@article{ author = {Maulik, S and Iqbal, R}, title = {Occupational health and musculoskeletal symptoms among Indian Medical Laboratory technicians}, abstract ={  Background: Musculoskeletal diseases are quite common among healthcare professionals including medical laboratory technicians. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and ergonomic risk factors in Indian medical laboratory technicians.   Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised of 130 male and female laboratory technicians from the Indian healthcare industry. Samples were selected based on convenient random sampling. Data was collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC) to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors present in Indian medical laboratories. Statistical tools applied in the present study include frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviations, independent t-test, and chi-square test.   Results: Results indicated that the major percentage of technicians (66.9%) had suffered from some kind of musculoskeletal symptoms during the last 12 months. The highest prevalence was reported in the back (44%), knees (20.7%), and neck region (18.4%). This indicated that musculoskeletal problems are prevalent among Indian medical laboratory technicians. The results showed that the levels of exposure to musculoskeletal risks were high or very high among 85.3% of technicians. The statistical analysis showed an insignificant association between the level of risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal issues (P>0.05). The most common risk factors found to be awkward postures, prolonged standing, inappropriate workstation arrangement.   Conclusions: Ergonomic interventions in terms of reducing risk factors, improving workstation design, eliminating awkward postures, and providing some physical training to improve upon their musculoskeletal fitness level are recommended.}, Keywords = {Healthcare Industry, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Musculoskeletal Pain, Risk Factors, Posture}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {82-92}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.82}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-87-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-87-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {RahimiPordanjani, T and MohamadzadeEbrahimi, A and RahimiPordanjani, H}, title = {Personality traits as predictors of occupational accident rates among workers of Khorasan Petrochemical Company, Iran}, abstract ={  Background: Approximately, 90% of workplace accidents are due to human errors. The study of the relationship between individual differences and accidents and injuries are beneficial in the prevention of these accidents. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism and occupational accident rates in the petrochemical industry.   Materials and Methods : This was a descriptive correlational study. The study population consisted of line employees of Khorasan Petrochemical Company in Bojnourd, Iran (n = 1160) 300 employees were selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection tools consisted of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and Incident Reporting Rate Scale. In order to analyze the data, regression analysis and to validate the results, confirmatory factor analysis were performed using AMOS 21 software.   Results: Findings indicate that correlation coefficients between the five-factor personality traits and occupational accident rates were significant (P < 0.001). In stepwise multiple regression analyses, of the 5 independent variables, only the 2 variables of conscientiousness and agreeableness found permit entry into the regression equation (R2 = 0.186, P < 0.001).   Conclusions: The results of this study showed the importance of conscientiousness and agreeableness as predictors of occupational accident rates. Therefore, in order to select people for working in high risk environments, such as the petrochemical industry, we should rely on these variables.}, Keywords = {Occupational Accident, Personality, Extraversion, Neuroticism}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {93-98}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.93}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-90-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-90-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Hassanlouei, B and Rezaeian, M and Sheikh-Fathollahi, M and Vazirinejad, R}, title = {Impact of diurnal temperature variations on hospitalization due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2008-2013}, abstract ={Background: Changes in global temperature and its health effects have recently been under much investigated. Consequently, these changes have affected mortality and morbidity rates which are important public health indices. The present study examines the effect of mean temperature on the frequency of hospitalization due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital of Rafsanjan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this ecological study, data on hospitalization were gathered from electronic systems of hospitals and the data from the weather organizations were extracted from the weather station. All patients not living in Rafsanjan were excluded. Data were entered into SPSS and SAS software and the association between mean temperature and hospitalization frequency were analyzed using Poisson regression models. Results: A negative significant association was found between mean temperature and mean number of hospitalizations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. By each 1 °C decrease in mean temperature, the mean number of hospitalizations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases increased by 1% (95% CI 0.63-1.26%) and 4.33% (95% CI 4-4.64%), respectively. For cardiovascular diseases, there was no significant difference in mean number of admissions based on different age groups. However, in the 0-4-year age group, the mean number of hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases was significantly higher than the other age groups. For both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, there was no significant difference between females and males in terms of the mean number of hospitalizations. Conclusions: Reduction in mean temperature, in the present study, increased the mean number of hospitalizations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and it was stronger for respiratory diseases. According to these findings, people who are at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases should be forbidden from exposure to extremely cold temperatures.