scholarly journals Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace in Macedonia: Where Are We Now?

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Minov ◽  
Jovanka KaradžInska-Bislimovska ◽  
Kristin Vasilevska ◽  
Snežana Risteska-Kuc ◽  
Sašo Stoleski

Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace in Macedonia: Where Are We Now?To assess the prevalence and the level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the workplace after the enactment of the law restricting indoor smoking in Macedonia, we performed a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study including 372 never-smoking workers recruited from six workplaces. We found a high prevalence of workers exposed to ETS in the workplace (27.4 %) with no significant difference between particular occupation groups. We found no significant difference in the prevalence of passive smokers in the workplace between this study and our study conducted before the law was enacted (31.5 %vs.27.4 %, P=0.324). The prevalence of workers exposed to ETS for less than three hours a day was significantly lower than of passive smokers with longer exposure (28.4 %vs.71.6 %, P=0.038). The prevalence of workers exposed to ETS from less than 10 cigarettes smoked by coworkers per day was lower than the prevalence of workers with higher exposure, but statistical significance was not reached (37.9 %vs.62.1 %, P=0.087). Our findings indicate a high prevalence and a high level of exposure to ETS in the workplace, which calls for stricter adherence to smoking-free legislation or even the total ban of smoking in the workplace.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Booalayan ◽  
Mosa Abdulrasool ◽  
Saad Al-Shanfari ◽  
Abdulwahab Boujarwa ◽  
Abdullah Al-Mukaimi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is increasing evidence linking exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at homes to the development of respiratory morbidity including asthma among adolescents. Few studies have addressed this issue in the Middle-Eastern countries including Kuwait. Therefore, this study cross-sectional assessed the prevalence of ETS exposure at home, prevalence of asthma and other respiratory morbid conditions and examined the ETS exposure and personal smoking status as risk factors for asthma among high-school students in Kuwait. Methods: During October 2015, a cross-sectional study design was implemented using a self-administered, modified version of the ISAAC (International study of asthma and allergies in childhood) questionnaire among students enrolled in nine high-schools of Hawally Governorate of Kuwait. Prevalence of ETS exposure, and eczema were computed. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to evaluate association between exposures of interest and asthma status. Results: Of 800 invited students, 746 (92.2%) participated, of whom 74.8% were Kuwaiti and 50.1% were female with a mean (SD) age of 16.8 (0.68) years. ETS exposure prevalence at home was 54% and personal current smoking was 12.4%. Asthma prevalence was 20.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, wheezing during the last 12 months and wheezing ‘ever’ was 16.4%, 20.1% and 26.2%, respectively. Final multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that compared to the adolescents without asthma, adolescents with asthma tended to be current smokers (adjusted prevalence ratio (adjusted PR) = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.37 – 2.53; p < 0.001) or significantly more likely to have had ETS exposure at home (adjusted PR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21 – 2.23; p = 0.002). Conclusions: We recorded high prevalence of ETS exposure at home, high prevalence of asthma and identified ETS exposure at home and being a current smoker as strong risk factors for asthma among adolescents. Voluntary household smoking bans may substantially minimize the ETS exposure among adolescents. Additionally, such restriction may inculcate an antismoking attitude and prevent smoking initiation among adolescents. Such efforts are likely to pay dividends in terms of reduction in ETS exposure and associated asthma risk and other smoking-related morbidities in this and other similar settings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Booalayan ◽  
Mosa Abdulrasool ◽  
Saad Al-Shanfari ◽  
Abdulwahab Boujarwa ◽  
Abdullah Al-Mukaimi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is increasing evidence linking exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at homes to the development of asthma among adolescents. Few studies have addressed this issue in the Middle Eastern countries including Kuwait. Therefore, this study cross-sectional assessed the prevalence of ETS exposure at home, prevalence of asthma and other respiratory morbid conditions and examined the ETS exposure and personal smoking status as risk factors for self-reported asthma among high-school students in Kuwait. Methods: During October 2015, a cross-sectional study design was implemented using a self-administered modified version of the ISAAC (International study of asthma and allergies in childhood) questionnaire among students enrolled in nine high-schools of Hawally Governorate of Kuwait. Prevalence of ETS exposure and self-reported asthma were computed. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to evaluate association between exposures of interest and self-reported asthma status. Results: Of 800 invited students, 746 (92.2%) participated, of whom 74.8% were Kuwaiti and 50.1% were female with a mean (SD) age of 16.8 (0.68) years. ETS exposure prevalence at home was 54% and personal current smoking was 12.4%. Self-reported asthma prevalence was 20.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, wheezing during the last 12 months and wheezing ‘ever’ was 16.4%, 20.1% and 26.2%, respectively. Final multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that compared to the adolescents without asthma, adolescents with self-reported asthma tended to be current smokers (adjusted prevalence ratio (adjusted PR) = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.30 – 2.56; p = 0.001) or significantly more likely to have had ETS exposure at home (adjusted PR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21 – 2.23; p = 0.002). Conclusions: We recorded high prevalence of ETS exposure at home, high prevalence of self-reported asthma and identified ETS exposure at home and being a current smoker as strong risk factors for self-reported asthma among adolescents. Voluntary household smoking bans may substantially minimize the ETS exposure among adolescents. Additionally, such restriction may inculcate an antismoking attitude and prevent smoking initiation among adolescents. Such efforts are likely to pay dividends in terms of reduction in ETS exposure and associated asthma risk and other smoking-related morbidities in this and other similar settings.


