International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health最新文献

The objective of this study was to identify the factors that best predict variations in tension, irritability, and fatigue (TIF) among university professors in Ecuador. Using a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, data were collected from a probabilistic sample of 364 participants. Psychometric measures were adapted and linguistically validated to assess TIF, and participants completed the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, alongside a sociodemographic questionnaire. Written informed consent was obtained, and participation was entirely voluntary. The results indicated that TIF significantly contribute to perceived stress levels among professors. Specific sociodemographic predictors were identified as statistically significant, providing insight into the multifaceted nature of work-related stress in academic settings and its potential implications for health and job satisfaction. The findings underscore the importance of targeted strategies to reduce stress-related outcomes, addressing factors unique to the academic environment in Ecuador. Additionally, while sociodemographic aspects were associated with variations in stress levels, other stress types also triggered TIF among university professors.

Studies showed healthcare professionals who are non-smokers are more likely to deliver smoking cessation advice to their patients than those who are smokers. However, healthcare professionals continue to smoke across the globe. This scoping review assessed the available data on the prevalence and predictors of smoking among healthcare professionals in Australia. Following the PRISMA extension for the Scoping Review checklist, a systematic literature search was conducted on CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library in August 2024. Articles published between 1990 and 2024 were considered, and finally, 26 papers met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Australian healthcare professionals showed varying smoking prevalence. For physicians, it was 10.2% in 1990 to 7.4% in 2013; among dentists, 6% in 1993 to 4.9% in 2004; and among nurses, 21.7% in 1991 and 10.3% during 2014-15. The highest smoking rates were observed among Aboriginal health workers (AHWs): 63.6% in 1995 to 24.6% in 2021. Age was a positive predictor for smoking among nurses, and so was male gender among dentists, physicians, and nurses; other predictors included area of specialty, lower emotional wellbeing, etc. This review highlighted a declining trend in smoking among healthcare professionals in Australia; however, it was not proportionate among the different health specialties.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas, and faulty gas appliances or solid fuel burning with incomplete combustion are possible CO sources in households. Evaluating household CO exposure models and measurement studies is key to understanding where CO exposures may result in adverse health outcomes. This assists the assessment of the burden of disease in high- and middle-income countries and informs public health interventions in higher-risk environments. We conducted a literature review to identify themes that characterise CO exposure in household dwellings. A keyword-structured search using literature databases was conducted to find studies published in the period of 1 January 2010-5 June 2024. We focused on studies from high- and middle-income countries, excluding animal and biomass studies, and narratively synthesised themes. We identified 5294 papers in the literature search and included 22 papers from thirteen countries in the review. Most measured CO levels were below the WHO or country guidance levels, with sporadic peaks of measured CO linked to fuel-burning activities. To understand CO exposure in households, we identified sixteen themes grouped into five main categories: dwelling characteristics, source characteristics, temporal variation, environmental characteristics, and socioeconomic status of occupants. Seasonal variation (temporal variation), size of room and ventilation (dwelling characteristics), and cooking and outdoor CO levels (source characteristics) had the most evidence. These themes characterising CO exposure in household dwellings are important to aid the development of indoor exposure models and for understanding where CO exposures result in adverse health outcomes. These themes should be validated by household CO monitoring studies, which will enable the identification of higher-risk household dwellings and inform public health actions.

