Iranian Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE)
Not a member yet
218 research outputs found
Sort by
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Pain among Construction Industry Workers in a Low-Income Country
Get PDFMusculoskeletal pain (MSP) is one of the major causes of disability around the world. We ought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of MSP among construction workers in Karachi, Pakistan.
We carried out a cross-sectional study among 321 construction workers from five registered construction companies in Karachi, Pakistan. We administered an Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E) to determine the frequency of MSP and inquired about socio-demographic characteristics, occupational and ergonomic risk factors, knowledge and practices regarding MSP. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors that were associated with MSP.
The mean age of participants was 29.6 (±10.6) years. Low back pain was the most common (27.8%) complaint. The MSP risk was higher in the poorest strata [OR= 1.85, 95% CI:1.10-3.12], and those exposed to vibrations [OR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.05-2.54] during their work activities. Moreover, the unmarried [OR= 0.56, 95%CI: 0.35-0.91] and the workers of Punjabi ethnicity [OR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.27-0.76] were at a lower risk of MSP compared to married men and Sindhi workers. Of the 319 workers, the majority [202 (62.9%)] had low knowledge about occupational hazards, and [194 (60.4%)] health hazards, [131(40.8%)] MSP prevention strategies. More than one third [124(38.6)] workers, were not using personal protective equipment (PPEs) during work.
The construction workers in Pakistan suffer from a very high prevalence of MSP. The study reports MSP from five major registered construction companies in Pakistan. The young group of workers reported difficulty working due to MSP. There is a dire need to design contextualized occupational health and safety policies and interventions with a focus on workers at higher risk of MSP
A Study of The Potential Relationship between COVID-19 (Corona Virus) Daily Outbreak and Temperature Changes in Iran During March 2020
Get PDFClimate is one of the most important structural factors on planet Earth and it is undoubtedly natural and all manifestations are at a wide range of levels. To recognize, control and adapt it, scientists have tried to improve life and well-being under various climatic conditions. Decreasing ambient temperatures can be common or annihilated by various diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between covid-19 (Corona virus) disease and temperature fluctuations in Iran during March 2020. This is, of course, a preliminary study, and further research may explore other aspects of the subject.
The methodology applied was the chi-square statistic to evaluate the test of independence between the studied variables and linear regression analysis to find the possibility of the influence of temperature as an independent climatic factor in the increase or decrease of the number of patients. In case of failure of linear regression analysis, the quadratic fit estimation was used.
Results of this study proved the slight significant correlation between the occurrence of Corona and the temperature changes in the study area during March 2020. Although the temperature element is considered to be an influential climatic factor in Corona-like diseases such as influenza or SARS, this study could not profoundly prove such a relationship. The prevalence of Corona in Iran can be affected by several other factors such as deficiency of medical equipment, the behavior of the Iranian people towards the epidemic and the spread of this virus, socio-political and cultural gatherings
A Mini-Review for Causes, Effects and Preventive Measures of Choking Smog
Get PDFAir pollution and its increasing hazards are growing issues in Pakistan. The main reason is over population and efforts to provide luxurious lifestyles to people. So, changes in economic growth result in ever-increasing fossil fuels consumption, deforestation, industrialization, construction and urbanization. The activities are responsible for the enhanced level of airborne particles and ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere that is resulting in low air quality especially in winter as compared to summer. Since the last few years, it was noticed in Lahore, Pakistan, that the ambient environment condition of the city is rapidly changing, particularly in winter. The sun rays are blocked out and result in smog. Smog is a combination of fog and smoke and an important secondary pollutant that reduces visibility and enhances various health issues. It particularly affects children and older people causing high risk diseases such as eye-watering, skin allergies and respiratory infections. Even though preventive measures are taken to control the effect of smog every winter, there is still a need to focus on the causes to control the prevailing problem of winter smog for betterment in the future. The present review will discuss smog’s history, sources, effects and preventive measures in Pakistan along with other countries
Study on The Effect of Ammonium Hydroxide on Survival, Growth, Reproduction and Cocoon Hatching of Eisenia fetida
Get PDFIn this study, two chronic toxicity tests were conducted to assess, in vitro, the toxicity effect of ammonium hydroxide ‘AH’ on survival, growth, reproduction and cocoon hatching of Eisenia fetida worm. Adult earthworms and cocoons were exposed to an increasing AH concentration (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5mg.g-1 of soil). Mortality, growth, cocoon production and juveniles’ emerging were measured over 56 days to determine LC50, EC50, NOECs and LOECs values. Moreover, the percentage of hatching success and number of juveniles emerging were recorded. For the first test, our results show that AH caused a high mortality rate, decrease of: biomass, cocoon produced and hatchlings emerging trend with increasing of the AH concentration and exposure time. The calculated LC50 after 28-d was 0.85 and 0.83mg.g-1 after 56-d. Otherwise, the obtained EC50 for biomass changes after 28-d and 56-d were 1.64 and 0.82mg.g-1, indeed, the EC50 of juveniles’ production was 0.82mg.g-1. The estimated NOEC value was similar for survival, growth and reproduction (0.5mg.g-1). Otherwise, AH has a toxic character on E. fetida cocoon hatchability, the estimated NOEC value of cocoon hatching success was 1mg.g-1
Mother’s Behavior Regarding Preparation of Healthy Breakfast and Snacks for Children: A School-based Intervention Research
Get PDFHealthy breakfast and snacks play an important role in students’ physical and mental health and education is one of the most effective strategies for improving the nutritional status of children. The aim of this study was to survey the effect of school-based educational intervention on mothers’ behavior with respect to healthy breakfast and snacks for children.
