of each session a pamphlet was given to the staff. Data were gathered using a questionnaire before and 2-6 weeks after the education. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).

Results: The results showed that there were significant statistical differences between the knowledge and attitudes (P<0.001) of personnel about the emergency contraceptive methods before and after education. There was no significant relationship between demographic characteristics and attitudes of personnel. There was a significant relationship between sex (P<0.001), educational level (P<0.003), educational major (P<0.001), with knowledge after intervention.

Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive methods increased significantly after education. This finding reveals the importance of continuous education for health care staff such as midwives and physicians to facilitate successful guidance of their patients towards effective family planning.

Background & Aim: Health is one of the vital concepts in every society which is affected by several factors including age, gender and social situation of the people. Individuals&apos perception of health concept is also of paramount importance. The main objective of this study is to determine health concept perceptions and health promoting behaviors among Tehran University medical and non-medical students

Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive- analytical study. Four hundred medical students and four hundred non-medical students were recruited for the study using stratified sampling. A three-section self-evaluating questionnaire including demographic information, health perception information and health promoting behaviors information was used to gather data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and Pierson Correlation Coefficient.

Results: 49.7 percent and 6.8 percent of the medical students had good and excellent perceptions about health concept, respectively. In non-medical students, it was 49.4 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively. 57 percent of the medical students and 54.9 percent of non-medical students had good health promoting behaviors, respectively. There was significant relationship between perceptions of health concept and health promotion behaviors among both groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the results, there is a direct relationship between perception of health concept and health promoting behaviors among both groups. There is no difference in all aspects of health promoting behaviors, except for cigarette smoking in which the medical students showed more healthy behaviors.

Background & Aim: Postpartum depression is a severe and pervasive sadness with labile mood that affect 8-15% women after delivery. It can negatively impress mother-infant bonding. There are a lot of factors which make women vulnerable to postpartum depression so that controlling them can prevent from the postpartum depression incidence. Several researches have shown an association between serum cholesterol reduction and depression. The aim of present study is to determine relation between postpartum depression with total serum cholesterol changes before and after child birth in Lahijanian women in years 2006-2007.

Methods & Materials: This research sought a descriptive-analytical design. Samples consisted of healthy Primigravidia women (101 persons) with normal labor, normal delivery at term, married, and a medium to high socio-educational level, without history of a depressive disorder, and metabolic disorders or hyperlipidemia. The excluded were the women with maternal or fetal complication before delivery, having problem with accepting infant gender, fetal death and being depressed during pregnancy. All women were visited in two stages: 3 weeks before the expected delivery and also 6 weeks after delivery. On both visits the Beck depression inventory and serum cholesterol registration questionnaire were completed. Data were collected using a questionnaire which had three sections: demographic characteristics, the Beck depression inventory and laboratory tests. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Spearman correlation coefficient and t-test) by SPSS computer software.

Results: Findings indicated that serum cholesterol declined considerably in the postpartum period, also it was shown that there was a significant correlation between reduced serum cholesterol and postpartum depression (r=-0.331, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Serum cholesterol reduction has a relation with postpartum depression.

Background & Aim: Due to the fact that family centered care have a crucial role in pediatric nursing, it seems compatibility of nurses&apos and parents&apos perception about parents&apos needs can lead to deliver higher quality care. The aim of this study was to compare parents&apos and nurses&apos perceptions about needs of hospitalized children&aposs parents.

Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional survey. One hundred and fifty parents and 80 nurses were selected using convenient sampling method. Data was gathered using Kristjánsdóttir&aposs "parental needs of hospitalized children" questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical (Chi-squared & Mann-Whitney U tests) methods.

Results: Research findings showed that there was significant difference between both parents&apos and nurses&apos perceptions about parents&apos needs (P=0.012). Both groups believed that parents&apos needs are met partially in hospitals. There was not meaningful difference between the parents&apos and nurses&apos perceptions concerning meeting parental needs (P=0.666). Based on their perceptions, understanding of parents&apos needs help them to meet their requirements in health care facilities. There was a significant difference between parents&apos and nurses&apos perceptions regarding parents&apos need (P=0.018).

Conclusion: Parents and nurses recognized all of the parents&apos needs to be important there were also deficits in meeting these needs. Therefore, parents&apos cooperation with health care team is necessary to facilitate the recovery of sick children as well as meeting parents&apos needs.

Background & Aim: Adolescents have important role in building the societies. Some deficits were observed in students&apos knowledge regarding puberty health. This study aimed to compare the effect of two educational methods (lecture-educational package) on girl students&apos knowledge about puberty health.

Methods & Materials: In this interventional study, 200 students were randomly selected through a multi stage sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire. One group received a self-learning educational package and the other group took part in two lecture sessions which totally lasted about four hours. The post test was taken 6 weeks later. Data analysis was performed using Descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Results of this study showed that after intervention, both groups&apos knowledge mean scores increased significantly. Also the average of package group&aposs score after the education was more than the other group&aposs score (P<0.001). The difference in knowledge mean scores before and after the intervention was significantly higher in the package group than in the lecture one. The comparison of scores in both groups before and after the education was significantly different (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Both educational methods can be considered to be effective in promoting students&apos knowledge however, the educational package was more effective than the lecture.