Healthcare Centers Of Mashhad Research Articles

Effect of Jogging Program on Midwives' Physical Fitness: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Background & aim: Physical fitness is essential for maintaining optimal health and can be achieved and improved by doing physical activities. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) has been used as a measure of physical fitness. This study aimed to determine the effect of jogging program on midwives' physical fitness. Methods:In this randomized controlled trial two large healthcare centers in Mashhad were randomly selected and each center assigned to either intervention or control group. 60 employed midwives, working at these centers, were selected via convenience sampling. The intervention group performed aerobic exercises at 30-60% VO2 max during 24 sessions. At the beginning and end of the study, participants’ physical fitness was measured by calculating VO2 max, using Bruce test. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests were carried out using SPSS version 19 to analyse data. Results: The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of age, marital status, level of education, economic status and body mass index (P>0.05). Mean VO2 max in the intervention group (30.6±9.1) was significantly higher than that of the control group (24.3±7.3) (P=0.023). Participants' physical fitness was increased up to 30% by jogging. Conclusion:As the results indicated, jogging could improve midwives’ physical fitness. Therefore, it is essential that health system directors pay more attention to providing facilities at every workplace in order to improve employees’ physical fitness.

Religious Beliefs and Fertility Preferences among Engaged Couples, Referring to Premarital Counseling Centers of Mashhad, Iran

Background: Considering the lack of information regarding the effects of religion on young couples’ fertility preferences, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between religious beliefs and fertility preferences among engaged couples in Mashhad, Iran, in 2013.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 engaged couples, referring to premarital counseling clinics at healthcare centers of Mashhad. Convenience sampling was applied and data were collected using Miller’s Fertility Preferences and Childbearing Questionnaires (1995), Khodayari's Religious Attitude Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire; all four questionnaires were completed by the participants. Spearman's correlation, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for data analysis. The significance level was considered to be 0.05. Results: Scores of religious beliefs were low, moderate, and high among 5.7%, 62.1%, and 32.2% of the couples, respectively. Childbearing desires (P≤0.001), ideal number of children (P≤0.001), and birth interval (P≤0.001) showed significant differences in groups with low, moderate, and high scores of religious beliefs. The mean number of children desired by the groups with low, moderate, and high religious belief scores was 2.24±1.49, 2.21±0.87, and 2.69±1.37, respectively. In total, 42.2% of the participants were moderately affected by religious beliefs.Conclusion:Fertility motivations and the ideal number of children were higher among individuals with stronger religious beliefs; however, even among these religious people, fertility preferences were not favorable, compared to figures recommended by reproductive health policymakers. These findings can contribute to the improvement of reproductive indices and fertility reforms towards higher fertility rate in the country.

Effects of Education on Oral and Dental Care of Pregnant Women, Based on the Health Belief Model

ntroduction: Oral/dental care is necessary for the health of mother and her fetus during pregnancy. Recent research has indicated a relationship between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal admission in intensive care units. The present study aimed to examine the effects of education on oral/dental care of pregnant women, based on the health belief model. Methods: This interventional study was performed in 2012 on case (n=72) and control (n=72) groups, selected by multi-step random sampling, at Mashhad healthcare centers. The case group participated in 4 training session, based on the health belief model components. Data collection tools consisted of examination and a researcher-made questionnaire including 50 items regarding the components of health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and action) and oral/dental care performance; the questionnaire was completed before and 45 days after the intervention. Results:Before the intervention, no significant relationship was observed between the average scores of different components in the two groups. However, after the intervention, the average scores of knowledge and different components of the model (including susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and performance) significantly increased (P<0.001). Conclusion:The findings supported the impact and efficiency of health belief model in oral and/dental care training. Therefore, it is suggested that model-based training be performed to educate oral and dental care in healthcare centers; this type of training will ultimately decrease the symptoms of mother and child.

