Shoboo Rahmati, Zahra Abdolahinia, Sakineh Narouee, Naser Nasiri, Reza Goujani, Ali Akbar Haghdoost,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Given the significant migration of educated individuals, particularly epidemiologists, throughout the country, it is crucial to investigate the underlying causes. This article presents the findings of an extensive study that sought to explore this issue by gathering insights from experts in the field.
Methods: The study was conducted using qualitative methods, employing content analysis. Data were collected between summer and autumn 2023 through semi-structured interviews with 32 epidemiologists in the country. Analysis followed the steps outlined by Lundman and Graneheim, with coding facilitated by MAXQDA software.
Results: The main challenges of epidemiology in Iran were divided into six main categories. In the field of graduate students, problems in recruitment and employment due to the lack of suitable careers, infrastructure and structural problems of the system, research problems and insufficient knowledge about the performance of this field are the most important challenges, and in the field of students, education problems, structural and infrastructure problems were reported. Also, the main reasons for the migration of epidemiologists were the lack of meritocracy and specialization, inappropriate privileges (including the application of unconventional recruitment quotas), lack of a job market and opportunities for graduates, and inadequate compensation and benefits.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that the migration of epidemiologists as a valuable human resource abroad is a serious concern and problem. The lack of a suitable job position and ambiguity in the path to career advancement due to non-adherence to the meritocracy and skill-building system have increased the motivation to migrate in this group.
Fariba Zomorrodi Zare, Fatemeh Khosravi Shadmani, Roya Safari Faramani, Fatemeh Torkamanasadi, Yazdan Rezaei, Farid Najafi,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination was crucial in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and saving numerous lives. Countries implementing COVID-19 vaccination programs have reported significant reductions in cases, ICU admissions, and COVID-19-related deaths. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines used in Hamadan province, explicitly focusing on their impact on hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19.
Methods: A test-negative case-control design (TND) was conducted involving patients aged 12 and above who were admitted to hospitals in Hamadan province, Iran, and had symptoms of acute respiratory diseases. Data were extracted from hospital and health system databases. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate vaccine effectiveness for the first, second, and reminder doses in prevention of hospitalization, and severe outcomes (ICU admission or death).
Results: The study was conducted on 3,702 patients, and the maximum effectiveness of vaccines against hospitalization was 50% for patients who received a booster dose. The effectiveness of the first dose of vaccine on severe outcomes (admission to ICU or death) was estimated as 42%, but the effectiveness of the vaccines in the second and booster doses were not significant.
Conclusion: Despite the predominant use of inactivated virus vaccines and delayed initiation of vaccination in Iran, this study shows the effect of vaccination on reducing hospitalization and improving the outcomes of COVID-19. The use of more effective vaccines at a more appropriate time plays an important role in reducing the burden on health services and preventing further transmission in future epidemics.
Ali Esmaeilpour, Parya Jangipour Afshar, Nouzar Nakhaee, Mehrdad Farrokhnia, Aliakbar Haghdoost,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the COVID-19 severity and lifestyle among hospitalized patients at Afzali Pour Hospital, Kerman, Iran.
Methods: A total of 289 patients with severe COVID-19 infection (with ICU admission or death) and 293 patients with non-severe type (discharged with no need for hospitalization in ICU) were selected in 2020-2021, and their lifestyle was compared in the last year before the hospitalization.
Results: The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for severe disease was 1.83 (95% CI: 1.24-2.69) in males compared to females, and 4.35 (95% CI:2.20- 8.59) for people older than 60 years compared to age less than 60. The linear effect of average hours of sleeping during a day was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.08-1.36). The ORs of people who had considerable physical activity at work and people with little activity compared to people who mostly sit in a fixed place were 0.35 (95% CI:0.19-0.65) and 0.44 (95% CI:0.23-0.83), respectively. The use of opioids, traditional remedies, and supplements such as vitamin C raised the risk of severe disease, but the use of vitamin D supplements reduced the risk of severe disease, although this was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: It seems that some aspects of lifestyle, such as lack of physical activity, excessive sleep, and consumption of certain substances, such as opioids, might increase the risk of contracting severe and deadly forms of COVID-19.
