Occupational Infections among Dental Health Workers in Germany—14-Year Time Trends

Dental health workers (DHW) are at increased risk of acquiring occupational infections. Due to various protective measures, it can be assumed that infections have decreased over the past 14 years. Secondary data from a German accident insurance company was analyzed in terms of reported and confirmed occupational diseases (OD) in DHW from 2006 to 2019. A total of 271 claims were reported, of which 112 were confirmed as OD, representing an average of eight per year. However, the number of claims and confirmed ODs has decreased by 65.6% and 85.7%, respectively. The decrease was most evident for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections, while tuberculosis (TB) infections were stable. A total of 44 HCV, 33 HBV, 6 TB and 24 latent TB infections were confirmed as ODs. For DHW, 0.05, and for hospital workers, 0.48 claims per 1000 full-time equivalents (FTE) were registered in 2019. In a separate documentation system, between March 2020 and February 2021, 155 COVID-19 claims were registered, and 47 cases were confirmed as ODs. For DHW, 0.7, and for hospital workers, 47.3 COVID-19 claims per 1000 FTE were registered since 2020. Occupational infectious diseases rarely occur among DHW. Nevertheless, new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 pose a major challenge for DHW. Continued attention should be paid to infectious disease prevention.

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Infections in Healthcare Workers in Germany—22-Year Time Trends

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122656 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2656 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Albert Nienhaus

Keyword(s):

Time Trends ◽

Health Workers ◽

Full Time ◽

Emerging Infections ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Data Set ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Latent Tb ◽

Latent Tb Infection ◽

Improved Methods

Health workers (HWs) run an increased risk of infection. The standardised data set of an accident insurer was used to analyse the time trends of infection-related claims and confirmed occupational diseases (ODs) in HWs. The numbers of claims and confirmed claims for different infections were analysed for the years 1996 to 2017. The rate of claims and confirmed ODs were calculated per 100,000 full-time workers. The number of claims was relatively stable over time. However, the rate per 100,000 full-time workers decreased from 25.2 to 15.4. The decrease was most pronounced for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, which were the most frequent infections for which claims were made at the start of the period. In 2017, tuberculosis (TB)-related claims were more frequent than those related to blood-borne virus infections. However, the growing number of TB claims does not reflect an increased infection risk, but rather improved methods for the diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI). Measures to prevent blood-borne virus infections in HWs were successful in the last 22 years, but attention should be paid to newly emerging infections.

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Using of Personal Protection Equipment in Dental Policlinic of Dental Nurses Based on Knowledge Level About Infection Desease

Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Andalas ◽

10.24893/jkma.v12i1.375 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Nova Herawati ◽

Fitri Agusni ◽

Ika Ifitri

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Health Workers ◽

Dental Health ◽

Use Of Self ◽

Personal Protection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Personal Protection Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Self Protection ◽

Risk Infection

Dental health workers have a high risk infection because the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity including blood and saliva and possibility of injury caused by needle stick. Transmission of infection can be prevented by reducing contact with cause of infection one of them with the use of self-protection tool in according “Standard Operational Procedure”. The study aim is to know the Knowledge of Dental Nurses about Infectious Diseases against the Use of Personal Protection Equipment in Dental Policlinic of Puskesmas in Bukittinggi and Payakumbuh. By using “Cross Sectional” design. Population was used all dental nurse at Dental Clinic amount 30 peoples. By using total population and data collection using questionnaire and observation. The results is a positive relationship and stronger between the knowledge of dental nurse about infection diseases of the using self-protection tool with r value in the amount of 0,886 (α 0,00 < 0,05). The conclusion is the higher knowledge of dental nurses about infectious diseases will be more complete and appropriate SOP. Suggested can be increasing their knowledge about infectious disease so that can protect him self one of them with the use of self-protection equipment according to SOP before and during the action.

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1661. The association of spirometric impairment and history of TB: a population based study in Uganda

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1839 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S818-S819

Author(s):

Nicole M Robertson ◽

J Zachary Porterfield ◽

Alex Kayongo ◽

Bruce Kirenga ◽

Robert Kalyesubula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Lung Function ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Population Based ◽

