Showing 324 results for Type of Study: Research
Abdollah Vahedi, Sara Dehnavi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: As the
traffic is one of the most common social troubles in big cities, widen the roads
culture and using the intelligent methods are using to control the traffic. Therefore,
the traffic control systems are innovated. These system
operators have to do many cognitive jobs to manage these systems. CWA as a
framework to improve the design of these systems has introduced in this paper
to analyze them.
Material and Methods: CTA
recognizes the restrictions of system throughout the 5 phases that begin with
work domain analysis and ends in necessary personal qualification. Task
analysis, strategy analysis and investigating the cooperation and organizations
are between paces, respect.
Results: the results
of this investigation consist of outline of the technique CWA, work domain analysis,
decision ladders, details of relevant indicators, strategies, Information Flow
Map (IFM), to frame the social organization and cooperation, and worker
qualification analysis.
Conclusion: The results of
this study may used in selection and training the mentioned systems operators.
The main reason is to use the experienced staff with high cognitive abilities
in working with these systems. Otherwise, it can result in waste the
organization money and energy. The operator decision making is more dependent
on the information process, the operator also needs to have higher cognitive
abilities. Strong visual search, timing and problem solving are perquisites of
this job opportunity.
Fatemeh Khayati, Mahmood Nasr Esfahani, Marjan Firoozeh, Amir Kavoosi, Mahnaz Saremi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: High
prevalence of neck pain has become an important health complain among dental
practitioners which is followed by reduced working performance, burnout and
early retirement. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship
between individual and occupational risk factors as well as forward head
posture (FHP) with dentist’s neck pain and to determine the priority of these
factors in the development of the neck pain.
Material and Methods: In this cross
- sectional study, 70 dentists of two dental centers in Tehran were examined
with clinical testing of FHP. Individual and job characteristics were collected
by means of a questionnaire. The visual analog scale (VAS) was applied in order
to determine the severity of pain in various parts of the body. Spearman and
Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regressions were used to
examine the relationship and effect of the studied variables in creating the
neck pain.
Results: According to
the results, neck was the most painful part of the body (66.6%). Indeed, 40
(57.1%) of participating dentists were suffering from the forward head posture.
The results of the multiple linear regression showed that the FHP with the
standard coefficient (β= 0.64) was the most influential factor in predicting
the incidence of neck pain.
Conclusion: The FHP has a
greater impact than any other individual and job factors in creating neck pain.
It may be concluded that awkward neck posture is the most important risk factor
for neck pain in static sitting jobs such as dentistry.
Javad Faradmal, Javad Keshvari Kamran,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: Index of usability
evaluates performance, user satisfaction and increased productivity in a
product. Principles of usability are effectiveness, efficiency, safety, utility,
learnability, Memorability. This Study Aims to Develop a Tool to Estimate and
Evaluate the Usability of Web Applications in the field of Automation Research
has been determined.
Material and Methods: After extracting,
an initial questionnaire to assess the usability of the standard resource for
indices of validity, internal consistency and reproducibility, respectively
technique for determining the content validity, test-retest method and
cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. The most important steps were as follow:
(1) determine the scope and dimensions of the questions (2) preparing draft questionnaire (3) appoint the members of the expert panel (4) methods, how
data analysis (5) determine the acceptance criteria
of the questions (6) determine the content validity index (7) determine reliability
of the questionnaire (8) determine reproducibility of the questionnaire.
Results: A 50-Item
questionnaire was designed as the ultimate tool. The content validity index
value of 0.763 was obtained ultimately for the questionnaire. Analysis of the
questionnaire responses revealed that the lower backend errors related to the
reliability coefficient alpha value was equal to 0.742. Finally, the degree of
reproducibility of the questionnaire, using test-retest method, was equal to
value of 0.993 (p <0.001).
Conclusion: After the
final questionnaire design, with good reliability and validity, it is
noticeable that the designed tool is applicable on relevant softwares and may
improve the quality and efficiency of the software and user interface.
