Prevalence hearing loss of truck and bus drivers in a cross-sectional study of 65533 subjects

BACKGROUND@#Noise pollution is one of the most important occupational pollutants in heavy-vehicle drivers. Therefore, this epidemiological research was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of hearing loss in heavy-vehicle drivers in Iran.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional research was conducted on 65,533 heavy-vehicle drivers including truck and intercity bus drivers from February 2006 to March 2016. The air and bone threshold of pure tone was measured for each ear at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz by a skillful radiology expert. The obtained data from this research was analyzed in SPSS software using statistical tests such as descriptive analysis and paired t test.@*RESULTS@#Mean (standard deviation) of hearing loss in left and right ears of all people was 23.02 (8.25) and 22.48 (7.86), respectively. Paired t test showed that hearing loss difference in left and right ears was significant (P < 0.001). Mean and standard deviation of paired t test showed that hearing loss difference in left and right ears was significant in all frequencies except 1000 Hz (P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#The findings of this research generally showed that 26.8% of the studied drivers have hearing loss. Hearing loss in the left ear was more than right ear.

Evaluation of the effects of radio frequency waves and mobile phone distance on cow brain tissue temperature

Background and Aim: Considering the great advances and extensive use of cell phones and its effects on the human communications and interactions, investigation of potential negative effects of cell phones on the users' health is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the distance between cell phones and brain tissue on the temperature of the central and gray matters of the brain, because of the heat generated by radiofrequency waves

Methods: This was an experimental study. Cow brain tissue was analyzed in a compartment with three depths of 2 mm, 12 mm and 22 mm, and at the distances of 4 mm and 4 cm from a cell phone, for 15 minutes. Lutron thermometer was used to measure the tissue temperature. Data analysis performed by using Lutron and MATLAB software packages

Results: Temperature increase was more at the distance of 4 mm and in the depths of 2, 12, and 22 mm compared to that at the distance of 4 cm. Also temperature increase after removal of the confrontation was more than the baseline temperature at both distances which was higher at the distance of 4 mm

Conclusion: Decreased distance between brain tissue and cell phone can increase the tissue temperature. Increasing the cell phone distance from the brain tissue can result in slower trend in temperature increase and decreased collective temperature after discontinuing the confrontation

relationship between trait anxiety and driving behavior with regard to self-reported iranian accident involving drivers

The aims of this study included: Determination of the most common driver behavior in drivers and also analyzing the relationship between trait anxiety [TA] with subscale of driving behavior [lapses, errors, ordinary and aggressive violations]. This cross sectional study was conducted on 168 drivers that having crash. The self reporting of the drivers was determined by using Manchester driving behavior questionnaire [DBQ] and Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Independent t test showed that violations factor [ordinary and aggressive] are the most common behavior in drivers, Pearson correlation revealed that TA had a significant direct positive relation with all DBQ subscales especially error and lapses factor [P < 0.01] also Pearson correlation showed that age had a negative significant relation with factors of DBQ. It can be concluded from the results [according to the relation between TA with error and lapses factor] that the rate of TA is destructive effective on the memory performance and process in the drivers and cause absent minded and memory imperfect function and process in these people during the driving

Evaluation of work-related psychosocial and ergonomics factors in relation to low back discomfort in emergency unit nurses

High prevalence of low back pain is one of the most common problems among nurses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of the intensity of low back discomfort to two low back pain contributor factors [Ergonomics risk factors and psychosocial factors]. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 120 emergency unit nurses in Esfahan. Job content, ergonomics hazards and nordic questionnaire were used in that order for daily assessment of Psychosocial and Ergonomics factors and the intensity of low back discomfort. Nurses were questioned during a 5-week period, at the end of each shift work. The final results were analyzed with SPSS software18/PASW by using Spearman, Mann-Whitney and Kolmogorov-Smirnove test. There was a significant relationship between work demand, job content, social support and intensity of low back discomfort [P value <0.05]. But, there was not any link between intensity of low back discomfort and job control. Also, there was significant relationship between intensity of low back discomfort and ergonomics risk factors. This study showed an indirect relationship between the intensity of low back discomfort and social support. This study also confirmed a direct relationship between the intensity of low back discomfort and work demand, job content, ergonomics factors [Awkward Postures [rotating and bending], manual patient handling and repetitiveness, standing continuously more than 30 min]. So, to decrease work related low back discomfort, psychosocial factors should be attended in addition to ergonomics factors

prevalence and correlates of hearing loss in drivers in Isfahan, Iran

There are no data on the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in drivers using standard audiometric testing. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in drivers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 4300 long-distance drivers age ?20 years taken out of a total of 10,000 estimated professionals in the city of Isfahan, Iran, from February 2006 through March 2007. The drivers were interviewed and underwent clinical and laboratory examinations including measurement of blood pressure, anthropometric data, and pure-tone audiometry in a sound-treated booths. The mean [SD] age of the participants was 40.8 [11.0] years with a mean [SD] duration of professional driving of 14.7 [9.6] years. The prevalence of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss was 18.1% [95% confidence interval [CI] 17.0-19.3]. The prevalence rates were higher in the left ear only 6.5% [95% CI: 5.8-7.3] than the right ear only 3.0% [95% CI: 2.5-3.9]. Using a stepwise binary logistic regression model for the right and left ear only and for both ears separately, age was a significant independent predictor of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss and for the left or right ear only. When bilateral noise-induced hearing loss was entered in the model, fasting blood glucose was a significant predictor of noise-induced hearing loss. Blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index, and marital status had no significant independent association with noise-induced hearing loss when other covariates were considered. These findings indicate that noise-induced hearing loss among the long-distance drivers appears to be similar to the world's population endures noise-induced hearing loss caused by occupational exposure to noise, with higher prevalence in the left ear only