جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « Geographic information system » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

This study aimed to determine nitrate levels in water wells supplying drinking water in Taft city, Iran, and assess the associated health risks using the method proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2021, the average annual nitrate levels were determined in 48 drinking water wells which were located in Zone 39 (Taft city). Health risk assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted to identify the most influential variables.

The mean nitrate content in  the water wells under study was 32.88 ± 18 mg/L. Out of the 48 examined water wells, 10 had nitrate levels higher than the standard value (50 mg/L) established by the Iranian Institute of Standardization (Standard No. 1053) and WHO. The calculated Hazard Quotient (HQ) for children and adolescents was greater than 1, while it was less than 1 for adults. Nitrate concentration in drinking water was found to be the most important influencing variable in the calculated HQ for children and adolescents.

The results indicated that children and adolescents’ health in the studied area is at risk, and appropriate measures must be implemented to avoid and control the exposure of these vulnerable groups; they can be continuous monitoring of nitrate levels using on-site treatment methods where nitrate concentrations exceed the standard level, and decommissioning wells with high nitrate levels.

Because of natural and anthropogenic phenomena, most mountain areas experience significant soil loss. It is critical for watershed management to identify high soil loss rates and prone areas. Therefore, the present research aimed to estimate spatial annual soil loss rates and prioritize soil erosion prone areas of the Finca’aa watershed at sub-watershed level.

The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model, the extension of geographic information system based on five parameters: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and slope steepness (LS), vegetation cover (C), and conservation techniques (P), was applied. This study also used weather data, a soil type map, a digital elevation model (DEM), and land use land cover, which were all analyzed using ArcGIS 10.4.

Annual soil loss rates ranged from negligible to 234 t ha-1 yr-1. The average rates of soil loss was 33.3 t ha-1 yr-1. Approximately 63.36% of the catchment was within and 36.64% of the catchment was above the maximum permissible level, respectively. Approximately 1.96% were in critical condition. Agricultural practices were the primary cause in the watershed’s mountain and hilly areas.

The outcome is critical for planners and resource managers interested in long-term watershed management. Also, it is very important for sustainable growth development of 2030 agendas.

Phlebotomus and Sergentomya are distributed in the old-world regions and transmit leishmaniases through mammalian and reptile hosts. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important diseases in Iran. Iranian sand flies belong to three Oriental, Palearctic, and Afrotropical Regions. Fars Province is located in Palearctic, but southern parts are affected Oriental region situations on phglebotomine population variety. Therefore, a comprehensive study was required on the vectors of the disease in this Province.

Regarding the approved role of the environmental factors in creating the fauna and distribution of living crea-tures, the “de martonne climate method” was used, and the climate was noticed as an important environmental factor for the determination of vector distribution. Accordingly, 14 sampling sites were selected from 10 foci in different climates of Fars Province. 19648 sand flies were collected from the studied areas in this Province during 2016.

Phlebotomus papatasi and Se. antennata were the most frequent species, which were caught from in/outdoor areas. Phlebotomus sergenti and Ph. alexandri were caught from both Palearctic and Oriental zones but were more prevalent in the cold semi-arid climate of the Palearctic zone. Moreover, they were not caught from the hot desert and summer Mediterranean climates of the Oriental zone.

It seems that Ph. papatasi as the main vector of CL could be well distributed in different climates in Fars. Moreover, some species like Ph. sergenti preferred especial climates in the Palearctic zone. Therefore, these data could be helpful to control leishmaniases more efficiently.

Monitoring and controlling water resources and using health risk assessment approaches for water pollutants are essential for health promotion programs. This study aims to determine the water quality status and its spatiotemporal variation across the Kan River Basin, explore the interrelationship between surface and groundwater quality indices, and assess the nitrate health risk in drinking water.

The water quality index (WQI) was calculated based on the guideline of the Iran Environmental Protection Organization, and spatiotemporal distribution maps were prepared using ArcGIS in 2020. To determine the correlation between IRWQISC and IRWQIGC indices, Spearman's non-parametric test was applied. Furthermore, Hazard Quotient (HQ), Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), and Monte-Carlo Simulation techniques were used to determine the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of nitrate in three age groups.