In this experimental study, random sampling was conducted and 120 students were selected and divided into two experimental and control groups and their mothers were invited to participate in the study. Samples were examined in two stages through pre-test, and a delayed post-test with a questionnaire that consists of demographic information questions related to knowledge, attitude, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and behavior. Training, lectures and group discussion methods and question and answer with educational aids such as pamphlets were used. Data were analyzed by using SPSS16 and paired t-test, t-test and chi-square analyses were employed.
The mean scores of knowledge (6.20±88.30), attitude (1.65±25.95) and perceived benefits (0.29 ±17.95), perceived barriers (2.71±34.70), and behavior of mothers (8.38± 115) in the experimental group significantly increased after intervention (
Analysis of Crop Production for Sustainable Food Security in Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the issue of food security and the trend analysis of agricultural productivity in Kwara State, Nigeria. Agricultural data on maize, sorghum, rice, millet, yam and cassava were collected from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin for a period of twenty-two years (1992-2013). Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were used in data analysis. A standardized Anomaly Index was used to analyze fluctuation in crop yields. The semi-average method was used in the trend analysis of crop yield. The result of the descriptive statistics shows that the production of sorghum was heterogeneous. The Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) revealed that the crop yields fluctuated around the long-term mean. Annual sorghum and rice yields vary positively from 1999 to 2002 while maize and yam vary negatively from 1995 to 2002 and 1997 to 2000 respectively. About 59.1% of the cassava yields fall below the long-term means. The result of the semi-average method shows that all the identified crops exhibit an upward trend. This implies that the production of these crops will keep on increasing and thereby ensuring food security in the country. The study, therefore, suggests that both the State government and private organizations should encourage modern agricultural techniques like the application of fertilizer and pesticides to sustain the increasing pattern of crop productivity in the State
Spatiotemporal Distribution of PM10 and PM2.5 within and Around The City of Arak, Iran: Effect of Natural Sources
Get PDFIn the present study, the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were measured within and around the city of Arak from March 2016 through March 2017. The measurements were done every 12 days by means of TSI DustTrak sampler containing specific heads for PM10 and PM2.5. The sampling points included eight stations within the city as well as two stations around the city. The average (±SD) values of 108.56 ±55.56 and 42.58 ±15.88µg/m3 were obtained for daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. PM10 showed the maximum concentrations during summer (144.47µg/m3) followed by spring (109.44 µg/m3), autumn (100.92µg/m3), and winter (77.12µg/m3). On the other hand, the highest values of PM2.5 was observed during winter (44.13 µg/m3) followed by autumn (42.74µg/m3), summer (37.58µg/m3) and spring (33.77 µg/m3). The correlation between PM10 and PM2.5 was highest in winter (R2=0.9288) followed by spring (R2=0.6728), summer (R2=0.6713), and autumn (R2=0.5592). It was concluded that more than 57 and 19% of the PM2.5 and PM10 samples exceeded the Iranian national ambient air quality standards, respectively
A Comparative Study of Photo-Degradation of Atrazine in Aquatic Environments Using UV and UV/Fe (III)-TiO2 Processes
Get PDFA vast variety of pesticides are used for agricultural pests in Iran. The release of these persistent organic pollutants into water supplies leaves adverse effects on both the environment and public health. This study aimed to compare the photo-degradation of atrazine in the aquatic environment using UV and UV/Fe (III)-TiO2 processes.