Hamid Salmani Nodooshan, Shaghayegh Koohi Booshehri, Alireza Choobineh, Hadi Daneshmandi, Abdolhalim Rajabi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: In the orthotic
and prosthetic workshops, awkward postures, repetitive and continuously
movements etc. are the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This
study was conducted with the objective of ergonomic assessment of working
conditions in these workshops.
Material and Methods: In this study
all employed personnel of linorthotic and prosthetic production centers in Shiraz
city participated (n=42).Data were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal disorders
Questionnaire (NMQ) and Ergonomic Risk Factor checklist (ERF)for assessment of
working conditions .Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (Ver. 16).
Results: The means
(SD) of age and job tenure (years) in employees studied were 37.26 (10.21) and
12.8 (9.39), respectively .The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in
lower back (42.9%), shoulder (40.5%) and knee (40.5%).Working condition
assessment by ERF check list revealed that the means core of upper and lower
region of body and also mean of total score were higher than acceptable limit
(more than 7)..
Conclusion: In working
conditions improvement, corrective measures and MSDs risk factors control in
studied workers should be noted to risk factors in low back, shoulder and knee.
The results of this study showed that ergonomic problems in orthotics and
prosthetics clinics was related to "custom shoe making",
"grinding and finishing", "filling plaster cast" and
"positive cast rectification" tasks and ergonomic interventions to
decrees and/or eliminate of awkward working posture needed corrections.
Mohammad Ranjbarian, Leila Gheibi, Hossein Hatami, Soheila Khodakarim,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to their
long work hours at environments with poor lighting, carpet weavers are at a
risk of developing certain eye diseases. Improving health conditions and safety
in the workplace, in particular supplying good lighting to carpet weaving
workshops as an important environmental factor, is crucial to the health of
carpet weavers.
Materials and
Methods: The present descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted
in rural carpet weaving workshops in the city of Takab. A total of 86 carpet
weaving workshops were selected through the cluster sampling method with 222
carpet weavers employed in them. General and local lighting settings were
measured in carpet weaving workshops using an LX-13 photometer and the vision
status of the workers was then determined through an E chart. All the data were
ultimately analyzed in SPSS-16.
Results: A total of
48.6% of the carpet weavers suffered from poor vision. The workshops examined
had a minimum area of 9m2 and a maximum area of 56m2, with
interior surfaces often brightly colored. In the majority of the workshops, general
lighting settings (in 82.4%) and local lighting settings (in 91.9%) were below
the standard. All the carpet weaving workshops studied had windows.
Conclusion: The results
of this study showed that, in the majority of the workshops studied, lighting
settings were both quantitatively and qualitatively undesirable and
non-standard. In addition, lighting distribution was non-uniform in these
workshops. Reduced lighting significantly increases the prevalence of poor
vision. In order to reduce eye injuries among carpet weavers during their years
of working, artificial lighting systems must be designed for and implemented in
carpet weaving workshops that suit the industry standards.
Majid Motamedzade, Zahra Moradpour, Hamed Gorjizade, Ghasem Hesam, Abbas Moghim Beigi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: The analysis posture methods are counted as a source of investigating the risk of musculoskeletal disorders related to work. Personal digital assistant is a small mobile system with an operative system that can install on various programs such as posture analysis methods.
Method: Firstly, three ways for posture analysis such as QEC, RULA and REBA determined. Afterward, the program of posture analysis methods written by BASCOM software with Basic language in IC MICRO CONTROLLER belong to AVR family, and interned in IC by programmer for making PDA. PDA Usability evaluated by Persian version of system usability scale questionnaire after specifying the validity and reliability of questionnaire. Finally, postural analysis was compared using a PDA with paper method.
Results: The system usability scale of PDA method is 84.2±6.2 which that got B rank and placed in very well situation. Cronbach's Alpha and Pierson correlation coefficient belongs to System usability Scale are 0.716 and 0.888, sequentially (p˂0.001). The comparison between PDA and paper methods show us that time’s operation for analysis posture in PDA method is less than half of the time in papers method. Also, the probability of calculation errors in PDA is zero, but in paper method has tolerance between 2.33 to 8.66.
