مجله سلامت و بهداشت
سال دوازدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 50، تابستان 1400)

Background & objectives:

Increasing solid waste has made waste management an important challenge in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to comparative evaluation of the application of incineration technologies and other waste disposal methods in Iran using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in 2019.

In this descriptive-applied research, after making a hierarchy, the first criteria and decision alternatives (1-Sanitary landfill Method 2-Source Reduction, Recycling+ Compost+ Landfill 3-Source Reduction, Recycling+Incineration Technologies+ Landfill) were selected. Then, the comparison and analysis were performed using Expert Choice 11 software and Analytical Hierarchy Process.

The weights of three scenarios (1- Sanitary landfill Method 2-Source Reduction, Recycling+ Compost+ Landfill 3- Source Reduction, Recycling+ Incineration Technology+ Landfill) for waste management in Iran were determined, 0.26, 0.486 and 0.255, respectively. The Consistency Ratio (CR) was obtained less than 0.1 for all paired matrices of alternatives.

The second scenario with the weight of 0.486 was selected as the best method for solid waste management in Iran. Therefore, it is recommended to invest on and create the necessary infrastructure in the country in line with the above-mentioned priority. The third scenario, with a weight of 0.255, was selected as the last priority of waste management in the country. Therefore, it is recommended that supervisory and responsible organizations do not have a permit to construct and commission of incineration technologies for municipal waste management without conducting environmental, health and economic studies.

Background & objectives:

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and contains several important essential micro nutrients that are beneficial to human health. The contamination of tea leaves by heavy metals may pose serious problems to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals in broken black tea and also evaluation of their health hazards in Alborz province, Iran.

In this study, the concentration of heavy metals of Pb, Cd and Hg were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) according to AOAC method of analysis on 15 samples of broken black tea available in stores of Alborz province and selected by simple random sampling in 2019. Upper limits of these heavy metals were 1 ppm, 0.1 ppm and 0.02 ppm for Cd, Pb and Hg, respectively.

The results of analysis showed that the mean levels of Pb, Cd and Hg were 0.255±0.06, 0.046±0.069 and 0.014±0.002 ppm, respectively.

 Lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in the sampled brands of broken black tea were lower in comparison with their upper limits. Therefore, it be concluded that there are not any health problems concerned with broken dark tea consumption for these elements.

Background & objectives:

Air pollution is considered as an ultrastructural element in urban transportation systems and as an important indicator of human health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the PM10 pollution range of two main highways of Ardakan city and determine the contribution of these highways in health risk of their surrounding residents due to exposure to these pollutants by modeling methods.

This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on two highways of Meybod Ardakan and Ardakan Nain. IVE and AERMOD models were used for estimation of emission rate of PM10 in four seasons of the year, and also dispersion and exposure rates to PM10.The information required to run the models was collected by observational statistics, information from the police research center and the meteorological research center of Yazd province. By identifying six PM10 exposure groups in the pollution range of these two highways, health risk assessment was performed using the proposed USEPA relationships.

In four seasons of the year, the mean and maximum concentration of PM10 of Meybod Ardakan highway were predicted more than Ardakan Nain highway. Although the minimum dispersion concentration of PM10 of Ardakan Nain Highway was lower than that of Meybod Ardakan, the pollutant limit of this highway (1, 24 hours and annually) was more predicted. Among the six groups exposed to PM10 in all time intervals, the highest exposure rate was belonged to Ardakan Nain road police station and the least to residents of Torkabad Village (1 hour) and Shahid Paydar Park (8, 24 hours and annually). Cancer and non-cancerous risk exposure to PM10 was estimated in acceptable range in all age groups and categories.

With the modeling method used, the contribution of the two investigated highways in predicting the health risk of surrounding residents was within the acceptable range.

Background &objectives:

Given the increasing technological hazards, risk assessment and proper risk management and planning to reduce the vulnerability in hospitals seems necessary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ranking of technological hazard in Ardabil hospitals in 2019.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of selected wards of Ardabil hospitals. The sampling method was census and all 10 hospitals in Ardabil were studied. FMEA worksheets were used to collect and record the information.

The study of 10 hospitals (47 units) showed that the highest frequency risk was related to ergonomic, psychological, physical (noise) and biological factors, respectively. Also, the highest number of risk priorities in hospitals was related to biological, physical (noise and radiation), ergonomic and psychological, mechanical and fire hazards, respectively.

Biological hazards, physical (noise and radiation), ergonomic and psychological factors were at the top of the occupational hazards for employees. More awareness of managers and employees about the potential health risks and occupational safety of the hospital will be more effective in reducing health risks and preventing accidents and minimizing stressful job consequences.

Background & objectives:

One of the dominant groups in the tourism industry is the host community, whose perceptions and attitudes about the effect of tourism on destination are decisive for the tourism development, and also for planning and management of destinations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of health tourism on promoting social well-being of the host community.

