Relevance of the COVID-19 rapid response system to public health policymaking in Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the need for high-quality and timely evidence to support policy- and decision-making in emergency situations. Aims: To describe the experiences of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Islamic Republic of Iran, in adopting evidence-informed policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, NIHR institutionalized a rapid response system that was backed up by evidence-informed policy- and decision-making. Activities included establishment of a preparedness and response management committee, gathering and providing timely pandemic information to policymakers, establishing a timeline of actions and activities, and a feedback system for policy responses and queries. Results: The COVID-19 rapid response committee addressed the questions of 40 policymakers by synthesizing and analysing evidence and making it available to relevant stakeholders. It developed and disseminated knowledge products to provide relevant information. We identified the need for more timely data and more reliable research evidence for pandemic management. Conclusion: National institutions responding to health emergencies need to take responsibility for establishing and managing a robust rapid response systems that can provide valid and timely evidence to policymakers. Over time, their capacity should be monitored, evaluated and strengthened to adapt and respond appropriately to pandemics, outbreaks and epidemics.

Mapping of national population-based surveys for better reporting of health-related indicators in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

BACKGROUND: Population-based surveys are the main data source to generate health-related indicators required to monitor progress toward national, regional and global goals effectively. Although the Eastern Mediterranean Region of World Health Organization (WHO) member states conduct many population-based surveys, they are not led regularly and fail to provide relevant indicators appropriately. Therefore, this study aims two-fold: to map out population-based surveys to be conducted data for the health-related indicators in the Region and propose a timetable for conducting national population-based surveys in the Region. METHODS: The study was conducted in six phases: 1) Selecting survey-based indicators; 2) Extracting and comparing relevant survey modules; 3) Identifying sources of data for the indicators; 4) Assessing countries' status in reporting on core health indicators; 5) Review and confirmation of the results by the experts. RESULTS: Population-based surveys are the sources of data for 44 (65%) out of 68 regional core health indicators and two (18%) out of 11 health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 indicators. The Health Examination Survey (HES) could cover 65% of the survey-based indicators. A total of 91% of survey-based indicators are obtained by a combination of HES, Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). CONCLUSION: In order to effectively report health-related indicators, HES, DHS/MICS and GSHS are considered essential in national survey timetables. Each country needs to devise and implement a plan for population-based surveys by considering factors such as national health priorities, financial and human capacities, and previous experiences.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use in Adults; 2016 Nationally Representative Household Survey in Iran.

Background: Tobacco use is an established preventable risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases and is considered as an important indicator for monitoring progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aimed to determine the situation of tobacco use among Iranian adults using 2016 household survey. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the data from 2016 nationally representative STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPs) survey with a sample size of 31,050. The data on tobacco consumption was gathered using questions incorporated in the survey questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of current tobacco use in Iran was 25.2 % (24.4-25.9) in men versus 4% (3.7-4.3) in women. The prevalence was higher in rural areas and among second wealth group. The prevalence of current daily cigarette smoking was 20.1% (19.4-20.7) in men versus 0.9% (0.8-1.1) in women). Average number of cigarettes per day among current cigarette smokers was 14.5% (14.1-14.9), mean age at start smoking among daily cigarette smokers was 21.6% (21.1-22), and 95.2% (94.4-96) of daily current daily cigarette smokers attempted for cessation during past 12 months. Prevalences of exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke among nonsmokers at homes and workplaces were 23.21% (22.65-23.76) and 18.04% (17.2-18.87), respectively. Conclusions: There was a large difference between the prevalence of tobacco use between men and women (25.2% vs. 4%). Higher prevalences of tobacco use in rural areas and among lower wealth quintiles require more equity-based approaches in tobacco combatting actions.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Management Services in the Primary Health Care System of Iran.

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.