Maryam Zamanian, Rahmatollah Moradzadeh,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Indirect methods for estimating hidden populations are essential. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe consumption in the Arak metropolis, Iran, directly and indirectly through network scale-up.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,604 participants. Daily and weekly cigarette and waterpipe consumption data were collected to measure the prevalence directly. The indirect network scale-up method was used to estimate the size of cigarette and hookah smokers. A confidence interval of 95% was considered.
Results: About 49.9% of the participants were men. The average age of men was 39.8 and women 38.7 years. In the direct method, the prevalence of smoking at least one cigarette per day during the last year in women and men was 1.8% (1.0-3.0) and 38.3% (34.9-41.9), respectively. The prevalence of using waterpipe at least once a day during the last year was as much as 0.9% (0.03-1.8) and 4.1% (2.8-5.7) for women and men. In the indirect method of network scale-up during the last year, the prevalence of continuous smoking was 4.8% (4.3-5.0) in women and 19.7% (19.6-19.9) in men. The prevalence of waterpipe in women was calculated at 7.8% (7.8-8.0) and 9.8% (9.7-9.9) in men.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the prevalence of waterpipe and cigarette smoking was high in the Arak, especially among young people. It is suggested to the health system policymakers to pay attention to measures related to reducing the prevalence of these two risk factors, especially among young people, in their health plans.
Aliasghar Fakhri-Demeshghieh, Hamideh Hasannejad, Alireza Bahonar,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Antibiotic residues in food, including eggs, are potentially risky to public health. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the relative frequency of antibiotic residues in eggs sold in Iran.
Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, MagIran, Scientific Information Database, and IranDoc were searched. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were articles written in English or Persian investigating the relative frequency of antibiotic residues in eggs in Iran, and the exclusion criteria were articles without an available full text. Frequency data, publication year, diagnostic test type, and sampling location were extracted from relevant articles.
Results: Among the 217 identified results, 11 articles were included in the systematic review. ELISA (six articles) was the most frequently used diagnostic test. East Azerbaijan province accounted for the most significant number of studies (four articles) based on the geographical distribution of sampling locations. Seven classes of antibiotics and 12 types of antibiotics were estimated in terms of antibiotic residues, with tetracyclines (5 articles, 6 assessments) having the highest number of assessments. In addition, the highest reported relative frequencies were related to tetracycline residues (100%) in Isfahan and chloramphenicol (75%) in Tabriz.
Conclusion: Tetracycline and chloramphenicol residues had the most significant relative frequency in eggs across Iran.
Mahnaz Shoghi, Khadijeh Yahyavi, Raheleh Mohammadi,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The use of modern and technology-based educational methods can play a significant role in enhancing nurses' capabilities in stress management and improving their responses to stressful situations. Therefore, this study aims to determine the impact of stress management on the stress responses of nurses working in pediatric departments of educational hospitals affiliated Iran University of Medical Sciences through a multimedia software intervention.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a random sampling method was employed to select 102 nurses (51 individuals in the intervention group and 51 in the control group) working in general hospital departments. The inclusion criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of stress management training on the stress responses of nurses included having at least a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 6 months of work experience in pediatric wards, no reported psychological disorders, and no use of psychiatric medications based on self-reports. Additionally, participants were required to have access to a computer capable of running DVDs and familiarity with its operation, with no prior experience or readiness to participate in a stress management workshop within the last 6 months. Conversely, the exclusion criteria were participant dissatisfaction, change of department, and hospital relocation. This assessment is shared in improving the skills and response to the stress of nurses in pediatric department of medical centers. To measure the stress responses, the Inventory Response Stress questionnaire was utilized, which was completed by both groups prior to the intervention. Subsequently, the educational content regarding stress management was provided to the intervention group for duration of 8 weeks. At the end of the eighth week, both groups completed the stress response questionnaire again. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software, with statistical tests including Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Results: No significant difference was observed in the mean of stress response in the intervention (29.69 ± 23.66) and control (33.20 ± 27.95) groups before the intervention (p = 0.661). The average stress response score in the intervention group (19.65 ± 16.74) was significantly lower than the control group (32.67 ± 28.17) after the intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: These data demonstrated the positive effect of the stress management program on nurses' stress response who participated in this study.
