Iranian Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE)
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Hospital Safety Climate Assessment toward Attitude’s Nurses Based on Sammer’s Model Case study: An academic General and A specialized Hospital in Tehran (Iran)
Get PDFSafety climate has become an important issue in organizational safety management of health systems. The aim of this applied study was assessment safety climate in general and specialized academic hospitals based on Sammer’s model, to introduce a model with the specific framework to assess climate safety in Iranian hospitals, moreover, to reduce medical errors and incidents, also to increase patient safety.
This model consists of seven dimensions: leadership, teamwork, evidence-based practices, communication, learning, justice and patient-centeredness. So a descriptive –comparative study was undertaken through a methodology including 3 phases. Data were collected by a modified questionnaire based on the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) from 217 nurses and an In-depth interview with 52 nurses in both hospitals.
According to the results in the general hospital, leadership, patient-centeredness and learning was recognized as the most effective factors, however, in the specialized hospital, the most important factors were patient-centeredness and justice.
Seven dimensions of Sammer’s model are effective in safety climate assessment, but they are not enough to assess safety climate Iranian hospitals. Adding other factors such as safety and standardized hospital building space, the safety of equipment, physical factors in the workplace, Social and culture factors and terms and conditions governing the hospital settings can help to complete the model and provide an integrated and more consistent one to take an effective step in assessing overall hospital safety climate
Fire Risk Assessment and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fire Protection Actions in a Combined-Cycle Power Plant
Get PDFThe increasing abundance of fires in industrial buildings has led to the growth of fire risk assessment and protection methods. However, few studies have been performed on the practical application of these risk assessment methods in industrial structures. This study aimed at assessing fire risk and determining the effectiveness of fire control measures to reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities to occupants at a combined-cycle power plant in the northeast of Iran.
In the present study, firstly, the fire risk level of the real condition for the occupants, building and contents, and activities were measured using the Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering (FRAME). Then, taking into account the fire control measures, the fire risk was recalculated and compared with the acceptable risk level.
The results indicated that the occupants’ fire risk level was 1.26 that was above the acceptable level. Furthermore, in the case of a fire, the expected destruction of the control room will be approximately 20%. Assuming a constant fire load modulation via building construction by non-burning materials or up to 10% burning materials, the occupants’ fire risk level will be decreased by 8% compared to the current situation. Also, in the state of designing standard emergency exit routes and using the fire alarm system, the fire risk level will be decreased by 50% and 52%, respectively, compared to the current condition.
This study indicated that applying quantitative engineering methods for fire risk assessment can help to find practical solutions to minimize losses and fire-related injuries to industrial building occupants
Body Measurements (Anthropometry): A Case Study of Male Students in Qom University of Technology
Get PDFThe existence of ergonomic training tools and devices improves the educational quality and convenience of students. Non-ergonomic training tools also cause musculoskeletal disorders in students and as a result, they will be less efficient. The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the seats available with the body dimensions of the male undergraduate and master’s students of Qom University of Technology. In this research, 60 male undergraduate and master’s male students of Qom University of Technology were selected randomly and 18 physical dimensions of them were measured by an anthropometric calliper with an accuracy of 0.1, 0.05 meter, and also seven important parts of the seat affecting on the body's posture were measured by the meter. Also, feeling or not feeling pain in the 8 parts of the bodies of these students and their feelings about the cause of the pain were asked by questionnaires and for data analysis, was used the SPSS version 22. The height of the seating area was almost appropriate. The length and width of the seat area and the width of backing was smaller than the optimal sizes. The height of the chair elbow was shorter than the optimal amount. The length of chair elbow was suitable, and the backing height from the seat area was not suitable. Only the height of the seat area and the length of chair elbow are somewhat appropriate and the rest of the seat parts are not proportionate to the students’ physical sizes. There was a significant difference between the parameters of undergraduate students and the master's students
Empirical Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards to Radiation Health Hazards of Cell Phone: a Case Study on Medical Science Students
Get PDFThe cell phone has become an essential part of life, however, in developing countries, knowledge and awareness of users about its adverse health effects have not enough increased. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone among college students.
