Yazd Province Research Articles

Assessment of spatial and temporal variations of land surface temperature (LST) due to elevation changes in Yazd Province, Iran

Assessment of spatial and temporal variations of land surface temperature (LST) due to elevation changes in Yazd Province, Iran

Effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women in Iran

BackgroundOne of the major issues that immigrants, especially Afghan women face, is their self-care disability. This will cause problems in their mental health and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women living in Taft.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest posttest design with control group. Statistical population was all married Afghan women living in Taft (Yazd province) of whom 60 women were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 as experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 sessions of life skills training based on self-care. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Quality of Life of the World Health Organization Questionnaire (WHOQ-BREF) were used to collect data. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.ResultsResults showed that following the intervention, the mean scores of quality of life (p < 0.0001) and mental health (p < 0.019) in the experimental group increased in the posttest compared to the pretest and the effect of intervention was significant.ConclusionResults suggested that providing a training opportunity for Afghan women to learn life skills based on self-care, enables them to realize their strengths and weaknesses and improve their quality of life and mental health.

Strategies and Challenges for Managing Human Influenza in the Iranian Hospitals: A Qualitative Study in Yazd Province

Introduction: Influenza virus is one of the deadliest viruses that has threatened the human population over the years. Every year, organizations and hospitals must be prepared to deal with the disease and treat people with the flu and be able to manage the disease in the hospital. The aim of this study was to identify hospital management strategies for human influenza in Yazd province, central part of Iran.&#x0D; Methods: This study was a qualitative study with inductive conventional approach. A total of 14 main hospitals in Yazd province were surveyed in 2021. The study population included heads and managers of hospitals, nurses, educational and clinical supervisors, metrons, officials of the quality improvement office and the infection Control Committee. Participants were selected using snowball sampling method. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. The sample size in this study was up to information saturation. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data.&#x0D; Results: Using the opinions and views of 38 managers and officials of selected hospitals in Yazd province, data saturation was obtained. The most important tasks of the hospital management in terms of influenza control and management were divided into 5 areas (field measures, support, training, awareness, protection and measures in the field of human resources). The major challenges regarding the influenza control and management were classified into 3 areas: hospital (health), macro (university, provincial, national and Ministry of Health guidelines) and community level. Finally, the most important solutions and suggestions were categorized in these 3 key areas.&#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the categorized challenges and problems, as well as the classification of the most important strategies and suggestions, useful action can be taken to the control and management of influenza, both at the hospital level and in the community, in Iranian hospitals especially in Yazd province.

Comorbidity and Its Impact on Mortality of COVID-19 in Yazd Province, a Central part of Iran: a Hospital-based study

Introduction: The World Health Organization on March 11, 2020 declared the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus 2 disease (COVID-19) a pandemic situation. The main aim of this study was investigating mortality of COVID-19 by considering chronic diseases.&#x0D; methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional in which all confirmed cases were examined. The variables considered in this study were age, sex, diabetes mellitus, cancers, hypertension, heart diseases, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. Independent sample t test, Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. All statistical analysis was done in SPSS 16 and significant level was set at 0.05.&#x0D; Results: Out of 22849 PCR and CT scan tests, 16061 were positive. According to the confirmed cases, prevalence of COVID-19 was calculated about 0.019. Also hospital case fatality rate and mortality rate were calculated 156 and about 8.2 per 100000 respectively. Hypertension, and age had significant relationship with morbidity of COVID-19, in other hand, age (OR: 4.51, p&lt;0.001), kidney diseases (OR: 1.84, p&lt;0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.31, p&lt;0.001), cancer (OR: 2.73, p&lt;0.001), liver diseases (OR: 2.27, p&lt;0.001) had impact on mortality of covid-19. Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) showed the most fraction of death was due to diabetes mellitus, cancers, kidney diseases, and liver diseases.&#x0D; Conclusion: Age and some underlying diseases increase odds of death due to COVID-19. It seems that preventing high-risk people from being infected is an effective solution to reduce COVID-19 death rate. To do this, health protocols need to be implemented more seriously for these sensitive groups.

