Majid Jalili, Farzad Nazem,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Application and correct interpretation of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in medical, therapeutic, and exercise settings requires normal values of the 6MWT. The aim of this study was to develop and cross-validate the 6MWT prediction equation in Iranian healthy children and adolescent males.
Methods: The 6MWT and anthropometric variables were measured in 391 males (8 to 17 years old) with standard methods. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between distances walked in the 6MWT and independent variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to design 6MWT prediction equation from dependent variables. Furthermore, accuracy of the present 6MWT prediction equation was cross-validated.
Results: Significant correlation was found between distances walked in the 6MWT and anthropometric characteristics (P < 0.001). Multiple stepwise regression reviled that age and Body Mass Index (BMI) could explain 63% of the variability of 6MWT in children and adolescent males (r2= 0.627, SEE= 36 m, P < 0.001). Accuracy of native 6MWT prediction equation was approved by good correlation between measured and predicted distance walked in the 6MWT (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: This is the first study on the development of native 6MWD reference values. With application of this 6MWD prediction equation, physicians, physical therapists, and fitness coaches could receive correct feedback of pharmacological, rehabilitation, and exercise interventions.
Samaneh Asadi, Teimour Allahyari, Hamidreza Khalkhali , Alireza Choobineh ,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Psychosocial factors and fatigue are significant factors in nurses’ performance. Since the relationship between psychosocial factors and fatigue has been rarely studied, the aim of this study was investigating the relationship between psychosocial work factors and fatigue among nurses.
Method: In this cross-sectional study, 270 nurses from hospitals of Urmia University of Medical Sciences randomly participated. The Job Content Questionnaire and Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory were used for data collection. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Structural Equation Modeling were used for data analysis.
Results: The mean (SD) of control was 66.32 (7.36), psychological job demand 35.47 (3.68), social support 22.31 (2.64), physical job demand 15.22 (2.18), and job insecurity 8.72 (4.06). Control and social support dimensions had low levels. Moreover, psychological and physical job demand had high levels, which indicates a high stress level. According to the results, psychological and physical job demand had a significant relationship with all dimensions of fatigue (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The majority of nurses were exposed to high levels of job stress. Among psychosocial factors, physical demand was identified as the most effective factor on fatigue. Any comprehensive interventional program regarding psychosocial work factor in order to reduce job stress and fatigue can improve health care quality and also prevent medical errors.
Soudabeh Asadollahi, Iman Dianat, Moein Nedaei,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Scissors are essential tools in different occupations including sewing and clothes making. Improper design of fabric cutting scissors can lead to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms among users. The aim of this study was to evaluate pinch force and wrist posture while working with three designs of sewing scissors and a traditional sewing scissors.
Methods: The first model of the scissor had a bent-handle (to improve wrist posture), the second model had a thumb-ring that was located closer to the pivot (to reduce thumb’s abducted position and range of movement), and the original oval ring in the third model was changed to a hook-shaped handle (to reduce hand and finger discomfort). Pinch force was measured using a pinch gauge and wrist posture was measured in two anatomical planes including flexion/extension and ulnar/radial deviation using the observational method.
Results: The results showed significant effects of scissors' design on pinch force exertions (P < 0.01) and ulnar/radial deviation of the wrist (P < 0.001). The lowest level of pinch force decrement between pre- and post-pinch force measurements was recorded for the second model (2.4%), while the highest level was recorded for the traditional model (7%). More neutral wrist postures in ulnar/radial direction (83%) were recorded for the first model compared to the other designs.
Conclusions: The second scissors, which was designed to reduce thumb’s range of motion and abduction, showed some improvement in pinch force compared to the traditional model.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Ismail Shokrolahi, Royan Shahpuri, Jamshid Yazdani-Charati,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, with the progressive development of various scientific, research and industrial fields, there are musculoskeletal disorders in computer and laptop users. Musculoskeletal disorders including pain and pressure in areas such as wrists, elbows, neck and shoulders, along with the fatigue of these areas, especially back and waist pain are common among many computer and laptop users. The aim of this study was to design a customizable ergonomic table for using laptops based on the anthropometric characteristics of students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was conducted on 108 (61 males and 47 females) students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Ten parameters including knee height sitting on a chair, eyes- elbows height, cross-legged posture kneeling length, cross-legged posture kneeling height, thick thighs, elbow rest height-sitting, shoulder-fingertip length, abdominal depth, hip breath, and elbow-fingertip length were measured using the adjustable seating, caliper and meter. The SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data. Then, the percentiles 1 to 99 and the golden number 1.618 were used to design the table.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 23 ± 3.14 years. Based on anthropometric characteristics, gold number, resulting percentiles and design equations, an adjustable ergonomic table was designed in three seated sitting, four-knee and Fowler’s positions.
