Background: Exploring changes in health inequality and its determinants over time is of policy interest. Accordingly, this study aimed to decompose inequality in neonatal mortality into its contributing factors and then explore changes from 1995-2000 to 2005-2010 in Iran. Methods: Required data were drawn from two Iran’s demographic and health survey (DHS) conducted in 2000 and 2010. Normalized concentration index (CI) was used to measure the magnitude of inequality in neonatal mortality. The contribution of various determinants to inequality was estimated by decomposing concentration indices in 1995-2000 and 2005-2010. Finally, changes in inequality were investigated using Oaxaca-type decomposition technique. Results: Pro-rich inequality in neonatal mortality was declined by 16%, ie, the normalized CI dropped from -0.1490 in 1995-2000 to -0.1254 in 2005-2010. The largest contribution to inequality was attributable to mother’s education (32%) and household’s economic status (49%) in 1995-2000 and 2005-2010, respectively. Changes in mother’s educational level (121%), use of skilled birth attendants (79%), mother’s age at the delivery time (25-34 years old) (54%) and using modern contraceptive (29%) were mainly accountable for the decrease in inequality in neonatal mortality. Conclusion: Policy actions on improving households’ economic status and maternal education, especially in rural areas, may have led to the reduction in neonatal mortality inequality in Iran.
Cost overrun has remained a key risk of construction projects that can be prevented by utilizing new technologies. This paper aims to identify the gap in the literature, which can potentially be addressed by using digital tools and technologies, by reviewing the current and state of the art practices. The paper presents the results of a systematic and critical content reviews on cost overruns, to address the question of what factors are affecting the cost overrun. This paper also reviews how building information modeling (BIM) in conjunction with other tools, such as the common tools in the Asia and Asia Pacific regions, are used for cost estimation and monitoring. The paper presents the results of the content review, including their contributions and limitations, which are also used to set key directions for future investigations. A total of 176 papers was identified to develop the construction cost management (CCM) dataset. The method was a mix of systematic reviews, including co-authorship network analyses, co-occurrence analytical map development covering 5671 keywords, and content analysis including theme identification and a critical review of selected papers. The paper critically reviewed 63 selected papers from CCM, which are divided into four clusters based on their scopes: BIM adoption for cost estimation and quantity surveying; BIM implementation for a bill of quantity, risk paths, and cost overruns; cost control and management; and, finally, BIM, virtual design, and value management. A trend analysis using a set of 16 themes (e.g., 3D model, BIM, Decision, Energy, and Life Cycle) for all the papers over the past ten years was developed. The content of each cluster of papers was reviewed based on the frequency of the selected themes in each cluster. The content of each cluster of papers was also reviewed critically and gaps were identified, so a set of directions for future investigations are presented.
The last few decades have seen increased theoretical and empirical interest in multi-dimensional measures of social welfare. The objective of this paper is to measure social welfare in Iranian provinces. To achieve this, we used a composite social welfare index (SWI) for Iran. The SWI was developed through the methodology of constructing composite indicators. The index comprises information on different social indicators from various life domains, including: health, education, economy, social security, housing, and employment. We then categorized Iranian provinces on the basis of SWI scores. The results show that value of the SWI was poor in provinces located in the periphery of the country. Furthermore, we found the best and worst performances in Yazd and Sistan and Balochestan, respectively.
<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Despite substantial progress in the national average of under-five mortality rate in Iran, distribution of under-five mortality across different socioeconomic groups is unknown. This study measured socioeconomic inequality in under-five mortality in Iran and across its provinces.</p><p><strong>METHOD: </strong>Using data from provincially representative Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in Iran in 2010, we developed an accurate principal component analysis model to construct an indicator of socioeconomic status of Iranian households. Under-five mortality rates at national and subnational level were estimated using full birth history. The indicator then was used to measure inequality in under-five mortality using Wagstaff normalised concentration index (WCI) at national and subnational levels. </p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Estimates of Wagstaff normalised concentration indices showed a pro-rich inequality in under-five mortality at national and subnational levels. The concentration index of under-five mortality in Iran was -0.197. Moreover, the consistent negative values of the concentration indices indicated that under-five mortality inequality disfavored the worst-off in all provinces. However, the inequality varied among provinces and ranged from -0.013 to -0.487. At national level there was a descending trend in the under-five mortality rate as one moves higher up in the socioeconomic quintiles.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>This study suggests that further reduction in under-five mortality not only requires addressing the national average but also needs considering inequality in under-five mortality. Therefore, child health policy requires looking beyond the average, putting equality and average together at both national and sub national levels.</p>
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