Search published articles


Evaluation of Performance of Rural Health Houses in Kerman City, Iran in Dealing with Covid-19
Maryam Tajvar, Omolbanin Atashbahar, Firoozeh Dadras, Haniye Sadat Sajadi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Performance evaluation is a useful way to obtain information for decision-making and management of healthcare organizations. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of health houses in rural areas in Kerman City, Iran during the outbreak of Covid-19.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-22 using descriptive and analytical methods. The research population included all the health houses in Kerman City (n=57), Iran. The tool for data collection was the Health House Performance Evaluation Checklist of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education developed to supervise the performance of health houses during the outbreak of Covid-19. Data analysis was done using SPSS 26 software, the statistical tests being descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics including independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson and Spearman correlations.
Results: The average performance score of the health houses (n =55) in managing Covid-19 was 96.37 out of 136. Installation of the village map on the wall of the health house  (92.3%), screening and following up the positive-test individuals and informing the health care team to track and isolate individuals in close contact (84.6%) were found to have the highest, and injecting the third dose (78.8%) and the second dose (75%) of the Covid vaccine the lowest,  scores. From among the characteristics investigated the variable of native Behvarzes (the personnel of health houses) had a statistically significant positive relationship with the performance score (p=0.01). In addition, the health houses with more than one Behvarz were found to perform better than those with only one Behvarz (p=0.05).
Conclusion: Assessing the performance of health care units at times of crisis, including communicable diseases epidemics, will make it possible to identify the bottlenecks that need improvement for better preparedness in the future. Based on the findings of this  research, the expansion of the coverage of the covid-19 vaccination, updating the disease incidence, the performance of health care teams at home visits, and the progress of the operational plan were the variables that needed improvement most.
 
Comparison of the Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women with or without a History of Covid-19 in the Pregnancy and Postpartum Stages Covered by the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran: A Virtual Training Package
Zeinab Azizi Mianaii, Roya Sadeghi, Mamak Shariat, Azar Tol, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Hossein Jalahi, Yaser Tedadi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the quality of prenatal care services, indentification of the avoidable and inevitable maternal factors and proper promotion of the knowledge and skills of health care service providers is vital for providing suitable preventive and interventional services with the aim of ensuring a successful pregnancy and proper management in the health care system.  This study was conducted to compare the adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with or without a history of Covid-19 in the pregnancy and postpartum stages covered by the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study including 4124 women, either pregnant or after a recent childbirth (with or without Covid-19) between 20.2.2020  and  29.3.2022, registered in the Sib electronic system (hereinafter Sib) of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Using a checklist developed and validated by an expert panel data were collected on the prevalence of maternal and neonatal outcomes in mothers with or without a history of Covid-19 and compared. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS 24 using descriptive tests such as chi-square and Fisher's exact test and STATA version 22, and the adverse outcomes with high frequencies following Covid-19 were determined.
Results: Analysis of the data showed the following to be the most common outcomes among mothers with a history of Covid-19: 1. obstetric complications and maternal disorders/diseases (hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus, at least one case of bleeding during pregnancy, premature/delayed birth and premature rupture of the amniotic sac, n= 457, 27.8%); 2. medical and surgical problems (unhealthy pregnancy weight gain and thromboembolic events, n=206, 12.5%). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of pregnant mothers with and without a Covid-19 infection as regards medical and surgical problems (P=0.001) and obstetric complications and maternal diseases (p=0.002). As regards the adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnant mothers with and without a history of Covid-19, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of Apgar score at minutes 1 and 5 (p≥0.001) and exclusive breastfeeding (P=0.001) and the presence of Covid-19 symptoms in the baby (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study it seems that Covid-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of some of the undesirable maternal and neonatal outcomes.  Therefore, it is essential to plan and implement programs for health education, creation of a sound attitude towards better management, enhancement of the skills and capabilities of the health-care providers and, finally, promotion of the knowledge of service recipients. 
 
Concerns and Tolerance Strategies Among Parents with Children Suffering from Down Syndrome in Mashhad, Iran: A Phenomenological Study
Hanieh Sahebazamani, Mahmoud Azadi, Jaafar Talebian-Sharif,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Down syndrome is one of the chromosomal disorders known as the most common genetic disorder causing health and medical problems such as mental, respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Parents of children with Down syndrome experience many problems and challenges in life. The purpose of this research was to find the concerns and tolerance strategies of parents of children suffering from Down syndrome.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 2022-23 with a Colaizzi`s phenomenological approach. The research population was the parents of children with Down syndrome in Mashhad, Iran under coverage of the Welfare Organization, the sample being selected by purposeful sampling; after conducting 13 interviews, the researcher reached theoretical data saturation.
Results: Analysis of data revealed 4 main themes and 12 sub-themes in the section of parents' concerns and 3 main themes and 6 sub-themes in the section of tolerance strategies among the parents of children with Down syndrome.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that the parents of children with Down syndrome have many concerns about the family life, the future of their children and their treatment process, as well as social problems. In addition, the parents who use spiritual tolerance strategies can deal better with the problems arising from living with their child.
 