Primary Health Care Model for Non-Communicable Diseases Management during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: Given the importance of appropriate response to prevent and manage Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), this study aimed to analyze the state of NCDs services at the level of the PHC system during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the main strategies. Methods: In this qualitative study, first, the circulars and guides in Iran's PHC system from the beginning of the pandemic to the end of September 2020 were retrieved manually and by searching the internal websites of the Ministry of Health. All documents about decision-making or governance and coordination mechanisms for the provision of NCDs services were enrolled and analyzed. In the second phase, the status of service delivery for major NCDs was presented in a model, and finally, SWOT analysis was used to analyze the situation and determine the main strategies. Results: 25 out of 199 circulars and guides were eligible and analyzed. In the crisis phase, most risk assessment, screening, and diagnosis services for NCDs have been suspended, and follow-up and care of patients with major NCDs were done by telephone. In the reopening phase, the general strategies and strategies to increase capacity and provide delayed care were adopted, and the PHC model of the provision of essential services for the major NCDs was developed in low-risk, intermediate and high-risk pandemic conditions. Finally, 16 main strategies were determined with the approach of integrating and focusing on essential services, considering vulnerable groups and the use of E-health technologies. Conclusion: The results indicate on interruption of NCDs services in the crisis phase while adopting strategies for responding to the pandemic. Revision of the COVID-19 guides with a particular focus on NCDs is recommended.

Implementing Health Impact Assessment at National Level: An Experience in Iran.

BACKGROUND: According to the general health policies issued in 2014, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) or Health Annex should be implemented in Iran. The present study provided a model for executing HIA in the Iranian context as a developing country. METHODS: This is a system design study with the qualitative approach. The data on the system components were gathered via reviews of the literature, in-depth interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) with experts. The information were contently analyzed in order to draft the model and a consensus was reached on by the steering committee. RESULTS: Fifteen in-depth interviews and six FGD meeting were conducted. The equity-based approach in assessing the health impacts of policies, programs and projects were chosen as the most practical tool. Experts believe that for the next five years, HIA should be used just for the "national projects" so that the ministries and national agencies could be empowered. Components of the model including structure, procedures, and standards, management style, mission and resources were prepared. The national regulations and protocols were sent to the SCHFS Secretariat for final revision and the council approval. CONCLUSION: The hasty implementation of HIA will face serious resistances as the health-oriented attitude and behavior in both government and non-governmental sectors will gradually form. Also, the overlapping of the contents of HIA with other tools such as Environmental, Cultural and Social Impact Assessments, currently used by other sectors, causes difficulties in implementing the HIA by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

Evaluating the Women Health Volunteers Program in Iran- a Quarter Century Experience (1992-2016).

BACKGROUND: Running for more than 25 years, the Women Health Volunteers (WHV) program in Iran has made many great achievements. Considering the new expectations from the health system, this national program needs to be revised and undergo fundamental changes. Although many studies have been conducted to evaluate this program, there still is a lack of a comprehensive nationwide assessment containing policy recommendations. METHODS: This study was conducted in a qualitative approach. The data were obtained from 3 sources: national documentations, semi-structured questionnaires by 49 key informants, and focused group discussions. The program was assessed in 4 domains including the program, goals, achievements, improved opportunities (weaknesses), and strategies for improvements. RESULTS: The collected data were categorized into 4 main themes including goals and objectives, achievements, weaknesses, and recommendations. Main achievements of the WHV program are: increasing people's participation especially women, increasing health literacy, and increasing coverage and utilization of health services. The most important weaknesses of the program include: lack of a national roadmap and policy plan for the WHV program, lack of true belief in people's participation in policymakers, weakness in comprehensive system monitoring and evaluation, and inadequate funding. CONCLUSION: Like many other health system programs in the country, the WHV program suffers from the lack of a binding strategic plan and goal so that by changes in management, sustainability of the program becomes hampered. An appropriate solution would be to operate the WHV program like a non-government organization (NGO) under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME).

Universal health coverage in Iran: Health-related intersectoral actions.

The majority of modifiable health outcomes are attributable to factors that are outside the direct reach of the health systems and can only be reached through intersectoral actions. In recent years, Iran implemented a series of reforms in the health sector called Health Transformation Plan (HTP). This paper aimed to review health-related intersectoral actions in Iran that have focused on interventions conducted after HTP implementation and to compare the interventions against the recommendations by World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Findings showed that intersectoral governance interventions are the strongest points and have the most compatibility with the recommendations, while intersectoral environmental interventions are the weakest points. Also, many of the interventions have not yet been completely implemented. Moreover, continuity and sustainability of the policies and programs are still a concern.

