Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-03-31DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_23_22
Vidya Ganji, M Kalpana, U Madhusudhan, Nitin Ashok John, Madhuri Taranikanti
Introduction: Modernization has led to greater usage of Air Conditioners (ACs) in our daily lives. It is observed that the occupants of office buildings with ACs consistently report on average more symptoms than do occupants of office buildings with natural ventilation referred to as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The appearance of symptoms reduces work efficiency and increases absenteeism due to sickness (sickness absenteeism). Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the impact of usage of ACs on SBS and to find out the association of ACs with sickness absenteeism and lung function tests.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 200 healthy non-smoker adults in the age group of 18 to 45 years who were using ACs for at least 6 to 8 h/day for more than 2 years (group I). And 200 healthy adults, age and gender-matched, with the same work pattern, not using ACs at all served as controls (group II). The basic information on the usage of ACs and the prevalence of discomfort related to neural symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and skin and mucous membrane related to SBS was obtained through a questionnaire.
Results: The building-related symptoms in group I males were more compared to group II males and significantly higher in group I males compared to females. We observed that the appearance of symptoms of SBS led to sickness absenteeism among group I participants. Lung function tests especially FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and MVV were significantly reduced among group I males and females compared to group II males and females.
Conclusion: ACs have a profound effect on the quality of the air we breathe and on human health than just lowering the temperature. There is a higher prevalence of SBS-Respiratory and allergic symptoms in AC users.
{"title":"Impact of Air Conditioners on Sick Building Syndrome, Sickness Absenteeism, and Lung Functions.","authors":"Vidya Ganji, M Kalpana, U Madhusudhan, Nitin Ashok John, Madhuri Taranikanti","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_23_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_23_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Modernization has led to greater usage of Air Conditioners (ACs) in our daily lives. It is observed that the occupants of office buildings with ACs consistently report on average more symptoms than do occupants of office buildings with natural ventilation referred to as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The appearance of symptoms reduces work efficiency and increases absenteeism due to sickness (sickness absenteeism). Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the impact of usage of ACs on SBS and to find out the association of ACs with sickness absenteeism and lung function tests.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study was conducted on 200 healthy non-smoker adults in the age group of 18 to 45 years who were using ACs for at least 6 to 8 h/day for more than 2 years (group I). And 200 healthy adults, age and gender-matched, with the same work pattern, not using ACs at all served as controls (group II). The basic information on the usage of ACs and the prevalence of discomfort related to neural symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and skin and mucous membrane related to SBS was obtained through a questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The building-related symptoms in group I males were more compared to group II males and significantly higher in group I males compared to females. We observed that the appearance of symptoms of SBS led to sickness absenteeism among group I participants. Lung function tests especially FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and MVV were significantly reduced among group I males and females compared to group II males and females.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ACs have a profound effect on the quality of the air we breathe and on human health than just lowering the temperature. There is a higher prevalence of SBS-Respiratory and allergic symptoms in AC users.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257240/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9975346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Context: Moral distress is a common phenomenon in nurses that causes feelings of anger, fatigue, reduced quality of patient care, and leaving the nursing profession. To reduce the negative effects of this phenomenon, it is necessary to study the strategies and mechanisms to deal with it.
Aims: It has been less studied in psychiatric nurses, so this study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms and strategies of psychiatric nurses in dealing with situations of moral distress.
Settings and design: This qualitative study was conducted based on a conventional content analysis of 12 psychiatric nurses selected by a purposive sampling method in the 2020 winter in Shiraz, Iran, considering the maximum diversity. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants for an average of 40-60 minutes per interview until data saturation.
Results: We obtained strategies for dealing with moral distress in psychiatric nurses in four categories. The categories included "Coping strategies," "Establish therapeutic and professional communication," "Managerial support for nurses," and "Commitment to religious beliefs."
Conclusions: Psychiatric nurses use personal, team, and management strategies to reduce moral distress in themselves and their colleagues and reduce its adverse effects on patients. Management support and organizational cooperation are necessary for the better implementation of these strategies.
