مجله تحقیقات سلامت در جامعه
سال سوم شماره 3 (پاییز 1396)

Introduction and Thermal comfort conditions are a set of thermal conditions that can be appropriate for at least 80% of people. The absence of thermal comfort conditions is considered as a bipolar phenomenon of cold to warm or hot discomfort, which creates different levels of thermal stress. In this comparative study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial distributions of thermal stresses on the north and south coasts of Iran with a focus on health and tourism.
In the present study, we used the daily data of temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover from 2000 to 2014. First, the mean radiant temperature (TMRT) parameter was calculated in the RayMan software program, and then the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) values were extracted from 16 selected stations on the north and south coasts using the Bioclima software.
During the warm period, the most severe thermal stresses occurred on the south coast, especially on islands, but on the north coast, only cold stresses were recorded that were not of high severity. The most severe hot and cold stresses were calculated for Abu Musa Island and Siah Bishe, respectively.
There are several levels of thermal stress on the north and south coasts of Iran. This issue is more intense for the southern coast due to severe thermal stresses over a long period of time. The importance of thermal stresses in the concepts of health and tourism requires researchers to pay attention to the related climatic parameters and tensions.

Introduction and Nurses’ intention to leave is one of the key nursing managerial issues. There are many factors affecting the turnover of the nurses, such as occupational stress and quality of work life (QWL). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job stress, QWL, and turnover intention among the hospital nurses.
This descriptive, correlational study was conducted on 274 nurses of public and private hospitals in Guilan province, Iran, in 2016. The study population was selected through stratified random sampling technique. The data were collected using the Eliot’s job stress (1994), Walton’s QWL (1973), and Kim’s intention to leave (2007) questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS, version 22.
According to the results, hospital nurses had moderate levels of occupational stress, QWL, and intention to leave. The level of occupational stress and intention to leave were significantly higher among the nurses of private hospitals than among those working in public hospitals (P As the findings indicated, intention to leave showed a significance relationship with occupational stress and QWL. In order to retain qualified and skillful workforce, the hospital managers should apply appropriate policies and strategies to improve QWL and reduce occupational stress.

Introduction and Workload can be defined as the worker’s required capacity to fulfill a special level of performance while doing a task. Workload depends on the type of occupation and its task repetition, intensity, duration, and psychological factors. The increase in workload can result in the enhancement of musculoskeletal disorders. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of musculoskeletal disorders with workload among the worker of a Ceramic and Tile Factory.
This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 65 workers of a Ceramic and Tile Factory in Neyshabur, Khorasan Province, Iran. The data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 20, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman’s rank order correlation, and independent samples t-test.
The results of NASA-TLX demonstrated that the mean scores of performance and efficiency, frustration, and physical demands were 87±18.02, 76±26.67, and 75±23.43, respectively, representing desirable levels. In this index, the lowest mean score was related to effort (51±30.6) was the lowest score. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (63%) was observed in the lower back region in the past 12 months. Furthermore, workload showed a significant correlation with musculoskeletal discomfort in the lower back region (P The findings were indicative of high levels of workload and musculoskeletal disorders among the participants. The results of this study showed that workload is one of the important risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, which requires further investigation.

Introduction and Carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5) are among the most important environmental pollutants arising from different sources, such as vehicle exhaust, industrial process, and secondary pollutants. These pollutants lead to increased pulmonary vascular diseases and decreased vision. Moreover, they damage the plants, animals, and objects. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration trend of these pollutants in Mashhad, Iran, during 2016.
In this study, the data of the Air Quality Control Company were used to assess the concentration of CO and PM2.5. In addition, the meteorological data, such as wind velocity and temperature, were extracted.
According to the monthly average CO concentration, CO had the highest and lowest concentration levels in December and May, respectively. Furthermore, regarding PM2.5, the maximum and minimum concentration values were observed in May and January, respectively. In 58.3% of the cases, the PM2.5 concentration was higher than the standard values. The results of the statistical test revealed that the concentration of CO and PM2.5 had a significant relationship with temperature and relative humidity. However, no significant relationship was observed between wind velocity and concentration of the pollutants.
The results of the study showed that the summer and fall had the highest level of pollution. Furthermore, the pollutant concentration was higher than the standard values in most of the cases. Given that high concentration of pollutants affects the public health, the awareness of air quality at different periods and variations of air pollutant concentration can have an important role in urban health management.

