ABSTRACT
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant concern that affects our health. Recent studies show how poor IAQ amplifies the effects of airborne viruses, which endanger the health of the population relative to the COVID-19. This study aims to find the relationship among IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of the IAQ indicators in the cardiac care unit (CCU) at Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. In this context, the condition of the air outlet valve can play an important part in preparing a better IAQ. To test the hypothesis, articles based on IAQ guidelines have been studied. Also, certain emissions (CO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10) have been measured, and the relationship between IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of these emissions in the patient's room at Namazi Hospital. This room has been analyzed using computational fluid dynamics for the prediction of the specification of incoming air flow particles. Also, a Eulerian–Lagrangian model was used. In constant, the turbulence model (realizable k–ԑ) and discrete particle model were employed. The results show that when the outlet valve is placed on the wall at 20 cm, it decreased particle deposition in the room, and as a result, IAQ will be improved and at the same time, the chances of transmitting infectious diseases will be reduced. It is also indicated that a higher amount of particle deposition fraction (ca. 0.71) obtains when the outlet valve is located on the top of the wall. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate parents' knowledge and attitudes about dental practices who visited a pedodontics clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In the present work, data were collected via questionnaires from 475 parents who brought their children (between 0 and 14 years old) to our clinic for routine pedodontic examinations. The data obtained were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Frequency and percentage values of answers to questions were obtained. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (67.9%) indicated sufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Although 75% of parents were fearful and worried about the possibility of contracting virus during admission to the hospital, it was observed that 92% of them highly counted on the measures taken by their dentists and 72% did not hesitate to take their children to dentists during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, it has been shown that despite the increased level of parents' knowledge about the pandemic, it was evident that anxiety and fear were present when visiting hospitals/clinics as a result of the possible transmission due to the high number of COVID-19 cases. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further studies on how to increase public awareness of the transmission routes of aerosols released during dental treatments.