Journal of School of Public Health and

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Background and Aim: This study aimed to determine dietary patterns in district 13 of Tehrani adults and evaluate its association with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 343 male and 453 female aged 18-65 years who participated in Tehran Lipid and Glucose study. Usual dietary intakes were assessed with food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis based on 24 food groups identified by similarity of nutrients. Three major dietary patterns were identified: healthy (HDP), western (WDP) and traditional (TDP). Lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics gathered with pre-tested questionnaires. Multiple regression models separately for men and women were fitted to assess the relationships.

Results:The mean age(SD) of men and women were 40(13) and 36(12) respectively. WDP characterized by a higher consumption of salty snacks, sauces, sweetened beverages, processed meats and refined grains, and the HDP characterized by greater intakes of vegetables, low fat meats, tea and coffee, legumes and nuts.WDP had the most variance among 3 dietary patterns. The mean factor score of HDP was higher in women than in men(P<0.05) after adjusting for age and total energy intake. Adherence to a WDP was higher among younger participants (men: β=-0.46, women:-0.34, P<0.001). The percent of married individuals were the most in fourth quartiles of HDP score among the other quartiles (P<0.01) and married men were less likely to follow WDP (β=-0.25, P<0.01).

Conclusion:Three major dietary patterns were found with factor analysis: western, healthy and traditional. Younger and single individuals had more adherence to WDP and women had higher score in HDP.

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Background and Aim: Discharge of Wastewater of Cleaning Industries to environment with special physicochemical characteristics has negative effects and in the other hand is not easily biodegradable because in these wastewaters ratio BOD5/COD is low and therefore biological treatment of them is difficult. Nowadays best method for degradation of Wastewater is advance oxidation processes .In this study investigated efficiency of Fenton process in remove anionic detergent and COD and improved from ratio of BOD5/COD.

Materials and Methods: This investigating is descriptive- empirical study that paksan factory was local sampling of wastewater. 30 wastewater composite sample24hr were taken during study period and then chemical characterization was performed by determining the following parameters: (COD, BOD, MBAS, PH, T) Then Sample of row wastewater were prepared and used in the experiments for determining the efficiency of Fenton process in treatment. Treatment experiments performed by use of various concentrations of H2O2 and ferrous iron at constant pH of 3and temperature of 25 in a jar test apparatus adjusted at 200 rpm and for contact time 60 min. Fe+2 on removal (COD, MBAS & BOD ) applied ANOVA. and after that for analysis of effect H2O2

Results: The results of analyze showed that the concentrations of COD, ranging from 6254-13040 mg/l and concentration of BOD was 2590-3200mg/l and concentrations of MBAS were 245-1120 mg/l and results showed that the BOD5/COD ratio was 0.34±0.09. At constant pH of 3 and temperature of 25 for contact time 60 min, about 40% of MBAS with first concentration 470 mg/l removed by H2o2 with concentration1800and fe+2 with concentration 340 mg/l .concentration of COD reduced from 8750 to 5998 mg/l, and the ratio of BOD5/COD improved from 0.334 to 0.340.

Conclusion: Wastewater from this industry has quality characteristics with deferent ranging and high organic load and because of high concentration of foaming that prohibit of oxygen infiltration in wastewater and nonbiodgredable material. These wastewaters are not easily subjected to conversation system of biological treatment therefore suitable method for treatment of this wastewater should reduce organic load foaming and improve ratio of BOD5/COD advance oxidation process is one method with good efficiency for treatment of this wastewater.

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Background and Aim: insecticides are widely used for protecting of agriculture and stored products. Organophosphorus insecticides are used more than other pesticides in agriculture. Therefore the residue of these insecticides in environment such as water may be hazardous to human health. Golestan Province is one of the important agricultural zones in north of Iran. In this area, azinphosmetyl and diazinon widely used for pest control. Garaso and Gorganrood are two important rivers of Golestan Province, which are exist in the near of agricultural lands and gardens, and therefore exposed to insecticides pollutions. Determination of this organophosphorus pesticide residue in water of rivers is important in this area.

