Social Determinants of Health

Background: This study was conducted with the aim of designing the architectural model of human resources of universities of medical sciences in southeastern provinces of Iran with the intelligent approach.

Methods: This study was of a mixed method.The statistical population in the qualitative part was 20 experts of medical sciences managers in the southeastern provinces of Iran, namely Sistan and Baluchistan, Kerman, Hormozgan and South Khorasan. Also, 264 people were selected using G*Power for quantitative part. Sampling of this part was random cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire containing 77 items that included six dimensions of intelligent human resources architecture and six dimensions of intelligentization. The software used was Smart-PLS and SPSS-16.

Results: The proposed model identified six main dimensions of human resource intelligentization, including intelligent systems and management (0.960), intelligent learning (0.955), intelligent architecture strategy (0.953), core technology (0.945), and knowledge management (0.451). The key components within these dimensions included intelligent performance evaluation, job task specialization, fostering creativity, and organizational efficiency. The model's validity was confirmed in terms of reliability (Cronbach's alpha and CR above 0.7), convergent validity (AVE above 0.5), and appropriate R² and t-values. The findings indicated that the model's dimensions and components align with the needs of medical universities.

Conclusion: University managers should try to draw and compile the horizon of intelligent organizational architecture and in line with the implementation policies of intelligentization and plan to acquire new technologies in the field of artificial intelligence and use it.

Background: The challenges associated with integrating metaverse technology into tourism are multifaceted, encompassing technical barriers, ethical considerations, social acceptance issues, and market dynamics. Aim of this study was identifying the Challenges of Metaverse Technology for The Tourism Industry.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were generally conducted in person. The statistical population of this research is tourism industry experts and metaverse technology experts. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants and field notes kept by the researchers.

Results: The findings are presented in three themes, including discussion in relation to relevant research: Stakeholder Perceptions and Adoption Barriers, Ethical and Privacy Concerns, Economic Implications, Future Directions and Opportunities, Digital Addiction and Mental Health, Cultural Authenticity and Representation, Control and Governance Issues and Ethical Use of Technology.

Conclusion: The integration of metaverse technology into the tourism sector presents various challenges that stakeholders must navigate. These challenges can be categorized into technical, ethical, and social dimensions.

Background: The aim of the present study was to design and validate a family-centered psychological intervention program based on spiritual therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy and its effectiveness on the lifestyle of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The method of the present study was a combination based on a guided exploratory approach with a classification model, whose qualitative phase was based on the grounded theory method and its quantitative phase was based on a quasi-experimental design based on a pre-test-post-test-follow-up design with a control group. The sampling method for the qualitative part was purposive based on theoretical saturation and the sampling method for the quantitative part was available to 30 people. The instrument used was the Lali et al. lifestyle questionnaire.

Results: Findings related to the qualitative section showed that the family-centered psychological intervention program based on spirituality and cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes included 12, 60-minute sessions, which was validated based on the seven-step technique of Lawshe. Also, findings related to the repeated measures variance test showed that the intervention program had a significant effect (p<0.01) on increasing lifestyle scores in the post-test and maintaining scores in the follow-up phase.

Conclusion: Overall, the results of the present study showed that the family-centered psychological intervention package based on spirituality and cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes can be used as a complementary technique alongside drug therapy to improve lifestyle and treatment process of diabetic patients.

Background: This study investigated the impact of discount messages and individual self-control on arousal and Impulse buying behavior during purchasing processes.

 Methods: A laboratory experiment was conducted using a 2×3 between-subjects factorial design with 99 participants (mean age = 24.5, SD = 3.2; 52% female), randomly assigned to six experimental groups. The independent variables were self-control and discount message type (product-based discount, percentage discount, or no discount). Participants completed a simulated online shopping task while EEG data were recorded from 19 channels (10-20 system), focusing on frontal beta-to-alpha power ratios as a neural marker of arousal. Impulse buying was measured via post-experiment purchase intentions and actual checkout behavior. Data were analyzed using mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 4) with bootstrapping (5,000 samples).

Results: The findings indicate that arousal did not significantly mediate the relationship between self-control and impulse buying. However, arousal significantly mediated the effect of product discount on impulse buying but not percentage discount. Furthermore, product discounts had a direct positive effect on impulse buying, while percentage discounts did not significantly influence impulse buying. These results highlight that discount type plays a crucial role in triggering arousal-driven impulse buying behavior. EEG analysis revealed that heightened arousal levels (beta-to-alpha ratios in frontal regions) corresponded with increased impulse Buying, reinforcing the role of arousal as a driver of emotional decision-making.

Conclusion: These insights emphasize the need for marketing strategies that balance emotional engagement and consumer self-regulation. Businesses should consider differentiating discount types and promotional techniques to sustain consumer interest while mitigating post-purchase regret.

Background: This study aimed to investigate how self-compassion affected the quality of sleep and overall well-being of moms whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. Thirty mothers were randomly divided into an experimental group (15 participants) receiving self-compassion training and a control group (15 participants) receiving no intervention. Data collection tools included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, quantitative electroencephalography, and a self-compassion protocol. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24, with descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

Results: Results showed no substantial differences between groups in the pre-test phase. However, post-test results revealed significant improvements in the experimental group. Self-compassion interventions significantly enhanced sleep quality (F=45.64, P<0.01), life quality (F=275.12, P<0.01), and alpha wave activity (F=176.64, P<0.01). These improvements highlight the effectiveness of self-compassion training in reducing stress and anxiety, leading to increased satisfaction and calmness.

