Showing 24 results for Ahmadi
P Nassiri , F Golbabaei , A Ahmadi-Assour, K Nouri,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (7 2003)
Abstract
This study has been carried out in two shoe-making factories in Tehran with the aim ofevaluating the cobined effects of noise and toluene on the workers' hearing.
Sixty four workers were assigned to three groups according to their exposure to noise andtoluene. 33 were exposed to noise (group 0), 5 to toluene (group 1) and 26 to noise andtoluene (group 2).The concentration were measured in the workers' breathing zone as well as A-weightedsound Pressure level, LPA and equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levelover 30 minuets , leq (30") A in head position of workers. Then noise level was calculatedand hearing thresholds measured in 500 - 400 Hz frequencey range.The amounts of air and bone hearing los were caluculated. Results indicate that therelationship between hearing loss caused by noise (group 0) and noise and toluene (group2) was statistically significant, P<0.05. Hearing loss due to toluene in mid frequency washigher than in higher frequencies.
Ahmadi B., Farzadi F., Shariati B., Alimohamadian M., Mohammad K.,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Looking at population pyramid from the 1996 census and its estimates for the years 2003 and 2004, it is clear that the size of the elderly population will be greater in men than in women. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, the life expectancy for women is greater than that for men. This article is devoted to the discussion and analysis of this paradox.
Materials and Methods: Analysis of the population sex ratio.
Results: Its trend- based on data generated by censuses from 1956 to 1996- indicate that a large proportion of women did not live beyond the age of 35 women were most likely to die in years 35-45 of their life. It is possible that this age group, which included many women who were still of reproductive age, suffered the effects of war and socioeconomic crises of the 1940's. The trend had improved by the time of the 1376 census and there is no singe of an increase in the sex ratio thereafter. This change is probably due to the improvement in socioeconomic status and the development of an effective health care system.
Conclusion: Since the life expectancy estimates are based on the probability of death and are thus affected by socioeconomic conditions, the apparent incompatibility between the population age pyramid and life expectancy among elderly women and men is due to higher mortality among women of reproductive age before the 1970’s.
B Ahmadi , M Alimohamadian , B Golestan , A Bagheri Yazdi, D Shojaeezadeh ,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Domestic violence against women is a major public health problem throughout the world. Feelings of shame, guilt and fear on the part of women, together with an unresponsive health care system continue to silence and isolate women who suffer abuse and negligence- with major effects on their physical and mental health. Mental health consequences include depression, anxiety, stress disorders, and somatization. This study estimates the prevalence of domestic violence and its associated effects on the victims' mental health.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 1189 married women over the age of 15, selected randomly among the residents of Tehran.
Results: The overall prevalence of domestic violence was 35.7%. Thirty percent of the subjects had experienced physical violence, 29% suffered mental violence and 10% had been victims of sexual violence many of these women had suffered all the three types. The most frequent types of physical violence included beating in the form of kicks, punches, and slaps (91%) common types of mental abuse included humiliation, verbal abuse and insults (93%), and threats of violence (83%). Data on mental health status indicate that overall, as many as 34.1% of women could be suffering from disorders such as depression and anxiety. The risk of psychiatric disease was 3.5 times higher in victims of violence compared to other women (OR = 3.5, CI 95% = 2.72 - 4.58). Major factors contributing to domestic violence were husband addiction, low economic status, and the number of children (P<0.001). These results are consistent with the current literature on domestic violence and illustrate the high prevalence of this phenomenon. Victims are commonly depressed and have a higher rate of anxiety.
Conclusion: Violence is an important indicator of women’s health. Screening programs for domestic violence could be effective, along with community support and referral to health care and legal facilities. It is also crucial to promote knowledge and awareness of violence among health care providers. This study shows that a community-wide effort to establish links between health care settings and community services may be important in addressing the needs of victims.
B Ahmadi , S Nasseri , M Alimohamadian , M Shams , Z Ranjbar , M Shariat , A Ebrahimpour , A Pourreza , M Mahmoodi , M Younesian ,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (27 2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Domestic violence against women is a major health problem, as well as a violation of human rights. It adversely affects the physical, mental, and social well being of women, families and communities. This phenomenon exists in all countries around the world. Although its prevalence, strength, types, effects, and risk factors are different, it is not limited to any geographical zone or distinct social class. This article presents the views of Tehrani couples and experts on underlying factors causing domestic violence against women in Iran and action to be taken for prevention.
Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was carried out through eight FGD meetings, in 2 days, with the participation of 50 couples. The couples were divided into 8 groups based on sex, education, and history of violence. Results of the FDGs were categorized and analyzed. Data were discussed in group meetings of 50 experts in different fields, such as health, medicine, law, education, and Islamic studies, from academic, policy making, governmental executive, and women's affairs organizations, divided into three groups of community general education and information dissemination, health system, and judiciary system. Results were discussed and finalized in a general meeting.
Results: The couples and experts identified underlying factors in 4 categories socio-cultural, economic, legal, and medical. Actions to be taken for prevention and control were believed to be educational, legal, and supporting services.
Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, it was suggested that strategies/actions/services to solve the problem and reduce harm should include providing appropriate information and education for couples and the community emphasizing the health system responsibility empowering physicians and other health personnel to help women who are victims or susceptible to domestic violence legal transparency and reforms meeting legal needs law reinforcement and implementation providing safe shelters for victims and establishment of a national center for research and planning on violence.
H.r Joshaghani, A.r Ahmadi,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (13 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Organophosphate compoounds are cholinesterase activity inhibitors. Contact with them cause changes in the blood antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation. The aim of this research was to investigate the simultaneous changes in cholinesterase, total serum antioxidant levels, and activities of some of the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and find possible correlations among these variables in pesticide factory workers.
Materials and Methods: This research was a cohort study carried out, during 2006, on the employees of a pesticide factory in Golestan Province, Iran. Blood samples were taken at the beginning (n=81 subjects) and after 3 months (n=63, of the initial 81). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant levels were determined enzymatically (Randox, UK) and serum SOD was measured by the ELISA method (IBL, Germany). For the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) a chemical method (based on thiobarbituric acid) was used. Confidence interval was 95% for all statistical tests.
Results: Levels of serum and erythrocyte SOD, serum MDA, and both serum and eryhthrocyte GPx significantly increased (paired t-test, p<0.05), while the serum total antioxidant level decreased (paired t-test, p<0.05). No statistically significnt correlation was seen between cholinesterase and changes in the other variables.
Conclusion: Contact with organophosphorus compounds will cause increases in lipid peroxidation and decreases in total antioxidants. It is suggested that, while more severe physical protective measures are taken, nutritional supplements be taken by the personnel to increase protection against hazardous materials.
M Sepandi, K Holakoei Naeini, Sh Yarahmadi, A.a Haghtdust, S Nedjat, M Taghdir,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (23 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), one of the main causes of preventable mental handicap in neonates, is much higher in Iran than the global average.
The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) by using the screening program in Fars Province, Iran, during the period 2003-2006.
Methods and Materials: A case-control study was carried out, the samples being 126 cases and 401 controls. The neonates were those born between 2003 and 2006, under coverage of the National Congenital Hypothyroidism Program. The data were analyzed using the univariate and multivariate analysis tests.
Results: An increased risk for CH was detected in infants with consanguine parents, by a multivariate analysis test (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.8-4.8). The test also confirmed previously reported statistically significant associations with additional birth defects OR = 2.2 (1-4.6), birth defects in first-degree relatives OR = 4.7 (1.6-4.8), female gender OR = 1.9 (1.1-3), and twin births. Although not significant, an increased risk for CH was observed among infants with gestational age<30 weeks (preterm delivery) (OR = 1.7(0.9-1.3)).
Conclusion: This study identified risk factors contributing to the etiology of CH. In particular, our results suggest a multifactorial origin of CH, in which both genetic and environmental factors play a role.
Ar Heidari, Ar Mirahmadizadeh, A Keshtkaran, M Javanbakht, K Etemad, M Lotfi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (14 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: AIDS is a lethal disease, for which there is no treatment or any vaccine to prevent it. The injection-drug use and unprotected sexual behavior are two factors important in HIV transmission. This study was conducted to determine changes in high-risk sexual and injection-drug use behaviors associated with HIV among drug users referring to Methadone Maintenance Treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This before-after interventional study with no control group included drug-users (n=694) referring to all the 7 MMT centers in Shiraz, Iran in 2009. The data were collected by interviewing patients and using a questionnaire. The software used for data analysis was SPSS 15, the statistical test being the Wilcoxon test.
