Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Autumn 2022

One of the necessary measures of saving human life in emergency situations, such as fires, is the safe and swift evacuation of people. The prerequisites for this are to anticipate, identify, and eliminate factors preventing people from leaving buildings in a timely and safe manner while moving them to a safe place [1]. The occurrence of errors caused by engineering, design, human, and psychological factors can aggravate unfavorable and unsafe situations in cases of emergency. Besides, upon the occurrence of accidents, they pave the way for irreparably severe human and financial damage. Therefore, the study of the failures or errors affecting performance and the management of emergency evacuations can be effective in identifying factors affecting human emergency evacuations and improving them in fire incidents. Against this background, this article aims to draw the attention of researchers to effective errors in emergency evacuations, which increase the potentials for adverse consequences of fire incidents. Identification of these factors can lead to the improvement and development of future studies, design and construction of buildings, and promotion of human health and safety. In the following sections, these errors are introduced and classified into three categories of design, human, and psychological errors. Design errors are the errors rooted in environmental factors and infrastructure design. A study conducted at a public hospital in Indonesia showed that the lack of emergency lighting in corridors, stairs, ramps, as well as the low number of fire detectors in inpatient rooms disturbed the evacuation process and elongated the evacuation time [2]. Another study conducted on subway stations showed that structural design features, emergency evacuation facilities, as well as time and characteristics of emergencies, such as fires, were the most important environmental factors affecting safe evacuation. Therefore, forecasting and paying attention to the number of users, width and length of routes, the number of exits, width of corridors, and bottlenecks are very effective in performing optimal evacuation [3]. In addition to the factors mentioned above, it is pretty important to design equipment and resources needed for emergency evacuation. To avoid physical collisions and falls among people, it is recommended to enlarge the size of emergency exit signs. Emergency exit signs play an important role in ensuring safety of buildings against fires. Besides, they help evacuees escape fire faster by following quickest and safest escape routes after a fire is detected. A study conducted on 138 subjects showed that environmental factors affected the speed of people evacuation. In addition, the speed of people evacuation increased with increasing brightness. However, the average evacuation speed improved more with increasing the exit sign size than when brightness increased, which decreased physical contact among people [4].  There are other challenges to the safe emergency evacuation process in high-rise buildings. Accordingly, human fatigue when moving to lower floors and some residents’ inability to move are two of these challenges. In the 11 September accident, several people were rescued from the World Trade Center, who reported they had to stop and rest on several floors when descending stairs. Therefore, to improve the evacuation process in high-rise buildings, it is necessary to use evacuation elevators in addition to evacuation stairs, to be simulated in related studies. Traditionally, evacuation elevators have not been used as evacuation routes, and people have been instructed not to use elevators in case of fires. However, if people exit from high-rise buildings through stairs, it will lead to their fatigue and slowness of exit. On the other hand, with the increase in the breathing activity, the amount of smoke inhaled into the lungs increases, thereby causing people to get trapped between floors. Accordingly, the use of evacuation elevators with appropriate ventilation can be investigated in high-rise buildings. In addition, virtual reality simulation (the equipment used for human immersion in virtual reality to study human behavior) shows that the waiting time of less than 5 minutes is acceptable and safe for people evacuation. Moreover, this type of simulation that uses a simple navigation system with green flashing lights guides people in finding and choosing the elevator as an evacuation emergency rout. However, the waiting time for the elevator to arrive and getting stuck in the elevator are the two main perceived risks posed to people [6]. Human errors are another category of errors affecting safe evacuation of humans in emergencies during a fire [5].  These errors are diverse, with the identification of which increasing reliability of the equipment effective in the emergency evacuation process. Some of these errors include not reacting to warnings quickly and correctly as well as displaying unsafe behaviors, such as staying in the danger zone and taking photos and videos at the time of the accident. It is worth noting that excessive fear as well as feeling despair about being rescued cause cognitive errors in people, being a type of human error effective in finding and choosing the correct evacuation route [5]. Recent studies show that a well-designed and relatively simple navigation system, such as placing a green flashing light next to an emergency exit sign, is significantly effective in correctly choosing exit routes in humans [6]. In this article, psychological errors are the third category of the factors affecting the safe evacuation of people. Psychological characteristics affect how information is processed, including recognizing, understanding, and evaluating warning messages. Psychological errors, under conditions of uncertainty, have a significant impact on people’s decision-making, behavior, and reaction. Therefore, evaluating individual and social human behaviors at the times of crisis and emergency can be effective in the safe operation of emergency evacuation. A phenomenon named "population pursuit" is one of the most common psychological errors in some emergencies. This type of error usually occurs to people unfamiliar with the location. In such situations, people unfamiliar with the environment tend to follow the collective behavior of chasing the fleeing population; accordingly, they follow the fleeing population without recognizing and evaluating warning messages, which is always a successful evacuation method. In some research, it has been reported as an unsafe method [5]. Another common psychological error occurs to people unfamiliar with the scene. Due to the fact that emergencies affect people's decisions, behavior, and reactions, in emergencies such as fires, people unfamiliar with the location of the building cannot make complex decisions. Thus, they try to take the same exit, being the same psychological error that in some cases victimizes prisoners. Accordingly, it is necessary to raise people's awareness to reduce such errors and control adverse consequences [7]. This article enumerates common mistakes in the safe evacuation of people in fires. In addition, it mentions the successful and safe design and implementation of the emergency evacuation process as part of the emergency response plan. It is recommended to conduct further studies on errors occurring in the emergency evacuation process.

