zahra eftekhar

One of the significant parts of the mystical language is mystical paradoxes called Shath. It is possible to analyze mystical paradoxes using the model proposed in this research based on dynamic discourse. This pattern shows that one of the reasons for violating the norms of language in mystical paradoxes is the attention paid to the telos in the language and thought of mystics. The purpose of this research is to propose a model for the interpretation of mystical paradoxes from an epistemological perspective. The basis of this model is founded upon the mystics' teleological and transcendental views about man and his existential truth. Based on this, by examining the categories of identity/ becoming, and attainment/ telos, we have explained and analyzed the ability to interpret the mystical paradoxes based on the model of dynamic discourse. The mystic's specific outlooks at the gem of man’s existence and knowing its value has caused his words to take on a kind of abnormality in the eyes of superficial thinkers. However, his passionate paradoxical words and actions are the result of mystic’s belief in the fluid and dynamic nature of his identity, which does not stop going on despite of reaching a certain destination, Indeed, the constant dynamism, becoming and transformation are a part of the nature and truth of his being. Since mysticism is synonymous with transformation, dynamic discourse, due to its dynamic nature and constant movement as well as its inclusion of such concepts as becoming and telos,

One of the characteristics of Rozbahan's mysticism, one of the mystics of the 6th century, is his special attention to the subject of love and the description of its stages. The description of these stages has led to the creation of a special mystical language in Abhar Alasheghin. Abhar Alasheghin which deals specifically with the subject of love, is the result of Rozbahan's mystical experiences and tells the story of the constant seeker. The experience of these continuous "becomings" takes on special characteristics when it flows in the context of language. The analysis of his characteristic mystical language in different stages of the seeker's transformation in the stages of love is possible by using the dynamic discourse model. This pattern shows that the mystical language of Abhar Alasheghin is not static and its foundation is on transformation. The purpose of this research is to clarify the dynamic path of the seeker's mystical experience in the way of love and in the context of language. Based on this, this research examines the "identity" and the path of "becoming" a seeker. By using the semantic square, part of the process of transformation in the word can be examined. This study reveals that the identity of the seeker is a mystic who has reached the point of annihilation of attributes, but satisfaction with human love and stopping in that veil is his path. The goal of the seeker's journey is to see the manifestation of divine beauty in the form of a human lover and to reach the annihilation of nature and monotheism. The effective verb "to want" appears when choosing between two ways of stopping or moving. The effective verb "to stand" is manifested in the determination of the God in putting love to the test. But it is possible for the seeker to reach the subject of "ability" and the essence of observation and connection to the grace and attraction of God, not the will of the seeker.

The purpose of this paper is to survey the relationship between Pessimism Personality Traits(PPT) with mediating the perception way of stressors with Hypochondria Disorder.The population study composes of 11250 students studying in Islamic Azad of Bushehr Branch in 2016-17 academic year among which 371 persons were randomly selected according to stratified sampling method. Data was gathered viaCarter’s Pessimism-Opptimism Questionnaire(2000), Sarasol’s Life Experience Evaluation Questionnaire(1987), and Klaner’s Attitude Scale towards Sickness(1985). Some appropriate statistical indices such as Factor Analysis, Regression,and SEM were applied to analyse the gathered data. Findings showed that there would be a significant and direct relationship between PPT(0.26), the perception way of Progress Stressors(0.43) with Hypochondria. Also, there would be an indirect and significant relationship between PPTs with Hypochondria Disorder(0.13).

gained via surveying the impact of mefiation based on Bootstrapping, showed that progress stressor perception would partially mediate the impact of pessimism variable on Hypochondria Syndrome.

The aim of this study was the effectiveness of couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system on marital conflicts, couple intimacy and family functions in couples referring to counseling centers in Mahshahr. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest and posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all couples who referred to counseling centers in Mahshahr in 2019-20 due to marital problems. From the statistical population, 60 couples were selected by available sampling method, and then this number was paired by random sampling method in two experimental groups (40 pairs) and one control group (20). For a group therapy group based on integrated behavioral system, 10 sessions of 90 minutes were performed weekly. In order to collect research data, Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), Marital Intimacy (MQI) and Family Functioning Questionnaire (FAD) were used. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

The results of the analysis of research findings showed that couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system has been effective in reducing marital conflicts, improving couple intimacy and family functions (P <0.05).

