scholarly journals Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms in Saudi Allied Dental Professionals: Is there an Underestimation of Related Occupational Risk Factors?

Author(s):  
Hadeel R. Bakhsh ◽  
Heba H. Bakhsh ◽  
Seham M. Alotaibi ◽  
Maha A. Abuzaid ◽  
Latefah A. Aloumi ◽  
...  

This study aims to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) symptoms in allied dental professionals (ADPs) in Saudi Arabia and risk factors for MSDs. The study also explores ADPs’ opinions and attitudes about the effect of MSD symptoms on the quality of life and potential mitigatory measures. This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Participants were 355 licensed dental staff (average age 33.6 ± 8.1 years, 69% women) working as assistants, lab technicians, radiology technicians, or sterilization technicians with at least six months’ work experience. The self-administrated questionnaire comprised socio-demographics, work-related factors, and items from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Multivariate and univariate logistic regressions were conducted to investigate risk factors for MSD symptoms. Overall, 93% of ADPs complained of MSD symptoms in at least one body site in the past 12 months. Factors related to work conditions (e.g., ‘keeping an uncomfortable posture for long periods of time’, ‘lifting heavy objects’) and years of experience were proven to be significant risk factor for developing MSDs. The cohort of ADPs showed a high MSD symptoms prevalence. Efforts are imperative in addressing the risk factors of ergonomics and the workplace environment, and more rigorous studies are needed to further investigate risk factors.

Occupational driving has often been associated with a high prevalence of pain in the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, back and knee. The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among long-distance truck drivers from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 108 long-distance truck drivers. They were interviewed and examined as per a pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured interview questionnaire. Results indicate that 78% of long-distance truck drivers had musculoskeletal disorder. The most common symptoms were low back pain (40%) followed by shoulder pain (26%), knee pain (24%), and neck pain (20%). Age, education, addiction, years of work experience, hours of driving were significantly associated with musculoskeletal morbidity (P<0.001). Long-distance truck drivers with continued driving exposure have a high prevalence of a musculoskeletal disorder.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Setyo Widodo ◽  
Siwi Pramatama Mars Wijayanti ◽  
Agatha Sih Piranti

Background Occupational risk factors are one of the primary causes of acute respiratory infection (ARI). The high incidence of ARI in Banjarnegara Regency due to the process of bricks manufacturing is needed for further investigation. Objectives: This study aims to analyze risk factors such as air quality, tenure, smoking habits, the use of masks, knowledge of ARI incidence. Methods:  This is an analytic study with a cross-sectional design. 342 of brick workers in three villages in Banjarnegara Regency were involved in this study. Air quality examination on dust particles, temperature, humidity, smoke, and air germ numbers was carried out in 15 of the brick kiln. Data about the duration of work, smoking habits, knowledge of ARI, and the use of masks were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Results: This study highlighted that the duration of work was the most influential variable in ARI incidence. Smoking habits and the use of personal protective equipment (mask) while working also correlated with ARI. Conclusion: This study suggested the regular use of a face mask while working to prevent the workers from dangerous pollutants. Periodic medical check-ups for workers and health education are also important prevention to be carried out to reduce ARI incidence.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazanin Izadi ◽  
Omid Aminian ◽  
Pegah Estakhrian ◽  
Samaneh Akbarpour ◽  
Mahin Ahmadi Pishkuhi ◽  
...  

Gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension is the emergence of hypertension in a pregnant women after 20 weeks of gestation. This study aimed to evaluate the job-related factors associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 560 pregnant women who referred to the Nursing Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2017; of all studied cases, 210 pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension were selected as cases and 350 women without pregnancy-induced hypertension were selected as controls. The data on demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, and ergonomic dangers were collected by the researchers. Finally, the relationship between job variables and the probability of developing hypertension in pregnant women was measured. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the variables of body mass index, fertility, shift work, and service works had a significant relationship with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Women with service work were 2.32 times more likely to develop hypertension than women with other types of jobs (P=0.013). The people who had a shift work were 2.28 times more likely to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension than those who did not have shift work. Based on the results of this study, there was no relationship between ergonomic risks and pregnancy-induced hypertension. It seems that due to the higher frequency of pregnancy-induced hypertension in highly demanding jobs, it is necessary to pay more attention to the assessment of related risk factors, such as psychological variables. © 2019 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved. Acta Med Iran 2019;57(7):430-434.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 519-525
Author(s):  
Mehdi Harorani ◽  
Kazem Ghaffari ◽  
Ali Jadidi ◽  
Ali Khanmohamadi Hezave ◽  
Fahimeh Davodabadi ◽  
...  

