Iranian Journal of Culture and Health Promotion
Year:2025 | Volume:9 | Issue:1|Papers Count:20

Creating a targeted and real transformation in the health sciences education system, with careful planning based on the current needs of society, is an inevitable necessity to improve the quality of graduates and respond to the challenges of the health system. This transformation is not an option, but a fundamental necessity to improve the health of the society. The Academy of Medical Sciences has presented eight proposed strategies in this statement.

Background: Emotional setbacks can have profound effects on the mental health and quality of life of young individuals. Spiritual well-being from an Islamic perspective has garnered increasing attention as one of the key components in enhancing psychological resilience and improving quality of life. This study aims to investigate the impact of interventions related to Islamic spiritual well-being on the mental health and quality of life of students experiencing emotional setbacks. Methods: In this systematic review with a matrix approach, after searching reliable databases such as IranMedex, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and the Scientific Information Database (SID) within the timeframe of 2015 to 2024, 15 relevant articles were selected, and their findings were extracted. The review of studies was conducted using a step-by-step matrix approach. The qualitative evaluation of the articles was performed using assessment and critique tools based on the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Out of 69 articles initially reviewed, 30 were relevant to the current research topic, and from these, 15 articles—descriptive, analytical, and clinical trials—were selected. Results: Findings indicated that interventions aimed at enhancing spiritual health significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving quality of life among youth. These interventions included spiritual counseling, meditation techniques, and spiritual practices, many of which aligned with Islamic values and cultural frameworks. Conclusion: The results suggest that strengthening spiritual health with an Islamic approach can serve as an effective strategy for improving the mental health and quality of life of students coping with emotional breakups. It is recommended that therapeutic programs incorporate indigenous and Islamic spiritual elements to enhance their cultural relevance and effectiveness.

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 had widespread effects on society, including the closure of educational centers, and highlighted the importance of preventive behaviors. This study examined the role of death anxiety and personality traits in enhancing preventive behaviors among 398 second-grade high school students in Tehran (221 boys and 177 girls; mean age = 16.7 ± 1.0 years), considering the mediating role of self-regulation. Methods: This research was applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in methodology. A sample of 416 students was initially selected via Cochran’s formula, and 398 valid questionnaires were returned (95.67% response rate). Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (1970), NEO Five-Factor Inventory—Short Form (1992), Francis Self-Regulation Questionnaire (1999), and Sanjari COVID-19 Preventive Behavior Inventory (2020) and analyzed via path analysis using LISREL 8.80. Results: Data analysis revealed that conscientiousness (β=0.45, t=3.45), self-regulation (β=0.28, t=5.80), and death anxiety (β=0.30, t=6.58) were positively and significantly associated with preventive behaviors (p < 0.05), whereas neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness were not significantly associated with preventive behaviors (p > 0.05). Additionally, death anxiety and conscientiousness indirectly influenced preventive behaviors through self-regulation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings underscore that enhancing positive personality traits and self-regulatory mechanisms, alongside reducing death anxiety, can improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors among second-grade high school students. These insights can inform the design of effective school-based interventions.

Background: The present study seeks to promote spiritual health by drawing on the philosophical framework of Lessons on Self-Knowledge (Doroos-e Ma’refat al-Nafs) in addressing one of the most pressing psychological challenges faced by housewives: loneliness. Methods: This research is descriptive-analytical in nature. In identifying the psychological challenges faced by housewives, observational methods, in-depth interviews, and a narrative synthesis of existing research were employed. Based on a frequency analysis of the data, an intervention grounded in the philosophical principles of self-knowledge was designed and implemented in a group setting to enhance spiritual well-being. This method is organized in seven stages as follows: determining the goal, determining the number of sessions, preparing the audience to accept spiritual solutions by asking appropriate questions, grouping, selecting experts, conducting sessions with a philosophical-spiritual approach according to the principles of self-knowledge, presenting spiritual exercises, and evaluating. Results: Loneliness emerged as the most significant psychological challenge for housewives. The implemented intervention, rooted in the teachings of Lessons on Self-Knowledge, proved to be an effective tool for promoting the spiritual and psychological health of participants. Conclusion: The spiritual intervention addressed the challenge of loneliness cognitively by fostering deeper self-awareness and self-knowledge, encouraging non-judgmental attitudes, and strengthening rational and logical faculties. Motivationally, it increased the drive for self-perfection and boosted self-confidence. Behaviorally, it contributed to spiritual growth, a balanced integration of material and spiritual life, physical well-being, and a heightened sense of responsibility.

