International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume:1 Issue: 2, April 2010

Brucellosis is a major zoonosis worldwide. Many people for their professions are at higher risk of contracting the disease. To determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its risk factors in a group of high risk professions. In a cross-sectional study, all personnel or students of veterinary schools, slaughters and butchers working in the city were invited to participate (n=141). A comparison group (n=44) randomly selected from patients who were selected at random from people attended our healthcare center for reasons other than the infectious diseases. 4 veterinarians, 15 veterinary assistants, 42 veterinarian students, 52 butchers, 17 slaughters, 8 slaughterhouse workers and 3 chefs made the first group and 14 storekeepers, 5 students of engineering, 11 clerks, 13 freelance workers, and 1 high school student made the comparison group. While the rate of consumption of most of the studied dairy products was almost similar in both groups, comparison group patients consumed more often milk (p<0.001) and cream (p<0.001) than the high risk group. 11 (7.8%; 95% CI: 3.4%–12.2%) cases from high risk group and none of the comparison group were found seropositive for Brucella. Profession is the main factor in seropositivity. Consumption of dairy products and raw milk is not associated with a higher risk of seropositivity.

Occupational diseases are worldwide. Some dentists believe that they are at a higher risk for development of some musculoskeletal disorders for the postures they should have during work. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and their associated occupational factors among dentists from Shiraz, southern Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 90 dentists of 375 members of Fars Dental Association were selected at random and asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The questions were about personal characteristics, job history, some work characteristics mostly pertaining to dentistry including physical risk factors at work plus any report about the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) and neck pain. Of the 90 questionnaires distributed, 82 (91%) were completed and returned for analyses. Of 82 studied dentists, 42 (51%) were female (mean±SD age of 36±6.6 yrs) and 40 (49%) were male (mean±SD age of 39.4±8.7 yrs). 27 (33%; 95% CI: 23%–43%) dentists had LBP; 23 (28%; 95% CI: 18%–38%) had neck pain; and 10 (12%; 95% CI: 5%–19%) had both. Of these 60 dentists who had pain, 27 (45%; 95% CI: 32%–58%) had radicular pain and 28 (47%; 95% CI: 34%–59%) felt numbness and/or paresthesia in their limbs. 33 (55%; 95% CI: 42%–68%) of 60 dentists with musculoskeletal complaint could not identify any factors for their pain. The prevalence of neither LBP nor neck pain were significantly different between men and women. The place of work and the prevalence of complaint of musculoskeletal pain were also not significantly correlated. None of the studied work-related risk factors had a significant association with the complaint of musculoskeletal pain. Although the prevalence of LBP and neck pain is high among dentists, we could not find any correlation between the studied work-related risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders. We concluded that dentistry, per se, is probably not an initial factor for development of neither LBP nor neck pain, but it could accentuate the symptoms.

Many countries make many of their governmental sectors private. This transition, however, may affect their employees in numerous ways. To determine the level of occupational stress and mental health of employees of a petrochemical company in Isfahan, Central Iran, before and 3 months after privatization. Out of the 700 employees of the studied company, using a stratified random sampling technique, 140 persons were selected. We used Steinmetz occupational stress and GHQ-28 questionnaires to determine the level of stress and mental health status of participants. The reliability of the questionnaires used was acceptable (Chronbach alpha coefficients: 0.85 and 0.86, respectively). Job stress level was significantly increased 3 months after privatization; the mean±SD job stress score before and after privatization were 22.9±10.43 and 28.3±12.25, respectively (p<0.001). The mean±SD mental health score after privatization (17.57±11.63) was also significantly (p<0.001) higher than that before the privatization (13.8±6.0). There was a significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the mental health status score and job score (r=0.476). After privatization, the job stress of employees increased significantly. This increase was associated with a decrease in mental health. To lessen the side effects of privatization, the process should be performed cautiously

Lead is a relatively ubiquitous heavy metal with particular features such as resistance to corrosion, high malleability and wide variety of industrial applications. In medicine, however, it is considered as a slow-acting toxic substance affecting multiple body systems, specifically functioning as a potent neurotoxin in the central nervous system. Lead poisoning may be acute or chronic and can be due to occupational or environmental exposures. The history of lead poisoning dates back to ancient times. The present paper briefly describes the worldwide historical accounts of lead poisoning with a special focus on Iran.

Hydatidosis is a common infestation caused by Echinococcus spp. Solitary hydatid cyst of the lung is not uncommon but coexistence of two or more pulmonary cysts are less common. These cysts may drain into the bronchial tree or very rarely into the pleural cavity which causes a poor outcome. Certain people such as slaughters, tanners, stockbreeders, shepherds, butchers, veterinarians and all whose job makes them to work closely with animals are at higher risk of the infection and developing echinococcosis. Herein, we present a 14-year-old shepherd who developed severe chest pain and hydropneumothorax following a minor trauma to his chest. He had two pulmonary hydatid cysts, one of which drained to the left pleural cavity and caused the symptoms. Another cyst was complicated during his hospital course. The patient was treated surgically, received albendazole and discharged home uneventfully. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance for the correct diagnosis and treatment of hydatid disease in hyperendemic areas and in those whose occupation might put them at a higher risk of contraction of hydatid disease.