Prevalence of HIV in slums area: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a significant global health burden, particularly affecting vulnerable populations residing in slum areas which is characterized by overcrowding, poverty, and limited access to healthcare services, create an environment conducive to the transmission and spread of HIV. Despite the recognition of this issue, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the prevalence of HIV in slums. The aim of this study was to systematically synthesize the existing global evidence on HIV prevalence in slum populations. METHODS: A rigorous systematic literature review was conducted by searching multiple electronic databases, including Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), covering the period from January 1, 1990, to March 31, 2023. The quality and risk of bias for each included study were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The pooled prevalence with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a random-effects model with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. The degree of heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the I2 test. Publication bias was also assessed using Egger's test. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to explore potential factors contributing to the observed heterogeneity. RESULTS: A systematic examination of the relevant literature resulted in the inclusion of a total of 22 studies for the purpose of this meta-analysis. These studies collectively assessed a sizable cohort consisting of 52,802 participants. Utilizing a random-effects model, an estimation of the overall prevalence of HIV in the slum area was determined to be 10% (95% CI: 7-13%). Further delineation through subgroup analysis based on the gender revealed a higher prevalence of HIV among women, standing at 13% (95% CI: 8-19%, 18 studies: I2 = 98%), as opposed to men, where the prevalence was found to be 8% (95% CI: 6-12%, 16 studies: I2 = 95%). A geographical breakdown of the included studies revealed that Africa exhibited the highest prevalence, with a figure of 11% (95% CI: 9-13%, 18 studies: I2 = 98%). Subsequently, studies conducted in the American continent reported a prevalence of 9% (95% CI: 7-11%, 2 studies: I2 = 57%). The Asian continent, on the other hand, displayed the lowest prevalence of 1% (95% CI: 0-3%, 2 studies: I2 = 94%). Notably, studies employing rapid tests indicated a prevalence of 13% (95% CI: 9-17%, 6 studies: I2 = 94%), while those relying on self-reported data reported a lower prevalence of 8% (95% CI: 5-11%, 6 studies: I2 = 99%). Moreover, studies utilizing ELISA reported a prevalence of 9% (95% CI: 6-12%, 10 studies: I2 = 96%). Finally, it was determined that studies conducted in upper-middle-income countries reported a higher prevalence of 20% (95% CI: 16-24%, 5 studies: I2 = 45%), whereas studies conducted in lower- and middle-income countries reported a prevalence of 8% (95% CI: 6-10%, 12 studies: I2 = 98%). CONCLUSION: The current study elucidates the troublingly high prevalence of HIV infection within slums area. Also, this finding underscores the urgent necessity for targeted and tailored interventions specifically aimed at curtailing the spread of HIV within slums. Policymakers must take cognizance of these results and devote their efforts towards the implementation of effective strategies to mitigate gender disparities, address poverty alleviation, and empower the inhabitants of these marginalized areas.

Exploring the landscape of health technology assessment in Iran: perspectives from stakeholders on needs, demand and supply.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of health technologies plays a crucial role in the allocation of resources and the promotion of equitable healthcare access, known as health technology assessment (HTA). This study focuses on Iran's efforts to integrate HTA and aims to gain insights into stakeholder perspectives regarding capacity needs, demand and implementation. METHODS: In this study, we employed the HTA introduction status analysis questionnaire developed by the International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI), which has been utilized in various countries. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions divided into three sections: HTA need, demand and supply. To identify key informants, we conducted a literature review and consulted with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), as well we experts in policy-making, health service provision and HTA. We selected stakeholders who held decision-making positions in the healthcare domain. A modified Persian version of the questionnaire was administered online from September 2022 to January 2023 and was pretested for clarity. The analysis of the collected data involved quantitative methods for descriptive analysis and qualitative methods for thematic analysis. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 103 questionnaires were distributed, resulting in a favourable response rate of 61% from 63 participants, of whom 68% identified as male. The participants, when assessing the needs of HTA, rated allocative efficiency as the highest priority, with a mean rating of 8.53, thereby highlighting its crucial role in optimizing resource allocation. Furthermore, healthcare quality, with a mean rating of 8.17, and transparent decision-making, with a mean rating of 7.92, were highly valued for their impact on treatment outcomes and accountability. The importance of budget control (mean rating 7.58) and equity (mean rating 7.25) were also acknowledged, as they contribute to maintaining sustainability and promoting social justice. In terms of HTA demand, safety concerns were identified as the top priority, closely followed by effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, with an expanded perspective on the economy. However, limited access to local data was reported, which arose from various factors including data collection practices, system fragmentation and privacy concerns. The priorities of HTA users encompassed coverage, payment reform, benefits design, guidelines, service delivery and technology registration. Evidence generation involved the participation of medical universities, research centres and government bodies, albeit with ongoing challenges in research quality, data access and funding. The study highlights government support and medical education as notable strengths in this context. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Iran's HTA landscape, considering its capacity, demand and implementation aspects. It underlines the vital role of HTA in optimizing resources, improving healthcare quality and promoting equity. The study also sheds light on the strengths of evidence generation in the country, while simultaneously identifying challenges related to data access and system fragmentation. In terms of policy priorities, evidence-based decision-making emerges as crucial for enhancing healthcare access and integrating technology. The study stresses the need for evidence-based practices, a robust HTA infrastructure and collaboration among stakeholders to achieve better healthcare outcomes in Iran.

Cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging compared to common strategies in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a systematic review.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has established exceptional diagnostic utility and prognostic value in coronary artery disease (CAD). An assessment of the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of CMR in patients referred for the investigation of CAD is essential for developing an economic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CMR in CAD. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science core collection, Embase, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), and health technology assessment, to identify relevant literature. After removing duplicates and screening the title/abstract, a total of 13 articles were deemed eligible for full-text assessment. We included studies that reported one or more of the following outcomes: incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALYs), cost per life year gained, sensitivity and specificity rate as the primary outcome, and health utility measures or health-related quality of life as the secondary outcome. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the CHEERS 2022 guidelines. The findings of this study demonstrate that in patients undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention, CMR over a one-year and lifetime horizon leads to higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to current strategies in cases of multivessel disease. The systematic review indicates that the CMR-based strategy is more cost-effective when compared to standard methods such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and coronary angiography (CA) (CMR = $19,273, SPECT = $19,578, CCTA = $19,886, and immediate CA = $20,929). The results also suggest that the CMR strategy can serve as a cost-effective gatekeeping tool for patients at risk of obstructive CAD. A CMR-based strategy for managing patients with suspected CAD is more cost-effective compared to both invasive and non-invasive strategies, particularly in real-world patient populations with a low to intermediate prevalence of the disease.

Cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically review and critically appraise cost-effectiveness studies on Brentuximab vedotin (BV) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). METHODS: The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science core collection, and Embase databases were searched until July 3, 2022. We included published full economic evaluation studies on BV for treating patients with HL. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) checklist. Meanwhile, we used qualitative synthesis to analyze the findings. We converted the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) to the value of the US dollar in 2022. RESULTS: Eight economic evaluations met the study's inclusion criteria. The results of three studies that compared BV plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (BV + AVD) front-line therapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) showed that BV is unlikely to be cost-effective as a front-line treatment in patients advanced stage (III or IV) HL. Four studies investigated the cost-effectiveness of BV in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) HL after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). BV was not cost-effective in the reviewed studies at accepted thresholds. In addition, the adjusted ICERs ranged from $65,382 to $374,896 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The key drivers of cost-effectiveness were medication costs, hazard ratio for BV, and utilities. CONCLUSION: Available economic evaluations show that using BV as front-line treatment or consolidation therapy is not cost-effective based on specific ICER thresholds for patients with HL or R/R HL. To decide on this orphan drug, we should consider other factors such as existence of alternative treatment options, clinical benefits, and disease burden.

Cost-Effectiveness of Remote Cardiac Monitoring With the CardioMEMS Heart Failure System: A Systematic Review.

