Guilan Research Articles

Comparative analysis of addiction severity index in methadone maintenance treatment: impact of concurrent methamphetamine use among patients in Rasht, Iran 2022–2023

ABSTRACT Introduction Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is widely used to manage opioid addiction, especially in Iran. Recent research highlights an increasing trend in methamphetamine use among individuals who are opioid-dependent and undergoing MMT. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in addiction severity between patients using both methadone and methamphetamine and those on methadone alone. Method This cross-sectional study took place at four MMT centers in Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran, from 2022–2023. Using convenience sampling, we selected participants aged 18 to 64 who had been receiving treatment at MMT centers for at least six months. Demographic data and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores were collected for two groups: those using methadone alone and those also using methamphetamine. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS version 26, using a significance threshold of 0.05. Results Of the 140 participants, 120 were male and 20 female. The Mann–Whitney test found no significant differences in medical status between the groups across six domains. However, five other domains showed significantly lower ASI scores for the methadone-only group compared to the methamphetamine users. Conclusion Concurrent methamphetamine use with MMT may negatively impact functional and health outcomes, highlighting the need for non-pharmacological psycho-social treatments to help curb methamphetamine use in this population.

Investigating the Anxiety of Free-Fall Paratroopers and Its Determining Factors: Experience and Personality Traits in a Military Base

Background: Skydiving anxiety varies according to individual personality traits. Identifying key factors influencing paratroopers' well-being and performance is essential. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between anxiety and personality traits in free-fall skydivers. Methods: An analytical study was conducted at a military base in Guilan province, Iran, with free-fall paratroopers selected through random sampling. Data were collected using three questionnaires covering demographics, anxiety levels, and personality factors. Results: Fifty-eight paratroopers were assessed; 79.3% were under 30 years old. Free-fall paratroopers exhibited higher levels of extraversion and conscientiousness and lower levels of neuroticism. Trait anxiety was found to be higher among those with neuroticism. Experienced paratroopers displayed higher trait anxiety, with no significant relationship to state anxiety, experience level, or age. Conclusions: High trait anxiety in neurotic paratroopers is meaningful in relation to personality traits examined in this study.

Impact of Age and Gender on Survival of Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) poses a significant health challenge as the most common primary malignancy of the adult central nervous system. Gender- and age-related differences in GBM influence prognosis and treatment complexities. This multicenter retrospective study explores gender and age disparities in GBM patients, investigating their impact on occurrence and survival outcomes. This multicenter retrospective study involved GBM patients treated in Guilan Province, Iran. Patients' data, including age, gender, tumor location, and histopathological diagnosis date, was collected from medical records. In a cohort of 164 GBM patients, the average age was 54.34 ± 14.16 years, with a higher prevalence among men (59.8%) and patients aged ≤ 60 years (64.6%). The tumor sites exhibited overlapping features in 68% of cases, with the frontal and temporal lobes being the most common specific locations. The mean survival was 12.88 ± 14.14 months, one-year survival of 45%, with women showing significantly higher one-year survival (60% vs. 40%) and longer mean survival (16.14 ± 17.35 vs. 10.75 ± 11.15 months). Furthermore, Patients ≤ 60 years had significantly higher one-year survival (75% vs. 35%). In subgroup analysis, women had significantly higher survival rates in patients ≤ 60 years. However, among patients over 60, women exhibited a more pronounced decline in survival rates, with no statistically significant difference between men and women in this age group. This study highlights that both age and gender significantly affect GBM survival outcomes. Younger patients, particularly women, exhibited better survival rates, while older patients, especially women, showed poorer outcomes. These findings suggest the need to stratify treatment approaches by both age and gender to optimize care and improve survival in GBM patients. Further research is recommended to explore these associations.

Eye disease knowledge and awareness among Iranian population: The Gilan Eye Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the public knowledge regarding cataract, glaucoma, refractive error, and diabetic retinopathy among Iranian population living in Gilan province. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 2588 individuals aged over 50, living in both urban and rural districts of Gilan. All participants were interviewed to determine their knowledge regarding the mentioned eye diseases. Their source of knowledge was determined whether health care professionals, family or relatives, social media, or publications. Socioeconomic status (SES) of participants was calculated based on the principal component analysis. The presenting visual acuity of all study participants was assessed by a trained optometrist. In this study, total knowledge of cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy was 52.1%, 2.5%, 15.1%, and 29.7%, respectively. A lower cataract knowledge was found in participants with low (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; p = .02) and moderate SES (OR = 0.56, p = .02). We also lower knowledge of glaucoma among low (OR = 0.33; p < .001) and moderate SES group (OR = 0.48, p = .002). A higher level of knowledge about refractive error was observed in participants with normal vision (OR = 4.89; p = .011) and mild/moderate visual impairment (OR = 3.69; p = .046). Participants without a history of diabetes mellitus had less knowledge about diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR = 0.56; p < .001), while those with more than 12 years of education had higher knowledge about DR. In conclusion, lower level of the knowledge was identified among individuals with lower levels of SES and education, while participants with better vision could be benefit from the high levels of knowledge.