Transition of Mental Health to a More Responsible Service in Iran.

Objective: This study proposed a model for provision of an effective universal coverage for mental health services based on global and national experiences, available resources and the nature of primary health care system of Iran to reduce the burden of mental health conditions. Method: A framework with prioritized mental and social health services was devised through a review of literature and policy documents. It was then adapted using inputs from the stakeholders and experts. Results: The new model included 2 basic and specialized service strata: a PHC-based infrastructure and essential requirements needed to establish the service. Our proposed socio-mental health approach is based on a WHO recommendation. Conclusion: The key features of the model, which is going to be tested in a pilot study in 2015, are setting up a system for organized referrals to specialized mental facilities and compatibility with the existing primary health care system. Moreover, to achieve this goal, socio-mental health technicians should be employed.

Designing a national plan for improving sexual health in Iran: An experience of an Islamic country.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of sexual dysfunction varies from 20% to 40% in men and women in different studies in Iran. Despite its high prevalence, it seems that this issue has been neglected, particularly in Islamic countries. The aim of this study was to assess sexual health in Iran. This was a mixed method study. METHODS: Data were collected through evaluating country's sexual health programs and literature review. Sexual health status was drafted and formed following a sound analysis by stakeholders. After conducting interviews and focus group discussions, the main points of the meetings, influencing factors of the present status and oncoming strategies were obtained upon experts' opinions. RESULTS: Review of general policies and the literature showed that although there is adequate support for improving sexual health status in the country, sexual health status has been decreased in the last decade. Based on Iranian sexual health indicators and experts' opinions, the focus points could be divided into the following groups: Structural and functional -political, legal-behavior, and cultural. CONCLUSION: Breaking the taboo of sexual health issues would require attention from the policy makers especially in Islamic nations to facilitate the steps on the road to sexual health. In this regard, clarified vision, strategic goals and interventional policies are proposed. An inter-sectional cooperation is needed to implement interventions to promote sexual health status.

How to integrate social care services into primary health care? An experience from Iran.

BACKGROUND: Social issues have prominent effects on the peoples' physical and mental health and on the health risk factors. In Iran, many organizations provide social care services to their target population. This study aimed to explore the roles and functions of Primary Health Care (PHC) system in providing social care services in Iran. METHODS: This was a qualitative study, for which data were collected via three sources: A review of the literature, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with experts and stakeholders. The main objective was to find a way to integrate social care into the Iranian PHC system. A conventional content analysis was performed to explore the data. RESULTS: Overall, 20 experts were interviewed and the acquired data were classified into four major categories including priorities, implementation, requirements and stewardship. The main challenges were the existing controversies in the definition of social care, social service unit disintegration, multiple stewards for social care services, weaknesses of rules and regulations and low financing of the public budget. Social care services can be divided into two categories: Basic and advanced. Urban and rural health centers, as the first level of PHC, could potentially provide basic social care services for their defined population and catchment areas such as detecting social harms in high risk individuals and families and providing counseling for people in need. They can also refer the individuals to receive advanced services. CONCLUSION: Iran has a successful history of establishing the PHC System especially in rural areas. This network has an invaluable capacity to provide social health services. Establishing these services needs some prerequisites such as a reform PHC structure, macro support and technical intersectoral collaboration. They should also be piloted and evaluated before they could be implemented in the whole country.

The Impact of Future World Events on Iranians' Social Health: A Qualitative Futurology.

BACKGROUND: Social health is a dimension of health affected and interacts with other dimensions. Considering the rate of world changes, foresighting the influence of future events and possible trends on social health could bring about advantageous information for social policy makers. METHODS: This is a qualitative study of futurology with cross impact analysis approach. After studying possible trends and events in future, they were categorized in four domains including population, resources, climate changes, and globalization and 12 groups of events; and they were used to design a questionnaire. It was given to experts and their opinions were collected through depth interviews between May 2013 and Sep 2013. RESULTS: Analysis of experts' opinions reveals that future trends in four main potential domains may have some positive and more negative impacts on Iranians' social health. CONCLUSION: The global "resource challenge" is the most important incoming event, considering to the four domains of global events and its final and potential effects will be the increase of inequalities leading to social threat. Since inequalities are considered the most important risk factor of health in the societies, the solution for dispel the impact of world trends on Iranians' social health is managing the crisis of inequalities which is started with fore sighting and adopting preventive strategies in all four domains.