Background: Social health, as one of the fundamental pillars of health, is of particular importance due to its extensive effects on other dimensions of health as well as its function in the quality of individual life and the dynamics of society, and understanding the factors affecting it is essential. By examining and analyzing these factors, this article seeks to present a picture of the socio-cultural status of the country from the perspective of social health. Method: This study, with a descriptive-analytical approach, presents the status of some factors affecting social health based on the latest report on the socio-cultural status of Iran, spring 2025 and analyzes it based on a group discussion session in the social health scientific group of the Academy. This session was attended by 20 experts in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, community medicine, social work, sociology, health education, public health, general and social psychology. Results: A summary of the status of important factors affecting social health was presented with an emphasis on education, health, and social harms, along with its analysis. The literacy rate has increased from 87.9 to 90.7% (from 2016to 2023), but there is still a statistical gap between men and women and between urban and rural areas. The distribution of students indicates a significant decrease in the percentage of students in the agricultural and veterinary departments. The statistics on the mortality of infants and children under one year and under five years of age are decreasing, and the population with access to safe water and covered by the urban sewage network has increased. The statistics on doctors seem to have fundamental and inaccurate problems. The number of centers and admissions to drug and psychotropic drug addiction treatment and addiction harm reduction centers has decreased. The number of referrals due to physical conflict has decreased and the number of psychological conflict has increased. Deaths from work-related accidents have also decreased during the study period, especially among women. Requests for and permits for legal abortion have also shown a decreasing trend. Conclusion: Considering the two-way effect of socio-cultural factors and social health, it can be expected that social health will improve by carefully monitoring and analyzing these factors and adopting evidence-based policies.

Background: Lifestyle is tied to the meaning of life. Developing an Islamic-Iranian, health-focused lifestyle requires methods to shape the meaning of life accordingly. Methods: This study employed a document review of relevant keywords in local sources. Results: Activities to educate and promote a healthy lifestyle with the Islamic-Iranian model should be carried out in the family, schools, workplaces, health homes, health treatment centers, neighborhoods, and other centers and opportunities in the community. These activities include all relevant topics for different audiences and include things like healthy nutrition, sufficient physical activity, proper sleep, prevention of tobacco use and all factors harmful to health, promotion of mental health, prevention of risk factors such as HIV/AIDS and safety, etc. Conclusion: An Islamic-Iranian healthy lifestyle model can be promoted and established through evidence-based health education, skills training, risk factor prevention, health promotion, cultural education, healthy lifestyle adoption, role models, guidance, counseling, self-care, research, and knowledge translation. Optimally integrating evidence-based capacities from Iranian traditional medicine, conventional medicine, and valid healthy lifestyle practices from other nations is also appropriate.

Background: The health system is recognized as one of the most fundamental pillars of societal development. Therefore, ensuring its resilience against sanctions, within the framework of resistance economy policies based on the capacities of Iranian medicine, is of great importance for the country. Hence, this study aims to explain the potential of Iranian medicine in achieving a resistance economy by strengthening and empowering the health system. Methods: This study is qualitative in approach and applied in purpose. Data were collected using library studies and semi-structured interviews. The statistical population consists of 12 experts in the field of health. The sampling method is purposive sampling. Two methods have been used for data analysis: qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis Results: The qualitative content analysis revealed that ensuring the resilience of the health system occurs through three main axes: food and drug security, reducing dependency on imports of health-related goods, and modifying consumption patterns. Furthermore, thematic analysis identified the following as key capacities of Iranian medicine in strengthening the health system: utilization of indigenous medical knowledge and local pharmaceutical production chains, designing a native nutrition model based on domestic raw materials and products, and implementing comprehensive preventive principles and simple, home-based treatments. Conclusion: The application and scientific development of Iranian medicine can play a key and effective role in reducing the vulnerability of the health system and enhancing its resilience within the framework of resistance economy policies.

