Workplace Health & Safety最新文献

Background: Occupational skin disease (OSD), such as contact dermatitis, is widespread among dental professionals; however, reports regarding its prevalence have inconsistent findings and methodology. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-reported questionnaire to estimate the prevalence of work-related and occupational exposure-induced skin diseases.

Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire, based on the validated Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-2002, was distributed to 15 dental clinics in Israel in the first half of 2022. The questionnaire included questions about the occupation, exposure, and history of atopic disease, dry skin, and hand/arm and wrist eczema, as well as participant demographics.

Results: Overall, 312 dental professionals completed the questionnaires. Response rate was 80%. The lifetime prevalence of self-reported skin symptoms was 19.23%. Significant risk factors included exposure to metal objects, odds ratio (OR): 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.02, 5.78]; p < .05, dry skin (OR: 3.54, 95% CI: [1.93, 6.5]; p < .001), itching when sweating (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: [1.39, 6]; p < .05), contact urticaria (OR: 10.67, 95% CI: [4.46, 25.49]; p < .001), hay fever (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: [1.14, 4.42]; p < .05), allergic symptoms (OR; 2.33, 95% CI: [1.18, 4.58]; p < .05), and asthma (OR: 4.8, 95% CI: [2.17, 10.36]; p < .001).

Conclusions: This is the first study to use the NOSQ-2002 among dental professionals. Our study provides a better understanding of the prevalence and consequences of OSDs among dental personnel by utilizing the validated tool NOSQ-2002.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have shown increased adherence to infection control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a need to assess their adherence to and attitude toward COVID-19 guidelines after being vaccinated. The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the adherence to and attitudes toward the adherence to COVID-19 guidelines among HCWs who have been vaccinated.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional design was employed. One hundred and eight participants were recruited via email from a medical center in the Midwest United States. The participants completed online surveys measuring the level of adherence to and attitudes toward the adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. The response rate was 5.4%.

Findings: Most participants were female (73.1%) and white (82.4%). The participants adhered to COVID-19 guidelines 79.7% of the time. The most frequently followed guidelines were performing hand hygiene, wearing a respirator or well-fitting mask in areas where patients may be present, and wearing eye protection when entering the room for a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. The least performed precautions were performing COVID-19 testing after exposure to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case and maintaining social distancing. There was a significant decrease in the perceived importance of adherence to COVID-19 precautions post-vaccination (p <.001, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.35]).

Conclusions: The increased perception of safety after receiving COVID-19 vaccination may negatively influence HCWs' adherence to COVID-19 precautionary guidelines. Continuous education and monitoring of HCWs' safety practices are important to influence HCWs' attitudes to adhere to COVID-19 precautions, particularly after vaccination.