Letter to the Editor (Policy Brief)
Epidemiology and Statistics
Ali Ahmadi; Amirhossein Badkoubi; Arsalan Khaledifar
Abstract
High blood pressure (HBP) is one of the most important preventable risk factors and excessive salt intake plays a significant role in its occurrence. Several studies have shown that reducing salt intake leads to a decrease in BP. The World Health Organization has also recommended consuming less than ...
Read More
High blood pressure (HBP) is one of the most important preventable risk factors and excessive salt intake plays a significant role in its occurrence. Several studies have shown that reducing salt intake leads to a decrease in BP. The World Health Organization has also recommended consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day. In Ardal County, the prevalence of HBP in people over 30 years of age was reported to be about 15.2%, but there was no information on the amount of salt intake. By conducting a cohort study in this area, the average apparent salt intake was 4.4 grams and total sodium intake was 14.8 grams per day, with 62% of people consuming more than the recommended amount of salt. Accordingly, a Community trial was designed and implemented to reduce salt intake and BP in 20 villages in this county. The interventions included face-to-face education, distribution of 3,000 leaflets and pamphlets, and group discussions in health homes, health centers, and at the village level. After the intervention, salt intake was significantly reduced. Although the reduction in systolic BP was not significant at the community level, at the individual level, the intervention group had a significant reduction in BP compared to the control group. The study showed that salt intake in these communities was about three times the recommended limit, and community-based educational interventions tailored to local culture and people's perception of risk are considered a cheap and effective strategy to reduce salt intake and control high blood pressure.
Original Article
Internal Medicine
afsaneh kaffash; Ezat Samadipour; Elham Navipour; Sadegh Dowlatkhah
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change poses a significant threat to human health, and healthcare workers play a crucial role in addressing its consequences. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare workers' risk perception of climate change and its related health outcomes.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional ...
Read More
Introduction: Climate change poses a significant threat to human health, and healthcare workers play a crucial role in addressing its consequences. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare workers' risk perception of climate change and its related health outcomes.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 using a researcher-developed risk perception questionnaire administered to 293 healthcare professionals across Iran. The questionnaire assessed cognitive, emotional, social, and institutional dimensions of risk perception. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Content validity was established through review by five health experts, and internal consistency reliability was demonstrated by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78.Results: Female healthcare workers exhibited a higher risk perception across various dimensions and overall compared to their male counterparts. Workers in healthcare centers demonstrated a greater risk perception than those in medical treatment facilities. Risk perception was inversely correlated with age. In contrast, neither workplace type (public/private) nor any of the measured demographic variables were found to be significant determinants of risk perception, including within its institutional dimension.Conclusion: Healthcare workers' perception of climate change-related health risks is associated with gender, workplace type (health center vs. treatment facility), and age. Female workers and those in healthcare centers have a higher risk perception, which tends to decrease with age. These findings can inform the design of targeted educational programs and interventions to enhance awareness and preparedness among different groups of healthcare workers regarding the health impacts of climate change on the community.
Original Article
Aging
Morteza Yahya abadi; Ali asghar Jesmi; Ali Taj; Nazanin Fekri
Abstract
Introduction: Falls and resulting injuries are a major safety concern for older adults. A fall can lead to temporary or permanent care needs, often resulting in transfers to nursing facilities. Environmental factors are among the most common causes of falls in this population. This study aims to assess ...
Read More
Introduction: Falls and resulting injuries are a major safety concern for older adults. A fall can lead to temporary or permanent care needs, often resulting in transfers to nursing facilities. Environmental factors are among the most common causes of falls in this population. This study aims to assess the safety level of older adults' homes in Sabzevar with respect to falls and related factors.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included 249 older adults in Sabzevar city in 2024, selected through stratified sampling. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at 0.05. Chi-square, linear-by-linear association, and Mann-Whitney statistical tests were employed.Results: The most hazardous areas in older adults' homes were identified as the floor and flooring (92%), bathroom (90.4%), and toilet (86.3%). A significant relationship was observed between home safety related to falls and the age, marital status, employment status, and education level of older adults (p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were observed with gender or housing type.Conclusion: Screening older adults' homes by healthcare providers—including doctors, nurses, and caregivers—can help identify unsafe factors and facilitate interventions to enhance home safety for older adults.
