مجله زنان مامائی و نازائی ایران
سال هجدهم شماره 169 (هفته سوم آبان 1394)

esteem and other psychological problems by itching and even ulcers in the affected areas for pregnant women. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of sesame and sweet almond oil on the prevention of striae and itching caused by it in primiparous women.

This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was done on 150 primiparous women at 5 health centers affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014. The randomization of two intervention and one control groups was performed by block randomization method. Intervention and control groups received 1cc sesame، 1 cc Sweet almond oil، and 1cc Placebo، respectively، 2 times daily for 20 weeks. The severity of striae was evaluated based on used method by Davey and the severity of itching based on used method by Kamini. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 13)، and independent t-test، chi-square test and، Kruskal–Wallis، and two states logistic analysis.

Striae at 35-38 weeks of pregnancy were observed in 59. 2%، 16. 7%، and 82% of participants in sweet almond oil، sesame oil، and control groups، respectively. Abdominal itching was reported in 65. 3%، 10. 5%، and 78% of participants in sweet almond oil، sesame oil and control groups، respectively. Nobody of sesame oil consumers reported severe abdominal itching، while 17 cases (34. 7%) of sweet almond oil consumers reported severe abdominal itching (P<0. 001). Kruskal-wallis test showed significant difference between three groups in terms of striae and itching (P<0. 001).

The results of this study showed that both sweet almond oil and sesame oil are effective on reducing the incidence and severity of striae and itching caused by it in primiparous women.

Today, cesarean section has been regarded as one of the most common gynecological surgeries. Post-cesarean anxiety is associated with reduced resistance against infections, increased use of analgesics, and delayed wound healing. So, management of post-cesarean anxiety is very important for maternal health and newborn care and breastfeeding. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of Citrus aurantium aroma on post-cesareananxiety. This two-group randomized clinical trial study was performed on 80 pregnant women referred to Kermanshah Motazedi Hospital for cesarean in 2014. In intervention group, aromatherapy with 3 drops of citrus aurantium essence was performed immediately after pain onset and 12 hours later, and in control group, aromatherapy using normal saline was performed in the same way. Level of anxiety was evaluated using STAI[1] scale before and half hour after the both interventions. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (Version 18), and Fisher-test, chi-square, independent t-test, Repeated Measurement-test, and paired t-test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean of anxiety before the intervention was 62.2± 5.617 in intervention group and 62.48±5.67 in control group that was not statistically significant. After the intervention, mean of anxiety immediately after the onset of pain (first stage of intervention) in intervention group was 44.25± 7.8 and 12 hours later (second stage of intervention) 29.15± 5.54 that compared with control group in the first stage of intervention was 60.23± 5.37 and the second stage of intervention 49.02± 4.64, was significantly reduced (P<0.001). According to effectiveness of Citrus aurantium aroma in reducing anxiety in women after cesarean, it can be optimized as a method used in post-caesarean section. In addition to cost-effectiveness and easy access, the mother's complications caused by anxiety can be reduced.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common gynecologic complications leading absence of work and decline in educational performance. Since the first step for prevention and management of PMS is awareness of its incidence and severity, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the incidence and severity of premenstrual syndrome and its related factors. This cross-sectional study was performed on 270 female students educating in Gonabad in 2013. They had regular menstrual cycle and no history of physical or mental disorders. Participants after completing the social and demographic questionnaires, they filled out Daily Record of Severity of Problems chart (DRSP) for two successive menstrual cycles. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), and Chi-square and student-t test. Frequency of premenstrual syndrome was 78.1%. The severity of this syndrome was severe in 13 students (4.7%), moderate in 34 (12.8%), and mild in 196 (72.5%). PMS was significantly higher with increasing age and dissatisfaction regarding family income (P=0.012, P=0.037, respectively). There is no significantly relation between PMS and weight, BMI, menarche age, ethnicity, education level, father and mother's education, economic situation, home status and weekly exercise (P>0.05). The incidence of PMS is high and in most cases mild among Gonabad's students. Considering the incidence of this syndrome, designing health programs for managing PMS is recommended.