This research, based on both the applied purpose and method of the study, was a descriptive survey with a questionnaire that was conducted in the summer of 2019. The statistical population of the study was residents of Sarein city with a sample size of 200 people who were selected by stratified sampling. To analyze the data, structural equations with SMARTPLS-3 software were used.

The results showed that health tourism development with path coefficient of 0.582 had a positive and significant effect on the promotion of social well-being. In evaluation the impact of health tourism dimensions, the results showed that economic, social and cultural factors of health tourism with coefficients of 0.496, 0.356 and 0.342, respectively, had positive and significant effects on social welfare of the host community.

Tourism industry is one of the industries that have the most communication with the people in the community. Residents of health tourism destinations have different viewpoints on benefits and costs of tourism. Health tourism is one of the factors promoting the social well-being of the host community in the Sarein city and the role of economic factors is more than other factors.

Background & objectives:

Written educational auxiliary media are often used to enhance societieschr('39') health level and prevention of oral diseases. However, low quality educational materials are an obstacle to present effective information and usually these media are not evaluated before publication. Therefore, the present study was carried out to assess a written educational media (pamphlet) about varnish fluoride for mothers.

This descriptive study was performed in 2019 in Yazd. The educational pamphlet was made by the researcher based on motherchr('39')s needs assessment about their pediatric varnish fluoride, literature review as well as comments of health education specialists and pediatric dentists. The content of educational pamphlets was related to oral health, varnish fluoride and its features, how to use fluoride varnish on teeth and the materials and tools needed to carry out this work. In order to assess the pamphlet, Readability (RAM) and Suitability (SAM) tools and Cloze Training Level Index were used.

The difficulty score for readability was 14.4 and the pamphlet was at the good level in terms of content specialization and typographical errors. The percentage obtained from the suitability was 77.95% and the media was as an excellent media. The result of the Cloze assessment shows that the percentage of correct answers was 87 and the text was on the independent level.

Considering the clarity, simplicity, credit and summarization of content and proper combination of images in the pamphlet, the written educational auxiliary media was appropriate and can be effective in educating mothers in the field of their childrenchr('39')s varnish fluoride. Using the methods and results obtained in the present study, as a guideline for assessment of written educational auxiliary media in the field of health behaviors, can be very helpful in eliminating possible deficiencies and increasing the impact of educational interventions.

Background & objectives:

The phenomenon of dust is very critical and catastrophic in our country, especially in Kerman region. Part of the damage caused by this phenomenon is due to lack of sufficient recognition of the impact of dust on the environment. Therefore, the present study conducted to evaluate and prioritize the effects of dust on water, air, soil and animal and plant ecosystems in Kerman city in 2019 in order to inform citizens and authorities about the damage caused by this phenomenon and to plan for controlling them.

The research method was applied descriptive-analytical study. Five criteria including aquatic, soil, air, plant and animal ecosystems, each with 4 sub-criteria, were considered for measuring the environmental effects of dust. Library and field studies (in the form of questionnaires, observations and interviews) were used to collect the information. The statistical population of the study was all environmental experts in Kerman. VIKOR model was used to rank the measurement criteria.

Among the criteria studied using VIKOR model, air, water and soil criteria with quality level of 0, 0.105 and 0.351 were in the first, second and third ranks of negative dust effects, respectively. Animal and plant ecosystems with a quality level of 0.656 were ranked fourth. Among the research indices, the index of endangering the public health of citizens by increasing heavy metals, threatening the citychr('39')s drinking water resources and increasing respiratory diseases with an average of 4.07, 4.04 and 4.01were in the highest average of harmful effects of dust, respectively.

Based on the findings, among the 5 criteria studied, dust had the most negative effect on the air of Kerman and then on the water and soil of the region, respectively. Therefore, based on the priority obtained in this study and coherent planning, Kerman urban crisis management can take successful steps to reduce and deal with the dust phenomenon.

Background & objectives:

Drinking Water is one of the ways to provide essential nutrients for the human body. However, excessive amounts of this minerals, changes the water quality and in some cases threatens human health. Therefore, considering the role of water quality in the human health, incidence of irreversible lesions due to chemical impurities in drinking water in values greater than standard, the need for continual measurement of various parameters in order to find out the drinking water conditions consumed with households and taking necessary control measures, this study aims to compare the physical and chemical quality of drinking water of the villages of Nir county by national standard.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the statistical population of the affiliated villages to Nir county, the methods of standard method book were used to measure the studied parameters. A dual-beam spectrophotometer was used to measure the parameters of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and fluoride, and a two-channel portable multi-parameter instrument was used to measure pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity. Total dissolved solids were measured by gravimetric method and the total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sulfate and chloride were measured by titration method. Then, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS20 and Microsoft Excel 2010 software and One-Sample T Test.

The averages of electrical conductivity and total hardness were 669.78 µS/cm, and 227.27 mg/L.CaCO3 respectively. The other parameters including TDS, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulfate, Phosphate, Chlorine, Fluorine, Calcium and Magnesium had average levels of 346.316, 3.410, 0.023, 76.79, 0.117, 58.10, 0.45, 58.82 and 20.40 mg/L, respectively and finally the pH was 7.77.