{"title":"Strategies of Iranian Psychiatric Nurses to Deal with Moral Distress.","authors":"Nahid Tavakol, Zahra Molazem, Mahnaz Rakhshan, Omid Asemani","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_172_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_172_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Moral distress is a common phenomenon in nurses that causes feelings of anger, fatigue, reduced quality of patient care, and leaving the nursing profession. To reduce the negative effects of this phenomenon, it is necessary to study the strategies and mechanisms to deal with it.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>It has been less studied in psychiatric nurses, so this study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms and strategies of psychiatric nurses in dealing with situations of moral distress.</p><p><strong>Settings and design: </strong>This qualitative study was conducted based on a conventional content analysis of 12 psychiatric nurses selected by a purposive sampling method in the 2020 winter in Shiraz, Iran, considering the maximum diversity. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants for an average of 40-60 minutes per interview until data saturation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We obtained strategies for dealing with moral distress in psychiatric nurses in four categories. The categories included \"Coping strategies,\" \"Establish therapeutic and professional communication,\" \"Managerial support for nurses,\" and \"Commitment to religious beliefs.\"</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Psychiatric nurses use personal, team, and management strategies to reduce moral distress in themselves and their colleagues and reduce its adverse effects on patients. Management support and organizational cooperation are necessary for the better implementation of these strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257247/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9620719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-03-31DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_163_22
Amaresh P Patil, S Yogeshkumar
Background: Auto-rickshaw drivers (ARDs) are under constant physical and mental pressure due to illiteracy, poverty, lack of awareness about hazards of addictions, and other factors that lead to various habits majority being tobacco use. Studies have found that tobacco use is very prevalent among ARDs in comparison to general population. Tobacco use is commonly associated with cancers. Oral Pre-Malignant Lesions (OPMLs) are the strongest risk factor for majority of oral cancers. We studied the prevalence of OPML among ARDs of Belagavi and their association with tobacco use.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 regular ARDs of Belagavi City during January to December 2016. We selected two ARDs that were the last in line from 300 major auto-rickshaw stands. We adapted the questionnaire from Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire. After getting informed consent, we collected the data by personal interview and performed an oral visual examination for OPML for all the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study.
Results: Prevalence of tobacco was 62.17%. One-third of participants (30.17%) had OPMLs. Leukoplakia (62.43%) was the most common lesion. OPMLs were significantly associated with tobacco use and duration of tobacco use.
Conclusions: About 30% of ARDs had an OPML. Chewing tobacco, gutkha, lime with tobacco, and cigarette were significantly associated with OPML.
{"title":"Tobacco use and Oral Premalignant Lesions among Auto-Rickshaw Drivers in Belagavi, North Karnataka.","authors":"Amaresh P Patil, S Yogeshkumar","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_163_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_163_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Auto-rickshaw drivers (ARDs) are under constant physical and mental pressure due to illiteracy, poverty, lack of awareness about hazards of addictions, and other factors that lead to various habits majority being tobacco use. Studies have found that tobacco use is very prevalent among ARDs in comparison to general population. Tobacco use is commonly associated with cancers. Oral Pre-Malignant Lesions (OPMLs) are the strongest risk factor for majority of oral cancers. We studied the prevalence of OPML among ARDs of Belagavi and their association with tobacco use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 regular ARDs of Belagavi City during January to December 2016. We selected two ARDs that were the last in line from 300 major auto-rickshaw stands. We adapted the questionnaire from Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire. After getting informed consent, we collected the data by personal interview and performed an oral visual examination for OPML for all the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Prevalence of tobacco was 62.17%. One-third of participants (30.17%) had OPMLs. Leukoplakia (62.43%) was the most common lesion. OPMLs were significantly associated with tobacco use and duration of tobacco use.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>About 30% of ARDs had an OPML. Chewing tobacco, gutkha, lime with tobacco, and cigarette were significantly associated with OPML.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9975345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Context: Lathe machine work is an important unorganized sector in India. However, to date, no work physiological studies have been conducted among these workers to evaluate the physical strain involved in this work.
