Musculoskeletal Disorders Analysis Of Indonesian Women Farmers With Quick Exposure Check Method

The role of women farmers in various regions in Indonesia is very much needed because the need for food in Indonesia is relatively high. The working hours also high, with an average of 35 hours per week. Based on the results of preliminary observations using the Nordic Body Map, it was found that the average female farmer felt pain in the back, neck, upper arms, and wrists. This study uses the QEC (Quick exposure checklist) method. Based on this method, several parts of the body assess the onset of work disorders, namely the neck, back, shoulders or arms, and wrists. Apart from that, there are also psychosocial factors, including work speed and stress. In the QEC method, there is an exposure score calculation to determine what action is taken based on the analysis of the total exposure score. This research was conducted by filling out questionnaires in 36 different regions in Indonesia. Based on the questionnaire results, it was found that female farmers in Indonesia had the highest exposure score of 51.33%. This result can occur due to the increased load carried and the length of time worked.

Prevalence, duration of exposure and predicting factors for snus use among young Finnish men: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe health hazards of tobacco products depend on the level of exposure, but little is known about the characteristics of snus use. The aim of this study was to investigate the duration of daily exposure to snus among occasional and daily users and its associated predictive factors among young Finnish men.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire study.SettingThree out of 16 Finnish Defence Forces units.Participants1280 young Finnish male conscripts starting their military service in 2016 chosen by simple random sampling.Primary and secondary measuresThe prevalence, duration of use and the amount of daily usage of snus and cigarettes were investigated. The attitudes towards perceived harmfulness of snus and the predictive factors affecting the total time of snus consumption were examined.ResultsAlmost a fifth (19.5%) of the conscripts reported daily snus use, and a further 16% reported occasional use. Daily snus use was associated with an earlier starting age, longer duration of use and higher daily exposure time compared with occasional use. On average, daily snus users consumed 10 portions and occasional users three portions per day (p<0.001). The daily total exposure time for daily users was 372 min (95% CI 344 to 401) and for occasional users 139 min (95% CI 106 to 171). Respondents with an upper secondary education had significantly less daily total exposure than those with basic comprehensive education (p=0.036). Perceptions of snus as a harmful substance resulted in a significantly lower duration of exposure.ConclusionSnus use was very common among young Finnish men. High snus exposure duration was associated with an earlier starting age, a longer history of use and a careless attitude to its health hazards. A higher education level was a protective factor for total exposure time. Studies of the long-term health effects and dependency profile of snus use are needed.

Analisa Resiko Postur Kerja Berdasarkan Hasil Evaluasi Menggunakan Metode Quick Exposure Check

UMKM XYZ merupakan industri bergerak dibidang pembuatan sepatu, produk yang menjadi unggulan adalah jenis sepatu bordir. Proses pengerjaan pembuatan sepatu bordir membutuhkan penanganan secara manual oleh pekerja sehingga pada proses produksinya masih terdapat serangkaian postur kerja yang tidak ergonomi. Metode penilaian postur kerja yang digunakan yaitu Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Metode QEC dipilih karena metode ini merupakan metode yang sederhana dan mudah untuk dipahami serta metode ini juga menilai dari dua sudut pandang, yaitu worker assessment dan observer assessment. Berdasarkan dari penelitian ini perhitungan kembali total exposure level dari usulan perbaikan fasilitas kerja, diharapkan mendapat nilai exposure level dengan range

External auditory exostoses in wind-dependent water sports participants: German wind- and kitesurfers

Purpose Cold water and wind are known to cause exostoses of the external auditory canal. Different prevalences in different sports have been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of external auditory exostosis (EAE) and EAE severity in coastal German wind- and kitesurfers who are exposed to cold water and strong winds. Furthermore, influencing factors such as the total exposure time and frequency of activity as well as the correlations between symptoms and the severity of EAE were investigated. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, German non-professional wind- and kitesurfers along the North and Baltic Sea coasts were recruited between September 2020 and November 2020. Each participant was interviewed about exposure time and otological symptoms and underwent bilateral video otoscopic examination to determine EAE severity. Results A total of 241 ears from 130 subjects were analysed. The prevalence of EAE was 75.1%. In 19.9% of the participants, severe EAE was found. Exposure time and the frequency of activity had significant effects on the severity of EAE. Compared to surfers, EAE growth seems to progress faster in wind- and kitesurfers. The number of symptoms requiring medical treatment increased when two-thirds of the external auditory canal was obstructed. Conclusion The prevalence of EAE in wind- and kitesurfers is high. Total exposure time and the frequency of activity influence EAE growth. EAE growth occurs faster in wind- and kitesurfers than in surfers. The additional influence of wind and the evaporative cooling of the EAC are thought to be responsible. The results of this study should increase awareness of the dynamics of EAE among ENT specialists and improve patient counselling.

