Factors Associated With Health Complaints Among Leather Tannery Workers in Bangladesh

Background: Few studies have reported associations between occupational exposure to tannery chemicals with breathing difficulty and skin diseases and none have been conducted in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of health complaints with types of work and length of employment among tannery workers in Bangladesh, where occupational health and safety regulations are less restricted compared with the developed world. Methods: One hundred sixty-seven ( n = 167) workers from 10 tanneries were interviewed using a questionnaire adapted from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) to collect information on occupational exposures and health outcomes. Workers’ length of employment was examined, as well as their areas of work including beamhouse, wet finishing, dry finishing, and miscellaneous. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to investigate potential associations while controlling for confounders. Results: Length of employment was positively associated with breathing difficulty (odds ratio [OR]: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.07–1.64). Workers involved in the wet finishing (OR: 11.75, 95% CI: 2.12–65.10) and dry finishing (OR: 13.38, 95% CI: 1.00–181.70) had higher odds of breathing difficulty; while, working in the beamhouse was associated with an increased risk of developing skin diseases (OR: 4.36, 95% CI: 1.10–17.32). Conclusion/Application to Practice: Length of employment and types of work were associated with increased risk of health complaints, including breathing difficulty and skin disease among tannery workers. Stronger regulations with regular enforcement, regular health surveillance, and worker and employer education are necessary for reducing these exposures and improving the health outcomes of the tannery workers.

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Occupational exposures and 20-year incidence of COPD: the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-211158 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 1008-1015 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Theodore Lytras ◽

Manolis Kogevinas ◽

Hans Kromhout ◽

Anne-Elie Carsin ◽

Josep M Antó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Community ◽

Health Survey ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Population Attributable Fraction ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Job Exposure Matrix ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Lower Limit Of Normal

BackgroundOccupational exposures have been associated with an increased risk of COPD. However, few studies have related objectively assessed occupational exposures to prospectively assessed incidence of COPD, using postbronchodilator lung function tests. Our objective was to examine the effect of occupational exposures on COPD incidence in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.MethodsGeneral population samples aged 20–44 were randomly selected in 1991–1993 and followed up 20 years later (2010–2012). Spirometry was performed at baseline and at follow-up, with incident COPD defined using a lower limit of normal criterion for postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC. Only participants without COPD and without current asthma at baseline were included. Coded job histories during follow-up were linked to a Job-Exposure Matrix, generating occupational exposure estimates to 12 categories of agents. Their association with COPD incidence was examined in log-binomial models fitted in a Bayesian framework.Findings3343 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 89 of them had COPD at follow-up (1.4 cases/1000 person-years). Participants exposed to biological dust had a higher incidence of COPD compared with those unexposed (relative risk (RR) 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3), as did those exposed to gases and fumes (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.2) and pesticides (RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.8). The combined population attributable fraction for these exposures was 21.0%.InterpretationThese results substantially strengthen the evidence base for occupational exposures as an important risk factor for COPD.

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The influence of social capital on self-rated health and depression – The Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT)

Norsk Epidemiologi ◽

10.5324/nje.v17i1.173 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Erik R. Sund ◽

Stig H. Jørgensen ◽

Andy Jones ◽

Steinar Krokstad ◽

Marit Heggdal

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Health Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Individual Level ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Geographical Variations ◽

Organizational Activity ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ward Level

The article examines the relationship between neighbourhood social capital and two health outcomes: selfrated health and depression. A total of 42,571 individuals aged 30–67 years participated in a cross-sectional total population health study in Nord-Trøndelag in 1995–1997 (HUNT II) and were investigated using multilevel modelling. Aims were, first, to investigate potential area effects after accounting for the characteristics of individuals in the neighbourhoods (N = 155), and, second, to explore the relationships between contextual social capital (the level of trust at the neighbourhood level and the level of local organizational activity) and the two health measures. Models with stepwise inclusion of individual level factors attenuated the ward level variance for both self-rated health (PCV: 41%) and depression (PCV: 43%). The inclusion of the two contextual social capital items attenuated the ward level variance for both self-rated health and depression, however to varying degrees. At the individual level, contextual social capital was associated with both self-rated health and depression. Individuals living in wards with a low level of trust experienced an increased risk of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.13-1.63) for poor self-rated health compared to individuals in wards with a high level of trust. For depression, this effect was even stronger (OR 1.52, 1.23-1.87). The associations with the level of organizational activity were inconsistent and weaker for both health outcomes. It was concluded that geographical variations in self-rated health and depression are largely due to the socioeconomic characteristics of individuals. Nevertheless, contextual social capital, expressed as the level of trust, was found to be associated with depression and self-rated health at individual level.

