Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Introduction: Microbial contamination of bread can endanger the health of consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial contamination of bread and hands of workers directly supplying bread in selected bakeries in Bandar Abbas.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2020, 76 bakeries were randomly selected and bread samples were taken using relative stratified sampling method, based on the baking type, and transferred to the food laboratory to measure the microbial load. Also, from each bakery, a bread distributor was selected to investigate the hand microbial contamination. The microbial load of bread samples was measured in a food lLaboratory and the microbial load of workers' hands was measured using an SSP device. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Mean and standard deviation parameters were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between variables at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Based on the results, out of a total of 76 samples taken from the workers, 51 samples (80%) were found to be infected with microorganisms. Having a health card, using face masks, and respecting personal hygiene, social distancing, and disinfection protocols had a significant relationship with workers' hand contamination (P-Value<0.05). The results of measuring the microbial load of bread samples showed that all samples were free of microbial contamination.
Conclusion: Despite no microbial contamination in the bread samples, contamination of workers' hands can be a source of microbial contamination for bread. Therefore, it is recommended that health officials consider strict controls over personal hygiene and the health of bakeries.

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Objective Among the pollutants in water sources, heavy metals are of great concern due to their non-biodegradability characteristics, their ability to accumulate in the food chain, and their adverse and chronic effects on human health. Therefore, this study aims to assess the health risk of exposure to heavy metals through drinking water in Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Methods This descriptive-analytical study was performed on drinking water samples in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2020. Forty-two samples were taken from the drinking water distribution networks, the point-of-use water treatment devices, and municipal water treatment centers. Heavy metal concentrations in the samples were measured using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. The carcinogenic risk of heavy metals was assessed according to probabilistic risk assessment method and Monte Carlo simulation technique.
Results The mean concentrations of arsenic, nickel, lead, and cadmium in drinking water were 1.25, 0.0713, 1.28, and 0.0005 µg/L, respectively. The mean carcinogenic risks of the mentioned metals were 1.23×10-4, 8.89×10-5, 2.07×10-4, and 2.23×10-4, respectively.
Conclusion The average concentrations of heavy metals in drinking water of Bandar Abbas city and their risks, except for arsenic, were lower than the standard level. Although the concentrations and risk levels showed no significant threat for the consumers, more studies are needed especially on the arsenic concentration.

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Objective Infertility is affected by various factors. The hookah use can aggravate this problem. This study aims to determine the effect of hookah use on male infertility.
Methods This is a cross-sectional study on 40 men with hookah use and 40 non-users who referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2019. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, and semen parameters were analyzed. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test were used to assess the relationship of hookah use with infertility-related parameters in abnormal and normal sperms of the two groups.
Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic parameters; hookah use was more in young and employed men with academic education. Means of sperm count,  motile sperm, sperms with progressive sperm motility, inactive sperms with progressive motility, and normal-shape sperms in the hookah users were 22±12, 35±10, 6±3, 21±6, 34±8 %, respectively, which were significantly lower than in non-users.
Conclusion Given the adverse effects of hookah use on male fertility, health managers should increase the awareness of people about its effects.

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Objective Given the importance of skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her baby within the first hour after birth, due to its positive effects on the infant’s health, it is essential to evaluate the implementation of this practice is a crucial step in enhancing the quality of maternity healthcare services, the present study aims to identify the predictors of employee performance in implementing skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby and initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
Methods This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2022 on 99 maternity health workers at Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, and 386 mothers who gave birth at this hospital. Employee performance in implementing skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby and the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth was measured through self-assessment and interviews with mothers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and linear regression analysis. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results Self-assessments of employees showed that 32.3% had good performance. More than 40% of mothers perceived the health workers ‘ performance as good. Linear regression analysis revealed that working in the maternity block was significantly associated with good performance (β=0.24, P=0.001). Additionally, non-participation in training courses was associated with decreased performance (β=-0.65, P=0.001); Moreover, the regression model showed that mothers with a university education were more likely to perceive health workers’ performance as good (β=0.22, P=0.001). Also, mothers who did not receive training were less likely to perceive health workers’ performance as good (β=-0.20, P=0.001). 
Conclusion The performance of maternity health workers working in the study hospital in implementing the skin-to-skin contact guidelines and initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth is relatively favorable. However, it is far from ideal level.