In this cross-sectional study, 230 graduate students of University of medical sciences located in Hamadan (western province of Iran) were participated, randomly. A developed self-administered questionnaire was completed by each participant to assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.
The results showed that the content validity ratio and the content validity index of the developed questionnaire were 0.915, 0.79, respectively. Cronbach (alpha), as a criterion of the reliability of the developed questionnaire, was also equal to 0.85. The scores of knowledge, attitudes and practice among the students were 7.95±2.5, 74.78±8.8, and 28.91±9.0, respectively. Relative to the maximum achievable scores, the acquired scores of attitudes was more acceptable than the others. Moreover, the acquired scores of the knowledge were more than the practice.
The scientific controversy about health risks of the cell phones aggravated the public concerns about not well-known effects and consequently, it supported and motivated good attitude among student users. Moreover, it seems that the lack of proper knowledge about cell phone health hazards and protection principles can influence adequate practices. As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle should be adopted for uses of the cell phone, while a major effort is done for monitoring of its new potential health impacts
Evaluation of Microbiological Water Quality and Coastal Waters Quality Index of Persian Gulf in Bandar Abbas Coastal City, Iran
Get PDFThe goals of this study were to assess the microbiological quality and coastal water quality index (CWQI) in the Persian Gulf alongshore of Bandar Abbas city. Water samples were collected from five different coastal sites in spring and summer seasons. To assess the microbiological quality: Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Fecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens were measured. Also, eight physicochemical parameters (DO, BOD, TSS, Turbidity, Temperature, pH, Nitrate, Phosphate) were examined for calculating the CWQI.
The mean for microbiological indicators was respectively, 3667, 1055, 50, 211 MPN/100ml. for physicochemical parameters, the average of water temperature was 32 °C, electrical conductivity was 57mmho/cm, the turbidity was 70.7 NTU, pH 8.1, and also the average concentration of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium was 180, 18.2, 4.9, 12.16μmol/L, and the mean of concentration BOD, COD and DO were 4.89, 11 and 6.8mg/L, respectively. In addition, the water quality index for all months and at selected stations was 65.
The results showed that in the most samples the levels of microbiological indicators were exceeded the national standard and guideline values. Also, the computed CWQI showed that quality of water was weak. All the extracted results are closely related to the inlets connected to the sea. These inlets except the Ghadir station will affect the rest of the stations. In general, in low tide, the Bactria index was more than high tide
Comparison the efficiency of Fenton and Photo–fenton processes for the removal of Reactive red 198 Dye from the aqueous solution
Get PDFThe textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environment. Therefore, this research was carried out to compare the efficiency of removal of Reactive red 198 (RR–198) dye by fenton and photo–fenton processes and determine the optimal conditions for maximum removal.
This study was conducted on a laboratory scale. The effect of influential parameters, including pH (3–9), Fe(II) concentration (10–200mg/L), H2O2 concentration (25–150mg/L), dye concentration (50–200mg/L) and reaction time (15–90min.) on dye removal was investigated and the optimal conditions were determined according to the maximum dye removal efficiency.
The results indicated that the dye removal rate increased as the pH and Fe(II) concentration decreased. The optimal conditions for RR–198 removals from the aqueous solution are pH of 3, Fe (II) concentration of 10mg/L, H2O2 concentration of 50mg/L, the initial dye concentration of 50mg/L, and the reaction time of 15min.. The maximum dye removal efficiency under optimal conditions was 98.82%.
