Journal of Human, Environment, and Health Promotion

99- 105

Authors: Eunice Twumwaa Tagoe, Pascal Agbadi *, Augustine Adomah-Afari

Background: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, especially Ghana. Despite the current treatments for tuberculosis, positive treatment outcomes are not attainable due to the differences in the socio-economic and bio-psychological status of the patients. The present study aimed to assess the influential factors in the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted to determine the influential factors in the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in terms of the patients, community, and healthcare providers. Data collection and management were performed using version 11 of the NVivo software. Sample population included 10 patients, five healthcare providers, and five community members (treatment supporters). Data analysis was carried out using framework analysis, where the emerging themes were identified and discussed in relation with literature. Results: The results revealed that wrong/negative perceptions about TB, social stigma, and the use of alternative treatment methods could result in unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Conclusion: The study recommends that community awareness of TB and the search and implementation of policies toward improving TB treatment outcome should be pursued.

111-115

Authors: Zeynab Jamalizadeh, Ali Safari Variani *, Saeid Ahmadi, Ehsan Asivandzadeh

Background: The noise caused by traffic is an increasingly prominent feature of urban environments. However, limited studies have been focused on the assessment of exposure-response relationship between road traffic noise exposure and driving behaviors in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the violations caused by road traffic noise exposure in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: Initially, a line with 70 taxi drivers was selected for the evaluation of noise exposure. According to ISO9612:2009, the eight-hour equivalent noise level [Leq8h] was measured during a workday. In addition, driving behaviors were assessed using the self-report Iranian version of Manchester driving behavior questionnaire (MDBQ). Results: Statistical analysis included the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum, Pearson’s correlation-coefficient, and logistic regression. The results of Pearson’s correlation-coefficient indicated a strong correlation with noise levels and personal characteristics with driving behaviors (P < 0.05). Moreover, logistic regression showed that noise level was significantly associated with the components of driving behaviors. Conclusion: According to the results, traffic noise exposure is a significant influential factor in the increased rate of driving violations. Equivalent sound pressure level in taxies was observed to be above of the limit for occupational comfort based on NR 17 standard, which may affect driving behaviors.

121-125

Authors: Moahammad Baratchi *, Nabiollah Mansouri, Aida Ahmadi

Background: Identification of hazards is one of the most important parts of industries’ strategies. This can be done using a hazard matrix as an applicable tool which can also rank hazards properly. Methods: In this study, the Delphi method was used to select best alternatives for a hazard matrix. All possible items were gathered and passed Delphi rounds, in which mean, median and standard deviation were used to evaluate decisions. Moreover, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to reach consensus between panel members. Results: The panel members found 42 items in five categories, of which 29 items benefited a mean and median more than 5. Moreover, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance reached 0.66, which indicated a statistically meaningful agreement for the number of experts. Conclusion: This study introduced a hazard matrix, in which different consequences were accounted based on a well-known decision making method. The matrix is developed for hospital application with respect to panel members’ knowledge and can be used suitably in this field of industry.

131-137

Authors: Seyed Mahdi Farshadnia, Shirazeh Arghami *, Ali Shahab Safa, Framarz Majidi

Background: The construction of metro lines is a high-risk project. Using a budget-based model for the safety units of metro construction projects can help safety managers to spend optimal budget allocation. The purpose of this study was to plan a budget model based on safety unit performance in an under construction metro station for better budget allocation using robust optimization. Methods: To design this model, budget dimensions were identified by the experts and based on causes and costs of accidents in the past year. Then, constraints of metro workshops were considered. The next step was involved in determining the importance of each dimension. Finally, the budgeting model was designed using Gurobi software. In order to prove the proposed budgeting model, as a case study, the model was implemented in one of the metro workshops. Results: Considering existing constraints, the model revealed that the budget should be at least 4.370.478.000 rials. Surprisingly, the predicted budget amount was less than the expended amount in the safety unit of the project. However, budget allocation to dimensions was dramatically different. Conclusion: The results showed that the robust optimization budgeting was functionally and economically optimal. Moreover, there is a need for logical budget distribution.