scholarly journals Flight attendant occupational nutrition and lifestyle factors associated with COVID-19 incidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica J. Yamamoto ◽  
Elizabeth T. Brandley ◽  
Trina C. Ulrich

AbstractIn the era of COVID-19, essential workers are plagued with unforeseen and obfuscated challenges. Flight attendants are a unique subgroup of essential workers who face a multitude of health risks attributed to occupational exposures that are accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such risks can be ameliorated with strategies that target factors which enhance COVID-19 risk, including modifiable factors of diet and lifestyle. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to detect occupational dietary and lifestyle factors which could increase COVID-19 incidence amongst flight attendants. To identify potential risk factors, a questionnaire was administered to eighty-four flight attendants and examined the participants’ diet and lifestyle, and COVID-19 incidence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression indicated that the participants’ perceived dietary quality at work (p = 0.003), sleep disruptions which impacted their consumption of a healthy diet (p = 0.013), job tenure (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46:0.98) and frequency of reported cold/flu (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.014–2.189) were all factors associated with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 incidence. This study also revealed that a lack of infrastructure for food storage and time limitations are considerable occupational barriers for flight attendants to consume healthy foods. Additional investigation can further elucidate these relationships and related solutions to mitigate COVID-19 risk in the future.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 298-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vandepitte ◽  
Koen Putman ◽  
Nele Van Den Noortgate ◽  
Sofie Verhaeghe ◽  
Eric Mormont ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Dementia is one of the main reasons for institutionalization among the elderly. Few studies have explored factors associated with the caregivers’ (CG) desire to institutionalize (DTI) a person with dementia (PWD). The objective of this study is to identify modifiable and non-modifiable psychosocial and sociodemographic factors associated with a caregiver’s DTI. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 355 informal CG of community-dwelling PWD were analyzed. Several characteristics were identified in CG and PWD to be included in a multivariable regression model based on the purposeful selection method. Results: Positively modifiable associated factors were: higher CG burden, being affected by behavioral problems, and respite care use. Positively associated non-modifiable factors were: CG older age, being professionally active, and CG higher educational level. Cohabitation and change of professional situation were negatively associated. Conclusion: Although no causality can be assumed, several practical recommendations can be suggested. First of all, these results reconfirm the importance of multicomponent strategies, especially support aimed at decreasing burden and in learning coping strategies. Also, CG might benefit from information about support options, such as respite care services. Finally, special attention should be given to older and working CG. In the latter, flexible and adaptive working conditions might alleviate burden and therefore reduce the DTI of the PWD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Haeffner ◽  
Leila Maria Mansano Sarquis ◽  
Rita Maria Heck ◽  
Vanda Maria da Rosa Jardim

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with hearing problems in an agricultural company. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, and the participants consisted entirely of employees of an agricultural company in southern Brazil. The workforce of the company was composed of several different occupations. The research instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire administered by interview. RESULTS: Of the 326 workers of the company, there were 273 (83.8%) respondents, and the prevalence of hearing problems was n = 42 (15.4%) among the participants of the study. The hearing problems were associated with lower schooling, with the operating occupational group, the technical assistance group and the general services group. The self-reported health conditions associated with hearing problems were depression and nervousness or irritation. The occupational exposures associated with hearing problems were noise, dust, vibration, oils and solvents, and toxic gases. CONCLUSION: There was an intermediate prevalence of hearing problems in relation to other studies. It was possible to observe the need to implement strategies aiming at the prevention of hearing problems that primarily contemplate modifiable aspects, such as the use of personal protective equipment, as well as improvements in the conditions, organization and work environment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Daniela Robles-Ordaz ◽  
Ana Cristina Gallegos-Aguilar ◽  
Rene Urquidez-Romero ◽  
Rolando Giovanni Diaz-Zavala ◽  
Marcos Gerardo Lavandera-Torres ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of and modifiable factors associated with prediabetes in the Comcáac Indians.DesignCross-sectional study where prediabetes was defined using fasting plasma glucose, 2 h plasma glucose and glycated Hb (HbA1c). Physical, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, medical record, socio-economic, dietary and physical activity information were collected. The modifiable factors associated with prediabetes were assessed using multiple logistic regression.SettingsComcáac Indian communities of Punta Chueca and El Desemboque, Sonora, Mexico.SubjectsAdults (n227) aged 20 years or older.ResultsThe sex- and age-adjusted prevalence (95 % CI) of prediabetes was 47·1 (40·8, 53·5) % in the overall population; age-adjusted prevalence was 47·3 (35·6, 59·0) % in men and 46·7 (39·1, 54·3) % in women. The modifiable factors associated with a risk of prediabetes (OR; 95 % CI) were light-intensity physical activity (per 1 h/week increase: 1·04; 1·01, 1·07) and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance score >6·1v. <4·1: 4·62; 1·37, 15·51). Increased consumption of a traditional dietary pattern based on fish and seafood, low-fat cereals, fruits and vegetables was a protective factor (0·49; 0·31, 0·79). All variables were modelled together and adjusted for age and sex.ConclusionsThe high prediabetes prevalence found in the Comcáac community is alarming because it represents a large number of people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The identification of modifiable factors associated with prediabetes that are specific to this population may be useful for designing effective strategies to prevent prediabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karima Mohtadi ◽  
Rajaa Msaad ◽  
Najwa Benalioua ◽  
Ali Jafri ◽  
Hasnaa Meftah ◽  
...  