Promotion of the Public Health by Increasing Consumption Taxes on Harmful Commodities: A Dynamic Panel Data Approach
Elham Fatholahi, Mohammad Jafari,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Products such as tobacco are considered harmful to human life due to the fact that they contribute greatly to mortality around the world. Tobacco use kills more than eight million people worldwide annually. This has necessitated the imposition of taxes on such harmful products with the aim of reducing their demand and, thus, guaranteeing the increase in the health of the population in Iran.
Materials and Methods: Using the tobacco tax as a proxy for the tax on harmful products and the death rate as an indicator of the general health of the population, this study investigated the effect of the tax on harmful products on the health of the population in 30 provinces of Iran between 2007 and 2018. For this purpose, the dynamic panel generalized moment method (GMM) using Eviews 10 and stata17 software was used as an experimental estimation technique.
Results: Analysis of the data collected revealed that the tax on harmful products can help promote the health of the population, since the government can use the additional income thus generated to improve the health of the population. These findings support the World Health Organization's justification that taxes on harmful products, especially on tobacco, not only can reduce their consumption, but also can help to promote health outcomes. In addition, increasing the tax on cigarettes, which is considered the most important and key strategy by the World Health Organization, will lead to spending the resulting income on improving health and educational infrastructure, health centers, emergency services, etc.
Conclusion: In general, the more a government spends on health care, the more the health of the population and, consequently, the higher the life expectancy of the population. Regarding the effects of prices/and taxes on smoking or tobacco consumption on the mortality reduction in Iran, if the taxes imposed on harmful products are increased and the resulting additional funds are used and effectively administered to meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization, better desirable outcomes will result in the health of the population as compared to those observed in this study. In addition, the policymakers should start actions that will help promote economic growth, because this will increase the health of the population. Moreover, actions and efforts aiming to increase the population growth rate should be accompanied by significant investments in the health sector.
 
Explanation of the Probiotic Industry Development in Iran's Food Industry
Nona Hosseini, Nusratullah Shadnoush, Zahra Abedi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Probiotics, or useful microorganisms tobtained from beneficial microorganisms, have attracted the attention of the world community, especially the health sector, in recent years. The reason is that probiotic products can help in treating diseases and strengthening the human body without any side effects, unlike drugs which may usually have many side effects. Considering the importance of these products, this study was conducted to find and explain the drivers of probiotic industry development in Iran's food industry.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected, using the thematic analysis method, on the views of the experts of the probiotic industry in Iran, including experts in nutritional and medical sciences and probiotic producers, concerning the most important driving forces in the development of probiotic industry businesses in Iran. Based on the data the effects of the variables obtained were investigated using the structural equation modeling method with a partial least squares approach.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that the development of probiotics industry was statistically significantly related directly both to macro-environment (coefficients T=3.13, p=0.033<0.05;  95% confidence level) and micro-environment (coefficients of T=2.13, p=0.001<0.05; 95% confidence level).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the development of the probiotic industry in Iran is influenced by both the macro-environment and the micro-environment. What can provide the basis for the development of this industry in the macro-environment and the micro-environment sectors is the political forces such as governments and the private sector, respectively.
 
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Positive Thinking Skills Training and Behavioral Activation Therapy in Self-Care and Corona Stress in Patients with Diabetes
Sedigheh Rostami, Hamzeh Akbari, Hassan Abdollahzadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Self-care behaviors are the most common behavioral response in attempts to prevent corona stress in patients with diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy on self-care and corona stress in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental study using a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with experimental and control groups. The statistical population included all the diabetic patients referring to the Vanoshe Diabetes Clinic in Qaemshahr city, Iran in 2020-2021, from among whom 45 patients were selected by accessible sampling technic based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into three 15-member groups, namely,  positive thinking skills training, behavioral activation therapy and a control group. The first and second experimental groups received positive thinking skills training in six 60-minute virtual sessions and behavioral activation therapy training in eight 70-minute virtual sessions, respectively, and the control group was in the waiting list. Data were collected using the Corona Stress Scale "CSS-18" and the Summery of Diabetes Self-Care Activities "SDSCA" and analyzed using the repeated measures of variance analysis and the Bonferroni post hoc test with SPSS-22.
Results: The findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the two experimental groups and the control group. Both the positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy interventions reduced corona stress (F= 15.73) and increased self-care (F= 16.17) in the patients, and the effects of the interventions in the follow-up phase were found to be continuing (p <0.05). In addition, the results of Bonferroni post hoc test showed that positive thinking skills raining was more effective than behavioral activation therapy on corona stress reduction (IJ= 9.02), while as regards self-care the behavioral activation therapy (IJ= 12.93) was more effective (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy interventions can be effective in improving self-care and corona stress reduction among diabetic patients. It is recommended that therapists and counselors use, in addition to other treatment methods, these therapies to improve the self-care and corona stress reduction in diabetic patients.
 