Assessing the health and ecological security of a human induced watershed in central iran

ABSTRACT Assessment of the watershed health and associated ecological security is crucial for the proper land resources management, notably when sufficient money and time have lacked. The present study aimed to prepare health and ecological security for the Pishkuh Watershed in Yazd Province, central Iran. To prepare the health atlas of the Pishkuh Watershed, the conceptual framework of pressure, state, response (PSR) was employed. The pressure index was investigated by analyzing the driving forces of natural and human-induced factors. Then, the existing conditions of the natural environment and the watershed performance were analyzed using the state index. Besides, the response index was also calculated as a criterion for expressing the degree of community response or different watershed outcomes to the driving forces imposed on the watershed system. The study results revealed that some 91 and 9% of the watershed were classified as moderately healthy and relatively unhealthy. The results of the ecological security index further showed that some 41% of the area was categorized as relatively poor status. The results of the current study can be used by local managers and decision-makers to adaptively designate appropriate, economic, and goal-targeted solutions for the resources management in the region.

Concentrating challenges of the Zarigan complex Pb-Zn-Fe non-sulfide ore

ABSTRACT Zarigan mixed oxide-sulfide complex ore (Yazd province, Iran) contains 6.12% Pb, 0.87% Zn, 47.27% Fe2O3, and 27.18% SiO2. In the present paper, the possibility of lead concentration from the ore was investigated. Process mineralogical studies showed that the lead element has been distributed in the minerals of plumbojarosite, plumbogummite, cerussite, anglesite, and galena, which has made it difficult to concentrate the ore. The main gangue minerals are quartz, goethite, hematite, muscovite-illite, calcite, dolomite, and orthoclase. The results of preliminary experiments showed that using common physical gravity and magnetic separation methods, Zarigan ore cannot be concentrated according to the specifications of the sales market. The results of sulfidation-flotation experiments (–45 μm sample without desliming) showed that the lead grade and recovery in the rougher-scavenger flotation stages reached 8.61 and 54.8%, respectively. With an increase in lead grade up to 52% in the cleaning stages, the overall lead recovery decreased to 11.04%. In the experiments performed by removing the −38 μm fraction, the grade and recovery of lead from the −150 + 38 μm fraction reached 42.25 and 60.21%, respectively. The result of lead leaching with 0.4M HCl + 3.08M NaCl from a −38 μm size fraction showed that lead dissolution is possible. Finally, the Zarigan oxide lead ore processing flowsheet was developed based on the flotation of the +38 μm fraction and the leaching of the −38 μm fraction.

National geographical pattern of COVID-19 hospitalization, case fatalities, and associated factors in patients covered by Iran Health Insurance Organization

BackgroundUnderstanding the Spatio-temporal distribution and interpersonal comparisons are important tools in etiological studies. This study was conducted to investigate the temporal and geographical distribution of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the Iran Health Insurance Organization (IHIO) insured population (the second largest social health insurance organization) and the factors affecting their case fatality rate (CFR).MethodsIn this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, the demographic and clinical data of all insured of the IHIO who were hospitalized with COVID-19 in hospitals across the country until March 2021 was extracted from the comprehensive system of handling the inpatient documents of this organization. The Excel 2019 and GeoDA software were used for descriptive reporting and geographical distribution of variables. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the Odds Ratio (OR) of death in patients with COVID-19 using STATA 14 software.ResultsDuring the first 14 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran, 0.72% of the IHIO insured (303,887 individuals) were hospitalized with COVID-19. Hospitalization per 100,000 people varied from 192.51 in East Azerbaijan to 1,277.49 in Yazd province. The overall CFR in hospitalized patients was 14%. Tehran and Kohgiluyeh & BoyerAhmad provinces had the highest and lowest CFR with 19.39% and 5.19%, respectively. The highest odds of death were in those over 80 years old people (OR = 9.65), ICU-admitted (OR = 7.49), Hospitalized in governmental hospitals (OR = 2.08), Being a foreign national (OR = 1.45), hospitalized in November (OR = 1.47) and Residence in provinces such as Sistan & Baluchestan (OR = 1.47) and Razavi Khorasan (OR = 1.66) respectively. Furthermore, the odds of death were lower in females (OR = 0.81) than in males.ConclusionsA sound understanding of the primary causes of COVID-19 death and severity in different groups can be the basis for developing programs focused on more vulnerable groups in order to manage the crisis more effectively and benefit from resources more efficiently.

