Workload Status and Its Relationship with Job Stress in Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Purpose: Currently, the high prevalence of COVID-19 and increased workload in hospitals has posed a threat to the physical, mental, and emotional health of nurses. The present study was an attempt to investigate the workload and its relationship with job stress of nurses in COVID-19 reference hospitals in southern Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 431 nurses from COVID-19 reference hospitals in southern Iran. Data collection tools included the NASA workload and OSIPOW job stress standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS23 Software and at a significance level of 0.05 Results: The mean age and work experience of the nurses participating in the study were 31.03±5.23 and 6.42±4.61, respectively. The mean scores of the workload and job stresses were 83.64 ± 17.24 (of 100) and 236.68 ± 16.54 (of 300), respectively. Mental load dimension (85.81 ±19.31, of 100) among workload dimensions and role workload dimension (43.62 ± 19.14, of 50) among job stress dimensions had the highest mean score. Thus, there was found a statistically significant relationship between workload and job stress of nurses (P= 0.04, r= 0.19). Conclusion: Workload and job stress of the studied nurses were estimated at a high level. There was a significant positive correlation between these two variables, and increasing workload resulted in an increase in job stress.

Effect of EDTA chelate, cow manure, elemental sulfur application and Thiobacillus inoculant on Cd, Zn and Fe phytoremediation efficiency in a Cd-polluted soil

Background and Purpose: Phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metals is one of the important points in environmental studies. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of cow manure, elemental sulfur and EDTA on Cd uptake by Indian mustard in a Cd-polluted soil in the presence of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. Materials and Methods: Treatments consisted of applying cow manure (0, 5 and 10 g/kg soil), soil application of elemental sulfur (2 g/kg soil), and Cd-polluted soil (0 and 20 mg Cd/kg soil) with 1.5 mmol EDTA/kg soil in the presence of Thiobacillus spp. After 90 days, Indian mustard plant was harvested and plant Zn, Fe and Cd concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the soil microbial respiration was measured. Results: The use of 2 g/kg soil of elemental sulfur significantly increased the plant Cd concentration in the presence and absence of Thiobacillus by 14.2 and 11.7%, respectively. Adding cow manure to the soil at the rates of 5 and 10 g/kg soil significantly increased the plant Cd concentration by 15.7 and 18.1%, respectively. Also, the application of EDTA chelate at the rate 0f 1.5 mmol/kg soil significantly increased the Cd concentration of the plants grown in the Cd-polluted soil (20 mg Cd/kg soil) by 13.6%. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that using elemental sulfur in the Cdpolluted soil can increase the Cd concentration of the plant which was cultivated in the soil amended with cow manure in the presence of Thiobacillus bacteria. However, the role of soil physic-chemical properties on phytoremediation efficiency cannot be ignored.

The effects of grape seed extract supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in young untrained males

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acute aerobic exercise and 14-days grape seed extract supplementation on total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and muscle cell damage biomarkers in untrained males Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study, twenty-two male students (age 19±1 years, weight 67.44±7 kg, BMI 22±2, V̇ O2max 39±2 ml/kg-1 /min-1 ) were randomly assigned to two groups of grape seed extract and placebo (PLA) (GSE: 200 mg/day for two weeks). After subsequent 14-days of supplementation, subjects did a single session of aerobic exercise (running) on treadmill at 75% VO2max for 30 minutes. Blood samples were taken 3 times: prior to supplementation (baseline), 14-days after supplementation, and immediately after exercise (post-exercise). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lactate were measured. TAC was determined by ABTs method. The collected data were then analyzed by running analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measure and Bonferroni post-hoc tests as appropriate using SPSS17 at p<0.05. Results: Malondialdehyde, CK, LDH, Lactate were significantly increased after aerobic exercise (p<0.05). Short-term GSE supplementation significantly prevented MDA and CK cascade after exercise compared to PLA (p<0.05) but, it had no significant effect on basal parameters (p>0.05). The exercise had also no significant effect on total antioxidant capacity in any of the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise could increase blood oxidative stress biomarkers and GSE supplementation, due to influential antioxidant effect; yet, it could attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress in men

The Empirical Assessment of Vibration in HVAC Systems

Background and purpose: Vibration caused by ventilation systems in buildings is one of the harmful physical factors that can cause harm to residents. Therefore, measuring and controlling vibration is important. Materials and Methods: In the first step of the study, the vibration accelerometer was placed on the base of a fan where the vibrations were sent toward the duct wall. A vibration assessment of the building was conducted in the other steps to compare with guidelines. In the next step, isolation method was used to control vibration. By placing the isolator on the duct wall, the accelerometer was located on the body of the duct wall and the value of vibration was measured in a millimeter per second. All stages of the experiment were performed in the Faculty of Health of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Results: The maximum vibration velocity reduction in the building was related to the frequency of 68 Hz, which reached 33 mm/s after isolation. In addition, the fan vibration at 485 Hz was equal to 2.1 m /s, which decreased to 2 mm /s after isolation. Conclusion: Comparison of vibration after fan isolation with standard showed that this method has been effective in reducing the fan vibration resulting in the vibration to reach below the standard.

The Old Adults’ Emotional Wellness and Spiritual Well-being with an Emphasis on Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for improving health during lockdown. Unfortunately, the concern which is expressed as for the welfare and the health of the elderly contradicts the actions undertaken for their health and welfare. The psychological research conducted during COVID-19 pandemic rarely include the people over 60 years old. Hence, the purpose of the current study was to compare emotional wellness and psychological health of active and inactive old adults in Shahrood city with an emphasis on physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic. The subject of the present research is an interdisciplinary one. Materials and Methods: The current study was a practical descriptive survey. The statistical population of the research were all the elderly aged over 60 years in Shahrood in 2020 (based on the latest census equal to 17173 people). The sample size was estimated based on Cochran formula following convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel Software. Results: The findings indicated that the level of emotional wellness and spiritual well-being of active old adults was more than that of inactive old adults, and inactive old adults had higher levels of unpleasant feelings than active old adults. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is essential that the elderly keep doing the recommended amount of exercise and physical activity. Although this could be challenging for them both to have access to sport clubs and parks and to follow health protocols, there are extensive creative activities which could be replaced in order to stay in health and active at home.

The Role of Social Marketing in Community Health Improvement: A Mixed Approach

Background and Purpose: Social marketing (SM) is a fitting strategy in world health that is aimed to ensure attitude correction in the community, laying the foundation for the behavioral changes resulting in health promotion in the community. The purpose of this research was to explain the role of social marketing in promoting community health. Methods: This was applied research conducted through a descriptive survey. For data gathering, a mixed quantitative/qualitative approach was adopted. The statistical population included the youth under 25 years old who smoked cigarettes in Mazandaran Province. Based on the Cochran formula, a sample consisting of 385 respondents was formed, and the individual members of it were selected using proportionate random sampling. The data on social marketing mix and normative system were collected using the questionnaires constructed by Pang and Kubacki [1] and Issock et al. [2], respectively. The data on advertisement were collected using the questionnaire constructed by Dunn and Nisbett [3]. Data analysis was performed in PLS Software using Structural Equation Modeling. Result: The result indicated that the messenger’s features influenced the user perception of social marketing and had a positive effect on the user normative system. Further, the results suggested that the user normative system affected their perception of social marketing. Conclusion: It was concluded that marketing practitioners can manipulate consumer perception of social marketing by shaping ethical norms.

Effective Factors in the Establishment and Implementation of Patient Electronic Referral System in the Healthcare System: A Qualitative Study

Background and Purpose: The electronic referral system was established in Iran with the aim of increasing access to care, improving interaction, and efficient use of resources. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective factors in the establishment and implementation of electronic referral system in Iran. Methods: The present study was qualitative with a content analysis approach. In order to collect information, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were used. After interviewing 42 people, the information was saturated. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed, and the main topics were quoted, cited, and coded. The content analysis method was used and all authors participated in the analysis process to avoid bias and agreement. Results: Four main themes and eleven sub-themes were mentioned as effective themes in the implementation of the electronic referral system by the interviewees including resource management (human resource management, financing and equipment, and infrastructure), stewardship (policy-making, inter-sectorial leadership, and intra-sectorial governance), advocacy stakeholders (senior officials and policy-makers related to the program, service providers, community), and social commitment (commitment and accountability of service providers). Conclusions: Successful implementation of electronic referral systems requires the development of an operational plan that correctly identifies the factors affecting the establishment and implementation, as well as the cooperation of all responsible organizations which can help improve the establishment and sustainability of the program. It is suggested that managers and officials active in the field of health services use the results of this study in the establishment and implementation of electronic referral system.

