Prevalence and Factors Influencing Eye Injuries among Welders in Accra, Ghana

Background. Eye injuries are one of the most common work-related injuries among certain occupations, including welders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing eye injuries among welders in Accra, Ghana. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 382 welders in Accra from two welding sites. Systematic sampling was used to select participants. A pretested semistructured questionnaire was used to collect demographic information, history of eye injuries, ownership, and use of eye protective equipment and workplace characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions at 5% level of significance were used to determine factors influencing eye injuries. Data were entered into Microsoft excel and exported to Stata 16/MP for analysis. Results. We found 59.7% of welders engaged in electric/arc welding and 40.3% in gas welding. Overall prevalence of eye injuries was 47.9%, higher among electric/arc welders (73.7%) compared to gas welders (9.7%). Factors associated with eye injuries were engaging in gas welding [AOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.04–0.16], higher monthly income [AOR = 5.26; 95% CI: 1.72–16.09], nonuse of eye PPE while working [AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.02–3.43], and no training on the use of eye personal protective equipment [AOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.07–4.38]. Conclusion. There is high prevalence of welding-related eye injuries among electric welders. Gas welding, high monthly income, nonuse of eye protective equipment, and inadequate training on the use of eye protective equipment were significantly associated with eye injuries. Health policies should be implemented to ensure all welders use eye personal protective equipment.

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Work-related Injury among Welders Working in Metal Workshops of Dharan Municipality, Nepal

Journal of Nepal Health Research Council ◽

10.3126/jnhrc.v16i2.20302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 156-159

Author(s):

Anup Ghimire ◽

Shyam Sundar Budhathoki ◽

Surya Raj Niraula ◽

Abha Shrestha ◽

Paras K Pokharel

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

The Past ◽

Occupational Characteristics ◽

Recorded Data ◽

The Relationship ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: Injuries are a problem worldwide in all occupations. Welders are exposed to many hazards at work resulting in a variety of health problems including injuries at work. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence and factors associated with injuries among welders in Dharan city of eastern Nepal.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 86 welders in Dharan city. Occurrence of injury in past 2 weeks and past 12 months were recorded. Data regarding sociodemographic along with occupational characteristics was collected using semi structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.Results: All the welders in this study were male with almost half of the welders under the age of 25 years and about a fifth (21.1%) of the welders having received some form of welding training. In the past 12 months, 21.1% of the welders suffered from work related injuries. More than 95% welders used at least one personal protective equipment in this study. More injuries were seen among welders with age ≥35 years, working experience ≥ 5 years, not received training and not using of PPE at work. However, these factors were not found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Work related injuries are high among welders of Dharan. Further research is required to explore the relationship between age, literacy, training and use of personal protective equipment with the occurrence of injuries among the welders.

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Occupational risk factors associated with respiratory symptoms among tannery workers in Mojo town, Southeast Ethiopia, 2018: a comparative cross-sectional study

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.4081/mrm.2019.25 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Innawu Dalju ◽

Awrajaw Dessie ◽

Laekemariame Bogale ◽

Tesfaye Hambisa Mekonnen

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Safety Training ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Work Related ◽

