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Background & Objective: Depression is a debilitating disorder with high prevalence especially in child-bearing women. This study was done to determine relationship between postpartum depression and its various risk factors.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study on 600 women referring to health centers in Tabriz. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including 5 parts: demographic characteristics, mother-newborn characteristics, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, Holms stress scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. These data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS 14/win software.
Results: In this study 34.7% of mothers were depressed (scores>12). Significant risk factors for postpartum depression were: Marital dissatisfaction, relationship with mother, mother-in law and husband's family, job dissatisfaction, house condition, having an unpleasant
pregnancy experience, unplanned pregnancy, baby care stressors, infant feeding method, nursing problems, mother's self-esteem and stress level.
Conclusion: Concerning high prevalence of postpartum depression in this study and other similar studies and effects of some factors in this disorder, it seems to be necessary to improve the knowledge of mothers and health care staff about this risk factors for reducing effects of this disorder on physical and psychological health of newborns, mothers and
community.

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  Background & Objectives: Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods of lifetime and married life and sexuality may bring about numerous physical and psychological changes. Lack of attention to sexual matters during pregnancy may cause sexual dysfunction in each of couples. The aim of this study was identifying male sexual behavior and its relevant factors during the partner’s pregnancy.

 Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study in which 350 men, whose wives were pregnant, were selected in two stratified stages. The instrument for data collection was Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale- male questionnaire. All data were analyzed by SPSS11.5. Descriptive information was used for describing the frequencies and also the x2 test was used for determining relation ship among variables.

 Results: The findings revealed that 21.3% of men in the first trimester, 19.3 in the second and 28.3 in the third trimester had sexual dysfunction. In each trimester, inability to reach orgasm was the most common sexual dysfunction in men. Frequency of vaginal coitus decreased in 64.9% of men and in 46.6 % of them fear from risk for fetus health during vaginal coitus was the essential reason for this reduction. There were significant differences between sexual dysfunction and fear from risk for fetus health and guilt feeling of sexual activity. Therefore decreased vaginal coitus caused sexual dysfunction.

  Conclusion: As men’s knowledge and attitudes about sexuality affect their sexual behavior during pregnancy it is crucial to provide proper consultation regarding sexual relations in prenatal care services.

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  Background & Objectives: Postpartum depression is one of the most important problems during post partum. Several new medications have been introduced for treatment, but considering their side effects and also breast feeding women's desire for dietary complements rather than chemical drugs, this research was done to determine comparison of effectiveness of Omega-3 fatty acids with placebo in treatment of mild to moderate postpartum depression.

  Methods: This double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial study was done on 120 women with postpartum depression, who had the required criteria. First by using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in women who gave birth 2 weeks to 3 months before, postpartum depression approved for determining the severity of depression, Beck Depression Inventory scale (BDI) was used. Women with mild to moderate depression who had a score 46 on the (BDI) and did not have any tendency to use anti-depressant drugs under the supervision of the psychiatrist, enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive either 1gr of Omega-3 capsules or placebo for 8 weeks. Severity of depression was measured before treatment and weekly during treatment in both groups. The data analyzed through T-Test, repeated measurements of one way ANOVA and chi square test in SPSS 14/Win.

  Results: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to demographic characteristics. Results show that Mean Depression Scores before treatment in Omega-3 group (35.4 ± 9.2) decreased after treatment (17.7 ± 7.0), which was significant (p<0.0005). Mean Depression Scores before treatment in placebo group (34.2 ± 3.4) decreased after treatment (33.6 ± 9.3) which wasn't significant (p=0.57). There was a significant difference between reductions of Depression Scores in two groups(P<0.001).

  Conclusion: According to research results, use of Omega-3 1gr/day for 8 weeks improves postpartum depression.

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Background & objectives: Cataract is the most common cause of blindness in the world and it is estimated that about 100,000 cataract surgeries are performed annually in Iran. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of different morphological types of cataract and some related causes in patients undergoing surgery at Noor Surgery Center in Ardabil.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 780 patients referred to the Noor ophthalmology clinic in Ardabil with cataract diagnosis. The data were collected using a checklist by the researcher. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25 software and descriptive statistical methods.
Results: Of the 1,018 eyes (780 patients), 590 eyes (58%) were related to women and 428 eyes (42%) were related to men and the mean age of all patients was 65.88±11.43. the mean grade of posterior  subcapsular cataract (PSC), nuclear and cortical cataracts were 4.56±0.62, 4.79±0.89 and 4.21±0.48 respectively. There was a significant difference between normal retina diabetics (p=0.034), pseudo exfoliation syndrome (PEX) (p=0.001), hyperopic (p=0.008), corneal opacity (p=0.036) and patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) (p=0.032) and other patients in terms of cataract type (p=0.034). There was no significant relationship between other comorbidities and cataract type.
Conclusion:According to the results of the present study based on the significant relationship of some diseases with different morphological types of cataracts, accurate preoperative
evaluation and planning for associated comorbidities is recommended.

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Background & objectives: Due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and the presence of antibacterial compounds in plants, in this study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Physalis alkekengi on some pathogenic bacteria was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, the dried fruits of the Physalis alkekengi were purchased from a medicinal plant shop and after extraction, the antibacterial effect of the aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts of the plant against standard strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Antibacterial activity, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the extracts were determined using serial dilution and disk diffusion methods.
Results: In the disk diffusion method, all concentrations of the methanolic extract of Physalis alkekengi had an inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. However, the inhibitory effect of the methanolic extract was considerably higher than the aqueous extract. The lowest inhibitory concentration of the methanolic extract was 12.5 mg/ml, and the minimum lethal concentration was 25 mg/ml. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant had the minimal effect on the standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion: Aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts showed different levels of antibacterial properties in a concentration-dependent method. Therefore, the inhibitory effects against each bacterium can probably be attributed to the activity of the active ingredients of the plant, the extraction method, and the properties of the solvent used.

 

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