مجله تحقیقات سلامت در جامعه
سال چهارم شماره 2 (تابستان 1397)

Introduction and purpose: Chlorophenol is known as one of the toxic and dangerous pollutants in industrial wastewaters that’s a essential to it’s removal from industrial wastewaters and ground waters. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP) degradation using Ultraviolet/Hydrogen Peroxide process (UV/H2O2). The variables of the present study included initial concentration of pollutant, contact time, pH, and H2O2 concentration on 4-Chlorophenol removal on a laboratory scale. The concentration of residual 4-Chlorophenol was determined using UV/Visible at a wavelength of 280nm. In addition, the amount of mineralization in optimal conditions was evaluated using the measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) removal range according to the standard method 5310- B. Synthetic models of the process were also investigated. The optimum removal efficiency of 4-CP by UV/H2O2 process regarding the concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 580 mg/L. pH of 3 and initial 4-CP concentration was obtained as 380 mg/L, and the presence of UV rays with a wavelength of 254 nm during 30m contact was 84.92% . In addition, 84.69% of the TOC was removed under the optimal condition. Moreover ,it was found that the data followed the first-order synthetic models. Considering the growing use of UV radiation in water treatment processes and the considerable efficiency of UV/ H2O2 process in removing 4-CP, this method can be proposed for the elimination of 4-CP after performing cost-benefit analyses. It can be concluded that with regard to purification goals and standards for wastewater treatment, UV/ H2O2 process can be used as a pre or final treatment.

Introduction and purpose: The sick building syndrome is a collection of neurological, stimulatory, respiratory, dermal, and sensory signs, which is caused by the physical and mental conditions of the working environment. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the frequency of the signs of sick building syndrome among the staff working at one of the educational and therapeutic centers in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at one of tertiary centers of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in the summer of 2017. The population of the study consisted of a staff of 161 working at different sections, including emergency ward, follow-up services, operating room, cardiac care unit, intensive care unit. The standard questionnaire of MM040EA on sick building syndrome and indoor air quality was used to collect data. The results of the study were analyzed by employing the Chi-square and ANOVA tests (SPSS software, version 18) after the participants completed the questionnaires. The results showed that some of the symptoms of the syndrome, including dry skin (60.87%), headache (52.17%), fatigue (49.03%), and dizziness (45.34%), were more prevalent than other symptoms. The findings also revealed that the prevalence of the sick building syndrome does not significantly correlate with sex and occupational position. However, the frequency of the syndrome correlated significantly with the age (P=0.025), unpleasant odor (P=0.04), high temperature (P=0.033), and dry weather (P=0.032). According to the results of the current study, skin dryness and headache were the most common symptoms of the sick building syndrome among the staff. Therefore, the evaluation of air conditioning systems, ambient air humidity control, per capita increase in work space, and the use of sound insulation are beneficial ways to reduce the symptoms of sick building syndrome.

Introduction and purpose: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most important causes of disinclination to work and reduced work incentives and can lead to occupational stress over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of MSDs and occupational stress among rural carpet weavers in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 100 female carpet weavers living in four villages of Sistan province. The study population was selected through convenience sampling technique. The estimation of the prevalence of MSDs and job stress was accomplished using the Nodric questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 16) using t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. According to the results, the female carpet weavers had a high level of occupational stress. The most frequent MSD was observed in the upper back (98%), while the least frequent one was related to the knee disorders (45%). Occupational stress showed a positive relationship with MSDs and their components (except for the three components of the hip, knee, and leg) (P=0.001). Based on the findings of the research, it is essential to take effective measures to reduce occupational stress among rural female carpet weavers. Furthermore, considering the effect of six out of nine components of MSDs on occupational stress, the consideration of the improvement and proper design of the workplace, mental and emotional needs of carpet weavers, proper way of siting and mobility, and exercise at certain times can effectively reduce occupational stress and skeletal disorders.

Introduction and purpose: Noise pollution is an important health problem in most industries, especially in the small inland industries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise pollution in turning and polishing shops in Qom, Iran, and compare it with the sound standards in the country. In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, noise assessment was performed using the local measurements to evaluate occupational exposure with a dosimeter (CEL 320, Casella CEL, Inc., New York) in 20 turning shops and 20 polishing shops. Then, the equivalent sound balance was calculated for a work shift and compared with the sound standards In Iran. The results showed that the average equivalent sound levels in turning and polishing shops were 93.1 and 100.4 dB, which were unauthorized in comparison with the national sound standards. Furthermore, the noise pollution outside the shops was reported beyond the standards of the relevant region. It should be noted that regarding the evaluation of hearing sensitivity, 86.1% of the workers did not have a hearing test. In addition, sanitary inspections were not carried out in 83% of the shops. However, 64% of the shops were not upgraded and the participation rate of the shop owners was 53% in the improvement measures. According to noise pollution in turning and polishing shops and the effects on workers and the public, noise control methods are proposed, such as the provision of personal protective equipment, reduction of labor time, correct choice of machines, and installation of noise-reduction tools. With respect to noise pollution, the correct locating of shops and organizing noisy industries were proposed.