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Occupational exposures and incidence of chronic bronchitis and related symptoms over two decades: the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2018-105274 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. oemed-2018-105274 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Theodore Lytras ◽

Manolis Kogevinas ◽

Hans Kromhout ◽

Anne-Elie Carsin ◽

Josep Maria Antó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Bronchitis ◽

European Community ◽

Health Survey ◽

Mineral Dust ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivesChronic bronchitis (CB) is an important chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related phenotype, with distinct clinical features and prognostic implications. Occupational exposures have been previously associated with increased risk of CB but few studies have examined this association prospectively using objective exposure assessment. We examined the effect of occupational exposures on CB incidence in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.MethodsPopulation samples aged 20–44 were randomly selected in 1991–1993, and followed up twice over 20 years. Participants without chronic cough or phlegm at baseline were analysed. Coded job histories during follow-up were linked to the ALOHA Job Exposure Matrix, generating occupational exposure estimates to 12 categories of chemical agents. Their association with CB incidence over both follow-ups was examined with Poisson models using generalised estimating equations.Results8794 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria, contributing 13 185 observations. Only participants exposed to metals had a higher incidence of CB (relative risk (RR) 1.70, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.50) compared with non-exposed to metals. Mineral dust exposure increased the incidence of chronic phlegm (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.06). Incidence of chronic phlegm was increased in men exposed to gases/fumes and to solvents and in women exposed to pesticides.ConclusionsOccupational exposures are associated with chronic phlegm and CB, and the evidence is strongest for metals and mineral dust exposure. The observed differences between men and women warrant further investigation.

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The Saskatchewan rural health study: an application of a population health framework to understand respiratory health outcomes

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/1756-0500-5-400 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Punam Pahwa ◽

Chandima P Karunanayake ◽

Louise Hagel ◽

Bonnie Janzen ◽

William Pickett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Rural Health ◽

Population Health ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Health Study

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Secondhand nicotine vaping at home and respiratory symptoms in young adults

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-217041 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. thoraxjnl-2021-217041

Author(s):

Talat Islam ◽

Jessica Braymiller ◽

Sandrah P Eckel ◽

Feifei Liu ◽

Alayna P Tackett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Parental Education ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Health Study ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Shortness Of Breath ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Participants

RationaleDespite high prevalence of e-cigarette use (vaping), little is currently known regarding the health effects of secondhand nicotine vape exposure.ObjectiveTo investigate whether exposure to secondhand nicotine vape exposure is associated with adverse respiratory health symptoms among young adults.MethodWe investigated the effect of secondhand nicotine vape exposure on annually reported wheeze, bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath in the prospective Southern California Children Health Study cohort. Data were collected from study participants (n=2097) with repeated annual surveys from 2014 (average age: 17.3 years) to 2019 (average age: 21.9). We used mixed effect logistic regression to evaluate the association between secondhand nicotine vape and respiratory symptoms after controlling for relevant confounders.ResultsPrevalence of secondhand nicotine vape increased from 11.7% to 15.6% during the study period in this population. Prevalence of wheeze, bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath ranged from 12.3% to 14.9%, 19.4% to 26.0% and 16.5% to 18.1%, respectively, during the study period. Associations of secondhand nicotine vape exposure with bronchitic symptoms (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.84) and shortness of breath (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.21) were observed after controlling for vaping, active and passive exposure to tobacco or cannabis, and demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity and parental education). Stronger associations were observed when analysis was restricted to participants who were neither smokers nor vapers. There were no associations with wheezing after adjustment for confounders.ConclusionSecondhand nicotine vape exposure was associated with increased risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath among young adults.

