Showing 27 results for Stress
Tahereh Gholami, Najmeh Rahnavard, Marziyeh Sadeghzadeh, Sepideh Tahmtan,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are major problems among hospital staff. One of the most important reasons for these disorders are patient handling tasks and psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial stressors caused by patients handling among nurse aids.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 56 nurse aids of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The data were collected via Nordic questionnaire, MAPO index checklist and job content questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables and the Chi-square test for analyzing the data.
Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the lower back (71.4%) and the least in the thigh and neck area (46.4%). The results of MAPO index for risk of musculoskeletal disorders showed that 9 out of 12 sections (63.2%) were in the 2nd level. Also, the average score of the dimensions of the psychological job demands and the physical job demands are high and the average score of social support is low, which indicates high stress. Also, the physical job demands (P=0.035), social support (P=0.002) and job insecurity (P=0.001) were related to the levels of MAPO risks.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the prevalence of lower back pain is high and nurse aids experience many psychosocial stressors in their job life. So the training of ergonomic principles and the use of auxiliary equipment during the transport of patients, as well as the reduction of stressors such as the psychological and physical job demand and the lack of social support and job insecurity by authorities, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders can be reduced.
Fatemeh Zameni, Ahmad Soltanzadeh, Parvin Nasiri,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: In the modern industrial world, the health of the employees in different Occupations can be influenced by the interaction of various risk factors. So, the purpose of present study was to assess and analyze the relationship between the factors including shift work, job stress, job satisfaction and health in a petrochemical industry.
Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted using analytical and cross-sectional method. The statistical population was all employees of a petrochemical company (4000 people). Using the Cochran formula, a sample of 360 individuals were selected using simple random sampling method. Data was collected using a high reliability integrated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83). Data was analyzed using SPSS22.0.
Results: The analytical results of relationship between shift work, occupational stress, occupational satisfaction and health showed that all hypotheses in the conceptual model were approved and there was a significant relationship between these factors (P<0.001). Also, the results showed that, in addition to the direct effect of shift work on health, due to the effect on occupational stress and occupational satisfaction, it was indirectly related to health (P <0.001).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that shift work as a direct factor and as a mediator and indirect factor through impact on factors such as occupational satisfaction and stress can affect the health of employees. Therefore, considering this organizational phenomenon and its redesign or its change can play an important role in increasing the level of occupational health and motivation as well as organizational productivity.
Fatemeh Chahraghran, Shahnaz Tabatabaei,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Considering that musculoskeletal disorders and occupational stress are one of the most important reasons for disability, physical and mental problems in the staff, the study of their causes is of great importance. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between ergonomic risk level and job stress in employees of a food production plant.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic research. It was carried out for a sample of 200 employees in the production and packaging of a food production plant in 2018. The QEC method was used to determine the ergonomic risk level and the OSPU questionnaire was used to measure occupational stress. Descriptive and inferential statistics (T and F tests) were used to analyze the data.
Results: The findings showed that the level of ergonomic risk in the neck, shoulders and wrists is in the unfavorable situation. Workstations will need to be repaired in the near future. There is a significant relationship between the level of ergonomic risk and the demographic variables of gender and education with job stress.
Conclusion: Unfavorable ergonomic status of workstations in the food factory has increased the worker’s stress in the manufacturing and packaging sectors. Therefore, proper design of workstations and consideration of ergonomic principles are effective in improving the physical and mental health of employees.
Parisa Hassanzadeh, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Iraj Mohebbi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
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.
Bahram Tahmacbi, Mahdi Zare Bahramabadi, Mahshid Izadi, Hamide Abdolhoseini,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Factors affecting one's job performance include job stress, job calling and burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationship between job stressors, job calling and job burnout among employees of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 378 non-faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using Maslach Burnout Inventory, Job Stress Questionnaire (HSE-Q) and Dik's job calling. To investigate the relationship between variables, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method was used in AMOS version 24 software.
Results: The mean age of participants was 38.93 years. The components of job stressors and job calling had a positive and significant correlation with the components of job burnout (P<0.05). The measurement model was acceptable with the collected data. Job stressors indirectly and mediate the dimensions of presence and search of job calling are related to job burnout of medical university employees. The sum of squares of multiple correlations for job burnout variable was 0.56. This finding indicated that occupational stressors and job calling account for 52% of the variance in burnout.
