Job satisfaction and its relationship to radiation protection knowledge, attitude and practice [RP-KAP] of Iranian radiation workers

This study aimed to find the association between job satisfaction and radiation protection knowledge, attitude and practice of medical radiation workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. In this cross-sectional study, 530 radiation workers affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences completed a knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire on protecting themselves against radiation and Job Descriptive Index as a job satisfaction measure during May to November 2014. Opportunities for promotion [84.2%] and payment [91.5%] were the most important factors for dissatisfaction. Radiation workers who were married, had more positive attitudes toward protecting themselves against radiation, and had higher level of education accounted for 15.8% of the total variance in predicting job satisfaction. In conclusion, medical radiation workers with a more positive attitude toward self-protection against radiation were more satisfied with their jobs. In radiation environments, improving staff attitudes toward their safety may be considered as a key strategy to increase job satisfaction

Humoral immune system alterations in silica exposed workers

Crystalline silica may act as an immune adjuvant to increase inflammation and antibody production. The highest exposures to silica are known to occur in the dusty trades industries such as stone- cutting. We undertook this population based study to examine the association between occupational silica exposure and humoral immune system. In this historical cohort study, 47 workers from 10 stone-cutting factories in Rey City, south of Tehran, Iran that had more than 10 years exposure to silica were included in case group and 45 individual without any exposure to silica were selected for control group. We measured serum immunoglobulins [IgM, IgG, and IgA] of participants with ELISA method and compared the results between exposed workers and control groups. The mean concentrations of two immunoglobulines [IgG, IgA] and IgM in case group in comparison with control group were higher and lower respectively but both were in normal range. IgA concentration between two groups was statistically significant [P< 0.05]. Crystalline silica exposure may promote the humoral immune system in some individuals. Additional research is recommended in other population, using study design that minimize potential selection bias and maximize the quality of exposure assessment

Mucsculoskeletal disorders among municipal solid waste workers

Waste collection is a necessary activity all around the world and the removal of municipal solid waste is a job associated with a variety of biological, chemical, mechanical, physical, and psychosocial hazards. In our country, like many developing countries, municipal solid waste is collected manually and collection of household waste is also a job which requires repeated heavy physical activity such as lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing. We performed this study to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders among municipal solid waste workers. We designed a cross sectional study. Our survey instrument for measurement of musculoskeletal symptoms was adapted from the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire that translated into Farsi language. A total of 65% [n=142] of participants reported that they had been troubled with musculoskeletal symptoms in one or more of the 9 defined body regions during the last 12 months. Prevalence of symptoms in low back, knees, shoulders, upper back and neck were 45, 29, 24, 23 and 22% respectively. Foreign workers reported more musculoskeletal symptoms in all body parts than Iranian workers. The differences between prevalence of symptoms between two groups were significant in all parts of body except knees. The study found that solid waste workers have more musculoskeletal disorders than general population. Meanwhile these symptoms were more common among foreign workers. The risk of disease was increased with the increasing years of working as solid waste worker and smoking. We didn't find relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and education or marriage status of workers

Adverse reaction to latex containing materials in health care workers

Latex allergy has become an occupational hazard among healthcare workers. Atopy, intensity and duration of exposure have been recognized as predisposing factors for latex sensitization. Frequency of sensitization varies among countries. So we decided to investigate the prevalence of latex sensitization and potential risk factors among healthcare workers in a general hospital. In a cross sectional study by distributing a questionnaire among 876 employees of a general hospital, we investigated the prevalence of latex allergy and the potential risk factors for latex sensitization. We collected information about occupational history, including specific tasks performed, time of first exposure to latex, number of pairs of gloves used, and duration of weekly exposure. We also investigated the interval between first exposure and onset of symptoms. We asked about pre-existing rhinoconjuctivitis, asthma, atopic and contact dermatitis, hay fever, autoimmune diseases, and food allergies. This survey documented a high prevalence of adverse reaction to all latex containing materials [52.5%]. 37.7% of responder had adverse reaction to latex gloves. The highest prevalence of adverse reaction to all latex containing materials was found in the surgical operating room, followed by emergency unit and internal medicine wards. According to this study, frequency of adverse reaction to latex was high among health care workers. This may be due to relatively low response rate, low quality of latex products in Iran, and the method of measurement. Whenever, the need for implementing prevention program, using latex-free methods and training of employees to reduce adverse reaction to latex is apparent

[Anesthetic gases and spontaneous abortion: a historical cohort study]

There are different opinions about the relationship between spontaneous abortion and women's occupational exposure to anesthetic gases. This study and other similar studies about women's occupational exposure seems necessary as more than 50 percent of women experience pregnancy during their working life. The aim of our study was to determine the association between rate of spontaneous abortion and maternal occupational exposure to anesthetic gases. Our study was a historical cohort. Two groups of married women were studied: exposed group [women who worked in operating rooms] and unexposed group [women who worked in emergency department, ICU or CCU]. Data was collected through questionnaire and interview, and exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied. Pregnant personnel were followed till the end of 20[th] week of pregnancy. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software with frequency distribution tables, cross-tabulation tables, chisquared test, and t-test, and p<0.05 was set as significance. Findings: Spontaneous abortion rate in the exposed group was 15.7% and in the unexposed group was 13.4%. Chi-squared test showed no significant difference [p=0.529]. Odds ratio was 1.196 with a confidence interval of 0.685-2.090. Our study did not find a significant relationship between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to anesthetic gases, but avoidance of unreasonable exposure is rational using scavenging systems

How graduates from medicine choose their residency program in Iran?

Continuing education is one of priorities of newly graduates from medicine and selection of a proper residency program is a major problem for most of them. This study examined various motives and reasons for inclination of graduates from medicine to continue education in a special residency program and become specialized. This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was developed after holding a focus group.Validity and reliability of results using the questionnaire were assessed. Then the questionnaires were sent and received by free mart through universities. Chi-Suquare, One way ANOVA and Post Hoc test, Bonferroni type, was used to study relationships Between different variables. 1052 residents participated in the study. Response rate was 27%. The first and second most important information sources used to choose a residency program were experts and related books [like ketab-e-sabz] respectively. 303 [28.8%] of participants a greed that they need information a bout future of their specialties of choice. The most important factors influencing selection of a program, ordered according to their importance, were tangibility of the impacts of patients treatment, types of diseases, variety in a program, previous academic extensive job opportunities. This study showed there are various reasons to select a residency program. However information and awareness of resident a bout the program they chosed was not sufficient. Therefore informing residents before choosing programs seems to be necessary