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BACKGROUND: HIV partner notification services can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to identify, locate, and inform their sexual and injecting partners who are exposed to HIV and refer them for proper and timely counseling and testing. To what extent these services were used by PLHIV and what are the related barriers and facilitators in southeast Iran are not known. So, this study aimed to explore HIV notification and its barriers and facilitators among PLHIV in Iran. METHODS: In this qualitative study, the number of 23 participants were recruited from November 2022 to February 2023 including PLHIV (N = 12), sexual partners of PLHIV (N = 5), and staff members (N = 6) of a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center in Kerman located in the southeast of Iran. Our data collection included purposive sampling to increase variation. The content analysis was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. The analysis yielded 221 (out of 322) related codes related to HIV notification, its barriers, and its facilitators. These codes were further categorized into one main category with three categories and nine sub-categories. RESULTS: The main category was HIV notification approaches, HIV notification barriers, and facilitators. HIV notification approaches were notification through clear, and direct conversation, notification through gradual preparation and reassurance, notification due to being with PLHIV, notification through suspicious talking of the physician, and notification due to the behavior of others. Also, the barriers were classified into individual, social, and environmental, and healthcare system barriers and the facilitators were at PLHIV, healthcare staff, and community levels. Stigma was a barrier mentioned by most participants. Also, the main facilitator of HIV notification was social support, especially from the family side. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlighted the multidimensionality of HIV notification emphasizing the importance of tailored support and education to enhance the notification process for PLHIV and their networks. Also, our results show that despite all the efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination in recent years, stigma still exists as a main obstacle to disclosing HIV status and other barriers are the product of stigma. It seems that all programs should be directed towards destigmatization.

