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A qualitative study on opioid overdose in injection drug users in Tehran
A Rahimi, E. Mohammad Razzaghi ,
Volume 64, Issue 4 (7-2006)
Abstract

Background: Injection drug use (IDU) in Iran is not rare and is one of the main factors in opioid overdose. The objective of this study was the qualitative assessment of overdose, related factors, and available interventions.

Methods: A qualitative method was employed. Six districts of Tehran with a population of 400,000 inhabitants were selected. The districts were different in socioeconomic characteristics, urban structures and prevalence of IDU and crime. A total of 81 key informants from different sectors and 154 injection drug users (IDUs) were selected by purposeful, opportunistic and snowball sampling, and interviewed individually or in groups. Ethnographic observations were done for studying the life situation of IDUs.

Results: In one district no cases of IDU were found. In other districts, overdose in IDUs was reported to be common. Heroin injection alone or in combination with other drugs was the main reported cause of overdose. Reportedly, wrong estimation of drug purity was the most important reason. Even in the districts with highest rate of IDU and overdose, most clinics and hospitals did not have enough facilities necessary for management of acute opioid overdose.

Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of overdose, provision of preventive education of drug users and their relatives and availability and accessibility of emergency services is highly recommended.


Investigation the frequency and causes of readmission in patients with cardiovascular diseases
Somayeh Abbaspour , Hassan Karimi, Maryam Farzaneh , Zahra Karimi , Shirin Azizidoost ,
Volume 83, Issue 7 (10-2025)
Abstract
Background: The duration of hospitalization of patients is considered an important indicator in health resource management and patient evaluation. This study investigated the frequency and causes of readmission in cardiovascular patients
Methods: This was a retrospective study of 105 patients with cardiovascular diseases referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz who were readmitted from April 2024 until August 2024 within 30 days after discharge due to recurrence of symptoms. Demographic (including age and gender) and clinical information (including duration of hospitalization, regular medication use, regular physician visits, disease diagnosis and dietary adherence) of the patients was extracted from electronic records using a researcher-made checklist.
Results: From 105 patients, 43 (41%) were admitted in the first trimester and 62 (59%) in the second trimester. The mean age of patients in the first trimester was higher than in the second trimester with a statistically significant association with readmission (P=0.038). Most patients were male and their number was higher in the second trimester than in the first trimester and a statistically significant association was observed between the gender of patients with readmission in the first trimester compared to the second trimester (P=0.015). 72 patients with acute coronary syndrome (68.6%) and 33 patients with heart failure (31.4%) were readmitted. The mean length of stay in the first trimester was 1.6 ± 1.15 days and 2.9 ± 2.7 days in the second trimester. A significant association was observed between the duration of hospitalization and readmission (P=0.003). However, no association was observed between regular medication use and regular physician visits in readmitted patients. However, a significant association was observed between dietary adherence in readmitted patients (P=0.045).
Conclusion: Readmission of cardiovascular patients follows a seasonal pattern and is associated with factors such as age, sex, length of stay, and dietary adherence. Routine disease management measures are not sufficient to counteract these effects, and targeted educational programs are necessary at the threshold of high-risk periods.
 

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