The Health of Workers in Cement Factory: Evaluation of Lung Function

@#Introduction: Very few follow-up studies have investigated the respiratory function of cement employees. This research’s key objectives were to calculate overall dust exposure, evaluate chronic respiratory problems, and determine lung function status in cement factory workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Cement Factory - City of Mosul. 100 cement production employees participated in this study who is exposed directly to the dust. Another 100 employees were chosen from the departments where the workers are not exposed to dust. The “Medical Research Council Questionnaire (MRCQ)” that recommended for use in epidemiological and occupational respiratory surveys was used. Lung function tests were performed using a Cosmed Pony FX spirometer. At the end of the day’s shift, acute respiratory symptoms were scored on a five-point Likert scale (1-5) using a modified questionnaire for respiratory symptoms. Different lung function was tested. Results: The mean age of the workers was 36.4 years (range 28-61), all of them were male. Cement overall dust ranged from (1.1 to 11.6 mg/m3 ) at the workplace. The (TLC) for 10 mg/m3 was exceeded in just one of the tests. For the exposed group, “the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out in the first 1 second, after full inspiration” FEV1 is (72.20 ± 11.35), the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration, measured in liters (FVC%) is (70.40 ± 12.27). Conclusion: Preventive measures are needed to reduce exposure to dust. Chronic respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function have been associated with high exposure to cement dust.

Relation entre exposition professionnelle des manipulateurs de déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques et problèmes respiratoires à Bamako en 2019 / Relationship between occupational exposure of waste electrical and electronic equipment handlers and respiratory problems in Bamako in 2019

Introduction: les déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (D3E), avec leurs enjeux sanitaires et environnementaux, sont devenus un problème de santé publique exposant les travailleurs aux composés d'éléments toxiques responsables de (2ème expertise) troubles respiratoires. Objectif: Etudier la relation entre l'exposition professionnelle aux D3E et la survenue des problèmes respiratoires à Bamako en 2019. Matériel et Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, analytique de 6 mois, menée dans la ville de Bamako en 2019 et concernait 159 manipulateurs de D3E. Les données ont été collectées sur tablette et les analyses univariées et multivariées réalisées sur SPSS version 22 au seuil de significativité de 0,05 avec présentation des Odds Ratio (OR) et leurs intervalles de confiance à 95% (OR[IC95%]). Résultats : La prévalence en général des troubles respiratoires était de 67,3% chez les manipulateurs des D3E. On notait que le retrait du revêtement des fils électroniques (OR[IC95%] =25,93[2,30;291,53]), la perte de poids récente en dehors d'un régime (OR[IC95%] =7,43[1,68;32,85]) et la rareté de lavage des mains avec du savon après les toilettes (OR[IC95%] =11,50[2,07;63,89]) représentaient un risque plus élevé de problèmes respiratoires. Conclusion :Ces résultats montrent que les manipulateurs de D3E ont beaucoup de comportement à risque des problèmes respiratoires. Cette étude pourrait servir à la mise en œuvre de stratégies visant à réduire l'impact des D3E

Introduction: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), with its health and environmental issues, has become a public health problem exposing workers to toxic compounds causing respiratory problems. Objective: To study the relationship between professional exposure to WEEE and the occurrence of respiratory problems in Bamako in 2019. Material and Methods: This was a 6-month cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in the city of Bamako in 2019 and involved 159 WEEE manipulators. Data were collected using a tablet (2). Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 with the significance level of 0.05. Odds Ratio (OR) were presented with their 95% confident interval (OR [95%CI]). Results: The overall prevalence of respiratory disorders was 67.3% among WEEE handlers. It was noted that the removal of the coating of electronic wires (OR [95%CI] =25.93[2.30;291.53]), recent weight loss outside of a diet (OR [95% CI] =7,43[1.68;32.85]) and the infrequent hand washing with soap after the toilet (OR [95% CI] =11.50[2.07; 63.89]) represented a higher risk of (2) breathing problems. Conclusion: These results show that D3E handlers have a lot of risky behavior for respiratory problems. This study could be used to implement strategies to reduce the impact of D3E

Assessment of work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipment’s among stone quarry workers: a cross sectional study in Central India

