Stress in farmers in Sharkia governorate; an epidemiological study

This study is a cross-sectional one which had been conducted on a random sample of 1200 male farmers in Diarb Nigm center, Sharkia governorate, in the year 2000. The content of this study was based on a literature review. It was hypothized that certain factors are likely to be stressful and there are other factors that would increase the vulnerability to stress. The aim was to determine the main stressors faced by the farmers, identify the factors that increase the vulnerability to stress, recognize the adverse health effects of stress and recognize psycho-neurotic symptoms. A pre-structured questionnaire, Middle Sex Hospital questionnaire and a scale for depression and anxiety were applied orally by personal interview. Demographic data mean age was 45.2 years, 90% were married, mean of family size was 8.3 individuals, 78.5% were illiterate, 72.9% were smokers, 60.1% had less than 1/2 feddan and the mean of the duration of farming work was 30.8 years. Stressors problems with record keeping and paper work [61.4%], difficulty of understanding forms [53.3%], problems from new ligislations and regulations [41%], financial problems [40%], hard work> 10 hours/day [39%], health problems that interfered with work [37%], family and/or neighbourhood troubles [9%] and social isolation [7%]. Each fanner experienced at least 2 stressors. Health problems that interfered with work low back pain [9%], arthralgia [8.5%], diabetes mellitus [7.9%], dyspnea [7.9%], advanced liver cirrhosis [2.8%] and heart failure [0.8%]. Farmers complaining these health problems were 31.4% of the studied sample. factors that increase the vulnerability to stress: health problems, social troubles, social isolation and existence of psycho-neurotic symptoms. Adverse health effects of stress: decreament of appetite [21%], anxiety [16%], headache [14%], insomnia [11%], easy fatiguability [9%], absent mindedness [6%] and night mares [3%]. Farmers suffering these health effects were 25.7% of the sample of the study. Psycho-neurotic symptoms prevalence of depression, anxiety, somatization, hysteria, obsession and phobia was 12%, 11%, 5%, 4%, 4% and 3%, respectively. Farmers experience considerable stress from various causes and sources. There were many adverse health effects of stress. Providing healthy, financial and cultural assistance to farmers, agricultural policy-makers should be aware of the potential impact of legislations and regulations

Road traffic accidents [RTAs] and head injuries in Sharkia governorate; an epidemiological study

The present work is a retro-spective study that had been carried out on cases of head injuries which had been admitted to Zagazig University hospital during the year 2000 due to road traffic accidents and on drivers involved in these accidents. The aim was to investigate some epidemiological aspects of road traffic accidents and head injuries affecting the users of vehicles and pedestrians. A pre-designed questionnaire sheet was used to collect data about victims from the hospital records. Another questionnaire sheet was used for accident-involved drivers. Middle sex hospital questionnaire was applied also on the drivers by personal interview. Number of accident-involved drivers was 896, the mean age was 38.4 years old, 65.1% had lived in rural areas, 88% were married, 40.4% read and write, 18.5% had high education, 73% were tobacco smokers, 57.3% were bhangue smokers, 4.6% were alcohol abusers and 2.9% were both bhangue smokers and alcohol abusers. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, vision problems. liver cirrhosis and heart failure was 14.1%, 7.1%, 4.5%, 2.2% and 0.9%, respectively. Number of accidents was 697; 59.1% of them had happened on rural roads, 28.6% were vehicle/ vehicle collision, 28.4% were vehicle/tree or building collision, 40.9% were vehicle/pedestrian collision. Causes of accidents: human causes [67.7%], vehicular causes [21.3%] and road environmental causes [11%]. Time of accidents was dusk [30.3%], dawn [28.4%], night [25.8%] and day light [15.5%]. Public service vehicles, private vehicles, motorcycles and trucks were included in accidents by percentages of 40.4%, 21.9%, 21% and 16.7%, respectively. Number of cases of head injuries was 1224; 65.6% of them were passengers, 11.1% were drivers and riders, and 23.3% were pedestrians. Prevalence of anxiety, depression, somatization, obssession, hysteria and phobia in drivers was 12.3%, 9.9%, 6%, 5%, 4% and 3.6%, respectively. Male: female ratio in cases of head injuries was 2.6: 1. Head injuries in the age group [15-44] years were 56.6% of the victims. In the age group [15-44 years], male: female ratio in cases of head injuries was 2.3: 1. The ratio was 2.8:1 in accidents on rural roads and 1.9 I on urban roads. All victims of good neurological status had improved. Rates of improvement, disability and death in the victims of moderate neurological status were 44.4%, 5.4% and 1.2%, respectively, and in those of bad neurological status 29%, 5.9% and 27.9%, respectively. Road traffic accidents form a public health problem. They usually cause head injuries that may lead to disability and death. Organization of health education program for the public about the road safety. More attention should be directed to roads environment especially at the black and red spots. Providing and improving the facilities near by the roads for early management and ambulance of the victims. Strict supervision on application of traffic law especially using seat belt, speed monitoring and proper maintenance of vehicles

