Tahereh Mokhtaryan; Fatima Ghodrati; Marzieh Akbarzadeh
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 103-104
Abstract
Postpartum blues, as a transient phenomenon of mood changes, generally begins 1 to 3 days after the child birth.1 This phenomenon is accompanied with symptoms such as unstable moods, ranging from euphoria to sadness, high sensitivity, crying for no reason, restlessness, poor concentration, anxiety, irritability, ...
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Postpartum blues, as a transient phenomenon of mood changes, generally begins 1 to 3 days after the child birth.1 This phenomenon is accompanied with symptoms such as unstable moods, ranging from euphoria to sadness, high sensitivity, crying for no reason, restlessness, poor concentration, anxiety, irritability, and anger.2 Prevalence of postpartum blues has been estimated 44.3% in Hong- Kong,3 31.3% in Nigeria,2 and 58% in India.4 In Iran, 22.3% of women suffer from weak postpartum blues, 10.8% have medium, and 21.1% suffer from severe postpartum blues.5 Interaction between different biological, psychological and social factors could affect the postpartum blues.6 Some researchers have indicated that there is a reverse relationship between religion related beliefs and spiritual attitudes, participation in religious activities and reduction of pregnancy and postpartum anxiety and depression.7 Also, according to another study, 57% of the doctors believe that praying could enhance the healing effect of treatment.8 However, some other studies reject this idea.9-10 In this cross-sectional study conducted in selected prenatal clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2013, 176 healthy pregnant women aged 18-35 years old participated. For assessment of postpartum blues, standard questionnaire of Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)11 and Religious Attitude Scale (RAS-R) containing 25 questions with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.954 in Iran were used.12
Parvin Afsar Kazerooni; nasrin motazedian; Mehrab Sayadi; Nadia Motazedian; Mojghan Sabet
Volume 2, Issue 3 , July 2014, , Pages 99-106
Abstract
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemics are largely linked to high-risk populations such as female commercial sex workers (FSWs). This study assessed sexual behaviors, attitudes and knowledge of this marginalized group.Methods: We conducted a cross- sectional study on 278 selfidentified ...
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Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemics are largely linked to high-risk populations such as female commercial sex workers (FSWs). This study assessed sexual behaviors, attitudes and knowledge of this marginalized group.Methods: We conducted a cross- sectional study on 278 selfidentified FSWs by using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method in Shiraz, south of Iran, from June 2010 to March 2011. Volunteer women were interviewed in order to explore issues such as sexual behavior, sexual violence, work conditions, contraceptive methods, HIV/AIDS knowledge, HIV test, and source of HIV information.Results: The majority of participants (95.1%) knew about condoms; however, only 40.6% used condoms consistently. Despite the subject’s wide knowledge regarding modes of transmission, 61% and 40% did not use any protection with anal and oral intercourse, respectively. 21% of FSWs experienced sexual violence. Nearly half (45.2%) of them had an HIV test and more than three-quarters knew their test results. The women in our study preferred to receive their information from health workers (63%) and peer group (45.2%).Conclusion: This study sheds light on the existing knowledge and practices of this high-risk group. Although the majority of FSWs were familiar with HIV/AIDS, risky behaviors such as anal and oral sex are still in practice; this calls for education and HIV prevention campaigns focusing on risk education awareness. Efforts in addressing the problem of inconsistent condom use needs to be directed towards client specific approaches and must be regarded a top priority.
