ARCHIVE OF HYGIENE SCIENCES
Year:2020 | Volume:9 | Issue:3|Papers Count:7

Background & Aims of the Study: Correction of dietary patterns from childhood and beneficial nutritional behaviors form an important part of disease prevention. Therefore, the nutritional status of the students deserves assiduous attention. With this background in mind, the current study aimed to determine the relationship of awareness, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers with the nutritional behavior of elementary school students in Kashan. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017. The statistical population included the fourth-grade students in Kashan. The sample size was calculated at 300 students (192 males and 108 females) using multistage sampling. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire of perception, knowledge, and nutritional behavior. The data were finally analyzed in SPSS software (version 20) using multivariate linear regression tests, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, the mean score of students' nutritional awareness was reported as 28. 6± 3. 77, which was in the range of 0-34, yielding the maximum score of 32. The mean score of the nutritional behavior was 28. 99± 3. 1 falling in the range of 0-36, and the maximum score was 35. Moreover, it was observed that awareness (P=0. 003), behavior (P=0. 01), perceived barriers (P<0. 001), and perceived benefits (P<0. 001) had a significant relationship with gender. Furthermore, nutritional behavior was significantly associated with perceived benefits (P=0. 018) and awareness (P=0. 04). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the high level of awareness in students can promote healthy eating behaviors in them. Training courses in healthy eating education are recommended for students and their parents.

Background & Aims of the Study: Currently, the advanced oxidation processes have received increasing attention for the treatment of industrial wastewater. In the present study, the photo-Fenton process was used for the remediation of the spent caustic in the wastewater of Kermanshah Oil Refining Company in Iran. The effluent comprising spent caustic is toxic dark brawn with a high level of alkalinity. Materials and Methods: Diluted wastewater covering the spent caustic from Kermanshah Oil refinery was used in this study in September 2018. In addition, the effects of operative factors, such as the initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ferrous ion, and initial chemical oxygen demand (COD), have been investigated. The response surface method and Box-Behnken design of experiments were employed to examine the effects of three independent variables on the response function to obtain the optimum conditions. Results: Analysis of variance was performed to determine the significance of the effects of independent variables on the response function. Various amounts of variables were optimized for the removal of COD. At optimum conditions (i. e., an H2O2 concentration of 600 mg/l, ferrous concentration of 145 mg/l, and initial COD of 300 mg/l), the removal efficiency for COD was 91. 5% after 60 min of reaction. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the suggested quadratic model demonstrated good correctness. The statistical analysis showed that the model was satisfactory to predict the performance of the process. The wastewater containing spent caustic cannot proficiently be degraded by ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation separately; however, the photo-Fenton method is verified to be operative and can considerably degrade this pollutant. One of the main disadvantages of this process in the treatment of spent caustic is that the optimum pH is near 3, and a considerable amount of acid is needed to neutralize and acidify the alkalinity of spent caustic.

Background & Aims of the Study: The most important causes of accidents in process industries are related to overhaul and maintenance activities, as well as the absence or failure of a permit-to-work system. The present study aimed to design and validate an application to evaluate the permit-to-work system in the process industries. Materials and Methods: The present applied– developmental study was conducted in 2019. Initially, 25 experts determined the data elements and the necessary capacities of the application. Original idea of the application software was coded using C sharp in the Microsoft visual 2017. The design was performed in accordance with the SDLC model. Finally, the Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction (QUIS) was used to evaluate the usability and user satisfaction of the final version of the application software. Results: In the designed application software, the clients can evaluate the permit-to-work system based on the defined access limit. According to the scores, the performance of the permit-to-work system is classified as poor, average, good, or excellent, which are actually the outputs of the application software. Based on the results of the QUIS, the overall score of user satisfaction with the application software was 7. 71 out of 9. Conclusion: The developed application software can be used as a suitable tool for the evaluation of the performance of the permit-to-work system in process industries, such as oil and petrochemical refineries as well as other similar industries.

Background & Aims of the Study: Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) emitted by the sun can lead to health problems, such as cataracts, skin cancer, prostate cancer, premature aging, and damage to DNA. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice level of citizens in Qom, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 22 December 2013, and 23 August 2014. A standard questionnaire was distributed among citizens in Qom (a semi-arid region of Iran) who were selected randomly from all four regions of this city. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16. 0). Results: In terms of knowledge, only 7. 3% of the participants had a good level of knowledge, whereas only about 20% of them had a suitable attitude and practice. Furthermore, females gained higher total Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores, compared to males. The majority of the participants (77. 1%) knew the meaning of SPF (Sun Protection Factor); however, 60. 4% of them did not have enough information about “ the appropriate amount of SPF” item. The television was selected as a proper method (94%) for making the public informed of UVR. In addition, females were more likely to use sunscreen than males (P<0. 001). Additionally, it was found that in the majority of the seasons, more than 50% of men and women used sunscreen fewer than three times a week. In total, 78% of the participants (88 male vs. 103 female) used sunscreen in order to prevent sunburn (P=0001). Conclusion: In general, the level of knowledge and practice was not satisfactory in this study. Therefore, it is inevitable to design and implement a comprehensive training program in public health centers, universities, schools, and other educational centers.

