Comparison of the Perceived Quality of Life between Medical and Veterinary Students in Tehran.

Medical and veterinary professional programs are demanding and may have an impact on a student's quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to compare the perceived QOL of these two groups. In this study, we used the SF-36 questionnaire in which higher scores mean a better perceived QOL. Only the students in the internship phase of their program were selected so that we could compare the two groups in a similar way. In total, 308 valid questionnaires were gathered. Apart from age and body mass index (BMI), the two groups were demographically similar. The scores of five domains (physical activity limitation due to health problems, usual role limitation due to emotional problems, vitality, general mental health, and general health perception) and also the total score were statistically higher in medical students. Only the score of one domain (social activity limitation due to physical or emotional problems) was statistically higher in veterinary students. BMI, physical activity limitation due to health problems, and vitality lost their significance after binomial logistic regression. We found that, in general, veterinary students have lower scores for the perceived QOL with social function being the only exception. It can be assumed that in medical students, interaction with human patients may have a negative impact in the score of this domain. Even though medical students have shown lower perceived QOL than the general population in previous studies, veterinary students appear to have slightly lower perceived QOL than medical students.

The role of ergonomic training interventions on decreasing neck and shoulders pain among workers of an Iranian automobile factory: a randomized trial study.

BACKGROUND: Ergonomic training had been implemented for prevention or reduction of neck and shoulder complaints among workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of ergonomic training intervention on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints among workers of an automobile factory. METHODS: Within the present randomized clinical trial, the role of three ergonomic training methods on the prevalence of neck and shoulders pain among 503 workers of an automobile factory (Response rate: 94.23%) was assessed. The eligible workers were randomly allocated into the following three interventional (pamphlet, lecture, workshop) groups and one control group. The Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints. We followed and assessed the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees before and one year after the intervention. We used chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests to compare the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints between the trial and control groups. A two-tailed P-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees at the recent week (p= 0.002) and year (p= 0.02) had been significantly decreased in the study employees after participating in the study workshop. The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints at the recent week and year did not significantly changed in the study employees after receiving the pamphlet and lecture as ergonomic trainings. CONCLUSION: Workshop as an ergonomic training method had an effective and powerful role on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among workers.

Assessment of neuro behavioral disorders in workers exposed to organic solvents in a publication house.

BACKGROUND: Organic solvents are known as a group of organic compounds, widely used in industry and to which many workers are exposed. Neurotoxicity is one of the most important complications of the chronic exposure to the solvents and may causes neurobehavioral disorders in workers. We have studied the frequency of neurobehavioral disorders in workers exposed to organic solvents in one of the publishing houses in Tehran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 510 workers of a publishing house, having been employed at least a year before the research, were selected to be studied. Among them, 345 workers had been exposed to organic solvents and the other (165 workers) had not. Data were collected using a questionnaire. This questionnaire included demographic and occupational information, and the Swedish Q16 questionnaire. Variables included age, duration of employment, working shift, and smoking. Then we compared both groups in terms of neurobehavioral disorders, using statistical methods. RESULTS: The mean score of the Swedish Q16 questionnaire in the exposed group (4.8±4.4) was significantly higher than the non-exposed group (3.2±3.1) (p=0.001). According to the questionnaire score, the frequency of neurobehavioral disorders in the exposed group was 38% and in the non-exposed group was 22% (p=0.001). We estimated that the frequency of neurobehavioral disorders in the exposed group was significantly higher than the non-exposed group (p<0.05) using regression analysis and removal of the confounding factors. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the frequency of the neurobehavioral disorders in the exposed group is significantly higher than the non-exposed group.

The effect of sleep disorder on the work ability of workers in a car accessories manufacturing plant.

BACKGROUND: Work ability assessment and its affecting factors are important in the field of occupational health. One of the factors affecting work ability is sleep disorder, which is very common among workers. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess work ability and its relationship with sleep disorder in workers of a manufacturing plant. METHODS: This cross- sectional study was conducted in a manufacturing plant in Tehran in 2013. All the 931 male workers of this plant were enrolled in the study, and their work ability was assessed using the Work Ability Index (WAI). The scores of this index range from 7 to 49, and the higher work ability score indicates a better work ability status. In this study, sleep disorder was assessed using the MUSIC-Norrtalje Questionnaire. RESULTS: The average score of WAI was 42.81, ranging from 22 to 49. This score was significantly lower in the group with sleep disorder (41.28) than in the group without sleep disorder (44.10) (p< 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between work ability and sleep disorder even after adjustment for the confounding variables (OR= 2.52, 95% CI= 1.07 - 5.93, p= 0.033). CONCLUSION: The results of this study found a relationship between sleep disorder and work ability. Therefore, it is recommended to identify workers with sleep disorder and attend to their problem in order to increase their work ability.

