azam rahmani

 Exercise behavior (EB) has a significant impact on infertility, but the magnitude of the effect is not easily determined. This study aimed to assess the effect of social support and self-regulation, as external and internal factors, on changes in EB among infertile women.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 483 infertile women in Sanandaj (Iran) in 2020. Samples were recruited from 35 comprehensive healthcare centers by convenience sampling. Standardized face-to-face interviews were conducted using valid and reliable instruments for the assessment of EB, social support, and self-regulation. The association between EB, social support, and self-regulation was evaluated by logistic regression models.

 The majority of the participants (56.7%) had secondary infertility, while 70.8% of them did not perform any exercise. Self-regulation and social support were significantly higher in women with secondary infertility than in those with primary infertility (P<0.01). Self-regulation was significantly lower in women whose height was below 160 centimeters (P<0.05). Social support was significantly higher among participants aged≥35 years and weighing≥60 kg (P<0.01). The odds of EB adoption increased with self-regulation and social support (odds ratio [OR]=1.05, 95% CI=1.02-1.09, P<0.01; OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.02-1.11, P<0.01).

 Social support and self-regulation almost equally influenced EB in infertile women. In future research, designing support and consultation programs can be considered to encourage infertile women to exercise.

The family environment serves as an individual's initial growth and normative learning ground. Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that any shortcomings in family dynamics have adverse implications for a child's behavior, potentially leading to negative repercussions for society as a whole. This research was carried out to elucidate the experiences of families with delinquent children who sought assistance at the psychiatric emergency department of Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital in Isfahan in 2018.

The study encompassed the entire population of families with delinquent children who sought assistance at the psychiatric emergency department of Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital in Isfahan during the year 2018. Employing a qualitative approach rooted in phenomenology, this research utilized semi-structured, in-depth interviews as the primary data collection method. The sampling process initiated purposefully and continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews transpired within the premises of the psychiatric emergency department at Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital, with each interview lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. A total of 11 participants were interviewed, accumulating a total of 25 interviews.

The results of this research led to the identification of 300 primary-level codes, 38 secondary-level codes, and 19 tertiary-level codes. Ultimately, 8 sub-themes were derived, encompassing 6 sub-themes associated with parents (neglect, inadequate parenting, child maltreatment, unsuitable upbringing environment, family detachment, and parental addiction) and 2 sub-themes related to the child (inappropriate personality traits and individual deviation).

In this study, the sub-themes related to parents, namely family coldness, parental addiction, and inappropriate parenting, held more significance and comprised the majority of the codes. Hence, increased parental engagement in child-rearing practices, enhancing the quality of family relationships, and addressing parental addiction can contribute to the reduction of delinquent behaviors in children.

Adolescence is a period in which people are at risk of engaging in many health-threatening behaviors such as increased food intake, decreased physical activity, and increased developmental vulnerability which can be a threat to their future health. Counseling and changing their unhealthy behaviors can improve various aspects of their health, including mental and physical health. This study aims to determine the relationship between mothers' self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors of their adolescent girls in Shiraz, Iran.

In this study, participants were 384 high school female students (second term) and their mothers in Shiraz city in 2018. Mothers completed Sherer’s General Self-efficacy Scale and their girls completed Walker's Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) questionnaire. Pearson or Spearman correlation test and t-test were used for statistical analysis in SPSS software, version 22.

The mean HPLPII score of girls was 169.29±15.97. The mothers' mean self-efficacy score was 46.66±5.77. The results of Pearson's correlation test showed the direct and significant correlation of mothers' self-efficacy scores with health-promoting behaviors of girls and its domains (r=0.556, P<0.05).

There is a direct significant relationship between mothers' self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors of their daughters. Considering the importance of health-promoting behaviors and the effect of self-efficacy and living conditions on these behaviors, it is needed to develop strategies to improve people's lifestyle and healthy behaviors. Policy makers in the health system are recommended to promote self-efficacy of mothers by using cultural and educational programs.

Contex: 

Sexual function during pregnancy affects martial satisfaction of couples and increases empathy in the completion of pregnancy and women’s self-confidence with reduction in fears. Studies on the sexual function of Iranian pregnant women have shown controversial results. The present study aimed to review the sexual function of Iranian pregnant women.

