The Journal of Medical Education and Development

Introduction : Air pollutants sampling course is necessary for the occupational health students. Educational aids are essential in promotion of learning. This study aims to evaluate students’ learning in air pollutants sampling course with the aid of an airborne pollutants simulation chamber.

Method: In a quasi-experimental study that was carried out on occupational health students, all who enrolled in 2012 at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. The samples were divided into case and control groups. Each group consists of 53 participants. Traditional method (lecturing) was used in teaching the control group. In addition to the traditional method, educational aid (airborne pollutants simulation chamber) was used to assess difference in learning of the two groups. In addition to students' feedback, students' scores were also judged to assess learning.

Results: Data analysis revealed that average score achieved by students in the case group was 16.44 ± 2.6 for respirable dust parts, 16.17 ± 2.8 for total dust part and 17.06 ± 2.3 for detector tube. The difference in mean scores between cases and controls was significant in the three practical sessions . The mean difference in acquired scores was significant in the three practical sessions between the case and control groups.

Conclusion: The occupational health students' learning improved in the air pollutants sampling course using airborne pollutants simulation chamber. Therefore, the device can be used as an educational tool to enhance learning in the relevant subjects.