Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Abstract Background: A bortion b ans, r estrictive l aws, fi nancial a nd procedural barriers, criminalization, and punishment oriented approaches limit access to information about abortion services and increase out-of-state travel to obtain these services. The purpose of this study is to investigate abortion tourism conditions in some countries with liberal abortion laws and in Islamic countries, using a systematic review approach.
Methods: This systematic review searched for articles published between 1970 and 2022 in available Iranian and international databases, such as: SID, Magiran, Irandoc, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, using the following keywords: “induced abortion”, “tourism”, “European”, “Islamic”, and “laws”. The literature search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Following the PICO framework, we included studies on women of reproductive age who had traveled for abortion procedures.
Results: Of 68 articles identified from European and Muslim countries, 24 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Due to the diversity of conditions and contexts, it was not possible to categorize travel approaches uniformly. Studies showed that young age and first pregnancy, delays in seeking care, concerns about negative attitudes, moral and religious stigma, fear of being judged and mistreated by health care providers, as well as legal restrictions and lack of service availability are key conditions that encourage women to travel for abortion.
Conclusion: A bortion l aws w orldwide, s haped b y d ifferent political, cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, range from complete prohibition to complete liberalization. To address the rise in abortion tourism, policymakers and planners must develop strategies to respond to these conditions.

Abstract Background: Occupational exposures contribute to approximately 8% of all cancer cases. Artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learning and deep learning, presents a promising avenue for the prevention and management of these cancers. This systematic review explores the current applications of AI in the detection, assessment, diagnosis, and control of occupational cancers.
Methods: This systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, conducting a thorough search of the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases between October and November 2023. The search utilized keywords related to occupation, cancer, and AI. Articles were included if they examined occupational cancers, occupational exposure to carcinogens, and the application of 
AI tools. A screening process was followed by data extraction, focusing on study details, populations, and AI applications.
Results: The initial search yielded 2426 articles, from which 34 were selected for full-text review. Ultimately, 23 studies were included in the analysis. These studies covered a range of occupational cancers and AI applications, broadly categorized into: 1) AI for risk assessment of occupational exposure to carcinogens, 2) AI for cancer prediction and detection, and 3) AI for cancer diagnosis and clinical evaluation. Lung cancer was the most frequently studied type of occupational cancer.
Conclusion: The application of AI in the study of occupational cancers is relatively nascent, with a limited number of studies identified. However, given AI’s significant capabilities in disease assessment and management, future research is strongly recommended to leverage these tools for investigating the most prevalent occupational cancers, including lung, bladder, laryngeal, leukemia, and liver cancers.

Abstract Background: Crystalline silica is a major occupational air pollutant. Inhalation of silica-containing dust can lead to severe respiratory disorders, including silicosis and lung cancer. This study assessed the mortality risks of silicosis and lung cancer among sweepers at an iron ore mine exposed to crystalline silica.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2022 2023 involving 120 sweepers and 120 office staff. Air sampling for crystalline silica was performed using plastic cyclones in accordance with NIOSH Analytical Method 7601, and samples were analyzed using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Mortality risk assessments for silicosis and lung cancer were computed using 
the Mannetje and Rice models, respectively.
Results: The mean concentration of crystalline silica exposure among sweepers (0.67±1.40 mg/m³) exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.025 mg/m³. The Concentration unit showed the highest silica levels. The estimated silicosis mortality risk ranged from 3–64 per 1,000 workers among sweepers and 1 per 1,000 workers among office staff. The lung cancer mortality risk ranged from 9–535 per 1,000 sweepers and 1 per 1,000 office staff. The Concentration unit also exhibited the highest risk for both diseases.
Conclusion: Sweepers in iron ore mines face elevated mortality risks from silicosis and lung cancer due to excessive crystalline silica exposure. Effective control measures to reduce silica levels are urgently needed. Further investigations should address long term exposure patterns and preventive strategies.

Abstract Background: Medical education has comprehensive goals that include students’ achievement of cognitive, attitudinal, and practical skills. Therefore, it is important that students, in addition to participating in theory classes, attend clinical environments interact with patients, professors, and colleagues, and participate in simulation training programs. So, this study aimed to investigate the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences students’ satisfaction with virtual education.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 204 students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during 2021-2022. The survey questionnaires were constructed using the Iranian online platform Porsline® and distributed electronically via WhatsApp application and SMS messages.
Results: The findings showed that the majority of students (n=139, 68.1%) had a medium satisfaction level and 30.4% of them (n=62) were very satisfied with the virtual educational 
system. There was a significant relationship between virtual education satisfaction levels in the field of education.
Conclusion: It is necessary to provide the infrastructure of virtual education and plan to provide a cultural platform to accept virtual education as much as possible.

Abstract Background: Previous studies have presented inconsistent findings regarding the association between ambient temperature and mental disorders. This study was conducted to systematically 
investigate the correlation between temperature variations and the prevalence of mental disorders on a global scale.
Methods: This ecological study extracted data on temperature and mental disorders for 204 countries from the Global Burden of Disease website. Correlation analyses between these variables were performed using SPSS version 22.
Results: Our findings revealed that anxiety disorders were least prevalent in Japan and most prevalent in Mexico City. A significant positive correlation was observed between average annual 
temperature (r=0.226, p ≤0.001) and low-temperature exposure (r=0.126, p ≤0.001) with anxiety disorders. Furthermore, average annual temperature (r=0.137, p=0.018) and low-temperature 
exposure (r=0.057, p=0.024) were positively and significantly correlated with major depressive disorder. Singapore reported the lowest prevalence of mental disorders, while the United States reported the highest. A positive significant correlation was found between suicide rates and average annual temperature (r=0.226, p =0.030).
Conclusion: Elevated average annual temperatures were significantly correlated with an increase in major depressive disorders, while exposure to low temperatures was associated with a reduction in these disorders. These findings highlight the potential impact of climate on mental health and emphasize the need to implement effective public health strategies and provide accessible mental health services, especially in regions experiencing significant temperature fluctuations.