Aim: The present study aims to determine the workload in different lathe machine tasks from working heart rates (HRs) and certain cardiac indices.
Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 38 full-time male workers aged between 21 and 60 years.
Methods and materials: The HR was measured directly during the productive work phase, additional work phase, and work pauses. Two cardiac strain indices, viz., net cardiac cost and relative cardiac cost were derived. The workload was also judged according to some standard acceptable criteria of physical strain.
Statistical analysis used: Mean and standard deviation were obtained for different categories of HR. Intergroup comparisons were conducted through one-way analysis of variance and the t-test.
Results: The mean working HR was found to be 99 beats per minute. A maximal working HR of 105 ± 6.1 beats per minute with a corresponding relative cardiac cost of 26% was obtained during the additional work phase.
Conclusions: The overall workload appeared to be moderate in nature. An acceptable criterion of cardiac cost of 30% appeared to be the most sensitive index in detecting workers experiencing a higher level of physical strain.
{"title":"Occupational Health in Practice: Heart Rate Profile of the Lathe Machine Workers.","authors":"Alok Ghosh Chaudhuri, Shatabdi Ghosh, Bithin Kumar Maji, Rajib Biswas","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_108_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_108_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Lathe machine work is an important unorganized sector in India. However, to date, no work physiological studies have been conducted among these workers to evaluate the physical strain involved in this work.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The present study aims to determine the workload in different lathe machine tasks from working heart rates (HRs) and certain cardiac indices.</p><p><strong>Settings and design: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 38 full-time male workers aged between 21 and 60 years.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>The HR was measured directly during the productive work phase, additional work phase, and work pauses. Two cardiac strain indices, viz., net cardiac cost and relative cardiac cost were derived. The workload was also judged according to some standard acceptable criteria of physical strain.</p><p><strong>Statistical analysis used: </strong>Mean and standard deviation were obtained for different categories of HR. Intergroup comparisons were conducted through one-way analysis of variance and the <i>t</i>-test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean working HR was found to be 99 beats per minute. A maximal working HR of 105 ± 6.1 beats per minute with a corresponding relative cardiac cost of 26% was obtained during the additional work phase.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The overall workload appeared to be moderate in nature. An acceptable criterion of cardiac cost of 30% appeared to be the most sensitive index in detecting workers experiencing a higher level of physical strain.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257238/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9620718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_261_22
SarahJane Monica, Sheila John, R Madhanagopal
Background: Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, and abdominal obesity are important determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Ample studies provide statistical data on the prevalence of MetS among the general public. Conversely, there is a paucity of data on the risk of MetS among different sedentary occupational groups. Objective: To assess the risk of MetS among female school teachers and to identify factors contributing to MetS. Methodology: The study was conducted among 256 female school teachers residing in Chennai city. A questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic profile, diet pattern, physical fitness, and genetic history of lifestyle diseases. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical parameters were measured using standard methods. MetS was diagnosed using the harmonizing definition. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: Results evince that 39.45% of female school teachers were diagnosed with MetS, of which 26.56% had three components, 9.77% had four components, and 3.12% had all components of MetS. Abdominal obesity (99%) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (96.04%) were the most predominant components. The least common component was diastolic hypertension (32.67%). MetS components were high among school teachers aged 36–45 years and 46–55 years. Age, fasting hyperglycemia, paternal history of hypertension, physical inactivity, eating out, and consumption of refined cereals significantly contributed to MetS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results highlight the need to identify high-risk individuals and promote a healthy lifestyle through various intervention programs.
