مجله سلامت و بهداشت
سال پانزدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 61، تابستان 1403)

Sulfuric acid, due to its extensive use in various industries such as copper, lead, and zinc extraction, poses harmful effects on the health of workers in these units. Therefore, accurately assessing the exposure levels of employees in these industries is essential. This study compares assessments using titration and ion chromatography methods to determine the exact exposure levels of workers in previous years, which were assessed using the titration method.

Sampling and analysis were simultaneously conducted at specific stations using both titration-based methods and ion chromatography. In the titration method, sodium hydroxide solution was used within a porous bubbler, and in the ion chromatography method, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7903 was utilized. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS-18 software.

The average acid concentration in the general air of the electrolysis cell house was 33.89 mg/m³ by the titration method and 0.119 mg/m³ by the ion chromatography method. The results indicated interference from sulfur dioxide gas in the titration method. No correlation was observed between the results of the two methods.

The titration method is not suitable for measuring sulfuric acid concentration in the air, especially in environments with high sulfur dioxide gas concentrations. Given the consistency of process conditions and ventilation in the studied electrolysis cell house during the study compared to previous years, the exposure levels can be considered in line with the results obtained from the ion chromatography method in this study.

The crisis of access to adequate and hygienic water resources, alongside unhealthy lifestyles, plays a significant role in the prevalence of various urinary stone-related diseases. The daily water intake and the compounds present in water sources can impact urinary elements and kidney stone formation. However, discrepancies have been noted in various studies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the concentration of microelements in urinary stones and the blood of residents of Ardabil province and its correlation with different water sources.

This case-control study involved 40 cases and 40 controls, comprising individuals with urinary stones who consumed water from various sources in Ardabil city. The study analyzed various water sources, including mineral water, tap water, river water, dam water, well water, spring water, and filtered water, in terms of trace element concentrations (Strontium, Vanadium, Sodium, and Potassium) and their association with urinary stone formation. Additionally, the physicochemical characteristics of water sources such as pH, turbidity, residual chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) were examined. Minor elements were measured using an ICP-MS device. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 22 software and ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests.

The study findings revealed a significant difference in the concentration of sodium in the blood based on the types of water sources consumed (p<0.05). Individuals who used filtered water exhibited higher sodium levels in their blood compared to those using tap water. No notable differences were observed in the concentration of other minor elements. According to the Tukey test results, the sodium content in filtered water exceeded that in tap water.

This study observed significant differences in the concentrations of Sodium, Strontium, and Vanadium in urinary stones and blood based on the types of water consumed. The sodium levels in the blood of individuals using purified water were higher than those using tap water. Additionally, filtered water had higher sodium content compared to tap water. These findings suggest that the type of water consumed can influence the sodium concentration and other body compounds, aiding individuals in selecting water sources or obtaining water purification devices based on their health conditions.

As demands on healthcare professionals rise, understanding nurses' mental health is essential. Job burnout, marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment, can heavily impact a nurse's ability to deliver quality care. This research intends to examine the relationship between job burnout and nurses' mental health in Kashan, highlighting a vital aspect of occupational health.

This descriptive-analytical study surveyed 182 nurses from various departments in Kashan, comprising 49 males and 133 females, who were randomly selected in 2019. Participants completed the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire and the Maslach’s Job Burnout, in addition to providing demographic information. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, specifically employing ANOVA and T-tests using SPSS software.

The analysis revealed significant correlations between demographic variables and burnout subscales. Notably, years of employment were positively associated with personal accomplishment, while emotional exhaustion levels were higher among female nurses. Additionally, age correlated with physical symptom frequency and overall anxiety levels, with    p-values indicating significance at p<0.05. Furthermore, the study found important relationships among general health, gender, occupation type, number of children, and night shifts-highlighting that female nurse experience higher rates of burnout and associated mental health challenges.

The findings suggest that nurses in Kashan experience moderate levels of mental health concerns and job burnout, with pronounced effects among women. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive management strategies aimed at mitigating job burnout and enhancing mental well-being in the nursing workforce. Implementation of support systems and interventions could prevent the progression of burnout, ultimately benefiting both healthcare providers and patients.

Public health is a fundamental branch of health sciences, aiming to cultivate professionals who are responsive to individual, family and societal health needs. An effective training program is vital for equipping healthcare professionals to deliver quality services at the community level. This study examines the extent to which the Bachelor of Public Health curriculum aligns with the job requirements of healthcare networks.

