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Introduction:  Oxydative  stress may  cause  preterm  labor.  Antioxidants  found  in  fruit  and  vegetable  prevent  the  oxidative  stress  reaction.  In  this  study  we  intend  to  answer  the  question: Is  any  correlation  between  preterm  delivery  and  use  of  fruit  and  vegetable  before  and  during  pregnancy?
Materials  and  Methods:  It  is  a  case  control  study  in  which  43  women  with  preterm  delivery  and  86  women  with  term  delivery  who  delivered  in  Arak  maternity  hospital  were  selected  randomly. (sample  size  was  calculated  with  α=5%, β=20%). The  two  groups  were  matched  for  socioeconomic  status, maternal  age , gravid  and  vitamin  supplement  consumption.  Data  was  collected  with  a  questionnaire  that  includes  demographic information, and  use  of  fruit  and  vegetable (proportion  in  week )  during  the  three  month before  and  second  trimester  in  pregnancy.  SPSS software  and  K-S, t (pooled), Mann-Whitney, Chi  square  and  logistic  regression  were  used  to  analyze  the  data.
Results: This  study  showed  that  the  mean  use  of  fruit  and  vegetable  consumption  calculated  during  the  three  month  time  before  pregnancy  was  20.64±2.48  in control  group  and  32.23±1.52  in  case  group  and  the  relationship  was  significant  (p<0.00001)  and  the mean.
Use  during  the  second  trimester  was  21.84±4.75  and  34.84±5.58  in  case  and  control  groups  respectively  that  was  significant  (p<0.00001). Accuracy, sensitivity  and  specificity  of  regression  model  were  90%, 87% and  91/9%  respectively.
Conclusion: This  study  showed  that  fruit  and  vegetable  consumption  is  related  to  the  decreased  incidence  of  preterm  labor. Based on  our  model, preterm  labor  can  be  prevented  and  predicted  with  enough  consumption  of  fruit  and  vegetables.
 

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Introduction: Sex  ratio  is  referred  to  male, female  ration which  is  usually  1.06. This  ratio  is  decreased  during  the  last  few  years. One of  its  reasons  seems  to  be  poisons  and  environmental  pollutions  such  as  cigarette  smoke.  In  this  investigation  we  studied  the relationship  between  fathers  cigarette  smoking  and  sex  ratio  in  children.
Materials  and  Methods: This  is  a  historical  cohort  study.  Study  population  were  neonates  born  in  Arak  hospitals  during  summer  and  autumn  1383.  Sample  size  was  determined  710  neonates, based  on α=5%, β=10%. Sampling  method  was  census  in  which  all  newborns  with  inclusion  criteria  were  selected  and  questionnaires  were  filled. Samples  were  divided  into  three  groups. 1-newborns  with  nonsmoker  fathers  2- newborns  with  smoker  fathers (less  than  20 cigarette  a day) 3- newborns  with  smoker  fathers  (20  or  more cigarettes  a  day) (fathers  cigarette  smoking  at  least  3  months  before  conception  in  second  and third  group). Newborns  sex  ratio  was  determined  in  each  group  and  caparisoned. Data  analysis  was  done  by  frequency, ratio, mean  and  standard  deviation  indexes  and  k-s, leven, t, mann-whitney, chi  square  tests  and  relative  risk, using  SPSS  software. At  all  stages  study  Helsinki  declaration  was  regarded.
Results:  Overall  sex  ratio  was  1.04. This  ratio  was  1.272  for neonates  with  nonsmoker  fathers  and  0.77  for  neonates  with  smoker  fathers. Also  sex  ratio  in  newborns  with  smoker  fathers  using  less  than  20  cigarettes a  day  was  0.846  and  for  those  with  fathers  using 20  or  more  was  0.60. Based on  chi  square  there  was  a  meaningful  relationship  between  the  three  groups (p<0.00001). Relative  risk  in  low  cigarette  group  was  1.23  and  in  high  cigarette  group  1.42.
Conclusion: Based  on  findings  it  seems  that  fathers  cigarette  smoking  near  conception  results  in  decreasing  sex  ratio  and  the  increased  use  of  cigarettes  the  decreased  born of  male  neonates. 
 

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Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most prevalent complaints of women which is due to Prostaglandin release and is treated by chemical drugs. Today regarding side effects of these drugs, scientists are increasingly moving toward using herbal drugs. This study is planned to comparison the effects of Thymus Vulgaris and Mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea.
Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial study. Target population was women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea and study population was women reffering to marriage consulting center. Based on α=0/5, β=0/20, sample size was calculated 214 which were divided into two groups randomly. Samples were asked to determine their pain severity before using the drug, by a visual scale (0-10cm). In the study group each sample cosumed 15 grams Thyme leaf brewed in a glass of water and in control group samples used 250mg Mefenamic acid capsules. Then pain severity was determined again 1, 2 and 3 hours after using drugs. Data was analysed by mean and standard deviation indexes and K-S, man-whitney and chi-square tests. Helsinki declaration was regarded at all stages of the research.
Results: Pain severity mean, before using the two drugs had no significant difference between groups. In each group, pain severity was significantly decreased before and after using the drug (p=0.05). But the rate of decreasing pain between the two groups showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: Regarding results, it seems both Mefenamic acid and Thymus Vulgaris decrease pain at the same level which seems to be due to Thyme,s antiprostaglandin and antispasmodic effects.