背景:血脂异常、胰岛素抵抗、高血压和腹部肥胖是代谢综合征(MetS)的重要决定因素。大量的研究提供了MetS在普通公众中流行的统计数据。相反,关于不同久坐职业群体的MetS风险的数据缺乏。目的:评价学校女教师发生MetS的危险性,并探讨引起MetS的因素。方法:以居住在金奈市的256名女教师为调查对象。通过问卷调查获得社会人口统计资料、饮食模式、身体健康和生活方式疾病的遗传史等信息。采用标准方法测量人体测量、生化和临床参数。使用协调定义诊断met。数据分析采用Statistical Package for Social Sciences软件。结果:39.45%的女教师被诊断为met,其中三成分占26.56%,四成分占9.77%,全部成分占3.12%。腹部肥胖(99%)和低水平高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)(96.04%)是最主要的成分。最不常见的是舒张期高血压(32.67%)。在36-45岁和46-55岁的学校教师中,met成分较高。年龄、空腹高血糖、父亲高血压史、缺乏运动、外出就餐和食用精制谷物对MetS有显著影响(P < 0.05)。结论:研究结果强调需要识别高危人群,并通过各种干预方案促进健康的生活方式。
{"title":"Metabolic syndrome among female school teachers: A sedentary occupational sector","authors":"SarahJane Monica, Sheila John, R Madhanagopal","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_261_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_261_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, and abdominal obesity are important determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Ample studies provide statistical data on the prevalence of MetS among the general public. Conversely, there is a paucity of data on the risk of MetS among different sedentary occupational groups. Objective: To assess the risk of MetS among female school teachers and to identify factors contributing to MetS. Methodology: The study was conducted among 256 female school teachers residing in Chennai city. A questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic profile, diet pattern, physical fitness, and genetic history of lifestyle diseases. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical parameters were measured using standard methods. MetS was diagnosed using the harmonizing definition. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: Results evince that 39.45% of female school teachers were diagnosed with MetS, of which 26.56% had three components, 9.77% had four components, and 3.12% had all components of MetS. Abdominal obesity (99%) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (96.04%) were the most predominant components. The least common component was diastolic hypertension (32.67%). MetS components were high among school teachers aged 36–45 years and 46–55 years. Age, fasting hyperglycemia, paternal history of hypertension, physical inactivity, eating out, and consumption of refined cereals significantly contributed to MetS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results highlight the need to identify high-risk individuals and promote a healthy lifestyle through various intervention programs.","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136008206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-03-31DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_170_22
Sana Yasmin Hussain, Samiksha Khanuja, Pratibha Panjiar, Dhruv Jain, Kharat Mohammad Batt
Background: N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) are used by health care workers for prevention of airborne infection, and its use has increased manifolds during COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged use may result in carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation, affect hemodynamics, and blood gas values. Although arterial blood gas values accurately measure the blood CO2 levels, venous blood gas values also show acceptable correlation.
Aim: To evaluate the physiological impact of N95 FFRs on health care workers, including hemodynamic changes and venous blood levels of CO2 during a period of 6 h.
Settings and design: Prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: The study was conducted on 30 health care workers who performed routine duties while wearing N95 FFR. Venous blood gas values (CO2, pH, and bicarbonate) and vitals (respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and saturation) were noted at baseline, 2 (T2), and 6 h (T6) after wearing the mask. Discomfort level was also measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 1-10.
Statistical analysis: Repeated measures analysis was done using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's test. Group comparisons for continuously distributed data were made using independent sample "t" test or Wilcoxon test.
Results and conclusion: Hemodynamic and blood gas values did not change over time. The VAS for discomfort because of respirator use was 1.33 (1.42) at T2 and 2.77 (1.91) at T6. This was a significant increase in discomfort over time (P = 0.001). About 80% of participants experienced discomfort during this period. N95 FFR did not lead to significant alteration in hemodynamics or change in blood gas values after 6 h of continuous usage. However, discomfort significantly increased over time.