Assessment of relationship between aerosol optical depth (AOD) index, wind speed, and visibility in dust storms using genetic algorithm in central Iran (case study: Yazd Province)

Assessment of relationship between aerosol optical depth (AOD) index, wind speed, and visibility in dust storms using genetic algorithm in central Iran (case study: Yazd Province)

The relationship between acceptance, self-compassion and hope in infertile women: a structural equation analysis

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to determine the relationship between psychological acceptance, self-compassion and hope in infertile women. Background Infertility distress can make women more vulnerable than men. Acceptance, self-compassion and hope can help infertile women to alleviate their distresses and to peruse the medical treatments. Methods This study was performed using a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design; A total of 346 women with primary infertility referred to infertility centres of Yazd, Isfahan and Kerman provinces, Iran, participated in the study by completing the self-compassion scale, hope scale and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Data were analysed using structural equation analysis. Results The results of structural equation analysis showed that the path coefficient of self-compassion on acceptance (r = .69, p < .01) and hope (r = .29, p < .05) in infertile women was direct and significant. Acceptance also had a direct effect on hope in infertile women (r = .31, p < .05) and played a significant mediating role in the relationship between self-compassion and hope in infertile women. Conclusions The findings suggest that self-compassion is likely to be an important strategic intervention alongside medical treatments for infertile women, because it leads to problem acceptance and then increases hope in them.

Clinicopathology Examining of Pericarditis in Patients who Referred to Afshar Hospital in Yazd Province During the Years 2009-2014

Objective: Pericarditis is an inflammation of the outer layer of the heart. Pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. Studies on this disease are mostly related to developed societies and its epidemiological dimensions are not well known in developing countries such as Iran. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the clinical pathology of different types of pericarditis referred to Afshar Heart Hospital during the years 2009 to 2014. Method: In this study, 116 patients were examined using a prepared checklist wich includes age, sex, year of hospitalization, clinical symptoms Clinical examinations, echocardiographic evidence, pathological findings (types of pericarditis) and finally recovery and death. The collected data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed using Chi-Square test, and P-values&lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: This study was performed on 116 patients with a mean age of 45.1±23.95, of whom 61 were male (52.6%) and 55 were female (47.4%). The most common type of pericarditis was idiopathic (51.7%). In cancerous pericarditis (81%) and myxedema (33.3%), most patients were female. The most common complaint was 51.7% of patients with dyspnea. The most cardiac auscultation was reduction of heart sounds (56%). Friction rub was heard in auscultation in only 5 patients (3.4%). The most finding in patients' ECG was normal sinus rhythm with or without tachycardia (62.1%) and typical ECG changes were seen in 15.5% of patients. The most common pathology observed in 43 patients (37.1%) was acute inflammation. As a result, 112 patients (96.6%) recovered and 4 patients (3.4%) died. Conclusion: As in developing countries, idiopathic type was the most common type of acute pericarditis with the difference that its frequency was lower compared to developed countries. Most young patients with idiopathic pericarditis had a history of a recent cold. Keywords: Pericarditis, Pericardial effusion, Inflammation

Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus antibodies and risk factors in dairy cattle from the central desert of Iran

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infects cattle worldwide and causes one of the most important economic diseases of the dairy industry. BVDV infection reduces reproductive efficiency, suppresses the immune system, and causes gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. A first cross-sectional study was conducted in the central desert of Iran (Yazd and South Khorasan provinces) to estimate the seroprevalence and identify BVDV-related risk factors in dairy cattle. A total of 800 cows were randomly selected of 76 herds, and their serum samples were tested by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for BVDV antibody detection. Data were analyzed using the logistic regression model. The serum prevalence of BVDV at animal and herd levels was 66.83% and 91.6%, respectively. Traditional housing system (OR = 3.22; 95% CI = 1.20-9.09) and cattle introduction to the herd (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.21-3.70) were the important risk factors for BVDV seropositivity (p < 0.05). Increasing of age per year caused adding in 0.33 log (odds) of BVDV seropositivity (p < 0.05). It is necessary to implement control and eradication programs because of the high seroprevalence at the individual level and at the herd in the central desert of Iran.

