Journal of Research in Health Sciences
Volume:25 Issue: 2, Spring 2025

Despite extensive research examining the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and suicide, the extent to which EI can prevent suicidal behaviors remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate this relationship.

 Study Design:

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study.

A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to September 8, 2024. Studies exploring the relationship between mean EI scores and suicidal behaviors were included. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and the likelihood of publication bias was evaluated using Begg’s and Egger’s tests. The primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD) in EI scores between individuals with and without suicidal behaviors or ideation using a random-effects model.

Out of 3470 studies initially identified, 10 studies (including 2532 participants) met the eligibility criteria. The results showed that individuals without suicidal attempts had significantly higher overall EI scores than those who did (SMD=0.99; 95% CI: 0.58-1.40; P<0.001). Similarly, individuals without suicidal ideation had significantly higher EI scores (SMD=0.47; 95% CI: 0.13-0.82; P=0.007). No evidence of publication bias was found (P=0.525).

These findings suggest that higher EI is associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Incorporating EI into psychological treatments and suicide prevention programs may be beneficial in mitigating suicidal behaviors.

Behavioral modification programs have improved body composition, dietary behavior (DB), and physical activity (PA). However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of these programs among overweight high school students in rural areas of Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of a school-based behavioral modification (SBM) program on these factors among high school students with overweight.

Study Design: 

This study employed a randomized controlled trial.

The study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023 among overweight high school students. A total of 100 overweight students were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n=50) or a control (n=50) group. The intervention group received an SBM, while the control group received the usual educational program. The chi-square test, independentsamples t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Cochran’s Q test were used to analyze data.

Both groups were female (72.0%), with a mean age of 17.03 years. At the follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in DB and PA and a reduction in sedentary behavior compared to the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups regarding biceps (P=0.001), triceps (P=0.031), and waist circumference (P<0.001).

The SBM effectively increased students’ PA, improved DBs, decreased sedentary behavior, and resulted in changes in body composition. These findings indicated that SBM programs are useful for healthcare providers or teachers to promote healthy behaviors among students and can be applied in related research in different contexts and situations.

Around 810 women die daily due to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. In India, despite advancements in maternal health initiatives, pregnancy loss (PL) rates remain high. This study analyzed the determinants, prevalence, and spatial distribution of PL in India.

Study Design: 

This study employed a cross-sectional design.

Using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-2021), the study analyzed 255,385 pregnancies to assess the prevalence of PL. The analysis includes sociodemographic variables and spatial factors affecting PL rates.

The national PL prevalence is 11.1%, comprising 7.3% miscarriages, 2.9% abortions, and 0.9% stillbirths. Higher PL rates correlated with older maternal age, urban residence, higher wealth index, and tobacco use. The spatial analysis identified 84 districts as hot spots for PL, primarily located in Northern and Eastern India, while 89 cold spots were identified in Central and North-Eastern regions. Multilevel logistic regression revealed that women aged 35-49 years (aOR=3.8, 95% CI: 1.26-1.63) and women who used tobacco (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.09-1.49) were at a significantly higher risk of PL compared to younger women (<20 years) and nontobacco users, respectively.

The study highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying causes of PLs and recommends strengthening the health system in hot spot districts. This can be achieved through targeted interventions that address regional disparities and socio-economic determinants, ultimately improving maternal health outcomes.

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represents a significant global health challenge, accounting for 71% of global deaths. This concern is also widespread in Morocco. Consanguinity, common in Arab and Muslim regions, could influence the genetic predisposition to these diseases. This study aimed to explore the impact of consanguineous marriage (CM) on predisposition to these chronic illnesses among the populace in Settat province, Morocco, concerning prevalent NCDs.

Study Design:

 A cross-sectional study.

This study was conducted in Settat, Morocco, from April to October 2021 and included 453 married women aged 18 and above. Participants were selected from rural and urban health centers using a two-stage sampling method. The data were collected through structured interviews using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analyses with SPSS 26 assessed associations between consanguinity and NCDs in respondents and their descendants using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals.

The participants had a mean age of 38.04 years, with 35% residing in rural areas and 26.7% having a CM. The results indicated that individuals with consanguineous ancestors have a greater risk of contracting NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (OR=2.047, P=0.005), diabetes (OR=1.988, P=0.009), asthma (OR=2.069, P=0.036), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR=1.732, P=0.045), and cancer (OR=1.646, P=0.1), compared to those with non-consanguineous parents.

It is essential to integrate the harmful effects of consanguinity on future generations’ health into public health policy through genetic counseling, testing, screening, and awareness programs.

Amnesia is a cognitive impairment that manifests as a deficit in the retrieval of previous memories and the acquisition of novel information. Limited research, especially in Iran, exists on the risk factors of amnesia, and smoking might be linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing memory issues and cognitive decline, including amnesia. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors associated with amnesia and the connection between smoking and amnesia.

