scholarly journals Airway inflammatory profile among cleaning workers from different workplaces

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edineia Rosa da Paz ◽  
Cynthia Mafra Fonseca de Lima ◽  
Soraia Nogueira Felix ◽  
Bruna Schaeffer ◽  
Clóvis Eduardo Santos Galvão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Airway Inflammation ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Asthma Symptoms ◽  
Active Population ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Cleaning workers represent a significant proportion of the active population worldwide, with poor remuneration, particularly in developing countries. Despite this, they remain a relatively poorly studied occupational group. They are constantly exposed to agents that can cause symptoms and respiratory problems.Objective: To investigate the airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms of cleaning workers from different workplaces. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of upper airway inflammation and symptoms of asthma/rhinitis related to cleaning work, according to workplace.167 participants were divided into four groups: Hospital (H), University (U), Housekeeper (Ho) and Control (C). A nasal swab was collected for upper airway inflammation evaluation. Clinical profiles and respiratory symptom employee evaluations were performed using specific questionnaires (ECRHS and ISAAC).Results: Cleaning workers showed increased neutrophils and lymphocytes; Hospital and University showed increased macrophages compared to the Housekeeper and Control. Hospital and Housekeeper showed increased eosinophils when they performed cleaning services for up to one year and also reported having more asthma symptoms than the Control. Cleaning workers showed increased rhinitis symptoms. The University group showed increased rhinitis symptoms aggravated by the workplace compared with the Hospital and Housekeeper. Cleaning workers showed an increased affirmative response when direct asked about rhinitis symptoms compared to Control.Conclusions: Cleaning workers showed airway inflammation, asthma symptoms and rhinitis, regardless of the occupational environment to which they were exposed and also showed increased rhinitis and asthma symptoms. Hospital cleaning workers showed increased macrophages, lymphocytes and eosinophils compared to the others. The length of time spent performing cleaning work was not related to nasal inflammation or respiratory symptoms in this population. However, there are differences in workplaces. Clinical Trial registration number NCT03311048, October 16, 2017. Availble at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03311048 (retrospectively registered).

scholarly journals Exploring the Prevalence and Correlates of Substance Abuse Amongst the Adolescents of Dharan, Eastern Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-267
Author(s):  
Kumud Chapagain ◽  
Dillisher Rai ◽  
Bhawesh Koirala ◽  
Gajendra Prasad Rauniyar
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Youth Survey ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
And Control

Background: The burden of substance abuse amongst the youths has increased worldwide including Nepal. There is limited data on prevalence of substance abuse among the adolescents. Hence this study aims to determine the prevalence of substance abuse amongst the adolescents of Dharan, Eastern Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to December 2018. Self-administered structured questionnaire adapted from National Youth Survey sponsored by the Centre for Substance Abuse Prevention was used for data collection from 1125 higher secondary school students. Data was cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS version 11.5.Results: Prevalence of ever users of tobacco were 46.04% of which the current users were 20.46%, ever users of alcohol were 37.58% of which 15.20% were current users and ever users of drug was 18.19% of which 18.13% were current users. The average age of initiating tobacco, alcohol and drugs were 14.21 ± 3.51, 15.13 ± 7.43 and 14.32 ± 4.41 years respectively. More than half of the drug users (50.71%) used cannabis and the most common reason for using any substance was peer pressure (91.64%). More than one-third (39.5%) purchased any of these substance from local shops. Conclusions: The study reported significant proportion of adolescents involved in substance abuse. The findings of this study may be beneficial for revising/ updating action plans on prevention and control of substance abuse in Nepal.Keywords: Adolescents; alcohol; drug; substance abuse; tobacco.

ROLE OF PHARMACIST INTERVENTION ON COPD PATIENTS OF SELECTED AREAS IN CHITRADURGA: A KAP STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin K Mathews ◽  
Abubaker Siddiq ◽  
Bharathi D R
Keyword(s):  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Pharmacist Intervention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Knowledge Practice ◽  
And Control

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable and treatable disease state characterized by air flow limitation that is not fully reversible. Severity of the symptoms is increased during exacerbations. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess and improve the knowledge regarding COPD among study subjects. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional interventional study was carried out among the peoples in selected areas of the Chitradurga city for a period of six months. Result: A total 207 subjects enrolled in the study in that 155 male and 52 females. In our study mean score of post test was more (5.87±1.68) when compare to pre-test (2.63±1.46) which show significant increase in their knowledge after educating them (p=0.000). A total of 207 subjects were enrolled into the study. SPSS Software was used to calculate the statistical estimation. Paired t-test was used to detect the association status of different variables. Conclusion: The relatively good level of COPD awareness needs to be maintained to facilitate future prevention and control of the disease. This study had identified that negative illness perceptions should be targeted, so that they will not avoid patients from seeking for COPD treatment and adhere to it. Key words: Cross sectional study, Knowledge, practice, COPD.