The Effectiveness of Emotional Regulation and Mindfulness Techniques Based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Improving Negative Emotions (Depression, Anxiety, Anger) in Borderline Personality Disorder
Majid Mahmoud Alilou, Khalil Esmailpour, Aisan Farzi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation based on dialectical behavior therapy on negative emotions (anxiety, anger and depression) among people with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Materials and Methods: This was a single-case experiment study of the multiple-step baseline type conducted in eight one-hour sessions on three patients with a one-month follow-up. The statistical population was patients suffering from borderline personality disorder, from among whom three volunteers diagnosed by a psychiatrist were selected by the targeted available selection process and a structured clinical interview based on the research criteria.  Data were collected using the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI) questionnaires.                                                
Results: Data analysis using special graphs and tables for the single-subject designs showed that the effect size in the variables of anxiety, depression and anger for the three subjects was, respectively,  as follows: for the first subject 2.494, 2.260 and 2.484; for the second subject 3.087, 2.827 and 2.727;  and for the third subject 4.854, 2.183 and 2.917.
Conclusion: This treatment method can bring about statistically significant changes in the symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger in patients with borderline personality disorder.  
Association Between Organizational Socialization and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Among Tehran University of Medical Sciences Senate Staff Members, Tehran, Iran
Hossein Dargahi, Mahboubeh Anbari, Mahmoud Biglar,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of employees in an organization as an optional and voluntary behavior may help to improve organizational productivity. It is important to know that encouraging employees to perform voluntary behaviors needs pre-employment education training in the format of organizational socialization. Therefore, this study was conducted to find the association between organizational socialization and OCB among Tehran University of Medical Sciences Senate staff members, Tehran, Iran 
Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2021-2022. The research population was a group of 1419 staff members in the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Senate, Tehran, Iran, from among whom an available sample of 243 was selected according to Krejcie and Morgan Table based on a response rate of 86%.  Data were collected using the Katz’s Organizational Socialization and the Organ & Konovsky’s OCB Questionnaires, the face and content validity of which had been determined by experts, and based on the Cronbach's alpha test the reliability of the questionnaires was found to be 0.83 and 0.81 for the organizational socialization and OCB questionnaires, respectively.  Data analysis for descriptive and analytical statistics was done using the SPSS software.
Results: The means of the employees’ organizational socialization and OCB scores were 3.8 and 3.35 (relatively high), respectively.  A statistically significant correlation was observed between the organizational socialization and OCB and their subthemes.
Conclusion: Explaining and encouraging voluntary behaviors of organizational citizenship among the employees through implementation of pre-employment and on-the-job training and empowerment courses may help to promote organizational productivity.
 
The Current Situation and Future Prospects of the Food Safety and Hygiene Field in Terms of Occupational Positions and the Needs of the Society
Gholamreza Jahed Khaniki, Nabi Shariatifar, Hedayat Hosseini , Abbas Rahim Foroushani,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the needs of the society food safety and hygiene graduates can be employed in positions related to their field of study and provide services to solve the food safety and hygiene ‎problems at the community level. The aim of this research was to explain the current situation and future prospects of the food safety and hygiene field in terms of occupational positions and the needs of the society.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive and applied study was conducted with the time series analysis method regarding the current situation and the future perspective of the ‎ food safety and hygiene field ‎in terms of occupational positions and the society's need. A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed and used for data collection. In order to predict the future of the field, the time series statistical analysis method (Autoregressive integrated moving average =ARIMA) was used. In addition, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified and analysed using the SWOT qualitative content analysis.
Results: Analysis of the data obtained showed that the number of food safety and hygiene graduates has an increasing trend. The proportions of the graduates in relevant occupations, in non-relevant occupations and out of job were 48.00%, 24.75% and 27.25%, respectively. The data also revealed that this field of study had good strengths, so attempts should be made to increases them, reducing the weaknesses and threats, using the available and potential opportunities.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study the numbers of individuals accepted and graduated in the field of food safety and hygiene have an increasing trend, which are expected to continue in the next ten years. On the whole, the current moderate situation and the future perspective of the food safety and hygiene field in terms of the occupational positions and the society's need can be relatively favourable. In any case it is essential to make serious attempts continuously to maintain and promote this field of study.
 
Assessing the Risk of COVID-19 in Selected Occupational Groups of Hospitals in Saghez, Iran Using the Rapid Risk Analysis Technique
Maryam Tajvar, Mohammad Sarkout Ghosi, Elham Ehsani-Chimeh,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Assessment of disease risk with the ultimatevaim of implementing preventive strategies in the workplace is a necessity. This study was conducted to assess the risk of COVID-19 in hospital occupational groups in Saghez city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among three hospital occupational groups (total sample size = 300) in Saghez city, Iran, including physicians and nurses, as well as laboratory, administrative, financial, radiology and general service personnel, using the COVID-19 rapid risk analysis technique. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire based on the Likert scale and analysed (to determine acceptable, tolerable and intolerable risks) using the descriptive and inferential methods, the software used being SPSS-26.
Results: As regards the probability variable, the highest probability of occurrence of COVID-19 was related to the general service and administrative-financial occupational groups with an average of 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. The level of attitude was generally good and excellent. The analysis of the severity of the outcome variable was at a critical level in the physicians group (42.5) and at a catastrophic level in the other groups. In total, all occupations were rated at an unacceptable risk level (H), the general service and administrative-financial occupational groups being at a higher risk than other groups. There were statistically significant differences between the types of occupation on the one hand and the variables studied, as well as the individual characteristics and COVID-19 morbidity on the other hand.
Conclusion: Considering the high risk of occurrence of COVID-19 among the hospital professionals it is essential to develop and implement plans aiming at preventing and reducing the disease risk in them.
 