Background: Heart Failure (HF) imposes a relevant burden and a considerable health concern, with high prevalence and mortality rates. This study was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of remote cardiac monitoring with the CardioMEMS Heart Failure System. Methods: In the present systematic review, several scholarly databases were searched and updated from inception up to September 20, 2022. The objective of the present review was formulated according to the patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes format. Mortality rate, hospitalization rate, quality-adjusted life year (QALY), total costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio regarding the use of the CardioMEMS System were the key outcomes of the present study. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 (CHEERS) checklist. Results: Finally, 5 articles were retained and analyzed in the present systematic review. All studies employed the Markov and decision tree models. Results show that the CardioMEMS system reduced mortality and hospitalization rate and created a higher QALY. In all selected countries the CardioMEMS method is a more expensive method than the standard of care (SoC), with the highest cost in the United States (US) ($201,437) and the lowest cost in the United Kingdom ($25,963), respectively. the highest willingness to pay in the US and the lowest in Italy ($100,000 and $33,000 per QALY), respectively. Results showed that the most cost per QALY for the CardioMEMS system was in the US and the lowest was in the Netherlands ($46,622 and $26,615 per QALY), respectively. Conclusion: In all selected countries, CardioMEMS is a cost-effective method for monitoring and managing pulmonary artery pressures in HF patients. Strategies such as CardioMEMS, which decrease the rate of hospitalization, are likely to be only more cost-effective in the future.

Mapping age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence in adults in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000-2018.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still among the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the world is not on track to meet targets set for ending the epidemic by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Precise HIV burden information is critical for effective geographic and epidemiological targeting of prevention and treatment interventions. Age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence estimates are widely available at the national level, and region-wide local estimates were recently published for adults overall. We add further dimensionality to previous analyses by estimating HIV prevalence at local scales, stratified into sex-specific 5-year age groups for adults ages 15-59 years across SSA. METHODS: We analyzed data from 91 seroprevalence surveys and sentinel surveillance among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendees using model-based geostatistical methods to produce estimates of HIV prevalence across 43 countries in SSA, from years 2000 to 2018, at a 5 × 5-km resolution and presented among second administrative level (typically districts or counties) units. RESULTS: We found substantial variation in HIV prevalence across localities, ages, and sexes that have been masked in earlier analyses. Within-country variation in prevalence in 2018 was a median 3.5 times greater across ages and sexes, compared to for all adults combined. We note large within-district prevalence differences between age groups: for men, 50% of districts displayed at least a 14-fold difference between age groups with the highest and lowest prevalence, and at least a 9-fold difference for women. Prevalence trends also varied over time; between 2000 and 2018, 70% of all districts saw a reduction in prevalence greater than five percentage points in at least one sex and age group. Meanwhile, over 30% of all districts saw at least a five percentage point prevalence increase in one or more sex and age group. CONCLUSIONS: As the HIV epidemic persists and evolves in SSA, geographic and demographic shifts in prevention and treatment efforts are necessary. These estimates offer epidemiologically informative detail to better guide more targeted interventions, vital for combating HIV in SSA.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Calcific Aortic Valve and Degenerative Mitral Valve Diseases, 1990-2017.

BACKGROUND: Nonrheumatic valvular diseases are common; however, no studies have estimated their global or national burden. As part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, mortality, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), degenerative mitral valve disease, and other nonrheumatic valvular diseases were estimated for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. METHODS: Vital registration data, epidemiologic survey data, and administrative hospital data were used to estimate disease burden using the Global Burden of Disease Study modeling framework, which ensures comparability across locations. Geospatial statistical methods were used to estimate disease for all countries, because data on nonrheumatic valvular diseases are extremely limited for some regions of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Results accounted for estimated level of disease severity as well as the estimated availability of valve repair or replacement procedures. DALYs and other measures of health-related burden were generated for both sexes and each 5-year age group, location, and year from 1990 to 2017. RESULTS: Globally, CAVD and degenerative mitral valve disease caused 102 700 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 82 700-107 900) and 35 700 (95% UI, 30 500-42 500) deaths, and 12.6 million (95% UI, 11.4 million-13.8 million) and 18.1 million (95% UI, 17.6 million-18.6 million) prevalent cases existed in 2017, respectively. A total of 2.5 million (95% UI, 2.3 million-2.8 million) DALYs were estimated as caused by nonrheumatic valvular diseases globally, representing 0.10% (95% UI, 0.09%-0.11%) of total lost health from all diseases in 2017. The number of DALYs increased for CAVD and degenerative mitral valve disease between 1990 and 2017 by 101% (95% UI, 79%-117%) and 35% (95% UI, 23%-47%), respectively. There is significant geographic variation in the prevalence, mortality rate, and overall burden of these diseases, with highest age-standardized DALY rates of CAVD estimated for high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: These global and national estimates demonstrate that CAVD and degenerative mitral valve disease are important causes of disease burden among older adults. Efforts to clarify modifiable risk factors and improve access to valve interventions are necessary if progress is to be made toward reducing, and eventually eliminating, the burden of these highly treatable diseases.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of mitral valve repair with the MitraClip delivery system for patients with mitral regurgitation: a systematic review.

