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BACKGROUND: The importance of data quality whether in collection, analysis or presenting stage is a tangible and undeniable scientific fact and the main objects of researches implementation. Objective: This paper aims at explaining the main problems of the Iranian scientific papers for providing better data in the field of national and sub-national prevalence, incidence estimates and trends of obesity and overweight. METHODS: To assess and evaluate papers, we systematically followed an approved standard protocol. Retrieval of studies was performed through Thomson Reuters Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, as well as Iranian databases including Irandoc, Scientific Information Database (SID), and IranMedex. Using GBD (Global Burden of Diseases) validated quality assessment forms to assess the quality and availability of data in papers, we considered the following four main domains: a) Quality of studies, b) Quality report of the results, c) Responsiveness of corresponding authors, and d) Diversity in study settings. RESULTS: We retrieved 3,253 records; of these 1,875 were from international and 1378 from national databases. After refining steps, 129 (3.97%) papers remained related to our study domain. More than 51% of relevant papers were excluded because of poor quality of studies. The number of reported total population and points of data were 22,972 and 29 for boys, and 38,985 and 47 for girls, respectively. For all measures, missing values and diversities in studies' setting limited our ability to compare and analyze the results. Moreover, we had some serious problems in contacting the corresponding authors for complementary information necessary (Receptiveness: 17.9%). CONCLUSION: As the present paper focused on the main problems of Iranian scientific papers and proposed suggestions, the results will have implications for better policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Antiplatelet drugs, such as Aspirin and Clopidogrel (Plavix) are effective in the primary prevention of thromboembolic events. They are commonly used to reduce the risk of recurrence of thromboembolism. The body's hemostatic system responds differently to these drugs in different people. Resistance testing for aspirin and Clopidogrel is now recommended before starting antiplatelet therapy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on May 12, 2021, using the medical search engines PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and the local databases SID and Magiran. After data extraction, a meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA2) software. The I2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity between estimates. Results: Among the 949 papers, Clopidogrel resistance was assessed in 136 patients and Aspirin resistance in 400 patients. The prevalence of Aspirin resistance was found to be 52.1% and the prevalence of Clopidogrel resistance was found to be 20.5%. Conclusion: It seems that in Iran, the issue of Aspirin and Clopidogrel resistance is suboptimally addressed. This pattern could also occur in other developing countries in the Middle East region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alloimmunization is an immune response against foreign antigens which introduced into the body through transfusion, pregnancy, or transplantation. This phenomenon is a big challenge in patients, which require regular transfusions. In the current study, we tried to have a comprehensive review on the status of alloimmunization in Iran. For this purpose, we searched for papers investigating alloimmunization in transfusion-dependent patients and also in patients with no regular transfusions who are candidate for surgery or who need blood. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and MAGIRAN databases using the following keywords: "blood transfusion," "alloimmunization," "alloantibodies," "irregular antibodies," "red cell antibodies," and "Iran." No limitation for the date of publication and language of the papers was defined. All the identified records were then screened for the relevance and duplication. Results: A total of 22 papers were included in this study. All of the studies were conducted from 1999 to 2016 and providing alloimmunization data from different cities all over of Iran. In general, the results showed that the most prevalent alloantibodies are anti-Kell (anti-K antigen) and anti-Rh system, mainly anti-E, anti-D, anti-C, and anti-c. Conclusion: Anti-Kell and anti-Rh antibodies are the most prevalent antibodies responsible for alloimmunization in Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people (approximately 15% of world population) live with disability. Also, about half of these people lack access to healthcare facilities. Therefore, providing timely healthcare services, especially rehabilitation, is of great significance for these people. The goal of the study was to determine the objectives and policies in the field of rehabilitation in middle- and high-income countries and compare them with Iran. Materials & Methods Based on available databases, a comprehensive review of documents, papers, and books was performed in the field of rehabilitation related to high- and middle-income countries. Results Due to a lack of coordinated services, inappropriate access, unplanned distribution, unclear service delivery levels, neglect of health promotion and prevention levels, lack of a transparent referral system, unclear insurance system, and weak financial resources, the need for a national program with a service integration approach is strongly felt. The review of the rehabilitation programs and documents in other countries help us to design a conceptual framework of the rehabilitation service model, which is based on three principles: Removing barriers and developing access to healthcare services and programs; strengthening and developing rehabilitation using technology, community-based support, and rehabilitation services; and promoting comparable international data collection on disability and supporting research on disability and related rehabilitation services. Conclusion The national rehabilitation program, with a service integration approach, provides a good platform for fair access to rehabilitation services for all people with disability. In this program, the health system is the most important reference to meet these needs. Therefore, it is suggested that this program pursue three main objectives: Fair promotion of the healthcare services of rehabilitation for recipients, improving the response to the needs of rehabilitation service recipients, and reducing the financial and social risks of service recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Infertility influences various emotional, psychological, social, and relational aspects of women's lives. By employing a systematic review on the papers published in this field, this study aimed to identify the consequences of infertility on psychological and social health of women in Iran. Method: This was a descriptive study, conducted through a systematic review according to the directions denoted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) in 2018. To investigate the entirety of the published studies on the sociopsychological consequences of women's infertility in Iran, various databases, including Comprehensive Human Science Portal, Scientific Information Databases (SID), Magiran, National Library and Archives of I. R. IRAN, Noormags, MEDLIB, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Medline, and ProQuest, were explored for the studies published between 1991 and 2018. The selected papers were evaluated according to the content analysis method. Results: Out of the 53 papers investigated, 27 were published in domestic journals (51%), while the remaining 26 papers were published in international journals and were in English (49%). The results revealed that sociopsychological consequences of women's infertility are categorized in 6 main categories: (1) quality of life, (2) depression, (3) anxiety, (4) social support, (5) violence, and (6) sexual function. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to design psychocognitive interventions and assist women in decreasing the emerging psychological pain and pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the existing strategies and interventions in domestic violence prevention to assess their effectiveness. Method: To select studies, Pubmed, ISI, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Elsevier databases were searched. Two authors reviewed all papers using established inclusion/ exclusion criteria. Finally, 18 articles were selected and met the inclusion criteria for assessment. Following the Cochrane quality assessment tool and AHRQ Standards, the studies were classified for quality rating based on design and performance quality. Two authors separately reviewed the studies and categorized them as good, fair, and poor quality. Results: Most of the selected papers had fair- or poor-quality rating in terms of methodology quality. Different intervention methods had been used in these studies. Four studies focused on empowering women; 3, 4, and 2 studies were internet-based interventions, financial interventions, and relatively social interventions, respectively. Four interventions were also implemented in specific groups. All authors stated that interventions were effective. Conclusion: Intervention methods should be fully in line with the characteristics of the participants. Environmental and cultural conditions and the role of the cause of violence are important elements in choosing the type of intervention. Interventions are not superior to each other because of their different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candidiasis