ABSTRACT
Background: Social capital (SC) is an essential concept of communities, and there is more SC inequality. In the current study, we studied SC Inequality concerning the explanatory socioeconomic factors. Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, the household data were retrieved from an Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool survey in 2011. Over 5000 elderlies in Tehran (> 60 years old) consented toparticipate in the study and filled out 2 SC questionnaires (SCQ) and a household properties questionnaire (HPQ). Subsequently, the collected HPQ data were then statistically analyzed and used to measure the economic status of households. Besides, the statistical concentration index of the SC was applied to measure socioeconomic inequality and decomposed into its determinants using both SCQ and HPQ data collections. The concentration index and the decomposition analysis were used to analyze the study data. Results: The overall concentration index of the SC in Tehran senior citizens was 0.059 (95%CI,0.044-0.076). Among the SC dimensions, collective activity, social coherence, voluntary help, and social network were more concentrated in the poor older adults. Simultaneously, reciprocity was more focused onthe wealthy class, and there was no inequality in trust. The decomposition of the concentration index showed that economic status made the most considerable contribution to the SC inequality among citizens (69.11%), followed by the level of education (12.695) and the elderlies'job type (9.58%). Conclusion: Given that the economic status and level of education are the 2 main determinants of SC inequality, a holistic policy approach should be adopted to address the socioeconomic inequalities that are taken root in Tehran's senior communities.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Drug addiction is known as one of the health, medical and social problems of the present century. Beyond the harmful physical and mental consequences for addicts, drug abuse can cause serious social problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug and alcohol abuse in individuals aged 15 yr and over in Iran in 2015. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on individuals aged 15 yr and older who lived in urban and rural areas of Iran. Overall, 36,600 individuals were selected by systematic and cluster random sampling. The postal code was used to access the samples in 31 provinces of Iran. In each province 1200 individuals (50% men, 50% women) were evaluated. The used instrument was the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The results showed 4.6% of individuals used Opium and its derivatives, 0.4% used Cannabis, 0.4% used Amphetamine stimulants, 6.1% used Sedative drugs, and 2.6% used Alcoholic beverages on a regular basis. Within the last 12 months, 3.9% of individuals used Opium and its derivatives, 0.4% used Cannabis, 0.3% used Amphetamine stimulants, 5.8% used Sedative drugs, and 1.9% used Alcoholic beverages. With the exception of Sedatives drugs men used more drugs than women and residents of rural areas used more opium and its derivatives than other groups of drugs. Based on the provincial distribution, Kerman and Qom used the highest and lowest prevalence percentage of Opium and its derivatives respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, 2340000 individuals were addicts used Opium and its derivatives in 2015, therefore, medical and health officials should take all necessary measures to deal with these serious social problems.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mental disorders influence people with a high prevalence and exert remarkable burden on community members. This study was carried out aiming to assess mental health status within the age range category of 15 and above in the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: The statistical population of this cross-sectional survey consisted of residents of urban and rural areas in Iranian provinces. An estimated sample size of 36000 people was chosen using systematic random sampling and the cluster method. Access was provided by the contribution of the Geographical Post Office for each province. The GHQ-28 was used as a screening tool for mental disorders. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-18 software. RESULTS: The results were gathered by the traditional scoring method. A total of 23.44% of samples were suspected of having mental disorders. The prevalence of suspicion for mental disorders was higher in urban (24.55%) than rural areas (20.89%). The prevalence of anxiety and somatization symptoms was higher than social dysfunction and depression symptoms. The outcomes also revealed that the prevalence of suspicion for mental disorders increased noticeably with aging. Suspicion for these disorders was more common in women, divorcees and widows, illiterates, less educated, unemployed and disabled individuals compared with other potential groups of the society. CONCLUSION: Comparison of the outcomes from this study with the research conducted in 1999, demonstrated an increasing prevalence rate of suspicion for mental disorders. Therefore, it is mandatory for Iranian public health authorities to take the needed steps to ensure that necessary requirements encompassing prevention and promotion of mental health are implemented.