Results: The average age of the clients was 36.5 ± 9.5 years. Most of them were males (% 92.1) and single (% 43.1). 37.3 % of them being injection-drug users. The proportion of the injection-drug users having had at least one shared injection one week before referring to an MMT center was 23.3%, which decreased to 9.2% after one week. Analysis of the data also showed that 25.2% of the addicts had had at least one unprotected sexual contact during the previous month the proportion decreased to 21.0% one month after referring to an MMT center. The reductions in the mean numbers of both shared injections and unprotected sexual contacts were statistically significant (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the MMT centers in reducing risky behaviors of injection-drug users, it is essential to expand these centers at both the national and regional levels quantitatively and qualitatively and encourage drug-users to refer to them and seek help. This will help greatly in the prevention of HIV.
Arezou Fallahi, Fazl Allah Ghofranipour, Fazl Allah Ahmadi, Beheshteh Malekafzali, Ebrahim Hajizadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (18 2013)
Abstract
Background and aim: Oral and dental diseases limit an individual&aposs activities at the school, work place and home, leading to a loss of millions of work and school hours all over the world. The period of adolescence is critical as regards shaping of healthy behaviors related to oral and dental diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe school pupils&apos viewpoints on factors influencing development of dental caries.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative study with a content analysis approach was conducted to collect the perspectives of 18 Iranian students in 8 guidance schools selected by purposive sampling. Structured and semi-structured interviews were held to collect data. An informed consent was obtained and the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data was analyzed through an inductive approach of content analysis. In order to support the validity and rigor of the data, different criteria such as acceptability, confirmability and transferability were utilized.
Results: Data analysis could identify four major factors influencing dental caries development: "family interactions in dental health", "role of school in caring for teeth", "role of dentists in caring for teeth" and "effect of education in caring for teeth". The factors influencing caring for teeth and mouth had a greater significance.
Conclusion: The students&apos experiences, as observed in this study, can help in developing mutual trust between students and dentists, delivering better services in schools by relevant organizations, and designing more effective oral health interventions, with due consideration of vital role of the parents.
Mohammad Saleh Koushki, Ali Akbari Sari, Mohammad Arab, Kambiz Ahmadi Engali,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (18 2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The quality of working life is a very important variable in connection with human resources. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration by managers if they aim to improve the capabilities and efficiency of their staff, which will, in turn, lead to improved productivity and economic growth. Productivity is an important factor in the success of hospital nurses too. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the quality of working life and productivity of nurses. Knowledge of this relationship can help plan to improve the nurses' quality of working life and, subsequently, improve their productivity and, ultimately, productivity of a hospital.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional correlation study conducted in 2011. The study population was nurses of the Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Using the randomized stratified multistage sampling method, 380 nurses were selected as the study sample. Data on the nurses' quality of working life and productivity were collected using two questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-17, the statistical tests being Chi-2, ANOVA, T-test, and the Pearson correlation test.
Results: The findings showed that nurses' quality of work life and productivity were at the middle level, with a mean of 2.47 and 3.07, respectively. A very small number (1.55%) of the nurses reported that their quality of work life was at a high level, while the majority (82.4%) believed their quality of work life to be at a moderate level. The Pearson correlation test showed a significant positive relationship between the quality of work life and productivity of the nurses (r = 0.66, p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion: Only a low proportion of the nurses report their quality of working life and productivity to be at a high level. Therefore, bearing in mind that a statistically significant relationship exists between the quality of working life and productivity, authorities should atempt to promote the nurses' quality of work life in order to increase their productivity.
Zahra Malery Khah Langeroudi, Afarin Rahimi Movaghar, Shahnaz Delbarpour Ahmadi, Masoumeh Esmaeili,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and aim: In Iran, HIV prevalence in sex workers is reaching to an epidemic, but still consistent use of condoms is low. This qualitative study aimed to assess barriers to condom use in female sex workers (FSWs).
Materials and Methods: We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 40 FSWs and 12 partners in the year 2010 in Tehran. The FSWs were purposefully selected from four different groups based on the level of socioeconomic status and history of using substance. Findings were extracted and coded manually and the responses of the groups were categorized and compared.