is one of serious problems in immunosuppressed patients, including HIV patients. Candida albicans is a fungi causing different humans diseases. Immunosuppression is a hallmark of HIV infection, and its' deficiency can introduce complications through impairment of immune cells, such as CD4+ lymphocytes. The aim of the current review was to investigate the importance of candidiasis co-infection in HIV Iranian patients. In addition, it focused on prognosis, prevention, and management of candidiasis since this infection could have a large scale of mortality in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). For the current systematic review, multiple electronic bibliographic databases were searched, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Iranian databases from 1 January 2011 until 24 February 2020. Majority of articles (n = 11) investigated oral and oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) with a prevalence range of 16.5% to 43.82% in HIV-positive patients. Apart from oral candidiasis, one reference also evaluated vagina, nail, and skin candidiasis. C. albicans isolates were the most prevalent species, with a 34.42%, 52.2%, and 82.2% frequency rate in three studies, while in other papers, there was a fluctuation in C. albicans prevalence. Candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. Due to high prevalence rate of oropharyngeal candidiasis, routine screening of HIV patients is recommended. Since CD4+ T cells count decreased in HIV patients, periodic examinations are necessary. Fluconazole is most commonly used azole to treat Candida due to its mechanism; however, anti-fungal prophylaxis needs more investigation to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with mucosal candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health systems around the world have their own unique challenges. Today, competence in clinical leadership is often seen as more important than clinical competence. Given the important role of physicians in health systems, how do they acquire clinical leadership competencies? In this research, valid scientific articles were reviewed for insight. Methods: In this research, databases including Science Direct, ProQuest, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Emerald, as well as Google Scholar, the Scientific Information Database, and Magiran for Iranian articles were searched for valid evidence-based English and Persian articles published between 2010 and 2018 using combination of keywords such as "physician," "leadership," and "competency" singly and in combination with the terms "AND" and "OR" as research strategy. Studies that focused on "physicians leadership competency" were selected. Search results were limited to the years 2010-2018. After reviewing the papers, 18 relevant articles were selected. Results: In the first phase, 350 articles were selected and after careful examination, 18 papers were approved at the final stage. It was found that education and leadership development courses are the most important factor for enhancing managerial competencies for physicians. It should be noted that the researchers found that in Iran research on competence in clinical leadership has also been less relevant than others. Conclusion: It is imperative that managers and planners of medical curricula design courses to develop management skills for physicians. In the post-graduate period, for physicians' continuing education, courses that address applied management and leadership should be identified and included in the continuing education curricula to address the real needs of the country's health systems. Leadership development programs can also be useful as projects to be modeled with the help of the world's top medical universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the subtyped Blastocystis sp. isolated from humans in Iran. Background: Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan that infects humans as well as domestic and wild animals, i.e. mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods. Methods: A comprehensive search for papers published before April 2022 was undertaken utilizing English and Persian databases. The following MeSH keywords were used in the electronic search: (Blastocystis sp.) AND (molecular OR subtype) AND (prevalence OR epidemiology) AND Iran. The quality of the included studies was evaluated. Thereafter, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios regarding the included studies. Results: A total of 32 studies comprised of five case-control studies and 27 cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of subtyped Blastocystis sp. in Iran was estimated to be 10% (95% confidence interval: 6 to 15%). Eight subtypes of Blastocystis sp. (ST1-ST7 and ST9) were identified in our study, of which ST3 was the most common subtype (0.04); 0.02-0.07). The difference in subtypes between two case and control groups in reported studies was not significant, but the odds ratio of infection by ST3 (0.98; 95% CI, 0.30 to 3.20) was higher in cases. Conclusion: The current systematic review showed that with the exception of ST8 and ST12, all human Blastocystis sp. subtypes reported in the world are found in different parts of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shenakht Journal of Psychology & Psychiatry is the property of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Hepatitis B infection can be transmitted both vertically and horizontally. Although the universal neonatal vaccination and catch up vaccination of teenagers along with targeted vaccination of at risk population have decreased the prevalence of HBV infection in Iran dramatically, there is still risk of vertical transmission with subsequent chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of latent HBV infection among Iranian pregnant women using meta-analysis method. Data Sources: Papers written in Persian or English were identified during a comprehensive search within five national and four international main databases. Study Eligibility Criteria and Participants: Studies reported the HBV infection prevalence among Iranian pregnant women and provided enough quality scores were selected for this meta-analysis. Methods: After a systematic review of national and international databases, duplicated and irrelevant studies were excluded. Standard error of the infection prevalence was calculated based on the binomial distribution. Because of the significant heterogeneity observed among the results, random effects model was applied to combine the results of the primary studies. Moreover, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression models were used to detect the sources of this heterogeneity. Results: At final step of the systematic search, 18 papers entered into the meta-analysis investigating 24853 pregnant women. Prevalence of HBV infection among Iranian pregnant women was estimated as 1.2% (95% confidence interval: 0.9 - 1.6). Among different risk factors assessed, only familial history in four studies out of five relevant evidences was statistically significant. Conclusions: HBV infection prevalence among Iranian pregnant women is low and familial history is its major determinant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the most frequent public health problem in Iran. The present study reviewed the methodology of the RTI articles using the Haddon matrix evidence. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Persian national databases, including SID, Magiran, and IranDoc, were searched for the articles published from March 21, 2009, to October 21, 2020. The search process was done by two independent reviewers. The quality of the articles was assessed based on the Scopus index of journals. Results: Nine-hundred and fourteen articles were included in this review study, which mostly focused on RTIs in Iran and precrash and postcrash prevention approaches. The methodological approach was cross-sectional in 487 (53.2%) articles and merely 5 (0.54%) articles were randomized clinical trial (RCT) papers. RCT studies focused on the human factor in the precrash phase. Research center evidence indicated that the Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centers mainly focused on human and environmental factors. However, the Trauma Research Center of Kashan and Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center of Tehran often addressed vehicles. Conclusion: The RTIs studies in Iran often followed a cross-sectional methodology and used a precrash prevention approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Denture stomatitis is the common form of oral candidiasis, which is seen in the form of diffused inflammation in the areas covered by dentures. Many primary studies report the prevalence of denture stomatitis and candida albicans among patients in the Iranian population; therefore, using meta-analysis is valuable for health policy makers. Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of denture stomatitis and candida albicans in Iran. Materials and Method: Using relevant keywords, national and international databases were searched. After limiting the search strategy and deleting the duplicates, the remaining papers were screened by examining the title and abstract. In order to increase the sensitivity of search reference lists of papers were examined. Finally the index of heterogeneity between studies was defined using Cochran test (Q) and Isquared (I2). According to heterogeneity, the random effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of denture stomatitis and candida albicans in Iran. Result: The prevalence of denture stomatitis in 12 studies, and the prevalence of candida albicans in patients with denture stomatitis have been reported in 6 studies. The number of sample under investigated and its age range among primary studies included meta- analysis was 2271 individuals and 32.7 till 87.5 years respectively. The prevalence of denture stomatitis in preliminary studies imported to a meta-analysis varied from 1.9% to 54.6%, and its rate in Iran using the meta-analysis was estimated 28.9 % (CI 95%: 18.2-39.6). Also the overall prevalence of candida albicans in patients with denture stomatitis in Iran was estimated 60.6% (CI 95%:50.1-71.2). Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of denture stomatitis and candida albicans among patient infected denture stomatitis is relatively significant in Iran.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various interventions have been undertaken in Iran to promote evidence-informed health policy-making (EIHP). Identifying the challenges in EIHP is the first step toward strengthening EIHP in each country through the design of tailored interventions. Therefore, the current study was conducted to synthesize the results of earlier studies and to finalize the list of barriers to EIHP in Iran.Methods: To identify the barriers to EIHP in Iran, two steps were taken: a systematic review and policy dialogue. To conduct the systematic review, three Iranian databases and PubMed, Health Systems Evidence (HSE), Embase, and Scopus were searched. The reference lists of included papers and documentation from some local organizations were hand-searched. Upon conducting the systematic review, given the significance of stakeholders in clarifying the problem of EIHP, policy dialogue was used to complete the list previously extracted and to do advocacy. Selection criteria for the stakeholders included influential and informed individuals from knowledge-producing, knowledge-utilizing, and knowledge-brokering organizations. Semi-structured interviews were held with three important absent stakeholders.Results: Challenges specific to Iran that were identified included the lack of integration of the health ministry and the medical universities, lack of ties between health knowledge utilization organizations, failure to establish long-term research plans, neglect of national research needs at the time of recruiting human resources in knowledge-producing organizations, and duplication and lack of coordination in routine data obtained from surveillance systems, disease registration systems, and censuses. It seems that some challenges are common across countries, including neglecting the importance of inter- and intra-disciplinary studies, the capacity of policy-makers and managers to utilize evidence, the criteria for evaluating the performance of policy-makers, managers, and academic members, the absence of long-term programmes in knowledge-utilizing organizations, the rapid replacement of policy-makers and managers, and lack of use of evaluation studies.Conclusions: In this study, we tried to identify the challenges regarding EIHP in Iran using a systematic review and policy dialogue approach. This is the first step toward determining the best interventions to improve evidence-informed policy-making in each country, because these challenges are contextual and need to be investigated contextually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Having cosmetic breast implants increases a woman's chance of suicide, which is now a global challenge. This systematic review evaluated the possible risk of suicide among women who undergo cosmetic breast implants. Method: This meta-analysis was done based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we systematically searched for all articles written in both English or Persian that estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation in women who had cosmetic breast implants. We systematically searched different databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, Library ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from inception to March 2021. There was also a search for references. Suicidal ideation, a suicide plan, or suicide attempts were the outcomes. In order to determine the total pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation, we utilized a random-effects model. To examine the risks of bias in each study, we applied the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal method. Results: We identified 218 citations in our initial search. After omitting duplicated citations and excluding irrelevant studies according to the title and abstract selection, 42 studies were chosen for the full text analysis. Finally, 11 research, examining a total of 324,332 women were incorporated into the systematic review and critical appraisal assessment. Eight of these studies were found to be eligible for meta-analysis. The frequency of suicide in women with cosmetic breast implant was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1% to 0.4%; P < 0.001) (Q-value: 168.143, I2:95.83). Most of the included studies had moderate quality. Conclusion: There might be a correlation between cosmetic breast implants and suicide risk, which could be stronger in the presence of a history of mental illnesses. The evidence about the possible effects of breast implants on the risk of suicide is still inconclusive, and there is a need for future well-designed studies on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studentship period is a time when most behavioral traits are being created and fixed; this is a special time when students may start smoking. Thus in the present research, prevalence of smoking in university students in Iran has been evaluated. Materials and Methods: Having extensively explored Iranian and International databases (SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, Medlib, Irandoc, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and WHO) with broad keywords, we looked for relevant papers about the frequency of cigarette smoking among students in Iranian universities in recent years. We recruited only those primary papers with required information and acceptable methodology by reviewing their titles, abstracts, and full-texts. The main data about the prevalence of smoking, age and sex distribution of subjects, sample size, date, and location of studies were extracted from the full-text of eligible papers. Results: A total of 22 valid articles were selected. Among the findings of these studies, the lowest and highest prevalence of smoking among male students was 13.4 and 39.9, respectively, while it was 0.7 and 25.5%, respectively, among female students. Meta-analysis results reveals that smoking frequency among male and female students in Iran’s universities is 19.8% (17.7-21.9) and 2.2% (1.4-3.02), respectively. Conclusion: The variation of smoking in students in different universities shows that the tendency of smoking varies in different locations. Furthermore, compatible with the prevalence of smoking in the general population in Iran, female students smoke much less than male students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main causative agent of post‑transfusion hepatitis. The virus is distributed worldwide with varying prevalence in different countries, which could easily lead to chronic infections, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of HCV infection and its trend in Iranian blood donors. Materials and Methods: Literatures on the HCV prevalence among blood donors in Iran were acquired through searching PubMed, Magiran, IranMedex, Scientific Information Databank, and Google databases. All the potentially relevant papers were reviewed independently by two investigators by assessing the eligibility of each paper and abstracting data. Prevalence was calculated using random effects model for meta‑analysis. Results: Forty‑eight studies with total samples of 10,739,221 persons from 1996 to 2011 were combined and meta‑analyzed, the pooled prevalence of HCV infection among blood donors in Iran provinces and cities was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.4‑0.6%). Trend of HCV infection was decreasing in recent years. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive and reliable data on the prevalence and trend of HCV infection among blood donors and may be helpful in providing insight into disease burden and opportunities for prevention. In comparison with countries in this geographic region, Iran has the lowest rate of HCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Obesity is currently emerging as a global epidemic, affecting 10% of adult population worldwide. The primary objective of the current systematic review is to describe the trend of overall prevalence of obesity in Iranian women and men through a meta-analysis. METHODS We searched the medical literature published from 1990 to 2007 in Medline (PubMed), EMBASE database, and the Iranian digital library. All published reports of research projects, papers in relevant congresses, unpublished crude data analysis, proceedings, books and dissertations were reviewed. Data from eligible papers that fulfilled the qualification criteria entered meta-analysis (Random Model). RESULTS Data from 209,166 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of obesity in adults was 18.5% (95% CI: 15.1-21.8), respectively. The prevalence of obesity in men and women was 12.9% (95% CI: 10.9-14.9) and 26.2% (95% CI: 21.3-30.5), respectively. The trend of obesity was similar in both genders; women had almost a constantly higher risk of obesity than men during the recent two decades. CONCLUSION Data from 209,166 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of obesity in adults was 18.5% (95% CI: 15.1-21.8), respectively. The prevalence of obesity in men and women was 12.9% (95% CI: 10.9-14.9) and 26.2% (95% CI: 21.3-30.5), respectively. The trend of obesity was similar in both genders; women had almost a constantly higher risk of obesity than men during the recent two decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