Based on the findings of this study, it can be said that couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system is one of the effective treatments in reducing marital conflicts, improving couples intimacy and family functions of couples referring to counseling center.

Considering the results of different studies indicating emotion regulation difficulties in children with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), efforts are made here to determine the effect of cognitive emotion regulation training on the anger of boys with ADHD. 

This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest control group design. The sample consisted of forty 12-year-old primary school boys with ADHD in Tehran in the academic year 2016-2017, selected by multi-stage cluster sampling and then randomly placed into the control and experimental groups. After running the pretest on both groups, the experimental group underwent twelve 45-min sessions of cognitive emotion regulation training while the control group received no intervention. Questionnaire of Childrenchr('39')s Behavioral Problems- Parent Form (Conners, 1970) and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger, 1999) were used to gather the data. ANCOVA was used to analyze the data.    

The results of data analysis showed that cognitive emotion regulation training significantly decreased the anger in boys with ADHD (F=27.83, p> 0.05).

Students with ADHD are not so much capable to control their negative emotions. Cognitive emotion regulation training can reinforce the positive emotions in these children and led to the reduction of anger in them.

The process of change and development in today’s societies has affected buildings too, in a way that their wear and deterioration is inevitable. Eventually, they may be deserted and no longer be suitable to serve their primary purpose, or due to lack of demand for their services, they may be made redundant. Under such circumstances, naturally, their initial usage does not fulfill the current requirements. Therefore, the possibility of upgrading and reusing as well as creating a different usage in order to adapt a building to the new conditions and needs may be assessed. Today’s societies face the problem of dealing with the deserted buildings that they have inherited. Meanwhile, revival through creation of a new function and adaptive reuse of such buildings give a new life to the building, instead of restoration and various types of maintenance for instance in a museum. This also returns it to the urban life cycle, which is one of the ideal available alternatives to the today’s societies. Buildings and the industrial heritage that are left in the heart of urban centers, are results of the deindustrialization in urban settings in the country over the recent years. The heritage of the past industry, by protecting such areas as a symbol of the history of modernism in Iran, is known as “industrial heritage”. The industrial heritage links the contemporary age to the past and reinforces the spirit of the place. This place can be considered as a space where collective memories are revived and preserved. Some of the issues discussed in relation to the industrial heritage are: physical recovery and changing the functional structure, adapting the industrial heritage to the needs and requirements of today’s society, and an economic revival through creation of new usages in order to make the industrial buildings profitable. Therefore, adaptive rehabilitation and reuse are the most suitable options for adaptation to the new requirements and needs of each individual building. This process, both in the early stages of decision-making and in the design and alternative use selection process, is faced with complexities due to the many factors involved in the decision making. Therefore, a clear and systematic framework and course of action are needed to control and guide the process. Due to lack of such a framework in Iran, this study seeks to investigate the potential for adaptive reuse of an existing building and examine how to determine the appropriate alternative for it. This is done by introducing academic models, to use a template for the decision making process. For this purpose, the old silo of Shiraz was selected as a sample. In addition to assessing its potential, the alternative use selection process was introduced. The results indicate that the silo has a high potential for adaptive reuse, and an appropriate alternative use for the silo is a cultural tourist attraction. The results of this study can be used as a template for adaptive reuse of existing buildings by designers and architects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on the resilience and dysfunctional attitudes of women with MS in Tehran. The research method was pre-test and post-test and the statistical population of this study was all women with MS with high dysfunctional attitude and low resiliency referred to the department of ambulatory patients in Kahrizak in 2017. The sampling method was purposive. Research tools included Conner and Davidson Resiliency Questionnaire (2003) and Dys, Weisman & Beck Dysfunctional Attitude Questionnaire (1997).Subjects were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. the experimental group underwent 8 sessions of 90 minutes of psychotherapy. But the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed a significant difference (p <0.000) in the experimental group after the implementation of psychotherapy. The results showed the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on increasing resilience and reducing inefficient attitudes of MS patients.

