Afsaneh Takbiri, AmirHossein Takian, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani and Ebrahim Jaafaripooyan
This study aims to explore the challenges of providing primary health care (PHC) to Afghan immigrants in Tehran as an important global human right issue.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the challenges of providing primary health care (PHC) to Afghan immigrants in Tehran as an important global human right issue.
Design/methodology/approach
In this exploratory study, a total of 25 purposively selected PHC providers, including physicians, psychologists and midwives, were approached for face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, lasting 30 min on average. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
Findings
The most common challenges of providing PHC to Afghan immigrants were categorized at individual, organizational and societal levels. Communication barriers and socioeconomic features emerged at the individual level. The organizational challenges included mainly the lack of insurance coverage for all immigrants and the lack of a screening system upon the immigrants’ arrival from the borders. At the societal level, the negative attitudes toward Afghan immigrants were causing a problematic challenge.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation was the possibility that only health-care professionals with particular positive or negative perspectives about immigrants enter into the study, because of the voluntary nature of participation.
Practical implications
Findings can help policymakers adopt evidence-informed strategies for facilitating PHC provision and improving the access to health care in immigrants as a global human right concern.
Social implications
This study alerts about undesirable consequences of certain attitudes and behaviors of the society toward immigrant health.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies conducted in PHC centers in Tehran Province that explores the challenges of providing PHC to Afghan immigrants.
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Somaye Tajik, Saragol Eimeri, Sara Mansouri, Abbas Rahimi-Foroushani and Sakineh Shab-Bidar
This study aims to investigate the association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII), kidney function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among the senior…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII), kidney function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among the senior population (60-83 years).
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 221 elderly subjects who are living in Tehran, Iran. The DII was calculated from validated semi-quantified food frequency questionnaire, combining putatively pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of nutrients, vitamins and trace elements. Biochemical measurements of blood and urine samples were measured. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed from serum creatinine.
Findings
A total of 221 subjects with mean BMI of 29.75 and age ranged 60-83 years old were included in the current study. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that eGFR (ß = –0.471; p = 0.48; 95 per cent CI: –2.90, 2.63), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) (ß = 0.041 p = 0.55; 95 per cent CI: –5.12, 9.46) and hs-CRP (ß = 0.004; p = 0.55; 95 per cent CI: –0.96, 1.79) were not associated with the DII before and after adjusting for potential confounders, including energy intake, age, sex, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, use of lipid-lowering medication, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), steroidal and non- steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, it is difficult to find the cause-and-effect relationship between the DII and the serum hs-CRP concentration. Another limitation of our study is concerning a possible overestimation or underestimation of dietary intakes, because the participants in the study were elderly and FFQ is a memory-based questionnaire.
Originality/value
Our findings suggest that the DII score is not associated with serum hs-CRP and kidney function markers in elderly people.
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Fatemeh Shokrzadeh, Zahra Aslani, Abbas Rahimi-Foroushani and Sakineh Shab-Bidar
This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 304 Iranians were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Fasting serum glucose and lipid profile were also assessed. FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene was genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.
Findings
Individuals in third tertile of “Unhealthy Patterns had greater odds for MetS (odds ratio: 2.9; 95 per cent CI: 1.3, 6.1; P for trend = 0.03) compared to those in first tertile. Significant results disappeared after controlling for covariates (p = 0.09). There was no significant relationship between adherence to ‘Healthy Pattern’ and odds of MetS (p = 0.55). There were not any interactions between FokI polymorphism and major dietary patterns associated with MetS.
Originality/value
No evidence found for the interaction between polymorphism FokI and major dietary patterns associated with MetS and its components in Iranian subjects. Genome-wide association techniques are needed to assess the direct effect of this polymorphism on MetS.