Katayoun Jahangiri

Religiosity, Gender, and Natural Disasters: A Qualitative Study of Disaster-Stricken Regions in Iran

While religiosity is emerging as one of the more important subjects in disaster management, identifying gender differences in using religion as a coping method has attracted very little attention. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of religiosity on disaster-affected women and men in the setting of Iran. A field-based investigation using a qualitative approach was carried out to achieve the study’s purpose. Data were collected using in-depth unstructured interviews with 25 participants who had been damaged by recent disasters. Two themes, negative and positive effects of religiosity, and five categories were extracted from the data. Women may be influenced by religion more than men, and thus, they can play key roles in strengthening the positive effects of religiosity.

Population and mortality profile in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2006–2035

Background The Islamic Republic of Iran has encountered demographic and epidemiological changes as a result of the transformation of health measures. Aims This study aimed to calculate the population and mortality in the Islamic Republic of Iran during the years 2006 to 2035. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional analytical-descriptive account. We calculated the age and sex structure of the Iranian population using census data as well as mathematical methods. The crude and causal death rates were calculated and their 20-year trend was predicted using the Lee-Carter model. Results In 2035, the age group 60 years and over will reach 17.6% of the total population. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases will be the biggest causes of an increase in the rate of death in the general population. The largest decline in cause of death is for unintentional injuries. Conclusions Noncommunicable diseases will increase as the aging population grows. Identification of their primary causal and risk factors can, therefore, contribute to prevention and control.

Analysis and Forecasting the Accident Mortality Trends in the Islamic Republic of Iran Applying Lee-Carter Model During the Years 2006 to 2035

Objective: To predict the accident mortality trend in next two decades in Iran. Methods: The study population comprised all deaths recorded in the system of registration and classification of causes of death of Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran during the years 2006 to 2015. The information was collected via death certificate, burial permit, and reporting forms. To forecast the trends of causes-of-death, Lee Carter model was employed in a demographic package 18.1 of R software version 3.3.1. Results: Based on the results, the highest percentage of all causes of death from accidents (in unintentional accidents) goes to transport accidents, and most top intentional accidents belonged to intentional self-harm. The trends of unintentional accidents in the whole population and both sexes have reduced from 2006 to 2035, such that the rate has reduced from 62.2 in 2006 to 12.1 per 100 thousand populations in 2035. It is anticipated that the causes of death due to intentional accidents with the rate of 8.86 in 2006, will be 1.89 (per 100,000 population) in the year 2035. Conclusion: Accident mortalities have a significant role in the deaths of Iranian population; therefore, to reduce the impact of accident mortality on society, a precise approach is needed to monitor the trends as well as preventing measures and increasing the safety standards.

Reproductive health in the recent disasters of Iran: a management perspective

BackgroundNatural disasters represent critical threats to the health, safety, and well-being of a community—including reproductive health, which has been neglected in disaster-stricken regions. The current study was undertaken to explore administrative issues related to post-disaster reproductive health systems in Iran.MethodsA qualitative approach using in-depth unstructured interviews was applied to explore the administrative issues of reproductive health systems in the affected regions. A total of 22 participants were interviewed using the purposeful sampling method. Data were collected in three provinces: East Azerbaijan, Bushehr, and Mazandaran. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using the conventional content analysis.ResultsSix categories of management issues of reproductive health in disasters were extracted from data. These categories were: ignoring cultural factors, lack of planning, lack of training, insufficient data collection, ignoring male reproductive health, and lack of monitoring systems.ConclusionDifferent challenges to reproductive health management that emerged from the research should be considered and included in reproductive health plans and policies in disaster-affected regions in Iran. Involving community in all processes of providing reproductive health services, from planning to monitoring, is highly suggested.

Women’s Challenges and Capabilities in Disasters: A Case Report of the Twin Earthquakes of Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran

Introduction: The twin earthquakes of eastern Azerbaijan induced considerable devastations of many villages and cities. About 70% of all victims were women and children. The present case report was aimed at describing the lessons learnt from both capabilities and challenges of girls and women after the twin earthquakes of eastern Azerbaijan. Methods: A qualitative approach using in-depth unstructured interviews was used for this study. A total of 13 participants (two men and 11 women), affected by the quakes, were interviewed applying the purposeful sampling method. A manifest content analysis was performed for analyzing the transcribed interviews Case presentation: Two categories of women’s capabilities and challenges and four subcategories of women’s participation in community reconstruction, livelihood efforts, aggravated poverty and violence were extracted from the data which were gathered in the destroyed fields of eastern Azerbaijan. Lessons learnt: Women can play an important role in post-disaster recovery. Consequently, ignoring the challenges and capabilities of women may impede post-disaster development processes, which would adversely affect the whole community.

Challenges of pre-disaster management in Iran: are organizations prepared to respond to freshwater oil spills?

AbstractOil spill in freshwater is one of the major threats to human health and environmental stability; protection of water resources based on pre-determined plans could prevent the occurrence of such a disaster. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges of pre-disaster management of oil spill incidents. This was a qualitative case study conducted in 2015 in Isfahan, Iran, on an oil spill incident and its roots based on a disaster management approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Nineteen managers and staff members from among those responsible or involved in the management of the Isfahan oil spill incident were recruited to the study. Qualitative content analysis approach was employed for data analysis. Document analysis was used to collect additional information. “Weaknesses of risk reduction programs” and “weaknesses of preparedness plans” were identified as the roots of the disaster. Preparedness is a crucial aspect of timely and appropriate response to oi...

The health system response to Eltor cholera outbreak: an experience in Iran

Received: July 2016, Accepted: October 2016 Background: Following the outbreak of eltor cholera in Iraq’s Kurdistan, Iran was threatened through the western border. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the health system response of Marivan city in Kurdistan Province (Iran) as a risky gateway for the outbreak of eltor cholera epidemic in Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was implemented in Marivan in October 2012 in 6 steps with different methods of data gathering including situation analysis, and document and literature review. Case finding is important in controlling disease outbreak. We mention to case finding in the health system.in Marivan city. Results: During the Eltor epidemic in Marivan, Control measures, training actions, and coordination measures had been within and outside the organization such as the health system, municipality, police, industries, mine and trade, terminals and transportation, local radio, agriculture, and water and sewerage. To create an intersectional coordination for disease control, job description of the offices was issued by the governor to them, and the health system response was appropriate and timely in controlling the Eltor epidemic. Conclusions: After the outbreak of Eltor in Iraq and following the announcement of standby status by Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), the health system of Marivan took steps to deal with the Eltor epidemic. We proposed the improvement of control measures and organizational coordination to control the probable outbreak. The appropriate strategies were presented to improve the performance of the health system and treatment in similar situations.