Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology
Volume:11 Issue: 3, Summer 2022

 Despite anti-inflammatory effects of rosemary, there is no broad consensus on the effects of rosemary on osteoarthritis symptoms, being among the most common causes of disability. This study aimed to determine the effects of rosemary ointment on osteoarthritis symptoms in the elderly.

 In this double-blind randomized trial, 75 elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected from comprehensive health service centers based on inclusion criteria and assigned by the random minimization method to three groups equally. In the intervention and placebo groups, 4 cm of rosemary and Vaseline ointment were applied twice a day, respectively, for 10 days. The control group received no intervention. In addition, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was measured for the three groups, before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test, a repeated measures ANOVA, and statistical modeling. 

 There were no significant differences among the study groups based on demographic characteristics. In the rosemary and placebo groups, the mean score of the WOMAC and pain improved significantly (p = 0.001) immediately and one month after the intervention. In terms of intergroup comparisons, the WOMAC and pain scores, immediately after the intervention, were significantly higher in the rosemary group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). However, joint performance and stiffness scores had on significant differences.

 The results showed that shortly after the intervention, WOMAC and pain scores improved in the rosemary group. However, no improvement was observed in joint stiffness and function.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide. We aimed to assess the prevalence of bladder cancer in the Kerman Province, in southeast Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, we used data on 1272 patients with bladder cancer registered in the Kerman population-based cancer registry from 2014 to 2017. There were two parts of data including observed data, including those cases whose information was recorded by the cancer registry, and the unobserved part, including cases before the registry department, was established, to calculate the complete prevalence. The latter was estimated using modeling to be included in the prevalence calculation. The complete prevalence of three-, five-, ten-, and twenty-year of bladder cancer up to the end of 2017 was calculated using rprev package.

A total of 185 (14.54%) women and 1,087 (85.45%) men were recruited. The overall three-, five-, ten-, and twenty-year prevalence of bladder cancer at the end of 2017 was 26.54, 43.46, 80.3, and 142.36 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. The prevalence was estimated to be at its lowest rate among both males and females under the age of 45, and at its highest rate among those over 61 and older. In all age groups, males were affected more than females.

The prevalence of bladder cancer in the Kerman Province was higher than the national average and increased with age. Regarding the aging population, policies and programs for prevention, early intervention, and awareness-raising in the community about this cancer are essential.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has a serious crisis for health systems in different countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 anxiety and cognitive failure and temperament components in the personnel of a hospital in the Yazd Province.

This was a cross-sectional study. The participants were the personnel of a hospital. The convenience sampling method was used for the sampling purpose. The participants were the personnel of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 sections of a hospital. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ), and the Emotionality Activity Sociability (EAS) Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS-24 software. 

The mean age of the participants was 33.45 (6.42) years. COVID-19 anxiety was significantly higher in the non-COVID-19 personnel than in the COVID-19 personnel (P < 0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between COVID-19 anxiety scores and cognitive failure scores (P = 0.04). After investigating the simultaneous relation of COVID-19 anxiety with cognitive failure and temperament components, the model results showed that cognitive failure (P = 0.02) and sociability (P < 0.001) had a significant effect on COVID-19 anxiety.

High levels of COVID-19 anxiety in non-COVID-19 section personnel indicated the importance of paying more attention to all hospital occupations. To reduce cognitive failure and anxiety, it is recommended to provide psychological training, workloads reduction, and the number of personnel be increased.

Taking the drivers' health into account from different perspectives is important. This study aimed to examine how heavy vehicle drivers' blood parameters are related to their road accident risk.

A descriptive study was conducted among 200 drivers of heavy vehicles. The blood parameters were determined based on the medical records of drivers, as well as data on accidents, demographics, and occupational factors reported in a standardized questionnaire assessing the safety of drivers. The examined drivers' blood parameters included markers for white and red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Nonparametric statistical tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data by SPSS-v.21.

Mean and standard deviation of age, BMI, and daily working hours of drivers were 47.5±9, 27.9±2.99, and 10.66±2.52, respectively. Most drivers were normal in terms of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelet, while 22.5%, 29%, and 26% were suffering from abnormal conditions in terms of fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, respectively. A study of the impact of blood parameters on accidents revealed that red blood cells, fasting blood sugar, and triglyceride levels were significantly different in three groups of drivers with different numbers of accidents and near-misses. Based on the logistic regression analysis, the number of cigarettes per day, age, exercise hours, and blood hemoglobin contributed to accidents.

This study supports the concept that blood parameters, such as hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, can influence the safe performance of drivers and road accidents.

Noise and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are the most prevalent workplace problems. The best way to prevent NIHL is to monitor people's annual noise exposure (ANE) using tools, such as questionnaires. The present study aims to assess reliability of the Persian version of the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) and NIHL scores among workers.

This descriptive study was designed in 2021. The backward-forward technique was employed for the purpose of translation. The questionnaires were distributed among 70 male employees of an oil company in Assaluyeh City. To evaluate reliability, the test-retest method and Cronbach's alpha were employed. For the test-retest method, the questionnaires were dispensed at two separate times under similar conditions.

Using Cronbach's alpha and ICC, reliability was calculated at 0.918 and 0.856, respectively. We found that the participants had performed activities of high sound levels over the past year. Although participation in some activities was high, the final ANE was below the highest risk levels, with 17.14% of the people having had the highest risk levels. Besides, the employees’ ANE had a significant correlation with their age and type of work shift. Additionally, the 1-Minute Noise Screen method was determined as an accurate tool in rapidly predicting those participants with the highest risk of NIHL.