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Outcomes of a digitally delivered, culturally-sensitive behaviour change platform for BAME adults with type 2 diabetes: 1 year health and engagement outcomes (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18674 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Charlotte Summers

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Body Weight ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Culturally Sensitive ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Haemoglobin A1c ◽

Central Asian ◽

Increased Risk

BACKGROUND People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are known to have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and face greater barriers to accessing healthcare resources compared to their “white British” counterparts. The main mediators of lifestyle behavioural change are gender, generation, geography, genes, God/religion, and gaps in knowledge and economic resources. Dietary and cultural practices of these individuals significantly vary according to gender, generation, geographical origin and religion. Recognition of these factors and implementing culturally sensitive interventions for type 2 diabetes prevention and management is essential in increasing knowledge of healthy eating, engagement in physical activity and improving health outcomes in BAME communities. Few health apps are tailored for BAME populations, and BAME communities are considered hard-to-reach. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to establish whether the Low Carb Program is a viable scalable solution that can be used as an effective tailored type 2 diabetes intervention for BAME communities. We hypothesized that by taking into account cultural sensitivities, providing the platform in native languages and personalising the platform in accordance with known barriers to health disparities including gender, generation, dietary preferences and religion, the app would engage BAME communities and improve type 2 diabetes related health outcomes. METHODS The study used a quasi-experimental research design comprised of an open-label, single-arm, pre-post intervention using a sample of convenience. All 705 adults with type 2 diabetes who had activated their referral to the Low Carb Program as a result of an NHS consultation between September 2018 and March 2019 were followed for a period of 12 months; mean age 54.61 (SD 16.69) years; 58.2% (410/705) women; 45.1% (318/705) white, 28.5% (201/705) Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/Other Central Asian, 10.8% (76/705) Arab, 6.2% (44/705) Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups, 6% (43/705) black, 1.8% (13/705) other, (7/705) 1% Chinese/Japanese/Other East Asian. Mean starting glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.99% (SD 2.05%); mean body weight 88.96kg (SD 23.25kg). RESULTS Of the 705 study participants, 513 (72.76%) had completed the Low Carb Program at 12 months. There were statistically significant reductions in body weight and HbA1c in white, Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/Other Central Asian, Arabic and black participants with the most significant differences in the Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/Other Central Asian population HbA1c -1.18% (SD 1.49%) and weight 8.03kg (SD 10.65kg). 82.9% of all participants (419/705) of all participants lost at least 5% of their body weight. CONCLUSIONS Offering the culturally tailored Low Carb Program that empowers members to make dietary and lifestyle changes to different BAME groups is an effective and engaging tool in the management of type 2 diabetes. Most importantly, BAME populations in particular people from Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi and Arabic groups who achieve better health outcomes than their white counterparts.

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Long-Term Physical Health Outcomes of Resettled Refugee Populations in the United States: A Scoping Review

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health ◽

10.1007/s10903-021-01146-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gayathri S. Kumar ◽

Jenna A. Beeler ◽

Emma E. Seagle ◽

Emily S. Jentes

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Public Health Practice ◽

The United States ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Physical Health Outcomes ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Us ◽

Bhutanese Refugee

AbstractSeveral studies describe the health of recently resettled refugee populations in the US beyond the first 8 months after arrival. This review summarizes the results of these studies. Scientific articles from five databases published from January 2008 to March 2019 were reviewed. Articles were included if study subjects included any of the top five US resettlement populations during 2008–2018 and if data described long-term physical health outcomes beyond the first 8 months after arrival in the US. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (1.5%). Refugee adults had higher odds of having a chronic disease compared with non-refugee immigrant adults, and an increased risk for diabetes compared with US-born controls. The most commonly reported chronic diseases among Iraqi, Somali, and Bhutanese refugee adults included diabetes and hypertension. Clinicians should consider screening and evaluating for chronic conditions in the early resettlement period. Further evaluations can build a more comprehensive, long-term health profile of resettled refugees to inform public health practice.

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Free and Total Amino Acids in Human Milk in Relation to Maternal and Infant Characteristics and Infant Health Outcomes: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2009

Author(s):

Joris H.J. van Sadelhoff ◽

Linda P. Siziba ◽

Lisa Buchenauer ◽

Marko Mank ◽

Selma P. Wiertsema ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Human Milk ◽

Infant Development ◽

Infant Health ◽

Child Growth ◽

Health Study ◽

Maternal Characteristics ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Total Amino Acids