Conclusion: Given the detrimental effects of burnout on employees, it is suggested that authorities reduce stressors such as the psychological and physical needs of the workplace, lack of support, job insecurity, and job calling.
Shiva Sakhaie, Mohamad Asgari, Ahmad Borjali, Amirhosein Mahmoodi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Job stress is among the factors that affect job performance. The present study aimed at the developing and studying the effectiveness of an educational package to cope with the occupational stress of the flight crew.
Methods: The research method is mixed (qualitative & quantitative). The statistical population in the qualitative section consists of elites and informants in the field of coping strategies for the flight crew’s stress and seven people were selected by targeted sampling method. In the quantitative method, the statistical population included Mahan flight crew and forty people were selected through convenient sampling and they were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. The quasi-experimental method with an unbalanced control group was used. The Vandroff’s Job Stress Questionnaire was used for measuring the dependent variable. The data were analyzed by Multivariable Variance method and Independent t-test for differential scoring using SPSS 25 software.
Results: The results indicated that the educational package of coping with occupational stress led to the reduction of stress in the flight crew. The analysis of each occupational stress components showed that the training for coping with the occupational stress is effective for, Decision-making Power, job & time strain, role ambiguity, value deficiency, as well as social support from the manager and colleagues.
Conclusion: Thus, according to the effectiveness of the educational package for coping with occupational stress, it is recommended that this package be used in other airline companies and also by the psychologists and consultants who utilize occupational therapy for the occupational stress of the flight crew.
Ramin Rahmani, Ali Ebrazeh, Farzad Zandi, Roghayeh Rouhi, Shirdel Zandi,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Paying attention to human resources is one of the basic principles for increasing productivity and quality of services in hospitals. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the level of job satisfaction and job stress, and the association between these two components in nurses, operating room, and anesthesia staff.
Methods: This is a descriptive causal-comparative study, performed in December 2019 in Zabol hospitals with the participation of 175 nurses, operating room, and anesthesia staff. A three-part questionnaire consisting of demographic information, job satisfaction, and job stress was used to collect data. Then analysis of data was performed using SPSS 20 and the Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and ANOVA.
Results: In this study, it was found that nursing group had the highest job satisfaction and anesthesia and operating room staff had the lower job satisfaction. Also, the highest and lowest levels of job stress were related to anesthesiologists and nurses, respectively, and the differences in both variables were significant between the three groups. Moreover, the results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between job satisfaction and job stress, totally.
Conclusion: Due to that anesthesia staff was in a more unfavorable situation than others. We recommend that management planning and policies in hospitals be done by occupational groups and design and carry out the studies to assess the needs for each group.
Anooshirvan Safari, Shahnaz Tabatabaei, Mahnaz Sareme,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In the automotive industry, assemblers are at the risk of job stress. There is relationship between job stress and work ability index, and job stress can impact on work ability index negatively. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of ergonomic job stress intervention (Ergo-JSI) on the work ability index and job stress of assemblers in an auto parts factory.
Methods: It was an interventional study with pre- and post-test design in the assembly section of an auto parts factory. The sample group included 80 persons who were working in this section and they were selected totally. The interventional Ergonomics-based on Job Stress Program was performed for eight weeks. Job stress questionnaires (BJSQ), work ability index (WAI), ergonomic check points (ECP), and stress prevention in the workplace (International Labor Organization) were used as research tools.
Results: The ergonomic job stress intervention (Ergo-JSI) was found to be significant on the work ability index (P <0.001). The level of work ability index was increased by 16.25% for workers (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the job stress was decreased significantly (P <0.05). The quantitative changes in the level of job stress towards reduction were based on the BJSQ criteria A (51.25%) and criteria B (27.5%); these differences were found to be significant (P <0.001).
Conclusion: Individual and organizational approaches which used for the interventional Ergonomic based on Job Stress Management Program has been effective on the decreasing of job stress and the increasing of work ability index of assemblers. Therefore, this Participatory Ergonomics Program which has an integrated approach can be improved the mental health of staff.
Fereshteh Mohseni Takalu, Sanjar Salajeghe, Mohammad Jalalkamali, Mohammad Taghi Mohseni Takalu,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Resilience is one of the factors affecting the job performance of employees and maintaining their health in a stressful work environment. This study aimed to apply the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model to investigate the individual resilience and the factors affecting it in Melli Bank branch employees of Kerman, Iran.
