scholarly journals Asthma Phenotypes and Host Risk Factors Associated With Various Asthma-Related Outcomes in Health Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein H. Mwanga ◽  
Roslynn Baatjies ◽  
Tanusha Singh ◽  
Mohamed F. Jeebhay
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Atopic Asthma ◽  
Current Asthma ◽  
Asthma Phenotypes ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Past

Background: Work-related asthma phenotypes in health workers (HWs) exposed to cleaning agents have not been investigated extensively as other occupational exposures. This study aimed to describe asthma phenotypes and to identify important host risk factors associated with various asthma-related outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 699 HWs was conducted in two large tertiary hospitals. A total of 697 HWs completed questionnaire interviews. Sera collected from 682 HWs were analyzed for atopy (Phadiatop) and IgE to occupational allergens (NRL—Hev b5, Hev b6.02; chlorhexidine and ortho-phthalaldehyde—OPA). Methacholine (MCT), bronchodilator challenge (BDR) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were performed. An asthma symptom score (ASS) used five asthma-related symptoms reported in the past 12 months. Current asthma was based on use of asthma medication or an asthma attack or being woken up by an attack of shortness of breath in the past 12 months. Nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (NSBH) was defined as having either a positive MCT or a significant bronchodilator response. Two continuous indices of NSBH [continuous index of responsiveness (CIR) and dose-response slope (DRS)] were calculated.Results: The prevalence of current asthma was 10%, atopic asthma (6%) and non-atopic asthma (4%). Overall, 2% of subjects had work-related asthma. There was a weak positive association between NSBH and FeNO [CIR: Beta coefficient (β) = 0.12; CI: 0.03–0.22 and DRS: β = 0.07; CI: 0.03–0.12]. Combining FeNO ≥ 50 ppb with a BDR [mean ratio (MR) = 5.89; CI: 1.02–34.14] or with NSBH (MR = 4.62; CI: 1.16–18.46) correlated better with ASS than FeNO alone (MR = 2.23; CI: 1.30–3.85). HWs with current asthma were twice as likely to be atopic. FeNO was positively associated with atopy (OR = 3.19; CI: 1.59–6.39) but negatively associated with smoking status (GMR = 0.76; CI: 0.62–0.94). Most HWs sensitized to occupational allergens were atopic.Conclusion: Atopic asthma was more prevalent than non-atopic asthma in HWs. Most asthma-related outcomes were positively associated with allergic predictors suggesting a dominant role for IgE mechanisms for work-related symptoms and asthma associated with sensitization to OPA or chlorhexidine.

scholarly journals Influencing Factors for Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage and Early Detection of Women at Risk in The Northern Province of Rwanda: Beneficiary and Health Worker Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliva Bazirete ◽  
Manassé Nzayirambaho ◽  
Aline Umubyeyi ◽  
Marie Chantal Uwimana ◽  
Evans Marilyn
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Northern Province ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Childbearing Women

Abstract Background: Reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is a major global health priority. However, much remains unknown regarding factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among childbearing women in the Rwandan context. The aim of this study is to explore the influencing factors for prevention of PPH and early detection of women at risk as perceived by beneficiaries and health workers in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Methods: A qualitative descriptive exploratory study was drawn from a larger sequential exploratory‐mixed methods study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 women who experienced PPH within the 6 months prior to interview. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted with: women’s partners or close relatives (2 focus groups), community health workers (CHWs) in charge of maternal health (2 focus groups) and health care providers (3 focus groups). A socio ecological model was used to develop interview guides to describe factors related to early detection and prevention of PPH in consideration of individual attributes, interpersonal, family and peer influences, intermediary determinants of health and structural determinants. The research protocol was approved by the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Institutional Ethics Review Board. Results: We generated four interrelated themes: (1) Meaning of PPH: beliefs, knowledge and understanding of PPH: (2) Organizational factors; (3) Caring and family involvement and (4) Perceived risk factors and barriers to PPH prevention. The findings from this study indicate that PPH was poorly understood by women and their partners. Family members and CHWs feel that their role for the prevention of PPH is to get the woman to the health facility on time. The main factors associated with PPH as described by participants were multiparty and retained placenta. Low socioeconomic status and delays to access health care were identified as the main barriers for the prevention of PPH. Conclusions: Addressing the identified factors could enhance early prevention of PPH among childbearing women. Placing emphasis on developing strategies for early detection of women at higher risk of developing PPH, continuous professional development of health care providers, developing educational materials for CHWs and family members could improve the prevention of PPH. Involvement of all levels of the health system was recommended for a proactive prevention of PPH. Further quantitative research, using case control design is warranted to develop a screening tool for early detection of PPH risk factors for a proactive prevention.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with asthma phenotypes in dental healthcare workers

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanusha Singh ◽  
Braimoh Bello ◽  
Mohamed F. Jeebhay
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Asthma Phenotypes ◽  
Factors Associated

Comparing the risk factors associated with serious versus and less serious work-related injuries in ontario between 1991 and 2006

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Smith ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Cameron Mustard ◽  
Cynthia Chen ◽  
Emile Tompa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related

scholarly journals Quantitative Measures of Physical Risk Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Elbow: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Seidel ◽  
Dirk M. Ditchen ◽  
Ulrike M. Hoehne-Hückstädt ◽  
Monika A. Rieger ◽  
Benjamin Steinhilber
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Physical Risk ◽  
Physical Risk Factors

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders at the elbow are a common health problem, which highly impacts workers’ well-being and performance. Besides existing qualitative information, there is a clear lack of quantitative information of physical risk factors associated with specific disorders at the elbow (SDEs). Objective: To provide evidence-based quantitative measures of physical risk factors associated with SDEs. Methods: Studies were searched from 2007 to 2017 in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Work. The identified risk factors were grouped in main- and sub-categories of exposure using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for rating evidence. Results: 133 different risk-factor specifications were identified in 10/524 articles and were grouped into 5 main- and 16 sub-categories of exposure. The risk factors were significantly associated with lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, or ulnar neuropathy. Significant risk factors such as wrist angular velocity (5°/s, with increasing prevalence ratio of 0.10%/(°/s), or forearm supination (≥45° and ≥5% of time combined with forceful lifting) were found. Conclusions: This review delivers a categorization of work-related physical risk-factor specifications for SDEs with a special focus on quantitative measures, ranked for evidence. These results may build the base for developing risk assessment methods and prospective preventive measures.

Risk Factors Related to Binge Drinking

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Suk Chung ◽  
Kyoung Hwa Joung
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Current Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Korean Adolescents ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Past ◽  
Youth Risk Behavior

The characteristics of and risk factors associated with binge drinking among South Korean and American adolescents were identified in this study. Data on adolescents in the 9th to 12th grades were extracted from two nationwide data sets: the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey System and the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Binge drinking was observed among 16% of American adolescents during the past month and among 11.6% of Korean adolescents during the past year. For adolescents from both countries, the following seven similar significant factors were associated with binge drinking: female gender, higher grade, fighting-related injury experience, current cigarette smoking, preteen smoking initiation, participation in team sports, and depression. Among Korean adolescents, higher or lower level of academic achievement and inadequate sleep were additional unique factors associated with binge drinking. These results could be useful for developing interventions for adolescents engaging in binge drinking in both countries.

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