Tuberculosis among Health Workers—A Secondary Data Analysis of German Social Accident Insurance Data from 2002–2017

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of fatal infections worldwide. Recent TB figures in Europe indicate that 30 people were infected with tuberculosis each hour in 2017. Healthcare workers are at particular risk of being infected through patient contact. TB is the second most common occupational infectious disease among German healthcare workers. Routine data from the German Social Accident Insurance were used to examine trends in occupational TB diseases. We analyzed annual cross-sectional data for the years 2002 to 2017. The data underwent descriptive analysis. A total of 4653 TB cases were recognized as occupational diseases (OD) in the period under study. In 2002, 60 TB cases were recognized as OD No. 3101, i.e., transmissions from person to person. Since 2013, the level has settled at around 500 recognized cases per year. This is around eight times the number of cases compared to 2002. The following three groups collectively accounted for the largest share of TB cases (88.5%): nurses (including geriatric nurses), other healthcare employees, and physicians. The upward trend in the number of TB cases recognized as occupational diseases is probably due to improvements in diagnostic tests used to diagnose TB infections. TB in health and welfare workers remains an important issue in the health and welfare sector in Germany, partly due to the long latency period between potential exposure to infectious patients or materials and the recognition of the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or active TB as OD.

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Translation and validation of Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire among reproductive, maternal and newborn health workers in Tanzania

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06686-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tumbwene Mwansisya ◽

Columba Mbekenga ◽

Kahabi Isangula ◽

Loveluck Mwasha ◽

Eunice Pallangyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Professional Training ◽

Health Workers ◽

Newborn Health ◽

Training Needs ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Needs Analysis ◽

Maternal And Newborn Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Continuous professional development (CPD) has been reported to enhance healthcare workers’ knowledge and skills, improve retention and recruitment, improve the quality of patient care, and reduce patient mortality. Therefore, validated training needs assessment tools are important to facilitate the design of effective CPD programs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. Participants were healthcare workers in reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health (RMNH) from seven hospitals, 12 health centers, and 17 dispensaries in eight districts of Mwanza Region, Tanzania. The training needs analysis (TNA) tool that was used for data collection was adapted and translated into Kiswahili from English version of the Hennessy-Hicks’ Training Need Analysis Questionnaire (TNAQ). Results In total, 153 healthcare workers participated in this study. Most participants were female 83 % (n = 127), and 76 % (n = 115) were nurses. The average age was 39 years, and the mean duration working in RMNH was 7.9 years. The reliability of the adapted TNAQ was 0.954. Assessment of construct validity indicated that the comparative fit index was equal to 1. Conclusions The adapted TNAQ appears to be reliable and valid for identifying professional training needs among healthcare workers in RMNH settings in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to test the use of the TNAQ in broader healthcare systems and settings.

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Hand-Arm-Vibrationseinwirkungen durch Einzelstöße im Freizeitbereich/Hand-arm vibration effects from individual impacts in the leisure sector

Lärmbekämpfung ◽

10.37544/1863-4672-2019-03-25 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (03) ◽

pp. 87-91

Author(s):

F. Haas ◽

U. Kaulbars

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Accident Insurance ◽

Shock Loads ◽

Recreational Activities ◽

Single Impact ◽

The World ◽

Social Accident Insurance ◽

German Social Accident Insurance

Hand-Arm-Vibrationseinwirkungen durch Einzelstöße sind ein Phänomen, das aus der Berufswelt bekannt und im Bereich der Hand-Arm-Vibrationen angesiedelt ist. Beispielsweise sind Arbeiten mit schlagenden Geräten wie Bolzensetzern und Druckluftnaglern mit stoßartigen Belastungen des Hand-Arm-Systems verbunden. Auch im Freizeitbereich lassen sich stoßartige Belastungen des Hand-Arm-Systems beobachten. Typische Freizeitaktivitäten, in denen stoßartige Belastungen auf das Hand-Arm-System erfolgen, sind z. B. Tennis, Golf oder Squash. Am Beispiel der Freizeitaktivität Golf untersuchte das Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (IFA) die Hand-Arm-Vibrationseinwirkungen durch Einzelstöße im Freizeitbereich.   Single-impact hand-arm vibration is a phenomenon well known in the world of work and in the area of hand-arm vibration. For example, work with beating devices such as bolt makers and pneumatic nailers are associated with shock loads on the hand-arm system. Even in the leisure sector can be observed shock loads of the hand-arm system. Typical recreational activities in which shock loads on the hand-arm system take place, for. As tennis, golf or squash. Using the example of leisure activity Golf, the Institute for Occupational Safety of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) examined the hand-arm vibration effects caused by individual impacts in the leisure sector.