2022 ◽  
Vol 75 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Müller de Magalhães ◽  
Denilse Damasceno Trevilato ◽  
Daiane Dal Pai ◽  
Amanda da Silveira Barbosa ◽  
Natascha Monteiro Medeiros ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify burnout and associated factors among nursing workers working in coping with COVID-19. Methods: a cross-sectional study, developed in four hospitals in a capital in southern Brazil. Sample (n=499) composed of nurses and nursing technicians/assistants, who answered an online form containing socio-occupational characterization and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed, including multiple comparison tests. Results: burnout was identified in 60 (12%) workers, with no significant difference between hospitals, but with a difference in dimensions between them. In the emotional exhaustion dimension, a higher proportion (52.9%) was found at a moderate level. Prevalence of high level of professional achievement of 95.4% was identified. Conclusion: the presence of burnout was significantly prevalent among nurses and females. It reinforces the need to develop strategies to promote the health of nursing workers, providing improvement in health services and reduction of care and labor risks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 832-840
Author(s):  
Katti Sathaporn ◽  
Jarurin Pitanupong

Objective: To determine the level of and factors associated with empathy among medical students.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed all first- to sixth-year medical students at the Facultyof Medicines, Prince of Songkla University, at the end of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaires consisted of:1) The personal and demographic information questionnaire, 2) The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and 3) ThaiMental Health Indicator-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factors associated with empathylevel were assessed via chi-square and logistic regression analyses.Results: There were 1010 participants with response rate of 94%. Most of them were female (59%). More than half(54.9%) reported a high level of empathy. There was a statistically significant difference in empathy levels betweenpre-clinical and clinical medical students; in regards to empathy subgroups (P-value < 0.001). The assessment ofemotional states in others by demonstrating appropriate sensitivity behavior, altruism, and empathic respondingscores among the pre-clinical group were higher than those of the clinical group. Multivariate analysis indicatedthat female gender, pre-clinical training level, and minor specialty preference were factors associated with empathylevel. The protective factor that significantly improved the level of empathy was having fair to good mental health.Conclusion: More than half of the surveyed medical students reported a high level of empathy. The protective factorthat improved the level of empathy was good mental health. However, future qualitative methods, longitudinalsurveillance, or long-term follow-up designs are required to ensure the trustworthiness of these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 308
Author(s):  
Yaser Adnan Abo Jeesh ◽  
Magda El-hadi Ahmad Yousif ◽  
Moauya Al-Balal Al-Haboub

