ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: This study aimed at ergonomic assessment of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among microscopic surgeons , investigate the specification of ergonomic chairs and designing one for use during microscopic surgeries. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 27 micro surgeons out of 4 surgeons (ear, nose and throat), eye surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery in Khalili, Namazi, Shahid Chamran and Shahid Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. The study was carried out in 4 steps. Objective evaluations included posture assessment by RULA and assessment of postural angles of the body (during performing microscopic surgeries) by Digimizer software. Subjective evaluation included the assessment of pain intensity and chair comfort using a visual analogue scale. next step was to determine the necessary anthropometric dimensions of the micro-surgeons. The fourth step was 3D modeling of the initial idea using Sketch Up 2017. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the final RULA scores of the surgeons’ postures were obtained 6.75 ± 0.5 and 6.5 ± 0.57 for the right and left sides of the body, respectively. Pain VAS scores after using normal chairs for microscopic surgeries were 5.32 (low-back pain), 4.42 (right shoulder/ arm pain) and 4.15 (left shoulder/ arm pain) which were their highest pain scores. The results of the assessment of postural angles by Digimizer software also showed a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the arm, forearm, wrist, neck, and trunk. Conclusion: In terms of ergonomics, the chair with the specifications listed may reduce physical fatigue and a potentially safer working environment for surgeons to create.
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is one of the mental disorders which have become a public health problem throughout of the world. The objective of this study was to investigate depression and to determine its correlated factors among students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [SUMS]
Methods: 358 students of SUMS participated in this cross sectional study in 2012. The participants were selected by Proportion Partition sampling method. A two-part questionnaire was used as the data collecting tool. In the first part, demographic characteristics and in the second part the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] were included
Results: Mean score of depression in the studied population was 10.98. More than half of all the participants [54.7%] were symptomless; 41% of them were in the weak to moderate depression categories, and 4.2% in the strong and very strong categories. The data showed a significant relationship between scores of depression and marital status, academic grade, field content of study, use of psychoactive drugs, job outlook, problem with marriage and religious commitments. The depression scores in the married, religious and postgraduate participants and in those participants with course pleasure and excellent career perspective were lower than those in the other groups
Conclusion: Taking measures to reduce the factors leading to mental disorders is recommended. The involvement of students in socio-cultural, recreational and sport activities, reinforcement of consultation and clinical psychological services, and promotion of religious beliefs are instrumental in the enhancement of moral values and amelioration of depression among university students
ABSTRACT
Background: Manual load lifting is the most common and stressful activity that imposes high biomechanical pressures on the body, particularly on the back. Diverse studies have shown that load lifting can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers. This study was conducted to assess manual lifting activity using NIOSH equation and WISHA index and compare the results of the two methods in workers with manual lifting activities
Methods: This cross- sectional study was carried out among 120 workers with manual lifting activity in 7 industrial settings of Shiraz city. Nordic Musculoskeletal disorders Questionnaire [NMQ] and demographic questionnaire, as well as NIOSH lifting equation and WISHA index were used to gather the required data. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, 19
Results: The results showed that back problems were the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders among the workers studied [68.3%]. The results of lifting evaluation indicated that 79.2% of the individuals in the NIOSH method and 39.2% in WISHA index were at risk of back injuries. The kappa value was equal to 0.29, indicating a fair agreement between the results of assessment by the two methods
Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed a fair correlation between these two assessment methods, so they might be used interchangeably
ABSTRACT
Background: Proper training on how to correctly handle loads is one key point for prevention of low back disorders. This study was conducted with the objectives of assessing manual material lifting activities and comparing two methods of training intervention in a porcelain company
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial which was conducted in a porcelain company, all male employees with lifting activities [n=204] participated. The data were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and Lift/ Lower Force Risk Assessment software for assessing manual material lifting. Intervention methods included booklet and oral training. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Chisquare tests using SPSS software [Version 17.0]
Results: The most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders symptoms were reported in the knee [52.5%], feet [45.1%], and lower back [43.6%]. Risk assessment before intervention showed that in 62.7% of the workers studied, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was in Action Level [AL] 1, 31.9% in AL 2 and 5.4% in AL 3. The risk assessment after intervention showed that in 77.5% of the workers studied, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was in Action Level [AL] 1, 20.6% in AL 2 and 2% in AL 3 [P<0.001]. Also, statistical analysis revealed that oral training [24.5%] was more effective than the booklet training [11.8%] [P=0.018]
Conclusion: This study showed that training intervention could be effective in correction of methods of manual material lifting of workers. It seems oral training for workers of porcelain industry is more effective than the booklet training
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Aims: From World Health Organization's point of view, health is well-being in terms of physical, social and mental not merely the absence of disease. Public health is the very important factor in the industries if neglecting, its effects on both individuals and organization would be irreparable
This study aimed to assess the general health condition and its effective factors in an industry staff
Methods: This was across sectional study and all employees in this industry were recurred or collected by census [n= 110]. The demographic questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software [Ver.20] and the independent t-tests, ANOVA and Spearman correlation coefficient test