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Introduction: Preeclampsia is one of the three major causes of death in pregnant women. Researcher believed that consuming proper nutrients can be a solution. In the last few years, the effect of type of fruits and vegetables on prevention of preeclampsia has been investigated, but there are still questions about the proper amount (unit) of fruits and vegetables. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on pregnant women referring to Thaleghani hospital in Arak. 35 pregnant women with preeclampsia were selected as case, and 70 healthy pregnant women as control group. The two groups were matched. Data were collected with a questionnaire consisting of two parts, first demographic information and second information about the amount of consumed fruits and vegetables. Each woman was questioned about food consumption 3 month before and during second trimester of her pregnancy. Portion of fruits and vegetables was calculated per week and then compared between the two groups. K-S, Leven, Mann-Whitney, and Chi2 tests were used for analyzing data. Results: In preeclampsia group, 3 month before pregnancy mean consumption of fruits and vegetables was 7.69±16 per week, and in healthy group was 12.43±1.87. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0/029). In the second trimester of pregnancy the mean was 11.03±1.6 and 13.95±0.98 in case and control group, respectively. Differences were significant (p=0.03). Incidence of preeclampsia was increased in group with less than 25% consumption of fruits and vegetables before pregnancy (less than 5unit per week) (P=0.05, OR:2.32, 95%CI:1/7, 7/24). This difference was also significant in the second trimester (P<0/03, OR:2.57, 95% CI:1/4, 54/29). Also in women who consume less than 8 units per week, the incidence of preeclampsia was increased. Conclusion: It was concluded that it seems there is relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables with decreasing occurrence of preeclampsia. So researchers suggest that high risk groups of women be identified and educated to consume fruits and vegetables.

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Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women of reproductive age and despite the current treatments, it still remains a common problem in women’s health. This study was done to determine the effect of aromatherapy on pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done on 108 students with primary dysmenorrhea with pain score of 2 and 3 based on the multidimensional spoken criteria. After random allocation, the participants received massage with almond oil, massage alone, and massage with a mixture of lavender and peppermint essential oil a week before menstrual period until the presence of pain in two continuous cycles. During cycles zero, one, and two, the participants recorded the highest level of pain during the first, second, and third days according to the visual analogue scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There was a significant difference in the total of the most pain in days 1, 2, and 3 among the groups(p=0.038). A reduction was observed in massage and aromatherapy groups(p=0.014). There were significant differences in within group comparisons (p=0.002) for zero and first cycles(p=0.016) and first and second cycles(p=0.002). Conclusion: Aromatherapy reduces menstrual pain and considering the prevalence of dysmenorrheal, the low price, and harmless nature of this essence, its application in relieving menstrual cramping and pain is recommended.

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Background: Postpartum women are a population at risk for sedentary life. Previous studies have shown that self-efficacy is an important determinant of stage of change and exercise adherence. This study evaluates the relationship between self-efficacy and stage of change and physical activity (PA) behavior in Iranian mothers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 postpartum mothers were selected randomly from all health centers in Arak. The instruments used in this study included the 7-day PA recall, stages of exercise adoption tool, and self-efficacy for exercise scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Ninety-one percent of the participants were in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change. Mean score for moderate PA was 38.94±40.5 minutes a week. Significant relationships were found between the stages of PA behavior change and METs of weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.60, P<0.001). Also, statistically significant relationships were found between self-efficacy and the stages of PA behavior change (r=0.50, P<0.001) weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.40, P<0.001), and pre-pregnancy PA behavior (r=0.39, P<0.001). Conclusion: The level of PA of the participants was less than the recommended minimum level for regular PA behavior (150 minutes of moderately intense PA per week). In this population, self-efficacy plays an important role in PA behavior and it should be taken into consideration in designing interventions for improving PA behavior.

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Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints in women's medicine, in the absence of any pelvic pathological failure. Exercise is commonly reported as a factor to decrease dysmenorrhea symptoms. One of the new therapeutic methods is “Kinesio Taping” which claimed to be able to reduce pain, swelling and muscle spasms. Thus, this study tries to determine and compare the effectiveness of using two therapeutic methods of stretching exercises and taping in painful menstruation of high school students.

Materials and Methods: This study is an operational, quasi-experimental and two- stage study with a control group and pre-test and post-test design. Thirty female high school students with the average age of 16.8±0.99 were selected as available, and were divided into three groups, randomly. For the first group, stretching exercises were carried out and the second group was taped with Kinesio Tape and control group did not any exercise. Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to collect information. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and schober test were used for measuring the level of pain and range of motion, respectively. Data analysis was performed by a repeated measures ANOVA at the significant level of p>0.05.

