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Background & objectives: Currently, the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important health problems all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences during the coronavirus epidemic in Ardabil province.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Ardabil province in northwestern Iran. All patients admitted to hospitals in Ardabil province were recruited. All data were collected from the information registration portal, which was designed according to the instructions of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In this portal, demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory presentations and other data for patients in all hospitals were recorded in one format. SPSS-19 software was used for simple statistical analysis.
Results: During the period from the beginning to preparation of this report, four peaks of Covid-19 were observed in Ardabil. The total number of PCR samples was 76673, of which 33189 (43%) were positive. The number of hospitalized patients was 28792, of which 13716 were positive and the number of outpatients was 47881, of which 19473 were positive.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that despite the implementation of national guidelines by Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, the number of hospitalizations and death rates of COVID 19 are still relatively high.

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Background & objectives: The rapid spread of COVID-19 has recently become a worldwide health challenge. Coping with the highly contagious outbreak of COVID-19 requires preventive measures and self-care behaviors in the first instance. To this end, the use of techniques and methods of coping, disease prevention as well as management, lifestyle, education and use of health items and providing self-care instructions can prevent further spread of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prioritization of self-care indicators in the prevention of Covid-19 in Ardabil province, which is one of the foci of this disease.
Methods: This descriptive-field survey was conducted from the beginning of Covid-19 outbreak (March 1998 to January 1999). The sample size consisted of 120 people who were selected using the available snowball sampling method. Data analysis was performed using TOPSIS analysis software and formulation in Excel software based on weighting with entropy algorithm and prioritization with TOPSIS algorithm.
Results: The results of this study showed the Sub-indics of increasing awareness of people about the prevalence of infection with proximity with coefficient (CLi +) of 0.8673, washing hands with soap and water or disinfecting with alcohol-based solution with proximity coefficient (CLi +) of 0.9391, electronicization of most activities Employees' work with a coefficient of closeness (CLi +) of 0.8687, observing a safe distance (1.5 meters) from people who cough and sneeze with a coefficient of closeness (CLi +) of 0.8277, avoiding any gatherings with a coefficient of closeness (CLi +) 0.9276, as the most important indicators among self-care methods in Ardabil province.
Conclusion: This study was a proposed method to assist health care providers in making decisions and selecting the COVID-19 self-care model in Ardabil province

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Background & objectives: Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses and constitute a subfamily of Coronaviridae ranging from the common cold virus to viruses causing more acute diseases such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Symptom), MERSE (Middle East Respiratory Symptom) and COVID-19 inflicting human respiratory system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trend of changes in the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 disease during the epidemic period in patients admitted to hospitals in Ardabil province.
Methods: In this cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study, all patients with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 who were referred to hospitals in Ardabil province were studied. The information was extracted from the hospital data registration system of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences and was analyzed in two time periods between 20^th February to 10^th July 2020. Chi-square and Fisher tests in SPSS 16 software were used to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 symptoms and time periods.
Results: The total number of hospitalizations during the study was 5541, which after PCR test was positive for 2506 patients (45.22%). Patients were examined at two different time intervals. The first time period from the beginning of the disease in Ardabil province to 4/20/2020 and the second time period from 5/1/2020 to 10/7/2020 were studied. According to the results of this study, the prevalence of stomachache and bruising had almost doubled between the first and second time (p<0.05). However, the prevalence of general weakness, confusion or irritability, runny nose, chest pain and conjunctival redness were significantly reduced during this period (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that at the beginning of the epidemic, respiratory symptoms had reported in most patients. Over time, some other symptoms, such as gastrointestinal, olfactory, and taste symptoms, had increased, but respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 were still severe and directly affected hospitalization and mortality.
 

