مجله فیض
سال چهاردهم شماره 5 (پیاپی 56، 1389)

Trauma is the most common cause of mortality for people aged 1 through 44 years. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of severe injuries among young people in most countries. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of traffic accident injuries in victims referred to Kashan Trauma Center in 2008.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 1004 trauma cases referred to Kashan Shahid Beheshti Trauma Center during the year 2008. Data including age, sex, type of trauma, and type of intra- and/or extra-thoracic injury were recorded and analyzed.

Sixty-six per cent of the cases were male, and the most frequently observed trauma cases were between the ages 21 and 30, followed by 10 and 20. The frequency of trauma in urban and rural areas was 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Motorcycle accidents are the most common traffic accidents followed by car accidents.

Considering the large number of trauma cases secondary to the traffic accidents and lower levels of education in those cases, appropriate educational programs may be helpful to decrease the mortality rates and other undesirable consequences of accidents.

There is limited information on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of injured accident survivors. The aim of the present study was to assess acute stress, post traumatic stress disorder and health-related quality of life in injured accident survivors.

Eighty-eight patients admitted to the orthopaedics and trauma surgery department of Rasht Porsina Hospital were enrolled to this descriptive study. SRS- PTSD (post-traumatic stress) and SF-36 (short-form of health-related quality of life) questionnaires were completed and assessed one week and two months after the accident.

Acute stress of the first week of the accident was found to be an independent predictor of post-traumatic stress of two months later. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between position of the survivor as a driver and score of post-traumatic stress disorder two months post-accident (P=0.024). The results also showed a statistically significant improvement in physical function (P=0.005), lack of improvement in role limitations due to physical injury (P=0.02), no improvement in mental function including mental health (P=0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (P=0.01) and vitality (P=0.001).

There is a significant relationship between PTSD and quality of life of the injured survivors. The return of injured accident survivors to pre-injury HRQOL may depend not only on optimal medical care but also on awareness and timely interventions regarding PTSS.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are considered as one of the most common occupational diseases and injuries. The high prevalence of the disorders has been reported in automobile industries due to numerous risk factors. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the work-related risk factors in an automobile factory in Tehran.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 145 workers in an automobile factory in Tehran during 2009-10. The prevalence of disorders was evaluated with standard Nordic questionnaire and work-related risk factors with KIM index. Data analyzed using chi-square test.

Musculoskeletal disorders were most commonly seen in tire installing (92.8%) and exhaust storage installing (88.4%) units. It was least common in door installing (43.7%) unit. Awkward posture, load lifting, back bending and torsional movements were the most important work-related risk factors for the disorders. A significant relationship was observed between prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and occupational risk level (P<0.05).

Ergonomics programs and specific ergonomic interventions are necessary to correct work-related problems in the work stations of this industry.