Capacity of Social Institutions: Towards Participation in Community‑Centered Management Programs

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Capacity of Social Institutions: Towards Participation in Community‑Centered Management Programs15EN20250907The new managerial approach demands the profound examination of capacities, resources, and facilities in social institutions and organizations and optimum and systemic utilization of capacities such as individuals’ abilities, expertise, and skills within the framework of social institutions. This approach will thus empower the community, which is the most appropriate platform for sustainable development, and improve systemic and integrated management. The study is designed systematically to identify the capacities of social institutions to empower the existing capacities and plan management and educational programs in a better manner to use these capacities within communities. This systematic review study is conducted until February 15, 2024. The PRISMA system was used to track the review process and findings. Databases were searched for relevant articles, and the STROBE checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. The community‑based social organizations will still face budgetary challenges and costs in their capacity‑building efforts. As such, advanced management techniques such as teamwork, collaboration and coordination between departments, innovative thinking, brainstorming, or even the use of program evaluation and analytical actions can help reduce possible challenges. This calls for the availability of exact management models and planners in both government systems and people‑centered systems to coordinate such capacities. This will seek to shed more light on the important role of social institutions and hence serve to give a clearer understanding of challenges, opportunities, and supportive actions for such institutions to contribute to better government system management.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2995http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2995/717718836

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Detecting the Seasonal and Spatial Patterns of COVID‑19 Hospitalization and Deaths in Iran: Insights from a Spatiotemporal and Hotspot Analysis614EN1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran2Department of Human Geography and Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 3Department of Architecture, Bologna University, Italy1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran2Department of Human Geography and Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran4Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran5Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,6School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran7HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Centre for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran20250507Background: Understanding the seasonal and spatial patterns of COVID‑19 hospitalization and deaths is crucial for effective hospital management, resource allocation, and public health interventions. The current study conducts a spatiotemporal hotspot analysis that explores the seasonal and geographical patterns of high‑risk areas of COVID‑19 hospitalizations and deaths in Iran. Methods: Provincial‑level data on laboratory‑confirmed COVID‑19 cases with acute respiratory symptoms in Iran (February 2019–March 30, 2022) were collected. Hotspot analyses mapped seasonal incidence risks, and Global Moran’s spatial autocorrelation analysis identified COVID‑19 clusters. Results: Over the 2 years, 26 hotspots and 11 cold spots were identified (P < 0.05). Western and central provinces showed the highest hospitalization hotspots, while the west and north had the most death hotspots. South and southeast provinces exhibited low incidence and the highest number of cold spots. High‑risk areas were prevalent in spring and autumn, mainly in the west, north, and central regions. Conclusions: This research unveils the clustering patterns of COVID‑19 hospitalizations and fatalities in Iran during the most severe pandemic. Spatial clusters and dynamic hotspots varied across regions and time. Prioritizing high‑risk areas during critical epidemic waves, devising seasonal care strategies, and implementing preventive measures can significantly improve health outcomes.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2989http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2989/717718830

