Iranian Journal of Health Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 4, Autumn 2014

Background and Elevated nitrate concentrations in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia in infants, stomach cancer in adults and nitrate poisoning in animals as well. Modeling of nitrate fate and transport in groundwater to minimize nitrate concentration in groundwater has been studied by numerous researchers. In order to determine the potential nitrate and nitrite ions contamination of groundwater, 93 groundwater samples were collected. All the observation wells were located in agricultural areas. In order to measure the amount of nitrogen in the soil, 45 samples from the entire region were randomly selected and analyzed. The results showed that in 82% of groundwater samples nitrate concentration has exceeded the standard level of 10 mg/l as N. Water level in orchard fields were between 1m to 3.7 m below the ground surface. Nitrate concentration in all samples from the citrus orchard fell within the standard levels. Simulation of potential nitrate movement was performed in 4 different areas. Results indicated that in the rice field nitrate penetrated to the depth of 3.2 m that was the deepest nitrate seepage between four areas. Probable reasons of different results in these areas are discussed. The simulated and observed measured data showed that the model was able to predict the groundwater quality changes within the soil profile and the aquifer.

Background and Patients with Bipolar I Disorder recurrence experiences mood variation between manic and depression during the time. Hence, that is need to the longitudinal study on Bipolar Disorder patients. This study aims to evaluate the effective factors on Bipolar I Disorder frequent recurrence in 5 years longitudinal study using generalized estimation equations (GEE) method. Data were collected with repeated measurements on 255 Bipolar I Disorder patients in mazandaran, Iran, in a longitudinal study between 2007 and 2011. The outcome variable is Bipolar I Disorder recurrence, and the predictor variables are as follows: sex, age of onset, family history (Grade 1), economic status and education level. In this paper, SAS PROC GENMOD was used to apply GEE regression to the assessment of parameters corresponding to the factors causing recurrence. The age was among 13-55 years and the average of age of onset was 24.1 years. Almost of patients were male and had economic status with (upper/middle) deciles and also had a diploma and under diploma education level. The results of GEE method showed that the covariate of family history (Grade 1) increased the odds of recurrence (odds ratio [OR] >1; P < 0.0500); and age of onset decreased the odds of recurrence in patients with Bipolar I Disorder (OR <1; P < 0.0500). Predictor variables in recurrence Bipolar I Disorder include first-degree relatives’ psychiatric family history and age of onset. Understanding this factors, and educate patients, and their families are valuable for the prevention and planning the treatment.

Background and Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make certain plastics and epoxy resins. It is a non-biodegradable compound, and poses health risks to both humans and animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate decomposition efficiency of BPA from aqueous solutions using UV irradiation. In this study, the photodegradation of BPA in water were carried out in a reactor equipped 6 W UV lamp. In order to obtain the optimum operational conditions, parameters such as BPA concentration (1-50 mg/l), TiO2 dosage (0.025-2 g/l), and pH 3-11) were evaluated. BPA concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The highest degradation was 90% and achieved in 60 min. BPA degradation efficiency can be effectively improved by increasing pH, decreasing the initial concentration and increasing TiO2 dosage. The optimal dose of TiO2 was measured at 0.5 g/l. The degradation decreases with increasing TiO2 dosage. Photocatalytic degradation by using TiO2 and low power UV lamp is applicable.

Background and Inhalation of hardwood dust may produce a range of adverse health effects in the upper and lower respiratory system, including asthma, along with Sino-nasal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer. This study was carried out to evaluate personal exposure to wood dust among workers in chipboard and furniture production saloons in Neka Choob factory, Iran. Gravimetric method No. 0500 recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was used to determine the wood dust concentrations in the workers’ breathing zone. The sampling air was drawn through a polyvinyl chloride filter within the breathing zone, using a calibrated personal sampling pump. The mean workers’ personal exposure to wood dust in furniture production saloon (2.87 ± 1.95 mgm−3) was higher than mean exposure of workers whom were working in chipboard saloon (0.93 ± 0.35 mgm−3). The mean workers’ exposure to wood dust for both saloons was 1.70 ± 1.53 mgm−3. The mean workers’ personal exposure to wood dust in Neka Choob factory was higher than Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) recommended by national (Iranian Committee for Review and Collection of OEL) and European Union Scientific Committee on OEL committees. All workers in furniture production saloon and three workers in chipboard saloon have a mean exposure higher than OEL.

Background and Improper wastewater and solid waste management in rural areas could be a risk to human health and environment pollution. One percent of Iran’s rural area is connected to the wastewater collection network. Solid waste management in rural areas of Iran is mainly consisted uncontrolled dumping and open burning. The aim of this study is prioritization of wastewater and solid waste separate and combined management strategies in rural areas of Iran. This was a descriptive study. In this study, firstly were determined appropriate and conventional methods for wastewater and solid waste separate and combined management by using national and case studies. Then, using specified criteria and by applying a weighting system, prioritization was conducted and implementation strategies presented for wastewater and solid waste separate and combined management. The first priority for the collection and treatment, wastewater in rural areas are smalldiameter gravity systems and preliminary treatment with complementary treatment by land, respectively. In order to the rural solid waste management, organic compost complementary systems were in first priority. In the wastewater and solid waste combined management, the first priority was compost and biogas production by combining anaerobic UASB reactor and Chinese biogas. Considering for influence of various factors in selecting an appropriate method is very important in order to wastewater and solid waste separate and the combined management of a rural. Therefore, the accordance of presenting strategy with local conditions and facilities should be taken into consideration.

Background and Researchers have mentioned that perceived organizational support for safety may predict occupational accidents and psychological distresses in the workplace. The present study examined the degree of perceived organizational support for safety related to injuries reporting rate and its dimensions among workers’ Isfahan Steel Company. A self-administered anonymous was distributed to 189 workers. The survey included demographic factors, injuries reporting rate and its components (physical symptoms, psychological symptoms and accidents) and perceived organizational support for safety. The data were analyzed using Multivariate and correlation techniques. The results showed that: (1) there were significant correlations between perceived organizational support with injuries reporting rate and its’ dimensions namely physical and psychological symptoms (P < 0.050); (2) There was not a significant relationship between perceived organizational support and accidents (P > 0.050); (3) Multivariate analysis indicated that perceived organizational support significantly predicted respectively about 14, 13 and 10 percent of the variance of variables of injuries reporting rate, physical symptoms and psychological symptoms (P < 0.050). Improving employees’ perception of support can be important to prevent the development of job injuries and to promote employees’ safety and well-being.

Background and Women with perfect physical, mental and emotional health are robust foundations of healthy family life combined with felicity. Suppress the innate and God given needs, has undesirable consequences on intimacy and vitality of family members. Therefore, the aim of this study is evaluating and comparing sexual dysfunction of employed women and housewives. Finding the issue that whether there are differences between both groups, and if there is, which of these measures it includes. It is what the study is conducted to achieve. The method of this study is descriptive-comparative, that in which 50 person from employed women were select and compared with 50 housewives based on the examination of female sexual function index (FSFI). MANOVA analyses were used for analysis data. The results of the analysis showed that measures of FSFI such as the desire, orgasm and sexual satisfaction have a significant difference with housewife's group. On the basis of findings, it could be said that unlike employed women, housewives suffered from sexual dysfunctions and these disorders can lead to marital dissatisfaction in the life.