The Relationship between Women’s Postpartum Sexual Function and Infant Feeding

Introduction: Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants. However, there is controversy regarding the effect of breastfeeding on mothers’ sexual function. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between postpartum sexual function and infant feeding method in women referring to Mashhad healthcare centers. Methods: This descriptive, analytical study was performed on 366 women, referring to Mashhad healthcare centers. The subjects’ sexual function and infant feeding method were assessed four months after childbirth. Data were collected using the standard Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and infant feeding method questionnaire; validity and reliability of the instruments were confirmed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 and descriptive and analytical tests. Results: There was a significant assocation between women's sexual function score and infant feeding method four months after childbirth (P=0.04). The highest score was obtained by women with exclusive breastfeeding (6.23±3.5). Conclusion: This study showed a relationship between infant feeding method and women's sexual function. In fact, women with exclusive breastfeeding obtained high scores of sexual function. Therefore, according to the results, it is essential to train and consult women about exclusive breastfeeding and its positive effect on sexual function.

The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Job Performance Among Midwives Working in Healthcare Centers of Mashhad, Iran

Background and Aim: Job satisfaction represents individuals' positive or negative attitude towards their occupation. Job satisfaction is of high significance in health care field and could affects the quality of patients' health care and satisfaction. Every organization should pay considerable attention to job satisfaction and performance and continually monitor these indices. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance of midwives, employed in health care centers of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was performed on 90 midwives, working in healthcare centers of Mashhad, Iran, in 2014 who were selected through multistage sampling from five healthcare centers. Data collection tools included a questionnaire to record demographic, personal and occupational data, Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) as well as a self-structured observational checklist to measure the quality of educational, care, and communicative job performance of midwives. SPSS version 19 was used to analyze data through descriptive statistics, and also Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.63±6.92 years. Spearman correlation test showed a direct correlation between job satisfaction and the total score of job performance (p <0.001, r=0.490). A direct relationship was also found between job satisfaction and the quality of educational performance (p <0.001, r=0.415), care performance (p <0.001, r=0.335), and communicative performance (p <0.001, r=0.510). Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between job satisfaction and job performance of midwives. Therefore, it is recommended that health care administrators provide organizational supports for midwives to improve their professional performance.

Maternal Knowledge and Attitude toward Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding (BMF) in the First 6 Months of Infant Life in Mashhad

Introduction: Breast milk is a complete food for growing children until 6 months of age, and mothers, as the most important child health care, play a decisive role in their growth. So promoting their attitude toward the benefits of breastfeeding ensures guarantee child health in the future. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge and attitude of Mashhad toward exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of infant life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 126 mothers who referring to Mashhad health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24 month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic tests and using SPSS 11.5. Results: Mean score of maternal attitude toward exclusive BMF was 14.32±5.28 (out of 28) and maternal knowledge score toward advantages of breast milk was 19.59±4.80 (out of 28). The incidence of exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of life study was 73.8%. Child growth was as follows: excellent growth (5.6%) and good growth (42.1%). ANOVA showed a significant difference between parents' education and maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF; whatever higher education of parents, more positive maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF (P<0.05). There was a significant direct relationship between knowledge and attitude (Spearman test, P-value= 0.000& r= 0.4). Conclusion: Maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF was moderate. It is essential to plan for mothers by officials in order to promote breast-feeding in the first 6 months of baby's life to enhance positive maternal attitude in this regard.

Assessment the Relationship between Parents' Literacy Level with Children Growth in Mashhad: An Analytic Descriptive Study

Introduction: Present children are the investments of community in the future. Preparing children health which leads to the stability of community health, provided to accurate implementation of educational and health programs in the community and especially in mothers. So it is necessary to determine the relationship between parents' literacy with growth rate in children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 300 mothers referring to 10 selected Mashhad health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24-month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic statistics and using SPSS 16. Results: Present findings showed a significant relationship between literacy level of parents with child growth status, breast feeding rate, junk food consumption, referring to health care center for growth monitoring, the age of initiating supplementary nutrition, the use of oil and butter in baby food and rate of attending in educational classes. So that higher literacy level of parents was associated with using more formula, less junk food, oil and butter in baby's food and more referring times to health care center for monitoring child growth, desirable growth, and also initiating supplementary food more at the assigned time (P<0.05). Conclusion: Parents' literacy level influence on children growth status. However, with increasing parents' literacy level, using formula for infants has been increased, but breast milk feeding is also high in this group.