Background: One important duty of every government is to provide social security services to society's members; these services can be affected by variables such as economic and social factors. Objectives: This study was designed to provide an image of social security services in the future using the future research approach and relying on macroeconomic variables based on scenarios. Methods: This research was applied in nature, adopting a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative), grounded in foresight methodology, and conducted at an exploratory level. Scenario-driving variables — those that have occurred in the past or are currently observable and influence the future of social security services — were screened and identified through a comprehensive literature review and the fuzzy Delphi method. This process was conducted using experts' opinions (university faculty members and social security organization managers with relevant knowledge, experience, and interest in research in this area). Next, the impact and effectiveness of each variable were determined using MicMac analysis. Finally, balanced interaction analysis was applied using the Scenario Wizard software to develop scenarios. Results: Twenty-four relevant studies were identified and reviewed by experts. Twenty-four indicators in four dimensions were identified. Nine indicators or driving factors were extracted, including receipt of government claims, domestic and foreign investment, proportionality of wages with inflation, proportionality of tariffs with the inflation rate, direct and indirect treatment costs, attrition rate, proportionality of pensions, disability rate, and unemployment rate. Subsequently, three possible scenarios were developed as the final output of the research. Conclusions: Scenario analysis showed that the overall trend is relatively favorable for the future of social security services. Therefore, it is recommended that the country's Social Security Organization take necessary action to realize, maintain, and promote the predicted favorable scenarios by adopting appropriate measures and strategies, taking into account the driving variables identified in the research.
Background: Menopausal symptoms can significantly impact women's quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to assess the presence and severity of menopausal symptoms and identify factors related to QoL among postmenopausal (PMS) women. Methods: A purposive sample of 1200 PMS women, aged between 45 and 75 years with an average age of 54.46 (± 7.29) years, who experienced menopause at an average age of 46.29 (± 4.49) years and were at least two years PMS, were surveyed using a cross-sectional design from November to March 2019. The sample size of 1,200 was calculated using a 52.2% estimated prevalence of sleep problems among Malaysian PMS women, with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. An additional 10% was added to account for nonresponse, ensuring adequate statistical power and representativeness. We assessed menopausal symptoms by employing the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Multivariable regression examined the relationship between QoL and other variables. Statistical tests were considered significant at P-values ≤ 0.05. Results: About 73% of women experienced hot flushes, sweating, sexual problems (24%), palpitation (74%), sleep disorder (83%), bladder incontinence (45%), dryness of the vagina (16%), depressive mood (91%), and joint and muscular discomfort (96%) during the age of 45-59, 60-69, and 70+ years old, respectively. According to the time since menopause ≤ 4, 5 - 10, 11 - 15, and 16+, 78% suffered from hot flushes, sweating, 51% palpitation, 75% sleep disorder, 91% joint and muscular discomfort, and 81% depressive mood, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, income and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with the somatic score. Time since menopause, education, occupation, marital status, and blood pressure (BP) played a significant (P ≤ 0.05) role on the psychological and urogenital score. Conclusions: The most commonly reported symptoms in this study were hot flushes, sweating, palpitations, sleep disorders, and joint and muscular discomfort. Age, education, occupation, income, and marital status were significantly associated with the QoL among PMS Bihari women. This study has limitations regarding generalizability. Since it was conducted in a single refugee camp (MGC) in Dhaka, the findings may not reflect the experiences of PMS women in other camps or marginalized areas. Socio-cultural, economic, and environmental conditions in MGC may differ significantly from those in different settings across Bangladesh.
Background: Enhancing the knowledge of healthcare professionals is crucial for improving patient safety, as their education, retraining, experience, and skill sets are vital for patient health. Objectives: To implement patient blood management (PBM), virtual training programs were conducted to train personnel and investigate the effect of this training on their knowledge and sustained learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to train the staff of a 160-bed tertiary referral hospital. A total of 243 staff members were randomly recruited to participate in the study at Shahid Lavasani Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between November 2016 and November 2017. The participants included 12 (4.9%) lab technicians, 229 (94.3%) nurses, and 2 (0.8%) physicians. Before training, a test was conducted to assess their level of knowledge. Subsequently, all enrolled staff attended a virtual educational seminar employing an active learning method. The sustainability of knowledge was assessed using the same exam six months and one year later. For comparison, one-way ANOVA, chi-square, and paired t-test were applied. SPSS software version 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The average score of the participants was 91.15 ± 10.60, with no correlation between the years of university education and the final score. Six months later, participants were invited to retake the same test in a virtual environment, but only 35 agreed to participate. Their average score was 81.09 ± 10.31 (minimum 52 and maximum 100), showing no significant differences between groups. One year after the initial training, 116 individuals participated in the test, and their average score was 75.60 ± 10.28. After one year, clinical experience and ward-specific challenges significantly influenced their exam performance. Conclusions: Active learning methods and practical applications may enhance long-term knowledge retention following virtual training.