Several studies had revealed that following the Mediterranean diet (MD) contributes to beneficial health status and a decreased risk of many chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to assess adherence to MD in Casablanca City and to identify the relationship between MD adherence and sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters. This cross-sectional study concerned 719 subjects with complete dietary data. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The dietary intake was assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. The compliance with MD was evaluated with a simplified MD score. Our study showed that high adherence to the MD was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, pulses, fish, cereals, olive oil, and low meat and dairy consumption according to the Simplified MD score. As regard to the multivariate logistic, being a man, being married, persons with a level of education >6 years, luxurious housing, and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher adherence to MD, while, the overweight was negatively associated with a higher adherence to MD. Maintaining the traditional MD pattern is crucial for public health; in this way, more research is needed in this area in order to precisely measure these associations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-bo Zheng ◽  
Le Shi ◽  
Yi-Miao Gong ◽  
Xiao-Xiao Wang ◽  
Qing-Dong Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dementia is a global public health priority. Many modifiable factors have been shown to influence the development of dementia, but these factors are not adequately known by the general public. This study aimed to assess public awareness of the factors that are associated with dementia in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2019 using an Internet-based questionnaire. Data on basic sociodemographic characteristics were collected, and the knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia was investigated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare levels of the knowledge of factors associated with dementia across populations with different demographic characteristics. Results: Data from 3,338 respondents were analyzed. The percentages of participants who accurately identified the risk factors of dementia were follows: 84.24% for negative affect, 65.07% for alcohol use, 56.68% for smoking, 48.74% for hypertension, and 42.66% for diabetes. The percentages of participants who accurately identified the protective factors for dementia were follows: 90.00% for exercise, 84.69% for social activity, 80.92% for intelligence games, 74.45% for reading, and 6.14% for antihypertensive or hypolipidemic drugs. The majority of Chinese people correctly recognized the role of lifestyle factors in the development of dementia but not medical factors. The levels of knowledge of the factors associated with dementia were significantly distinct across populations with different characteristics. The following sociodemographic characteristics were associated with more comprehensive knowledge of dementia risk and protective factors: women, young age, high education levels, nonmanual jobs, and contact with patients with dementia.Conclusions: Public awareness and knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia in China are still insufficient. More efforts are needed to publicize information to reduce the risk of dementia.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Cozma-Petruţ ◽  
Ioana Badiu-Tişa ◽  
Oana Stanciu ◽  
Lorena Filip ◽  
Roxana Banc ◽  
...  

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), defined as putting newborns to the breast within 1 h of birth, may have important benefits for both infant and mother. The aim of this study was to assess EIBF practices and its determinants in northwestern Romania. This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019, based on a sample of 1399 mothers of children aged less than 24 months. The sample was recruited from the community, from 29 cities and 41 communes distributed across the six counties of the northwestern region of Romania. Mothers responded by face-to-face interviews to a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with EIBF. Only 24.3% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1 h of birth. Delivering at a private hospital (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.87, 6.91), vaginal delivery (AOR: 4.39, 95% CI 3.29, 5.88), mother–newborn skin-to-skin contact for 1 h or more (AOR: 55.6, 95% CI 23.0, 134.2), and breastfeeding counseling during antenatal visits (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.12, 1.97) were factors associated with increased likelihood of EIBF. Overall, the practice of EIBF was poor. Targeting modifiable factors associated with EIBF may be used to improve early initiation practice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayloni Olson ◽  
Kathi J. Kemper

We explored the relationships between potentially modifiable factors (mindfulness and self-compassion), intermediate factors (resilience and stress), and outcomes of interest in a cross-sectional study of medical trainees (compassionate care and clinician well-being). Among the 12 participants, the average age was 27.6 years. Mindfulness and self-compassion were positively associated with confidence in providing calm, compassionate care ( r = 0.91 and 0.81, respectively; P < .01); they were also positively correlated with clinician resilience ( P < .01), which was correlated with clinician mental health ( r = 0.83; P < .01). Perceived stress was strongly and significantly negatively correlated with all measures ( rs ranging from –0.62 for flourishing to –0.92 for confidence in delivering calm, compassionate care; P < .05 for all correlations). Given the positive correlations between mindfulness and self-compassion with both clinician well-being and confidence in providing calm, compassionate care, interventional studies are warranted to determine what kind of training most efficiently and effectively improves trainee mindfulness and self-compassion.


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