Conclusion: Use of personal digital assistant for analysis posture solved the problems related to delay achieving to final results and removed the error probability in final results.
Iraj Mohammadfam, Chiman Saeidi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Human errors
result in numerous accidents in healthcare professions every year and lead to
the death of many patients. Considering the high rate of eye cataract surgeries
performed in Iran and the sensitive nature of the surgery, the present study
was conducted to identify and assess possible human errors in the performance
of these surgeries.
Materials and
Methods: The present qualitative, cross-sectional study was conducted to identify
and assess human errors in the process of eye cataract surgery using the SHERPA
technique. At first, using the hierarchical task analysis method,
the surgery process was divided into tasks and sub-tasks. In the next step,
through the same technique, possible human errors were detected and
risk-assessed. Appropriate prevention solutions were then proposed for reducing
the risk of errors.
Results: A total of 53
possible errors were detected for the 41 tasks in the surgery process. The
highest error percentages pertained to performance and the lowest pertained to
retrieval. Moreover, the risk of 22.64% of the errors detected was deemed
unacceptable.
Conclusions: Given the
severity of the outcomes of human errors in cataract surgery, reducing the rate
of the detected errors is crucial. According to the type and frequency of the
detected errors, the findings of the present study emphasize the importance of
designing and implementing behavior-based safety training programs for
ophthalmologists.
Rostam Golmohammadi, Mohammad Hajiakbari, Rashid Heydari Moghadam, Razie Zare, Seyede Khadije Hoseini, Samane Karami,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: In an
educational environment, the quality of vision is integral to educational
progress. Creating visual comfort and increasing efficiency and the desire to
study are among the benefits of adjusting the lighting in classrooms and
preventing visual impairment in the students. The present study was conducted
to evaluate the degree of internal lighting in girls' schools across Hamadan in
2006 and 2014 so as to help identify their potential problems.
Materials and
Methods: The present study was conducted in girls' schools across Hamadan on two
different occasions –in 2006 and 2014. On each occasion, the average general
and local lighting on the classroom blackboards were measured by the
recommended methods of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America on
non-sunny days using a Lux Meter and were then compared to the standard limits
recommended in the Health and Safety Code of schools and by the Illuminating
Engineering Society of North America. In addition to the degree of lighting,
certain quality assessment criteria were assessed, including the lighting
layout, lamp maintenance, contrast, internal surface cleaning, lighting system
maintenance, type of lamps and technical suitability of the design.
Results: Taking the
criteria for favorable lighting conditions into account, less than 25% of the
sites examined had favorable lighting on both occasions in 2006, only 16% of
the classes had favorable general lighting and in 2014, the degree of lighting
fell to an unacceptable range in all classes and only 6% of the entire
classroom were covered by a standard degree of local lighting on the
blackboard. The results also show that surface reflection coefficients are
within the desirable range.
Conclusion: The lack of
favorable general and local lighting on the blackboard at schools in 2014 and
its comparison with the results of the 2006 lighting assessment indicate that
providing standard lighting is still a problem for schools. Improper lighting
layouts and the use of incandescents or inappropriate light bulbs are among the
major causes of poor lighting conditions in girls' school across Hamadan.
Yadollah Hamidi, Marzieh Mortezaei, Ahmad Heidari Pahlavian, Ali Reza Soltanian, Rashid Heidari Moghaddam,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: The quality
of work life is one of the main issues in human resource management that is
related to job satisfaction, resignation, turnover rate, personality and job
stress. The present study was conducted to investigate the quality of working
life in relation to stress levels and participation in health care workers in
cities.
Materials and
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 124 random health care
workers employed in centers across the city of Hamadan. Walton's quality of
work life questionnaire, Belcher's participation questionnaire and a stress
questionnaire were used for achieving the study objectives. The Pearson test
was used for determining the correlation between the variables.
