Showing 28 results for Tehran
Maryam Samani, Ahmad Golchin, Hosseinali Alikhani, Ahmad Baybordi ,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Heavy metals in atmospheric dust can enter the human body through ingestion, respiration and skin contact and cause various diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of lead, a heavy metal, in atmospheric dust and assess its health risk during the period between winter of 1397 and the fall of 1398 in regions 9, 10, 11 and 12 of Tehran Municipality, Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Atmospheric dusts were collected monthly during one year in the following locations in Tehran: west and east of region 9; east of regions 10, 11 and 12 (the locations in the west of these regions had common borders with the eastern part of the adjacent region). A factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replications; the experimental factors included sampling locations and sampling times (seasons). The concentration of lead in the samples was then determined after extraction with hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid (ration 3:1).
Results: The lowest (177.1 mg/kg) and highest (98.476 mg/kg) concentration of lead were found to be in location 9W (Tehransar) in winter and in location 11E (Vahdet-E-eslami Avenue) in autumn, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that ingestion of the atmospheric dust was the main risk of exposure to lead and that more than 90% of the risk index for non-cancerous diseases caused by lead was related to ingestion hazard quotient (HQ, risk equation).
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that in winter the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI, non-cancer Risk Index) for lead were lower than the maximum permitted levels for adults and children and, so, did not pose any health risk for these age groups. However, in spring, summer and autumn the risk index for lead was higher than the maximum permitted level for children and, thus, the risk of children developing non-cancerous diseases was high in all the sampling locations.
Saeed Motesadi Zarandi, Rasul Nasiri, Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: High concentrations of particulate matter-25 (PM2.5) have been the cause of the unhealthiest days in Tehran, Iran in recent years. This study was conducted with the aim of the spatio-temporal analysis of traffic volume and its relationship with PM2.5 pollutant concentrations in Tehran metropolis, Tehran during 2015-2018, using the Geographic Information System (GIS).
Materials and Methods: In this study in different regions of Tehran, the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) model was used for prediction and zoning of the PM2.5 concentrations and traffic volume during the period 2015-2018. In addition, the association between the PM2.5 concentrations and traffic volume was determined based on the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model.
Results: The findings showed that the southern and southwestern regions of Tehran had the highest PM2.5 pollutant concentration (annual average more than 40 μg/m3), while the eastern and northern regions had the highest traffic volume. In addition, based on the GWR model, the eastern regions were found to have the highest local R2 values (between 0.36 and 0.70).
Conclusion: In most regions of Tehran, no strong association can be found between high concentrations of PM2.5 and traffic volume. However, based on the findings of this study we cannot reject the relationship between traffic volume and PM2.5 pollutant but postulate other sources to be the main reason for the high concentrations of PM2.5. Thus, in the first step, these sources should be identified, followed by adopting strategies for traffic volume control and reduction aiming at having a cleaner air in Tehran.
Rasul Nasiri, Saeed Motesaddi Zarandi, Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh ,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Climate change on the earth is changing faster than ever before in the history. Cities are highly vulnerable to this climate change. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate climate change in the metropolis of Tehran during the period 1991-2020 and help understand the limitations that cities may have in confronting climate change.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed based on the information obtained from the synoptic stations in the Tehran metropolis. First the relevant indicators were determined based on the opinions of experts and the existing literature, followed by analyzing the descriptive and analytical data on climate using the EXCEL-2016 software. Finally, based on reviewing the studies in the literature and analysis of climate data in the metropolis of Tehran, a single protocol was arrived at to study climate change in the city (microclimate) and how to reduce, and adapt with, the impacts of climate change in cities.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that the metropolis of Tehran had been facing an increase in temperature and a decrease in humidity over the preceding 30 years. The average monthly temperature increase and humidity decrease had been about 1.5° C and nearly 15%, respectively.
Conclusion: Tehran metropolis is faced with an increase in temperature and a decrease in humidity levels, the intensity of both of which will further increase in the future. Dense urban population areas will experience more intense climate change due to the formation of heat islands. To deal with this problem urban planners must consider urban socio-economic development in the context of adapting to climate change and reducing its impacts in various urban areas.
Ali Nik Farjam, Hassan Ajam, Robabeh Ansari Torghii, Hajar Alimohammadi, Yousef Alimohammadi , Elahe Hesari,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The process of identifying Covid 19 cases over time (the trend) can provide valuable information about the coverage of diagnostic and screening programs over time. This study aimed to investigate the outpatient trend of Covid-19 in selected comprehensive health service centers of Tehran University of Meical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The data collected inculded the number of referalls and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-positive individuals between April 13 and December 25, 2020. Central and dispersion indices (mean, median, standard deviation and interquartile range) were used to describe quantitative variables. In addition, linear and bar charts were used to describe the trend of the variables over time. All analyses were performed using the Excel 2016 and SPSS 22 software.
