Lifestyle is different in arid and semi-arid zones. However, where people are born and live have a lasting influence on their social and environmental exposure. This review focuses on the, various dimensions of environmental health imbalance inequality especially in significant environmental sources such as (ie, air, water, soil) among provinces that creates a big health gap in the center, East and the Southeast of Iran. Thus, the population of the arid and semi-arid zones of Iran is facing respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer and infection diseases linked to environmental problems such as chemical and microbial pollution due to air pollution and unsafe water sources, respectively. The prevalence of certain types of cancer such as skin, stomach, bladder, prostate and colorectal cancer together with some respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in arid and semiarid zones such as Kerman, Yazd, etc., has been reported in comparison with other provinces frequently. These impacts have effects on multiple levels of health security in those zones. Based on these concerns, we propose key questions that should guide research in the context of the socio environmental science to support science-based management actions in Iran and other similar semi-arid areas worldwide.

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Kartagener syndrome is a rare genetic disorder which includes a triad of bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis, and situs inversus. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) can be one of the causes of the above symptoms in this syndrome. This study aims to contribute toward a greater understanding of Kartagener syndrome by reporting a rare case. This 16-year-old boy was hospitalized in the internal ward of 22 Bahman Hospital in Gonabad on February 23, 2016 and presented with suspected Kartagener syndrome and PCD, whose diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome and PCD was confirmed according to biopsy of the nose and antitrypsin test. The patient also underwent electrocardiography, chest X-ray, pelvic and abdominal ultrasound, and computed tomography scan with high resolution and no contrast of the chest, abdomen, and sinuses. As a rare disorder, Kartagener syndrome should be borne in mind in differential diagnoses of chronic respiratory infections and must be diagnosed as early as possible to improve patient's quality of life.

Aim: Since the readiness study is considered a basic step in implementing various technologies, this study was conducted to assess the readiness of Al-Zahra Ophthalmology Hospital for implementing RFID technology. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Zahra Ophthalmology Hospital in Zahedan (the eastern province of Iran). Personnel of departments including emergency, management, information technology, and health information management formed the research population. A researcher-constructed questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of two parts with 37 questions for assessing the hospital readiness and the barriers of using RFID technology. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23. Results: The mean scores of humans, technical and organizational readiness of Al-Zahra Hospital for RFID technology were: 29, 45.14, and 33.5, respectively. In other words, technical readiness was assessed at a good level and human and organizational readiness at a moderate level. The overall readiness of Al-Zahra Hospital for RFID technology has been at a moderate level (mean score of 35.88). The mean score of barriers to using RFID technology was 37.82. Conclusion: Based on the findings, although there are positive points about RFID technology in terms of technology acceptance, organizational and technical issues, the lack of technical manpower, radio waves equipment, and budget are among the major challenges of RFID technology implementation in Al-Zahra hospital. Therefore, allocating the budget and employing specialized human resources, and creating the necessary technical infrastructure are necessary for implementing RFID technology.