Identification of some socio-demographic factors contributing to child work in Zagazig Area

This study was carried out to detemrine some of the socio-demographic factors contributing to the phenomenon of child labour in Zagazig area. One hundred and twenty nine working boys aged from 6 to 15 years were included in this study. One hundred and thirteen non-working boys of the same age range from the neighbourhood were simultaneously studied as controls. Personal interviews were carried out using a structured questionnaire. Weight in kilograms and height in centimeters were assessed and blood haemoglobin concentration in gm/dl was esrimated for all children. The findings of this study showed that child labour is associated with large families, inadequate educational opportunities, fathers' illiteracy and irregular income. Poverty was the foremost cause of taking up employment. It was also found that most of the children had started work before the legal age. The overall effect of child work found were nutritional defeciency and work-related injuries. It was concluded that illegal child labour continued to be prevalent due to failure to enforce existing laws and standards. So, we recommend that strict efforts should be done to enforce the existing legislations to prohibit child work below the legal age

Elemental mercury exposure in practicing dentists: an epidemiologic study

Dentists are exposed to mercury in their working environment as a result of handling and processing of amalgams used in rebuilding teeth. This study include 49 dentists and 20 non dentist control group. The blood mercury levels was measured for all participants who also answered a questionnaire on personal, occupational and medical histories. The aim of this work is to determine the blood mercury levels among dentists and to relate this levels to personal, occupational and medical findings. The main results of this study are: The dentists showed a significant higher mean value of blood mercury levels when compared with the control group [3.76 + 1.72 Vs 0.63 + 0.48 mg/dl], and this level was significantly related to the number of amalgams handled per day and the accidental spills of mercury in work sites. The prevalence of any of the examined symptoms [tremors, insomnia, loss of appetite and anexity] was relatively was relatively higher among dentists than control group. The results are suggestive of presence of potential hazards of mercury toxicity at dental clinics. Studies to determine organic and inorganic mercury levels among dentists would be useful. It is recommended to use non-mercury restorative materials and application of good hygienic measures in dental clinics