A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving managers and staff from healthcare centers, with a census sampling method employed. Data were gathered through a standard questionnaire, validated for reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient exceeding 0.7 across all dimensions. The questionnaire included two sections: demographics and a list of courses aligned with the Bachelor of Public Health curriculum.

Among the 100 participants, 73 held bachelor's degrees, while others included 22 with master's degrees, 4 with doctorates, and 2 with associate degrees, all currently employed. Overall job satisfaction was reported by 43% of respondents, and 52% felt that their job positions corresponded with their field of study. In the basic and core courses of the Bachelor of Public Health program, 12.2% of the participants believe that the level of adaptation is very high, while 20% believe that the adaptation of specific courses to job needs is very high in general.

The compliance rate for core Bachelor of Public Health courses are below 50%, indicating a gap in alignment with job requirements. However, special courses demonstrated a compliance rate exceeding 50%, which participants deemed high and very high. This highlights the necessity for a comprehensive review and revision of the public health curriculum, particularly in basic and core courses, to better prepare graduates for the evolving demands of healthcare networks.

The emergence of COVID-19 has precipitated a global health crisis, profoundly affecting various dimensions of human life, including social, academic, cultural, economic, and political spheres. This study aims to compare the management strategies employed by South Korea, Japan, and Iran in response to the pandemic, highlighting the effectiveness of their approaches and the resultant outcomes.

This research employs a comprehensive literature review of articles from scientific databases, including Scopus, Elsevier, Science Direct, PubMed, and ISI. It analyzes the strategies each country implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, highlighting both successes and challenges encountered during the pandemic.

The findings indicate that countries with prior experience in managing epidemics, such as South Korea and Japan, were better equipped to handle the COVID-19 crisis. South Korea’s rapid response included widespread testing, contact tracing, and the use of technology to monitor the virus's spread. Japan, leveraging its geographical proximity to China and existing health infrastructure, also implemented effective measures, including travel restrictions and public health campaigns. In contrast, Iran faced significant challenges in managing the pandemic. The rapid spread of COVID-19 overwhelmed its healthcare system, exacerbated by pre-existing economic sanctions and health infrastructure deficiencies. Despite various strategies implemented by the Iranian government and the Ministry of Health, including public awareness campaigns and temporary lockdowns, the outcomes were less favorable compared to South Korea and Japan. Inadequate responses to the health crisis resulted in serious social and psychological consequences, worsening the situation.

Countries that effectively managed the new coronavirus pandemic had prior experience with epidemics. Their swift actions and recognition of the critical situation contributed to minimizing human and financial losses.

The current study aimed to examine the impact of information literacy on the entrepreneurial ability of Hamedan medical students, with a focus on the mediating role of creativity.

This practical study utilized quantitative research methods and a cross-sectional design. Data collection involved standard questionnaires on information literacy, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Validity and reliability were measured using various statistical techniques. The statistical population comprised 5800 medical students in Hamedan in 2023, with a sample size of 360 individuals determined via simple random sampling. Data analysis involved the use of statistical software including SPSS version 25 and PLS version 3.

The findings reveal that the level of information literacy among the students was recorded at 71.2%, while their creativity and organizational entrepreneurship ability were noted at 64.8% and 63%, respectively. Notably, a significant relationship was identified between information literacy and both creativity and organizational entrepreneurship ability. Specifically, information literacy demonstrated a substantial effect on students' creativity, accounting for 66% of its variance, with creativity in turn explaining 30% of the variance in organizational entrepreneurship ability. Furthermore, information literacy was found to have an 88% effect on organizational entrepreneurship ability, underscoring its crucial mediating role through creativity.

In conclusion, If information literacy improves, students will become more creative, leading to an increase in creative ideas within universities. Furthermore, information literacy can be predictive of students' level of creativity and entrepreneurial abilities.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with a multitude of physical and psychological complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for individuals afflicted with the condition. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Time Perspective Therapy (TPT) on enhancing sexual function, emotional self-efficacy, and reducing marital conflicts among patients with Type 2 diabetes experiencing sexual dysfunction.

This study used a semi-experimental design involving a pre-test and post-test control group. The research included 30 individuals diagnosed with sexual dysfunction who were recruited from the Persian Diabetes Clinic in Mashhad in 2024. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group, which received eight 90-minute TPT sessions, and the control group. Various assessment tools such as the Marital Conflicts Scale, Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, and Marital Sexual Performance Scale were used. The data were analyzed using multivariate and single analysis of covariance through SPSS 24 software.

