What rate of Iranian women perform Pap smear test? Results from a meta-analysis.

In this study, an attempt was made to estimate the aggregated proportion of Pap smear test uptake among women in Iran from 2012 to 2022 using meta-analysis. The data collection process involved reviewing records registered in databases between January 1, 2012, and September 11, 2022. The final data was analyzed using random effects models, and potential heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index. To examine publication bias, Egger's test and Funnel Plot were employed. Sensitivity analysis, specifically single study exclusion Meta-analysis, was conducted to assess the influence of each individual study on the aggregated percentage of Pap smear test uptake. A total of 28,754 women were included across the 33 articles analyzed. The pooled percentage of Pap smear test uptake for both one-time and regular screenings was found to be 46.52% (95% CI: 40.91 to 52.14) and 17.80% (95% CI: 12.42 to 23.18), respectively. No significant evidence of publication bias was detected, although the influence of smaller studies was confirmed. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the overall rate of Pap smear test uptake was not highly sensitive to the results of individual studies. The findings emphasize the low rate of regular Pap smear testing among Iranian women and suggest that tailored interventions considering cultural and geographical factors specific to different provinces in Iran could help increase the utilization of this screening service.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cancer Incidence: A Comparative Investigation Based on Population of Iranian Provinces.

Cancer is the second important cause of death worldwide. Cancer is one of the top health priorities in Iran. We aimed to study the socio-economic inequality of cancer incidence in Iran provinces. We conducted this cross-sectional study using provincial data. We obtained the required data from the statistical yearbook report, the Statistics Center Report and the National Cancer Registration Program Report of Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) for 2018. Socio-economic inequality of cancer incidence was analyzed by estimating the concentration index and extracting the concentration curve. Statistical analyzes were performed using STATA 14. Our findings revealed that cancer incidence was unequally distributed in terms of the socio-economic status in Iranian provinces. Cancer incidence is slightly concentrated in the provinces with higher than average literacy, per capita income and insurance coverage and household size below average. The concentration of cancer incidence has been to the detriment of the provinces that have a slightly better ranking in terms of the socio-economic index. The employment rate did not significantly affect cancer's distribution burden. We recommend policymakers facilitate early cancer detection by providing insurance coverage for screening services, payment exemptions, and public awareness.

The structure of the pharmaceutical market in Iran using concentration indices.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The efficiency and function of the pharmaceutical sector, as a vital portion of the health system, have a significant effect on intermediate and final indices of health. In this research, the structure of the pharmaceutical market in Iran was examined through the calculation of concentration indices in 2011. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the needed data was gathered from the Food and Drug Administration in the year 2011. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and Microsoft Office Excel software. Finally, two common measures of market concentration, the Concentration Ratio and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, were calculated. RESULTS: The largest and the smallest shares of the industry were 5.57% and 0.01%, respectively. The average industry share was 1.09%. The share range was calculated to be 5.56%. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index was 248.5, which indicates a very low concentration of the pharmaceutical market in Iran. Also, based on the Concentration Ratio of 4 companies (18.39%), the concentration of the pharmaceutical market has been too low. CONCLUSION: The pharmaceutical market in Iran has a very low concentration and it does not have an exclusive mode in terms of market structure. Therefore, it can be attributed to the competitive model. The policy makers in this area can use this characteristic as a leverage to improve efficiency, fairness, revenue and health indices.