Introduction: Fall injuries are one of the important health problems in worldwide. Knowledge about fall injuries is limited in low and middle-income countries in general and in Iran in particular. This study aims to document the epidemiology of injuries among rural community and to determine how fall injury is controlled and prevented community health workers, known as Behvarzes. Methods: The study was a six-month prospective injury data collection that took place in rural area of Toyserkan County, located in Iran, focused on severe injuries. About 100 subjects were investigated and documented by all Behvarzes using the logbook. At the end of data collection Behvarzes were gathered in a number of group sessions to reflect about injury prevention measures and barriers in the community. Results: A total of 23 severe fall injuries (two fatal) were reported during the follow-up period with an annual estimated incidence rate of 8/10 000 (95% CI: 6-11). The incidence rate of severe falls was significantly higher among males than females (12/10 000 vs. 3/10 000 person-years). Fall injury rate was also higher among people over 65 years (24/10 000 person-years). The injury analyses revealed that Behvarzes often considered that the adoption of safe behaviour/practice could help fall injuries prevention (17 out of 23). Furthermore, barriers or risk factors for fall injury prevention were related mostly to human factors (for all 23 cases) followed by physical environmental factors. Conclusion: It seems community health workers(known as Behvarzes) are aware and can provide the variety of suggestions and can determine several context- relevant countermeasures for fall injury prevention and even highlight potential barriers to be prevented in their areas.

Introduction: Considering the increasing trend of implementing integrated management system (IMS) in different industries to improve safety and health standards, environment and quality, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of IMS system on environmental indicators using FMEA method and risk priority number (RPN). Indicators were compared before and after the IMS implementation. Methods: This is an interventional research that was carried out in a Persepolis tile factory during the years 2010-2011 (before the intervention) and the years 2012 to 2014 (when IMS system was implemented). First, environmental pollution activities were identified, and then RPN was obtained using the product of the intensity, probability, and detection. Considering the acceptable level for the organization and the Pareto charts (80:20), unacceptable RPNs were identified and corrective actions were taken. Results: The average RPN decreased from 2010 to 2014. Although activities has increased due to expansion of the production line, the results showed that in 2012 (the beginning of IMS implementation) and 2014, RPN was significantly decreased. Conclusion: The results indicate that the implementation of the IMS has had a significant effect on the environmental assessment indicators by FMEA method and has improved environmental conditions.

Introduction: The role of surveillance system is to supporting the early identification of diseases by the monitoring of the ecological conditions such as climatic events, natural disasters, and demographic parameters in order to access timely public health functional responses. Food and water supply quality are the essential factors in foodborne illness incidence rates that might be influenced by environmental conditions. So Therefore, that detecting on the unacceptable numbered cases that suffered from foodborne illness in Yazd touristic province of Iran was considered as the main goal of this study. Methods: The methodology of investigation was In the present study, recognizing the gastrointestinal illness relationships with temporal climatic parameters in geographical scatter parts of the Province during 2012-2016 was done by using multilevel regression analysis model. The analyses were done using Stata software, version 14. Results: studying the 729 cases of foodborne diseases related to climatic variations in Yazd Providence, 64 cases of Salmonellosis, 68 cases of shigellosis, 91 cases of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and 57 cases of Citrobacter freundii foodborne disease were found. Moreover, the highest incidence rates of foodborne illness were in 2013 and in summer. The output of the analyses indicated that relative humidity, rainfall, and dust suspended condition have been associated with the cases of foodborne illness in different cities of Yazd province by using State 14 statistical software. Conclusion: The ecological conditions have various roles on in foodborne disease incidence rates in different cities of Yazd province. Therefore, further investigations are needed for detecting the regional climatic impacts and more important epidemiologic factors should be considered for the control of foodborne diseases.

