scholarly journals High toluene exposure risk increases risk of olfactory dysfunction in furniture workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Magdalena Wartono ◽  
Herkutanto Herkutanto ◽  
Niken Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Toluene Exposure ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND<br />Few studies have investigated the impact on olfactory functioning of<br />occupational exposure to toluene, an industrial solvent used in paints and<br />cleaning fluids. The estimated olfactory dysfunction prevalence is 0.5–<br />5%. Patients frequently do not complain about olfactory dysfunction.<br />However, occupational exposure to chemicals may affect workers’ health<br />and safety, because of their continuous inhalation. This study aimed to<br />examine the relationship between toluene exposure and olfactory<br />dysfunction in furniture workers.<br />METHODS<br />This was a cross-sectional study involving 65 workers. Data collection<br />was by observation and interview on demographic characteristics, history<br />of habits, and symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Risk of exposure scores were<br />evaluated from potential hazard, exposure level, duration of employment,<br />type of work, use of masks, ventilation of work space, and education and<br />training. Olfactory function was tested using Sniffin’ Sticks, and<br />determination of environmental toluene level was by personal sampling.<br />The odds ratio was used to test correlations between variables.<br />RESULTS<br />Only 44 subjects could be analyzed, 37 (84.1%) of whom had olfactory<br />dysfunction. Workers with high toluene exposure had a significantly 12.5-<br />fold risk of olfactory dysfunction in comparison with those with low<br />exposure (OR=12.5; CI 95% 1.35 – 115.79).<br />CONCLUSIONS<br />Toluene exposure increases risk of olfactory dysfunction in furniture<br />workers. Olfactory function testing should be considered for initial<br />screening or periodic testing of furniture workers. Low toluene levels with<br />a high proportion of olfactory dysfunction indicate that olfactory dysfunction<br />is an early negative impact of chemical inhalation.

scholarly journals High toluene exposure risk increases risk of olfactory dysfunction in furniture workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Magdalena Wartono ◽  
Herkutanto Herkutanto ◽  
Niken Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Toluene Exposure ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND<br />Few studies have investigated the impact on olfactory functioning of<br />occupational exposure to toluene, an industrial solvent used in paints and<br />cleaning fluids. The estimated olfactory dysfunction prevalence is 0.5–<br />5%. Patients frequently do not complain about olfactory dysfunction.<br />However, occupational exposure to chemicals may affect workers’ health<br />and safety, because of their continuous inhalation. This study aimed to<br />examine the relationship between toluene exposure and olfactory<br />dysfunction in furniture workers.<br />METHODS<br />This was a cross-sectional study involving 65 workers. Data collection<br />was by observation and interview on demographic characteristics, history<br />of habits, and symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Risk of exposure scores were<br />evaluated from potential hazard, exposure level, duration of employment,<br />type of work, use of masks, ventilation of work space, and education and<br />training. Olfactory function was tested using Sniffin’ Sticks, and<br />determination of environmental toluene level was by personal sampling.<br />The odds ratio was used to test correlations between variables.<br />RESULTS<br />Only 44 subjects could be analyzed, 37 (84.1%) of whom had olfactory<br />dysfunction. Workers with high toluene exposure had a significantly 12.5-<br />fold risk of olfactory dysfunction in comparison with those with low<br />exposure (OR=12.5; CI 95% 1.35 – 115.79).<br />CONCLUSIONS<br />Toluene exposure increases risk of olfactory dysfunction in furniture<br />workers. Olfactory function testing should be considered for initial<br />screening or periodic testing of furniture workers. Low toluene levels with<br />a high proportion of olfactory dysfunction indicate that olfactory dysfunction<br />is an early negative impact of chemical inhalation.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 quarantine on dietary habits and physical activity in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh ◽  
Jomana Khawandanah ◽  
Rouba Khalil Naaman ◽  
Shoug Alashmali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to impose strict hygiene and national lockdown measures, which in turn has changed the dietary and lifestyle habits of the world’s population. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether dietary and physical activity behaviors of Saudi Arabia’s adult population changed during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods An electronic questionnaire which assessed changes in body weight, dietary habits, and physical activity of Saudi Arabia’s adult population (n = 2255) during the COVID-19 quarantine was distributed on social media between June and July 2020. To test the differences between changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors in relation to changes in body weight a Chi-square test was used. Results Over 40 and 45% of participants reported eating and snacking more, respectively, which led to weight gain in around 28%. Most participants reported that they consumed home-cooked (73%) and healthy meals (47%), while only 7% reported that they consumed foods from restaurants. Feelings of boredom and emptiness (44%) and the availability of time for preparing meals (40%) were the main reasons for changing dietary habits. Honey (43%) and vitamin C (50%) were the most consumed immune-boosting food and dietary supplement, respectively. COVID-19 also had a negative impact on physical activity, lowering the practice in 52% subjects, which was associated with significant weight gain (p < 0.001). Conclusion Assessing the changes to the population’s dietary habits and physical activity during the lockdown will help predict the outcome of the population’s future health and wellbeing after the pandemic.

