Publications by authors named "Saber Azami-Aghdash"
Spiritual health interventions have increasingly been recognized for their potential to improve general health outcomes. This study undertakes a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate their effectiveness on patient health in Iran. Data were gathered from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and other relevant sources without time restriction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Proper and effective public education during epidemics of infectious diseases can have a key effect in controlling epidemics and reducing their complications. Therefore, the present study aims to assess public education methods during infectious disease epidemics from the perspectives of both the public and experts in Iran.
Method: The present study is a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) with a parallel convergent design conducted in 2024 in Iran.
Background: Natural disasters and crises persistently affect human societies, often resulting in substantial loss of life and property. A major challenge during such events is the rapid and efficient distribution of relief goods to affected populations. This study aims to develop a Relief Goods Distribution Conceptual Framework (RGDCF) during disasters in Iran.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study demonstrated barriers to and challenges of setting up a comprehensive RTI registry in selected hospitals in Tabriz, Iran.
Methods: Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with recommended involved professionals and hospitalized patients due to Road Traffic Crash (RTC). The participants were selected through purposive sampling.
In recent years, the widespread use of smartphones has led to concerns about smartphone addiction, which is now recognized as a major social and public health issue. This addiction has resulted in numerous negative consequences, the most significant of which is an increase in different types of accidents. The study aimed to investigate the association between smartphone addiction and the occurrence of different types of accidents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary healthcare (PHC) in Iran, like in other countries, has a fundamental role in managing COVID-19 despite facing various challenges. Therefore, the aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze the performance of PHC in the management of COVID-19 and identify the existing challenges, as well as strategies.
Materials And Method: The data for this qualitative study with a conventional content analysis were collected through interviews.
Background: In response to the significant increase in the global aging population, countries have increasingly prioritized Age-Friendly Primary Health Care (AFPHC) to address the unique needs of older adults. This study aims to develop a comprehensive model for assessing the progress of PHC systems in achieving the goals of an elderly-centered services.
Method: A qualitative study design was utilized to develop the progress assessment model for AFPHC initiatives.
Introduction: In recent years, Professional Oral Health Care (POHC) has received serious attention for improving Oral Health Indicators (OHIs) in older people. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the impact of POHC on the oral health of older people through a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies and evidence.
Methods: Published articles until August 1, 2023, were searched in databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science.
Article Synopsis
- A meta-analysis of studies revealed that the prevalence of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic is around 30%, with medical students and specific at-risk groups experiencing the highest rates.
- Analysis involved a thorough search of academic databases and quality assessments of included studies, revealing significant variability in depression rates.
- The findings suggest urgent need for mental health interventions, particularly targeting high-risk populations, highlighting the importance of policy attention to support mental well-being during and after the pandemic.
Article Synopsis
- Health literacy (HL) involves an individual's ability to access and understand health information, making it crucial for appropriate health decisions, especially in older adults.
- A review of 21 studies indicated that interventions in high-income countries and community settings are more effective, with educational approaches outperforming lifestyle modifications.
- The findings recommend focusing on community-based, technology-driven, one-dimensional interventions to enhance HL in older people.
Article Synopsis
- An umbrella review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that about 30.4% of people experienced anxiety symptoms.
- 75 meta-analyses were included in the study, showing the highest prevalence of anxiety in patients (41.3%), followed by students (30.8%), pregnant women (30.6%), and healthcare workers (30.5%).
- The study emphasizes the need for targeted support for these vulnerable groups, especially in potential future pandemics, as stemming from the significant social and economic impacts of quarantine measures.
Article Synopsis
- Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) are a major global health issue, prompting a study in Iran to evaluate public trust in traffic safety policies aimed at reducing accidents.
- A cross-sectional survey with 681 respondents from Tabriz utilized a detailed questionnaire to assess their perceptions of traffic safety, yielding a relatively low overall trust score of 46.9%.
- The results highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve public confidence in specific traffic safety areas, which could guide policymakers in developing more effective strategies.
Background And Aims: Injuries from Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs), particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, are considered a significant public health concern. The aim of this study was to show epidemiology of RTIs among the elderly people in the Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran.
Method: This cross-sectional study included all patients over 60 years old who admitted to the Shohada Hospital from 2006 to 2016.
Examining the quality of life among pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis for women's health promotion.
Health Promot Perspect
July 2024
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.
Background: Attitudes toward childhood disability have historically focused on biomedical efforts on 'fixing'. The introduction of WHO's ICF framework for health and Canadian researchers' 'F-words' (functioning, fitness, fun, friends, family and future) have significantly changed the field. To explore whether the F-words ideas influenced parents' perspectives on their child's abilities and rehabilitation goals, this qualitative pilot study introduced the F-words to Iranian parents with a child with a developmental disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally, but screening rates in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are low.
- A systematic review of 174 studies indicated self-reported screening mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-examinations were at 22.7%, 23.1%, and 14.6% respectively, with the lowest rates found in Africa and lower-income countries.
- Factors such as living in rural areas, being single, and having lower income or education were associated with lower screening uptake, highlighting the need for tailored strategies by governments to improve cancer screening in these regions.
Factors affecting private sector engagement in achieving universal health coverage: a scoping review.
Glob Health Action
December 2024
Background: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one of the most important strategies adopted by countries in achieving goals of sustainable development. To achieve UHC, the governments need the engagement of the private sector.
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting private sector engagement in achieving universal health coverage.
Reforms and innovations in primary health care in different countries: scoping review.
Prim Health Care Res Dev
April 2024
Article Synopsis
- * A study looked at changes and new ideas in primary health care from 2000 to 2022 by searching different research databases and followed a special six-step method.
- * They found 39,426 studies on PHC reforms, but focused on 106 of them, sorting the results into nine categories to understand what needs to be improved for better health care.
Background: Online reporting systems can establish and maintain the community-authority connection for safety promotion initiatives and their sustainability. The aim of this study was to report the development, implementation, and evaluation of an online community safety reporting system in safe communities in Iran.
Methods: In the first place, the life cycle approach and software systems development were used for design and implementation, which included 7 steps.
Mental Health Services Integration in Primary Health Care in Iran: A Policy Analysis.
Iran J Psychiatry
January 2024
The National Mental Health Services (N-MHSs) in Iran was integrated with Primary Health Care (PHC) in 1988. This study aimeds to analyze the policy of integrating N-MHSs in PHC, focusing on the analysis of the current situation, pathology, and the existing challenge. This qualitative research was conducted in 2020 using a case study approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Medical services are among the most urgent needs of the disaster-affected population. Consequently, hospital preparedness -as the main health services provider- is one of the vital factors in effective response to disasters. The present study aims to explore the perspectives of study participants about the influential factors of hospital functional preparedness in a lower middle-income country.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe roles and challenges of the primary health care systems in epidemic management: a scoping review.
Prim Health Care Res Dev
September 2023
Background And Aim: During the early stage of pandemics, primary health care (PHC) is the first point of contact with the health system for people. This study aimed to find the leading roles and challenges of the PHC system in dealing with the outbreak of infectious diseases.
Methods: The current scoping review was conducted in 2022 using the Arkesy and O'Malley framework.
Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively determine the factors that affect the hospitals' functional preparedness in response to disasters.
Methods: A systematic review of studies published in English and Persian up to the end of 2022 was performed by searching PubMed Central, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, SID, and Elmnet databases. Articles that assessed hospitals' functional preparedness were searched by using a combination of medical subject heading terms and keywords including disaster, emergency, preparedness, hospital preparedness, health care facilities preparedness, hospital functional preparedness, health care facilities functional preparedness, readiness, and effective factors.