Materials and Methods:This is a cross-sectional study, was performed for 1 year, during May 2006 to March 2007. In this research 152 samples from two rivers was sampling and tested. Water sampling from 3 detemined stations in among rivers was performed. azinphosmetyl and diazinon extracted from water samples with used of methylene chloride and acetone and so clean up and concentration phase was done. High performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) was used for quantity and quality assay of insecticides.

Results:The residue of Diazinon and Azinphosmetyl in summer is significantly different from others seasons (P<0.05). The most of azinphosmetyl and diazinon residue was determined in summer. Three other seasons (spring, autumn and winter) are not significantly different in azinphosmetyl and diazinon residue (P>0.05). The means of azinphosmetyl residue in Garaso and Gorganrood in summer was 14.56ppm (±SD= 10.59) and 14.9(±11.67), respectively. The means of diazinon in Garaso and Gorganrood in summer was 22.4ppm (±18.62) and 6.74(±6.89), respectively.

Conclusion: The diazinon residue in spring and summer was more than allowed standard limitation in both rivers (Garaso and Gorganrood). But azinphosmetyl residue only in summer in Garaso river was more than allowed standard limitation.

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Background and Aim: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenated additive chemical added to gasoline, which is as a substitute for tetra ethyl lead, to reduce discharge of pollutants from automobile exhausts. This organic chemical is present in water samples collected from areas where gasoline wastes are abundant. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of MTBE removal from drinking water at the point of use (POU) by using an Iranian granulated active carbon (GAC) bed.
Materials and Methods: Adsorption of MTBE from drinking water at POU was studied by using an Iranian GAC bed. The water samples treated by this filter adsorber were prepared synthetically at two concentrations (50 ppb and 100 ppb). In addition, the effects of residual chlorine at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L and of chloroform at a concentration of 100 ppb on removal of MTBE were determined.
Results: It was found that this filter adsorber could treat 375 liters of water containing 50 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chorine. If the residual chlorine content was increased to 0.5 ppb, the volume of water treated would be 335 liters. The filter could t eat 195 liters of water containing 100 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chlorine to acceptable levels for drinking, provided the amount of MTBE is below the respective standard.
Conclusion: Both residual chlorine and chloroform reduced the MTBE adsorption capacity on GAC due to occupation of adsorption sites. In addition, to the tendency of GAC to adsorb chloroform and chlorine was greater than that of MTBE.

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Background and Aim: Domestic violence against women is a major health problem, as well as a violation of human rights. It adversely affects the physical, mental, and social well being of women, families and communities. This phenomenon exists in all countries around the world. Although its prevalence, strength, types, effects, and risk factors are different, it is not limited to any geographical zone or distinct social class. This article presents the views of Tehrani couples and experts on underlying factors causing domestic violence against women in Iran and action to be taken for prevention.
Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was carried out through eight FGD meetings, in 2 days, with the participation of 50 couples. The couples were divided into 8 groups based on sex, education, and history of violence. Results of the FDGs were categorized and analyzed. Data were discussed in group meetings of 50 experts in different fields, such as health, medicine, law, education, and Islamic studies, from academic, policy making, governmental executive, and women's affairs organizations, divided into three groups of community general education and information dissemination, health system, and judiciary system. Results were discussed and finalized in a general meeting.
Results: The couples and experts identified underlying factors in 4 categories socio-cultural, economic, legal, and medical. Actions to be taken for prevention and control were believed to be educational, legal, and supporting services.
Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, it was suggested that strategies/actions/services to solve the problem and reduce harm should include providing appropriate information and education for couples and the community emphasizing the health system responsibility empowering physicians and other health personnel to help women who are victims or susceptible to domestic violence legal transparency and reforms meeting legal needs law reinforcement and implementation providing safe shelters for victims and establishment of a national center for research and planning on violence.