Background: Occupational exposure to blood and body secretions poses a significant risk of COVID-19, HIV, HCV, and HBV among healthcare workers (HCWs). Assessment of this exposure is necessary for optimized planning and policy-making measures. This study aimed to assess the exposure to occupational risk factors among emergency HCWs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on HCWs working in 3 educational hospitals affiliated with Arak University of Medical Sciences. The study sample included all HCWs working in emergency wards who met inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed through analytical tests in SPSS software. Results: The 116 studied HCWs included 97 nurses and 19 physicians and medical specialties. The mean age was 31.06 with 4.7 years of work experience (207.8 hours per month) in working at the patient bedside. The results indicated that needlestick injuries have a significant positive and negative relationship with job history (p=0.001) and month-averaged working hours (p=0.012), respectively. 96.6% stated that wearing gloves is not necessary, 59.9% stated that they do not use protective glasses due to a decrease in their vision, while 50% did not use gowns due to the lack of gowns in the ward. 63.8%, 57.8%, 50%, 63.8%, 56% and 54.3% of the participants expressed shift work, a high number of hospitalized patients in the crowded ward, the need for high-speed working, high working load, an increase in working hours, and low working consent as the most important factors leading to an increment in blood transmitted diseases, respectively. Conclusion: It is necessary to design national surveillance systems to report exposed cases and develop measures and strategic plans considering the high effects of exposure to blood and body secretions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e2115-e2123
Author(s):  
Assar Luha ◽  
Tanel Kaart ◽  
Eda Merisalu ◽  
Ene Indermitte ◽  
Hans Orru

Abstract Introduction The Defence Forces’ members are exposed to high-level noise that increases their risk of hearing loss (HL). Besides military noise, the other risk factors include age and gender, ototoxic chemicals, vibration, and chronic stress. The current study was designed to study the effects of personal, work conditions-related risk factors, and other health-related traits on the presence of hearing problems. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study among active military service members was carried out. Altogether, 807 respondents completed a questionnaire about their health and personal and work-related risk factors in indoor and outdoor environments. The statistical analysis was performed using statistical package of social sciences (descriptive statistics) and R (correlation and regression analysis) software. Results Almost half of the active service members reported HL during their service period. The most important risk factors predicting HL in the military appeared to be age, gender, and service duration. Also, working in a noisy environment with exposure to technological, vehicle, and impulse noise shows a statistically significant effect on hearing health. Moreover, we could identify the effect of stress on tinnitus and HL during the service period. Most importantly, active service members not using hearing protectors, tend to have more tinnitus than those who use it. Conclusions The members of the Defence Forces experience noise from various sources, most of it resulting from outdoor activities. Personal and work conditions-related risk factors as well as stress increase the risk of hearing problems.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Maryam Maghsoudipour ◽  
Fereshteh Hosseini ◽  
Paul Coh ◽  
Seifolah Garib

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are very prevalent among dentists. Of these disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is notable. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the occupational and non-occupational risk factors and CTS among dentists. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 106 dentists from dental schools in Tehran. We collected data by a general questionnaire, a hand diagram, and physical examination. A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test was used to confirm the diagnosis of CTS. The analysis was performed using an independent T-test and logistic regressions on SPSS software. RESULTS: The prevalence of CTS among dentists was 17.9%. Significant risk factors of CTS included: vibration exposure greater than two hours per day (OR: 2.5), a wrist diameter ratio of greater than 0.7 (OR: 10.14), and female sex (OR: 13.38). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to the hand-arm vibration should be considered as an occupational risk factor for CTS in dentists. Female dentists should take more preventive measures.


Author(s):  
T Baloochi Beydokhti ◽  
A Ghadimifar ◽  
M Mohammadi ◽  
R Soleimani Moghaddam

Introduction: Physical postures at work and occupational conditions are among the important risk factors that increase the prevalence of varicose veins. These include prolonged standing and tedious postures that are unavoidable in the hairdressing profession. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of foot varicose veins and occupational and demographic factors in hairdressers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional-correlational study was conducted on 90 hairdressers in Gonabad in 2015. The participants were selected using a random method. After completing the demographic information questionnaire, the samples were examined according to CEAP criteria (clinical findings, etiology, anatomical findings, and pathophysiology). The collected data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher, and independent t-tests using SPSS software version 20 at a significance level of p <0.05. Results: Out of 90 patients, 45 were male, and 45 were female, and (77.8%) had an average working time of more than 6 hours. Most of the men (51.1%) and women (53.3%) had varicose veins of the lower extremities of both limbs. The relationship between varicose veins of hairdressers and education (P = 0.031), work experience (P = 0.043), regular exercise (p = 0.012), smoking (P = 0.009) was significant. Conclusion: The present study results indicate the high prevalence of lower limb varicose veins in hairdressers. This disorder causes many mental and physical disorders and ultimately affects the individual's work efficiency, so controlling risk factors and preventing this complication in hairdressers seems necessary.