Results: Almost all FSWs had not used condoms regularly in the past six months. The main barriers of condom use were: lack of awareness of the modes of transmission of HIV and prognosis of the disease, doubt on the role of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, fear of violence or rejection by male customers, reluctance of sexual partners to use condoms due to diminution of sexual pleasure, and believing in health of some customers.
Conclusions: Increasing awareness of the FSWs through education about HIV, ways to prevent the disease and empowering them on negotiating skills to use condoms as part of harm reduction programs are recommended .
Fatemeh Jafari, Abdolkarim Ahmadi, Mohammad Reza Amiresmaeili, Mahmood Moosazadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Investigation of seasonal suicide might help in learning about the etiology of suicide committers’ behavior. Literature search indicates that a large number of preliminary studies have been carried out on this subject, in many of which seasonal and climatological aspects of suicide have been investigated. In the present study, the seasonal and time pattern of suicide incidence in Iran was determined based a systematic review.
Materials and Methods : Search was performed in the national databases, namely, SID, Iranmedex, Magiran and Medlib, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar, using such keywords as Iran/Iranian, seasonality and suicide. The technical quality of papers was assessed using checklists. Data of each of the preliminary studies were extracted in terms of general variables and such specific variables as season, month, hour, weekdays and climatic conditions.
Results: Of a total number of 49,522 documents obtained from a primary electronic search, eventually 32 papers were included in this study. The highest numbers of suicides committed were 7 and 8 in summer and spring, respectively. Similarly, among the primary studies that had reported only the monthly occurrence of suicide, the highest rate in 7 cases was spring and 7 in summer. In most of the studies (8 cases) the highest number of suicides had taken place between 1:00 and 6:00 PM.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that suicide occurrence in Iran has a seasonal pattern, most cases committed being in spring and summer.
Zahra Panjali, Ali Akbar Asgharinezhad, Homeira Ebrahimzadeh, Mehdi Rezvani, Rasoul Yarahmadi, Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Exposure to heavy metals always causes serious health problems in people working in the industry. Heavy metals may interfere with enzyme functioning or accumulate in specific body organs, leading to various health problems. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal widely used in various industries and, therefore, workers in metal industries are at risk of exposure to it.
Materials and Methods: A solid-phase sorbent was synthesized and factors influencing its sorption and elution steps were optimized (R>95%). The validated sorbent (chemically, physically and as regards reproducibility) was used to determine the cadmium content of the worker`s urines.
Results: Optimized conditions for sorption and elution step were found to be as follows: pH= 7 sorption and elution time (both)= 5 min elution volume= 6 mL, and elution concentration= 2 mol L-1. The great selectivity and the nano-particle size of the sorbent resulted in its highly precise performance (0.6ppb) and high validity and accuracy (CV<3%).
Conclusion: Using the nano-magnetic sorbent technique and some such laboratory methods as flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, one can easily measure trace amounts of heavy metals in urine. This technique is relatively less expensive and rapid since, when using it, one can omit the filtration and centrifugation steps.
Eisa Solgi, Faezeh Yar Ahmadi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim : Contamination of the surface soils of the urban ecosystem with heavy metals poses potential ecological risks. In this research, a preliminary investigation was carried out to evaluate the potential ecological risk of cadmium and lead contamination in urban park soils in Assadabed City, Iran.
Materials and Methods : Soil samples were taken from the urban parks of Asadabad city and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrometry. Based on the concentrations of Cd and Pb in the soils, contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (Cdeg) and potential ecological risks status (RI) of the soils were calculated.
Results : Preliminary results showed a low degree of contamination of urban parks of of Asadabad City. Assessment of the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated that the cumulative heavy metal contents of the soil do not pose any significant ecological risks. In any case, further analysis of the data showed that the potential ecological risk posed by cadmium was higher than that by lead.
Conclusion : The findings indicate that although urban park soils may be polluted due to presence of certain heavy metals, on the whole their ecological risk is insignificant. These findings can help greatly environmental managers in planning, risk assessment and decision-making in the area.
