ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the presence of a co-driver can be considered as a companion, partner, or friend for a driver through eliminating driver's loneliness, it plays a significant role in health and safety of drivers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of co-drivers on depression and occupational stress on male truck drivers. METHODS: This study was an interventional case-control study. Seventy truck drivers were selected and divided into two groups: case (33 truck drivers with co-drivers) and control (37 truck drivers without co-drivers). Two Goldberg depression inventories (for evaluating driver's depression) and the Karasek job content questionnaire (for evaluating driver's job stress) were used to collect data which were completed by interview. RESULTS: The results showed that job content values for the case group were higher in all dimensions except job nature. The comparison of the percentages showed significant difference between two groups. Depression rate in drivers with co-driver is truly less than depression rate in drivers without co-driver. There was significant positive relationship between dimensions of job content and depression rate. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be claimed that a co-driver decreases stress and loneliness of drivers, as well as increases work performance and job satisfaction, and, in turn, leads to a decrease in job-related depression.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Case-Control Studies , Depression , Equipment and Supplies , Friends , Job Satisfaction , Loneliness , Motor Vehicles , Work PerformanceABSTRACT
Noise is considered as one of the harmful factors at industrial environments. It affects human health in different aspects including harmful influences on auditory, vision, neurological and psychiatric systems, hormones, physiological and mental systems. Paying attention to the importance of hormonal effects on human body seems to possess crucial importance. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of noise exposure on variation of serum levels of glucose and cortisol at Syrian adult male mouse. 36 Syrian male adult mice were randomly categorized into two experiment and control groups. Garlic powder was added to the mice pelleted food meal [equal to 1% of their daily diet] to study its effect on the cortisol and glucose serum levels. The mice pelleted food contains starch, glucose, isolated soya protein, etc., which are the rich resources of A, C, B1, B2 and B6 vitamins. Streptozotocin [60mg/kg] was injected to the mice at experiment group which were under noise exposure with intensity of 90dB in frequency range of 700-5700Hz. Noise were generated using CoolEdit software and distributed to the fabricated box for 30 days [8h/d]. Fasting cortisol and glucose serum levels were measured for mice of both groups 24h after finishing the exposure period. Results indicated that the glucose serum level in non-diabetic and diabetic subjects under noise exposure had significant difference [p<0.002] with the subjects at control group. Also, cortisol level in non-diabetic and diabetic subjects under noise exposure indicated significant difference [p<0.002] with the subjects at control group. Exposure to noise with intensity of 90dB at frequency range of 700-5700Hz increases the glucose and cortisol serum levels
ABSTRACT
Formaldehyde [FA], one of the simplest organic molecules, is a flammable, pungent, irritating and colorless gas. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various concentrations of FA vapor on sperm parameters and testicular tissue. In this experimental study, we randomly assigned 36 adult male mice to one control and two experimental groups [n=12 for each group]. The control group [C] did not receive FA. Group F1 [low concentration] was exposed to 10 ppm FA vapor and the F2 [high concentration] group was exposed to 20 ppm FA vapor. FA was administered for ten days, eight hours per day for both groups. At the end of the exposure period, half of the animals in each group were sacrificed 24 hours after exposure to detect any short-term effects; the rest of the mice were sacrificed 35 days later to assess for long-term effects. Sperm parameters were analyzed by Computer-assisted Sperm Analyzer [CASA] and histological changes determined. In addition, we studied changes in testosterone hormone. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Scheffe test using SPSS software. Long-term effects of FA in the experimental groups included significant reductions in sperm cell numbers and sperm viability. A drastic reduction in progressive motility and increased abnormal sperm percentage [p<0.001] compared with the control group was also noted. Histological study of testes specimens in the experimental group revealed displacement of germinal cells, along with degeneration of Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules. Exposure to FA vapor can destroy testicular structure and decrease percentages of concentration, viability, normal morphology, and progressive motility, in addition to increasing the percentage of immotile sperm