International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780216820250908131EN20250908Background: Sanctions can affect humanitarian, GDP growth, the value of the national currency, income inequality, poverty, food security, and health. This study aims to represent the relationship between sanctions and public health and the strategies to deal with it. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach. We used data and information from two sources: a scoping literature review and a survey on experts' opinions (10 participants from health policymakers, managers, and researchers). Inductive thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the qualitative data with the MAXQDA software version 10. Results: The international economic sanctions affect directly and indirectly on targeted population's right to access social welfare and health. The literature review about Iran showed that the sanction had affected public health in four general respects: Economic, Sociocultural, political, and direct health factors. The strategies to deal with sanctions categorized into two themes are the health sector and the health-related extra-sector. Conclusions: The devastating effects of economic sanctions directly and indirectly on health have significantly reduced financial and physical access to drugs and medical equipment in Iran, leading to a substantial decline in public health, The UN and the international community should anticipate these side-effects of sanctions to prevent further humanitarian catastrophes in the future.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3020http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3020/717718861

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802168202509083240EN20250908Background: Poor glycemic control and oxidative stress can accelerate the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) complications. Recently, the potential benefits of herbs in managing T2D have received more attention. Therefore, we examined the effect of consuming dried Ziziphus jujube (ZJ) on plasma insulin, blood pressure, oxidative stress markers, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in T2D patients with excess weight. Methods: Forty‑eight diabetic patients with excess weight were selected and randomly assigned to the ZJ group (n = 24) or the control group (n = 24). The case group received 30g of dried ZJ fruit daily for three months. Concentrations of fasting insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), carboxymethyl lysine (CML), and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Results: After adjusting for baseline values, the ZJ group showed a significant decrease in systolic BP (up to 7 mmHg) and diastolic BP (up to 5 mmHg) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma insulin levels significantly decreased (up to 4.6 mIU/L) in the ZJ group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the mean changes of plasma TAC, MDA, and CML between the two groups. Conclusions: The present study suggests that consuming 30g/day of dried ZJ fruit may improve some cardiometabolic profiles, including plasma insulin and blood pressure in T2D patients with excess weight. Trial registration: The present clinical trial has been enrolled in the Iranian registry of clinical trials with the registration number IRCT20181210041913N1.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3018http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3018/717718859

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802168202509084147EN20250908Background: This study aims to evaluate the relationship of pulmonary symptoms and co‑morbidity diseases with lung function in adult smokers. Methods: Three hundred and fifty men adults over the age of 20 were involved. Spirometry tests were performed for measuring FVC, FEV1, and FEV1% FVC. COPD was categorized into four stages (I–IV) by the (GOLD) criteria of post‑bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70. For comparing the mean of pulmonary functions regarding the following variables, pulmonary symptoms, and co‑morbidity diseases, t‑test was used. Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to get association between stages of COPD and study variables. Further analysis using multiple regressions was conducted to confirm the predictors of the pulmonary functions. The level of significance is taken as P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 54.7543 ± 13.44. A total of 43 (19.5%) participants were COPD; 7% of them were Stage I, 23.3% were Stage II, 39.5% were Stage III, and 30.2% were Stage IV. The mean of FEV1 in participants with shortness of breath (P < 0.001), cough (P = 0.001), wheezing (P = 0.023), as well as cardiovascular disease (P = 0.038) was significantly less in compared to those without these symptoms and disease. Also the mean of FVC in participants with shortness of breath (P < 0.001) and cough (P = 0.029) was significantly less in compared to others. Finally, the mean of FEV1/FVC in participants with shortness of breath (P < 0.001), cough (P = 0.001), and wheezing (P = 0.01) was less. The relationship between stages of COPD and other variables indicated a significant association between stages of COPD and diabetes mellitus (β = ‑.342P = 0.030). According to linear regression model, shortness of breath was the only influential variable on FEV1 (B = ‑.383CI: ‑23.729, ‑12.155 P < 0.001), FVC (B = ‑.296CI: ‑.365CI: ‑15.336, ‑6.082 P < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC (B = ‑.365, CI: ‑18.362, ‑9.029 P < 0.001). Conclusions: Pulmonary symptoms including shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing influenced the lung function in adult smokers. Additionally, shortness of breath was associated with FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. Cardiovascular disease decreased FEV1 in smokers, whereas diabetes mellitus was associated with milder COPD stages.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3021http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3021/717718862

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802168202509084859EN20250908Background: A high‑fat diet (HFD) significantly contributes to the development of chronic diseases, which have become a major public health concern. These diseases affect individuals’ health and quality of life and hinder socioeconomic progress. Trace elements (TEs) are crucial in various physiological and biochemical processes. Although the effects of single or a few TEs have been extensively reported, considering the complex interactions between different TEs, the effects of balanced supplementation of multiple TEs still need further investigation. Methods: In this research, 11 TEs (B, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, and Mo) were selected and prepared as a mixed solution in specific proportions to supplement rats. The study investigated the effects of balanced supplementation of multiple TEs on inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune function in rats fed an HFD. Results: The results demonstrated that supplementing multiple TEs had several positive effects, including increased lipid metabolism in HFD rats, improved dyslipidemia, reduced weight and obesity incidence, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and improved anti‑inflammatory capacity. Conclusions: Therefore, the balanced supplementation of various TEs is expected to become an effective method to prevent and control the harmful effects of HFDhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3022http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3022/717718863

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802168202509086062EN20250908The digital era has been characterized by quick technological developments, and it has transformed every aspect of human life. Adolescence is a period where significant physical, emotional, and social development happens and, in this phase, only habits and behaviors are formed, thus it becomes vital to take measures for a healthy foundation for adulthood. Moreover, since adolescents are among the highest users of digital platforms, including social media applications, we can leverage these platforms to inculcate healthy behaviors through a combination of digital interactions. The advances in the digital era do come with a set of challenges, which must be acknowledged and appropriately dealt with to effectively and efficiently optimize the benefits. In conclusion, in the digital era, there are ample opportunities available for applications and online platforms to improve the health standards and well‑being of adolescents. The need of the hour is to overcome the existing challenges and optimize the use of available digital applications for the betterment and empowerment of adolescents.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3019http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3019/717718860

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802168202509086363EN20250908To the Editor, A recent study published in your journal shows that mental health issues are being neglected by many, especially the parents who were raised without the idea of the effects of mental health problems.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/3017http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/3017/717718858