Methods: In this self-reported cross-sectional survey, 358 Melli Bank Branch Employees of Kerman city participated from August to December 2019. According to the JD-R model, the constructs including resilience, emotional intelligence, social support, and job stress, were selected as outcome, personal resource, job resource, and Job demand respectively and participants participated in the survey by answering the questionnaire designed based on these four constructs. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and AMOS 21 software.
Results: The results showed that resources (emotional intelligence and social support) and demand (job stress) are directly and separately related to resilience (P˂0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively), and they are also interactively related (interaction of emotional intelligence and job stress, social support and job stress, social support and emotional intelligence) (P˂0.001, P˂0.001, and P = 0.003 respectively).
Conclusion: Emotional intelligence, social support, and job stress can affect the resilience of bank employees and human resource managers in banks can help increase employee resilience by creating educational interventions in these areas.
Samira Barakat, Habibollah Dehghan, Hossein Ebrahimi, Behnam Moradi,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (10-2021)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Thermal sensation is not a direct sense of air temperature but is related to people's feelings, sensory experience and psychological phenomenon, which can affect their performance, productivity, attitude and sense of satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine the subjective thermal sensation and its relationship with stress, anxiety, depression and students' cognitive function.
Methods: This study was descriptive-analytical and was performed on 167 male students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Students' subjective thermal sensation was measured on a seven-point scale and ambient temperature and humidity were measured in each student's room. The DASS-42 questionnaire was used to measure stress and anxiety and the "Reaction Timer" device was used to measure the cognitive function. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20.
Results: Students' stress, anxiety and depression were 40%, 47.3% and 41.3%, respectively. The mean temperature of the dormitory was 20.326 ° C, the mean relative humidity was 56.78% and the subjective thermal sensation of 29.9% of the students were neutral from the ambient temperature. There was a significant relationship between students' subjective thermal sensation and stress, anxiety and mean diagnostic reaction time, color selection, sound selection, number of errors in the diagnostic section and sound selection.
Conclusion: Students' subjective sensation of ambient temperature was obtained as a very important and influential factor because in addition to affecting stress and anxiety, it also had a significant effect on their time of diagnostic reaction and selective.
Mohammad Reza Omidi, Hadi Meftahi, Nabi Omidi,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Employees in the oil and gas industry face various anxieties. The occurrence of corona disease and its rapid spread may increase the anxiety level of these people. The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of burnout in the relationship between corona anxiety and work stress.
Methods: The present study is a descriptive survey conducted in 1400. The statistical population of this research is all operational employees of Engineering and Construction Company of Oil Industries; Cochran formula was used to obtain a sample size of 310 people; the main instrument used to collect information is Corona Anxiety Scale Questionnaire, Job Burnout Questionnaire and Questionnaire. In this research, path analysis in SMART PLS software was used to analyze and test the research hypotheses.
Results: Corona anxiety has a significant effect on job burnout with coefficients (T=11.22 = 0.42, R^2) and job stress with coefficients (T=9.24 = 0.48, R^2). The effect of burnout on job stress is also significant with coefficients (T=9.24 = 0.38, R^2). The VAF effect coefficient for the effect of corona anxiety on job stress with the mediating role of burnout is equal to 0.51 and its significance coefficient is 7.52. Therefore, the mediating role of job burnout between the two variables corona anxiety and job stress was confirmed.
Conclusion: Corona anxiety has a direct and indirect negative effect on employees, and the level of corona anxiety in different industries should be reduced to improve employee performance.
Nadere Seyedahmadi, Alireza Heidari, Parviz Askari,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effect of stress inoculation treatment (SIT) on occupational stress, COVID anxiety, resilience, and sleep quality of healthcare workers.
Methods: The current study was conducted based on a pre-test-post-test design with the control group. The research community consisted of healthcare workers in Ahvaz, and the research participants included 40 cases who were selected by purposeful sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research instruments were the COVID-19 anxiety scale, resilience scale, sleep quality scale, and job stress scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software using univariate and multivariate covariance analysis.
Results: The results of the present study demonstrated F ratios of univariate analysis of covariance for sleep quality (F=304.08 and P<0.001), COVID anxiety (F=212.99 and P<0.001), resilience (F=152.37 and P<0.001) and job stress (F=124.59 and P<0.001).
Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of stress inoculation training on the studied variables, this training seems necessary for the health and treatment staff.