Residual Effects ◽

Full Time ◽

Pulmonary Tb ◽

Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death globally with an estimated 1.7 billion people currently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and at risk of developing TB. While the treatment of drug-susceptible pulmonary TB is highly effective, up to 50% of TB survivors have varying degrees of residual pathological and functional conditions potentially leading to chronic sequelae. Post-TB patients have reported respiratory symptoms, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of mortality. The objectives of this study are to describe the prevalence and lung function in individuals with post-TB exposure status in Uganda. Methods We performed a secondary data analysis of the Lung Function in Nakaseke and Kampala (LiNK) study, which is a population-based cohort in urban and rural settings in Uganda. Trained fieldworkers randomly selected homes and administered standard questionnaires to adults 35 years or older that were full-time residents of each setting. Prior TB diagnosis and treatment was self-reported by participants. Results Among the study population (N = 1559), 50 participants (3.2%) self-reported successfully treated TB. Among this subset of participants 21 (42.0%) were HIV positive, 9 (18.0%) were ever smokers, 6 (12.0%) were current smokers, and no participants had a prior COPD diagnosis. Mean (SD) age and body-mass index (BMI) at enrollment was 48.5 (SD 10.7) years and 22.2 (SD 3.9) kg/m2 respectively. The mean ± SD pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC was 72.9% (12.1%) for patients with successfully treated TB and 79.6% (0.08%) (p< 0.0001) for those without prior TB. Within these groups, 30% of patients with successfully treated TB and 9% of patients without prior TB had an FEV1/FVC suggestive of possible COPD. Comparison of FEV1/FVC Conclusion We found a high burden of residual effects of pulmonary TB on lung function and development of COPD, potentially increasing the global burden of COPD. Screening for chronic respiratory diseases following successful TB treatment is needed to improve lung function. Further research is needed to study lung function and quality of life in TB survivors in LMICs, where the burden of pulmonary TB is highest. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Risk of venous thromboembolism following surgical treatment of superficial venous incompetence

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000656 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 484-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Tom Barker ◽

Felicity Evison ◽

Ruth Benson ◽

Alok Tiwari

Keyword(s):

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Varicose Vein ◽

Lower Incidence ◽

Varicose Veins ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Foam Sclerotherapy ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Chi Squared ◽

One Year

Abstract. Background: The invasive management of varicose veins has a known risk of post-operative deep venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate absolute and relative risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following commonly used varicose vein procedures. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of secondary data using Hospital Episode Statistics database was performed for all varicose vein procedures performed between 2003 and 2013 and all readmissions for VTE in the same patients within 30 days, 90 days, and one year. Comparison of the incidence of VTEs between procedures was performed using a Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Results: In total, 261,169 varicose vein procedures were performed during the period studied. There were 686 VTEs recorded at 30 days (0.26 % incidence), 884 at 90 days (0.34 % incidence), and 1,246 at one year (0.48 % incidence). The VTE incidence for different procedures was between 0.15–0.35 % at 30 days, 0.26–0.50 % at 90 days, and 0.46–0.58 % at one year. At 30 days there was a significantly lower incidence of VTEs for foam sclerotherapy compared to other procedures (p = 0.01). There was no difference in VTE incidence between procedures at 90 days (p = 0.13) or one year (p = 0.16). Conclusions: Patients undergoing varicose vein procedures have a small but appreciable increased risk of VTE compared to the general population, with the effect persisting at one year. Foam sclerotherapy had a lower incidence of VTE compared to other procedures at 30 days, but this effect did not persist at 90 days or at one year. There was no other significant difference in the incidence of VTE between open, endovenous, and foam sclerotherapy treatments.

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HUBUNGAN JENIS PERSALINAN DENGAN STATUS KESEHATAN BAYI BARU LAHIR DI KOTA BUKITTINGGI

Maternal Child Health Care ◽

10.32883/mchc.v1i1.506 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 29

Author(s):

Nurhayati Nurhayati

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Apgar Score ◽

Health Workers ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

City Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normal Delivery ◽

Meconium Aspiration ◽

Respiratory Conditions

Every woman wants her labor to run smoothly and can give birth to a baby perfectly. Childbirth can run normally, but it is not uncommon for labor to experience obstacles and must be done through surgery. This means the fetus and mother are in an emergency and can only be saved if labor is performed by surgery. The purpose of this study is to find out the related to the health status of newborn babies at delivery in the City of Bukittinggi.Type of analytic survey research with design cross-sectional.The object of the study was a newborn baby with Caesarean section and normal delivery at Bukittinggi City Hospital. The test used is thetest Chi-Square with a 95% confidence level.The results showed that as many as 65 people (54.2%) had the incidence of asphyxia. 65 people (54.2%) had normal respiratory conditions, 62 people (51.7%) had meconium aspiration.63 people (52.5%) had trauma to an abnormal baby.64 people (53.3%) had infectious diseases. 70 people (58.3%) had IMD.72 people (60%) have joined care. 60 people (50%) with type of labor SC. Statistical tests showed that there was a relationship between apgar score (p = 0.003), respiratory conditions (p = 0.010), meconium aspiration (p = 0.0005), trauma in infants (p = 0.0005), joint care (p = 0.002 ) and IMD (p = 0.0005) for the type of labor. While infectious diseases do not have a relationship to the type of labor (p = 0.583).It was concluded that there was a relationship between apgar score, respiratory condition, meconium aspiration, admission and IMD with different types of delivery. Expected to health workers especially midwives can be used as input in order to improve health status in newborns.