The results of this study revealed that the photo–fenton process was superior to the removal of dye compared to fenton process
Does Habit Strength Predict Junk Foods Consumption? An Extended Version of Theory of Planned Behavior
Get PDFThis study examined the utility of adding habit strength to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in predicting the intention and behaviour of junk food consumption. A Cross-sectional data were performed on 271 high school boy that sampled randomly from ten high schools in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Participants completed measures of the TPB, habit strength and food frequency in relation to junk food consumption. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to test the predictive power of the model. The traditional model explained 15% and 10% of the variance in intention and behaviour, respectively. Subjective norm and PBC (Perceived Behavioral Control) emerged as significant predictors of intention. Also, PBC and intention revealed as a significant predictor of behaviour. The extended model accounted for 28% and 11.6% of the variance in intention and behaviour, respectively. Habit significantly increased the explained variance in both intention and behaviour and emerged as the strongest predictor. Also, subjective norm and PBC remained as a significant predictor of intention and behaviour, respectively. The intention was a non-significant correlate of junk food consumption. Junk food consumption is more controlled by habit and PBC, rather than intention
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Corrosion and Scaling Trends in Zanjan Water Distribution Network Using GIS, Iran
Get PDFCorrosion and scaling of piping are a main issue in the operation of the drinking water network. Corrosive water can cause the intrusion of heavy metals into water and can lead to affect public health. This study aims to present the corrosion and scaling potential of Zanjan drinking water network that is located in north west of Iran. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using calculation of Langlier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI), Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI), and Aggressiveness index (AI). Thirty six samples were taken from all over the city within two seasons, summer and autumn in 2016. To reach this goal following parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, calcium hardness, magnesium, total hardness, temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) in all samples were measured in the laboratory. The mean and standard deviation values of LSI, RSI, PSI and AI indices were equal to -0.62±0.18, 8.26±0.29, 8.04±0.51 and 11.5±0.24, respectively in summer and -0.83±0.12, 8.70±0.33, 8.00±0.29 and 11.15±0.25, respectively in autumn. According to all indices the results have shown that Zanjan drinking water is a mild corrosive. Finally, it is recommended that water authorities must be adjusted effective parameters such as pH of treated water at the beginning of the network in order to corrosion control
Decolorization of Direct Red 81 in Aqueous Solutions by Fenton Oxidation Process: Effect of System Parameters
Get PDFDye industries and textile are among the most water-consuming industries, which severely disturb the aquatic life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of Fenton process in removing Direct Red 81 dye from aqueous solutions and the optimal conditions for maximum removal.
This research was conducted in a laboratory-scale using a one-litre photochemical reactor. The effect of the influential parameters, including pH (3–9), Fe (II) concentration (10–150mg/L), H2O2 concentration (20–150mg/L), initial dye concentration (25–150mg/L), and reaction time (15–120min) on the dye removal was investigated and the optimal conditions were determined according to maximum dye removal efficiency
The results showed that the dye removal rate increased as the pH and Fe(II) concentration decreased and as the initial dye concentration and time increased. The optimal condition was at pH=3, Fe (II)=10mg/L, H2O2=50mg/L, initial dye concentration=100mg/L, and reaction time= 45 minutes. Although the maximum removal efficiency (98.29%) was obtained at the reaction time of 120 minutes, 45 min was the appropriate reaction time considering the cost-effectiveness.
Our results suggest that the Fenton process is a reliable and efficient method with more than 95% efficiency for decolourization of DR-81 dye and many industrial wastewaters
Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Study in Intercity Mini-Bus Drivers-The Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Get PDFExposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is one of the most important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which drivers are likely to report non-specific health complaints. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between whole body vibrations with musculoskeletal disorders among intercity mini-buses drivers.
80 intercity mini-bus drivers were participated in this study. The values of the frequency-weighted Root Mean Square (RMS), Vibration Dose Values (VDV) and Crest Factor (CF) was measured using the SVAN-958 and the SV39A/L accelerometer, in accordance with ISO 2631-1. ANOVA, Post-hoc analysis, and correlation tests were used to analyze the obtained data using SPSS 23.
This study show that the overall equivalent acceleration A_eq (T) difference in various studied models of minibuses was significant (