Environmental exposure to metallic contaminants such as barium (Ba) is a worldwide concern, as these metals can even be toxic to the human body. Data on different sources of exposure to Ba and possible routes of entry are important for preventing adverse health effects. Blood Ba levels were evaluated in 10 localities in the cities of Barcarena and Abaetetuba in the Amazon. Ba levels were quantified using induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the data were stratified per epidemiological variables and lifestyle habits. The localities were divided into two groups: Group 1, localities wherein individuals had the lowest median levels (0.299-1.330 µg·L^-1), and Group 2, localities wherein individuals had the highest median levels (8740-37,300 µg·L^-1). Factors such as duration of residency, sex, age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption significantly contributed to the increase in exposure. The highest concentrations were associated with drinking water sources such as underground wells and local rivers, as well as the consumption of fish. This is the first study to record Ba exposure in individuals living in localities close to the industrial areas in the Amazon. These findings may facilitate the development of new health surveillance policies and the implementation of preventive measures.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents complex clinical manifestations influenced by genetic, social, environmental, and healthcare access factors as well as socioeconomic status. In this context, sickle cell leg ulcers (SLUs) are a debilitating complication of SCD. We aimed to describe sociodemographic data and evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of SCD patients with and without SLUs. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 13 SCD patients with SLUs and 42 without LUs. Clinical data were obtained by reviewing the medical records, and QoL was assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Our cohort of patients had a mean age of 34.9 years, with 52.8% male, 52.8% identifying as black, and 41.7% identifying as brown. Most had low income, incomplete education, and high unemployment rates. The social habits and relationships of SCD patients showed varying levels of friendship and family closeness, and the majority of SLU+ patients did not practice sports. We failed to find statistical differences in the WHOQOL-BREF domains between SLU+ and SLU- patients. However, higher income and employment status were associated with improved WHOQOL-BREF domain scores in SCD patients, while vaso-occlusive episodes and female gender were linked to lower scores. Our data reinforce the sociodemographic characteristics of SCD. The physical domain was associated with income, occupation, and vaso-occlusion. The psychological domain was associated with income and occupation. The social relationship domain was associated with occupation and female gender. The environmental domain was associated with vaso-occlusion. The WHOQOL-BREF is a reliable tool to measure QoL in SCD.

Introduction: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is prevalent among athletes. Investigating whether athletes are practicing pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) will assist in delineating the factors underlying the burden of PFD in this population. Additionally, investigating athletes' knowledge of PFD and knowledge of and attitudes toward PFMT may inform interventions to improve the practice of PFMT.

Aims: This scoping review aimed to collate the available evidence regarding athletes' knowledge of PFD and their knowledge of and engagement with PFMT. Furthermore, this review aimed to determine the types of athletes (sports and competition levels) research had been conducted on and the definitions of PFD and PFMT most used.

Methods: Six databases were searched up to January 2024. No study design or publication types were restricted; however, non-English articles were excluded due to resource constraints. Additional publications were identified through the reference lists of included articles. Data were synthesized and presented under subheadings relevant to the aims of this review.

Results: Thirty-five publications were included for data extraction. Athletes had low practice of PFMT, poor knowledge of PFD and PFMT, but positive attitudes toward PFMT. One publication reported that higher levels of knowledge were associated with a lower prevalence of PFD. The athletic population was heterogeneous in sport type and competition level, and the definitions of PFD and PFMT were ill-defined.

Conclusions: Athletes have a low practice of PFMT and poor knowledge of PFD and PFMT. The education of athletes may have a role in supporting pelvic floor health.

Life satisfaction includes various aspects, such as satisfaction with work, family, environment, and finances, and is influenced by sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This representative study investigates differential life satisfaction in the general population and its associations with sociodemographics. The study used a cross-sectional design with 2522 German participants, collected via face-to-face interviews and three-stage random sampling, assessing satisfaction across 17 life areas with the Differential Life Burden Scale. Overall life satisfaction was high (M = 4.46, scale from 1 to 6). Although globally satisfied, most participants (84.2%) named at least one negative area of life. Politics and environment were perceived as dissatisfying (M = 3.1; M = 3.81, respectively); social contacts and leisure time were evaluated as rather satisfying (M about 5.00). Age, income, and unemployment were associated with life satisfaction. Gender and age were differently associated with life domains: Older people were less satisfied with their health. Younger people were more satisfied with leisure time. Younger were less satisfied with their children than older participants. The German population is generally satisfied with life, though factors like age, unemployment, and income influence the number of negatively perceived life domains. This highlights the importance of evaluating specific life areas in addition to overall life satisfaction for a more comprehensive understanding.

Background: Head-out aquatic training, using modalities such as water-aerobics/hydrogymnastics (HYD) and deep-water running (DWR), has been effective in improving the physical, metabolic and cognitive health of middle-aged adults. However, direct comparisons between these modalities are lacking.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of water aerobics and deep-water running on anthropometric, functional and hemodynamic outcomes in adults and older adults.