The NEQ and 1-Minute Noise Screen were proved to be practical tools for estimating individuals’ ANE and identifying participants with the highest risk of NIHL. These tools help professionals focus on protection measures to prevent hearing impairment.

Cumulative effects of biomechanical risk factors on rotator cuff tendinopathy have not yet been determined. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate cumulative effects of biomechanical risk factors on rotator cuff tendinopathy among workers.

This descriptive study was conducted on 470 patients suspected of rotator cuff tendinopathy, who referred to the radiology department of Rasool-e-Akram Hospital in Tehran, Iran (July 2018-March 2019). To this end, ergonomic risk factors, including excessive hand raising, repetitive tasks, upper arm flexion, grip force, awkward posture, vibration, abduction, and rotation were evaluated. The subjects were divided into four categories, according to the number of affecting risk factors. Next, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of rotator cuff tendinopathy. The study data were analyzed by SPSS V24.0.

Risk factors, such as excessive hand raising, repetitive tasks, upper arm flexion, and awkward posture had a significant association with the frequency of rotator cuff tendinopathy (p < 0.05). Our study showed that shoulder tendinopathy had a statistically significant association with having at least one affecting risk factor (OR=3.96 95%CI: 2.26-6.96), two affecting risk factors (OR=6.82 95%CI: 4.13-11.26), three affecting risk factors (OR=10.25 95%CI: 4.35-24.14), and four affecting risk factors (OR=12.61 95%CI: 1.69-93.63).

The existence of more than one mechanical risk factor in the workplace is associated with a greater increase in the possibility of rotator cuff tendinopathy. In most workplaces, there is usually more than one mechanical risk factor, so it is necessary to pay attention to cumulative effects of all of them.

Healthcare workers’ work performance is an important issue affected by the clinical work environment and equipment. The present study aims to predict healthcare workers’ work performance based on safety-ergonomic features of hands and medical gloves.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on healthcare workers at the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 2021. Using convenience sampling, 720 healthcare workers were selected. The Patterson’s Work Performance Questionnaire and the Medical Gloves Assessment Tool were used to collect the required data on work performance and safety-ergonomic features of medical gloves, respectively.

The work performance score was 40% of the maximum achievable score, and the total score of medical gloves was almost half of the ideal state (50.52%). In addition, there was a significant relationship between work performance and safety-ergonomic features of medical gloves (correlation coefficient = 0.868). The overall regression model showed that safety-ergonomic features of medical gloves could predict the healthcare workers’ work performance (P = 0.001). Accordingly, tactile sensation, dexterity, fitting, reliability, and hand hygiene could predict work performance (P < 0.05), while grip strength alone could not do as such. Besides, fitting was the factor that affected work performance the most (Beta = 0.368).

In general, the results of this study showed that safety-ergonomic features of safety gloves could predict the healthcare workers’ work performance. In addition, improving safety-ergonomic aspects of personal protective equipment, including medical gloves, might help enhance the quality of healthcare workers’ performance.

Lifestyle changes in working adults have caused a high prevalence of obesity and various interrelated comorbidities, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Healthy dietary modifications can help tackle these problems, but easy accessibility to healthier options is an issue. This study aims to investigate the dietary habits of obese adults and identify their unmet food-related needs.

In this cross-sectional study, subjects were of 30-59 (n = 400) years. The subjects worked in offices in Delhi and were diagnosed with obesity based on their body mass index (BMI) being ≥ 25 kg/m2. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record dietary information and perform a need assessment survey. Additionally, mean, standard deviation, Z-test, and odds ratio were used for statistical analysis.

The mean BMI of males and females was 28.02 ± 2.25 kg/m2 and 28.04 ± 2.00 kg/m2. Waist circumference was higher than 90 cm in 98.0% of males and 80 cm in 97.7% of females. Besides, over half of the subjects (56.75%) reported comorbidities, most commonly diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Unhealthy foods including fast foods, sweets, ice cream, burgers, fries, chips, and other high-fat snacks like samosas were frequently consumed by over two-thirds of subjects. The highest unmet need among the subjects was nutraceutical-rich healthy food. 

High waist circumference was prevalent among the subjects causing a high risk of NCDs. The urgent need among subjects was for non-ultra-processed nutraceuticals rich and high-fiber foods.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are major causes of absenteeism, increased costs, and human injuries among computer users. This study aimed to examine the effects of ergonomics training and corrective exercises on musculoskeletal disorders among a gas company computer users.

This experimental study was conducted on 19 office computer users who participated in training programs, including correct sitting postures, workplace layouts, and corrective exercises. For this purpose, training programs and corrective exercises were employed in four one-hour sessions in one week and 16 one-hour sessions in eight weeks.

Musculoskeletal disorder prevalence, postures, and workplace layouts were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist. Accordingly, the highest prevalence was observed in the lower back (63.2%), neck (52.6%), and knees (42.1%). Differences in the rates of proper postures and workplace layouts were statistically significant before and after the ergonomic training so that 81.25% of postures and 47.8% of workplace layouts were improved. The results showed that training programs on ergonomics principles and corrective movements reduced musculoskeletal disorders among office computer users within the range of 10.5 to 52.6%.

Increasing employee awareness of appropriate postures, workplace layouts, and corrective movements effectively reduced musculoskeletal disorders in computer users.