The Impact of Job Stress and Job Satisfaction on Workforce Productivity in an Iranian Petrochemical Industry

BACKGROUND: Job stress and job satisfaction are important factors affecting workforce productivity. This study was carried out to investigate the job stress, job satisfaction, and workforce productivity levels, to examine the effects of job stress and job satisfaction on workforce productivity, and to identify factors associated with productivity decrement among employees of an Iranian petrochemical industry. METHODS: In this study, 125 randomly selected employees of an Iranian petrochemical company participated. The data were collected using the demographic questionnaire, Osipow occupational stress questionnaire to investigate the level of job stress, Job Descriptive Index to examine job satisfaction, and Hersey and Goldsmith questionnaire to investigate productivity in the study population. RESULTS: The levels of employees' perceived job stress and job satisfaction were moderate-high and moderate, respectively. Also, their productivity was evaluated as moderate. Although the relationship between job stress and productivity indices was not statistically significant, the positive correlation between job satisfaction and productivity indices was statistically significant. The regression modeling demonstrated that productivity was significantly associated with shift schedule, the second and the third dimensions of job stress (role insufficiency and role ambiguity), and the second dimension of job satisfaction (supervision). CONCLUSION: Corrective measures are necessary to improve the shift work system. “Role insufficiency” and “role ambiguity” should be improved and supervisor support must be increased to reduce job stress and increase job satisfaction and productivity.

Association of Amplitude and Stability of Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Quality, and Occupational Stress with Sickness Absence among a Gas Company Employees—A Cross Sectional Study from Iran

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to assess the relationship between sickness absence and occupational stress, sleep quality, and amplitude and stability of circadian rhythm as well as to determine contributing factors of sickness absence. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on 400 randomly selected employees of an Iranian gas company. The data were collected using Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Karolinska sleepiness scale, circadian type inventory, and Osipow occupational stress questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age and job tenure of the participants were 33.18 ± 5.64 years and 6.06 ± 4.99 years, respectively. Also, the participants had been absent from work on average 2.16 days a year. According to the results, 209 participants had no absences, 129 participants had short-term absences, and 62 participants had long-term absences. The results showed a significant relationship between short-term absenteeism and amplitude of circadian rhythm [odds ratio (OR) = 6.13], sleep quality (OR = 14.46), sleepiness (OR = 2.08), role boundary (OR = 6.45), and responsibility (OR = 5.23). Long-term absenteeism was also significantly associated with amplitude of circadian rhythm (OR = 2.42), sleep quality (OR = 21.56), sleepiness (OR = 6.44), role overload (OR = 4.84), role boundary (OR = 4.27), and responsibility (OR = 3.72). CONCLUSION: The results revealed that poor sleep quality, amplitude of circadian rhythm, and occupational stress were the contributing factors for sickness absence in the study population.

Validity Assessment of the Persian Version of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50): A Case Study in a Steel Company

BACKGROUND: The Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire-50 (NOSACQ-50) was developed by a team of Nordic occupational safety researchers based on safety climate and psychological theories. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Persian version of NOSACQ-50 and assess the score of safety climate on a group of workers in a steel company in Iran. METHODS: The Persian version of NOSACQ-50 was distributed among 661 employees of a steel company in Qazvin Province (Iran). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine the dimensions of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach α coefficient. Pearson correlation test was applied to investigate the correlation between different dimensions. RESULTS: The results of EFA showed that the Persian version of NOSACQ-50 consisted of six dimensions. The Cronbach α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.94. The mean score of safety climate in all dimensions was 2.89 (standard deviation 0.60). CONCLUSION: The Persian version of NOSACQ-50 had a satisfactory validity for measuring safety climate in the studied Iranian population.

Human Error Analysis in a Permit to Work System: A Case Study in a Chemical Plant

BACKGROUND: A permit to work (PTW) is a formal written system to control certain types of work which are identified as potentially hazardous. However, human error in PTW processes can lead to an accident. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted to estimate the probability of human errors in PTW processes in a chemical plant in Iran. In the first stage, through interviewing the personnel and studying the procedure in the plant, the PTW process was analyzed using the hierarchical task analysis technique. In doing so, PTW was considered as a goal and detailed tasks to achieve the goal were analyzed. In the next step, the standardized plant analysis risk-human (SPAR-H) reliability analysis method was applied for estimation of human error probability. RESULTS: The mean probability of human error in the PTW system was estimated to be 0.11. The highest probability of human error in the PTW process was related to flammable gas testing (50.7%). CONCLUSION: The SPAR-H method applied in this study could analyze and quantify the potential human errors and extract the required measures for reducing the error probabilities in PTW system. Some suggestions to reduce the likelihood of errors, especially in the field of modifying the performance shaping factors and dependencies among tasks are provided.