The international and national databases of Web of Science/ISI, PubMed, Scopus, MagIran, and SID databases using “sex”, “sexuality”, “sexual intercourse”, “sexual function”, “sexual dysfunction”, and “pregnancy” without a time limit. We included all the papers published in Persian and English reporting the mean score of sexual function of pregnant women. Based on the pre-designed form, the required data included the name of the first authors, year of publication, sample size, research setting, questionnaire type, and methodological quality, which were extracted and recorded. Data analysis was performed in STATA version 14 using a meta-analysis method and random-effects models. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated utilizing the I2 test.

In total, 11 articles with the total sample size of 2,657 were reviewed. The highest and lowest standard scores of sexual function were reported in the first pregnancy trimester (58.92%; 95% CI: 54.08-63.75) and the third trimester (47.70%; 95% CI: 23.18-39.56), respectively. In addition, publication bias was significant in the first (P=0.001), second (P=0.009), and third trimesters (P=0.014).

The sexual function of women was found to reduce through pregnancy progress. Therefore, sexual function assessment and counseling on pregnancy care seem crucial for pregnant women.

We aimed at investigating the association between health beliefs and exercise behavior in infertile women who were at risk of developing osteoporosis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Sanandaj city, west of Iran in 2018. From 35 comprehensive healthcare centers, 483 infertile women were included in the study through convenience sampling. Standardized face-to-face interviews were conducted using established, reliable instruments for the assessment of exercise behavior behavior and health beliefs. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between exercise behavior and health beliefs. Estimates were adjusted for age, job status, income, literacy, and duration and type of infertility. We reported estimated logits and Odds Ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Employed women compared to housewives had substantially higher odds of adopting exercise behavior behaviors (OR=3.19, 95% CI=1.53-6.66, p<0.01). Moreover, the odds of exercise behavior adoption increased with self-efficacy (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.20-1.52, p<0.01), and decreased with perceived barriers (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.84-0.97, p<0.01).

It is essential to increase perceived self-efficacy and reduce perceived barriers to promote EB in infertile women. Consequently, health professionals should develop or adopt appropriate strategies to decrease barriers and increase self-efficacy to enhance exercise behavior in this group of women.

Self-medication is prevalent among pregnant women. It can cause adverse effects such as fetal anomalies.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among Iranian pregnant women.

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis study. Online national and international databases (namely, Scientific Information Database, MagIran, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched using the following keywords: “pregnancy,” “gravidity,” “self-treatment,” “self-medication,” “non-prescription,” “over-the-counter,” “self-administered,” “self-reported,” “Iran,” “prevalence,” “occurrence,” “frequency,” and “epidemiology.” In total, 128 studies were retrieved. Only 13 studies fulfilled eligibility criteria, i.e. cross-sectional design and publication in Persian or English. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using a tool with four items, namely design, sample description, sample size, and methods. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model and heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using the I2 index.

The total number of samples in the 13 analyzed studies was 4874. The overall self-medication prevalence was 38.46% (95% confidence interval: 27.42–49.49). Meta-regression analysis revealed no significant relationships between self-medication prevalence and methodological quality score (P = 0.409), participants' mean age (P = 0.400), sample size (P = 0.248), and publication year (P = 0.704).

The overall prevalence of self-medication among Iranian pregnant women is 38.46%. Study findings can be used to design and implement interventions to reduce self-medication among pregnant women. Educational interventions are needed to improve the knowledge of pregnant women and health-care providers about the effects of self-medication, particularly herbal self-medication.

Job burnout among health educators is increasing with serious physical, psychological and social consequences. The purpose of this study was to explore the causes of job burnout from the perspective of health educators and identify their needs for reducing it.

This qualitative study was carried out in comprehensive health service centers of Sanandaj, west of Iran, in 2017, including 15 health educators selected by purposive sampling. The data were collected through individual interviews and semi-structured group discussions, observation and field notes and analyzed using the conventional content analysis approach with due consideration of acceptability, verifiability and transferability to ensure the accuracy and strength of the data.

The causes of job burnout were extracted in 5 categories including "issues related to comprehensive health service centers", "individual challenges of staff members", "management weakness", "executive system challenges" and "issues related to clients". The participants emphasized the following actions for reducing job burnout: strengthening individual skills, effective evaluation and management support, providing recreational and welfare facilities, reducing job stress, and strengthening intra- and inter-sectoral communications.

