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

Respiratory and dermatological hazards among workers in textile dyeing

This study was done to find out the prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders among workers exposed to textile dyes and to investigate the dyes most probably associated with respiratory and dermatological disorders among exposed workers. It was carried out on 200 workers in dye houses in the textile dyeing industry in Al-Mahalla Al-Koubra as a study group and 200 workers not exposed to dyes as a control group. The results of this study revealed that: there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards age. marital status, residence, social class and educational level. The prevalence of smoking in both groups was almost the same with no significant difference. Inquiry about chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis showed high prevalence rates in both groups but there were no significant differences between them. On the other hand, chest tightness, dyspnea, asthma and conjunctivitis were found to be significantly higher among the exposed group than among the non exposed group. In the present work, the longer duration of work exposure was found to be related to higher prevalence rate of respiratory and irritant symptoms, the difference between the groups was significant. Regarding the relationship between smoking habit and the prevalence rate of chronic respiratory symptoms, the current study demonstrated that there was significant difference between the three groups of exposed workers [smokers, non- smokers, ex-smokers], as regards chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and asthma. On studying the ventilatory functions, significant differences between exposed and non exposed groups of workers were found in the mean values of FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted. FEV1/FVC% and FEF 25-75% predicted. Further more, these parameters were significantly lower among smokers and when the duration of dye exposure was prolonged. Multiple regression analysis was done to prioritize the factors affecting the ventilatory function parameters among the exposed workers and it revealed that, although the exposure to dye had a powerfull effect, yet smoking [number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of smoking] had the strongest effect. Eczema was observed among 10% of the exposed group, while no cases of eczema were detected among the control group. About 86% [18 workers] of the workers having eczema gave positive reactions to the dye allergens. The prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye in the current study. This study proves that textile dyeing workers suffer from high prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders and the prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye

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

Primary pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease: abdominal vs transanal

In the last few years, one stage pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease has replaced the previous gold standard of 2 or 3-stage procedures. One stage procedure can be done abdominally, by laparoscope, or completely trans-anally. In this research, we compared trans-anal with abdominal approach for one-stage pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease. The study was done in Zagazig University Hospitals and included 24 patients with biopsy proven Hirschsprung's disease. The patients were selected according to standard inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were prospectively randomized into group A with trans-anal and group B with abdominal approach. Assessment included patients data, operative and early post-operative courses. Also, late operative sequelae [within 6 months] were evaluated according to unified system. There was significant increase in operative blood loss and hospital stay in-group B. No significant difference was evident between the two approaches concerning early and late postoperative sequelae. Avoidance of laparotomy in trans-anal route is attractive, but more studies are needed to confirm its safety and to stratify indications and contraindications of its use