@article{ author = {Rahimpoor, R and Bahrami, AR and Assari, MJ and Ghorbani, F and Negahban, AR and Rahimnejad, S and Mehdizadegan, B}, title = {Biological monitoring of petrochemical industry workers exposed to benzene, toluene, xylenes, methyl ethyl ketone, and phenol in Southern Iran}, abstract ={Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including carcinogens and toxic compounds, are produced in petrochemical industries. We undertook this study in order to study workers’ respiratory exposure to different VOC concentrations and compare the results with the urinary levels of its metabolites and study the correlation between them in petrochemical industries. Materials and Methods: Exposure to benzene, toluene, xylene isomers, phenol, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) was evaluated in 104 male subjects using personal sampling pump and charcoal sorbent tube at the breathing zone and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The urine samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Results: The mean concentration of urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), was 1431 µg/g creatinine and hippuric acid, methyl hippuric acid, phenol, and MEK were, 0.394, 0.444, 0.098 g/g creatinine, and 0.15 mg/l. The mean concentration of benzene in the breathing zone was greater than the threshold limit value (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Conclusions: In this study, a more significant relationship was found between benzene in breathing zone and urinary t,t-MA in those exposed to benzene in concentrations higher than 1 ppm (r2 = 0.89) than lower than 1 ppm. Moreover, the same results were observed for other hydrocarbons and their level of urinary biological index. A more significant relationship was observed between phenol in breathing zone and urine through exposure to airborne phenol in concentrations of higher than 0.049 ppm than lower than 0.049 ppm (r2 = 0.75). The relationship between MEK in breathing zone and urinary MEK was more significant in concentrations of higher than 0.1 ppm (r2 = 0.79) than lower than 0.1 ppm.}, Keywords = {Volatile Organic Compounds, Biologic Monitoring, Occupational Exposure, Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Phenol}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {62-71}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.62}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-108-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-108-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Beheshti, MH}, title = {Evaluating the potential risk of musculoskeletal disorders among bakers according to LUBA and ACGIH-HAL indices}, abstract ={Background: Bakers, due to the nature of their jobs, are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by ergonomic factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical risk factors for MSDs in bakers. Materials and Methods: In the current study, all Sangak, Taftoon, and Lavash bread bakeries in Gonabad, Iran, were selected based on census method. Then, hierarchical task analysis (HTA) method was used for task analysis and their occupation was classified into tasks, actions, and movements. The Shater (the employee who places the bread in the oven), Chanegeer (the employee who cuts the dough), and Nangeer (the employee who removes the bread from the oven) employees were studied in this respect. Subsequently,postural loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-Hand activity level (ACGIH-HAL) methods were implemented to identify common risk factors in repetitive tasks that can contribute to the development of MSDs of upper limbs. Analysis of the results in this study was performed using SPSS software. Results: A LUBA score of higher than 10 was obtained by 83.33% of workers in Tafton bakeries, 100% of employees in Sangak bakeries, and 91.66% of workers inLavash bakeries. ACGIH-HAL index results of 100% of Sangak, 50.37% of Taftoon, and 50% of Lavash bakery workers were in the red (danger) zone. The LUBA score of nosubjects was below 5 (action level one).Highest relative discomfort score of Nangeer and Shater in Tafton bakeries was in the back area and of Chanegeer in the neck and shoulder area. Highest score of relative discomfort of Shater, Chanegeer, and Nangeeremployees of Lavash bakerieswas in the lumbar area and neck and ofShater and Nangeer of Sangak bakerieswas in the elbow and wrist area. Conclusions: The results showed that the risk of MSDs due to repetitive tasks is relatively high in bakeryand ergonomic interventions required in order to redesign the job.}, Keywords = {Risk Factors, Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Diseases.}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {72-80}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.72}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-112-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-112-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Khalili, P and Vazirinejad, R and Jamalizadeh, A and Nakhaee, P and Fatehi, F and Fallah, A}, title = {The impact of healthy lifestyle education and integrated care on the quality of life of the elderly}, abstract ={Background: Due to increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates, the population over the age of 60 in developed and developing countries is increasing. This matter draws attention toward the improvement of the health of the elderly and consideration of the health and treatment needs of this important group of human society. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of integrated care and educational interventions of a healthy lifestyle on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Materials and Methods: This semi-empirical study was conducted on 180 elderly patients admitted to the health centers in Rafsanjan, Iran. Multistage sampling was performed in the health centers of the city and the suburbs. The subjects were divided into two groups of intervention (n = 90) and control (n = 90). The intervention group was under the program of healthy lifestyle education for a period of 6 months. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The quiestionnaires were completed through interviews during two time intervals of before and after the intervention. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: The mean ages of subjects in the intervention and control groups were 71.8 ± 2.3 and 66.4 ± 2.3, respectively. The mean QOL scores of subjects in the intervention and control groups before the intervention were 56.05 ± 2.17 and 61.39 ± 1.46 (out of 100), and after the intervention were 62.11 ± 3.03 and 56.9 ± 1.59, respectively. The statistical comparison showed that the QOL score of the intervention group after the intervention was significantly higher than before the intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study showed an increase in QOL of the elderly after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Therefore, by educating the elderly as groups and individuals about adopting a healthy lifestyle and by implementing healthcare, their QOL can be promoted.}, Keywords = {Elderly, Healthy, Life Style, Comprehensive Health Care, Quality of Life}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {81-87}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.81}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-137-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-137-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Mohammadfam, I and Soltanzadeh, A and Moghimbeigi, A and Akbarzadeh, M}, title = {Factors affecting occupational accidents in the construction industry (2009-2013)}, abstract ={Background: There is a high prevalence of  occupational injuries due to accidents in construction industries which affect human health. Therefore, the exploration and analysis of contributing factors of such accidents can lead to their prevention and the reduction of their consequences. This study was conducted with the aim to identify factors related to occupational injuries and the severity of their consequences on large construction sites in Iran.  Materials & Methods: This study was an cross-sectional investigation on five-sequential-year accidents on large construction sites. Data includeds the information of 500 human injuries due to accidents. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software and statistical tests such as linear regression, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Results: The mean accident frequency rate and accident severity rate was 4.71 and 216.28, respectively. The average age and job experience of injured workers were 29.18 ± 7.67 and 4.67 ± 3.9 years respectively, and had significant statistical difference with accident frequency rate and accident severity rate (P < 0.05). The association between accident indices and all factors related to accident type, equipment-related factors, unsafe condition and act and accident nature was found to be significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results showed that accident frequency rate and accident severity rate had a significant association with all factors related to health, safety, and the environment (HSE) training, housekeeping and HSE control measures (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicate that the occurrence and severity of construction accidents were due to the combination of failures in a collection of different contributing factors including demographical and organizational factors, accident type, factors related to work conditions and equipment, unsafe actions and conditions, nature of accidents, HSE training and control measures, and accident time and place. Therefore, to prevent and reduce the rate of such accidents, all these factors should be regarded.}, Keywords = {Occupational Accidents, Construction Industry, Accident, Iran}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {88-95}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.88}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-111-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-111-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Afroghi, SA and Mirzaei, R and Nasrabadi, M}, title = {The role of safety management system in safety culture in an oil and gas exploration and production company in Asalouyeh, Bushehr Province, Iran, in 2015}, abstract ={Background: One of the necessities of industrial societies is the application of developed measures/strategies for the prevention of occupational incidents in industrial companies. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the role of the safety management system on safety culture of an oil and gas exploration and production company. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 240 participants, chosen through simple random sampling, based on the research goals, statistical society size, and the Krejcie and Morgan table. For data collection, the Safety Management System Questionnaire, with a Cronbach’s &alpha of 0.96, and the Safety Culture Questionnaire, with a Cronbach’s&alpha of 0.91, were utilized after determining their validity. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL softwares. Results: First level confirmatory factor analysis was performed with the use of LISREL package on 5 factors of encouraging/motivating employees to observe safety tips, educating employees on safety tips, safety policies in organizations, safety control in organizations, and urgent planning in organizations. The results showed that all the indices on obtained values were very desirable. In addition, the results of this research indicated that there was a statistically positive, meaningful relationship between the variable of safety management system and its components (i.e., safety policies, employees’ motivators, safety education, urgent prevention plans, and internal control), and safety culture (P<0.01). High education levels of the employees had meaningful impacts on the safety management system (P<0.01).However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the education level and occupational background of the employees and the company’s safety culture (P>0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present paper proved that the safety management system and its components play an important role in the development of the safety culture of an oil company. Therefore, notifying the related authorities of this fact in order to establish a safety management system is a vital issue.}, Keywords = {Employees, Safety, Education, Prevention and Control, Safety Management}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {96-103}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.96}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-113-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-113-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {RezaieSardari, B and Torkashvand, F and Karami, M and SheikhFathollahi, M and Manshori, A}, title = {A survey on causes of cesarean sections performed at the university hospitals of Niknafs and Ali-Ibn Abi Talib of Rafsanjan, Iran, in the second trimester of 2014}, abstract ={Background: The increase in the prevalence of cesarean section (C-section) in recent decades has become a public health problem worldwide. Studies of cesarean section in order to identify the causes and form policies and interventions to reduce the incidence of this health problem are necessary. This study was conducted with the aim to investigate the causes of C-sections performed at Niknafs and Ali-Ibn Abi Talib Hospitals in Rafsanjan, Iran, in the second trimester of 2014. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 560 pregnant women were selected from among those referred to Niknafs and Ali-Ibn Abi Talib Hospitals in the second trimester of 2014 for cesarean delivery. Information was collected using a researcher-made checklist through interviews with patients and reviewing medical records. Data were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, as required. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age of women was 29.46 ± 5.08 years and most of them (65.0%) were in the age range of 26-36 years and had a diploma (40.7%). Considering delivery history, the highest percentage of women had had a single delivery (38.9%) and over half of the subjects (52.9%) had experienced a previous C-section. The most common causes were repeated C-section (52.9%), elective C-section (on maternal request) (7.5%), meconial stained (6.1%), fetal distress (5.0%), and breech presentation (4.5%). Statistically significant associations were observed between C-section reasons, and age (P < 0.001), number of previous pregnancies (P < 0.001), and previous delivery method (P = 0.010). Conclusions: Repeated C-section, as the most common cause of cesarean, has had a major role in increasing cesarean. Vaginal delivery after cesarean, taking into account the clinical and legal circumstances and providing training programs to acquaint women to the negative consequences of C-section and vaginal delivery benefits would be effective in the choice of delivery and might help in reducing cesarean.}, Keywords = {Cesarean Section, Delivery, Pregnancies, Iran.}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {104-111}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.104}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-98-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-98-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Askarishahi, M and MalakiMoghadam, H and Fallahzade, H and Lotfi, MH and Afkhami-Ardekani, M}, title = {Trend analysis of the rate of mortality due to diabetes mellitus in Iran during the period of 2003-2010: A join point regression analysis}, abstract ={Background: Determining the mortality rate of diseases in a community is one of the main components in health care planning of that community. This study used a join point regression model to determine the trend of mortality due to diabetes mellitus (DM) in Iran. Materials and Methods: The data on the rate of mortality due to DM were obtained from the reports of the Iranian Ministry of Health. The variation in the trend of mortality due to DM over the past eight years was analyzed using the join point regression model. For the evaluation of the regression parameters, the permutation test and least square method were applied. Data analysis was performed using the JOINPOINT statistical software. Results: The number of deaths due to DM has increased from 3047 cases per 100,000 people in 2003 to 5838 cases per 100,000 in 2010. A variation point was observed in 2007 with a P-value of 0.06 and 4500 permutations. The annual percentage change (APC) of the rate of mortality due to DM for the first period (2003-2007) was 6.6% with a confidence interval of -3-17.2 and for the second period (2007-2010) was 1.8% with a confidence interval of -12.4-18.2. APC was 4.6% in men with the confidence interval of 2.4-6.9 and 4.5% in women with the confidence interval of 2-7. Conclusions: The rate of mortality due to DM in Iran has increased during this 8-year period. The rate of mortality due to DM increased with a steep slope from 2003 to 2007 and with a gentle slope from 2007 to 2010.}, Keywords = {Diabetes Mellitus, Mortality, Regression, Analysis}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {112-116}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.112}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-114-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-114-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Fazli, B and Ansari, H and Zare, H and HamiMahkoyeh, S and Sadeghzadeh, A and Fazli, F and Freidoni, M}, title = {Safety culture in GolGohar Mine in Southeast Iran in 2014}, abstract ={Background: Safety culture and attitude form an integral part of organizations' cultures and their improved levels are influential in the prevention of occupational accidents and injuries. The present study was conducted to assess the safety culture and attitude of workers in the mining industry in Iran. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 172 workers employed in GolGohar Mine in Southeast Iran. Data were collected using a standard safety culture questionnaire, and then, analyzed in SPSS software using ANOVA, independent t-test, and the linear regression model. Results: Participants' mean age and mean length of work experience were 38.13 ± 7.11 and 9.95 ± 4.84 years, respectively. The level of education was found to be significantly related to management commitment (P = 0.003) and training (P = 0.001). Age was found to be significantly related to management commitment (P = 0.044), exchange of information (P = 0.020), and training (P = 0.047). In addition, work experience was found to be significantly related to training (P = 0.010) and safety prioritization (P = 0.002). However, employment and marital status had no significant relationships with the culture of safety (P > 0.050). Participants had experienced no occupational accidents during the course of their work. Conclusions: The present study showed the effectiveness of the level of education, age, and work experience in promoting the culture of safety. Adopting measures to increase the employment of better educated individuals, providing safety training prior to recruitment, and using more experienced workers’ recommendations can promote the culture of safety in the organization and reduce occupational accidents.}, Keywords = {Safety Culture, Attitude, Mining, Occupational Accidents}, volume = {3}, Number = {2}, pages = {117-125}, publisher = {Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.johe.3.2.117}, url = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-118-en.html}, eprint = {http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-118-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology}, issn = {2251-8096}, eissn = {2252-0902}, year = {2014} }