Conclusions: It is expected that after putting this device on the laptop, the musculoskeletal disorders caused by its use will be reduced. Because of limited studies have been conducted in this area, it is suggested that further studies in this regard be undertaken in the future.
Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani, Ali Mohamadzade Ebrahimi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Nurses as the most important part of human resources in the health service system are often faced with problems associated with shift work. The present study aimed to examine a mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between workload and physical and mental health among nurses.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 236 nurses working in three educational hospitals in Bojnord city. To collect data, the survey of shiftworkers (SOS) questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling by AMOS-21 and SPSS 19 software packages. In addition, the Preacher and Hayes’ SPSS Macro program was used for testing mediation.
Results: The results showed that the proposed model fitted the data properly. Also, workload directly affected only physical health, and the quality of sleep had a mediator role in the relationship between workload and physical and mental health.
Conclusions: Sleep quality as an important variable can mediate the relationship between workload and physical and mental health in nurses. So, it is suggested that interventional interventions to improve the health of the staff be focused on adjusting and shifting job shifts and teaching the principles of sleep hygiene to them.
Soraya Ziaei, Mohammad Reza Amiri, Hadi Sharif Moghadam, Bibi Marjan Fayyazi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Job motivation as one of the factors that affect the behavior of librarians can improve their performance. Considering that organizational culture is one of the factors influencing job motivation, the aim of this study was to identify dimensions of organizational culture that can affect job motivation of librarians in public libraries of Iran.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis. Using the purposive sampling, 19 people of librarians of public libraries in 10 provinces were interviewed using depth and semi-structured interviews. After extracting the primary codes, they classifyied into three dimmensions and eight components.
Results: Based on the results of this study, dimmensions of organizational culture, which can affect job motivation included knowledge-oriented and capability-oriented culture (professionalism and meritocracy, professional capability, use of technology, and organizational learning), independency culture (non-politicization in the library, and decentralization), and participatory and motivational leadership culture (participatory management, and motivational management).
In view of nature and social roles of public libraries and broad impressive factors on them, these models have limitations to assess status of organizational culture in public libraries. So, it is necessary to identify dimensions and components of effective organizational culture in public libraries of Iran and then manage the organizational culture on the basis of this effective culture.
Conclusions: Dimensions and components of effective organizational culture resulted from this study can be used as an ideal model for managing organizational culture or efforts to rule these cultural components in the public library of Iran.
Pezhvak Ghasemzade, Shahnaz Tabatabaei, Amir Kavousi, Mahnaz Sareme,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Attention to the workstations of the employees and their quality of work life has become increasingly important due to the increased competition in the organizations. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the ergonomic situation of the workstations and musculoskeletal disorders with the quality of work life and demographic variables in the administrative staff of the Tehran Municipality.
Methods: The present study was a descriptive and analytical one. The statistical population included a total of 600 persons, working in one of the regions in the Tehran Municipality. Of the 600 staff, a total of 255 were selected as the available sample group. The instruments consisted of the questionnaires, including the individual and occupational information, the Nordic questionnaire, the Walton Quality of work life, and the checklist of the ergonomic indices of the working environment for the administrative staff. In order to analyze the data, Student’s t-test and multiple regression analysis were used.
Results: In this study, the majority of the samples were females (56.9%) with a mean age of 33 years. A significant positive relationship was observed between all the ergonomic indices and the quality of work life. Significant correlations among the parameters such as age, education, sleeping at night, psychological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulder, and foot were observed simultaneously with the quality of work life. The quality of work life of an employee could be predicted through the musculoskeletal disorders and demographic variables but could not be predicted by the ergonomic indicators.