Background: Given the large number of patients undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy, the quality of obtaining informed consent and providing accurate, balanced information is crucial for ensuring patient cooperation and informed decision-making. Patients should be provided with comprehensive information about the necessity, benefits, risks, disadvantages, feasibility, alternative methods, and detailed explanations of the procedures. Objectives: With this in mind, our study aimed to evaluate the quality of informed consent among patients undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy in Rasht. Methods: This research was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was performed on patients who were candidates for endoscopy and colonoscopy in Rasht during 2022. A total of 174 patients were examined. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling method. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and trained interviewers. The collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables and number and percentage for qualitative variables, were used. For inferential analysis, Pearson's correlation test was applied for normally distributed variables, while Spearman's test was used for non-normal distributions. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered. Results: This study assessed the quality of informed consent among 174 patients undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy, with an average age of 49.07 ± 15.27 years (50.6% male, 49.4% female). The majority (55.2%) scored in the "average" category for overall informed consent quality, with an average score of 19.98 ± 6.53. Age was negatively correlated with consent quality (r = -0.248, P < 0.001), while gender showed no significant effect (P = 0.844). Education level significantly influenced scores (P = 0.003), with higher scores among university graduates compared to illiterate participants. Physician-patient interaction scores averaged 7.83 ± 3.28, with no significant correlation to age or gender but a significant association with education level (P = 0.044). Conclusions: According to the results of the study, it seems that the quality of obtaining consent for endoscopic and colonoscopy procedures for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment decreases significantly with increasing age and low level of education. These patients consent to perform these procedures with less knowledge. The low level of voluntary endoscopy and colonoscopy and its relationship with the factors of age, education, providing information to the patient, and interaction with the attending physician can indicate the need to provide more and more appropriate information about the reasons for performing these measures in order to cooperate and achieve patient satisfaction.
Background: Adolescents with skin diseases often face significant challenges related to their physical appearance and social interactions. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between perceived stress, parent-child relationships, and quality of life in adolescents with skin diseases. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a sample of adolescents with skin diseases (acne, lupus, vitiligo, psoriasis) referred to hospitals and skin superspecialty centers in Babol, Iran in 2023. A total of 206 individuals were selected as the sample. Data collection tools included questionnaires on quality of life, perceived stress, and parent-child relationships. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. Results: Perceived stress demonstrated a significant negative correlation with quality of life (r = -0.38, P < 0.001), whereas parent-child relationships exhibited a significant positive correlation (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). Together, perceived stress and parent-child relationships accounted for 38% of the variance in quality of life among adolescents with skin diseases. Furthermore, parent-child relationships emerged as a stronger predictor of quality of life in this population. Conclusions: This study highlights the correlations between perceived stress, parent-child relationships, and quality of life in adolescents with skin diseases, emphasizing the need to consider both psychological and social factors in their care. Future research should explore interventions aimed at stress reduction and family strengthening to potentially improve well-being in this population.
Background: Radiography plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of dental issues; however, the use of X-rays in dentistry poses potential risks to dental professionals, staff, and patients. Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge and adherence of dentists to X-ray protection principles in dental practices within Khorramabad city. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study examined 153 dentists in Khorramabad, capturing demographic data and details such as participation in training programs, dosimetry utilization, protective measures for personnel and patients, equipment quality control, and adherence to safety protocols. Two distinct questionnaires gauged dentists' knowledge and performance. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 25. Results: Of the dentists surveyed, 92 were male (60.1%) and 61 were female (39.9%). Specialist dentists accounted for 29 individuals (19%), while general dentists comprised 124 (81%). A notable 92 dentists (61.1%) had engaged in continuing education courses. The average knowledge score among dentists was 19.97 (66.07%), with a performance score of 12.74 (32.09%). Significant associations were found between variables such as work experience, age, participation in educational courses, and dentists' average knowledge score (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Specialist dentists demonstrated optimal knowledge levels regarding X-ray protection principles, whereas general dentists exhibited average knowledge. Despite this, overall compliance with radiation protection measures in Khorramabad's dental offices was found to be lacking. Enhanced training programs and strengthened monitoring systems are imperative to address this issue.