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Background and Aim: The district health information system (DHIS) converts raw data into useful manegerial information. The main purpose of DHIS is to improve quality of health services in service delivery points. This study was conducted to investigate the DHIS performance.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 health service-delivery units were selected by systematic random sampling, and the calculation of 47 primary health care indicators was assessed by the provincial health center statistics supervisor.

Results: On the average, 41.9% of the indicators had been calculated in each unit. In the district health center, the proportions of outcome measures and process performance indicators calculated were 50% and 5.6%, respectively. On the basis of the indicators obtainable from the vital horoscope, 79% of the indicators in the district health center and 66% of those in the health service-delivery units had been calculated. Finally, there were 97 disease-surveillance forms, 35 environment-health forms, 21 family-health forms, and 23 other forms at the district level.

Conclusion: Re-designing the structure of the health information management process and determining indicator packages at the district and service-delivery level are vital steps for improving the health information system at the district level.

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Background and Aim: Laboratory fume-hoods are the first-level protection for the laboratory staff against hazardous chemical pollutants. Considering the large numbers of personnel, especially in petrochemical industry laboratories, this project was carried out in order to assess the performance of laboratory hoods based on tracer gas (SF6).

Materials and Methods: In this project 22 hoods in the laboratories of a petrochemical industry were studied. Operation of the hoods was assessed based on quantitative (with SF6 as tracer gas) and qualitative (face velocity measurement, using thermal anemometer) tests, according to ASHRAE 110 stndard.

Results: In comparison with the minimum acceptable face velocity (80 fpm), the mean values of face velocities of only 9.09% of the hoods passed the test (P=0.001) and were at an acceptable level. As regards the tracer gas test, the results were even worse: only 4.5% of the hoods passed the acceptability test (p=0.001). In addition, non of the hoods having an acceptable face velocity passed the tracer gas test. Similarly, no hood with an accepatable tracer gas performance had an acceptable face velocity.

Conclusion: Since there is no consistency between face velocity and tracer gas tests, performance of laboratory hoods can necessarily be assessed on the basis of the tracer gas quantitative test. The face velocity test is a supplementary test, which, if used alone wil give false results.

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Background and Aim: Determination of the age of vector mosquitoes is of particular importance in epidemiological studies of diseases transmitted by them, such as viral and parasitic diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the daily age of Anopheles stephensi based on changes in pteridine concentration in female mosquito cuticles by liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Methods and Materials: Females of Anopheles stephensi were raised in an insectary (28° C, 70% relative humidity). At 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 30 days post-emergence they were divided into groups of 10 mosquitoes each. The mosquitoes in each age group were further divided into 3 subgroups of 10 each for chromatographic (HPLC, emotion = 355 nm and excitation= 465 nm) pteridine extraction. The chromatograms obtained were compared with the respective standards to determine the types of pteridines.

Results: Four types of pteridines were detected in the cuticle of Anopheles stephensi, including isoxanthopteridine, pteridine-6-carboxylic acid, biopteridine, and xanthopteridine. They were all present in all the cuticle of the mosquitoes however, no biopteridine in the head or xanthopteridine in the thorax were found. Generally, as the age of the mosquitoes increased, pteridine concentrations kept declining, such that after 30 days the total concentration reached 10% of the original.

Conclusion:The findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between the concentration of pteridines in the cuticle and daily age of female mosquitoes. The method described can be used as a standard method to determine the daily age of Anopheles, as well as of other mosquito species, since it is fast and precise and needs small samples. Its major limitation is non-availability of HPLC in many parts of the country, although it is possible to freeze dead mosquitoes and transfer them to centers where HPLC is available.

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Background and Aim: Natural organic matter (NOMs), measured on the basis of organic carbon, produces disinfection by-products precursors (DBPs) during the chlorination process. Some DBPs are carcinogenic. NOMs are not completely removed by conventional water treatment. As a result, in addition to forming DBPs, they support bacterial regrowth in the water distribution systems and cause unpleasant odor and taste and other problems. The objective of this study was to determine organic carbon concentration and DBPs formation potential in drinking water of the water distribution system in Tehran, Iran.

