scholarly journals Health Consequences for E-Waste Workers and Bystanders—A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Fischer ◽  
Fatima Seidu ◽  
Jennie Yang ◽  
Michael K. Felten ◽  
Cyryl Garus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Exposure Site

Informal e-waste recycling is associated with several health hazards. Thus far, the main focus of research in the e-waste sector has been to assess the exposure site, such as the burden of heavy metals or organic pollutants. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the health consequences associated with informal e-waste recycling. A questionnaire-based assessment regarding occupational information, medical history, and current symptoms and complaints was carried out with a group of n = 84 e-waste workers and compared to a control cohort of n = 94 bystanders at the e-waste recycling site Agbogbloshie. E-waste workers suffered significantly more from work-related injuries, back pain, and red itchy eyes in comparison to the control group. In addition, regular drug use was more common in e-waste workers (25% vs. 6.4%). Both groups showed a noticeable high use of pain killers (all workers 79%). The higher frequency of symptoms in the e-waste group can be explained by the specific recycling tasks, such as burning or dismantling. However, the report also indicates that adverse health effects apply frequently to the control group. Occupational safety trainings and the provision of personal protection equipment are needed for all workers.

scholarly journals Reducing Work-related Stress in Nursing Personnel: Applying an Intervention

Aquichan ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Márcia Daiane Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Fernando Lopes Silva-Júnior ◽  
Maria Lúcia do Carmo Cruz Robazzi ◽  
Márcia Teles de Oliveira Gouveia
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nursing Personnel ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Student’S T

Objective: To compare the levels of ex-post-facto stress between nursing personnel who participated in an educational intervention with nursing personnel on work duties, within the hospital work environment. Materials and method: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. The final sample was composed of 30 nursing personnel, with 15 of them composing the group exposed to the intervention and 15 being selected by simple random sampling to compose the unexposed group. The intervention consisted of a program focused on the employees, structured in four sessions, applied in a course format twice a week, and lasted two months. The Student’s t-test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the groups. Results: Using the Mann-Whitney U-test, the stress levels could be compared between the groups, and a statistical difference in stress levels was observed between the control group (3.34 ± 0.71 a.u.) and the intervention group (2.52 ± 0.59 a.u.) (p = 0.002; d = 1.26). Conclusions: Comparing the general stress levels between the groups, it was found that the intervention significantly decreased the stress levels in the participants; it was also possible to identify the mental stressors faced by the participants using the Scale of Stress in Professionals.

Utilization Pattern of Personal Protective Equipment among Industrial Workers of Nawalparasi, Nepal

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Raj Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Industrial Estate

Introduction: With industrialization, radical alterations in the life of many rapidly developing countries are visible. Lack of well designed and appropriate safety measures leads to serious adverse health consequences to the workforce. The concept of occupational safety and health is still new in Nepal. The main objective of the study was to assess the utilization of personal protective equipment among industrial workers in Chaudhary Group Industrial Estate, Nawalparasi.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among 187 workers of five industries (Beer, Rio, Chesseball, Chips and Wafer) of Chaudhary Group Industrial Estate, Nawalparasi.Results: Mean age of the workers involved was 34.09 years (SD: ±8.650). Nine out of ten (87.2%) workers used any kind of PPE while working in worksite. Association of use of personal protective equipment with gender and encourage to use of personal protective equipment were statistically significant while income, educational status, age and working experience remained insignificant.Conclusion: Majority of the workers used the personal protective equipment in Chaudhary Group of Industry. All workers of the industry should be aware on the use of personal protective equipment to get protected from any kind of adverse health effects/hazards during while working in the industry.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v13i2.11833

DYSLIPIDEMIA IN THYROID DISORDERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashish Narula ◽  
Narendra Kumar Dara ◽  
Shyam Lal Meena
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thyroid Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Carbohydrate And Lipid Metabolism ◽  
History Of ◽  
Thyroid Profile ◽  
Basal Energy Expenditure

Background: Thyroid hormones influence nearly all major metabolic pathways. Their most obvious and well-known action is the increase in basal energy expenditure obtained by acting on protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The lipid metabolism is more influenced by the thyroid hormone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients with suspicion of thyroid disorders were taken as cases. One hundred patients with normal thyroid profile and no history of other chronic diseases were taken as control group. Results: The serum TC, TG and LDL levels in hypothyroid individuals (both overt and subclinical) were significantly higher than euthyroid subjects but the levels were comparable between hyperthyroid and euthyroid group. Conclusion: Dyslipidemias are associated with thyroid disorders, so biochemical screening for thyroid dysfunction in all dyslipidemic patients. Therefore, patients presenting with dyslipidemia are recommended for investigation to explore thyroid dysfunction. Keywords: Thyroid profile, Total cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDL