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907The Fundamental Place of Pap Test in Iran, Does Primary HPV‑Genotyping Seem Cost‑Effective in Replace? A Cohort Study1520EN1Department of Urogynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran2Department of Gynecology Oncology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, 3Reproductive Sciences and Sexual Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran4Department of Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, 5Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John ’s, NL, CA1B,3V6, Canada6Cancer Prevention Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran7Department of Gynecology Oncology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran20250507Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known risk factor for cervical cancer, and currently, primary HPV typing is recommended for screening instead of cervical cytology. However, there are limited studies on the prevalence of HPV in Iran. Methods: This cross‑sectional study evaluated the liquid‑based cervical smears of 700 women with no history of HPV vaccination and cervical dysplastic disease from 2017 to 2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Here, we compare the prevalence of HPV genotypes using COBAS with Pap smear cytology results in evaluating the most appropriate cervical cancer screening test. Results: The prevalence of HPV infection was 23.3%, including 8.7% with HPV 16/18 and 14.6% with other HR (high‑risk) HPVs. In cytology reports, 8 out of 16 individuals with high‑risk lesions were negative for any type of HPV; on the other hand, there were 129 HR HPV‑positive patients out of 570 negative or low‑risk Pap smear results. Conclusions: It assumed that there is no superiority for HPV genotyping over cytology or vice versa in detecting high‑risk patients for cervical cancer; as only 26.8% of women with HPV show abnormal cytology; and from those with normal cytology, 17.9% were positive for HR HPV.International Journal of Preventive Medicine <a href="https://journals.lww.com/ijom/toc/2025/04240">16():21, April 2025.</a> | DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_283_23Corresponding Author: Dr. Leila Mousavi SereshtE‑mail:lmousavi.lm@gmail.comYou can also search for this author in: <a title="PubMed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%28Leila+Mousavi+Seresht%2C%5BAuthor%5D%29+AND+%28Isfahan+University+of+Medical+Sciences%5BAffiliation%5D%29&sort=">PubMed</a> <a title="Google Scholar" href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Leila+Mousavi+Seresht&btnG=">Google Scholar</a>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2990http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2990/717718831

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Assessing the Economic Implications of a Diagnosis‑Related Groups Payment System in Iran’s Health System Transformation Plan2130EN1Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran, 2 Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan3 Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd4 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd5 Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20250811Background: The Health System Transformation Plan (HSTP) in Iran aimed to enhance universal health coverage through improved access and reduced out‑of‑pocket payments. However, rising healthcare expenditures have posed challenges. The Diagnosis‑Related Groups (DRG) payment system has been implemented in developed countries to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance service quality. This study estimates the potential cost savings in pharmaceutical and inpatient services within the HSTP framework, focusing on public hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (MUI). Methods: This study was conducted in three stages. First, a cross‑sectional study design was used to collect current inpatient and pharmaceutical costs from public hospitals affiliated with MUI before and after the health sector reform. Second, a meta‑analysis was conducted to determine the effects of implementing the DRG payment system on the costs of inpatient and pharmaceutical services. Finally, the possible costs of medication and hospitalization in 2015 were estimated by applying the annual inflation rate. The predicted costs were calculated by multiplying the impact values of the DRG payment system on the estimated expenses in 2015. The potential cost savings were calculated by subtracting the current expenses from the predicted expenses based on the DRG payment system. Results: Based on the assumption ratio of changes following the implementation of the DRG payment system, the study estimated cost savings of $60,282,055 in both inpatient and pharmaceutical expenses. Conclusions: Implementing the DRG payment system could have resulted in significant cost savings, equivalent to 9.2% of the total health sector expenditures of MUI.<span class="ej-journal-name" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: 500; color: #3b3030; font-family: 'Fira Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">International Journal of Preventive Medicine <span id="ej-journal-date-volume-issue-pg" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #3b3030; font-family: 'Fira Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #005b92; text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" href="https://journals.lww.com/ijom/toc/2025/04240">16():22, April 2025.</a><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #3b3030; font-family: 'Fira Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> | <span class="ej-journal-doi" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: 500; color: #3b3030; font-family: 'Fira Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">DOI: <span style="color: #3b3030; font-family: 'Fira Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_359_23<p style="margin: 1em 0px; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Corresponding Author: Dr. Reza Khadivi<p style="margin: 1em 0px; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">E‑mail:khadivi@med.mui.ac.ir<p style="margin: 1em 0px; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">You can also search for this author in: <a title="PubMed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%28Reza+khadivi%2C%5BAuthor%5D%29+AND+%28Isfahan+University+of+Medical+Sciences%5BAffiliation%5D%29">PubMed</a> <a title="Google Scholar" href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1MwsyQQAAAAJ&hl=en">Google Scholar</a>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2991http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2991/717718832