Background: Herpesviruses are widespread pathogens worldwide, often establishing lifelong infections in humans. However, seroprevalence data remain scarce for certain populations. To address this gap, a study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of human herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1&2), among different age groups in Ahvaz, Iran. Despite previous reports, detailed data on multiple herpesvirus infections are lacking in this region. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the 11-year prevalence of human herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, VZV, HSV-1&2) among various age groups. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 14,126 serum samples from individuals aged 1 to 88 years. ELISA methods were used to test for the presence of the viruses. Results: The seroprevalence varied significantly by age and gender. The highest seroprevalence was observed for CMV (IgG) at 29.2%, while the lowest was for HSV-1&2 (IgM) at 0.8%. The highest seroprevalence was recorded in the 31 - 40 age group, whereas the lowest was in the 11 - 20 age group. Gender analysis revealed that seropositivity was higher in females (56.3%) compared to males (43.7%), with CMV IgG being the most common seropositive marker in both sexes. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential for implementing targeted screening and vaccination programs for specific high-risk age groups. The data provide valuable epidemiological insights into the transmission of herpesviruses in southwestern Iran, emphasizing the need for enhanced prevention measures and further research into herpesvirus-related diseases.
Background: Leishmaniasis, a significant neglected tropical disease, is caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the Leishmania genus. Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) from 2016 to 2021 in Hoveyzeh county. Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study based on available data. The study population included all individuals treated and followed up in health care centers who were clinically diagnosed with CL and confirmed by laboratory tests. Results: Among the 628 individuals diagnosed with CL, 324 (51.6%) were male, and 304 (48.4%) were female. The average age of the patients was 16.58 ± 15.17 years. The highest proportion (45.4%) of cases occurred in the 0 - 10-year age group, highlighting the vulnerability of children, while those above 50 years had the lowest incidence (3.7%). Approximately 68.2% of patients resided in urban areas, with the remainder living in rural settings. The hand was the most frequently affected area (44.5%), and the maximum number of lesions reported in a single individual was 25. Most patients (46.82%) were treated with topical glucantime along with cryotherapy. Disease incidence showed seasonal variation, with the highest number of cases reported in autumn (54%) and a significant peak in December (22%). The highest incidence year was 2016 (30.3%). Conclusions: Effective strategies to combat this disease should include comprehensive public awareness campaigns focused on health education, early recognition of symptoms, and transmission methods. Promoting personal protective measures is crucial for disease prevention efforts.
Background: Human resources are the most crucial asset of any organization, and by maintaining and strengthening them, organizational goals can be achieved. In the context of health systems, human resource resilience is primarily focused on the theoretical development of this concept and its various dimensions. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a model to enhance the resilience of human resources within the health system. Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach, conducted in two stages. In the first stage, a scoping review of relevant literature was carried out across multiple databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar) to identify dimensions and preliminary indicators for the model. A total of 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Studies were included if they met two criteria: (a) the term "resilience" was used in the title, abstract, or keywords, and (b) the main analytical focus was on health systems. In the second stage, the initial model was designed using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The degree of association of each component and factor in the final model was assessed using the fuzzy DEMATEL method for the primary components and the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) technique for secondary components. Finally, the relationships between the indicators were determined based on the effectiveness and influence of the components. Results: Three key dimensions were identified in this study: (1) behavioral dimension (work experience, creativity, work commitment, and job design), (2) motivational dimension (in-service training, lifestyle changes, self-esteem, empathy, interaction with the surrounding environment, and continuous performance evaluation), and (3) empowerment dimension (employee welfare, rewards, job promotion, damage compensation, timely handling of complaints, and job security). Conclusions: To foster and sustain resilience in human resources, it is essential to address behavioral, empowerment, and motivational dimensions within the health sector. Managers should consider the dimensions and indicators proposed in this model to improve workforce resilience.
