The incidence of psychosocial disturbances during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic in an Iranian sample.

The spreading of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could be associated with psychosocial implications. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the psychosocial disturbances before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional study included 20,885 participants (12,343 females and 8,542 males) with psychosocial trauma who were selected by the census sampling method from Fars province, Iran. The mean age of participants in this study was 35.76 (7.52). The results showed that the incidence rate for psychosocial disturbances was 150.86 and 273.69 per 100,000 cases prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Analysis showed that reports of spousal abuse, child abuse, elderly abuse, disability abuse, the violence of other relatives, child labor, divorce petition, acute family dispute, unemployment/financial problems, substance abuse, and health questions about COVID-19 increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic influences the increase of psychopathology and social pathology. Therefore, recommends a comprehensive assessment to prevent and address the psychosocial consequences associated with COVID-19.

Psychological, Structural, Social and Economic Determinants of Suicide Attempt: Risk Assessment and Decision Making Strategies.

The aim of this research was to conduct a risk assessment and management of psychological, structural, social and economic determinants (PSSED) in a suicide attempt. The sample consisted of 353 individuals who had a recorded history of suicidal attempt; and 20 professional individuals by purposive sampling method within a descriptive cross-sectional design. Worksheets for RAM and AHP were used for data collection in this study. The rate of suicide attempt was 7.21 per 100,000 population in this study. Analysis showed that depression and mental disorders; personality disorders; family problems; socio-cultural and economic problems; lack of awareness; and low level of education have a high level of risk for suicide attempts. Psychiatric and psychological services; awareness and knowledge of life skills; medical services to dysfunctional families; development of community-based planning for PSSED of suicide; and employment and entrepreneurship services may lower suicide attempt risk.

Socioeconomic determinants of nutritional behaviors of households in Fars Province, Iran, 2018.

Introduction: Households' dietary habits are affected by their environment and socioeconomic status (SES). This study aims to investigate eating behaviors and determine the factors affecting nutritional status in households in Fars Province in 2018. Method: In this cross-sectional study, urban and rural households were selected using the multistage sampling method. A questionnaire was employed to interview the mother or householder to record the demographic, SES, and dietary habits of the family for major food items commonly used. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In total, 6,429 households participated in the study. The majority of households use traditional flatbread, low-fat milk, and liquid/cooking oil. Frying was the most prevalent method of cooking. Parents' level of education and SES were associated with type of consumed bread, milk and dairy, methods of food preparation, adding salt at the table, eating out, and fast-food usage. Parents' higher level of education was significantly associated with salt storage in optimal conditions and not using salt before tasting the meal. Conclusion: Most of the households had healthy practices, especially in consumption of certain oils and methods of preparing their food as well as keeping salt in an optimal condition and using iodized salt. The most important unhealthy nutritional behavior was high consumption of fast food and outdoor food, especially in urban regions. Unhealthy dietary habits were more prevalent in households with low household and regional SES. Both households and regions with higher SES had better dietary habits.

Improvement in Anthropometric Measurements of Malnourished Children by Means of Complementary Food and Nutritional Education in Fars Province, Iran: A Community-Based Intervention.

Background: Childhood malnutrition could have adverse impacts on the growth of child and eventually on fertility and general economic growth, and still, this issue remains a worldwide priority and a concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the national nutritional interventions program on the improvement and nutritional status of malnourished children children aged 6-59 months. Methods: This community-based intervention study was conducted with 1288 acute and moderately malnourished children aged 6-59 months referred to health centers. Children received combined nutritional education and counseling with the provision of affordable complementary food for 10 months. Anthropometric measurements were assessed monthly according to the standard protocols. Results: Our results showed the reduction in the risk of malnutrition among children after nutritional interventions for weight-for-height (WHZ) (P < 0.001), height-for-age (HAZ) (P < 0.001), and weight-for-age (WAZ) (P = 0.008). Total malnourished children indicated improvement in HAZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.10, P = 0.026), WAZ (<-2SD: OR = 1.21, P < 0.001; <-3SD: OR = 1.60, P < 0.001), and WHZ (<-3SD: OR = 1.10, P = 0.030). Controlling potential confounders (socioeconomic status, childrens' birth supine length, and weight) showed a significant amelioration in HAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 6.20, P = 0.020; <-3 SD: OR = 9, P = 0.003) and WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 5.85, P = 0.010; <-3 SD: OR = 7.50, P = 0.004). In urban areas, significant amelioration was observed in HAZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.22, P = 0.010) and WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 1.24, P = 0.003; <-3 SD: OR = 1.64, P < 0.001). In rural, considerable amelioration was observed in WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 1.20, P = 0.010; <-3 SD: OR = 1.50, P < 0.001) and WHZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.20, P = 0.020). Conclusion: Nutritional training and counseling as well as complementary food intervention among the malnourished children significantly improved the nutritional status of children. So community-based intervention is recommended to reduce the malnutrition among children.