To assess the cost-effectiveness of mitral valve repair with the MitraClip delivery system for patients with mitral regurgitation and heart failure, a systematic literature search was conducted in various electronic databases to January 3, 2020. Eligibility criteria are the population (patients with mitral regurgitation (MR)), intervention (transcatheter mitral valve repair using the MitraClip), comparator (conventional medical treatment), outcomes, and designs (Model-based or trial-based full economic evaluations).The quality of included studies was assessed using the CHEERS checklist. Mortality and survival rate, quality-adjusted life year (QALY), life years gained (LYG), total cost, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) regarding the use of MitraClip System were considered as the key outcomes. Eight articles were eligible for full-text assessment. Ultimately, a total of seven studies were considered in the current systematic review. Results demonstrated that MitraClip reduces mortality rate and increases survival rate. The mortality rate at 1 year and 10 years was 16.7% versus 29.77% and 70.9% versus 98.8%, respectively. Total cost data based on 2019 USD show that the MitraClip has the highest cost in the USA ($121,390) and the lowest cost in Italy ($33,062). The results showed that in all selected countries, willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds are upper than the cost per QALY; also, the highest ICER for the MitraClip is in the USA ($55,600/QALY) and the lowest in Italy ($10,616/QALY). To conclude, evidence from this systematic review suggests that MitraClip Delivery System improved both life expectancy and QALY compared with medical treatment in patients at high surgical risk and it was also a cost-effective treatment option for patients with mitral regurgitation.

The Impact of the Social Distancing Policy on COVID-19 Incidence Cases and Deaths in Iran from February 2020 to January 2021: Insights from an Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

Background: In December 2019, a viral outbreak occurred in China, and rapidly spread out worldwide. Due to the lack of immediately available vaccines and effective drugs, many policy- and decision-makers have focused on non-pharmacological methods, including social distancing. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of the implementation of this policy in Iran, one of the countries most affected by COVID-19. We conducted a quasi-experimental study, utilizing the interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) approach. Methods: We collected daily data between February 20, 2020 and January 29, 2021, through governmental websites from 954 public hospitals and healthcare settings. The Iranian government launched the social distancing policy on March 27, 2020. Statistical analyses, including ITSA, were carried out with R software Version 3.6.1 (London, UK). Results: During the study period, 1,398,835 confirmed incidence cases and 57,734 deaths occurred. We found a decrease of -179.93 (95% CI: -380.11 to -20.25, P-value=0.078) confirmed incidence cases following the implementation of the social distancing policy, corresponding to a daily decrease in the trend of -31.17 (95% CI: -46.95 to -15.40, P-value=0.08). Moreover, we found a decrease of -28.28 (95% CI: -43.55 to -13.01, P-value=0.05) deaths, corresponding to a daily decrease in the trend of -4.52 (95% CI: -5.25 to -3.78, P-value=0.003). Conclusion: The growth rate of confirmed incidence cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Iran has decreased from March 27, 2020 to January 29, 2021, after the implementation of social distancing. By implementing this policy in all countries, the burden of COVID-19 may be mitigated.

Financial Protection Indexes and the Iranian Health Transformation Plan: A Systematic Review.

Background: On May 5, 2014, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education launched the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) as a major healthcare reform to curb out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses and protect people from catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs). Therefore, in this study, we conducted a comprehensive literature search with the aim of systematically investigating the impacts of HTP on OOP and CHE after the implementation of the plan. Method: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Iranian bibliographic thesauri and repositories such as MagIran, Elmnet, and Scientific Information Database were searched. Studies published between May 2014 and December 2020 that reported the impact of HTP on the financial indicators under investigation in this study (OOP and CHEs) that were conducted in Iran. Estimated pooled change both for OOP and CHEs was calculated as effect size utilizing meta-analytical techniques. Also, heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the I2 statistics. Results: Seventeen studies were included, nine of which evaluated the OOP index, six studies assessed the CHEs index, and two studies examined both the OOP and CHEs indexes. The OOP was found to decrease after the implementation of the HTP (with an estimated decrease of 13.02% (95% CI: 9.09-16.94). Also, CHEs experienced a decrease of 5.80% (95% CI: 3.85-7.74). Conclusion: The findings show that the implementation of HTP has reduced health costs. In this regard and in order to keep reducing the costs that many people are unable to pay, the government and other organizations involved in the health system should provide sustainable financial resources in order to continue running HTP. However, there remain gaps and weaknesses that can be solved through discussion with all the actors involved.