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Background & objectives: Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) can have several psychological effects. This research aimed to investigate mental health status and its relationship with the sleep quality of healthcare workers during the covid-19 pandemic in southern Iran. 
Methods: This‌ descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 496 personnel of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital, the center of COVID-19 in Fars province. The participants were selected using the census method. The online General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were provided for participants. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS23 at a significance level of 0.05. 
Results: The mean mental health and sleep quality scores were 48.73±17.14 (of 84) and 8.43±6.21 (of 21), respectively. It indicates a high probability of developing mental health disorders and poor sleep quality among participants. We saw a positive and significant correlation between mental health and sleep quality (p= 0.01, r= 0.33). The level of mental health disorders was significantly higher in single participants (p= 0.02) and participants with bachelor's degrees (p= 0.04). Also, the sleep quality of males (p= 0.03) and single employees (p= 0.04) was significantly lower than the others.
Conclusion: The participants had high mental health disorders, and their sleep quality seems unfavorable. Supportive interventions, counseling, and psychological services are recommended to reduce mental health disorders and improve sleep quality.
 

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Background & objectives: Information on the baseline profile of patients with Covid-19 and ICU-related risk factors and in-hospital mortality is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU of Golestan medical centers from March to September 2020.
Methods: This study analyzed data from patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the ICU of medical centers in Golestan province from March to September 2020. The study included information from all 664 patients. The software utilized was SPSS24.
Results: In a study of 664 patients, 547 (82.4%) died, while only 56 (8.4%) recovered. The patient's average age was 59.73 years with a standard deviation of 21.87 years, and 51.4% were male. The most common underlying disease was cardiovascular disease (10.7%). The study showed that age (p<0.001), blood urea (p<0.001), and having at least one underlying disease were significantly associated with the patient's outcomes, including death (p= 0.046).
Conclusion: Mortality due to Covid-19 in patients admitted to ICU in Golestan province had a high percentage. The elderly, especially those with underlying diseases, are more likely to die.
 

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Background & objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for couples, including managing household duties, child-rearing, and communication difficulties. Unfortunately, these challenges have led to marital conflicts and, in some cases, divorce. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of domestic violence against women and children during the pandemic.
Methods: For this research, various English databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley, ProQuest EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, were searched from February 2020 to September 2022, using keywords like Children, Adolescents, Coronavirus 2019, Depression, Stress Anxiety, Domestic Violence, and Pandemic. In this study, the PRISMA systematic review study reporting guide was used.
Results: Research findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in mental, physical, and sexual violence against children and women. Factors such as income level, employment status, age, school closures, smoking, and home quarantine have been associated with increased verbal, sexual, and physical violence against these vulnerable groups.
Conclusion: Violence against women and children can cause severe psychological and social consequences. As much of this violence may occur in secrecy, the country's welfare and psychological organizations must take action and promote awareness of domestic violence.
 

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Background & objectives: Managing stress and building resilience are crucial in maintaining optimal performance and adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines. This study aimed to explore the correlation between stress and resilience while adhering to the guidelines for preventing COVID-19 in Kermanshah province.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Kermanshah province from December 18th, 2020, to June 6th, 2021, using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of five sections: Demographic information, Health records, Procedures for COVID-19 prevention, Perceived stress, and Resilience. The data was collected through this questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression statistical methods.
Results: Out of 188 participants, 121 (equivalent to 64.36%) were female. The perceived stress, resilience, and adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines were measured with mean scores (SD) of 23.53 (8.85), 62.16 (20.53), and 41.72 (7.22), respectively. The correlation analysis between the three variables revealed a significant positive correlation between resilience and adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines. Further analysis with multiple linear regression, taking into account other variables, showed that resilience, moderate, and high-stress levels significantly increased adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines by 17.27 (95% CI: 10.47, 24.07), 13.61 (95% CI: 6.53, 20.07), and 14.24 (95% CI: 6.57, 21.91), respectively. Additionally, there was a significant negative interaction between resilience and stress levels regarding adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines.
Conclusion: The stress level is almost moderate, and resilience is high; conversely, compliance with the guidelines for preventing COVID-19 is also high. Considering the inverse relationship between the interaction of stress and resilience with following the guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19, the necessity of gaining people's trust through their support in facing the adverse conditions of the pandemic, such as psycho-social and economic support by Health policymakers, is emphasized.
 

