Mojtaba Davoudi; Zohre Vojodi; Tayebe Jafarian; Akram Robat jazi; Zainab Fuladi; Maryam Jafarian; Sima Nourbakhsh
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Increased waste production during patient treatment emerges as a serious issue following infectious disease outbreaks. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on medical waste production in Mashhad, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this study, ...
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Background and Purpose: Increased waste production during patient treatment emerges as a serious issue following infectious disease outbreaks. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on medical waste production in Mashhad, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this study, 4 referral (R) and 2 non-referral (NR) hospitals were examined. The quantity and quality of waste produced before (2018-2019) and during COVID-19 (2019-2020) were extracted from hospital records and noted in standard medical waste management checklists. Also, the number of hospital visits due to COVID-19 was determined and entered into the study by referring to the Treatment Deputy of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.Results: The results showed that the mean waste production was 449.50 ± 49.45 kg/day and 436.04 ± 107.55 kg/day in 2018-2019 (before COVID-19) and 2019-2020 (during the outbreak) in R1, respectively, 3000.26 ± 227.46 kg/day and 3279.72 ± 153.00 in R2, 544.53 ± 107.10 kg/day and 666.32 ± 156.68 in R3, and 476.72 ± 15.96 kg/day and 635.41 ± 54.88 kg/day in R4. Also, the mean waste production was 219.6 ± 36.90 and 199.06 ± 49.58 kg/day in NR1 and 112.1 ± 29.55 kg/day and 108.8±59.1 kg/day in NR2 before and during COVID-19, respectively. Field surveys showed that despite the increased amount of waste production, all waste management stages, such as collection, transfer, and disposal, are being implemented in accordance with the guidelines.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the medical waste production rate is related to the prevalence of diseases. Considering the importance of medical waste management, it requires careful and correct application of national and international guidelines.
Batoul Zarif Gharaati Oftadeh; Najmeh Afsharkohan; Mohammad Zanguoe; Mohammad Rashidi; Reza Barati; Sedigheh Majidian; Ali Akbar Dehghan
Abstract
Background and purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic swiftly swept across the globe as an infectious disease months after its initial reports. This study aims to identify the factors influencing employees’ adherence to health protocols using the health belief model within the Khorasan Razavi Regional ...
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Background and purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic swiftly swept across the globe as an infectious disease months after its initial reports. This study aims to identify the factors influencing employees’ adherence to health protocols using the health belief model within the Khorasan Razavi Regional Water Company context.Materials and Methods:In 2019, a descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) investigation involved 65 Khorasan Razavi Regional Water Company employees. The data collection process involved a meticulously designed questionnaire fashioned by the researcher. This questionnaire encompassed 11, 24, and 18 inquiries about employees’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The responses were collected through an online survey platform, followed by meticulous analysis through the employment of SPSS software.Results: : Examination of the interplay between demographic variables and knowledge, attitudes, and behavior constructs revealed that mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors did not display any significant variance amongst gender, educational, or occupational categories (p<0.05). Intriguingly, a significant positive correlation emerged between awareness and attitudes (p<0.01), as well as between awareness and behaviors (p=0.02). Other variables exhibited negligible correlation (p <0.05). Furthermore, the outcomes demonstrated that the structure of awareness significantlyimpacted the studied individuals’ behaviors (p =0.01). Employees’ knowledge and attitudes about coronavirus prevention exhibited a commendable standard.Conclusion: This study underscores the pivotal role of employee knowledge and attitudes in shaping their adherence to COVID-19 prevention practices. Consequently, it is recommended that educational initiatives be introduced as potent tools for augmenting the knowledge and attitudes of Khorasan Razavi Regional Water Company personnel.
Mehran Malek Roveshti; Zahra Gelichi; Somaye Barzanouni; Maryam Feyz Arefi; Javad Hosseini; Mohsen Poursadeghiyan
Abstract
Introduction and aim: Nowadays, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak has become a special and important problem in human societies. Unfortunately, this disease has led to extensive damage and injuries. This study aimed to investigate and compare the feedback obtained from the level of preventive ...
