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Background: Data on the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and its components in medical staff working at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences are limited. Objectives: The present study investigated the prevalence of SBS and its related factors in the medical staff in Semnan, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 300 medical staff in Kausar Hospital in Semnan, Iran, in 2020. A standard questionnaire was used to obtain information about SBS and indoor air quality. In order to measure environmental factors, random sampling was taken from different parts of the hospital, including building inspection, dust samples, and indoor and outdoor air measurements. The condition of physical factors, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation, was checked using relevant devices. The NIOSH 0800 method was used to measure the biological status of the working spaces in terms of fungal and bacterial contamination. Data analyses were performed using SPSS 26. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.23 ± 5.34 years, of whom 81% were women. The prevalence of SBS was 65%, with the highest prevalence in the emergency ward (18%), followed by internal (16%), intensive care unit (13%), and cardiac care unit (12%). Sleep disorder (65%), tiredness (59%), feeling heavy (47%), headache (46%) and stress (45%) were the most common components of the SBS. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of harmful environmental factors, including noise, static electricity, unpleasant smell, and infection, and the prevalence of SBS (all P-values < 0.05). Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of SBS in hospital employees, re-engineering the hospital environment and improving the air quality and ventilation systems may be useful in preventing SBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational respiratory diseases are the most prevalent occurring work-related diseases that contribute to global health concerns. The present study aimed to assess pulmonary function among detergent powder factory workers. In a cross-sectional study, 305 employees working at a detergent powder company in Semnan, Iran were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, health- and job-related information were recorded using a checklist. Subsequently, spirometer was used at baseline, before and after shift-working for recording respiratory ailments and pulmonary function tests (PFT). According to the results, the mean percentage of all spirometric indices significantly reduced after shift-work including forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.01), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (P < 0.01), FEV1/FVC ratio (P = 0.038), peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P = 0.13) and forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF (25–75)) (P < 0.01). Although the mean percentage of FEV1 significantly improved upon wearing the protective mask (P = 0.014). Moreover, FVC and FEV1 indices were significantly less in smoking workers than in non-smoking participants (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively). This study revealed that using effective preventive measures should be tightly performed to promote health conditions. However, despite the occupational health programs for preventing and reducing work-related respiratory diseases, these can be considered as a serious threat for detergent powder factory workers that need to apply more control strategies and health assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of chlorine gas exposure and the associated factors on spirometric parameters among detergent industry workers in Semnan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This four-year cross-sectional study was concocted on 100 workers of two detergent factories in Semnan, Iran. Two questionnaires were used for data collection. The first questionnaire included demographic and occupational information, and the second questionnaire included spirometric parameters, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and PEF 25-75%. The spirometric parameters were measured over four consecutive years by a trained technician. Next, to determine the effects of chlorine gas exposure and its associated factors on spirometric parameters, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used. The correlation structure of GEE was considered to be autoregressive 1 (AR-1). Analyses were performed in STATA version 14. Results: All spirometric parameters showed a decreasing trend during 2012-2015. The GEE model showed a significant association between chlorine gas exposure and all spirometric parameters; the beta-coefficients for the effect of exposure (year) on FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and PEF 25-75% were - 4.51, -6.46, -4.27, -6.09, and -10.29, respectively. Also, this model demonstrated a significant association between smoking and FEV1, PEF, and PEF 25-75%; the beta-coefficients for the effect of smoking on these parameters were -5.64, -8.88, and -5.75, respectively. Additionally, the GGE model showed a significant association between the body mass index (BMI) and FVC and FEV1 (P<0.05); the beta-coefficients for the effect of BMI on these two parameters were - 0.59 and -0.48, respectively. Conclusion: The spirometric parameters showed a decreasing trend over time among detergent industry workers; this decline was more remarkable among individuals with a history of smoking. Therefore, it seems necessary to implement screening programs and periodic active examinations for these workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]