Geographical disparities in the health of iranian women: Health outcomes, behaviors, and health-care access indicators

Abstract

Background:Women's health is a key factor affecting the health of the whole population. Tackling inequality in determinants of health is recognized as the main path toward reducing the inequality in health outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the provincial inequality in determinants of women's health and health care in Iran.Methods:Using the Moss's model (2002) as a comprehensive framework of determinants of women's health, including “geopolitical environment,” “culture, norms, sanctions,” “women's roles in reproduction and production,” “health-related mediators,” and “health outcome” categories, we chose 13 indicators. Afterward, using data sources including the Iranian Multiple Indicators of Demographics and Health Survey, the National Organization for Civil Registration, and Statistics Centre of Iran, we analyzed provincial inequality in these indicators in Iran (2011). Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve were used for measuring inequality.Results:Gini coefficients calculated as follows; life satisfaction level (0.027), literate women (0.398), women with proper knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention (0.483), unemployed women (0.380), women without an income (0.384), women who use at least one type of mass media (0.389), women who used computer or internet (0.467), women who had received pregnancy care from a skill birth attendant (SBA) (0.420), women who had delivered with the help of an SBA (0.426), women who currently smoke cigarettes (0.603), women who currently consume hookah (0.561), women with at least one chronic disease (0.438), and women's deaths in 2010 and 2011 (0.393 and 0.359, respectively).Conclusions:We found large provincial disparities in determinants of women's health in Iran. Determinants such as lifestyle, health behavior, health knowledge, and health-care services availability should be considered by health policymakers in addressing the inequality in women's health at a provincial level.

Measuring inequalities in the selected indicators of National Health Accounts from 2008 to 2016: evidence from Iran

“…Firstly, the distribution of disease burden varies from one region to another region, and this is more important, especially for chronic and non-contagious diseases, which have higher expenditures. Therefore, various studies conducted in Iran indicate that inequality in risky behaviors, access to health services, and health outcomes such as mortality and morbidity, are evident in urban, rural areas and different provinces [ 33 – 36 ]. Secondly, as the main incentive of the private sector in delivering health services is the attained profit, regions with more facilities, higher development level, and stronger infrastructures provide more potential opportunities for private sector development.…”

Evaluating co-occurrence of depression and sexual dysfunction and related factors among Iranian rural women: a population-based study

“…Study tools included demographic and individual characteristics questionnaire, the standard Beck's Depression Inventory, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual dysfunction of the participants. The validity and reliability of these questionnaires have been assessed in many studies and were known around the world [ 2 , 20 , 26 ].…”

“…In fact, both sexual dysfunctions and mood disorders have a high incidence rate and there is a high co-occurrence between them [ 24 ]. A high rate of women diagnosed with mild to severe depression has experienced sexual dysfunction [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Telepediatric assistance in Iran: Specialist and subspecialty challenges

“…The study on disparities of Iranian woman health [24], determinants like health behavior, health knowledge, and lifestyle availability were adopting the imbalance in women's health at a provincial level. Therefore, these disparities in determinants should be addressed by health policymakers to provide better medical services.…”