Meaning and lived experience of Iranian COVID-19 survivors: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is among the most contagious diseases worldwide. During the first peak of the illness, COVID-19 was considered a considerable crisis for survivors. This qualitative study explored the meaning and lived experience of Iranian COVID-19 survivors. This qualitative study was conducted in Iran sometime after the onset of the coronavirus in 2020. METHODS: This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was performed on twenty survivors of COVID-19 disease, recruited through the purposeful sampling method via in-depth semistructured interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and several codes were extracted. Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA software (v. 12). RESULTS: The main themes and subthemes obtained from the data analysis included (1) Taboo and stigma: COVID-19 as a monster, feelings of social exclusion and loneliness, an obvious sign of shamelessness and maltreatment, (2) God's predestination: God's will and test, COVID-19 as a wake-up call to remind low human power, (3) Shadow of death: The fear of death after positive test results, death is closer than the jugular vein, the mourning of a loved one's death, and mourning for an untimely death, (4) Caregivers as an angel: Family as an unrepentant supportive, know the level of family love and attention, and (5) Rebirth and new life: understand the higher value of health and pay more attention to self-care behavior, and God gives us a golden chance to experience a better life. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, COVID-19 survivors experience various issues regarding the nature of the disease, coping with the illness, and their social and psychological status affected by COVID-19. Considering the multidimensional supportive programs, increasing public awareness and changing negative attitudes toward the patients and survivors of the pandemic for better rehabilitation and adjustment is essential.

Social science research contributions to antimicrobial resistance: protocol for a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health issue with complex and dynamic interdependencies, high uncertainty and decision stakes, multiple drivers and stakeholders with diverse values and interests, and various aspects and outcomes. Addressing and combating this critical global challenge requires the formation and establishment of an interdisciplinary research approach that goes beyond the biosciences principally concerned with antimicrobial resistance to include other relevant natural and social sciences. The objective of this study will be to review and map existing social science knowledge and literature relating to antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: The review team will undertake the scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework and also the Joanna Briggs Institute methods manual. Publications in English (from 1998 onwards) will be searched using several databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Anthropological Plus, Sociological Abstracts, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), PsycINFO and EconLit. Grey literature will also be searched (e.g. Google Scholar). Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Publication types will include original articles, editorials, commentaries, protocols, and books in the social science research literature on AMR. All study designs (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods) will be included. A PRISMA Flow Diagram of search and study selection will be used to report final figures on included and excluded studies. To provide a descriptive summary of the literature, data will be collated, stored, and charted using Microsoft Excel software. The analysis will also involve identifying themes and gaps in the existing literature and summarizing, describing and displaying all pertinent information using thematic construction approaches including qualitative content analysis methods. DISCUSSION: This protocol describes a systematic method to identify, map, and synthesize social science research evidence on antimicrobial resistance. By mapping evidence and identifying potential knowledge gaps where further research is warranted, the resulting scoping review will provide useful insights for the design, implementation, and reorientation of future research agendas on AMR at multiple levels. Systematic review registration: This protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/hyaem.

The Social Construction of Infertility Among Iranian Infertile Women: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is considered an important phenomenon in couples' life. Infertility and its treatment process influence all aspects of the individual's life. This study aimed to explain the psycho-social process of social construction of infertility among Iranian infertile women. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. The study setting was the Vali-e-Asr Fertility Health Research Center and Avicenna Fertility clinic in Tehran. The sampling started purposefully and it was continued theoretically. The data collection was performed by using 36 semi-structured interviews, observation and field notes with 27 women who suffered from primary and secondary infertility having no living child. The method suggested by Strauss and Corbin was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Results indicate that "Concerns over life instability" and "being judged by others" were the participants' most important preoccupation. Attempts to stabilize life and get rid of being judged by others were key aspects of the social construction of infertility and the main strategies for resolving their preoccupation. This core concept explained the basic psychological-social process of infertility in relation to axial codes. CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that various interactive factors affect the social construction of infertility among infertile women who focus on the central concept of attempts to stabilize life and get rid of being judged by others. Therefore, in order to achieve this goal, infertile women should be empowered by effective coping strategies.

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing on Total Fertility Rate in Iran: A Panel Data Analysis for the Period of 2002-2012.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last few decades, total fertility rate (TFR) has followed a downward trend in Iran. The consequences of this trend from the perspectives of some are negative. Considering the macro-population policies in recent years, this study aimed to examine the effect of some macro socio-economic variables, including divorce, marriage, urbanization, and unemployment rate on TFR in Iran from 2002 to 2012. METHODS: This time series research was conducted in 2015 using the databases of the National Organization for Civil Registration (NOCR) and the Statistical Center of Iran. The study population was the related data of provinces in the selected variables. The main methods used in the research were the common unit root test, Pedroni Cointegration test, redundant fixed effects tests, correlated random effects-Hausman test, and panel least squares of fixed effects. In order to determine the suitable model for estimating panel data, likelihood ratio and Huasman tests were done using Eviews software, and the fixed effects regression model was chosen as the dominant model. RESULTS: The results indicated that the divorce rate had a negative and significant effect on TFR (p < 0.05). A positive and significant relationship between marriage rate and TFR variables also was observed (p < 0.05). Urbanization rate (p = 0.24) and unemployment rate (p = 0.36) had no significant relationship with TFR. According to F statistic, significance of the overall model also was confirmed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Due to the lower effect of the studied factors on the reduction of TFR, it seems that variables other than the ones studied, as well as cultural factors and values, might be fundamental factors for this change in the country.

