مجله فرهنگ و ارتقای سلامت (فرهنگستان علوم پزشکی جمهوری اسلامی ایران)
سال هشتم شماره 4 (پیاپی 28، زمستان 1403)

Health equity is considered the main pillar of the health system with the aim of ensuring that all people having good health and it is the most priority of actions related to health of people. This document represents main factors of health inequity and strategies and measures for health equity.

Since in all societies, cultural elements and themes play a very important role in the parenting style of families, so the purpose of the present study was to feasibility a native package of parenting styles appropriate to Iranian culture.

The present study were of a qualitative research type with a purposeful sampling method, which on the one hand, through semi-structured interviews with family psychology experts, religious experts and Iranian parents, On the other hand, by studying sources, teachings and Islamic texts in a library way, themes of appropriate parenting methods were extracted and then the coefficient and content validity index (cvr) (cvi) were evaluated by 12 experts and then the framework of the parenting package was adjusted based on the components obtained in 6 sessions.

After compiling the parenting package, its framework was sent to 10 experts who had at least ten years of scientific, research and clinical experience in the field of parenting, and they were requested to state the necessity of using the package in terms of dimensions such as; acceptability and appropriateness, applicability and demand, integration, adaptability, applicability of assignments, appropriateness of the number and duration of meetings, completeness and comprehensiveness of the program and the specialization of its implementation, and the results indicated a high average score for the mentioned dimensions.

The results indicated that the implementation and scientific application of the package of parenting methods was necessary, so it is suggested that educational specialists and family experts pay special attention to the results of this study.

The idea of formulating issues of health equity was proposed by Daniels and he developed his theory of health justice based on four main questions. This article, with the same purpose as Daniels' study, has tried to identify and organize the most important questions of health equity based on a review study.

The method used in this article is a review study completed with thematic analysis method (using MAXQDA 2020 software).

The literature of health equity has been proposed in three categories: "What is the ultimate goal of health?", "How to reach the ultimate goal" and "the need is centered value" according to the most important questions of health equity.

The most important questions of health equity, which are under the three main categories of “What is the ultimate goal of health?",”How to reach the ultimate goal" and " the need is centered value", are the most important achievements of this study. Among the various questions, the first category is of particular importance and is central to other questions. In”How to reach the ultimate goal of health”, the values and the way of valuing are discussed, which had taken a considerable amount of literature. Also, the "responsible for health" which deals with the duty of the society towards the health of people, falls under this category. Among the different values, the need and response to it has a special place in the literature of health equity; Therefore, there are various questions about its different types and levels as well as how to address the needs.

The trend of previous studies in Iran indicates that in recent years, the focus on health behaviors and related factors has significantly increased. Among these factors, the key concept of cultural capital can be highlighted. The main objective of the present research is to estimate the effect size of the relationship between cultural capital and health behaviors among empirical studies conducted in Iran. 

This study was conducted using a meta-analysis method. For this purpose, relevant keywords were searched in three databases: Irandoc, Magiran, and SID. To examine the assumption of publication bias, funnel plots and Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation tests were used. 

A search in the databases yielded 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The findings indicated that the combined effect size of cultural capital on health behaviors was 0.330, which is considered moderate according to Cohen's criteria. Additionally, based on moderator analysis, the quantitative variable of the year of publication and qualitative variables such as publication period, geographical location, statistical population, sampling method, gender, and age of respondents can be considered sources of heterogeneity in the research. 

Based on the results of this meta-analysis, the variable of cultural capital can have a moderate impact on health behaviors. This impact is moderated by intervening variables, among the most important of which is the year of publication of the studies. This variable reflects the influence of changes in the social and cultural conditions of the studied community on the mentioned relationship.

Individual and personality traits significantly influence the professional and clinical performance of healthcare professionals. This impact is particularly crucial during outbreaks of infectious diseases and health crises. In recent years, many medical professionals lost their lives while striving to maintain and restore the health of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the moral, spiritual, and cultural characteristics of healthcare martyrs who served during the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran.

This study employed a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 relatives of health martyrs, selected through a combination of random and purposive sampling methods. Data analysis was carried out using conventional content analysis. To enhance the validity, reliability, and trustworthiness of the research findings, the criteria established by Lincoln and Guba were followed.

The findings of the study indicated that the martyrs who defended health possessed exceptional moral qualities. Additionally, these individuals exhibited spiritual qualities, such as detachment from material possessions. Following the martyrdom of their loved ones, the relatives experienced feelings of separation and sadness. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the oversimplified perspective on the dangers of disease in society and the mismanagement surrounding it.