Conclusion: In this study, a relationship existed between the ergonomic condition of the workstations and musculoskeletal disorders with the quality of work life and demographic variables. Therefore, the physical condition and the quality of the work life of the employees would be positively affected by the improvement of the ergonomic condition of the workstations.
Mehrdad Anbarian, Fatemeh Rajabian, Mohammad Hossein Ghasemi, Rashid Heidari Moghaddam,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the heel wedges on the electromyography activities of the selected left and right lower back muscles during load lifting.
Methods: A total of 17 male subjects voluntarily participated in this quasi-experimental study. The selected subjects lifted a box, weighing 10% of their body weight, above the height of their hip joint, descending as far as the thigh, parallel to the ground, and then ascending to the starting position. The above task was performed nine times in two conditions, including with and without the heel wedges. Using the ME6000 electromyography system, the activity level variables were normalized and the median frequencies of the erector spinae (ES) and the multifidus (MU) muscles were recorded. The subjects also held the box for 30 s in the standing position with stretched hands. The paired t-test was used for the data analysis.
Results: The results showed that during static load lifting using the heel wedge, the median frequency of the right ES muscle changed significantly (P<0.05). Also during dynamic load lifting using the heel wedge, the activities of the left and the right ES muscles as well as the left MU muscle decreased significantly (P<0.05). However, no significant differences between the two conditions were observed for the other variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion: During such occupational tasks, a decrease in the activities of the selected lower back muscles with the heel wedge might result in a delay in the onset of muscle fatigue. The above findings might be used in the design of shoes, suitable for the work environments. However, further investigations are needed in this area in order to provide more accurate results.
Mohammadamir Abbasian Fard, Mastooreh Sedaghat,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to compare personality characteristics, job satisfaction and mental health of the personnel who experienced and didn’t experience a disaster in Zamyad Company.
Methods: This is a casual-comparative study. The population consisted of all company personnel in Tehran (2500). Using random sampling, 120 people were selected, of whom 60 people had already experienced an accident and 60 had never experienced one. To collect the required information the mental health questionnaires GHQ, job satisfaction and Ruth Barry field and 5-factor personality inventory (NEO-FFI) were used. For data analysis, statistical methods, measures of central tendency (ANOVA) and independent t-test and chi-square test were used to compare each variable between personnel were who injured and those who weren’t.
Results: Results showed that there is a significant difference among three characteristic components (agreement F: 23.158, being open to experience F: 6.902, nervousness F: 5.476) of the people who were or were not injured. There is also difference between the two groups in job satisfaction (0.000); those who had never experienced an accident were more satisfied with their jobs. The health components (physical symptoms F: 4.804, stress disorders F: 8.652, depression symptoms F: 7.559) also were significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusion: Planning for control and improvement of mental and psychosocial factors and factors such as job satisfaction, personality traits and mental health in the workplace seems necessary. This can achieve higher levels of health and safety for the staff.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Mohsen Hosseini,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Sitting for long periods of time is a part of the illness, which can happen in the workplace and the lack of attention to the ergonomic principles causes musculoskeletal disorders such as backache, pelvic ache, shoulder ache, elbow ache, arm ache, wrist and ankle ache, and muscle aches in the other parts of the body. The present research was carried out according to the ergonomic principles and designs, in order to design an ergonomic chair, suitable for the computer users in the monitoring room of one of the industries in the Mazandaran province.
Methods: The participants in this study included a total of 32 male staff from the monitoring room of one of the industries in the Mazandaran province. A total of 24 anthropometric parameters were measured from the body of each of the subjects, sitting in a vertical position on an adjustable chair, using anthropometric calipers and meters and the data were analyzed with the Excel and the Minitab statistical programs.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 42.59 ±5.34 years and the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of their anthropometric dimensions and Pearson's correlation coefficients were obtained to design the height, the depth, the height, and the width of the ergonomic chair. All parts of the chair had two degrees of freedom. The neck and back supports, adjustable for this type of chair were designed specifically. Also, using MIT standards, the level of seat compressibility was measured to be 4.26 cm, based on the 95th percentile weight.