The presence and work of children on the streets is considered one of the major social challenges in Iran. These children face problems such as malnutrition, deprivation or poor quality of education, abuse and harassment, delinquency and other social harms. Periodic plans in the form of organizing street children and current measures of government and non-government centers, such as temporary care centers and limited daily support services, have not had a significant impact on reducing and controlling this problem. Therefore, the need to formulate and implement national and local policies with sensitivity to children's rights is clearly felt. Policy recommendations include empowering families through intersectoral cooperation, allocating sustainable financial resources for preventive and support measures, training professionals to provide effective and standardized services, and developing standard protocols based on laws and upstream documents for effective intervention. These approaches can sustainably manage the problem of children in street situations and prevent them from returning to the street.

Background: The referral system aims to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. It is based on two core components: health management and service stratification by general practitioners (GPs) and returning to the primary level for continued care under GPs’ supervision. In societies where patients often bypass primary care and directly visit specialists, implementing such a system requires changes in health-seeking behavior and greater trust in GPs as its foundation. This study aimed to assess the public’s acceptance of these two core components and examine their relationship with trust in GPs, using data from a national survey. Methods: The study was conducted in July 2024 using an online national panel. Data were collected from 1,504 respondents through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software. Acceptance of the referral system was measured with two items, and trust in GPs was assessed through five targeted items. Results: About two-thirds of participants disagreed with GP-led health management and service stratification, and nearly half did not support returning to primary care for continued treatment. Overall, only 38.6% of respondents accepted both components of the referral system, while the rest rejected one or both. Significant associations were found between all trust dimensions and acceptance of the referral system. Conclusion: Public acceptance remains a challenge in implementing the referral system. Enhancing trust in GPs plays a vital role in improving acceptance. Therefore, policies that promote public engagement and build trust may support the system’s successful implementation.

Background: Paragraph 10 of the “General Policies of the Legislative System” emphasized on "Determining the Titles of Codes". Based on this, "Health Code" is designated as one of the titles of Codes along with 52 other titles. One of the basic steps in the codification is to determine the main topics and subjects and, in this way, to explain the content of the health code. Methods: By going into to the official texts of laws enacted since 1906, the following steps have been taken to extract the main topics of the Health Code and categorize them in an orderly structure. 1. Searching for laws in the field of health, 2. Classification of legal provisions in the primary subject list, 3. Identifying valid legal provisions from invalid ones, 4. Modifying the primary classification and extracting the final plan of the Health Code. Results: Review of about 12,500 laws enacted by the Iran's parliament shows that legal provision in the field of health can be classified under four main headings, including "health system management", "Health and medical affairs", "Medicine, medical equipment, food, drink and Cosmetics" and "professional organizations, compulsory health services and Administrative and employment affairs". Conclusion: By using the factors of "subject", "historical background", " quantity of rules", "importance", "experience of other countries" and also paying attention to the "institutional component", the existence of "Health Code" can be justified. These standards also open the way for making decisions about challenging and controversial issues.

Background: It has been found that many factors affect the physiological performance of athletes, in this regard, researchers are trying to discover and identify the factors that affect the performance of athletes, and it is completely accepted that sleep is one of the necessities of health. This study aims to investigate the effect of 30 hours of sleep deprivation on the response of orexin-A levels and pulmonary function to an anaerobic activity in active male students. Methods: This research was conducted semi-experimental and in the form of a pre-test and a post-test. The protocol was that in the control position, after 12 hours of fasting and 8 hours of sufficient sleep, in the experimental position after 12 hours of fasting and 30 hours, complete insomnia of the subjects was investigated in the student dormitory with controlled conditions. Results: The information related to the comparison of post-test and pre-test in two experimental situations (sleep deprivation) and control (sufficient sleep) showed that orexin-A hormone increased significantly in sleep deprivation conditions compared to resting conditions and this difference is considered significant at the (p=0.001) level. Insomnia also caused significant changes in physiological indicators. Conclusion: Thirty hours of sleep deprivation caused an increase in orexin-A levels, which shows the importance of night sleep, which is one of the influential factors related to obesity and overweight.