Methods and Materials: Water sampling was done by standard methods, monthly between August 2006 and Feb 2007, at four points of the drinking water distribution system in Tehran. Quantitative parameters, including pH, EC, UV254 (UV absorbance at a wavelength of 254nm), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) were determined. DOC and UV-254 of the samples were determined using a Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer and a Lambda 25 UV/Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. SUVA (L/mg.m) was calculated as thea ratio of the UV absorbance at 254 nm (1/m) to DOC (mg/ L).

Results: The water content of DOC at the four points of the distribution system was less than 0.7 mg /L. The mean DOC concentration was 0.3±0.14mg/L, ranging between 0.12 and 0.687mg/L, with no monthly variation. The mean SUVA was 1.3±0.7.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the Tehran water treatment systems cannot eliminate completely natural organic matter. SUVA values show, however, that the system can eliminate the majority of hydrophobic compounds. Therefore, formation of haloacetic acids is more probable than that of trihalomathanes.

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Background and Aim: Self-efficacy and decisional balance in the Trans-theoretical Model play an effective role in oral self-care behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of education on inter-dental cleaning behavior based on the Trans-theoretical Model in pre-universstudents in the city of Yazd, Iran in 2009.

Materials and Methods: This was an intervention study. Based on statistical calculations, 361 pre-university students (mean age 17.53±0.55 years) were randomly allocated into groups of intervention (n=185, 51.2%) and control (176, 48.8%). Data on demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and decisional balancing (perceived benefits and perceived barriers) were collected using a questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. Based on the trans-theoretical model, a 3-month educational program was prepared with sections on self-efficacy and decisional balance and conducted. At the termination of the program variables of the model were evaluated and the gingival index was determined by a dentist. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, the statistical tests being ANOVA, paired t-test, t-test, Fisher, and correlation coefficient.

Results: Implementation of the educational program resulted in a significant decrease in perceived barriers (p<0.001) and significant increases in perceived benefits (p<0.001) and self-efficacy (p<0.001). In addition, the gingival index improved in the intervention group (p=0.01). The final mean self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and gingival index were not significantly different between the case and control groups, but a significantly positive effect was noticed in perceived benefits (p=0. 01).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the educational intervention influenced desirably the gingival index, self-efficacy and perceived benefits in the students. Since the self-efficacy factor is an important predictor in oral self-care behavior, it is suggested to use the trans-theoretical model in educational interventions aiming at improving self-efficacy, increasing perceived advantages, and reducing perceived obstacles.

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Background and Aim: Community involvement is the most important strategy in development. In health program planning, community assessment is a process in which society members get a thorough understanding of all matters, problems, resources, weaknesses, strengths, needs, and surveillance related to health by collecting, analyzing, and publishing relevant data and information. This study was conducted to identify and prioritize problems of the Chahestani region, a poor region in Bandar-Abbas city, Iran, with active participation of the people.

Materials and Methods: The study was based on a model designed in North Carolina, US.  In this model, the assessment process is performed in eight steps.  In the first seven steps problems are identified and prioritized, and in step 8 a plan of action is developed to deal with the problem selected.

Results: A total of 60 problems were identified, of which the following were considered to be top priorities: lack of responsibility of the authorities, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, sewerage disposal, insufficient water, insufficient electricity,  unpaved roads, lack of green space, and dirty streets and passages.  

Conclusion: Most of the problems identified were non-health problems, including social, cultural, and economic issues.

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Background and Aim: Today in many work environments, such as nuclear, military and chemical industries, human errors may result in disasters. Accidents in different parts of the world bear evidence to this examples are the Chernobyl disaster (1986), the Three Mile Island accident (1974), and the Flixborough explosion (1974). Thus, identification of human error, especially in complex and intricate systems, and devising control measures are essential.

Materials and Methods: This project was a case study conducted in Zagross Methanol Company in Asalouye (South Pars), Iran. The walking-talking-through method was used to collect the required data and complete the Systematic Human Error Reductive and Predictive Approach (SHERPA) worksheets. The process experts and control room operators were interviewed and technical documents of the Company examined.