Methods: An uncontrolled pragmatic trial (RBR-2txw8zy) was conducted with participants aged 30 to 80, allocated to HYD and DWR groups. The intervention consisted of 12 weeks of progressive aerobic training with weekly undulating periodization (2× week), divided into three mesocycles (4, 5, and 3 weeks), each lasting 50 min. Intensity was prescribed using the Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE), ranging from RPE 11 to 17. Outcomes assessed included the 30 s chair stand, 30 s arm curl, Timed-Up-and-Go usual (TUG-u) and maximum (TUG-m), 6 min walking test (6MWT), body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate-HRrest. The analysis was conducted using generalized estimating equations, with per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses.

Results: The study included 104 participants (HYD: n = 63, mean age 59 years, 54 women; DWR: n = 41, mean age 53 years, 33 women). ITT analysis showed improvements in waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and TUG-m in the HYD group, and a reduction in HRrest in the DWR group. Both modalities showed significant improvements in the 30 s chair stand, 30 s arm curl, 6MWT, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio in the PP analysis.

Conclusions: Both modalities promoted functional improvements and favorable changes in anthropometric evaluations, with DWR showing a greater reduction in HRrest.

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is a body composition phenotype that is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk and is characterized by a normal weight body mass index but elevated body fat. The purpose of this study was to determine sex differences in aerobic capacity across body composition phenotypes, including normal weight lean (NWL), NWO, and traditional obesity (OB). We recruited 60 participants according to three body composition phenotypes: NWL (n = 10 females, n = 10 males), NWO (n = 10 females, n = 10 males), and OB (n = 10 females, n = 10 males). Measurements included fasting metabolic risk factors, body composition X-ray scan, and peak exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine aerobic capacity (VO_2peak). Across groups, males (34.5 ± 11.7 mL/kg/min) exhibited greater VO_2peak than females (28.8 ± 8.8 mL/kg/min; p = 0.04). There were no differences in VO_2peak between sexes within the same body composition phenotype, but NWL (42.7 ± 9.0 mL/kg/min) exhibited greater VO_2peak than NWO (27.9 ± 4.4 mL/kg/min; p < 0.0001) and OB (24.4 ± 7.3 mL/kg/min; p < 0.0001). VO_2peak was inversely correlated with relative body fat in the full sample (r = -0.67; p < 0.0001), but was stronger in males (r = -0.78; p < 0.0001) than females (r = -0.53; p = 0.0028). Visceral adipose tissue was not significantly correlated with VO_2peak in the full sample (r = -0.25; p = 0.05) or in males (r = -0.23; p = 0.25), although they were inversely correlated in females (r = -0.36; p = 0.048). Our results suggest low aerobic capacity in both men and women with NWO, similar to men and women with OB. The relationship between body composition and aerobic capacity is strong across body composition phenotypes, but appears to be more consistent in females than males. For healthcare professionals aiming to lower cardiometabolic risk, attention should be given to improving aerobic fitness in both men and women with elevated body fat, including those with NWO.

Often referred to as 'the last unknown', Papua New Guinea's largely unexplored environments across its four distinct regions, the Highlands, New Guinea Islands, Momase, and Southern, exhibit remarkable diversity. Understanding this diversity is significant in contextualising the risk factors associated with developing non-communicable diseases. This review aims to map and summarise the literature to provide region-specific prevalence data for risk factors and non-communicable diseases. Four databases and grey literature were searched. Two reviewers completed the screening and data extraction. Twenty-one studies were included, with five reporting the data by region and the remaining reporting the data nationwide. Six studies reported on risk factors, thirteen reported on non-communicable diseases, and two reported on risk factors and non-communicable diseases. The Southern region, which includes the Capital, Port Moresby, reported the highest prevalence for most risk factors: anthropometric (overweight, obesity, and waist circumference), lifestyle (betel nut, alcohol, unhealthy diet, and stress), and biochemical (cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, and metabolic syndrome). The findings of this review highlight the limited evidence base for region-specific risk factor data and the lack of objective diagnosis of non-communicable diseases. There were variations in the prevalence of specific risk factors by region; however, the Southern region stands out as requiring immediate attention for health promotion program interventions.