Conclusion: Considering that other countries design and produce suitable chairs, focusing on the anthropometric characteristics of the individuals, studies, similar to this research could be recommended in the different parts of the country, in order to design and produce appropriate chairs for the physical dimensions of the people and their needs.
Yadollah Hamidi, Farshid Shamsaei, Mahdi Beglari, Zahra Toosi, Maryam Farhadian,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Focusing on the organizational conflict and the depression in the main trainers of an educational system, the faculty members are very necessary because the increased negative organizational conflicts lead to a lower public health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the job depression and the organizational conflict in the faculty members.
Methods: The present study was a correlation type research and the statistical population included seven faculty members of the department/school/institute of medical sciences in the city of Hamedan with 244 faculty members as per the census of 2017. For the collection of the data, the Goldberg and Hiller questionnaire was used for measuring the depression and the organizational conflict inventory. Using descriptive statistics such as Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis, the data were analyzed for modeling by the SPSS Statistics 24 software.
Results: The mean scores of the depression, the organizational conflict, the conflict with the manager, the similar degrees, and the control were 0.8, 22, 6.7, 7.4, and 7.9 respectively. The results showed a significant and positive correlation between the depression and the organizational conflict (P=0.001, r=0.42). Such correlations were also observed in the two dimensions of conflict with the others (P=0.001, r=0.62) and conflict with the control (P=0.001, r=0.43). However, no significant correlation was observed in the dimension of conflict with the manager.
Conclusion: The different factors of conflict studied in the society must be focused on, addressed, and improved in light of the positive and direct correlations observed between the organizational conflict and the job depression.
Dr Rashid Heidarimoghadam, Dr Mohammad Babamiri, Dr Majid Motamedzade, Nasrin Nouri,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The design of tools may play an important role in development of the problems related to hands and arms. The health and satisfaction of those who use these tools can be affected by the improvement of ergonomic tools. This research aims to assess the local discomfort caused by the usage of common pencils comparing to the ergonomic ones.
Methods: 50 right-handed students (girls only) participated in this study. They wrote one paragraph using all the writing tools that were being studied in this research. At the end the comments were collected using the LPD questionnaire and were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test and SPSS version 23.
Results: The results of the CHQ questionnaire showed that this questionnaire could be a useful tool for assessing the comfort of using writing tools among students in the school environment. Also, the results from the LPD scale showed that this scale could be very helpful for assessing local perceived discomfort among school students. In the second part, the results of the comparison of the mean of data from the CHQ questionnaire and the LPD scale showed that there is a significant difference between the common pencils and the designed pencil for comfort and local perceived discomfort.
Conclusion: It was found that common pencils cause pain, pressure, inflammation and numbness in the hands and forearm and shoulder. And the use of designed ergonomic pencil will reduce the pressure and pain on the hands and shoulders.
Mohammad Babamiri, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Behnam Mohammadi, Younes Mohammadi,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between proactive personality with networking by mediating role of job satisfaction.
Methods: The research design in this study was a correlation model, through structural equation modeling. The target population in this study was all nurses working in public hospitals in Hamadan that 300 people of them were selected as the sample by simple random sampling. The data collection tools were Proactive Personality Scale (Bateman and Crant), Proactive Behavior Questionnaire (Networking, Ashford and Black) and Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (Brayfield & Rothe). The proposed model was evaluated using correlation and path analysis method using SPSS18 and AMOS18 software.
Results: Pearson correlation showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between proactive personality with job satisfaction and networking. The path analysis results support the pattern's fit with the data. The findings showed that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between proactive personality and networking.
Conclusion: Job satisfaction strengthens the efforts of proactive person in networking and broadens the career communication network.
Saeed Ilbeigi, Aboozar Kabootari, Mohamadesmaiel Afzalpour, Hossein Farzaneh,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Undesirable sit-up and deviation from desirable status is one of the factors affecting the health of students in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between posture and musculoskeletal pain in boys 9 to 13 years old.
