مجله تحقیقات سلامت در جامعه
سال سوم شماره 2 (تابستان 1396)

Introduction and The consumption of agricultural products cultivated in soils contaminated with heavy metals is very health-threatening. Therefore, the implementation of an inclusive and multilateral assessment of the heavy metal risk on the verge of their entrance to the food chain is a matter of fundamental importance. Regarding this, the present study was conducted with the aim of monitoring the concentration of heavy metals in the surface soil of grape gardens and zoning the area in terms of geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor, degree of contamination, modified degree of contamination (MDC), pollution load index (PLI), and ecological risk index (RI).
For the purpose of the study, 31 grape gardens were selected in Gahru region (i.e., the main center of grape production) through simple random sampling technique. The surface soil samples were transferred to the laboratory for the analysis of the concentration of cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, and zinc.
According to the results, the concentration of the metals in the region was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd with the mean total concentrations of 74.87, 55.31, 22.32, 9.81, and 0.91 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the results of the PLI, six grape gardens were classified as insignificantly contaminated (1≤PLI≤2), and the remaining gardens were classified as noncontaminated (PLI300), medium (150 In the present study, the Igeo and MDC had higher efficiency and flexibility in the classification of the area in terms of critical metals and critical stations. Meanwhile, cadmium and copper caused the highest concern in some of the grape gardens of the investigated region. Therefore, it is suggested to prevent the entrance of larger amounts of cadmium in the area by training and raising the awareness of the gardeners about the amount of phosphate fertilizers and fungicide and encouraging them to use animal manures and take preventive measures. In addition, the cadmium contamination in the area should be reduced by implementing a soil refinery program and cultivating cadmium adsorbents.

Introduction and Health literacy (HL) is a relatively new emerging concept in public health, which is the capacity of Individuals to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make proper health decisions. This study aimed to assess the level of health literacy among the individuals aged between 18 and 65 years old in Shahriar, Iran.
This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 299 participants aged from 18 to 65 years old in 10 city neighborhoods of Shahriar, Iran, during 2015. Data were collected using Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance in SPSS, version 21.
In this study, the mean HL level was 58.26±22.1. The mean levels of HL dimensions were 61.14, 66.74, 62.87, 54.68, and 45.87 for accessing to health information, understanding the information, information reading skills, analyzing the information, and decision making based on the information, respectively. Given the results, 36.5%, 23.7%, 25.4%, and 14.4% of the participants had low, inadequate, adequate, and high levels of HL. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between age, educational stage, and occupation and the level of fivedimensional HL (P About 60% of the subjects had low and inadequate levels of HL; therefore, it is recommended to design a program based on demographic variables to promote HL among people in the society.

Introduction and Improper management of healthcare waste (HCW) can pose considerable risks to human health and the environment and cause serious problems in developing countries such as Iran. In this study, we sought to determine the hazards of HCW in the public hospitals affiliated to Abadan School of Medicine using the preliminary hazard analysis (PHA) method.
In this descriptive and analytic study, health risk assessment of HCW in government hospitals affiliated to Abadan School of Medicine (4 public hospitals) was carried out by using PHA in the summer of 2016.
We noted the high risk of sharps and infectious wastes. Considering the dual risk of injury and disease transmission, sharps were classified in the very high-risk group, and pharmaceutical and chemical and radioactive wastes were classified in the medium-risk group. Sharps posed the highest risk, while pharmaceutical and chemical wastes had the lowest risk. Among the various stages of waste management, the waste treatment stage was the most hazardous in all the studied hospitals.
To diminish the risks associated with healthcare waste management in the studied hospitals, adequate training of healthcare workers and care providers, provision of suitable personal protective and transportation equipment, and supervision of the environmental health manager of hospitals should be considered by the authorities.

Introduction and The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in stressful jobs is very high. The people suffering from these disorders have low decision-making ability and perceived social support, while they have high physical and psychological job requirements. Regarding this, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of waist and back pain on occupational stress.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 89 employees of Abadan Ports and Marine Administration in 2016. The study population was selected through random sampling method. The data were collected using Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator and Body Discomfort Chart. Data analysis was performed using descriptive (i.e., frequency andpercentage) and inferential statistics (i.e., t-test) in SPSS version 18.
According to the findings, 50% and 31% of the participants had experienced waist and back pain, respectively. The highest and lowest stress levels in this study were related to role (77%) and communication (2.32%), respectively. The results of the t-test revealed a significant difference between the people with waist pain and those without such pain in terms of peer support, role, communication, and variations (P As the findings of the present study indicated, back pain and stress had high prevalence among the white-collar workers. Back pain can be an effective factor on the stress level of the office workers.