Validation of Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS) in a sample of Iranian population

The individual’s perception of health, when health is understood to include many dimensions of life, is considered the basis for any improvement in health status. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Perceived Wellness Scale (PWS) by applying it to employees of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 180 staff members of the university selected by convenience sampling. The study instrument was a Persian version of the PWS prepared through a translation and back-translation process. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. A total of 180 employees participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 32.29 years (SD = 7.39) and 78.1% of the participants were women. The results showed that the Persian version of the PWS is acceptable. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.87 for the whole scale, ranging from 0.68 to 0.85 on different dimensions of the scale. The results of split-half reliability and CFA indicated that the reliability and validity of the PWS are acceptable. The PWS is therefore an effective tool for evaluating the different dimensions of perceived wellness in the Iranian population.

Effect of health belief model-based education on knowledge and Prostate Cancer screening behaviors: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Prostate cancer has been reported as the second leading cause of cancer death among men in 2013. Prevention and early detection of cancer are considered as critical factors in controlling the disease and increasing the survival of patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Health Belief Model [HBM]-based education on knowledge and prostate cancer screening behaviors in a randomized controlled trial

Methods: This study was a non-blinded randomized controlled trial. We enrolled 210 men aged 50-70. Balanced block randomization method was used to randomize the final participants who had inclusion criteria into intervention [n=93] and control [n=87] groups. The participants of the intervention group attended training workshops based on HBM. Data were collected using three questionnaires, i.e. demographic questionnaire, Prostate Cancer Screening-Health Belief Model Scale [PCS-HBMS], and the Knowledge about Prostate Cancer Screening questionnaire, all given before and immediately one month after the intervention

Results: The mean scores of the perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits increased significantly after the intervention [P>0.05] in the intervention group. In the control group, such a difference was reported only for perceived susceptibility [P>0.05]. The rate of participation in prostate cancer screening in the intervention group increased from 7.5% to 24% and 43.3% one month and three months after the intervention, respectively

Conclusion: Our findings showed that the health education programs designed based on HBM could positively affect prostate cancer preventive behaviors of individuals by improving their knowledge level and leaving positive effects on perceived susceptibility and severity as well as considering the perceived barriers, benefits and health motivations

Managing parenting stress through life skills training: a supportive intervention for mothers with visually impaired children

Background: vision impairment in children is one of the most severe disabilities that cause stress in parents. Therefore, it seems necessary to establish and conduct interventions for controlling parenting stress and preventing its negative consequences. This study aimed to investigate the effect of life skills training [LST] program on parenting stress of mothers with blind children aged 7 to 12 years

Methods: this study was a non-blinded randomized controlled trial. 52 mothers with blind children studying at Shoorideh Shirazi educational complex, Shiraz, Iran in 2013 were enrolled, using census sampling method. Balanced block randomization method was used to allocate the participants to groups. The intervention group participated in an LST program consisting of 5 two-hour sessions per week for 5 consecutive weeks but the control group didn't. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Parenting Stress Index; they were completed three times by the participants of both groups before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Collected data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variances [ANOVA]

Results: the LST program could decrease parenting stress in the intervention group mothers [P<0/001]. This statistically significant reduction in the mean scores of parenting stress was observed in both children and parents

Conclusion: LST program could reduce parenting stress in mothers with blind children. Therefore, it can be used as an efficient, cost-effective and simple technique for managing parenting stress in such parents

Relationship between occupational stress dimensions and sickness absence among a gas company employees

Background: Working conditions have considerably changed and exposure to psychosocial risk factors, particularly occupational stress, has recently had an increasing trend. Studies have shown that sickness absence was the worst outcome of occupational stress. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between dimensions of occupational stress and sickness absence in a gas company in Boushehr, Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 employees of a gas company, Boushehr, Iran who were selected through random sampling. Osipow occupational stress questionnaire was used to determine the participants' stress levels. Then, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test

Results: The participants' mean of sickness absence was 2.164.57+/- days per year. Besides, 1.5%, 32.5%, 36.3%, and 29.8% of the participants had low, low to moderate, moderate to severe, and severe occupational stress, respectively. Additionally, the mean of total stress was moderate to severe among the study participants. This was also the case concerning the stress dimensions. The results revealed a significant relationship between the number of sickness absences and dimensions of occupational stress, including workload, role insufficiency, role conflict, responsibility, physical environment, and total stress [P=0.0001]

Conclusion: The majority of the employees had high levels of occupational stress. Besides, a significant association was observed between the dimensions of occupational stress and sickness absence. Accordingly, to decrease the number of sickness absence, we should take measures to reduce occupational stress

comparative assessment of manual load lifting using NIOSH equation and WISHA index methods in industrial workers of Shiraz City

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

effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on degree of optimism among male high school students