Original Article
Internal Medicine
Arash Khameneh Bagheri; rama bozogmehr; Negin Ghafarzadeh; matin noroozi; Hamed Ghorani
Abstract
Introduction: Pleural effusion is a common clinical manifestation that may indicate serious systemic or localized diseases, including malignancy, infection, or heart failure. Accurate distinction between transudative and exudative effusions is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.Materials and ...
Read More
Introduction: Pleural effusion is a common clinical manifestation that may indicate serious systemic or localized diseases, including malignancy, infection, or heart failure. Accurate distinction between transudative and exudative effusions is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 97 hospitalized patients with confirmed pleural effusion at Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital between 2019 and 2023. Data collection involved a review of medical records and laboratory reports, facilitated by a standardized checklist.Results: A significant correlation was found between the pleural-to-serum protein ratio and the exudative nature of pleural fluid (R²=0.87, p<0.05). Additionally, positive microbial cultures were significantly more prevalent in exudative effusions. No significant difference was found in polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell counts between culture-positive and culture-negative samples. A positive association was noted between malignancy and elevated white blood cell (WBC) levels in pleural fluid (R²=0.62, p<0.05).Conclusion: Biochemical parameters such as protein ratio, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and culture results significantly contribute to the classification of pleural fluid. This study underscores the importance of an integrated diagnostic approach that combines laboratory markers, imaging, and clinical data. Further prospective, multicenter studies are recommended to validate these findings and support the routine implementation of such diagnostic strategies.
Original Article
Educational
Soudabe Ebrahimi; keivan Assa; Adel Zahed Babolan; Hossein Kariminejad; Mehdi Moinikia; Hossein Taghavi
Abstract
Introduction: Organizational trauma is a contemporary theory in organizational behavior and management. This study aims to employ an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach to validate how organizational awareness factors influence the level of Organizational Trauma Management (OTM) in new teachers.
Materials ...
Read More
Introduction: Organizational trauma is a contemporary theory in organizational behavior and management. This study aims to employ an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach to validate how organizational awareness factors influence the level of Organizational Trauma Management (OTM) in new teachers.
Materials and Methods: The statistical population for this study comprised nine teachers from Gilan, Alborz, and Tehran provinces, totaling approximately 15,000 individuals in 1401. Participants (n = 375) were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the Organizational Awareness Questionnaire and the Organizational Trauma Management Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network in SPSS version 25.
Results: Results indicated that the artificial neural network model, structured with an input layer (six nodes) and a hidden layer (three nodes), effectively predicted organizational trauma management processes based on organizational awareness factors. Analysis of normalized importance weights revealed that flexibility (1.00) was the most influential factor, while conditional learning and cognitive development (0.32) exerted the least relative influence.
Conclusion: Individuals exposed to traumatic events, particularly in the early years of their careers, encounter significant challenges in the workplace, which can lead to chronic stress, job stagnation, and burnout due to insufficient organizational and managerial support.
Original Article
Traditional medicine
Maryam Sadat Katebi; Zeinab Hosseini Esfad; Asma Nikkhah Bidokhti; Mina Ghalenoei
Abstract
Introduction: Jaundice is a common condition observed in the neonatal period. Optimal maternal nutrition is crucial for successful breastfeeding and can significantly impact infant development, potentially leading to neonatal jaundice. Furthermore, a mother's temperament can influence her nutritional ...