Combined effects of exposure to occupational noise and mixed organic solvents on blood pressure in car manufacturing company workers.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that occupational exposures such as noise and organic solvents may affect blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate interaction of noise and mixed organic solvents on blood pressure. METHODS: Four hundred seventy-one workers of a car manufacturing plant were divided into four groups: group one or G1 workers exposed to noise and mixed organic solvents in the permitted limit or control group, G3 exposed to noise only, G2 exposed to solvents only, and G4 workers exposed to noise and mixed organic solvents at higher than the permitted limit or co-exposure group. Biological interaction of two variables on hypertension was calculated using the synergistic index. RESULTS: The workers of co-exposure group (G4), noise only group (G3), and solvents only group (G2) had significantly higher mean values of SBP and DBP than workers of control group (G1) or office workers (P < 0.05). Also logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between hypertension and exposure to noise and mixture of organic solvents. Odds ratio for hypertension in the co-exposure group and the noise only and solvents only exposed groups was 14.22, 9.43, and 4.38, respectively, compared to control group. In this study, the estimated synergism index was 1.11. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that exposure to noise or a mixture of organic solvents may be associated with the prevalence of hypertension in car manufacturing company workers and co-exposure to noise and a mixture of solvents has an additive effect in this regard. Therefore appropriate preventive programs in these workers recommended.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Refractory Brick Production Worker: A Case Report.

In this study, we investigated a 42-year-old man working in a refractory brick (RB) production line who had allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) due to skin exposure to chromium (Cr). He had visited a dermatologist several times over a five-month period and although he had been medically treated, the symptoms reappeared after he returned to work and resumed exposure. Finally, with the announcement of the definite diagnosis of ACD through a patch test, it was decided to exclude him from exposure, and after 20 days, the symptoms went through the recovery process. No new recurring episodes were reported during the six-month follow-up period.

Assessment of time to pregnancy and spontaneous abortion status following occupational exposure to organic solvents mixture.

PURPOSE: Due to increasing usage of chemicals in various industries, occupational exposure of women with these materials is unavoidable. Nowadays, some studies indicate adverse effects of exposure to these chemicals, especially organic solvents on the reproductive system of females. This study aimed to assess the relationship between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to organic solvents mixture in pharmaceutical industry. METHODS: This study was carried out in a pharmaceutical factory located in the suburb of Tehran in 2010. During the study, married women who were working in the factory laboratory units and had exposure to mixed organic solvents were compared with married women who were working in the packing units of the factory without occupational exposure to organic solvents in terms of spontaneous abortion frequency and duration of pregnancy using statistical methods. RESULTS: In this study, the frequency of spontaneous abortion in employees with and without exposure to organic solvents mixture was 10.7 and 2.9% respectively. This study showed that even after adjustment for confounding factors, there was a significant correlation between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to organic solvents mixture and this correlation increased with increasing levels of exposure to organic solvents. Also, a significant correlation was observed between occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents and waiting time to become pregnant (TTP). Furthermore, this study showed that even after adjustment for confounding variables, shift workers were significantly more affected by spontaneous abortion compared to daytime workers (P < 0.001). Also, in our study, synergistic effect between shift working and occupational exposure to organic solvents mixture on spontaneous abortion was seen. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, since there is probability of spontaneous abortion resulting from occupational exposure to various chemicals including organic solvents, recommendation to review the status of occupational exposure of workers can be helpful in improving fertility consultations and reproductive health.

Prevalence of Parkinsonism Among Foundry Workers in an Automobile Manufacturing Factory in Tehran.

Background Manganese, as an essential element, has neurotoxic effects on basal ganglia and causes parkinsonism, dystonia, and cognitive symptoms in exposed individuals. Transcranial sonography (TCS) is a noninvasive and easily accessible imaging modality for detecting the accumulation of trace elements in the basal ganglia. Methodology In a cross-sectional study of foundry workers of one of the automobile manufacturing companies in 2019, the prevalence of parkinsonism was assessed through neurological examination and brain parenchymal sonography or TCS. The prevalence of parkinsonism according to age, smoking, work experience, marital status, and exposure to manganese was determined. Results Among 83 male workers, the prevalence of parkinsonism according to neurological examination, substantia nigra hyperechogenicity on TCS, lentiform nucleus hyperechogenicity, and totally was 33.7%, 9.6%, 10.8%, and 42.2%, respectively. The association between the prevalence of parkinsonism and age, smoking, work experience, marital status, and manganese exposure was evaluated. Parkinsonism according to lentiform nucleus hyperechogenicity was associated with smoking (odds ratio [OR] (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 26.63 (2.38-178.71)) and work experience (OR (95% CI) = 7.18 (0.84-61.32)). Conclusions According to this study, the prevalence of parkinsonism based on neurological examination or brain sonography findings was 42.2%. The implementation of this combined screening method might facilitate earlier detection of affected individuals among manganese-exposed workers.

