JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Year:2011 | Volume:2 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Background & Objectives: Chemical and microbial quality are the most important characteristics associated with wastewater reuse for agricultural purposes. The aim of this study was determination of efficiency of Ghasr-e-Shirin (constructed wetland) and Kermanshah wastewater treatment plants (conventional activated sludge) to remove protozoan cysts and parasitic eggs in order to reuse in agricultural irrigation.Methods: In total, 96 samples were taken from influent and effluent of the wastewater plants at one week intervals for a period of 6 months for parasitic analysis by Mac master slide (with a hole size 0.3 ml) according to Bailenger method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Average removal efficiency of constructed wetland for parasitic eggs and protozoan cysts were 99.7-100% and 100%, respectively. These values for conventional activated sludge of Kermanshah were 97-99% and 99-100%. Statistically significant differences were observed in removal efficiency of the parameters studied between two treatment facilities (P<0.001).Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, removal efficiency for cysts and parasitic eggs in both treatment facilities are desirable with efficiency of constructed wetland being better than conventional activated system. In terms of number of nematode eggs, effluent quality of both treatment plants complies with Angelberg index (number of nematode eggs per liter≤1).

Background & Objectives: Human errors and accidents, the most important factors influencing quantitative and qualitative indices of production, directly depend on safety programs. Safety programs show their effects on personnel as occupational satisfaction, workforce productivity, and occupational deceases and on the products as a production quality.Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive–analytical study conducted based on five years recorded documents and statistics in Ilam province (Iran) food industries. Data were collected using checklists and questionnaires. The effectiveness of safety programs were determined using safety indices including risk assessment, audit, personnel safety training, and investment on personal protective equipments and accident degree were investigated applying indices including accident severity, accident frequency, accident frequency-severity, and occupational decease frequency for a period of 5 years.Results: Average accident and occupational disease indices were decreased after implementation of OHSAS 18001and HACCP programs (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results have showed that implementation of safety programs has positive effect on accident indices in the form of reduction in accident severity, accident frequency, accident frequency-severity, and occupational decease frequency indices and subsequently improved organizational productivity.

Background & Objective: Nowadays petroleum compounds have been widely used all over the world. Intentional and accidental release of these compounds into the environment disturbs aquatic ecosystem especially groundwater. Therefore, removal of petroleum compounds from water is necessary from the point of health and environmental view. This work aimed at investigation of the effect of electro-coagulation process using iron and stainless steel electrodes on removal of petroleum compounds from groundwater.Methods: required water samples were taken from one of the monitoring wells of Tehran petroleum refinery. Effect of electro-coagulation process using iron and stainless steel electrodes on removal of petroleum compounds was evaluated through determination of turbidity and COD in groundwater. The variables studied include the effects of current density, anode and cathode types, reaction time, and initial pH of solution. Turbidity was measured using a HACH 2100 N TURBIDIMETER and COD was determined by open reflex method.Results: The optimum materials for anode and cathode were determined to be stainless steel and Iron, respectively. Efficiency of process was improved by increasing current density and reaction time. The optimum pH was found to be between 7 and 9.Conclusion: The results obtained imply that the electro-coagulation would be an efficient and reliable technique for removal of petroleum contaminants from groundwater.

Background & Objectives: Women play a vital role in food preparation and family health and they prepare family's meals according to their taste. Nutritional awareness and knowledge of women can affect family nutrition status. The aim of this study was survey on nutritional behavior of women in rural and urban areas of Ardabil province.Methods: This cross - sectional study was done on 1972 women (986 urban and 986 rural residents) in a regional priority determination project through need assessment in 2005. Samples were selected by random cluster sampling method and data on nutritional behaviors (knowledge, attitude function) were collected by trained interviewers using an appropriate questionnaire. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square.Results: Among the meals, consumption of breakfast was considered important by majority of subjects, and knowledge of women in urban area was higher than that of rural area (p=0.0001). More than 90% in urban and rural areas preferred using iodized salt in cooking. Urban women stored cooked food in the refrigerator until the next meal more frequently than that of rural women (p=0.0003). Women in both urban and rural areas use cooling method for storing vegetables. Consumption of vegetables or salad with meals was higher in urban than rural area (p=0.002). Response to question on usefulness of smoked fish consumption were higher in rural than urban women (p=0.00008). Most of women in Ardabil province announced beginning of the cook as the best time for addition of iodized salt.Conclusion: This study shows that the nutritional knowledge and practice of most of the women in Ardebil province are good. However, training and intervention are required for some cases such as considering beneficial the use of smoked fish, addition time of iodized salt during food preparation, and liquid oil consumption.

