Investigating the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Degree of Body Discomfort in the Office Staff of the School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important occupational health issues. In recent years, the rapid growth of technology and the use of computers have affected almost all office workstations. These disorders are also very common among office staff. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the degree of body discomfort in the staff of the School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Yazd. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 office staff of Yazd School of Public Health in 2021. The inclusion criterion consisted of having at least one year of work experience and the exclusion criteria included the presence of musculoskeletal complications in different organs of the body and no history of incidents, accidents, and inherited diseases. To collect data, the Nordic questionnaire was used along with a body map (to better understand the position of the limbs) and a visual analog scale (VAS) (to show the severity of discomfort in different parts of the body). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 using frequency, mean, standard deviation, and AONVA tests. Results: 108 people (83.7%) of the study population felt pain and discomfort in at least one of the 9 areas of the body during the last 12 months. The most musculoskeletal disorders was related to the low back (67.4%), neck (63.6%), and back (55%). Also, the low back waist, neck, and shoulder areas had the highest mean discomfort, respectively, and the thigh and elbow areas had the lowest mean discomfort. In the report of pain by body map, a significant relationship was observed between the variable of work experience and shoulder, thigh, and low back organs (p <0.05). A significant relationship was observed between low back pain, musculoskeletal disorders in the hands and wrists and body mass index (p <0.05). Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the high degree of discomfort, especially in the low back and neck, it is recommended to perform educational programs, corrective exercises, and appropriate interventions.

An Evidence-Based Approach on Academic Management in a School of Public Health Using SMAART Model

Data-driven modeling, action, and strategies have become popular, and the education community has witnessed increased interest in data-driven decision-making (DDDM). DDDM values and prioritizes decisions supported by high-quality, verifiable data that has been effectively processed and analyzed. The objective of our study is to describe the design, development, and implementation of a data-driven, evidence-based model of academic development in the context of CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) utilizing SMAART (Sustainability Multisector Accessible Affordable Reimbursable Tailored) model. The alignment of academic and student affairs within CUNY SPH brought with it several challenges. Defining roles and responsibilities across different student and academic affair units with a goal of collaborative leadership model and lack of meaningfulness were key challenges. It was important to listen to the experiences and recommendations of various individuals performing various functions in different capacities. A unified framework of key data indicators was needed to create a transparent and equitable model. An innovative interactive SMAART SPH dashboard designed, developed, and implemented to guide data-driven, evidence-based decision-making. Institutions can use a large amount of data from various sources to improve students’ learning experience, enhance research initiatives, support effective community outreach, and develop campus infrastructure to bring in sustainability.

Use of the Google Drive Platform By University Students

This paper presents the level of post-use of the Google Drive platform in academic and personal activities in university students. A descriptive research was carried out on students who attended the TICs between the semesters March–August 2013 and April–August 2016 at the School of Public Health of the Politecnica Superior School of Chimborazo, through the application of an online questionnaire. With 87 valid responses, 62.1% use the platform in personal activities, 88.5% use files and folders, the most used tool is 62.1%, while 65.5% Synchronized your smart phone with Google Drive. Students who participated in the study continue to use Google Drive in their academic and personal activities. Keyword: collaborative work, cloud computing, mobile devices, Google Drive. RESUMEN Este trabajo presenta el nivel de pos-utilización de la plataforma Google Drive en actividades académicas y personales en estudiantes universitarios. Se desarrolló una investigación de tipo descriptivo en estudiantes que cursaron las cátedras TICs entre los semestres Marzo–Agosto 2013 y Abril–Agosto 2016 en la Facultad de Salud Pública de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario en linea. Con 87 respuestas válidas, el 62,1% utiliza la plataforma en actividades personales, el 88,5% utiliza para compartir archivos y carpetas, la herramienta más utilizada es el formulario con el 62,1%, mientras que el 65,5% tiene sincronizado su celular inteligente con Google Drive. Los estudiantes que participaron en el estudio continuan utilizando Google Drive en sus actividades académicas y personales. Palabras claves: trabajo colaborativo, computación en la nube, dispositivos móviles, Google Drive.

Expanding the Curriculum in a School of Public Health

Public health education has long been concentrated in a core set of public health disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental health. Despite leaps forward in our understanding of the myriad influences on public health, little has changed in the organization of our educational systems. One issue brought to the forefront of public consciousness by the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of leisure experiences, such as nature walks, to mental and physical well-being. In this descriptive best practice article, we discuss our approach to expanding the notion of a school of public health and provide examples of how disciplines and subjects outside of the “norms” of public health education, including leisure studies, can help better prepare students for their future in the field. Leisure studies is just one of many subject areas that can add value to public health pedagogy, and we envision many other subject areas and departments integrating into schools of public health in the future.