Evaluation of an undergraduate occupational health program in Iran based on alumni perceptions: a structural equation model / 보건의료교육평가

PURPOSE: Evaluating educational programs can improve the quality of education. The present study evaluated the undergraduate occupational health program at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Semnan, Iran, with a focus on the associations between alumni perceptions of the learning environment and the outcomes of the occupational health program. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among alumni of the undergraduate occupational health program. We asked alumni to rate their perceptions of the items using a 4-point Likert scale. The associations between alumni perceptions of the educational program and curriculum, faculty, institutional resources, and learning outcomes were modeled and described using structural equation modeling procedures. RESULTS: A descriptive analysis of alumni perceptions indicated low evaluations for the administrative system, practical and research-based courses, and the number of faculty members. We found that a structural model of the evaluation variables of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and institutional resources significantly predicted undergraduate educational outcomes. The curriculum had direct and indirect effects on learning outcomes, mediated by faculty. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study highlight the usefulness of the structural equation modeling approach for examining links between variables related to the learning process and learning outcomes. Surveys of alumni can provide data for reassessing the learning environment in the light of the professional competencies needed for occupational health graduates.

Lighting assessment and effects on visual fatigue and psychological status of employees in damghan velayat hospital wards

Introduction and Aims: Insufficient lighting as a physical stressor in work environment may impact on work performance and cause work-related accidents

This study assessed the illumination and the probable effects on visual fatigue and mental states in Velaiat hospital's personnel of Damghan

Materials and Methods: A case study design performed in indoor hospital working areas. Layout and type of luminaires were examined and interior illuminations were measured as proposed by lESNA [Illuminating Engineering Society of North America]. A questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were conducted

Results: Interior lighting measurements showed unacceptable levels of local illumination in 82.3 percent of sections during day light hours and all sections during night hours. General levels of illumination were unacceptable for 83.3 percent of section in day light and all sections in night hours. Uniformity ratios were unacceptable during day and night hours for 91 percent and 83 percent of sections, respectively

There is a significant relation between age and perceived favorable light, visual fatigue and mental states [P < 0.05]

We found significant relationships between the lighting type and illumination with visual fatigue and mental states [P < 0.05]

Conclusion: Insufficient illumination and excessive artificial light may lead to visual fatigue and mental strain. Lighting design should account for acceptable quantity and similarity to daylight

[Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine [NAC] administration on prevention of noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL] in rabbit]

Oxidative stress due to free radicals formation plays an important role in noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL]. Many hypotheses have been proposed regarding the biochemical prevention of this complication. This study was performed with the purpose of determining the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine [NAC] administration, as an antioxidant agent, on NIHL in Rabbit. In an experimental study, 24 adult white male rabbits were divided into four groups, including: 1] control, 2] noise exposure [100dB octave band noise centered at 4000Hz for 40h], 3] noise exposure plus NAC administration [325mg/kg, daily ip injection], and 4] no exposure and NAC administration. Audiometric test of rabbits was assessed by auditory brainstem response [ABR] technique in three stages. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the groups, and a p<0.05 was considered significant. The mean ABR threshold shift for the noise exposure plus NAC administration group, 1 hour after exposure at 1, 2, 4 and 8kHz frequencies were, respectively, 16.66 +/- 1.63, 21.66 +/- 1.75, 33.5 +/- 2.34, and 39.33 +/- 2.25dB. These values were significantly less than the same values in the noise exposure group. The results of this study showed that NAC can provide a proper protective effect against hearing loss resulting from noise exposure

[Comparison of general health status and sleeping quality of shift workers in a car industry workshop 2008]

Sleeping disturbances considered as a remarkable health problem among shift workers, which may lead to physical and mental disorders. This study aimed to examine the sleeping quality and its relationships with the general health among shift workers in a metal press workshop. Descriptive study was conducted and assists 196 subjects of shift workers who were working in press workshop in a car industry. General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] and Pittsburg sleep quality Index [PSQI] was used. In addition, some information was collected through interview in the workplace and was analyzed by Fisher and Chi-Square statistical tests. findings suggest that undesirable general health status and poor sleep quality rates were 36.7% and 50% respectively. Statistical tests showed significant associations between sleeping quality and general health [p<0.001]. 50% and 31.4% of permanent daytime workers and shift workers categorized undesirable general health respectively. Furthermore, poor sleeping quality was 57.1% and 47.1% in permanent daytime workers and shift workers. There was no significant association between shift work with general health [p= 0.33] and sleeping quality [p= 0.75]. According to our findings, intervention planning should focus on reducing physical stressors and workers' education on healthy sleeping