The effects of parameters including pH, the initial concentration of atrazine, and reaction time on the removal of atrazine in the aqueous phase using ultraviolet radiation (1020 μW/cm2) and UV/Fe (III)-TiO2 were investigated. Residual concentrations were determined using HPLC. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and the graph was made by MATLAB software.
The results demonstrated that the atrazine removal rate in both processes was significantly increased in acidic and alkaline conditions. By increasing initial atrazine concentrations, the removal rate was increased in both processes as well. Data showed that at the lower initial concentration of atrazine (0.1 and 1mg/l) the removal rate in UV/ Fe (III) - TiO2 process was more than the UV process. However, at higher concentration, both processes were almost the same and the maximum removal efficiency (99.2% at UV and 99.11% at UV /Fe (III) - TiO2) occurred at pH=11, initial Atrazine concentration of 10mg/L and the reaction time 30 min
In conclusion, UV and Fe+3-TiO2/UV process was an appropriate method to reduce atrazine in contaminated water resources
The Assessment of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Status and Its Determinants among Students of Iran University of Medical Sciences
Get PDFCareful assessment of lifestyle status among students is a necessity for identifying lifestyle problems and, it is an essential prerequisite for more efficient planning and implementing health promotion interventions among them. This study performed to estimate the current status of a health-promoting lifestyle among students of Iran University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was performed on 250 students of Iran University of Medical Sciences. By performing a proportional stratified random sampling method according to the number of students in each academic discipline, samples were chosen. The data gathering tool was a two-part questionnaire. The first part was related to demographic and socioeconomic information. The second part consisted of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 through descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were statistically observed as significant at p < 0.05. The mean score of health-promoting lifestyle was 124.36 ± 18.41. The highest mean score was for the nutrition dimension (23.67±4.91) and the lowest was for the physical activity dimension (15.08±5.16). This research showed that a statistical proper correlation was found between marital status and spiritual growth. Also, there was a relationship between academic discipline and health responsibility. Additionally, another statistical significant relationship between financial status and health-promoting lifestyle, health responsibility, spiritual growth, and stress management was observed. Since the status of a health-promoting lifestyle is not satisfactory, a wide range of planning and implementing health interventions are needed to improve the health-promoting lifestyle among the students
Frequency of Pneumoconiosis and Related Factors in Ceramic Workers Admitted between 2016 - 2018 to the Occupational Diseases Clinic of a University Hospital in Turkey
Get PDFAccumulation of metals and dust may lead to pneumoconiosis in long-term workers in the ceramic industry. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pneumoconiosis and the affecting individual, occupational, medical, and socioeconomic factors in ceramic industry workers admitted to the clinic of the occupational disease of a university hospital.
This cross-sectional study evaluated the medical records of 216 ceramic workers admitted to the Occupational Diseases clinic of a university hospital in Turkey, between May 2016 and June 2018. The sociodemographic characteristics, detailed occupational history, physical examination findings, respiratory function test results, and radiological results (chest x-ray and/or High-Resolution Computed Tomography-HRCT) of the workers were documented. Chest x-rays were evaluated by two occupational disease specialists with ILO pneumoconiosis certification.
According to gender, 213 patients were male and 3 female. Pneumoconiosis was detected in 34 (11.1%) of the patients, all were male. There was a statistically significant correlation between total time of dust exposure and pneumoconiosis diagnosis (p=0.002). In total, 80.6% of patients were asymptomatic at presentation to the clinic. According to the evaluation of the standard chest radiography of the cases, most of the opacities were characterized as p (120, 55.6%) or q (13, 6.0%) and observed in mid and upper zones; 10 patients showed s opacity (4.6%) and 1 patient showed r opacity (0.5%). Spirometry results of the cases who were categorized according to the results of ILO radiological assessment were compared and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). When the HRCT results of 196 workers were evaluated, 142 cases (65.7%) were shown reticular opacity, 87 (40.3%) nodule, and 2 cases (0.9%) large opacity.
These results emphasize the importance of conducting follow-up studies in workers exposed to respirable particles in the ceramic industry and reforming health policies related to pneumoconiosis