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Background & objectives: Due to the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus, it has become more crucial than ever to be aware of its physical symptoms. This responsibility mainly falls on medical and therapeutic communities. However, psychologists and psychiatrists are responsible for examining the psychological and psychosomatic aspects of the disease. This article investigates the relationship between health anxiety, conspiracy delusion, and the attitude toward the Covid-19 vaccine.
Methods: A descriptive web-based correlation approach was utilized for this research. Two hundred seventy participants were selected through social networks using available sampling techniques. Questionnaires about health anxiety, CMQ conspiracy illusion, and attitude towards the VAX vaccine were distributed through Google Forms and online platforms. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression techniques were utilized to analyze the collected data in the SPSS-24 environment.
Results: The study revealed that health anxiety, conspiracy delusion, and attitude towards the vaccine are interconnected. There was a positive and significant correlation between health anxiety and the attitude toward the vaccine (p<0.05). Similarly, conspiracy delusion and the attitude toward the vaccine were positively and significantly related (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that health anxiety and conspiracy illusions can predict the attitude toward the vaccine.
 

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Background & objectives: Coronavirus is one of the respiratory pathogens that may cause from a mild cold to more severe diseases. According to studies, there is a relationship between smoking and the severity of the disease caused by this virus. However, people's awareness about this connection needs to be clarified. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the level of awareness among the businesspeople of Ardabil City about the relationship between smoking and hookah smoking and the COVID-19 disease and its related factors.
Methods: This study was descriptive-analytical research conducted on 380 people from the businesspeople of Ardabil city, who were selected using the available sampling method. In order to collect data, a demographic information form and a researcher-made questionnaire about the relationship between tobacco use and COVID-19 disease were used, the validity and reliability of which were confirmed. Data was entered into SPSS software version 25 and analyzed using descriptive (number, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (independent t-tests and Spearman correlation coefficient).
Results: A total of 376 people were included in this study. The average age of the study subjects was 36.88±11.49 years. Out of 376 people, 189 people (50.3%) were smoking. The average score of the participants' awareness about the relationship between smoking and hookah usage with the COVID-19 disease was 11.35±5.58 (out of 22 points). The level of awareness of female participants was significantly higher than that of men, and with increasing age, the level of awareness increased (p<0.05). No significant relationship was observed between people's knowledge score and their level of education and occupation.
Conclusion: Considering the moderate awareness of the participants about the relationship between smoking and hookah and the disease COVID-19, people in the community need more education in this field. The correct education of people requires the actions of health policymakers, which can be done by producing brochures, holding online meetings, using social networks and with the participation of union officials.
 

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Background & objectives: Resilience and professional commitment are crucial factors in an individual's ability to maintain biological and psychological balance in stressful professional situations, especially in the medical field. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous psychological challenges to healthcare personnel working in active COVID-19 centers, leading to symptoms of fear, anxiety, depression, and burnout. This study aims to examine the levels of resilience and professional commitment among healthcare workers in COVID-19 centers and their relationship.
Methods: This cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted in 2019 on the care workers working in the COVID-19 centers of Mashhad. The link of the standard electronic questionnaire of Davidson's resilience and Klikman's and Henning's professional commitment was published in the virtual Telegram groups of the personnel of the Covid centers in Mashhad, and available sampling was done and the data was analyzed by SPSS-20 software.
Results: The study included 220 participants with an average age of 36.85±8.69 and an average work experience of 11.7±8.36 years. The average score for professional commitment was 52.15±7.35, indicating high professional commitment, while the average resilience score was 69.05±13.04, indicating high resilience. There was a positive and significant correlation between professional commitment and resilience (r=0.379, sig= 0.0001).
Conclusion: The resilience and professional commitment of COVID-19 center employees in Mashhad are in a good state, with a positive and significant relationship between the two. Strengthening the resilience of medical staff during crises may enhance their professional commitment.
 

