Background: The rapid advancement of digital technologies has made digital marketing a crucial tool for enhancing patient communication, expanding healthcare access, and improving the competitiveness of health institutions. This study aimed to identify and analyze managerial and educational barriers to implementing digital marketing in healthcare centers of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province and to propose targeted strategies for improvement. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed in 2025. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 purposively selected managers and staff to explore key implementation challenges. In the quantitative phase, 102 managers and employees were recruited through stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using a researcher-developed questionnaire covering six barrier dimensions—managerial, organizational, human resources, technical, financial, and infrastructural—with specific emphasis on digital skills and training-related factors. Instrument reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87. Results: Financial barriers ranked highest with a mean score of 4.12, followed by human resource and managerial obstacles. Limited digital literacy, inadequate training in digital marketing tools, and the absence of structured educational programs were identified as significant challenges. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships among barrier dimensions, with the strongest association observed between managerial and human resource factors. Conclusion: Successful digital marketing implementation in healthcare requires simultaneous attention to financial, managerial, human resource, educational, and infrastructural elements. Strengthening managerial support, investing in digital infrastructure, and developing continuous training programs to enhance staff digital competencies can significantly facilitate the adoption and effective utilization of digital marketing strategies in healthcare organizations.
Background: Delinquency, as a social and psychological issue, has a significant impact on the security and development of societies. This study has investigated the relationship between education level and crime rates in Bushehr city in south of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 485 residents of Bushehr. The statistical population included the general public, families, organizations dealing with delinquency issues (e.g., the judiciary, police, prison organizations), and offenders. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed that lower education levels (below high school diploma) are associated with higher crime rates. Individuals with less than a high school diploma were predominantly involved in drug-related crimes (62%), whereas those with university-level education were more frequently implicated in financial crimes such as embezzlement and forgery (44%). Additionally, winter recorded the highest crime rate (37.14%). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative effect of education on crime rates (β = -0.35, p = 0.001). Furthermore, gender (being male) and increasing age were also found to significantly influence criminal behaviors. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant association between lower education levels and higher crime rates. Further longitudinal or interventional studies are needed to explore the potential impact of educational programs on crime reduction. Moreover, targeted interventions for high-risk groups and attention to the social and environmental factors influencing crime are essential.
Background: Critical hospital equipment is essential for safe, high-quality healthcare, relying on effective preventive maintenance systems. Beyond management, the knowledge and training of maintenance staff significantly impact system effectiveness. This study aimed to identify the managerial and educational barriers to implementing a preventive maintenance system in Baath Hospital of Gachsaran and propose targeted improvement strategies. Methods: A mixed-methods sequential exploratory design was used in 2024. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in medical equipment and hospital facilities, analyzed through thematic content analysis. Findings informed a researcher-made questionnaire distributed to 102 staff members in the quantitative phase. The questionnaire assessed managerial, organizational, technical, financial, infrastructural, and educational factors affecting maintenance implementation. Results: Barriers were categorized into six main dimensions: managerial, organizational, human resources, technical, financial, and infrastructural, with educational issues emerging as a critical cross-cutting factor. Financial barriers ranked highest (mean score: 4.08), followed by human resource and managerial barriers. Key educational challenges included insufficient training programs, limited staff technical knowledge, and a lack of structured learning systems. A significant positive relationship was observed between several dimensions, most notably between managerial and human resource barriers. Conclusion: The primary barriers include financial constraints, a shortage of skilled human resources, inadequate training, and weak maintenance planning. Strengthening managerial structures, developing continuous education programs, and improving technical competencies are crucial for enhancing maintenance effectiveness and, consequently, the quality and safety of healthcare services.