Air pollution trade-offs in developing countries: an empirical model of health effects in Goa, India

Developing countries experience both household air pollution resulting from the use of biomass fuels for cooking and industrial air pollution. We conceptualise and estimate simultaneous exposure to both outdoor and household air pollution by adapting the Total Exposure Assessment model from environmental health sciences. To study the relationship between total exposure and health, we collected comprehensive data from a region (Goa) in India that had extensive mining activity. Our data allowed us to apportion individuals’ exposure to pollution in micro-environments: indoor, outdoor, kitchen, and at work. We find that higher cumulative exposure to air pollution is positively associated with both self-reported and clinically- diagnosed respiratory health issues. Households in regions with higher economic (mining) activity had higher incomes and had switched to cleaner cooking fuels. In other words, household air pollution due to higher biomass use had been substituted away for outdoor air pollution in regions with economic activity.

Greater Exposure to a Multilevel Multicomponent Obesity Prevention Intervention in Rural Native American Communities Is Associated With Improved Diet Quality Among Adults

Objectives Multilevel multicomponent (MLMC) intervention trials attempt to reach participants in many different settings in their lives to promote environmental and behavioral change; however, individual-level exposure to these complex interventions has rarely been evaluated. We examined the association between exposure to an MLMC intervention and changes in diet quality among Native American adults in rural communities in the Midwest and Southwest U.S. Methods The OPREVENT2 intervention was implemented over 18 months in three reservation-based communities, in the first round of the study. Nutrition and physical activity messages were delivered in local food stores, worksites, schools, and by social and community media, along with changes to food store and workplace environments to support increased physical activity and healthier food choices. A Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate a Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) score at baseline and follow-up. At follow-up, 234 adults self-reported their exposure to intervention materials and activities via an 81-item questionnaire with illustrations. Exposure scores for each intervention component were calculated and weighted by level of interactiveness (e.g., taste tests were most interactive; posters least interactive), then summed yielding a total exposure score. Linear regression models assessed change in HEI score by participant exposure (component and total), controlling for baseline sociodemographic variables. Results The participants were majority female (73%) with a mean age of 44 (±14) years and mean total exposure score of 11.66 ± 6.71 on a scale of 0–28. Participants with higher total exposure scores had a greater increase in HEI scores compared to those who were least exposed to the intervention (b = 3.61 ± 1.90, P = 0.049). Improved diet quality was also positively associated with exposure to specific intervention components, including educational displays, posters, and radio announcements (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions We found a dose-response relationship between level of exposure to the intervention and diet quality among participants in the OPREVENT2 intervention. Future MLMC interventions in NA rural communities should consider using radio announcements, posters, educational displays to engage with adults and promote healthy eating. Funding Sources NHLBI.

Ethylene Oxide Exposure in U.S. Populations Residing Near Sterilization and Other Industrial Facilities: Context Based on Endogenous and Total Equivalent Concentration Exposures

Given ubiquitous human exposure to ethylene oxide (EO), regardless of occupation or geography, the current risk-specific concentrations (RSCs: 0.0001–0.01 ppb) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cancer risk assessment for EO are not useful metrics for managing EO exposures to the general U.S. population. The magnitude of the RSCs for EO are so low, relative to typical endogenous equivalent metabolic concentrations (1.1–5.5 ppb) that contribute ~93% of total exposure, that the RSCs provide little utility in identifying excess environmental exposures that might increase cancer risk. EO monitoring data collected in the vicinity of eight EO-emitting facilities and corresponding background locations were used to characterize potential excess exogenous concentrations. Both 50th and 90th percentile exogenous exposure concentrations were combined with the 50th percentile endogenous exposure concentration for the nonsmoking population, and then compared to percentiles of total equivalent concentration for this population. No potential total exposure concentration for these local populations exceeded the normal total equivalent concentration 95th percentile, indicating that excess facility-related exposures are unlikely to require additional management to protect public health.