Mohammad Babamiri, Ramin Rahmani, Rashid Heydari Moghadam, Mehraneh Shabani,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: In work environments, job stress is the main factor that can make employees lose control and provide the opportunity for the occurrence of aggression in employees. Therefore, this study investigated the role of the effort-reward imbalance model in the occurrence of bullying in the workplace.
Methods: This study was descriptive-analytical in nature. The research population consisted of employees of one of the petrochemical plants located in the south of the country. The samples (n=202) were selected using the census sampling method. In this research, two self-report questionnaires, namely the Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale and the Questionnaire of bullying actions, were used to measure the variables. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 18 software using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression.
Results: The mean scores of the participants’ age and work experience in this study were 40.13±9.32 and 15.9±9.50 years, respectively. Among the participants, 72.8% were female and 86.1% were married. In terms of educational status, 10.9% had an associate's degree, 81.2% had a bachelor's degree, and the rest had a master's degree or higher. About three-quarters of the participants were public service employees, and the rest were working on a contract basis. Based on the results of the multivariate regression model, among the variables investigated in this study, effort-reward imbalance and extreme commitment were able to significantly predict the changes in the bullying score (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Employees who feel imbalanced between inputs and outputs in the job, as well as those who have the characteristic of excessive responsibility, are more likely to display negative behaviors in the form of bullying in the workplace.
Roholah Hosseini, Mojtaba Chekideh,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Human resources are the most important capital and strategic factor in any organization, especially hospitals. Managers need to employ suitable strategies to decrease and remove job stressors to utilize this capital more effectively for enhancing the quality of hospital services. Reducing occupational plays a significant role in improving the morale and motivation among the hospital's human resources. In this research, management strategies were investigated to reduce occupational stress among human resources in Imam Reza Hospital, Zarandiya, Iran.
Methods: The current applied research was conducted based on the descriptive-analytical method. The data were collected using the field survey method. The statistical population of the research included all experts working at the Imam Reza Hospital. The samples (n=28) were selected using a snowball sampling method. The data collection tool in this research was a researcher-made matrix questionnaire in the context of the research problem. The data were analyzed by the Taxonomy technique.
Results: According to the data analysis based on the calculation of the importance coefficient of the research indicators, self-confidence with Wj = 28.1% and employee motivation and morale with Wj = 27.1% were identified as effective indicators, Moreover, based on the data analysis obtained in this research with the Taxonomy technique, among different management strategies to reduce job stress, strengthening the work environment by intimacy (confidence interval [CI]=0.469), transparency of job goals (transparency in roles and tasks, CI=5.521), and participatory management (CI=3.798) were prioritized.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, hospital managers need to develop and execute strategies focused on creating a more intimate work environment, transparent roles, and a collaborative management approach to alleviate employee occupational stress.
Mohsen Arefian, Fatemeh Raeesi, Mohammadjavad Hadianfard,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal pains (WMSPs) are considered one of the major factors affecting the quantity and quality of work and threatening the physical and psychological health of employees. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and prediction of WMSPs based on body posture, work-related stress, mental health, and psychological flexibility among the employees of an industrial company in Shiraz.
Methods: To this end, among the employees of an industrial company in 2023, 147 people (51 women and 96 men) were selected and evaluated by 1. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, 2. Quick Exposure Check, 3. Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, 4. General Health Questionnaire, and 5. Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) using regression analysis test.
Results: Descriptive findings demonstrated that the most common WMSPs in the sample group were back pain(76.19%), neck pain (69.38%), and lower back pain (56.46). Moreover, the mean hours of physical exercise per week were significantly associated with WMSPs (P<0.05). Based on the findings, body posture had the greatest ability to predict neck, shoulder, hand, and back pain (P<0.01). Furthermore, work-related stress, mental health, and psychological flexibility significantly predicted WMSPs (P<0.05).
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, body posture education may contribute greatly to the mitigation of WMSPs.Moreover, work-related stress management and the promotion of employees’ psychological flexibility will reduce WMSPs.
