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Showing 7 results for Indicator
Study on Performance of Infectious Waste Sterilizing Set in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Determination of its Optimum  Operating Condition
M.b Miranzadeh, M Sabahi Bidgoli, A.r Zarfeshani, M Heidari,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2012)
Abstract

Background and Objectives Autoclaving is one of  the methods which sterilizes infectious solid wastes. Since variety of parameters such as temperature, time, and pressure influence autoclave performance, this study was carried out to evaluate the parameters and set optimum condition for the autoclave apparatus  applied in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the performance of subjected autoclave was surveyed based on biological index and through setting 144 tests. Variables were packaging type in two groups (open and wrapped), loading type in three groups (light, medium and heavy), and four temperature-time features in fixed pressure equal to 101 kpa. Biological index was ATCC 7953 which contained Stearotermophilus Geobacillus spores. Finally obtained results were analyzed by Chi-Square test.
Results: The results of statistical test showed that there isn't any meaningful relation between packaging type of waste, system loading, and efficiency of sterilization(P>0.05),while meaningful relation was found between system performance and variety states of temperature-time feature(P<0.05), illustrating temperature and time effects in fixed pressure on sterilization of solid waste.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the best autoclave operational condition for sterilizing infectious solid wastes are: temperature-time equal to 10 min-140°C and 15 min-134°C in fixed pressure of 101 kpa, respectively. It was also revealed that temperature-time condition suggested by manufactory, i.e. 20min-121°C, is not sufficient for complete sterilization of solid waste.


Use of Ziziphus spina-christi and Prosopis cineraria leaves as bio-indicators of environmental pollution emitted from industrial areas
H Abbaszadeh, M Mohammadi Roozbahani, S Sobhanardakani,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Environmental pollution emitted from industrial areas while enter the food chain can cause serious adverse health effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to use Ziziphus spina-christi and Prosopis cineraria leaves as bio-indicators of environmental pollution emitted from the complex of Steel Company.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a total of 90 surface soil samples and also 90 leave samples were collected. After acid digestion of samples, the heavy metal contents were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Also, the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) of metals were computed. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package.
Results: The highest content of the metals (mg/kg) with an average of 2180.3 ± 202.3 and 2237.9 ± 315.1 for Fe, 76.6 ± 9.6 and 114.3 ± 4.5 for Pb and 69.2 ± 16.8 and 107.2 ± 6.8 for Cd were found to be in Z. spina-christi and P. cineraria unwashed leaves respectively. Also, the BCF of all studied metals were higher than 1.
Conclusion: Based on the values of BCF, it can be concluded that Z. spina-christi and P. cineraria can be considered as a suitable species for phytoextraction of heavy metals in the most polluted regions including industrial and urban areas.
 

The effect of establishment of health services offices affiliated to Tehran university of medical sciences on environmental health indicators in 2020
Farideh Mostafaei, Mahmood Alimohammadi, Masud Yunesian, Zahra Tayebi,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Outsourcing services to the private sector can be a step towards achieving the goals of community health promotion, job creation, better access to health services, and improving the quality of health services. In this regard, health service offices were established in Tehran to improve the health status of food preparation, distribution and sale centers and increase food safety based on government approval. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of health services offices on environmental health indicators. 
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-comparative study, nine health service offices supervised by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (located in South Tehran Health Center, Eslamshahr city, and Shahr-e Rey) were surveyed. Seven environmental health indicators measured in the years before the establishment of these Health Service Offices (2015-2017) were compared with those obtained after their establishment (2018-2019). The indicators data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS software, and statistical tests.
Results: The result showed no significant difference in public places and centers for food preparation and distribution offenders, public places with health criteria, percentage of employees with a health training certificate, health care, and percentage of inspection coverage before and after establishment of health service offices (p >0.05). However, the relationship between the food preparation indicators and distribution centers with health criteria and public places and closed food preparation and distribution centers were significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study is one of the first researches conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of health services offices on health-safety indicators in Iran. Therefore, more comprehensive monitoring and studies should be done to evaluate these offices' performance quality and their related cost-benefit analysis.
 