}, Keywords = {Temperature, Cardiovascular Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Iran }, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {99-106}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.99}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-88-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-88-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Asadpour, M and Vazirinejad, R and Esmaeili, A and Bazyar, Sh and Fallah, A}, title = {The knowledge, attitude, and practice of physicians and medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, regarding standard precautions}, abstract ={ Background: Physicians and medical students are at risk of exposure to a broad range of viral pathogens through percutaneous injury, contact of mucous membrane with blood, and other potentially infectious body fluids. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of physicians and medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, regarding standard precautions.  Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional research based on a survey performed in 3 teaching hospitals affiliated with Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Subsequently, researchers distributed the questionnaires among the individuals who agreed to participate in the study. The participants were given instructions on completing the questionnaires. After completion of the questionnaires, they were collected and statistically processed with SPSS software using frequencies, percentages, the averages and standard deviations, and the independent t-test. All P values equal to or less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.  Results: The response rate in this study was 95%. The mean age of subjects was 27.6 ± 5.3 years. The majority of subjects were female (62.1%), single (66.3%), and medical interns (78.9%). Most subjects were untrained on standard precautions (64.5%). The mean and standard deviations of KAP scores were 37.6 ± 7.4 (out of 46), 32.6 ± 4.5 (out of 45), and 33.06 ± 6.5 (out of 44), respectively. The independent t-test showed significant differences between knowledge and practice scores and marital status. It also showed significant differences between the practice score and training on standard precautions (P < 0.05).    Conclusions: The results showed that the knowledge score was desirable, but the attitude and practice scores were not desirable. Thus, educational programs with the foundation of blood-borne infections, infection control, safety recommendations, and different aspects of standard precautions are recommended.}, Keywords = {Physicians, Medical Student, Knowledge, Attitudes, Precautions.}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {107-113}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.107}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-85-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-85-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Moradinazar, M and Najafi, F and Hassanzadeh, J}, title = {The effect of petroleum rationing on road traffic fatalities in the South of Iran during 2004-2009}, abstract ={  Background: This study attempted to investigate traffic accident fatalities during 2004-2009 and the effect of fuel rationing on traffic accident fatalities .   Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on available data of all traffic accident fatalities in Fars Province, Iran, during 2004-2009. To identify and fit the best model, various instruments, including the autocorrelation function (ACF), partial autocorrelation function (PACF), and Akaike information criterion (AIC), were used. To determine the accuracy of the model, the residual chart was evaluated in terms of independency, normality, and stationary. Then, the best model in terms of more accurate estimation was selected and analyzed using ITMS, Minitab, and Microsoft Excel software.   Results: During 2004 to 2009, 12954 people died due to road traffic fatalities in Fars Province. Among them, 10442 (80%) were male, and mean age at death was 36 ± 20. The number of traffic accident fatalities in Fars Province reduced from 45.5 per 100000 in 2004 to 44.8 per 100000 in 2007 . After petroleum rationing, the traffic accident fatality average further reduced (to 42.2 per 100000 in 2009) . T here was a difference between the observed value and predicted value with two different predication methods, as the number of observed fatalities was less than the estimated numbers. Seasonal Holt-Winters and autoregressive moving average (ARMA) methods’ predications were a close estimation of the accident fatality rate after petroleum rationing, and the difference between their estimations was not considerable.   Conclusions: Although the overall rate of fatalities reduced after petroleum rationing, variation in fatality rate did not show any association with petroleum rationing. However, decrease in fatalities had a seasonal pattern. Further decrease in road traffic fatalities requires reinforcement of educational programs as well as application of effective laws.}, Keywords = {Traffic Accident, Petroleum, Rationing, Time Series, Seasonal}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {114-120}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.114}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-72-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-72-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Mahdavi, Kh and Alinejad, H and Hashemi, Z and Ghorbani, F and Bazmandegan, Gh}, title = {A survey of professional maturity and self-concept in the personnel of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran}, abstract ={  Background: One of the factors that can improve self-concept and performance of staff is professional maturity. Professional maturity can also solve the problems of self-concept. The purpose of this paper was to identify the relationship between the dimensions of self-concept and professional maturity.   