Background: Due to severe coronal destruction in endodontically treated teeth (ETT), the canal space is often utilized to provide retention for the core material. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge level and practices of Iranian dentists regarding post space preparation and coronal reconstruction of ETT. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 117 dentists at Kurdistan province in 2021. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire. The first part included 6 questions regarding the demographic information of the participants. The second part comprised 10 questions regarding the methods of post space preparation and coronal reconstruction of ETT. SPSS-20 software was used to analyze the data, calculating frequency (%), mean, and standard deviation. Results: 44.4% of the participants used amalgam along with a prefabricated post, 59% correctly identified the definition of the ferrule effect, and 87.2% believed that the ferrule effect increases fracture resistance. Additionally, 39.3% reported preparing the post space immediately after obturation; 91.5% used rotary instruments for removing root filling material, 93.2% reported cleaning the post space prior to cementation of the intracanal post, and 35.9% used saline for this purpose. Moreover, 72.9% believed that teeth with post and core necessarily require a prosthetic crown, and 94% used full-coverage crowns for ETT. Coronal fracture was reported by 62.4% as the most common cause of failure of ETT. Conclusions: The knowledge level of dental clinicians regarding post space preparation and coronal reconstruction of ETT was moderate, while their practice level was poor. The most common variables that had a significant relationship were age and academic degree.
Background: Self-care is a fundamental aspect of health, encompassing conscious and purposeful actions by individuals for themselves, their children, and their families to maintain health. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on self-care behaviors among health workers in comprehensive urban health service centers in Rudbar in 2019. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 89 health workers from comprehensive urban health service centers in Rudbar city, Gilan, participated. The participants were randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. An educational intervention, consisting of five 60 - 75 minute sessions based on the HBM, was designed and implemented for the intervention group. Outcome data were collected before and three months after the educational intervention using a questionnaire that measured HBM constructs and health-promoting self-care behaviors. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The age range of most participants (43%) was 30 - 39 years, and 86% of participants were female. Both experimental and control groups were comparable in demographic characteristics, HBM constructs, and health-promoting self-care behavior at pretest. The educational intervention based on the HBM improved the mean scores of the HBM constructs (except for perceived benefits) and dimensions of self-care behavior (P < 0.05 for all). The average score of self-care behavior in the intervention group increased from 128.4 before the intervention to 148.37 after the intervention. Conclusions: According to the results, using the HBM, with its suitable methods and structure for engaging employees actively, was effective for designing educational interventions to promote self-care behaviors in health workers. Therefore, it can be used as a suitable framework for planning educational interventions to enhance self-care behaviors among health workers.
Background: Sleep disorders, as psychological manifestations of COVID-19, have been correlated with a decreased quality of all aspects of individuals' well-being, even after COVID-19 recovery. Objectives: Due to the persistence of sleep disorders even after the recovery from COVID-19, along with their significant consequences on the quality of life of individuals suffering from these disorders, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and predictive power of sleep disorders and their correlation with socio-demographic and health disparities among COVID-19 recovered individuals in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical investigation, a total of 300 individuals participated from 3 hospitals in different regions of Tehran. Participants were selected based on inclusion criteria and simple random sampling. They were then evaluated using the "Questionnaire of Clinical and Demographic Information" and the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)." Additionally, the "Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS21)," "The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R)," and "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)" were used to assess other related disorders in the prevalence and predictive power of sleep disorders among the participants. Statistical tests, including the analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, and Bayesian linear regression, were implemented using SPSS v. 26 to analyze the obtained data. Results: Among the total of 300 participants, 198 individuals (66%) demonstrated sleep disorders. The majority were female (54.54%), married (88.38%), employed (56.56%), from Tehran (96.96%), and covered by hospital C (36.86%). Ultimately, depression (BF = 0.01 and P-value = 0.0001), anxiety (BF = 0.02 and P-value = 0.0001), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (BF = 0.02 and P-value = 0.001), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (BF = 0.0001 and P-value = 0.001) were the most powerful predictors of the presence of sleep disorders among individuals recovered from COVID-19. Conclusions: COVID-19-related sleep disorders were found in more than half of the COVID-19-recovered individuals, with mild severity. Furthermore, the reported prevalence, severity, and significance varied among the participants in accordance with sociodemographic and health disparities.
