Journal of

Background and Aim: Body image is one of the main factors of self efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body image and self-efficacy among female students in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 408 female students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2017 with a stratified sampling method. To gather data, we used Multidimensional Body Self-Relation Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and general self-efficacy questionnaire and recorded demographic variables. Data were analyzed with SPSS-21 software using Pearson correlation and linear regression tests.

Results: The dimensions of body areas satisfaction and illness orientation were evaluated at relatively desirable and moderate levels, respectively. Students' self-efficacy was also estimated at 60.05% of the mean score of the maximum achievable score at the moderate level. The results of regression analysis showed that the dimensions of the illness orientation, overweight preoccupation, fitness orientation, self-classified weight and appearance evaluation predicted the self-efficacy among the female students. In total, different dimensions of body image explained 14.1% of the variance of self-efficacy.

Conclusion: We suggest providing training packages about body image dimensions improvement to enhance the self-efficacy of university female students.

Background and Aim: Melasma is a common disease affecting quality of life. Available treatments result in the gradual and partial clearance of melasma, and are accompanied with high risk of recurrence after discontinuing treatment. Tranexamic acid has been successfully evaluated in several studies. In addition, laser has been proposed as an enhanced drug delivery method. This study is designed to evaluate this enhancing effect.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with bilateral epidermal and mixed type melasma were recruited in the study and applied tranexamic 5% gel bilaterally on face two times a day and randomly underwent fractional CO2 laser treatment on one side of the face monthly. They were evaluated before starting treatment and then every 4 weeks by measuring modified melasma area severity index (mMASI) and melanin index by Dermacatch (Colorix, Switzerland). Also, quality of life was measured and compared in a subset of patients with MELAS QoL questionnaire before and after treatment. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 18 and the results were compared by paired t test. Due to multiple comparisons, p value of 0.0125 was considered significant.

Results: The mMASI and melanin index were not significantly different between two sides in each follow up (P>0.0125). The mMASI and melanin index significantly decreased after treatment with tranexamic acid with or without fractional CO₂ laser (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively)

Conclusion: Although tranexamic acid 5% gel is effective in the treatment of melasma, however, our study did not show additive therapeutic effect by adding fractional CO₂ laser to it.