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Showing 45 results for Environmental
Prevalence of enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm) infection in Iranian kindergartens: a systematic review
Mohadeseh Bodaghi, Tayebeh Rasolevandi, Hossein Azarpira,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Parasitic infections are major public health challenges in children, particularly in group settings such as kindergartens, where conditions for transmission are more favorable. Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most common causes of intestinal infections in this age group. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Enterobius infection and associated factors in kindergartens across Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, articles published up to the end of January 2025 were retrieved from the following databases: Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus using the keywords: “Enterobiasis,” “Enterobius vermicularis,” “Oxyuriasis,” “Oxyur,” “Intestinal infection,” “Intestinal parasite,” “Prevalence,” “Children,” “Elementary schools,” “Preschool centers,” “Kindergarten,” and “Iran.” Out of a total of 1116 identified articles, 707 were excluded after reviewing the title and abstract, and 333 were removed due to duplication. Ultimately, 76 articles were selected for full-text evaluation, from which 24 studies related to the prevalence of Enterobius in Iranian kindergartens were included in the final analysis.
Results: Of the 24 studies reviewed, 23 were conducted using questionnaires, and one study utilized interviews. The total sample size across these studies was 13.567 children, and the average prevalence of Enterobius infection was estimated at 14.90 percentage.
Conclusion: Despite relative improvements in hygiene conditions, the prevalence of Enterobius infection in some kindergartens remains concerning. The role of active transmission pathways and their association with children's demographic factors highlights the importance of timely identification and intervention. Implementing targeted educational programs for parents and kindergarten staff, along with coordinated preventive measures, is essential to control the spread of this parasite.

Investigating the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of microplastic pollution prevention among students of Khoy university of medical sciences
Sadegh Kazemi, Fatemeh Rezaei, Kimia Nazarzadeh, Moradali Zareipour,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Microplastic pollution is recognized as a major environmental threat, and individuals’ Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors play a crucial role in its prevention. This study aimed to assess the levels of Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors of students at Khoy University of Medical Sciences toward microplastic pollution.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Khoy University of Medical Sciences. All enrolled students (n = 550) were invited to participate using a voluntary census-based approach, of whom 400 completed the questionnaire. After excluding incomplete responses, data from 372 participants were included in the final analysis. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics and a researcher-developed instrument assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding the prevention of microplastic pollution. Content validity was confirmed using the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI), and reliability was established through test–retest analysis (ICC = 0.78) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83–0.95). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and ordinal logistic regression in STATA version 15.
Results: The findings indicated that students’ levels of knowledge and preventive behaviors were predominantly moderate, while their attitudes toward preventing microplastic pollution were mostly positive. Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of knowledge (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.91–8.28)and positive attitudes (OR = 14.96, 95% CI = 7.26–30.83) significantly increased the likelihood of engaging in preventive behaviors. In addition, younger age (OR = 9.41, 95% CI = 1.26–7.29), being married (OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 3.33–26.52), higher maternal educational level (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.24–7.17), and father's employment status (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.02–2.73) were identified as demographic factors effective in promoting preventive behaviors.
Conclusion: The results suggest that enhancing Knowledge and fostering positive attitudes considerably improve preventive behaviors against microplastic pollution among students. Therefore, implementing targeted educational programs focusing on increasing knowledge and strengthening positive attitudes is essential for promoting preventive practices and mitigating the environmental impacts of microplastics.
 

Environmental impact assessment of brackish water desalination: a case study of Taft city, Yazd province
Ghazal Yousefian, Seyed Morteza Hodaei, Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari, Alireza Yousefian, Habib Fasahat, Afshin Ebrahimi,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The implementation of desalination projects is not without challenges and can have adverse environmental consequences on the environment. The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the environmental impacts of the desalination of brackish groundwater in the villages of Taft city.
Materials and Methods: Based on field visits to the study area and the prevailing environmental conditions in the region, as well as considering the specific conditions of implementing desalination facilities, questionnaire checklists were used to examine the spatial sensitivity of the project. The Wooten and Rao matrix was used to analyze the relevant environmental activities and consequences.
Results: The results showed that the project overall has a predominance of positive effects, which is confirmed by obtaining a final score of +29. The highest positive scores belong to social and economic dimensions such as income parameters (+27), welfare (+24), and employment (+24). However, the results emphasize the focus of negative impacts on the physical environment, with the most severe impacts being noise pollution (-9) and groundwater resources (-16).
Conclusion: In the present study, the positive impacts outweigh the negative impacts; therefore, implementing this project is deemed appropriate based on the Wooten and Rao matrix criteria, and it does not have any major adverse effects on the region's environment. In addition, the transfer of wastewater to this location has no impact on erosion, compaction, and soil structure degradation, as well as the quality of the aquifers in the region.
 

Health and environmental consequences of stray dogs and control strategies: a systematic review
Mahsa Tahergorabi, Fatemeh Sadat Hosseini, Zahra Izadi Yazdanabadi, Moazeme Soltaninejad, Gholam Ali Haghighat,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Stray dogs are a serious problem in urban and rural environments that, in addition to posing a risk of bites and transmitting rabies, have significant health, environmental, and even economic consequences for society. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of stray dogs and the factors affecting their population and control programs.
Materials and Methods: This review study was conducted by determining keywords and defining a search protocol to find articles related to the study objective. Using the search protocol, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched. The articles were screened in three stages by the authors, and finally 50 articles were selected for inclusion in this study.
Results: The results showed that bacterial and parasitic diseases transmitted from stray dogs to humans were a serious concern in the studies. Rabies and injuries caused by dog ​​bites were also considered in researches. The impact of stray dogs on other animals and owner dogs, as well as the impact of the presence of these animals in indirectly transmitting the disease to humans, were important studied aspects in researches. In addition, in this study, the factors affecting the population of stray dogs and their control strategies were categorized and discussed.
Conclusion: Stray dogs have consequences beyond the prevalence of rabies in society. There are also several factors that affect the population of these animals and the success of their control methods, which should be introduced to citizens and urban management decision-makers and considered.
 

Design, development, and evaluation of an intelligent rodent control system using automated poison injection
Mojtaba Khatibi, Ghorbanali Dezvareh, Alireza Alizadeh Moghadam Masouleh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Due to the lack of the desirable methods of rodent control, the construction of an intelligent rat trap that injects environmentally friendly poison was considered as an effective solution.
Materials and Methods: Based on studies of the length, weight and behavioral characteristics of various types of mice, the initial design of the device was carried out. Using walnut and hazelnut oils, the mouse was guided toward the death tunnel, and the desired chemical was automatically injected into the mouse's chest. The device was first tested with laboratory mice and then with wild samples, and design flaws were examined and resolved at each stage. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test.
Results: In the death section, two substances—sodium chloride and EDTA—were tested at a concentration of 1 Molar with volumes of 1 mL and 2 mL, respectively, at distances of 2, 4, 6, and 8 centimeters from the rat muzzle. EDTA with a volume of 2 mL achieved a 97% mortality rate (confidence interval 88-99 with a 5% margin of error) at 8 centimeters from the rat muzzle and with an exposure time of 20 seconds. Regarding the comparison between walnut and hazelnut flavors, walnut flavor received the highest attraction score of 93% (confidence interval: 84-98), making it the best parameter in the design.
Conclusion: Due to its ease of use, independence from users’ skill, and environmentally friendly procedure, this method of controlling rat populations is considered an effective, sustainable, and intelligent solution.
 

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