The pattern of medication use, and determinants of the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with a recent history of depressive disorder: results from the pars cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate medication use among individuals with depressive disorders (DD) is a rising public health challenge. We aimed to investigate the polypharmacy and its determinants among individuals with DD in a less developed region, and evaluate the pattern of medication use in this population. METHODS: Data was extracted from Pars Cohort Study (PCS) between 2016 and 2019. Participants were asked to bring all the medication they were using regularly, and history of DD during the last 12 months prior to study was obtained. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification was applied and polypharmacy was defined as concurrent use of five or more medications. Logistic regression models were developed to estimate the associations between polypharmacy and DD, adjusted for relevant covariates. The prevalence of consumption of each drug class was estimated among males, females, and elders. Logistic regression was applied and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 9264 participants with a mean age of 52.6 (SD: 9.7) were enrolled. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 22.6% [95% CI (20.7-24.6)]. The most common drug classes were genitourinary system (55.4%) and nervous system (29.1%) medication, respectively. Recent history of DD was reported among 19.4% (n = 1795) participants, the majority of whom were females. Factors associated with polypharmacy include female gender (OR: 1.51), Fars ethnicity (OR: 1.52), lower physical activity (OR: 1.74), and higher socioeconomic status (OR: 1.40). The prevalence of antidepressant use among males was higher than females (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of polypharmacy is high among patients with a recent history of depressive disorder. Females, individuals with higher socioeconomic status and lower physical activity, and those who use tobacco are more likely to be polymedicated. Surveillance measures need to be established to monitor the patterns of medication use among individuals with depressive disorders.

Awkward trunk postures and their relationship with low back pain in hospital nurses.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common work-related musculoskeletal problem among healthcare workers including nurses. Awkward trunk postures have been recognized as one common problem in this groupOBJECTIVE:The aims of this study were to: a) continuously assess trunk postures for an entire shift work in various hospital wards, and b) examine the relationship between the duration of exposure to awkward trunk postures and the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) among nurses. METHODS: Eighty nurses from eight wards in a hospital participated in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of LBP was determined using the revised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Full-shift work trunk posture exposure was measured using an inclinometer. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP among hospital nurses was 72%. The highest percentage of time spent in awkward postures in the sagittal plane (trunk flexion ≥45°) and in the frontal plane (lateral bend ≥20°) was recorded in the general (65.6% ± 12.2) and orthopedic (48.4% ± 7.4) wards, respectively. Logistic regression analyses showed that the duration of exposure to awkward trunk postures had a significant relationship with LBP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the potential risks of nursing job in terms of frequent and extreme trunk awkward postures, which may lead to the development of LBP. The findings can help to develop guidelines regarding prioritizing ergonomic interventions to reduce the prevalence of LBP among hospital nurses.

Assessment and control design for steam vent noise in an oil refinery.

BACKGROUND: Noise is one of the most important harmful agents in work environment. Noise pollution in oil refinery industries is related to workers' health. This study aimed to determine the overall noise pollution of an oil refinery operation and its frequency analysis to determine the control plan for a vent noise in these industries. METHODS: This experimental study performed in control unit of Tehran Oil Refinery in 2008. To determine the noise distributions, environmental noise measurements were carried out by lattice method according to basic information and technical process. The sound pressure level and frequency distribution was measured for each study sources subject separately was performed individually. According to the vent's specification, the measured steam noise characteristics reviewed and compared to the theoretical results of steam noise estimation. Eventually, a double expansion muffler was designed. Data analysis and graphical design were carried out using Excel software. RESULTS: The results of environmental noise measurements indicated that the level of sound pressure was above the national permitted level (85 dB (A)). The Mean level of sound pressure of the studied steam jet was 90.3 dB (L). The results of noise frequency analysis for the steam vents showed that the dominant frequency was 4000 Hz. To obtain 17 dB noise reductions, a double chamber aluminum muffler with 500 mm length and 200 mm diameter consisting pipe drilled was designed. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of steam vent noise were separated from other sources, a double expansion muffler was designed using a new method based on the level of steam noise, and principle sound frequency, a double expansion muffler was designed.

Evaluation of noise propagation characteristics of compressors in tehran oil refinery center and presenting control methods.

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of noise are well known and noise problems due to industrialization of communities are increasing over the time. Oil industries due to the process and nature of production; contain many noise sources such as compressors, turbines, and pumps, which cause excessive noise exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the noise characteristics of compressors in Tehran Oil Refinery and study on visible control measures.  METHODS: To get to the appropriate control method, procedures such as basic theories, measuring sound parameters, frequency analysis, related diagrams and noise propagation schemes due to the measurement results, equivalent noise exposure level (L(eq(8h))) and exposure noise dose and  technical specification of compressors are considered in this paper. Considering field and analytical re-sults, module enclosure with particular specifications (like absorbent layer, specific wall, window and door design etc.) is predicted to be the best control method.  RESULTS: Calculation results of multiple layer density of the enclosure (W = 16.5 kg/m(2)) and needed density for the dominant frequency of the source (W = 12 kg/m(2)) demonstrated that the designed enclosure satisfies the goal. CONCLUSION: RESULTS of designing sandwich layers' module demonstrated that install-ing the designed enclosure causes 20 dB(A) reduction in total sound pres-sure level of the source's dominant frequency.