Status of substance abuse literacy in manufacturing and production sites in Iran: Results from a nationwide survey

Background: Due to highly risk-taking behaviors such as alcohol and drug use status of health literacy at workplace is a major concern for health policy makers. Substance abuse literacy (SAL) includes the individuals' skills to obtain, understand and use substance-relevant health information. This will help to establish a healthy communication in a workplace setting and developing professional knowledge on workplace safety regulations, risky approaches and behaviours that may hurt the community workers. Since poor SAL status would inevitably cause serious harms to both community workers' health and facilities this study aimed to determine the status of SAL among manufacturing and production workers in Iran. Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted on 13,600 subjects who were selected through simple randomization into 380 workplaces in 31 provinces of Iran during February 2015 to January 2016. Data were collected through an author-made structured questionnaire by some trained interviewers. The study tool was developed using the literature and then sent to some experts for approving internal validity; minor changes were applied. Internal reliability test in 30 samples yielded Cronbach's alpha of 0.82. All the questionnaires were administered at the participants' workplaces following obtaining their consent on releasing blinded information. Results: Given that the score range was from 1 to 5, the mean for SAL in substance abuse was 4.04, so that the highest and lowest means were related to East Azerbaijan (4.22±0.74) and Hormozgan (3.69±0.73) provinces, respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the Iranian workers SAL status was fairly high despite the reported high rate of substance abuse (30%) among Iranian workforces. This apparently contradictory finding could be resolved using Syndemics in which refers to clustering of several issues in a society that contribute to and result from socioeconomic and cultural factors and inequalities. Therefore, it is still necessary for policy makers and other researchers to take this issue into consideration in Iranian manufacturing and production plants.

Pathologic Analysis of Control Plans for Air Pollution Management in Tehran Metropolis: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The centralization of human activities is associated with different pollutants which enter into environment easily and cause the urban environment more vulnerable. Regarding the importance of air pollution issue for Tehran metropolis, many plans and regulations have been developed. However, most of them failed to decline the pollution. The purpose of this study was to pathologically analyze air-pollution control plans to offer effective solutions for Tehran metropolis.

METHODS

A Qualitative content analysis in addition to a semi-structured interview with 14 practicing professional were used to identify 1) key sources of Tehran's air pollution, 2) recognize challenges towards effective performance of pertinent plans and 3), offer effective solutions.

RESULTS

Related challenges to air-pollution control plans can be divided into two major categories including lack of integrated and organized stewardship and PEST challenges.

CONCLUSION

For controlling the air pollution of Tehran effectively, various controlling alternatives were identified as systematization of plan preparation process, standardization and utilization of new technologies & experts, infrastructural development, realization of social justice, developing coordination mechanisms, improving citizens' participatory capacity and focusing on effective management of fuel and energy. Controlling air pollution in Tehran needs a serious attention of policymakers to make enforcements through applying a systemic cycle of preparation comprehensive plans. Further, implement the enforcements and evaluate the environmental impact of the plans through involving all stakeholders.

Pathologic analysis of control plans for air pollution management in tehran metropolis: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Regarding the importance of air pollution issue for large cities, as Tehran metropolis, many plans, programs, projects and regulations have been developed to manage urban air pollution. However, most of them failed to decline the pollution. The purpose of this study is to pathologically analyze air-pollution control plans in order to offer effective solutions for Tehran metropolis.

METHODS

A qualitative content analysis and a semi-structured interview with 14 practicing professionals were used to identify key causes and sources of Tehran's air pollution, to recognize challenges and obstacles towards effective performance of air-pollution control plans in this metropolitan area, and to suggest the most effective controlling solutions.

RESULTS

Challenges related to air-pollution control plans can be divided into two major categories: Firstly lack of integrated and organized stewardship and secondly those related to political, economical, social and technical environmental abbreviated as PEST, challenges. For effective control of the Tehran air pollution, the following eight controlling alternatives were identified: Systematization of plan preparation process, organizing the stewardship, standardization and utilization of new technologies and professional experts, cultural and infrastructural development, realization of social justice, developing coordination and controlling mechanisms, improving citizen's participatory capacity, and focusing on effective management of fuel and energy.

CONCLUSIONS

Controlling air pollution in Tehran should be considered as a priority for policymakers to make enforcements through applying a systemic cycle of preparation effective and comprehensive plans. Further, implement the enforcements and evaluate the environmental impact of the plans through involving all stakeholders.