Farideh Kouchak, Alireza Heidari, Fatemeh Paein Mahali, Zahra Khatirnaman,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. The aim of this study was to determine clinical features and outcomes of patients with COVID-19.
Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort that included all patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the Shahid Sayad Shirazi and 5 Azar hospitals in Gorgan (northeastern Iran) from April to September 2020. Overall, information from 345 eligible patients was recorded. Data were described using descriptive statistics. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS software (version 24).
Results: The mean age of patients with COVID-19 was 55.94 years (standard deviation=17.28). The majority of patients were women (51.9%). Disease outcomes were reported as recovery, death, and unknown for 77.1%, 2.6%, and 20.3% of the patients, respectively. The most prevalent underlying conditions were hypertension (29.3%), type 2 diabetes (16.8%), and heart disease (8.4%). The most common symptoms were shortness of breath (55.4%), weakness and fatigue (44.3%), and cough (39.7%). Moreover, the most common computed tomography scan findings were ground glass opacities (32.75%), consolidation (26.67%), and thickening of the pulmonary interstitial structures (13.62%).
Conclusion: Studying the duration of hospitalization and its related factors can provide a better understanding of COVID-19’s impact on medical interventions as well as hospital capacities to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 patients. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and their relationship with the outcome of patients with COVID-19 can be crucial for early diagnosis and management of the disease. In addition, due to the importance of optimal use of limited health facilities, optimizing patient classification and creating predictive tools for a better treatment outcome seem essential.
Behzad Damari, Alireza Heidari, Habibullah Masoudi Farid, Arezou Zokaei, Fariba Derakhshnnia, Mohammad Nafarieh, Hossein Asadbeigi, Fariba Barimani,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: The incidence of social harm has increased in recent years owing to changes in social norms and behaviors.
The welfare organization is an important public organization for providing social services in Iran. The present study
aimed to determine the achievements of national social programs in the welfare organization of Iran.
Methods: The present mixed method study was conducted in three stages, namely documentary analysis, individual
interview, and group discussion. The participants included senior staff managers, social deputy experts of the welfare
organization, provincial managers and experts from 31 provincial offices, and 21 members of public mediators. The
examined programs included social emergency hotline, mobile services, intervention in personal, familial, and social
crises, provision of community-based social services, special health house for girls exposed to social harm, a
rehabilitation program for socially-harmed women and girls, training courses for kindergarten coaches and principals,
and the micro-financing plan with a linked banking approach. The data were analyzed by content analysis.
Results: The major achievements of the programs included the prevention and control of harm, helping to create jobs for
harmed women, holding practical and theoretical courses for kindergarten coaches, facilitating the citizens' access to
telephone counseling services for social emergency through easy free calls, referrals to urgent and specialized intervention
centers, access to social emergency services in marginalized areas and slums, available mobile service vehicles equipped
with tracking systems to identify common and spreading injuries, timely and effective interventions, temporary
accommodation in centers, and specialized measures to return the socially disadvantaged individuals to the normal state,
creating conditions for obtaining bank loans for female household heads without collateral requirements and guarantors.
A total of 324 offices provided services to socially disadvantaged individuals, and 132 neighborhoods were covered by
the community-based empowerment plan. A total of 534,706 individuals were identified for receiving community-based
social services, among whom 17% were filed. A total of 31 special health houses were active for girls at risk of social
harm and they had received 840 individuals. There were 26 active centers for supporting and rehabilitating socially
disadvantaged women and girls among whom 1649 received services.
Conclusion: The welfare organization has obtained great social achievements. Solving the challenges of these programs
and the quantitative and qualitative development of the programs can lead to synergy and improvement of indices of
benefiting from social services in target groups.
Behzad Damari, Alireza Heidari, Habibullah Masoudi Farid, Arezou Zokaei,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage and the legal cancellation of duties and responsibilities of
marriage between couples, which has been growing recently in Iran. Preventing and decreasing divorce and its
complications are among the programs of the welfare organization. The present study aimed to explain the goals, service
model, challenges, and solutions for the improvement of this program.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 2016 and selected 31 managers and experts from departments of the welfare
organization in provinces of Iran, 21 members of public mediators and beneficiary organizations, and 6 senior managers
and senior experts from the social deputy of the welfare organization using the purposive sampling method. Data were
collected by three methods, documentary analysis, focus group discussion, and in-depth individual interview, and were
analyzed using content analysis
Results: The divorce prevention and reduction program was designed in three stages, before marriage, during divorce, and
after divorce. The challenges of the program included multi-work with the involved organizations, insufficient information
by the mass media, mental exhaustion of couples and insisting on divorce, the lack of a coherent program in the Supreme
Council of the Cultural Revolution (SCCR), the lack of human resources, insufficient financial credits, and couples'
unwillingness to consult after judicial registration. The suggested solutions to improve the program include coordination
with the comprehensive plan of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, eliminating inter-organizational multiwork
in the welfare organization, increasing financial credits, creating electronic files for applicant couples, following up
on the status of children within the divorce process, developing a divorce reduction protocol based on new approaches to
family therapy, implementation of educational programs, mandatory counseling before marriage, and approval and
amendment of some judicial laws.