Cut off value of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome

2019 ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Trong Nghia Nguyen ◽  
Thi Nhan Nguyen ◽  
Thi Dua Dao
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Key Words Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
And Control

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors that tend to cluster together in affected individuals more often than predicted by chance. The presence of the metabolic syndrome substantially increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and is associated with a range of adverse clinical outcomes, many of which are closely associated with aging. Current estimates suggest that approximately 20 - 25% of the world’s population is affected by the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome rises with age and more than 45% of people aged over 60 years have the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies show that low vitamin D status is very common in the world and this is a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. Objective: (1) Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome. (2) Cut off value of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Material and method: A cross-sectional study with control group on 318 adult subjects for health examinations at International Medical Center at Hue Central Hospital, including 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome and control group of 179 healthy subjects. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the IDF, NHLBI, AHA, WHF, IAS, IASO (2009). Plasma hydroxyvitamin D concentration was measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Reciever operating characteristic (ROC) curve were generated to assess sensitivity and specificity for different cut off value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Results: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome was 26.4 ng/ml, incidence of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (59.7%) was significantly higher than in control group (23.5%) (p < 0.001). The optimal cut off point for 25-OH-D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml (AUC=0.657, sensitivity=53.4%, specificity=71.6%). Conclusion: In 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome, the plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 26.4 ng/ml and the incidence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the metabolic syndrome group was 59.7%. The optimal cut off point for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml. Key words: Metabolic syndrome, 25-hydroxyvitamin D

The effect of type of water supply on water quality in a developing community in South Africa

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Genthe ◽  
N. Strauss ◽  
J. Seager ◽  
C. Vundule ◽  
F. Maforah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
Developing Communities ◽  
Quality Guideline ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Efforts to provide water to developing communities in South Africa have resulted in various types of water supplies being used. This study examined the relationship between the type of water supply and the quality of water used. Source (communal taps, private outdoor and indoor taps) and point-of-use water samples were examined for heterotrophic plate counts (HPC), total and faecal coliforms, E. coli, and coliphages. Ten percent of samples were also analysed for enteric viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Approximately 320 households were included in a case-control study. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Both studies examined the relationship between different types of water facilities and diarrhoea among pre-school children. The source water was of good microbial quality, but water quality was found to have deteriorated significantly after handling and storage in both case and control households, exceeding drinking water quality guideline values by 1-6 orders of magnitude. Coliphage counts were low for all water samples tested. Enteric viruses and Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected. Giardia cysts were detected on one occasion in case and control in-house samples. Comparisons of whether in-house water, after handling and storage, complied with water quality guideline values demonstrated households using communal taps to have significantly poorer quality than households using private outdoor or indoor taps for HPC and E. coli (χ2 = 14.9, P = 0.001; χ2 = 6.6, P = 0.04 respectively). A similar trend (although not statistically significant) was observed for the other microbial indicators. The cross-sectional study demonstrated an apparent decrease in health risk associated with private outdoor taps in comparison to communal taps. This study suggests that a private outdoor tap is the minimum level of water supply in order to ensure the supply of safe water to developing communities.

Prevalence of COVID-19-like Symptoms among People Living with HIV, and Using Antiretroviral Therapy for Prevention and Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi ◽  
Maryam Ghadimi ◽  
Mahboubeh Hajiabdolbaghi ◽  
Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad ◽  
Ladan Abbasian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background: COVID-19 has spread globally with remarkable speed, and currently, there is limited data available exploring any aspect of the intersection between HIV and SARSCoV- 2 co-infection. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with COVID-19 among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Tehran, Iran. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 200 PLWH were recruited through the positive club via sampling, and completed the symptom-based questionnaire for COVID-19, which was delivered by trained peers. Results: Of 200 participants, respiratory symptoms, including cough, sputum, and shortness of breath, were the most prevalent among participants, but only one person developed symptoms collectively suggested COVID-19 and sought treatments. Conclusions: It appears that existing infection with HIV or receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) might reduce the susceptibility to the infection with SARS-CoV-2 or decrease the severity of the infection acquired. Further research is needed to understand causal mechanisms.