Seyed Rahmat Allah Mousavomoghadam, Tayebeh Nouri, Tahereh Khodadadi, Asad Ahmadi, Gholamreza Ghiasi,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association of Internet addiction and self-control with mental health among students of the University of Applied Sciences and Technology (UAST) in Ilam city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Data collection tools included the Mental Health Goldenberg scale, Tanji Self-control Inventory and Young Internet Addiction questionnaires. The sample consisted of 101 UAST students in Ilam City, Iran.
Results: Analysis of the data showed a statistically significant negative relationship between internet addiction and mental health and a positive association between self-control and mental health in male- and female-students.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that he more a student uses the Internet, the more likely he/she is to be less healthy mentally, while if a student has more self-control, he/she is more likely to be healthier mentally.The use of the Internet among the new generation in the society is spreading, becoming an important part of life. It has been said that teenagers are at a high risk. Hence the responsible authorities should consider mental health as a factor preventing extreme behavior of young people.
Daryoush Yarahmadi, Mansour Halimi, Zahra Zarei Chaghabalki, Hasan Jems,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is a neglected tropical vector-borne disease. As other vector-transmitted diseases, its transmission is sensitive to the physical environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and annual incidence of CL in Iran.
Materials and Methods: The data of ENSO were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center for the period 1977-2011(34 years), and the annual data on CL incidence in Iran from WHO. To determine the association between the ENSO annual fluctuations and annual CL incidence we used crosstab analysis and tow-tailed independent t-test to find any possible differences among the annual CL incidence according to different phases of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI: El Niño, warming phase; La Niña, cooling phase; neutral phase).
Results: Analysis of the data showed that, as compared with the years when El Niño and La Niña were dominant, the annual incidence of CL in Iran was lower in the years when neutral phases of SOI were dominant. The highest incidence was found to have occurred during the years with an intermediate La Niña dominance. During the years when La Nina was dominant the incidence of CL was, on the average, 15-20% higher than that in the years with a neutral phase, while the difference between the annual CL incidence in neutral years and El Niño years was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings reveal that in general the mean incidence of cutaneous leishmaniosis during the years with a neutral ENSO index is lower than that during the years with dominant El Nino or La Nina, although there is no difference between incidence in the neutral years and the El Nino-dominant years.
Hashem Mohamadian, Mohammad Reza Jafari, Kambiz Ahmadi Anghali,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The prevalence of chronic diseases can be reduced by correcting people's food habits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the explanatory power of the Expectation-Confirmation Model for the intention to continue fruit and vegetable consumption.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study included 332 elderly people with a history of receiving health care services from 8 rural health centers and 40 health houses in Abadan city, Iran in the second half of 2015. Data were analyzed by path analysis and the multicolinearity test using LISREL8.8 and SPSS16 software, respectively.
Results: Less than half (48%) of the subjects consumed 1 to 3 servings of fruit and vegetable daily. The model used could explain 79% of the intention to continue fruit and vegetable consumption. Analysis of the data also showed positive associations between the intention to continue fruit and vegetable consumption and the following variables: self-efficacy (β = 0.09, P <0.01), perceived ease of use (β = 0.15, P <0.01), perceived benefits (β = 0.37, P <0.01), and satisfaction (β = 0.35, P <0.01); however, the perceived barriers had an inverse relationship with that intention (β=-0/2, P <0.01). From among the constructs of the mode, perceived benefits were the most effective factor influencing the intention to continue fruit and vegetable consumption (β=0.85, P <0.01).
Conclusion: The model used in this study is suitable for explaining the elderly people’s intention to continue fruit and vegetable consumption. It is recommended that policy-makers use appropriate strategies to increase the understanding of the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables by the elderly and, thus, sensitize them to increase their consumption through public campaigns and communication with the relevant organizations, families, etc.
Nasim Ahmadi, Siavash Talepasand, Eshagh Rahimianboogar,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of hope and life satisfaction with students bullying and bullying victimization with the mediating role of school connectedness.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, the statistical population being high school students of Tehran city in the school year 2015-16. A sample of 300 students was selected using the stratified random sampling method. The data collection tools were the Snyder’s hope scale, Diener et al. life satisfaction scale, Waters and Cross School Connectedness scale and the Espelage and Holt Bullying scale. The hypothetical model was analyzed using path analysis with the LISREL8.57 software.
