Journal of Health
Year:2021 | Volume:11 | Issue:5|Papers Count:11

Background & objectives: High concentrations of heavy metals in the soil are considered as a serious risk to human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, As, V and Co) in surface soils of Khuzestan province (2018). Methods: This research is an experimental-applied study. For this purpose, 87 samples of surface soils were collected from Khuzestan province and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The level of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, As, V and Co) pollution was estimated based on environmental indicators. Also, the spatial pattern of metal concentrations in surface soils was prepared in GIS (10. 2). Results: The average concentration of heavy metals of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn was 3. 22, 0. 31, 9. 46, 42. 67, 23. 92, 66. 34, 9. 09, 35. 56 and 46. 66 (mg/kg) respectively. The average concentrations of all heavy metals other than cobalt were higher than the baseline value (concentration in the earth's crust). Based on the average value of the enrichment factor (EF), the heavy metals of Co, Cd and Zn have a high contamination. According to the comprehensive evaluation of Nemrow integrated pollution index (NIPI), 40. 98% of the samples were in medium pollution and 19. 54% of the samples had high pollution. Conclusion: The results of environmental indicators showed that the source of pollution of studied metals was anthropogenic such as traffic, burning fossil fuels, and uncontrolled use of fertilizers, urban wastewater entering the soil, the presence of oil industries in the region and the presence of gases released from the metal industry like the steel industry in the study area.

Background & objectives: Anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) is one of the low cost wastewater treatment systems compared to the aerobic method. Hoverer it should be studied and developed to overcome its limitations such as insufficient nutrient removal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the 5 sectional ABR pilot and improve it with integrated electric coagulation process for municipal wastewater treatment. Methods: This study was conducted at Khoy wastewater treatment plant. The ABR was operated for 270 days with hydraulic retention time (HRT) 36-24-18-12h and the integrated reactor was operated for 40 days with duration of 18 hours. The reactors were fed in line from the incoming wastewater to the treatment plant. From the input and output of the system, 245-hour combined sampling was performed 225 times and the parameters COD, BOD, TSS, TKN, and TP were measured. Results: The reactor startup took about 105 days. The ABR reached to 79-91%, 9-20%, 19-30% and 89-94% COD, TKN, PO4 and TSS removal efficiencies respectively at HRT36 and 12 h. The ABR meted effluent disposal standards of TSS in all conditions and those of COD, TP and BOD at optimum HRT 36h. The integrated ABR meted these and NO3, SO4 standards at HRT 18 h in current density of 0. 1mA/cm2 by aluminum electrodes. Conclusion: The ABR is suitable for municipal wastewater treatment, but it has limitations such as high HRT and failure to meet nitrogen effluent discharge standard. By integrating the EP into the ABR while reducing HRT, its efficiency increased up to twice that of ABR with the same time. Therefore, integrated electrical coagulation can be used to improve ABR efficiency.

Background & objectives: Macroargonomics is a socio-technical approach that aims to improve the work system of organizations. The aim of this study was to investigate the research orientation of macroargonomics in Iran based on research published in Persian. Methods: The present study is a review and content analysis that was performed on studies in the field of macroargonomics in Iran. Scientific-research databases with the keywords "macro-ergonomics", "participatory ergonomics", "participatory ergonomics", "macroergonomics", "comprehensive ergonomics" and "organizational ergonomics" which were published in Persian; Were examined. In addition to the descriptive analysis of extracted articles, a qualitative evaluation of the articles was performed in order to determine the orientation of the studies. Results: The 64 studies were introduced to the study between 1997 and 2018. 55. 51% (the highest frequency) of studies was in the years 2012-2018. Most of these studies have been conducted in the field of industry and fewer of them in the field of education. Most of articles addressed the modification of working system to reduce the musculoskeletal disorders and increase the quality of work life by utilizing qualitative, descriptive-analytical, and interventional methods. Conclusion: Macroargonomics has been used in all areas and has presented positive results. However, the position of macro-ergonomics in Iran in all areas, especially in small and medium industries is low and requires more applied research. On the other hand, in addition to publishing dissertations and articles, how to do their work and their effectiveness should be presented to decision makers and senior managers to lead to the need to understand why the work system is reformed.

