Journal of School of Public Health and

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of broad geographic distribution. This disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The most important ways to diagnose the disease are the serological techniques such as IFA and ELISA. The aim of this consideration, was comparison between the two methods, IFA and ELISA, in order to determine the incidence of antibody against Toxoplasma in pregnant women. In this descriptive-cross sectional study, from 600 pregnant woman whom have referred to Alzzahra and Izadi maternity hospitals of Qom, during four months (from Sep.2001 to Jan.2002), the specimen of blood have been prepared. After bloodletting and parting of serum, IFA and ELISA have tested its specimens. From 600 specimens of serum, from the tested mothers by IgG-ELISA method, 257 individuals (%42.8) and by IgG-IFA method, 246 individuals (%41) had Specific IgG antibody. Also, The comparison between the two methods, IFA and ELISA, demonstrates that 246 cases (%41) were positive in both methods, and 343 cases (%57.2) were negative in both methods, and only 11 cases (%1.8) were positive in ELISA and negative in IFA technique. In this study, the effect of different factors has been studied, in which deal with the prevalence rate of Toxoplasma infection. Although, these results shows that transmission of Toxoplasma infection in this city, like other parts of world and Iran has been done, but considerable percent of pregnant women (%57.2 by ELISA method and %59 by IFA method) lacking any type of acquired immunity against of this infection. Therefore, considering secure status and accomplishing exclusive experiments before marriage and also training and informing the people of region especially pregnant women with educational programs and supervision in pregnant period is necessary. On the other hand, with regard to the rate of concordance of the two tests (%98.2), The ELISA because of its high sensitivity and specificity, easier technique and lower expense it is preferred in order to screening Toxoplasma infection.

Background and Aim: In the raw furniture preparation workshops, in which the workers usually have an undesirable postures when at work, ergonomic assessment and the work environment improvement seem essential. Developing checklists and calculating ergonomic indices would be useful in this assessment. This study was conducted with the objectives of assessing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) risk factors and determining types of corrective measures in raw furniture preparation workshops.

Materials and methods: After conducting task analysis, 268 workers were assessed using an ergonomic checklist developed for the purpose and ergonomic indices were calculated. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence rate of MSDs among the workers. Data were analyzed using the t-test and the test of proportions.

Results: The highest prevalence was in the lower back (38.4%) and the knees 36.2%). Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant associations between MSDs and calculated ergonomic indices (p<0.001). In addition, calculation of OR revealed that ergonomic conditions were associated with MSDs in different body parts (OR=2.90-9.49, p<0.001). On the whole, the working conditions of 32.46% of the workers studied were poor from an ergonomic point of view.

Conclusion: The checklist developed was found to be an appropriate and low-cost tool for ergonomic assessment. The most important problems in the workshops were due to inappropriate general working conditions, inappropriate organization, and unsuitable work stations.

Background and Aim: Inadequate management of biomedical waste can be associated with risks to healthcare workers, patients, communities and their environment. In this study a comprehensive survey was conducted to obtain information on the management of solid wastes in Qom hospitals.

Materials and Methods: Field visits were made to 2 private and 4 governmental hospitals to collect the required information and weighing the solid wastes generated. In addition, supplementary information was collected using a modified World Health Organization questionnaire.

Results: The results showed total the average generation rate of solid waste in Qom hospitals was 3057.55 kg/day. The shares of general, infectious, sharp, and pharmaceutical and chemical solid wastes were 1523.6, 1520.6, 12.72 and 0.93 kg/day, respectively. The results on various aspects of solid waste management indicate that practices in the hospitals do not comply with the principles stated in the respective Iranian regulations. Similarly, the segregation process was inefficient. No information was available concerning the quantity and quality of solid wastes.

Conclusion: Development of suitable waste management schemes and plans are strongly recommended. In addition, establishing training programs on proper waste management for all the personnel involved (managers, physicians, nurses, workers) are essential. These actions, plus effective supervision, will result in considerable reductions in hospital solid waste disposal cost