purpose of this study was to synthesize the evidence related to the leadership and management competencies in healthcare organizations through the best-fit method. Methods: A systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2020 was performed to identify studies focusing on confirming and/or identifying the competency requirements of hospital managers. The best-fit framework synthesis method was used to map the identified competencies and associated behavioral items against the validated management competency assessment program (MCAP) management competency framework. Results: Twelve studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The mapping of the identified competencies and behavioral items generated a competency model for hospital managers that can apply for different healthcare context. The new competency model includes the following seven core leadership and management competencies: evidence-informed decision-making, operations, administration and resource management, knowledge of healthcare environment and the organization, interpersonal, communication qualities and relationship management, leading people and organisation, enabling and managing change, and professionalism. Conclusion: This review and the mapping of the competencies identified in previous studies against the validated MCAP framework has resulted in the recommendation for an extended leadership and management competency framework for health service managers. It provides guidance for the formulation of training and development directions for the health service management workforce in a different healthcare context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Among the plants with multiple healing properties and a long and common history of use in Iranian traditional medicine, is dog-rose plant with the scientific name of “Rosa canina” that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This study aimed to review the effectiveness of Rosa canina in treatment of different body organs and tissues and emphasizes its therapeutic mechanism. Methods & Materials This is a review study. About 176 papers published from 2010 to 2018 were extracted from PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, Ovid, MagIran, and SID databases using related keywords and entered into study. Ethical Considerations Ethical issues (including plagiarism, misconduct, data fabrication, falsification, double publication or submission, redundancy) have been completely observed by the authors. Results Different studies had indicated the importance of Rosa canina as a medicinal plant protecting liver, lowering glucose and lipid levels, and having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The highest flavonoid activity in the Rosaceae family is related to Rosa canina. The use of herbal extracts in the treatment of common diseases, such as diabetes, fatty liver, urinary tract and Alzheimer's, has been recommended. Conclusion High qualitative and quantitative diversity of effective ingredients, ease of access, absence of adverse effects of consumption and endemic nature of Rosa canina plant make it necessary to use it for the control and treatment of common human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus through needlestick injuries (NSIs). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of needlestick injuries and other related indicators among HCWs in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched various databases until the end of May 2023 for studies reporting the prevalence of NSIs among healthcare workers in Iran. We used a random model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to analyse the data and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to evaluate the quality of included studies. We conducted and reported the study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results We included 87 studies in the analysis and found that 47% (95% CI = 42-52, I2 = 98.9%) of Iranian HCWs experienced NSI. NSIs were most frequently related to syringe needles (58%; 95% CI = 52-65, I2 = 96.8%) and most often caused by recapping (30%; 95% CI = 22-38, I2 = 98.5%). In this study, 56% (95% CI = 45-67, I2 = 98.6%) of HCWs with NSIs did not report their injury. Moreover, the prevalence of NSIs the highest in the morning shift (0.44; 95% CI = 0.36-0.53, I2 = 97.2%), emergency unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 93.7%), and intensive care unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 94.3%). Conclusions To reduce the high prevalence of NSIs, HCWs, especially those in emergency departments, should use safety equipment. Healthcare managers should provide a calm and stress-free environment for HCWs, educate them on safety principles and standards, and support experienced HCWs with NSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high prevalence of malocclusion is a public health problem in the world and the third priority in oral care. Numerous primary studies have presented reports on the prevalence of malocclusion among Iranian children. In combination, the results of these studies using meta-analysis are highly valuable for health policy-making. Similarly, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of different types of malocclusion among Iranian children. Materials and Methods: Using relevant keywords, national and international databases were explored. After narrowing down the search strategy and leaving out the duplicates, the remaining articles were screened based on titles and abstracts. To increase search sensitivity, reference lists of the papers were examined. To identify unpublished articles and documentations, a set of negotiations were done with the people involved and research centers. Finally, the heterogeneity index between the studies was determined using Cochran (Q) and I2 tests. According to the results of heterogeneity, the random effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of malocclusion in Iran. Results: In total, 25 articles were included in the meta-analysis process. The prevalence of dental malocclusion was estimated in 28,693 Iranian children aged 3-18 years. The total prevalence of Class I, II, and III malocclusion was 54.6% (46.5-62.7), 24.7% (20.8-28.7), and 6.01% (4-7.1), respectively. The prevalence of Class I, II, and III malocclusion was 44.6% (32.9-56.2), 21.5% (18.01-25.1), and 4.5% (3.2-5.9) in boys and 48.8% (36.8-60.8), 21.5% (16.9-25.1), and 5.5% (3.9-7.1) in girls, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of malocclusion among Iranian children. Also, the results indicated that the prevalence is higher in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Workplace violence is one type of occupational hazards that is increasingly growing worldwide. In the health system, one of the important groups subject to workplace violence is emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, who provide emergency services for patients and casualties as the first responders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of workplace violence and its different types among Iranian EMS personnel. Method: This study was conducted based on PRISMA guideline for systematic review and meta-analysis. The data were extracted from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID and MagIran databases using Persian and English keywords. The search was conducted up to December 2018 without any limitation in publication year. The qualities of selected papers were assessed by STROBE checklist. I2 index was used to evaluate heterogeneity, and random effects model was used in meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using Stata14. Results: A total of 9 studies entered the meta-analysis. The total sample size was 1257 Iranian EMS personnel, with an average age of 32.21 ± 2.01 years. The prevalence of physical, verbal, and cultural workplace violence among EMS personnel was 36.39% (CI 95%:27.29-45.50, P<0.001, I2 = 90.8%), 73.13% (95% CI=68.64-77.62, P=0.013, I2 = 62.7%), and 16.51% (95% CI =3.49- 29.53, p<0.001. I2 = 94.7%), respectively. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of workplace violence among EMS personnel in Iran, more studies should be conducted to determine the underlying causes of EMS staff workplace violence in Iran. Training violence prevention methods as well as assigning national protective rules are highly suggested. Insufficient studies on Workplace violence among EMS personnel in Iran and high heterogeneity were the limitations of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: No systematic review has explored the causes of and factors associated with maternal mortality in the context of Iran. This study reviewed determinants and causes of maternal mortalities during pregnancy, delivery and the puerperium using the International Classification of Diseases-Maternal Mortality (ICD-MM), introduced by the World Health Organization. Methods: A systematic electronic search of all the studies that identified causes and/or determinants of maternal deaths in any part of Iran or in the whole country were included, without any restriction of time or language of studies. To identify the studies to include in this study, a combination of hand searching and bibliographies was also conducted. These sources and citations yielded a total of 653 articles; nevertheless, only 29 articles met the inclusion criteria, hence, required data were extracted, summarized, and grouped together from these papers and are reported in the tables. Results: Amongst the 29 studies published between 2003 and 2017 in Iran, 24 studies were cross-sectional. Overall, 4633 deaths were reviewed, and 2655 (58%) of the cases included the data on the causes of death generally. According to the ICD-MM, a total of 69.9, 20.6, and 5.2% of the mortalities were