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Predictors of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests’ Utilisation Among Healthcare Workers in Zamfara State

10.1101/363697 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Usman Rabi ◽

Ahmad A. Umar ◽

Saheed Gidado ◽

A.A Gobir ◽

Izuchukwu F. Obi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Diagnostic Testing ◽

Study Data ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Health Extension Workers ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Influencing

AbstractIntroductionEarly diagnosis and prompt and effective treatment is one of the pillars of malaria control Malaria case management guidelines recommend diagnostic testing before treatment using malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) or microscopy and this was adopted in Nigeria in 2010. However, despite the deployment of mRDT, the use of mRDTs by health workers varies by settings. This study set out to assess factors influencing utilisation of mRDT among healthcare workers in Zamfara State, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 306 healthcare workers selected using multistage sampling from six Local Government Areas between January and February 2017. Mixed method was used for data collection. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, use of mRDT and factors influencing utilization. An observational checklist was used to assess the availability of mRDT in the six months prior to this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means and proportions. Association between mRDT use and independent variables was tested using Chi square while multiple regression was used to determine predictors of use at 5% level of significance.ResultsMean age of respondents was 36.0 ± 9.4years. Overall, 198 (64.7%) of health workers had good knowledge of mRDT; malaria RDT was available in 33 (61.1%) facilities. Routine use of mRDT was reported by 253 (82.7%) healthcare workers. This comprised 89 (35.2%) laboratory scientists/technicians, 89 (35.2%) community health extension workers/community health officers; 59 (23.3%) nurses and 16 (6.3%) doctors. Predictors of mRDT utilisation were good knowledge of mRDT (adjusted OR (aOR):3.3, CI: 1.6-6.7), trust in mRDT results (aOR: 4.0, CI: 1.9 - 8.2), having being trained on mRDT (aOR: 2.7, CI: 1.2 - 6.6), and provision of free mRDT (aOR: 2.3, CI: 1.0 - 5.0).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that healthcare worker utilisation of mRDT was associated with health worker and health system-related factors that are potentially modifiable. There is need to sustain training of healthcare workers on benefits of using mRDT and provision of free mRDT in health facilities.

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Intention of Healthcare Workers to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Survey in 10 Countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region

10.1101/2021.03.20.21253892 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽

Azza Mehanna ◽

Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi ◽

Mohammad Yasir Essar ◽

Haider M El Saeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Region ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Workers ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

To Receive

Background: Healthcare workers intention to be vaccinated is an important factor to be consider for successful COVID-19 vaccination programme. Our study aimed to understand the intention of health workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine and associated concerns across 10 countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 among healthcare workers using an online survey. A total of 2806 health workers (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) completed and returned the informed consent along with the questionnaire electronically. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. Results: More than half of the respondents (58.0%) intend to receive COVID-19 vaccine, even if the vaccination is not mandatory for them. On the other hand, 25.7% of respondents were not intending to undertake COVID-19 vaccination while 16.3 % answered undecided. The top three reasons for not intending to be vaccinated were unreliability of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials (62.0%), fear of the side effects of the vaccine (45.3%), and that COVID-19 vaccine will not give immunity for a long period of time (23.1%). Conclusion: Overall, our study revealed suboptimal acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in the 10 countries in EMRO.

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Culture of Blame—An Ongoing Burden for Doctors and Patient Safety

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16234826 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (23) ◽

pp. 4826 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ognjen Brborović ◽

Hana Brborović ◽

Iskra Alexandra Nola ◽

Milan Milošević

Keyword(s):

Patient Safety ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Patient Safety Culture ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Single Item ◽

Shortage Of Doctors ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Every procedure in healthcare carries a certain degree of inherent unsafety resulting from problems in practice, which might lead to a healthcare adverse event (HAE). It is very important, and even mandatory, to report HAE. The point of HAE reporting is not to blame the person, but to learn from the HAE in order to prevent future HAEs. Study question: Our aim was to examine the prevalence and the impact of culture of blame on health workers’ health. Methods: A cross-sectional study on healthcare workers at two Croatian hospitals was conducted using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSC). Results: The majority of PSC dimensions in both hospitals were high. Among the dimensions, Hospital Handoffs and Transitions and Overall Perceptions of Safety had the highest values. The Nonpunitive Response to Error dimension had low values, indicating the ongoing culture of blame. The Staffing dimension had low values, indicating the ongoing shortage of doctors and nurses. Discussion: We found inconsistencies between a single-item measure and PSC dimensions. It was expected that Frequency of Events Reported (PSC dimension) relates to Number of Events Reported (single-item measure). However, in our study, the relations between these pairs of measures were different between hospitals. Our results indicate the ongoing culture of blame. Healthcare workers do not report HAE because they fear they will be punished by management or by law.