Results: Analysis of the SHERPA worksheets indicated that the majority (48.62%) of the 222 errors identified were action errors, followed by checking errors (31.97%), retrieval errors (6.75%), selection errors (0.9%), and communication errors (11.7%).

Conclusion: The results of this study show that the method can be used effectively in different industries, especially chemical industries, to identify human errors that may potentially lead to dangerous situations and accidents.

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Background and Aim: Rabies, a viral and zoonotic disease, causes acute and fetal encephalitis in humans and other mammals and is a cause of death in developing countries. It is usually transmitted by animal bite, but other routes of transmission are mucus membranes, breathing, placenta, contaminated instruments, and organ implanting. This study shows the mapping of geographical distribution of animal bite cases, rabies, and death due rabies in 3 Caspian Sea littoral provinces, namely, Golestan, Mazandaran, and Gilan.

Materials and Methods: Data on human and animal rabies cases and animal bites were collected from the Reference Rabies Center of the Pasteur Institute in Tehran and the Rabies Diagnosis Section of the Amol Research Center during 2002-2007.The data was analyzed by the SPSS (11.5) software and mapping was done by Arc GIS 9.2.

Results: During the 6-year period, of the 670,743 animal bite cases reported in Iran 63890 (9.5%) had occurred in Golestan, 25,767 (3.8%) in Mazandaran, and 22,874 (3.4%) in Gilan. The distribution of animal bite cases in the 3 provinces was as follows: Agh ghala, Bandar Torkaman, Azad shahr and Kolaleh in Golestan Galugah, Behshahr, Ramsar and Neka in Mazandaran and Shaft, Masal, Siahkal and Fuman in Gilan. The data also showed that of the total 2,312 animal rabies cases, in Iran, 9.22% had been reported from Golestan, 4% from Mazandaran, and 2.6% from Gilan. Furthermore, animal rabies cases had occurred mostly in Gonbadekavoos, Bandar Torkaman, Gorgan and Kolaleh in the Golestan Province Behshahr, Neka and Chalus in the Mazandaran Province and Masal, Fuman and Rezvanshahr in the Gilan Province. The most important disease vector (91.3%) for both human and animal rabies was the dog. A total of 41 human deaths due to rabies had been reported during the period, 2 being from Mazandaran.

Conclusion: The results show that a more effective disease control and surveillance system is essential and can help improve planning for service provision in the health care centers.

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Background and Aim: Pressure ulcer is a common problem and a large drain on hospital resources, especially in wards such as ICU where patients stay for a long time. The aim of this study was to explore the likely factors contributing to pressure ulcers in the ICU units of Tehran University of Medical Sciences teaching hospitals, Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This project was conducted in all the seven ICUs of four teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In the first phase the researcher performed a direct observation of all the 90 patients who were admitted to the ICU units to check the presence of any pressure ulcer. In the second phase, 310 patients discharged from the same ICU units between March 2007 and February 2008 was randomly selected and their medical records reviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data.

Results: Pressure ulcer occurred more frequently in the elderly women patients who were less active and had less mobility, hospitalized for a long time, or those with fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, paralysis, or respiratory diseases. In addition, pressure ulcer was seen more frequently in the patients hospitalized in the general ICUs, as well as in those with infections and different types of tumors.

Conclusion: Using a standard risk assessment tool and paying attention to the main risk factors of pressure ulcer can be a useful method for identifying the high-risk patients before admission in order to prevent them from developing such ulcers.

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Background and Aim: Lead is a toxic metal used in different industries and occupational and environmental exposure to it is quite likely to occur. Because of its high potential toxicity, serious damages to those exposed to it are common. Since the ceramic industry, in which lead is used, is considered a domestic industry in Iran, in this study occupational exposure of glaze workers to lead was assessed in a ceramic industry.

