مجله تحقیقات سلامت در جامعه
سال دوم شماره 4 (زمستان 1395)

Introduction and The growing use of ionizing radiation in disease diagnosis necessitaes the appropriate use of devices and awareness regarding the principles of radiation protection. With appropriate adoption of personal protection equipment and compliance with the existing regulations in relation to protection of the buildings where sources of ionizing radiation are located in, the adverse effects of radiation can be curtailed to a great extent.
In this descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, we investigated the rate of compliance with radiation protection standards of 45 radiography rooms in 32 diagnostic imaging centers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, 2015. The centers were chosen through random cluster sampling method. The data were obtained using open-ended interview and a checklist designed based on the recommendations of the International Commission for Radiation Protection and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
The compliance rates with regard to radiology room, radiology equipment, darkroom, and radiographer’s protection were 80.76%, 80.47%, 69.28%, and 93.12%, respectively. Maximum and minimum rates of compliance with the standards were related to performance of the cassette tray (100%) and hopper status (25%), respectively. Comparison of public and private imaging centers in terms of safety standards showed no significant differences (P>0.05).
The observance of the radiation protection standards in Khuzestan Province was in a relativly desirable condition. However, there are some shortcomings in compliance with the principles of protection in the darkroom. In this regard, with recommend adopting protection measures such as timelyreplacement of processing solution, appropriate ventilation of darkroom, provisionof protection equipment and appliances, and protection training required for entering the darkroom.

Introduction and Long term exposure to air pollutants can result in the development and acceleration of various conditions, such as cardiac and respiratory problems, reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary cancer, and even death. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to perform a spatial analysis of air pollution and mortality in Isfahan, Iran.
In this ecological study, the spatial analysis of particulate matter 10 μm (PM10), PM2.5, ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was performed using the geographic information system. Additionally, the evaluation of the premature deaths attributable to these pollutants was carried out through the AirQ software version 2.2.
According to the results of the spatial analysis, the eastern part of Isfahan had higher concentration of air pollutants, compared to other directions. There were 481, 493, 117, 102, and 54 mortality cases attributed to PM10, PM2.5, O3, SO2, and NO2, respectively. In addition, PM10 was found to have the highest health effects among other pollutants.
As the findings of this study indicated, PM10 had the highest concentration in Isfahan city. With respect to the fact that air pollutants accounted for almost 15.8% of the total mortality rate in this city, there is an argent need to adapt some strategies to reduce the emissions of air pollutants.

Introduction and Diseases and poisonings, caused by the consumption of sweets contaminated with microorganisms, have always been considered as one of the major nutritional problems of people living in the developing countries, including Iran. Regarding this, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of microbial contaminations of traditional sweets supplied in Yazd city, Iran, in 2015.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 samples of traditional sweets supplied in Yazd confectionaries, which were randomly selected. These samples were tested in terms of such microorganisms as Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, yeasts, and molds, using the microbiological tests, which were based on the Iranian national standards.
According to the results, the prevalence rate of microbial contaminations was 33.8% (n=322). Furthermore, the “Pistachio Luz” and “Hajji Badam” had the highest (88.8%) and lowest (0%) prevalence rates of microbial contamination, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence rate of contamination to Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Molds, and Yeasts were 13.2%, 5%, 21.7%, and 11.4%, respectively.
Given the high rate of microbial contamination in the traditional sweets, especially “Pistachio Luz”, offered in Yazd, more regulatory and monitoring measures should be taken in the production and distribution of these sweets.

Introduction and Aniline and phenol are used in a wide range of industries, namely dye material, rubber, pesticide, plastic, and paint industries. These chemicals are released to the environment via effluent. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of modified Pistacia terebinthus in removal of phenol and aniline from aqueous solutions.
In this experimental-laboratory study, effects of initial aniline and phenol concentrations, Pistacia terebinthus dosage, time, pH, and interference compounds on efficiency of aniline and phenol removal were investigated. Data evaluated for compliance with the isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) and kinetic (Pseudo second-order, Pseudo First-order and Intraparticcle diffusion) models
Our data showed that removal efficiency decreased with raising pH. The optimum condition for removal of aniline was pH=6, initial concentration= 50 mg/L, and contact time= 45 min, while for phenol it was pH=4, concentration= 50 mg/L, and contact time= 30 min. Adsorption isotherm data show that the fluoride sorption followed the freundlich isotherm. Aniline and phenol adsorption kinetics onto modified Pistacia terebinthus follows pseudo-second-order model.
Pistacia terebinthus is an effective factor in removal of aniline and phenol from water and effluent.

Introduction and Healthy nutrition is an important factor in student learning and educational achievement. The present study aimed to survey snack pattern and some of its associated factors among students in elementary schools of Gonbad city, Iran, during 2013-2014.
This cross-sectional study was performed in 245 students from eight elementary schools (both state and independent) of Gonbad city, Iran. The participants were chosen through multistage sampling method; in doing so, first Gonbad city was divided into four regions. The subjects were selected after selecting a random sample of schools in each region proportionate to the size of the region. Data was collected through a checklist consisting of two parts of demographic data and consumed snacks, which were collected by health experts. To analyze the data, Chi-squared test and Spearman’s rank-order correlation were used in SPSS, version 17.
The mean age of the students was 10.3±1.4 years. About 97.7% of the students consumed snack. Biscuits, cakes, and cookies were the most frequently consumed snacks (49%). Moreover, a significant relationship was found between snack consumption and maternal age (P Despite the favorable status of snack consumption in students, more attention should be drawn to the type of materials used in snacks. Given the importance of consumption of breakfast and snack in students, we recommend implementing training programs for students as to the importance of eating snacks.

Introduction and Parasitic diseases have led to economic and health problems around the world. One of the most common ways for the transmission of these diseases is the consumption of raw vegetables contaminated with parasite. These diseases can be prevented through obtaining knowledge about the parasitic contamination of the vegetables. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and type of raw vegetables contamination in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2013.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 vegetable samples distributed in 60 greengroceries in Sanandaj in 2017. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 16.
In total, 16.3% of the vegetable samples were contaminated with various types of parasites, including free-living nematode (12.2%), Entamoeba coli (1.7%), Giardia (0.8%), Blastocystis hominis (0.8%), and Dicrocoelium (0.8%). However, most of the contaminations (81.6%) were found in the vegetables, which were imported from regions other than Kurdistan province. Basil had the highest level of contamination, whereas coriander and lettuce had the lowest contamination level (P=0 Regarding the findings of the present study, it is recommend to thoroughly perform parasite decontamination before the consumption of vegetables. Furthermore, the officials can prevent the parasitic diseases by careful monitoring of public food distribution centers and controlling the source of vegetables in the winter.