Results: The results
showed that 40.3% of the subjects reported their overall participation rate to
be low, 38.7%% reported it to be moderate and 21% reported it to be high. In
addition, 73.4% of the subjects reported low levels of perceived stress and
26.6% reported it to be very high. The findings of the study showed a significant
positive correlation between participation and the quality of work life (r=0.33
and p<0.001). The quality of work life and stress were also
found to have a negative correlation (p=0.015 and r=-0.219).
Conclusion: Through
understanding participation and levels of stress among the employees and
through presenting and implementing appropriate strategies for reducing stress
and encouraging participation, the quality of work life and ultimately the
productivity of health care organizations can be increased.
Naeimeh Asadi, Alireza Choobineh, Sareh Keshavarzi, Hadi Daneshmandi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Manual load lifting is the most common and most
stressful activity in manual handling of loads that imposes the highest
possible amount of biomechanical pressure on the body, particularly on the
spine. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of
musculoskeletal disorders and to estimate the mechanical force exerted on the
lower back in workers responsible for manual load lifting.
Material and Methods: The present
cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 workers responsible for manual load
lifting activities in 7 industrial settings in the city of Shiraz. The Nordic Musculoskeletal
Questionnaire (NMQ) was used for determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal
disorders and the 3DSSPP software was used to estimate the forces exerted on
the lower back during load lifting. Data were then analyzed in
SPSS-19.Findings: The results showed that lower back problems constitute the
most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder (68.3%). Evaluations conducted in
3DSSPP showed that in 17.5% of the cases, compressive forces, and in 10.8% of the
cases, shearing forces exerted on the L5-S1 disc were higher in the workers
than the permissible levels. There were no significant differences between the
rate of the prevalence of lower back pain at different levels of compressive
and shearing forces exerted on the disc (p>0/05).
Results: This finding might indicate the limitations of the
method used in this study for conducting a comprehensive assessment of loads
exerted on the spine.
Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, in particular
lower back pain, was estimated to be high among the subjects studied. The risk
levels of compressive and shearing forces exceeded the permissible amount in a
low percentage of the workers studied. The 3DSSPP software might have certain
limitations in the assessment of the pressure exerted on the spine.
Amir Aliabadi, Ghasem Hesam, Zahra Moradpoor,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Welding is
considered to be one of the main sources of occupational exposure to non
ionizing radiations. The present study was conducted to examine the rate of
occupational exposure to non-ionizing radiation in common welding processes.
Materials and
Methods: In the present descriptive analytical study, occupational
exposure to different types of non-ionizing radiations including
electromagnetic fields with extremely low frequency and ultraviolet and
infrared radiations were examined in five types of arc welding processes at the
welding department of the technical and vocational training center of Malayer.
Electric field intensities and magnetic field intensities were measured using
the HOLADAY HI-3604 instrument and based on the ANSI/IEEE Std 644-1994 method. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation intensities
were measured using Hagner-EC1 radiometer (made in Sweden).
Results: Electric
field intensities and magnetic field intensities were lower than the exposure
limits in the different types of welding processes examined. Nevertheless, the
intensity of UV-B radiation
exposure was higher than the exposure limits in the different types of welding
processes examined, while UV-A radiation exposure was only higher than the
exposure limits in arc welding. The results of measuring UV radiation
intensities transmitted through protective goggles revealed the acceptable
shade number of the lenses used. However, welders' clothing did not provide
adequate protection. Moreover, the results showed that welders' infrared
radiation exposure degree was much lower than the exposure limits.
Conclusion: The intensity
of exposure to non-ionizing radiations was influenced by the type of welding
process taken. Given the overexposure of welders to UV-B radiation in unshielded conditions, wearing clothes with
an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50 is necessary for providing better
protection.