Industrial accidents in Sharkia governorate; an epidemiological study

This study has been carried out on 215 accidents-involved workers, enlisted from the accident records in 8 industries during the period [1998-2000], and a control group of 215 workers. All workers were males. The study aimed at evaluation of the magnitude of industrial accident problem, reorganization of the types and causes of accidents, types and sites of injuries and the human factors that increase the vulnerability to industrial accidents. A pre-structured questionnaire sheet was used to inquire about the personal, occupational and medical histories. Eysenck personality inventory was also used to assess the personality on scales of neuroticism and extroversion. The number of accidents was 312, accident Incidence rate was 56.8/ thousand, and accident frequency rate was 7.53/million. The highest accident incidence and frequency rates were in the foundries, the oil and soap plant and the ginning mill, while the lowest were in the flour mill and the spinning and weaving mill. The number of accidents-involved workers was 215[4%]; out of them 146[2.7%] were l-accident workers, 41 [0.8%] were 2- accident workers and 28[0.5%] were 3-accident workers, the latter 2 groups were the accident repeaters [69 workers, 1.3%]. Types of accidents were; striking object [37.8%], slipping and falling [28.5%], flying object [22.8%], trapping between objects [3.9%], falling object [3.5%] and fire and explosion [3.5%]. Causes of accidents were omission of protective measures [31.7%], fatigue and absent mindedness [28.9%], lack of experience [20.8%], lack of maintenance [11.9%] and slippery floor [6.7%]. Sites of injury were; the upper limb [39.8%], the lower limb [27.2%], the head and neck [15.4%], the trunk [9.6%] and the eyes [8%]. Types of injury were; wounds [67%], fractures and sprains [19.9%], burns [9%] and amputations [4.1%]. Human factors that increase the vulnerability to accidents were young age, illiteracy, smoking habit, existence of social problems, suffering chronic diseases and neurotic personality. Industrial accidents can be minimized but can not be prevented due to the human factors that have not been adequately identified. Organizing national initiatives for eradication of illiteracy, encouraging the stopping of smoking, management of chronic physical illnesses and providing socio-economic aids. Young workers must be under supervision and undergo education and training

Some respiratory disorders in mattress - makers, an epidemiologic study

This study has been carried out in the year 1997 in Zagazig City on a random sample of 88 mattress-makers and a similar number of workers of the Faculty of Medicine, as a control group, to determine the prevalence of respiratory disorders and identify risk factors. The studied groups were interviewed using the M.R.C. [1960] questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Then, they were subjected to chest clinical examination and spirometry by the vitalograph. Dust concentration in the work places was estimated. Prevalence of respiratory disorders in mattress-makers and control group was 63.6% and 31.8. respectively [P < 0.05]. In mattress-makers: prevalence of ch. cough, ch. bronchitis, dyspnea, byssinosis and crackles was 25%. 21.6, 10.2%, 6.8% and 5.7%, respectively. corresponding to 12.5%, 9.1%1.1%, 0% and 0% in the control group [P < 0.05]. Most cases of byssiriosis were grade 1 and F1. Spirometry showed lower mean of FVC% of predicted and FEV[1] FVC% in mattress-makers than in the control group [P < 0.05]. Prevalence of smoking in mattress-makers was 42%. Prevalence of some respiratory disorders was related to duration of exposure. Other risk factors were smoking and dust concentration. Recommendations: Organization of health education program about hazards of exposure to dust, smoking and importance of proper ventilation and using masks

Fatigue among a group of industrial workers: effect of work conditions and lifestyle factors

The aim of the present cross - sectional study was to identify the prevalence of subjective fatigue complaint during and/or after work to investigate its association with different categories of health-related habits and occupational conditions to identify the possible modifiable risk factors. The study examined 816 subjects, representing the total male workforce of the Egypt Company For Oil and Soap Manufacturing in Zagazig City. Personal and medical histories, data about health - related habits and work condition were collected using a preconstructed questionnaire. The results indicated that 30.7% of studied workers experienced subjective fatigue complaint during and/or after work. There was a high statistically significant association between fatigue prevalence and most of the studied variables of health-related habits and work conditions. Smoking, poor night sleep. non-engagment in sport activities, and lack of temperature control at work site are the major predictors of fatigue which are deemed to be modifiable factors. Improving ergonomic aspects of work and advising workers on their lifestyles were strongly recommended. Also, further studies focusing on interventions of identified modifiable factors were advised

Some of the clinico-biochemical effects of organophosphorus insecticides [phoxim] in rams

Two equal groups [group I and II] of healthy adult cross-bred rams were dipped in diluted Phoxim solution [1: 2000]. The group II was injected with 5 ml of Catozal just before dipping. All rams were proved to have no troubles after dipping, whereas some attendant workers exposed diluted solution without care showed signs, including cough, irrigation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, sneezing congestion of the eyelids with severe nasal discharge and lacrimation. Hematological analysis of rams revealed a significant increase of hematocrit in group I due to increased red cell mass [absolute polycythemia] after dipping. Biochemical investigation revealed a significant decrease of acetylcholinestrase [AChE] and albumin in groups I and II and a significant decrease of total protein in group I while a significant increase of glucose in groups I and II and a significant increase in the level of aspartate aminotransaminase [AST] activity, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in groups I and II were recorded

Some epidemiological features of addiction among industrial workers in Zagazig area, Sharkia Governorate

5378 industrial workers in Zagazig area were interviewed and examined by a questionnaire and urine screening for detection of drug dependence. These revealed 663 drug dependend workers [12.3%]. The latter group was further subjected to medical examination, liver function testing and personality scaling. The dependent workers were all males, relating mainly in the middle age group and with neurotic personality. The dependent workers were abused tobacco [45%], hashish [15.6%], caffiene [11.9%], simple analegesics [11.9%] and tobacco and caffiene [11.3%]. Alcohol and benzodiazepines were misused by 3.3% and 0.9% of addicts, respectively. The drug dependence had adverse effects on social life, general health and liver function of abusers when compared with control group. The drug dependent workers showed a higher mean value of days-off-work than non dependent. Moreover, the productivity and the quality of their work were adversely affected by their habit of drug abusing