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Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthcare Workers regarding Biomedical Waste Management at Biyem-Assi District Hospital, Yaounde: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Advances in Public Health ◽

10.1155/2020/2874064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Sylvain Honoré Woromogo ◽

Gwladys Guetsé Djeukang ◽

Félicité Emma Yagata Moussa ◽

Jesse Saint Saba Antaon ◽

Kingsley Ngah Kort ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

District Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Good Level ◽

Research Activities ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background. Biomedical waste (BMW) is defined as unwanted materials generated during diagnosis, treatment, operation, immunization, or in research activities including production of biologicals. Healthcare workers are responsible for the proper management of this waste for human safety and for the protection of the environment. Methods. An analytical knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study was carried out at Biyem-Assi District Hospital from June 1st to July 5th, 2018, including 100 health workers from different departments. Variables of interest were knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the respondents. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out using software Epi Info version 7.2.2.6. Logistic regression was used to establish the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results. Nurses constituted 32.0% of the participants, and more than half of the participants had 1–4 years of working experience (56.0%). Overall, the level of knowledge was satisfactory at 50.0%, that of attitudes was as unfavorable at 83.0%, and that of practices was as poor at 50.0%. Favorable attitudes were associated to satisfactory level of knowledge (ORa = 5.14 [3.10–8.51] and p=0.005). Good practices were associated to good level of knowledge (ORa = 5.26 [3.17–8.7] and p<0.001) and a favorable attitude (ORa = 7.30 [2.25–23, 71] and p<0.001). Conclusion. The level of knowledge was considered unsatisfactory for half of the staff interviewed. Attitudes were unfavourable at 83.0% and poor practices at 50.0%. Staff with a good level of knowledge were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards BWM. Also, good knowledge and attitude positively influenced the practice with regard to BMW management.

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VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS AND WORKERS IN HUNGARY

CONTEMPORARY MILITARY CHALLENGES ◽

10.33179/bsv.99.svi.11.cmc.23.4.3 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 49-71

Author(s):

GABRIELLA RÁCZKEVY-DEÁK

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Health Workers ◽

Verbal Abuse ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Violent Acts ◽

The Relationship ◽

Simulation Practice ◽

Self Defence ◽

Communication Simulation

Povzetek Namen te presečne kvantitativne raziskave je ugotoviti, katera oblika nasilja je v madžarskih zdravstvenih ustanovah najpogostejša. Z njo želimo oceniti, ali se v teh ustanovah izvaja usposabljanje za komunikacijo, simulacijo in samoobrambo. Cilj je ugotoviti, ali bi se zaposleni udeležili takega usposabljanja, ter oceniti povezanost med usposobljenostjo (komunikacija, simulacija, samoobramba) in stopnjo samozavesti. Žrtve večine nasilnih dejanj pacientov so zdravstveni delavci. Najpogostejša oblika agresije pacientov in njihovih svojcev je verbalna agresija, vključno z zbadanjem, verbalno zlorabo in grožnjami z zlorabo. Podatki kažejo, da zgolj usposabljanje v komunikaciji ni dovolj za dvig samozavesti pri zdravstvenih delavcih. Treba jim je zagotoviti orodje, kot so na primer praktične vaje po usposabljanju iz samoobrambe ali simulacija, saj to olajša komunikacijo zaposlenega. Ključne besede Agresija, zdravstvo, preventiva, usposabljanje, samoobramba, samozavest. Abstract The present cross-sectional quantitative research aims to gain a sense of which form of violence is the most common in Hungarian healthcare institutions. It aims to assess whether communication, simulation, and self-defence training is provided in institutions, to find out whether workers would participate in such training, and to assess the relationship between training (communication, simulation, self-defence) and confidence. Healthcare workers are affected by most acts of violence coming from patients. The most common type of aggression on the part of patients and relatives is verbal aggression, including teasing, verbal abuse, and threats of abuse. The data show that communication training alone is not enough to make health workers confident. They should have a tool in their hands, e.g., practice after self-defence education, simulation practice, as this makes it easier for the employee to communicate. Key words Aggression, healthcare, prevention, training, self-defence, confidence.

