Showing 11 results for Amani
Mohamad Ali Zamani, Reza Osqueizadeh, Seyyed Farhad Tabatabai Ghomshe,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (Journal of Ergonomics 2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The extensive development of written interactions in the current world of technology in one hand, and on the other hand noticeable dominance of English language in this milieu, has led to inadequate utilization of Farsi in such settings, even amongst native speakers. Lack of experimental data regarding legibility and readability of the printed and electronic texts related to this language has been the main theory behind the current research, which was designed to evaluate correlations between typography and reading performance.
Materials & Methods
Eighty four Farsi speaking university students, having no specific visual impairments, took part in the study. Frequently used Farsi fonts, edited in equal pixel areas and sizes, and were evaluated through legibility and readability tests. Word detection and word search techniques were considered for each test respectively. All trails were designed within similar visual interaction conditions to avoid any background biases.
Results
Statistical analyses revealed correlations between typography and readying performance in Farsi (compared to English). Amongst the six frequently used fonts studied, legibility was significantly higher in Yekan, t (83) = -2.649, p=0.012. Likewise readability was found to be significantly smoother in Zar font, t (83) = - 2.194, p=0.037.
Conclusion
On the whole, the current approach towards classification of Persian fonts confirms the outcomes of the present study. In other words, fonts frequently used for development of body of the texts usually have higher legibility, and types being utilized for presentation purposes mainly possess higher readability.
Zahra Zamanian, Bahram Kouhnavard , Bahram Maleki, Fatemeh Ashrafi, Leyla Ahmadvand, Parisa Azad,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (Journal of Ergonomics 2015)
Abstract
Introduction: As
a healthcare providing establishment, hospitals can be affected by sources of
noise pollution which then impose negative effects on the health and comfort of
patients and personnel. The present study was conducted to determine the
relationship between sound annoyance and general health in the personnel of
university affiliated and non-university affiliated hospitals in Shiraz.
Materials and Methods: The present descriptive analytical study was conducted in four university affiliated
and non-university affiliated hospitals in Shiraz with a sample size of 300
using a predetermined equation and according to the results of previous
studies. The instruments used in the study included the General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ), the Noise Annoyance Scale (NAS) and an audiometer (CEL-440
model).
Findings: The present study
found a small inverse relationship between the total general health score in
the hospital personnel and the sound pressure level at university-affiliated
hospitals (r=-0.103) and a direct positive relationship at non-university
affiliated hospitals (r=0.274), which were not statistically significant
(P≤0.05). The relationship of somatic symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, social
dysfunction and depression to sound pressure was inverse and small (r=-0.195
and P≥0.05). However, there was a direct positive relationship between general
health and sound annoyance (r=0.266 and P≤0.05).Conclusion: According
to the results obtained, noise levels are higher than the acceptable exposure
limit in university-affiliated hospitals, which affect both the patients' and
the personnel's general health, necessitating the adoption of control measures.
Zahra Zamanian, Marziyeh Roshan Sarvestani, Mitra Sedaghati, Mahnaz Ghatmiri, Bahram Kouhnavard,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (Journal of Ergonomics 2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Faculty and staff are the pillars of any university. Any impairment in the function of these elements would undoubtedly decrease the quality of education and training services provided. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between subjective workload and job satisfaction in faculty and staff members of universities of medical sciences and universities affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study recruited 164 faculty and staff members. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX), and the Job Description Index (JDI). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to analyze the data.
Findings: The participants’ workload had no significant effects on their job satisfaction. Faculty members generally had a heavier workload and lower level of job satisfaction compared to staff members. Moreover, faculty of universities of medical sciences had higher workload and lower levels of job satisfaction (14.5% vs. 30.76%) in comparison to faculty of universities affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. Moreover, 14.5% of the medical faculty members and 30.76% of science faculty members were satisfied with their jobs. Overall, job satisfaction and workload were not significantly related with demographic characteristics and job features of the participants.
Conclusion: Among the various subscales of workload, faculty members reported high levels of subjective pressure, time pressure, and effort. Therefore, further studies are required to identify the causes of such pressures and introduce measures for their reduction or elimination.
Siavash Etemadi Nejad, Seyyed Esmail Hosseininejad, Jamshid Yazdani Charati, Fariba Ghaempanah, Mahmoud Yousefi Chemazkati, Mojtaba Ahmadi, Ali Amani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sewing is one of the occupations where the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high. Sewing conditions at the workstation have made tailors face musculoskeletal injuries in various areas of their body, particularly pain in the neck, shoulder, and upper back and even waist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a workstation designed for tailoring considering the results of previous studies on the neck and shoulder muscles of users by electromyography.
Methods: In this interventional analytical study, the activity levels of four superficial neck and shoulder muscles (meridian, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid) were Electromyographed on 33 participants (male and female) at two new and custom designed workstations.