Methods: In this correlation study, the population consisted of all boy students in the primary city of Birjand. 60 students were selected as a sample group based on random-cluster method. Two video cameras were recorded 30 minutes of sitting position for every student. The anthropometric characteristics of subjects including height, weight, etc., were measured with a standard tool. The back and neck pain were collected using a modified Nordic questionnaire. Moreover, the kinovea software was used to analyze the flexion and rotation angle during sitting. The statistical calculations were applied by Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. The ETA correlation coefficient also was used to identify the relationship between variables. All statistical calculations performed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The result indicated significant relationship between bending and rotation angles with both neck and back pain (P≤0.05). Therefore it would be noticed that improper sitting can be accounted as a cause of muscle-skeletal pain in boy students based on bad postures during sitting.
Conclusion: According to the results, the posture of students while sitting in class is inadequate and harmful. Thus performing some intervention and education for students is recommended.
Rashid Heidari Moghaddam, Mohammad Babamiri, Majid Motamedzade, Maryam Farhadian, Kamal Ebrahimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The working station has a major impact on the musculoskeletal disorders, therefore a considerable attention to working station staff is of importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working station on musculoskeletal disorders among administrative staff.
Methods: 30 administrative staff participated in this analytical descriptive study. Data was collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) in ergonomic design intervention of three working stations (sitting, standing-and-sitting, standing) before and after of intervention. Moreover, a t-test and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.
Results: The average (standard deviation) of the age and work record of 30 participating employees were 44.3 (5) and 20 (5) years, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the type of working station before and after the intervention, with the expression of musculoskeletal disorders (P=0.02). There was also a significant relationship between variables of musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulders, necks, waist and hands at different working stations. However, there was a significant relationship between age, work experience and BMI index with musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion: According to the results of this survey the best working station is a sitting-and-standing. Therefore, by changing the type of working stations, musculoskeletal discomfort of the employees will be reduced appropriately.
Mohammad Babamiri, Fakhradin Ghasemi, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Jjalil Derakhshan, Mahnoush Karimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: “Participatory ergonomics” is defined as an active participation of all members of the organization in the development and implementation of ergonomic knowledge in order to improve the working environment, quality, productivity and safety of the organization. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate process of working condition with the participatory ergonomic approach and its impact on one of the printing industries.
Methods: This research is an interventional study carried out in one printing industry center. To identify the ergonomic risk factors the “Nordic Questionnaire" and “Ergonomic Review Points” and to evaluate the quality employees’ working life, the NIOSH modified quality of life curriculum was used. The results were by conducting a paired t-test using SPSS20 software package.
Results: The investigation of health, and working conditions using the supplementary checklist before and after applying the review points with participatory ergonomic approach shows a significant increase. Data analysis using the paired t-test showed a significant improvement in quality of working life and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders after intervention (P <0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the individuals’ social skills and abilities have increased by participation in the process of participatory ergonomics. Increasing the quality of working life has a significant role to improve the health of workers and reduce occupational accidents. Therefore, the implementation of participatory ergonomic program with the collaboration of industrial managers can be an effective step towards achieving human resource satisfaction and health.
Fatemeh Hashempour, Naser Sadra Abarghouei,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The design and manufacturing process in electronic companies is the most time consuming work behind computers. Because of the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in computer users, researchers need to identify risk factors and ergonomic problems and ways to reduce them.
Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical study and was conducted as an intervention in Behpajooh engineering company in Isfahan. Statistical sampling was done by global sampling (31 people). The Nordic questionnaire and the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) were used to evaluate the risk factors of ergonomics. Data analysis was performed by using McNemar and Wilcoxon's non-parametric tests and using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the Nordic questionnaire, before ergonomic intervention, the frequency of problems in elbow is zero, in waist, upper back, neck and shoulders is 45-38%. Evaluation of Ergonomic Risk Factors derived from the Rapid Office Strain Assessment before intervention showed 35.5% (11 people) at low risk, 38.7% (12 people) in the warning zone and 25.8% (8 people) in the area requiring ergonomic intervention. Statistical analysis of ergonomic interventions showed that the number of people in the area of warning and necessity are less than the number of people before intervention.
