Journal of Health System Research
Year:2019 | Volume:15 | Issue:2|Papers Count:10

Background: Vegetables are considered as an important part of the human food chain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential risk of lead (Pb) due to parsley consumption cultured in the soil treated by sawdust and cow manure. Methods: This factorial experiment was performed as a randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of applying 0, 10, and 15 t/ha cow manure enriched with 0% and 5% (W/W) sawdust in the soil with pollution of 0, 400, 600, and 800 mg Pb/kg soil. The intended plant in this experiment was parsley. After 50 days, the Pb concentration in the soil and plant shoot was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Moreover, the relative risk coefficient for non-cancer diseases was estimated using the formula of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Findings: Our findings demonstrated that applying 10 and 15 t/ha of cow manure increased soil pH by 0. 2 and 0. 5 units, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of 10 t/ha of cow manure along with 5% (W/W) sawdust resulted in 1. 6 units augmentation in the cation exchange capacity of the soil. In addition, the results indicated that using 15 t/ha of cow manure with 5% (W/W) sawdust could diminish the relative risk of Pb for non-cancerous diseases due to parsley consumption. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, parsley consumption in regions with Pb-polluted soil might have a high potential risk for non-cancerous diseases. It was indicated that the application of cow manure with sawdust had a significant effect on decreasing the potential risk of Pb. However, the role of soil pollution type and amount on reducing Pb potential risk should not be ignored.

Background: Major construction projects have always been at high risk, and the projects’ safety is vulnerable to damages. Therefore, safety risks assessment is one of the important activities to prioritize existing risks and manage risks in the construction of the power plants as one of the most dangerous industries. This study aimed to assess the safety risks in the construction of power plants based on a Bow-tie technique. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in a turbin hall unit of a combined cycle power plant under construction in 2017. In this study, safety risks assessment was performed based on the Bow-tie technique using Bow Tie ProTM software. In order to enhance the efficiency of this study, two phases, including a system description, and hazard identification have been designed and implemented before the safety risks assessment. Findings: The relationship between activities and threats followed by the consequences of each of the identified hazards showed that the biggest threats were due to cylinders under pressure as well as welding and cutting activities. In addition, they included 8 threats, such as mechanical damage, heat, transportation, unsafe connections, storage of the cylinders, oil and grease, leakage, and flame retardation. It should be noted that the majority of consequences were associated with loading and heavy load lifting (including 3 consequences, such as human injury as well as crane and equipment failure), cylinders under pressure, as well as welding and cutting activities (including 3 consequences, such as human injury, fire and explosion, and equipment failure). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the Bow Tie ProTM software is a suitable method to assess the safety risks in power plant construction. In addition, the risk assessment of the turbine hall units can be considered to prevent threats and reduce the consequences of accidents.

Background: Population ageing in recent years has led to a significant rise in the number of chronic diseases. This issue has highlighted the need for protection and management through self-care behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of health belief model-based training on self-care behavior among elderly patients with hypertension referring to the comprehensive health centers of Daran city, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 elderly patients with hypertension covered by the comprehensive health centers of Daran city using a pretest-posttest design and intervention group. The study population was randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups completed a researcher-made questionnaire, including demographic data, knowledge, constructs of health belief model, and self-care behaviors, the validity and reliability of which were confirmed. Data collection was accomplished using interviewers. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 18) using independent t-test, paired sample t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’ s exact test. Findings: The mean age of the patients in the intervention and control groups were 66. 6± 6. 5 and 67. 4± 6. 3, respectively. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of sensitivity, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, guidance for action, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors (P>0. 05). However, after the intervention, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the mean scores of knowledge and model components (P<0. 001). Conclusion: As the findings indicated, the application of the health belief model-based training improved the self-care behaviors and function of the elderly with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended to use this model to enhance such behaviors in this population.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an art therapy program (i. e., theater and show) on the improvement of slow-paced adolescents' communication skills. Methods: This study was conducted based on an experimental approach with a pretest and post-test design and a control group. The study population consisted of all 10-14-year-old slow-paced female students in Tehran during the academic year of 2018. Out of this population community, 40 students were selected by random sampling and they were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. To collect data, the teachers in both groups were asked to complete the communication skill questionnaires (pre-test). Subsequently, the experimental group was subjected to 20 sessions of 90 minutes using a program of art therapy (i. e., theater and show). On the other hand, the control group received no intervention. Eventually, both groups were subjected to post-test. After three months, both groups were reassessed (follow-up) to investigate the effectiveness of the training sessions. Findings: The results revealed the significant effect of art therapy (i. e., theater and show) on the improvement of females' communication skills (F=118. 22, P=0. 001). Moreover, a remarkable difference was observed between experimental and control groups in terms of the effect of art therapy on the improvement of females' communication skills. It is noteworthy that art therapy led to the communication skill development in the slow-paced adolescent females, compared to the control group. Conclusion: According to the obtained results of this study, the art therapy program (i. e., theatre) resulted in the improvement of adolescent females' communication skills. Therefore, it is suggested that parents and teachers identify the students who have difficulty in communication skills with other students to undergo art therapy, thereby improving their communication skills.