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Background & objectives: As the coronavirus disease has not yet been contained, and vaccination is known to be the most effective and safest way to fight against it, and considering the insignificant risks of vaccination on pregnancy and the fetus, this study aims to investigate the acceptance and attitude of pregnant women towards the COVID-19 vaccine.
Methods: The present study is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted on pregnant women visiting health centers in Astara City. The data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire distributed among 225 pregnant women after ensuring reliability and validity. The samples were pregnant women who visited Astara Health Center during their pregnancy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS25 software with descriptive tests.
Results: There was a significant relationship between attitude towards the coronavirus vaccine and acceptance of the vaccine (p<0.02). The most important reason for women's reluctance to receive the coronavirus vaccine is the fear of harming the fetus.
Conclusion: Given the low attitude of women towards the COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended to implement appropriate educational and informational programs to increase the awareness and attitude of pregnant women towards the COVID-19 vaccine.
 

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Background & objectives: Covid-19 is an emerging disease that has affected the world in recent years. In addition to pulmonary effects, some skin manifestations are also observed in Covid-19 patients. Considering the lack of studies on the prevalence of these demonstrations in Ardabil, the present study was conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate skin and mucosal manifestations in patients with Covid-19 admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) in Ardabil.
Methods: The study population was the patients of Covid-19 hospitalized in the Corona ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) in Ardabil province in 3 months of autumn 1400. In this study, 274 patients were examined and the required information was collected using a checklist.
Results: Among the studied people; 191 patients (69.7%) were women and 83 patients (30.3%) were men. The average age of the study patients was 59.25 years with a standard deviation of 12.32. 14 patients (5.1%) had skin manifestations. Among the 14 patients with skin manifestations, 78.6% mentioned that these manifestations occurred after contracting the coronavirus. Also, 50% mentioned that these lesions are itchy. 50% described these lesions as progressive. 57.1% of patients with skin manifestations mentioned that they experienced hair loss after contracting the coronavirus.
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of skin manifestations in corona patients of Ardabil city was 5.1%. This amount showed the need to pay more attention to skin manifestations, especially in patients without a history of skin sensitivity.
 

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Background & objectives: This study explores the influence of socio-economic factors on income reduction and dietary habits in relation to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 in Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: In this article, the impact of socio-economic factors on income and the nutritional behavior of people during the outbreak of covid-19 in Mashhad city were evaluated using a questionnaire.
Results: Findings suggest that socio-economic factors affect individuals' income amid the Covid-19 pandemic. To mitigate income loss, individuals reduced family gatherings and travel frequency, with minimal cuts in spending on fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Conclusion: By supporting tenants, households with a large population and low-income groups, the losses caused by Corona can be reduced.
 

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Background & objectives: The emergence of COVID-19 has precipitated a global health crisis, profoundly affecting various dimensions of human life, including social, academic, cultural, economic, and political spheres. This study aims to compare the management strategies employed by South Korea, Japan, and Iran in response to the pandemic, highlighting the effectiveness of their approaches and the resultant outcomes.
Methods: This research employs a comprehensive literature review of articles from scientific databases, including Scopus, Elsevier, Science Direct, PubMed, and ISI. It analyzes the strategies each country implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, highlighting both successes and challenges encountered during the pandemic.
Results: The findings indicate that countries with prior experience in managing epidemics, such as South Korea and Japan, were better equipped to handle the COVID-19 crisis. South Korea’s rapid response included widespread testing, contact tracing, and the use of technology to monitor the virus's spread. Japan, leveraging its geographical proximity to China and existing health infrastructure, also implemented effective measures, including travel restrictions and public health campaigns. In contrast, Iran faced significant challenges in managing the pandemic. The rapid spread of COVID-19 overwhelmed its healthcare system, exacerbated by pre-existing economic sanctions and health infrastructure deficiencies. Despite various strategies implemented by the Iranian government and the Ministry of Health, including public awareness campaigns and temporary lockdowns, the outcomes were less favorable compared to South Korea and Japan. Inadequate responses to the health crisis resulted in serious social and psychological consequences, worsening the situation.
Conclusion: Countries that effectively managed the new coronavirus pandemic had prior experience with epidemics. Their swift actions and recognition of the critical situation contributed to minimizing human and financial losses.