Results: Analysis of the data showed the following: 1. Hope and life satisfaction had a structural positive direct effect on school connectedness; 2. Life satisfaction had a direct negative effect on bullying; 3. Bullying had a direct effect on bullying victimization; 4. School connectedness had no direct effect on students bullying and bullying victimization. 5. Life satisfaction had an indirect effect on bullying victimization through bullying; 6. Finally, the indirect effects of hope and life satisfaction on bullying and bullying victimization through school connectedness were not confirmed.
Conclusion: In can be concluded that life satisfaction is a facilitating factor for the school connectedness, serving as a protective factor against bullying. Hope and school connectedness may act as protecting factors in the prevention of bullying.
Mohammad Mehdi Kiani, Khatereh Khanjankhani, Maryam Shirvani, Batoul Ahmadi,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: It is essential to take action to strengthen the national primary health care (PHC) system. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review to find ways to strengthen the PHC system in Iran based on the experiences of different countries.
Materials and Methods: This was a comprehensive review study. The relevant studies were retrieved using Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Magiran, Iranmedex and SID databases. Inclusion criteria included all the studies that specifically focused on the factors enhancing the PHC system between 1998 and 2017. Finally, 30 articles were selected.
Results: Strategies for strengthening the PHC system were examined from two different angles: factors that facilitate the performance of the health care team, and ways to improve the implementation of PHC. In addition, strategies have been recommended for the following in order to strengthen the PHC system in Iran: trust-based relationships; widespread implementation of the National PHC Program with a focus on personnel training; teaching healthy lifestyle behaviors and drug side-effects; investing in information technology in the health sector in areas such as immunization, child care and prevention of chronic diseases.
Conclusion: Strengthening primary health care requires coordination and inter-sectoral collaboration; involvement and will of a wide range of health and non-health organizations; government support; strengthening of the referral system and the family physician; strengthening the health team; self-care and community participation; a public health-oriented and preventive approach in macro-policies; and, finally, allocating more resources to the health sector.
Ali Akbari-Sari, Batoul Ahmadi, Mohammad Moradi-Joo, Alireza Arabi, Maryam Seyed-Nezhad,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Referral system is one of the principles and foundations of primary health care services. One of the most important challenges and problems of the referral system is the lack of knowledge of people and patients of its nature, services and benefits. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the acceptance of the referral system by patients.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2021 using the framework (structural) analysis method. The participants were 18 experts in the field of referral system and 14 patients referred to the outpatient and inpatient wards of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected by Semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the MAXQDA.
Results: Based on the findings in this study, Factors influencing the acceptance of the referral system by patients were found to be the following: (1). Factors related to the stewardship and governance of the health system (responsibility and accountability, appropriate levels of health services, patient-centered care, and rules and regulations); (2). Factors related to the health services access (financial, physical and cultural); (3). Factors related to service providers (trusting healthcare staff, professional skills of service providers, and their behavioral and communication skills); (4). Factors related to the service delivery process (quality of service delivery, attention to patients' wants and needs, use of technology in service delivery, monitoring service delivery, and service coverage); (5). factors related to the recipients of the services (satisfaction, education, awareness and communication).
Conclusion: Considering the importance and key role of patients in the success of the referral system, health planners and policy makers should pay special attention to the factors identified in this study.
Siroos Ahmadi, Mohammad Norian Najafabadi,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a disease in the treatment of which the biological and medical methods are emphasized, but social factors also play an effective role. This research has tried to investigate the relationship between problem-solving skill and successful quitting of SUD.
Materials and Methods: This was a causal-comparative research in which two groups, namely, drug addicts with successful quitting (n = 222) and those with unsuccessful quitting (n = 222) selected by multi-stage random sampling were compared. The research tool for measuring the problem solving skill was the Social Problem Solving Scale of D'Zurilla et al. (2002).
Results: The findings showed that the mean problem-solving skill score and its five components were significantly higher in the successful quitting group than in the unsuccessful group. Based on the logistic regression results, the problem-solving skill (B=0.271, Wald=110.490 Sig=0.000, EXP (B) =1.76, Cox & Snell=0.457) will increase the chance of successful quitting 1.76 times and can explain 0.457 of the changes in the dependent variable.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that psychosocial factors are also effective in the treatment of the substance use disorder. This means that paying more serious attention to these factors will help to alleviate one of the basic social and public health problems of the society.
