مجله سلامت و بهداشت
سال پنجم شماره 4 (پیاپی 19، زمستان 1393)

Cyanide is a toxic compound widely used in different industries (e.g. metal extraction) and enters into the environment through such activities. In present work magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized hydrothermally and used for removal of cyanide from aqueous solutions. Experimental parameters influencing the process such as solution pH, initial cyanide concentration, nanoparticle concentrations, and contact time were studied. In addition Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and modified pseudo-first-order kinetic models were applied for describing the process. Restoration of used sorbent was also investigated. Maximum removal efficiency was observed at 10 mg/L of cyanide concentration, 0.8 g/L adsorbent mass, 120 min contact time, and pH=4. Under these conditions more than 92% of cyanide ions were removed. Results of isotherm study showed that trend of cyanide ion sorption to follow Langmuir model (r2=0.998). In addition, kinetic of cyanide sorption was best described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model (r2=0.999). 70% of the used sorbent can be conditioned by 1 N NaOH solution. The results of present work well demonstrate that nano magnetic adsorbent to have high ability to remove cyanide pollutant.

Public health has always been a very important issue in societies and the Quran memorizing can help to improve general health of people through affecting endogenous factors. The aim of this study was to compare role of meta-cognitive beliefs in predicting general health between Quran memorizers and nonmemorizers. In a causal-comperative study, 80 subjects have been selected from Quran memorizers and 80 from nonmemorizers in Ardabil province by available random sampling method. Data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire (MCQ-30). Data were analyzed by chi-square (χ2), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate regression analysis using SPSS-16 software. Results showed significant differences between Quran memorizers and nonmemorizers with respect to physiological symptoms, social dysfunction, depression, and general health (p<0.001). Comparison of meta-cognitive beliefs in these groups showed that nonmemorizers’ negative beliefs are higher than Quran memorizers (p<0.01). No differences were observed in other components of two groups. The model for prediction of general health based on meta-cognitive beliefs were significant for Quran memorizers and 15% of the total variance of general health was explained by meta-cognitive beliefs. This study indicated that Quran memorizers’ general health is higher than nonmemorizers and meta-cognitive beliefs have an important role in predicting Quran memorizers’ general health. Thus, promoting Quran activities and training of meta-cognitive skills can play important roles in people’s general health promotion.

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the common dyestuffs found in colored wastewater. The removal of MB by shrimp shell, low cost adsorbent, was studied in this research. In this experimental study, the effect of different parameters such as; initial concentrations of MB, adsorbent dose, initial pH of solution, and contact time on adsorption efficiency of MB on shrimp shell was studied. SEM and BET analysis on the adsorbent showed that the derived adsorbent from shrimp shell has a suitable physical structure to remove pollutant. The results of pH experiments showed higher removal efficiency (>97%) at natural pH than in those of other pHs. Removal efficiency was increased with increasing dose of adsorbent. Obtained experimental data were fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm (R2>0.99). Reaction enthalpy showed that the adsorption process can be a presumable spontaneous process. Overall, the results showed that the proposed adsorbents have a good ability to remove high concentrations of MB from colored solutions. Due to the low cost of preparation, it can be used as an alternative to relatively expensive adsorbents such as activated carbon to remove these types of dyes.

More than half of sexual problems that destruct life and marital relations occur due to insufficient knowledge or mistaken beliefs about sexual relations. Planned behavior model as an important theory explains the main process of health behaviors’ acceptance. This study surveys planned behavior model in predicting sexual practices of married women referring to Mashhad1 health centers in 2011. This cross-sectional study surveyed 200 women visiting health centers of Mashhad1 in 2011. Validity and reliability of questionnaire used were determined through panel of experts and Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest, respectively. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5) using Pierson correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Based on the results obtained significant correlations were observed between all variables of the planned behavior model and sexual intention and function (p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control predict 0.45 of the variance of sexual intention. Among these variables, the effect of subjective norms was greater than other variables (p<0.05). According to the findings, it is essential that health practitioners to emphasize on proper sex education and use planned behavior theory as a model for promotion of female sexual function.

In recent years, rail system has developed in Iran. Train driving is amongst the key jobs in rail industry that few studies have investigated their working conditions in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find and prioritize work-related obstacles associated with Iranian train drivers and investigate its relation with quality of working life. In a cross-sectional study work related obstacles were determined through literature review and interview with 15 train drivers and then a self-administered questionnaire was developed. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were investigated and 100 train drivers were asked to fill out this questionnaire along with the Darren Van Laar quality of working life questionnaire. According to the results the major problems of Iranian train drivers were collision with people and animals, access to WC, excessive and irregular working hours, work schedule interference with personal life, failure of the job to meet personal expectations and insufficient job benefits. Additionally, the result of spearman correlation showed no significant relationship between working obstacles and quality of working life among train drivers (p>0.05). Considering different work-related obstacles of Iranian train drivers, intervention strategies should be implemented in order to improve working condition of train drivers.

Indoor air pollution in homes using solid fuel causes respiratory infection based on the studies performed. This study was conducted to evaluate relative risk of respiratory infection and its influencing environmental factors in solid fuel consuming households in West Azerbaijan province. Population of the cities with more than 200 households using solid fuel was studied in West Azerbaijan province. Data were collected from daily recorded diseases forms existing in rural household files in health centers. The obtained data were analyzed by statistical tests at the 5% level of confidence using SPSS software. According to the results, 18% of the populations surveyed consume solid fuel with 16.8% of them using wood and animal manure. 75.4% of households bake bread in indoor environment. In total, heating devices of 90% of households using solid fuel have not been equipped with ventilation system. According to data analysis and Pearson correlation, respiratory infections were significantly correlated with solid fuel consumption and odds of disease occurrence in individuals using solid fuel were high. Correlation between consumption of poor fuel for heating and cooking in rural households and respiratory infections implies that optimizing fuel consumption and increasing public awareness may decrease occurrence of diseases among target population.

Exposure to high levels of noise causes physical, psychological, and behavioral responses. It also affects cardiovascular and respiratory systems in both animals and humans. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of noise exposure on blood pressure and heart rate in a steel industry. In the present descriptive analytical and cross-sectional study, 50 workers were selected from a steel company in Fars province as a case group. They were exposed to 85, 95, and 105 dB noise for 5 minutes in 3 days at controlled laboratory condition. Demographic information of the subjects was gathered through a questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate of the participants were measured both before and after the exposure using a pulse meter. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Paired t-test was applied to evaluate blood pressure and heart rate variations. Comparing to before exposure time, systolic blood pressure of the exposed workers was increased and heart rate was decreased; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The study findings were in agreement with the results of the previous studies. According to the results, no considerable changes were observed in blood pressure and heart rate after acute exposure to noise at levels of 85, 95, and 105 dB.