Background & Aims of the Study: Several risk factors lead to musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study aimed to assess the effective risk factors that result in WMSDs in jobs of a central repair workshop in an Iranian oil refinery using the relative stress index (RSI) during 2019. Materials and Methods: This study included 172 individuals from 13 different job groups. After collecting personal information, an interview was conducted with the supervisor of each job, and the information of each job was gathered by a checklist. In the next step, the RSI calculator software coded in Excel 2019 was applied, and the ANOVA was used to compare different domains of RSI. Results: According to the results, the mean± SD of the total RSI in the studied central workshop was estimated at 7. 12± 1. 23. Among the available jobs in the workshop, the welders obtained the lowest RSI value indicating that these workers were at high risk of exposure to harmful environmental factors. The results of the ANOVA revealed that the dimensions of the environment and undesirable posture were significantly associated with the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The job environment and work posture were identified as the most important risk factors in developing MSDs in different jobs. The improvement of the workshop environment, establishment of an air conditioning system, and education on the proper postures through training, and enhancement of the workers’ workstation can have a significant impact on reducing MSDs among the workers.

Background & Aims of the Study: Pesticides are widely used in the agricultural sector to control pests. Based on numerous studies, the presence of pesticide residues in food causes a wide array of diseases. The current study aimed to identify pesticide residues in foods of vegetal and animal origin and presented the methods used to reduce pesticide content in food before consumption. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of the study, the articles published within 2008-2018 were searched in the local and international databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, using the keywords of pesticides, food, Iran, and residual, in both Persian and English languages. The current study focused on pesticide residues in foods of vegetal and animal origin. Furthermore, this study discusses the methods used to reduce residual pesticide before consumption. The preliminary search yielded 185 articles. After reviewing the articles, 26 studies were finally selected considering the purpose of the study. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, diazinon pesticide residue has been reported in many products. Pesticide residues were more frequently found in foods of vegetable origin, compared to those of animal origin. Effective factors influencing the presence of pesticide residues in food products include: farmers' unawareness, incorrect use of pesticide and inappropriate spraying, and disregard for the preharvest interval. Proper washing and immersion in alkaline solutions at a suitable time should be considered to decrease pesticide residues in food products before consumption. Conclusion: The consumption of food products containing pesticides is associated with a variety of risks to humans, including nervous system dysfunction, reproductive disorders, brain damage, mental illness, and respiratory system disorder. The impact of pesticide residues can be minimized by training and awareness of farmers, Proper washing food products before consumption and as well as the supervision of executive organizations are the keys to the reduction of pesticide application in foods.

Background & Aims of the Study: Providing safe drinking water is one of the most important goals in human societies. It is clear that people's health depends on the provision of favorable drinking water. This study examined the physicochemical and microbial parameters of drinking water resources in the villages of Saqqez, Iran, within 3 months in 2018. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 24 sources of drinking water supply (i. e., wells and springs) in the villages covered by rural water and sewage in Saqqez within 3 months in 2018. The cultivation of the samples was performed by the most probable number (MPN) technique to evaluate the number of total coliforms and fecal coliforms. Chemical experiments were conducted based on titration, and physical experiments were performed through analytical methods. Finally, SPSS statistical software (version 20) was used for the statistical analysis of the results. Results: The obtained results of the present study showed that the parameters of turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were within the range of the national and international standards. In addition, the total hardness parameter in 100% of the samples was within the range of national standards; however, it was within the standard range of the World Health Organization in 87. 5% of the samples. The levels of total coliforms and fecal coliforms were reported within the range of the national and international standards in 66. 67% and 85. 82% of the samples, respectively. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the parameters, including turbidity, EC, chlorine, pH, and TDS, were in accordance with the national and international standards. Moreover, the levels of total and fecal coliforms were within the range of the national and international standards in 66. 67% and 85. 82% of the samples, respectively. The maximum values of total coliforms and fecal coliforms were within the range of 6-9 MPN per 100 mL, respectively. These low values can be eliminated with simple chlorination.