Arch Iran Med
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Epidemiology can be considered as a responsible public health science the aim of which is to control health problems. One of the most important public health problems is "war". The aim of the present paper, therefore, is threefold: firstly, to determine to what extent war has been investigated from an epidemiological point of view; secondly, what the definition and scope of "war epidemiology" would be; and thirdly, if it would be possible to introduce a new branch of epidemiology entitled "peace epidemiology". ⋯ Epidemiologists need to produce more scientific evidence about the negative public health consequences of wars and also the positive public health consequences of peace. The ultimate aim of "war epidemiology" is to control war, usually by secondary and tertiary prevention activities. However, the ultimate aim of "peace epidemiology" is to reinforce peace by primary and/or primordial prevention activities.
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Childhood trauma exerts a significant effect on psychological life of people. It is a ubiquitous phenomenon. We face a social epidemic with serious consequences that shatter the life of survivors. Victimization in early years of life entraps the individuals in the victim-rescuer-abuser triangle. Many perpetrators and criminals have had history of childhood abuse. The main objective of this study was the assessment of patients with a history of child abuse who behaved in abusive manner in adulthood. ⋯ This preliminary study showed that a significant number of patients with history of childhood abuse involved in abusive behavior and victimization of others in adulthood. Paying attention to this issue by mental health practitioners and policy makers can prevent the intergenerational transmission of abuse and development of a more peaceful society.
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Limited studies have reported epidemiologic data on the impact of Iran-Iraq war. This study examines the war casualties for both combatants and civilians on Iranians at national level. ⋯ Human casualties of the Iran-Iraq war on the Iranian side and the health care system are huge even after more than three decades.
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The number of deaths and disabilities due to all types of violence has increased; violence and especially war heavily affect public and individual health and all sectors, including the health sector, are responsible for making attempts to take part in mitigation of war effects. However, "peace through health" has not been so far included globally in the curriculum of basic medical schools. The study aims to prepare data on responsibilities that could be devolved to health sector, and the importance and role of education for those health workers who are willing to participate in the peace field. ⋯ The work of developing peace through health courses has been started before and it will continue until it completely becomes an accepted global course.
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In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19; previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, which has subsequently affected more than 200 countries worldwide including Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa and other places. The number of infected people is rapidly increasing, while the diagnostic method of COVID-19 is only by nucleic acid testing. ⋯ The early clinical manifestations and imaging findings of COVID-19 are not characteristic in non-outbreak areas. Etiological testing should be performed as early as possible for clinically suspected patients.