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BackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) need to perform new preventive measures to protect themselves and patients against ongoing COVID-19 transmission, which can increase the occurrence of hand dermatitis (HD) among them.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HD among HCWs and its possible risk factors in IRAN.MethodsA survey of 159 HCWS working in university hospitals was performed between August to September 2020. Research data were collected via the standardized Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002).ResultsThe prevalence of HD in the study population was 51.6%. Females had a 3.84 fold higher risk of HD than males (confidence interval (CI): 1.85-8). HCWs older than 40 years and those who aged 30-39 years had a 9.6 and 1.72 fold higher risk of HD than HCWs aged 20-29 years (CI: 2.6-35.7; CI: 0.87-3.4, respectively). A significant association was found between the prevalence of HD among HCWs and working hours per week, and wearing gloves (PConclusionPossible risk factors for developing HD among HCWs are female gender and older age. Preventive measures for HD are needed for HCWs, especially during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Because of its high solubility, nitrate is considered the most common contaminant of groundwater throughout the world: a contaminant that causes cancer and methemoglobinemia in infants. This research intended to study removal of nitrate from the effluent of the Wood and Paper Factory in Sari with the help of a polypyrrole composite on the natural zeolite perlite. This study, which was carried out under laboratory conditions on the effluent of from the Wood and Paper Factory in Sari, considered the effects of the empirical parameters pH, contact duration, adsorbent dose, and temperature on adsorption. FTIR and SEM were used to identify the structure of the synthesized composites. The optimum conditions for nitrate adsorption by polypyrrole coated on perlite (ppy/perlite) were pH = 5, contact time = 20 min, and adsorbent dose = 0.6 g/100 mL of the effluent. The kinetic data for nitrate adsorption matched the pseudo second-order equation and the Freundlich isotherm, and increases in temperature had a positive effect on removal efficiency. Study of the thermodynamics related to the process indicated that it was a spontaneous and endothermic one. The ppy/perlite composite could be used as an effective adsorbent to remove nitrate from aqueous solutions. © 2018 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.

Background: Achieving a balanced and proper nutrition is one of the most important health objectives in the early years of the child's life. The aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of the mothers covered by the urban health centers of Birjand about nutritional behaviors. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on the mothers with children less than five years referring the health centers of Birjand, in 1387. A questionnaire was prepared for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, Chi square, ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc and Pearson correlation coefficient statistical tests with a accuracy level of P < 0.05. Results: Two hundred ninety four patients were studied. A meaningful difference was observed between the knowledge and attitude scores in terms of the mothers’ education stand (P = 0.002). Eighty three point seven percent, 65.6%, 82.7% and 64.6% of mothers were aware about the importance of iron absorption, the onset of iron supplement drop, the minerals and vitamins in the body, and the effects of vitamin A deficiency, respectively. The mothers’ knowledge and attitude about the nutritional behavior was evaluated at the average and good level, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the average level of the mothers’ knowledge and attitude about children's nutritional behaviors, the retraining of family physicians and health centers staff about the importance of nutritional behaviors is recommended.