Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

The garment industry has experienced significant growth in the past decade, becoming a vital source of global employment. However, the mental wellbeing of garment industry workers has emerged as a growing concern. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and work-related stress among garment industry workers. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science, focusing on quantitative studies that reported data on depression and workplace stress among garment industry employees. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis, using a random effects model, revealed a pooled prevalence of 6% for depression and 14% for work-related stress. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² and χ² statistics. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and support programs to address mental health challenges within the garment sector and to integrate these measures into existing occupational health programs.

Background and objectives: Job involvement (JI) is crucial for enhancing individual efficiency and productivity. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that influence it. This study evaluated the relationship between JI, ergonomic conditions, and mental health among clerical workers.

Materials and methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 240 staff members of the Central Welfare Organization in Tehran, Iran, aged between 30 and 45 years, were included through a stratified random sampling method. Ergonomic conditions were evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Participants completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Job Involvement Questionnaires.

Results: The participants had a mean age of 36.12 ± 5.27 years. The average RULA score was 3.80 ± 0.68. The mental health score was 21.87 ± 7.72, and the JI score was 46.12 ± 2.16. A significant association was found between JI and ergonomic conditions (r = -0.21, P = 0.001) and between JI and mental health (r = -0.321, P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Attention to mental health is essential for enhancing job involvement and overall productivity. Given the significant associations of JI with ergonomics and mental health, it is important to prioritize improving ergonomic conditions in the work environment to boost employees' job involvement.

Background: In line with the instruction of the Secretary of State of Spain 1/2024, police officers must ensure security during arrests and promote minimal harm, this investigation combines the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and Marras methods, emphasizing the need to realistic training.

Research method: The study uses Rokoko Smartsuit Pro and Biomechanics of Bodies software to analyze possible injuries to police officers during use of force training. REBA identifies ergonomic risks, while Marras evaluates the probability of high risk. Basic technique number 1 of the Operational Tactical Procedures (OTP) was carried out by 11 police officers.

Results: The study analyzes, from the point of view of occupational risks, the training of police forces, in particular Basic Technique 1 in OTP, using the REBA and Marras methods. The maximum REBA scores indicate medium to high-risk levels, without reaching the maximum risk level, revealing that basic technique 1 is a well-designed intervention technique to reduce physical risks. The study integrates the results of REBA and Marras, presenting statistical regions of membership for three training level groups: expert, intermediate, and novice.

Conclusions: The conclusions of this study highlight the benefits of using the basic technique 1 of OTP to prevent risks of injury in police physical interventions.

Introduction: The online delivery executives concerned with doorstep delivery of commodities are highly vulnerable to Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) because of their job designs. The present study evaluates the prevalence of WRMSDs among 103 online delivery executives.

Materials and methods: The study entails 39 online food delivery executives (FDE), 38 goods delivery executives (DE) and 26 rapid delivery executives (RDE) as experimental groups. 36 sedentary male clerical employees were also recruited as control group (CG) for comparison of WRMSDs to online delivery executives. For evaluating WRMSDs, Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered. For statistical analysis one way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc analysis was performed. Pearson's correlation coefficient and simple linear regression analysis were performed to establish the relationship between work experience, work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scores of the studied groups. For postural analysis, OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysis System) was implemented.

Results and discussion: Significant differences in body weight, body mass index (BMI), work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average BPD (Body Part Discomfort) scores existed between experimental and CG. Significant correlations were evident between work experience, work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average BPD scores in experimental groups. OWAS scores disclosed that experimental groups were more prone to WRMSDs than CG.

Conclusion: The study infers that delivery executives are extremely prone to WRMSDs on account of their occupational factors.

Context: Autorepair workshops expose workers to hazardous substances, including toxic metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd).

Aim: This study evaluated the impact of exposure duration on biochemical parameters among autorepair workers (ARWs) in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Settings and design: 135 participants (85 ARWs and 50 controls) were recruited.

Methods and material: Blood samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and lipid profile.

Statistical analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis.