Materials and Methods: A total of 55 glaze workers (39 tillers and 16 potters) were selected as the case group. Association of lead concentration with several variables, including work shift, work type, ventilation system, and the number of extra work hours during the previous month, was determined. A sampling pump (SKC Co.) and ester cellulose filters with a pore size of 0.8 µm, 37 mm in diameter, were used for sampling. The flow-rate was adjusted at 2 l/min based on the NIOSH 7300 method. After sampling, filters were transferred to the laboratory and digested in a mixture of nitric acid and per chlorate solution (4:1) and analyzed by ICP-AES. To minimize probable errors and pollution during sampling and sample handling, samples were also taken from employees in the administration department to serve as control. Spiro metric tests were performed on both the case and the control groups.

Results: The lead concentrations were higher than the threshold limit value (TLV) (0.17 mg/m). Independent t-test showed that there was a significant relation between concentration of the lead present in the breathing zone air and 2 independent variables, including shifts work (morning and afternoon) and the ventilation system among tillers. Also, based on the one-way ANOVA, there was a significant relation between concentration of the lead present in the breathing zone and the number of extra working hours over the shift.

Conclusion: The mean lead concentration in the breathing zone was higher than the respective TLV. Considering the hazardous nature of lead, protective measures─ personal, occupational and environmental─ should be taken. Moreover, clinical examination of job applicants at the time of employment, as well as periodic examinations and Spiro metric tests on the workers, are also strongly recommended.

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Background and Aim: Considering the acute and chronic effects of organic solvents to which vehicle painters are exposed for long periods of time, their evaluation and control is crucial for protection of health of the employees. This study aimed to find the most influential factors on exposure to, and spreading pollution with, benzene, toluene, xylem, and etylebenzene (BTEX) in order to be able to choose the best control measures.
Materials and Methods: In a motor-vehicle company the vehicle painting process was studied in detail and the solvents used in paints and in spreading organic solvent stations were identified. Based on the types and concentrations of the variables being studied, using the NIOSH method a total of 240 air samples were collected (5 samples for each variable and the respective controls) and analyzed. The SPSS version 11.5 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being multi-regression and analysis of variance.
Results: Exposure to benzene in all occupational tasks, as well as to toluene in top coating and undercoating stations exceeded, while exposure to etylebenzene and xylene did not reach, the respective permitted exposure limits (p<0.05). The most effective factors on exposure to all the four solvents were, in order of effectiveness, occupational task, gun type, and the type of paint sued (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The effects of the variables studies – occupational task, gun and paint types – on exposure to BTEX relate to differences in occupational task work load, the type of gun used, and the paint organic solvent formulation. The reason for the potentially high exposure to benzene is its presence as an impurity in the paint solvents. Thus, it is highly recommended that in the process of control and evaluation special attention be paid to these factors.

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Background and Aim: Recently the use of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) has received much attention as a supplementary indicator of the MPN test in water quality control. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has declared 500 cfu/mL as the maximum acceptable level for heterotrophic bacteria in distribution networks. Currently the HPC determination is not among the routine control items in Tabriz city and there is no published information on the presence of heterotrophic bacteria in that city's potable water. In this study the presence of HPC in potable water main was determined in Tabriz city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: A total of 50 water samples, representing drinking water of the whole city of Tabriz, were taken randomly from different districts of Tabriz city and their HPC, coliform, residual chlorine, turbidity, temperature, and pH were measured. For the heterotrophic bacteria the R2A and Nutrients Agar culture media were used, while the spread plate count method was used for the HPC test. The statistical tests used for data analysis were the t-test and regression.
Results: In 50% of the samples heterotrophic bacteria were present. In 6 districts the HPC was higher than 500 cfu/mL. Based on Nutrient Agar and R2A, the HPC indicator in Tabriz drinking water was 184±340 and 154±315 cfu/mL, respectively, the growth rate being higher in the former medium. There was a significant correlation between the HPC and residual chlorine in both media (for Nutrients Agar, p<0.05 R= -0.347, and for R2A, p<0.05 R= -0.312). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the HPC and pH (p<0.05). Further analysis of the data showed that the correlation between HPC values in both media was also significant (p<0.95, R= 0.95).
Conclusion: The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in 50% of the water samples tested indicates that drinking water contamination with these bacteria is a public health problem in Tabriz city. As a result, monitoring of HPC at least once every 6 or, at least, 12 months, together with coliform bacteria, and the comparison of the results over time can help to better determine water quality in the distribution system, as well as boost the system operation and ensure drinking water with a high quality.