{"title":"Effect of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator on Venous Blood Carbon Dioxide Levels and Hemodynamic Changes in Health Care Workers.","authors":"Sana Yasmin Hussain, Samiksha Khanuja, Pratibha Panjiar, Dhruv Jain, Kharat Mohammad Batt","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_170_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_170_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) are used by health care workers for prevention of airborne infection, and its use has increased manifolds during COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged use may result in carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) accumulation, affect hemodynamics, and blood gas values. Although arterial blood gas values accurately measure the blood CO<sub>2</sub> levels, venous blood gas values also show acceptable correlation.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the physiological impact of N95 FFRs on health care workers, including hemodynamic changes and venous blood levels of CO<sub>2</sub> during a period of 6 h.</p><p><strong>Settings and design: </strong>Prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted on 30 health care workers who performed routine duties while wearing N95 FFR. Venous blood gas values (CO<sub>2</sub>, pH, and bicarbonate) and vitals (respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and saturation) were noted at baseline, 2 (T2), and 6 h (T6) after wearing the mask. Discomfort level was also measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 1-10.</p><p><strong>Statistical analysis: </strong>Repeated measures analysis was done using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's test. Group comparisons for continuously distributed data were made using independent sample \"<i>t</i>\" test or Wilcoxon test.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion: </strong>Hemodynamic and blood gas values did not change over time. The VAS for discomfort because of respirator use was 1.33 (1.42) at T2 and 2.77 (1.91) at T6. This was a significant increase in discomfort over time (<i>P</i> = 0.001). About 80% of participants experienced discomfort during this period. N95 FFR did not lead to significant alteration in hemodynamics or change in blood gas values after 6 h of continuous usage. However, discomfort significantly increased over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257234/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9975351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_339_22
Sonali Opneja, Roopesh Sureshan, C Jashma, P Joona, D Namratha, RohiniV Pai, Deependra Kambli, M Riyas
Background and Aims: Percutaneous injuries caused by sharps and exposure to biological fluids are a serious concern for anesthesiologists and pose a significant risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of exposure to biological fluids among anesthesiologists. A questionnaire designed initially was validated after it was sent to 10 anesthesiologists with more than 5 years’ experience. The validated questionnaire was then administered using Google Forms and the link was circulated electronically (e-mail, WhatsApp, and Telegram). This self-administered questionnaire was completed by 100 anesthesiologists. The various types and methods of body fluid years of exposure were also identified. Results: The prevalence of occupational exposure to body fluids was 100%. Exposure to either blood or cerebrospinal fluids by sharps was seen in 82%. Majority of the pricks were encountered during recapping of used needles followed by pricks during intravenous cannulation. Body fluid exposure onto the bare skin most frequently encountered was blood, mostly obtained during intravenous cannulation. There were 8% patients who had exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C patients for which they had taken postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: Prevalence of exposure to biological fluids among anesthesiologists is alarmingly high. This poses a high risk for transmission of diseases. The use of protective gears and changing our casual attitude can prevent majority of the exposures. The practice of recapping of used needles should be stopped.
{"title":"Estimation of the prevalence of occupational exposure to biological fluids among anesthesiologists: A survey study","authors":"Sonali Opneja, Roopesh Sureshan, C Jashma, P Joona, D Namratha, RohiniV Pai, Deependra Kambli, M Riyas","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_339_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_339_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Aims: Percutaneous injuries caused by sharps and exposure to biological fluids are a serious concern for anesthesiologists and pose a significant risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of exposure to biological fluids among anesthesiologists. A questionnaire designed initially was validated after it was sent to 10 anesthesiologists with more than 5 years’ experience. The validated questionnaire was then administered using Google Forms and the link was circulated electronically (e-mail, WhatsApp, and Telegram). This self-administered questionnaire was completed by 100 anesthesiologists. The various types and methods of body fluid years of exposure were also identified. Results: The prevalence of occupational exposure to body fluids was 100%. Exposure to either blood or cerebrospinal fluids by sharps was seen in 82%. Majority of the pricks were encountered during recapping of used needles followed by pricks during intravenous cannulation. Body fluid exposure onto the bare skin most frequently encountered was blood, mostly obtained during intravenous cannulation. There were 8% patients who had exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C patients for which they had taken postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: Prevalence of exposure to biological fluids among anesthesiologists is alarmingly high. This poses a high risk for transmission of diseases. The use of protective gears and changing our casual attitude can prevent majority of the exposures. The practice of recapping of used needles should be stopped.","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136008060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-03-31DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_147_22
Prayogi Kramy, Sudjoko Kuswadji
Color blindness or color vision deficiency (CVD) is a disease that makes recognizing colors difficult or impossible. A person with color blindness may find it challenging to obtain employment, particularly in positions that need the ability to distinguish or see colors accurately. As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia employs a vast number of people in this industry. To discern between ripe and unripe oil palm fruit, harvesting jobs for oil palms is one of the occupations that require excellent color recognition skills. In the lack of a practical test method to determine the eligibility of a color blind oil palm fruit harvester, a simple yet effective test that can be modified for each enterprise is required.