Results: ARWs had significantly higher levels of Pb, Cd, MDA, MDA/TAC ratio, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), non-high-density lipoprotein (nHDL), and LDL/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio, alongside lower Se, Zn, and TAC levels compared to controls (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of Pb, Cd, Se, Zn, MDA, TAC, MDA/TAC ratio, TC, HDL, LDL, TG, nHDL, and LDL/HDL ratio among the ARWs with respect to job type (P > 0.05). Based on exposure duration (≤5, 6-10, 11-15, and ≥16 years), biochemical disruptions were more pronounced in workers with longer exposure durations. Significant positive correlations were noted between exposure duration and Pb, Cd, MDA, TC, LDL, TG, nHDL, and LDL/HDL ratio, while negative correlations were observed for Se, Zn, and TAC (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insight into the cumulative adverse effects of prolonged exposure to toxic metals, emphasizing the interplay between toxic metal exposure, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular risk in ARWs. Hence, there is an urgent need for workplace interventions, antioxidant supplementation, and regulatory policies to mitigate these risks.

Introduction: Anthtacofibrosis is commonly seen in non-smoker elderly female with biomass fuel smoke exposure. The disease is commonly reported from rural area, where biomass fuel is use as primary source of heating/cooking. Ladakh is a high altitude plateau with commonly using biomass fuel due to it geography and climatic condition. The study was done with aim to study the profile anthracofibrosis among patients of Ladakh.

Method: This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary chest centre of India. We enrolled all cases of bronchoscopical confirmed anthracosis/ anthracofibrosis of Ladakh. We review the patient's file and analysis for demographic profile, symptoms, clinical findings, X-ray chest, CECT, bronchoscopy, lung function parameters, cytology of BAL and bronchial biopsy.

Result: The study enrolled 26 confirm cases of anthracosis from Ladakh. The mean age was 63±8.8 years with majority 17(65%) were female. The history of biomass fuel smoking exposure was found in all case with 15(58%) house maker by occupation. The most common symptoms were cough and breathlessness 85%. The history of hemoptysis was seen five and hoarseness in two cases. The spirometry was abnormal in 12(60%) patients with obstructive abnormality being the common type. The most common type of lung lesion on X-ray was nodules 22(85%) and reticular 16(62%) cases. On CT chest the most common lung abnormality was nodules seen in 24(92%) and calcified enlarged mediatinal lymph nodes 18(69%) cases. On bronchoscopy the multiple anthracotic pigmentations was found all and bilateral in 24(92%) cases with anatomical distortion of bronchial tree was seen in 16(62%) cases. The anthracotic pigment on histopathology specimen was found in 21(81%) cases.

Conclusion: Anthracosis is seen to be a common environmental lung disease in Ladakh due to its geography and living style. The change in heating system should encourage to prevention. Bronchoscopy facility should available for confirm diagnosis.

Background: India is one of the leading apparel manufacturers in the world, with a major contribution from South Indian factories. Lack of awareness and poor access to credible health information contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and the early development of chronic ailments.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of virtual training of peer educators on health literacy regarding selected health topics among garment industry employees in south India and to identify the associated challenges.

Methods and material: This interventional study was conducted among 27 apparel factory units across south India. Virtual training was adopted due to COVID-19 restrictions. Baseline health assessment was conducted among 447 employees regarding common health topics. Based upon those findings, six health topics were chosen for the interventional training, and peer educators from each of the factories were provided virtual training on a monthly basis. Training was supplemented using health education posters and slides. An endline assessment was done among 515 unmatched sample employees to assess the impact of peer education. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 25, and z-test was used to make before-after comparisons.

Results: A significant change in awareness regarding nutrition, ergonomics, non-communicable diseases, cancer, and mental health was observed following peer health education. The habit of eating breakfast daily and wearing personal protective equipment improved as well. Of the participants, 8.7% have quit tobacco/smoking, and 10.3% have quit alcohol consumption in the last 1 year, which can be attributed to the lifestyle change following the training sessions.

Conclusion: A well-designed virtual health educational intervention for peer educators at the workplace is a successful approach to improving awareness on health-related topics.