Health and Development Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 2, 2020

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries are among the major causes of staff disablement. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among administrative and service staff of selected hospitals.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 80 hospital administrative and service staff. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was assessed using the Body Map Questionnaire and ergonomic assessment of posture status by REBA and ROSA methods. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 25.

The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the knee area (71.25%) and waist (67.5%), respectively. The results of evaluation by the REBA method showed that the highest number of people were respectively at high-risk ergonomic level (60%), and very high-risk ergonomic level (22.5%). The results of the ROSA method also showed that the highest number of people were at high-risk ergonomic level (77.5%). There was a significant direct relation between ROSA score and pain intensity in the neck and knee areas. There was also a significant direct relation between REBA score and pain intensity in both waist and elbow-forearm regions (P<0.05).

The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the high level of morbidity risk make it necessary to take corrective actions. In order to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, it is suggested that educational programs be arranged for all the administrative and service staff of hospitals.

It is essential to assess human health risk through fish consumption due to increased concentrations of pollutants. The aim of the present study was to determine the mercury concentration in the edible tissue of common carp and goldfish living in Anzali wetland, Iran, and to assess human health risk.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. 10 samples of each species were purchased from local fishermen. Muscle tissue was isolated and after acid digestion, the mercury concentration was measured using a graphite furnace. Comparison of mercury concentration between species, and with national and international standards, and the correlation between mercury concentration and morphological characteristics were respectively performed using independent t-test, one-sample t-test and Pearson test by SPSS software version 21.

The mean and standard deviation of mercury concentration in the muscles of common carp and goldfish were 26±16 and 32±18 μg/kg dry weight, respectively. The results showed no significant differences in the mercury concentration in two species. Also, no significant correlation was observed between mercury concentration with fish body weight and length. Mercury levels were below the permissible limits provided by national and international organizations. Hazard Quotient (HQ) values as a risk index were also within the safe limits (HQ<1) for both children and adults.

In general, there is no potential health risk to children and adults through consumption of these species. However, due to the presence of different types of pollutants in the anzali wetland, monitoring their concentrations is recommended in different aquatic species.

Malachite green is a chemical pollutant and carcinogenic agent that is often used in some food and aquaculture industries to increase the production of aquatic products. Therefore, the removal of this pollutant before the discharge of the mentioned industrial wastewater in the aquatic environment is very important. The purpose of this study was to synthesize SBA-15 silica nano-adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye of malachite green from aqueous solutions and to investigate the kinetic and isotermic models, in order to built mathematical models for eliminating this pollutant dye.

This experimental study was conducted on a laboratory scale. In this study, malachite green adsorption as a cationic color was studied on SBA-15 silica nano-adsorbent. The synthesis of this nano-adsorbent was carried out using the hydrothermal method. Data were presented in kinetic models of pseudo-first, second, Alovich, and intra-particle infiltration and isotherm models of Langmuir and Freundlich. FT-IR, XRD, and SEM were used to determine the characteristics of SBA-15 nano-adsorbent.

The data at the time of equilibrium were highly consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum removal rate was 98%, with an adsorbent amount of 0.01 g/l, an initial concentration of 10 mg/l, pH=10, and contact time 120 minutes. Kinetic studies showed that the highest adsorption of malachite green followed the 2-hour contact time of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and intra-particle infiltration was also a speed controller.

The results of this study showed that SBA-15 silica nano-adsorbent had high adsorption capacity for malachite green cationic dye and is recommended in the treatment of industrial wastewater with this colored pollutant.

Numerous factors may affect the sports participation of people. The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting sports participation of Police staff.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 executive male police staff in Iran in 2017. Data were collected through random sampling using a questionnaire including Sports Activities, Factors Affecting Sports Participation, and demographic information. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and t-test using SPSS 22. P-values less than 0.05 was considered significant.

48% of participants, were in the age group of 35-44 years and 33% had a diploma. The mean score of sports participation in Police staffs was 8.01 ± 2.61 (range 0 to 20). Some individual factors such as attention to health (P=0.002), motivation (P=0.012), body image (P=0.001) and awareness (P=0.045), and some social factors such as feeling secure and confident (P=0.004) and positive experience (P=0.048) had an impact on sports participation of Police staff.

It is recommended to Police sports managers to promote the individual and social factors according to the results of this study, to enhance the sport participation and thus, improve the physical and mental health of Police staffs.