Background & Objectives: National water and wastewater industry has defined its 20-years goals to provide wastewater collection and treatment systems for at least 60% of the urban population. This study illustrates the status of wastewater management, construction and development of wastewater collection and treatment facilities, and limitations in this field.Methods: Questionnaires were sent out to water and waste water companies of 1016 urban areas. The results provided in the paper were taken from those questionnaires.Results: The results show that two (i.e. absorption wells and sanitary sewers) and four methods (i.e. absorption wells, sanitary sewers, and discharge into public places with or without canals) are currently being used for human wastewater management, respectively. Currently, 18% of urban areas are partially covered by waste water collection networks in Iran that is considerably lower than those of other middle-income countries. With completion of waste water collection plans this will increase to 37%.Conclusion: current wastewater management causes problem for more than 50% of urban areas in 42.47 of cities and more than 50% of population in 52.42% of cities. The most important limitations on completion of wastewater collection planes are inappropriate texture of soil and narrowness of pedestrians, sideways, and streets.

Background & Objectives: Trace elements in dialysis liquid significantly disturb the trace elements in dialysis patients. Because, contaminants in drinking water enter the circulatory system via gastrointestinal tract while in dialysis liquid directly enter the blood during hemodialysis. Therefore, complying with the standards for dialysis water is indispensible. This study was carried out to determine cathion concentrations in influent water to dialysis machines and to compare with established standards in the hospitals of Qom province in 2010.Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study carried out on 45 samples in influent water to dialysis machines in hospitals of Qom province. Since only 3 hospitals in Qom province had dialysis units, 15 samples were taken from each hospital. Chemical analysis was done through titration method using Flame photometer, pH-meter, and EC-meter.Results: Kations under study (Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium) were below AAMI and EPH standards for all samples.Conclusion: The results of this study show that all the measured parameters in the hospitals are below the standard levels. In other words, the patients are in better conditions regarding complications of above-mentioned factors.

Background & Objective: Drinking water should be free of any chemical and microbial contaminants. One of the important aspects of drinking water pollution is presence of heavy metals that can be hazardous for consumers' health. Since, heavy metals can enter to water sources through environmental pollutants as well as the corrosion of pipe materials, this study was carried out to control heavy metals in Kashan drinking water network.Methods: This study was done in five zones of Kashan distribution network in 2010. In total 105 samples were taken in spring, summer, and autumn (35 samples for each season) using clean poly ethylene containers. Concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed by ICP.Results: Results show that average concentration of Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, Co, Ni and Cd are 3.66, 76.5, 167.8, 2.87, 1.37, 3.34, 5.1, and 0.45 mg.l-1, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that concentrations of above mentioned heavy metals in distribution network of Kashan are not higher than national and international standards for drinking water and that would not cause any hazard to consumers.

Background & Objectives: Education is the most powerful tool for transferring knowledge to people. Retraining course is one of the different education methods. It is important and worthful to train techniques of clinical breast exam, related skills, and new exam methods in order to increase midwifes' knowledge about their tasks and responsibilities and develop skills and abilities to cope with new situations.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in health centers of Ardabil city. All midwifes working in Ardabil health centers were studied before and after retraining using a questionnaire made based on retraining content. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.Results: There was statistically significant differences between knowledge scores for before and after education (p<0.05) showing positive effect of retraining. Results showed that the age of subjects studied was on average 30.1 years (30-34) and individual study was the most important resources for information obtained (20 percent). However, 45 percent of midwifes had no tainting courses so far.Conclusion: Considering the remarkable effect of short term retraining courses on midwifes knowledge, holding these kinds of courses for all employed midwifes in health centers is necessary.