Prevalence and Distribution of Common Rotavirus Genotypes in Iran and Comparing them with Vaccine Strains Before the Start of the National Vaccination Program
Somayeh Jalilvand, Atefeh Kachooei, Tayebeh Latifi, Mahdieh Motamedi‐rad, Mohammad Farahmand, Nasir Mohajel, Zabihollah Shoja,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
 
1. Franco MA, Angel J, Greenberg HB. Immunity and correlates of protection for rotavirus vaccines. Vaccine. 2006; 24(15):2718-31.
2. Glass RI, Parashar UD, Bresee JS, Turcios R, Fischer TK, Widdowson M-A, et al. Rotavirus vaccines: current prospects and future challenges. The Lancet. 2006;368(9532):323-32.
3. Parashar UD, Gibson CJ, Bresee JS, Glass RI. Rotavirus and severe childhood diarrhea. Emerging infectious diseases. 2006;12(2):304.
4. Kargar M, Zare M, Najafi A. Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus strains circulating among children with gastroenteritis in Iran. Iranian journal of pediatrics. 2012;22(1):63.
5. Modares S, Rahbarimanesh AA, Karimi M, Modares S, Motamedirad M, Sohrabi A, et al. Electrophoretic RNA genomic profiles of rotavirus strains prevailing among hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran. 2008.
6. Shoja Z, Jalilvand S, Mokhtari-Azad T, Nategh R. Epidemiology of cocirculating human rotaviruses in Iran. The pediatric infectious disease journal. 2013;32(4):e178-e81.
7. Jalilvand S, Roohvand F, Arashkia A, Shoja Z. Update on Epidemiology and Circulating Genotypes of Rotavirus in Iranian Children With Severe Diarrhea: 1986-2015. Int J Travel Med Glob Health. 2018;6(1):7-10.
8. Desselberger U. Rotaviruses. Virus research. 2014;190:75-96.
9. http://rega.kuleuven.be/cev/ viralmetagenomics/virus-classification/ rcwg. updated 25 Mar, 2021 [.
10. Santos N, Hoshino Y. Global distribution of rotavirus serotypes/genotypes and its implication for the development and implementation of an effective rotavirus vaccine. Reviews in medical virology. 2005;15(1):29-56.
11. Banyai K, Laszlo B, Duque J, Steele AD, Nelson EA, Gentsch JR, et al. Systematic review of regional and temporal trends in global rotavirus strain diversity in the pre rotavirus vaccine era: insights for understanding the impact of rotavirus vaccination programs. Vaccine. 2012;30(1):A122-30.
12. Doro R, Laszlo B, Martella V, Leshem E, Gentsch J, Parashar U, et al. Review of global rotavirus strain prevalence data from six years post vaccine licensure surveillance: is there evidence of strain selection from vaccine pressure? Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases. 2014;28:446-61.
13. Mwanga MJ, Owor BE, Ochieng JB, Ngama MH, Ogwel B, Onyango C, et al. Rotavirus group A genotype circulation patterns across Kenya before and after nationwide vaccine introduction, 2010-2018. BMC infectious diseases. 2020;20(1):1-12.
14. Matthijnssens J, Mino S, Papp H, Potgieter C, Novo L, Heylen E, et al. Complete molecular genome analyses of equine rotavirus A strains from different continents reveal several novel genotypes and a largely conserved genotype constellation. The Journal of general virology. 2012;93(Pt 4):866-75.
15. Matthijnssens J, Ciarlet M, Rahman M, Attoui H, Banyai K, Estes MK, et al. Recommendations for the classification of group A rotaviruses using all 11 genomic RNA segments. Archives of virology. 2008;153(8):1621-9.
16. Hutson AM, Atmar RL, Graham DY, Estes MK. Norwalk Virus Infection and Disease Is Associated with ABO Histo-Blood Group Type. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2002;185(9):1335-7.
17. Carlsson B, Kindberg E, Buesa J, Rydell GE, Lidón MF, Montava R, et al. The G428A nonsense mutation in FUT2 provides strong but not absolute protection against symptomatic GII.4 Norovirus infection. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5593.
18. Tan M, Jiang X. Histo-blood group antigens: a common niche for norovirus and rotavirus. Expert reviews in molecular medicine. 2014;16.
19. Liu Y, Ramelot TA, Huang P, Liu Y, Li Z, Feizi T, et al. Glycan Specificity of P[19] Rotavirus and Comparison with Those of Related P Genotypes. J Virol. 2016;90(21):9983-96.
20. Hu L, Sankaran B, Laucirica DR, Patil K, Salmen W, Ferreon ACM, et al. Glycan recognition in globally dominant human rotaviruses. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):2631.
21. Yen C, Steiner CA, Barrett M, Curns AT, Hunter K, Wilson E, et al. Racial disparities in diarrhea-associated hospitalizations among children in five US States, before and after introduction of rotavirus vaccine. Vaccine. 2010;28(46):7423-6.
22. Payne DC, Currier RL, Staat MA, Sahni LC, Selvarangan R, Halasa NB, et al. Epidemiologic Association Between FUT2 Secretor Status and Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children in the United States. JAMA pediatrics. 2015;169(11):1040-5.
23. Shoja Z, Jalilvand S, Mokhtari-Azad T, Nategh R. Epidemiology of cocirculating human rotaviruses in Iran. The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 2013;32(4):e178-81.