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Introduction and aim: Nowadays, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak has become a special and important problem in human societies. Unfortunately, this disease has led to extensive damage and injuries. This study aimed to investigate and compare the feedback obtained from the level of preventive behaviors of Iranians from getting Covid-19 in 1399 and 1400.Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 744 participants in the years 1399 and 1400 were included in the study by available sampling method. The data collection tool was an electronic questionnaire that was made available to users via the Internet. To describe the quantitative data, the findings were expressed as Mean ± SD, and frequency was used to describe the qualitative data. Data were recorded and analyzed using Excel software version 2016.Results: In this study, individuals stated that in 1400, they observed personal and public health to an average (18%) and less (21%). But in the study of 1399, the rate of people who have observed moderate and less personal and public health has been about 8% and 13%, respectively. Also, the number of referrals to the bank in 1400 compared to 1399 has increased significantly. In general, observance of other preventive behaviors such as observing social distance, regular washing of hands, and not holding parties and ceremonies has decreased compared to 1399.Conclusion: The results of the research findings can provide useful information for formulating policies and guidelines of the Iranian health system to show the state of preventive behavior of the general public. In general, the study indicates that people in the community in 1400 have followed the health instructions to a lesser extent than in 1399. It can be said that this important issue is rooted in people facing environmental stressors, long-term anxiety, and indifference to emerging phenomena.
Mohammad Hasan Yazdani; Maryam Jami Odulo; Zhila Farzaneh Sadat Zaranji
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Waste disposal and accumulation in the environment is well known as an environmental and human health problem that, in addition to environmental aesthetic issues, is a threat to the mental, physical, and emotional health of citizens. Despite the positive effects ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Waste disposal and accumulation in the environment is well known as an environmental and human health problem that, in addition to environmental aesthetic issues, is a threat to the mental, physical, and emotional health of citizens. Despite the positive effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the environment, it has also had negative effects on the environment. This study aimed to pathologically analyze the environmental behavior of citizens in District 3 of Ardabil with emphasis on littering during the COVID-19 pandemic and taking into account four criteria (lack of facilities, dirty environment, anonymity, and habit of littering). Materials and Methods: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Excel and SPSS software (to estimate the average answers to the questionnaire) were used to analyze the data. To measure the environmental behaviors of the citizens of the studied areas, the relevant indicators were used with the entropy weighting method and the target areas were classified using decision-making techniques. Finally, the Copeland integration technique was used to achieve the final prioritization.Results: Based on the findings of various decision-making techniques, the Molayosef and Molabashi neighborhoods were in the most unfavorable situation with the lowest score and ranked first in terms of waste distribution, and the Rezvan neighborhood was in the last rank with the highest score and had the best status.Conclusion: Since many citizens consider the lacked or poor waste disposal services as one of the important reasons for littering behavior, therefore, providing health-care and education infrastructure in the city is very important to encourage community members toward responsible environmental behaviors.
Edris Alang
Abstract
Plastics are widely used in society due to their many benefits, cheapness and availability and global plastic production in 2018 reached 359 million tons per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the cause of Covid-19 virus in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. During the pandemic of ...
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Plastics are widely used in society due to their many benefits, cheapness and availability and global plastic production in 2018 reached 359 million tons per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the cause of Covid-19 virus in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. During the pandemic of Covid-19 disease, the use of disposable face masks was recommended as the simplest solution to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. Unprecedented increase in the production and use of masks and gloves is a new environmental challenge that has led to an increase in plastic waste in marine habitats and environments. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 89 million medical masks are required each month to respond to Covid-19. Improper disposal and disposal of these items has caused them to enter the coastal and marine environment through runoff as well as coastal visitors. Disposable face masks are plastic macro debris that can be broken into smaller pieces called microplastics and Ingestion by sea animals. Proper waste management, awareness and education of people about the proper disposal of these personal protective equipment items, use of washable masks, are strategies that can play an effective role in reducing the presence of this waste in the environment.