Free amino acids (FAAs) are important regulators of key pathways necessary for growth, development, and immunity. Data on FAAs in human milk (HM) and their roles in infant development are limited. We investigated the levels of FAAs and total amino acids (TAA, i.e., the sum of conjugated amino acids and FAAs) in HM in relation to infant and maternal characteristics and immunological conditions. FAA and TAA levels in HM sampled at 6 weeks (n = 671) and 6 months (n = 441) of lactation were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Child growth was ascertained at 4–5 weeks and at 6–7 months of age. Child allergy and lower respiratory tract infections were assessed in the first years of life. Associations of amino acid (AA) levels in HM with child growth and health outcomes were determined by Spearman correlation and modified Poisson regression, respectively. Free glutamine, glutamate, and serine in 6-week HM positively correlated with infant weight gain in the first 4–5 weeks of age. Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with free glutamine and asparagine in 6-week and 6-month HM and positively correlated with the sum of TAAs in 6-month HM, but significance was lost following confounder adjustment. Free glutamine was lower in 6-month HM of mothers with an allergy (either active or non-active). No consistent associations were found between FAAs in HM and child health outcomes. However, potential negative associations were observed between specific FAAs and the risk of food allergy. These results suggest that specific FAAs play a role in infant growth. Moreover, these findings warrant further investigations into the relation of FAAs in HM with infant health outcomes and maternal allergy.

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Nasal symptoms increase the risk of snoring and snoring increases the risk of nasal symptoms. A longitudinal population study

Sleep And Breathing ◽

10.1007/s11325-020-02287-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Värendh ◽

Christer Janson ◽

Caroline Bengtsson ◽

Johan Hellgren ◽

Mathias Holm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Nasal Breathing ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population ◽

Independent Risk Factors

Abstract Purpose Humans have a preference for nasal breathing during sleep. This 10-year prospective study aimed to determine if nasal symptoms can predict snoring and also if snoring can predict development of nasal symptoms. The hypothesis proposed is that nasal symptoms affect the risk of snoring 10 years later, whereas snoring does not increase the risk of developing nasal symptoms. Methods In the cohort study, Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE), a random population from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, born between 1945 and 1973, was investigated by postal questionnaires in 1999–2001 (RHINE II, baseline) and in 2010–2012 (RHINE III, follow-up). The study population consisted of the participants who had answered questions on nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction, discharge, and sneezing, and also snoring both at baseline and at follow-up (n = 10,112). Results Nasal symptoms were frequent, reported by 48% of the entire population at baseline, with snoring reported by 24%. Nasal symptoms at baseline increased the risk of snoring at follow-up (adj. OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.22–1.58) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI change between baseline and follow-up, and smoking status. Snoring at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing nasal symptoms at follow-up (adj. OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Conclusion Nasal symptoms are independent risk factors for development of snoring 10 years later, and surprisingly, snoring is a risk factor for the development of nasal symptoms.

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Development of a web-platform for dynamic monitoring of population health in Geneva: Specchio project

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

H Baysson ◽

S Joost ◽

H Attar Cohen ◽

I Guessous ◽

S Stringhini

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Well Being ◽

Dynamic Monitoring ◽

Health Study ◽

Medical File ◽

Directorate General ◽

Web Platform

Abstract Background In order to provide efficient public health decisions making, it is crucial to obtain reliable and recent data on the state of health of the population. For that purpose, a web-platform for the dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of the population is being developed in the Geneva canton. Methods Using a dedicated website, recruitment will be carried out over 5 years so as to enroll up to 20 000 volunteers, resident in Geneva and aged ≥ 18 years, followed-up for at least 10 years. Once connected to the website, participants will fill a general self-administered questionnaire on their socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry, health status, physical activity and diet. Environmental, behavioral and occupational exposures will also be evaluated via more specific questionnaires. Current addresses of residence will be geocoded and linked to geographical databases to passively gather information on noise, air pollution, green areas, and other exposures. Surveillance of health events will be implemented via yearly self-administered on line questionnaires and potentially via passive linkage to medical databases (medical file) and health registries with the participants' consent. For a subsample of volunteers, biochemical samples and biomarkers will be collected. Results The pilot study shows that the project is feasible, potentially cost-effective but requires innovative methodologies for ensuring long term follow-up. Different communication strategies used for recruitment and long-term participation need to be implemented ensuring trust from participants, different levels of health literacy and the need of justice. Conclusions Specchio is a new project aimed at setting up a digital longitudinal health study in Geneva. Challenges concerns the determinants of participation, recruitment and attrition, quality of data and ethics. Long-term funding by the Directorate General of Health Geneva is currently under evaluation. Key messages This digital longitudinal health study will enable dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of Geneva residents and will enable efficient public health decision making. Specchio is a new project funded by the Directorate General of Health Geneva.

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