Background: It is estimated that exposures in the workplace account for around one in ten cases respiratory morbidities in adulthood. Being a respiratory ailment, this group of disorders impairs the pulmonary functions. The objective of the study was to assess the work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipments among stone quarry workers in Wardha district in Maharashtra. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 348 subjects working in the stone quarries situated in Yelakeli, Deoli, Paloti, Pulgaon, Borgaon, Nachangaon in Wardha district in Maharashtra. Results: 114 (32.75%) of the people reportedly had respiratory problems, body ache was reported by 154 (44.2%), eye problem was reported by 66 (18.9%), fever was told by 13 people (3.7%), other problems (like hearing related, skin, GIT etc) reported were 14 (4.02%). Chi-square test was found to be non-significant. Conclusions: None of the workers had undergone pre-placement examination. Personal protective measures are rarely used by stone quarry workers

Use of Medical Resources by Preterm Infants Born at Less than 33 Weeks' Gestation Following Discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Korea

This study was aimed to provide data on the use of medical resources by preterm infants following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The cohort included preterm infants (n=2,351) born at 22-32 weeks' gestation who were discharged from the NICUs of 44 Korean hospitals between April 2009 to March 2010. Mean duration of post-discharge follow-up was 425+/-237 days. After discharge from the NICU, 94.5% of total infants visited a pediatric outpatient clinic (11.5+/-9.8 mean visits), 42.9% visited a pediatric clinic for respiratory problems irregularly (4.9+/-6.6 mean visits), and 31.1% utilized emergency center at least once. Among all visits to the emergency center, 24.7% resulted in readmission and 50.8% of those visits were due to respiratory problems. At least one episode of readmission was required by 33.6% (788/2,346) of total infants, and 18.4% (431/2,346) of total infants were readmitted with respiratory problems at least once. Among all infants readmitted for respiratory problems, 16.2% (70/341) were diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus infection which accounted for 30.3% of viral etiologies confirmed by laboratory testing. Infants born at or =30 weeks' gestation (2+/-1.7 vs. 1.7+/-1.2, P=0.009, 1.8+/-1.2 vs. 1.5+/-1.1, 0.027, respectively). Overall, use of medical resources is common, and respiratory problems are the leading cause of use of medical resources. Total readmissions and respiratory readmissions are more frequent in more immature infants.

Association between respiratory problems and dental caries in children with bruxism.

Context: Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding one's teeth in non-functional activities and affects both children and adults alike. Respiratory problems, such as asthma and upper airway infections, are reported to be the etiological factors of bruxism. Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between respiratory problems and dental caries in children who exhibit the habit of bruxism. Setting and Design: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out. Materials and Methods: Patient histories were taken and clinical exams were performed on 90 children for selection and allocation to one of two groups. For the determination of bruxism, a questionnaire was administered to parents/guardians and an oral clinical exam was performed based on the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Thirty-three male and female children between 4 and 7 years of age participated in the study - 14 children with bruxism and 19 children without bruxism. Statistical Analysis: The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, with level of significance set at 5% (P < 0.05). Results: Mean age of the participants was 5.73 years. The male gender accounted for 45.5% (n = 15) of the sample and the female gender accounted for 54.5% (n = 18). A statistically significant association was found between respiratory problems and dental caries among the children with bruxism. Seventy-seven percent of the children with bruxism had caries and 62.5% the children with respiratory problems exhibited the habit of bruxism. Conclusions: There seems to be an association between bruxism, respiratory problems, and dental caries in children.

Vivências de uma equipe multiprofissional de atendimiento pre-hospitalar móvel em suporte avançado de vida na assistência ao adulto em situação de parada cardiorrespiratória / Vivencias de un equipo multiprofesional en la atención avanzada prehospitalaria móvil al adulto en situación de emergencia con paro cardiorrespiratorio / Experience of a multidisciplinary team on movil prehospital advanced care of adults in emergency situation with a cardiopulmonary arrest