Pengaruh bising lalu lintas terhadap penurunan fungsi pendengaran pada juru parkir di kota Denpasar

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Ketut Susilawati ◽  
Wayan Sudana ◽  
Eka Putra Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Hearing Threshold ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hearing Function

Background: Noise pollution or noise is an unwanted sound which is disturbing to human beings.However small or soft the sound, if it is undesirable it is considered as noise. Noise induced hearingloss is a sensorineural hearing loss that is commonly encountered second to presbycusis. Purpose: Toknow the effect of traffic noise exposure on hearing impairment to the employees of the Parking DistrictCompany of the Denpasar city and to improve diagnostic detection on hearing impairment caused bynoise. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Parking District Company office. Thepopulations of this study were the employees of the Parking District Company. Samples of this study were the employees who were exposed to traffic noise and control samples were an employee who was unexposed. Samples were selected by simple random sampling. Results: From 40 parking attendants,27 persons (67.5%) aged above 35 years old. The parking attendants who had been working for ten to fifteen years were 36 persons (90%) and no history using ear protection when working. Seven persons(17.5%) had referred DPOAE upon examination with increase hearing threshold on audiogram result.In this study the parking attendants who had hearing deficit induced by noise were 7 persons (17.5%)and only one person (2.5%) in control group. There was a statistically significant effect of traffic noiseto hearing function deficit (p<0.05). Conclusion: Traffic noise has effect in hearing function deficit onthe parking attendants.ORLI Vol. 40 No. 2 Tahun 2010Key words: NIHL, parking attendant, audiometry, DPOAE.

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

Psychosocial Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.

Can Cytokines be used as an Activation Marker in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih Öner Kaya ◽  
Yeşim Ceylaner ◽  
Belkız Öngen İpek ◽  
Zeynep Güneş Özünal ◽  
Gülbüz Sezgin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Tnf Α

Aims: The etiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is not clearly understood. However, the role of the cytokines takes an important part in this mechanism. We aimed to bring a new approach to the concept of 'remission' in patients with RA. Background: RA is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that involves small joints in the form of symmetrical polyarthritis and progresses with exacerbations and remissions. Pain, swelling, tenderness and morning stiffness are typical of the joints involved. Although it is approached as a primary joint disease, a wide variety of extra-articular involvements may also occur. It is an interesting pathophysiological process, the exact cause of which is still unknown, with many environmental, genetic and potentially undiscovered possible factors in a chaotic manner. Objective: In this cross-sectional study, sedimentation rate (ESR), C- Reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble-TNF-α receptor (TNF-R), Interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-10 were measured in three groups which were healthy volunteers, patients with RA in the active period, and patients with RA in remission. Disease activity score-28 (DAS-28) was calculated in active RA and RA in remission. Methods: This study included 20 healthy volunteers, 20 remission patients with RA and 20 active RA patients. Venous blood samples were collected from patients in both healthy and RA groups. Results: RA group consisted 43 (71.6%) female and 17 (28.4%) male. Control group consisted 11 (55%) female and 9 (45%) male. TNF-R was significantly high only in the active group according to the healthy group (p=0.002). IL-10 was significantly high in active RA according to RA in remission (p=0.03). DAS-28 was significantly high in active RA according to RA in remission (p=0.001). In the active RA group, ESR and TNF-R had a positive correlation (r:0.442; p=0.048). In the active RA group, there was also a positive correlation between TNF-R and CRP (r:0.621; p=0,003). Both healthy and active RA group had significant positive correlation between ESR and CRP (r: 0.481; p=0.032 and r: 0,697; p=0,001 respectively). Conclusion: TNF-R can be the main pathophysiological factor and a marker showing activation. TNF-R can be very important in revealing the effect of TNF on the disease and the value of this effect in the treatment and ensuring the follow-up of the disease with CRP instead of ESR in activation.

Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in an Occupationally Radiation Exposed Group: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital of Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposed Workers

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.

Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
Keyword(s):  
Trochlear Dysplasia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Tibial Tubercle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trochlear Groove ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

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