Conclusion: Despite the growing trend of divorce in society and the implementation of the divorce prevention and reduction
program in the welfare organization, this program is facing personal, organizational, and national challenges. It is useful to
use strategies to modify the goal and structure, measures to finance and improve the service mechanism, attract cooperation,
and obtain permits to improve the current status.
Hamid Ravaghi, Saeide Alidoost, Narges Rafiei, Narges Rouhi,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Outsourcing the principal mission of universities, namely instruction, is a new and rather disputable concept which was highly regarded in recent years in terms of the increased number of university students, the necessity of improvement of educational quality, as well as the need for further emphasis on the improvement of efficiency in higher education. This scoping review aims to identify and investigate the higher education outsourcing models in higher education.
Methods: Articles for outsourcing higher education were extracted through Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, and ERIC with the inclusion criteria of the English language. The third type of Arksey & O'Malley's framework (2005) was used to analyze the articles.
Results: Eleven articles and ten models were identified, including swirling model, program outsourcing model, course outsourcing model, full-service contracting model, specialized trainer model, business-like model, tutoring model, workforce model, Internet-based distance education approach, and deemed university model. Depending on the educational tasks that are outsourced, the outsourcing partner, the kind of outsourced services, and the instructional approach, these models have significant variances and similarities.
Conclusion: Different models might be applied for a given purpose based on the outsourced services' nature, outsourcing objectives, country's current conditions, the capacity of the outsourcing universities, as well as available high-capability institutes.
Asgar Aghaei Hashjin, Sajad Moeini, Monireh Shamsaei, Ensieh Ketabchi, Mohammad Veysi Robat,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Electronic health records play significant roles to increase the effectiveness, and efficiency of health system services by creating transparency, decreasing the use of unnecessary services, decreasing medical errors, helping health research, etc. Throughout the years, several laws and regulations regarding electronic health records have been enacted. This research intended to examine Iran's electronic health record implementation policy.
Methods: This study was conducted within the framework of Walt and Gilson's policy analysis triangle. The researchers reviewed Persian and English articles, reports, and studies on electronic health records in Iran from 2001 to 2022 to collect data. The reports of organizations such as the Majlis Research Center, Iran Health Insurance Organization, Social Security Insurance Organization, and Ministry of Health were also studied within the format and framework of Walt and Gilson's policy analysis triangle.
Results: The examination of upstream documents and articles in "policy content" dimension indicated unrealistic and different schedules, the lack of a clear strategy, and proper planning. Furthermore, the main actors of electronic health records included the Ministry of Health, The Information Technology Executive Council, Supreme Council of Health Insurance, the Iran Health Insurance Organization, medical insurance organizations and funds, the Iran Medical Council, health, diagnostic, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical centers, the information technology service companies, as well as people. The contextual elements impacting policy are in three categories, including cultural-social, economic-financial, and political-executive, which have been identified with several impediments to the deployment of electronic health records. The policy process has also faced many challenges in the implementation and evaluation of the policy in a way that after 17 years of the approval of legal decrees due to the electronic health, the implementation has not been based on the assigned tasks and has not been approved by the supervisor.
Conclusion: The electronic health record was considered by focusing on the priority of starting from the family medicine program and the referral chain in the upstream documents, and it was not fully used in Iran's health service provision system still after 17 years. Designing a roadmap, which is confirmed by key stakeholders, clarifying the task of each stakeholder, allocating proper budgets, and paying attention to the infrastructures are the key strategies for a more successful implementation of the electronic health record program.
Nahid Jafari, Alireza Heidari, Seyyed Mohammad Mohaddes, Zahra Khatirnamani, Mohammad Zayandeh,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Organizational culture represents values, beliefs, hypotheses, norms, and goals, which are widely accepted in organizations. The existence of a culture suited to organizational goals in the organization leads to an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. The present study aimed to determine the dimensions of organizational culture using the Denison Model and the related factors in the employees of the Gorgan health network in 2021.
Methods: The present research was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population of the present study included 188 employees, who were selected through a simple random sampling method from the provincial health deputy, city health center, comprehensive urban health service centers, and comprehensive rural health service centers. The Denison Organization Culture Survey was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data in the SPSS software and a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The total score of organizational culture was lower than the average value. Except in the team orientation dimension, where the mean scores were higher than the average value, the mean scores were lower than the average value in other dimensions of empowerment, capability development, core values, agreement, coherence and coordination, creating change, customer focus, organizational learning, strategic direction and intent, goals and objectives, and vision. The results showed a significant direct relationship between the number of children and the dimensions of empowerment (P-Value = 0.017), team orientation (P-Value = 0.020), and organizational learning (P-Value = 0.001).