Obesity has many side effects and deadly risks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures have been affecting the lifestyle of students worldwide. This study aims to assess changes in the BMI and some physical parameters among students before and one year after the COVID-19 pandemic in Rafsanjan City, Iran.

In this descriptive study, the sample included 793 high school students (422 males and 371 females) within the age range of 11 to 19. The sampling method was multistage clustering. Accordingly, we compared pre-pandemic data on the BMI and the circumference of the waist, hip, neck, and wrist with the data collected one year after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our findings demonstrated that the BMI and the circumference of the waist, hip, and wrist were significantly higher in males one year after the outbreak of the disease. However, except for the neck circumference, a comparison of other variables before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in females showed no significant difference. Moreover, the results showed that the average BMI of all participants, regardless of their gender, increased significantly from 20.55 to 22.00 kg/m2.

The data obtained from this survey would serve as an important evidence necessitating future planning for controlling overweight and obesity in order to reduce the probability of chronic diseases incidence in future. . Additionally, it is recommended that more comprehensive studies and extracurricular physical activity programs be designed to counteract the negative effects of sedentary behavior.

The major effects of regular exercise on diabetes mellitus are glycemic status improvement and amelioration of cardiovascular dysfunctions. This research examines whether moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can change the gene expression of metalloproteinase-2 and angiostatin in diabetic rats' heart tissue.

In this experimental study, thirty Wistar rats were categorized into the 3 groups diabetic exercise (n = 10), sedentary diabetes (n = 10), and healthy control (n = 10). To this end, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise was performed on a treadmill for 6 weeks. Real-time PCR was used to measure metalloproteinase-2 and angiostatin gene expression. serum cortisol concentrations were measured using an ELISA kit. The one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to check significant differences among the groups.

A significant decrease in metalloproteinase-2 gene expression (P < 0/001) as well as a significant increase in angiostatin gene expression (P < 0/001) and serum cortisol concentrations (P < 0/001) were observed in the sedentary diabetes group compared to the healthy control group. Besides, a significant increase in metalloproteinase-2 gene expression (P < 0/001) as well as a significant decrease in angiostatin gene expression (P < 0/001) and serum cortisol concentrations (P < 0/001) were observed 6 weeks after the experiment in the diabetic exercise group compared to the sedentary diabetes group.

Aerobic exercise improved metalloproteinase-2 and angiostatin gene expression in diabetic rats' heart tissue. This finding on diabetic cardiac angiogenesis factors confirms the effect  of aerobic exercise.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a high prevalence in developing and least developed countries. Delays in seeking health care are among the main obstacles to the prevention and control of STIs. This study aimed to investigate the care-seeking pattern in the general Iranian population with sexually transmitted infection syndromes.

This population-based survey was conducted in 2016 among the population of Marvdasht County, who aged 18-50. The random cluster sampling method was used to select the sample. A checklist was used to collect information, and SPSS V.16.0 was used for data analysis. In addition, linear and logistic regressions were used to model the association between contributing factors and the behavioral pattern.

A total of 3,879 people with the mean age of 33.85 ± 8.85 participated in this study. The results showed that 31.83 and 3.3% of the males and females, respectively, took no action when experiencing common symptoms of STIs. In addition, the time interval between the onset of symptoms and visiting a medical center was 10.26±2.74 and 7.10±1.45 days in males and females, respectively (P ≤ 0.05).

The care-seeking frequency in males with sexually transmitted infection syndromes was low. Furthermore, the time interval between the onset of the syndrome and visiting a medical center was longer in males than in females.

Teaching is one of the most stressful jobs. This research aims to evaluate the validity of the scale for measuring occupational stress among Iranian teachers.