The results indicated statistically significant improvements in sexual function and emotional self-efficacy, along with a reduction in marital conflicts among participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. After controlling for pre-test scores, notable differences between the post-test scores of both groups were observed, affirming the potential of TPT to foster better sexual health and enhance emotional resilience.

Time Perspective Therapy significantly enhances sexual function, emotional self-efficacy, and reduces marital conflicts in patients with Type 2 diabetes facing sexual dysfunction. This study underscores the importance of psychological interventions in managing the complex needs of diabetic patients, suggesting that TPT can be an effective adjunct to traditional medical treatments.

Communication skills are one of the most important characteristics of medical science students, as it directly influences patient care, professional relationships, and overall healthcare efficiency. In recognition of this importance, this study aims to evaluate the verbal communication skills of students at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, examining the impact of various demographic factors on these skills.

This descriptive cross-sectional study included a sample of 282 students from diverse disciplines within the university. Data were collected using the standard Pierre Desrosiers communication skills questionnaire, which provides a reliable metric for assessing verbal communication proficiency. Following data collection, results were analyzed using SPSS20 software, allowing for comprehensive descriptive and analytical statistical evaluations.

The findings revealed that the average communication skills score among students was 105.18±11.05, categorizing their abilities as medium to high. Notably, the study identified significant demographic influences on communication skills, with female students, non-native students, those in advanced academic years, and students with higher grade point averages exhibiting superior verbal communication abilities.

In conclusion, in summary, while medical students at Ardabil University display commendable verbal communication skills, a structured intervention focusing on the enhancement of these abilities is vital. Implementing comprehensive communication training can bridge the gap between current performance levels and the standards necessary for successful medical practice.

Childbearing is a pivotal factor influencing women’s engagement in the labor market, particularly in countries like Iran, where socio-economic norms and cultural expectations significantly shape women's roles. While a decrease in birth rates and an increase in educational attainment among women are generally associated with enhanced labor market participation, the Iranian context presents a unique scenario. This study seeks to elucidate the effects of childbearing on the Female Labor Force Participation rate among urban households in Iran.

This research was conducted cross-sectionally at the national level, utilizing advanced statistical methods, specifically Probit and Probit with instrumental variable techniques, implemented through Stata 16 software. A robust dataset comprising 16,969 observations from various sections of the standard cost and income questionnaire of Iranian urban households was analyzed in 2023.

The variable for childbearing had a negative coefficient of -2.28 for the total sample size. However, the coefficients for first and second childbearing were 2.20 and 2.17, respectively. An increase in the father's wage, household income, father's education, and mother's age, as well as owning a private house, having a child under two years old, and having an elderly person over 60 years old, all led to a decrease in the probability of Female Labor Force Participation in Iran.

The findings suggest that the birth of a third child or subsequent children has a negative impact on women's labor market participation, while the first two births appear to encourage employment. This challenges the common belief that having children reduces women's job opportunities in Iran, and proposes policies to increase childbearing for this purpose.

Human resource productivity serves as a crucial metric for evaluating organizational effectiveness, particularly in the healthcare sector where the quality of service directly impacts community well-being. This study aims to assess the human resource productivity as perceived by healthcare employees in Gorgan City, utilizing the Achieve Model framework.

This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 313 employees from various sectors of the Golestan Province health department, including urban and rural health service centers in Gorgan City. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representation across different groups. Data collection was facilitated through a validated questionnaire based on the Achieve Model of human resource productivity. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-23, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics to draw meaningful insights from the data.

The analysis revealed an average productivity score of 79.81±15.09 among healthcare staff in Gorgan, indicating that overall productivity levels fell within an average range. Notably, the highest scores were attributed to the dimensions of ability, feedback, adaptability, understanding, and knowledge. Conversely, dimensions associated with organizational support and motivation scored the lowest, highlighting potential areas for improvement. Furthermore, significant relationships emerged between various demographic factors - such as education level (p=0.020), workplace setting (p<0.001), and occupational group (p=0.001) - with productivity in the ability dimension. Age (p=0.027) and work experience (p=0.007) also demonstrated significant correlations with the understanding and recognition dimension.

It is crucial to understand the factors that impact employee performance and productivity, considering their significant role in organizational productivity.