Study Design: 

A population-based cross-sectional study.

This study was conducted at the baseline of the Hoveyzeh cohort study on adults aged 35–70 years in southwest Iran between 2016 and 2018. The required data on socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, history of stroke, history of epilepsy, and history of head trauma were collected from the participants. The relationship between smoking and amnesia was assessed, and multiple logistic regression was employed to account for potential confounding variables.

The mean age of the participants was 48.83±9.20 years, and 39% were male. The overall prevalence of amnesia was 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8–4.6). The odds of having amnesia were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (adjusted odds ratio=1.52 [95% CI: 1.21–1.91]). Additionally, several other factors, including age, education level, type of residence, history of stroke, epilepsy, and history of trauma, were associated with amnesia.

Our investigations revealed a direct correlation between smoking and amnesia. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these associations, it will be imperative to conduct future longitudinal studies.

 Anemia is a common blood disorder in developing countries and is associated with diseases such as diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anemia and anthropometric profiles in the Tabari cohort population.

Study Design:

 A case-control study.

 In this study, we used a subset of data collected during the first phase of the Tabari cohort study (TCS). All participants who had anemia were included in the case group (1352 individuals) using the census method. The control group (1352 individuals) consisted of participants who did not have anemia and were randomly selected from the remaining participants. The case and control groups were matched for age and gender. Anthropometric indices, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), were measured by qualified and trained persons. Hematological indices were measured, and data were analyzed using the chi-square test and independent t test. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for possible confounding variables.

 The place of residence, education level, socioeconomic status, WC, BMI, and WHR were significantly different between the case and control groups (P<0.05). Anthropometric indices, including BMI (adjusted OR=0.75; 95 % CI 0.61, 0.91), WC (adjusted OR=0.86; 95 % CI 0.74, 1.00), and WHR (adjusted OR=0.75; 95 % CI 0.64, 0.88), were significantly different between the case and control groups (P<0.05).

 Anthropometric indices were associated with anemia, and participants with higher BMI, WC, and WHR were less likely to develop anemia.

Sleep quality is crucial in heart failure (HF) patients, yet its associations with clinical, demographic, and psychosocial factors remain underexplored. This study examined these relationships to identify predictors of poor sleep quality.

Study Design:

 A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional was conducted on 354 HF patients at Shahid Chamran Heart Hospital, Isfahan, Iran (September 2023-2024). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to evaluate sleep quality, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Random forest (RF) modeling and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression identified predictors of poor sleep quality.

Poor sleep quality (PSQI>7) was observed in 18% of patients who were older (70.00±6.30, P<0.001) and had lower ejection fraction (EF) (23.75±12.79%, P<0.001). This group also had higher systolic blood pressure (BP 140.67±12.50 mmHg, P=0.014). Complex medication regimens, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics, were associated with poor sleep (P<0.001). Moreover, depression (HADS-depression: 5.36±0.70, P<0.001) and anxiety (HADS-anxiety: 4.84±1.32, P<0.001) were correlated with poor sleep. The RF model had an area under the curve of 0.79, and OLS regression (R2=0.280) highlighted New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and medication type as significant predictors.

Overall, poor sleep quality in HF patients was related to older age, reduced cardiac function, higher blood pressure (BP), complex medication regimens, and increased anxiety and depression. Accordingly, multidimensional management strategies are needed to improve sleep outcomes.

 Exploring the pattern of diseases in space and time enhances our understanding of truly needy areas. The present study aimed to explore spatiotemporal mapping of colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC) incidence using Bayesian models and space-time scan statistics in Hamadan Province from 2010 to 2019.

Study Design: 

An ecological time-series study.

 In this study, the data on CRC and GC cases were obtained from Hamadan cancer registry. The crude standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated for each county per year. Hierarchical Bayesian space-time models were fitted to estimate adjusted SIRs. Space time cluster analysis was performed using space-time scan statistic.

 A total of 1864 CRC cases and 2340 GC cases were included in the analyses. The central counties, including Hamadan (smoothed SIR range: 1.24-1.28) and Tuyserkan (1.01-1.24), exhibited higher than expected number of CRC cases. Northern counties such as Razan (1.19-1.51) and Kabudarahang (1.21-1.42), along with Nahavand in the south (0.98, 1.53), also showed higher than expected number of GC cases. The most likely spatiotemporal cluster of CRC was identified in Hamadan and Tuyserkan occurring between 2015 and 2019 (relative risk [RR]=1.82, P<0.001). The most likely spatiotemporal cluster of GC was identified in Nahavand from 2010 to 2011 (RR=1.87, P<0.001).

 Spatiotemporal inequality in the incidence of CRC and GC was identified in Hamadan province over the past decade. The findings may help to reduce cancer disparities and allocate effective resources in the appropriate region and time in the future.