ABSTRACT
The aims of this study were to i) assess the relationship between COVID-19 cases with PM10 concentration and ii) investigation premature deaths due to cardiovascular (M-CVD) and respiratory (M-RD) diseases in three classification levels (PM10<50 mu g m(-3) in normal days, 50-200 mu g m(-3) in dusty days, and >200 mu g m(-3) in MED storm), by using daily averages of PM10 concentrations. The number of M-CVD and M-RD were estimated by concentration-response model, per 10(5) people during 2017 to 2021. The results showed that 187, 183, 163, 215, and 206 days were observed with the PM10 concentrations lower than 50 mu g m(-3) during 2017 to 2021, and 178, 180, 200, 150, and 149 days were subtotal with exceeding PM10 from the WHO guideline (50 mu g m(-3)), respectively. A positive correlation (r(2)=0.33, p < 0.05) was found to be between the number of COVID-19 cases and PM10 mean concentrations (r = 0.589, p = 0.046). Our findings showed that the highest M-CVD and M-RD were among exposed people at dusty days (50 < PM10 <= 200 mu g m(-3)) in 2019. The total M-CVD and M-RD from 2017 to 2021 were 11.78 and 12.2, 18.25 and 17.4, 22.29 and 23.78, 10.33 and 7.6, 10.37 and 9.95 per 10(5) people, respectively which 31.48% of health effects were related to PM10 concentrations more than 200 mu g m(-3).
ABSTRACT
Social vulnerability and society's resilience are two concepts frequently used to examine the capacity of social systems to prepare, absorb, and adapt to environmental hazards and shocks. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of social vulnerability in dealing with risks has gained renewed attention. Assessing social vulnerability can help managers and planners prioritize budgets, develop prevention programs, and enhance risk preparedness. This study aimed to determine the association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 in the neighborhoods of Ahvaz, Iran. To assess the social vulnerability of Ahvaz neighborhoods, decision-making techniques (best-worst method and weighted aggregated sum product assessment method) and geographic information systems were applied. Moreover, to investigate the relationship between social vulnerability and COVID-19 cases, the Pearson correlation test was used. The results showed that the '20-meteri shahrdari' neighborhood has the highest level of social vulnerability, and the lowest level of social vulnerability among the neighborhoods of Ahvaz belongs to the neighborhood of 'Shahrak Naft'. There is a low inverse association between the integrated index of social vulnerability and the incidence of COVID-19 per 1000 people in Ahvaz. By revealing the most important details at the neighborhood level and levels of vulnerability, the results can inform effective planning actions at the neighborhood level.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is prevalent in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). There are little data on the relationship between renal dysfunction and COVID-19 prognosis. Objectives: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of AKI in COVID-19 patients hospitalized to the Golestan and Razi hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 194 COVID-19 patients were included, consisting of 79 patients with AKI and 115 patients without AKI. Primary and secondary outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: According to the findings, mortality was significantly different between the two groups, and mortality was higher in the AKI group (P < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was statistically significantly higher in the AKI group (P = 0.024). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the study group (P < 0.001). Staging of AKI group were seen as;stage I (49.37%), stage II (36.71%), and stage III (13.92%). No significant correlation was observed between outcome and the stages of AKI (P = 0.496). Furthermore, 14 patients (17.72%) needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the AKI group. Conclusion: Although AKI is a common finding in COVID-19 patients, most patients were in stage I disease, which returned to normal after COVID-19 treatment. According to our research, COVID-19 rarely leads to serious and persistent kidney injury. However, the risk of death is increased in COVID-19 patients with AKI. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the renal function tests during the course of disease. [ FROM AUTHOR]
ABSTRACT
The environment plays an important role in disease dynamism and determining people's health. In particular, the built environment has a great impact on controlling both chronic and infectious diseases in humans. The present research has been done in terms of practical purpose, in terms of exploratory method at exploratory level and based on future research approach. The present study, by operationalizing the framework of spatial and functional structure of cities, provides a more comprehensive approach to optimizing control programs and policies to reduce infectious diseases using indicators affecting urban structure and function with a future-research approach .The propulsion forces are determined by Delphi method, and then these factors are based on the importance and uncertainty, prioritization and the most critical factors, and software (MicMac) is used to write possible scenarios. During the scenario development phase, a total of 45 variables were identified. According to the research findings, among these factors, the index of worn-out texture and density of life, weakness of urban management, economic situation, improper distribution of urban services are the most key factors in the spatial and functional structure of this metropolis in the face of infectious diseases. Subsequent rankings had the highest direct impact as well as environmental quality, and poor physical activity had the highest direct impact on other variables. © 2022 Journal of Environmental Studies. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Social distancing is a public health tool that seeks to reduce opportunities for an infectious agent to spread among individuals. The current study aimed at investigating the social-distancing compliance among pedestrians in Ahvaz city, South-west Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ahvaz, South-west Iran, from 2 to August 11, 2020. The data collection was performed based on observation of passers-by in the streets. Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Chi-square for trend, and logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Results: The overall compliance rate of social distancing was 16.3%. There was a statistically significant difference between age groups and social distancing (P < 0.001), but this relationship was not seen in gender (P = 0.12). The compliance rate of social distancing was significantly higher during morning hours than evening hours (P < 0.001). A significant inverse association was founded between the number of observed group members and the compliance rate of social distancing so that the odds of social distancing compliance among two members groups were 59% higher than the group of 6 and more members (odds ratio = 1.59;95% confidence interval, 1.47-1.72;P = 0.003). Conclusion: We found that the overall compliance rate of social distancing among the participants was very low and inefficient. This can make disease control difficult and leads the city to a critical situation in terms of coronavirus outbreaks. The findings can help health policymakers and health workers to plan and conduct preventive interventions.