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Scrutinizing the Perspective of Family Physician Teams After the first Decade of Implementation of Urban Family Physician Program: A Thematic Qualitative Study from Iran3150EN20250906Background: Urban Family Physician Program (UFPP) passed the first ten years of its age in Iran. In this study, we aimed to determine the strengths and challenges of this program from the viewpoints of family physician (FP) teams to address comprehensive evidences and solutions for its improvement. Methods: In this qualitative study, using purposeful sampling, 58 members of FP teams from ten cities of Fars province were interviewed. In‑depth semistructured phone interviews were performed. The trustworthiness of data was checked using Guba and Lincoln criteria. Results: Interviewees’ mean years of working in UFPP was 6.9 ± 3.5 years. Themes of challenges included: Inefficient governance, Challenging information system, Fragile financing system, Inefficient service provision, Inefficient Health Workforce, and Inadequate medical products and technologies. Themes of strengths included: Improving governance, Comprehensive information system, Improved quality of service delivery, Improved health workforce conditions, Curbing the costs of health systems, and Capability of application of new technologies. The bulk of views were toward challenges compared with the strengths. Conclusions: After the first decade of running UFPP and regardless of some contradictory opinions among family physician teams, the challenges of this program outweigh its strengths. These evidences address the need for a fundamental reform in this program.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2992http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2992/717718833

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Dietary Antioxidant Minerals (Cr, Mg, Cu, Se, Zn) in Diabetic Children and their Relationship with Fasting and Postprandial Blood Glucose5157EN20250906Background: Dietary micronutrient levels can influence glucose and insulin regulation. Studies show micronutrients can have a positive effect on blood sugar control. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood sugar levels and dietary antioxidant minerals (Cr, Mg, Cu, Se, Zn) in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This cross‑sectional study was conducted on 82 children aged 3–18 with type 1 diabetes. A three‑day food record was used to collect dietary information. Fasting blood sugar and 2‑hour postprandial glucose were recorded by parents. Dietary data were extracted by N4. SPSS Version 27 was used for all statistical analyses. Results: The average age of subjects was 10/3 ± 3/3 years. According to the comparison of intake amounts of antioxidant minerals based on age and sex with Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), most children reported enough intake. A significant positive relationship was observed between the intake of copper and 2 hours of blood sugar after breakfast (P values < 0.05). We found a significant relationship between intake of chromium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc with blood sugar levels, after adjusting for confounding variables (P values < 0.05). Conclusions: The amount of dietary antioxidant minerals in most children was within the appropriate range compared with the RDA. There is a significant relationship between dietary antioxidant minerals (chromium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc) and fasting and postprandial blood glucose after adjusting for confounding variables.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2993http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2993/717718834

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907Machine Learning Helps in Prediction of Tobacco Smoking in Adolescents5866EN20250907Background: Considering the increasing prevalence of adolescent smoking in recent years, this study proposes a machine learning (ML) approach for distinguishing adolescents who are prone to start smoking and those who do not directly confess to smoking. Methods: We used two repeated measures cross‑sectional studies, including data from 7940 individuals as distinct training and test datasets. Utilizing the randomized least absolute shrinkage and selector operator (LASSO), the most influential factors were selected. We then investigated the performance of different ML approaches for the automatic classification of students into smoker/nonsmoker and low‑risk/high‑risk categories. Results: Randomized LASSO feature selection prioritized 15 factors, including peer influence, risky behaviors, attitude and school policy toward smoking, family factors, depression, and sex as the most influential factors in smoking. Applying different ML approaches to the three study plans yielded an AUC of up to 0.92, sensitivity of up to 0.88, PPV of up to 0.72, specificity of up to 0.98, and NPV of up to 0.99. Conclusions: The results showed the capability of our ML approach to distinguish between classes of smokers and nonsmokers. This model can be used as a brief screening tool for automated prediction of individuals susceptible to smoking for more precise preventive intervention plans focusing on adolescents.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2996http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2996/717718837

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216420250907The Missed Role of Medical Students in Health‑Promoting Hospitals6768EN20250907Dear Editor, The World Health Organization has introduced health‑promoting hospitals (HPH) as an effective strategy to make changes, enhance hospital management systems, and improve the health of patients, hospital staff, and the communities served by hospitals.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2994http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2994/717718835