Lifestyle of students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences during Corona Epidemic: A cross-sectional study

Background and purpose: There is concern that students may have an unhealthy lifestyle as a result of changes that occurred during corona conditions, so this study aimed to determine the status of the lifestyle and its relationship with the demographic characteristics of postgraduate students during the corona span. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. The link to the online Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire Profile2 was sent to conduct the research. To examine the relationships between the mean scores of health-promoting lifestyle and different variables, an independent samples t-test was applied in the case of dichotomous demographic variables (gender, education level, and income-generating activity), while one-way analysis of variance test was used to evaluate the multilevel demographic variables (marital status, place of residence, and faculty). The Pearson correlation coefficient was also used for testing age. Results: The sample 240, (75.4%) were female and 145 of them, (60.4%) were single. The mean age of them was 32.21±7.45.45 years old. The lifestyle total score was 138.28± 21.18 at the average level. The highest score was related to spiritual growth (26.93±5.01), whereas the lowest score was reported on physical activity (16.92±5.17). The difference between the mean of health-promoting lifestyle was not significant in terms of demographic variables.According to the results, a statistically significant difference was observed between male and female students in the field of nutrition. Also, students were significantly different in the nutrition domain regarding students’ residence (p-value <0.05). Spiritual growth was significantly different among students in terms of marital status (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Although the mean score of health-promoting lifestyle was not different from other studies, further studies are proposed to plan health interventions in accordance with epidemic conditions for students.

Job Burnout Status andAnd its Relationship with Resilience Level of Healthcare Workers during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case of Southern Iran

Background and Purpose: COVID-19 could be a threat to healthcare workers' mental health. This study was conducted to investigate job burnout and its relationship with the resilience level of the personnel in the COVID-19 treatment hospital in southern Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 496 personnel of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital selected as the center of COVID-19 in southern Iran. The participants of the study were selected using the census. Data collection tools were the standard Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Data analysis was performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression in SPSS23 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean scores of job burnout and resilience were 76.95 ± 14.36 (of 132) and 71.21 ± 8.24 (of 125), respectively which indicated the moderate level of these two variables. There was a significant inverse correlation between job burnout and resilience (P<0.001, r= - 0.514). Spiritual influences (P<0.001), perception of competence (P=0.001), positive acceptance of change and secure relationships (P= 0.001), trust in individual instincts (P= 0.02), and control (P= 0.03) of resilience aspects were identified as predictors of job burnout. Additionally, there was a statistically significant relationship between job burnout and gender (P=0.001) and occupational group (P= 0.04); and between resilience and gender (P= 0.02) and with marital status (P= 0.03). Conclusion: Job burnout status and personnel resilience were at a moderate level. It was recommended to train employees with resilience-enhancing skills employees according to each of their dimensions.

Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health Behavior among Adolescents in Babol 2019

Background: The process of obtaining oral health information, evaluating its concepts and using appropriate prevention and treatment processes in the field of Oral health literacy (OHL) is within the scope of health literacy and is the link between culture and society, health system, education system, and oral health consequences. The purpose of the current study was to investigate OHL in first-grade high school students in Babol. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study on 383 high school students in Babol 2019 using the multi-stage cluster sampling method in the first stage of school selection and in the second stage of class selection. The data were collected using demographic, oral health behaviors assessment, and Oral Health Literacy Questionnaire. OHL questionnaire has 17 questions in four sections of reading comprehension, numeracy, listening, and decision making. Regression analysis, ANOVA, T-test, and chi-square test were used for data analysis (SPSS 23). Findings: The mean score of students' OHL was 8.33 ± 2.004, and 11.7%, 26.1%, and 61.9% of the students were with adequate, borderline, and inadequate levels of OHL, respectively. According to the analysis, OHL had a significant relationship with income, father’s education, tooth brushing, and use of beverage foods. Conclusion: The results showed that OHL was insufficient among students, and more efforts and interventions were required to improve oral health and increase oral health literacy among student.