The Employment Situation of Environmental Health Graduates in Iran between 1996 - 2002

Introduction. Each year, the Medical Sciences Universities admit a number of young individuals for the study in the field of environmental health. This admission has been largely increased since 1996. Thus, the employment of these graduates remains as a difficulty in this field. This study was carried out to determine the occupational situation of different levels of environmental health graduates and to suggest some strategies for long term planning. Methods. In this descriptive survey, 972 graduates of environmental health with associate, BS and MS degree, throughout the country, who were selected by simple random sampling method, filled a self-administered questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity and test/re-test. Data analysis was done by SPSS software using frequency distribution and Chi2 test. Results. Based on the results, 64.6% of graduates holding associate degree, and 42.7% of graduates holding BS degree were unemployed pending June 2003. The percentage of unemployment rate among MS graduates was much less than other graduates (3.7%). Meanwhile, among associate and BS degree graduate, the highest percentage of unemployment rate was for female graduates. Conclusion. Due to the high percentage of unemployment in associate and BS graduates of environmental health, it is recommended to reduce the students’ admission capacity. It is also suggested to enhance the academic knowledge and capabilities of graduates by making some revisions in the curriculum content, and to provide necessary background for their future employment. Since more unemployed graduates are among females, it seems that environmental health field is a kind of manly job. Therefore, more cautious is needed in admitting more female students

Job Description and Educational Needs of Different Levels of Environmental Health Graduates

Introduction: Substantial changes in living trends of societies, promotion of health, and changes in environmental health officers’ (EHOs) duties and responsibilities are the main reasons that educational programs in this field do not correspond with their job description in the real context and according to the real needs of the society. Therefore, the educational courses of this field should be revised. The goal of this study was to determine the job description and the educational needs of EHOs in order to coordinate their educational programs with their real job duties. Methods: In this descriptive study, a questionnaire was mailed to 383 graduates and personnel of environmental health in Isfahan Province, to declare their educational needs and job activities based on their frequency. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity and test/re-test, respectively. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics. Results: The EHOs working in Isfahan province, with technician, bachelor and master degrees, declared 31, 38, 26 types of activities as their job duties, respectively. Their most common duties were residual chloride measurement in water, monitoring public places, and investigating complaints, which were the same as their educational needs. In postgraduate level, the most important duties included management, supervising environmental health affairs, teaching and research. Conclusion: Technicians and bachelors of environmental health are conducting similar job activities which correspond with their mentioned educational needs. It is recommended that educational programs for environmental health be revised according to their real job activities and educational needs. It is also suggested to coordinate the educational programs with the needs of their future job such as continuing the education, and different job options, in order to increase their efficacy

Biodegradation of Lignocelluloses in Sewage Sludge Composting and Vermicomposting

Please cite this article as: Alidadi H, Najafpour AA, Vafaee A, Parvaresh A, Peiravi R. Biodegradation of lignocelluloses in sewage sludge composting and vermicomposting. Arch Hyg Sci 2012;1(1):1-5. &nbsp; Aims of the Study: The aim of this study was to determine the amount of lignin degradation and biodegradation of organic matter and change of biomass under compost and vermicomposting of sewage sludge. Materials &amp;amp; Methods: Sawdust was added to sewage sludge at 1:3 weight bases to Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of 25:1 for composting or vermicomposting. Lignin and volatile solids were determined at different periods, of 0, 10, 30, 40 and 60 days of composting or vermicomposting period to determine the biodegradation of lignocellulose to lignin. Results were expressed as mean of two replicates and the comparisons among means were made using the least significant difference test calculated (p <0.05). Results: After 60 days of experiment period, the initial lignin increased from 3.46% to 4.48% for compost and 3.46% to 5.27% for vermicompost. Biodegradation of lignocellulose was very slow in compost and vermicompost processes. Vermicomposting is a much faster process than compost to convert lignocellulose to lignin (p <0.05). Conclusions: The organic matter losses in sewage sludge composting and vermicomposting are due to the degradation of the lignin fractions. By increasing compost age, the amount of volatile solids will decrease