The water resources were classified into three groups of medium quality, relatively good, and good during the study period. All parameters complied with the Iranian water quality standards. Furthermore, the statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between the surface and groundwater quality indices. The calculated HQ values for infants, children, and adults were 0.661, 0.620, and 0.236, respectively. The ELCR values for infants, children, and adults were 1.06 × 10-4, 0.99 × 10-4, and 0.38 × 10-4, respectively, which, for the infants' group was higher than the guideline limit of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (10-4).

The water resources are suitable for drinking purposes. However, more attention is needed to prevent water contamination in the coming years.

COVID-19 is a novel disease that infected many people around the world. It is essential to find the potential high-risk locations and provide suitable healthcare interventions to control COVID-19 distribution. Using a geographic information system, this study aimed to investigate the distribution trends of patients with COVID-19 in Kerman, Iran.

The information of registered patients of Afzalipour hospital in Kerman city who were admitted before July 22, 2020, was collected and used in this paper. The patients’ addresses were converted into geocodes. The trend of disease prevalence in connection with population density in different parts of Kerman was investigated. After that, the average nearest neighbor analysis was performed to check the random distribution of disease cases. Data were checked for randomness by High/Low clustering analysis.

: The spread of the COVID-19 disease started in Kerman city’s north, south, and west and then distributed to the center. The southern and western regions were in high-high clusters, and the central and northern regions were in low-low clusters in terms of COVID-19 outbreak risk. Regression showed a significant correlation between underlying diseases and patients' age with the incidence of Covid-19 disease.

The prevalence of COVID-19 had been higher in densely populated areas and also in areas with poorer economic conditions. Therefore, paying attention to these areas as well as applying strict rules can help control the spread of COVID-19. The result of this study could be useful for public health experts and healthcare managers to manage better this pandemic.

Drought is one of the most frequent natural hazards in Iran. Gender analysis can highlight the different needs and capacities of men and women to manage drought hazards. Thus, the present study aimed to map drought and the gender gap in drought data based on the provincial zones in 2011 and 2016.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 stages establishing a database and spatial analysis. Data mapping was done based on provincial divisions, sex-disaggregated distribution of literacy, and employment rate as well as drought patterns in Iran in 2011 and 2016 using ArcGIS software. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze and report the sex-disaggregated literacy and employment data.

About 80.73% and 75.27% of women and 80.89% and 74.74% of men experienced severe and very severe droughts in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Gender inequality in the aspects of literacy and employment in drought-affected regions was found in 2011 and 2016.

Community-based planning and management in regions exposed to climate change are suggested for reducing the consequences of climatic disasters such as droughts. Women need to be empowered and trained for innovative livelihood activities in rural and urban areas in Iran and other developing countries affected by long-term droughts.

It is widely accepted that concerns have been recently raised regarding the impact of air pollution on the health of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Air pollution probably affects the exacerbation of CF and its laboratory findings. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) has asked all countries to update their data and reports on the distribution and prevalence of CF in different areas. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the distribution and prevalence of CF based on the levels of atmospheric pollutants, such as PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 in 22 zones of Tehran, and to report the abnormal laboratory findings that might indicate the exacerbation of CF.

The studied statistical population included children with CF referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital from 2003 to 2020. Demographic data, location of living area, and laboratory findings were extracted from patient records. The geographic information system (GIS) was applied to indicate the distribution and dispersion of the disease. The information related to air pollutants was collected from all stations in Tehran during the studied period by the Department of Environment of Tehran Province, and the average levels were used for final reporting.

The analysis results on 287 CF patients demonstrated that the risk of disease exacerbation significantly increased by the presence of air pollutants. In areas with multiple air pollutants, more laboratory findings were observed to be abnormal, and the lower survival rate for patients with CF was recorded. Investigating the CF distribution pattern based on climatic layers and above mean sea level (AMSL) indicated that distribution of the disease was higher in dry areas with lower AMSL and the higher volume of the atmospheric pollutants, which were primarily centralized in southern and central Tehran.

Environmental factors, such as air pollution, can be considered vital parameters, along with high-risk factors, such as pure and integrated race, migration, and mutation, influencing the prevalence and exacerbation of CF symptoms. Considering the higher prevalence of CF in deprived areas of Tehran, households' cultural and economic level appears to be a factor in the lack of diagnostic screening and prevention of CF in these areas. On the other hand, continuous monitoring of the air pollution caused by traffic and giving warnings to CF patients and their parents is particularly important.