Background: Students with social anxiety disorder (SAD) face unique challenges that can significantly impact their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of metacognitive therapy (MCT) on depression, emotion regulation, and self-concept among students diagnosed with SAD. Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental research design with a pre-test-post-test format and a control group. The statistical population consisted of students diagnosed with SAD at the University of Tehran in 2022. A total of 36 students with SAD were selected for the research sample through purposive sampling and were divided into experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups. The experimental group participated in ten 90-minute sessions of MCT, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection involved administering the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Beck Self-concept Test. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS-24. Results: The results indicated that Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) significantly decreased depression (F = 50.65, P = 0.001, η² = 0.63) and significantly increased cognitive reappraisal (F = 61.81, P = 0.001, η² = 0.67), expressive suppression (F = 34.72, P = 0.001, η² = 0.54), and self-concept (F = 48.53, P = 0.001, η² = 0.62) in students with SAD. Conclusions: The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of MCT for students struggling with SAD. By addressing critical psychological areas such as depression, emotion regulation, and self-concept, MCT shows promise as a valuable intervention for improving the well-being and functioning of students dealing with SAD.
Background: Prehospital factors are critical contributors to delays in managing patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), potentially leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Identifying and addressing these obstacles could significantly reduce the mortality and morbidity of these patients and enhance healthcare performance. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prehospital factors associated with delays in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) among patients with STEMI. Methods: In this prospective study, 394 STEMI patients treated with PPCI were evaluated, with the interval between symptom onset and the start of the procedure being measured and recorded. Patients were categorized into two groups based on this interval: Appropriate and delayed (< 90 minutes vs. ≥ 90 minutes). The potential predictors of delay were identified and assessed. Results: In this study, 394 STEMI patients were evaluated and categorized into 192 patients with delayed PPCI and 202 patients with on-time PPCI. Multivariate analysis revealed that being female (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.08 - 2.01, P-value: < 0.01), having no past medical history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.90, P-value: < 0.01), no family history of CVD (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.53, P-value: 0.03), a lower education level than academic (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.84, P-value: < 0.01), symptom onset between 18:00 and 06:00 (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.10 - 2.06, P-value: 0.01), and transport by ambulance versus private vehicle (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07 - 2.08, P-value: < 0.01) were significantly associated with a higher risk of delayed PCI. Conversely, higher socioeconomic status (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51 - 0.86, P-value: 0.02) and having a caregiver at home (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32 - 0.72, P-value: < 0.01) were significantly associated with a lower risk of delayed PPCI. Conclusions: Reducing factors that contribute to delays in PPCI can lead to improved public health outcomes and greater health opportunities for the population. Delays in STEMI patients were significantly associated with living in rural areas, lower education levels, and female gender. Conversely, using private vehicles for transport, having a caregiver present, and higher socioeconomic status may reduce the risk of delayed PPCI.