Background & objectives: Socioeconomic and environmental factors in suburban neighborhoods can affect the lifestyle of their inhabitants. However, the lifestyle of the suburban people is rarely considered by the researchers. This study aimed to investigate lifestyle, the most important challenge, and its related factors in suburban women of reproductive age living in southeastern Iran. Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, the lifestyles of suburban women in the southeast of Iran were investigated in 2017. The sample consisted of 400 people who were selected by random one-stage cluster sampling. Lifestyle questionnaire (LSQ) was completed by individual interviews to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multivariate regression. SPSS (version 19) was used to analyze data. A p<0. 05 was considered significant. Results: Mean score of LSQ was 103. 08± 24. 97 and among all components of lifestyle, the sport and health component got the lowest score (21. 58± 18. 68). Among the predictive factors, the education and employment of the husband, the interval between pregnancies, ethnicity and the head of household had a significant relationship with lifestyle (p=0. 03, p=0. 01, p=0. 002, p=0. 01, and p=0. 01 respectively). Conclusion: The lifestyles of suburban women were at an inappropriate level and exercise was the main challenge in their lifestyle. It is necessary to pay more attention to the personal and social characteristics of the husband, fertility status, ethnicity, and head of the family and to promote sports in policy-making to improve the lifestyle.

Background and objectives: First pregnancy, due to unknown pregnancy experiences, can cause psychological and emotional distress for mothers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal-fetal attachment training to tolerate distress and rumination of first pregnant mothers. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest, control group, and forty-five-day follow-up period design. The statistical population consisted of all the first pregnant mothers in Tehran in 2016. The study sample consisted of 30 first pregnant mothers with an age range between 25 and 35 years. Participants were selected through a non-random sampling method and they were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received nine sessions of ninety-minute comprehensive training of maternal-fetal attachment during one month while the control group did not receive such intervention during the study process. The questionnaires used in this study included Distress Tolerance Questionnaire (Simmons and Gaher, 2005) and Ruminant Questionnaire (Nolenhoxma and Murrow, 1991). The data were analyzed by repeated measurement ANOVA. Results: The results of data analysis showed that training maternal-fetal attachment has significantly influenced distress tolerance (f=153. 08, p<0. 001) and rumination (f=256. 11, p<0. 001) in the first pregnant mothers. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that training maternal-fetal attachment by using relaxation and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety and mental imaging training can increase distress tolerance and reduce rumination of first pregnant mothers. Accordingly, training maternal-fetal attachment can be applied as an effective treatment to reduce the distress tolerance and rumination of first pregnant mothers.

Background & objectives: Sometimes artificial dyes are used instead of saffron as a fraud to improve the color of grilled chicken. Due to the adverse effects of some industrial colors such as tartrazine on human health, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of using this color instead of saffron in the preparation of grilled chicken. Methods: In a cross-sectional analytical study, 550 samples of colored grilled chicken were collected in a simple random sampling method in the cities of Ardabil province, 2016. Thin layer chromatography was used to extract the dye in the collected samples and the results were compared with the National Standard of Iran No. 2634. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical tests. Results: The results showed that of the total samples of grilled chicken prepared for consumption in Ardabil province, about one third (31. 81%) of tartrazine dye was used. Although, there was not significant correlation between the colors used in the samples and the sampling site using the Spearman Correlation Coefficients the percentage of using this color was different among different cities of the Ardabil province. The highest percentage of color was found in Sarein city (35. 29%) and the lowest was in Kosar city (21. 95%). Conclusion: The present study showed that in all cities of Ardabil province, synthetic tartrazine is used to dye grilled chicken instead of saffron dye. Almost one third of the grilled chicken samples were contaminated with tartrazine synthetic dye.

Background & objectives: Dust storm typically occurs in arid and semi-arid regions. This phenomenon is more visible across the western, southwestern and central regions of Iran in the summertime. Previously conducted studies have reported that this phenomenon affects human health, agriculture, industry, infrastructure and transportation. The aim of this study is to investigate the economic effects of dust storms. Methods: The present study is a descriptive investigation. The available articles and reports in valid Persian databases (Civilica, Magiran and SID) as well as English databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed and Google scholar were reviwed separately. Results: The dust storm phenomenon covers a wide range of geographical area. In fact, it occurs in all parts of the world and is considered as an international issue. During the occurrence of dust storm phenomenon, the concentration of various pollutants increases, which generally affects the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and throposphere. Dust storm have far-reaching environmental, health, and socio-economic effects that are linked in a chain, and ultimately each of these effects will have irreparable economic consequences. Therefore, the phenomenon of dust has wide economic effects such as the impact on the exports, delays in air travel, disruption of road transport, destructive effects on agriculture (agriculture and horticulture), road accidents, road damage, closure of schools, home appliances, electronic equipments, public billboards, irrigation canals, power plants and public health. Conclusion: Dust storm phenomenon should not only be considered as an environmental issue, but due to the great economic consequences for the infrastructure of the affected areas and the country, it should be considered as a national and international concern. It is necessary to accompany many executive departments of the country to reduce its consequences. To reduce the man-made resources of the dust phenomenon, this study proposes integrated assessments and strategies that promote sustainable water and land management in farms, rangelands, deserts and urban areas, despite climate change.