Results: There was a significant difference in the amount of muscle activity in the new and existing workstations (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the different modes of the new workstation.
Conclusion: All four muscles were less active at the new workstation than the conventional workstation, meaning that the designed workstation was able to reduce neck and shoulder muscle activity during work.
Parisa Hassanzadeh, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Iraj Mohebbi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Macro Ergonomics is a socio-technical approach that deals with organizational, and work system design, as well as the design of human-machine, human-environment, and human-job interactions. Researches show that workplace macroeconomic’ conditions have undesirable effects on employees’ health, and hospital staff experience high levels of occupational stress and high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relation between macroeconomic’ condition and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders as well as outcomes of job stress among employees of hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and 350 employees who randomly were selected from 5 hospitals participated in this study. Macro-ergonomic, Nordic and job stress outcomes questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis.
Results: The findings of the present study indicated that out of 350 participants 217 (62%) were female and 168 were nurses (48%). Their mean age was 36.63 (±8.13) years and their average work experience was 11.53 (±7.65) years. The results of ANOVA test showed that the status of macro-ergonomics was significantly different in hospitals and hospital 1 had favorable condition. The majority of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms were reported in the neck (75.7%), hip, and waist (73.7%). The average score of job stress outcomes for the participants was lower than favorable limit. Macro-ergonomic’ conditions had significant associations with musculoskeletal disorders and job stress’ outcomes.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, macro-ergonomic conditions had significant effects on musculoskeletal disorders and job stress outcomes. Interventional efforts should focus on organization and developing macro-ergonomic training programs to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and job stress and improve job conditions in hospitals.
Hamed Amani, Seyed Hossein Shojaei, Hemn Zarei,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: A good work environment is a place where one can feel relaxed and focused. In the field of environmental psychology, color is one of the environmental factors that greatly influence human perception and behavior. The purpose of this systematic review study was to investigate the effect of color on work environment.
Methods: This article is a systematic review study. Full-text and English-language articles published in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar were searched using the following keywords: Color perception, color ergonomics, color psychology, color effect, mental health and Workplace. The search was without time limit, and 45 eligible articles were reviewed.
Results: Initially, 262 articles were identified from different databases. Among them, 93 articles met the criteria for entering the study. After that, 48 articles were removed from the study due to lack of experimental studies and 45 articles were selected for final review. A total of 18 studies focused on color priority, 25 studies on mood and emotions, 6 studies on health outcomes, and 19 studies on the effect of workplace color on work-related outcomes. The results showed that color has a significant effect on emotions (eg mood), well-being (eg stress, comfort, well-being) and performance (eg productivity, creativity).
Conclusion: Workplace color should be considered as one of the main ways to promote the (mental and physical) health of individuals.
Arezoo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Morteza Mahdavi, Fariba Ghaempanah,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: For many employees, students and “Behind the desk jobs”, most of the daily work is done while sitting on a chair and behind a desk. This happens while many studies are associating long-term sedentary posture with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, etc. The aim of the present research is to design a tool that helps to change the working posture of people who work at sedentary workstations from sitting to stand-sit posture.
Methods: The measurements needed to design a desk converter were extracted from the existing anthropometric data of the Iranian community between the ages of 6-19 and 20-60 for both sexes, using 4 anthropometric parameters of elbow (to floor) height sitting, eye height sitting, elbow height standing and eye height standing. These values were used to obtain the difference between the required work surface of the hand while sitting and standing (keyboard position) and the difference of the required work surface of the eye while sitting and standing (display position). Due to the adjustability of this tool, 5th percentile of women and 95th percentile of men were used to achieve the required range of changes.
Results: The desk converter constitutes two parts, 1. Top surface (meant for monitor) and 2. the keyboard tray. The difference in the height of these two surfaces was calculated 12cm. The maximum height of the desk converter (adjustable range) for both age groups was 68 cm due to changes in sitting and standing elbow height. The width and depth of the desk are set at 90 by 50 cm, and the keyboard and mouse surface, with a width equal to the desk’s and a depth of 20 cm, creates sufficient and comfortable space for users.
Conclusion: It is envisioned that by using this tool and changing the posture of individuals from an entirely sitting posture to standing and sitting alternation, a contribution to the reduction of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer problems can be made.
Morteza Mahdavi, Arezo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Hadi Asghari,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2022)
Abstract
Objectives: Providing safety for human resources in the industry is very important. Safety shoes are one of the most common PPEs that protect the foot against potential hazards. This study aimed to evaluate the discomfort and usability of safety shoes in different industries of Mazandaran province to find gaps in the quality of design and improve the design of safety shoes.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and was conducted in 2021.This study included employees of 11 different industrial companies that used seven safety shoe brands. They answered two researcher-made questionnaires, LPD (discomfort and general satisfaction) and SFUQ (usability). Data analysis was performed with Spearman rank correlation coefficient while Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA test were also performed.
Results: In total, 226 men with a mean age of 36.33 ± 7.4 years were included in this study. The participants reported the lowest usability for the brand G (3.3 and 3.99), and the least discomfort and the most usability index with the brand A (1.2 and 5.35). Overall, the highest satisfaction was reported for brand A and the lowest satisfaction to brand G.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the main problem in comfort and usability is probably related to shoe molds because the manufacturers of safety shoes import molds from abroad that do not fit the anthropometric characteristics of Iranian users’ feet.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Arezoo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Taghipour,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Nowadays, workers are less mobile and more sedentary due to the use of modern technologies in the workplace, and the complications resulting from static work and fixed posture have caused numerous disorders, including musculoskeletal disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the comfort and usability of the ergonomic sit-stand desk converter with the aim of preventing disorders caused by constant sitting in workers.
Methods: 30 employees and faculty members of a university voluntarily participated in this study and provided informed consent. After the necessary explanations, subjects were provided with two researcher-created questionnaires ( Local Perceived Discomfort (LPD) and Sit-Stand Desk Converter Usability Questionnaire (SSDCUQ)), two methods of posture analysis, two methods of Workstation evaluation and general satisfaction along with 20-8-2 software and an ergonomic desk converter. After the test period, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 software and statistical tests such as mean, standard deviation, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: The overall mean LPD in the different body parts was 0.48 ± 0.87, indicating that the converter functions in the range of no problem to very little discomfort. The average overall satisfaction with the function of the converter was 3.18 ± 1.08 ,which is in the medium to good range. When analysing the different sitting and standing postures, a significant correlation was also found between the different situations of using the converter (P<0.0005), which indicates an improvement in sitting and standing posture while using the converter.
Conclusion: Height-adjustable workstations are a good choice to reduce sitting time and improve posture. Despite the improvement in sitting and standing posture when using the converter, there are limitations, such as ignoring the software warnings for sitting and standing in the mechanical converter studied.
Mousa Nazari, Arezoo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Mohammad Mahdi Alyan Nezhadi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the most significant challenges in both developing and developed countries, affecting the majority of individuals throughout their lives. Considering the detrimental effects of musculoskeletal disorders on the productivity and general health of employees, this research utilizes the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMDQ) to develop an intelligent model for assessing and predicting the levels of musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 810 employees from five organizations (in four occupational categories, including administrative, technical, production, and services) completed the CMDQ voluntarily. After collecting the questionnaire and performing relevant statistical analyses, data normalization and clustering based on the K-Means method were used to determine levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Finally, the multilayer perceptron artificial neural network was trained to predict the levels of musculoskeletal disorders; moreover, the criteria of precision, accuracy, recall, and F1-score were used to evaluate the proposed model.
Results: The performance of the proposed model in predicting the levels of musculoskeletal disorders is presented in two scenarios (use and non-use of the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) method) based on the evaluation criteria provided. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score values were 0.724, 0.709, 0.756, and 0.720, respectively. The appropriate accuracy and precision in the proposed model indicate its capability to identify the levels of musculoskeletal disorders in individuals and help healthcare professionals take necessary measures to prevent and predict them.
Conclusion: This study employs the CMDQ questionnaire and artificial intelligence to analyze musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. The proposed model demonstrates significant accuracy and precision compared to similar studies. The results indicate that this model can be utilized to identify and predict musculoskeletal disorders in organizational employees, offering the potential to expedite the identification process and reduce costs.
Rasoul Hemmatjo, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Mansour Mahmoodaghbash,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics-In Press 2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Numerous factors such as job types and conditions, work organizations, and individual characteristics affect work ability of the workers. Furthermore, occupational stress is not solely influenced by individual characteristics; a stressful work environment is also a significant source of stress. Noise has been recognized as one of the major occupational hazards that adversely affects work condition in many industries. In the present study, the association of noise exposure with occupational stress and work ability of the workers in a food processing plant was investigated.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 142 workers of a food processing plant in various work groups. The OSIPOW questionnaire results were utilized to measure occupational stress and the work ability of the workers was determined by Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. Noise exposure of the workers was calculated as a measure of 8-hour time weighted average. The association between noise exposure and work ability was analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. Multiple regression test was utilized to analyze the simultaneous effect of variables. Moreover, one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the mean difference of independent variables.
Results: The findings demonstrated a significant positive association between noise exposure and stress level across various work groups (P<0.001). Furthermore, a significant negative relationship can be found between noise exposure and work ability of the workers (P<0.001). A simultaneous analysis of variables influencing occupational stress and WAI showed that noise had the most effect. Although occupational stress levels were not significantly different across working groups, mean difference of WAI was significant.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained findings, higher levels of noise exposure may contribute to increased occupational stress and decreased work ability among workers.