Esmaeil Hani, Maryam Rafiee, Tahereh Eskandari,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Pre-hospital emergency workers who are responsible for providing essential pre-hospital medical services are exposed to physical and mental disorders. Since musculoskeletal disorders can be affected by work-related stress and fatigue, the present study aimed to assess the relationship of work-related stress and fatigue with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in pre-hospital emergency workers in Saveh.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023. A total of 88 personnel of urban and road pre-hospital emergency centers in Saveh were included in the study by the census method. Data collection tools were the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using independent t-tests, analysis of variance, Poisson regression, and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results: The most common areas involved in musculoskeletal disorders were back (34.1%; n=30), neck (19.3%; n=17), and upper back (19.3%; n=17). Moreover, mean scores of work-related stress and work fatigue were 113.52±4.09 and 62.95±5.06, respectively. Musculoskeletal disorders showed a significant relationship with marital status, workplace, age, work experience, and number of working hours (P≤0.05). Nonetheless, there was no significant relationship between work-related stress and work fatigue (P=0.28), musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress (P=0.93), as well as musculoskeletal disorders and work fatigue (P=0.44).
Conclusion: The prevalence of skeletal-muscular disorders was relatively high, and considering that these disorders are more frequently observed in married people and those who work on the road, training should be provided to these workers according to their place of work. The risk of developing skeletal-muscular disorders increases with age and work experience. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions in this regard. Furthermore, since skeletal-muscular disorders increase with an increase in working hours, it is necessary to adjust working hours and avoid long shifts.
Manizhe Afrashte Fard,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Presenteeism is defined as a global phenomenon that causes problems for workers who are present at work but are not fully efficient due to illness, boredom, unwellness, or other medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between presenteeism and the levels of labor productivity and job stress among the employees of a company affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum.
Methods: The study subjects (n=59) were randomly selected from among the official employees of a provincial gas company according to the Cochran formula. The data of the study were collected using the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) and Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ). The one-sample t-test was used to check the significance of presenteeism among employees. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 26 software.
Results: In this research, it was found that 27 individuals (46%) participating in the project were presentees, while 32 people (54%) were not. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between presenteeism and the subcategories of productivity (r=0.003) and the subcategories of job stress (r=0.016).
Conclusion: In this research, it was found that higher levels of presenteeism led to lower productivity of the workforce and higher levels of job stress, which imposes high costs on the organization.
Nilufar Davoodi, Arash Salahshouri, Marzieh Sadeghian,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: One of the occupations that is exposed to a lot of heat stress is taxi drivers. Due to their working conditions, these people spend a lot of time standing next to their cars in the sun to pick up passengers, and they are also exposed to heat stress throughout the entire driving journey. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention program on the cognitive performance of taxi drivers exposed to heat stress in a city in southern Iran.
Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental intervention that was conducted in three stages: initial assessment, training, and secondary assessment for 80 taxi drivers in two intervention and control groups. In the first stage, a general assessment of all drivers' knowledge and awareness of heat stress was performed, while cognitive parameters, including concentration skills and mental fatigue, were measured using a questionnaire. Then, training was given to the intervention group in both in-person and online formats. Two months after the start of training, cognitive parameters were measured for both intervention and control groups. Data analysis was also performed using SPSS software.
Results: The results after the intervention showed that the training significantly increased concentration skills and significantly reduced mental fatigue (P<0.001). Regarding concentration skills and mental fatigue, along with all subcategories of the two questionnaires, the results showed that there was no significant difference between these variables before the intervention between the two groups. However, the difference between the two groups was significant after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Implementing an appropriate training program with follow-up over a period of two months to familiarize individuals with heat stress improved cognitive performance, and using follow-up training with a virtual structure improved the teaching and learning process and had an impact on individuals' performance.
Rasoul Hemmatjo, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Mansour Mahmoodaghbash,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2025)
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.
Shiva Mohammadjani Kumeleh, Mohammad Amin Rashidi, Azim Akbari,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Administrative employees are often at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged computer use. Additionally, frequent interactions with clients expose them to a high mental workload and job stress. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, mental workload, general health, and job stress among administrative employees to improve their working conditions.
Methods: The present work followed a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical method and was conducted on the administrative employees of an engineering company in 2021. Finally, 119 individuals participated in the study using the census method. Demographic information questionnaires, as well as Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), Cornell, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-UK job stress checklists were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: According to the posture assessment with the ROSA method, the average final ROSA score was 4.33±1.03. Examination of mental load with the NASA-TLX indicated that 78% had a high mental load. In addition, according to the GHQ questionnaire, the average final general health score was 24.4±11.73. Moreover, based on the HSE-UK occupational stress questionnaire, more than 80% (103 people) of employees were under severe stress, and 12% (15 people) were under critical stress. A significant relationship was observed between occupational stress, body mass index (BMI), and age (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The implementation of intervention and control measures to improve musculoskeletal disorders, workload, general health, and job stress seems to be essential.