24. Shoja Z, Jalilvand S, Mollaei-Kandelous Y, Validi M. Epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis in Iran. The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 2014;33(2):218-20.
25. Kachooei A, Tava Koli A, Minaeian S, Hosseini M, Jalilvand S, Latifi T, et al. Molecular characterization of rotavirus infections in children less than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran, 2021–2022: Emergence of uncommon G9P [4] and G9P [8] rotavirus strains. Journal of medical virology. 2023;95(2):e2852.
26. Motamedi-Rad M, Farahmand M, Arashkia A, Jalilvand S, Shoja Z. VP7 and VP4 genotypes of rotaviruses cocirculating in Iran, 2015 to 2017: Comparison with cogent sequences of Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccine strains before their use for universal mass vaccination. Journal of medical virology. 2020;92(8):1110-23.
27. Jalilvand S, Afchangi A, Mohajel N, Roohvand F, Shoja Z. Diversity of VP7 genes of G1 rotaviruses isolated in Iran, 2009-2013. Infection, genetics and evolution: journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases. 2016;37:275-9.
28. Morozova OV, Sashina TA, Fomina SG, Novikova NA. Comparative characteristics of the VP7 and VP4 antigenic epitopes of the rotaviruses circulating in Russia (Nizhny Novgorod) and the Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines. Archives of virology. 2015;160(7):1693-703.
29. Mouna BH, Hamida-Rebai MB, Heylen E, Zeller M, Moussa A, Kacem S, et al. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of human rotavirus strains: comparison of VP7 and VP8( *) antigenic epitopes between Tunisian and vaccine strains before national rotavirus vaccine introduction. Infection, genetics and evolution: journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases. 2013;18:132-44.
30. Zeller M, Patton JT, Heylen E, De Coster S, Ciarlet M, Van Ranst M, et al. Genetic analyses reveal differences in the VP7 and VP4 antigenic epitopes between human rotaviruses circulating in Belgium and rotaviruses in Rotarix and RotaTeq. Journal of clinical microbiology. 2011; 50(3):966-976.
31. Hoshino Y, Jones RW, Ross J, Honma S, Santos N, Gentsch JR, et al. Rotavirus serotype G9 strains belonging to VP7 gene phylogenetic sequence lineage 1 may be more suitable for serotype G9 vaccine candidates than those belonging to lineage 2 or 3. Journal of virology. 2004;78(14):7795-802.
32. Jin Q, Ward RL, Knowlton DR, Gabbay YB, Linhares AC, Rappaport R, et al. Divergence of VP7 genes of G1 rotaviruses isolated from infants vaccinated with reassortant rhesus rotaviruses. Archives of virology. 1996;141(11):2057-76.
33. Bányai K, Gentsch JR, Martella V, Bogdán Á, Havasi V, Kisfali P, et al. Trends in the epidemiology of human G1P [8] rotaviruses: a Hungarian study. The Journal of infectious diseases. 2009; 200 (1):S222-S7.
34. Magagula NB, Esona MD, Nyaga MM, Stucker KM, Halpin RA, Stockwell TB, et al. Whole genome analyses of G1P [8] rotavirus strains from vaccinated and non‐vaccinated South African children presenting with diarrhea. Journal of medical virology. 2015;87(1):79-101.
35. Kulkarni R, Arora R, Arora R, Chitambar SD. Sequence analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes of G1P [8] rotaviruses circulating among diarrhoeic children in Pune, India: A comparison with Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccine strains. Vaccine. 2014;32:A75-A83.
36. Zeller M, Patton JT, Heylen E, De Coster S, Ciarlet M, Van Ranst M, et al. Genetic analyses reveal differences in the VP7 and VP4 antigenic epitopes between human rotaviruses circulating in belgium and rotaviruses in rotarix™ and RotaTeq™. Journal of clinical microbiology. 2011:JCM. 05590-11.
37. Farahmand M, Jalilvand S, Arashkia A, Shahmahmoodi S, Afchangi A, Mollaei-Kandelous Y, et al. Association between circulating rotavirus genotypes and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) in the children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Iran. Journal of medical virology. 2021;93(8):7.
38. Ayouni S, Sdiri-Loulizi K, de Rougemont A, Estienney M, Ambert-Balay K, Aho S, et al. Rotavirus P[8] Infections in Persons with Secretor and Nonsecretor Phenotypes, Tunisia. Emerging infectious diseases. 2015;21(11):2055-8.
39. Nordgren J, Sharma S, Bucardo F, Nasir W, Gunaydin G, Ouermi D, et al. Both Lewis and secretor status mediate susceptibility to rotavirus infections in a rotavirus genotype-dependent manner. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 2014;59(11):1567-73.
40. Yu Y, Lasanajak Y, Song X, Hu L, Ramani S, Mickum ML, et al. Human milk contains novel glycans that are potential decoy receptors for neonatal rotaviruses. Molecular & cellular proteomics: MCP. 2014;13(11):2944-60.
41. Huang P, Xia M, Tan M, Zhong W, Wei C, Wang L, et al. Spike protein VP8* of human rotavirus recognizes histo-blood group antigens in a type-specific manner. Journal of virology. 2012;86(9):4833-43.
42. Parker EP, Ramani S, Lopman BA, Church JA, Iturriza-Gomara M, Prendergast AJ, et al. Causes of impaired oral vaccine efficacy in developing countries. Future microbiology. 2018;13:97-118.