Earthquakes, one of the most important natural disasters of the earth, have always caused irreparable damage to human settlements in short time. One of the most important issues that we face after an earthquake is the transfer of earthquake victims and traumatized civilians to safe places and medical centers. The city of Mashhad with different geographical faults and the presence of enormous religious, cultural, historical and industrial assets make Mashhad the most dangerous city in terms of earthquake hazards. In the 9th district of this city, the existence of worn - out structures along the narrow passages and the importance to save time in providing relief proves the need to locate temporary accommodation centers and allocate the injured to safe places.

The process of optimizing the accommodation of people includes 2 main steps 1) Determining candidate locations for temporary accommodation 2) Optimal allocation of population blocks (origin). The weight of criteria was calculated using the pairwise comparison method. Then suitable places for deployment are identified. Criterion in the form of giving a specific wei ght to each, in order to prepare the final map, is of importance. Accordingly, the opinions of experts in the field of urban crisis management have been utilized. Subsequently, using GAMS software and 7 super - innovative algorithms such as SA, PSO, ICA, ACO , ABC, FA, LAFA.

The average process time and cost of 7 algorithms out of ten random problems with 1000 repetitions, and an average of 10 execution times show, that the 3 algorithms ACO, ABC and LAFA have lower cost and process time than the other meta - innovative algorithms. Therefore, we use the above three algorithms to solve the case study

Finally, the LAFA optimization algorithm had obtained a better and more appropriate result due to its execution time and cost being less than the other two algorithms.

Ticks are considered as the main vectors for the transmission of various pathogens such as relapsing fever and CCHF to humans. This study was investigated the biodiversity indices and medically importance of ticks in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran during 2015–2019.

Specimens were captured from infested ruminants including cows, sheep, and goats. Additionally, tick col lections also were performed on non-domesticated creatures such as turtles, rodents, and hedgehogs. Specimens were identified using valid identification keys. Species diversity, species richness and evenness indices have been calculated to estimate species biodiversity of ticks.

A total of 1478 adult ticks were collected. The specimens were from two families: Ixodidae (90.05%) and Ar gasidae (9.95%), 6 genera and 17 species including: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (55.9%), Rhipicephalus bursa (13.4%), Hyalomma marginatum (9.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (9.5%), Hyalomma asiaticum (0.2%), Hyalomma aegyptium (0.5%), Hyalomma scupense (1.3%), Hyalomma sp (1.2%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (0.7%), Haemaphysalis erinacea  (0.1%), Haemaphysalis inermis (0.1%), Haemaphysalis punctata  (0.2%), Haemaphysalis concinna (0.1% Boophilus annulatus (1.2), and Dermacentor marginatus (6.1%) among hard ticks as well as  Argas persicus (91.8%) and Argas reflexus (8.2%) amongst soft ticks. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. Bursa, Hy. marginatum and Hy. anatolicum were known as the most frequent species of hard ticks. Tick’s species richness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson index in this area were S= 17, H’= 1.69, D= 0.294 respectively.

Based on tick distribution veterinary authority, public health organizations and other officials should act for implementation of disease prevention.

Tehran is always exposed to various dangers due to its high population density. A geographic information system (GIS) can be very useful for reducing the financial and human burden caused by accidents, disasters, and diseases.

This field study was performed using a practical and descriptive research method. The pre-hospital emergency bases in the east of Tehran province and all the emergency bases covered by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in disasters were evaluated as a case study. The population of these cities amounted to 1,149,485 people and included cities in the east of Tehran province, Iran, including Damavand, Firoozkooh, Pakdasht, Pishva, Qarchak, and Varamin.

Rational maps were created and analyzed in the areas where emergency bases were located using ArcGIS software, as well as analysis of regions, distances, point density, and a combination of these factors. Regarding the standards and indicators, it was determined that the Disaster and Emergency Medical Management Center needs to have130 emergency medical technicians, 23 ambulances, and one ambulance bus to equip the exiting emergency bases according to the standard pre-hospital regulations. Other requirements in this regard include the replacement of worn-out ambulances with new ones, construction of two emergency bases in Qarchak, Tehran, Iran, and three emergency bases in Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran, as well as the transfer of bases in the proximity of faults and flood-prone areas to safe places.

Based on the obtained results, a comprehensive pre-hospital database was designed for the use of managers and officials in the occurrence of accidents, which might be used as a pilot work that can be expanded to other areas of Tehran, Iran, and other provinces in managing disasters and accidents.