Economic, Cultural, and Political Requirements for Medical Tourism Development in Iran: Insights from a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process Method.

Background: According to the World Bank, the medical tourism industry in 2016 generated more than $100 billion revenue turnover for the destination countries. This study aims to investigate the developmental requirements of medical tourism industry in Iran to identify sustainable development strategies within this sector. Methods: The present study was an applied-analytical study performed in a cross-sectional manner. A total of 25 experts, including policy experts, decision-makers, and managers with over 10 years of experience in the health system and familiar with the process of attracting medical tourists from foreign countries were asked to compare options for the development of the medical tourism. Expert opinions were analyzed using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process using the open-source R Studio software. Results: Out of the 5 items included in the questionnaire, the criterion of "government policy making and related entities" was ranked the first in terms of importance and prioritization for medical tourism development (0.249) through attracting domestic and foreign investments followed by advertising and marketing (0.241). Also, the criteria of "destination characteristics" and "facilities and status of service capacities with 0.111 and 0.185 weights had the lowest weight among the 5 items, respectively. Conclusion: In general, governments play a key role in marketing and promoting the nascent medical tourism industry. Experts in the field believe that the role of government, policy and decision-makers in medical tourism can be an advantage for its prosperity and development.

A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of heart valve replacement with a mechanical versus biological prosthesis in patients with heart valvular disease.

Heart valve disease (HVD) affects 2.5% of the US population and one million individuals aged 65 years and older in the UK. Given its burden, the aim of the present review was to assess the cost-effectiveness of heart valve replacement with mechanical versus biological prosthesis in HVD patients. We performed a systematic search in various electronic databases from January 1990 to June 2019. Five out of 542 articles were entered into the study, from which 2 papers were subsequently excluded not meeting the minimum number of items of the CHEERS checklist. Quality-Adjusted Life Year, Life Years Gained, and the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) regarding the type of replaced heart valve were extracted and reported. Studies were conducted in three different countries (Iran, France, and USA). ICER ranged from $1253 in Iran to €54,634 in France. Survival rate of mitral mechanical versus biological valves at 10 and 20 years was 72.9% versus 76.0% and 51% versus 30%, respectively. Survival rate at 20 years in patients undergoing atrial valve replacement was 20%. Ten- and 20-year death rates for biological valves were higher with respect to mechanical prosthesis (15.5% versus 8.4% at 10 years), with this difference becoming more relevant at 20 years (36.9% versus 13.9%). Due to higher ICER, mortality rate, and lower success rates in the long term for biological prostheses compared to mechanical ones, these appear to be more suitable for older patients (aged ≥ 70 years).

Cost-effectiveness analysis of PCSK9 inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review.

AIMS: To assess the cost-effectiveness of pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a comprehensive search strategy in electronic databases from January 2015 to January 2019. Out of 475 articles, 16 were entered into the study. Quality-adjusted life year, life years gained (LYG), annual cost, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) regarding the use of PCSK9 inhibitors were considered as the key outcomes. The cost-effectiveness threshold varied from $45,000 in Spain to $150,000 in the USA. The annual cost of PCSK9 inhibitors for studies undertaken in the USA was in the range of $14,000 to $15,000, while it was about $7000 for other developed countries. The results showed that reduction in the price of PCSK9 inhibitors changed from 20 to 88%. The means of QALY were 0.65 and 0.67 in the Markov and Cardiovascular Disease Policy Modeling (CVDPM) models; also, the ICER means were $197,707 and $625,555 for the Markov and CVDPM model, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the current study, the effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitors is well documented, although all studies pointed out a higher cost of these inhibitors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered within the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database of the University of York (CRD42018088472).

The challenges of hepatitis C management in Iran: A qualitative study with patients.