Background &

Dedication to spouse, marriage, and family is one of the most significant factors that has attracted considerable attention in contemporary family and marriage studies to ensure continuity of marriage and the strength of family ties. In the present analysis .The current study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of reality therapy based on choice theory on marital intimacy and satisfaction in Iranian couples.

This pretest-posttest control group design was performed on 40 subjects who referred to counseling centers in Ahvaz in 2018 and were firstly selected by convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (N=20 each). Thompson and Walker's Intimacy Scale and ENRICH marital satisfaction inventory were used for data collection. The experimental group underwent ten 60-minute sessions of reality therapy based on Glasser's choice theory adapted from Amani study (2015); nonetheless, the control group did not receive any interventions.

The obtained results demonstrated that reality therapy based on choice theory was effective in increasing intimacy and marital satisfaction among couples (P<0.01).

As evidenced by the results of the current study, it is suggested that reality therapy based on choice theory could be incorporated into educational programs for couples and family therapy. Adopting such procedure, therapists can treat communication problems and enrich the intimate relationships among couples and families.

Rouzbahan Baghli is one of the major figures of 6th century who has his own particular mystic language. His language shows a set of particular features like abstractness. The present article has taken into account the semiotic square theoretical framework in order to analyze his language as well as to yield a better understanding of his mystic experience. Accordingly, having taken into consideration his mystic language, the properties of his language will be analyzed in the light of semiotic square. This study reveals that among the current oppositions like contradiction, contrast and entailment, Rouzbahan’s language incline towards contrast. This is due to the fact that Rouzbehan generally speaks about major existential categories, which are completely contradictory in two poles. Thus, whenever he talks about his experiences, he sometimes intermingles the binary oppositions in a complex meta-term. As a result, he sometimes collects these binary categories and puts them together to create a "compound" term. Sometimes he rejects both categories and creates a "neutral" frequency, and sometimes a "positive indicator" by deleting both. Other meta-terms like neutral, complex, positive deixis, and nameless are the dominant indicators of his abstract language.

If the couples do not acquire communication skills and conflict solution, the conflicts will continue verbally and then behaviorally. Thus, the gradual destruction in the marital intimacy will begin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy on couple's intimacy and identification of basic psychological needs in couples referring to counseling centers.

This is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test design and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all couples referring to counseling centers of Ahvaz city, Iran in the year 2018-2019. The sample size trough convenience sampling was 40 couples that were randomly selected and assigned to the experimental and control groups (n=20 in each group). In order to collect information, Thompson and Walker's (1983) Marital Intimacy Scale and Glaser basic Need Questionnaire were used. The experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (8 sessions 90 minutes), but the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (repeated measure ANOVA).

The results showed that cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy was effective in increasing marital intimacy and identifying the basic needs of couples (p <0.05).

Based on the results, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy was effective in improving the intimacy and identification of basic needs in couples of couples referring to counseling centers.

Background and Today, the quality of student's performance in various subjects, such as the field of mathematics that is important in selecting the field of study, is one of the basic issues in the educational system.The purpose of the present study was to investigate how the expectancy–value motivational model affects the intrinsic and extrinsic educational motivation, educational engagement (motivational strategies, learning strategies), and academic performance of students in mathematics.
The statistical population consisted of all 8th grade male students in Dezful city. 50 students were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling and placed in two experimental and control groups (25 students in each group). The expectation-value motivation model was implemented in the experimental group, while the control group received no training. In order to collect data in this study, Harter's classroom motivational scale (2005) and motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (Pintrich & DeGroot, 1990) were used.
The results of covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in the intrinsic educational motivation variables, motivational engagement, cognitive engagement, and academic performance (P Based on the results of this study, the use of expectation-value motivation model will have a positive effect on academic motivation, educational engagement, and academic performance.