Introduction: Flood is a sudden disaster resulting from snow and rain overflow, breaking dam walls, broken floodgates in a few hours. Flood is more than a normal overflow of water. Such a situation is considered as a disaster if it puts human life in danger. Heavy and consistent rain can cause flood in a very short period of time. This study aimed to investigate the response of Nour city health and treatment network to the 2016 flood of Nour in Mazandaran. Methods: In this case-descriptive study, data was collected and analyzed using checklist and statistical forms of the Ministry of Health through observation, interviewing and reviewing of existing documentation and in-person visits of healthcare staff experts. Results: Due to the heavy rainfall and its coincidence with snow melting in Chamestan and Baladeh regions, a severe flood followed. Immediately a rapid health assessment was carried out. Home-to-home care increased. Eighteen kilograms of perchlorine were distributed and 212 cases were tested in terms of chlorine amount. Furthermore, mental health services, non-communicable diseases, and mothers and children health services were provided. None of medical facilities and health centers in the area was evacuated and no population evacuation had taken place. Conclusion: Considering the importance of intersectional cooperation in disaster management, it is important to consider sensitization of relevant authorities in order to draw their attention to common preventive measures. Beside the proper crisis Management in the health network of Nour, with respect to the high frequency occurrence of floods in the city, in order to keep the healthcare staff prepared, it is necessary to formulate and practice the response program while assessing risks.

Introduction: The occurrence of natural disasters and their consequences cannot be eliminated. The earthquake is one of the characteristics of our planet, which alone has killed thousands of people, worldwide. Considering the seismicity of Iran and the necessity of preparedness and education of people about the appropriate and timely approach to this event, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the changes in housewives’ knowledge and attitude toward household emergency kit in Yazd in 2015-2016. Methods: To achieve the purpose of this study, a valid and reliable questionnaire which asked about the demographics, knowledge, and attitude, was delivered. After completion of the questionnaire by the individuals, a training pamphlet that covered information about the earthquake, the importance of earthquake protection, and the items, provision, and maintenance of emergency kit was provided to each participant. After that, the participants were asked to fill out a similar questionnaire to the one that she had already completed. Results: According to the findings the mean scores of knowledge before and after education were significantly different (P<0.05), that is, education increased knowledge of the women. In all age populations, the mean attitude score increased but the increase was not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference among different education levels (P>0.05), in other words, people from the baseline had a high positive attitude toward learning and gaining information about earthquake and emergency kit. No significant difference was observed in the attitude change with respect to the type of house ownership (P>0.05). In overall, the mean scores of attitude before and after education were not significantly different. In other words, people from the first had a high positive attitude toward education and learning about earthquake and emergency kit. Conclusion: The present study confirms that the people of the community have understood the importance of obtaining necessary information and earthquake preparedness. Therefore, they need education and should learn and use the materials about earthquake preparedness. It is thus recommended that training programs be provided in the form of booklets, pamphlets, or short media programs to raise knowledge of the people.

Introduction: On December 26, 2003, a devastating earthquake jolted historic city of Bam in Iran. About 26000 people were killed and more than 30000 were injured. The historic monuments including the 2500 year old Arg-e Bam were destroyed severely. Since the scale of the disaster and the number of human casualties was high, management of the crisis became more complicated. Thus, people who were affiliated with different Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) helped the government to rescue the affected people. Methods: In the present case study, by interviewing experts and NGOs, their contribution and activities in Bam earthquake were investigated. Results: A few hours after the earthquake, the local and international NGOs started their rescue activities spontaneously and continued their help even during the reconstruction period. Their activities included relief and rescue, food support, sanitation, treatments, emergency settlement, as well as providing physiological treatment and training. It was shown that the affected people were satisfied with NGOs’ activities while governmental organizations could not coordinate well with them. Conclusion: Well organized civilian and religious groups can be helpful for governmental organizations in assisting people affected by the earthquake. Therefore, different techniques were proposed to improve the process of preparedness and response during disasters and to have a better communication and coordination between governmental organizations (that are in charge of the crisis situations) and NGOs. Keywords: Disasters, Earthquakes, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Bam, Iran

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