Showing 3 results for Covid-19 Pandemic
Mehdi Afkar, Parisa Rezanejad Asl, Alireza Mahdavi Hezaveh, Forouzan Akrami, Sahand Riazi-Isfahani, Niloofar Peykari, Moloud Payab, Alireza Moghisi, Elham Yousefi, Mansour Ranjbar, Marzeyeh Soleymani Nejad, Christoph Hamelmann, Slim Slama, Jafar Sadegh Tabrizi, Bagher Larijani, Alireza Raeisi, Afshin Ostovar,
Volume 36, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the provision of non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevention and control services in many countries, and there is a concern that it would lead to long-term complications of the diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the changes in the provisions of selected NCD services before and after the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran’s primary healthcare system.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical retrospective study, the number of eight NCD services provided during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic from Feb 2020 to Dec 2020 were compared with the same period in the previous year using the data from the Iranian integrated electronic health record system (SIB) and also the association between the number of deaths due to COVID-19 and a sample of NCD services were assessed using cross-correlation analysis. The statistical analysis was performed in Stata Software v.14.
Results: The NCD services have decreased by an average of 18.89% compared to the same period in the previous year; this decline was much more severe at the beginning of the epidemic period (up to 75% in some services) and was greater in physician-provided services than in non-physician services. Also, examining the course of the selected services during this period, a gradual compensation was evident after the initial reduction.
Conclusion: The general trend of the selected services of prevention and control of NCDs in the PHC system of Iran within 10 months after the onset of COVID-19 showed a sharp decline and subsequent gradual compensation. Although the process of compensation in some services may be considered somewhat reassuring, in the case of some essential services, more effort and attention to the implementation of programs or compensatory policies seem necessary.
Efat Mohamadi, Alireza Olyaeemanesh, Amirhossein Takian, Fatemeh Yaftian, Mohammad Mehdi Kiani, Bagher Larijani,
Volume 36, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human life has led to profound consequences in almost all societies worldwide, and this includes its significant impact on all aspects of health. Health equity has been among the main challenges in any healthcare system. However, with the COVID-19 crisis worsening health inequalities, the need to prioritize health equity in upstream national and international plans must receive scholarly attention. Therefore, this paper reports the findings of a review of the current synthesized evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health equity.
Methods: This is a comprehensive review in which we retrieved relevant studies during the period starting from 12/01/2019 to 01/15/2021 are retrieved from various databases. The PRISMA flow diagram and a narrative approach are used for synthesizing the evidence.
Results: We initially retrieved 1173 studies, and after a primary quality appraisal process, 40 studies entered the final phase of analysis. The included studies were categorized into five main outcome variables: Accessibility (95%), Utilization (65.8%), Financial protection: 15 (36.5%), Poverty (31.7%), and Racism (21.9%)
Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has been the most devastating global challenge in recent history. While the COVID-19 crisis is still unfolding, its multidimensional adverse effects are yet to be revealed. Nevertheless, some people, e.g., the elderly, minorities, as well as marginalized and poor persons, have suffered the COVID-19 consequences more than others. In line with the whole government/whole society approach, we advocate that governments need to strengthen their special efforts to reduce the extra burden of the pandemic on the most vulnerable populations.
Mozhgan Taban, Mehrdad Vosoghi, Sara Nooraeen, Marzieh Nojomi, Nasrin Mesbah, Seyed Kazem Malakouti,
Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on societies globally, including significant psychological impacts. This study aims to address the research gap by examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and suicidality among Iranian university students, comparing prepandemic and pandemic data.
Methods: The data collection for this cross-national study involved 2 sections: prepandemic data from 11,515 records of new incoming students in 2019 and postpandemic data from 27,743 records of students studying in 2020. The data were merged, resulting in a total of 10,240 students for analysis. The instrument used was the "Iranian Mental Health Scale for Students (IMHS).
The variables were compared before and during the pandemic using the McNemar and paired t tests. Multiple linear regression models assessed determinants of mental health, while logistic regression examined predictors of suicidal ideation during COVID-19. Risk factors and protective factors on students' mental health and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic were investigated.
Results: The mean mental health score of students during the COVID-19 pandemic was slightly higher than before the pandemic (P = 0.001). The number of suicide attempts among students decreased from 23 before the pandemic to 0 during the pandemic. However, the rate of suicidal ideation increased from 10.2% before the pandemic to 16% during the pandemic.
Conclusion: Evaluating the mental health of university students is crucial to identifying potential issues early and providing appropriate interventions. Understanding the effects of the pandemic on this vulnerable population can inform strategies for supporting their well-being during these challenging times.