Author(s):  
M Hashemi ◽  
Gh Halvani ◽  
M Askarishahi ◽  
A Tajvar ◽  
F Vahdani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is high among office workers. One of the most important risk factors of these disorders is awkward posture and inappropriate environmental conditions. So, this study was carried out to determine frequency of MSDS and its related risk factors among the office workers of Minab city healthcare centers in 2018. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 staff in Minab city health care centers. Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was applied to determine the prevalence of MSDs and Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method was used for posture analysis. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Excel software was used to plot the graph. Results: The highest prevalence rates of MSDs were reported in low back (63.5%), neck (51.9%) and upper back (50%). There was no significant difference between MSDs and age, sex and BMI (P˃0.05) but there was a significant relationship with work experience (P˂0.05). Totally, 36.6% of employees were placed in the first priority of corrective actions (i.e. the need for ergonomic interventions as soon as possible). There was a significant correlation between awkward posture and neck pain (P <0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of MSDS in health center office workers was high and neck pain was related to awkward posture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
Xiaoling Dai ◽  
Zichuan Yao ◽  
Xianqing Zhu ◽  
Yunzhong Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the associated risk factors in frontline nurses under COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 and involved 562 frontline nurses. The effective response rate was 87.68%. After propensity score matched, there were 498 participants left. Extensive characteristics, including demographics, dietary habits, life-related factors, work-related factors, and psychological factors were collected based on a self-reported questionnaire. Specific scales measured the levels of sleep quality, physical activity, depressive symptoms, perceived organization support and psychological capital. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by binary paired logistic regression. Results Of the nurses enrolled in the study, 50.90% had depressive symptoms. Three independent risk factors were identified: poor sleep quality (OR = 1.608, 95% CI: 1.384–1.896), lower optimism of psychological capital (OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.805–0.960) and no visiting friend constantly (OR = 0.513, 95% CI: 0.286–0.920). Conclusions This study revealed a considerable high prevalence of depressive symptoms in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, and identified three risk factors, which were poor sleep quality, lower optimism of psychological capital, and no visiting friend constantly. Protecting mental health of nurses is important for COVID-19 pandemic control and their wellbeing. These findings enrich the existing theoretical model of depression and demonstrated a critical need for additional strategies that could address the mental health in frontline nurses for policymakers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teshome Bekana ◽  
Nega Berhe ◽  
Tadesse Eguale ◽  
Mulugeta Aemero ◽  
Girmay Medhin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis and fascioliasis are digenean parasitic infections and are among the neglected tropical diseases that have both medical and veterinary importance. They are found mainly in areas having limited access to safe water supply and improved sanitation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola species infections and to identify associated risk factors among school children in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Stool specimens were collected from 798 children (419 males, 379 females) and processed using Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and other exposure information to explore potential risk factors for the infections. Results The overall prevalence of S. mansoni and Fasciola species infections was 25.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22.5-28.6) and 5.5% (95% CI: 3.9-7.1), respectively. S. mansoni was present in all surveyed schools with the prevalence ranging from 12.8% (16/125; 95% CI = 5.6-20.0) to 39.7% (64/161; 95% CI = 32.2-47.2) while Fasciola species was identified in five schools with the prevalence ranging from 2.5% (4/160; 95% CI = 0.001–4.9) to 9.8% (13/133; 95% CI = 4.7–14.8). The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was significantly associated with swimming in rivers (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.79, 95% CI, 1.22–2.62; P=0.003), bathing in open freshwater bodies (AOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.39–2.94; P<0.001) and engaging in irrigation activities (AOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19-2.39; P=0.004), and was higher in children attending Addis Mender (AOR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.20–5.46; P=0.015 ) and Harbu schools (AOR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.64–7.59; P=0.001). Fasciola species infection was significantly associated with consumption of raw vegetables (AOR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.23-4.97; P=0.011) and drinking water from unimproved sources (AOR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.11–4.70; P=0.026). Conclusion Both intestinal schistosomiasis and human fascioliasis are prevalent in the study area, affecting school children. Behaviors and access to unimproved water and sanitation are among significant risk factors. The findings are instrumental for targeted interventions.


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