Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC)

Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

 

History

Based on the vote issued during the 216th session of the Council for the Expansion of Medical Sciences Universities on June 23, 2012 (1391/03/23), the principled agreement (preliminary approval) for the establishment of theSocial Determinants of Health Research Centerof Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services was granted.

On November 13, 2012 (1391/08/23), by decree of the University Chancellor, Dr. Saeedeh Mazloomzadeh was appointed as the first Head of the Center. The first meeting of the Center’s Research Council was officially convened on August 25, 2013 (1392/06/03), attended by the council members at the Metabolic Research Institute of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Zanjan.

 

About the Center

The Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC) of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences was officially inaugurated in 2013 (1392), located within the Metabolic Research Institute of Vali-e-Asr Hospital.

The core axis of the center’s activities is the design and implementation of applied and developmental research, alongside knowledge translation and production regarding the social determinants of health. These efforts are dedicated to promoting community health and achieving health equity.

 

Mission

The mission of this center is to improve community health levels and reduce health inequities through:

  • Developing and expanding research related to the social determinants of health.
  • Encouraging community participation.
  • Educating and empowering both the general public and researchers.
  • Promoting mutual collaboration with other domestic and international research centers.
  • Enhancing intersectoral cooperation among relevant provincial organizations and sectors.

 

Vision

By making optimal use of the capacities of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, other academic institutions, provincial administrative bodies, and relevant non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the center aims to expand and disseminate applied research in the field of social determinants of health. Within the next 5 years, the SDHRC aspires to become one of the top health-promoting research centers among the medical sciences universities in the country.

 

Members of the Center

The complete profiles of the academic and administrative staff of the center are as follows:

Full Name

Field of Study

Position

Academic Rank / Degree

Dr. Omid Saed

Clinical Psychology

Acting Head of the Center

Associate Professor

Dr. Khadijah Hajimiry

Health Education & Health Promotion

Deputy Head of the Center

Associate Professor

Dr. Azam Maleki

Reproductive Health

Full-Time Faculty Member

Associate Professor

Dr. Samaneh Taghilou

Environmental Health Engineering

Full-Time Faculty Member

Assistant Professor

Soheila Dolati

Sociology

Center Expert

M.Sc

Samira Ahmadi

Biostatistics

Center Expert

M.Sc.

 

Center Facilities

  • 5 Computers
  • 1 Scanner and 1 Printer
  • 4 Telephone lines
  • Wi-Fi Connection

 

Achievements

  • Research Output Development: Continuous upward growth in research outputs and publications of the SDHRC from 2020 to 2025.
  • Annual Evaluation Performance: Prominent ranking of the SDHRC in 2024 (1403) among all health-promoting research centers in the annual national evaluation.

 

Impactful Research Projects

The following table details the completed high-impact research projects conducted by the center:

Project Title

Principal Investigator

Date of Approval

Level of Impact

Impact Year

Status

Investigating the frequency of reasons for non-use of integrated geriatric care services among older adults in comprehensive health centers of Zanjan in 2023

Rahimeh Hosseinkhani

May 23, 2023(1402/03/02)

City level

2023

Completed

Explaining the determining components of childbearing decision-making among fertile couples referring to comprehensive health service centers of Zanjan

Dr. Mina Sadat Hashemiparast

July 16, 2022(1401/04/25)

City level

2023

Completed

Assessing the perception of Zanjan County Health Center employees toward childbearing based on the Transtheoretical Model in 2024

Dr. Mohammad Masoud Vakili

April 16, 2024(1403/01/28)

Provincial level

 

 

   2024

Completed

Investigating the relationship between academic burnout, psychological status, and suicidal ideation with academic major among medical residents in Zanjan in 2023

Dr. Saeedeh Zonouzian

September 26, 2023(1402/07/04)

Provincial level

2024

Completed

Developing a roadmap for the implementation of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and preparing a support package for the plain packaging of tobacco products

Dr. Alireza Shoghli

October 14, 2025(1404/07/22)

National level

2025

Completed

 

Total Number of Research Projects and Theses

  • Cumulative Record (2015 to late 2024 / 1394 to 1403): Over a ten-year period, the center has successfully conducted a total of 258 research projects and academic theses

Address & Contact Information

  • Email: zsdhrc@zums.ac.ir
  • Phone: +98 (24) 33739036
  • Address: Ground Floor, Metabolic Health and Diseases Research Institute, Vali-e-Asr Hospital (located above the Traditional Medicine Center, heading towards Oncology), Zanjan, Iran.
  • Scientific Information Database (USID) Profile: https://usid.research.ac.ir/Center.php?id=588