Background: Iran has not enjoyed an optimal economic situation; therefore, improving the conditions for health tourism can have positive effects on the country’s economy. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the influence exerted by medical tourism on the healthcare financial sector within the specific provinces chosen for analysis. Methods: This study was applied in nature and covers the time period from 2011–2021. The research sample included major Iranian cities (Tehran, Karaj, Qom, Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Ahvaz). To evaluate how fluctuations in economic policy uncertainty influence capital expenditure within the health tourism industry, a threshold panel methodology was implemented. Results: The level of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) was found to be below the threshold affecting investment in the health tourism sector. Given the positive effect above the threshold, the conclusion is that risk and uncertainty are inseparable parts of the investment process in the health tourism sector. The findings indicate that macroeconomic pressures—specifically inflation, currency volatility, and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic—exerted a detrimental influence on capital allocation within the health tourism industry. Conversely, the empirical results demonstrate that financial development, market liquidity, and the volume of incoming provincial health tourists serve as significant drivers that bolster investment within this sector. Conclusion: The relationship between EPU and Investment in Health Tourism (IT) is non-linear, and the intensity and direction of this relationship depend on the level of EPU. At all levels, economic uncertainty exerts a net downward force on investment in the health tourism sector.
Background: Given modern psychosocial challenges, non-pharmacological mental well-being interventions are needed. This study aimed to identify its theoretical components through the principles of visual literacy in communicative Gestalt theory and explain their link to psychosocial health. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a constructivist Grounded Theory approach and directed content analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling of 18 prominent vocal pieces and semi-structured interviews with 9 experts (musicians and psychologists, Visual communication artists, as well as mental drawings of the basics of visual literacy, Qashqai's lullaby, by 40 students) and analyzed using MAXQDA software. The analysis was focused on Gestalt principles (wholeness, figure-ground, proximity, similarity, continuity, closure). Results: Data analysis led to the extraction of six key theoretical components aligned with Gestalt principles: Wholeness (integrated auditory experience), Figure-Ground (semantic highlighting of poetry), Proximity (melodic-verbal cohesion), Similarity (repetitive acoustic patterns), Continuity (continuous emotional flow), and Closure (completion of auditory expectations). These components were linked to specific psychosocial mechanisms such as reducing cognitive load, enhancing attentional focus, facilitating the processing of complex emotions, creating psychological safety, gradual emotional regulation, and cognitive completion. Interview analysis further characterized Iranian Folk song (Qashqai lullaby) as a "regulative communicative space" with functions in emotional regulation, mental coherence, recovery of a pleasant feeling, representing nostalgia and reinforcement the collective identity of citizens. Conclusion: This study concludes that the Gestalt structure of Iranian Folk song (Qashqai lullaby) due to benefit from the systematic principles of visual literacy, fosters an integrated auditory experience which reduces mental agitation, facilitates emotional expression, and strengthens social belonging. It establishes a theoretical framework for using folk song as a cultural intervention for mental health of citizen and paves the way for future experimental research.
Background: Health tourism is increasingly recognized as a strategic component of health system development, contributing to investment attraction, service capacity enhancement, and financial sustainability. However, economic instability and policy uncertainty may adversely affect investment decisions in this sector. In recent years, Iran has experienced elevated levels of economic uncertainty. This study aimed to examine the impact of economic policy uncertainty on investment in health tourism across selected provinces of Iran. Methods: This applied–analytical study utilized secondary panel data covering the period from 2011 to 2021. The study population included major metropolitan provinces of Iran (Tehran, Karaj, Qom, Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Ahvaz). A Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model was employed to estimate the nonlinear effects of economic policy uncertainty on health tourism investment. Results: The results indicated a threshold value of −0.428 for the economic policy uncertainty index. Above this threshold, economic uncertainty exerted a positive effect (−0.353), whereas below the threshold it had a negative effect (0.218) on health tourism investment. Inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated significant negative effects, while financial development, liquidity, and provincial tourist volume showed positive and significant associations with investment levels. Conclusion: The findings suggest that economic uncertainty plays a complex and nonlinear role in shaping investment behavior in health tourism. Effective economic and health policy coordination may enhance investment stability and promote the sustainable development of health tourism services.
Background: The mechanical strength and longevity of 3D-printed dental temporary crowns are significantly influenced by layer thickness and printer type. The purpose of this study was to assess how layer thickness and printer type affected the temporary crowns' mechanical robustness. Methods: In this in vitro study, 60 temporary crown samples were fabricated using two 3D printers, Asiga and Quick Digi. Thirty samples per thickness were printed at two-layer thicknesses of 50 μm and 60 μm. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, one-sample t-tests, and correlation analysis were used to examine the data after compressive strength was determined. Results: The mean compressive strength was 230.33 kg/m² for 50 μm and 124.50 kg/m² for 60 μm. The two thicknesses differed significantly (p < 0.001), according to the paired t-test. The mean percentage change in compressive strength was -45.67%, showing a uniform and consistent reduction across all samples. Correlation analysis revealed no significant linear relationship between mechanical performance at the two thicknesses. Comparative analysis between the two printers indicated superior performance of Asiga in strength and structural uniformity. Conclusion: Selecting an appropriate layer thickness and high-quality 3D printer is crucial for enhancing the mechanical strength and durability of temporary crowns and can guide clinical decision-making in digital dentistry.
