Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and associated reasons among Iranian primary healthcare workers: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Different mental disorders may be associated with many work-related factors to which primary health care workers (PHCWs) are exposed. The current research aims to measure the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among PHCWs, and their associated causes in primary health care (PHC) settings. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed in this research from January 2021 to January 2022 in Tabriz, Iran's PHC centers. First, this study followed an online-based cross-sectional survey using a self-reported questionnaire. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) and questions on demographic and work-related characteristics were completed by 303 frontline PHCWs during the quantitative phase. In the qualitative phase, a semi-structured interview was held with 12 PHCWs who had the highest level of depression, anxiety, and stress to identify the reasons and sources of mental health prevalence. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS-26. A content analysis was performed to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: The results showed that self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression had a prevalence of 40.3%, 42.9%, and 42.6%, respectively. Symptoms of at least one mental disorder were experienced by 54% of respondents, while 28% had all three. Major sources of stress, anxiety, and depression among PHCWs were working environment conditions, organizational policies, job-related reasons, and interpersonal relations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of current study indicated that PHCWs experienced high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The main factors and reasons that contributed to these mental health issues among PHCWs were work environment conditions, organizational policies, job-related reasons and interpersonal relations. Therefore, interventions should be implemented to promote mental health of PHCWs. This can include measures such as psychological screening, supportive care, workload management, flexible scheduling, and access to mental health resources. Additionally, training programs can be implemented to enhance resilience and coping skills among healthcare professionals.

Development of a degree-day model to predict the growth of Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae): implication for vector control management.

Anopheles stephensi is an efficient vector of malaria parasites in Iran. Despite its importance in malaria transmission, there is a scarcity of accurate predictive models of its rates of development at different temperatures. A laboratory colony of An. stephensi, collected from Bandar Abbas County, southern Iran, was established, and all its developmental stages were maintained in temperature-controlled incubators so that the water temperature set at 5, 8, 10, 12.5, 14, 28, 38, 39.5, 42, and 45(±0.2) °C for different treatments until subsequent adult emergence. The Lower and Upper Developmental Temperatures (LDT and UDT) and the growth degree-day (GDD) were calculated for each development stage. A 12-mo population dynamics survey of the larvae and adults of An. stephensi was performed in 3 malaria-endemic villages (Geno, Hormoodar, and Sarkhoon) of Bandar Abbas County, and the obtained data were matched with the constructed GDD model. Based on the field meteorological and dynamics data, the model was verified in the field and used to determine the appropriate date to start spraying. The LDT was determined to be 8.19, 9.74, 8.42, 5.6, 13.57, and 10.03 °C for egg hatching, first, second, and third ecdysis, pupation, and eclosion events, respectively. The UDT was 38 °C for all developmental stages. The thermal requirement for the development of all immature stages of An stephensi was determined to be 187.7 (±56.3) GDD above the LDT. Therefore, the appropriate date to start residual spraying is when the region's GDD reaches 187.7 (±56.3). Given the climatic conditions in Bandar Abbas County, it is expected that the first activity peak of adult An. stephensi would be in March. Field observations showed that An. stephensi activity starts in February and peaks in March. The GDD model can provide a good estimate for peak An. stephensi activity and indicate the optimal deployment time of residual spraying operations against the multiplication and development of malaria parasites inside the vector.

Investigation of the Factors Related to Mortality and Length of Hospitalization among COVID-19 Patients in East Azerbaijan Hospitals, Iran.

BACKGROUND: It is of utmost importance to identify populations with an elevated risk for COVID-19 and the factors influencing its outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate factors affecting mortality and length of stay (LOS) among COVID-19 patients in the hospitals of East Azerbaijan province, Iran, during 15 months of this pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: The present study followed a retrospective cohort design. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using data in the integrated syndromic surveillance system (ISSS) on patients admitted to the hospitals from February 21, 2020, to April 11, 2021. The association between variables of interest and death, as well as LOS, was investigated via multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: In total, 24 293 inpatients with a mean age of 54.0 ± 19.4 years were included in this study. About 15% of them lost their lives, whose mean age was 69.0 ± 14.6 years, significantly higher than the recovered ones (P < 0.001). Factors, such as above 49 years of age (P < 0.001), male gender (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.26), and having chronic diseases (OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.22-1.42), were correlated with patient mortality. In addition, having chronic diseases (Beta = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.03-0.08) was associated with higher LOS in hospitals. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, older patients were at a higher risk of mortality and prolonged hospitalization. Furthermore, patients' underlying diseases could cause a severe form of COVID-19, which can lead to death and increase patients' LOS.