The results of this study show that various factors contribute to job burnout among health educators. Improvements in management, laws and welfare facilities not only would reduce job burnout but also may increase the efficiency of health education programs.

Homeless women are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to their adverse early-life experiences.

This study aimed to examine the association between adverse early-life experiences and the risk of acquiring STIs among homeless women in Tehran.
Patients and

A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014. The study recruited 241 homeless women through quota sampling from the drop in centers and shelters affiliated to a local welfare organization in Tehran, Iran. Data were obtained using questionnaires on demographics and adverse early-life experiences. Blood and urine samples were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhea. Descriptive statistics including frequency were calculated for all variables. To analyze the data at a significance level of 0.05, binary logistic regression was used.

The prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS, HSV-2, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhea were 8.29%, 23.65%, 14.93%, 11.61%, and 6.63%, respectively. The results of logistic regression showed that the risk of acquiring STIs increases by factors such as sexual abuse (OR = 4.06; 95% CI = 1.21 - 13.6, P = 0.02), running away from home (OR = 4.46; 95% CI = 1.67 - 12.89, P = 0.03), drug use (OR = 3.93; 95% CI = 1.13 - 13.58, P = 0.03), alcohol use (OR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.38 - 12.24, P = 0.01), imprisonment and criminal records (OR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.01 - 7.52, P = 0.04), premarital sexual activity (OR = 4.71; 95% CI = 1.06 - 13.84, P = 0.05), divorce (OR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.06 - 11.32, P = 0.03), Nikah mut’ah (OR = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.39 - 13.49, P = 0.01), having multiple sex partners (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 1.81 - 14.96, P = 0.02), and having unprotected sexual relationships (OR = 3.69; 95% CI = 1.00 - 13.62, P = 0.05).

Homeless women had high rates of adverse early-life experiences and overall 41.49% of them were affected at least by one STI. Future interventions should focus on the reduction of adverse early-life experiences, especially during adolescence, including the promotion of adolescent empowerment, promotion of condom use, and improvement of awareness of STIs.

Fear of dental care prevents dental cleaning behavior and increases the prevalence of dental caries. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Trans-Theoretical Model constructs and fear of dental care on the dental cleaning behavior of students. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Sanandaj city, Iran, in 2017. Using multi-stage sampling, 1,344 male and female students were included in the study. They completed a self-report questionnaire, including demographic information, Trans-Theoretical Model constructs and fear of dental care. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0). A total of 1,344 male and female students with a mean age of 15.22±2.64 years participated in the study; from the perspective of students, dental caries (88.4%) was the most frequent illness and tongue inflammation (0.6%) was the least frequent disease.Overall, 32.9% of the students used no tools for cleaning their teeth. Fear of dental care and perceived barriers were reduced significantly during the stages of dental cleaning behavior (p<0.05) and perceived self-efficacy and perceived benefits were significantly increased (p<0.001). The odds of dental cleaning behavior increased with self-efficacy (OR=1.34, 95%CI=1.22-1.48, p<0.05), and decreased with fear of dental care (OR=0.90, 95%CI=0.80-0.98, p<0.01). The findings showed dental cleaning behavior among students was at a low level and various factors such as perceived self-efficacy, benefits and barriers and fear of dental care influenced its performance.

Gingivitis has high prevalence among pregnant women and educational programs have resulted in little success in the improvement of this disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of trans-theoretical model based education on reduction of the prevalence of gingivitis among pregnant women through Telegram social network. This experimental study was conducted in Sanandaj City, in the west of Iran in 2018. 160 pregnant women were assigned to intervention and control groups. The participants completed a two-part questionnaire, including demographic variables and trans-theoretical model constructs before and after intervention. The interventional program was delivered through Telegram, and its effect on decreasing gingivitis was evaluated after 24 weeks. The gingival indices were recorded before and after intervention. Data were entered into SPSS-21 software and analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. After the intervention, 67.5% of pregnant women in the intervention group (versus 16.6% in control group) performed the dental cleaning behavior (p<0.01). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the mean scores of perceived benefits and gingival indices after the intervention (p<0.01). Oral health education in the patients with gingivitis could have a significant effect on decreased rate of gingival indices. Telegram social network as an electronic educational tool could be useful for this education and potentially improves the status of the patients with oral diseases.

