HAYAT
Year:2016 | Volume:22 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:11

Background & Aim: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are studies which are able to provide the most valid evidence to compare various interventions in health research. Biases can affect the quality of research and ultimately make the results of a study invalid. One of the most important biases is selection bias. The best way to reduce selection bias is the use of random allocation. The aim of this study is to provide comprehensive, practical and simple information regarding proper implementation of the random allocation process in randomized clinical trials.Methods & Materials: A review study was performed using available resources and comprehensive analysis. For this purpose, we searched the relevant books & articles in databases including Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Magiran. key word were randomization, random sequence, allocation concealment, randomized controlled trial, randomized clinical trial, and bias.Results: From the literature review, we obtained 39 articles and one relevant book that their findings were presented in a simple language with practical examples in three parts including random sequences generation, random allocation concealment and implementation.Conclusion: Selection bias in clinical trials has an adverse effect on the accuracy of results. In order to avoid it, researchers should employ proper methods in randomization and random allocation concealment, and report it in their articles properly. Therefore, researchers can obtain valid results through a better understanding of randomization and its proper implementation.

Background & Aim: The physiological and psychological changes in pregnancy, can affect the lives of couples. The present study aimed to determine the effect of sex education on the marital relationship quality of pregnant women.Methods & Materials: This study is a quasi-experimental. In this study, 100 pregnant women referred to health centers in Zahedan in 2015, were selected and assigned into two groups of intervention and control (50 in each group). Data collection tool was the perceived marital relationship quality components questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by the both groups before and six weeks after the sex education sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS software version 20.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05) in terms of age, the duration of marriage, gestational age and gravidity. In post-test measurement, the mean of the total score of marital relationship quality and components such as satisfaction, sexual excitement, love, commitment, intimacy, and trust, were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Analysis of covariance also showed that the total score mean for the marital relationship and its components had significant difference in the pregnant women in two groups, after sex education (P<0.001).Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of sex education in the improvement of marital relationship quality in pregnant women, this educational intervention is recommended to be integrated into the education program and prenatal care of pregnant women in order to improve the couple’s relationship quality in pregnancy.

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 37oC. 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.