Leila Ebrahimi Ghavamabadi
@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Ahvaz branch, Islamic Azad University
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Environmental health
Occupational health
Safety
Ergonomic
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Mitra Shabab, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, and Farkhondeh Hoveizi
Frontiers Media SA
BackgroundThe spread of the coronavirus has become one of the current challenges in the world. Implementing health protocols in the workplace along with informing people who face them, has become a vital issue.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the level of compliance with health protocols and measure the level of awareness, attitude and performance of bank employees while facing Covid-19.Materials and methodsThe data collection tool included a checklist and two questionnaires (demographic information and the other on the awareness, attitude and performance of bank staff) regarding the coronavirus.ResultsA total of 199 bank employees from 25 bank branches participated in the study. The results showed that in 24% of the bank branches, the staff did not use face masks. And 100% of the studied bank branches lacked proper ventilation. The mean awareness scores of female employees (94.3) were significantly higher than those of male employees (87.7). Also, the performance of female employees (93.2) was significantly better than male employees (87.2).ConclusionThe results showed that to achieve proper performance in controlling and reducing the covid-19 disease among bank employees and other workers, these items are noteworthy: (1) Providing and training the correct use of protective equipment including face masks. (2) Monitoring for strict implementation of health protocols. Therefore, it is necessary to keep training and information up-to-date due to the new phenomena of this disease.
Samad Jalilian, Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani, Ebrahim Rajabzadeh Ghatrami, and Leila Ibrahimy Ghavamabadi
Frontiers Media SA
This study aimed to investigate the impact of BTEX compound on blood and spirometry parameters of staff in the Abadan petroleum refinery (Iran). In 80 staff was examined in terms of BTEX exposure (40 exposed and 40 non-exposed). In this study, the air sampling was carried out according to the NIOSH 1,501 method and an automated hematology analyzer was used to analyze all blood samples to evaluate blood parameters and using a Micro Direct automated computerized spirometer. Spss20 software was used to interpret the performance. According to the obtained results, total BTEX concentrations with the recommended standard level showed that, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, concentrations in Abadan Oil Refining Company Workers' breathing zone were lower than the TLV-TWA recommended by ACGIH. However, the average concentration of benzene was higher than the allowable limit. Therefore, in this study the effect of benzene on the blood and respiratory parameters of the workers was evaluated, the comparison of the blood and respiratory parameters between the groups of exposed and unexposed workers did not reveal any statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.001). The results showed no statistically significant connection between mean blood and spirometry parameters and benzene exposure. Also, based on results the effect of benzene problems needs to be prevented in employees with adequate engineering and management controls and periodic inspection.
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani, Davood Rahmani, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, and Sajad Zare
IOS Press
BACKGROUND: Preserving and protecting the human resources is considered as the most important capital in any economic section by industrial development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health, safety and environment (HSE) climate and its effects on occupational accidents in a petrochemical industry. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed on 354 male workers in a petrochemical industry (10 different categories of site operators). Data was collected through a questionnaire, which its validity and reliability were standardized with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.85. In this questionnaire the safety condition, workplace environment, disease symptoms were investigated in five, four and three dimensions, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23 and LISREL version 8.8. RESULTS: According to the model values, there were significant correlation between safety condition and workplace environment r = 0.66, also between work safety condition and disease symptoms. The three hidden variables of work safety condition, work mental environment and physical workplace had significant effects on disease symptoms. Therefore, safety condition was the most effective variable on disease symptoms. Two significant predictors were work safety condition and physical workplace for work mental environment with coefficients γ= 2.29, β= –0.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: HSE condition indicators, working environment and disease symptoms reflect workers’ views on HSE issues in the workplace. It can be beneficial in rooting the factors affecting occupational accidents and performance evaluation in the organization HSE management system.
Abbas Mohammadi, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Maryam Silavi, and Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi
Frontiers Media SA
BackgroundThe rapid spread of COVID-19 poses a major threat to public health worldwide. Hospital blue-collar workers, like other health care workers, may be under severe physical and psychological stress. This psychological distress is mainly described as symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress and cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anxiety on cognitive function among laundry and sterilization center workers in 4 hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis study has a cross-sectional design and it was conducted among health service workers who were occupied in health facilities (laundry and sterilization center) in 4 hospitals. In the present study, two questionnaires and a test were used to collect the data included a general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), a health anxiety index questionnaire (HAI-18) and a cognitive function test. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient by SPSS version 19 were used.ResultsThe results showed that the overall score of coronavirus anxiety in male and female workers was 38.72 ± 5.94 and 40.92 ± 4.11, respectively. The correlation between auditory attention and coronavirus anxiety is moderate and has a negative trend (P = 0.050, n = 50, and r = −0.315). Workers with higher anxiety expressed lower auditory attention. Also, correlation between visual attention and coronavirus anxiety was weak and negative (P = 0.032, n = 50, and r = −0.179).ConclusionThis study revealed that cognitive and psychological aspects of mental health can be affected by COVID-19 exposure and its due anxiety in blue-collar workers in hospitals. These findings indicate that purposeful supportive interventions should be implemented to promote workers' health and cognitive function.