Sexual health education is a controversial issue within the Iranian context. Thus, the present study was conducted to explore the necessity of sex education among young single women and develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Sexual Health Education Necessity Scale.

This was an exploratory mixed method study. Young single women (51 women in the first phase and 110 women in the second phase of the study) aged 18-34 years were recruited in the study. In the first phase, qualitative methods were applied to generate items. In the second phase, psychometric properties, such as face, content, and construct validity, and reliability of the Sexual Health Education Necessity Scale were evaluated. In the first phase, an item pool was developed that included 17 statements related to sexual health education necessity. In the second phase, item reduction was applied using exploratory factor analysis and the final version of the questionnaire containing 9 items was developed.  Also, content, face, and construct validity were assessed. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test-retest were calculated to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire. SPSS software (version 21) was used for data analysis and p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

In the qualitative phase, 4 key themes emerged regarding sex education, which included the effects of sex education, principles of sex education, content of sex education, and organizations responsible for sex education. An item pool containing 17 statements was generated and used for psychometric evaluation. The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed a 2-factor solution for the scale, which collectively accounted for the 56.04% of the variance. Final CVR and CVI were found to be 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test-retest of the instrument was found to be 0.78 and 0.80, respectively.

Sexual Health Education Necessity Scale can be used for exploring dominant beliefs that may be obstacles for providing sex education in conservative societies; therefore, correcting these beliefs could help to design an appropriate sexual health education program.

Homeless women can provide valuable information about the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, in Iran. However, they are not readily accessible for epidemiological studies and hence, there is limited information about HIV infection prevalence among them. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of HIV infection and the perceptions of STIs among homeless women in Tehran, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. Participants were 241 homeless women who were recruited through quota sampling from twelve drop-in centers and night shelters affiliated to a local welfare organization in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected using the perception of STIs Questionnaire as well as serological testing for HIV infection using DS-EIA-HIV-Ag/Ab-Screen kit (manufactured in Italy). Descriptive statistics measures and the independent-samples t-test were used for data description and analysis. The prevalence of HIV infection was 8.3%. There were significant differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women respecting their overall STI risk perception (P = 0.003) and its two subscales, namely insufficient knowledge (P = 0.007) and inconsistent condom use (P = 0.030). Homeless women have low STI risk perception. Training and counseling programs are necessary to improve their STI-related knowledge, perception, and attitudes.

Although the importance of sex education for the youth is well documented in the literature around the world, sex education remains controversial in Iran.
The aim of this study was to explore Iranian women’s beliefs and perceptions regarding advantages and disadvantages of sex education.
Patients and In this qualitative inquiry, we interviewed 41 young women aged 18 - 35. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were used to collect the data. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and peer checks were applied to empower the rigor of study.
A total of 5 themes were categorized into 2 main domains: advantages and disadvantage of sex education. The first domain was conceptualized by increased knowledge, normalization of sexual and reproductive issues, and self-efficacy; the later domain by: motives for initiating sexual behavior and tainted modesty.
Since most young women believed that sex education is beneficial for them, an effective, appropriate, and culturally-approved program could be designed for sex education.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of a native questionnaire (Perception of Sexually Transmitted Infections Questionnaire) among homeless women as a hidden layer in the Iranian society for sexually transmitted infections.
Qualitative and quantitative content and face validities were applied. In the qualitative phase of content validity, the homeless women evaluated wording, grammar, item allocation, and scaling of the questionnaire. In the quantitative phase, the content validity index (CVI) and the content validity ratio (CVR) were calculated. In the qualitative phase of face validity, 40 homeless women were asked to evaluate the questionnaire and indicate if they felt difficulty or ambiguity in the questionnaire. In the quantitative phase, the impact score was calculated. The Kuder-Richardson correlation and test-retest reliability were calculated to assess the internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire.
Findings: The ICC for the questionnaire was achieved at 0.86 (good to excellent), lending support to the stability of the questionnaire. The Kuder-Richardson correlation of the questionnaire was 0.85 (good to excellent). Impact scores of the items ranged from 1.2 to 5. In the quantitative content validity, items with CVR and CVI less than 0.59 and 0.79, respectively, were omitted; overall, 10 items were deleted in this part of the validity.
This study suggests that PSTIQ is a valid and reliable. It could be used to design appropriate interventions to prevent (STIs) in high risk groups, especially homeless women.