BACKGROUND: The patient's perspective concerning the treatment process and the knowledge of the challenges and problems that they encounter can help to improve their treatment conditions. AIM: The present study aimed at analyzing the experiences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Iran and the challenges encountered during the management and treatment process. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth and face-to-face interviews were conducted. The criteria for selecting patients were as follows: HCV-positive subjects, with confirmed diagnosis of HCV, and under treatment. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. MAXQDA Ver11 software was used to better manage data. This study is based on the "Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research" (COREQ) checklist. RESULTS: Twenty-one HCV patients were interviewed. The mean age of participants was 36.14 ± 11.29 years. Seven themes with 20 subthemes emerged from the content analysis of the interviews, namely, (a) disease-related stigma, (b) lack of knowledge, (c) psychological problems, (d) financial problems, (e) complications of treatment, (f) lack of family and community support, and (g) health-care system. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that a range of economic, social, and cultural problems could affect the treatment of HCV patients. Health policy and decision makers should try to provide them with a better management.

The challenges of implementation of clinical governance in Iran: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Policy- and decision-makers seek to improve the quality of care in the health sector and therefore aim to improve quality through appropriate policies. Higher quality of care will satisfy service providers and the public, reduce costs, increase productivity, and lead to better organisational performance. Clinical governance is a method through which management can be improved and made more accountable, and leads to the provision of better quality of care. In November 2009, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education implemented new clinical guidelines to standardise and improve clinical services as well as to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges of implementing clinical governance through a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies published in Iran. METHODS: Ten databases, including ISI/Web of Sciences, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Barakatns, MagIran and the Scientific Information Database, were searched between January 2009 and May 2018. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. This study was reported according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research guidelines. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Ten studies were selected and included based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In the first stage, 75 items emerged and were coded, and, following comparison and combination of the codes, 32 codes and 8 themes were finally extracted. These themes included health system structure, management, person-power, cultural factors, information and data, resources, education and evaluation. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study showed that there exist a variety of challenges for the implementation of clinical governance in Iran. To successfully implement a health policy, its infrastructure needs to be created. Using the views and support of stakeholders can ensure that a policy is well implemented. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42017079077 . Dated October 10, 2017.

Effects of private and public health expenditure on health outcomes among countries with different health care systems: 2000 and 2014.

Background: In the recent decades, most studies have paid more attention to community expenditures in health sector and health outcomes. This study provides econometric evidence linking countries' health expenditures to 3 health outcomes: (1) infant mortality, (2) under 5 mortality and (3) life expectancy within 4 different health care systems. Methods: In this study, we used the econometric method to estimate the effect of health expenditure on health status. Panel data were collected and grouped for 25 countries according to the health care system over 15 years (2000-2015). The random effects model was selected over the fixed effects model based on the Hausman test to assess the effect of different factors on the 3 mentioned health outcomes. Results: A significant relationship was found between health expenditures and health indicators. The effect of private health expenditures on health outcomes in countries with mixed health financing system and traditional sickness fund insurance was higher than public expenditures. Also, after comparing the results between different health care systems, we found that the effect of health expenditure on the health outcome in countries with national health system (NHS) was more than other health care systems. Conclusion: To improve health status, health policymakers should focus on the factors that lie inside the health care system. Therefore, since private and public health expenditures have different effects on health outcomes in each health care system, countries should choose an optimal combination of private and public health expenditures.

A comparison of the earnings of specialist physicians and nurses before and after implementing the Iran's New Tariffs Book.

Background: The fair wage to specialist physicians and nurses can enhance their job motivation, quality of work, job satisfaction level, and improve the delivery of services to patients. The present study aimed to compare the proportion of changes in earnings of specialist physicians and nurses before and after implementing the Iran's New Tariffs Book and compare their average income with a number of selected countries. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted cross-sectional in the hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) in 2016. Six months before and after the announcement and implementation of the Iran's New Tariffs Book, the relative values of healthcare services were compared. Study population included all specialist physicians and nurses working in the hospitals affiliated to IUMS. Sample size was determined by sampling formula. Results: The proportion of changes in the income of medical specialists and nurses after establishing the book varied between 8% and 184%. Based on our findings, the highest increases were observed in internal medicine (184%), surgery (160%), gastroenterology (153%), and pediatrics (120%), whereas, the lowest ones belonged to ophthalmology (8%), emergency medicine (11%), neurology (24%) and anesthesia (32%). Nurses' income was surged by 43%. Conclusion: Pursuant to the findings, the income belonged to all examined medical specialists and nursing groups has increased after implementing the Iran's New Tariffs Book. The result suggested that income differences among groups have been broadened after the implementation of the Book. There was a wide and significant difference in specialist physicians' income vis-à-vis nursing groups' income before and after establishing the New Book.