Conclusion: Since the level of the organizational culture was lower than the average value, strengthening organizational culture in a scientific, practical, and applied way is necessary.
Abdurrahman Charkazi, Abdolhalim Rajabi, Sakineh Begum Kazemi, Maryam Ahmadi-Livani, Rahman Berdi Ozouni-Davaji,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to examine anxiety, symptoms of depression, and sleep quality as well as factors affecting these variables among involved hospital personnel during COVID-19 pandemic in Golestan province, Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 580 medical personnel involved in response to COVID-19 pandemic in Golestan province’s hospitals were selected using random sampling technique and completed online questionnaires of anxiety, sleep quality, and depression via Telegram and WhatsApp social networks. The collected data were imported to Stata software version 12 and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: Among the participants (n=580) with the mean age of 35.72 ± 8.39 years, there were 175 males (30.17%). The prevalence rates of anxiety, symptoms of depression, and low sleep quality were 50.52%, 28.10%, and 71.03%, respectively. There was no significant difference between men and women in terms of depression and sleep quality; however, the level of anxiety (54.81%) was significantly higher in women than men (40.57%) (p=0.002). Moreover, no significant difference was observed with regard to the prevalence of anxiety between the age groups of <35 years and >35 years; however, 76.66% of the participants had significantly low sleep quality (p=0.007) in the age group of >35 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the higher likelihood of anxiety (OR = 1.97; CI 95%: 1.27-3.04) and symptoms of depression (OR = 1.75; CI 95%: 1.06-2.90). It was also found out that the perceived threat had a significant effect on anxiety (OR = 1.53; CI 95%: 1.32-1.76); however, no factor significantly affected sleep quality (p> 0.05).
Conclusion: Low sleep quality, anxiety, and symptoms of depression were the most common psychological problems among the healthcare workers involved in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Accordingly, some psychological interventions should be designed and implemented to improve mental health among these individuals, especially the female personnel.
Malihe Ghojoghdordi, Abdurrahman Charkazi,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a significant global issue. This study aims to explore the barriers that prevent Turkmen people from receiving their third or subsequent doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Methods: In this qualitative content analysis study, 35 Turkmen residents of Gonbad-e-Kavous, located in northern Iran, participated in semi-structured phone interviews. These interviews took place in August and September 2022 and focused on individuals who had not received their third or subsequent doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Results: The analysis identified five key factors that hindered individuals from receiving their COVID-19 vaccine booster shots: 1. perceived risk, 2. inaccurate rumors and beliefs, 3. negative experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine, 4. concerns about vaccine effectiveness, and 5. personal freedom considerations.
Conclusion: To enhance public acceptance of booster vaccines, healthcare policymakers must take action to build public trust in vaccines and offer documented, scientific responses to address inaccurate rumors and beliefs.
Hadi Rahimzadeh, Abbas Yaqoubi Joibari , Navisa Sadat Seyed Ghasemi, Hoda Rahimifard, Zahra Qarahbash, Hamidreza Heidari,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Sound and lighting have a major effect on residential, office, and welfare environments. Both the lack and excess of these parameters, in addition to causing physical and psychological negative effects, can also adversely impact productivity and efficiency. This research was conducted to determine the level of sound pressure and lighting in the dormitories of Golestan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted cross-sectionally in 2022 in four dormitories of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. At different time intervals, lighting and sound pressure levels were measured.
Results: The results showed that the highest average measured sound level was in the 5th Azar dormitory (59.73 ± 10.54 dB), while the lowest was in the Alamol Hoda dormitory (45.42 ± 7.32 dB). In addition, the lowest and highest sound levels were recorded at 8:00 a.m. (53.97 ± 7.86 dB) and 9:00 p.m. (61.49 ± 9.38 dB), respectively. At 8:00 a.m., no significant difference in lighting was observed between the four dormitories. However, at 4:00 p.m., a significant difference was found between the dormitories (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Since environmental factors such as sound and lighting can play a significant role in providing a peaceful environment for students, it is necessary to pay attention to the modification of these environments based on existing standards.
Alireza Heidari , Mohammad Javad Kabir, Zahra Khatirnamani, Narges Rafiei , Masoumeh Gholami ,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: The mortality rate in a community serves as a crucial health indicator. Analyzing the trends in the causes of death helps to reveal the overall health transformations occurring in that community. This study aimed to evaluate the mortality trends from 2011 to 2018.