Background: It is of utmost importance to assess the factors influencing the academic achievements of students who are considered as the most important members of societies. This study aimed to identify the correlation of academic achievement with mental health, life satisfaction, and social support among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 231 students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The data were collected using a demographic information form, Reef psychological well-being questionnaire, social support survey (Sherbourne and Stewart), and the satisfaction with life scale (Diener). Moreover, the students’ total average marks of the last three semesters were employed to assess their academic achievements. Findings: According to the results, there is a direct correlation between life satisfaction scores and psychological welfare with social support. In addition, the results obtained from the multiple linear regressions revealed that among the considered variables, life satisfaction and social support ranked the first and second predictors for the students’ academic achievements, respectively. Conclusion: Regarding the obtained results, it can be assumed that the students’ academic achievement is influenced by life satisfaction and social support of people who are associated with them. Therefore, it is suggested to embed the topic of life satisfaction in students’ educational curriculum; moreover, methods of social support attraction should be taught in the most effective ways.

Background: This study aimed to design smart class board authomatically adjustable to height and assess its effect on of users' posture. Methods: This interventional study evaluated the effects of smart board application on users' posture while using non-smart boards, as well as smart boards, based on Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. The study population included the professors and students of Isfahan University of Medical sciences. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version20), and a value of P<0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: According to the results of the presents study, 54. 5% of participants required a necessary corrective measure (as soon as possible) in the application of upper part of non-smart boards, and were placed at the third level of corrective measure priorotization. In addition, the assessment of users' postures while using the middle part of board indicated that in non-smart boards, 90. 9% of subjects were at the second level of corrective measure priorotization, while this value dropped to 4. 5% in using smart boards. On the other hand, users' postures while using the lower part of the board was assessed and revealed that 18. 2% of participants were at the second level of corrective measure priorotization, while there was no need for corrective measures in use of smart boards. Conclusion: The obtained results of posture assessment by REBA method in this study indicated a substantial risk in using non-smart boards. Accordingly, it is suggested that this new technology be used to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

Background: Life skills are sets of abilities that provide the basis for adaptive and positive behavior. Although there are several studies confirming the effectiveness of life skill training on the quality of life and mental health of females, no research evidence is observed on this issue among the Iranian health care providers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of life skills training on the quality of life and general health of health care providers. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted based on the pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The study population was selected from health care providers in health homes of Mobarakeh and Lenjan, Iran, and they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the pretest, both groups completed the quality of life and general health questionnaires. Subsequently, the experimental group received five 90-minute life skills training sessions (10 skills). After two months, the groups were asked again to complete the questionnaires. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20) through the Chi-square test, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Findings: After two months of intervention, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding the total scores of the quality of life and its dimensions (P<0. 05). Moreover, a remarkable difference was observed in the experimental group in terms of the quality of life before and after the intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the levels of disorders regarding the general health of the experimental group after the intervention. Additionally, a reverse relationship was found between the disorders in general health of the health care providers and their quality of life with its dimensions (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, life skills training and raising the awareness of individuals can have a positive effect on all aspects of the individuals' life, particularly, their quality of life and general health. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the efficacy of the training sessions in which different educational methods are utilized with variations in teaching techniques.