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Mastaneh Amini, Hossein Ali Rangkooy, and Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Abbas Mohammadi, Ali Behzadi, and Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi
Informa UK Limited
Behzad Fouladi-Dehaghi, Reza Tajik, Leila Ibrahimi-Ghavamabadi, Javad Sajedifar, Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani, and Mohsan Attar
Elsevier BV
Abstract Quarry workers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the working postures and prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among quarry workers. In this cross-sectional study 78 male quarry workers were assessed using the method of Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and musculoskeletal complaints data were obtained by the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQs). Results of the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in body parts of stonemasonry workers was higher found than in the stonecutting workers. The highest prevalence rate of musculoskeletal problems in both stonemasonry and stonecutting workers was 65.7% and 54.8% respectively related to waist. The stonemasons with 62% had high level of risk and stone cutting workers with 47.6% had moderate risk level. Significant correlation was found among age, work experience, BMI, and prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. There was also a significant relationship between the wrist and lower back pain with the risk level of REBA score. The study results showed that musculoskeletal problems of workers had high prevalence and accordingly most of the work conditions and postures needed to be improved, so prioritizing the necessity of corrective actions and intervention are to be gained.
Amir Jamshidnezhad, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Seyed Mahdi Hossaeini Marashi, Hediye Mousavi, Marzieh Zilae, and Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi
IOS Press
BACKGROUND: In recent years the relationship between ambient air temperature and the prevalence of viral infection has been under investigation. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at providing the statistical and machine learning-based analysis to investigate the influence of climatic factors on frequency of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Iran. METHOD: The data of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and some climatic factors related to 31 provinces of Iran between 04/03/2020 and 05/05/2020 was gathered from official resources. In order to investigate the important climatic factors on the frequency of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in all studied cities, a model based on an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed. RESULTS: The proposed ANN model showed accuracy rates of 87.25%and 86.4%in the training and testing stage, respectively, for classification of COVID-19 confirmed cases. The results showed that in the city of Ahvaz, despite the increase in temperature, the coefficient of determination R2 has been increasing. CONCLUSION: This study clearly showed that, with increasing outdoor temperature, the use of air conditioning systems to set a comfort zone temperature is unavoidable. Thus, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 increases. Also, this study shows the role of closed-air cycle condition in the indoor environment of tropical cities.
Mastaneh Amini, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Hossinali Rangkooy, and Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi
Maad Rayan Publishing Company
Background: One of the biggest global occupational threats, especially in the outdoor workplace, is climate change and global warming, as workers are exposed to the heat stress leading to reduced performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of workplace climate on labor productivity index in the agricultural sector. Methods: In this study, data related to environmental variables of 215 synoptic meteorological stations in Khuzestan province were collected from three climatic regions (hot, mild, and cold). Using MATLAB R 2018b mathematical software based on ASHRAE/ISO7730 standard values by designing some scenarios, predicted mean vote (PMV) index, and then, labor productivity index (P) were estimated. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Results: The results showed that in the hot regions, there is a significant inverse relationship between P index and the main environmental variables (ta, tr, pa). In the cold regions, increasing the amount of ta and tr in light and medium workload improved the P index, but for heavy workload, it reduced productivity, and the most effective factor was increasing air vapor pressure. In the mild regions, the most effective factor in productivity was air vapor pressure. In addition, the results of Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed that PMV index has a direct and significant relationship with P index. Conclusion: Regarding the increasing trend of climate change and its effect on the desired thermal comfort and productivity, well structure and planning is needed to manage farm workers health.
Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Morteza Hesampour, and Kambiz Ahmadi Angali
Informa UK Limited
Background. Use of hearing protection devices has become necessary when other control measures cannot reduce noise to a safe and standard level. In most countries, more effective hearing protection devices are in demand. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on noise reduction efficiency in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) earplug. Methods. An S-60 type PVC polymer as the main matrix and TiO2 of 30-nm size were used. The PVC/TiO2 nanocomposite was mixed at a temperature of 160 °C and 40 rpm and the samples were prepared with 0, 0.2 and 0.5 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticle concentrations. Results. Earplug samples with PVC/TiO2 (0.2, 0.5 wt%) nanoparticles, when compared with raw earplugs, showed almost equal noise attenuation at low frequencies (500–125 Hz). However, at high frequencies (2–8 kHz), the power of noise reduction for earplugs containing TiO2 nanoparticles was significantly increased. Conclusions. The results of the present study showed that samples containing nanoparticles of TiO2 had more noticeable noise reduction abilities at higher frequencies in comparison with samples without the nanoparticles.
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, and Abbas Mohammadi
Scientific Foundation SPIROSKI
BACKGROUND: The general public has an important role in controlling the spread of infectious diseases by pursuing prophylactic measures.
 AIM: The aim of the present systematic review was to describe public perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward COVID-19.