Materials and Methods: This relative applicable study was performed on all the personnel (n=2480) of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Using Cochran's foemula, 332 individuals were selected randomly as the study sample. For data collection, two questionnaires, including time management and psychological health questionnaires were applied. Data analysis was performed using, SPSS software and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.   Results: A statistically significant relationship was observed between professional maturity and the self-concept of the personnel.  Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of the relationship between professional maturity and self-concept were 0.407 and 0.360, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of collective professional maturity were 0.372 and 0.341, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of the individual self-concept were  0.305 and 0.298, respectively.   Conclusions: There was a positive relationship between professional maturity and self-concept in the personnel of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Moreover, among the three dimensions of self-concept, the relationship dimension had a greater impact on professional maturity. Considering the influencing variables, work experience has a significant relationship with professional maturity and educational level has a significant relationship with self-concept level.}, Keywords = {Professional, Maturity, Self Concept, Staff}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {121-126}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.121}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-84-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-84-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Darwiesh, MK and Al-Hindi, A}, title = {Risk assessment for universities and hospitals restaurants in Gaza, Palestine, in 2012}, abstract ={ Background: A cross-sectional analytic method was used to assess health and safety risks that really matter in restaurants of universities and hospitals in the Gaza strip, Palestine.  Materials and methods: A 40-item questionnaire was completed by workers in all university and governmental hospital restaurants in the Gaza strip. Another 30-item questionnaire was completed by university students, in addition to 40 checklists and 40 personal meetings were conducted by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed by the risk score matrix to detect the risk level (low, medium, high, and very high) for each risk factor.  Results: In general, university and hospital restaurants were similar in terms of risk, but the details differed. The results showed that 22.7% of physical and electrical risk factors in universities were at a very high risk level. It was found that 50.0% of cleanliness of the location and equipment risk factors were at a high risk level, and 60.0% of machinery and equipment risk factors were at a moderate risk level. In addition, the most frequently observed risk factor was employees’ and customers’ safety and health. The results on hospital restaurants showed 75% of physical and electrical risk factor and machinery and equipment risk factor were at a moderate level and high level, respectively.   Conclusions: It can be concluded that hospital and university restaurants are similar in terms of risks and levels of risks. Moreover, restaurant employees, cleaners, organization employees, visitors, university students, and patients in hospitals may be at risk if exposure to hazards. Therefore, the development and implementation of a plan with specific measures to address the identified risks is recommended.}, Keywords = {Risk, Assessment, Restaurants, Universities, Hospitals}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {127-137}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.127}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-76-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-76-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Mahdavi, S and Mahdavi, MR and Safary, M and Rashidi, R and Dehghani, T and Kosari, M}, title = {Evaluation of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders using Rapid Entire Body Assessment among hairdressers in Khorramabad, Iran, in 2014}, abstract ={  Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are considered a major factor in health problems, human injuries, and loss of work time. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) and evaluate the prevalence of MSD among female hairdressers.   Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, the risk of MSDs was evaluated in 172 female hairdressers using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Moreover, the prevalence of WRMSDs was investigated using a Nordic questionnaire. All obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software, and the logistic regression model .   Results : The results showed that 58.7% of the hairdressers experienced pain in their lower back, 52.3% in their neck, 41.3% in their knees, and 20.3% in their ankle. The results of this study showed a significant correlation between BMI and MSDs in the elbow, hip, and thigh . The results of REBA indicate that about 46% of the 1032 postures were classified as high risk and about 14.9% as very high risk. In addition, the results of this study showed a significant correlation between REBA score and MSDs in the neck, wrist, hip, and thigh.   Conclusions: With regard to the high prevalence of symptoms in the waist, neck, and wrist, it can be concluded that prolonged standing, uncomfortable working postures, strenuous movements, excessive shoulder flexion and shoulder abduction, trunk flexion and forceful exertion, and repetitive motion are considered important risk factors for MSDs .}, Keywords = {Risk, Body, Assessment, Musculoskeletal Disorders}, volume = {2}, Number = {3}, pages = {138-145}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, title_fa = {}, abstract_fa ={}, keywords_fa = {}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.2.3.138}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-89-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-89-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2013} }