Firefighting is one of the most dangerous occupations which needs high energy and aerobic capacity. This research was carried out to determine the maximum aerobic capacity and its related factors using the step test among firefighters of Sabzevar city.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 55 firefighters working in operating sections in five stations in Sabzevar city. Demographic data were collected by a questionnaire, aerobic capacity was measured by using the step test (Taxor and Shahnavaz method), and the results of the test and questionnaire were analyzed by Pearson test and t-test using SPSS software (version 19).

The average of maximum oxygen consumption in the participants was 2.93±0.253 liters/min. The maximum aerobic capacity in the participants was in the middle category based on the standard values of maximum aerobic capacity in the age groups of 20-29, 30-39, and 40-49. Also, maximum aerobic capacity was significantly associated with age group, height, weight, exercise, and BMI (P<0.01). However, there was no significant relation between maximum aerobic capacity and marital status, work experience, second job, education, and smoking (P>0.05).

The average maximum aerobic capacity was higher than other occupational groups but lower than the mean of other firefighters. Therefore, it is recommended to increase their aerobic capacity with a regular exercise program, physical fitness, and weight control; and pre-employment examinations should be performed more carefully to ensure their physical fitness is commensurate with the job.

Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents are prevalent disorders that can have detrimental complications. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents in Kerman and its suburbs in 2016-2017.

In this cross-sectional study 1050 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were selected from Kerman and its suburbs using multistage cluster sampling method. The Persian version of Kiddie-SADS- present and lifetime questionnaire (K-SADSPL) was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents in Kerman was 25% (95%CI: 22.71-27.95). The anxiety and behavioral disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, respectively (13.9% (95%CI: 11.94-16.2) and 12.3% (95%CI: 10.44-14.41). Among anxiety disorders, separation anxiety disorder with 6.8% (95%CI: 5.39-8.44) and among behavioral disorders, oppositional defiant disorder with 8% (95%CI: 6.51-9.8) were the most common psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was similar in boys and girls (25%). Parents’ education, age, place of residence (urban and rural), and mother’s occupation were significantly related with the prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

Due to the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, designing and implementing programs for the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders among these groups in Kerman appear to be essential.

Plagiarism is defined as “the deliberate or reckless use of someone else’s thoughts, words or ideas as one’s own, without clear attribution of their source”. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and practice on plagiarism among post-graduate and dental students, who were members of the student research committee, at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2017. 

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 post-graduate and dental students selected by the census method. The data were collected through a standard questionnaire including three sections of demographic information, knowledge (7 questions), and practice (12 questions) of plagiarism. The data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using independent t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression at a significance level of 0.05.

Participation in research method and scientific writing workshops were 81.0% and 65.7% respectively. 29.5% of the participants had never committed plagiarism. The mean and standard deviation of practice score was 37.12±8.06 out of 60, and that of knowledge was 13.60±4.67 out of 28. There was no significant relation between knowledge and education level. Attendance in ethics workshop (P=0.0001) and publication of papers (P=0.012) were significantly associated with knowledge.

In this study the knowledge and practice of plagiarism were moderate. It is recommended to hold workshops about plagiarism and its consequences in order to reduce this behavior.

Heavy metals in falling dust are known pathogens for humans. The aim of this study was to identify potential sources, availability assessment, and degree of contamination of heavy metals in falling dust using SDM, CF, ER, and PERI indices.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in autumn by installing 35 samplers of artificial grass to collect falling dust around Khak-e-chini, ceramic tile, sand and gravel, and Ardakan Glass industries. Heavy metals concentration in dust was measured using ICP-MS. All statistical analyses and calculations of indices were performed in SPSS 22 and Excel 2016.

The order of mean concentration of elements in the dust was manganese> vanadium> chromium> nickel> copper> arsenic> cobalt. Comparison of the concentration of dust elements with the background concentration and the results of principal component analysis and correlation tests showed that the concentration of all metals in the dust is probably influenced by two man-made sources in the area. The highest and lowest saturation degrees obtained were for manganese and cobalt, respectively. Based on the CF index, the manganese, cobalt, and vanadium were in low, medium, and high levels of pollution, respectively. Also, Arsenic, chromium, and nickel were classified in medium to high and copper in low to high classes. According to ERP and PERI indices, all heavy metals were classified in low pollution class.

The investigated industries in this study have an important role in increasing the concentration and mobility of heavy metals in falling dust.