Conclusion: The most musculoskeletal disorders were reported in the neck, lower back, upper back and shoulders. Statistical results after ergonomic intervention indicate a decrease in these disorders. The results led to the understanding that the risks in electronic companies could be reduced by ergonomic interventions. Implementation of ergonomic interventions based on engineering, management and educational proceeding can be effective in reducing musculoskeletal disorders.
Reza Tahmasebi, Majid Motamedzade, Sadaf Torkashvand, Mehrdad Anbarian, Maryam Farhadian,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: Many workers, especially welders, have awkward postures during their working hours. Evaluating such kind of postures is done with the aim of corrective actions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the activity of welder's muscles in common welding postures working on gas transmission pipelines.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 15 welders of the Iranian Gas Transmission Co. After the required analysis, three postures that were most used working on the gas transmission pipelines were identified to evaluate muscle activity. The surface electromyography (EMG) activity of the erector spinae, biceps femoris, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, tibialis anterior, rectus abdominis, abdominal internal oblique, abdominal external oblique, and semitendinosus muscles are evaluated in three postures. They are analyzed based on the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).
Results: The results indicated that the mean of muscle activity in the kneeling posture is significantly lower than two other postures (P<0.001). The mean activity of each muscle in different postures were compared and evaluated. The highest activity was related to the tibialis anterior, vastus medialis and biceps femoris. Abdominal muscles have the lowest activity.
Conclusion: The muscle activity of the welders in the evaluated postures was very high. Based on the findings of this study, the muscle activity was strongly affected by the type of posture and angle of the joints, so the muscles’ activity in the kneeling posture was lower than the two other postures due to the suitable angle of joints and the direct transmission of body weight.
Reza Khani Jazani, Mostafa Hasanvand,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize some factors affecting the trainers' satisfaction of Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) by integrating QFD and Kano models.
Methods: In this study, 435 trainees, aged 18 to 22 years old, were selected to complete the Kano questionnaire through direct communication and interview with the user in one of the centers of technical and vocational education in Tehran, Iran. In this study, Kano model and quality function development (QFD) integration methods were used to improve the design of technical and vocational institutions' workshops ergonomically and based on the needs of users. After completing the Kano questionnaire by these individuals, the responses were analyzed and the results were entered into the house of quality (HOQ) matrix.
Results: The results of the house of quality (HOQ) matrix in this study showed that design and safe application factor, as one of the most important safety features, had a weight coefficient of j=7.35. However, the furniture adjusting criterion with a weight coefficient of j= 1.09 had the lowest importance from the user's viewpoint. In addition, the thickness of materials and furniture with an absolute significance of AI=52.1 had no significant relation with ergonomics and comfort.
Conclusion: This results showed that both the Kano model and QFD integration method can be used in identifying and determining the priorities of the product design and work environment from the users' perspective.
Zahra Pirmoradi, Rostam Golmohammadi, Javad Faradmal, Majid Motamedzade,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: Inadequate lighting in the workplace can cause unconventional changes in the posture of office workers. Poor ergonomic conditions in the office cause inappropriate postures during work and increase pressure on the musculoskeletal system which can cause some disorders in long-term. In this study, the relationship between work environment lighting with the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal pain among office workers has been investigated.
Methods: In this study, the intensity of local illumination at work surface and at the perpendicular surface (perpendicular surface to the work surface and at the height of workers eye), and intensity of general lighting was measured based on the standard of The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) using the SEKONIC, C-7000 SpectroMaster. Also, to assess the prevalence and severity of pain of musculoskeletal disorders, a Nordic Questionnaire and a Body map index were used respectively. To assess the office work strain, Rapid Office Strain Assessment techniques (ROSA) were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.
Results: The results showed that the average intensity of general lighting, local lighting at work surface and at the perpendicular surface were 30.6%, 33.9%, and 38.4% respectively, which is lower than required illumination intensity of Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL). The neck and waist had the highest prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorders among the workers. The highest frequency percentage of scores in the ROSA method was the score 5 (41.7%) which had a significant correlation with illumination intensity.
Conclusion: Illumination intensity can be considered as one of the important factors affecting posture in administrative staff. Therefore, the improvement of illumination intensity can decrease the severity of musculoskeletal pain and improve the body postures of the staff and, consequently, increase their comfort.