Introduction and purpose: High accumulation of heavy metals in food chain at critical doze has detrimental effects on the living organisms. Regarding the fact that rice is highly consumed as a main dish in Iran, this study aimed to investigate the level of cadmium and lead in Meydavood rice, as well as their effects on the inhabitants of this region. This study was conducted on 10 rice samples from Meydavood farmlands, located in Khoozestan Province, Iran. After preparation, samples were analyzed for lead and cadmium using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The levels of lead and cadmium doses in daily rice consumption for each person (110 grams for 70 kg body weight) were calculated using SPSS statistical software. The mean concentrations of cadmium and lead in rice samples were 0.02 and 1.07 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the level of cadmium was lower and the level of lead was higher than the standard level proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The total weekly intake of cadmium and lead through rice consumption was evaluated based on provisional tolerable daily intake determined by WHO/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to provisional tolerable daily intake, it can be concluded that the daily intake of cadmium and lead through rice was in the standard range recommended by WHO and FAO. In addition, it is important to have a healthy diet to protect the health of the inhabitants due to the high levels of cadmium and lead in rice samples, and other agricultural products.

Introduction and purpose: Spiritual intelligence is obtained from a set of spiritual abilities and interests, personality traits, special cognitive abilities, and neurological processes. Emotional intelligence is a revolutionary development in understanding the relationship between intellection and emotion. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence in undergraduate nursing students of Abadan School of Medical Sciences. This descriptive correlational study was conducted on a total of 125 subjects. The sampling technique was simple random sampling. The data were collected utilizing the Bar-On emotional intelligence and King spiritual intelligence questionnaires. The validity and reliability of both questionnaires were approved. Eventually, the data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression tests by SPSS 16. There was a positive and significant relationship between emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence among students (P<0/05). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between interpersonal scales, adaptation, and temperament with spiritual intelligence (P<0/05). However, there was no meaningful relation between intrapersonal scales and stress management with spiritual intelligence (P>0/05). It should be noted that all the components of emotional intelligence were able to predict spiritual intelligence. Through the enhancement of emotional intelligence in students, spiritual intelligence can be strengthened and improve the spiritual atmosphere and positive attitudes of students. Therefore, the educational staff of Abadan School of Medical Sciences can help students with providing necessary trainings regarding the increase of spiritual and emotional intelligence.

Introduction and purpose: Groundwaters provide the main source of drinking water in Mazandaran province; however, the high concentration of soluble salts and hardness in these waters result in probable sedimentation and corrosion in water distribution systems of these areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the sedimentation and corrosion potential in the drinking water resources in Amol, Babol, Ghaemshahr, Sari, and Neka in the second and first halves of 2015 and 2016, respectively. A total of 192 water samples from selected cities of Mazandaran province were tested using determining parameters of sedimentation and corrosion indices by a standard method. The indices, such as Langelier saturation, Ryznar stability, Puckorius scaling, Aggressive, and Larson-Skold were determined using relevant data. The results of the study showed that out of 192 analyzed samples in the surveyed cities, 76 and 81.3 % of them had the sedimentation propertiesand potentials considering Ryznar stability and Langelier saturation indices, respectively. With regard to Puckorius scaling index, sedimentation potential was observed in 68.8 % of water samples. Aggressive and Larson-Skold indices have also showed sedimentation properties of water. It can be concluded that the drinking water in the water distribution systems of these cities has relatively sedimentation properties.

Introduction and purpose: Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases that are endemic in more than half of the provinces of Iran. The causative agent of this disease is Leishmania protozoa and its transmission to human is through the bites of phlebotomine sand flies. This study reviews the growth and development of Leishmania in the body of sand flies at the molecular level. In this study a narrative review was carried out. The corpus was collected by searching the keywords of Leishmania, sand fly, phlebotomus, lutzomyia in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, SID, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, and Google Scholar search engine. The studied articles were those which has been published on the interaction between the sand fly vectors and Leishmania parasite until 2018. The parasites grow when they encounter natural barriers in the body of the sand flies, including proteolytic enzymes, peritrophic membrane, excretion of the digestive system, and immune system in sand fly vectors. Attachment of Leishmania to sand fly digestive tract determines the ability of sand fly to support the development of parasite, which leads to the transmission of leishmaniasis. Studies on the development and life cycle of Leishmania within the body of sand flies are of utmost importance due to the spread of leishmaniasis in Iran and the world, difficulty in their control, and lack of effective vaccine products against leishmaniasis. The findings of the current study aimed at identifying and enhancing the natural barriers to the development of Leishmania in sand fly vectors and introducing new strategies for the control of leishmaniasis.