Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

Background: We assess whether the amount of experienced burnout and its relation to suicidal ideation differs between medical professionals and non-medical professionals.

Methods: In December 2023, we performed searches in EBSCO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. We used a random effects samples-size weighted approach for our meta-analysis of 92 sources.

Results: Our meta-regressions did not identify a statistically significant difference between medical professionals and non-medical professionals in their mean levels of the burnout dimensions (all p > .05). Our meta-regressions did not identify a significant difference in the relation of burnout and suicidal ideation between medical professionals and non-medical professionals (β = -0.06, S.E. = .05, 95%C.I. [-0.15, .03], p = .21, k = 53, n = 68,454), and similar results were found for all burnout dimensions (all p > .05).

Discussion: Our results suggest that burnout is no more important for medical professionals than non-medical professionals.

This study evaluated peripheral hearing and noise sensitivity among motorcycle couriers in Istanbul. Participants comprised 31 couriers (29 males, 2 females; age: 28.51 ± 6.23) and 30 controls (27 males, 3 females; age: 27.03 ± 4.20). Assessment included Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and otoacoustic emissions. Couriers demonstrated significantly elevated hearing thresholds in the right ear at 500 Hz (p = 0.017), 1,000 Hz (p < 0.001), 2,000 Hz (p = 0.004), 4,000 Hz (p = 0.001), 6,000 Hz (p = 0.002), and 8,000 Hz (p < 0.001), and in the left ear at 4,000 Hz (p = 0.010) and 8,000 Hz (p = 0.039). Noise sensitivity scores were significantly higher (p = 0.031). Motorcycle couriers represent an occupational group vulnerable to hearing loss and heightened noise sensitivity. Protective measures should encompass environmental noise mitigation, speed limit regulation, and helmet redesign incorporating ear protection to promote hearing conservation and improve overall well-being.

This study aimed to determine the hopelessness and well-being levels of woman academics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted online between February and May 2022 at the end of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted with 341 woman academics from state and foundation universities in Türkiye. The mean score from the Beck Hopelessness Scale was 6.02 ± 4.84, and the mean score from the Flourishing Scale (FS) was 43.50 ± 7.24. There was a significant negative correlation between flourishing scores and low, mild, moderate, and high hopelessness scores (p = .038, p < .001, p = .001, p = .034, respectively); as participants' level of hopelessness increases, their FS scores decrease significantly (r: -.689, p < .001). Revealing the effects of changes in the routine and academic activities of woman academics on hopelessness and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic process has the potential to reduce possible risks that may develop in pandemics, and contribute to reducing the hopelessness levels and increasing well-being of woman academics.

Exposure to loud noise or chemical agents may cause hearing disorders such as tinnitus and recruitment, known as an increase in the perception of loudness in addition to hearing loss. Our study aims to evaluate the hearing abilities of hairdressers exposed to noise and chemical agents in the working environment. The study included one hundred hairdressers and one hundred participants who do not work as hairdressers or are nonworkers. The participants' demographic characteristics, working conditions, and auditory complaints were questioned, and each participant completed the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in speech perception, spatial perception, hearing quality, and general SSQ scores. Hairdressers' SSQ scores were significantly lower in all sub-dimensions and general scale scores (p < 0.001). The auditory complaints of the hairdressers and the low SSQ scores indicate that exposure to noise and chemical agents affects the hairdressers' hearing system.

Lung cancer is the dominant cause of worldwide cancer mortality. The relationship between pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk has shown mixed results epidemiologically. We hypothesized this discrepancy could arise from the varying effects of different pesticides and conducted this meta-analysis by using three pesticide classification schemes to examine the implications of diverse pesticide exposure types on lung cancer risk. We collected 23 studies to assess the risk of lung cancer with pesticide exposure in the Agricultural Health Study cohort (AHS), and our analysis indicated a surplus incidence of lung cancer associated with organochlorine pesticides (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.04-1.74). However, no significant association was found between exposure to a general set of 33 pesticides and lung cancer risk (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.96-1.13). We anticipate these findings will influence future pesticide application, promoting improved occupational health.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of central or peripheral nervous system tumors. The most common form, known as NF1 or Von Recklinghausen's disease, presents with distinct clinical features, including cutaneous and ocular manifestations, along with various other organ and systemic symptoms. While the lung findings associated with neurofibromatosis lack specificity, they can include parenchymal cysts and bullae formation, primarily in the upper-apical regions. Additionally, progressive fibrotic changes, such as ground-glass areas, consolidations, and paving stone patterns, may manifest in the basal parts of the lungs. In this case report, a case of NF1 diagnosed in adulthood and accompanying pneumoconiosis was discussed as a coincidence.

Petrol vapors as important occupational and environmental pollutants can cause oxidative stress and may play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases along with the risk factors involved. This research is designed as a preliminary study to evaluate the protective effects of apigenin (APG) on oxidative stress caused by petrol vapors inhalation in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups inside the inhalation chamber. Body weight changes and oxidative stress markers were investigated. The average body weight of the group exposed to petrol vapors was significantly lower compared to the other groups. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), content of oxidized-glutathione (GSSG), and Malondialdehyde were found to be higher in the petrol-inhaled group, while the content of reduced-glutathione (GSH) was lower compared to the other groups. APG administration did result in any significant improvement in these toxicities induced by petrol vapor. APG administration may ameliorate the petrol-induced oxidative stress. In chronic exposures, in addition to personal protection and engineering control, the use of compounds of natural origin may help in reducing the side effects (such as CNS) caused by exposure to petrol vapors.

We investigated the availability and use of workplace mental health (MH) supports during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) and measured anxiety and depression by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) completed at four contacts 2020-2022. Reports were available for 4400 HCW working with patients. Half the HCWs had a clinically significant HADS score at one or more contacts Access to MH supports increased during the pandemic, with 94% reporting access to some workplace support by 2022: 47% had made use of at least one support. 25% of those with high HADS scores used no support. Older women and men with depressive conditions were less likely to report use. Reported use of an Employee Assistance Program was associated with a reduction in HADS scores in the following months.

We report a case of an industrial homeworker diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis by UV-curing acrylic resin for crafts. Approximately 2 months after a female in her 40s started producing handicrafts using resin, itchy desquamative erythema and vesicles occurred on her eyelids and palms. The course of the symptoms suggested that her dermatitis was occupational origin. Interviews regarding the work environment indicated that her employer did not adequately explain the hazards of resin. An inappropriate work environment may have led to the development of allergy. For industrial homeworkers, managing chemical exposures is predicted to be challenging. However, the expansion of the handmade market and the spread of craft resin increase opportunities for exposure to resin. In order to prevent the spread of health problems, appropriate information should be provided regarding the hazards of resin.

Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent issue affecting individuals globally. This study explored factors associated with LBP among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 299 bicycle rickshaw pullers in Mirpur from July to November 2019. Data were collected using a pilot-tested semi-structured questionnaire employing convenience sampling, and analyzed with SPSS. All the participants were males (mean age: 36.69 ± 9.61 years; age ranges: 18-58 years). 33% of the participants self-reported LBP. The LBP was significantly associated with older age (>40 years), lower educational qualification, stressful working environment, heavy object lifting, and mental stress during work. There is a need for strategies to prevent and manage LBP, especially in those who are older that could include more training on better postures and lifting heavy loads, improvements in vehicles, and enhanced health and wellbeing.