Conclusion: Self-compassion-based programs can serve as a beneficial approach to enhancing sleep quality and overall life quality in mothers of children with ADHD. This research underscores the potential of self-compassion interventions in promoting mental well-being and improving physiological and psychological outcomes.

Background: The current investigation set out to investigate the effects of compassion for oneself, sense of mission, and health knowledge on the standard of life of students at the Tehran campuses of Islamic Azad University.

Method: The present research used a correlational and descriptive approach. All master's and doctorate students in humanities fields (literature, history, philosophy, and sociology) enrolled in the Islamic Azad University branches in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year, totaling over 50,000 students, made up the estimated population. The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, the Ryff goal in life scale, the Neff self-compassion scale, and the Montazeri et al. health awareness questionnaire were among the instruments used for gathering the data. Following the completion of the surveys, structural equation modeling tests and SPSS-24 and Smart-PLS software were used to evaluate the data.

Results: The findings showed that students' quality of life is substantially enhanced by health knowledge, compassion for oneself, and a sense of purpose. In particular, students' quality of life was higher when they had greater levels of compassion for oneself, goals, and health awareness.

Conclusion: Enhancing these variables among students can contribute to improving their quality of life, and these variables have a major impact in enhancing the quality of life of students.

Background: Social determinants of health (SDH) are an emerging concept with significant influence on health and may have an impact on children presenting with acute illnesses including those with hypoglycemia. Herein, we explored the relationship between SDH and the prevalence of hypoglycemia and outcomes among children presenting with acute emergencies in northwestern Nigeria. 

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of children admitted into the emergency ward of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. At the presentation, we obtained socio-demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, random blood sugar, and outcomes (duration of hospitalization, death or discharged) and analyzed them with SPSS.

Results: We included 597 children with a median (interquartile range) age of 3.5 (1.3 to 8) years. Most children were under 5 (337; 56.64%), and males (328; 54.9%). Most mothers of the children included had no formal education, 76.7% (458). The prevalence of hypoglycemia (< 2.8 mmol/L) was 8.2% (49/597), with a 99% confidence interval (CI) of 6.3 to 10.7%.  Based on the age, children aged 13 to 59 months had the highest prevalence of hypoglycemia (11.0%) with 99% CI of 7.4 to 16.1%. At presentation, gender, parents' occupations, parents' education levels, and socio-economic classes were not associated with hypoglycemia. The case fatality rate for hypoglycemia was 16.3% (8/49), which was higher than children without hypoglycemia (4.1%; 20/482), p<0.05.

Conclusion: This study shows that among the SDH evaluated, only children aged 13–59 months were associated with hypoglycemia. In addition, the presence of hypoglycemia increased the odds of death by 4.5.

Background: This study aimed to identify the management challenges of the health sector in the local press of Iran.

Methods: A qualitative design was employed using thematic analysis to explore the data. Participants included university professors, award holders, responsible managers, chairpersons, and editors of local Iranian press outlets. Purposeful sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached (20 participants). Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method with MaxQDA Pro software. Thematic analysis was chosen to systematically identify, organize, and interpret patterns (themes) within the data, providing both depth and clarity to the findings.

Results: The analysis identified 83 unique basic themes and 9 organizing themes as challenges facing the health sector in the local press. These challenges encompassed economic issues, transportation, public interest, content creation, human resources, facilities, education, legal frameworks, and stalls. Additionally, 41 unique basic themes and 6 organizing themes were identified as strategies, which included content development, human resources, infrastructure, economic improvements, legal reforms, and strategic planning. Two overarching themes—challenges and strategies—were extracted to provide a holistic understanding.

Conclusion: The local press serves as a vital tool for advancing health, cultural, and social development, particularly within specific geographical and socio-cultural contexts. To ensure their economic sustainability and survival amidst current challenges, strategic planning is crucial. Moreover, comprehensive support from cultural institutions is essential to empower the press in fulfilling its developmental role effectively.

Background: Healthcare professionals have been the most severely affected by the global pandemic known as COVID-19. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of healthcare workers in Iran regarding COVID-19 vaccination using a descriptive phenomenological approach to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and concerns involved.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to carry out the present investigation. Twelve medical doctors and nurses who previously administered the vaccine or are still unsure about administering it have been chosen using a purposive sampling method. The data was acquired by employing a semi-structured in-depth interview, and the data was analyzed using Colaizzi and Max software's 7-step technique.

Results: This study explores health personnel's attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. Among 12 participants, common reasons for vaccine hesitancy included distrust, perceived ineffectiveness, and concerns about vaccine safety. Conversely, motivations for vaccination included a sense of social responsibility, disease prevention, and advice from health experts. " Reasons for vaccine hesitancy" (vaccination infrastructure, social infrastructure, and personal infrastructure) and "justifications for administering vaccines" (sense of inevitability, comfort, social accountability, and disease management) are considered as principal and sub-categories classes, respectively.

Conclusion: The health personnel reported diverse experiences related to vaccination. Overall, it can be concluded that as society and even medical professionals have become more accepting of the vaccine, there has been a significant improvement in the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward accepting the COVID-19 vaccine, along with an increase in trust.

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