Background: When people maintain positive attitudes during life, their beliefs orientation will be highly beneficial to their health. In other words, those who have optimistic expectations report better physical health which is the result of their better psychological compatibility. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on Theory of Planned Behavior [TPB] on Shirazi male high school students' degree of optimism

Methods: This educational randomized controlled trial was conducted on 240 male high school students in Shiraz. The research sample was selected through multi-stage random sampling. In this study, a demographic information form was used to gather the students' demographic characteristics. Besides, a positive thinking researcher-made questionnaire was designed based on TPB. Moreover, the life orientation test [optimism scale] developed by Scheier and Carver was used to evaluate the participants' degree of optimism. After all, the data were analyzed in SPSS statistical software [v. 19] using descriptive and inferential methods. Significance level was set at 0.05 in all the tests

Results: Compared to the control group, all the constructs of TPB increased in the intervention group after the training [P<0.001]. Moreover, Pearson correlation indicated a significant relationship between the constructs, and the highest correlation was among attitude, perceived behavioral control, and intention

Conclusion: According to the research findings, all the constructs of TPB played a key role in increasing the students' positive think. Thus, educational intervention based on TPB has a positive effect on increasing the students' positive think

effect of conflict resolution training on children's behavioral problems in Shiraz, southern Iran: a randomized controlled trial

There is evidence that marital problems can contribute to child behavior problems. In fact, the way that parents solve their conflicts, such as aggression, physical violence, and poor communication skills, can eventually culminate in aggression and emotional problems in children. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conflict resolution training on children's behavioral problems in a sample of Iranian couples. This randomized controlled trial study was carried out on the couples who referred to counseling centers in Shiraz, Iran. In this study, 56 couples were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received 10 sessions of communication skills training. All the participants filled out conflict resolution questionnaire and Child Behavior Problem Checklist [CBCL]. To analyze the data we used the SPSS statistical software [version 16], using repeated measurement test, paired t-test, and independent t test. In this study, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the demographic characteristics. Also, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the mean score of child behavior problems. Besides, a significant difference was found in the intervention group's mean score of marital conflict in post-test compared to the pre-test; however, no such trend was observed in the control group. Conflict resolution skill training was effective in reducing marital conflict. Also, it showed a slight reduction in the score of child behavior problems after the intervention. But this reduction wasn't statisticaly significant

survey of the knowledge and beliefs of retired men about prostate cancer screening based on health belief model

Prostate cancer has been reported as the second leading cause of cancer death and the most common cancer diagnosed in men. Since Health Belief Model [HBM] has been intensively used for assessing health beliefs associated with cancer screening behaviors, we aimed to investigate the level of knowledge and health beliefs about prostate cancer screening among retired men. In this descriptive study carried out in 2013, we enrolled 180 men aged 50-70 years who were retired from Shiraz Education Department. Data were collected using three questionnaires including demographic questionnaire, HBM and the Knowledge about Prostate Cancer Screening questionnaires by interviewing the participants. Our findings showed that 95.6% and 85.6% of the interviewees had no experience of digital rectal examination [DRE] and prostatic-specific-antigen [PSA] testing for prostate cancer screening, respectively. 86.1% of men had no knowledge about such screening. 12.7% of the respondents reported good knowledge scores. 74.4% and 90.5% of them had good health motivation and perceived benefits scores, respectively. 81.6% of them revealed intermediate scores for perceived barriers. Moreover, 32.7% and 7.2% of the subjects reported good severity and susceptibility scores, respectively. Developing an assessment based on HBM could be effective in designing and implementing educational programs by helping to identify the needs and priorities of the target population

relationship between sleep quality, self- efficacy, and stages of change among the elderly: a pilot study

Background: Although sleeping problems are common among all age groups, the elderly suffer a higher prevalence of sleep disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, self-efficacy, and stages of change among the elderly

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 36 individuals aged 60-75 years selected through simple random sampling in 2013. The data were collected using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] and self-made structured questionnaires, including sleep self-efficacy scale and stages of sleep behavior change scale. SPSS statistical software, version 19 was used to analyze the data and descriptive and inferential statistics such as independent samples t-test were used

Results: The results of the present study revealed that the mean of sleep quality was 7.91 [SD=4.99]. In addition, most of the subjects [69%] had poor sleep quality. Considering the stages of change, the participants were in different stages of sleep behavior change. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and PSQI total score [P<0.001]. Also, significant relationships were observed between self-efficacy and the variables of stages of change [P<0.05], except for the average night sleep

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that most of the elderly had poor sleep quality. Besides, they were in different stages of change in sleep problems. The results also indicated that self-efficacy affected the sleep quality in the elderly. Therefore, measures should be taken based on stages of change and increased self-efficacy to improve sleep quality among the elderly