Factors Associated with Coping Strategies among Primigravida Pregnant Women in Jakarta

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-275
Author(s):  
Vivi Silawati ◽  
Afrizal ◽  
Nursyirwan Effendi ◽  
Masrul ◽  
Retno Widowati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Coping Ability ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

Stress in women, before and during pregnancy, may result in a negative impact on the mother and fetus. In Indonesia, the anxiety rate in primigravida pregnant women when facing labor is higher than multigravida. Every pregnant woman makes an attempt to overcome or manage stress in her pregnancy in order to adapt and cope with stress. To find out the coping ability, pregnant women should find the source of stress prior to labor. This study was conducted to determine the direct and indirect factors affecting the coping ability in primigravida pregnant women. The study used a cross sectional study method through PLS analysis. The study population consisted of primigravida pregnant women, and a sample of 200 of them was taken. The measurement results of Path Coefficients and TStatistics on the influence of variables in the structural model and overall variables showed a positive and significant effect. The T statistic value of all variables was above the critical value (1.96). The results of the PLS test indicated that the empowerment and social support variables, directly and indirectly, influenced the coping abilities. Trust, personality, lifestyle, perceptions, and attitudes had impacts directly on the coping abilities. The percentage of the direct and indirect influence between variables was 97.92%. Empowerment, social support, personality, lifestyle, perceptions, and attitudes variables had an influence on the coping abilities of primigravida pregnant women. A controlled trial study should be done to see the impact of this model on reducing the risks during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study on prevalence and consequences of screen time on physical and mental health in children in the era of COVID-19

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Neha Thakur (Rai) ◽  
Arvind Kumar Singh ◽  
Narendra Rai ◽  
Devesh Kumar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Background: With the ongoing growth and expansion of digital media and COVID-19 pandemic, children are inclining more and more toward spending time on digital media as compared to outdoor sports, leading to poor physical and mental growth. Developed nations have already set up a screen time guideline which is yet to be established in developing nations. This study was conducted with the objectives of identifying the needs of screen time guidelines and to study the impact of screen time on mental and physical health in children. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to check the screen time in children aged 2–18 and find the health consequences both physical and psychological in those children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on children aged 2–18 years was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Parents were asked to fill a pre-structured questionnaire. Impact on health physical and mental were assessed by pediatrician and psychologist. Results: A total of 155 children were enrolled in the study. Mean child hours in children aged 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–18 years were 4 h, 5.83 h, and 6.29 h on week days and 5.64 h, 5.76 h, and 7.69 h on weekends, respectively. More than one-third of children had age of onset of screen time below 2 years of age. About 70% of children had malnutrition. Only 18% of parents were aware of concept of screen free days. Screen time had negative impact on health (P=0.0001) and on behavior of child (P=0.001). Average increase in screen time during COVID-19 was nearly 3 times the pre-COVID era. Conclusion: This study has paved the way for the need of larger study and development of guidelines on impact of screen time on children in developing nations where screen time guidelines is yet to be set more so in era of COVID 19 pandemic.

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

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of children aged 8 to 10 years

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sônia Rodrigues Dutra ◽  
Henrique Pretti ◽  
Milene Torres Martins ◽  
Cristiane Baccin Bendo ◽  
Miriam Pimenta Vale
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Normal Occlusion ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of children aged 8 to 10 years attending public elementary schools in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: The Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ8-10) was used to evaluate oral health-related quality of life. The children were examined for the diagnosis of malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate descriptive statistics using Poisson regression at a 5% significance level. A total of 270 children participated in the study. Results: Children with normal occlusion or mild malocclusion (DAI ≤ 25) were 56% less likely (95%CI: 0.258-0.758; p= 0.003) to have their quality of life affected compared with children diagnosed with extremely severe malocclusion (DAI ≥ 36). Children with a maxillary anterior overjet ≥ 3 mm had higher CPQ8-10 mean scores (19.4; SD = 17.1) than those with an overjet < 3 mm (13.6; SD = 11.7; p= 0.038). Conclusions: Extremely severe malocclusion and pronounced maxillary anterior overjet were associated with a negative impact on quality of life.

scholarly journals Perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ quality of life: a cross-sectional study

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Guimarães Abreu ◽  
Camilo Aquino Melgaço ◽  
Mauro Henrique Abreu ◽  
Elizabeth Maria Bastos Lages ◽  
Saul Martins Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Parents And Caregivers