Habibollah Dehghan, Aioob Ghanbary Sartang,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: The incidence of heat stress is one of the most common problems in work
environments as well as many different industries. The exposure of workers to heat results
in heat strain. The purpose of the
present study was to validate the Perceptual Strain Index through determining its relationship to the Physiological Strain
Index and the Wet Bulb
Globe Temperature Index under hot laboratory conditions.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was
conducted on 15 men in five different temperature conditions (21, 24, 27, 30
and 35ºC) in a climate chamber and on the treadmill with three different
activity levels –light (2.4km/h), medium (4.8km/h) and heavy (6.3km/h).
Participants' heart rate and oral temperature were measured in order to
calculate the Physiological Strain Index, and their thermal sensation and the rate of
perceived exerted activity were measured for calculating the Perceptual Strain
Index. The correlations between the indices were then evaluated using Pearson's
correlation test and the regression analysis.
Results: Pearson's correlation test showed a significant correlation between
the Perceptual Strain Index and the Physiological Strain
Index (P=0.001 and r=0.94). The Perceptual Strain Index was also found to have a significant
correlation with oral temperature and heart rate (p=0.001
and r=0.78 (p=0.001 and r=0.90). In addition, a significant correlation was found
between the Perceptual Strain Index and the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (p=0.001 and
r=0.71) however, no relationship was observed between the
Perceptual Strain Index and the Body Mass Index (p=0.79 and r=0.0009).
Conclusion: The findings of the
study showed that the Perceptual Strain Index can be used for evaluating heat
strain in the absence of access to other methods of evaluating heat stress as
it has an acceptable correlation with valid indices of heat stress.
Zahra Sharifi, Reza Osqueizadeh, Seyyed Farhad Tabatabai Ghomshe,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Job satisfaction and productivity among industrial workforce depend on multiple factors. Among these
factors, designing the workstation based on bodily characteristics and dimensions of the workers is of critical
significance. Since industrial chairs have direct impacts on biomechanical and anthropometric compatibility, they play
a major role in enhancing workers’ interaction with their workplace. The current study approached the redesign of such
a product with a focus on ergonomics.
Materials and Methods: The present research was a typical combined design project. In the quantitative phase, 90
participants underwent 12 anthropometric measurements (which were important in designing industrial chairs). The
underlying cognitive aspects of the question were evaluated via qualitative methodologies.
Results: Since normal distribution of the data was confirmed, raw anthropometric data were descriptively processed
and reported. Cognitive assessments revealed correlations between correct form and softness of the backrest, and
appropriate slope of the seat-pan, being a main factor determining the level of comfort while interacting with industrial
chairs.
Conclusion: Diverse physical constraints and conditions caused by the variety of duties and workstations have made it
somehow difficult for specialists to design a universal industrial chair functioning in all different contexts.
Nevertheless, the current study confirmed the effectiveness of involving personnel in redesigning the workplace and
easing the challenges.
Mansour Ziaei, Ghobad Rezaei, Hamed Yarmohammadi, Elahe Khoshboo, Faramarz Gharagozlou,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Job involvement is defined as one’s psychological dependence on his/her job. Employees with high job involvement
pay more attention to their job. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between teachers’
job involvement and demographic characteristics in Kermanshah (Iran) secondary
schools during 2013.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was
performed on 211 teachers (161 male and 50 female). Data were collected using
the Job Involvement Scale. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman’s
correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The teachers’ mean age and work experience were 32.21 and
8.49 years, respectively. Low, moderate, and high levels of job involvement were
detected in 22.3%, 54.5%, and 23.2% of the teachers, respectively. Job
involvement was significantly higher in married teachers than single subjects
(p = 0.027). Moreover, teachers without a second job had higher job involvement
than those with a second job (p = 0.006). There were no statistical
correlations between job involvement and age, sex, work experience, or level of
education.