Saddle seat reduces musculoskeletal discomfort in microsurgery surgeons.

Background. Microsurgery is a surgical procedure requiring a high degree of precision and is commonly facilitated through the use of an intraoperative microscope. When operating the microscope system, the long-term posture leads to musculoskeletal disorders in surgeons, and seats are commonly employed to diminish these problems. The present study was conducted to evaluate musculoskeletal discomfort during work with a saddle seat in comparison with conventional seats for microscopic work. Methods. Two types of seats, a saddle and a conventional one, were evaluated for 73 microsurgical surgeons in terms of musculoskeletal discomfort. Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort scale was used to assess musculoskeletal discomfort before and after working with the seats. Results. The highest amount of discomfort that microsurgical surgeons acquire in the workplace was focused on their neck, shoulders, arms and back. During work with a saddle seat, a significant reduction was found for discomfort values in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, elbow and forearm, as well as the whole body (p < 0.05). Conclusion. This study showed that the use of saddle seats provides a more appropriate physical posture at work, and can decrease musculoskeletal discomfort in different parts of the body of microsurgical surgeons.

Assessment of upper limb musculoskeletal pain and posture in workers of packaging units of pharmaceutical industries.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are defined as the disabling or painful injury to the muscles, nerves or tendons that are caused by work or aggravated by it. Some studies confirm the association between working in packaging units in various industries and the pain in the upper limb, but also there are controversies about the possible risk factors among different working populations. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to define the potential ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal pain in the upper limb. METHODS: The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for assessment of the musculoskeletal pain. Some other questions about the possible risk factors were included in the questionnaire. In order to assess posture, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) test was performed by trained ergonomists. RESULTS: The findings of the study reveals that shoulder pain is associated with work history (P-value = 0.01), smoking (P-value = 0.02), the level of education (P-value = 0.04) and age more than 40 years old (P-value = 0.01). Wrist pain was associated with shiftwork (P-value = 0.04) and especially fixed shiftwork (P-value = 0.04) and also age more than 40(P-value = 0.03) and missed days from work with a cut point of 7 days (P-value = 0.03). After regression, only the work history (OR = 14.4 for 10 to 20 years and OR = 32.2 for more than 20 years) and shiftwork (OR = 2.35) remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, RULA was not associated with symptoms in the upper limb in non-heavy working industries so we do not recommend it for screening purposes. The use of decades of working history and shiftwork can be considered for this purpose in the shoulder and wrist pain respectively.

Ergonomic Risk Factors and Their Association With Lower Back and Neck Pain Among Pharmaceutical Employees in Iran.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the ergonomic risk factors for low back pain (LBP) and neck pain in an industry in which only light tasks are performed. These common disorders can be significant work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study included 396 employees who worked in packaging units of pharmaceutical companies. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used to generate data. This study showed an association between LBP, RULA scores, and workers' education. For neck pain, an association was found with age, gender, and subjective questions about working posture (mostly sitting/standing or alternating between the two). Absence from work more than 3 days, which could have been associated with pain, was significantly associated with both disorders.

Correlation between Silica Exposure and Risk of Tuberculosis in Lorestan Province of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is considered a prevalent and hazardous disease in developing countries. Recognition and control of TB risk factors are of special significance. This study sought to determine the frequency of occupational silica exposure in TB patients residing in Lorestan Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012. List of registered TB patients was obtained from the Infectious Disease Control Center of Lorestan Province. Data were collected from 871 TB patients through interview and filling out a checklist. Also, 429 subjects presenting to Health Centers of Lorestan Province with respiratory complaints suspicious of TB (which was ruled out) were entered the study as the control group for comparison of frequency of silica occupational exposure. Understudy subjects based on the degree of silica exposure were categorized into 4 groups of no exposure, mild exposure, moderate exposure and severe exposure and compared in terms of frequency of TB incidence. RESULTS: Frequency of silica exposure was significantly higher in TB patients compared to controls (P < 0.001, OR: 3.39, 95%CI = 2.63-4.36). Additionally, frequency of TB was greater in patients with probable silicosis and silica exposed subjects compared to those with no history of silica exposure (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between moderate and severe silica exposure and TB frequency. Significant correlations were also detected between age, work experience, level of education, male gender and cigarette smoking with TB frequency (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study results revealed that silica exposure was prevalent among TB patients and frequency of TB increased by increased intensity of silica exposure, older age, higher work experience, lower level of education, male gender and cigarette smoking. Provided that our study results are confirmed by prospective studies, TB screening is recommended for workers with occupational silica exposure particularly those with higher work experience.