Prevalence and Distribution of Common Rotavirus Genotypes in Iran and Comparing them with Vaccine Strains Before the Start of the National Vaccination Program

Somayeh Jalilvan1, Atefeh Kachooei2, Tayebeh Latifi3, Mahdieh Motamedi‐Rad4, Mohammad Farahmand3, Nasir Mohajel5, Zabihollah Shoja6*
1- Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Ph.D. Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Ph.D. Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4- MSc. Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
5- Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
6- Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
* Corresponding author: zabihollahshoja@gmail.com, zshoja@alumnus.tums.ac.ir
Received: May 25, 2023                                                Accepted: Oct 11, 2023

ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Since the discovery of rotaviruses in 1973, these viruses have been identified as one of the most important and common causes of diarrhea in infants and children all over the world. Before the introduction of rotavirus vaccination, this virus led to the death of more than 500,000 children in the world annually, which mainly occurs in developing countries. With the introduction of Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines as well as ROTAVAC and ROTASIIL in the world, the death rate has decreased by 50%. Iran, like many countries, is in the period before rotavirus vaccination, and considering putting the rotavirus vaccine in the vaccination program is one of the priorities of the country's health system. Therefore, knowing the genotypes circulating in Iran in the past and recent years and their comparison with vaccine strains is very important. Our aim in the current study is to review the prevalence of rotavirus and its genotypes circulating in Iran and whether the existing vaccines based on the circulating strains in Iran can be effective.
Materials and Methods: Studies regard to the prevalence and genotypes of rotavirus in Iran were reviewed.
Results:  G1P[8] genotype includes more than 50% of circulating genotypes. Non-G1P[8] genotypes, including G4P[8], G3P[8] and G9P[8], have also had a high frequency in some studies. In addition, in a recent study, it has been shown that the rare and uncommon genotype G9P[4] has been introduced as a common genotype.
Conclusion: Studies in Iran have shown that the country may face a change in the rotavirus genotype pattern in the future. This study can provide useful information to recommend appropriate policies for rotavirus vaccination before the start of the national vaccination program and may even change policies for the use of existing vaccines.
 
Investigating the Status of Type-2 Diabetes Prevention and Control in the Population of Buin Zahra City, Iran Based on the Goals and Strategies of the National Program
Soheila Keshavarz, Kourosh Holakouie Naeini , Abbas Rahimi Foroushani ,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite all the current diabetes prevention programs, only a limited number of patients are identified and receive care.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study including individuals over 30 years old in Buin Zahra city, Iran selected using the multi-stage sampling method (sample size = 1154). Data were collected using a questionnaire for the general public and the health team, the validity and reliability of which had been determined based on the CVR and CVI indexes and the correlation coefficient, respectively.
Results: The average age of the sample and the prevalence of diabetes were 48.42 ± 14.45 years and 9.9%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed the following:
1. the prevalence of diabetes in at-risk people: women with a history of abortion and large children, 12.8% and 31.7%, respectively; gestational diabetes 36.5%;
2. obesity during pregnancy: 19.7%; a family history of diabetes: 22.4%;
3. waist circumference>90 cm: 14.08%, BMI>25: 13.95%; and
4. triglyceride<200: 22%, hypertension: 32.97%.
Further analysis of the data showed statistically significant associations between diabetes and blood sugar level above 100 mg/dl (OR = 2.73), waist circumference >90 cm (OR = 3.02) and gestational diabetes (OR =12.22); no other significant associations were found.
Only 55% of the health team personnel had received diabetes prevention training.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that patient care and education are not of a proper quality. The considerable prevalence of diabetes among people at risk shows that more follow-up and care are needed for them. The training of health team personnel should be very efficient and the number of trainings related to the diabetes program should increase.
 
Criticism and Evaluation of Social Health Contents of the Primary Health Care Prepared in the Office of Mental, Social and Addiction Health of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education
Banafsheh Aleyaran, Zahra Delavari, Fatemeh Fayyaz, Hamed Moslehi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Social health is one of the most basic criteria of social well-being and an effective factor in improving the quality of life of any society. .In Iran, the Office of Mental Health, Social Health and Addiction (OMSHA) is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating social health programs. The purpose of this research was to criticize and assess the contents of the social health component of the primary health care (PHC) system in an attempt to revise the contents.
Materials and Methods: The method used in this study was the deconstruction method. The research environment was all the contents of the social health component provided by OMSHA, and in order to obtain precise data the entire statistical population was taken as the study sample.
Results: In general, data analysis indicated the following: inappropriate screening, cultural adaptation, unidimensionality, role and responsibility adaptation, the preference of treatment to prevention, updating, comprehensiveness and adequacy of basic contents, and comprehensiveness and adequacy of practical suggestions.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that revision of the contents of the social health component of the Office of Mental health, Social Health and Addiction is a necessity in order to improve the delivery of mental health services..
 