Challenges of Transcultural Caring Among Health Workers in Mashhad-Iran: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: One of the consequences of migration is cultural diversity in various communities. This has created challenges for healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore the health care staffs' experience of caring for Immigrants in Mashhad- Iran. SETTING: This study is done in Tollab area (wherein most immigrants live) of Mashhad. Clinics and hospitals that immigrants had more referral were selected. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with medical and nursing staffs. 15 participants (7 Doctors and 8 Nurses) who worked in the more referred immigrants' clinics and hospitals were entered to the study. DESIGN: This is a qualitative study with content analysis approach. Sampling method was purposive. The accuracy and consistency of data were confirmed. Interviews were conducted until no new data were emerged. Data were analyzed by using latent qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The data analysis consisted of four main categories; (1) communication barrier, (2) irregular follow- up, (3) lack of trust, (4) cultural- personal trait. CONCLUSION: Result revealed that health workers are confronting with some trans- cultural issues in caring of immigrants. Some of these issues are related to immigration status and some related to cultural difference between health workers and immigrants. These issues indicate that there is transcultural care challenges in care of immigrants among health workers. Due to the fact that Iran is the context of various cultures, it is necessary to consider the transcultural care in medical staffs. The study indicates that training and development in the area of cultural competence is necessary.

Virginity Testing Beyond a Medical Examination.

Apart from religious values, virginity is important in different communities because of its prominent role in reducing sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. Even though virginity testing has been proclaimed an example of violence against women by the World Health Organization, it is still conducted in many countries, including Iran. 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 32 to 60 years to elucidate the perceptions and experiences of Iranian examiners of virginity testing.The perception and experience of examiners were reflected in five main themes. The result of this study indicated that virginity testing is more than a medical examination, considering the cultural factors involved and its overt and covert consequences. In Iran, testing is performed for both formal and informal reasons, and examiners view such testing with ambiguity about the accuracy and certainty of the diagnosis and uncertainty about ethics and reproductive rights. Examiners are affected by the overt and covert consequences of virginity testing, beliefs and cultural values underlying virginity testing, and informal and formal reasons for virginity testing.

Socioeconomic and emotional predictors of decision making for timing motherhood among Iranian women in 2013.

BACKGROUND: Decision making for timing motherhood is one of the vital aspects of reproductive health. Separating sexual relationship from having a child has led to a different and unprecedented lifestyle in human history. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the socioeconomic and emotional factors predicting decision making for timing motherhood among Iranian women using the statistical softwares of IBM SPSS 21 and LISREL 8.8. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 820 primiparous women from different hospitals across the country using multistage random sampling method in 2013. The tools of the study were enrich marital satisfaction, socioeconomic status, perceived social support, hopefulness, and life regard index. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20 and LISREL 8.8. RESULTS: The results revealed that among direct pathways, marital age (ß = 0.62) was the most effective predictor of timing motherhood. The hopefulness had an inverse association with timing motherhood through inverse effect of marital satisfaction. Moreover, marital satisfaction (ß = -0.09), perceived social support (ß = -0.09), and life regard index (ß = 0.01) had an inverse effect on timing motherhood. Marital satisfaction had a non-causal effect of 0.024. CONCLUSIONS: Marital age, and socioeconomic status had a direct association, and hopefulness and marital satisfaction had an indirect one with Iranian women's decision for timing motherhood. Therefore, this is the responsibility of policy-makers and healthcare providers to advise women by providing appropriate interventions and facilities.

Childbirth at home: a qualitative study exploring perceptions of risk and risk management among Baloch women in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: to explain how women who choose to give birth at home perceive and manage the risks related to childbirth. DESIGN: a qualitative, methodological approach drawing upon the principles of grounded theory. Data were gathered by in-depth interviews with women who had given birth at home. SETTING: the study was conducted in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Balochestan province in southeast Iran. PARTICIPANTS: 21 Baloch women aged 13-39 years who had a planned home birth were interviewed. Nine had been attended by university-educated midwives, eight by trained midwives, and four by traditional birth attendants. FINDINGS: concerning perceived risks, women perceived giving birth in hospital to be risky because of medical interventions, routines and ethical considerations. The perceived risks for home birth were acute medical conditions. Women made their decision to give birth at home based on existing verbal, visual, and intuitive information. The following two categories related to risk management were identified: (1) psychological preparation and (2) medical and logistican preparation. All of the women relied on their own intuition, their midwife and the sociopsychological support of their families to transfer them to hospital in the case of complications. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the women who chose to give birth at home accepted that there was a risk of complications, but perceived these to be due to fate. Technical risks were considered to be a consequence of the decision to give birth in hospital, and were perceived to be avoidable. In addition, the women considered ethical issues as risks that are sometimes more important than medical complications. Women's perceptions of risk, and the ways in which they prepare to manage risk, are central issues to help providers and policy makers adjust services to women's expectations in order to respond to the individuality of each woman.