Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology
J Occup Health Epidemiol
Medical Sciences
http://johe.rums.ac.ir
224
admin
2251-8096
2252-0902
10.61186/johe
0
en
jalali
1401
4
1
gregorian
2022
7
1
11
3
online
1
fulltext
en
Reliability and Validity Assessment of the Persian Version of the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ): An NIHL Predictor Tool
Occupational Health
Original Article
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Background: </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Noise and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are the most prevalent workplace problems. The best way to prevent NIHL is to monitor people's annual noise exposure (ANE) using tools, such as questionnaires. The present study aims to assess reliability of the Persian version of the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) and NIHL scores among workers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Materials & Methods: </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">This descriptive study was designed in 2021. The backward-forward technique was employed for the purpose of translation. The questionnaires were distributed among 70 male employees of an oil company in Assaluyeh City. To evaluate reliability, the test-retest method and Cronbach's alpha were employed. For the test-retest method, the questionnaires were dispensed at two separate times under similar conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Results:</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"> Using Cronbach's alpha and ICC, reliability was calculated at 0.918 and 0.856, respectively. We found that the participants had performed activities of high sound levels over the past year. Although participation in some activities was high, the final ANE was below the highest risk levels, with 17.14% of the people having had the highest risk levels. Besides, the employees’ ANE had a significant correlation with their age and type of work shift. Additionally, the 1-Minute Noise Screen method was determined as an accurate tool in rapidly predicting those participants with the highest risk of NIHL.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Conclusions:</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"> The NEQ and 1-Minute Noise Screen were proved to be practical tools for estimating individuals’ ANE and identifying participants with the highest risk of NIHL. These tools help professionals focus on protection measures to prevent hearing impairment.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Noise,Hearing Loss,Self-Evaluation,Hearing Disorders,
209
222
http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-166-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Mohammad Javad
sheikhmozafari
m.sheikhmozafari@modares.ac.ir
2240031947532846009209
2240031947532846009209
No
M.Sc. in Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Tarbiat Modares University
Omran
Ahmadi
o.ahmadi@modares.ac.ir
2240031947532846009210
2240031947532846009210
Yes
Assistant Prof., Dept. of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Tarbiat Modares University