Typology of Strategies for Taking Care of Risky Behaviors Based on the Family Socio-Economic Status
Hamidreza Atefifar, Hossein Aghajani Marsa, Alireza Mohseni Tabrizi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Tobacco use, narcotics, drug abuse, consumption of alcohol, having unsafe sexual relations and other such behaviours are risky behaviors that tend to cause great concerns in families. Parents try to cope with high-risk behaviors through care strategies. The purpose of this research was to determine the typology of strategies for taking care of risky behaviors based on to the family socioeconomic status (SES).
Materials and Methods: This was a quantitative descriptive-correlational research including all the urban families of Tabriz, Iran, from among whom a sample of 384 families was selected by the multi-stage cluster method. Two measurement tools (checklist for high-risk behavior care strategies and a family SES questionnaire) were used to gather data, the one-way analysis of variance (F) test and linear regression being used to determine the relationships between the variables.
Results: The means of strategies for taking care of risky behaviors were significantly different based on the SES of the family, the upper classes adopting a more appropriate (procedural) strategy to take care of children against risky behaviors than the lower classes. Conclusion: Families with a medium and low SES use ineffective care strategies (inefficient and momentary) to cope with risky behaviors. In order to improve the public's health, it is necessary to adopt prevention-based cultural-educational policies to transform ineffective care strategies to procedural strategies.                        
 
Strategic Intelligence and Cybernetic Management Based on Technological Education from the Point of View of Educational Managers of Higher Education Centers in Kermanshah Province
Maryam Islampanah, Masoume Bluri Tabar, Elham Kavyani, Susan Lai,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Technological education is considered a new model in the development of education, especially higher education, to promote cybernetic management and strategic intelligence of training managers, and can help the organizations to implement programs well. The purpose of this research was to develop a structural model of technological education for development of strategic intelligence and cybernetic management in managers of higher education centers in Kermanshah Province, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quantitative-qualitative research. In the qualitative section, saturation was achieved by 15 interviews, and in quantitative section 281 questionnaires were completed and returned to the researcher. The measurement tools used in the qualitative part were semi-structured questionnaires, based on which two researcher-made questionnaires were extracted, while in the quantitative part, theMcCobe's strategic intelligence questionnaire (2007) and researcher-made technological education and cybernetic management questionnaires were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS24 and Amos software.
Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated appropriateness of the measurement models obtained from constructed questionnaires. The structural equational model showed that technological education has a significant positive effect on cybernetic management and strategic intelligence.
Conclusion: Development of strategic intelligence in higher education centers leads to more interactions between managers and the faculty members and personnel, as well as constructive relationships between faculty members and students. Furthermore, strategic intelligence is a proactive approach that can be beneficial in all sections of higher education centers. Considering the relationships between the variables studied, it is suggested that the aforementioned results be used to reduce the challenges in the programs and activities of educational managers of education centers.
 
Zoning of Leaf Chlorophyll Content of Tree Species (A Case study in Malayer City, Iran): An Indicator to Investigate Air Pollution in Urban Environments
Eisa Solgi, Arezoo Soleimany, Vida Hatami,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Air pollution is currently one of the most important environmental issues. The most common effect of air pollution on plants is the gradual decomposition of chlorophyll and leaf yellowing, which may result in the reduction of photosynthetic capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of air pollution on the chlorophyll content and zonation of leaf chlorophyll content of two tree species in Malayer city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from two tree species, namely, Platanus orientalis and Robinia pseudoacacia in different parts of Malayer city, Iran (clean and polluted areas), each with three replications. The concentration of pigments in the leaves was measured by the Lichtenthaler (1987) method, which is the modified Arnon method (1949), at 663 and 645 nm wavelengths, absorbance being measured using a spectrophotometer.
Results: Data analysis showed that the a, b and total chlorophyll contents in the acacia tree species in the southern parts (southwest) of the study area reached their maximums, while their contents were lowest in the eastern and north-western parts and low to medium in the central parts of the study area. On the other hand, as regards the sycamore species, in the eastern and north-western parts of the study area the a, b, and total chlorophyll contents were the highest and reached their minimums in the south-western parts. However, as in the case of the acacia species, in the central parts of the study area the contents of the tree chlorophylls were low to medium.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that the a, b and total leaf chlorophyll contents of the two acacia and plantain species were higher in the polluted areas as compared to those in clean areas. On this basis, it can be said that a higher physiological index, such as an increased chlorophyll content, indicates the plant's response for resistance to air pollutants.
 
