Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain Among Rural Hand-woven Carpet Weavers in Iran

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common and disabling problem among carpet weavers and is linked to physical and psychosocial factors of work. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSP, its psychosocial risk factors, and association of pain in each pair of anatomical sites among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 546 hand-woven carpet weavers in rural small-scale workshops of Iran. Data were collected by using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire focused on MSP in 10 body sites, including the low-back, neck, both right and left shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed applying logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of MSP in at least one body site was 51.7% over the past month. The most common sites were low back and right shoulder pain 27.4% and 20.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the mean number of painful anatomical sites and the level of education, age, physical loading at work, time pressure, lack of support, and job dissatisfaction. In pairwise comparisons, strongest association was found between pain in each bilateral anatomical site (odds ratio = 11.6-35.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In home-based workshops of carpet weaving, psychosocial factors and physical loading were associated with MSP. This finding is consistent with studies conducted among other jobs. Considering the preventive programs, the same amount of attention should be paid to psychosocial risk factors and physical loading. Also, further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the relationship of psychological factors.

[ study of the association between oral temperature and sleepiness among night-shift workers in a glass industry]

Night-shift work has adverse effects on workers' health, productivity, and occupational safety. Night workers have complaints about sleepiness, decreased performance, and sleep disorders, due to disruption of circadian rhythm function. This research aimed to determine the level and process of sleepiness among night workers of a hot industry and evaluate its correlation with oral temperature. This study was performed as a cross-sectional study on 80 night-shift workers who were exposed to heat. The sleepiness level of the subjects was measured by Stanford Sleepiness Scale and their oral temperature were recorded at different hours [from 22 pm to 4 am] for two consecutive nights. Data analysis was performed using independent and paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05. In this study, an increasing linear trend over time was obsereved for sleepiness index [p<0.001]. The mean of oral temperature had an increasing trend from 11 pm to 1 am and a decreasing trend afterward [p<0.001]. Also, the mean sleepiness index in the measurement hours of the second night was higher than that of the first night [p<0.001], but, the mean oral temperature in the second night was onsistent with the results obtained in the first night. The sleepiness index among night-shift workers was significantly decreased with increasing oral temperature [r=0.24, p=0.03]. According to the findings of this study, there was an inverse correlation between sleepiness and oral temperature after a few hours of exposure to heat. In this study, sleepiness symptoms were subjectively recorded based on the workers' self-expression; therefore, it is suggested that paraclinical trials, such as hormonal assessments be considered

Assessing the ultraviolet exposure level in welding workers of sar-cheshmeh copper complex

Because of being exposed to a wide range of ultraviolet radiations, welders are prone to eye and skin diseases. This study aims at determining the ultraviolet exposure level in welding workers of Sar-Cheshmeh Copper Complex. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 on all welding workers of the complex using Hagner UV digital radiometer. The mean value for the received ultraviolet radiation level was 0.09 +/- 0.045 j[2]/cm[2]. The level of UV exposure was significantly different [p=0.001] for the welders working in different units of the complex. The mineworkers received the highest level of radiation [0.14 j[2]/cm[2]]. In this study, the ultraviolet exposure of welding workers is below the allowable threshold limit for UV radiation