Tahereh Tiemori, Marjan Ajami, Sareh Shakerian, Morteza Abdollahi,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evidence shows that blood lipid disorders in people are influenced by their unhealthy diet. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the dietary pattern of people with lipid disorders and the status of non-communicable diseases in the studied population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 patients with lipid disorders. The participants were selected among people with lipids who referred to comprehensive health service centers in Alvand city by multistage sampling method. The data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The findings were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: Three dietary patterns including healthy, unhealthy and average were identified in the research participants. Most people (66.3%) followed a moderate dietary pattern. Also, 85% of people were overweight or obese. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that an unhealthy eating pattern increases the likelihood of developing diseases by 2.267 times compared to a healthy eating pattern. It also showed that with increasing age, the probability of contracting the disease increases by 1.093. Also, there was a significant relationship between food pattern and education level (P<0.05). In this study, there was no significant relationship between age, marital status of people and their food pattern (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results showed that people who follow an unhealthy food pattern have more non-communicable diseases. Therefore, it seems that modifying the food pattern through nutrition education is appropriate and can be effective in preventing other non-communicable diseases in the future.
Parvaneh Isfahani, Mohammad Sarani, Somayeh Samani, Aliyeh Bazi, Seyedeh Masoumeh Hosseini Zare, Ahmad Siar Sadr, Maryam Sadat Hosseini, Seyedeh Mahboobeh Hosseini Zare,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders among students associated with a major decline in academic and social performance. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of depression in Iran's nursing students.
Methods: the research was conducted as a systematic review and meta analysis, all published scientific articles related to the prevalence of depression in nursing students were searched in 5 databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, SID, Magiran) and Google Scholar search engine and then their quality was evaluated. The heterogeneity of the studies was investigated using the I2 index and meta-regression model to evaluate heterogeneity-prone variables at a significance level of 0.05. Ultimately, 9 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this study and were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software.
Results: Based on the random model, the prevalence of depression in Iranian nursing students was equal to 3.2% (2.1 – 4.5; 95% confidence level). Results showed that the highest prevalence of depression in nursing students was 6.2% (5.3-7.1; 95% confidence limit) in Sistan and Balochestan province in 2004, while the lowest prevalence was 0.8% (0.5-1.2; confidence limit 95%) in Esfahan and Qom provinces in 2016. Also, there was a significant relationship between the calendar year, sample size, average age, and prevalence of depression in Iranian nursing students (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of depression in nursing students was 3.2%, which decreased with the increase of the calendar year and average age. Nevertheless, policymakers and managers must take measures to reduce depression.
Ashraf Saber, Maryam Omidi, Fereshteh Eidy, Mahdis Mehrabi Bardar, Rahman Panahi, Zahra Moghadasi, Shiva Pouraliroudbaneh, Ahmadreza Shamsabadi,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Violence against pregnant women is a clear violation of women's rights associated with many consequences and complications both for the mother and fetus. In this study, we aimed to determine factors affecting the severity of domestic violence against pregnant women.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out between July 2020 and September 2021. The participants were 234 women with low-risk pregnancies (28-40 weeks) who were transferred to the maternity ward of Bentolhoda Hospital in Bojnurd City. Mothers were selected by the convenience sampling method. A two-part questionnaire was used in this study, which included demographic and midwifery information questionnaires and a domestic violence questionnaire created by Tabrizi in 2013. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using logistic regression.
Results: The prevalence rate of violence against pregnant women (experiencing at least one type of domestic violence from the husband) was 64.6%. Among those who had experienced violence, 36.1% of the participants experienced low to very mild violence during pregnancy and 63.9% experienced moderate violence. However, severe violence was not experienced by any of the research units. Also, there was a significant relationship between babies' gender and the severity of violence (P=0.03). Pregnant women with male fetus (OR = 3.14, CI95%:1.093–9.069) were 3.14 times more exposed to violence with moderate severity.
Conclusion: In this study, most women suffered domestic violence with moderate severity. Among pregnant women with male fetuses, the severity of violence was even higher. Thus, it is necessary to pay a proper attention to the design and implementation of educational and support programs for these women to prevent domestic violence and reduce its adverse impacts.
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Volume 1111, Issue 0 (9-2021)
Abstract