Morad Ali Zareipour; Ehsan Movahed; Ali Asghar Kheirkhah; Fatemeh Seyedi; Mahsa Tahergorabi; Shohreh Shafiei
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: One of the most important issues in maintaining and promoting community health is comprehensive waste management, especially in the COVID-19 epidemic. Failure to pay attention to waste management leaves irreparable damage. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: One of the most important issues in maintaining and promoting community health is comprehensive waste management, especially in the COVID-19 epidemic. Failure to pay attention to waste management leaves irreparable damage. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practice of health workers about the stages of waste management in the COVID-19 epidemic. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 428 health workers working at Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. A convenience sampling method was used. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire on waste management. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and logistic regression tests with SPSS24 software. Results: The mean age of employees was 32.16 7 ±7.03 years. The staff’s knowledge and practice about waste management in COVID-19 conditions were 54.2% good, 32.2% moderate, and 13.6% poor. All stages of waste management had significant positive correlations with each other (p <0.05). Logistic regression results showed that the female gender (OR = 1.8, P = 0.001), place of work (OR = 2.1, P = 0.002), higher education (OR = 2.9, P = 0.001), and good economic status (OR = 2.7, P = 0.001) increase the probability of knowledge and practice of health workers about waste management in COVID-19 conditions. Conclusion: In general, the knowledge and practice of employees about waste management in the COVID-19 epidemic were good, but it is necessary to make educational interventions in accordance with the determinants of waste management to increase and maintain the knowledge and performance of employees. Article type: Original Quantitative Research Article Keywords: Knowledge; Performance; Waste Management; Health Workers; COVID-19
Rayhaneh Shahmohammadi; Tayebeh Rasolevandi; Hossein Azarpira
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Healthy food and nutrition play a key role in overcoming COVID-19 and achieving sustainable development. In most low- and middle-income countries, small companies, especially traditional food suppliers, have a fundamental role in the food supply chain, resulting in food and ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Healthy food and nutrition play a key role in overcoming COVID-19 and achieving sustainable development. In most low- and middle-income countries, small companies, especially traditional food suppliers, have a fundamental role in the food supply chain, resulting in food and nutrition security. Materials and Methods: A checklist with 113 questions was designed including 57 questions on the conditions of COVID-19 derived from the second step guideline of fighting COVID-19 and 56 questions derived from regulation 111/920318. The total number of bakeries was 158 and the answers to the questions were recorded and analyzed as yes, no and not applicable. Results: In this study, based on the results obtained from the analysis of checklists, compliance of health status of different types of bakeries with regulations 111/920318 in Sangak, Barbari, Taftoon, Lavash and Baget (Nan Fantezie) bakeries, was 73%, 79%, 87%, 76%, and 81% respectively Also, the percentage of compliance to the second step of the fight against Covid 19, was 65%, 71%, 69%, 73%, and 84%, respectively, and the compliance of the health status with final checklist in these bakeries was 69%, 75%, 78%, 74.5%, and 82.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Health education and equipment hygiene were the least desirable in Sangak bakeries, food hygiene and health education were the least desirable in Barbari bakeries, food hygiene and health education were the least desirable in Taftoon bakeries, and in Lavash bakeries personal hygiene, food hygiene, and health education were least desirable. In Baget (Nan Fantezie) bakeries, the health conditions were significantly better than in traditional bakeries. Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Checklist; Bakery; Health
Sahar Zamaniahari; Moradali Zareipour
Abstract
The supervision of food preparation, distribution, and supply centers to maintain the health of users is the responsibility of inspectors and environmental health experts of medical universities across the country. Proper inspection and control of these centers play an important role in preventing the ...
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The supervision of food preparation, distribution, and supply centers to maintain the health of users is the responsibility of inspectors and environmental health experts of medical universities across the country. Proper inspection and control of these centers play an important role in preventing the occurrence and prevalence of infectious diseases and protect the health of people in the community. Therefore, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the increasing number of patients with this disease, stricter control measures should be applied to food preparation, distribution, and supply centers, and health protocols should be inspected in these centers. Due to the shortage of environmental health forces, as well as the expansion of food preparation, distribution, and supply centers, the inspection of these centers and training of people in all centers regarding the observance of coronavirus prevention protocols are not possible. Therefore, the authors in this article suggest health volunteers as participants in overseeing food preparation, distribution, and supply centers. The active involvement and participation of health volunteers increase the sense of social responsibility and eliminate the sense of authority and dominance of formal organizations. After receiving face-to-face and virtual training on coronavirus prevention health protocols in food preparation, distribution, and supply centers, and visiting and monitoring several food centers alongside environmental health experts, health volunteers can carry out their activities for disease prevention and control. In this way, there will be a comprehensive determination to control the coronavirus in centers for the preparation, distribution, and supply of food. The results of these activities will have a positive effect on the health of people and society and ultimately the control of the disease.
Morad Ali Zareipour; Mohammad Saeed Jadgal
Abstract
The workplace, as a place where employees spend long hours and possibly interact with many people, is one of the most susceptible environments for transmitting the corona virus, so to minimize the risk of contracting the virus, adhere to health protocols in these environments. It is very important. Due ...
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The workplace, as a place where employees spend long hours and possibly interact with many people, is one of the most susceptible environments for transmitting the corona virus, so to minimize the risk of contracting the virus, adhere to health protocols in these environments. It is very important. Due to the lack of environmental health forces, the size of the departments, inspection and sensitization training of employees of all departments regarding the observance of coronavirus prevention protocols is not possible. Therefore, the authors in this article suggested the ambassadors of office health as participants in the health of the organization. A health ambassador is an employee of the organization who is the liaison between the health system and the employees of that organization. After receiving face-to-face and face-to-face training on coronavirus prevention health protocols by environmental health experts, the organization's health ambassador can carry out coronation prevention and control activities in their organization. The present study identified the importance of empowering health ambassadors of organizations as selected organizations to prevent coronavirus disease, will interrupt the transmission of coronavirus disease chain in employees.