Results: Based on the results, the average score for general health in sub-groups of physical disorders was 6.06+/-2.78, anxiety was 4.01+/-2.64, social disorder was 11.97+/-3.98 and depression was 3.30 +/-3.74. In these sub-groups 67.3%, 82.7%, 7.3% and 85.5% of the subjects were in healthy group. There was no statistically significant difference between the variables of age and work history, and score of public health sub-groups whereas there was a statistically significant difference between the total score of general health and education
Conclusion: Factors such as education can be named as effective factor on the general health condition of employees in this industry. In the present study, a very small percentage of individuals in social disorder sub-groups, were normal. Therefore, by conducting survey and focus in this area and executive decisions positively, we can contribute to increase general health condition
ABSTRACT
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries that appear in the lower back, neck and upper and lower extremities mainly. This study was conducted to assess the risk of MSDs and determine of its associated factors in workers of a dairy products company
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 male employees [21-41yrs] using census sampling method participated. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire [NMQ] and QEC method for assessment of postures during the work. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including test of proportion, multiple logistic regression, and Fisher's Exact by SPSS software [Version 16.0]
Results: The results of this study showed that the lower back [37%], shoulders [36%], and hand/wrist [33%] had the highest prevalence of symptoms of disorders among workers. The results of multiple logistic regression showed a significant association between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in different regions of the body and age, job experiences, shift working and BMI. The results of assessment of physical exposure to musculoskeletal risks by QEC technique showed that in 52% of the studied workers, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was in Action Level [AL] 1, 9% in AL2, 30% in AL3, and 9% in AL4. Also, the finding revealed a significant relationship between the prevalence rate of MSDs and the risk level [low and high risk] achieved by QEC method
Conclusions: Prevalence of symptoms of pain in different regions of the body had an association with age, job experience, shift working and BMI. Corrective measures seemed essential in improvement of working condition in the studied workers
ABSTRACT
Background/Objective: This study was undertaken to address psychological health effects of dentists' exposure to low ambient levels of mercury
Methods: One hundred and six dentists and 94 general practitioners were randomly selected from clinics in Shiraz city, Iran. Subjects were asked to complete the Persian version of General Health Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using ?2 test, independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney's U test
Results: Both groups were similar as far as all demographic variables, except age, were concerned. No significant difference was noted between the dentists' mean total score of GHQ-28 [17.9] and that of referent subjects [16.34]. These scores were significantly lower than the cut-off point of 23 [P<0.01]. The mean scores for somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and depression were significantly higher in dentists than in the referent subjects. The results also showed a significant association between GHQ-28 total scores and length of exposure to mercury [P=0.034]; with increase in the job tenure, GHQ-28 total score also increased, indicating a decrement in psychological health status
Conclusion: The current findings revealed that, in general, the dentists' psychological health status was poorer than the referent subjects. Additionally, in all GHQ subscales, the dentists' scores were significantly different from those of their counterparts. Given the fact that exposure to mercury is the most important differentiating variable between both groups, and that neuropsychological disorders are the most common toxic effect of mercury, the difference between psychological health status of the two groups is likely to be related to exposure to mercury
ABSTRACT
Background/Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries. This study was conducted with the objectives of determination of prevalence rate of MSDs and ergonomics assessment of the risk of MSDs among workers of a petrochemical company
Methods: In this study, 261randomly selected workers in a petrochemical company with at least one year of job tenure participated. Office and operational personnel were studied separately. In office jobs, data were collected using Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire [NMQ] and ergonomics checklist for assessment of work conditions. In operational jobs, NMQ and QEC [Quick Exposure Check] methods were applied to gather the required data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software
Results: The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in the lower back [36.2%], upper back [31%], neck [31%] and knees [30.3%]. The results showed that the prevalence of MSDs indifferent body regions of the office staff was higher than those of operational workers. Also, in 40.9% of the observed cases, total ergonomics index was in action category 1 [inappropriate working conditions] and 59.9% of the subjects taken in action category 2 [appropriate working conditions]. The results of assessment by QEC technique among operational workers showed that in 82.8% of the workers studied, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was high or very high
Conclusions: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the office staff was higher than that of operational subjects. To improve the working conditions, taking risk factors of the lower back, upper back, neck and knees into consideration seems to be essential
ABSTRACT
Subjective assessment is a common method for physical workload estimation. In recent years, assessment of perceived exertion or related symptoms of subjective fatigue during physical work has mostly relied upon psycho-physical measurement techniques. Rating scales are the most commonly used measurement instrument in psychology. Borg's RPE is a simple tool for measuring physical work intensity. This study was conducted to validate Borg's RPE 6-20 scale [Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion] in male industrial workers of Shiraz city. In this study, 500 healthy male workers employed in Shiraz city industries participated voluntarily [age ranged from 20 to 59 years]. Subjects were assessed by ergo cycle test according to Astrand protocol for 6 minutes. The participants were asked to rate the Borg's RPE scale during the test at the end of each minute. Additionally, heart rate was recorded by heart rate monitoring device at the end of each minute. Pearson correlation coefficient [r] indicated a high correlation between RPE and heart rate [r= 0.847]. The findings of this study showed a high correlation between RPE and HR and confirmed the results of previous studies. Therefore, it can be concluded that Borg's RPE 6-20 scale may be used to assess the physical work intensity among healthy Iranian male workers