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this article was to assess the perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ oral health -related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of a sample of 280 parents/caregivers of 11 and 12-year-old adolescents who answered the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Parent-assessed quality of life of adolescents was the dependent variable. The main independent variable was adolescents’ malocclusion which was diagnosed by means of the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Based on DAI cut-off points, adolescents were classified into four grades of malocclusion, with different orthodontic treatment recommendations assigned to each grade: no need/slight treatment need, elective treatment, highly desirable treatment and mandatory treatment. Adolescents’ age and sex, as well as family monthly income, were considered as confounding variables. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Of the 280 parents/caregivers initially accepted in this study, 18 refused to answer the P-CPQ. Therefore, 262 individuals participated in this assessment, providing a response rate of 93.5%. The severity of adolescents’ malocclusion was significantly associated with a higher negative impact on parents’/caregivers’ perception on the oral symptoms (p< 0.05), functional limitations (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), and social well-being (p < 0.001) subscale scores as well as on the overall P-CPQ score (p < 0.001), even after having been adjusted for the controlling variables. Conclusions: Parents/caregivers reported a negative impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ OHRQoL. Increased severity of malocclusion is associated with higher adverse impact on OHRQoL.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Medical Students in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 986
Author(s):  
Ricardo Campos ◽  
Vânia Pinto ◽  
Daniela Alves ◽  
Celina Pires Rosa ◽  
Henrique Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Academic Year

(1) Background: The purpose of this article is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of medical students in Portugal in the period after returning to face-to-face classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the 2020/2021 academic year. (2) Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, between December 2020 and February 2021 with a representative sample of Portuguese medical students (n = 649), applying an anonymous questionnaire which was composed by a sociodemographic characterization, The Brief Symptoms Inventory–18, The Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Negative Impact Assessment Scale. For statistical processing, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ©) was used. (3) Results: 65.3% of participants said that self-perceived relevant anxiety symptoms, and around 10% said that they had a physical or a mental illness diagnosis. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for Fear of COVID-19, Somatization, Anxiety and Overall Mental Health, indicating that women, students from the 1st and last years of training had higher scores. Age, year of training, Fear of COVID-19 and Negative Impact of COVID-19 were significant predictors of overall mental health. (4) Conclusion: In our sample of Portuguese medical students, age, year of training, but mostly fear of COVID-19 and the negative impact of COVID-19 contributed to mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Status of Palestinian Adults in the West Bank, Palestine; A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-237
Author(s):  
Imad T. Asmar ◽  
Hani Naseef ◽  
Nimeh Al-Shami ◽  
Maram K. Jaghama ◽  
Abdallah D. Abukhalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
West Bank ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The West ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid manifestation and spread have disrupted world norms and affected people's daily activities and life. Many ministries chose mass lockdown protocol as a way to control the virus spread. Though this protocol has shown to be effective in limiting the Virus transmission, it might have a negative impact on the population's psychological status, such as boredom, confusion, psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and physical effects. Objective: This study aimed to find the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Palestinian adults' psychological status by assessing the participant's practices, reports of anxiety and depression during the pandemics Methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Palestinian adults in the West Bank, at the occupied Palestinian territories, between July and September 2020. The questionnaire was structured into two domains: the first domain includes nine questions about sociodemographic data. The second consisted of 33 (yes and no) questions evaluating the participant's psychological status. Results: 739 participants with a mean age of 31.76, filled the online questionnaire. Around one-third of respondents revealed having many signs of anxiety, and around 42% of respondents expressed having many signs of depression. Females were significantly more likely to have signs of depression, whereas front-line COVID-19 health care workers were significantly the least likely to have signs of depression and no signs of depression were found among participants with high incomes. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on mental status; most participants have signs of anxiety and depression.

scholarly journals Residency training amid the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring the impact on mental health and training, a lesson from Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Moini ◽  
Khadije Maajani ◽  
Ramesh Omranipour ◽  
Mohamad-Reza Zafarghandi ◽  
Ashraf Aleyasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Residency Training ◽  
General Surgery ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Questions And Answers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background COVID-19 has affected the training programs and the clinical schedules of surgical wards in many countries, including Iran. Also, the continuous involvement with COVID-19 patients has caused stress in health care workers; among them, residents are on the frontlines of care delivery. Therefore, we designed a study to assess the mental effects of these circumstances, and the effects on General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology residency training in the busiest surgical departments of our university. Methods Participants of this cross-sectional study were residents of General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and the conventional sampling method was used. We used a questionnaire consisting of 47 questions (mostly using multiple choice questions and answers on the Likert scale) about personal, familial, and demographic characteristics; training activities, and mental effects of COVID-19. Results The response rate was 63.5%. (127 filled questionnaires). Around 96% of the residents had emotional problems, 85.9% were highly stressed about contracting COVID-19, 81.3% were worried about transferring it to their families; and 78% believed that their residency training had been impaired. Conclusion Overall, our study shows the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health and the training of residents. We propose that appropriate emotional support and suitable planning for compensation of training deficits is provided for residents.

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