Results: The highest numbers of suspected cases of Covid-19 were found to be in April, June and October. There were 2 peaks in the trend of positive cases of Covid 19, and the highest proportions of daily positive cases of Covid 19 was seen in late June and early July, as well as in late September, October, and December. The highest numbers of individuals referred and tested were observed in the South of Tehran Health Center.
Conclusion: Considering the occurrence of two epidemic peaks during the study period, the occurrence of further epidemic peaks is almost certain to occur if there is no proper planning for public health services and primary health care by the responsible health authorities and policy-makers.
Farahnaz Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi, Tahereh Ramezani, Dariush Panahizadeh, Sholeh Hazarian, Reza Fadayevatan,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Delivering health services to the elderly is one of the most important responsibilities of the health care system of any country. In order to improve the provision of health services to the elderly population under its coverage, the National Social Security Organization conducted this study with the aim of designing, implementing and evaluating a model for providing outpatient health care services to the elderly population under the coverage of its Tehran Province Office.
Materials and Methods: This was a sequential-exploratory mixed-method study. The initial model was developed and validated using the integrated review method and the final model using the Delphi technique and group discussions with experts. Then the educational program was developed and implemented for the health team. Assessment of the effectiveness of the program was done using a researcher-made knowledge and attitude questionnaire (pre- and post-test). The model was then implemented in the Khandan-e-Hakim Clinic. The effectiveness of the model implementation was determined based on the qualitative content analysis of the interviews with the elderly and qualitative content analysis of the health team comments.
Results: The outpatient care model of the elderly included an organized clinical process consisting of 6 phases. The mean age of the health team members was 45.7±15.11 years. The difference between the health team satisfaction total scores before and after participating in the educational program was statistically significant (P≤0.05). Further analysis of the data showed, based on the interviews with the elderly, the main categories to be "assessment of cognitive function, mood and behavior", "physical assessment", "appreciation of the health and dignity of the elderly" and "satisfaction of the elderly and their companions". Analysis of the comments of the health team revealed their satisfaction with the implementation of the model.
Conclusion: The introduced model can make possible rapid identification of health problems and timely intervention in the elderly population. This implementation model will help disease prevention and complications at different levels. The findings of this study can help service providers to provide better care and health services for the elderly.
Alireza Delavari, Abbas Vosoogh-Moghaddam, Zahra Kazemi Esfa, Zahra Beigom Seyed Aghamiri,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (6-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The District Health Network is based on the principles of equity, appropriate technology, inter-sectoral collaboration and public participation. Measuring patient satisfaction is one of the basic criteria in determining the quality of care services. The purpose of this study was to compare the level of satisfaction of service recipients between government and non-government health posts in the south of Tehran in 2021.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. A two-part researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data. The first part included items related to demographic characteristics of the clients, insurance status, geographical location and type of health post, appointment system and frequency of visits, and the second part contained questions on the type and level of satisfaction with the services provided.
Results: In the governmental health posts, the clients were mostly satisfied with, in a decreasing order, vaccination services, post-vaccination education, waiting time and physical space. In the outsourced posts, post-vaccination care education, under-one year old child care, vaccination and a sense of responsibility obtained, in an increasing order, the highest scores of satisfaction. Further analysis of the data showed the clients’ least satisfaction with youth and middle-aged care in governmental posts and youth care in outsourced posts.
Conclusion: Continuous and frequent measurement of satisfaction and developing timely interventions based on the results obtained will help greatly promotion of the quality of health services.
Zahra Mokhtari Nia, Forouzandeh Jafarzadehpour, Tahmine Shawardi,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Demographic policies are designed and implemented with the aim of creating a better life for individuals in the society as well as protecting national interests. However, whether the implementation of these policies has achieved this goal or has had other, possibly unwanted, consequences that would affect the lives of the citizens, especially vulnerable people, requires careful investigation. These policies have had profound effects on the family and the health of family members, especially women. The purpose of this research was to investigate the understanding and interpretations of women in the southern areas of Tehran who had experienced unwanted pregnancy regarding population increase policies and their effects on women and their family lives.
Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 23 married women with a history of unwanted pregnancy referring to the comprehensive health centers in districts 16, 17 and 19 of South Tehran Health Network. Purposive sampling was continued until a theoretical saturation was reached, and data analysis was performed based on the foundation data theory.
Results: Out of the primary data consisting of a total of 850 open codes, 452 concepts, 15 main categories and 47 sub-categories were extracted. Finally, "dissatisfaction with interventionism" was chosen as the main phenomenon covering the rest of the categories.
Conclusion: The most important factors causing dissatisfaction with government intervention among the participants are imposing costs related to unwanted pregnancies and keeping and raising an unwanted child. The intervening conditions of this phenomenon are "poverty and high cost". The participants' strategies included suppressing their wants, regret and attempts to improve the situation and reducing sexual relations.
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.