Among 13 parameters measured in drinking water supplies in the county, 26 villages were under admissible limit (AL) and 82 villages were under maximum contaminant level recommended by Iranian national standards. In other words, 74% and 18% of drinking water in the villages of county did not meet AL and MCLs of national standards. According to the results, it is necessary that water supplies used in the villages of county must be subject to regular monitoring programs of water safety and environmental health.

Background & objectives:

Sports for all is kind of physical activity which improve physical, mental and social abilities. The purpose of this study was to identify the place of education in the process of peoplechr('39')s tendency towards sport for all.

This research was descriptive and applied (in terms of purpose). The statistical population was all professors and specialists in sports management, managers of federations, general managers of sports and youth of the provinces and senior experts of the Ministry of Sports and Youth (N=343). By stratified random sampling method and based on Morgan table, 181 people were selected as sample, among them 135 sample had analyzable questionnaires. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that its reliability was confirmed using Cronbachchr('39')s alpha test (α=0.83). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, frequency percentage, mean) and inferential statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, one-sample t-test and Friedman test) in SPSS software version 23.

The results showed that the variables of awareness (p=0.01, t=20.03), attractiveness (p=0.01, t=61.77), belonging (p=0.01, t=17.21), loyalty (p=0.01, t=22.36) and education (p=0.01, t=36.69) had significant roles in peoplechr('39')s tendency to sports for all. It was found that the factors affecting peoplechr('39')s tendency to sports for all, included the component of attractiveness (average rank: 4.43), education (average rank: 3.00), loyalty (average rank: 2.91), belonging (average rank: 2.41) and awareness (average rating: 2.26), respectively. In addition, it was found that with the increased level of education, the position of education in the tendency of people to public sports decreased.

Due to the role of education in the tendency of people to sports for all, it is suggested that the countrychr('39')s sports for all authorities to provide a platform for sports for all education for different segments of society by producing educational programs in media and employing sports coaches for neighborhoods.

Background & objectives:

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) is one of the problems that health systems are involved in. Patients who leave hospital against medical advice may be at risk of adverse health outcomes and readmission. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of discharge with personal consent and to perform appropriate interventions to reduce it in the hospital under study.

This study was a pre- and post-interventional study. First, the data extracted from the discharge sheets were analyzed with personal consent in the hospital safety office, then interventions were designed to reduce the self-discharge rate with personal consent and the results were compared with the results with pre-intervention outcomes.

The rate of DAMA before the intervention was 10% which decreased to 8% after the intervention. The most important reasons for discharge against medical advice were family obstacle, lack of satisfaction to be inpatient and feeling of recovery.

Based on the results of the present study, the majority of discharges AMA were due to patient-related issues.  Increasing patientschr('39') awareness of the possible side effects of discharge with personal consent, planning an outpatient treatment program, timely assignment of the patient and establishing effective communication can be helpful in reducing the discharge AMA cases.

Background & objectives:

From a long time ago, immigration has been one of the typical human reactions to the unfavorable conditions of life and a way of trying to improve conditions. In fact, immigration is a reaction of individual or family and decision to change the situation, which is often one of the greatest experiences and decisions of life. During immigration, various social, cultural and economic factors affect life and, consequently, individual eating behaviors. The aim of this study is reviewing the social, cultural and economic factors affecting the food behaviors of immigrants.

This is a review article in which Google scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct were searched to access relevant studies, by keywords including immigrant, food behavior, dietary acculturation, eating habits, social, economic and environmental factors.

In general, it seems that the effects of immigration on peoplechr('39')s eating habits and health and how to change, accept or not accept the culture and food habits are very different and many factors influence it such as personality characteristics of immigrants, socio-economic level of the individual, underlying environmental factors, level of conformity of dominant religion in both countries, the fluency level of the new language and the level of social protection of migrants in the host country.

Different social, economic and cultural factors affect the migratory food behaviors. Undoubtedly, investigating of these effects are essential in planning for improving the nutritional status of immigrants and policy making in this issue.

Currently, the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important health problems all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences during the coronavirus epidemic in Ardabil province.

This cross-sectional study was performed in Ardabil province in northwestern Iran. All patients admitted to hospitals in Ardabil province were recruited. All data were collected from the information registration portal, which was designed according to the instructions of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In this portal, demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory presentations and other data for patients in all hospitals were recorded in one format. SPSS-19 software was used for simple statistical analysis.

During the period from the beginning to preparation of this report, four peaks of Covid-19 were observed in Ardabil. The total number of PCR samples was 76673, of which 33189 (43%) were positive. The number of hospitalized patients was 28792, of which 13716 were positive and the number of outpatients was 47881, of which 19473 were positive.

The results of this study indicate that despite the implementation of national guidelines by Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, the number of hospitalizations and death rates of COVID 19 are still relatively high.