Introduction and Energy consumption is on a rapidly growing trend in the world. Accordingly, the non-renewable energy sources are expected to be run out in the future. This issue has resulted in the establishment of efforts targeted toward the development of new energy-generating methods around the world. Biogas energy is one of the new and clean energies that is produced from the anaerobic digestion of biomass wastes. Anaerobic digestion is a cost-effective and environment-friendly method, which facilitates fertilizer and biogas production as well as landfill leachate treatment. Given the high environmental hazards of leachate and its mixture with animal wastes, the present study aimed to estimate the possibility of producing biogas in various mixture ratios.
In this pilot-scale experimental study, the landfill leachate of Mashhad, Iran, were mixed with caw fresh dung in different ratios, but same conditions, under anaerobic digestion. This was conducted to consider the ability to produce methane gas in different proportions and landfill leachate. At the beginning and end of the project, the parameters of EC, pH, VS, TS, COD, TOC, P, K, N, and Na were measured. Additionally, the composition of the gases produced under different operating conditions was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
Gas production began three weeks after uploading and continued for five weeks. The analysis of gas production in three ratios was indicative of the CH4 production in all three proportions. In this regard, 1/1 ratio produced the highest percentage of CH4. No gas production was observed in the two months of study. Other physical and chemical parameters, such as COD, TS, TKN, and TOC were reduced in the given mixtures during the biogas production procedure. For instance, the case with 1/1 ratio, which showed the best results, had almost 80% decrease in the given parameters. However, no gas production or change of parameters were observed in the control sample (leachate), which was examined for two months.
The findings of the study revealed the possibility of producing biogas out of the mixture of waste leachate and animal wastes. Biogas reduces the risk of waste leachate disposal to the environment and facilitates the production of fertilizers containing nutrients (e.g., Na, K, N, and P), which are standard regarding such parameter as pH, EC, C/N, and reduced VS. Moreover, these gases are cost-effective and environment-friendly.

Introduction and Musculoskeletal pain is a prevalent problem among the drivers. According to the literature, musculoskeletal disorders and back pain are among the main causes of road accidents. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort during and after driving among the truck trailer drivers in Taybad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran, in 2016.
This descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted on 290 truck drivers in Taybad. The study population was selected using simple random sampling technique. After providing the drivers with training, they determined the discomfort rate in different parts of their body on the Body Discomfort Chart (BDC). In addition, the Driving Ergonomic Questionnaire and Body Part Discomfort Map were used to examine the pain and discomfort rates in different areas of the body during driving in the last month. Data analysis was performed using the descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21.
According to the results, the lower back part (during driving: 54.42% vs. after driving: 27.76%) and neck (during driving: 44.43% vs. after driving: 58.86%) had the highest prevalence of disorders during and after driving in all three intensities.
As the findings of the present study indicated, long sitting behind the steering wheel throughout the day can be a reason for musculoskeletal discomforts in the trailer truck drivers. Regarding the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, drivers need to take corrective measures with the priorities of educational programs.

Introduction and Absenteeism is defined as being absent from work without a good reason. Sick leave among healthcare providers can have serious negative impacts on organizational performance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and causes of sick leave in the healthcare system of Joibar, Iran.
This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on all employees of the healthcare system of Joibar, Iran (n=239). Data was collected using a checklist including demographic data and reasons for absenteeism (the number of absent days, work experience, and employment status) by presenting to the Human Resources Department of the healthcare system. Data was analyzed by using Chi-square test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient in SPSS, version 20.
The mean age of the employees was 35.72±3.3 years. Sick leave was mostly observed in the age group of 30-39, official staff, married women, and employees with work experience of 6 to 10 years (83 cases). Among the studied diseases, cold and musculoskeletal disorders were the most frequent causes of absenteeism among employees in the healthcare system.
Based on our findings, musculoskeletal disorders were the most important causes of absenteeism, which are preventable. To improve the physical and ergonomic conditions of the staff, we suggest healthcare authorities to install ergonomy software (Office Exercise Program) and provide standard and adjustable seats and office desks.