Simulation of floods under the influence of effective factors in hydraulic and hydrological models using HEC-RAS and MIKE 21

Simulating floods and creating vulnerability maps are essential in urban watershed management systems. The present research aimed to simulate floods and assess floodplain risk in the Khalkai watershed located in Gilan Province, Iran. This river is characterized by extensive agricultural areas and urban areas that become flooded during most rainy seasons. Hence, an accurate assessment of flood extent and behavior is necessary. This study employs HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and MIKE 21 for advanced hydrodynamic modeling, focusing on two-dimensional (2D) capabilities essential for urban areas and flood is simulated with probability return periods of 50, 100, and 500 years. The research objectives include comparing HEC-RAS and MIKE 21 to identify the most effective flood simulation model, evaluating the impact of hydrological and hydraulic factors, the influence of GPS topographic mapping compared with DEMs extracted from satellite images and assessing land-use changes on flood behavior. Model accuracy is validated against historical flood data, revealing that MIKE 21 effectively addresses challenges related to grid resolution and flood delineation. Results indicate that while HEC-RAS provides a broader extent of flooding, both models offer critical insights into flood depth and flow characteristics. This research contributes to enhanced flood risk management by illustrating the implications of land-use changes on flood events, offering valuable insights for policymakers in mitigating future flood impacts and developing sustainable urban strategies.

The International Spinal Cord Injury Survey in Iran (InSCI-IR)

Background and Aim: Spinal cord injury patients are faced with many neglected side effects that threaten the health, wealth, and life of the patients and their families. For this purpose, the international spinal cord injury survey (InSCI) was conducted in 2017 by adding 22 countries to follow up the patients facing spinal cord injury. Iran as a developing country was added to the survey in 2022 focusing on the catastrophic health expenditures of spinal cord injury patients. The survey is named: The International spinal cord injury survey in Iran (InSCI -IR). Methods and Materials/Patients: This study will be performed in Guilan Province, Iran and the primary data of the patients will be gathered from the Poursina Hospital of Rasht and the Iranian National Registry of Spinal Cord Injury Patients. InSCI-IR contains two parts; the general questionnaire which gathers the data for the InSCI and the specific questionnaire which gathers data for calculating catastrophic expenditures. Results: It is estimated that 600 patients will participate in the study and more than 200 cases are faced with paraplegia or tetraplegia. The international questionnaire contains 11 sections on the living situation of patients with SCI, sociodemographic questions, injury characteristics, mental and physical health, feeling and work conditions, environmental factors, and access to health services. The catastrophic expenditure part contains questions about the cost of treatment, medication, caregiving, transportation, and household income loss related to spinal cord injury, wealth index, and household total income. Both parts will be edited in psychometrics processes.

The Status and Expectations of the Relatives of Surgery Patients in the Waiting Area of Guilan Academic Hospitals

Background: The situation of the relatives of surgery patients in waiting areas is an important issue, which has not been investigated in Guilan province, so this study was planned. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Guilan academic hospitals (Razi-Poorsina-Heshmat-Alzahra–Amir al Momenin) from Feb 2022 to Dec 2022. Relatives of patients who underwent elective surgeries enrolled the survey. A questionnaire containing two parts of demographic data and 12 items assessing relative’s conditions in waiting area was filled out via a direct interview. Results: 318 relatives enrolled the survey. 93.2% of patients’ relatives were first-degree relatives.76.7% had information about the surgery. 41.5% were informed of their patient’s status in operating room. Fear of not emergence from anesthesia 109(34.3%) and death 105(33.0%) were the main causes of anxiety which was reported as 8.23±28.2 from 10 and only 6(1.9%) had financial concern. 86.8% of the responders declared that being informed from their patient’s condition in operating room, was the most effective approach to reduce their anxiety. A positive and highly significant association was observed between the level of education and receiving explanation from surgeon, anesthesiologist and being informed from patients’ status in waiting area (p=0.001). Conclusion: It was found that relatives of surgery patients suffered from high degrees of anxiety mainly due to fear of death and not emergence from anesthesia. They stated that being informed from their patient’s conditions was the most powerful factor in reducing their anxiety.

