ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate Staphylococcal aureus [S. aureus]carriage among health care workers [HCWs] in Burn and Surgical Critical Care Units in Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt, following an outbreak of S. aureus wound infection in patients
Methods: The study involved 60 HCWs. They were 9 Doctors [15.0%] and 51 nurses and workers[85.0%]. Each participant completed a questionnaire that covered demographic data, smoking habits, riskfactors of S. aureus colonization and general infection control procedures. To detect S. aureuscolonization, both nasal and hand swabs were collected from HCWs. Testing for sensitivity to methicillin was performed by cefoxitin disc diffusion method [30 micro g]
Results: S. aureus was isolated from 53.3% of HCWs and 68.8% of them were colonized with MRSAstrains. The overall MRSA carriage rate was 36.7%. MRSA was confined only in Surgical intensive careunits [ICUs]. MRSA isolates were sensitive to amikacin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin and ceftriaxone. There was no correlation between infection control training, antibiotic intake in the preceding month,duration of work, diabetes mellitus and smoking of HCWs and carriage rate of MRSA [P >0.5]
Conclusion: HCWs who had contact with patients were at risk of acquisition and colonization with S.aureus and antimicrobial resistant bacteria especially MRSA. Training of HCWs on hygienic measures especially proper hand hygiene is the key to overcome S. aureus infection in Surgical ICUs and BurnUnits
ABSTRACT
Musculoskeletal complaints represent a significant occupational health issue in dentistry. In Egypt, data about the prevalence and risk factors of this problem are scarce so far. To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among dental practitioners and assess the risk factors of these complaints among dentists.Cross-sectional was used for implementation of the study. Data were collected using Nordic standard questionnaire and demographics questionnaire which were filled out by 200 dental practitioners in their offices in public dental centers in Alexandria, Egypt. A large percent of dentists [72.0%] reported musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one site during the past 12 months. The most commonly affected sites were low back [52.0%], upper back [44.0%], ankles and feet [30.0%] and knees [29.5%]. A significant difference was observed between dental specialists regarding neck pain only as it was more prevalent among periodontics [40.9%] followed by prosthodontics [36.4%].A significant association was found between Musculoskeletal Disorders [MSDs] and duration of work
ABSTRACT
Although health disorders of active and secondhand smoking have been extensively investigated, researches on tobacco industry workers with special emphasis on neurobehavioral deficits are very limited. Previous reported disorders have been attributed to workplace related factors [e.g., ill-ventilation, damp conditions and dust from grinding tobacco leaves]. Tobacco industry workers are usually young adults with a significant proportion of females. This occupational group is at high exposure risk that necessitates early intervention policies especially in the developing countries. This study aims to assess neurobehavioral performance among tobacco industry Egyptian workers, and its relation with biomarkers of exposure. This is a cross-sectional study. Exposed participants [n= 80] were randomly recruited among workers in a tobacco processing plant at Menoufia governorate. Control participants were selected among workers' relatives who never worked in tobacco industry. All participants filled a predesigned questionnaire on personal and occupational histories and completed a battery of neurobehavioral tests. Pulmonary function tests [FEV 1%] were performed to all participants. Laboratory examination to measure carboxy haemoglobin and urinary cotinine levels was done. Performance on five out of eight administered neurobehavioral tests was significantly lower among exposed than control participants. These tests showed significant dose-response relationship with urinary cotinine levels [ng/mL] and not with carboxy Hb% after controlling for the potential confounders of age, sex, education, and smoking also no statistical difference was detected between both groups regarding FEV1%. Neurobehavioral tests can be used as an intervention tools for earlier detection and evaluation of health effects in tobacco industry than pulmonary function tests