  This cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021 using a quantitative approach and the psychometric validation research method. The research sample consisted of specialists (n = 16) and teachers assisting in the initial (n = 35) and main (n = 365) implementation phases of the questionnaire for validation of Rosenberg's teacher stress scale (2010). The sample of specialists was selected by the purposive sampling method, and the sample of teachers was selected by the simple random method. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with SPSS was utilized to classify dimensions of occupational stress. In addition, a first- and second-order confirmatory factor analysis with PLS was performed to evaluate construct validity (P < 0.05).

Content validity assessment confirmed 36 items. The reliability of the questionnaire, 35 out of 36 items, was confirmed. The EFA calculation of the items showed that the measures could be classified into 11 factors, and the factor load of all items was above 0.3, being valid. In addition, the calculation of the second-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed that the 11 factors would explain the construct of occupational stress (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the goodness-of-fit index results showed high fitness of the model.

The questionnaire provided an effective instrument for measuring occupational stress and filling the gap in the absence of a comprehensive scale.

Organizational success depends on leadership style. Leadership style probably affects coronavirus anxiety and workers’ safety behavior at work. This study aims to examine the structural association between leadership style and coronavirus anxiety with safety behavior among workers in the sanitary products industry in Qom Province.

This descriptive-correlative study was conducted on 260 workers in the sanitary products industry in Qom Province in 2020 using a systematic random sampling method. For data collection, Alipour Coronavirus Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), Lathans Leadership Style Questionnaire, Mahdinia Safety Behavior Questionnaire, and demographic checklist were used. In addition, multivariate analysis of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed to analyze the variables via SPSS V.22.0 and Smart PLS V.3.2.8.

Leadership style had a positive significant correlation with safety behavior (r=0.19) (p-value < 0.01), yet it had an insignificant negative correlation with coronavirus anxiety (r= -0.12). Besides, coronavirus anxiety had an insignificant negative correlation with safety behavior. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the path coefficient of leadership style and coronavirus anxiety (r=0.16) with safety behavior (r=0.46) was significant (p-value < 0.01); however, the path coefficient between coronavirus anxiety and safety behavior (r= -0.16) was not significant.

We concluded that the factor loadings coefficients of the structural model were equal to or higher than the acceptable value of 0.4 in all cases confirming the structural model was appropriate. Furthermore, coronavirus anxiety and safety behavior can be predicted among the workers using leadership style.

This study aimed to assess the determinants of job satisfaction among health workers at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

In this survey, a descriptive design was employed among 440 health workers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists. The participants were recruited via systematic random sampling at every fourth interval. Besides, data were collected in 2019 using a self-administered questionnaire with items on sociodemographic characteristics (SDC), respondents’ work history (WK), and assessment of job satisfaction. The Job Satisfaction Survey tool was used to collect data on satisfaction with specific work domains. The overall job satisfaction assessed on a direct single-item scale included outcome variables. Additionally, variables of SDC, WK, and multidimensional domains were explanatory variables used in the logistic regression analysis.

  Age increase, being a nurse or a pharmacist as against a laboratory scientist, holding a supervisory position, and an increase in weekly work hours reduced overall job satisfaction. On the other side, the domains of job promotion, an increase in the length of service, and work conditions significantly predicted overall job satisfaction.

In conclusion, job promotion and work conditions were the key work domains that predicted overall job satisfaction among the health workers at the teaching hospital studied.

 During the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown, students have been forced to stay at home and use electronic devices in online classrooms. This scoping review aimed to examine the effects of incorrect ergonomics on musculoskeletal pain among students receiving distance education using e-devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 A scoping review was performed on some databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, BMJ Learning, Springer, and ProQuest, during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2021. Firstly, a total of 75 articles were identified. Next, 15 articles were assessed by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, a total of 9 articles were selected. 

 Only 5% or less of the students and parents were informed of the principles of working ergonomics while using e-devices. Accordingly, risk factors associated with using e-devices, including prolonged sitting in awkward postures, number and duration of online classes per day (>6 hours/day), and lack of breaks between online classes had significant effects on ergonomics, postures, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our review showed the prevalence of a range of MSDs in the neck (24.8-69.9%), shoulders (17.5-25.3%), upper and lower back (18-63.4%), and wrists (30.7%) among the students. 

 Increasing students’ knowledge, using ergonomic tables and chairs, designing correct workplace layouts, using stands for smartphones and tablets, reducing training durations, proving suitable environmental conditions, maintaining ideal distances, installing brake reminding software, and effectively taking exercise reduced musculoskeletal pain among the students.