Major depression and obsessive–compulsive disorders are one of the chronic and disabling disorders that affect the ability to experience normal mood, often causing impairment in the biological and environmental performance of the individual; effective factors must be known, recognized and controlled for treatment. One of the most influential factors is thinking rumination, which is involved in the onset and recurrence of these disorders. One of the most critical problems that are thinking rumination creates for people is their separation from reality and distance from here and now, which hurts their processing. Helping patients to put aside the past and live in now and here can be very helpful. One of the new therapies used for these disorders is Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy. Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy is designed to reduce the relapse of depression. In this therapy, individuals are taught to observe the thoughts and feelings without judgment by merely looking at the mental events that they are going through. In this approach, it is assumed that people learn how not to get stocked in rumination patterns. For the same reason, the purpose of the present research was to investigate the effect of mindfulness–based cognitive therapy on thinking rumination of people with depression and obsessive–compulsive disorders.

This study employed the two–group pretest–posttest quasi–experimental design. The sample consisted of 80 patients with major depressive and obsessive–compulsive disorders diagnosed according to the standards of DSM–5. The participants assigned to into experimental (20 depressive patients, 20 Obsessive–compulsive patients) and control (20 depressive patients, 20 Obsessive–compulsive patients) groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of 90–minute instruction in Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to test the research hypotheses. 

The results of research showed that Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy reduced thinking rumination in patients suffering from major depression (F= 330.96, p<0.001) and obsessive–compulsive (F= 482.27, p<0.001) at post–test level and (F=362.32, p<0.001) in patients suffering major depression and obsessive–compulsive (F= 573.35, p<0.001) at follow–up level.

Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy plays an important role in treating mental disorders and the prevention of the onset and relapse of these disorders.

Major depression disorder is one of the chronic and disabling disorder that affects the ability to experience healthy mood and causing impairment in the biological and environmental performance of an individual. Effective factors should be known, recognized, and treated or controlled. One of the most influential factors is defense mechanisms, which is involved in the onset and recurrence of this disorder. Defense mechanisms are ways and means by which ego relieve anxiety, resentment, control instinctive, and impulsive behavior. Defense mechanisms are unconscious measure for control of stress. However, due to their self–deception nature, sometimes–unclear mechanisms that are practically inconsistent with adaptive behavior and this is reflected in the behavior of people with mood and anxiety disorders. It is assumed that one of the main reasons for vulnerability versus recurrence and the return of mood disorders are due to frequent links between depressed mood and abusive patterns of unconscious and fluid growth mechanisms, which in turn leads to changes in cognitive and neurological levels. One of the new therapies used for major depressive disorder is mindfulness–based cognitive therapy. Mindfulness–based cognitive therapy is designed to reduce the relapse of depression. It seems that cognitive therapy based on mind–consciousness, by persuading a person to practice to pay attention to the characteristics of the experiences in an unjustified way. The method has led to a more thought logical by increasing the individual's awareness of the experiences of the present moment (for example, by focusing on breathing) and returning attention to the current time. The method has affected the cognitive system and is efficient information processing, which in their turn reduces the immature and neurotic defense mechanisms. In other words, it increases the use of mature mechanisms. For the same reason, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness–based cognitive therapy on the use of defense mechanisms of people with depression.

The study was semi–experimental in the type of pre–test and post–test with the control group. A total of 40 patients with major depressive disorder selected that their disease according to psychiatrics’ opinion and DSM–5 had been diagnosed. They were divided randomly into experimental (20 depressive patients) and control (20 depressive patients) groups. The dependent variable included results of defense mechanisms, which measured in the intervention and control groups in similar condition. The used protocol included mindfulness–based cognitive therapy of Segal, Williams, and Teasdale. For execution, first, of both groups by using defense mechanisms (DSQ 40) questionnaire pre–test was taken. Then, the experimental group at eight sessions trained with Mindfulness–based cognitive therapy and after finishing sessions, both groups were taken post–test, and two months later follow–up test was conducted. To analysis data,   Analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used.