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Smoking and Depression among Healthcare Workers

Journal of Lumbini Medical College ◽

10.22502/jlmc.v2i1.50 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Madhusudhan Ghimire ◽

Achala Sharma ◽

Moushami Ghimire

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Health Status ◽

Body Mass ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Health Care Delivery System ◽

Normal Body Mass Index ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Healthcare workers are a special public icon for the community because people would like to adopt and implement their knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour for improving quality of health. People respect them for their knowledge and health behavior. It is believed that the level of health status of health workers as well as community should go ahead parallel but many researchers have noted that high risk behaviours (smoking, tobacco use, alcoholism, irregular diet intake, lack of exercise etc.) are prevalent among health workers. The result of this will be physical, psychological, familial and social disturbance, which might have an impact on health care delivery system of the country. The study was concerned to assess health status (body mass index, smoking and depression) of healthcare workers and its impact on social adjustment in Banke district of Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study design was applied to conduct the research. One hundred and eight respondents were selected through random sampling from the purposive group. Data wa collected through interview by using interview schedule. SPSS-16 windows process was used to analyze data. Results: Most of the respondent (81.40%) were under the age group less than 30 years (M = 27.35, SD = 9.24 years). More than 57.40% of respondents were female. Most of them (68.50%) were unmarried. Maximum (82.20%) responders had normal Body Mass Index (18.5-24.99). Near about forty percent (38.9%) healthcare worker had faced social problems in their working area. Conclusion: Age (above 20 years) and male healthcare workers were more likely to smoke cigarettes. Depressed health workers were more likely to smoke cigarette. Depression could be observed as a determinant for social adjustment.

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Allergic Contact Dermatitis Among Healthcare Workers Exposed to Glutaraldehyde

The Indonesian Journal of Community and Occupational Medicine ◽

10.53773/ijcom.v1i2.8.94-100 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 94-100

Author(s):

Rita I Wijaya ◽

Muhammad Ilyas

Keyword(s):

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Occupational Diseases ◽

Health Workers ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

History Of ◽

Allergic Contact ◽

Based Medicine

Background: One of the health problems that can be caused by glutaralaldehyde is allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, the causal relationship between glutaraldehyde and DKA is still unclear, so it is necessary to look for some evidence regarding this relationship. The search for evidence is also equipped with a seven-step assessment of occupational diseases therefore it can assist occupational medicine doctors who find patients with ACD and have a history of exposure to glutaraldehyde. Methods: Literature search using Pubmed, Scopus and JSTOR databases. The keywords used are ‘healthcare worker OR healthcare personnel’, ‘glutaraldehyde’ and ‘allergic contact dermatitis. Article selection was performed using the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected articles will be critically reviewed based on etiological studies from the Oxford Center of Evidence-Based Medicine. Result: It was in six selected articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main finding after a critical review was that glutaraldehyde may increase the risk of ACD. Conclusion: There is a relationship between 1% glutaraldehyde exposure and the incidence of ACD in health workers. To establish the diagnosis of occupational diseases in health workers who are exposed to glutaraldehyde, seven steps of diagnosis of occupational diseases are used.

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Mask-associated de novo headache in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

10.1101/2020.08.07.20167957 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jose M Ramirez-Moreno ◽

David Ceberino ◽

Alberto Gonzalez ◽

Belen Rebollo ◽

Pablo Macias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Social Impact ◽

De Novo ◽

Health Workers ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to changes in the development of health care activities by health professionals. We analysed whether there is an association between the appearance of de novo headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors, as well as the impact of the headache on health professionals. Method: cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We administered an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting. Results: n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23-65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filtering masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented de novo headache. The occurrence of headache was independently associated with the use of a filtering mask, OR 2.14 (IC95% 1.07-4.32), being a nurse OR 2.09 (IC95% 1.18-3.72) or another health worker OR 6.94 (IC95% 3.01-16.04) or having a history of asthma OR 0.29 (IC95% 0.09-0.89). Depending on the type of mask used there were differences in headache intensity. And the impact of headache in the subjects who used a filtering mask was worse in the all aspects evaluated. Conclusions: The appearance of de novo headache is associated with the use of filtering masks and is more frequent in certain health care workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

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