ABSTRACT
This study aimed to design a new mouse and evaluate some of its functional parameters. The prototype of an ergonomic mouse was made according to design principles. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in the Department of Ergonomics in Shiraz University of Medical Science. Functional parameters including Movement Time [MT] and error rate of the new mouse were evaluated by 10 participants based on ISO 9241-9 standard. The application of design principles in the new mouse resulted in improving MT and error rate so that they could be comparable to those of a standard mouse. MT, in both the standard and the new mouse was 0.846 and 0.864 s, respectively. Error rate of the standard and the new mouse was reported as 13% and 19%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two mice from these perspectives. Apparently, the studied functional parameters of the new mouse were similar to those of the standard one. The new mouse could be an appropriate substitution for the standard mouse without losing its positive characteristics
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Ergonomics , Equipment DesignABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the trends in mortality from road traffic accidents [RTA] in Fars Province, southern Iran. The Age and sex-standardized mortality rate attributed to RTA from 2004 to 2010 in Fars Province was calculated using world standard population. We also used linear regression and chi-squared tests. Over the period of study [7 years], 12954 people died in RTA. The age- and sex-standardized mortality rate was 27 per 100,000. While the rate of death due to RTA had an incremental rate in age group 18-30 years and among women, it had a decreasing trend in age groups 35-45, under18 and among men. An increase in mortality rate of RTA among people aged 18-30 yr and women need to be addressed by health policy makers and other involved sections
ABSTRACT
Background: Noise pollution has a particular importance in quiet environments such as hospitals. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of noise exposure on the auditory system, blood pressure and precision, concentration and other psycho-neural components
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in three large hospitals of Shiraz, during the period of 2012 to 2013. The study population consisted of 81 health care personnel [the exposed group] and 79 non-exposed individuals [the referent group]. Day and night time sound levels were measured at different wards of the hospitals by a sound level meter [B and K 7110]. Hearing status was assessed by pure tone audiometry of subjects by an Interacoustic AD27 audiometer. Blood pressure was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer at resting time and psycho-neural components including sleep disturbances, headache, irritability and were evaluated by a questionnaire devised and validated for this purpose. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software
Results: Average sound pressure level for the exposed group [65.32 +/- 5.23 dB] was significantly higher than that of the referent group [53.26 +/- 2.46 dB] [P<0.05]. Similarly, the mean values of permanent threshold shift [dB] as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the exposed group than in their counterpart individuals [P<0.05]. Likewise, symptoms such as headache and irritability were significantly more common among the exposed subjects
Conclusion: The findings suggest that exposure to sub-TLV levels of noise [recommended by ACGIH] in hospital environments is also associated with decreased hearing threshold, increased blood pressure, and prevalence of psycho-neural disorders
ABSTRACT
Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern even in sunny areas, so we decided to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related factors among university students in Shiraz. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 254 [128 male and 126 female] university students. Demographic questionnaires and a questionnaire on exposure to sun light and sun protection were completed by the participants. Serum 25OH-vitamin D was measured using a radioimmunoassay kit. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] software # 16. A P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Mean +/- standard deviation [SD] of serum 25OH-vitamin D was 49.29 +/- 12.87 [nmol/l] and 27.46 +/- 10.37 [nmol/l] among male and female students, respectively. 51.2% of female students were vitamin D insufficient and 44% of them had vitamin D deficiency. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and marginal status among male students were 49.5 and 48%, respectively. Serum vitamin D of female students was significantly less than the males [P < 0.001]. Serum vitamin D was negatively correlated to sun protection score [P < 0.001, r = 0.50], but there was no correlation between serum vitamin D and sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiency especially among female students is alarmingly prevalent. Increasing use of sunscreen lotion and clothing style could be the main factors inhibiting endogenous vitamin D synthesis which results in its deficiency
ABSTRACT
Pandemic flu had at least two waves in Iran. Knowing how many of the general population were already exposed to this infection has a major impact on national preventive measures. As of December 30, 2009, a total of 3672 confirmed cases of human infection with a novel Influenza A [2009 H1N1] virus had been reported in Iran with 140 deaths. In this study we aim to measure, as a pilot study, the seroprevalence of positive antibody titer [humoral immunity] against 2009 H1N1 virus in Iranian population in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Through cluster random sampling of families residing in Shiraz, 2553 subjects were selected and after a medical interview blood samples were taken and checked for polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 antigen using hemagglutination inhibition assay. An antibody titer of more than 1:40 dilution was considered positive. Data were analyzed considering the demographic characteristics of the population and were compared among different age groups. 1504 [58.91%] samples were tested positive for the presence of polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 virus. The prevalence of positive titers were significantly higher in 60 to 64 years old group and significantly lower in 20 to 24 years old group [p<0.05]. Data did not differ based on other demographic characteristics or the history of flu like illnesses in the past 6 months. High seroprevalence of antibody against 2009 H1N1 in the sera of our subjects describes either a high level of preexisting immunity against H1N1 in Iranian population or a high rate of asymptomatic infection in our area compared to other countries
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests , Influenza Vaccines , Immunity, Humoral , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
Overweight and obesity are the most important factors in the development of chronic diseases and have a great impact on the health and quality of life of individuals. World Health Organization [WHO] encourages the countries continually for calculation burden of diseases at national level as the best guideline for take policy in health system. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the attributable burden of risk factors in non-contagious diseases in Markazi providence of Iran. Death registered data in Markazi providence were applied for calculation years of life lost [YLL] based on comparison risk assessment [CRA] method of WHO. Attributable burden of obesity and overweight was calculated by multiply the impact fraction of any risk factors by YLL of any diseases in counterfactual analysis method. From 7176 registered death, 252214 years lost from preterm death. The total of YLL in female and male were 102245 years and 149969 years, respectively. In this study, the most important causes of YLL were attributable obesities to brain stroke, and cardiovascular diseases and attributable overweight to cardiovascular disease in females, respectively. This study showed the importance and necessity of diagnosis for obesity and over weight as one of the most important risk factors in non-contagious diseases, especially in women. Therefore, it seems there is a necessity for developing and conducting comprehensive intervention programs about these risk factors and then assessing the programs