Background: The integration of biomedical engineering principles with digital dentistry technologies particularly in guided systems based on biomaterials, fluid mechanics, and digital signal processing has revolutionized the design and fabrication of dental crowns. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of these engineering-driven approaches on the biomechanical performance and biocompatibility of dental crowns. Methods: Using concepts from tissue engineering and solid mechanics, three key quality parameters surface roughness (Ra), mechanical strength (MPa), and durability (cycles to failure) were compared between traditional and digitally guided crowns. Data were analyzed through mathematical modelling (multivariate regression) and finite element analysis (FEA) to predict biomechanical behavior. Milling machine parameters such as spindle speed and tool path were optimized using control engineering principles. Results: The results demonstrated that digitally guided crowns achieved superior outcomes, with mean surface roughness of 0.55 µm (vs. 1.12 µm), strength of 495 MPa, and durability of 10,500 cycles, showing statistically significant improvements (p<0.001). Enhanced stress distribution and higher fatigue resistance were also observed in the guided systems. Conclusion: This study confirms that digitally guided dental fabrication technologies are more consistent with Biocompatibility-by-Design principles, reduce human error, and enhance geometric accuracy representing a key step toward personalized prosthetic treatments. Moreover, these systems have the potential for integration with artificial intelligence and tele-dentistry platforms for long-term performance monitoring.
Background: Skin wounds that are full-thickness present a major clinical problem. Although cell-based treatments have limitations, the secretome of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) stimulates recovery through paracrine signaling. This study utilized a gelatin sponge scaffold as a biocompatible delivery platform for the ADMSC secretome, creating a cell-free therapeutic system. Methods: Human ADMSCs were characterized. Their conditioned medium (secretome) was collected and analyzed for key growth factors. Gelatin sponge scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying and crosslinking, then loaded with the secretome. Scaffolds were characterized physico-chemically (SEM, FTIR, porosity, degradation). In vitro biocompatibility was tested on dermal fibroblasts. Gelatin/secretome scaffolds, gelatin-only scaffolds, or gauze were used to treat full-thickness excisional wounds in rats (n = 6 per group). Wound closure, histology, collagen, and angiogenesis were evaluated on days 10 and 20. Results: ADMSCs expressed characteristic markers. The secretome contained hepatocyte growth factor (124.45 pg/mL), basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (42.18 pg/mL), and vascular endothelial growth factor (7.54 pg/mL). Scaffolds showed high porosity (85-90%) and supported high fibroblast viability/proliferation. In vivo, gelatin/secretome scaffolds achieved significantly faster wound closure (87.4 ± 4.3% on day 10; 98.7 ± 1.2% on day 20) versus controls (gelatin: 68.2 ± 5.7% and 92.1%; gauze: 62.5 ± 6.1%). They also promoted superior re-epithelialization, collagen deposition (62.4 ± 5.8%), and neovascularization (32.8 ± 4.6 vessels/field). Conclusion: Gelatin scaffolds loaded with ADMSC secretome significantly enhance full-thickness wound healing by accelerating closure, improving tissue regeneration, and stimulating angiogenesis. This cell-free platform represents a promising strategy for clinical wound care.
Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage where high-risk behaviors can jeopardize well-being and future outcomes. This study evaluated the efficacy of peer group-based psychosocial empowerment training in reducing high-risk behaviors among male secondary school students at risk for behavioral issues in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a two-group, pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up design with a control group. A purposeful sample of 40 at-risk male students, identified through teacher reports and a high-risk behaviors questionnaire, was randomly assigned to a peer-led experimental group (n=20) or a wait-listed control group (n=20). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of psychosocial empowerment training facilitated by trained peers. Data were collected using a validated high-risk behaviors questionnaire (42 items, seven subscales). Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to analyze group differences over time, with effect sizes (η²) reported. Results: The peer-led intervention significantly reduced high-risk behaviors, including cigarette/hookah use, alcohol/substance consumption, aggressive behaviors, suicidal ideation/attempts, running away, and opposite-sex relationships (F=59.22, P<0.001, η²=0.61, 95% CI [14.63, 22.83] for total score). These reductions were sustained at the three-month follow-up, indicating a robust effect of the intervention on vulnerable adolescents. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of peer group-based psychosocial empowerment training as an effective strategy for reducing high-risk behaviors among at-risk male adolescents. The findings support the integration of peer-led interventions into school-based mental health programs to enhance resilience and promote positive youth development.
Background: Teen years represent a pivotal phase of growth, fraught with distinct risks like tendencies toward self-injurious actions. Our research explored the straightforward connection between core life principles and such behaviors among teens, while probing how challenges in managing feelings act as an intermediary in this dynamic. Methods: Employing a correlative design with structural equation modeling, we targeted Tehran high schoolers aged 14–18 from the 2023–2024 school term. Through multi-phase clustered random selection, 356 youths joined, filling out tools like the Self-Harm Inventory, abbreviated Portrait Values Questionnaire, and compact Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. We crunched numbers via SPSS 27.0 and AMOS. Results: The proposed framework aligned well with real-world findings. As predicted, stronger life principles linked inversely to self-injury (β= 0.11, P=0.044). Emotional control issues tied positively to these behaviors (β=0.37, P=0.001). Notably, feeling management woes bridged part of the gap between principles and self-injury (β=-0.06, P=0.007). Conclusion: This study highlights that personal values, emphasizing meaning, purpose, and prosocial behaviors (e.g., benevolence, universalism), protect against adolescent self-harm by enhancing emotion regulation. Integrating values-based interventions and emotion regulation training into prevention programs is recommended for clinicians and educators to reduce self-harm risks effectively.
Background: Bereaved parents of child organ donors often experience profound psychological distress. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive psychological empowerment program designed to enhance quality of life and cognitive empowerment for this vulnerable population. Methods: A mixed-methods study combined qualitative grounded theory with a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design to evaluate a psychological-cognitive empowerment program. Qualitative sampling used a purposive method until theoretical saturation. For the quantitative phase, 30 participants were selected via convenience sampling from the organ procurement unit. Mental health was measured using the SCL-90 questionnaire and quality of life was assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Results: Findings from the qualitative phase revealed that the psychological-cognitive empowerment program consisting of eight 90-minute sessions focusing on cognitive behavior therapy using Lawshe's seven-step technique was validated. Moreover, repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both mental health (p = 0.005) and quality of life (p = 0.013) scores at post-test. Conclusion: The comprehensive psychological-cognitive empowerment program was effective in improving the mental health and quality of life of bereaved parents of child organ donors. These findings underscore the importance of targeted psychological support for this population.
Background: Emotional empathy is a critical determinant of marital satisfaction and conflict resolution, necessitating effective premarital education. This study examined the efficacy of premarital programs integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance in Caregiving Relationships (ACR), and Attachment Narrative Therapy (ANT) in enhancing emotional empathy among young couples preparing for marriage. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a four-group design to evaluate the efficacy of premarital education interventions based on DBT, ACR, and ANT, against a control group. Data were collected via pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up. One hundred twenty young adults (30 per group) preparing for marriage were conveniently sampled from Isfahan's psychological centers in 2023 and randomly assigned. The Basic Empathy Scale (BES-A) measured the outcome. Intervention groups completed eight 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 with descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Between-group analyses indicated that all three interventions—DBT, ACR, and ANT—produced substantial increases in emotional empathy scores at post-test relative to the control condition (partial η²=0.67). Gains were sustained at one-month follow-up. No significant inter-intervention differences emerged immediately post-treatment; however, DBT exhibited superior longevity compared to ANT at follow-up. Conclusion: Premarital programmes grounded in DBT, ACR, or ANT significantly bolster emotional empathy in young adults. These evidence-based approaches offer valuable frameworks for counselling, enhancing emotional attunement, conflict management, and relational resilience. While all proved efficacious short- and medium-term, DBT demonstrated greater durability than ANT. Findings support integrating these modalities into premarital education to cultivate enduring, empathetic partnerships.
Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mindfulness training on reducing test anxiety and improving the academic performance of high school students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test–post-test control group design. The study population included all 10th-grade students from high schools in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 60 students were selected through cluster random sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of mindfulness training based on Kabat-Zinn’s model, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using the Spielberger Test Anxiety Inventory and students’ final semester grade point average (GPA) as an indicator of academic performance. Data were analysed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-26. Results: The results indicated that the mean score of test anxiety in the experimental group significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.001), while no significant difference was observed in the control group. The mean academic performance of the experimental group improved significantly (P=0.002). The ANCOVA results showed that mindfulness training had a significant effect on both test anxiety and academic performance. Conclusion: Mindfulness training can be used as an effective intervention to reduce test anxiety and enhance students’ academic performance. Implementing mindfulness-based educational programs in schools can play a key role in improving students’ mental health and promoting effective learning outcomes.
Background: In today's world, various unforeseen events can threaten material and human resources, and in the meantime, hospitals and health care center employees are directly affected by events and crises. Nevertheless, there is no comprehensive and integrated study on the various mechanisms of crisis management for nurses' moral distress; therefore, the current study was conducted to design a model of crisis management with the moral distress management approach for nurses in the hospitals of the Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences, with a mixed approach. Methods: The present study is an applied research project in terms of its purpose and is exploratory in nature, having been analyzed using a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the first stage, the qualitative method and in-depth interviews were used to identify the model components. In the qualitative part, 16 university experts were selected by a purposive sampling method. The theme analysis method was employed to analyze the qualitative data using MAXQDA software. Next, in order to fit the model designed in the qualitative part, the structural equation modeling approach was used in the quantitative part. Results: According to the results of the qualitative section, 7 main themes, including job burnout, the coronavirus disease situation, strategy, professional ethics, job stress, moral distress, crisis management, and 15 sub-themes were identified. In the quantitative section, it was found that there is a significant relationship between the leadership of digital transformation and the factors, and the designed model has an acceptable fit. Conclusion: moral distress has always been associated with a negative effect on mental health in the form of anxiety and failure in the professional life of nurses, and in the absence of compatibility, the negative effects of moral distress are revealed in their professional life in the form of feelings of worthlessness, anger, depression, shame, and discomfort in life.
Background: A robust sense of self facilitates emotional comprehension, stress management, and adaptive lifestyle behaviors. Incorporating spiritual or religious dimensions can enhance self-awareness and resilience. This study developed and validated a faith-based self-awareness intervention grounded in Islamic epistemology, assessing its effects on cognitive emotion regulation among adolescents. Methods: Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, the qualitative phase utilized Attride-Stirling’s thematic analysis framework to examine library resources, identifying constructs for a self-awareness package rooted in Islamic epistemology, with subsequent expert validation by psychologists. The quantitative phase evaluated efficacy in 30 female secondary students (aged 13–16 years) from Shadegan via a pre-test-post-test control group design. Participants were purposively selected and randomly allocated; the experimental group underwent eight 90-minute sessions, whereas controls received no intervention and were wait-listed. Cognitive emotion regulation was measured using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), with data analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS-23. Results: Qualitative analysis yielded a faith-based self-awareness framework rooted in Islamic epistemology, comprising one overarching theme, five organizing themes, and 22 basic themes. Content validity was affirmed (CVI=0.79; CVR=0.75). Quantitatively, the experimental group exhibited significant gains in adaptive emotion-regulation strategies relative to controls (P<0.001, η²=0.45), confirming intervention efficacy. Conclusion: This mixed-methods investigation validates an Islamic epistemology-based self-awareness package, evidencing improved adaptive emotion regulation in adolescents. Results underscore the promise of epistemologically aligned interventions for bolstering psychological well-being and interpersonal functioning.