Objective To investigate the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Iranians vaccinated with either AZD1222 Vaxzevria, CovIran[R] vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (lnCoV) or Sputnik V. Methods We enrolled individuals 18 years or older receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine dose between April 2021 and January 2022 in seven Iranian cities. Participants completed weekly follow-up surveys for 17 weeks (25 weeks for AZD1222) to report their COVID-19 status and hospitalization. We used Cox regression models to assess risk factors for contracting COVID-19, hospitalization and death. Findings Of 89 783 participants enrolled, incidence rates per 1 000 000 person-days were: 528.2 (95% confidence interval, CI: 514.0-542.7) for contracting COVID-19; 55.8 (95% CI: 51.4-60.5) for hospitalization; and 4.1 (95% CI: 3.0-5.5) for death. Compared with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), hazard ratios (HR) for contracting COVID-19 were: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.61-0.80) with AZD1222; 0.73 (95% CI: 0.62-0.86) with Sputnik V; and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63-0.86) with Covlran[R]. For hospitalization and death, all vaccines provided similar protection 14 days after the second dose. History of COVID-19 protected against contracting COVID-19 again (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69-0.84). Diabetes and respiratory, cardiac and renal disease were associated with higher risks of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination. Conclusion The rates of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination were relatively high. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell) provided lower protection against COVID-19 than other vaccines. People with comorbidities had higher risks of contracting COVID-19 and hospitalization and should be prioritized for preventive interventions. [phrase omitted] [phrase omitted] Objectif Analyser l'incidence des cas, hospitalisations et deces lies a la maladie a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) chez les Iraniens vaccines avec Vaxzevria AZD1222, CovIran[R], le vaccin contre le SARS-CoV-2 (cellule Vero), le vaccin inactive (lnCoV) ou Spoutnik V. Methodes Nous avons recrute des individus de minimum 18 ans ayant recu leur premiere dose de vaccin contre la COVID-19 entre avril 2021 et janvier 2022 dans sept villes iraniennes. Les participants ont rempli des enquetes de suivi hebdomadaires pendant 17 semaines (25 semaines pour AZD1222) afin de communiquer sur leur statut COVID-19 et leur hospitalisation. Nous avons utilise des modeles de regression de Cox pour evaluer les facteurs augmentant les risques de contracter la COVID-19, d'etre hospitalise et de mourir. Resultats Sur 89 783 participants recrutes, le taux d'incidence pour 1 000 000 jours-personnes etait de 528,2 (intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 514,0-542,7) en termes d'infection a la COVID-19; de 55,8 (IC de 95%: 51,4-60,5) en termes d'hospitalisation; et de 4,1 (IC de 95%: 3,0-5,5) en termes de deces. Compare au vaccin contre le SARS-CoV-2 (cellule Vero), le rapport de risque (RR) de contracter la COVID-19 s'elevait a 0,70 (IC de 95%: 0,61-0,80) avec AZD1222; a 0,73 (IC de 95%: 0,62-0,86) avec Spoutnik V; et a 0,73 (IC de 95%: 0,63-0,86) avec CovIran[R]. Concernant l'hospitalisation et le deces, tous les vaccins offraient un niveau de protection similaire 14 jours apres la seconde dose. Avoir contracte la COVID-19 par le passe premunissait contre une reinfection (RR: 0,76; IC de 95%: 0,69-0,84). Le diabete et les maladies respiratoires, cardiaques et renales entrainaient un risque accru de contracter la COVID-19 apres la vaccination. Conclusion Le taux d'infection a la COVID-19 apres la vaccination etait relativement eleve. D'autre part, le vaccin contre le SARS-CoV-2 (cellule Vero) s'est revele moins efficace que les autres vaccins. Enfin, les personnes souffrant de comorbidites avaient plus de risques de contracter la COVID-19 et d'etre hospitalisees; elles devraient donc etre prioritaires lors des interventions preventives. [phrase omitted] Objetivo Analizar la Incidencia de los casos, hospitalizaciones y muertes a causa de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019 (COVID-19) en los iranies vacunados con Vaxzevria AZD1222, la vacuna CovIran[R], la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2 (celula Vero), la vacuna inactivada (lnCoV) o la Sputnik V. Metodos Se inscribieron personas de 18 anos o mas que recibieron su primera dosis de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 entre abril de 2021 y enero de 2022 en siete ciudades iranies. Los participantes completaron encuestas de seguimiento semanales durante 17 semanas (25 semanas para AZD1222) para informar sobre su estado de la COVID-19 y la hospitalizacion. Se utilizaron modelos de regresion de Cox para valorar los factores de riesgo de contraer la COVID-19, de ser hospitalizado y de morir. Resultados De los 89 783 participantes inscritos, las tasas de incidencia por 1 000 000 de dias-persona fueron 528,2 (intervalo de confianza del 95 %, IC: 514,0-542,7) en el caso de contraer la COVID-19; 55,8 (IC del 95 %: 51,4-60,5) en el caso de hospitalizacion; y 4,1 (IC del 95 %: 3,0-5,5) en el caso de muerte. En comparacion con la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2 (celula Vero), los cocientes de riesgos instantaneos (CRI) de contraer la COVID-19 fueron 0,70 (IC 95 %: 0,61-0,80) con AZD1222; 0,73 (IC 95 %: 0,62-0,86) con Sputnik V; y 0,73 (IC 95 %: 0,63-0,86) con CovIran[R]. En cuanto a la hospitalizacion y la muerte, todas las vacunas proporcionaron una proteccion similar 14 dias despues de la segunda dosis. Los antecedentes de la COVID-19 protegieron contra la contraccion de la COVID-19 de nuevo (CRI: 0,76; IC 95 %: 0,69-0,84). La diabetes y las enfermedades respiratorias, cardiacas y renales se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de contraer la COVID-19 despues de la vacunacion. Conclusion Las tasas de contraer la COVID-19 despues de la vacunacion fueron relativamente altas. La vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2 (celula Vero) proporciono una menor proteccion contra la COVID-19 que otras vacunas. Las personas con comorbilidades tenian un mayor riesgo de contraer la COVID-19 y de ser hospitalizadas, por lo que deberian ser prioritarias para las intervenciones preventivas., Introduction To end the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is imperative to have safe and effective vaccines that can provide immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome [...]

Byline: Atefeh. Ahmadi, Aazam. Heidarzadeh, Mahlagha. Dehghan, Mohammah. Safarizadeh, Mansooreh. Forouzi Introduction: Spirituality is considered an important source against chronic diseases and can promote self-esteem, mental comfort, and hope in [...]

The prevalence of COVID-19 disease continues to be a significant psychosocial status among health care workers (HCWs) and the general population worldwide. This cross sectional study aimed to compare the psychosocial status between healthcare workers and general population during the prevalence of COVID-19 disease in southeast Iran. Totally 415 health care workers of a medical service center for COVID-19 patients and 1023 people of general population participated in the study. An online socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ -28), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) were utilized to evaluate psychosocial status. According to GHQ, the psychological disorders of the HCWs were significantly higher than that of the general population (P < 0.001). According to GAD-7, no significant difference was found between general population and HCWs. Multivariate logistic analysis showed no difference between general population and HCWs in the psychological disorder. Although HCWs suffered from psychological disorders more than general population, nearly one third to half of the participants in both groups had psychosocial disorders., Author(s): Mohammad Ali Zakeri [sup.1] , Sayed Mortaza Hossini Rafsanjanipoor [sup.2] , Nadia Sedri [sup.3] , Mahmood Kahnooji [sup.4] , Mojtaba Sanji Rafsanjani [sup.5] , Maryam Zakeri [sup.6] , Abbas [...]