Background & objectives: The challenges in government organizations and centers, including medical universities in the country, indicate the existence of several organizational problems, and without a doubt, the existence of these problems will reduce the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of the organization. A significant part of these problems is related to the staff recruitment process. Improper selection of these staffs will impose irreparable damage on organizations and consequently on public health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the process of manpower selection in Iran and other countries, since the process of human resources recruitment in Iran and the world is different. Methods: Methods: The present study is a descriptive study. The statistical population includes all universities in the world that work in the field of medical services delivery. Information about the process of selecting and employing human resources was collected by searching valid Persian and English sources using the keywords Human Resources Selection, Human Resources Management, Selection Patterns. Also, reference books on manpower management from different parts of the world were collected and reviewed separately. Results: The review of the human resources selection in Iran and different parts of the world indicates that there are a number of criteria due to the many cultural, social and economic differences between countries in accordance with the prevailing conditions in those countries. However, criteria such as expertise, proficiency, work experience, personal interest and the spirit of participation are common in all these countries and should be considered in the selection of human resources. Conclusion: According to the studies conducted in each country, the patterns of manpower selection should be done within a logical framework according to the prevailing conditions of that country.

Background & objectives: Occupational stress occurs when there is no coordination between the needs of the job with the individual abilities and desires. Physical ability of individuals is determined using the maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max), which is the maximum capacity to work during the shift. The higher the aerobic capacity, the easier it is for a person to perform strenuous activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational stress and its relationship with the maximum aerobic capacity and physical activity level in bank staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among 82 bank staff that was selected by simple random sampling. To assess the Occupational stress, physical activity and VO2max, the Iranian version of HSE occupational stress and IPQA questionnaire and step test were respectively used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-20 software. p≤ 0. 005 was considered significant. Results: In this study, bank employees were ranked in severe to moderate, well and moderate categories in terms of occupational stress, Vo2max and level of physical activity, respectively. There was also a significant relationship between occupational stress and age, weight, physical activity and VO2max (p≤ 0. 05). But there was no significant relationship between occupational stress and height and BMI. Conclusion: According to the results, the level of physical activity and especially Vo2max are considered as one of the factors affecting occupational stress. It seems that in order to reduce occupational stress and thus improve productivity, efforts to improve the level of physical activity and Vo2max are necessary.

Background & objectives: Adolescence is one of the most important and the most sensitive periods in human life. One of the most fundamental changes to this period for a person is changes caused by beginning of puberty. Having enough knowledge about this process helps to get through this critical period easily and carefree, especially in girls. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of education based on the locus of control theory on the puberty health of the junior high school girl students in Faruj in 1996. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental intervention study. 100 junior high school girl students participated in the study by random allocation in 2 experimental and control groups (50 people in each arm). The data gathering tool was a demographic and field information questionnaire on knowledge and students’ performance in puberty health and Walton locus of Control Questionnaire. Students completed the questionnaires before starting the curriculum. The intervention was performed in the experimental group during 5 sessions. Questionnaires were completed again for both groups immediately and 3 months after the intervention. Mean scores before, immediately and 3 months after the educational intervention were measured and compared in the two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 software and statistical tests. Significance level was considered 0. 05. Results: The mean score of puberty health of students before training was not significantly different in the experimental and control groups, while immediately after education the mean score of puberty health in the two groups was statistically significant (p=0. 001). Also, the correlation between external locus of control and puberty health score was significant immediately after education (p=0. 0001), while there was a significant correlation between internal locus of control after three months (p=0. 002). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it seems that the educational intervention had a positive effect on improving the puberty health of the subjects immediately after training, but due to the decrease in mean scores in the experimental group 3 months after the intervention, continuing education is an important point to consider; Therefore, it is worthwhile to teach puberty issues to improve the health behaviors of girls in this period.