Knowledge and practice assessment of workers in a pharmaceutical company about prevention of coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease is one of the most common reasons of death around the world. Also, according to previous studies, the incidence of coronary artery disease is rapidly increasing in developing countries such as Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of pharmaceutical company workers towards the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In this cross sectional study that was conducted in Tehran, 1223 workers of a pharmaceutical company were enrolled. Data was collected using a questionnaire that assessed the level of knowledge and practice of the participants towards coronary artery disease. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between study variables and the workers knowledge level. The results of this study showed that 49% of the workers were in a good level of knowledge and according to the regression analysis, the female gender, age above 28, education level higher than high school diploma, body mass index above 25 kilograms per square meters, history of hyperlipidemia, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, history of myocardial infarction, daily activity and exercise, were significantly related to a good knowledge towards coronary artery disease. In addition, the mean score of the participants' performance in preventing coronary artery disease was 4.66 out of 9. The results of this study showed that increasing level of knowledge of labors in order to prevent missing specialized work force, leads to imposition of health costs to the industry and the labor society.

Effects of exposure to mixed organic solvents on blood pressure in non-smoking women working in a pharmaceutical company.

Some studies suggest that exposure to industrial solvents can affect blood pressure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a mixture of organic solvents on blood pressure in women working in a pharmaceutical company in Iran. Four hundred and thirty-three women were included in the study. Women working in packing units (group 1) were not exposed to the mixture of organic solvents, women in new laboratory units (group 2) were exposed to the mixture within the permitted range and women working in old laboratory units (group 3) were exposed to the mixture above the permitted limit. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP & DBP) and prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension among groups. The results revealed a significant difference in SBP and pre-hypertension (p<0.001) and hypertension (p<0.05) prevalence between the exposed and the control group, but DBP did not differ significantly. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between hypertension and exposure to mixed solvents. Odds ratio for hypertension in the group 2 and group 3 (exposed) workers was 2.36 and 3, respectively, compared to controls. Our results suggest that exposure to a mixture of organic solvents may increase SBP and hypertension and pre-hypertension prevalence in drug manufacture workers. Therefore, more attention should be paid to workers that work in such settings by periodically measuring blood pressure and implementing accurate and comprehensive programs to reduce exposure to organic solvents.

Combined effects of ototoxic solvents and noise on hearing in automobile plant workers in Iran.

Exposure of workers to mixtures of organic solvents and to occupational noise is frequent in a number of industries. Recent studies suggest that exposure to both can cause a more severe hearing loss than exposure to noise alone. Our cross-sectional study included 411 workers of a large automobile plant divided in three groups. The first group included assembly workers exposed to noise alone; the second included workers in a new paint shop, who were exposed to a mixture of organic solvents at a permissible level; and the third group included paint shop workers exposed to both noise and higher than permissible levels of organic solvents in an old paint shop. These groups were compared in terms of low-frequency hearing loss (model 1; average hearing threshold >25 dB at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, and 2 kHz) and high-frequency hearing loss (model 2; average hearing threshold >25 dB at 3 kHz, 4 kHz, 6 kHz, and 8 kHz). High-frequency hearing loss was more common in workers exposed to a combination of noise and mixed organic solvents even at permissible levels than in workers exposed to noise alone even after correction for confounding variables. This study shows that combined exposure to mixed organic solvents and occupational noise can exacerbate hearing loss in workers. Therefore, an appropriate hearing protection programme is recommended, that would include short-interval audiometric examinations and efficient hearing protectors.

Occupational exposure to different levels of mixed organic solvents and colour vision impairment.

Mixed organic solvents have a broad range of applications in industry. Occupational exposure to organic solvents has been shown to be associated with colour vision impairment. The study was designed to determine the impact of chronic occupational exposure to organic solvent mixtures on colour vision of car industry painters. 408 workers of assembly location and 2 different paint locations of a car manufacturing company were included in the study. The workers were studied in three groups. The first group consisted of those working in the assembly location with no exposure to organic solvents. The second and third groups included those working in the new and old paint locations, exposed to organic solvents at lower and higher levels than the permissible level, respectively. The Lanthony D-15 desaturated (LD-15) test was used for screening acquired colour vision impairment. The frequency of acquired colour vision impairment was 44.28% for workers of the old paint location, 29.31% for workers of the new paint location, and 3.90% for workers of the assembly location, indicating a significant difference (p<0.001). The results of logistic regression indicated there was a significant relationship between colour confusion index (CCI) and exposure to organic solvents (p<0.001) for the old and new paint locations. We suggest that chronic occupational exposure to organic solvents at higher and even lower levels than the permitted levels may lead to acquired colour vision impairment. It is recommended that LD-15 test would be implicated in the early diagnosis of nervous system disorders in workers exposed chronically to organic solvents.