Archives of Hygiene Sciences
Volume:1 Issue: 2, Autumn 2012

Background & Aims of the Study: In developing countries, with increasing use of computer systems, millions of computer workers are at high risk of neck and shoulder pains. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between work-related physical and psychosocial factors and persistent neck and shoulder pains among computer office workers. This longitudinal study with 1-year follow-up was conducted among all eligible computer office workers (n=182) of Shahroud universities (northeastern Iran) in 2009-2010. “Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID)” questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, physical, organizational and psychosocial factors at work, and neck and shoulder symptoms. Chi squareand logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data through SPSS version 16. Computer office workers with the mean±SD age of 32.1±6.7 years and the mean±SD weekly work hours of 47.4±8.2 participated in this study. At the baseline 39.6% of workers reported neck and shoulder pains. At one year follow-up, 59.7% of them reported neck pain and 51.3% reported shoulder pain. Significant relationships were found between persistence of neck and shoulder pains and age, gender, and decision latitude at work. Although neck and shoulder pains were equally prevalent among the study group, after one year follow up, persistent neck pain was more than shoulder pain. Age, gender, and decision latitude at work were identified as risk factors for both pains.

Background & Aims of the Study: Textile dyes generally are made of synthetic, organic, and aromatic compounds that may be contain of some heavy metals in their structure. Complex structure and presence of these metals cause toxicity and may be mutagen, teratogen or carcinogen. This study has investigated the ability of peanut shell powder to removal of some reactive dyes (Green 19, Orange 16, and Yellow 14) from aqueous solutions. The effects of contact time, initial concentration of reactive dyes, adsorbent dosage and pH have been reported. The applicability of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm was tried for the system to completely understand the adsorption isotherm processes. Batch adsorption studies showed that the peanut shell powder was able to remove the reactive dyes from aqueous solutions in the concentration range 25 to 250 mg/L. The highest percent removal for the Green 19, Orange 16, and Yellow 14 dyes was 84.2%, 87.36% and 88.49%, respectively. The adsorption was favored with maximum adsorption at pH=2. Also the optimum adsorbent dose was obtained 0.4 g/100 mL. By increasing adsorbent dose and initial concentration, removal efficiency was increased considerably. The adsorption isotherm studies clearly indicated that the adsorptive behavior of dyes on peanut shell satisfies only the Freundlich with average R2=0.926. Based on findings, the peanut shell powder was found as a low cost, natural and abundant availability adsorbent to removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solution.

Background & Aims of the Study: The aim of this study was to detect and survey the antibiotic resistance pattern of Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa isolated from patients in Isfahan (located in central Iran) hospitals. A Total of 50 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from urine, wound, trachea, ear swab, and pus, and then were confirmed by standard tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Susceptibility data were compared by chi-square test using SPSS version 15. Among the isolated strains, resistance to oxacillin was seen in 100%, ceftriaxone in 76%, amikacin in 70%, ceftazidime in 68%, cefepime in 68%, tobramycin in 62%, gentamicin in 60%, ciprofloxacin in 58%, and imipenem in 58% of the isolates. Comparison of the results showed that, patterns of antibiotic resistance are different from one hospital to another in various areas. Therefore, it is suggested that such studies should be performed in different hospitals. Also, prescribing correct medications is essential to prevent further increases in resistant bacteria.

Background & Aims of the Study: Antibiotic resistance is an important problem in health care. The aim of this study was the survey of prevalence of bacteria isolated in a university affiliated hospital (Kerman, Iran) and detection of antibiotic resistance among major pathogens. In this cross-sectional study, during a 3-year period (from June 2006 to June 2009) 14699 samples such as urine, blood, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid obtained from patients hospitalized in a university affiliated hospital (Kerman, Iran). After isolation and identification of bacteria using standard microbiologic methods, antibiotic resistance testing was performed with the diffusion-disk method for several antibiotics. A total of 1910 (12.15%) specimens were positive for bacterial contamination. The cultures most positive cases were from urine specimen (67.75%). The majority of frequent microorganisms isolated were E. coli (41.52%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.96%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.48%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative (8.27%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.49%), respectively. The high rate of resistance of E. coli was related to amoxicillin (70.36%), Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin (66.76%), Klebsiella pneumoniae to amoxicillin (62.76%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative to penicillin (74.68%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cefotaxime (71.32%). We found that antimicrobial resistance is a problem of our hospital. The high consumption of antibiotic in the community can be a cause of a major problem in treatment.

Background & Aims of the Study: As an air pollutant, NO2 reacts with ammonia, moisture and other compounds to form small particles. These small particles may cause or aggravate respiratory diseases and exacerbate existing heart diseases, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death. In this study, the AirQ2.2.3 model was used to evaluate adverse health effects caused by NO2 exposure in Ahvaz city (Iran) during 2009. The adverse health effects of NO2 as an air pollutant in Ahvaz city at 2009 were calculated by AirQ2.2.3 utilizing relative risk and baseline incidence related to health end point defaults. NO2 data were taken from Ahvaz Department of Environment. These data were in volumetric base. Health effects are being related to the mass of pollutants inhaled and this is why the AirQ model was on gravimetric basis. So, there was a conflict between AirQ model and “Ahvaz Department of Environment (ADoE)” data. Conversion between volumetric and gravimetric units (correction of temperature and pressure), coding, processing (averaging) and filtering are implemented for solving such problem. Approximately 3% of total cardiovascular mortality, acute myocardial infarction, and hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease happened when the NO2 concentrations was more than 20 µg/m3. Low percentage of the observed health endpoints was associated with low concentration of measured NO2. The lower level of relative risk value may be achieved if some control strategies for reducing NO2 emission are used. Therefore, the higher relative risk value can depict mismanagement in urban air quality