Frequency of Non-Polio Enteroviruses Among Acute Flaccid Paralysis Patients in Iran Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ahmad Nejati, Alireza Asgari Golzardi, Farshad Khodakhah, Katayoun Samimi-Rad, Seyedeh Maryam Yousefi, Yaghoub Mollaei-Kandelousi, Maryam Keyvanlou, Mohammad Razaghi, Parastoo Soheili, Delaram Yaghoubzadeh, Nastaran Ghavami, Susan Mahmoudi, Seyed Mohsen Zahraei, Shohreh Shahmahmoodi,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic public health measures and protocols such as regular hand washing and wearing a face mask were recommended at the national level. The implementation of these health protocols reduced the prevalence of respiratory diseases, but no study has been conducted to investigate the impact of the implementation of these protocols on the spread of viruses that are transmitted through fecal-oral route. Considering that non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) are mainly transmitted through fecal-oral route, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of non-polio enteroviruses in patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Iran before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: To detect non-polio enteroviruses stool samples of AFP cases received by Iran National Polio Laboratory in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) were tested. To isolate NPEVs by cell culture, the WHO standard protocol was used, and the TaqMan One-Step Real Time PCR was used for molecular testing.
Results: In 2019, a sample of 21 out of 1070 patients and a sample of 12 out of 100 patients were found to be positive for non-polio enterovirus by cell culture and the molecular method, respectively; these ratios decreased to10 out of 678 and 3 out of 100 in 2021.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the observance of personal hygiene and public health protocols during the COVID-19 epidemic  have, in addition to the general reduction of respiratory transmission of viruses, also affected the faecal-oral transmission of viruses.
 
Cumulative Probability of Occurrence of Cardiac Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Survival Analysis in Patients Referring to the Diabetes Clinic, Bu-Ali Hospital, Zahedan, Iran
Mostafa Peyvand, Hossein Ansari, , , Mohamad Ali Yadegari, Hossein Moein,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim Cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus are one of the most common complications of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the cumulative probability of occurrence of cardiac complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus using survival analysis in patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic, Bu-Ali Hospital, Zahedan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical historical cohort study using the survival analysis method in 2020 on 410 patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic, Bu-Ali Hospital, Zahedan, Iran. Data were collected and analyzed using the SPSS-v21 software, the statistical tests being descriptive tests, followed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model of survival.
Results: The results of this study showed that 122 individuals (29.7%) of the diabetic patients had cardiac complications. The median survival time (in months) of the occurrence of cardiac complications was found to be related to fasting and two-hour postprandial blood sugar levels (p<0.05). Further analysis of the data showed that two variables, namely fasting blood sugar and regular visits, remained in the final model of the multiple Cox regression.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the cardiac complications of diabetes in the population studies are relatively high. Therefore, it is essential to plan and implement interventions aiming to change lifestyle and control regularly blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar in the patients in order to prevent the disease
Analysis of the Importance and Performance of Mental Health Programs in the Primary Health Care System in Iran
Hamed Moslehi, Reyhaneh Fayyaz, Zahra Validabadi, Iman Zaghian,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the importance (expected services) and performance (services provided) of mental health services to determine the priority indicators of mental health to help design higher quality and more effective community mental health interventions.
Materials and Methods: This was a mixed-method study including all the mental health executives and practitioners (n=998) in Iran. In the quantitative part, the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) model was used to determine the importance and performance of the current mental health programs in the primary health care (PHC) system, and in the qualitative part complementary explanations were analyzed using the thematic analysis method.
Results: The findings show that there were gaps between the expected services and the services provided in the mental health program. Thus, the following points should be taken into account to be able to improve the mental health services: 1. Strengthening the domestic violence prevention program as regards spouse misbehavior and misbehavior towards children; 2. Continuation of lifestyle skills and parenting programs, 3. Self-care in mental health and drug use programs; 4. psychiatric disorders diagnosis and care and a healthy adolescents program is desirable and necessary, but revising and modifying the suicide prevention program (as regards costs and treatment) are essential. 5. In addition, the psycho-social intervention programs in disasters, addiction harm reduction program, strengthening family foundation and the Competent Family Program are of low importance in formulating a strategy.
Conclusion: Corrective actions based on the prioritizations determined can be included in the working agenda of the managers of mental health care systems at the primary levels to improve the quality of mental health services.
 
Reasons for Referring Patients in Rural Areas of Zahedan City to the Second Level of the Health Care System
Fatemeh Setoodehzadeh, Hossein Ansari, , Fatemeh Nazari, Fatemeh Khabiri, Mohammad Hassan Amiri Moghaddam,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The health system is trying to prevent unnecessary referrals to higher levels by providing tiered services and thus reduce the cost of health care. Therefore, this study was conducted in Zahedan City, Iran with the aim of finding the causes of referrals from level 1 to higher tiers in rural areas.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 458 rural patients referred to the second level in the rural areas of Zahedan City, Iran. Data were collected from the family health files available in the Sib system and analyzed using the SPSS-16 statistical software, the statistical tests being descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency) and Chi-square test.
Results: The highest (57.6%) and lowest (4.1%) proportions of referrals to the second level of service provision were found to have been in 2018 and 2016, respectively. From among the referred patients nearly 50% had been referred due to the need for a higher expertise, thus most referrals (67.2%) were to specialists. Further analysis of the data showed that only in 23.6% of the cases there was a feedback from the higher level to the first level.
Conclusion: The findings show that referrals from family physicians to higher levels in the health system requires higher medical expertise and patient insistence. In addition, feedback to the first level of service provision has not received proper attention. Establishing interactions between physicians and other health service levels, refresher training of physicians, emphasizing the importance of providing feedback and promoting the awareness of patients can reduce to a large extent inappropriate referrals.
 
Page 17 from 18     

© 2025 , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, CC BY-NC 4.0

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb