Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

9-18

Authors: A Khodadadizadeh , K Jahangiri * , S Sharifian

Background: Hospital surge capacity (HSC) is essential to the successful management of expected consequences of disasters and mass casualty incidents (MCIs). In MCIs, an unanticipated number of sick or injured people refer to the hospital, and thus, the hospital is faced with a significant increase in the burden of necessary activities and services. Therefore, managing the process in order to meet patients’ needs is critical. Mass poisoning is an emergency event that requires HSC. The aim of the present study was to analyze the activities performed to manage poisoning caused by oral consumption of methanol in the summer of 2013 in Rafsanjan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was an empirical case study consisting of various stages. The research environment was one of the teaching hospitals in Rafsanjan. The target population included emergency officials of the incident command system (ICS) and emergency operation center (EOC), and the Deputy of Health in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through review of documentation, internet resources, observation, and deep interviews with officials. Framework Analysis was used for the analysis of qualitative data. Results: During this incident, 694 individuals referred to the hospital within 1 day; 361 patients were treated in Rafsanjan and 333 patients were referred for treatment to other cities (Kerman, Zarand, Shahr Babak, Sirjan, Bardsir, and Yazd). In terms of HSC management, communication was better in the 4Cs than other factors. In the 4Ss, the performance of staff was acceptable, and in the 3Ts, the treatment and transference of poisoned patients were evaluated as satisfactory and acceptable, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, HSC in the event of methanol poisoning is inevitable. Therefore, attention to and preparation for this issue in the response phase is very important. Hospitals should identify their capacities in order to take appropriate action toward the prevention of, preparation for, and response to an event.

26-33

Authors: M Kazemi , F Hosieni * , M Rezaeian , T Fasihih , A Akbary

Background: Sleep and rest are basic physiological human needs. Nurses work irregularly in morning, afternoon, and evening shifts; therefore, they are at greater risk of sleep problems than others. The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to sleep quality of nurses at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013. The study subjects consisted of 366 nurses who were randomly selected from among nurses working at the medical university. Data collection tools included the occupational demographic questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis was performed using chi-square test and logistic regression model in SPSS software. Results: It was found that 273 (74.7%) of the nurses had poor sleep quality. The overall mean score of nurses was 7.35 ± 2.86. The logistic regression model showed a statistically significant relationship between poor sleep quality and variables of age (P = 0.030) (95% CI: 1.09-1.010) (OR = 1.50), gender (P = 0.001) (95% CI: 0.23-0.70) (OR = 0.40), number of night shifts (P = 0.003), (95% CI: 1.138-1.11) (OR = 1.20), and having children of less than one year of age (P = 0.019) (95% CI: 3.8-1.12) (OR = 2.10). The chi-square test showed a significant relationship between poor sleep quality and the type of working shift (P = 0.001). About one-third of the nurses in this study used medicine for sleeping and had difficulty in falling asleep. Conclusions: The results indicated that the sleep quality of the majority of the nurses was poor. It is suggested that a certain guideline be developed for planning nurses’ schedules using the results of this study and other studies in this area.

43-49

Authors: A Heidarzadeh , P Shamohammadipour , T Sadeghi , M Kazemi *

Background: The objective of the health system reform plan is to review individuals’ satisfaction in the field of health and to reduce their concerns and medical expenses. The disregarding of some workers in this plan seems to have resulted in their dissatisfaction, which can in turn cause problems such as neglecting of patients and patients' dissatisfaction. Therefore, the identification of the requirements of this plan from the perspective of nurses, as one of the main members of the healthcare team, can have a significant role in enhancing, promoting, and sustaining the objectives of this plan. This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of healthcare workers with their working conditions after the implementation of the healthcare reform plan in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: The participants of this descriptive study consisted of 191 medical personnel. Their satisfaction with their working conditions after the implementation of the healthcare reform plan was evaluated using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was confirmed through content validity and immediate reliability was confirmed through Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: The overall mean satisfaction was 2.22 ± 0.66 (out of 5). The lowest satisfaction score was related to the area of salary and welfare status and the highest satisfaction score was related to the work environment and conditions, and the health system reform plan. Conclusions: Given the key role of the medical personnel in the health system reform plan, creating opportunities to improve their welfare and rights is recommended and must be considered by authorities.

57-69

Authors: M Ghasemynasabparizi , A Ahmadi , SM Mazloomi *

Background: The pistachio is a nut produced by about 20 species of shrub. Present-day studies show the health benefits of pistachio in preventing or treating diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE / PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched using the keywords of Pistacia vera, Pistacio, chemical composition, anticancer, anti-inflammation, antidiabetic, and antioxydative. Relevant articles published in the last decade were identified and reviewed. Results: The chemical composition (macronutrients, micronutrients) of pistachio and the main outcomes of treatment with pistachio species were categorized. The possible mechanisms of action of treatment with pistachio species are discussed in this article. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the beneficial effects of nuts such as pistachio on health, lipid profile, and diseases. Conclusions: It is commonly believed that pistachio can be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer, inflammatory diseases, and MS. This study showed that nuts such as pistachio have many beneficial effects on health, and can be used for controlling different diseases. It seems that the pistachio may have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-proliferation effects and may be recommended for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of diseases such as diabetes, CVD, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), cancer, and MS.