Health policymakers should focus on the personality model of health defenders to create a solid foundation for strengthening and developing committed human resources within the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education.

Active and effective participation of women as half of the effective forces of any society, in addition to ensuring sustainable growth and survival, has a serious connection with individual, family and social prosperity policies This study aimed to investigate the status of women's scientific productions in the field of health and the factors affecting it and providing solutions to improve the corresponding processes and outputs.

Through the first step, in order to examine the status of women's scientific positions and scientific productions, a systematic search was completed through the main international databases PubMed, ISI/WOS and SCOPUS and the domestic sources. In the second part, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 18 key experts and informants. The results of the qualitative analysis of these two stages were finalized and approved by a panel of experts.

Policies related to the role of women in science and technology also face challenges in developed countries. Identifying capabilities, providing equal competitive opportunities, and encouraging women to enter the fields of scientific participation require removing restrictions and will not be easily achieved. Despite the priority of the issue and the efforts made, there is still a clear deficiency in relevant scientific documentation and supporting policy-making in this area.

Providing supporting documentation for policy-making, sustainability of policies and programs, continuous evaluation and monitoring of programs, analysis of inequality indicators in the field of participation of women and men in the country's scientific production, and attracting women's participation in policy-making, planning, and implementation are among the most important strategies emphasized in the present study.

Measuring a healthy lifestyle based on valid concepts, principles, and methods is possible using accurate indicators. In this study, quantitative and qualitative indicators appropriate for this purpose and their application in studies and activities measuring a healthy lifestyle with the Islamic-Iranian model have been reviewed.

A library review method was used in reliable national references, including scientific and Islamic and Iranian traditional medicine references, related to the subject of the study.

Healthy lifestyle indicators with the Islamic-Iranian model have been evaluated and quantified in the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health, in the four axes of human relationships with God, self, others, and nature, as well as in the areas of individual, family, social, business, and thought.

In selecting and defining indicators of a healthy lifestyle in our society, the main emphasis should be on Islamic and indigenous aspects, especially religious knowledge and traditional medicine, while also using internationally valid definitions and concepts.

A review of the opinions of physicians such as Avicenna indicates that despite empirical methods and the diversity of experiences, the scientific results of Muslim physicians have not been far removed from monotheistic concepts and God-centered themes. The texts of this renowned physician serve as a divine encyclopedia, providing a model for elucidating the God-seeking dimensions, which are considered the most important aspect of spiritual health.

This study, has been conducted using a descriptive approach and based on library resources, introduces the integration of Avicenna's medical research with theological texts as a model for examining the dimensions of spiritual health.

A review of the medical writings of Avicenna revealed that during his clinical observations, he acknowledged God as the ultimate cause in the creation of humans and emphasized the purposeful nature of creation in the organs of the body. He highlighted the enduring connection between the medicine and a monotheistic worldview. This presents a valuable perspective on the pursuit of God that can elucidate an aspect of spiritual health.

The physician's divine insight in empirical researches, the praise and glorification of the Creator during treatment, and the devotional narratives during medicine addition to reflecting the heartfelt relationship between the physician and the Creator, it acknowledges that by connecting medical writings with monotheistic themes, not only it brings a sense of acceptance of divine obedience, but also an aspect of spiritual health can be elucidated.

Cancers are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in science and medicine, early detection remains crucial for effective treatment. Cancer screening is considered one of the most effective tools for early diagnosis and prevention. However, one of the main obstacles to screening is the fear of doing these tests and getting cancer. This article aims to review the cancer screening process, the associated challenges—particularly fears—and methods for overcoming these issues.

Scientific databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were used to gather relevant articles for this review study.

Some of the most important screening methods include mammography for breast cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer, and colonoscopy for colon cancer. This fear of being diagnosed with cancer can stem from several factors, including anxiety over positive results and their consequences, concerns about the treatment process, and even fear of pain or discomfort during the tests. To reduce these fears and the resistance patients may have towards screening, educational and informational approaches should be employed.

By raising awareness and addressing fears, screening can be utilized as a vital tool in reducing the burden of cancer.

Patients in the intensive care unit need more investigation and care. The presence of pharmacists for the drug treatment of these patients has received much attention in recent years and the positive effect of their presence has been seen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of drug therapy interventions by clinical pharmacists in the intensive care unit.