due to direct, indirect and unspecified causes respectively and 4.3% of the causes were not clear in several studies. The leading direct and indirect causes of death were identified as hemorrhage (30.7%) and hypertensive disorders (17.1%) and circulatory system diseases (8.1%) respectively. Several factors including gravidity, type of delivery, socio-economic status of mothers, locations of birth, death and maternity care venues were found in the original studies as the most important determinant of maternal mortalities in Iran. Conclusions: This study, provided an updated summary of evidences on the causes and determinants of maternal death in Iran, which is critically important for the development of interventions and reduction of the burden of maternal mortality and morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Low birth weight is an important indicator of the health of babies. A low birth weight is a leading health problem and a major reason for death in newborns. This study targeted to assess the relationship between maternal and infant factors and low birth weight in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods and Materials. This paper was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between maternal/ infant factors and low birth weight based on the published research papers conducted in Iran. To achieve this goal, two trained researchers independently elicited all the relevant articles by using the appropriate keywords and their combinations in SID, Madlib, Iranmedex, Irandoc, Google Scholar, Pubmed, ISI, Scopus and Magiran databases. The results of the study were combined with SPSS 20 and STATA software. Results. In the initial stage, 25 more relevant articles out of 46 papers were selected. The gestational age with less than 37 weeks and prenatal care had the most (CI: 27- 14. 53, OR: 19.81) and the least (CI: 1.86, OR: 1.5) effect on the low birth weight in newborns, respectively. Conclusion. This study showed that there is a significant relationship between the low birth weight and multiple births, preeclampsia, maternal weight gaining during pregnancy, baby's gender, and pregnancy age. Hence, controlling the factors above in mothers during pregnancy by the health authorities could lead to the birth of infants with a healthy weight and consequently the number of infants with low birth weight will decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is one of the most severe infectious diseases, causing neurologic sequel, and a case fatality rate of 20-30%. The aim of this paper was to summarize the main causes of ABM in Iran. We searched the data for relevant articles using meningitis, etiology, and Iran as search terms. We found 23 papers for inclusion in the review that focused specifically on the ABM, addressing etiology and acute meningitis. Finally, during the 23 years, a total of 18163 cases were recorded, and 1074 cases of which met the criteria for bacterial meningitis. The most common agent associated with bacterial meningitis was S. pneumoniae, followed by H. influenzae, Enterobacter spp., N. meningitidis, and group B streptococcus. The total incidence of ABM during 1991 to 2002 was higher than during 2003-2013. S. pneumoniae still remains a main cause of bacterial meningitis. For improved outcomes, studies are needed to further clarify the etiology of meningitis in Iran, explore simple, accurate, and practical diagnostic tools as PCR, and investigate the most appropriate specific and supportive interventions to manage and prevent meningitis as vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A substantial growth has been reported in Iran's health research output over the last recent decades, throughout the times of economic, social, and political instability. This study reviewed the existing literature to provide a better understanding of the evolution of Iran's health research system over this period.Methods: A narrative review of studies addressing health research system (HRS) in Iran was performed. The search strategy and categorization of the retrieved data was informed by the HRS framework of the World Health Organization (WHO). This framework proposes four functions for HRS: (i) stewardship; (ii) financing; (iii) creating and sustaining resources; and (iv) producing and using research. Searches in MEDLINE through PubMed (using MeSH terms) complemented with semantic searches through PubMed and Google Scholar were conducted.Results: After removing the duplicates, 805 articles were retrieved, of which 601 were irrelevant, and 204 were reviewed.Conclusions: Iran has made substantial progress in different components of its HRS over the last few decades, such as starting a discourse surrounding health research ethics, priority-setting, and placing monitoring mechanisms while increasing the capacity for conducting and publishing research. However, there is still room for improvements, or even a need for fundamental changes, in several components, such as regarding increasing the research budget and improving the funding allocation mechanisms; improving the education curriculum; and promoting the use of evidence. The findings emphasized that improvement of HRS functions requires addressing context-specific problems. This review provides essential lessons to share with other low- and middle-income countries and international organizations, eg, the WHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives. This paper seeks to identify the prevalence of Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Arab countries, Turkey, and Iran. The study reviewed the existence of comprehensive national newborn screening programs and reported consanguinity rates. Methods. A computer based literature search was conducted using relevant keywords to retrieve studies conducted on PKU. A total of 34 articles were included. Prevalence was categorized based on the type of screening method used for PKU diagnoses. Results. The prevalence of classical PKU diagnosed through a comprehensive national newborn screening program ranged from 0.005% to 0.0167%. The highest prevalence was reported in Turkey at 0.0167%, whereas the lowest prevalence was reported in the UAE, 0.005%. Conclusion. The findings of this review emphasize the need for the establishment of more efficient reporting systems in these countries that would help measure Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) in order to estimate the overall societal burden of PKU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peptic ulcer is a prevalent problem and symptoms include epigastria pain and heartburn. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and causes of peptic ulcers in Iran using systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Eleven Iranian papers published from 2002 to 2016 are selected using valid keywords in the SID, Goggle scholar, PubMed and Elsevier databases. Results of studies pooled using random effects model in meta-analysis.The heterogeneity of the sample was checked using Q test and I2 index. Results: Total sample size in this study consist of 1335 individuals with peptic ulcer (121 samples per article). The prevalence of peptic ulcers was estimated 34% (95% CI= 0.25 - 0.43). The prevalence of peptic ulcers was 30% and 60% in woman and man respectively. The highest environmental factor (cigarette) has been addressed in 30% (95% CI= 0.23-0.37) of patients. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was estimated in 62% (95% CI= 0.49-0.75) of patients. Conclusion: The results of this study show that prevalence of peptic ulcers in Iran (34%) is higher that worldwide rate (6% to 15%). There was an increasing trend in the prevalence of peptic ulcer over a decade from 2002 to 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence-based nursing (EBN) is an approach to make effective clinical decisions based upon personal clinical expertise and patient preferences and values in combination with the most current and relevant research and evidence available on the topic. This approach uses the evidence-based practice (EBP) as a foundation. In spite of extensive training in EBN for nursing students in Iran, appropriate articles have not been summarized suitably as to EBN's effectiveness. The present study aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of EBN education on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nursing students in Iran. Methods: For a systematic review on the topic, different searching methods were applied by searching on the following key words: training, learning, evidence-based nursing, nursing education in B.A. course, nursing students, workshop, knowledge, attitudes, skills, Iran. Their English equivalents were included. Databases that were searched included SID, Magiran, Medlib, Iranmedex, PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. We included studies that had recruited undergraduate nursing students, articles that had the key words in the titles, all studies conducted in Persian and English up to 2016, and the studies which used at least one educational intervention for evidence-based teaching. Results: Based on the results of automated and manual database searches of over 313 papers, 143 articles were eliminated by studying their titles based on not reporting teaching EBM to undergraduate nursing students, and 160 articles were removed based on content. In all, eight articles were related to the topic of the present study, indicating that EBN education promotes knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nursing students. Conclusion: This study found that EBN educational methods can promote knowledge, attitudes and skills in undergraduate nursing students, but the review does not reach a conclusion as to the advisability of one strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Delirium is a brain dysfunction syndrome. In most cases, this syndrome is neither diagnosed accurately nor treated properly. The incidence of delirium by itself increases hospitalization period, mortality rate and the cost in health spectrum. If appropriate attempts are not made to treat this complication, the outcomes could become worse. Thus, the present study aimed at conducting a review on medications which are prescribed to treat delirium and establishing a general view on their advantages and disadvantages. Method: By searching Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key journals, data were collected without time and language limitation. After collecting the data, comparing the similar or contradictory information, and sorting them, the views of specialists were inquired and duly received via email. By acquiring consensus of opinions, the secondary manuscript was written in a narrative review form. Discussion: This narrative review paper aimed at providing a general view on defining delirium, the pathologic factors that create it, and treating this syndrome based on its development. Authentic evidence regarding delirium management was reviewed and a treatment strategy was suggested for Iranian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Q fever is endemic in Iran, thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii among humans and animals in Iran. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was performed to identify all articles reporting C. burnetii prevalence in Iranian humans or animals, published from January 2000 to January 2015. Data from articles were extracted, and a pooled estimate of prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random effect method. Results: In this review, 27 papers were identified. The pooled seroprevalence of Q fever in animals was 27% (CI 95%: 23%-32%). The prevalence was 33% (CI 95%: 22%-45%) in goats, 27% (CI 95%: 21%-32%) in sheep, and 17% (CI 95%: 5%-28%) in cattle. The bacterial DNA was detected in 5% (95% CI: 3%-9%) of milk samples, and it was higher in cattle (10%; 95% CI: 6%-16%) than sheep (2%; 95% CI: 0-7%) and goats (4%; 95% CI: 0-12%). Conclusion: C. burnetii DNA or its antibody has been frequently detected among ruminants. Since these animals can transmit the infection to humans, Q fever could be a potential health problem in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving the ethical competencies of nursing students, as an important dimension of professional competence, is a primary objective of nursing education. Thus, this study aimed to explore a guide for codes of ethics for the development of ethical competence among nursing students in the healthcare system of Iran. Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies conducted in the healthcare system of Iran. The review included studies published between January 1, 2000 and March 2024. We conducted a comprehensive search in various international and national databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Barakatns, MagIran and SID. Initially, 86 qualitative studies were identified, and after a meticulous screening process, 39 studies were carefully reviewed. Finally, 10 qualitative studies were selected for analysis. The meta-synthesis employed an interpretive approach by thematic synthesis. Results: Based on our results, four main themes and 10 categories, along with summarized codes, were extracted as crucial elements of the codes of ethics for the professional competence of Iranian nursing students. The main themes identified were knowledge, standards, experiences, and attitudes (KSEA). Conclusions: The concept of codes of ethics for developing professional competencies in Iranian nursing students was detected as a multidimensional concept with four major areas. By emphasizing the rights of clients and the standardization of nursing practice, this set of ethical codes can contribute to preventing clinical errors and legal issues at hospitals and educational settings. Furthermore, it fosters a positive environment that encourages professional behaviors among nursing students. Nursing students, as future nurses, should apply codes of ethics when facing emerging ethical challenges. Nurse educators have a crucial role in providing students with the necessary preparation and guidance during their professional socialization process in nursing schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Activating mutation in Ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP8) is identified to enhance cell proliferation and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from corticotroph pituitary adenoma. We investigated the USP8 variant status in a population of Iranian people with functional corticotroph pituitary adenoma (FCPA). Moreover, a systematic review was conducted to thoroughly explore the role of USP8 variants and the related pathways in corticotroph adenomas, genotype-phenotype correlation in USP8-mutated individuals with FCPA, and the potential role of USP8 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as targeted therapies in PFCAs. Methods: Genetic analysis of 20 tissue samples from 19 patients with PFCAs was performed using Sanger sequencing. Moreover, a systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, web of Sciences, and Cochrane databases were searched. The last search was performed on 20 September 2023 for all databases. Results: In our series, we found two somatic mutations including a 7-bp deletion variant: c.2151_2157delCTCCTCC, p. Ser718GlnfsTer3, and a missense variant: c.2159 C > G, p. Pro720Arg (rs672601311) in exon 14. The Systematic review indicated USP8 variant in 35% of corticotroph adenomas, with the highest frequency (25%) in 720 code regions, p. Pro720Arg. Data regarding the impact of USP8 mutational status on clinical characteristics and outcomes in FCPAs are inconsistent. Moreover, Pasireotide as well as inhibitors of EGFR such as Gefitinib and Lapatinib, as well as USP8 inhibitors including -ehtyloxyimino9H-indeno (1, 2-b) pyrazine-2, 3-dicarbonitrile, DUBs-IN-2, and RA-9 indicated promising results in treatment of corticotroph adenomas. Conclusion: Although the USP8-EGFR system has been identified as the main trigger and target of corticotroph tumorigenesis, more precise multicenter studies are required to yield more consistent information regarding the phenotype-genotype correlation and to develop effective targeted therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a highly potent chemotherapy drug. But its nephrotoxicity poses a significant limitation to its use. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been proposed to play a role in drug-induced nephrotoxicity. This systematic review (SR) sought to identify the link between CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity and the RAS pathway. In this SR, relevant keywords were employed to explore databases such as PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus (Elsevier), and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science up to October 2023. Nine studies were selected based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The findings support the involvement of the RAS in the CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity model, along with the activation of inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and changes in markers of kidney tissue damage. Furthermore, physiology and pathology of RAS-related interventions in CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity models have involved the factors such as human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2), organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1 (OATP1B1) and 1B3, kallikrein-kinin system, and bradykinin receptors. CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity has been found to be substantially influenced by both classic and nonclassic RAS axes. Angiotensin II exacerbates renal damage induced by CDDP. Conversely, inhibiting the pressor arm of RAS in males mitigates this damage. However, activation of the renal vasodepressor arm of RAS exacerbates CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in females. These findings underscore gender differences in renal function and response to RAS-related interventions in the presence of CDDP. This SR provides insights into both beneficial and adverse interventions associated with RAS in the CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity, offering valuable considerations for researchers and clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, cardiovascular diseases have been recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most prevalent types of cardiovascular diseases that is caused by the closure of coronary arteries and ischemic heart muscle. Numerous studies have analyzed the role of H. pylori as a possible risk factor for coronary artery diseases, in most of which the role of infection in coronary artery disease is not statistically significant. METHODS: These contradictory findings made us conduct a systematic review to analyze all relevant studies in Iran through a meta-analysis and report a comprehensive and integrated result. All published studies from September 2000 until September 2016were considered Using reliable Latin databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Google search, Scopus, Science Direct and Persian databases like SID, Irandoc, Iran Mede and Magiran. After quality control, these studies were entered into a meta-analysis by using the random effects model. After evaluating the studies, 11 papers were finally selected and assessed. RESULTS: A total of 2517 participants had been evaluated in these studies, including 1253 cases and 1264 controls. Based on the results of meta-analysis and using random effects model, an overall estimate of OR Helicobacter Pylori with Presence of Myocardial Infarction in Iran was OR=2.53 (CI=1.37-4.67). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review study show that H. pylori are associated with the incidence of MI so that the odds ratio of MI in the patients with helicobacter pylori is twice greater than that of the people without H. pylori. Future studies are recommended to evaluate the mechanisms associated with relation of H. pylori with MI as well as its association with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dentistry practice has become more complex and challenging in the recent years. The clinical decision-making process has experienced many problems due to changing socioeconomic patterns, knowledgeable patients, rapid technological advances, and information explosion. The present study reviewed the status of the attitude toward evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among dental students of Iran Universities. The effect of the educational intervention was also assessed. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis checklist. Search strategy was developed by Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords surfing electronic available databases including Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar and local databases such as Scientific Information Database (SID) and Magiran. Two reviewers read the abstracts of all eligible papers and excluded the duplicates. They extracted the information of the full-text of the studies included in the review and assessed the quality by Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. Results: Ten studies including 8 cross-sectional and 2 interventional studies met the criteria. The assessment of the attitude of 937 dental students from a different region of the country toward EBD showed moderate to acceptable status using 3 different tools. In regard to educational interventions, 2 studies were successful to improve their attitude. Conclusion: Although the researchers presented good scores on the attitude questionnaires, the quality of the study tools, the eligible criteria for recruiting the participants and the method of evaluating the construct of attitude should be investigated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The need for mental health care among children and adolescents in Iran, as in other low and middle income countries (LAMIC) remains mostly unmet. In this paper, we sought to provide an overview of the extent of unmet need and mental health services in Iran. We also aimed to propose approaches to address this gap. Method: We reviewed the published epidemiologic studies of child and adolescent mental and behavioral health problems in Iran. We also examined the current status of child mental health services and the gaps between current needs and available services based on published literature that included papers published in scientific journals, as well as governmental and other administrative reports. The contextual issues relevant to child mental health care were also explored, as well as the possibilities to introduce new or scale up promising services. Results: Child and adolescent mental and behavioral health problems are highly prevalent in Iran. Different studies have estimated that 16.7% to 36.4% of children and adolescents suffer from one or more mental health problems. However, there is a serious scarcity of resources to meet this need. Available services are delivered by independent public organizations (e.g., Ministry of Health, Welfare Organization, and Ministry of Education) or private sector with inefficient communication and collaboration among them and no mandatory national mental health policy. Available specialized child and adolescent services are mostly confined to small inpatient units and university outpatient facilities in larger cities, and there is a scarce evidence for the effectiveness of the available services. Conclusions: Expansion of primary care's role in timely detection and management of child and adolescent mental health problems, implementation of task-shifting and -sharing initiatives, as well as improved collaboration among responsible governmental and nongovernmental sectors are some of the most promising future venues to improve mental health care for the Iranian youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of needle-stick injury among Iranian nurses. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of needle-stick injury among Iranian nurses. A comprehensive search of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, and MagIran was performed, yielding 29 observational articles comprising 8842 nurses. The studies ranged from 2006 to 2023, with sample sizes varying from 68 to 1555 individuals. Methodological quality was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. The pooled prevalence was calculated using the random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were conducted based on hospital type and gender. The data was analyzed using Stata software version 16. Results: The pooled prevalence of needle-stick injury among Iranian nurses was found to be 46% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 39-53%). Subgroup analysis revealed significant difference in prevalence between teaching hospitals (47%; 95% CI: 39-54%) and military hospitals (38%; 95% CI: 31.1-44%). The prevalence of NSI in region 1 (Tehran and surrounding provinces) and other regions was 45.1% (95% CI: 37-54%) and 49.17% (95% CI: 36.5-61.7%). Gender-based analysis showed higher prevalence in women (58%; 95% CI: 44-71%) compared to men (55%; 95% CI: 43-66%). Conclusion: Needle stick injuries has a high prevalence among Iranian nurses, especially nurses working in teaching hospitals. Therefore, it seems necessary to use interventions to reduce it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality of life (QoL) of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the fundamental issues and public health challenges. This study examines the QoL among pregnant women with GDM through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science databases for articles published until Jan 30, 2024. Manual searches of gray literature, Google Scholar, reference checks, and citation checks were conducted. The JBI's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies was utilized to assess the quality of the articles' reporting. The random model implemented in Stata software (version 16; Stata Corp.) was utilized to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: Among the 516 studies obtained from the literature, only 15 were deemed suitable for inclusion. Most studies (73.3%) were conducted in nations with high-income levels. Additionally, general QoL was assessed in most studies (11 studies). The SF-36 and WHOQOLBREF questionnaires were the most often utilized. Based on the SF-36 measure, there was no statistically significant difference in the QoL of patients with GDM compared to the control group in most of dimensions. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was utilized to estimate the QoL score at 49.69. The EQ-5D-5L tool revealed a difference in QoL scores between the GDM and control groups (MD=-7.40). The research findings were highly heterogeneous. The median evaluation score for the reporting quality of the articles was calculated to be 5, with a mean of 4.8 out of 7. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that GDM reduces the QoL of pregnant women, especially in terms of mental and social health. Therefore, interventions and support programs should be designed and implemented to improve these women's QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on human social and economic structures, making it one of the most significant crises of the 21st century. The production and consumption of energy sources, such as electricity, oil, and gas, have also been affected by the pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy consumption. Methods: This study presents a systematic review of the impact of the coronavirus on energy consumption. Initially, relevant keywords were selected, and a systematic search of studies was conducted in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 2020 to May 2022. Following screening, articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. Results: Through this systematic review, a total of 19,551 studies were identified, of which 18 met the eligibility criteria. All included studies investigated electricity consumption, while two studies focused on gas and fuel consumption, and only one study examined heating oil consumption. The most significant decreases in electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel consumption were 55.4%, 32.4%, and 75.9%, respectively. On the other hand, heating oil consumption saw an increase of 12%. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced energy consumption across various sectors, including electricity, transportation fuel, and natural gas, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. However, some studies reported an increase in electricity consumption in the residential sector due to prolonged periods of staying at home and remote work during quarantine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous systematic reviews have found insufficient and conflicting evidence for an association between the clinical and radiographic diagnosis of functional constipation. Abdominal X-ray is frequently used for the diagnosis of functional constipation in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal X-ray for the evaluation of functional constipation in children. Results: Three studies were included in the final qualitative analysis. They were heterogeneous in their study design, definition of constipation, and radiologic parameters used to evaluate the abdominal X-rays. Sensitivities ranged from 73–92%, specificities ranged from 26–92%, and diagnostic accuracies ranged from 78–90%. Methods: This study involved a systematic review of English literature published between 2012 and 2022 covering children 2–18 years of age with a diagnosis of functional constipation in whom abdominal X-ray was performed. The databases searched include Medline, Embase, and Scopus. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) guidelines were followed. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022301833. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of abdominal X-ray as part of the diagnostic workup of functional constipation. More methodologically rigorous studies are needed to determine the utility of abdominal X-ray in the evaluation of functional constipation. The diagnosis of functional constipation should be based on history and clinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's health is the foundation of society's health and it can be achieved only by addressing all aspects of their health. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the prevalence of social health of Iranian women and related factors. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used for reporting; the terms "social health," "women," "Iran," and related keywords were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsychoInfo, ProQuest and local databases, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, Elmnet, and Noormags up to August 2022. The published English or Persian quantitative primary studies which were conducted in Iran and reported social health or its dimensions among Iranian women were included. The studies were assessed by quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies developed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. From the 786 studies retrieved, 22 studies were finally included surveying different groups of women. Age, marital status, education, employment, socioeconomic status, social support, social participation, social trust, social security, communication skills, and self-esteem were the factors affecting women's social health. Five studies entered meta-analysis and mean score of social health was 98.54 (95% CI: 87.56–109.51) and it was the lowest among women who were the head of households. Since women's social health has been less considered in the society and research studies, further policies, legislations, and capacity building in mentioned fields are necessary. As social health is an important aspect of health, it is necessary for governments to address the known determinants of women's social health in order to plan and promote the health of women, family, and finally society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. As the second leading cause of death in women in the world, breast cancer has several physical and psychological effects. Nowadays, nonclinical approaches such as patient empowerment have been considered by physicians along with clinical care. Given the increasing number of breast cancer women worldwide, promoting the empowerment of these patients is one of the key factors affecting their survival and quality of life. Therefore, because of no comprehensive research on the empowerment needs and related improvement strategies, this study is aimed at determining the empowerment status of breast cancer patients referred to the Shahid Motahari Breast Cancer Clinic in Iran, Shiraz, and at providing strategies to improve their empowerment in 2021. Methods. This applied study was conducted in two phases. In the quantitative phase, 310 Cancer-Related Patient Empowerment Scale questionnaires (Persian format) were distributed among the studied patients selected through the random sampling method in the clinic, and the items with "unacceptable status" became the basis for determining the empowerment strategies through the scoping review and semistructured interviews with 22 medical staff and patients through the thematic analysis. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 and MAXQDA10 software. Results. The mean score of the participants' empowerment strategies was 3.58. The results showed that trust in the physician, family support, and spiritual beliefs could affect the empowerment of the studied patients. Moreover, the participants needed empowerment strategies in 11 scale items with unacceptable status, for which 46 strategies were determined in the scoping review and interview phase. Conclusion. The results of this study provided useful strategies for empowering breast cancer patients, the most important of which were classified into five categories of financial support, informational support, interaction with the physician, occupational support, and complementary therapies, the use of which by the stakeholders could help to improve the patients' quality of life while improving their empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to ascertain the prevalence of anxiety and identify associated risk factors among individuals who have suffered burn injuries. We conducted a thorough and systematic search across various international electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science, as well as Persian electronic databases like Iranmedex and the scientific information database (SID). Our search encompassed the period from the earliest available records up to 8 August 2023. We employed keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) such as "Prevalence", "Anxiety" and "Burns". In total, 2586 burn patients participated in 13 cross‐sectional studies. The mean age of the participants was 32.88 (SD = 2.51). In a compilation of 13 studies, the documented overall occurrence rate of anxiety among burn patients stood at 16.1% (95% CI: 10.0% to 24.7%; I2 = 93.138%; p < 0.001). The outcomes of a meta‐regression analysis, which examined the association between anxiety in burn patients and the year of publication, did not uncover any significant correlation (p = 0.442). Furthermore, there was a notable association between anxiety in burn patients and factors such as gender, TBSA affected, educational level and the types of burn injuries. Therefore, healthcare providers need to recognize the substantial prevalence of anxiety in burn patients as a fundamental consideration. This recognition should prompt a proactive approach toward early detection and timely intervention. Developing personalized intervention strategies tailored to each patient's unique risk factors and needs is paramount. These strategies may encompass a range of therapeutic options such as counselling, psychotherapy or consultations with mental health specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a systematic literature review of studies that shed light on the health of migrants in Iran from the perspective of social justice. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Iranian databases, including IranMedex, Magiran, and SID, in June 2012. All studies that were published until June 2012 describing the health status of migrants-including refugees-in Iran were included. The search results were categorized according to an adapted version of the six dimensions of well-being in Madison Powers'and Ruth Faden's theory of social justice in health. They consisted of access to health care, health, respect, self-determination and attachment, personal security, and social determinants of health. The majority of papers mentioned issues related to infectious diseases (100 papers, 60.2%). Only a few papers mentioned socioeconomic status and access to health services, education, and work. Infectious diseases and high population growth among migrants and the problematic image of migrants as "threat" to the Iranian population's health appear to be the most prominent results in our search. It is imperative to combat the high numbers of infectious diseases among migrants in Iran while simultaneously making efforts to change the public image of migrants as a health and social service threat to Iran. Data concerning social and ethical issues of migrants' health in Iran is scarce, and thus, future research is necessary using other methods and sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Blood pressure (BP) tracks from childhood to adulthood, and has ethnic variations. Therefore, it is important to assess the situation of pediatric BP in different populations. This study aims to systematically review the studies conducted on BP in Iranian children and adolescents. Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a systematic review on published and national data about pediatric BP in Iran, our search was conducted in Pub Med, Medline, ISI, and Scopus, as well as in national databases including Scientific Information database (SID), IranMedex and Irandoc from 1990 to 2014. Results: We found 1373 records in the primary search including 840 from international and 533 from national databases. After selection and quality assessment phases, data were extracted from 36 papers and four national data sources. Mean systolic BP (SBP) varied from 90.1 ± 14 mmHg (95% CI 89.25, 90.94) to 120.2 ± 12.3 (118.98, 121.41) mmHg, and for diastolic BP (DBP) from 50.7 ± 11.4 (50.01, 51.38) to 79.2 ± 12.3 (77.95, 80.44) mmHg. The frequency of elevated BP had large variation in sub-national studies with rates as low as 0.4% (0.009, 1.98) for high SBP and as high as 24.1% (20.8, 27.67) for high DBP. At national level, three surveys reported slightly raised rates of elevated BP from 2009 to 2012. Conclusions: The findings provide practical information on BP levels in Iranian pediatric population. Although differences exist on the findings of various studies, this review underscores the necessity of tracking BP from childhood, and implementing interventions for primordial prevention of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]