Este estudo de abordagem qualitativa e exploratorio tem como objetivo investigar a vivência da equipe multiprofissional na assisténcia ão adulto em situação de parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR), numa unidade de suporte avancado (USA) de vida de atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel (APH). Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado a entrevista semi-estruturada que compreendeu questões sobre o perfil sócio-demográfiço, profissional e questões norteadoras sobre o tema. A amostra foi constituida por 16 profissionais da USA. Os dados foram organizados por meio da análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin (1977) identificando-se quatro temas: percepções dos profissionais sobre APH móvel avancado, os sentimentos e emoções dessa equipe frente ão atendimento a PCR, identificação dos agentes estressores no atendimento a PCR e as reações de estresse nessa situação. A equipe multiprofissional relata sua vivência como um serviço desafiante e difícil, diante das situações inesperadas, desconhecidas e angustiantes sendo capazes de perceberem satisfações pessoais e realização profissional. Evidênciaram-se ñas demais categorías identificadas as expressões: a necessidade de conhecimento e capacitação técnica, habilidade e agilidade, tomada de decisões, trabalho em equipe, dificuldade em lidar com sofrimento dos familiares, envolvimento emocional, trabalhar em altas temperaturas, dificuldades em lidar com a morte, com sentimentos de impotência, frustração e tristeza. Portanto, a equipe multiprofissional vivência a possibilidade de sofrimento psíquiço justificando a necessidade de promover a reflexão e discussão dos aspectos técniços, científiços e étiços referentes ão cuidado do paciente em PCR, ñas diferentes possibilidades que envolvem essa situação com vistas a melhoria da qualidade do atendimento e do relacionamento interpessoal.

This study of qualitative boarding has as objective investígate the experience of the multi-professional team to assistance a patient in arrest cardiac situation in an advanced unit of life support (USA) and mobile prehospital attendance (APH). The data collection was utilized a semi-structuralized interview that was included questions about the sociodemographic profile and professional and questions directed to the topics studied. The sample was constituted of 16 professionals, of the USA. Data were organized and analyzed the content proposed by Bardin (1977), identifying four topics: perceptions about the APH advanced movable, the feelings and emotions of the multi professional team in front of the attendance to PCR, identification of the stresses agents in the attendance and reactions to the stress in PCR. The multi-professional team relates their experience hard and challenger job of non waiting situations, unknown and overwhelming but also able to percept personal satisfactions and professional realization. It was evidenced too in the others categories the expressions: knowledge and technique training qualification and technologic, ability and agility, taken decisions, group work, the difficult to deal with the familiars, emotional involvement, work in high temperatures, difficult to deal with the death, feelings of incapacitation, frustration and sadness. Therefore this multi-professional team experience daily the real pos-sibility of psychic suffer, this study the necessity that promote moments of reflection and discussion around of the techniques aspects, scientific and ethical referring to the cautions of the critics patients in PCR and of the different possibilities of situations that involve them during the attendance with visión on better quality of the attendance and the interpersonal relation.

Estudio de carácter cualitativo y exploratorio que tuvo como objetivo investigar la vivencia del equipo multiprofesional en la asistencia al adulto con situación de emergencia cardiorrespiratoria, en la unidad de soporte vital avanzado (USA) de atención prehospitalaria móvil (APH). Para la recolección de datos se utilizó la entrevista semi-estructurada que comprendió preguntas acerca del perfil sociodemográfico y profesional, al igual que preguntas dirigidas al tema. La muestra fue constituida por 16 profesionales del USA. Los datos fueron organizados por medio del analisis de contenido según Bardin (1977), identificando cuatro temas: percepciones de los profesionales acerca del APH móvil avanzado, los sentimientos y emociones del equipo frente a la atención de PCR, identificación de los agentes estresantes en situación de PCR y las reacciones de estrés durante en la atención. El equipo relata sus vivencias como un trabajo desafiante y difícil ante las situaciones inesperadas, desconocidas y angustiantes, siendo capaces de percibir satisfacciones personales y realización profesional. Se evidênciaron en las demás categorías analizadas las siguientes expresiones: la búsqueda de conocimiento y constante capacitación técnica, habilidad y agilidad, toma de decisiones, trabajo en equipo, dificultad en lidiar con los sufrimientos de los familiares, manifestaciones emocionales, trabajar con altas temperaturas, dificultad de lidiar con la muerte, manifestando sentimientos de impotência, frustración y tristeza. Por lo tanto, el equipo se enfrenta con la posibilidad de vivir con el sufrimiento psíquico al justificarlo como una necesidad de desarrollar la reflexión y discusión de los aspectos técnicos, científiços y étiços que se refieren a la atención del paciente en PCR en las diferentes situaciones que ocurren durante la atención, buscando así una mejoría en la calidad prestada y en las relaciones interpersonales.