Showing 5 results for Healthcare
F Rakhshani, Mt Heidari, S Barati,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3-2009)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Injury by sharp instruments and needles are major occupational health hazard for healthcare workers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and causes of injuries due to needle stick in healthcare workers in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 231 healthcare workers of university hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were selected at random in 2007. Data were collected through questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS 13.
Results: From all cases 77.1% were female 56.4% of them were expert, and 50.7% were nurses. Their mean age were 34±8.1 years. Needle stick prevalence was 64.9% during the whole history of career, and 57.2% of them had experiences of needle stick more than twice. Most cases of injuries were related to using needle 55.4%, and they were mostly prone to injury during injection and phlebotomy, 55.6%. The multivariate regression analysis showed that injury due to sharp instruments in university graduates was 60% less compared to those with high school or less, and the injury risk increases 5% in each year of increase in working experience.
Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of training and preventive measures in healthcare centers particularly among high risk group.
Sedighe Sadat Tabatabaei Far, Taha Kushki, Mohammad Jamshidi, Sajad Delavari,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The health sector will face a shortage of manpower during crises. The sustainability and retention of human resources during these conditions are vital. The purpose of this study was to explain possible policies and strategies to strengthen health workers during the crisis and prevent them from leaving the organizations and hospitals.
Methods: This was a scoping review research to find strategies for retention of human resources during epidemics. English and Persian databases were searched and relevant studies were selected and reviewed. The key pieces of information obtained were then categorized. Finally, suggested efficient policies and strategies were summarized and reported.
Results: A total of 168 different articles were collected. After excluding irrelevant studies, 21 articles were selected and fully reviewed. The results were classified into six main categories of policy-making as well as strategies to implement them.
Conclusion: Considering the epidemic situations, in order to strengthen and support human resources in times of crisis, it is recommended that policymakers and decision-makers of the health sector focus their attention on six major topics including education reform, financial support, psychological support, social and welfare support, professional support, and development of infrastructures in deprived and crisis-stricken areas. The important point about suggested strategies is that they need to be in accordance with the ongoing situation of their target societies, as we know that underdeveloped, developing and developed countries have a different set of circumstances and therefore require different priorities and policies.
Sahar Najafizadeh, Seyed Vahid Ahmadi Tabatabaei, Fatemeh Dehnavieh Tijang, Somayeh Noori Hekmat,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human resources play a crucial role in delivering optimal healthcare services to the population. Expanding primary healthcare coverage requires a heightened focus on the healthcare workforce due to their pivotal role in service delivery. This study aims to evaluate the current workload and staffing requirements for primary health workers and midwives in Kerman, Iran, employing the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected health centers in Kerman, Iran, to estimate staffing requirements across two categories. A total of 118 activities for primary health workers and 89 activities for midwives were identified through the collaboration of expert panels and a comprehensive review of the Iran’s integrated health system. Subsequently, all activities were meticulously timed in each of the four health centers using stopwatches, and WISN ratios and proportions were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results: The WISN calculations revealed a surplus in the number of primary health workers in three of the centers: B, C, and D. However, in center A, the workforce in this category is deemed sufficient. Conversely, a deficiency of midwives was noted in two centers, A and B, with WISN ratios of 0.67 and 0.50, respectively, while center C demonstrated an excess of the workforce with a WISN ratio of 2.00. Notably, an average of 50% of the staff workload in both categories comprises supportive and additional activities.
Conclusion: Interestingly, despite 75% of the cases indicating an excess or sufficiency of employees, staff members continue to grapple with high work pressures. This anomaly appears to be linked to the substantial volume of support and additional activities. Furthermore, the intense workload during specific days and hours translates into a pervasive sense of pressure throughout the week. As a potential remedy, introducing a queuing system into the primary healthcare sector could alleviate this issue.
Fatemeh Hajivalizadeh, Mahnaz Sanjari, Noushin Fahimfar, Kazem Khalagi, Mohammad Javad Mansourzadeh, Elahe Hesari, Bagher Larijani, Hadis Ghajari, Mahboobeh Darman, Afshin Ostovar,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In Iran, a substantial number of individuals at risk of osteoporosis lack access to osteoporosis diagnostic services, highlighting a significant gap in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of osteoporosis. This study aims to investigate the distribution of bone densitometer devices in Iran.
Methods: Bone densitometry devices across the country in 2018 were assessed through a comprehensive census. Information regarding these devices was gathered based on their location (urban or rural), ownership (government or private), adherence to standards, and years of operation. To calculate the inequality index in the distribution of devices among cities within a province, the frequency of devices in the provincial center was compared to those outside the center. To assess the inequality in the distribution of devices among the provinces of the country, the Lorenz curve and concentration index were utilized. All values were calculated per one million people over 50 years of age.
Results: Of the total 492 bone density measurement devices in the country, 399 devices (81.0%) were located in provincial centers. Out of these, 103 (20.9%) devices were in government-owned centers, while 389 (79.0%) devices were in privately-owned centers. For every one million individuals over 50 years old, the total number of devices, standard devices, standard devices with less than 10 years of operation, and devices in government-owned centers were calculated as 33.4, 20.3, 9.9, and 7, respectively. The inequality index in the distribution of devices in the cities was found to be 4.7. Furthermore, the inequality index in the distribution of devices between provinces was estimated as 0.13 (95%CI: 0.005-0.25) (P value=0.05).
Conclusion: There exists a significant disparity in the distribution of bone densitometry devices across the provinces and cities within the country.
Mahdi Zare Sakhvidi, Moslem Taheri Soodejani, Mohammad Reza Sadeghian, Mohsen Mirzaei, Hossein Akhondi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases worldwide, and it requires comprehensive healthcare management. This cross-sectional descriptive study aims to evaluate the healthcare status of diabetic patients in Yazd, Iran, and identify gaps in provided care.
Methods: In this study, 702 diabetic patients registered in the Ministry of Integrated Health System were selected using cluster sampling. To identify care gaps, key indicators, including the frequency of HbA1c testing, referrals to specialists, number of visits to healthcare centers, receipt of diabetes education, and level of blood sugar control, were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) using SPSS software and compared with international standards.
Results: The results of this study indicated that the quality of diabetes care in Yazd was below optimal standards. Only 63.7% of patients underwent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, and 42.3% achieved optimal blood sugar control. Additionally, 31.2% of patients had elevated systolic blood pressure, and 12% had high diastolic blood pressure. Fewer than half of the patients were referred to specialists. A sedentary lifestyle was reported in 87.7% of cases, and 79.5% were found to be overweight or obese.
Conclusion: Based on the results, there are significant gaps in healthcare quality for diabetic patients in Yazd, including insufficient specialist referrals, lack of regular lab monitoring, and inadequate lifestyle interventions. Enhancing educational programs, regular specialist consultations, and comprehensive care approaches are essential to improving outcomes.