Background: Health is considered as one of the most fundamental human rights. Health culture promotion requires active participation of all social institutions, particularly the media. Journalists play a key role in raising awareness, providing public education, and shaping attitudes and behaviors related to health. This study aims to examine the role of journalists in promoting the health culture of community, with a focus on identifying their challenges, opportunities, and potential impacts. Methods: Using a qualitative approach and the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method, three sessions were held with the participation of 25 journalists from various media outlets. The collected data were categorized thematically. Results: The results were classified into three main categories: Challenges (lack of specialized knowledge, limited resources, and organizational barriers), Opportunities (the growth of digital media and increased public interest in health topics), Impacts (improved health literacy, behavior change, and reduction of misinformation) Conclusion: Empowering journalists through training, institutional support, and strategic collaboration with health organizations can significantly enhance their effectiveness in promoting the culture of health. Addressing existing barriers and leveraging available opportunities can ultimately lead to improved public health indicators and increased social trust.

Background: Information dissemination is one of the most critical responsibilities of the public relations (PR) department at the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) during the three phases of a crisis. This study aims to develop a Media annex for the PR department of the IBTO to be used during times of crisis. Methods: The present study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis and a case study conducted within the IBTO. The study population consisted of 12 experts, including PR managers, officers, and spokespersons with the significant experience in crisis management. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis using the NCT model (Noticing, Collecting, and Thinking) and using Atlas.ti software. Additionally, PR-related documents, books, and articles were reviewed and used as sources of qualitative data. Results: Three main categories were identified for the proposed Media annex: Media relations, Public Relations management, and training. In total, 54 thematic codes were extracted across the three phases of crisis. Conclusion: The developed Media annex can serve as a strategic model for the PR department of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization in crises.

Background: Promoting public health requires greater effectiveness of health messages and appropriate communication with audiences. Data-driven health messaging, also known as “content personalization” in the new literature, is a new approach in the field of public relations that, using demographic data, health records, and audience behaviors, allows for the adjustment of messages tailored to the needs and characteristics of each group or individual. The aim of this study is to analyze the models, benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies of data-driven health messaging (or content personalization) in public relations of health organizations in Iran. Method: This study was conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach based on a review of documentary sources and examined data-driven, interaction-driven, and audience-driven messaging models. Findings: The findings show that the successful implementation of data-driven health messaging requires the development of technological infrastructure, the development of legal frameworks, and the enhancement of human resource skills. Despite their high potential for effectiveness, data-driven models are mainly in the long term due to infrastructural and legal barriers in Iran. The interaction-driven model is suitable for a medium-term transition, and the audience-driven model is a good starting point due to its simplicity and rapid implementation. Conclusion: By providing the possibility of sending targeted messages tailored to the needs of the audience, data-driven health messaging (or content personalization) is a practical and forward-looking approach to promoting public health, the realization of which requires coordination between technological development, regulation, and human resource training.

The need for rehabilitation services—an essential component of achieving Universal Health Coverage—has increased in recent years, driven by the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, rising rates of accidents and injuries, and an aging population. Given the inherently high cost of rehabilitation services, along with global trends that have generally raised healthcare costs, individuals who require these services often face significant challenges in accessing adequate care. Therefore, addressing this issue and taking action to reduce the financial burden on persons with disabilities to ensure equitable access to necessary rehabilitation services is essential. This policy brief reviews the financial challenges associated with rehabilitation services and offers strategies for improving the current situation

The humanity of man lies in his self-willed movement towards the other. Such a movement necessarily results in a better future in turning away from self-harm and otherness. In the contemporary era, the unilateral US sanctions against the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran did not remain only in the realm of politics and power, but at least Western publications and publishers, in line with local politics, have taken an unfair approach by rejecting requests and not accepting Iranian articles. In this article, by referring to the critique of practical reason by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and the communicative reason by Jürgen Habermas (1929), we will use the capacity of universal reason written in the articles of human rights to correct the encounter with the other. Arguments based on rationality will serve as a mirror to see more clearly the role of individuals and groups in social and political relations. In this way, based on a kind of critical analysis, the crisis-causing foundations of the non-confrontational approach of Western publishers are emphasized. Furthermore, the conclusion of the article, beyond the discussed case, questions the conflicting encounters with participatory and ethical values and reveals their problematic points.