 METHODS: In this review, articles were extracted from the Google Scholar, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed search engines. The main keywords for the search were coronavirus, COVID-19, public perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
 RESULTS: The knowledge level toward novel coronavirus in different countries was generally high, and it had an increasing pattern during the pandemic phase. Furthermore, the insight self-efficacy, perceived severity of the COVID-19, and intention to meet the needs of preventive measures have increased notably. Furthermore, there are several misconceptions and unconfirmed beliefs in the general public in the case of preventive measures recommended, in particular.
 CONCLUSIONS: Health authorities and other disease control centers should monitor public misconceptions and perceptions continuously and manage a trusting platform to be presented to the public, especially in the case of a novel disease outbreak.
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Abbas Ghodrati-Torbati, Gholamheidar Teimori, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, and Amir Jamshidnezhad
Universidad de Antioquia
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread rapidlyaround the world. Two types of approaches have beenapplied to use of face masks as a tool to prevent the spreadthis disease in society. The aim of the systematic reviewwas to assess the effectiveness of face masks against thenovel coronavirus. A literature search was performed usingdifferent databases until April 30, 2020. Search termswere ‘facemasks’, ‘novel coronavirus’, and ‘healthcareworkers’. Five studies were included in the systematicreview. A study stated that no difference between surgicaland cotton masks. Also, two studies have emphasized theuse of surgical masks or N95 respirators by medical staff,and two other studies emphasized the use of any type offace mask by general public. More studies in controlledcontexts and studies of infections in healthcare andcommunity places are needed for better definition of theeffectiveness of face masks in preventing coronavirus.
Abdollah Gholami, Javad Sajedifar, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Leila Ibrahimi Gavamabadi, Gholamheidar Teimori Boghsani, Abdoljalil Tazeroudi, and Mohsen Attar
LLC Science and Innovations
Background ― Workers in the mineral industries are exposed to airborne dust and its occupational exposure can cause respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the lung function and respiratory symptoms of workers exposed to mineral dust in the Eastern part of Iran. Material and Methods ― This cross-sectional study was conducted on 156 workers in kaolin mine, gold mine, quarry, and stone cutting workshops as a dust exposed group and 48 administrative personnel in these sections as an unexposed group. After the general medical examination and completion of the demographic questionnaire, workers’ pulmonary function test was performed for each person using a spirometer according to the American Thoracic Society standards. Finally, data analysis was performed using Tukey's post hoc and chisquared tests. Results ― The mean age in the exposed group to dust and control group were 33.8±7.9 and 36.7±8.0 years (data are presented as mean with standard deviation), weight – 75.1±13.0 and 75.0±11.2 kg, height – 173.2±6.8 and 173.1±6.3 cm, and work experience – 9.1±4.6 and 8.4±5.3 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between the working groups in the kaolin, gold, quarry, and stone cutting sections and the control group on the demographic variables. The mean value of the lung function parameters was lower in different working groups than in the control group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second parameters (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference between them in peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory flow 25-75% (P>0.05). Conclusion ― The results showed the exposed groups have significantly lower pulmonary function than the control group. Two out of four main pulmonary function variables showed reduce amounts in exposed groups.
behzad foulady, leila IbrahimiGhavamabadi, matharh bozar, A. Mohamadi and K. Ahmadi
Introduction: The ionizing radiation is increasingly applied in various fields for industrial and medical purposes due to its benefits. The aim of this study was to measure the radiation levels in six radiology departments of two educational hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: The radiation levels were measured at six locations of six radiology departments, including behind the patient observation window, staff rest room, office, patient waiting room, behind the door of the X-ray room, and outdoor. These measurements were carried out while the X-ray equipment was in on and off status, using the halogen-quenched Geiger-Mueller counter. Results: According to the results, the range of radiation levels inside the radiology departments at X-ray units with on/off status were0.36±0.12 to 0.09±0.02 µSv/h and 0.13±0.02 to 0.09±0.03 µSv/h, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences were observed between the indoor and outdoor radiation levels in all locations. Conclusion: As the findings indicated, the surveyed X-ray equipment in the radiology departments of two educational hospitals was safe. The radiation dose levels were within the safe recommended limits in all locations except two points due to some structural problems, which were recognized and would be corrected as soon as possible.
Parvin Farshchi, Seyed Khatiboleslam Sadrnezhaad, Naser Moharram Nejad, Mahmood Mahmoodi, and Leila Ibrahimi Ghavam Abadi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Using survey data, public awareness of and attitudes toward nanotechnology are examined in Iran (N = 759). Iran is a developing country with a national nanotechnology action plan for a ten year period starting from 2003 and has been active in the field of research and development of nanotechnology meanwhile. First, the results show that majority of people are still not familiar with nanotechnology and perceived risks posed by this technology are not considered to be a lot and most people feel its benefits outweigh the risks. The emotions toward this technology are of a hopeful and positive nature and this technology is looked upon favorably in Iran. In particular, our results reveals that although the level of trust is high specially in scientists to communicate the risks with the public, there are a great number who just have some trust not quite a lot of it. Knowing that it is a hard and time-consuming effort to manage a nation’s view on nanotechnology, extensive research as well as collaboration with other countries is needed to effectively communicate the risks in time.