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Women and Entrepreneurship – Albanian Case

European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ◽

10.26417/ejms.v1i1.p249-253 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 249

Author(s):

Anna Xheka

Keyword(s):

Gender Equality ◽

Gender Gap ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Special Focus ◽

Full Time ◽

Men And Women ◽

Women’S Entrepreneurship ◽

Part Time ◽

Women's Entrepreneurship ◽

The Difference

Women’s entrepreneurship is a powerful source, regarding to the women’s economic independence and empowerment, as well as regarding employment generation, economic growth and innovation, development and the reduction of poverty as well as one of the terms of gender equality. This poster presents the situation of women's entrepreneurship in Europe in comparative terms, with special focus in Albania. The paper has a descriptive nature. Describes three different plans in comparative terms; the representation of men and women in entrepreneurship, the representation of women in entrepreneurship in different countries of Europe and of Europe as a whole, as well as compare to gender quota. Through the processing of secondary data from various reports and studies, this poster concludes that although that the gender equality goal is the equal participation of men and women in all sectors, including the entrepreneurship, in this sector, gender gap it is still deep. Another significant comparative aspect, it is the difference between full and part –time women entrepreneurship. While in full time entrepreneurship in a convince way, men are those that dominate, in part time entrepreneurship clearly it’s evident the opposite trend, women's representation is much higher. It’s very interesting the fact, that the women’s entrepreneurship in Albania, presented in a significant optimistic situation, ranking in the second place, after Greece in the European level

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Coassessment framework to identify person-centred unmet needs in stroke rehabilitation: a case report in Norway

BMJ Innovations ◽

10.1136/bmjinnov-2020-000432 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 148-156

Author(s):

Kari Jorunn Kværner ◽

Linn Nathalie Støme ◽

Jonathan Romm ◽

Karianne Rygh ◽

Frida Almquist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Stroke Rehabilitation ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Health Workers ◽

University Hospital ◽

Health Staff ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Next Of Kin ◽

Patient Journey ◽

Health Value

ObjectiveTo describe unmet needs and values in stroke rehabilitation using the Health Value Framework and the associated coassessment tool Health Value Spider, a framework designed to identify and prioritise unmet needs based on health technology assessment (HTA).SettingThe study took place at Oslo University Hospital, Norway, from February to April 2019. Participants in three consecutive workshops were recruited from Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Oslo Municipality, Hospital Procurement Trust and Oslo University Hospital. Twenty-four hospital workers (medical and allied health staff and administrative staff) participated in workshop 1 and 29 patients, user representatives and hospital workers in workshop 2. Twenty-one patients and hospital workers participated in workshop 3.InterventionsStakeholder analysis and scenario building was performed in a coassessment setting where unmet needs were identified applying the Health Value Framework. Two of the authors are also the developers of the Health Value Framework (KJK and LNS).ResultsIn the two first workshops where health workers, patients and next of kin perspectives were elicited, three needs were identified: patient insecurity in patient journey transitions, lack of stroke rehabilitation expertise in primary care and invisible patient problems, such as fatigue and cognitive impairment. In workshop 3, 12 opportunity areas were identified. Four opportunity areas were selected by the stakeholders based on a prioritisation process: early discovery of cognitive impairment, rehabilitation continuity, empowered patients and next of kin and remote monitoring and digital touchpoints.ConclusionHealth Value Spider successfully identified and prioritised unmet needs and described associated values.

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Survey of Saliva Components and Virus Sensors for Prevention of COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases

Biosensors ◽

10.3390/bios11010014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 14

Author(s):

Priya Dave ◽

Roberto Rojas-Cessa ◽

Ziqian Dong ◽

Vatcharapan Umpaichitra

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Dental Health ◽

The United States ◽

Human Saliva ◽

Field Application ◽

Future Research ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Close Distance

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers saliva contact the lead transmission mean of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Saliva droplets or aerosols expelled by sneezing, coughing, breathing, and talking may carry this virus. People in close distance may be exposed directly to these droplets or indirectly when touching the droplets that fall on surrounding surfaces and ending up contracting COVID-19 after touching the mucosa tissue of their faces. It is of great interest to quickly and effectively detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in an environment, but the existing methods only work in laboratory settings, to the best of our knowledge. However, it may be possible to detect the presence of saliva in the environment and proceed with prevention measures. However, detecting saliva itself has not been documented in the literature. On the other hand, many sensors that detect different organic components in saliva to monitor a person’s health and diagnose different diseases, ranging from diabetes to dental health, have been proposed and they may be used to detect the presence of saliva. This paper surveys sensors that detect organic and inorganic components of human saliva. Humidity sensors are also considered in the detection of saliva because a large portion of saliva is water. Moreover, sensors that detect infectious viruses are also included as they may also be embedded into saliva sensors for a confirmation of the presence of the virus. A classification of sensors by their working principles and the substances they detect is presented, including the sensors’ specifications, sample size, and sensitivity. Indications of which sensors are portable and suitable for field application are presented. This paper also discusses future research and challenges that must be resolved to realize practical saliva sensors. Such sensors may help minimize the spread of not only COVID-19 but also other infectious diseases.

