Background: Respiratory masks can provide healthcare workers with protection from biological hazards when they have good performance. There is a direct relationship between the visual specifications of a mask and its efficacy; thus, the aim of this study was to develop tools for qualitative assessment of the performance of masks used by healthcare workers. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to develop a qualitative assessment tool for medical face masks (MFM) and particle filtering half masks (PFHM). The development of domains and items was undertaken using observation and interviews, the opinions of an expert panel, and a review of texts and international standards. The second phase evaluated the psychometric properties of tools. Finally, the validated Mask Qualitative Assessment Tools (MQAT) were used to assess six samples from 10 brands of the two types of masks. Results: MQAT-MFM and MQAT-PHFM shared 42 items across seven domains: “cleanliness,” “design,” “marking, labeling and packaging,” “mask layers,” “mask strap,” “materials and construction,” and “nose clip.” MQAT-MFM included one additional item. MQAT-PHFM included another nine items associated with an eighth “Practical Performance” domain, and the valve version had another additional “Exhalation Valve” domain and six items. The evaluation indicated 80% compliance for MFM and 71% compliance for PFHM. “Marking, labeling and packaging” and “Layers” were associated with the least compliance in both types of masks and should be checked carefully for defining mask quality. Conclusion MQAT can be used for immediate screening and initial assessment of MFM and PHFM through appearance, simple tools, and visual inspection.

Introduction: The aim of this exploratory sequential mixed methods study was to develop an oral presentations assessment tool for postgraduate students’ oral presentations. Methods: First, a literature review and the ideas of 319 experienced professors were used to identify domains and potential items to develop the desired tool. Then the psychometric properties of the preliminary tool were measured using face and content validity, inter-rater agreement and test-retest reliability. Results: The qualitative phase indicated there should be four domains in the developed Oral Presentations Assessment Tool: subject knowledge, delivery, content and organization, and ergonomics, and that items in the developed tool should be weighted according to importance for the efficacy of a presentation. The final version included 19 items across four domains. Mean content validity index and content validity ratio scores were 0.93 and 0.76, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for the two evaluation periods was 0.92. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.78. Conclusion: The Oral Presentations Assessment Tool has appropriate psychometric properties and can be used as a valid and applicable instrument to assess postgraduate students’ oral presentations. Important cognitive factors in oral presentations in the form of an ergonomic domain was included for the first time, as part of this new comprehensive tool.

Introduction: Reducing occupational accidents is of utmost importance. This research investigated how individual and job-related risk factors affect occupational accidents in one of the largest tunnelling companies in Iran. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional natural experiment utilizing data from 760 employees who consented to participate in the study. 150 individuals had a history of occupational accidents and 610 individuals did not. Information about accidents was extracted from reports, medical records, and interviews. Results: The main causes of accidents were unsafe acts performed by workers. 71% by unsafe acts alone, and another 12% unsafe acts in unsafe conditions. The odds ratio of occupational accidents was significantly higher in workers aged under 30 years (p = 0.016), with a high school diploma or lower educational achievement (p = 0.012), low job satisfaction (p = 0.035), work experience less than 16 years (p = 0.023), as well as lack of regular exercise (p = 0.001). Within the final adjusted logistic model, low levels of education (OR= 5.81; 95% CI, 1.03-9.03) and younger age group (OR= 2.38 95% CI, 0.24 to 8.02) remained significant. Conclusion: Use of young and inexperienced staff, low education, and lack of simple and understandable safety guidelines for workers in the tunnelling industry have led to unsafe acts that can increase the rate of occupational accidents. Changes in working conditions, and unstable job security also contribute to explaining the accident rates in this 12-month period. Managers should pay special attention to these individual-organizational factors to prevent accidents and promote safety.