Conclusion: The participating teachers
generally had low-moderate levels of job involvement. Low salary, working
multiple jobs, and low social prestige were mostly responsible for such low
levels of job involvement. Therefore, increasing teachers’ salary, providing
teachers with special facilities (e.g. low-interest loans), and developing a system
for teachers’ promotion (similar to that existing for faculty members) can be
effective in increasing job involvement among teachers
Parisa Hosseini Koukamari, Abdolzahra Naami, Teimour Allahyari,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction:
Adaptive performance is defined as an employee’s ability to deal with changes and new and unusual situations
in the workplace. The present study
mainly focused on factor analysis of the Adaptive Performance Scale (APS) and
determining its validity and reliability. Adaptive
performance is a multi-dimensional
structure with five
latent factors.
Materials and Methods: This method
validation study was conducted in Ahvaz, Iran. 210 randomly selected
public hospital nurses completed the Persian version of the APS. Exploratory factor analysis (varimax rotation) was used to explore the
factor structure of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied
to fit the model.
Results: The
overall reliability of the APS was confirmed (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). Factor
analysis was used to evaluate the factor structure of the scale. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index (0.88) and
Bartlett's sphericity test result (1639.093) were both significant.
Finally, varimax rotation showed all items to have significant factor loadings.
Conclusion: Our findings
confirmed the acceptable psychometric properties (reliability
and validity) of the APS for administration among nurses. Therefore, the
adaptive performance construct contains five distinct dimensions, namely dealing with emergency and
unexpected situations, work stress
management, creative problem solving,
learning, and interpersonal adaptability. These results are consistent
with previous studies.
Mohamad Hosein Ghasemi, Abed Salimi, Mehrdad Anbarian, Maasome Fadaee, Sara Moghadasi, Hamed Esmaeeli,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction:
Today, computers are widely used in many homes and workplaces. The relationship
between computer use and musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper
extremities has been well documented. Muscle fatigue in the shoulder and arm
regions is one of the most frequently reported problems in computer users.
Supporting the upper extremities has been suggested as a way to reduce the
static load on upper body muscles while using a keyboard. The purpose of this
study was to determine the effect of elbow and forearm support on upper
trapezius muscle fatigue while typing.
Materials and Methods: Eight
students of Bu-Ali Sina University (Hamadan, Iran) participated in this quasi-experimental study. The
surface electromyography activity of the upper trapezius muscle of the dominant
side was recorded in three positions, namely without elbow support, elbow
support with the table, and elbow support with a pad while typing. The muscle fatigue index for the three
typing positions was
calculated based on the median frequency slope of the raw electromyography
signals. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for
statistical analyses.
Results: Median
frequency slope decreased significantly in elbow support with the table in
comparison with non-support position (p = 0.04). There were no significant
differences between elbow support with a pad and other two positions.
Conclusion: These
results suggested elbow support as a mechanism to delay trapezius muscle
fatigue and thus increase task efficiency. More research is required to
determine the advantages or disadvantages of using different pads.
Athena Rafieepour, Elnaz Rafieepour, Marzieh Sadeghian,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction:
Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the leading problems among computer users.
They have attracted increasing attention over years and different solutions
have been proposed for their resolution. This study evaluated the effects of ergonomic
training on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in computer users.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted
among the office workers of a university. A total of 110 computer operators
were randomly selected and allocated to intervention and control groups. The
intervention group was trained about the ergonomic principles of working with
computers. Nordic
Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal
disorders. Moreover,
rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) was applied to determine the risk of
musculoskeletal disorders before and six months after training. Data was analyzed using independent
and paired t-test.
Results: The
highest frequency of
musculoskeletal disorders was seen in the back (55.4%) and neck (54.5%). In
addition, risk assessment before the intervention suggested 31% of the
participants to be high-risk. After the training program, significantly lower
risk was detected in the intervention group. No such a significant difference
was present in the control group.
Conclusion: The
results of this study showed that corrective actions can reduce the risk of
work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).
They can thus be implemented to enhance
the effectiveness of ergonomic measures.