Read More
Introduction: Jaundice is a common condition observed in the neonatal period. Optimal maternal nutrition is crucial for successful breastfeeding and can significantly impact infant development, potentially leading to neonatal jaundice. Furthermore, a mother's temperament can influence her nutritional choices. In traditional medicine, jaundice is attributed to elevated bile levels. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal temperament and neonatal jaundice.Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 200 mothers and infants at Shohada Hospital in Qaen in 2022. The case group consisted of 100 infants who exhibited physiological jaundice within the first week after birth, while the control group included 100 infants without jaundice. Sampling was performed using a convenience approach, and informed consent was obtained from the mothers. Data on demographic characteristics of mothers and infants were collected, and the temperament questionnaire was assessed by interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software.Results: A statistically significant association was found between neonatal jaundice and several factors: father's occupation (p = 0.001), mother's education (p = 0.084), place of residence (p = 0.001), gestational age (p < 0.001), newborn weight (p = 0.02), and maternal temperament (p = 0.005). Jaundice was more prevalent in newborns weighing between 3-4 kg and those born at 38-39 weeks of gestation.Conclusion: To mitigate the risks associated with neonatal jaundice and its complications, it is essential to pay sufficient attention to these issues when making decisions about the necessary plans to prevent jaundice and its complications.
Review article
Physical Education
Khadijeh Molaei; Omid Zafarmand; Abbas Saremi
Abstract
Introduction: The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of acute and chronic aerobic exercise on fetuin A levels and lipid profiles in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Magiran, Irandon, ...
Read More
Introduction: The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of acute and chronic aerobic exercise on fetuin A levels and lipid profiles in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Magiran, Irandon, Noor Mags, and SID databases for relevant studies from inception until 1404/11/5 (24 February 2026). The inclusion criteria were: (1) original articles in Persian or English; (2) participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes; (3) intervention comparing acute or chronic aerobic exercise to a control group; and (4) measurement of photoin A and lipid profile. A random-effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: A total of 7 studies (with 9 aerobic exercise interventions) involving 228 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes indicated that both acute and chronic aerobic exercise were associated with a significant reduction in fetuin A [WMD = -48.021 ng/mL, P = 0.002], triglycerides (TG) [WMD = -15.111 mg/dL, P = 0.002], and lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) [WMD = -10.951 mg/dL, P = 0.001]. However, acute and chronic aerobic exercise resulted in insignificant changes in total cholesterol (TC) [WMD = -17.066 mg/dL, P = 0.006] and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [WMD = 3.888 mg/dL, P = 0.118].Conclusion: The results indicate that acute and chronic aerobic exercise is associated with decreases in fetuin A, TC, TG, and LDL, as well as an increase in HDL among obese individuals with T2D. Therefore, incorporating aerobic exercises such as brisk walking and cycling into the daily routines of obese and diabetic individuals is recommended to promote health.
Original Article
Health Education
Mahboobe Borhani; Zakieh Sadat Hosseini; Marzieh Abedi; Sara Ghezelsefloo; Hamid Abasi; Taha Rafiei
Abstract
Introduction: The low uptake of mammography screening among rural women poses a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic and behavioral characteristics with perceived self-efficacy, fear, and social support regarding mammography screening among ...
Read More
Introduction: The low uptake of mammography screening among rural women poses a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic and behavioral characteristics with perceived self-efficacy, fear, and social support regarding mammography screening among women living in rural areas.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 in Minoodasht County among rural women. Utilizing Cochran’s formula and a two-stage cluster sampling method, a total of 308 participants were selected. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, social support, fear, demographic information, and mammography behavior. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.Results: Higher educational attainment and better economic status were significantly associated with greater social support. Women who did not engage in physical activity reported lower self-efficacy regarding mammography screening. Fear of mammography increased with age (p < 0.03) but was not significantly associated with actual screening behavior (p = 0.202). Depression and a family history of breast cancer were the only statistically significant factors associated with undergoing breast cancer screening (p = 0.002).Conclusion: Enhancing social support and self-efficacy—particularly among women with lower educational attainment and socioeconomic status—may increase participation rate in mammography screening among rural populations. Educational interventions should focus on boosting self-confidence, promoting an active lifestyle, reducing psychological barriers such as depression, and strengthening support networks, especially for women with a family history of breast cancer.