Iran's Health System Transformation Plan: A SWOT analysis.

Background: Societies are characterized by evolving health needs, which become more challenging throughout time, to which health system should respond. As such, a constant monitoring and a periodic review and reformation of healthcare systems are of fundamental importance to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services delivery, equity, and sustainable funding. The establishment of President Rouhani's government in Iran, on May 5, 2014, the settlement of the new Ministry of Health and Medical Education administration (MoHME) and the need for change in the provision of healthcare services has led to the "Health System Transformation Plan" (HSTP). The aim of the current investigation was to critically evaluate the health transformation plan in Iran. Methods: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis enables to identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses within an organization or program, as well as the threats and opportunities outside the given organization or program. To identify SWOT of the HSTP in Iran, all articles concerning this program published in scholarly databases as well as in the gray literature were systematically searched. Subsequently, all factors identified at the first round were thematically classified into four categories and for reaching consensus on this classification, the list of points and factors was sent to 40 experts - policy- and decisionmakers, professors and academicians, health department workers, health activists, journalists. Results: Thirty-four subjects expressed comments on classification. Incorporating their suggestions, the SWOT analysis of Iran's HSTP was revised, finalized and then performed. Conclusion: HSTP in Iran, like many of the initiatives that have been recently introduced and not fully implemented, have various challenges, difficulties and pitfalls that health policymakers need to pay attention to. Interacting with criticisms, taking into account public opinion and strengthening the plan can make the project more effective, and it can be anticipated that in the future, better conditions in the health sector will be achieved.

Prevalence of nosocomial infections in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nosocomial infections represent a serious public health concern worldwide, and, especially, in developing countries where, due to financial constraints, it is difficult to control infections. This study aimed to review and assess the prevalence of nosocomial infections in Iran. Methods: Different databases were searched between January 2000 and December 2017. To determine the pooled prevalence, the stochastic DerSimonian-Laird model was used, computing the effect size with its 95% confidence interval. To examine the heterogeneity among studies, the I2 test were conducted. The reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of observational studies. To further investigate the source of heterogeneity, meta-regression analyses stratified by publication year, sample size and duration of hospitalization in the hospital were carried out. Results: 52 studies were included. Based on the random-effects model, the overall prevalence of nosocomial infection in Iran was 4.5% [95% CI: 3.5 to 5.7] with a high, statistically significant heterogeneity (I2=99.82%). A sensitivity analysis was performed to ensure the stability results. After removing each study, results did not change. A cumulative meta-analysis of the included studies was performed based on year of publication and the results did not change. In the present study, a high rate of infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (urinary tract, respiratory tract, and bloodstream infections) was found. Conclusion: Preventing and reducing hospital infections can significantly impact on reducing mortality and health-related costs. Implementing ad hoc programs, such as training healthcare staff on admission to the hospital, may play an important role in reducing infections spreading.

Left anterior descending coronary artery-left circumflex coronary artery bifurcation angle and severity of coronary artery disease; is there any correlation? A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of coronary computed tomography angiography derived (CCTA) plaque characteristics and the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) bifurcation angle with severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: All the stable patients with suspected CAD who underwent CCTA between January to December 2021 were included. Correlation between CCTA-derived aggregated plaque volume (APV), LAD-LCX angle, remodeling index (RI), coronary calcium score with Gensini score in conventional angiography were assessed. One hundred and twenty-two patients who underwent both CCTA and coronary angiography were analyzed. Results: Our analysis showed that the median (percentile 25% to percentile 75%) of the APV, LAD-LCx angle, and calcium score were 31% (17%-47%), 58° (39°-89°), and 31 (0-186), respectively. Also, the mean ± SD of the RI was 1.05 ± 0.20. Significant correlation between LAD-LCx bifurcation angle (0.0001-0.684), APV (0.002-0.281), RI (0.0001-0.438), and calcium score (0.016-0.217) with Gensini score were detected. There was a linear correlation between the mean LAD-LCx bifurcation angle and the Gensini score. The sensitivity and specificity for the cut-off value of 47.5° for the LAD-LCX angle were 86.7% and 82.1%, respectively. Conclusion: There is a direct correlation between the LAD-LCx angle and the Gensini score. In addition to plaque characteristics, anatomic-based CCTA-derived indices can be used to identify patients at higher risk for CAD.