Arch Iran Med
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Epidemiology can be considered as a responsible public health science the aim of which is to control health problems. One of the most important public health problems is "war". The aim of the present paper, therefore, is threefold: firstly, to determine to what extent war has been investigated from an epidemiological point of view; secondly, what the definition and scope of "war epidemiology" would be; and thirdly, if it would be possible to introduce a new branch of epidemiology entitled "peace epidemiology". ⋯ Epidemiologists need to produce more scientific evidence about the negative public health consequences of wars and also the positive public health consequences of peace. The ultimate aim of "war epidemiology" is to control war, usually by secondary and tertiary prevention activities. However, the ultimate aim of "peace epidemiology" is to reinforce peace by primary and/or primordial prevention activities.
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Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began its journey around the world. Medical students, as frontline healthcare workers, are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 related knowledge, self-reported preventive behaviors and risk perception among Iranian medical students within the first week after the onset of the outbreak in Iran. ⋯ We found a high level of COVID-19 related knowledge and self-reported preventive behaviors and moderate risk perception among Iranian medical students.
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To describe the utilization and out-of-pocket (OOP) payments of war survivors receiving health care services and its determinants. ⋯ Both outpatient services and hospital admission are more frequent among war survivors compared to the general Iranian population. Future studies should attempt to explore the reasons.
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Childhood trauma exerts a significant effect on psychological life of people. It is a ubiquitous phenomenon. We face a social epidemic with serious consequences that shatter the life of survivors. Victimization in early years of life entraps the individuals in the victim-rescuer-abuser triangle. Many perpetrators and criminals have had history of childhood abuse. The main objective of this study was the assessment of patients with a history of child abuse who behaved in abusive manner in adulthood. ⋯ This preliminary study showed that a significant number of patients with history of childhood abuse involved in abusive behavior and victimization of others in adulthood. Paying attention to this issue by mental health practitioners and policy makers can prevent the intergenerational transmission of abuse and development of a more peaceful society.
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The discussions held by the congress panels can be boiled down to the following convictions. Health professionals, especially those who are working in the Middle East region, have to promote peace as part of their professional responsibility. Moving towards this objective can be realized through a number of measures. ⋯ Showing respect to other societies and civilizations, encouraging cultural interactions between societies, and elevating public intellectuality and general demand for reduction of violence can be effective in decreasing the latter and the effects thereof. Of the engagements that health professionals must seriously take on is employing health diplomacy and curbing the accumulation of unrestricted power and unilateralism through enforcing international treaties. Finally, it is essential to make health systems more resilient to complex emergencies caused by wars so that they can survive such conditions.