Mindfulness–based cognitive therapy caused reduction using immature (F=57.013, p<0.001) and neurotic (F=37.684, p<0.001) defense mechanisms in patients suffering from major depression in the experimental group. Also, the use amount of mature mechanisms after the implementation of treatment increased significantly (F=197.848, p<0.001) in the experimental group.

Based on the study results, it predicts that mindfulness–based cognitive therapy will play an essential role in treating mental disorders and prevention of the onset and relapse of these disorders.

Quaternary climatic fluctuations had remained phylogeographical footprints on some organisms. Relocation of northern populations of many species to the southern parts during ice ages, followed by subsequent northward expansions from refugia during interglacial periods had been resulted in intraspecific morphological and molecular divergence. This model has been used Fat Dormouse was used as a model species for investigation about such events that happened in the Hyrcanian Refugium. By photographing of lower mandibles we would able to compare morphological differences between populations distributed along the Hyrcanian forests. We compared our results with previous molecular findings. However the role of remnant Hyrcanian forests as a refugium has been confirmed by some investigations but longterm survival and isolation of some species in this refugium from eastern and northern parts of Palearctic region trigged inter population’s evolutionary divergence. By investigation about these evolutionary diverged traits, some micro refugiums can be defined along the Hyrcanian refugia. In this study, we found some preliminary documents about the presence of eastern micro refugia based on morphological divergence of Glis glis as a model species.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in females. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the major risk factor of cervical cancer..
The aim of the current study was to explore the frequency and role of 23 different HPVs in patients with cervical cancer..
Overall, 117 formalin-fix and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from cervical cancer patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or dysplasia were collected from Mirza-Kochakkhan-Jangali hospital, Tehran, Iran during year 2013, to investigate the presence of HPV- HPV- 67, 68, 6, 11, 13, 16, 17, 30, 69, 39, 40, 42, 64, 66 and 51 to 59 genotypes..
The Pap smear report illustrated the presence of malignancy in 71 cases, while 11 cases had no evidence of malignancy. Among the patients, 26 cases had sexually transmitted disease with relative frequency of 0.58. Infection with papilloma virus was observed in 83.6% of SCC patients and 45% of the dysplasia group. The most prevalent HPV genotypes were 18 with 31.62% and 16 with 27.35% of cases. Moreover the relative frequencies of HPV-33, -6, -58, -52, -35 and -51, genotypes were 15.38, 7.69, 5.98, 5.12 and 3.41%, respectively. Among the different genotypes of HPV, 31 had the lowest and 16 had the highest relative frequency..
Our findings demonstrate that HPV-16 and -18 have a higher prevalence in our population than 31 and 51. Further investigations are required to evaluate the role of these genotypes in a larger multicenter setting for establishing their values for early detection of patients, which is useful for screening and vaccination programs of cancerous and precancerous lesions of cervical cancer..

Placenta increta, a rare complication of pregnancy, is associated with significant postpartum hemorrhage often requiring emergency hysterectomy. We report a case of conservative management, with a combination of parenteral methotrexate, serial ultrasound and β-hCG assessment. Serum β-hCG levels were undetectable after 8 weeks of therapy. A scan at 6 months showed complete involution of the uterus. Review of the literature discussing the diagnostic tools, clinical features, management and outcome of pregnancies with placenta increta.

Surgery is the most effective treatment of well-differentiated endometrial cancer. But using systemic progestins, have been evaluated to treat the young patients with well-differentiated endometrial cancer who wish to preserve their fertility. The aim of this study was the evaluation of megestrol acetate on endometrial adenocarcinoma

A twin pregnancy with a coexisting complete hydatidiform mole and a healthy fetus (CMCF) is rare. Here we report three cases of CMCF with different clinical courses but similar outcome without a surviving neonate. Two women required uterine evacuation before 20 weeks of gestational age because of vaginal bleeding and medical complications and the other patient underwent termination of her pregnancy at 24 weeks of gestation due to severe pre-eclampsia. The pathologic diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole was confirmed in each case and the chromosome complement was 46XX in two molar gestations and 46XY in one gestation. One of the three women required chemotherapy for treatment of low-risk gestational trophoblastic disease. The hCG level was normalized after 4 cycles and the patient was free of disease at 1 year follow-up. Review of the literature discussing the diagnostic tools, clinical features, management and outcome of pregnancies with CMCF are presented.