Abstract Background: Bullying is an international issue that occurs in all types of schools, whether public or private, primary or secondary, urban or rural. It causes fear, lowers academic performance and 
absenteeism, and can even lead to victims taking their own lives. The study’s primary goal was to determine the connection between school bullying and students’ academic performance.
Methods: A quantitative (descriptive cross-sectional) study was conducted at governmental primary schools in Al-Basrah City, Iraq, and the study period extended from December 20, 2023, to March 25, 2024. A purposively selected sample of 275 teachers participated in the study.
Results: The findings demonstrate that bullying was prevalent among elementary school pupils (49.8%). According to teachers, bullying had a significant effect on children’s educational attainment (69.8%). Bullying has a direct correlation with academic performance.
Conclusion: The study examined the relationship between school bullying and academic performance, highlighting a positive correlation between bullying and academic achievement.

Abstract Background: A major topic in disability research, Quality of Life (QOL) refers to a person’s sense of well-being derived from their contentment with important areas of their lives. Disabilities are a medical and social problem. People with Disabilities (PWDs) have physical limitations that severely restrict their access to all aspects of practical and social life. Determine how physical characteristics and demographic traits correlate to the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. 
Methods: Descriptive Correlational study was undertaken at two rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities and physiotherapy in Hilla city (Babylon Specialized Center for Medical Rehabilitation, Babylon Center for Artificial Limbs) from September, 2024 to June, 2025. A155 patients who were selected according to the non-probability sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. 
Results: The statistical results showed that 103 (68.7%) of individuals had a moderate quality of life.59 (39.3%) possessed fully reliant physical elements (daily living activities) with a mean of (46.25±7.254) and (26.89±8.493, respectively. The results demonstrated There was a significant negative correlation between age and quality of life (r=−0.202, p=0.013). Quality of life differed significantly according to income (F=7.961, p<0.001) and type of disability (F=2.321, p=0.015). Statistically significant differences in physical aspects were observed across categories of level of education (Kruskal–Wallis H=13.829, p=0.032), occupation status (H=15.074, p=0.010), type of disability (H=45.079, p<0.001), and cause of disability (H=7.694, p=0.021). Furthermore, there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between physical aspects and quality of life (r=0.481, p<0.001). 
Conclusion: People with disabilities were found to have a moderate state for both quality of life and physical aspects, with daily living activities. Higher quality of life was positive correlations with physical aspects. 

Abstract Background: Sustainable financing of medical universities is crucial for achieving universal health coverage. This study aimed to develop a strategic roadmap for the financing of Iran’s medical 
sciences universities.
Methods: A qualitative approach employing thematic analysis was used, featuring a semi structured questionnaire administered via snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. The study involved 17 experts, and data were analyzed using MAXQDA software version 20 to extract relevant components. Etical Consideration:https://ethics.research.ac.ir/IR.IAU.TNB.
REC.1403.002.
Results: In the domain of financial resource provision, 22 initial themes were categorized into 4 organized themes and 1 overarching theme reflecting the primary challenges. Additionally, 26 initial themes were grouped into 9 organized themes and 1 overarching theme representing key financial strategies. Major challenges identified included insufficient and unstable funding, inefficiencies in resource allocation, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented payment systems. Proposed key strategies encompass increasing the health sector’s share of GDP, implementing operational budgeting, promoting sustainable financing mechanisms, reforming payment systems, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and enhancing public-private partnerships.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive financial reforms in Iran’s medical universities. Developing a strategic plan for sustainable financing can provide a unified and transparent framework to guide decision-making, align goals with available resources, and enhance the efficiency, equity, and resilience of the health system.

Abstract Background: Varicose veins are a vascular disease that can lead to serious complications for the cardiovascular system due to damage to the veins. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of varicose veins among nurses and to determine the most influential risk factors.
Methods: A non-probability (purposive) sample of 151 nurses from critical care units was selected. A questionnaire was used to conduct interviews and gather data, which were then subjected to both inferential and descriptive statistical analysis.
Results: Most participants were aged (22–27) years 51.7%. The sample was predominantly male (88) nurses 58.3%, and years of experience ranged from (1–25) years, with (1–5) years being the most common 60.9%. Participants had nearly equal average standing hours. Most nurses had normal weight, numbering (83) representing a percentage of 55%, were non-smokers (114) 75.5%, and had no family history of varicose veins (111) nurses, representing a percentage of 73.5%. Varicose vein prevalence among critical care nurses was 17.9%. Advanced age, female gender, and positive family history were significant risk factors, while varicose veins showed no relationship with body mass index, working hours, or smoking, indicating further investigation 
is needed.
Conclusion: The study found that influential factors affecting nurses working in critical care units of South-Iraqi hospitals include age, gender, and family history, while other factors such as body mass index, working hours, and smoking were not found to have a significant impact.

Abstract This article has no abstract.