Drug abuse influences the quality of life significantly. Thus, the present study is designed to compare the quality of life of adolescents and young adults who have voluntarily referred to addiction treatment centers at different time slots of upon admission, and 1, 4, and 8 months after maintenance therapy.

The present paper is a longitudinal study on 141 of adolescents and young adults who had referred to various addiction treatment centers throughout Isfahan voluntarily. The population was selected through convenience sampling method and 137 of adolescents and young adults continued the research until the end. The results were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics (frequency, mean, standard deviation, repeated measure test, and post‑hoc test) in SPSS 17.

Results showed that the average of quality of life total score was sequential and not the same in the 4 times slots under study. The total quality of life score upon admission was significantly different from 1, 4, and 8 months after maintenance treatment. However, quality of life at 1‑month was not significantly different to that at 4 and 8 months after the treatment; quality of life at 4 months after the treatment was not significantly different to that at 8 months after.

According to the present study, it can be concluded that the quality of life of adolescents and young adults referring to addiction treatment centers increases 1‑month after the treatment; nevertheless, it is worth to note that the degree of quality of life increase in 4 and 8 months after the treatment is not as much as that in 1‑month after the treatment

Aim: Female sex worker's capacity for sexually transmitted infections is a major concern in the developing countries, such as Iran. This study aimed to explore the social determinants of sex work among female sex workers.
Qualitative approach was applied, and the participants were recruited from two shelters and three harm reduction drop-in centers (DICs) in Tehran. Seventeen in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with female sex workers. Inclusion criteria of the present study were Iranian women aged 15-45 years, being sexually active in the past 12 months, ability to comprehend Farsi, and being eager to participate in the study. Purposive sampling with maximum variation sampling was used for data gathering. Content analysis was applied for data analysis.
Findings: Three main themes emerged in the data analysis process: family, inefficient education, and social risks. The subthemes of family included lack of financial support, lack of emotional support, unbounded family, and inappropriate husband. The subthemes of inefficient education were defect of education in the family, lack of education in the community, and peer education. The subthemes of social risks included risky society and risky friends.
It is recommended that the role of family, friends, and peers to be highlighted to families. Also sexual health education must be provided for youth and high risk groups, such as sex workers.

Social support and school play a pivotal role in the development of oral health-related behaviors among students. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between stages of dental cleaning behavior change based on Trans-theoretical model with school role and social support in Iranian students.
In a cross-sectional study, 525 male and female students were selected through cluster and simple random sampling. Demographic information, data related to trans-theoretical model constructs and social support and school role were collected via self-reports. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software.
The findings showed that 58% of students (32% boys and 26% girls) used none of the dental cleaning tools. Most of the students (42.5%) were found to be in the preparation stage of dental cleaning behavior. There was a significantly direct correlation between school role and self-efficiency and perceived benefits (P0.05).
The results indicated that the majority of students did not use of dental cleaning tools and did not receive sufficient social support in this regard. To perform dental cleaning behavior, student should increase perceived self-efficacy and benefits and decrease perceived barriers. Low performance of dental cleaning behavior among students is indicative of the necessity of performing intervention programs aiming to promote dental cleaning behavior.

A wide range of chronic and acute diseases begin with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Simultaneous presence of microalbuminuria and microscopic hematuria is suggestive of an important kidney disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in children with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria.
This cross-sectional study was done on 150 children aged 2-14 years with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria at Nephrology Clinic of Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 2013-2015. All patients had clinical and laboratory tests such as BUN, creatinine, electrolytes, urine albumin/ creatinine ratio, blood pressure, etc. The obtained data were recorded and analyzed with SPSS (ver. 18). All children with anatomical anomalies, hypertension, previous urinary tract surgery, or nephrolithiasis were excluded from the study.
The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 14.5 % and there was a significant relationship between microalbuminuria and the presence of dysmorphic red blood cells on urine analysis (p-value Isolated asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is a benign disease but its association with proteinuria may indicate a serious problem with the risk of progressive renal disease. It is recommended to determine the microalbumin/creatinine ratio in cases with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria.