{"title":"Fitness to Work Assessment for Oil Palm Fruits Harvest Workers Diagnosed with Color Blindness using Color Blind Test Media Based on the Color of Oil Palm Fruit.","authors":"Prayogi Kramy, Sudjoko Kuswadji","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_147_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_147_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Color blindness or color vision deficiency (CVD) is a disease that makes recognizing colors difficult or impossible. A person with color blindness may find it challenging to obtain employment, particularly in positions that need the ability to distinguish or see colors accurately. As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia employs a vast number of people in this industry. To discern between ripe and unripe oil palm fruit, harvesting jobs for oil palms is one of the occupations that require excellent color recognition skills. In the lack of a practical test method to determine the eligibility of a color blind oil palm fruit harvester, a simple yet effective test that can be modified for each enterprise is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257242/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9620720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-03-31DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_106_22
Parvatareddy Naveen Kumar, Bernard A Reginald, Basireddy Siva Reddy, Meda Samatha
Background and objective: Literature review revealed that chemicals used in the printing industry show an association between genotoxicity and occupational exposure. Flexography is one type of printing technique recently becoming popular because of its fast, cost-efficient, and high-quality label printing. The micronucleus (MN) is considered to be a reliable marker for genotoxic damage, and it has a close association with cancer incidences by determining the presence and the extent of the chromosomal damage. Because there are no studies on flexographic workers (FWs), this study was intended to analyze and evaluate the effect of occupational exposure on the MN frequency of buccal epithelial cells.
Materials and methods: The study comprised 100 FWs and 100 age-matched healthy controls with and without smoking habits. Buccal epithelial cells were collected from all subjects by using a cytobrush, followed by staining with Feulgen fast green. The MN frequency was recorded for each individual using the Tolbert et al. criteria. Data was statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and the posthoc test.
Results: FWs with smoking habits showed a significant increase in MN frequency (1.86 ± 1.77) than workers without the habit (1.02 ± 1.08) and controls (with the habit 1.26 ± 1.33 and without the habit 0.62 ± 0.92). However, there was no significant increase of MN in FWs without the habit when compared with controls.
Conclusion: This study observed the cytogenetic damage in FWs and concludes that these workers are at greater risk for genotoxicity, and the MN assay can serve as a useful biomarker.
