دو ماهنامه سلامت کار ایران
سال هفتم شماره 2 (تابستان 1389)

Background and aimsScientific and industrial development has led to increased production,which has been associated with different complications, including occupational stress, and increased incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders arefrequent causes of absenteeism in developed countries. We designed this study to assess musculoskeletal disorders and occupational stress among video display terminal (VDT) workers in comparison with other office workers.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study on 72 VDT workers (case) and 145 office workers (control). In this study we used Nordic and Osipow questionnaires in order to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders and job stress, respectively. The questionnaires were filled by direct interview. T test, chi square, Fisher test and logistic regression were used for data analysis.ResultsThe frequency of musculoskeletal disorders among VDT users in the last 12 months was 46.5%, 20.3%, 5.1%, 12.4% and 57.6% in neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and low back areas, respectively. The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints in neck, shoulder and wrist and mean score of occupational stress was significantly higher in the case group comparing with control group, and both results were statistically significant.ConclusionVDT working is a high-risk job for musculoskeletal disorders. In this study the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in high-risk regions for this job, was higher in VDTworkers than other office workers. We recommend to perform other studies in order to find non-ergonomic points and postures in these persons.

Background and aimsGenerally nitrogen dioxide (NO measure carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NOMethodsOne hundred thirty one restaurants were chosen randomly from a list of 276 restaurants in five region different geographic categories, of the metropolitan Tehran, area, in summer 2006. Simultaneous indoor and outdoor air sampling occurred at each sampling site. Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were measured by a real-time analyzer portable computer monitors.ResultsThe results of this study showed that %83 and %68 kitchens had local exhaust ventilation and fan system, respectively. The results of this study showed that the mean concentrations of CO and NOConclusionsIn this study, the mean levels of CO and NO2 indoor were upper than the CO and NO2 outdoor the restaurants. Generally, improved methods of cooking besides appropriate ventilation of all indoor combustion appliances, including gas stoves, should be adopted in industrial kitchens.2 with gas stoves for food cooking in restaurant kitchens were below the standard which was established as TLV-TWA=25 and 3 ppm, respectively by ACGIH. The I/O ratios of CO and NO2, were larger than 1 when there were indoor sources.2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are emitted Toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO.), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) will remain in the kitchen when cooking with a gas stove. The purpose of the present study was to2) levels during the operation of cooking in restaurant kitchens that use gas or natural gas, which are widely used in Tehran.

Background and aimsOne of the most common kinds of human's disorders is sleep disorders which have direct relation with age, gender, physical health status, and occupational activities. Increasing the errors during job activities such as driving is one of the most importantcomplications of sleep disorders. Therefore, this study has been conducted to determine the sleep quality of drivers and its relationship with public health. The under study drivers are from the Gorgan's passenger terminal.MethodsIn this analytical-partial study, all the drivers working in the Gorgan's passenger terminal were studied using standard 28-question public heath questionnaire and standard 19- question Pittsburg sleep questionnaire. After filling out and collecting all forms, data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS.13, and descriptive analytical statistics.ResultsThe results showed that the driver's public health is not satisfactory. More than one third of drivers have poor sleep quality and there was a direct and statistically significant relationship between the quality of sleep and general health of drivers (P <0.001, r = 0.7).Conclusionaccording to the results of this study, training of drivers is advised such that they have a regular number of shifts, timely and sufficient rests, proper diet which can prevent accidents, conserve passengers, reduce costs due to accidents and irrecoverable damage to other drivers. Also it is important to consider possible age limitation for driving on the road or to allocate a less number of shifts for older drivers.

Background and aimsEncouragement of employee's loyalty along with considering the justice principles in organizational climate result in the attitudinal health. The attitudinal encouragement is essential for employee's productive and effective performance in organizations. On the basis of this issue, in this research, the role of loyalty and justice was analyzed on employee's attitudinal health (in the form of commitment and satisfaction).MethodsCurrent research is a correlational research. Statistical populations were 700 employees of a organization related to the petroleum ministry. From them, 246 persons were selected for answering to the research questionnaires using simple random sampling. Research questionnaires were: reward and encouragement of loyalty with 3 items, distributive justice with 6 items, procedural justice with 6 items, affective commitment with 5 items and job satisfaction with 4 items. Data were analyzed with the use of Pearson's correlation coefficient and structure equation modeling.ResultsResults showed that there are positive significant relations between reward andencouragement of loyalty (0.757 and 0.66 respectively) with distributive and procedural justice. Therefore first research hypothesis was verified. The study of second research hypothesis showed that distributive justice is a complete mediator variable in relation between reward and encouragement of loyalty with job satisfaction. Finally the results of third research hypothesis showed that procedural justice has not a mediator role in relation between reward and encouragement of loyalty with affective commitment.ConclusionThe results of this research revealed that for encouragement of attitudinal health in satisfaction and commitment domains, employee's loyalty must be rewarded in a just and equity manner.

