Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion
Year:2021 | Volume:7 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background: The elimination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from water resources remains a main environmental concern. In the present study, photo-assissted process for removal of MTBE was examined in the solutions containing C-N-TiO2 nanoparticles under UV irradiation in the batch mode. Methods: The effects of operational factors such as pH, initial catalyst concentration, and initial MTBE concentration on MTBE removal was investigated. Results: The optimum degradation condition for MTBE was obtained at pH 7, catalyst load of 100 mg/L, air flow rate = 0. 1 L/min and C0 = 5 mg/L with 73 percent degradation of MTBE at 60 min. In addition, Analytical profiles on MTBE removal were based on the first-order kinetics model. However, the removal rate decreased by increasing initial concentration of MTBE. Conclusion: The findings showed that UV/C-N-TiO2 system is an efficient method for MTBE degradation from aqueous solution.

Background: Chemical process industries are among the most important industries which have been faced with many catastrophic accidents. This study aimed to analyze the root causes of the accidents in a chemical process industry. Methods: This study has been implemented in a chemical process industry using Tripod Delta technique in 2019. The implementation steps included forming an accident analysis team, reviewing accident documents and records, compiling Tripod Delta questionnaires, and determining the general failure types (GFTs) involved in the accident. Results: The results showed that procedures (PR), training (TR), and maintenance management (MM) have the most discrepancies in the accident (213, 212, and 202 respectively). In addition, communication (CO), hardware (HW), and design (DE) have the least discrepancies (33, 40, and 76 respectively). Conclusion: The findings indicated that training, standard, and safe procedures as well as maintenance management are determining factors in preventing industrial accidents. Therefore, in order to reduce the accident rates in industries, close attention should be paid to these areas and its indicators with a process and risk based approach.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis infections among prison inmates in Umuahia, Abia State. Methods: Approximately 350 inmates aged 18 to 61 participated in the study. 70 high vaginal swabs of female participants and 350 urine samples from both male and females were examined using direct wet mount methods. Questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and behavioral factors of the participants. Results: In total, the overall prevalence of T. vaginalis infections was 43. 4%. . Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0. 05) in the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection among the men (33. 6%) and women (82. 8%). Furthermore, the prevalence of T. vaginalis was 11. 0% and 22. 8%, respectively, in individuals between 31-40 years. No infection was noted among men between 18-20 years of age. Moreover, examination of urine and vaginal swabs combinations revealed high infection in women. Questionnaire analysis indicated no significant relationship between multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex with T. vaginalis infection (P > 0. 05). It was also found that, inmates showed symptoms, such as light burning after urination and itching/rashes at the private part while some infected cases were asymptomatic. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for adequate and improved health care for prison inmates as well as their treatment before release.

Background: Quit addiction self-efficacy is defined as one's ability to avoid drug abuse and improve the quality of life by using different maintenance drug-based treatments. The present study aimed to investigate the association of quit addiction self-efficacy, social support, and perceived stress by using the mediator role of self-control among addicts treated with methadone. Methods: The present descriptive-correlational study was conducted by path analysis. The target population included all the drug addicts who referred to Ahvaz methadone treatment clinics in 2019. 213 of the participants were selected as the sample of the study using convenience sampling. The instruments of the research included the Quit Addiction Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Self-Control Scale. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis with AMOS software. Results: The results showed that all the direct paths except social support path to selfcontrol were significant (P = 0. 001). Indirect paths also became significant through the mediation of self-control with self-efficacy (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the mediator role of self-control, a significant correlation was found between perceived stress and addicts' self-efficacy. Moreover, social support is directly associated with quit addiction self-efficacy.

Background: The Internet has become one of the most common informative media for health-related issues. Regarding older people, more research is needed to collect indepth data on the Internet use for health information. The present study aimed to provide an overview on health-related Internet use by seniors in Germany. Methods: This descriptive-analytical qualitative study was conducted on 10 German seniors aged 65-83 years. In order to obtain the required information, in-depth semistructured interviews were carried out between March-June 2017. The subjects were selected by snowball sampling technique. The transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings of the study revealed that seniors’ activity on the Internet includes a variety of medical interests. Most of the interviewees access specific medical websites directly, without using search engines. Although about half of the respondents seemed overloaded with the amount of online health information, most of them claimed to be able to evaluate its reliability. Conclusion: For most of the interviewees the health-related information on the Internet provides a basis of knowledge. However, despite the fact that the seniors consider online information useful, most of them prefer to consult at least one doctor when it comes to make health-related decisions, still adhering to the physician-centred care model.

Background: The prevalence of high blood pressure is a serious concern in developing countries. The present study aimed to examine hypertension based on the quantity and quality of sleep in adults. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on the data of the first phase of Shahedieh cohort study in Yazd (Shahdieh, Zarch, and Ashkezar cities), Iran during 2015-2016. The variables of the study were assessed by the questions regarding the sleep status and blood pressure measurement. To analyze the data SPSS version 20 was used. Results: The results showed that blood pressure in people who sleep less than 6 h at night was significantly higher than those who obtain 6-8 h night′ s sleep (P = 0. 001). Moreover, the findings indicated systolic blood pressure is significantly related to taking naps during the day, using sleeping pills, and restless legs syndrome during sleep (P < 0. 001). According to the results, 98% of the systolic blood pressure variance and 80% of the diastolic blood pressure variance were explained by the sleep-related variables. Conclusion: Sleep duration at night is a strong predictor for systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Background: Staff awareness of fire safety immensely minimize the damage of the disaster. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of awareness and preparedness of fire emergency among the libraries staff of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences in 2019. Methods: In this survey study, the statistical population of the study consisted of 138 staff working in the libraries of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences. A researchermade questionnaire with closed questions was used to collect the required data. Using Cronbach's alpha formula, the reliability of the questionnaire was estimated to be 0. 88. The validity of the questionnaire was also confirmed by the statistical experts. SPSS (version 23) was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Results obtained from the analyses of the questionnaire showed that majority of the respondents were moderately aware of fire safety rules in libraries (3. 1). In addition, the analysis of variance (P = 0. 41) revealed no statistically significant difference among the libraries staff in terms of awareness and preparedness level towards fire. Conclusion: Lack of library staff training in fire safety rules, make them ill-prepared during the disaster. Therefore, in order to make the staff alert, disaster preparedness planning is highly needed which requires more attention of the relevant officials.

Background: Comprehensive urban health service centers have an important role in disease prevention. However, there is no sufficient information about how these centers protect their assets and manage health, safety and environment (HSE) in their workplaces. On the other hand, there is no suitable tool to assess the HSE status in these centers. This study aimed to design and evaluate the face and content validity of the HSE checklist of urban health service centers. Methods: All available related literature were reviewed to extract the initial items. A panel of experts was used to assess the content and face validity of the checklist through quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: The final checklist consists of 11 components and 86 items. The CVR and the impact score of the remaining items ranged from 0. 8 to 1 and 1. 9 to 5, respectively. The CVI of the instrument was 0. 86. Conclusion: The designed checklist in this study is a suitable valid tool (face and content validity) based on the opinions of the expert panel and the target group. Therefore, it can be used to examine the HSE management situations in urban health service centers.