Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

124-131

Authors: A Jafarzadeh , Z Shabani * , M Hassanabadi , MT Rezayati , M Nemati , AR Sayadi , A Sheikhi , R Vazirinejad

Background: Cigarette smoking has been linked with the suppression of immune responses and increased susceptibility to numerous infections in humans. Tetanus is also a major public health problem in many countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum levels of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in cigarette smoking and healthy non-smoking people. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 cigarette smokers and 100 age-matched healthy non-smoker individuals were enrolled in this descriptive study. A blood sample was collected from each participant. The samples were tested for the levels of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies by use of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The seroprotective rate of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in non-smoking group (99%) was significantly higher than that observed in cigarette smoking group (78%, P<0.0001). The mean titer of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in non-smoking group (5.32± 0.26 IU/ml) was also significantly higher than that in smoker subjects (1.03 ± 0.16 IU/ml; P<0.0001). The mean titer of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in individuals with smoking duration >10 years was significantly lower than that among smokers with smoking duration ≤10 years (0.59 ± 0.12 IU/ml vs 1.98 ± 0.41 IU/ml; P<0.001). The seroprotection rate was also significantly lower in persons with smoking duration >10 years in comparison to smokers with smoking duration ≤10 years (72.1% vs 90.6%; P=0.037). The mean titer of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in individuals with daily smoking >10 cigarettes was also significantly lower in comparison to smokers with daily smoking ≤10 cigarettes (0.68 ± 0.15 IU/ml vs 1.63 ± 0.36 IU/ml; P<0.001). Conclusion: These results showed lower levels of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies in cigarette smokers which represents cigarette smoking as a risk factor for susceptibility to tetanus. A negative association was also observed between the immunity to tetanus and smoking burden.

139-149

Authors: N Mohammadinia , H Sharifi Poor , MA Rezaei * , N Heydari khayat

Background: Malnutrition is steel a major health problem in the developing countries. It is recognized that 60% of death among children fewer than five years in these countries are associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years old in Iranshahr in 2011. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 700 children less than 5 years old were randomly selected by cluster and quota method among health centers. Child growth was mensured based on NCHS-WHO charts. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed by SPSS Ver.18, using chi-square, and logistic Regression tests for comparing groups. Results: Prevalence of stunting (height for age) was 11.1%, (disorder of growth = 7.7%, severe malnutrition = 3.4%), underweight (weight for age) was 9.8% (disorder of growth = 7%). Malnutrition has significant association with birth grade, delivery type, hospitalization history, educational level of parents, parents' job, birth weight, vaccination and the regular consumption of supplementary vitamins (p<0/05). Conclusion: Although prevalence of malnutrition in this study was lower than WHO statistic report, (30%) but this is locally important and health staff and parents must be educated on nutritional values. Malnutrition is a major problem that is a reason for suppressed immune system, causing the increase of infectious diseases and infant mortality.

162-170

Authors: M Shokoohmand , MR Mofidi , A Bitaraf * , MA Emami Meibodi , MS Saeedabadi

Background: Since milk is considered as one of the most common foods in human life, this research aimed to evaluate the quality of milk produced in traditional and industrial dairy farms of Yazd province in 2007. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, six farms were selected in the cities Sadoogh, Yazd and Mehriz and sampling was performed in each of them bimonthly throughout one year. The samples were taken directly from udder, storage tanks (industrial farms) and containers (traditional farms) and were immediately sent to laboratory stored in ice. Total cell count was determined by bacterial culture test. Protein and fat percent, specific gravity (g/cm3) and freezing point (ºC) were also measured. Results: The results showed a significant increase in total cell count of samples at the time of shipment compared to those taken from udder (P<0.001). The total count in autumn and traditional farms was significantly higher than those in spring and industrial farms (P<0.01). Fat and protein percent, specific gravity and freezing point of milk showed the lowest and the highest significant values in summer and winter, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the low quality of milk in summertime could be improved by good management and implementing of proper feeding programs in dairy farms. It is possible to decrease microbial load to an acceptable level, particularly in traditional farms, by extension of new and efficient methods to farmers for disinfection and proper washing and drying of teat and mammary glands, tools and equipments used in milking along with immediate cooling of milk after milking.

9-16

Authors: R Vazirinejad * , A Esmaeili , GH Hassanshahi , L Razi

Introduction: Controversies exist in publications about the association between shift work and hypertension. This study aimed to explore the relationship between shift work and the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as serum cholesterol among nurses in Kerman province, Southeast, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this historical cohort study 100 hospital nurses who had been employed for more than five years were recruited. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their working schedule (shift work/day work). After one year follow up, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. A blood sample was also taken for recording the level of serum cholesterol. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 14) and paired t-test and Mann Whitney U test and relative risk with 95% CI was also calculated. Results: Demographic variables as well as the mean working years between shift working (10.98±3.6yrs) and day working (11.18±4.4yrs) nurses were not significantly different. The results of age-adjusted relative risk calculation showed that even after adjusting for respondents’ age, there was not any significant risk of suffering from higher blood pressure among shift workers. The mean levels of cholesterol in the serum of shift workers (192.18± 43.6) and day workers (186.7 ±47.7) were not significantly different. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed the previous studies’ results that reported no significant association between shift working and the level of blood pressure among nurses. More investigations are needed to explore factors, which could increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among shift working nurses.