Assessment of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene in fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran city in 2022
Bohlul Parsafar, Mohammad Ahmadi, Gholamreza Jahed Khaniki, , Abbass Rahimi Foroushani,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Compliance with the principles of food safety and hygiene is very important in the entire chain of production, storage, transportation and supply of food to ensure the safety and suitability of food to ensure the health of consumers. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for health and food safety in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran in 2022.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study on 67 fruit and vegetable centers in Tehran city regarding the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene, such as the condition of buildings and facilities, employee training, employee health, food quality control, control of environmental pests, waste disposal and work environment hygiene were done. First, a questionnaire was prepared and its validity was confirmed by the opinion of five experts, as well as its reliability tool with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87, then the questionnaire was completed and the necessary data was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results showed that the favorable condition of buildings and facilities, employee education, employee health, food quality control, environmental pest control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene were 67.16%, 26.85%, 50.20%,67.91%, 43.65%, 58.39% and 63.11%, respectively. So the indicators of building and facilities, food quality control, food consumption and work environment with an average of more than a percentage are acceptable. However, the indicators of care education and combating environmental chastity have been evaluated as unfavorable
Conclusion: Knowing the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran city can help to improve food safety and health. Also, the desirability of indicators of buildings and facilities, food quality control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene affect the supply and distribution of healthy food. It is also recommended to pay more attention to raising the level of education in the care and methods of environmental pest control in fruit and vegetable fields.
 

Assessment of the potential environmental effects of newly deposited mine tailings from the Sungun Copper mine
Safieh Hassanzad, Hossein Pirkharrati, Masoumeh Ahangari, Farrokh Asadzadeh,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: One of the significant challenges in mining areas is the pollution of the environment by heavy metals. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the pollution risk associated with mining wastes and take action to mitigate their environmental impact. The current study assessed the risk potential of recently deposited tailings in the Songun copper mining area.
Materials and Methods: Based on the conditions of tailings, 26 samples were randomly selected from the recently deposited mine wastes. Twenty-two thin and thin polished sections were prepared for lithology and mineralogy studies. Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed to analyze all 26 samples, while X-ray diffraction method (XRD) was used to analyze a subset of 10 samples.
Results: Sulfide minerals, as the main source of environmental pollution, remain intact and unaffected in the tailings. However, the majority of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) exhibit higher concentrations in the waste composition than the standard levels, resulting in a total ecological risk index of 49.93. Geochemical indicators highlight significant pollution levels for elements such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu). The values of the non-carcinogenic risk index for children (except As and Fe) and adults are lower than 1, indicating a non-significant non-carcinogenic health risk. However, the carcinogenicity index also indicates a significant carcinogenic risk in the case of long exposure to wastes, particularly for children.
Conclusion: Therefore, wastes pose a significant environmental risk potential, and due to this risk, proper management of their storage is necessary to prevent the release of PTEs into the environment.

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.

Developing a performance assessment index for urban health, safety, and environmental management using a process–outcome approach: a case study of Isfahan, Iran
Negin Alaei Borujeni, Reza Gholamnia, Amin Bagheri, Amir Kavousi, Reza Saeedi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Performance assessment of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management is the process of applying and estimating components and indicators through which the extent of achieving organizational objectives, as well as progress and continuous improvement in the HSE domain, can be determined. In this study, a performance assessment index for urban HSE management using a process–outcome approach was developed and applied in Isfahan.
Materials and Methods: The index design process included the following steps: (1) extracting preliminary list of principles and indicators, (2) determining the principles and indicators through expert panel consultation, (3) assigning weights to the components of the index, (4) defining integration functions, and (5) classifying the index score. The required data for evaluating HSE management in Isfahan were collected through visits to relevant organizations, existing reports and studies, and public surveys.
Results: The performance assessment index of urban HSE management, including 16 principles and 61 indicators, was validated based on expert panel opinions, and the total weights of process-oriented and outcome-based indicators were 0.16 and 0.84, respectively. The HSE performance score for Isfahan was 66.4, indicating a medium level. The most important domains identified for improvement of HSE management in Isfahan (based on high weight and low performance score) were ambient air quality, access to health-care services, solid waste management, prevention of resource degradation and loss, public education, and top management commitment.
Conclusion: The developed index demonstrated satisfactory effectiveness in assessing the performance of urban HSE management and due to comprehensiveness and flexibility can be applied to other cities.
 

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