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Background: Some menopausal symptoms can negatively affect people's daily activities. The work ability index (WAI) investigates employees at risk of work-related disabilities. The current study, conducted at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, evaluated the association between the severity of symptoms during the menopausal transition and the work ability index. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, 170 female subjects in the age range of menopause transition (42 to 54 years) were selected from the list of female employees at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, using the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a socio-demographic characteristics form, the work ability questionnaire, and the severity of menopause symptoms questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22). ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were applied for data analysis. Results: The mean±SD of the WAI score was 38.88±6.55. The mean ± SD of intensity of physical, mental, and urogenital menopausal symptoms were 7.44±2.96, 6.46±2.67, and 5.32±2.30, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between menopausal symptom severity and work ability was significantly negative (p<0.001, r=-0.418). Conclusion: The reduced work ability of female employees may cause increased absenteeism, additional costs for the employer, reduced employee productivity, and increased production costs, especially in the industry and service sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the facilitators and barriers to evidence‐based practice (EBP) from the perspective of Iranian nursing managers. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Methods: Data were collected from 335 top nursing managers of Iran. The research instruments included three electronic questionnaires for demographics, facilitators and barriers of evidence‐based practice. Descriptive statistics and appropriate analysis tests were used to clarify the strength of relationships between the factors. Results: A total of 277 nursing managers participated in the study (response rate of 82%). Iranian nursing managers believed that organizational factors were the most important domain for both facilitators (34.7 ± 9.2) and barriers (28.37 ± 6.2) to EBP. Regarding the Perspectives of nursing managers on Necessity and Extent of EBP implementation, 79.8% (n = 221) considered EBP to be essential, while 45.8% (n = 127) regarded its implementation as moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthy lifestyle affects the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. This study aimed to compare the effects of group discussion and multimedia package education interventions on healthy lifestyles among pregnant women. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 151 pregnant women during their 16-28 weeks of pregnancy who were referred to comprehensive health centers in Bajestan City, Iran. They were randomly allocated to three groups: Group discussion (n=50), multimedia package education (n=52), and control group (n=49). The demographic questionnaire and Walker’s health-promoting lifestyle profile II were used for data collection before and one month after the intervention. The educational intervention in the group discussion was held in 4 sessions. The multimedia package group received software consisting of text, video, animation, and audio materials. Finally, the control group received routine educational support in health centers. The study data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The result showed no significant difference between the three groups before intervention (P=0.073) regarding their mean lifestyle scores. However, the mean lifestyle score was significantly lower in the control group compared to the other two groups one month after the intervention (P<0.001). However, the mean lifestyle score was significantly higher in group discussion and multimedia groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings showed that multimedia package and group discussion methods improved lifestyle in pregnant women. Therefore, we suggest that health providers use these methods for pregnant women regarding their rationales and facilitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hormonal changes during menopause may result in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the prevention of diabetes and its complications is essential during menopause. The effects of barley (Hordeum vulgare L) in maintaining blood glucose and insulin have been previously reported. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of roasted barley flour consumption on the blood sugar level of prediabetic postmenopausal women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study will be conducted on 68 prediabetic postmenopausal women referring to community health centers in Gonabad, Iran. All participants will complete a demographic questionnaire, and their fasting and two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels, HbA1C, will be recorded. The intervention group will receive 60g of roasted barley flour daily (20g before each meal) for four weeks, while the control group will receive no intervention. Fasting and two-hour postprandial blood glucose will be checked by venous blood sampling at baseline, two and four weeks after intervention. All participants will complete three-day food intake record and Beck's physical activity questionnaire during the study. Data will be analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software (version 16), and a p-value less than 0.05 will be considered significant. Conclusion: This study may prove the effectiveness of roasted barley flour in reducing blood glucose. Daily consumption of this compound can be recommended for prediabetic menopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Perfectaionism is a common personality trait that can affect various aspects of life, especially sexual relationships. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the existing evidence for the relationship between perfectionism and sexual function in studies conducted in Iran and the world. Method: A comprehensive search of databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, ProQuest, PsychINFO, IranPsych, Irandoc, SID, and Google Scholar search engine was performed until December 2021 without a time limit. To find studies, we searched for the keywords perfectionism and sexual function in both Persian and English and combined these words with the AND operator. Studies that scored above 15 according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria were included. Data analysis was performed qualitatively. Results: From the total of 878 articles found in databases, six articles met the inclusion criteria and had moderate quality. Reviewing studies corroborated that, notwithstanding the positive association between general/sexual perfectionism and sexual desire, specific dimensions such as socially prescribed perfectionism, partner-prescribed, and socially prescribed sexual perfectionism, have the utmost unfavorable effect on female sexual function, which means that a higher level of perfectionism ultimately decreases the rate of sexual function in women. In addition, studies suggested that by increasing sexual anxiety and distress levels, perfectionism deteriorates sexual function. Conclusion: Perfectionism may cause a variety of problems regarding sexual function. However, to clarify the precise role of each dimension of perfectionism on different areas of sexual function, more research must be conducted in this area in various communities and on age groups other than females of reproductive ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s knowledge about COVID-19 and their anxiety and fear of the unknown. