---

Background & Objective: Neural tube defect is one of the most important malformations of the newborns. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of NTD, anencephaly, spina-bifida cystica, encephalocele and the relation of these abnormalities with sex, ethnicity, mother’s age and consanguineous marriage in north of Iran (Gorgan). Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 26280 birth in Dezyani Hospital in Gorgan during 1998-2001. Results: This study has showed that, the NTD rate was 3.08, 2.78 and 3.38 per 1000 in total, males and females, respectively, female to male ratio was 1.31. The rate of spina-bifida, anecephaly and encephalocele were 1.48, 1.48, 0.11 per 1000, respectively. In regard to different races, the rate was 6.78/1000, 4.76/1000 and 2.41/1000 among Turkmans, Systani and native Fars, respectively (P<0.05). The rate of NTD in the mothers under 20 years was 2.29/1000, in 20-34 years was 3.37/1000 and over 35 years was 2.54/1000. Interstingly, 29.6% of parents with affected newborns had consanguineous marriage. Conclusion: We concluded that there is a higher rate of NTD in this, area, that it might be due to race-ethnicity variations.

---

Background & Objective: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a heterogenous group of malformation which is resulting from failure of normal neural tube closure between the 3rd and 4th week of embryonic development. The most common form of this malformation is anencephaly, spinabifida and ancephalocele. Prevalence of this malformation differs from geographic situation and race distribution. Materials & Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of NTDs in Birjand Hospital between 1996 to 2000. After diagnose of malformation among the 16785 infants born in the 2 hospitals in Birjand, reliable questionnaire was completed for the mothers who had malformed infants. The data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Prevalence of NTDs was 2.97 per 1000 birth, more higher than other countries anencephaly and spina bifida is common form of NTDs in this area. Consanguinity, previous abortion, malformed childbirth, malformed child in the family, diseases during pregnancy and winter delivery were some of the risk factors. Most of the mother (96%) didn’t take the Folic Acid during their pregnancy. Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that the rate of NTD in Birjand is relatively higher comparing to other studies in different countries. Further investigations are recommended to find out the etiology of NTD in this area.

---

Background&Objective: Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder, 2-3 million carriers and 20 thousands with major thalassemia exist in our country. National prevention program of thalassemia started in 1998 and to encourage carriers to dispense marriage with increasing their knowledge was its main strategy. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of thalassemia prevention program on couples knowledge and carriers and marriage avoidance in Gorgan province- Iran Materials&Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected by the questionairs which their validity and reliability were already confirmed. The sample population consist of 282 couples which were going to get married 107 couple with minor thalassemia which cancelled their marriage during 1998-2003 were also included in the sample poulation in this research. The detailed study were carried out on whole subjects. Data were entered into the SPSS and analyzed by chi-square, t-test and ANOVA. Results: In 282 couples, mean age was 20.5 on women and 24.86 in men, 57.8% were urban residents, 39.4% were relatives. Most of men had self-employed job and women were house keeper and half were under high school diploma. Distribution of knowledge level: 2.5% weak, 9.2% moderate, 53.2% good and 29.1% excellent. Relationship between knowledge and educational state, residency and job was meaningful (P<0.05), and there was not any relationship with age, gender and familial relativity. Ten couples were carrier that two of them were avoided from marriage. Also 43% of 107 carrier's couple whome were diagnosed in 1998-2003 avoided to get marriaged, meaningful relationships between subjects residency, education status and relativity (P<0.05). Conclusion: In spite of having a good knowledge, but some of the samples population in this study, did not show a suitable practice and most of high risk couples enter into marriage.

---

Background and Objective: Sexual satisfaction is a significant factor in prevention of sexual disorders among women. There are many factors associated with sexual satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine some factors related to women sexual satisfaction in Gachsaran, in South-West of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive analytic study was done on 1014 women which refered to health centers in Gachsaran city during Jan-Jun 2008. Data was collected by self–reported questionnaires and analyzed by Chi-Squre and Pearson tests. Results: The scale of sexual satisfaction were 0.4%, 10.9%, 47.5% and 41.7% unsatisfied, low, moderate and fully satisfied, respectively. There was a correlation between sexual satisfaction and women age, couple age difference, length of marriage, family economical condition and contraceptive method (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that, woman age , couples age differences, length of marriage, couple economic condition, and contraceptive method were related to sexual satisfaction. These factors should be taken into consideration in all marriages and sexual consultation.

---

Background and Objective: Family violence is known as a painful reality which does impact on all aspects of the victims' lives. The burden of family violence on the health of 15-44 year old women is more than that of breast cancer, womb cancer and the accident. This study was done to determine the effective factors on confronting violence on married women. Methods: This descriptive - analysis study was done on 273 married women whom referred to health centers in Kordkuy city in Golestan province, north of Iran during 2011. The sample size has been made through casual classification out of proportionate sharing. The rate of exposure to physical, psychological and sexual violence was recorded in questionnaire for each subject. Results: The average age and marital age of women and their husbands was 29.4±7.8, 19.6±3.7 and 23.6± 3.9 years, respectively. 86.2% of the women were housewives. The exposure rate of physical, psychological and sexual violence was: 32.8%, 49% and 33.7%, respectively. The important factors related to womens and husbands were education of women and their husbands, women employement, marriage age of women and their husbands (P<0.05). The important factors related to family were number of children and household income (P<0.05) Conclusion: Level of education, employee, marriatal age and family income were the effective factors in confronting violence on married women in northern Iran.

---

Background and Objective: Marriage disturbance and dissatisfaction in marital life have important consequences for the family. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of emotion focused couple therapy (EFCT) on marriage function and psychological well-being of women with marrital conflicts.
Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 53 women with marrital conflicts reffered to Binesh, Rastin and Education Counseling Centers in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2016. The participants were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The Ryff’s psychological well-being scale made and marriage function assessment inventory made were completed before, one week and eight weeks after intervention by the participants. Counselling with EFCT approach was performed for intervention group through 15 group sessions, once a week and lasted for 90-120 minutes. The follow up was done two months later. The marriage function and psychological well-being scores were recorded for each participant at the end of the study and two months after the end of intervention.
Results: At the end of 15 intervention sessions, the mean score of marriage function was significantly higher in intervention group (263.32±22.15) Compared to control group (162.39±31.56) (p<0.05). Also, the mean score of psychological well-being was significantly higher in intervention group (372.48±35.69) compared to control group (237.57±42.38) (p<0.05). Two months after the end of study, the mean score of marriage function of intervention group (268.56±22.95) was significantly more than control group (145.32±11.96) (p<0.05). Also, the mean score of psychological well-being was significantly higher in intervention group (398.64±22.35) in comparsin with controls (201.50±13.32) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Emotion focused couple therapy promotes marriage function and psychological well-being of women with marrital conflicts through the de-escalation of negative cycles of interaction, changing interactional positions and facilitating the emergence of new solutions to old problems.