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Background and Aim: Determining the degree of conformity of respirator cartridges with the accepted standards is very important for ensuring their respiratory protection efficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of conformity of organic vapor-respirator cartridges used in different petrochemical companies with the EN 14387:2004 standard.

Materials and Methods: In the first phase of the study, the respirator cartridges used in petrochemical complexes were identified and their specifications obtained from their manufacturers and the relevant technical catalogues. In the second phase, 3 samples of each of the cartridge models were chosen and tested according to the EN 14387:2004 standard. An instrument was especially designed for measuring the breakthrough time of the cartridges. 

Results: The results showed that the minimum and maximum breakthrough times of cartridges were 29 and 142 minutes, respectively. From all the 10 different cartridge models tested, one had a service life of lower than the minimum standard breakthrough time of 70 minutes.

Conclusion: Considering the existence of a non-standard type of cartridge among the samples studied, it is essential to launch a program aiming at ensuring the conformity of cartridge efficiency with the respective standards. Such a program should be developed and implemented by such responsible organizations as the Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran and the Center for Occupational Health and Safety Research and Training of Iran.

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Background and Aim: Safety climate is a psychological phenomenon and a sub-component of safety culture, which is usually reflected in the shared workforce's perceptions about the state of safety at any particular time. It can provide an indication of the priority of safety in an organization with regard to other priorities such as production or quality. The objective of this study was to assess the safety climate profile in a steel manufacturing plant in Iran and using the results to improve the level of safety.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the UK Loughborough University Safety Climate Assessment Toolkit was used to assess the safety climate in a steel-manufacturing industry in Iran. Information was collected through interviews and questionnaires, focus group discussions, and direct observations in the filed. Safety climate scores were calculated in 17 themes.

Results: A graphic representation of the safety climate scores obtained showed that safety climate in the company is at the medium level (4.80 ± 2). The highest and lowest scores were for dimensions of personal priority and need for safety (8.6± 0.8) and accidents and incidents (1±0.00). A non-significant correlation was found between worker's education and work experience on the one hand and their attitude towards safety on the other hand (p>0.05). Both management commitment and personal priority were associated with the workers' age (p= 0.03 and 0.02, respectively), while work environment was associated only with employment status (p = 0.04). 

Conclusion: Safety climate assessment can be a proactive safety performance indicator used to improve the level of safety in an organisation.

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Background and Aim: In social marketing, the common techniques of commercial marketing are used to increase the chances of acceptability of an idea or action by the target group. In this study, we determined the impact of an intervention based on social marketing to reduce risky driving behaviors among taxi drivers in Tehran.

Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study, consisting of a quantitative and a qualitative part, on taxi-drivers in 2 regions (an intervention and a control groups) in the City of Tehran. Based on a formative research approach, the components of social marketing, namely, the product (reminder message for concentrating on avoidance of two target behaviors, tailgating and not driving between lines), price, place and promotion were determined. An 8-week educational program was implemented, the components being installation of stickers before the driver's eyes, distributing a pamphlet, and transferring messages through taxi route supervisors as opinion leaders. After six weeks, risky driving behaviors were assessed by checklists and compared.

Results: The intervention resulted in statistically significant reductions in the two target behaviors in the intervention group as compared with the control group. Furthermore, logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for avoiding both behaviors increased significantly in the intervention group. 

Conclusion: Determining specific target groups, designing interventions based on actual needs and wants of the target group, and focusing on the factors influencing the behavior market are the basic elements of social marketing. Due consideration of these elements when designing behavioral interventions would lead to reductions in risky driving behaviors.