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

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.

scholarly journals Mealtime Environment and Control of Food Intake in Healthy Children and in Children with Gastrointestinal Diseases

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Katerina Sdravou ◽  
Elpida Emmanouilidou-Fotoulaki ◽  
Athanasia Printza ◽  
Elias Andreoulakis ◽  
Athanasios Evangeliou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Child Autonomy ◽  
And Control ◽  
Mealtime Environment

Parental feeding practices and mealtime routine significantly influence a child’s eating behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the mealtime environment in healthy children and children with gastrointestinal diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study among 787 healthy, typically developing children and 141 children with gastrointestinal diseases, aged two to seven years. Parents were asked to provide data on demographics and describe their mealtime environment by answering to 24 closed-ended questions. It was found that the majority of the children had the same number of meals every day and at the same hour. Parents of both groups exerted considerable control on the child’s food intake by deciding both when and what their child eats. Almost one third of the parents also decided how much their child eats. The two groups differed significantly in nine of the 24 questions. The study showed that both groups provided structured and consistent mealtime environments. However, a significant proportion of children did not control how much they eat which might impede their ability to self-regulate eating. The presence of a gastrointestinal disease was found to be associated with reduced child autonomy, hampered hunger cues and frequent use of distractions during meals.

scholarly journals Mask-wearing and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e148-e157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Rader ◽  
Laura F White ◽  
Michael R Burns ◽  
Jack Chen ◽  
Joseph Brilliant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Usa ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals Perception of the health surveillance users on the health electronic surveillance network (HESN), Saudi Arabia, 2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zayid K. Almayahi ◽  
Fahad Alswaidi ◽  
Abdullah Alzahrani
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
General Level ◽  
Electronic Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Composite Scores ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background The established aim of the Saudi Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN) is to support the prevention and control of different health events, and to facilitate the delivery of other public health programs. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of active HESN users regarding its general performance through five major components: practicability, design, data and communication, technical support, and general impression. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 using a sample of active HESN users. Out of 1535 active users, 700 were randomly selected. A predesigned electronic questionnaire was sent to each participant via email which was completed by 485 participants. Different composite scores were calculated and compared to the sociodemographic and other technical variables. Results The mean age of the participants was 36.92 ± 9.12 (24–65 years), and 57.8% of the sample were male. Riyadh and the KSA’s eastern province represented the highest two regions of participation, at (18.4%) and (14.2%) participants, respectively. About 70.8% were generally satisfied with HESN, while 86.6%% believed that it is better than the traditional paper-work system. Participants who used to work more frequently expressed more level of satisfaction compared to those with minimal use per week or month (P ≤ 0.001). Internet speed displayed a significant association with the general level of satisfaction with HESN (P < 0.001). Additionally, users who accessed HESN with the Google Chrome browser displayed higher levels of satisfaction when compared to users who relied on other browsers (P = 0.003). Conclusion Presently, the level of user satisfaction with HESN is reasonable. However, to achieve optimal outcomes for HESN usage, improvements should be considered.

scholarly journals High prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma patients and the impact of vitamin D levels, a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Oortgiesen ◽  
J. A. Kroes ◽  
P. Scholtens ◽  
J. Hoogland ◽  
P. Dannenberg - de Keijzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Hypovitaminosis D ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We hypothesized that the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and PN described in diabetes mellitus patients may also be present in MM patients. Methods To study this potential association, we assessed the incidence of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D < 75 nmol/L [= 30 ng/mL]) in smouldering and active MM patients in two Dutch hospitals. Furthermore, a validated questionnaire was used to distinguish different PN grades. Results Of the 120 patients included between January 2017 and August 2018, 84% had an inadequate vitamin D level (median vitamin D level 49.5 nmol/L [IQR 34–65 nmol/L]; mean age: 68 years [SD ± 7.7]; males: 58%). PN was reported by 69% of patients (n = 83); however, of these 83 patients, PN was not documented in the medical records of 52%. An association was found between lower vitamin D levels and higher incidence of PN in the total population (P = 0.035), and in the active MM patients (P = 0.016). Conclusion This multi-centre cohort study showed that PN and hypovitaminosis D are common in MM patients, and addressing low vitamin D levels in the treatment of MM patients might be beneficial in reducing the risk of PN. More attention for PN is warranted, as PN is underreported by clinicians. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of vitamin D in the development of PN in patients with MM. Clinical trial registration Netherland Trial Register NL5835, date of registration July 28, 2016

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