Methods: This study was conducted on all deaths registered in the Department of Health of Golestan University of Medical Sciences from 2011 to 2018. After modifying and cleaning the data, the indicators were calculated using WinPepi 11.65 software, and graphs were drawn using Excel 2013 software.
Results: The death rate from 2011 to 2012 was relatively constant. After a slight decrease in 2013 (3.6 per 1000 population), it showed an upward trend and reached 4.66 per 1,000 population in 2017. The three main causes of death in Golestan Province included cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and external causes of death. From 2011 to 2018, a total of 862,542 years of life were lost due to premature death, with men accounting for 499,300 years and women for 363,242 years.
Conclusion: Considering that the main causes of death in Golestan Province are chronic and non-communicable diseases and accidents, it is suggested that more attention be paid to the design and implementation of preventive measures at the primary levels regarding these diseases.
Amirhossein Gholamnia Khatir , Ali Jafari , Atena Mohammadian, Javad Heshmati, Motahareh Hasani,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nutrition experts' involvement on the metabolic parameters and the knowledge, attitude, and practice of type 2 diabetes patients.
Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design for this study. We randomly selected 156 type 2 diabetes patients, of whom 78 received nutrition-related education and formed the exposure group. In contrast, the other 78 received no nutrition-related advice and constituted the non-exposure group.
Results: The exposure and non-exposure groups had similar average BMI values of 28.09 ± 5.01 and 29.45 ± 4.26, respectively, with no significant difference between them. However, the exposure group showed a significant reduction in average FBS and HbA1C levels, from 173.24 ± 71.57 to 147.76 ± 50.09 and from 8.30 ± 1.92 to 7.25 ± 1.44, respectively, compared to the non-exposure group. The exposure and non-exposure groups also had comparable average scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice, with 55.54 ± 13.99, 26.15 ± 14.03, and 41.92 ± 14.69 for the exposure group and 52.56 ± 13.24, 26.01 ± 14.85, and 41.47 ± 15.02 for the non-exposure group, respectively. No significant differences were detected between the two groups in these scores.
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of implementing training programs and expanding their reach for diabetes management. Although no significant difference was found in knowledge, attitude, and practice scores between the two groups, the exposure group demonstrated improved physical activity levels and control of clinical parameters.
Abdurrahman Charkazi ,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: Traditional lecture-based instruction may not adequately support the learning objectives of public health training. Incorporating community-based educational activities is thought to enhance students’ engagement and comprehension. This study examined how visiting operational units within a healthcare center influences the learning experience of public health students.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 97 undergraduate public health students (both continuous and discontinuous programs) who visited three departments at the Gonbad-e-Kavous healthcare center: The rabies prevention unit, the cutaneous leishmaniasis control section, and the central laboratory. After the visits, participants completed a researcher-developed questionnaire assessing satisfaction and perceived learning. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests with a significance threshold of 0.05.
Results: Of the students, 61 (62.9%) were female, and 50 (51.5%) were enrolled in the discontinuous bachelor’s program. The mean satisfaction levels for the cutaneous leishmaniasis, rabies prevention, and brucellosis testing departments were 93.38%, 89.25%, and 82.69%, respectively. Overall satisfaction with the visits reached 92.61%. Discontinuous students reported significantly higher satisfaction with the rabies prevention and brucellosis units compared with continuous students (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Students demonstrated very high satisfaction with the field visits and highlighted the value of hands-on exposure to real public health services. These findings support the integration of similar community-based experiences into public health curricula to strengthen students’ understanding of practical public health activities.
Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh, Abdolmatalleb Koohsarian, Jabbar Parhiz,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: One of the treatment methods used for influenza is the administration of antiviral medications, including oseltamivir. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the timing of oseltamivir treatment on clinical indicators and complications in hospitalized children with influenza.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all children diagnosed with influenza who visited Taleghani Hospital in 2024. Demographic information, clinical indicators, including oxygen saturation, fever, general condition, oral intolerance, and disease outcomes such as length of hospital stay and complications were recorded using a researcher-designed checklist. The collected data were entered into SPSS software version 23.
Results: In this study, 134 children with influenza, with a mean age of 63 ± 42 months, were examined. Among them, there were 69 males and 65 females. Fever, cough, and loss of appetite were the most prevalent symptoms, occurring in 83%, 65%, and 62% of the cases, respectively. Sore throat and eye pain were the least common symptoms, reported at 9% and 10%. A total of 87 participants received oseltamivir. The overall recovery rate was 74% in the entire study population, as well as among those who received oseltamivir, and only one death was observed.
Conclusion: Based on the results, early treatment with oseltamivir has been effective in reducing clinical symptoms of influenza in affected children. Therefore, it is advisable to initiate treatment with this medication promptly upon the admission of sick children to the hospital.