Introduction and Progress and technology have improved the management of infectious diseases and life expectancy on the one hand, and increased the prevalence of non-communicable diseases on the other. Today, the most serious challenges people face are accidents and toxicities, particularly traffic accidents that account for 12% of the global burden of disease and are the third leading cause of premature death in Iran. Accordingly, we performed an epidemiologic study on traffic accidents in Behbahan city, Iran, during 2006-2014.
This retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was performed among the victims of traffic accidents that were referred to the emergency department of Behbahan hospital in Behbahan city. Patient information including age and gender were collected and analyzed using SPSS 17.
During 2006-2014, a total of 55,108 casualties were recorded in Behbahan city, 26,798 (48.5%) of which were caused by traffic accidents. Car accidents, motorist accidents, and pedestrian accidents accounted for 30.9%, 58.8%, and 10.3% of the accidents. The prevalence rate of traffic accidents was 14 in 1000 cases, and the mortality rate was 29 in 100,000 cases. During this period, 7,814 cases of mortality were recorded, 826 (10.6%) of which were associated with accidents with traffic accidents accounting for 520 cases (62.9%). Further, 40% of the mortalities due to traffic accidents occurred on the scene of accident, while transferring to hospital, or in the casualty department.
The findings of this study showed that traffic accidents, casualties and mortalities, especially motorist accidents, are a major health and social problem in Behbahan city. Thus, taking the necessary measures to control and manage this major health threat is andatory.

Introduction and Currently, leachate production and its management are major environmental problems associated with the operation of solid waste landfill. Herein, we sought to evaluate the efficiency of combined processes of coagulation and modified activated bentonite with sodium hydroxide as abiosorbent in the final treatment of leachate.
This experimental-laboratory study included chemical coagulation using polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and modified bentonite. We investigated the effect of critical operating parameters on landfill leachate treatment. These operating parameters included pH (2-10) and PAC concentration (5-25 mg/l) in chemical coagulation process, contact time (15-150 min), solution pH (2-10), bentonite concentration (0.3-1.5 g/l), and temperature (25, 35, and 45ºC) in adsorption process.
The overall efficiency rate of this process in removal of total chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 93%, with the optimum PAC concentration of 30 mg/L, pH=6 in the chemical coagulation phase, reaction time of 60 min during the adsorption process, bentonite concentration of 0.5 g/L, pH=6, and temperature of 25ºC. The kinetics of COD adsorption on modified bentonite conformed to the pseudo-second-order model.
The application of combined processes of chemical coagulation and activated bentonite is highly efficient in removing major pollutants in leachate.

Introduction and Lifestyle is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life, including cardiovascular diseases. Regarding this, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of abdominal obesity with demographic factors and cardiovascular fitness in Babolsar, Iran.
This study was conducted on 150 women and men residing in Babolsar. The study population was selected using simple random sampling technique through a recall. The data were collected using demographic form, pedometer (to evaluate the physical activity level), body mass index (BMI; to assess abdominal obesity), waste hip ratio (WHR), and body adiposity index (BAI). The data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
According to the results, peak oxygen uptake was indirectly associated with BMI, WHR, and BAI in both genders (P The promotion of peoples’ awareness about abdominal obesity and its associated factors and their encouragement to perform physical activity can be effective in reducing the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its comorbidities.

Introduction and The non-identification of the potential hazards in the workplace leads to the incidence of several accidents, which result in mortality and injury. Therefore, the recognition and assessment of the workplace hazards can prevent many incidents. Risk assessment and risk management are the basis of planning and providing a control solution for hazards. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to identify and assess the workplace hazards using the job safety analysis (JSA) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) in a flour factory located in Golestan province, Iran.
This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify and assess the potential hazards of workers’ activities by JSA and FMEA. Based on the risk assessment code in each method, the risk prioritization was performed, and the risk control solution was presented.
According to the results of the study, a total of 12 hazards were identified at three activities carried out by the workers, namely loading, transporting the load to the warehouse, and unloading. In this regard, 45.54%, 36.36%, 9.09%, and 0.09% of the identified risks were within the unacceptable, unfavorable, acceptable, and inconsiderable risk level, respectively. In addition, the risk assessment of the factory environment and the flour grinder machine (Waltz) through the FMEA revealed the risk level of less than 85, which was within the acceptable limit. Corrective suggestions were made to remove or limit these risks.
Based on the results of this study, it is seems that the level of existing risks can be reduced by providing the appropriate means of cargo transportation, using rest periods, shielding, as well as training the workers.