Iran hosts a population of millions of migrants and refugees, mainly from Afghanistan, who face serious barriers in accessing health services. Given the large number of foreign nationals, limited international resources, especially support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the economic vulnerability of this group, financial resources are insufficient to provide adequate services. On the other hand, health and medical needs including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and mental health are on the rise. This imbalance between resources and needs makes the design of a new service delivery model inevitable. As part of the digital revolution, smart health and telemedicine can reduce geographical, cultural, and financial inequalities and shift the healthcare system's approach from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented. Under such circumstances, utilizing new digital and remote health models is not a choice, but rather the only realistic path to providing broader, higher-quality, and more cost-effective services. This article, by examining the benefits, challenges, and practical recommendations, demonstrates that targeted investment in migrant-centered technologies not only strengthens universal health coverage but also creates economic opportunities such as exporting digital health services to Afghanistan and transforms Iran into a regional smart health hub.
Background and Objectives: Domestic violence is one of the social harms against women that negatively affects the health of mothers and children. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of exposure to domestic violence among women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan city and its relationship with behavioral disorders in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 454 women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan in 2024. Sampling was performed using a multistage method. Data were collected using two standard questionnaires for measuring domestic violence against women by Mohseni Tabrizi and the Behavioral Problems of Children and Adolescents (RBPC) questionnaire by Quay and Peterson. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression in Stata14 software. Results: The results of this study showed that the overall prevalence of exposure to violence in women and behavioral disorders in children were 43% (95% Cl:38.40%-47.60%) and 23.3% (95% Cl:19.40%-27.20%), respectively. Domestic violence was significantly associated with behavioral disorders (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.34-3.52). In the final logistic regression model, the variables of father's age, father's addiction, parents' history of childhood violence, and maternal exposure to domestic violence remained significantly associated with children’s behavioral disorders (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the relationship between maternal domestic violence and children's behavioral disorders. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive and multifaceted interventions that help both affected women and children at risk.
Background and Objectives: Various viral agents are causes of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) in children. Epidemiological study of their prevalence according to age, gender, season, and clinical symptoms is valuable for infection control and management of these infections. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 123 children aged 1–19 years with URI at Mofid Children's Hospital during 2013–2014. Nucleic acid extraction was performed using the SIMBIO.lab kit, and cDNA synthesis and detection of 21 common respiratory viruses were done via Real-Time PCR with the FTD 21 kit. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The symptoms and their correlation with specific viruses were also analyzed. Results: Respiratory viruses were detected in 66.7% (82 out of 123 people) of patients. The most prevalent viruses were adenovirus 48.8% (60 out of 123 people), enterovirus 15.4% (19 out of 123 people), rhinovirus 12.2% (15 out of 123 people), metapneumovirus 8.9% (11 out of 123 people), respiratory syncytial virus 3.3% (4 out of 123 people), and influenza B 2.4% (3 out of 123 people). Coinfection with two viruses occurred in 21.1% (26 out of 123 people) and with three viruses in 1.6% (2 out of 123 people). The highest infection rate was observed in winter (78.2%), indicating a significant seasonal difference. No significant differences were observed with respect to age or gender. Conclusion: Adenovirus was the most frequent virus in children with URI, higher than in previous studies, while other viral prevalence and associations with demographics and symptoms were consistent with past reports.
The use of evidence briefs to support health policymaking has become increasingly important, as evidence-informed decisions can enhance health outcomes, improve resource allocation, and strengthen accountability. However, many evidence producers remain unfamiliar with the diversity, purpose, and appropriate application of different types of evidence briefs within the policy cycle, limiting their effectiveness. This article introduces four key types of evidence briefs—issue briefs, options briefs, implementation briefs, and policy impact briefs, and explains their functions, content, and practical development considerations across different stages of the decision-making and policymaking process. By synthesizing credible evidence, these tools support problem identification, formulation of policy options, planning for effective implementation, and assessment of policy impacts. Strengthening awareness and promoting the appropriate use of these briefs can enhance knowledge translation and facilitate the transfer of evidence into policy
Background and Objectives: In the context of the epidemiological transition, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), have become a major challenge for the health system. Premature deaths attributable to these conditions during young adulthood have substantial demographic consequences. This study examined the four-decade trend of cardiovascular disease mortality among young people in Iran and its provincial distribution to identify geographic hotspots. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was based on secondary data analysis. Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Population and cause-specific mortality data, stratified by sex, age, and province, were extracted for the period 1981–2023. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel to calculate percentages and mortality rates. Geographic Information System (GIS) software was used to map the provincial distribution of mortality, and SPSS was employed to examine the association between the level of development and mortality rates. Results: Although overall mortality among young people has declined over the past four decades, cardiovascular diseases continue to account for a considerable proportion of premature deaths. In 2021, they were responsible for 7.8% of all deaths among individuals aged 15–29 years. Ischemic heart disease and stroke were the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality, with substantially higher mortality among young men than young women. Furthermore, spatial analyses revealed marked provincial inequalities in the distribution of cardiovascular mortality and a significant inverse association between mortality rates and the level of regional development. Conclusion: Despite the overall decline in youth mortality, youth mortality from cardiovascular diseases, especially in deprived areas, remains challenging. Therefore, implementing targeted interventions including periodic screenings, healthy lifestyle promotion, and equitable healthcare resource allocation is crucial for reducing the disease burden and securing the country’s demographic window.