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020 on Iranian pregnant women visiting comprehensive healthcare centers affiliated with the Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling strategy among pregnant women who agreed to participate, had a Telegram or WhatsApp account or phone number, and had no history of pregnancy complications. A demographic questionnaire, Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory, fearing the unknown questionnaire, and an uncertainty scale was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models using SPSS software, version 16. Results: A total of 190 pregnant women were included in the analysis. The Mean±SD for knowledge of COVID-19 was 8.82±1.72. The knowledge of 71.1% of participants was moderate. The Mean±SD for fearing the unknown was 36.2±9.1. The Mean±SD for the state anxiety about COVID-19 incidence in pregnant women was 47.6±10.2. The results showed that 65.3% of the participants had a moderate level of anxiety. Multiple regression analysis showed an increase of 0.16 (P=0.029) in the fearing the unknown score for each week of increase in the gestational age. Similarly, the anxiety increased by 0.56 (P<0.001) for each unit of increase in fearing the unknown. Moreover, the results showed that the anxiety of people using Telegram or WhatsApp was 3.44 units more than others (P<0.018) Conclusion: The findings showed that the pregnant women’s knowledge was moderate at the time of research. However, with increasing gestational age, fear of the unknown, and sources of knowledge were associated with anxiety. This points to the essentiality of increasing supportive programs and it is required to screen pregnant women to prevent the adverse effects of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the time needed to develop a vaccine or definitive treatment for the disease have caused great anxiety in communities, especially in pregnant women whose high levels of distress may have short and/or long-term maternal and fetal consequence. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between anxiety induced by COVID-19 and perceived social support in Iranian pregnant women.Methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted on 801 pregnant women from all over Iran in 2020. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the coronavirus disease anxiety scale. A standard multiple linear regression model was used to identify the association between perceived social support and anxiety, controlling for possible confounding variables. Partial r was used as an estimate of effect size.Results: The mean anxiety score was 10.7 ± 8.0, in which its level was moderate in 122 (15.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 12.8-17.9%)) of the participants, and severe in 28 (3.4%; 95% CI: 2.3-5.0%) of them. The mean score of perceived social support was 48.2 ± 7.6. 6.9% (95% CI: 5.2-8.8%) and 93.1% (95% CI: 91.2-94.8%) of the participants reported mild and moderate levels of perceived social support, respectively. The results of the multiple linear model showed a significant negative correlation between perceived social support and anxiety levels in a way that for every 10 units increase in the perceived social support score, the anxiety level of pregnant women was decreased by 0.8 units (B= -0.08, t= -2.08, p = 0.037), which was a small effect size (partial r = -0.07).Conclusion: There was a small significant relationship between the perceived social support and COVID-19 anxiety. Further studies are required to identify associated factors of anxiety level during COVID-19 in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only has put populations at risk for mental and sexual health risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on published articles reporting female sexual function before and during COVID-19 pandemic in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran and SID databases till August 2021. From the initial 3198 articles, 8 articles were included in the review. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in total FSFI score and its domains during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. Further studies should separately evaluate the effect of lockdown on female sexual function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 204 postmenopausal women aged 45–55 years who referred to Yazd health centers to determine the predictors in initiating and sustaining nutritional behaviors to deal with menopausal symptoms based on the multi-theory model (MTM). The participants were required to complete the demographic information questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire over the effective nutritional behaviors in menopause based on the MTM. The data were summarized and analyzed using SPSS 18 and AMOS23 by running descriptive indicators and path analysis. Behavioral confidence (β = 0.61, P < 0.001) had a higher predictive power in initiating a nutritional behavior compared to the changes in the physical environment (β = 0.13, P < 0.05) and participatory dialogue (β = 0. 10, p < 0.05). Among the behavior-related constructs, only emotional transformation (β = 0.78, P < 0.001) could predict the behavioral sustaining. A positive and significant association was observed between nutritional behavior sustaining and quality of life (β = −0.41, P < 0.001). The MTM is an appropriate model for predicting the initiation and sustaining of the nutritional behaviors in dealing with menopause. The behavioral confidence, changes in physical environment, and participatory dialogue constructs played a significant role in predicting the initiation of behavior. The emotional transformation construct was also an important predictor in maintaining nutritional behaviors to deal with menopausal symptoms. So, future researchers are recommended to conduct MTM-based investigations according to the predictive constructs among menopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to identify the predictive factors related to the initiation and sustaining of regular physical activity behaviors and their influence in adapting to menopausal symptoms. The study uses the multi-theory model (MTM) as the conceptual framework. The descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted on 200 post-menopausal women aged 45-55 years. All participants were referred to health centers, where they completed a three-part questionnaire involving: demographic information, a questionnaire on the influence of regular physical activity on the onset and sustaining of menopause using the MTM, and a standard questionnaire of menopausal quality of life. Data were collected, managed, and analyzed using SPSS 20 and AMOS 23 software. This study reveals that behavioral confidence and changes in the physical environment with coefficients of 0.55 and 0.14 respectively had a direct and significant impact on the initiation of regular physical activity-related behaviors during menopause. The construct of participatory dialogue had no significant impact on the initiation of regular physical activity-related behaviors and menopause. Regarding the sustainability of regular physical activity, the emotional transformation construct with a coefficient of 0.73 and change in social environment construct with a coefficient of 0.11 directly and significantly impact keeping regular physical activity behaviors due to menopause. Therefore, interventions based on the MTM can prove very useful for this specific population. In addition, the use of constructs validated by this study will especially be useful in producing evidence-based intervention for the target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]