Tannery Workers

Introduction: Work-related respiratory diseases (WRDs) account for 10–20% of all chronic respiratory illnesses affecting hundreds of millions of people of all ages. Tannery industries are often associated with hazardous working conditions favourable for respiratory conditions. However, information about the prevalence and occupational factors that predispose to respiratory symptoms is meagre in Ethiopia. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude and risk factors associated with work-related respiratory symptoms among tannery industry workers in Mojo town, Ethiopia. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2018. A total of 602 (299 exposed to tannery factories) and 303 unexposed (civil servants) were included using the stratified sampling method. The British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire was pretested and interviewer-administered for data collection. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with respiratory symptoms. The significance of associations was ascertained at a < 0.05 p and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% CI was computed to evaluate the strength of associations. Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among exposed workers was 27.1% [95% CI (21.7, 32.1)] and 8.3% [95% CI (5.3, 11.6)] among unexposed workers in the previous 12 months and the prevalence was significantly different (X2 = 36.82; p < 0. 00001). The odds of developing respiratory symptoms was 3.37 times higher among tannery workers than unexposed workers [AOR: 3.37; 95% CI (1.71, 6.46)]. Female sex [AOR:1.80; 95% CI (1.24, 3.34)], temporarily workers [AOR = 3.43; 95% CI (2.63, 7.95)], working in a poorly ventilated working unit [AOR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.22, 3.98)], absence of occupational health and safety training [AOR = 2.37; 95% CI (1.14, 4.92)], and not using personal protective equipment [AOR = 2.30; 95% CI (1.25, 3.46)] were significant factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among exposed workers compared to unexposed ones. Sex, employment status, ventilation of working units, absence of occupational health and safety training, and not using personal protective equipment were the factors associated with occupational-related respiratory symptoms. Strategies targeting health and safety training, creating awareness on the use of personal protective equipment, and improving workplace conditions, like the provision of adequate ventilation are useful means for assuaging the condition.

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Knowledge of occupational health hazards and practice of personal protective equipment among fabrication workers in Kathmandu district, Nepal

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health ◽

10.3126/ijosh.v10i2.33330 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 115-23

Author(s):

Bibeka Shrestha ◽

Naresh Manandhar ◽

Sunil Kumar Joshi

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Work Experience ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Hazards ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Occupational Hazards ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related

Background: Fabrication work is one of the hazardous occupations in which workers are exposed to different occupational hazards and injuries. But the workers lack proper knowledge about protecting themselves from those hazards. This study was conducted, to assess knowledge about occupational health hazards among fabrication workers and to find out the practice of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in fabrication works. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 fabricator workers of Kathmandu District by using a multi-stage sampling technique. Participants were interviewed with a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: All the participants were male, and their age ranged from 19-60 years with the mean age of 32.3 years. 71.3% of participants had work-related health complains, among which arc eye (85.76%) was the most common. Among them, 87.1% had at least used one PPE. There was a significant association between awareness about occupational hazards and work experience of fabrication workers (p=0.001), and the practice of PPE with religion (p<0.01). Conclusions: This study found that fabrication workers were aware of occupational hazards and the use of PPE during the fabrication work. But the practice of PPE was not enough to protect them from the occupational hazards.

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Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/17571774211012761 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175717742110127

Author(s):

Salma Abbas ◽

Faisal Sultan

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

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COVID-19 infections among Healthcare Workers and Transmission within Households

10.1101/2020.06.12.20129619 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kevin L. Schwartz ◽

Camille Achonu ◽

Sarah A. Buchan ◽

Kevin A. Brown ◽

Brenda Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Nosocomial Transmission ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Testing Bias

AbstractImportanceProtecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 is a priority to maintain a safe and functioning healthcare system. The risk of transmitting COVID-19 to family members is a source of stress for many.ObjectiveTo describe and compare HCW and non-HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, as well as the frequency of COVID-19 among HCWs’ household members.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing reportable disease data at Public Health Ontario which captures all COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study comparing demographic, exposure, and clinical variables between HCWs and non-HCWs with COVID-19 as of 14 May 2020. We calculated rates of infections over time and determined the frequency of within household transmissions using natural language processing based on residential address.Exposures and OutcomesWe contrasted age, gender, comorbidities, clinical presentation (including asymptomatic and presymptomatic), exposure histories including nosocomial transmission, and clinical outcomes between HCWs and non-HCWs with confirmed COVID-19.ResultsThere were 4,230 (17.5%) HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, of whom 20.2% were nurses, 2.3% were physicians, and the remaining 77.4% other specialties. HCWs were more likely to be between 30-60 years of age and female. HCWs were more likely to present asymptomatically (8.1% versus 7.0%, p=0.010) or with atypical symptoms (17.8% versus 10.5%, p<0.001). The mortality among HCWs was 0.2% compared to 10.5% of non-HCWs. HCWs commonly had exposures to a confirmed case or outbreak (74.1%), however only 3.1% were confirmed to be nosocomial. The rate of new infections was 5.5 times higher in HCWs than non-HCWs, but mirrored the epidemic curve. We identified 391 (9.8%) probable secondary household transmissions and 143 (3.6%) acquisitions. Children < 19 years comprised 14.6% of secondary cases compared to only 4.2% of the primary cases.Conclusions and RelevanceHCWs represent a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario but with low confirmed numbers of nosocomial transmission. The data support substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of general population cases. Protecting HCWs through appropriate personal protective equipment and physical distancing from colleagues is paramount.Key PointsQuestionWhat are the differences between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with COVID-19?FindingsIn this population-based cross-sectional study there were 4,230 healthcare workers comprising 17.5% of COVID-19 cases. Healthcare workers were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a rate 5.5 times higher than the general population with 0.8% of all healthcare workers, compared to 0.1% of non-healthcare workers.MeaningHigh healthcare worker COVID-19 burden highlights the importance of physical distancing from colleagues, appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as likely substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of COVID-19 in the general population.

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Mask and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Associated Headache: A Cross-Sectional Study among the COVID-Time Physicians in Bangladesh

Headache Medicine Connections ◽

10.52828/hmc.v1i2.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 12-22

Author(s):

K M Nazmul Islam Joy ◽

Reaz Mahmud ◽

Md Golam Rabbani ◽

Md Khairul Islam ◽

Rajesh Saha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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FACTORS AFFECTING NURSE ANXIETY IN ROLE AS A CAREGIVER DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Nurse and Health: Jurnal Keperawatan ◽

10.36720/nhjk.v10i1.233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 108-115

Author(s):

Yurike Septianingrum ◽

Andikawati Fitriasari ◽

Erika Martining Wardani

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chi Square Test

Background: During the Covid-19 outbreak, health workers, especially nurses, are vulnerable to potential psychological symptoms such as anxiety, which can prevent nurses from carrying out their role as caregivers in health services (Lai et al., 2020; Shanafelt et al., 2020). Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that can influence the anxiety of nurses in playing the role of caregiver during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a population of all nurses who met the inclusion criteria as much as 105 nurses. The research sample was selected through stratified random sampling and obtained 84 nurses. This research was conducted at RSI Jemursari Surabaya from June until September 2020. The research instruments used in this study were the demographic observation sheet, knowledge questionnaire, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rank Scale (HARS). Data analysis used Pearson chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The results of the Pearson Chi-square test showed that of all the factors studied, only age (p = 0.004), availability of personal protective equipment (p = 0.002), and knowledge (p = 0.017) influenced nurses' anxiety. The results of the analysis using multivariate logistic regression test showed that the factor that most influenced nurses' anxiety was the availability of personal protective equipment (p = 0.001; OR = -3.062). Conclusion: Younger nurses, inadequate personal protective equipment, and less knowledgeable nurses were at high risk for more severe anxiety. Regular observation of the psychological condition of nurses and the fulfillment of the need for personal protective equipment is needed to prevent increased anxiety in nurses. Keywords: Nurse, anxiety, Covid-19, caregiver.

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Impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare workers during COVID-19

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ramanathan Swaminathan ◽

Bimantha Perera Mukundadura ◽

Shashi Prasad

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare workers in patient-facing roles. We describe the impact on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE consistently.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE. A web-based questionnaire was disseminated to evaluate the effects on individuals’ physical and mental well-being. Physical and mental impact was assessed through a visual analogue scale.ResultsProspective analysis of the views of 72 respondents is reported. 63.9% were women and 36.1% were men. Physical impact included exhaustion, headache, skin changes, breathlessness and a negative impact on vision. Communication difficulties, somnolence, negative impact on overall performance and difficulties in using surgical instrumentation were reported.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the undeniable negative impact on the front-line healthcare workers using enhanced PPE and lays the ground for larger multicentric assessments given for it to potentially be the norm for the foreseeable future.

