Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

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.

Background: This study aimed to develop a screening tool to assess work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk during work by agricultural workers for use in primary care units. A sequential mixed-method design was used to develop this tool. Design: A quantitative study was conducted using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Methods: The study's participants were 160 and 240 cultivating agriculturalists, respectively.

Findings: The results showed that work-related musculoskeletal disorders risk was composed of 3 factors: hard work, long working hours, and improper work posture. The indicators had a range of communities from 0.566 to. 788 and the three factors accounted for 66.03% of the variance. The factor loading of the 14 items ranged from. 245 to. 744. two of the items were deleted. The remaining 12 items were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement model of the WRMA fitted the empirical data (P > .05).

Conclusions: Finally, the WRMA's construct validity was affirmed. Further studies should be conducted to test the WRMA's other psychometric properties. This tool can be used to screen agricultural workers for musculoskeletal problems in a primary care unit.

Background: Investigation of the association of occupational stress and coping with quality of life among TV journalists may help in developing effective strategies to meet the specific needs of this occupational group.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the association of occupational stress, coping strategies, and quality of life (QOL) among TV journalists.

Materials and methods: Occupational stress, coping strategies, and QOL were evaluated using the Occupational Stress Index, Ways of Coping Revised, and Short Form QOL-36 among 284 TV journalists.

Results: The majority of them were male, Hindus, married, and had a nuclear family. Half of the participants were graduates and belonged to the forward caste. Work overload in the occupational stress index, positive reappraisal in the coping strategies, and social functioning in QOL-36 were dominant subscales as per their mean values. The role ambiguity subscale of the occupational stress index and coping strategies such as confrontive, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, and positive reappraisal were found to be significant predictors of total QOL.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest the interaction of occupational stressors and personal coping strategies among TV journalists. The association of a variety of coping strategies with QOL indicates that journalists use different coping strategies to enhance their QOL.

Introduction: Resident doctors constitute about one-fourth of hospital workforce. They often face high workload and have potential to develop musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Hence, this study was planned to estimate prevalence, pattern, and distribution of MSDs, ergonomic-risk-factors and to document coping mechanisms.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 residents from tertiary care hospitals of Gujarat. The sociodemographic and occupational details, risk factors, and various coping mechanisms were captured using semistructured questionnaire (google form). "Standardized-Nordic-Questionnaire" was used to assess MSDs. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info-software Version-7.2.2.6. Logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of MSDs.

Result: MSD prevalence was 67.8% in the last 12 months of which 56.3% were women. Almost half of residents with MSDs were from 1^st and 2^nd year and 70% from clinical branches. Major complaint was pain (51%), stiffness (45%), and tingling/numbness (22.6%). Pain and stiffness were reported in lower back (34%) and neck (27%). On univariate analysis (residency period, working for > 48 hours/week, working for long in same position and working near/more than physical limits and bending/twisting back in awkward way) were self-reported risk factors. Modifying position/stopping and pausing activities were coping mechanisms used by most of residents. On multivariate analysis, 2^nd year residency, working in same position for long time, working near/more than physical limits and bending/twisting back in awkward way were found independent predictors for MSD.

Conclusion: Residents especially from clinical branches start developing MSDs at very young age. Provision of ergonomically acceptable workplace and appropriate management MSDs at tertiary care hospitals is required.

Background: Because of the numerous debates about the training on the use of force provided to police officers, this study intends to evaluate several parameters (police ergonomic parameters, PEP) in connection with such training.

Research method: A smartsuit equipped with a set of 19 wireless sensors, including triaxial accelerometers, inertial measurement units, gyroscopes, and geomagnetic sensors, was used. Biomechanics of Body software application was used to evaluate the risks associated with the basic technique number 1 of the operational-tactical procedures (OTP) with regard to the established parameters (PEP). The OTP basic technique number 1 was performed by four novice police officers.

Results: According to the evaluation of a number of specific parameters such as rapid entire body assessment, asymmetry over the sagittal plane, compression force at the L5-S1 junction, and shear force at the L5-S1 junction, it was observed that the measured values clearly varied depending on each individual's performance, although they remained consistent with the values established by PEP and were significantly different from the values measured when a police officer used a traditional physical intervention procedure, in which case, the values measured were indicative of higher risks.

Conclusions: To achieve lower and more uniform values in terms of risk, we believe that it is necessary to employ a greater number of hours for the training of police officers on the use of force and also the convenience of conducting further studies on a larger and more representative sample of officers.