From Ingroup Love to outgroup hatred arising from Ethnic/Urban identity: explaining the desirability of aggression against rivals among Iranian Fans

ABSTRACT This study examines aggression between rival football fans, focusing on the role of ethnicity and urban identity. It surveyed 302 fans from Rasht and Bandar Anzali in Guilan province, Iran. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between a favorable attitude toward aggression against rival fans and three key factors: ethnic/urban identity (correlation coefficient: 0.409), ingroup love (correlation coefficient: 0.355), and outgroup hatred (correlation coefficient: 0.407). The collective explanatory power of ethnic/urban identity, outgroup hatred, and ingroup love accounted for 39% of the variance in the favorable attitude towards aggression against rival fans. Ethnic/urban identity levels demonstrated predictive power, accounting for 15% of the variance in outgroup hatred and 13% in ingroup love. This research illuminates the intricate dynamics of fan aggression, highlighting the nuanced roles of identity and emotions within sports fandom. The findings contribute valuable insights that inform future studies and interventions to understand and mitigate aggression in sports-related contexts.

Pattern of burden cancer breast and relationshipin to human development index in Iran 2009 to 2019: an observational study based on the Global Burden of Diseases

ObjectiveBreast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. This study aims is to investigate the burden of breast cancer in Iran and its relationship with the Human Development Index (HDI) during 2009 to 2019.Study designThe present study is an observational study in Iran during the years 2009 to 2019. Data related to the incidence, mortality, Years of Life with Disability (YLD), Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALY) of breast cancer in Iran were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD-2019) website. Correlation tests are used to check the relationship between these indicators and the human development index.ResultsThe highest incidence rate of breast cancer in 2019 is related to the provinces of Gilan (29 per 100,000) and Tehran (28.55 per 100,000) and the highest rate of death from breast cancer is related to the provinces of Gilan (10.71 per 100,000). and Semnan (9.97 in 100,000). The results showed that there is a positive and significant correlation between DALY (r = 0.626, P < 0.0001), YLL (r = 0.611, P < 0.0001) and, YLD (r = 0.773, P < 0.0001) breast cancer with HDI index. There is a positive and significant correlation between the incidence (r = 0.794, P < 0.0001) and mortality (r = 0.503, P = 0.003) of breast cancer with the HDI index.ConclusionsConsidering that a positive correlation was observed between the incidence and burden of breast cancer and the human development index in the country, it is suggested to implement preventive measures such as public education programs to reduce the incidence and burden of breast cancer and the necessity of screening programs in areas with low human development index. It confirms the diagnosis of disease cases.

Enhancing group efficiency through two-stage data envelopment analysis with a modified common set of weights approach: an application in banking

This paper empirically evaluates group efficiency in the banking sector by applying an extended Common Set of Weights (CSWs) approach within a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) framework. Our study assesses efficiency across multiple production stages and adapts CSWs to capture the intermediate processes inherent in banking operations. We provide a comprehensive ranking of bank branches within seven prominent banking groups in Guilan province, Iran. By applying our modified methodology to real-world data, we demonstrate its practical utility in delivering precise efficiency assessments and actionable insights for enhancing operational performance. Our findings highlight the superiority of the extended CSWs methodology over traditional DEA models, offering a more accurate and fair evaluation of group efficiency in the complex and interdependent context of banking processes.

Anticipating the potential distribution of Fasciola spp. in Gilan province of Iran: Insights from MaxEnt and climate change scenarios