{"title":"Assessment of Cytogenetic Damage in Flexographic Workers: Micronucleus Assay in Exfoliated Buccal Epithelial Cells.","authors":"Parvatareddy Naveen Kumar, Bernard A Reginald, Basireddy Siva Reddy, Meda Samatha","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_106_22","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_106_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Literature review revealed that chemicals used in the printing industry show an association between genotoxicity and occupational exposure. Flexography is one type of printing technique recently becoming popular because of its fast, cost-efficient, and high-quality label printing. The micronucleus (MN) is considered to be a reliable marker for genotoxic damage, and it has a close association with cancer incidences by determining the presence and the extent of the chromosomal damage. Because there are no studies on flexographic workers (FWs), this study was intended to analyze and evaluate the effect of occupational exposure on the MN frequency of buccal epithelial cells.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The study comprised 100 FWs and 100 age-matched healthy controls with and without smoking habits. Buccal epithelial cells were collected from all subjects by using a cytobrush, followed by staining with Feulgen fast green. The MN frequency was recorded for each individual using the Tolbert <i>et al</i>. criteria. Data was statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and the posthoc test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FWs with smoking habits showed a significant increase in MN frequency (1.86 ± 1.77) than workers without the habit (1.02 ± 1.08) and controls (with the habit 1.26 ± 1.33 and without the habit 0.62 ± 0.92). However, there was no significant increase of MN in FWs without the habit when compared with controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study observed the cytogenetic damage in FWs and concludes that these workers are at greater risk for genotoxicity, and the MN assay can serve as a useful biomarker.</p>","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10257237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9975349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_234_23
NancyAngeline Gnanaselvam, Bobby Joseph
Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Targets 5.1 and 5.2 of goal 5 aim to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere and eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. These spheres include the workplace as well.[1] All persons in India are equal before the law, and the state does not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of sex and provides liberty for all as per Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the constitution of India.[2] It is important to understand that the state does not discriminate against individuals based on the social construct of gender or biological sex. India ratifies the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and adopts measures to achieve full equality between men and women.[3] Over recent years, many measures have been undertaken by different ministries and sectors to achieve gender equality. However, the country ranks 122 in the Global Gender Inequality Index and 135 in the Global Gender Gap Index.[4] Female empowerment and economic participation are crucial to achieve a better rank in these composite indices. The public health issue of gender-based violence (GBV) is deeply rooted in gender inequality. GBV can occur to any individual because of their gender. This includes women, men, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals. Women suffer disproportionately from the GBV. Violence against women is any act of violence based on gender that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women. These acts could include threats of acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty in public or private life.[5] Domestic violence occurring in families or between intimate partners can be physical, psychological, emotional, economic, or sexual. Sexual harassment is a type of violence against women under the sexual violence category. When it occurs at the workplace, it is called workplace sexual harassment (WSH). When it occurs in public places, it is called street harassment. As per the International Labour Organization, WSH contains the following important elements – Quid pro quo: Any physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature and other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of women and men, which is unwelcome, unreasonable and offensive to the recipient, and a person’s rejection of, or submission to, such conduct is used explicitly or implicitly as a basis for a decision which affects the person’s job and Hostile working environment: Conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating working environment for the recipient.[6] Women’s labor participation is increasing at the cost of double the burden of paid work at the workplace and unpaid domestic chor
{"title":"Prevention of gender-based violence and harassment at workplace in India","authors":"NancyAngeline Gnanaselvam, Bobby Joseph","doi":"10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_234_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_234_23","url":null,"abstract":"Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Targets 5.1 and 5.2 of goal 5 aim to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere and eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. These spheres include the workplace as well.[1] All persons in India are equal before the law, and the state does not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of sex and provides liberty for all as per Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the constitution of India.[2] It is important to understand that the state does not discriminate against individuals based on the social construct of gender or biological sex. India ratifies the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and adopts measures to achieve full equality between men and women.[3] Over recent years, many measures have been undertaken by different ministries and sectors to achieve gender equality. However, the country ranks 122 in the Global Gender Inequality Index and 135 in the Global Gender Gap Index.[4] Female empowerment and economic participation are crucial to achieve a better rank in these composite indices. The public health issue of gender-based violence (GBV) is deeply rooted in gender inequality. GBV can occur to any individual because of their gender. This includes women, men, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals. Women suffer disproportionately from the GBV. Violence against women is any act of violence based on gender that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women. These acts could include threats of acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty in public or private life.[5] Domestic violence occurring in families or between intimate partners can be physical, psychological, emotional, economic, or sexual. Sexual harassment is a type of violence against women under the sexual violence category. When it occurs at the workplace, it is called workplace sexual harassment (WSH). When it occurs in public places, it is called street harassment. As per the International Labour Organization, WSH contains the following important elements – Quid pro quo: Any physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature and other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of women and men, which is unwelcome, unreasonable and offensive to the recipient, and a person’s rejection of, or submission to, such conduct is used explicitly or implicitly as a basis for a decision which affects the person’s job and Hostile working environment: Conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating working environment for the recipient.[6] Women’s labor participation is increasing at the cost of double the burden of paid work at the workplace and unpaid domestic chor","PeriodicalId":43585,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136005832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}