JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Year:2020 | Volume:11 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Background & objective: The presence of natural organic matter in water sources creates various problems, especially in common water treatment process. These compounds cause unfavorable taste and odor in water and are among the most important precursors of water disinfection by-products. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of activated carbon (AC) and activated carbon modified with ZnO nanoparticles (AC-ZnO) in removal of humic acid (HA) from aqueous solutions. Methods: In the present experimental study, the removal of HA with AC or AC-ZnO was discontinuously studied as a function of pH, contact time, HA concentration, and absorbent dose. The structure of absorbents and their morphology were investigated by FTIR, SEM, XRD and pHpzc techniques. The HA was measured using spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 245 nm. Absorption isotherm was determined by using Langmuir and Froundlich models and absorption kinetics by pseudo-first and pseudo second-order models. Results: The efficiency of removing HA had a direct relationship with absorbent dose and inverse relationship with pH and HA concentrations. The optimal removal rate of HA for 1. 6 g/L dose of AC or AC-ZnO were reached to 82. 44 % and 96/26%, respectively, in HA concentration of 50 mg/L and contact time of 40 minutes Conclusion: The removal rate was considerably higher for AC-ZnO than AC, which indicates the effective role of nanoparticulate stabilization on activated carbon. As a result, the method of nanoparticulate stabilization on activated carbon can provide an effective and very efficient adsorbent and appropriate alternative to remove humic acid from aqueous media.

Background & objectives: Health information technology provides a powerful tool for monitoring the health system's performance. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of hospital information system in comparison with manual system in selected sections of Namazi hospital in Shiraz. Methods: This descriptive-analytical research was a economic evaluation carried out at Namazi hospital in 2014. The study subjects were selected from staffs of different sections that were related to hospital information system. The sampling method was systematic random sampling. Cost estimation of two manual and electronic systems was achieved by interviewing with related staff and also using checklists by evaluating financial documents and evidences present in the hospital. Result: The results of the economic evaluation showed that the hospital information system caused increase in costs up to 3, 766, 732, 077 Rials and in effectiveness by 30. 47, compared to manual system. This indicated a significant difference in overall score of service quality in these two systems. Conclusion: Regarding to the cost between handheld and electronic systems, the cost of the electronic system was higher than that of manual system. However, when considering the cost-effectiveness ratio, the hospital-based information system was more cost-effective than manual system.

Backgrounds & objectives: Heavy metals, such as chromium, are the most common pollutants usually found in high concentrations in industrial wastewater and cause damages to aquatic environments and endanger the health of living organisms, especially human. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the photocatalytic removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using UV/ZnO-Zeo process in a batch system. Methods: This research was an experimental and applied study conducted in a laboratory scale. At first, the design and construction of the reactor were carried out and then the zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and stabilized on zeolite. Then, by changing the content of Zno-Zeolite nanoparticles and keeping the other effective factors constant, the optimum amount of Zno-Zeo was obtained in 1. 5 g/l. Subsequently, the effect of pH, contact time and initial concentration of hexavalent chromium were studied at the constant amount of ZnO-Zeo (1. 5g/L). Results: The result showed that photocatalytic removal efficiency increased with elevation in reaction time and ZnO-Zeo dosage. In addition, it was found that with decreasing the pH from 11 to 3, the efficiency of hexavalent chromium removal increased from 36% to 88 %. Conclusion: The results showed that UV/ZnO-Zeo can be used as an effective and effient method for removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions.