Study on the Fauna of Aquatic Insects in Northwestern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Aquatic insects include groups of arthropods which at least one step of their life happens in water. Some of these insects play an important role in the transmission of various diseases to human and animals. Because there is a little information about the fauna of aquatic insects in Iran, this study was aimed to collect and identify aquatic insects in northwestern Iran. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was performed in July 2017 in Rivers of three villages of Osku County of East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran. The specimens were collected using different methods including D frame net-collector, standard mosquito dipper, Sweep Netting and plastic pipette. The collected specimens were identified based on the systematic keys of aquatic insects. RESULTS: Totally 285 samples were collected. Four orders including Diptera, Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera and Coleoptera were identified. Collected samples belonged to seven families of Tipulidae, Chironomidae, Corixidae, Culicidae, Hydrophilidae, Baetidae and Dytiscidae. The most predominant family was Culicidae belonging to order Diptera. Culiseta longiareolata was the most frequent species collected in the study area. CONCLUSION: Aquatic insects usually play an important role in the food chain of animals and some species of them act as predators and play an important role in the biological control of vectors. Therefore, more studies are required to carry out in the field of aquatic insects.

Nongovernmental organizations and social aspects of COVID-19 pandemic: A successful experience in health policy.

Background: This study aimed to provide information on activities and experiences of Nongovernmental organizations in Tabriz regarding COVID-19 to develop a framework for effective measures and actions for other communities based on relevant achievements and experiences. Method: The Social determinants of health research center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences coordinated the NGOs to deal with the consequences of COVID-19 disease by announcing, inviting, developing networks and preparing aims and objectives and action plans in participation with the NGOs. Results: This cooperation and synergy among NGOs led to following results: providing public health education, fund raising to provide health service and food items for vulnerable families, advocacy by writing letters to the governor and the City Council and emphasizing the needs for controlling the epidemics. Conclusion: NGOs can increase public awareness, change social policies, and provide services and facilities to the vulnerable groups of people to deal with these problems.

Scorpions and Scorpionism in Roudan County, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Every year, thousands of cases and many deaths from scorpion sting are reported in tropical areas of South and Southwestern parts of Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the fauna and dangerous species of scorpions in Roudan County, southern Iran. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in 10 stations in Hormozgan Province. Scorpion sampling was done randomly by searching for their shelter and digging out their nests during day, and with the use of UV light during night from February 2013 to October 2014. Data of scorpion stings were obtained from health center of Hormozgan Province during 2014-2016. RESULTS: Overall, 155 scorpions were collected on a set of eight species belonging to Buthidae and Hemiscorpiidae families. These species were identified as Mesobuthus persicus, Mesobuthus phillipsi, Hottentotta schach, Odontobuthus doriae, Compsobuthus persicus, Orthochirus farzanpayi, Androctonus crassicauda and Hemiscorpius acanthocercus. One thousand and twenty-seven cases of scorpion sting were recorded during 2014-2016 with a peak period in summer. Most of cases were <44yr old. Five out of six medically important scorpions in Iran were actively identified in the study area. CONCLUSION: Results of this study would greatly help to identify risk factors of scorpion sting in high-risk areas for planning, management and treatment of patients with scorpion sting in these areas.

Pharyngeal Myiasis Caused by Sheep Botfly, Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) Larva, Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran: a Case Report.

Myiasis is caused by the larvae of flies infesting animal or human tissues and organs. This report aims to present a case of pharyngeal myiasis caused by the larvae of Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae). A 55-yr old drug addict living in the Shahindeje village of Western Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran was referred to the Emam Reza Hospital in Tabriz, having a medical history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and hospitalized due to respiratory distress, 20 days ago. He was intubated with a mechanical ventilator (MV) because of his respiratory distress condition. There was an evidence of the presence of pulmonary nodules in his lungs following diagnosis, and a CT scan revealed a cavity in his lung. During the nasogastric intubation procedure, a larva was seen emerging from the patient's mouth by one of the staff of the intensive care unit of the hospital. A laboratory diagnosis was performed in the Entomology Department of the School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Interestingly, larvae of O. ovis were identified and confirmed following the laboratory proceedings.