Dengue fever, caused by dengue virus, is a mosquito-borne virus, which poses a significant public health threat worldwide. Fifteen countries have a water or land border with Iran. This review deals with the distribution of dengue fever in Iran's neighboring countries and the risk of transmission to Iran. The disease and the infected Aedes mosquitoes with dengue virus have reached the borders of Iran, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. There are imported cases in more countries neighboring Iran, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey. The disease is widespread in Sindh Province of Pakistan. While indigenous case of dengue fever has not yet been reported in Iran, its presence in nearby regions raises concerns about its potential spread due to the imported cases that have been reported.

Background: Alzheimer's caregivers frequently report experiencing high levels of stress. Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on caregiver burden and psychological flexibility in caregivers of aged patients with Alzheimer's disease. This pre-test-post-test design with a three-month follow-up was performed on caregivers of aged Alzheimer's patients who visited the neurology clinic in the spring of 2023. Following the administration of the acceptance and action questionnaire-II and the caregiver burden inventory (CBI) in the pre-test, a sample of 30 individuals was randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The ACT intervention was implemented for the experimental group over eight sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Upon completion of the intervention, participants were re-evaluated in the post-test and follow-up. Data were analyzed using chi-square, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni's post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: There between-group comparison showed a significant difference between intervention and control group indicating improvement of all study variables in the intervention compared to the control group. The highest difference was observed for psychological flexibility (27.281, 95% CI, 24.977%, 29.586%) followed by caregiving burden (17.87, 95% CI, 15.685%, 20.00%) from baseline to follow-up. ACT effectively reduced caregiver burden and enhanced psychological flexibility in caregivers of aged patients with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical psychologists and health professionals are advised to provide better support for caregivers in their roles and promote their mental well-being through intervention programs. By improving their mental health, they can be more effective in assisting with the treatment process of aged patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Hypertension one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and premature death worldwide. Researches indicate different cognitive activities and executive functions in cardiovascular and hypertension patients compared to non-afflicted people. Objectives: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on executive functions in patients with hypertension. Materials & Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial based on the pre-test, post-test, follow-up design. The statistical population consisted of all the people with hypertension who referred to Heshmat Heart Hospital in Rasht city, Iran, in 2021. Thirty-four qualified volunteers were included in the study by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned to two groups of MBSR and control. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (computer version) were the instrument employed in this research; and MBSR sessions were held for 2 months (8 sessions, one 120-minute session each week). The research data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. Results: In the pre-test design, there wasn't a difference in the completed categories and perseverative errors, between the MBSR group (2±0.485 and 30.06±6.60) and the control group (2.06±0.659 and 29.88±9.4. In the post-test design, a significant difference in the completed categories and perseverative errors was found between the MBSR group (3.29±0.848 and 20.94±5.71) and the control group (2.18±0.636 and 29.94±8.70); which implies the MBSR group outperformed the control group in Improving executive functions of patients with hypertension. Finally, at the follow-up, all changes were still stable. Conclusions: MBSR was effective on executive functions of patients with hypertension. Therefore, it is suggested that the mentioned intervention be used in medical centres to improve the cognitive activities of patients with hypertension, so that its positive results include the condition of these patients.

Background: A high incidence of obsessive behaviors has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This study was carried out to estimate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness of psychological distress and tolerance of ambiguity in patients with COVID-19 obsession . Materials and Methods: The present pretest-posttest study with a control group design was conducted on patients with COVID-19 obsession in 2021. The required information was collected using the COVID-19 obsession scale, a short form of psychological distress, and a tolerance of ambiguity questionnaire. The experimental group obtained ten 90-minute classes of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness. The adjusted post-test scores were compared using an analysis of covariance. Results: The mean age of participants in the experimental and control group was 31.84 (standard deviation (SD)=4.68) and 34.09 (SD=7.05) years, respectively. Cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness significantly reduced anxiety (F=41.99, P=0.001, η2=0.63), depression (F=27.19, P=0.001, η2=0.53), stress (F=26.92, P=0.001, η2=0.52), and increases tolerance of ambiguity (F=31.63, P=0.001, η2=0.57), in patients with COVID-19 obsession disorder. Conclusion: The findings indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness appreciably improves the mental health of sufferers with COVID-19 obsession. Considering the long-term effects of COVID-19, psychology and counseling facilities should take measures to become aware of and treat vulnerable groups.

Background: A healthy lifestyle based on healthy eating habits and appropriate physical activity during different periods of life, bring healthy old age to women through preventing overweight or maintaining a healthy weight Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the effect of Internet-based intervention on the lifestyle and healthy eating habits of women in northern Iran. Materials & Methods: The present field-trial study was conducted on 268 women who were members of Population of Mental Health Assistants from November 2014 to May 2015. The educational intervention was carried out through a website containing information on healthy lifestyle, nutrition, and cooking methods of various healthy foods. The participants of the intervention group were also received their special diet. All participants were evaluated after 3 and 6 months in terms of changes in weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and nutritional habits. Their lifestyle were measured using the standard questionnaire of Health- Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). Data was analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: The average age (Standard Deviation (SD)) of the intervention and comparison group was 38.7 (10.8) and 36.9 (10.8) years, respectively. After six months, the average BMI of the intervention group decreased from 27.4 (SD=5.3) to 26.3 (SD=5.7) kg/m2 (P<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of both groups showed a significant decrease (P<0.001). Nutrition (F1,266=62.09, P=0.001, η2=0.19) followed by health responsibility (F1,255=30.4, P= 0.001, η2= 0.11) were the most important dimensions of HPLP-II affected by intervention. Conclusion: The Internet-based educational intervention program, using a bottom-up approach, has a favorable effect on the improvement of the lifestyle and weight loss of the participants. The findings of the present study showed the possibility of using the new e-health technology in order to promote healthy lifestyle and eating habits in women.

Background: The mental health of young people is highly influenced by the identity exploration processes, social origin of identity, and information processing styles. Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of metacognitive beliefs on dimensions of emerging adulthood (EA) identity mediated by mental health in university students. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, the statistical population included all male and female, 18-25-year-old university students of the public universities of Tehran in 2020-21. The study sample consisted of 178 students selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments included Arnett's Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA), Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: Metacognitive beliefs was directly associated with mental health (β=0.61, P=0.001) and instability/negativity (β=0.24, P=0.010). Moreover, mental health had a significant positive association with instability/negativity (β=0.25, P=0.004) and a significant inverse association with possibilities/optimism (β=-0.23, P=0.018). The relationship between metacognitive belief with instability/negativity and possibilities/optimism was partly mediated by mental health. Conclusion: It is necessary to pay special attention to metacognitive beliefs as a factor affecting some EA dimensions such as instability/negativity and possibilities/optimism. Mental health should also be considered as the mediator in the association relationship between metacognitive beliefs and EA dimensions. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to hold training workshops on metacognitive strategies to improve their mental health and form identity styles.