Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

24.8K

Socioeconomic inequality in congenital heart diseases in Iran

Mostafa Amini-Rarani1, Sajad Vahedi2, Maryam Borjali3

  • 1Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

International Journal for Equity in Health
|December 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Socioeconomic factors significantly contribute to inequality in congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in Iran. Addressing income disparities and improving access to prenatal care and folic acid for disadvantaged mothers can reduce this inequality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Public health research
  • Health inequality studies

Background:

  • Socioeconomic factors play a critical role in the prevalence and distribution of congenital heart diseases (CHDs).
  • Understanding the drivers of socioeconomic inequality in CHDs is crucial for developing targeted public health interventions.
  • Previous research indicates a link between socioeconomic status and adverse health outcomes, including CHDs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the extent of socioeconomic inequality in congenital heart diseases (CHDs) within Iran.
  • To decompose the identified inequalities into their contributing social, medical/biological, and lifestyle factors.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for policy interventions aimed at reducing CHD-related disparities.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted with 600 mothers at a major cardiovascular research center in Tehran, Iran.
  • Polychoric principal component analysis (PCA) was used to establish household socioeconomic status.
  • Errygers corrected confidence interval (ECI) and regression-based decomposition analysis were employed to assess and explain inequalities.

Main Results:

  • A significant pro-rich inequality was observed in CHDs (ECI = -0.65).
  • Social and medical/biological variables accounted for the majority of the inequality (51.47% and 43.25%, respectively).
  • Key contributors included family socioeconomic status, mother's occupation, receipt of prenatal care, and folic acid supplementation.

Conclusions:

  • Iran exhibits considerable socioeconomic inequality in congenital heart diseases, largely driven by social and medical/biological factors.
  • Policies focused on reducing income inequality and enhancing access to prenatal care and folic acid are recommended.
  • Targeted interventions for disadvantaged mothers are essential to mitigate socioeconomic disparities in CHDs.
Abstract

Keywords:
Concentration indexCongenital heart diseasesDecompositionHealth care inequalitySocioeconomic factors

More Related Videos

Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods08:28

Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods

Published on: March 10, 2020

7.0K
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System07:34

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System

Published on: May 5, 2018

11.8K

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
106
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
319
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
80
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
87
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
73
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
112