Background & Objective: According to Iranian national statistics, every year 400 to 500 thousand unwanted pregnancies occur in Iran. The emergency contraceptive methods are easily accessible and affordable for the women of this region. Regarding the important role of health care providers in representing these methods, this study is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of these staff toward required contraceptive methods.

Methods & Materials: In this semi-experimental study, 216 health personnel working in south of Tehran health centers were randomly selected. Two 30- minute educational sessions were presented to the staff. The methods of education included face to face, and group discussion. At the end of each session a pamphlet was given to the staff. Data were gathered using a questionnaire before and 2-6 weeks after the education. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).

Results: The results showed that there were significant statistical differences between the knowledge and attitudes (P<0.001) of personnel about the emergency contraceptive methods before and after education. There was no significant relationship between demographic characteristics and attitudes of personnel. There was a significant relationship between sex (P<0.001), educational level (P<0.003), educational major (P<0.001), with knowledge after intervention.

Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive methods increased significantly after education. This finding reveals the importance of continuous education for health care staff such as midwives and physicians to facilitate successful guidance of their patients towards effective family planning.

Background & Objective: Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease which results from gradual destruction of bone mass. Prevention of osteoporosis should be started from childhood by getting adequate calcium and doing weight-bearing exercises. Participating of mothers in health education interventions is likely to promote longer-lasting health behaviors in their daughters. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of simultaneous education of mothers and daughters on osteoporosis preventive behavior among high school female students.

Methods & Materials: In this interventional study, 400 female students were randomly selected via a two-phased sampling method. At first stage, four schools were selected randomly. At the second stage, 400 students were divided randomly into two groups. Their osteoporosis preventive behaviors were measured using a two-sectioned questionnaire: demographic section, and osteoporosis preventive behaviors assessment section. The first group participated in the educational programs with their mothers and the other group participated without their mothers. The educational program had two sessions, each one lasted 45 minutes. The second stage of the study was performed three months later. Data analysis was carried out using t-test and chi squared test.

Results: Results showed that in both groups, osteoporosis preventive behaviors scores increased significantly after intervention. It was higher in case group (P<0.001). Eating behavior was significantly different in two groups (P=0.003).

Conclusion: Results showed that simultaneous educational program for mothers and daughters promotes eating behavior in the girls.

Background & Aim: Home care visits have unique advantages in many social problems and health complications such as psychologic complications and adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of postpartum care at home on quality of life among low risk mothers.

Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted in Akbarabad health center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. A total of 200 mothers were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups. Mothers in the control group received two post partum visits in health care center and the intervention group received care at home. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the mothers&apos quality of life items along with a growth and development monitoring chart for newborns. For analyzing data, Mann-Withney U, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used.

Results: Most of the mothers aged 20-29 years old. The number of visits were statistically different between the two groups (P=0.00, P=0.01). Dimensions of quality of life in the two groups were not statistically different: (Physical dimension: P=0.052), (Emotional dimension: P=0.775), (Public health dimension: P=0.068), (Social performance dimension: P=0.780) and (Total score: P=0.213).

Conclusion: the results of our study did not show no positive improvements in home postpartum care in comparison with the health care centers care. More studies are recommended.

Background & Aim: Rapid changes experienced after child birth expose mothers to unpleasant experiences such as disturbances in sleep pattern. These experiences threaten health of mothers and infants. Some studies have shown that exercise can be an effective and non-pharmacologic method in improving sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise on sleep quality among postpartum mothers.

Methods & Materials: This was a randomized clinical trial. Eighty primiparous women aged 18-35 years were recruited from health centers in Rafsanjan in 2009. The inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, lack of any acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses, having healthy and term babies, and having vaginal deliveries. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. Women in the intervention group received five 30-minutes sessions of Pilates weekly for eight weeks. The PSQI instrument was used to measure the related variables at baseline, forth and eighth weeks after the deliveries. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: Significant improvement was seen in the intervention group within eight weeks follow-up the interaction within time and group was significant (P=0.02). Comparison of mean sleep quality between the two groups has shown that the intervention was effective (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The Pilates exercise was effective in improving quality of sleep in postpartum period.