Achievements and future path of Tehran municipality in urban health domain: An Iranian experience.

BACKGROUND: According to national laws and world experiences; provision, maintenance, and improving citizens' health are considered to be the essential functions of municipalities as a "social institute". In order to equitably promote health conditions at urban level, particularly in marginal areas, since 2004 targeted efforts have been implemented in the municipality of Tehran metropolis. This study was intended to identify and analyze these targeted measures and tries to analyze health interventions in a conceptual framework and propose a future path. METHODS: This is a qualitative study with content analysis approach. Reviewing documents and structured interviews with national health policy making and planning experts and executive managers of 22-region municipalities of Tehran metropolis were used to collect data. The data were analyzed on the basis of conceptual framework prepared for urban health in 4 domains including municipal interventions, goal achievements, drivers and obstacles of success, and the way forward. RESULTS: From the viewpoint of interviewees, these new health actions of Tehran municipality are more based on public participation and the municipality was able to prioritize health issue in the programs and policies of Tehran city council. Tehran municipality has accomplished three types of interventions to improve health, which in orders of magnitude are: facilitative, promotional, and mandatory interventions. Development and institutionalization of public participation is the greatest achievement in health-oriented actions; and expansion of environmental and physical health-oriented facilities and promoting a healthy lifestyle are next in ranks. CONCLUSION: Since management alterations seriously challenges institutionalization of actions and innovations especially in the developing countries, it is suggested that mayors of metropolitan cities like Tehran document and review municipal health measures as soon as possible and while eliminating overlapping of interventions with other sectors, design and approve the charter of "health promoting municipality". The most important role of municipalities in this charter would be coordinating health improvement of citizens. This charter, when approved as a national policy could be used for other cities too.

A mutational and expressional analysis of DNMT3A in acute myeloid leukemia cytogenetic subgroups.

OBJECTIVES: Despite numerous studies in order to determine the allele frequency and clinical impact of DNA methyltransferase 3 A (DNMT3A) gene mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), reports about the expression analysis of this gene are rare and between the available, differences are evident. METHODS: In this study, we decided to investigate DNMT3A possible expression changes with regard to their mutation and cytogenetic status in a series of 96 AML patients. RESULTS: Mutations were founded in 17 of the 96 patients (17.7%) and associated with higher age and white blood cell count (P < 0.001). Our mutants have had shorter overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.011) than those without. Multivariate analysis showed that DNMT3A mutation is an independent prognostic indicator for OS and RFS (P < 0.001). In relation to expression results, we had over and under expression for our favorable and unfavorable cytogenetic subgroups, respectively (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively). In intermediate subgroup, total DNMT3A expression did not alter (P = 0.575). Interestingly, we noticed similar expression results for DNMT3A transcript 2, to that of the total. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In relation to DNMT3A expression, from the perspective of diagnostic application and its biological significance, it is difficult to accept its primacy over cytogenetic value in favorable and unfavorable subgroups and if so, we did not address this issue in our study due to sample size limitation. In intermediate subgroup, particularly in normal karyotype-AML, given the lack of convincing results, it seems unlikely that DNMT3A expression analysis could attract attention in diagnostic workup and risk prediction of AML.

Intact expression status of RASSF1A in acute myeloid leukemia.

As a typical tumor suppressor gene, transcriptional silencing of ras-association domain family 1, isoform A (RASSF1A) is caused by biallelic methylation or the condition that one allele is methylated and then the other allele lost by allelic loss, as second hit. RASSF1A is inactivated epigenetically and thus down-regulated in many solid tumors. In summary, for the first time, we analyzed the expression status of RASSF1A in a cohort of 56 de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results of our study indicate that patients with AML exhibited no differences in the RASSF1A gene expression comparing to normal controls. In conclusion, expression status of RASSF1A remained intact in our target samples, indicating that RASSF1A expression variation does not participate in the pathogenesis and the progression of AML.