Stakeholders' perspective on health equity and its indicators in Iran: A qualitative study

Background: To reduce the health inequity, it is necessary to measure and monitor these inequalities. In this regard, in Iran a plan was developed and accordingly 52 indicators to measure equity in health were developed and announced by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with other sectors. This study aims to obtain a deeper understanding of the development of health equity indicators and identify their implementation challenges and proposed solutions from the perspective of policy makers and executives responsible for the indicators development and implementation. Methods: In this qualitative study, data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with 15 Stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of these health equity indicators (at national and provincial levels), and the review and analysis of relevant documents including meeting minutes, working plans and working progress reports. Data were analyzed using a framework analysis approach. Results: Four main themes were identified, including the concept of equity in health and its importance, the use of health equity indicators and process of indicators development, challenges of development and implementation of the indicators and laying the groundwork for the establishment of indicators. The findings showed that policy makers' viewpoint on concepts and indicators is different from those of executives and their perceptions have little in common. The establishment of indicators requires accurate stakeholders' understanding and accurate insight into the issue of equity in health, political will, financing, training and empowerment of organization's employees, legal requirements, and finally a clear action plan. Conclusion: The development of the indicators requires a shared understanding among policy makers and executives. As the attention has been focused recently on the issue, in addition to knowledge improvement, proper solutions with an intersect oral collaboration approach in order to tackle challenges should be considered

Safety Evaluation of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Compared with Two Procedures of Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Individuals with Morbid Obesity: A Systemic Review

Introduction: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding are the most common bariatric surgery procedures. Therefore, this study aims to compare the safety of the newer procedure of Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy compared to Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and Laparoscopic adjustable gastric bonding. Method: A systematic review was conducted on the most important and most relevant search data bases, including Cochrane library, Pubmed, Ovid Medline as well as Iranian sites of Magiran , Iranmedex , SID, not taking the time limit into consideration. The results found in the literature were classified and were then analyzed. Results: Out of 384 articles obtained in the search, 4 randomized clinical trials (RCT) were included in this study. There were no reports of death comparing surgical procedures of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Moreover, in adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass comparison, one death was observed in each group. Regarding the side effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, 10% early complications were reported in the Roux-en-Y gastric  bypass group , and 13% were observed in the sleeve gastrectomy group between which no statistically significant difference was revealed. The comparison between adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass demonstrated that the occurrence of early and late complications was reported to be higher in the gastric bypass group, though no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusion: The present study findings demonstrated no statistically significant difference between these methods in regard with the safety aspect. As a result, selection as well as success of the bariatric surgery procedures depend on the patient's and surgeon's preferences

Intersectoral Collaboration to Develop Health Equity Indicators in Iran

Background: Health equity is considered as one of the main objectives of health care systems. This study was carried out with the aim of determining health equity indicators in Iran. Through consideration of these indicators, differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas can be shown in different periods and based on that, effective interventions can be designed. This study is carried out through a main workshop and expert panels and final consensus on selected indicators. The first draft of indicators and inequity stratifying variables were prepared and then revised by working groups consisting of experts inside and outside Health system. Finally ideas were accepted or rejected after presenting enough reasons and deep examination through the Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making (COMD) model. Fifty two indicators have been determined as health equity indicators in five areas including health, social and human development, economic development, physical environment and infrastructure and governance. Furthermore, for each indicator the proper and practical stratifying variables of inequity were identified. By calculating such indicators, it becomes possible to determine differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas

Technical efficiency in health production: A comparison between Iran and other upper middle-income countries

Objectives: To achieve sustainable health development, health systems need to constantly enhance their efficiency, through for instance reducing waste of resources. This study aimed to measure the efficiency in producing health in Upper Middle-Income Countries (UMICs) with a focus on Iran. Method: A modified data envelopment analysis (DEA)-based Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) was used to assess the changes in health productivity. Panel data was extracted from databases of the World Health Organization and the World Bank for the period of 2009�2015. Results: The efficiency score of 13 of countries was higher than 0.8, while the score of all countries was above 0.5. The average score of Iran performance was 0.791 during the period. On average, performance improved in 15 countries, while it declined in 20 countries during the study period. Conclusion: Different countries have implemented various health reforms to improve efficiency. We envisage, policy makers in the UMICs locate their health system performance and plan to improve it in line with the local specifications, along with the global pathway towards universal health coverage and sustainable health development ultimately. © 202

The Electrical Response to Injury: Molecular Mechanisms and Wound Healing

Significance: Natural, endogenous electric fields (EFs) and currents arise spontaneously after wounding of many tissues, especially epithelia, and are necessary for normal healing. This wound electrical activity is a long-lasting and regulated response. Enhancing or inhibiting this electrical activity increases or decreases wound healing, respectively. Cells that are responsible for wound closure such as corneal epithelial cells or skin keratinocytes migrate directionally in EFs of physiological magnitude. However, the mechanisms of how the wound electrical response is initiated and regulated remain unclear. Recent Advances: Wound EFs and currents appear to arise by ion channel up-regulation and redistribution, which are perhaps triggered by an intracellular calcium wave or cell depolarization. We discuss the possibility of stimulation of wound healing via pharmacological enhancement of the wound electric signal by stimulation of ion pumping. Critical Issues: Chronic wounds are a major problem in the elderly and diabetic patient. Any strategy to stimulate wound healing in these patients is desirable. Applying electrical stimulation directly is problematic, but pharmacological enhancement of the wound signal may be a promising strategy. Future Directions: Understanding the molecular regulation of wound electric signals may reveal some fundamental mechanisms in wound healing. Manipulating fluxes of ions and electric currents at wounds might offer new approaches to achieve better wound healing and to heal chronic wounds