Background: Aflatoxins are highly toxic lead to adverse health effects. Inappropriate storage of sesame seeds may produce aflatoxins that transfer to manufactured oil. Therefore this toxin can transfer to human by consumption of contaminated oil. Regarding this, the present study was carried out to investigate the amount of aflatoxin in cold-press sesame oil in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 36 cold-press sesame oil samples were randomly selected from active processing plants in Isfahan. Aflatoxins were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in sesame oil. Findings: Total aflatoxin contamination (B1, B2, G1, and G2) was observed in 69. 4% of the sesame oil samples. In all the contaminated samples, B1 aflatoxin was detected in mean level of 0. 426± 0. 473 ppb. Furthermore, B2 aflatoxin had a mean level of 0. 033± 0. 106 ppb. However, G1 and G2 aflatoxins were not observed in any of the samples. Accordingly, the level of aflatoxin was lower than the limit defined by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the aflatoxin level was lower than the acceptable range defined by the national standard. However, the high frequency of aflatoxin contamination in the evaluated sesame oil samples can cause serious health problems after long-term usage, especially with regard to the fact that this product is consumed on a daily basis.

Background: Despite many studies on cognitive and neuromuscular interventions on children born preterm, a few investigations have assessed the effectiveness of play therapy to compensate for the delayed motor development in these children. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy on motor skills of 2-4-year-old-children born preterm (32 to 37 weeks) in Amol, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted based on a pre-and post-test method with a control group. The experimental group (n=10) participated in 24 1-hour sessions (3 sessions per week). On the other hand, the control group (n=10) received no intervention. Peabody Development Motor Scale (version. 2) was used to evaluate the motor skills of children ( i. e., gross and fine motor skills). Findings: The results of the ANCOVA indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control group regarding all sub-scales of gross motor skills and a sub-scale of fine motor skill (i. e., visual-motor integration) (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, play therapy can be used as an effective intervention for children born preterm to compensate for their delayed motor development. Moreover, it can be employed in the intervention and rehabilitation programs developed for these children.

Background: Agricultural development and lack of a proper strategy for the management of this domain can lead to the pollution of water and soil resources as a result of using various fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Contamination of underground water can be hazardous for human health, especially in areas where aquifers are used for home use (especially drinking). Regarding this, the present study was conducted to investigate the quality of drinking water based on the Iran Water Quality Index for Groundwater Resources-Conventional (IRWQIGC). This study was also targeted toward assessing the residual concentrations of chlorpyrifos and parathion pesticides in underground water in Dezful city, Iran, in 2016. Methods: This study was conducted on 40 underground water samples (i. e., 24 samples for pesticides and 16 samples for water quality index) collected from 8 stations in Dezful city during the autumn and winter of 2016. After the extraction and preparation of specimens, the levels of chlorpyrifos and parathion residues were determined using the gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Furthermore, the measurement and classification of underground water quality were performed based on the IRWQIGC index. Findings: Based on the results, the water collected from Shams Abad Station had the highest level of chlorpyrifos in March (0. 22 μ g/L). In addition, the level of parathion was lower than the limit of detection in all samples. Based on the IRWQIGC, the Mohajerin, Safi Abad, and Montazeri wells had the highest quality of drinking water, with the values of 75. 11, 74. 85, and 72. 55, representing good quality. On the other hand, Kahnak well was found to have the lowest water quality with a value of 58. 55 signifying a fairly good quality. Conclusion: As the results indicated, underground water in Dezful city was of good quality, and the pesticide concentrations were lower than the standard limit of Iran. However, based on the standards of the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency, the growing use of chlorpyrifos may pose some problems in the future.