Background: Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are significant contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases, particularly methane, during the breakdown of waste materials. Researchers have undertaken extensive investigations into quantifying methane emissions from landfills, utilizing various methodologies beyond reliance on the LandGEM model. Numerous studies have underscored the efficacy of this model in predicting methane generation and exploring its utility in activities such as energy generation and emission mitigation strategies. Objectives: Municipal solid waste landfills are vital contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, notably methane, during waste decomposition. Significant research has focused on estimating methane output from landfills, utilizing various approaches beyond the LandGEM model. Studies highlight the model's potential in assessing methane generation and its relevance to activities like energy generation and emission management. Methods: The LandGEM simulation model is employed to forecast future waste generation and provide valuable insights into the environmental consequences of landfill management on the island. By analyzing population data and waste generation statistics from 2023 to 2042, the study utilizes the LandGEM software to estimate methane emissions, incorporating site-specific data and waste composition analysis. Results: The findings reveal that 36% of the total waste on Kish Island consists of putrescible material, with food waste being a significant component. Over the study period, approximately 1,282,637 tons of waste are projected to be disposed of in the Kish landfill. The LandGEM model predicts the highest landfill gas emission in 2043, primarily methane, along with carbon dioxide and non-metallic organic compounds. The estimated quantities for these gases in 2043 are 5.415E+03, 1.486E+04, and 2.327E+02 metric tons, respectively. Conclusions: This research highlights the importance of tailored waste management strategies to mitigate environmental impacts and emphasizes the need for efficient gas collection systems. A proposed gas collection system combining vertical wells, horizontal trenches, and under-membrane pipes is discussed to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental risks. The study provides valuable insights into waste management and landfill gas emissions on Kish Island, underscoring the significance of accurate emission prediction and effective management to minimize environmental consequences and optimize the utilization of renewable energy resources.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly affected people in different countries. Recognizing individual and social patterns of behavior among communities is very effective in designing and implementing prevention models. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify individual and social preventive behaviors associated with COVID-19 in Iranian men in 2022. Methods: Data were collected using in-depth unstructured interviews with 15 Iranian men in 2022. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: In total, 939 primary codes were extracted from the interviews upon analysis. Overall, 5 themes, 13 categories, and 38 sub-categories were obtained after analyzing the collected codes. The themes included emotional perception of COVID-19, COVID-19 awareness, perceived barriers to COVID-19 prevention, perceived social measures for COVID-19 prevention, and individual actions taken to prevent COVID-19. Categories included negative feelings toward COVID-19, no worries about COVID-19, nature of the disease, disease recovery, disease symptoms, routes of transmission, diagnostic methods, individual barriers to COVID-19 prevention, social barriers to COVID-19 prevention, improving social skills and behaviors, revising the rules and reforming infrastructure, using personal protective equipment, and prevention by following healthcare programs. Conclusions: Certain recommendations and challenges for COVID-19 prevention were reported by Iranian men. Some of the barriers to COVID-19 prevention were related to social behaviors, and others were related to managerial policies and infrastructure reform. Understanding People’s experiences and opinions about COVID-19 can provide potential benefits for preventing this disease.
Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the ability of system resilience against threats using an integrated method based on entropy and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) in an oil company. Methods: The threats were identified through field observation, literature review, and expert opinion in the industry. Afterward, the required data were gathered, and the resilience status was examined using three structured questionnaires for each category of the threats. The weights of resilience criteria computed for each group of the threats using entropy, and were then ranked through the TOPSIS method. Results: Learning (0.34) and anticipating (0.15) had the highest and lowest impacts on the category of regular threats, respectively. In the case of irregular threats, anticipating (0.31) and monitoring (0.21) had the highest and lowest impacts, respectively. As for unexampled threats, learning and anticipating (0.26) had the highest impact, and responding (0.23) had the lowest impact. The results of TOPSIS analysis indicated that regular threats, irregular threats, and unexampled threats were ranked in the first, second, and third positions with scores of 0.52, 0.48, and 0.46, respectively. Conclusions: To ameliorate resilience in complicated systems, managers should strengthen RE-related indicators along with working on the indicators which are in poor condition. The findings of this study can be used by managers and decision-makers to identify system weaknesses and improve comprehensive technical and applied plans.
: Hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with substantial negative effects on both individual and societal levels. Renal denervation (RDN) has been established as a safe and effective medical intervention for treating resistant hypertension, with approval from the Food and Drug Administration and endorsement by guidelines such as those of the European Society of Cardiology (2023) and the American Heart Association. However, with the advent of various types of RDN methods, including radiofrequency-, ultrasound-, and alcohol-based techniques, debates have intensified regarding their comparative efficacy and safety. Additionally, researchers have expanded their focus to consider outcomes beyond hypertension management. Most studies have demonstrated that this non-pharmacologic treatment significantly improves systolic and diastolic 24-hour ambulatory and office blood pressure in both the short- and long-term. Despite these findings, the social and psychological impacts of RDN on a broader scale have been less frequently discussed. Given the high burden of hypertension and its complications, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, this intervention could substantially enhance the quality of life and mental health of affected populations. Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications remains a critical challenge, driven by factors such as side effects, pregnancy, financial constraints, psychiatric disorders, and polypharmacy with its associated consequences. Renal denervation, by improving blood pressure control, offers the potential to enhance quality of life and reduce the incidence of severe physical and mental health conditions. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on this advanced treatment, emphasizing its impact on individual and societal well-being, physical health, and mental health.