Adolescence is a crucial juncture in the evolution. The hospitalization process could have harmful effects on the health of an adolescent’s mind and body. Since recently, patient satisfaction survey has been considered as one part of the annual assessment, the present study was performed to compare the hospitalized adolescent's satisfaction of clinical services and physical environment in children and adults’ wards in Isfahan.
This cross-sectional and descriptive analytical study was conducted by sampling of 200 adolescents aged 10-19, discharged from adults and children's wards in general hospitals of Isfahan in 2009. Sampling was conducted through the available method and for carrying out the research, a standard questionnaire was used. Demographic information and information related to satisfaction of nursing, medical, other personnel, facilities and quality of environment were collected. Content validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.85) were used to confirm the validity and reliability of the tool, respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and independent t-test. There was no significant relationship between age and satisfaction of nursing, medical, other staff services, and the environment. However, there was a significant relationship between gender and satisfaction of medical services; the mean satisfaction score of medical services in girls was more than that in boys, and the difference was significant.
Most admitted adolescents’ satisfaction of clinical services and physical environment belonged to high category (80-100). Adolescents admitted in children’s ward had a higher satisfaction of nursing care (P = 0.005) and environment (P = 0.04) than those admitted in adults’ ward; this difference was statistically significant. In contrast, satisfaction of medical services (P = 0.073) and other personnel (P = 0.09) in the adolescents hospitalized in adults and children’s wards were not statistically significant. A total of 87% of young adults who were hospitalized in adults’ ward and 3.35% of teens who were hospitalized in children’s ward preferred to be admitted in adolescents’ ward. Furthermore, the relationship of age and gender with satisfaction of cervices was assessed. There was no significant relationship between age and satisfaction of nursing, medicine, other staff services and environment. However, there was a significant relationship between gender and satisfaction of medical services; the mean satisfaction score of medical services in girls was higher than in boys, and the difference was significant.
The results of this study showed that adolescents were more satisfied of the environment and nursing services provided in children’s ward than those in adults’ ward. Adolescents also expressed the need for a special ward for hospitalization of adolescents. It is suggested that wherever allocation of separate sections for young people is not possible, necessary facilities should be provided for young children in children’s wards; also, personnel and physicians should be trained on how to communicate and deal with teenagers as well as the changes needed in service providing.

In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element model has been developed to simulate the laser-TIG hybrid welding (HLAW) of stainless steel 1.4418 with thickness of 4 mm. Transient temperature profile and dimensions of the fusion zone and heat affected zone (HAZ) during welding process are calculatedusing finite element method (FEM) and were solved in the ABAQUS/Standard software.The heat source model is a combination of Goldak distribution for the arc heat flux, a body Gaussian distribution for laser heat flux and a surface heat flux model. The DFLUX subroutine was used for implementation of the movable welding heat sources of the models.To validate the model, several HLAWexperiments were performed with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and TIGsources. Good agreement between the simulated and the experimental measurements revealed that the model would be appropriate forHLAWnumericalsimulation. Among the material properties, the material conductivity is the most important term which influences on the weld bed dimensions.

Premarital sexual relationships could harm youth’s health in terms of sexually transmitted infections or increased risk of unprotected sexual behaviors. Sexual abstinence has been recommended to prevent young adolescents from adverse outcomes of premarital sexual relationships.. The aim of this study was to explore the viewpoints of sexually active single women about premarital sexual relationships in the Iranian context..Patients and In this qualitative study, we recruited 41 young women aged 18 to 35 years. Data were collected using focus group discussions and individual interviews. We employed conventional content analysis to analyze the data. Multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and peer checks were applied to enhance the reliability of the findings.. Eight themes emerged from the data analysis: ‘acceptance of sexual contact in the context of opposite-sex relationships, ‘sexual activity as a guarantee for keeping the boyfriend in the relationship’, ‘premarital sexual relationship as an undeniable personal right’, ‘having successful marriage in spite of premarital sexual relationships’, ‘virginity as an old fashioned phenomenon’, ‘love as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, ‘goal-oriented relationship as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, and ‘experiencing premarital sexual relationships in order to gain perfection’.. Results of this study could be applied to designing interventions, such as promotion of preventive beliefs or educational programs regarding premarital sexual relationships in conservative societies. These interventions could start within families and continue at schools and universities..