Application of Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) in Analyzing Obstacles to Combat Desertification with Pathological Approach in Yazd Province

Application of Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) in Analyzing Obstacles to Combat Desertification with Pathological Approach in Yazd Province

Empowering the Community to Identify and Prioritize Neighborhood Development Needs: A Qualitative Study

Background: The present study aimed to empower the community to identify and prioritize the needs for the health development of the Eskan neighborhood in Yazd province, Iran. Methods: This community-based participatory research (CBPR) was conducted in the Eskan neighborhood, Yazd. The project ‘neighborhood health improvement plan (Tabasom)’ was conducted, which included five steps (i.e., area identification, organization, empowerment, needs assessment and prioritization, and intervention and action). In the present paper, two steps, namely empowerment and needs assessment, are described. Results: The results revealed 10 high-priority problems in the Eskan neighborhood. The first problem with the highest priority was associated with waste management. Conclusions: According to the findings, empowering and educating individuals to detect the neighborhood problems led to the better identification of the problems, resulting in the further development of the neighborhood and the provision of more effective solutions by the authorities with the community participation.

Spatial analysis of the COVID-19 prevalence pattern in Yazd province, Central part of Iran (February 2020 to January 2021)

Introduction: Yazd province is the center of Iran and the highway for travelers to other cities. This province is susceptible to disease transmission in Iran. This study aimed to spatial analysis of corona virus prevalence, predicting the spread and determination of hot spot areas in Yazd province, central part of Iran.&#x0D; Methods: This analytical Cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd province from February 2020 to January 2021. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yazd province were selected by census. Required information includes the number of patients as well as their place of residence were collected through the hospital information system (HIS) of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran. The inclusion criteria were positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 and registration of patient information in the hospital emergency department. After collecting the data, it was entered into the ArcGIS software is 9.3.1. software. Moran's I measure and chi square test were used to data analysis. Significant level were considered 5 %.&#x0D; Results: Overall disease prevalence in Yazd province was equal to 0.0053. The prevalence of disease was higher in men women (55.7%, 3412 cases). The highest prevalence of the disease occurred in Yazd city (0.0096) and the highest death occurred in Meybod city (20.8%). Bahabad city also had the highest number of transfer (2.7%). Areas one (15.2% and 932 patients) and two (15.9% and 975 patients) of Yazd city were the most infected areas. There was no significant spatial pattern between the prevalence of the disease in the cities (Moran's Index: 0.18, P-value = 0.58).&#x0D; Conclusion: There was no spatial pattern in the prevalence of the disease and only in the city of Yazd, regions one and two need the special attention of policymakers.

Geochemistry and mineralization of the East Ridge ore zone in Mehdiabad zinc-lead- barite deposit, Yazd Province, Central Iran

Geochemistry and mineralization of the East Ridge ore zone in Mehdiabad zinc-lead- barite deposit, Yazd Province, Central Iran

Locating wind farm for power and hydrogen production based on Geographic information system and multi-criteria decision making method: An application

Hydrogen generation from renewable energy resources is considered as a suitable solution to solve the problems related to the energy sector and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The aim of this study is to provide an integrated framework for identifying suitable areas for the construction of wind farms to produce hydrogen. For this purpose, a combined method of Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) has been used to locate the power plant in Yazd province. The GIS method in the present study consisted of two parts: constraints and criteria. The constraint section included areas that were unsuitable for the construction of wind farms to produce power and hydrogen. In the present study, various aspects such as physical, economic and environmental had been considered as constraints. In the criteria section, eight different criteria from technical aspects (including average wind speed, hydrogen production potential, land slope) and economic aspects (including distance to electricity grid, distance to urban areas, distance to road, distance to railway and distance to centers of High hydrogen consumption) had been investigated. The MCDM tool had been used to weigh the criteria and identify suitable areas. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was used for weighting the criteria. The results of AHP weighting method showed that economic criteria had the highest importance with a value of 0.681. The most significant sub-criterion was the distance to urban areas and the least significant sub-criterion was the distance to power transmission lines. The results of GIS-MCDM analysis had shown that the most proper areas were in the southern and central sectors of Yazd province. In addition, the feasibility of hydrogen production from wind energy had shown that this province had the capacity to generate hydrogen at the rate of 53.6–128.6 tons per year.

A Qualitative Study on Stigmatization Associated With COVID-19.

Objective: To survey and analyze the experience of stigma among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iran.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from September to December 2020 in the Fars, Khorasan Razavi, and Yazd provinces of Iran. Sampling was done via the snowball method. Based on data saturation criteria, 24 adults aged > 18 years who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 were recruited. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with each patient. Data were analyzed following the conventional content analysis method.Results: The results showed that during their illness with COVID-19, the participants experienced a difficult and anxious course, with rejection and alienation from their first-degree relatives taking them by surprise. The 3 main themes extracted from this study were (1) fear and rejection, (2) discrimination, and (3) loneliness. These experiences changed the attitudes of the participants toward life and themselves.Conclusions: The results show the importance of being aware of social stigma among patients and that primary care physicians play an integral role in addressing this issue, especially during pandemics. Psychological counseling sessions for those afflicted is recommended, and education and training should be provided to the public regarding the proper treatment of patients with COVID-19. Quantitative studies in this field are highly recommended.

