Investigating the Causes of Elderly People Leaving Home during Coronavirus Disease-19 Epidemic

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) disease affects all age groups, especially the elderly, and regarding the high mortality rate among the elderly, preventive measures are needed to reduce mortality in the elderly. AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the causes of in elderly people leaving home in time of COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study performed on 1656 elderly people in Urmia, Iran, by simple random sampling method. The data collection tool in this study was a researcher-made questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, a questionnaire on the causes of the elderly leaving home during the COVID-19 epidemic. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher tests using SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: The results revealed that the highest concern of the elderly to leave home was to receive health services (45.89%) such as visiting the doctor or the caregiver, receiving medication, and so on. As the second priority, buying daily necessities such as bread, food, clothes … (42.75%) was one of the reasons for the elderly to leave home. Furthermore, education, gender, age, underlying diseases, occupation, and living conditions of the elderly were related to the needs of health services and living necessities and this relationship was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Effective interventions should be designed based on the causes of the elderly leaving home, including the use of home distance care and health ambassadors to estimate the needs and causes of leaving home. Therefore, the elderly would be protected from this disease and its mortality

Social Mobilization in the Wake of Coronavirus Disease-19: A Brief Report of a Planned Approach to Community Health in Iran

BACKGROUND: Several plans have been taken by health system to deal with COVID-19. The rapid spread of the virus and the special care that critical patients need put a major pressure on the healthcare system, which may not be able to compensate for its dimensions in various aspects. Therefore, the participation and cooperation of the society in the form of mobilizing the society with the health system will be effective in controlling and preventing this disease. AIM: The overall purpose of this study is to design a community mobilization framework based on the PATCH Model to prevent the spread and control of coronavirus disease. METHODS: This community-based research is a type of health system research (HSR) which designs the community mobilization framework based on the PATCH Model RESULTS: In this project, the community mobilization framework is in the form of the PATCH Model. In this study, interventions and activities will be performed based on the PATCH Model in the neighborhood. Health volunteers consist of popular volunteers, Basij, clerics, neighborhood trustees, donors. After training and issuing the identification card, Corona Anti-Corruption Assistant will start operating. Activities will be purposeful in three areas: education and information, neighborhood surveillance, and disinfection. CONCLUSION: Community mobilization for disease prevention and control in the neighborhood using the PATCH model as presented will be effective

The Effect of Health Promoting Schools Programs in Improving the Health Status of Schools in Urmia, North West of Iran

Background: Investing in the health of children in learning situation is one of the most important health interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of health promoting schools in improving the health status of schools in Urmia, North West of Iran.Methods and materials: This interventional study was conducted on 155 schools executing the health promoting schools program that were included by census. Data collection instrument was standard checklist of health promoting schools approved by Ministry of health and Ministry of education. Data were collected in two-stage before and after intervention during 12 months. Data were analyzed using the software SPSS 16.0 and descriptive statistics and Paired t- test were used.Results: There were 217 schools in Urmia in primary, Middle and High school. A total of 155 schools surveyed in the study, 77 schools (49.7%) were primary school, 68 schools (43.9%) junior schools, and 10 schools (6.5%) were high school. Mean score of rates was 59.35 + 13.22 before the intervention and 63.94 + 12.1 after intervention and this difference was statistically significant (

Professor of Maternal and Child Health

Abstract Background The developmental delays of children, is one of the most important sources of information to detect the developmental delays of children. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental delays and its relationship with anthropometric indices in Urmia city, Iran

The Relationship between Developmental Growth of Children and Anthropometric Indices in Urmia City, North West of Iran

Background The developmental delays of children, is one of the most important sources of information to detect the developmental delays of children. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental delays and its relationship with anthropometric indices in Urmia city, Iran. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive analytical study that conducted on 422 children who had 6-12 months old and were selected randomly with cluster sampling from 10 Health Center. Anthropometric indices (weight, height and head circumstance) were collected from recorded files, and development of children was measured using developmental test of Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 software. Results The results showed that the prevalence of the developmental delays of children was 18.8% and the highest and the lowest prevalence was related to the area of communication (7.1 %), and the area of gross motor (0.9 %), respectively. The developmental delays of children in boys, was more than girls (P 0.05). Conclusion Considering the significant number of the developmental delays of children and its relationship with birth weight in this study, it is recommended to consider appropriate interventions at pregnancy period for the prevention of low birth weight and the constant programs about the developmental delays

Childhood physical abnormalities following paternal exposure to sulfur mustard gas in Iran: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mustard gas, a known chemical weapon, was used during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. We aimed to determine if exposure to mustard gas among men was significantly associated with abnormalities and disorders among progenies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a case-control design, we identified all progenies of Sardasht men (exposed group, n = 498), who were born at least nine months after the exposure, compared to age-matched controls in Rabat, a nearby city (non-exposed group, n = 689). We conducted a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate paraclinical studies to detect any physical abnormality and/or disorder. Given the presence of correlated data, we applied Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) multivariable models to determine associations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall frequency of detected physical abnormalities and disorders was significantly higher in the exposed group (19% vs. 11%, Odds Ratio [OR] 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.37-2.72, P = 0.0002). This was consistent across sexes. Congenital anomalies (OR 3.54, 95% CI, 1.58-7.93, P = 0.002) and asthma (OR, 3.12, 95% CI, 1.43-6.80, P = 0.004) were most commonly associated with exposure. No single abnormality was associated with paternal exposure to mustard gas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study demonstrates a generational effect of exposure to mustard gas. The lasting effects of mustard gas exposure in parents effects fertility and may impact child health and development in the long-term.</p