Fasciolosis, a parasitic disease affecting humans and animals, is uniquely influenced by climatic and environmental factors. Gilan province in northern Iran is recognized as a high-endemic area for this parasite. This study aims to assess the prevalence of fasciolosis in Gilan province during the current period and forecast the distribution pattern of the parasite in future periods by analyzing climatic variables and identifying the most critical factors impacting Fasciola. To evaluate the present status of fasciolosis in Gilan, we collected 189 sheep fecal samples from different parts of the province and quantified eggs per gram of feces in each sample. Meteorological and environmental data were obtained and clipped to the study area. A total of 19 presence points were used to model the habitat suitability of Fasciola spp. through the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm, with jackknife analysis to determine variable importance. To project the potential distribution of Fasciola spp. in Gilan province under future scenarios, we employed MaxEnt using current (1970–2000) and projected climatic data based on three representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5) to predict habitat suitability in 2030, 2050, and 2070.The results of this study indicate the proportion of Fasciola spp. infection was highest in Talesh (46.37 %) and Langarud (45.7 %), while Rudsar (0 %) and Shaft (16.25 %) exhibited the lowest infection rates in Gilan province. MaxEnt modeling highlighted the significance of bioclimatic variables, particularly those associated with vegetation and temperature, such as temperature seasonality (Bio4) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The ecological niche modeling illustrated that the highest potential distribution for Fasciola in Gilan province is concentrated in the north-western and central regions, exhibiting an 80–100 % potential. However, projections for the future indicate a decrease to less than 20 % suitability for most of the province under all three scenarios until 2070. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between climatic variables and Fasciola distribution, enabling better preparedness and control strategies for this trematode in Gilan province and other regions with similar climates.

Mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with wild mushrooms in Northern Iran

A faunistic study of mites (Acari) associated with wild mushrooms in Guilan province, northern Iran was carried out during 2022. Totally, 21 species belonging to 17 different genera and 12 families were collected and identified. The 17 species including of Cosmolaelaps lutegiensis, Dendrolaelaps saprophilus, Gamasiphis lanceolatus, Gaeolaelaps kargi, Laelaspis persicus, Macrocheles perglaber, Neoseiulus barkeri, Olopachys caucasicus, Onchodellus alpinus, Oplitis paradoxa, Pachylaelaps grandis, Podocinum pacificum, Polyaspis patavinus, Uroobovella flagelliger, Uroobovella varians, Uropoda orbicularis and Uropoda (Trachycilliba) splendida are reported for the first time from Iran in association with mushrooms. Collection information of identified species is provided.

Investigation of the Frequency of Reactions and Consequences of Blood Transfusion in an Academic Center Guilan-Iran

Background: Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure, but there are always potential risks, such as blood transfusion reactions. Objectives: Considering the importance of the subject and the lack of a similar study in Guilan province, this research was conducted to analyze blood transfusion reactions. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Al-Zahra Hospital in Guilan, Iran, between 2020 and 2022. The files of all patients who received blood products at this center and experienced a reaction were reviewed. A checklist was completed, which included details such as the hospital ward, age, blood group, underlying disease, type of surgery, type of injected product, history of transfusion, history of reaction and allergy, type of reaction, and treatment intervention. Results: During the study period, 4,887 cases received transfusions. Among them, 18 cases (0.36%) showed reactions during transfusion, of which 14 cases (0.35% of total packed cell injections) were related to packed cell injection. Shivering was the most common reaction, occurring in 8 cases (15.38%). The main interventions included the administration of steroids in 10 cases (25%), antihistamines in 7 cases (17.5%), and oxygen therapy in 7 cases (17.5%). Three cases (7.5%) were transferred to the ICU, and in three cases (7.5%), the blood transfusion was stopped. One mortality was reported, and no cases of incompatible blood transfusion were documented. Conclusions: The incidence of reactions to blood product injections at this center appears to be acceptable. However, it was found that the information recording systems were very inefficient, and forms were incompletely filled, which should be addressed and corrected.

Designing a model for developing local business for rural women Iran with a sustainable development approach

This study endeavors to formulate a sustainable development-oriented model for home-based businesses catering to rural women in Guilan province. Employing a qualitative-quantitative research approach, the study is practical in its objectives and relies on survey methods for data collection. The research population encompasses two main groups: the first group involves academic professionals, scholars, and managers or experts from provincial organizations dedicated to employment and women’s issues, while the second group comprises 274 purposefully sampled individuals, including owners, managers, and women affiliated with micro-credit funds in Guilan province, selected through the snowball technique. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data, and the Smart-PLS software package utilized the partial least squares (PLS) technique for advanced multivariate analysis in structural equation modeling. Evaluation of the home-based business development model for rural women, based on the coefficients of the direct path, reveals that educational (β = 0.112), social (β = 0.232), economic (β = 0.274), and policymaking (β = 0.381) variables significantly influence the sustainable development of home-based businesses (P < 0.05). Notably, the policymaking variable exerts the most substantial impact. Furthermore, the model designed for sustainable development can account for 71 percent of the variance in the dependent variable. It is recommended that the government should allocate financial resources specifically for rural women house-based businesses and policies should prioritize and actively support home-based businesses, recognizing their significant impact on rural women's economic development.

Seroprevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Case-Control Study.

Strongyloides stercoralis is one of the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in tropical and subtropical regions. The role of lipid profile has been investigated in the survival of larval stages of helminths, but there is limited information about the role of lipid profiles and strongyloidiasis. Hence, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of S. stercoralis infection in patients with hyperlipidemia is compared with the nonhyperlipidemia. In 2023, participants were selected from the laboratory of Porsina Hospital in Guilan Province, northern Iran and their lipid profiles including TG, CHOL, LDL, HDL, and VLDL were measured. They were divided into two groups of case and control and matched based on sex and age. S. stercoralis Ab (IgG) was measured by ELISA methods, using the NovaTec kit. Finally, statistical analysis was performed. Each case and control group consisted of 105 participants, from 13 to 80 years old. 56.66% were female and 43.33% were male. The seroprevalence of S. stercoralis was found 4.76% in the case group compared to 0.95% in the control group. We found an association between TG fall and VLDL with seroprevalence of S. stercoralis in hyperlipidemia group (P= 0.034), but other lipid profiles did not show a significant association. A significant relationship was found between contact with dogs and seroprevalence of S. stercoralis (P=0.001). The seroprevalence of S. stercoralis in the case group was 5 times higher than the control group. A significant association between TG and VLDL fall with S. stercoralis Ab (IgG) was observed, but future studies with more sample sizes are suggested to investigate the anti-atherogenic effect of S. stercoralis. Also, a genetic assessment of S. stercoralis and the host (humane and dogs) is recommended to research zoonotic potential in epidemic areas.

Association Between Bladder Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in Guilan Province: A Case-Control Study

Background: Occupational settings expose workers to various substances linked to cancer risk, influenced by exposure intensity and duration. Considering the diverse work conditions across Iranian cities and the unexplored link between occupation and bladder cancer (BC) in Guilan Province, identifying high-risk occupations and industries is imperative for implementing preventive measures in the region. Objectives: To investigate the effect of people's occupations on bladder cancer in Guilan Province. Methods: The study encompassed 266 diagnosed BC patients in Guilan Province who received treatment at local healthcare centers, along with 191 control individuals aged 18 and over. Data for the cases were meticulously recorded in medical records at the Guilan Cancer Registry. The same checklists, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, addiction status, water consumption habits, environmental exposures, current and previous occupation, previous history of cancer, and family history of cancer, were recorded for the controls. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using adjusted logistic regression (LR). Results: The study found that the odds ratio of bladder cancer (BC) was 2.80 (95% CI: 1.26 - 6.21) for the age group 60 - 70 years and 18.2 (95% CI: 7.31 - 45.6) for individuals above 70 years. Rural dwelling increased the risk by 5.06-fold, while well water consumption and regular opium use amplified it by 6.12-fold and 2.58-fold, respectively. Exposure to tar and carbon derivatives led to a 3.53-fold increase in risk, and exposure to combustion/greenhouse gases showed a 10.72-fold increase. Chemical-related occupations, tar, carbon derivatives, smoking, and opium consumption were significant risk factors. Conclusions: Occupations involving chemical substances such as greenhouse gases, tar, and carbon derivatives are associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer (BC). Furthermore, smoking, opium use, and well water consumption significantly elevate the risk of this cancer.

Heavy Metals and Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Sediments of the Sefidrud River, South of Caspian Sea, Iran

ABSTRACT The Sefidrud River, which flows into the Caspian Sea after traversing the northern Iranian province of Guilan, is the principal river in the southern Caspian Sea. Its water is utilized for drinking, agriculture, and aquaculture, while industrial and agricultural wastewater is discharged into this valuable body of water. This study aimed to measure the concentration of two heavy metals, nickel and lead, and organochlorine toxins in the water and sediment of this river. Water samples were taken from the Sefidrud River at three stations in four seasons to measure the concentration of the above-mentioned two heavy metals organochlorine toxins as well as some physiochemical parameters of the water. Results showed that the annual mean water temperature, calcium, magnesium, electrical conductivity (EC), T.D.S, pH, and dissolved oxygen in water samples were 16.35°C, 77 mg/l, 28.41 mg/l, 1245.41 mS/m, 782.7, 8.01, and 7.91 mg/l. The mean annual concentration of nickel and lead was also 0.008 ± 0.001 and 0.001 ± 0 mg/l in water and 29.75 ± 1.19 and 313.4 ± 17.13 mg/l in sediments. The results also showed that the mean annual concentration of Pertilachlor was 0.40 ± 0.046 mg/l in water and 2.91 ± 0.476 mg/l in sediments, and the mean annual concentration of Saturn was 2.81 ± 0.47 mg/l in water and 0.39 ± 0.47 mg/l in sediments. Since the sediments of the Sefidrud River contain relatively high concentrations of heavy metals such as lead and nickel as well as organochlorine toxins, the river should be regarded as polluted; therefore, the discharge of pollutants and wastewater into this river should be properly managed.