Research on sensitive topics, such as sexuality, could raise technical, methodological, ethical, political, and legal challenges. The aim of this paper was to draw the methodological challenges which the authors confronted during sexuality research with young population in the Iranian culture. This study was an exploratory mixed method one conducted in 2013-14. We interviewed 63 young women aged 18-34 yr in qualitative phase and 265 young women in quantitative phase in (university and non-university) dormitories and in an Adolescent Friendly Center. Data were collected using focus group discussions and individual interviews in the qualitative phase. We employed conventional content analysis to analyze the data. To enhance the rigor of the data, multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and peer checks were applied. Five main themes emerged from the data: interaction with opposite sex, sexual risk, sexual protective, sex education, and sexual vulnerability. Challenges while conducting sex research have been discussed. These challenges included assumption of promiscuity, language of silence and privacy concerns, and sex segregation policy. We described the strategies applied in our study and the rationales for each strategy. Strategies applied in the present study can be employed in contexts with the similar methodological and moral concerns.

Divorce is an unexpected change in marital life. This change affects physical and psychological health. Divorce is a complex phenomenon which can be conceptualized from different perspectives. Aim of the present study was to conceptualize divorce from Iranian women''s perspectives. A qualitative content analysis approach was employed. Using purposeful sampling، data collected from 26 women with divorce experience. In-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to gather information. The findings suggest two main themes: «concept» and «process of experience». Each theme was divided into sub-themes as general vocabulary، especially lexical (experience)، perceived conflict، versusbelief experience، and traumatic. Concept of divorce is driven from social believes. Divorce affects health. In fact، divorce not only is a socio-cultural issue، but also، a social health determinant. Thus، any program in women health promotion needs to consider divorcee women''s perspective. We came to conclusion that، several factors make the meaning of divorce. Furthermore، these components are subject to a separated woman''s perceived experiences، perceptions، social beliefs، and gender.

Early and late menopauses result in various physical and mental complications. On the other hand, family health primarily depends on mother's health. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the social factors related to age of natural menopause in Zahedan. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 menopausal women in Zahedan during 2008. Subjects were randomly selected from 38 health centers. The sampling was started from a random point near each health center continued until 13 appropriate individuals were selected from every center. The data were collected by interviews with women. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS using independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and principal component analysis.

This study showed mean ± SD and median age of menopause as 47.3 ± 6.3 and 48 years, respectively. The socioeconomic and menstrual-reproductive factors that were significantly related to early mean age of menopause were celibacy (44.6 years, P = 0.04), low income level (45.3 years, P = 0.043), low social class (45.2 years, P = 0.048), and smoking (45.8 years, P = 0.039).

In addition to genetic and menstrual-reproductive factors, social factors especially socioeconomic factors can also affect the age of natural menopause. Since of menopause is related with some diseases, complications and mortality among women, this phenomenon should be noticed as an epidemiological issue in societies and early menopause should be prevented.

Marital satisfaction is affected by many factors among which the safe and pleasurable sexual relationships is the most important. In Iran, like some other controversial societies, sexuality issues involve socio-cultural obstacles as well as limiting policies which make research difficult, so that inadequate information is made available in the area. The aim of this research was to determine sexual satisfaction level in the couples and its association with some demographic factors. This descriptive-correlation study was conducted in 2007 in Tehran, Consecutive sampling was used to recruit 292 married males and females from selected hospitals in Tehran while visiting their hospitalized relatives. They were all literate and had gotten married for at least one year. Two questionnaires were used for data collection. The results showed that, of the participants, 63.4% were completely satisfied, 28.8% relatively satisfied, 7.2% slightly satisfied, and 0.7% unsatisfied of sexual relationship. Also, the results showed that there was a statistical significant association between sexual satisfaction and the following factors: age difference of couples (p=0.04), duration of married life (p=0.05), and drug abuse by the participants (p=0.007), but there was not a statistical significant association between sexual satisfaction and other factors tested in this study (age, gender, reproductive status, economic status, number of children, education attainment, the spouse's education attainment, contraception method, and type of marriage). According to the results, we suggest the practical strategies to improve people’s awareness about sexuality and its vital influences on marital happiness. More work is suggested to be done in order to provide research based information in this field.