Background: Understanding the complex interplay between academic behaviors, mental health challenges, and familial dynamics is crucial for promoting adolescent psychological well-being and scholastic success. This study investigated direct associations among academic incivility, suicidal ideation, and academic procrastination in female adolescents aged 13–15 in Ahvaz, Iran, while assessing the mediating effects of parent-child conflict on these pathways. Methods: Employing a descriptive correlational design with path analysis, this research targeted first-year high school girls in Ahvaz during the 2023–2024 academic year (population: 3,587). A cluster-randomized sample of 384 participants was recruited from six schools in one district. Instruments included the 12-item Academic Procrastination Questionnaire (α=0.82), 21-item Academic Incivility Questionnaire (α=0.86), 19-item Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (α=0.76), and 15-item Parent-Child Conflict Questionnaire (α=0.86). Analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modeling via SPSS-27 and AMOS-24, with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) for mediation testing. Results: Significant direct paths emerged (all P<0.001): academic incivility to parent-child conflict (β=0.19), suicidal ideation to parent-child conflict (β=0.56), suicidal ideation to academic procrastination (β=0.32), and parent-child conflict to academic procrastination (β=0.25). No direct incivility-procrastination link was found (β=0.10). However, parent-child conflict mediated indirect effects from incivility to procrastination (β=0.02, P=0.007) and from suicidal ideation to procrastination (β=0.17, P<0.001). The final model exhibited excellent fit (χ²/df=1.32, CFI=0.99, RMSEA=0.04). Conclusion: Among adolescents, parent-child conflict mediates the influences of academic incivility and suicidal ideation on procrastination, underscoring family dynamics' pivotal role. Targeted interventions enhancing familial communication could alleviate procrastination and bolster mental health outcomes.
Background: This study explores the integration of biophilic elements in contemporary commercial centers and their impact on customer well-being and spatial experience. With increasing recognition of the importance of natural environments in urban life, biophilic design has emerged as a key approach in commercial architecture. Methods: In the first phase, a thematic analysis of existing literature was conducted to identify relevant themes, categories, and relationships, leading to the development of a conceptual model. In the second phase, a survey-based study was carried out among 119 visitors to nominated commercial centers to validate and generalize the findings. Structural analysis of the collected data was performed using SPSS and SmartPLS (v.3), confirming that the conceptual framework of biophilic design in commercial spaces is shaped by six key factors. Results: The results indicate strong and meaningful interactions among these factors, reinforcing the significance of biophilic principles in shaping customer behavioral well-being. Furthermore, the study highlights how integrating biophilic elements into commercial environments can enhance both mental and physical well-being, ultimately fostering more positive customer experiences. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need to prioritize human-centered and environmentally conscious design strategies in commercial space development.
This paper applies a Foucauldian discourse analysis to examine how political determinants, particularly governance, shape health outcomes in society, with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Politics, as a form of power/knowledge, regulates health-related norms, policies, and institutional practices, thereby influencing the distribution of key social determinants such as environment, housing, education, and healthcare access. Empirical evidence indicates that democratic stability and good governance—characterized by transparency, accountability, participation, and organizational integrity—are critical for effective health system stewardship and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic vividly demonstrated these dynamics: countries with robust governance structures managed the crisis more successfully, while political instability, misinformation, and lack of accountability exacerbated health inequities and mortality. Foucault’s concepts of regime of truth and bio politics are used to analyse how governments exercised power over populations through public health measures, normalization of behaviours, and surveillance. This analysis underscores the need for health researchers and policymakers to critically engage with political determinants and governance structures to address health inequities and promote social justice in health.
Background: Tobacco consumption remains a foremost cause of preventable illness and death worldwide. A study analyzing NFHS-5 and GATS-2 data indicates that men's tobacco usage in urban areas declined from 38.9% to 25.4% between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, while women's usage decreased from 4.4% to 3.3%. These findings suggest a positive trend in reducing tobacco consumption in urban regions.To evaluate the patterns of using tobacco and assess the awareness of graphic health warnings among tobacco users in urban Patna, focusing on their understanding of health risks associated with tobacco. Methods: 224 tobacco users in the urban Patna community participated in this 12-month cross-sectional study. Purposive sampling was used to choose the participants, and a pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire was used for the interviews. PSPP software was used to analyze the data using frequency and percentages. Results: Mean age of the participants was 38.12 ± 12.087. Out of 224 participants, majority of the participants use smokeless tobacco form. 89.2% participants said pictorial + written warnings are more understandable but 86.5% did not know which kind of warning has more impact on smokers. Conclusion: Despite growing awareness of health risks, tobacco use remains prevalent due to various socioeconomic and cultural factors, highlighting the need for more effective public health interventions.