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Cutaneous anthrax outbreak associated with handling dead animals, Rhino Camp sub-county: Arua District, Uganda, January–May 2018

One Health Outlook ◽

10.1186/s42522-021-00040-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vivian Ntono ◽

Daniel Eurien ◽

Lilian Bulage ◽

Daniel Kadobera ◽

Julie Harris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Health Centre ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Multiple Exposures ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Cutaneous Anthrax

Abstract Background On 18 January 2018 a 40 year old man presented with skin lesions at Rhino Camp Health Centre. A skin lesion swab was collected on 20 January 2018 and was confirmed by PCR at Uganda Virus Research Institute on 21 January 2018. Subsequently, about 9 persons were reported to have fallen ill after reporting contact with livestock that died suddenly. On 9 February 2018, Arua District notified Uganda Ministry of Health of a confirmed anthrax outbreak among humans in Rhino Camp sub-county. We investigated to determine the scope and mode of transmission and exposures associated with identified anthrax to guide control and prevention measures. Methods We defined a suspected cutaneous anthrax case as onset of skin lesions (e.g., papule, vesicle, or eschar) in a person residing in Rhino Camp sub-county, Arua District from 25 December 2017 to 31 May 2018. A confirmed case was a suspected case with PCR-positivity for Bacillus anthracis from a clinical sample. We identified cases by reviewing medical records at Rhino Camp Health Centre. We also conducted additional case searches in the affected community with support from Community Health Workers. In a retrospective cohort study, we interviewed all members of households in which at least one person had contact with the carcasses of or meat from animals suspected to have died of anthrax. We collected and tested hides of implicated animals using an anthrax rapid diagnostic test. Results We identified 14 case-patients (1 confirmed, 13 suspected); none died. Only males were affected (affected proportion: 12/10,000). Mean age of case-persons was 33 years (SD: 22). The outbreak lasted for 5 months, from January 2018–May 2018, peaking in February. Skinning (risk ratio = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1–6.7), dissecting (RR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.2–7.6), and carrying dead animals (RR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1–6.7) were associated with increased risk of illness, as were carrying dissected parts of animals (RR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.5) and preparing and cooking the meat (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.9–5.9). We found evidence of animal remains on pastureland. Conclusion Multiple exposures to the hides and meat of animals that died suddenly were associated with this cutaneous anthrax outbreak in Arua District. We recommended public education about safe disposal of carcasses of livestock that die suddenly.

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The Impact of Carbohydrate Quality on Dental Plaque pH: Does the Glycemic Index of Starchy Foods Matter for Dental Health?

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082711 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2711

Author(s):

Fiona S. Atkinson ◽

Jouhrah Hussain Khan ◽

Jennie C. Brand-Miller ◽

Joerg Eberhard

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

Glycemic Index ◽

Dental Plaque ◽

Dental Health ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

White Bread ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Plaque Ph ◽

The Impact ◽

Starchy Foods

Sugary carbohydrate foods have long been associated with increased risk of dental caries formation, but the dental health impact of starchy carbohydrates, particularly those with a high glycemic index (GI), has not been well examined. Aim: To investigate the effect of different starchy foods varying in their GI, on acute changes in dental plaque pH. Methods: In a series of sub-studies in healthy adults, common starchy carbohydrate foods, including white bread, instant mashed potatoes, canned chickpeas, pasta, breakfast cereals, white rice, and an oral glucose solution were consumed in fixed 25 g available carbohydrate portions. The change in dental plaque pH was assessed postprandially over 1 h and capillary plasma glucose was measured at regular intervals over 2 h. Results: Higher GI starchy foods produced greater acute plaque pH decreases and larger overall postprandial glucose responses compared to lower GI starchy foods (white bread compared with canned chickpeas: −1.5 vs. −0.7 pH units, p = 0.001, and 99 ± 8 mmol/L min vs. 47 ± 7 mmol/L min, p = 0.026). Controlling for other food factors (food form and nutritional composition), lower GI versions of matched food pairs produced smaller plaque pH excursions compared to higher GI versions of the same food. Using linear regression analysis, the GI value of starchy carbohydrate foods explained 60% of the variation in maximum plaque pH nadir and 64% of the variation in overall acute dental plaque pH excursion (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings imply that starchy foods, in particular those with a higher GI, may play a role in increasing the risk of dental caries.

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