Ceftizoxime is the standard agent used in prophylaxis of infections after abdominal hysterectomy. Metronidazole could be used instead of ceftizoxime for this matter. To compare these two drugs, in a randomized clinical trial, 34 patients received metronidazole suppositories (1g) and 34 patients received intravenous ceftizoxime (1g) before surgery. There were not any significant demographic (age, weight, parity, hospitalization duration, pre-operation hemoglobin) difference between two groups. Also, the incision type and post-operation bleeding were the same in two groups. The complications after abdominal hysterectomy such as febrile morbidity, urinary tract infections and wound infections were not significantly different between two treatment groups. These results indicate that a single dose metronidazole has the same effect as ceftizoxime in infection prophylaxis of post-hysterectomy infection.

Tamoxifen is the drug of choice in the treatment of breast cancer. Recent reports show an increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma in patients taking tamoxifen. In this article, we report a case of malignant mixed mullerian tumor after tamoxifen use.

The efficacy of single-agent chemotherapy for patients with low risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (LRGTN) with methotrexate or dactinomycin is well established, but efforts continue to reduce the toxicity, the patients time and cost of treatment. In a randomized clinical trial, we evaluated and compared the efficacy, toxicity and cost effectiveness of pulse-methotrexate versus pulse-dactinomycin as single-agent therapy in LRGTN. Forty low risk GTN patients were randomly assigned to receive pulse-methotrexate (30 mg/m2 weekly intramuscularly) (20 cases) or pulse-dactinomycin (1.25 mg/m2 every two weeks intramuscularly) (20 cases). Treatment continued if no major toxicity was encountered and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (-hCG) values were lower than 5mIU/m2 in three consecutive weeks. Seventy percent of methotrexate group and 90% of dactinomycin group responded to treatment (100% remission was achieved with no recurrence in one-year follow-up). The mean time to response was 43 days for methotrexate and 66 days for dactinomycin group (P-value = 0.001). Patients achieved remission after receiving an average of 8 courses of therapy in methotrexate versus 6 courses in dactinomycin group (P-value = 0.002). The average cost of treatment per course was about 7 US$ for methotrexate and 62 US$ for dactinomycin group (P-value < 0.001). There were no cases of major toxicity in methotrexate or dactinomycin groups. Overall, both methotrexate and dactinomycin were associated with good remission rate. Based on our results, LRGTN treatment with dactinomycin is somewhat more effective than that with methotrexate, but methotrexate is more cost-effective for both patients and the health system. As the effectiveness of both pulse-methotrexate and pulse-dactinomycin does not differ significantly, pulse-dactinomycin is recommended as first-line treatment.

Preterm labor (delivery after 20 weeks and before 37 weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of prenatal mortality in developed countries. Many women who have pre term labor have abnom1ally high plasma levels of a-fetoprotein in early pregnancy. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of this biochemical test and a clinical risk factor scoring system to prospectively discriminate pregnancies at high risk for preterm delivery. In nested case control study six~hundred women were studied prospectively from the early second trimester until delivery. There were sixty women in the study group (those with preterm delivery) and sixty women in the control group (those with term delivery). A plasma level sample was collected during the second trimester, between 17 and 30 week''s gestation. Then a-fetoprotein was determined in both groups. The mean AFP level was 196.75± 151.48 IU/mL in the study group and 85.98±55.90 IU/mL in the control group, both of which were statistically significant (p 10 in 17% of women in the study group and in 8% of women in the control group. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of this test was 78%, 65%,69.10 and 75% respectively. The accuracy of the test, LR+ and LR- were 71%,2.24 and 0.333 respectively. The combination of measurement ofmatemal serum AFP in the second trimester associated with a risk factor scoring system provides a more accurate indicator ofthe1iskofpretenndeliveryand therefore may be of use in targeting prevention strategies.