field study of the prevalence, sources, and health effects of job stress among employees in Ain Shams University

Job stress is an increasingly important occupational problem and a significant cause of economic loss. of this study were to determine the prevalence and sources of job stress among employees in Ain Shams University and to identify the relation between job stress and the general health of the employees in Ain Shams University. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the study population consisted of employees working in different faculties of Ain Shams University. Subjects were considered eligible if they were working in the same department for at least one year. 1134 employees accepted to participate in the study out of 5795, their age ranged from 17 to 59 years old [mean +/- SD = 40.2 +/- 9.6years], 267 [33.8%] of which were males and 718 [66.2%] were females. Employees were interviewed using Occupational Stress Index [OSI] then measuring stress related health effects using a self administered of the 28-item of General Health Questionnaire [GHQ]. revealed that the majority of the participating employee [80.1%] has stress scores between 25% and 50% of the total stress score, which can be considered mild stress. Regarding stress dimensions; [under load, extrinsic time pressure and strictness] were more common stressors for those employees than [high job demand, disaster potential, noxious exposures and job conflict]. Correlation between general health dimensions and total stress score revealed that [somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia and severe depression] are more significant in employees with higher stress scores [P < 0.0001]. Whereas there is no statistically significant correlation between social dysfunction and total stress score [P > 0.05]. Field study found that 80.1% of participating employees has mild stress. The main sources of stress were under load, extrinsic time pressure and strictness. There was positive correlation between general health dimensions [somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia and severe depression] and total stress score. These findings suggest that: improving working environment and helping employees cope with job stress, are needed to keep them mentally healthy and productive

Accident prevention program in a glass factory in Shobra El - Khema district

An accident can be defined as an unplanned event that results in or suggests the possibility of personal injury, property damage, production interruption, diminished health or environmental damage. The accidents have a cost impact on the employees and the company itself. This Intervention study was carried out to decrease the accident rate in a glass factory in Shoubra EI-Khema district. A glass factory in Shoubra EI-Khema was selected to implement an intervention program. The program was done through three phases.1 A preliminary interview questionnaire. 2. Seminars of health education were done to all workers and managers with availability of health education posters, establishment of accident committee and a new reporting system, contract with a housekeeping company was done and also training of some leaders. 3. Concurrent and final evaluation of the program was done. The incidence rate, frequency and severity rate of accidents were decreased at the end of the year after the intervention program. The differences were statistically significant. The opinions of the workers and managers about the different causes of accidents were changed. The belief of the workers and managers about efficiency of health education program was changed. Some leaders were trained on skills of health education. Modification of reporting and notification system was done. This intervention study succeeded in decreasing accidents rates and increasing the awareness of the managers to decrease accident rates. The beliefs and thoughts of both workers and managers became near to each other. The production loss due to days lost by accidents was reduced. Upgrading process in the factory are recommended to eliminate the hazards at source. Sustaining and continuation of the established preventive program should be done. Trying to apply the program in similar factories is also recommended

Pre-eclampsia: Epidemiology and outcome of 995 cases

To study the epidemiology and pregnancy outcome of pre-eclampsia at Ain Shams University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology. A case control study involved 995 cases of pre-eclampsia, 227 cases with chronic hypertension and 1375 cases with normal pregnancy delivered during the year 2000 at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. All these cases were critically analyzed regarding to some risk factors as age, parity, blood group, diabetes mellitus, Rhesus factor and multiple pregnancy. The outcomes of all these 3 groups were compared regarding to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Pre-eclampsia was more common in elder age, blood group B, in Rhesus negative, during summer, multiple pregnancy and in patients with diabetes mellitus. The difference was statistically significant regarding all these risk factors [p <0.01] when compared with cases of chronic hypertension and patients with normal pregnancies. In this work pre-eclampsia was found to be an important cause for maternal and fetal mortality. Also it was found to be an important cause for premature deliveries