Farideh Dehghan Manshadi, Gholamreza Haj-Valie, Rashid Heydari Moghadam, Khosrou Khademi Kalantar, Alireza Yavari Kia, Manoochehr Karami,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Concurrent pain in
the knee joint and its-related muscles is expectable in patients with
sacroiliac dysfunction. However, the association between the severity of knee
pain and the level of sacroiliac dysfunction is still unclear. The present
study aimed to determine the association between the severity of sacroiliac
dysfunction and the severity of pain due to involvement of knee compartment.
Materials and Methods: One hundred
consecutive patients who visited an orthopedic clinic with the primary
complaint of knee pain were recruited. According to specific diagnostic tests, 50
had sacroiliac dysfunction and 50 had no history of sacroiliac dysfunction. The
severity of knee pain was determined using the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS).
T-tests were then performed to compare the two groups in terms of AKPS scores.
Results: The mean AKPS score
was 33.2 ± 12.1 in patients with sacroiliac dysfunction and 62.6 ± 18.6 in
those without sacroiliac dysfunction (p < 0.001). Moreover, anterior knee
pain was more frequent in the first group (56% vs. 10% p < 0.001).
Conclusion: There is a
significant association between the severity of anterior knee pain and severity
of sacroiliac dysfunction. This association may be due to involvement of knee
extensor muscles following the progression of sacroiliac dysfunction.
Fozieh Javadpour, Sareh Keshavarzi, Alireza Choobineh, Mandana Aghabaigi,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Perceived work-related
fatigue is an important issue since it may adversely impact workers’
performance. Additionally, workers’ fatigue is known as a main cause of
occupational accidents in workplaces. Considering the consequences of perceived
work-related fatigue, assessing fatigue at workplace is critical to
work-related fatigue risk management. Therefore, this study assessed the
validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Swedish Occupational
Fatigue Inventory (SOFI-20) among Iranian employees.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional
study, 501 employees of two petrochemical companies were selected by simple
sampling method. The Persian version of SOFI-20 was developed using forward and
backward translation processes and used to collect the required data. The
validity and reliability of the translated inventory were examined by
confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient,
respectively.
Results: Assuming
that some items of the Persian version of the SOFI-20 were correlated, the
confirmatory factor analysis was repeated to achieve better fitness. The results of CFA revealed an acceptable fit for the
Persian version of SOFI-20. The total Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for the
SOFI-20 was 0.95. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for different dimensions of the
SOFI-20 were found to range from 0.690 to 0.887.
Conclusion: The validity and
reliability of the Persian version of the SOFI-20 was acceptable for assessing
the dimensions of work-related fatigue among Iranian employees.
Raziyeh Morshedi, Matreh Boazar, Davood Afshari, Kambiz Ahmadi Angali, Maryam Malek Zadeh,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Manual handling of loads and carrying tasks widely exists in many occupations. Hospital staff because of Manual carrying of loads, are at increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Incorrect lifting methods, is an important risk factor for low back pain. The aim of this study was to analyze the biomechanical loads on the lumbar of nurses-aid in manual handling activities of serum cartons 12.5 kg in hospital and provide ergonomic solutions is the prevention of back pain.
Methods: This study was conducted one of the hospitals in Ahvaz city in year 1392. evaluated Postures were sampled through observation and photography. Then load lifting of complex index, was calculated by NIOSH equation and estimate the compressive forces on vertebras L5/ S1 as a quantitative index using software 3 D SSPP, during 2 stages before and after the intervention. The results of tests using Correlation, Regression and T-test were analyzed
Results: The results showed that the highest RWL in the top row 89/9 kg and minimum on the bottom row was 44/5 kg. The highest and lowest compressive force was estimated in the bottom and top rows, respectively, 6727 and 3707 Newton. Results of statistical tests showed significant reduction between the load lifting of complex index(CLI), and the compressive force average before and after the reform is the work station.
Conclusion:Throgh biomechanical analysis of work stations with two methods quantitatively and qualitatively can be made more accurate assessment and ergonomic conditions at work stations can be modified more accurately.