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Factors influencing women's knowledge at scheduled postnatal visits: a multi-centre study in Kakamega, Kenya

African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health ◽

10.12968/ajmw.2020.0044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Charles Kiragu ◽

Justus SO Osero ◽

Anthony K Wanyoro

Keyword(s):

Postnatal Care ◽

Health Workers ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Postnatal Period ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multi Centre Study ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Postnatal Mothers

Background/aims Postnatal care is offered to mothers and their babies from birth and across the postnatal period. Visits are spread over the postnatal period, and a minimum of four visits is recommended. In many studies, postnatal visits in Africa have been reported to be low compared to antenatal visits. As a result of low postnatal visits, mothers are not able to utilise postnatal care services, resulting in delayed detection of and interventions for maternal and neonatal health problems, leading to high rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In Kenya, only 53% of mothers attend postnatal clinics; in Kakamega county, only 34% of mothers attend. This study aimed to establish factors influencing postnatal knowledge among mothers in selected hospitals in Kakamega, Kenya. Methods The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 320 postnatal mothers recruited from four sub-counties. Systematic sampling was used to select eligible study participants. Data were collected using questionnaires that assessed the participants' knowledge of postnatal care in terms of what postnatal care is, recommended postnatal care, when to attend a clinic and the services offered at postnatal care clinics. The data were entered into a database and analysed using the Chi-squared test to assess how sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics were associated with knowledge of postnatal care. Results The majority of participants (73.1%) had poor or no knowledge of postnatal care and 89.7% had poor or no knowledge on when postnatal visits should be carried out. Most postnatal mothers (71.9%) received postnatal health information from health workers. Occupation (P<0.000), income (P<0.000), transport (P<0.000) and time taken to travel to hospital (P=0.034) were significantly associated with postnatal knowledge. Conclusions Knowledge on postnatal care is poor among postnatal mothers in Kakamega. The majority of participants obtained postnatal care information from health workers, and so it is recommended that Kakamega establishes other strategies for giving information on postnatal care, such as pamphlets to mothers.

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An Investigation on the Harmful Biological Factors of Workplace among Administrative Workers of Power Plant in South of Iran

Occupational Hygiene and Health Promotion ◽

10.18502/ohhp.v2i3.150 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Behnoush JAFARI ◽

Bahram KOUHNAVARD ◽

Mohammadreza NAJIMI ◽

Fereshteh JAHANI ◽

Zeinab MOSAVIAN ASL

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Positive Culture ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Opportunistic Pathogenic

Introduction: The working conditions, type of activity, and production or consumption of different materials expose the employees to harmful biological factors, which leads to infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the harmful biological agents of the work environment among administrative personnel of a power plant in south of Iran. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 administrative workers of different sections of power plant in 2016. The participants used personal protective equipment and samples were collected from five parts of the participants' body including auricle, inside the ear, the area between the toes, palm of foot, toe nails. Finally, 1000 samples were collected. Results: The mean age of the workers was years and all participants were male. Of the 1000 samples cultivated in the laboratory, 192 (96%) people had negative and 8 (4%) had positive culture results. The results showed that auricle had the highest rate of opportunistic pathogenic fungi (87.5%). The most positive cases of opportunistic pathogens were associated with workshops, warehouses, and operational buildings. Conclusion: Regarding the results of the study, we need to implement more health care in the mentioned places, observe personal hygiene in keeping the feet dry, not using protective handsets (air plug and earmuff) of other people, disinfecting the personal protective equipment, and daily washing to prevent the spread of the disease to other people.

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