A Novel Robust-DEA Approach for Efficiency Measurement of Heterogeneous Hybrid Networks under Uncertainty

Over the past two decades, the use of network data envelopment analysis in real-world issues has attracted the attention of many researchers. This analysis is used when the output results of a decision unit are used as input to later units. Uncertainty in the inputs and outputs of each decision unit complicates the performance evaluation of such systems. In this paper, a new model of heterogeneous hybrid network data envelopment analysis is developed to measure the efficiency of decision units assuming the open structure of each decision unit, as well as the existence of interlayer relationships. In this model, constraints are defined in such a way that the number of units on the efficient boundary is limited. As a result, there is no need to use super-efficient models to determine overall performance. A robust approach has been used to deal with uncertainties in inputs, outputs and, interlayers. The application of the proposed model was studied to evaluate the performance of pistachio orchards in Yazd province, Iran, and the results were compared with traditional models. With the implementation of the proposed model, no unit was placed on the efficient boundary and there is no need for super-efficient models. The results were approved by agricultural experts.

Evaluation of mothers' knowledge, self-efficacy and performance in the field of exclusive breastfeeding and its related factors in children under 6 months of age in Ashkzar city of Yazd province

Introduction: Considering breastfeeding and its population for infants and the need for necessary training for successful breastfeeding, the present study aimed to determine the activity, self-efficacy and performance of mothers in the field of exclusive breastfeeding and its related factors in children under 6 months of age. Ashkzar Yazd was performed.&#x0D; Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, research data were collected from 300 mothers with children under six months old using a researcher-made questionnaire with face-to-face interviews and telephone calls. While calculating the indicators related to exclusive breastfeeding, using SPSS 20 software tests, the relationships between independent and dependent variables were analyzed and the most important factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding were determined.&#x0D; Results:The results showed that the mean age of mothers was 28.43 9 59.6. Mean and Deviation The mean score of knowledge, self-efficacy and performance score of mothers in the field of exclusive breastfeeding are: 18.82, 16.72 and 16.11, respectively. There is a significant relationship between the mean score of exclusive breastfeeding with the number of pups, using a bottle and using a pacifier and birth weight.&#x0D; Conclusion: Due to the modifiable nature of most factors related to breast milk, it is possible to increase the exclusive breastfeeding of infants by training and using modern methods of appropriate counseling by health workers.

Entrance Surface Dose Measurement at Thyroid and Parotid Gland Regions in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Panoramic Radiography

Purpose: Ionizing radiation-absorbed doses is a crucial concern in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiography. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the Entrance Skin Doses (ESD) of thyroid and parotid gland regions in CBCT and panoramic radiography in Yazd province, Iran.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 332 patients were included, who were then divided into two age groups (adult and pediatric) and underwent dental CBCT and panoramic radiography. Twelve Thermoluminescence Dosimeters (TLD- GR200) were used for each patient to measure the ESD of thyroid and parotid glands. The differences between the ESD values in CBCT and panoramic examinations as well as between the adults and children groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Man-Whitney tests.&#x0D; Results: The mean and Standard Deviation (SD) values of ESD in panoramic imaging were equal to 61 ± 4 and 290 ± 12 µGy for the thyroid and parotid glands of the adult groups, respectively. Notably, these values for CBCT were significantly higher (P&lt;0.01), as 377 ± 139 and 1554 ± 177 µGy, respectively. Moreover, the mean ESD values in the panoramic examination were 41 ± 3 and 190 ± 16 µGy for thyroid and parotid glands for the children group, while they were 350 ± 120 and 990 ± 107 µGy in CBCT (P&lt;0.01), respectively. The ESD values in the parotid gland were approximately 3.4 (2.8-4.1) and 4.7 (4.6-4.8) times greater than those for CBCT and panoramic examinations, respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Although CBCT provides supplementary diagnostic advantages, the thyroid and parotid glands’ doses are higher than panoramic radiography. Therefore, the risks and benefits of each method should be considered before their prescription.