Job satisfaction of dietetic practitioners in Fars Province, Southern Iran, 2012

Background: Job satisfaction is an emotional and positive feeling which results from job assessment or experiences. It is always considered as a problem in some organizations. Despite the important role of nutrition therapy in patients care, dietitians' job satisfaction is less taken into account. The aim of the present study was to determine the amount of job satisfaction among dietitians in Fars province, Iran

Methods: In this study, job satisfaction of 95 dietitians was evaluated through demographic and job satisfaction questionnaires. They were sent by e-mail or face-to-face referral for participants. Job satisfaction level was classified into 6 different categories including very satisfied, fairly satisfied, slightly satisfied, slightly dissatisfied, fairly dissatisfied and very dissatisfied. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent sample t-test, oneway ANOVA and Pearson correlation test. Statistical differences were considered significant at P<0.05

Results: The results showed that 72.6% of the participants were satisfied with their job condition but 27.4% were dissatisfied. The mean score of job satisfaction of dietitians was 57% +/- 10.54 [from the maximum score of 100], indicating the participants 'slight satisfaction. Moreover, the highest and lowest scores were related to the nature of work and salary, respectively

Conclusion: Since the level of job satisfaction affects other institutional variables such as efficiency, motivation, performance, absenteeism or burning out, it is suggested that authorities of Health Ministry provide a condition in which job satisfaction is increased by applying appropriate techniques

Educational intervention for reducing the fear of falling and improving balance in the elderly: a single blind randomized controlled trial

Falling is a major health threat for the elderly and has a significant impact on their well-being and quality of life. Yet, falls are preventable among the elderly. We sought to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention in reducing the fear of falling and improving balance among the elderly visiting Jahandidegan center in Shiraz, Iran. A preliminary study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale [MFES] for the Iranian elderly. Then, 40 individuals, 17 males and 23 females, between 60 and 74 years old were selected for the survey. The inclusion criteria were "MFES" score of less than 8 and Berg Balance Scale [BBS] score of less than 45. After completing the demographic questionnaire, MFES, and BBS, the participants were randomly allocated to the training or control groups. In the training group, each participant took part in one fall prevention class per week for 8 consecutive weeks. On the other hand, the control group received no interventions. BBS and MFES were completed immediately after the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed using independent sample t-test and Chi-square test. Besides, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding BBS and MFES mean scores [pre-post 8 weeks] [P<0.001]. The intervention reduced the fear of falling by 26.5% and improved balance by 4.3%. The study results indicated that attending the training classes was effective in decreasing the fear of falling and improving the balance.

effect of conflict resolution training on marital satisfaction in couples referring to counseling centers in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Marital conflicts are among the most common problems in today's society. Conflicts are unavoidable since people have different viewpoints, personalities, and goals. Marital conflicts can ultimately lead to divorce. This study aimed to assess the effects of conflict resolution training on marital satisfaction in a sample of Iranian couples. This interventional and clinical trial was performed in 2011 in the counseling centers of Shiraz, southern Iran. 56 couples, having the necessary inclusion criteria, were randomly selected using the convenient sampling method. These couples had moderate to severe scores of conflicts [>60] according to the marital conflict questionnaire. The participants were divided into experimental and control groups, using random block allocation. Then the experimental group was randomly subdivided into three groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions of conflict resolution skills training, twice a week, lasting for 1.5 hours. The level of conflict and marital satisfaction was checked before, immediately, and one month after the intervention in the experimental groups, and before and one month after the intervention in the control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16. Both groups were demographically homogenous with no statistically significant difference. The difference in the mean scores of marital conflict and marital satisfaction before, immediately and one month after the intervention was statistically significant in the experimental groups [P<0.0001] but not in the control group. Conflict resolution training is effective in reducing marital conflicts. Therefore it can be recommended for couples who have marital conflicts

[Comparison of serum leptin and thyroid hormones levels in obese and non-obese women]

Many factors are known to be involved in a number of human pathologies of obesity including serum leptin and thyroid hormones levels. The purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of leptin and thyroid hormones in obese and non-obese women, in Shiraz-Iran during 2006. In this case- control study, 35 women with BMI?30 Kg/m2 recruited as an obese group [Case group] and 35 women with healthy BMI [BMI<25 Kg/m2] were selected as a control group. General information data were gathered from each sample using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and BMI, WHR and percent of body fat [%TBF] were calculated for each subject. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and serum was separated to determine the concentrations of serum leptin and thyroid hormones [T4, T3 and TSH] levels. Mean serum concentration of leptin was significantly higher in obese group than control group [p<0.001]. Serum leptin levels positively correlated to anthropometric indices [BMI, WHR,%TBF]. No significant difference was observed between obese and non-obese groups in serum thyroid hormones concentration. Serum leptin levels positively related to serum T3 levels [P<0.05]. This study indicated that obese women had higher leptin levels compared to non-obese. The interaction between thyroid hormone in particular T3 and leptin can be one of the reason for increasing the serum leptin level among obse women