Background: Thalassemia is the most common autosomal abnormality in Syria. Its complications have an important effect on education; time off school; sport; difference from friends/ siblings; social interactions; and stigmatization. Knowledge of factors associated with quality of life in thalassemia patients is necessary for forming appropriate clinical programs, social support, and improving treatment outcomes. Purpose: The study was to assess the effects of Patients' and Care-givers' Knowledge, Attitude, & Practice (KAP) with Quality of Life among Thalassemia Major Patients' in Syria. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive analytical design was conducted at the national thalassemia center in Damascus. WHOQOL-BREF and a questionnaire developed by the researcher were used to measure the participants’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of thalassemia. Results: Total of 238 thalassemia patients participated in the study. A statistical significance was found regarding improvement of skill and knowledge scores among caregivers and thalassemia patients before and after receiving the teaching guide from 12.52±1.77 to 14.07±1.01, t=11.447, p=0.000 and from 34.12±4.50 to 37.43±4.61, t=-8.58, p= .000 respectively. Stigmatization was significantly noticed among families caring for thalassemic patients. There were a significant differences in the mean score regarding nutritional status before and after teaching guide paired t test= 12.11, p= 0.000. A statistical significance was found in females regarding social domain p=0.04. However, mean scores for overall quality of life were better in females rather than males, but these mean scores were statistically insignificant p>0.05. A statistical significant difference in ferritin levels and patient’s age was found. Results also revealed that no statistical significant differences was observed between overall quality of life of the four domains in relation to the two treatment groups (subcutaneous vs oral) and age groups. Conclusion: Thalassemia is a socio-economic problem. The most efficient way to reduce risks of having affected patients is by increasing the knowledge through training of parents regarding the disease. Our findings highlighted that there was lack in patients’ knowledge and skills regarding the disease, but a remarkable improvement in both knowledge and performance was found after patients received the teaching guide, which lead to an increase in overall patient's quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 01-04
Author(s):  
Abdullah Ghouth

The Background and Purpose: to assess the prevalence of hypertension and micro-vascular complications among type 2 diabetic patients registered in primary health care center in Mukalla city at eastern Yemen. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in a randomly selected eligible patients from the diabetic registry of the AL Noor Charity Center (ACC), Mukalla city in Yemen. Results: Prevalence of hypertension in the T2DM patients were 46.7% (56/120). Retinopathy is the most micro-vascular complications among the adults having T2DM (73/120, 60.8%) while nephropathy is the least prevalence (13/120, 10.8%), prevalence of neuropathy was 49.2% (59/120). a high prevalence of retinopathy in males (66%) than females (55.7%) and a high prevalence of neuropathy in male adults (52.2%) than females (46%).No statistical significant difference were exit related to gender for any studied complications. Similar findings were observed regarding age related variations. Conclusion: A high prevalence of hypertension, retinopathy and neuropathy were reported among T2DM patients in Mukalla. Adopting effective and safe treatment strategies are highly recommended to prevent premature death and complications due to DM.


Author(s):  
Hemalatha K. ◽  
Varunkumar R. ◽  
Vandana S. J.

Background: India is one of the countries where tobacco use is highly prevalent. Tobacco use in the form of smoking is related to occurrence of multiple health related problems in smokers and also general population.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 360 adults residing in a rural area of Tiruchirappalli. Cluster sampling was used to select the study participants. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on tobacco use, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), knowledge on its health effects and protection measures. Data was entered and analyzed using Epi info 7.2. The results were presented in the form of mean and percentage. Chi-square was used to find the association between the parameters and ETS. A p value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: Mean age of the study group was 38.5±10.8 years. Proportion of males and females was 53.9% and 46.1% respectively. Two hundred and fifty five (70.8%) were non-smokers and 29.2% have ever smoked some form of tobacco product. Thirty seven percent of the non-smokers were exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the past 15 days and exposure was higher among males (46.7%) than females (31.3%) (χ2 value=6.3; p=0.014). Public place was the most common place of exposure (25.5%) to ETS. Significantly higher proportion of smokers had correct knowledge on ill effects of ETS than smokers (χ2 value=12.3; p= 0.0004).Conclusions: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was significantly high in the study population. Either strict enforcement of laws or banning cigarette sale completely would help reducing the exposure to cigarette smoke which is an important risk factor for multiple non communicable diseases.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tecleab Okubai Gebregiorgis

Abstract Background Nurse’s knowledge and attitude towards pain management have been reported to be inadequate throughout the world. This research was carried out to study the level of knowledge and attitude on final year nursing students regarding pain assessment & management to190 students in 2018. Method The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional .The study tool was an adopted and standardized self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS applications version 22. The respondent’s level of knowledge and attitude about pain assessment & management was determined using descriptive statics and independent T-test method. Statistical significance was maintained when P=< 0.05. Result The average mean percent score was (M=47.7±11.5SD), it was below the passing score (80%) for this research. Conclusion This research highlighted that the school of Nursing should critically review its curriculums, determine whether students were getting evidence-based and up to date information about pain assessment and management.


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