Background & objectives: Regarding the nutritional value and antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of Elaeagnus angustifolia, its consumption has been increased. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate of physicochemical and microbial properties of retailed Elaeagnus angustifolia powder in Ardabil city. Methods: In this descriptive study, 20 samples of 100 grams (10 specimens from groceries and 10 samples from nuts shops) were selected randomly and clustered based on the distribution of sales areas in different districts of Ardabil. Measurements of moisture content, total ash, pH and also the evaluation of microbial contamination were carried out using national standards of Iran. The parametric tests were used for data analysis. Results: The range of moisture content, total ash and pH were 8. 18-16. 66%, 1. 85-7. 40 % and 4. 69-5. 12, respectively. The mean moisture content and ash of all studied Elaeagnus angustifolia powder were significantly different from the recommended standard values (p<0. 001). The survey of microbial contamination showed high contamination of samples. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the moisture content, total ash and microbial contamination of retailed Elaeagnus angustifolia powders were high in Ardabil. Therefore, these powders were inappropriate for consumption.

Background & objectives: The release of dyestuff wastewaters produced in textile industry into receiving waters affects both human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of a photocatalytic UV/persulfate process in removal of methylene blue and acid green 3 dyes from aqueous solutions. Methods: The current study was an experimental study, in which the effects of the most important operating variables including pH (3, 5, 7, 9, 11), contact time (5, 10, 20, 50, 70, and 90 min), Na2S2O8 dose (0. 1, 1, 3, and 5 mM/L) as well as acid green 3 and methylene blue concentrations (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, and 500 mg/L) were investigated to determine the optimal condition for dye removal in a batch cylindrical photoreactor equipped with a 9-W UV-C lamp, in laboratory scale. The concentration of target dyes in aqueous solution was detected using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. Results: The results showed that, under the optimum condition for studied variables, i. e. pH 7, persulfate concentration 1 mM/L, initial dye concentration of 50 mg/L, and contact time of 20 min, the removal efficiency of acid green 3 and methylene blue were 93. 91 and 95. 44%, respectively. In addition, at the aforementioned condition, the removal rate of COD and TOC were 67. 35 and 53. 30 % for acid green 3 as well as 70. 74 and 56. 99 % for methylene blue, respectively. Experiments were carried out under optimal condition for real wastewater, in which the removal rates of MB and AG Dyes were 76. 11 and 72. 51%, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of developed method. Conclusion: The findings showed that the integrated UV/S2O8 process is a promising method for removing the methylene blue and acid green 3 dyes from aqueous solutions and it can be applied as an effective alternative for treatment of dyes-containing solutoins in large-scale applications.

Background & objectives: Nutrition literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain process, understand and use nutritional information to make an appropriate decision about nutritional behaviors. This study aimed to determine the nutrition literacy status of 4000 adults, aged 15 years and older, in Kohgiloye and BoyerAhmad province in 2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 4000 adults were selected based on multi-stage sampling method to evaluate their nutrition literacy. Data were collected using standard nutritional literacy assessment questionnaire adapted for Iran population. Chi-square, T tests, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were applied for data analysis. Results: Mean and standard deviation of nutrition literacy scores were 21. 61 ± 6. 42 (minimum and maximum score: 0-35). 8. 4% of subjects had inadequate nutrition literacy, 37. 4% had adequate nutrition literacy and 54. 2 % had moderate nutrition literacy. Basic knowledge of nutrition, ability to select food groups and understanding skills were stronger predictors of nutrition literacy. Conclusion: Most of subjects had moderate nutrition literacy. Therefore, the people with adequate nutrition literacy will be increased, if an effective intervention method will properly develop and implement to improve the nutritional literacy. In developing this intervention method, focus on basic knowledge of nutrition, ability to choose food groups and understanding skills are necessary.

Background & objectives: Nitrate contamination of drinking water is a common problem in many parts of the world that poses a serious threat to public health and environment. In this research, the performance of a new rotary electrocoagulation reactor model for removal of nitrate in presence or absence of turbidity has been investigated. Methods: In this study, aluminum and iron electrodes were analyzed in parallel and monopolar arrangement. At each test time, a sample of 370 liters was prepared and the effects of operating parameters such as initial nitrate concentration, current density, annular reactor speed, optimum time, electrode materials and presence of turbidity on nitrate removal were evaluated. Results: The results indicated that the optimum utilization parameters were material of aluminum electrode, current density of 22. 8 A/m2, annular reactor speed of 13. 3 rpm and optimum time of 90 min, under which removal efficiency was 95. 7%. The presence of turbidity has decreasing effect on nitrate removal and at nitrate concentration of 225 mg and with increasing in turbidity, the removal efficiency decreased from 81% to 48%. For aluminum electrode, the consumed energy in optimum utilization condition was 0. 74 kWh/m3. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the introduced batch rotary reactor model was able to remove the high nitrate content from aquatic environments with ease of use and this model is recommended to be used for drinking water treatment plants.