Masked invader in Iran! Habitat suitability analysis for invasive raccoon (Procyon lotor) in the west of Guilan Province.

Nowadays, in addition to the destruction and fragmentation of the world's habitats, invasive species, and damage caused by them, are one of the most important factors in the destruction of ecosystems. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a medium-sized mammal that is placed in mid-levels of the food web and can affect a wide range of species. Considering the damage done to local ecosystems by this invasive species, habitat assessment and determining the factors affecting its habitat suitability would be a key step in managing this species. In this study, using the MaxEnt model and examining 12 environmental parameters (elevation, slope, aspect, geological units, soil type, vegetation, land use, distance to villages, distance to main roads, distance to waterways, average temperature, and rainfall) in the west of Guilan Province, habitat suitability of this alien species was determined, and the most important factors affecting this suitability were investigated. Results showed that the validity value of the model (AUC) was estimated to be 0.852 and parameters such as distance to village (34.5%), elevation (24.2%), and land use (15.9%) are among the most important and effective factors. Also, the results showed that 0.60% of the study area has high suitability, 6.14% moderate, 24.87% low, and 68.36% unsuitable areas for raccoons. The overall result shows that despite the lack of vast favorable areas for this invasive species, an increase in the number and expansion of this species is very likely because of its omnivorous diet, high adaptability to different environments and conditions, as well as extensive niche. All of these factors cause raccoons to spread further in the region and consequently increase the risks and damages to the native ecosystem.

Applying protection motivation theory to examine tourist’s pro-environmental behaviour: case study of Lahijan, Iran

Purpose This study aims to examine the pro-environmental behavior of tourists in one of the northern cities of Iran, Lahijan, by applying the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Design/methodology/approach The sample consists of a total of 180 tourists who had traveled to Lahijan city in Guilan province. Data is analyzed using descriptive analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique using Smart PLS 3.0. Findings The results confirm the importance of PMT in explaining the pro-environmental behavior of tourists. The findings of this study show the significant relationship between vulnerability, severity, self-efficacy, response efficacy, response cost and maladaptive perception with tourist’s pro-environmental behavior. Moreover, rewards are not related to pro-environmental behavior. Practical implications This study provides a better understanding of how to motivate tourists toward pro-environmental behavior. It also contributes to reinforcing PMT by adding evidence from tourism research and delivers profiles for tourism providers. Originality/value The study contributes to the understanding of the predictors of pro-environmental behavior of tourists in Iran using a full PMT which encompasses three concepts of threats appraisal, coping appraisal and maladaptive perception.

Investigating the factors influencing ease of doing business in Gilan province

PurposeThe ease of doing business (EODB) is a key factor in the development of investment, production and employment in a country. The purpose of this research is to identify the components of EODB in Gilan province in Northern Iran and rank these components from the perspective of economic operators.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a mixed methods design. In the qualitative phase, the components of EODB in Gilan province are identified through meta-synthesis with the participation of 10 experts. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling is used to rank these components from the perspective of 75 randomly selected economic operators from different economic sectors of Gilan province.FindingsAccording to the participants, the main factors influencing EODB in Gilan province are: (1) public services and infrastructure; (2) political stability and the government; (3) policies, laws and regulations and (4) security of property rights.Practical implicationsIdentifying factors conducive to the business environment can play an effective role in removing the barriers to achieving the goals of development programs, such as economic growth and reducing unemployment, poverty and inflation. Gilan province, in particular, is in a favorable condition in terms of climate and geography, with an abundance of young, specialized human resources, which can help remove barriers to improving the business environment and facilitate the use of these capacities. It must be noted that the labor force participation rate in Gilan province is 41.3%, indicating that 58.7% of the working age population is not working or actively looking for work, and removing EODB barriers can provide these people with incentives for economic participation.Originality/valueThe results suggest that creating a stable, transparent, anti-rent, predictable and reliable business environment will allow for increasing investment, production and employment across the province, and that controlling the inflation caused by increased production will make it possible to achieve maximum productivity and economic development.