BackgroundWorkers in slaughterhouses are exposed to a wide range of biological contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi, due to their working environment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory disorders among workers in slaughterhouses.MethodsThis study was conducted on 81 workers in slaughterhouses and 81 healthy office workers as a reference group. The American Thoracic Society standard respiratory symptoms questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of respiratory disorders. Besides, lung function tests were conducted using a calibrated spirometer at the beginning (preshift) and at the end (postshift) of the 1st working day. Single-stage Anderson sampler was used to measure the concentration of bioaerosols in different parts of slaughterhouses.ResultsThe prevalence of respiratory disorders, such as cough, productive cough, breathlessness, phlegm, and wheezing, was 3.17, 4.02, 3.07, 4.66, and 3.94 times, respectively, higher among workers in slaughterhouses compared with the reference group.ConclusionThe prevalence of respiratory disorders was significantly higher among workers in slaughterhouses. Thus, the significant reduction in the percentage predicted lung function among workers in slaughterhouses might be associated with exposure to bioaerosols in their work environment.

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Background: Constipation is a common problem among children. This study aimed to identify the factors related to the duration of chronic functional constipation. Methods: The study was conducted on 826 children with chronic functional constipation referring to a pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) clinic in Fars province. The inclusion criteria of the study were suffering from constipation not due to anatomical (Hirschsprung's disease and spinal disease) and organic reasons (non-functional constipation), not suffering from other systemic disorders (hypothyroidism and psychomotor retardation), not having the history of prior anal surgery, and not using drugs inducing constipation. The data were analyzed using a linear regression analysis. Results: This study was performed on 826 children with chronic functional constipation with the mean age of 4.98 + 2.74 years. Among the study children, 418 (50.6%) were boys. Based on the results of multivariate linear regression analysis, the duration of chronic constipation was related to children's age (B = 0.695 [P < 0.001]), intervals between defecations (B = 0.158 [P = 0.036]), age at the onset of defecation control (B = 0.15 [P = 0.050]), intervals of cereals consumption (B = 0.345 [P < 0.001]), and mother's education level (B = 0.283 [P = 0.001]). Accordingly, every year increase in children's age was accompanied by 8.5 months of constipation. In addition, every unit increase in the consumption of cereals during the week (every day, three days a week, once a week, and rarely) caused a four-month increase in chronic constipation. Conclusions: With increasing age, children need parental care to prevent the occurrence of chronic constipation. Moreover, increasing interest in video games has been accompanied by a decrease in physical activity, which requires more attention from parents.

Background: Entomophobia/arachnophobia is an irrational fear of insects and ticks and is considered among the most serious psychological problems, demanding professional treatments. Objectives: The present study aimed at identifying the prevalence of entomophobia and arachnophobia as well as recognizing the factors affecting it among elementary and high school students of Shiraz, southwest Iran. Methods: A total of 531 questionnaires were distributed randomly among female and male students in elementary and secondary schools, studying in four school districts of Shiraz. Results: Overall, 260 interviewed students (49%) were female and 271 (51%) were male. Furthermore, 35.8% of all subjects were afraid of insects and spiders and 52.45% of the individuals had a feeling of disgust about them. The results showed that 24 students (4.5%) had severe phobia, 177 (33.3%) medium phobia, and 330 (62.1%) mild phobia to insects and arachnids. This kind of phobias showed a direct relationship with factors such as gender, number of children in the family, and mother's job. Phobias of cockroaches and bee/wasp were higher than that of other arthropods. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, having enough knowledge about insects can significantly reduce irrational fear and phobia in students. Moreover, exposure to some insects can also be very helpful in dealing with this issue.

Background: Despite huge advances in science, technology, and medical equipment, numerous concerns grow over healthcare workers (HCWs) since they are exposed to a wide range of biological hazards due to the nature of their work. Objectives: The current study aimed at developing and validating an index to assess the risk of occupational safety and health (OSH) in hospitals and healthcare settings. Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, an index called the hospital occupational safety, and health risk assessment (HOSHRA) was developed and validated through the face and content validity as well as internal consistency and inter-rater reliability. Ultimately, the developed index was utilized to assess OSH risks in 36 teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Results: The mean score of the HOSHRA index among the selected hospitals was 71.53 ± 5.93, indicating that the OSH risks were at a moderate level. According to the HOSHRA action levels, OSH risk level for ergonomic hazards was high, but it was moderate for physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychological ones. In terms of physical hazard subcategories, the risk of electrical hazard, as well as fire and explosion, was high, but it was moderate for fall and slip, and radiation. Conclusions: The developed observation-based method showed an acceptable content validity and reliability for OSH risk assessment of hospitals. The HOSHRA index could also be used for hospitals as an applicable measure to improve their OSH.