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Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Women at childbearing age are at particular risk of developing iron deficiency due to the iron losses associated with menstruation and childbirth. Therefore, iron supplements are needed in certain groups, while in particular regions increased dietary intake could be provided through food. This descriptive study attempts to identify practice among university students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia due to menstruation in the year 1999. This study includes 257 university students of different majors (such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, obstetrics, nursing, nutrition, health (occupational, Public) laboratory sciences) of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences who were selected through a simple random sampling method. The pattern of study was a questionnaire consisting of 37 questions, in addition to a chart to determine food consumption frequency. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: demographic data, the status of nutrition, and iron supplementation. To analyze the data descriptive statistics and (2) test were used. The results showed that the most of the samples were in the age group of 21 to 25 years and 36.5% of them stayed in dormitories. Most of the subjects of study had moderate nutrition and some of them had good nutrition. The majority of them (92.5%) were not using the iron supplements during the menstruation period and the duration between two subsequent menses. The results of the research show that the function of 35.2 % of the subjects of study in relation to the prevention of iron deficiency was weak, 53.9% of them were moderate and only 10.9% of them were good. The statistical test (2) which was used to analyze the results obtained, showed a significant relationship between the practice of the subjects and their living in a dorms (P<0.001). In conclusion, the application of the results for further researches and also for practical use has been proposed.

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Background & Aim: Shoulder pain is a consequence of hemiplegia among patients with stroke. It makes patient to be dependent to others in their daily living activities. This study aimed to determine the effect of the slow stroke back massage (SSBM) on shoulder pain and hand function among patients with stroke.

Methods & Materials: In this semi-experimental study, 34 patients were recruited among from 70 patients who reffered to rehabilitation center in 2010, according to the inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups of control and experiment. In the intervention group, the SSBM was implemented for 10 minutes through seven consecutive sessions. Shoulder pain and hand function were measured using the visual pain scale (Visual Analog Scale), and the researcher-made "affected hand function in ADL" instrument, respectively. The measurement was done before and 24 hours after the last session of the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests (independent t-test and paired t-test).

Results: At baseline, the mean scores of shoulder pain were 8.4 in both experimental and control groups (P=0.999). After the intervention, the mean scores of shoulder pain were 1.13 and 8.40 in experimental and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). At baseline, the mean scores of hand function were 7.46 and 8.93 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (P=0.752). After the intervention, the mean scores of hand function reached 9.13 and 8.6 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (P=0.918).

Conclusion: According to the results of the study, applying the SSBM as a treatment procedure and care plan by health care providers can be considered as an effective intervention to prevent or reduce shoulder pain and consequently to improve motor function of affected hand in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy can conflict with sexual function that can be affected by physical and psychological changes during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare sexual functions between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women referred to health centers in Eastern district of Guilan.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Guilan during 2009-2010. We used convenient sampling method to select 554 pregnant women. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, sexual function and fear of harm to fetus. The SPSS-16 was used to analyze the data by the Mann-Whitney U and Generalized linear models. The level of significance was set at 5%.

Results: There was no significant difference between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual function in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (P=0.353, P=0.251). There were significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual desire (P=0.002), arousal (P=0.01), orgasm (P=0.01), pain (P=0.02) and sexual function total score (P=0.016). There was significant difference between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual function (P=0.008).

Conclusion: Sexual counseling and rehabilitation programs should be compiled as part of the comprehensive care of prenatal care especially for multiparous pregnant women.

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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.

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Background & Aim: The important aspects of maternal postpartum adjustment are readiness in caring for the family, newly-added member and self as well as return to pre-pregnancy functional status. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of postpartum maternal functioning.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 newly delivered mothers attended the healthcare centers of Bonab in 2016 using the cluster random sampling method. Data were collected through a socio-demographic characteristics form, the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, and the functional status questionnaire. The multivariate linear regression model on the SPSS software version 21 was used to determine the predictors of functional status.
Results: Mean (SD) of the functional status total score was 2.3 (0.24). The maximum and the minimum scores were in the subdomains “infant care” [3.64 (0.32)], and “social activities and society” [1.43 (0.41)], respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between postpartum depression and total score of functional status, self-care and social activities and society subscales. According to the general linear model, postpartum depression, spouse’s age and job, economic status, mother’s education level and the number of pregnancy were the predictors of mothers’ functional status during postpartum period.
Conclusion: Postpartum depression and some socio-demographic characteristics are among the variables influencing maternal functional status. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression and consideration of the mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics, can improve maternal functional status and result in better maternal postpartum adjustment.
 

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Background & Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that can adversely affect patients’ sexual lives. This study aimed to compare the effects of counseling based on Leventhal’s self-regulation model and the BETTER model on sexual function and satisfaction in women with MS.
Methods & Materials: This randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups was conducted from April to September 2024 at the Neurology Clinic of Bu Ali Hospital in Qazvin, Iran. A convenience sample of 100 women with MS were randomly assigned to the study groups using a balanced block randomization method with a block size of six. Participants in the intervention groups received three weekly counseling sessions. The control group received educational materials on sexual health after study completion. Data were collected at baseline, and at one and three months post-intervention using the demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and the short form of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA using SPSS version 26.
Results: There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics between the groups at baseline (P>0.05). The analysis showed significant effects of time and group, as well as a significant time-by-group interaction for sexual satisfaction and function (P<0.05). Both the BETTER-model and Leventhal-based interventions produced significant improvements in mean scores on sexual satisfaction and function compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the BETTER and Leventhal interventions in improving sexual satisfaction and function (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Counseling grounded in either the BETTER model or Leventhal’s self-regulation model appears to be effective for enhancing sexual satisfaction and function in women with MS.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20221120056555N1