Original Article
Microbiology
Sanaz Dehghan; Mojtaba Fattahi Abdizadeh; Maryam Latifnia; Mehdi Molavi; Neda Mahdavifar; S.Ahmad Sajadi
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication and infection. Approximately 15 million people worldwide are infected with HDV. Various prevalence rates have been reported in Iran and other countries. Therefore, this study aims ...
Read More
Introduction: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication and infection. Approximately 15 million people worldwide are infected with HDV. Various prevalence rates have been reported in Iran and other countries. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Sabzevar.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted from January to September 2022. A total of 63 HBV-positive patients were selected, and anti-HDV antibodies were tested using the ELISA. Risk factors for HDV-positive patients were assessed through a questionnaire that included variables such as age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation, family contact history, blood transfusion history, injection drug use, cupping, tattooing, sexual activities, and needle-stick injuries. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.Results: Out of 56 patients tested, 5 (8.9%) were positive for hepatitis D. A significant relationship was observed between family contact history and the presence of anti-HDV antibodies (p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study indicates that the prevalence of hepatitis D among chronic hepatitis B patients in Sabzevar is 8.9%. Compared to global and national studies, this suggests a relatively high prevalence of HDV in Sabzevar
Review article
Nursing
Yeghane Behbodi Rad; Mostafa Rad
Abstract
Introduction: The length of stay in the emergency department (ED) can significantly affect the quality of care provided. However, the factors influencing this duration have been infrequently reviewed. This study aims to investigate factors affecting patients' length of stay in the emergency department.Materials ...
Read More
Introduction: The length of stay in the emergency department (ED) can significantly affect the quality of care provided. However, the factors influencing this duration have been infrequently reviewed. This study aims to investigate factors affecting patients' length of stay in the emergency department.Materials and Methods: Materials and Methods: This review study involved a comprehensive search of the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID databases using the keywords "Emergency department," "Length of stay," "Duration of stay," and "Influencing factors," along with their Persian equivalents. The search focused on Persian and English articles published between 2000 and 2024. Ultimately, 12 relevant articles were selected for review, excluding letters to the editor.Results: The primary factors contributing to increased length of stay in the emergency department included delays in specialized consultation services, the laboratory testing process and turnaround time for results, insufficient beds in inpatient wards, the level of patient triage, and the advanced age of patients.Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is recommended that the design of team programs and relevant guidelines be implemented to reduce emergency department patient stays, particularly in Iran. This should include clarifying ward responsibilities and discharge planning.
Original Article
immunology & Biochemistry
Kazem Abbaszadeh Goudarzi; Sana Rahmati; Maryam Nabavifard; Amir Raoofi; Mahdi Tadayon far; Parsia Torshizi; Saeideh sadat Shobeiri; Mahsa Asghari; Mohammad Shafi Mojadadi
Abstract
Introduction: A third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for individuals who have completed a primary series of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at least three months prior. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of homologous and heterologous COVID-19 booster vaccines in increasing ...
Read More
Introduction: A third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for individuals who have completed a primary series of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at least three months prior. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of homologous and heterologous COVID-19 booster vaccines in increasing serum anti-spike antibody levels in vaccinated individuals.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 98 employees of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences who had received a booster dose at least two weeks prior. Five milliliters (5 mL) of venous blood was collected from each participant, and serum anti-spike IgG concentrations were measured using an ELISA method. Participants were categorized into homologous and heterologous booster groups based on their third dose, and antibody levels were compared between the groups.
Results: No significant differences in mean serum anti-spike antibody concentrations were observed between genders or across age groups. However, the heterologous booster group demonstrated significantly higher mean anti-spike antibody levels compared to the homologous booster group. Among all vaccine types, the homologous AstraZeneca vaccine elicited significantly higher mean anti-spike antibody levels.
Conclusion: The results indicated that a heterologous booster dose elicited a stronger immune response against SARS-CoV-2 than a homologous booster, supporting its use in informed vaccination strategies.