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Aim: We aimed to investigate the association of the working environment noise with the psychosocial status and occupational stress level of the workers of an industrial company. Subject and methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled all the employees at an industrial company. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire was used to measure the workplace psychosocial factors and stress levels of the participants. Based on the sound level measurements, the company sections were divided into two areas: the areas with noise ≥85 dB (dB) A and the areas with noise <85 dB A. Then the participants were categorized into two groups based on the working area and the study variables were compared between the two groups. Results: We enrolled 401 workers from an industrial company. For 154 (38.4%) workers, the level of noise was equal to or above 85 dB A. According to the results of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, scores of the two groups were significantly different for scales related to cognitive, emotional, and sensory demands, possibilities for development, and predictability as well as workplace demand domain, which showed noise exposure level was significantly associated with perceived workplace demands (P = 0.002). Conclusion: This study showed a slight association between the psychosocial status and the level of noise in the workplace environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The high use of pesticides has increased the concern about its possible harm to individual and environment health. Chronic exposure to pesticides has serious effects on different body organs even before the onset of clinical symptoms. In this study, we aim to evaluate clinical and biochemical characteristics of male workers in a pesticide production factory in Guilan province, Iran. Methods & Materials This cross-sectional study was conducted on 99 male workers exposed to pesticide and 107 people without exposure who were employed in a pesticide production factory in Guilan and selected using a convenience sampling method in 2020. Their demographical data as well as clinical characteristics such as respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, etc.), neurological symptoms (fatigue, tremors, cramps, muscle weakness, etc.), psychological symptoms (sleep disorders, anxiety, etc.) and skin symptoms (redness, itching, etc.) were collected from the occupational health records of the workers. Finally, the biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Research Ethics committee of Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran (Code: IR.GUMS.REC.1399.632). Informed consent was obtained from all participants in this study. Results The frequency of symptoms such as headache, itchy skin, cough, and sleep disorders was higher in the exposed group (P<0.05). Based on the biochemical findings, blood urea level, creatinine level, alkaline phosphatase, and fasting blood sugar level were significantly higher in the exposed group (P<0.05). Thrombocytosis was observed in 9.09% of exposed workers, which was higher in those with more than 11 years of work experience. Conclusion Chronic exposure to pesticide can cause thrombosis, changes in biochemical parameters, and clinical symptoms. It is recommended that biological monitoring should be conducted in exposed workers at a shorter interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the profession of car repairmen, incorrect working and sitting positions for a long period are common, which increases the possibility of musculoskeletal disorders and postural abnormalities. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and postural abnormalities with work experience and body mass index (BMI) in car repairmen. Methods: A total of 60 car repairmen with more than 1 year of experience from Tehran Province and Alborz Province, Iran were selected and evaluated. The New York test with photography was used to determine postural abnormalities and the Nordic questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the prevalence and the Spearman test was employed to investigate the relationship between abnormalities and musculoskeletal disorders with work experience and BMI (P≤0.005). Results: The results showed that forward head posture abnormalities (75%), torticollis (73.3%), and uneven pelvis (66.7%), had respectively the highest prevalence. The lowest prevalence was related to abnormalities of scoliosis and slight chest depression (3.3%). In addition, musculoskeletal disorders in the lumbar area (56.7%) as well as upper back and knee (36.7%) are the most common disorders, and the lowest disorders are related to the ankles (11.7%) in car repairers. A significant relationship was found between work experience and uneven pelvis and forward shoulder abnormalities (P=0.004). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and the abdomen protruding (P=0.001). A significant relationship was found between work experience and knee pain (P=0.041); however, no significant relationship was found between BMI and any of the musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: According to the results, there is a relationship between BMI and work experience with common musculoskeletal disorders and postural abnormalities in car repairmen. However, no relationship was detected between BMI and musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, it is important to improve the level of awareness in this population group regarding proper posture during and before starting their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Based on the latest estimates of the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is now a public health challenge in Iran, and in 2018, 61,000 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), of which 45,000 (75%) were men. This study aimed to evaluate effect of educational intervention based on theory of planned behavior (TPB) on HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors among male barbers. Material and methods: The current quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019 among 120 male barbers, who were selected using stratified sampling method. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire based on TPB at baseline and post-intervention. Intervention was designed and performed according to TPB. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 using descriptive and inferential methods. Results: Mean age of barbers was 30.41 ± 8.43 years. At baseline, mean scores of TPB constructs were not significantly different between intervention and control groups (p > 0.05). However, in post-intervention phase, there was a significant difference between two investigated groups in mean scores of TPB constructs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings of the current study showed that educational intervention based on TPB can enhance knowledge level, perceived behavioral control, and attitude and creation of appropriate subjective norms for formation of behavioral intention and promoting AIDS preventive behavior among barbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Prolonged, awkward postures among assembly line workers can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). OBJECTIVE: This study determined the prevalence of WMSDs and ergonomic risk factors among assembly line workers at an electronic parts manufacturer, and introduced a low-cost ergonomic intervention. METHODS: Data were gathered by means of a questionnaire. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique was used to determine ergonomic risk factors. A low-cost intervention, designed to improve working postures was introduced. RESULTS: Most musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with the lower back (73.6%), wrist/ hands (71.7%), and neck (67.9%). Most (80%) of the working postures analyzed using the RULA were at action levels 3 or 4. CONCLUSIONS: The ergonomic intervention resulted in a significant reduction in posture scores for the neck and trunk. This indicated that the intervention helped to improve workplace ergonomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Unsafe behavior is an important component in the chain of accident occurrences, and thus plays a key role in the accident prevention programs in construction sites. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this qualitative research is to study the perception of frontline workers, supervisors, and managers about the preconditions of and contributing factors to unsafe behaviors in civil engineering projects. METHODS: Field observation, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion are conducted with 113 informants from various mega projects during a 2-year time period. Fishbone diagram is applied to describe a conceptual model. RESULTS: The results point to fourteen themes within four categories of the conceptual model – general management, organizational factors, safety supervision and management, and individual characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: General management and organizational culture were introduced as important preconditions and contributing factors resulting in human error and unsafe behavior in the construction sites. The fishbone diagram reveals the sequence and interaction of preconditions and contributing factors. The key contributing factors and their influences on unsafe behaviors are discussed along with recommendations for future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]