Background and aimsDue to occupational exposures, primary health care workers are more at risk of blood- borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of occupational injuries and its related factors among the primary health care workers in Bahar city.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2007, 182 primary health care workers of Bahar city participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire and SPSS software, Chi square and Logistic regression tests were applied for data analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of occupational injuries among the participants was 57.7%. The highest exposure rate was associated with injection needles (84.8%) and the most frequent process leading to an injury was recapping (28.6%). The most prevalent occupational injuries were observed among lab experts (91.6%) and nurses (71.4%) (P<0.05). 90.5 percent of the exposed group had only washed the injured place with soap. The risk of occupational injuries increased as the work experience increased (OR=1.07, CI=1.03-1.12). There were no significant relationshipbetween employee's sex and age with occupational injuries.ConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, there is a high prevalence of occupational injuries among primary health care workers of Bahar city. Hence, educating the transmission routs of blood-borne infections, applying standard precautions and increasing protection strategies must be taken into consideration.

Background and aimsExposure to flour dust and related allergens is one of the most common causes of occupational airway disease (OAD) and occupational asthma (OA). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the respiratory effects of exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of flour dust.MethodsThis study was carried out in a local flour producing factory in Shiraz, in 1384. Sixty seven subjects (35 exposed and 32 non-exposed) were investigated. The prevalence of respiratory symptom as well as lung function capacities was evaluated. Additionally, atmospheric concentrations of flour dust were measured. The data were analyzed by Independent sample ttest, Chi-square or fisher's exact test and multiple linear regression.Atmospheric concentrations of dust exceeded current permissible levels. Additionally, exposed workers had higher prevalence rates of regular cough, productive cough, wheezing, phlegm and shortness of breath. Likewise, significant (p<0.05) decrements in the parameters of pulmonary function were noted.ConclusionsThe findings of this study provide additional corroborative evidence in favour of the notion that after adjusting for age, smoking habits and other confounders, a strong association exists between exposure to flour dust and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and functional impairments of the lungs.

Background and aimsThe relationship between pleural malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos is well-known, but there is no accurate information regarding high risk occupations and types of exposure in Iran. In this study we specified high risk jobs for asbestos exposure.MethodsIn this case-control study, 64 cases with diagnosis of pleural malignant mesothelioma who were admitted in Masih Daneshvari Hospital between the years 2001 and 2009 were studied. All the cases and 58 controls participated in a telephone interview for job history and occupational and environmental exposures to asbestos.ResultsAsbestos exposed occupations in mesothelioma group included corrugated asbestos cement sheet production 11(%17.2), Insulation 6(%9.4), construction 6(%9.4), asbestos warehouse 3(%4.7), oil and gas shaft drilling 2(%3.1) and car brake shoe manufacturing 2(%3.1). In controls, the only exposed occupation was construction 8(%13.79). Odds Ratio calculated for occupational exposure to asbestos was 5.51(CI=2.26-13.47). Residency in neighbourhood of corrugated asbestos cement sheet production factory was the most prevalent cause for environmental exposure.ConclusionsIn %46.87 of mesothelioma cases, source of exposure to asbestos was corrugated asbestos cement sheet industry due to employment in the factory, residency in neighbourhood of the factory or use of its products.

Background and aimsThe main purpose of this study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of occupational exposure to low levels of formaldehyde on respiratory health.MethodsThis historical cohort study was conducted at a local melamine-formaldehyde resin producing plant. The study population consisted of seventy exposed and 24 non-exposed (referent) employees. In this study, a questionnaire was used to evaluate and determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Atmospheric concentrations of formaldehyde were measured at different areas of the plant. Similarly, using a spirometer, the parameters of pulmonary function were measured during exposure and a few days after exposure ceased.ResultsAtmospheric concentrations of formaldehyde marginally exceeded current permissible levels. Additionally, significant decrements in some parameters of pulmonary function, both during and after exposure were noted. However, a relative recovery in lungfunctional capacity observed following temporary cessation of exposure. Furthermore, exposed workers had higher prevalencerates of regular cough, wheezing, phlegm, shortness of breath, chest tightness and episodes of chest illness associated with cold.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate that exposure to formaldehyde may induce respiratory symptoms, acute partially reversible and chronic irreversible functional impairments of the lungs.