This study was conducted in an analytical-cross-sectional and prospective manner in five hospitals in Tehran for 7 months. Patient demographic information was collected and clinical pharmacist interventions and their types were analyzed and categorized. The impact of these interventions on cost reduction was achieved through direct impact on the optimal prescription of drugs and preventing the cost of drug side effects. In the end, the profit of this method was calculated using the difference in cost savings and salary paid to the clinical pharmacist.

A total of 350 interventions were performed on 137 patients and 87 interventions reduced the incidence of drug side effects. The presence of the clinical pharmacist in the intensive care unit economically led to a net benefit of 10-17 billion riyals during this period.

Interventions of clinical pharmacists in the intensive care unit not only help to improve the clinical results of patients, but can also lead to reducing treatment costs and increasing the quality of services provided. Due to the increasing complexity of drug treatments and clinical cases in these areas, it is recommended that clinical pharmacists' educational programs and interventions are seriously considered in these areas in order to benefit from all their potential benefits.

Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation of lifelong education and learning, as it transforms individuals' lives, enhances their capabilities, and improves their opportunities. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of participation in literacy courses on the mental health of female learners in Kerman Province, particularly in terms of improving their problem-solving skills and self-esteem.

This study employs a quantitative research design utilizing a survey method and a quasi-experimental control group approach. The target population consisted of women categorized into three levels of literacy (highly literate, semi-literate, and low literate) during the 2023-2024 academic year. A multistage cluster sampling method was applied across nine counties in Kerman Province, resulting in the selection of 14 classes. In total, 79 literate women and 79 illiterate women were chosen. For data collection, the Cassidy and Long Problem-Solving Styles Questionnaire and the Eysenck Self-Esteem Questionnaire were utilized. Following data collection, the results were analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Resuls: Literacy is positively and moderately correlated with the self-esteem of female learners. This factor is also associated with problem-solving abilities. Women who lack reading and writing skills exhibit a lower sense of competence compared to their literate counterparts. They often experience a fear of reading, which may lead to subsequent avoidance behaviors.

Literacy education significantly contributes to the enhancement of mental health in terms of problem-solving skills and self-esteem among female learners participating in literacy programs. With the continuation of literacy education, this improvement is expected to increase further.

Human activities have imposed harmful effects on the environment, threatening human health, biodiversity, and habitats. Consequently, efforts have been made to achieve effective interventions in the environmental field, which can be evaluated through a comprehensive understanding of changes in indicators. Considering the number and diversity of these indices, this article identifies priority indicators for Iran, aiming to inform policy-making.

A set of indicators was examined from the indices of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the National Standard Organization, and the Department of Environment of Iran, as well as from international organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the European Environment Agency, the Joint Monitoring Program of WHO/UNICEF, the Environmental Performance Index reports, and indices from Canada.

A total of 22 priority indicators across various domains have been proposed for Iran, including outdoor and indoor air pollution, water quality, sanitation and hygiene, wastewater management, ultraviolet radiation, waste management, climate change, indoor exposure to heavy metals and radon gas, electromagnetic waves, the burden of diseases attributed to environmental risk factors, ecosystems, and the distribution of urban and rural populations.

By establishing a standardized set of these indicators, policymakers can track the progress of their environmental initiatives and assess their effectiveness. This evidence-based approach helps ensure that environmental efforts are targeted and effective in addressing the most pressing issues.

Governance in environmental health is a crucial issue for promoting public health. This governance encompasses the management and monitoring of environmental factors that can influence human health. As a key institution in this domain, the Supreme Council of Health and Food Security (SCHFS) plays a significant role.

This study was conducted through a survey of the documents and approvals of the SCHFS (2003-2023) and their quantitative and qualitative analysis in the field of environmental health engineering.

The results indicate that out of a total of 140 clauses approved over the twenty-year period, 22% are dedicated to various aspects of environmental health. The highest percentage of approvals pertains to food safety and hygiene (29%). Additionally, 7% of the approvals relate to air pollution, while 26% concern water quality and wastewater management. Among other significant approvals in the realm of environmental health are the establishment of the country's comprehensive environmental health information system and the endorsement of Health Impact Assessment standards. The majority of approvals are associated with the 9th and 10th governments. A total of 18 meetings have been held during the reviewed period, highlighting a lack of meeting frequency.

This statistic is directly linked to the importance of environmental health engineering in health policies and its impact on public health, quality of life, and food security. By formulating comprehensive policies and programs and enhancing inter-sector coordination, this council can contribute to improving environmental health and addressing its challenges.