Epidemiology of workplace violence against nursing staff in Ismailia governorate, Egypt

Violence against health care workers [HCW] or workplace violence in general is a major problem affecting health and productivity of HCWs. To determine the prevalence and nature of workplace violence against nurses in Ismailia governorate, Egypt, and to identify its risk factors and how nurses manage it. Cross-sectional study, using a questionnaire for data collection, which includes demographic data, characteristics of workplace violence events, and risk factors contributing to workplace violence. All nursing staff in four hospitals and twelve Primary Health Care [PHC] Centers, randomly selected from Ismailia city were recruited. Out of 1600 distributed questionnaires, a total of completed 970 were returned [a 55% response rate]. 269 [27.7%] of nurses reported abuse of any kind, 187 [69.5%] verbal abuse; and 25 [9.3%] physical abuse. Males were more exposed to violence events during the past 12 months than females [35.3% versus 24.2%, p<0.05; OR=1.71]. Being single posed no higher risk of exposure to violence than being married [34.8% vs 31.2%, p=0.083]. Changing shifts to night time had a higher odds for being assaulted than working a morning shift [p=0.002, OR=1.58]. Working in a place crowded with colleagues was not protective and had a higher odds of being exposed to violence than working with low number of colleagues [p<0.001, OR=2.77]. The patients were the perpetrators in 62.8% of violence events, while their relatives committed 16.7% of events. Only 7.4% of nurses got physical injury because of the violence events. A considerable proportion of exposed nurses [55.8%] thought that the violence events were preventable. Workplace violence against nurses is a significant problem in health care settings all over the world and in Ismailia, Egypt. There is a need to increase awareness of the problem among health care workers as well as the general public. Further large-scale studies should be conducted to more closely examine the problem

Prevalence of latent TB among health care workers in four major tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Tuberculosis [TB] infection represents a global health problem and a great risk to Health Care Workers [HCWs]. Identifying individuals, particularly HCWs with latent tuberculosis infection [LTBI] will support TB control through chemoprophylaxis and prevent cross-infection. This study aimed to identify prevalence of Latent TB among a two-year new hires of HCWs in 4 major tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2650 recently [2-years] hired HCWs were surveyed for latent TB using Tuberculin Skin Test [TST]. Data was collected from January 2008 to December 2009. Induration due to TST equal to or more than 10 mm. within 48-72 hours was considered positive. The results of TST were correlated with other variables such as age group, gender, job category, country of origin. as an overall rate, 291[11%] out of 2650 were positive for TST, with the highest significant positive rates among physicians [14.9%] and nurses [12.9%] compared to students as a reference group. No statistically significant difference was detected between both sexes. The highest significant positive TST rates were found among HCWs in the age group of 50 years and older [32.6%] compared to 10-19 years age group as a reference group, and among HCWs coming from sub-Saharan countries [61.1%] compared to Saudi HCWs with the lowest positive rates [5%] as a reference group. LTB is prevalent among newly hired HCWs in Riyadh tertiary hospitals. Standard programs for detection and treatment of LTB should be encouraged

Vitamin D deficiency among pre-menopausal women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is a region of year-round sunny weather where milk is fortified with vitamin D and where women wear dress styles that cover the whole body or most of it and their outdoor activity is limited. This may produce variable effects on vitamin D synthesis and parathyroid hormone levels which in turn affect bone mineralization, increasing the fracture risk. To determine prevalence and degree of vitamin D deficiency in premenopausal females [19-49 years] presenting to a dermatology clinic. Cross-sectional clinic-based Quota sample. The Dermatology Clinic in Riyadh National Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three hundred eighty six married adult females [19-49 yrs old] attending the Dermatology Clinic during April and May 2005, and who agreed to be screened. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD], parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus. This study included 386 premenopausal women, most of them [293/75.9%] were veiled [using dress style that is black and covers the whole body], while 93 [24.1%] were not veiled [wearing black dress exposing hands and face], of whom 46 [49%] reported using sunscreen on exposure to sun. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 38.4% of veiled women, with a low serum 25-OHD: 35.2+15.7 nmol/L, compared with 60.8+20.4 amongst the non-veiled women/no sunscreen. Serum 25-OHD amongst the non-veiled women/sunscreen was also low [37.9+17.6] but higher than that in the veiled group. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent amongst sunlight-deprived female adults [veiled and sunscreen users] in Riyadh. Greater awareness of physicians and population about vitamin D and its importance for optimal health is needed. Increased dietary and supplemental vitamin D intakes are reasonable approaches to guarantee vitamin D sufficiency