Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: By definition, the ratio of output to input in any firm is called efficiency. In general, there are two main approaches for measuring efficiency ─ parametric and non-parametric. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of Health Services Workshops in Iran in 2006.

Methods and Materials: The efficiency of Health Services Workshops in Iran in 2006 was assessed using the non-parametric method, based on linear programming. More specifically, the Data Envelopment Analysis (D.E.A) was used. The most important feature of the Data Envelopment Analysis (D.E.A) is its applicability for the firms that operate under a multiple input-and-output framework. Assessment of efficiency was based on 2 assumptions, namely, fixed and variable efficiency.

Results: The data show that, based on fixed efficiency, the efficiency in the Bushehr, Fars, Kerman, Mazandaran and Yazd provinces is the highest, the average being 80%, which means that the idle capacity is 20% . Based on the variable efficiency. assumption, in Ilam, Chahar Mahal-and-Bakhtiari, Semnan, and Kohgiluyeh Boyerahmad provinces the efficiency is 85% (idle capacity = 20%).

Conclusion: On the whole, the Chaharmahal-Bakhtiyari province is the most efficient in holding Health Services Workshops in Iran. Therefore, other provinces should follow this province as an example when planning to increase their efficiency.

Background and Aim:  In 1995 the new plan (system) of hospital administration plan/scheme (fee for service) was communicated. According to this plan a proportion (percentage) of the hospital income would be allocated to the hospital staff as a fee for service; the remaining would, after deducting other expenditures, be allocated for the autonomy of the hospital. Based on the plan/scheme, the Supervisory Board will consist of two main committees, namely, the High Supervisory Board and the Supervisory Board for the Centers (hospitals). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Supervisory Board in the new system of hospital administration plan in selected teaching hospitals of Esfahan, Iran in 2014.

Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative research. Eleven individuals were selected by targeted sampling and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data.

Result: Based on the thematic analysis results, the main source of weakness in the underlying and structural factors (developing programs and the implementation phase) was the Hospital Administration Supervisory Board in the new system.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the most notable findings in this study are weaknesses in the underlying and structural factors (developing the program) and weak underlying and structural factors (implementation of the program). The findings will help health policy-makers to develop suitable strategies and a plan of action to minimize weaknesses of the new fee for service scheme/plan.

Background and Aim: Nowadays, prioritizing problems and distribution of resources is determined according to the basic needs of the individuals in the population. Based on the study done by researchers in Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Public Health in Golhesar Village, Tehran, taking action about "drug abuse" was ranked by the community as the first priority. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the size of the population of drug abusers using the network expansion method.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a purposive sample of 320 persons 15-65 years old. The study included two parts: 1. estimation of the social network based on 32 population subgroups using the frequency of network expansion approach; 2. estimation of the size of the hidden population. The relevant correction coefficients were used for adjusting errors usually observed in this method.                                                                                                                                                    Results: The mean of the social network was 160.79±16.68) 95% CIs: 128.78-194.30.(The frequencies of cigarette smoking, hookah smoking, alcohol consumption, opium use, meth use, crack use, heroin use, injecting drugs and ecstasy were 103.43, 88.25, 96.9, 76.46, 69.37, 30.03, 20.48, 7.36, and 4.23 per 1000; respectively. The percentage of drug abusers was higher among men.

Conclusion: As compared to results of previous reports, the size of drug abuser population in Golhesar Village is currently higher. In order to solve this problem an appropriate action plan should be implemented by the planners and policy-makers in partnership with community members.