ABSTRACT
Background and aim: Among occupational diseases in dentists, work-related musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] are the major causes for loss of working days, increasing costs and human occupational injury and absence from work. Incorrect body postures are the most important cause of musculoskeletal disorders. It is important to identify the risk factors and the degree of harm in order to understand whether the condition is critical or not. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the work postures of general dentists and specialists by Rapid Entire Body Assessment REBA method in Kerman, Iran
Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the risk levels of musculoskeletal disorders were assessed in 90 dentists, using REBA method. Stratified sampling method was used and data were analyzed with SPSS21, using T-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. P<0.05 was considered as statistical significance
Results: The results showed that work postures of 90% of dentists were at moderate to high risk levels and immediate corrective measures were necessary. Among the specialists, periodontists, pedodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons had the worst body postures. Therefore, they were at a higher risk for musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, there was a statistically significant relationship between age, clinical experience and a lower REBA score
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the work conditions and postures of dentists need to be improved. In addition, the level of dental professional education regarding the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders as well as correct working conditions and postures should be promoted
ABSTRACT
Mental workload is one of the factors that influence individuals' performance in the work environment as well as their efficiency and productivity. The present study aimed at examining the association between mental workload and general health among welders of Tehran Heavy Structuress Metal Company.This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016. The sample included 100 welders who were working in Tehran Heavy Structures Metal Company. Sampling was done through conducting a census. A demographic questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-28 [GHQ-28], and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index [NASA-TLX] mental workload questionnaire were used to collect data. The obtained data were fed into SPSS [version 22] and analyzed through Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Kruscal Wallis Test, Pearson product moment correlation, and Mann-Whitney U Test.The results showed that the participating welders had an average age of 36.16 +/- 7.81, an average work experience of 9.65 +/- 5.83, and a BMI of 25.95 +/- 3.39 kg/m2. The mean and standard deviation of the overall score of welders' mental workload were 65.88 +/- 21.15. The cut-off scores for the total mental workload questionnaire and the subscales were respectively set at 23 and 6. The results demonstrated that 26% of the welders were suspected of mental disorder. Furthermore, the results of Pearson correlation indicated that there was no significant relationship between the overall score of NASA mental workload and that of general health [p-value>0.05].Welders' mental workload is relatively high. Therefore, further research should be conducted in order to identify main risk factors that lead to mental and health disorder. Future studies should also be performed to present some solutions for te purpose of decreasing or preventing these side effects among welders as much as possible
ABSTRACT
Measuring and comparing grip and pinch strengths with their normative data is a valid method to detect intensity of the numerous damages of hand. This research was carried out with the aim of establishing normative data of grip strength and three types of pinch strengths [Tip, Key and Palmar] in healthy Iranian adults. In this cross-sectional study, the study population was formed of 1008 people [526 men and 482 women] from healthy Fars race adults of over 20 years old in five cities of Iran. American Society of Hand Therapists [ASHT] recommendations were followed to establish normative data of grip and pinch strengths. Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were developed based on sex, 12 different age groups and dominant and non-dominant hands. Jamar dynamometer and Seahan pinch gauge were used to measure grip and pinch strengths, respectively. Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were provided. Grip and pinch strengths of men were significantly stronger than women. The maximum grip strength of men was obtained in the group of 20-24 years and among women it was in the age group 35-39 years. Regardless of gender, grip and pinch strengths were declined with aging. Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were developed for Iranian population