Background & objectives: Women's health is an important indicator for development of countries, because women are more vulnerable than men. Health is not just a biological issue and socioeconomic inequality plays an important role in health outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between social and economic inequality and the health status of women. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 325 women working in health centers of Rasht, who were selected by cluster random sampling. Data were collected using Women's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and social and economic inequality measurement questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Results: The results showed that there was a significant statistical relationship between social and economic inequality and women health (p<0. 001). The predictive power of social and economic inequality was also statistically significant for women health (p<0. 001) and 12. 6% of employed women health were predicted by social and economic inequality. Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicated the relationship between social and economic inequality and the health of employed women. Women empowerment and social awareness can help reduce the socio-economic inequality of women and increase the health and welfare of the community.

Background & objective: Safety training is believed to be one of the pioneering safety measures to improve the safety culture in organizations. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of training and technical interventions on providing a work environment with proper safety culture and understanding the risk of dangerous situations at height among construction workers. Methods: In this interventional study, 394 workers of different job groups in construction companies including impact driver operators, masonry workers, ironworkers and concrete vibrating operators were entered. Data were collected using “ demographic” , “ safety culture” and “ the risk of dangerous situations at height” questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed and collected in three stages: before the intervention, two months after the first intervention and two months after the second intervention (eight months after the first intervention). The data were analyzed using Bonferron's modulation tests (follow-up tests in variance analysis) and binary logistic regression test in SPSS version 23 software. Results: The findings of the present study revealed the significant impact of safety training on all components of the safety culture and also the empowerment of workers in understanding of risk of dangerous situations at height. The findings of this study, also revealed the significant improvements in safety culture, indicating the role of training along with technical intervensions as crucial factors in improving workers safety in organizations. Conclusion: Industries can prevent occupational accidents and their consequences by adopting proper safety and hygiene measures and engineering design through a coherent training program and achieve a sustainable industrial and development prosperity. In this regard, the findings of the present study showed that conducting training courses by involving workers and encouraging group discussion and expressing the importance of safety in the workplace as well as technical measures can positively influence workers' safety behaviors and promote safety culture. Exchange of views and sharing experiences, well-designed training programs, and devoting enough time can also be effective in promoting safe behaviors.

Background & objectives: In today's world, health has wider prospect and special attention has been paid to non-medical expectations. The health care reform plan aims to improve community health, reduce treatment costs and increase the satisfaction of patients. The aim of this paper was to identify the factors influencing the development of health system in Ardabil province. Methods: This mixed-methods study was performed in two stages. In the first stage, comprehensive literature review was carried out and important factors in establishment of health system reform in the world were discovered. In the second stage and using the first stage findings, the questionnaires were completed by 185 experts and administrators of health development plan in Ardabil province who were selected by non-random purposeful sampling and local factors affecting the establishment of the plan in the province hospitals were obtained. Lisrel software was used for factor analysis. Results: The most important indicators of development of health care system were as follows: political support, providing and promoting community participation, management and resource assurance, satisfaction guarantee for paramedics, commitment of senior executives, commitment of interested physicians, continuous monitoring and evaluating and providing the feedback to project executives, existence of infrastructure and project steering committee. The results of structural equation modeling showed the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Conclusion: The study modeling indicators showed that, the proposed model is in good agreement. It seems that paying attention to regional indicators and variables is very important in the formulation and implementation of strategic plans and has a decisive role in achieving the goals.