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One of the most important steps to improve the quality of life of street-connected children is to gain experiences and assess their needs, with the children themselves being the best source for this information. Therefore, this research aims to identify the experiences and needs of street children using their own insights. The research methodology employed in this study was qualitative, utilizing thematic analysis and semi-in-depth interviews. Maximum variation purposive sampling was employed to capture a range of experiences among street-connected children. Following data collection and analysis, four main themes emerged: 'The street as an entry into a new world', 'The street as a place for experience and love', 'The street as a place for survival', and 'The street as a place for pain and suffering'. This study uncovers the complex realities of street-connected children, revealing the factors driving them onto the streets and challenging misconceptions. Despite facing profound challenges, these children demonstrate resilience and aspirations for a better future. The study underscores the importance of supportive environments, education, healthcare, and inclusive policymaking to address the systemic factors perpetuating their vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects 2–4% of adolescents aged 10–16, while Scheuermann's kyphosis affects 0.4–10% of adolescents aged 11 to 16. Over the past 50 years, brace treatment has been recommended as the most common non-surgical intervention for treating these spinal deformities. The effectiveness of brace treatment depends on the duration of brace wearing. This study aimed to understand the brace compliance process for adolescents with spinal deformities through a qualitative approach. Method: This study applied multicenter exploratory qualitative research with an interpretative framework and enlisted the participation of as many individuals as possible involved in brace-wearing in adolescents with spinal deformities. Semi-structured, in-depth, and face-to-face interviews and telephone conversations from September 2020 to May 2021 were conducted. The recorded audio of each interview was typed into Word software with each personal code. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: Seventy-four participants were interviewed, including 32 adolescents treated with braces and their parents (27 mothers, five fathers), six orthotists, two physiotherapists, and two spine surgeons. Following data analysis, four main categories, 14 categories, and 69 subcategories of 2403 related codes were discovered. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the current qualitative research, adolescents with spinal deformities experience extensive challenges in the treatment process, which can affect the results and brace intervention efficacy. The current research findings showed that every adolescent goes through similar but unique conditions during the treatment. The importance of considering each adolescent's specific conditions and characteristics and providing functional solutions and support was understood to help them navigate critical situations more quickly and achieve effective treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on exploring the influence of spirituality/religion on the management of mental health disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the viewpoints of Iranian patients with mental health disorders regarding the incorporation of spirituality into their assessment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 at Iran University of Medical Sciences. Initially, a questionnaire was developed based on key spiritual concepts identified from a literature review. The content and face validity of the questionnaire were evaluated by an expert panel, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data collection was carried out in the second phase, with the questionnaire consisting of 4 questions examining the patients' perceived need and willingness for their therapist to explore their spiritual and religious dimensions. Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The questionnaire's validity was confirmed, and its reliability was demonstrated with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.79. A total of 368 patients participated in the study. No significant associations were observed between the participants' educational level, diagnosis type, gender, and the questionnaire scores. Approximately half of the patients with mental health disorders expressed a desire to incorporate spiritual assessments into their psychological evaluations, with most welcoming this integration. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that despite challenges and barriers, efforts should be made to integrate spiritual dimensions into the treatment of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to examine the experiences of transgender women who work in the sex industry regarding their access to health care facilities for sexual health. Transgender women sex workers are recognised worldwide as a high-risk group for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods: In Iran, between January and May 2022, we employed a snowball sampling technique to recruit a diverse group of 22 transgender women sex workers aged 19–42 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these participants to provide insights into their experiences with accessing sexual health care. Results: The data was analysed using thematic analysis, revealing four overarching themes: experiences of violence, contextual barriers to health, socioeconomic challenges and HIV/STI risk practices, and 11 sub-themes. The results demonstrate that many participants experienced difficulties in accessing sexual health services due to violence, discrimination, financial difficulties and lack of awareness about STIs. Conclusion: Sex workers face extraordinarily challenging occupational risks, including sexual and physical abuse, mental health issues, and HIV and STIs. Targeted public intervention programs and research for this group are urgently needed. Outreach programs engaging with underserved transgender women sex workers have the potential to enhance access to healthcare services, and contribute to the reduction of HIV transmission rates. Transgender women who work in the sex industry face difficulties accessing health care facilities. This population is recognised worldwide as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections and HIV In this paper, we describe challenges for accessing healthcare amongst transgender women sex workers in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of horizontal ridge augmentation using FDBA in combination with injectable‐platelet rich fibrin (i‐PRF) versus FDBA alone. To fulfill this aim, the radiographic and histomorphometric outcomes are compared. Method: The study involved 41 patients who had horizontal alveolar ridge defects categorized as either B (2.5–7 mm) or C (0–2.5 mm). The control group received FDBA alone (n = 20), while the test group received FDBA in combination with i‐PRF (n = 21). The horizontal dimensions of the alveolar ridge were measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mm from the bone crest using CBCT before and 6 months after alveolar ridge augmentation. In the second‐stage surgery, 24 biopsies were taken from the augmented bone — 13 from the control group and 11 from the test group, and were examined histologically and histomorphometrically. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, chi‐square, paired‐t, and two‐sample t tests. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the increase of mean ridge width between the test group and the control group after 6 months at distances of 0, 2, 4, and 6 mm from the crest, with differences of −0.28, 0.12, 0.52, and 1.04 mm, respectively. However, the amount of newly formed bone and material residues was significantly higher in the FDBA + i‐PRF group compared to the FDBA alone group (45.01% and 13.06% vs 54.03% and 8.48%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the amount of soft tissue between the two groups (41.02% and 37.5%, p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study found that there was no statistically significant difference in the increase of horizontal ridge width between the FDBA + i‐PRF group and the FDBA group. However, the histomorphometric analysis revealed that the FDBA + i‐PRF group had a higher proportion of newly formed bone, less connective tissue, and fewer residual particles. This suggests a superior quality of bone formation compared to the FDBA group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for transgender individuals are crucial. This population is deprived of health care due to rejection, stigma, gender-based discrimination, confidentiality, and violence. This review attempts to provide readers with an account of the fundamental problems that the transgender population faces regarding experiences of SRH. This meta-synthesis review applied the Social–Ecological Model (SEM) to address trans individuals' SRH factors. The databases were searched using "SRH" and "transgender" keywords. Fifty studies were finally selected. All studies were qualitative, including 36 semi-structured/ in-depth interviews, two focus group studies, and 12 interviews and focus group studies. The Social–Ecological Model application illustrates the impact of individual, interpersonal, institutional, and social factors on the condition of SRH among transgender individuals. This meta-synthesis reinforces multiple levels of factors that influence the SRH of transgender individuals. These include limited information, lack of awareness, low socioeconomic status, stigma and discrimination, and social deprivation. Interventions are urgently needed to provide better sexual and reproductive well-being for transgender individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Satisfaction from the supervisor is considered one of the important factors in the choice and successful advancement of students' theses. In addition to the supervisor's academic skills, the ability to communicate with the student and guide him/her in the direction of the thesis project is also important. This article aimed to evaluate the criteria for supervisor selection by doctoral students of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Methods: This study was an instrument-development variant of sequential exploratory mixed method design, and also was a crosssectional descriptive study that was accomplished in two qualitative and quantitative parts. The collection instrument of the qualitative part was a purpose-based interview until the time of information saturation, and the instrument of the quantitative part was the multicast questionnaire in terms of the Likert standard, which was completed by the community members. After analysis, the findings of the two steps were combined to answer the research questions. Results: Among 181 students of the Pasteur Institute of Iran that participated in the research, 104 people had 22-52 years old. Friendly attitude, honesty, ability to provide financial support, friendly environment, observation of the research ethics principles and avoidance of academic theft, and finally the support of the supervisor in the defense session have got the most priority among this study participants, especially among female students. Accordingly, the supervisor's academic rank, his/her experience, and ability in patent and invention registration, along with the opinion of the past student and others have the least importance. Conclusion: According to this research, the possibility of creating a good job position after graduation, the possibility of continuing their studies at higher levels, or creating suitable conditions for immigrating to advanced countries in addition to gaining the best situation at the final the thesis are the reasons for the high sensitivity of students in choosing a supervisor for their thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-related diarrhea reduces patients' quality of life and sometimes changes or interrupts their treatment regimen. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of yogurt with probiotics on diarrhea caused by chemotherapy. Method: The present study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 66 patients with colorectal cancer, recruited with convenience sampling method from patients who were referred to Buali Hospital of Tehran. The samples were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received yogurt with probiotics, the second group received yogurt alone, and the third group of control did not use yogurt during treatment. Data were gathered using the diarrhea section of adverse events. The number of defecations, the severity of diarrhea, and the consistency of stool in the seven days of the intervention were compared among the three groups. Analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were performed through SPSS software. Results: The number of defecations in the yogurt group with probiotics and yogurt was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The severity of diarrhea in the yogurt group with probiotics decreased more rapidly (P < 0.05). Stool consistency in the yogurt group with probiotics was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, yogurt with probiotics can reduce and improve diarrhea caused by chemotherapy. The results also showed that yogurt alone can reduce diarrhea and improve its symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]