Results: There was a significant improvement in back and abdomen pain and back range of motion.On the other hand, comparing data after intervention showed a significant difference in pain intensity between two groups. But, no significant difference was notified in increased back range of motion in group with kinesion tape.

Conclusion: Kinesio Taping has better effects than stretching exercises in reducing tesucing pain. Too, Stretching exercise has better effects in increasing back rang of motion.

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Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after delivery plays a crucial role in preventing infants morbidity and mortality. Exclusive breastfeeding intention during pregnancy is one of predictors of this behavior. Determining the effective factors in exclusive breastfeeding intention helps plan for promoting breastfeeding intention and behavior. The aim of this study is to determine predictive factors of exclusive breastfeeding intention in pregnant women, based on the theory of planned behavior.

Materials and Methods: This analytical study was conducted in 2014 on 224 primigravide women referred to Health Centers of Kashan. The samples were randomly selected from 16 health centers. The mothers completed the questionnaires of demography, intention, attitude, subjective norms and the perceived behavior control. A linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of the exclusive breastfeeding intention.

Results: In regression model, the perceived behavior control (&beta=0.42, p<0.001), attitude (&beta=0.27, p<0.01) and subjective norms (&beta=0.18, p=0.059) were predictors of the exclusive breastfeeding intention. This model could explain 63% of the variance of the exclusive breastfeeding intention. The knowledge and demographic factors were not predictors of the intention.

Conclusion: The results reveal the perceived behavior control, attitudes and subjective norms could predict exclusive breastfeeding intention, so they should be considered as general guidelines in designing educational interventions in order to improve exclusive breastfeeding in women.

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Background: One of the common and important public health problems is failure to thrive in during childhood .The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health belief model structures with mothers' performance in preventihg growth retardation in children aged 1-5 years in Shazand city in 2014.

Materials and Methods: In this analytical and cross-sectional study, 202 mothers with children aged one to five years in the Shazand city were selected by random sampling. The data were collected by using a researcher-developed valid and reliable questionnaire by self-report method. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics of the mothers, the maternal practice cheklist and health belief model dimensions. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS20 T-test, Chi-square, correlation, ANONV and regression.

Results: The mean age of subjects was 28.76±5.28 years and a mean age of children was 26.49±14.74 months. Most common level of education for mothers was diploma (76.7%). The mean score of mothers' behavior was 70.65. Among the structures, self- efficacy had the largest score(69.8) and external practice guide had the lowest (38.91). In regression analysis, for predicting behavior by health belief model stuctures, self efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers were main predictors of behavior that predicted 10% of behavior changes(R²=0.101).

Conclusion: The results of this study reveale that the design of educational interventions should be based on self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived barriers as the most important predictors of maternal behavior.

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Background: Improvement of nutrition like fish and sea products is influential in preventing from non-contagious diseases. The transtheoretical model is one of the models for effective investigation on nutrition behaviors.  This study was done with the aim of investigating fish consumption among women 30 to 50 years old based on the transtheoretical model.

Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical and cross sectional analysis which was conducted in 2014 on 360 women 30 to 50 years in Arak city. The data have been collected by using researcher-made questionnaires which its validity and reliability was assessed in accordance to the transtheoretical model were obtained by visiting houses. Then the collected data were analyzed by pearson correlation test.

Results: The average age of the respondents was 39.34±7.5. The average of fish consumption was 0.62 ±0.83 times a week. 64 % of people in consumption of at least two servings of fish a week were in the two first stages of change (pre-contemplation and contemplation).The average score of self-efficacy in fish consumption was a total of 10.58 ±3.12 out of 15 and the average score of cons of fish was 26.35 ±4.78 and the average score of pros of fish was 21.6 ±2.67 out of 25. Pearson correlation indicates that the amount of fish consumption with constructs of the self-efficacy, stages of change and pros of fish had respectively the most positive correlation (p≤0.05). Fish consumption had no significant difference with age, education, Body Mass Index, occupation, monthly income and marital status.

Conclusion: Fish consumption despite its high level of perceived benefits is really low and to eliminate these barriers, education and cultural-building especially in women who are influential people in family nutrition is necessary.

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Background and Aim: A lack of healthy nutrition first causes prediabetes and then overt diabetes, and every year about 5% to 10% of people with glucose intolerance develop type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the consumption of healthy foods (CHF) based on the food pyramid among prediabetic women based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 99 prediabetic women selected from comprehensive healthcare centers in Arak, Iran. A demographic questionnaire, a TPB-based questionnaire, and a food consumption Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed through Spearman’s correlation and linear regression analyses.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1398.07).
Results: The Mean±SD score of diet behavior was 1.34±0.28 (in the possible range of 0-2). Around 41% of participants consumed sugary foods such as sweets and chocolate at least once a week and 35% at least once a month. Regression analysis shows that by increasing a standard deviation in the behavioral intention score, the behavior score of a healthy diet will increase by 0.22 standard deviation (P<0.05).
Conclusion: To achieve a healthy lifestyle in the individual at risk for a diabetics education program to increase perceived behavior and motivation for decision making for adherence to healthy food can be attention for policymakers in a health system.