Factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders among final year dental students in Ismailia

Although musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] have been identified as a significant occupational health issue for dental practitioners, few studies have addressed this problem among students population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of MSDs among a group of dental students in Ismailia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to dental students at their university during 2010, from which a response rate of 66.7% was achieved. Musculoskeletal disorders were most commonly reported by students at the neck [64.3%], lower back [57.9%] and shoulder [48.4%] regions. Logistic regression indicated that, students who did not undertake regular exercise [every week] experienced an increased risk of lower back pain [[OR] 4.9,95% CI: 1.8- 14.9] and also, those working with computers for 11-15 h have increased risk of low back pain [[OR] 14.6, 95% CI: 2.6-34.3]. Students undertaking 16-20 h of desk-based study per week were much more likely to report neck pain [[OR: 19.7,95% CI: 1.3-37.9]. Working 6-10 h on a computer each week was a risk factor for shoulder [[OR] 7.1, 95% CI: 1.4-39.5] and upper back pain [[OR]: 5.3, 95% CI: 1.2-25.6]. Overall, this study suggests that MSDs are a reasonably common problem for dental students. As such, further studies are required to establish epidemiological patterns of MSDs, and professionals need to carefully consider preventive strategies to help minimize the impact of this important occupational health issue on the next generation of dental practitioners

Effect of "perceived job stress" on menstrual cycle pattern among nurses in Ismailia city

The aim of this survey is to assess the impact of self-perceived job stress on menstrual patterns [length-regularity-period duration] among nurses in hospitals in Ismailia. A self administered questionnaire was distributed among those eligible nurses, the questionnaire included items about socio-demographic characteristics, occupational data, gynecologic/menstrual profile, and the level of stress at work [as perceived by the nurses]. A. total of 746 questionnaires were eligible for the fmal data analysis, among whom, 72.3% were ascertained as having a self-perceived high level of job stress. Self-perceived high job stress was significantly associated with irregular menstrual cycles [OR 4.8, 95% CI: 3.3-7.1] and longer menstrual bleeding periods [more than 7 days] [OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.7-3.61, but was not significantly related to long or short menstrual cycles. Also being single, working on irregular work shift, being employed for less than 5 yr was statistically associated with having a longer and irregular menstrual cycle. The present study suggests that nurses' self-perceived job stress may be associated with certain aspects of menstrual dysfunction. Further investigations with prospective follow-up studies, and hormonal measurements are recommended to provide additional insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of the present findings

Occupational hearing impairment among noise-exposed workers in printing facilities

The present field study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors affecting hearing impairment among printing workers. A cross sectional survey of 144 eligible printing facilities workers was done. Exposure categories to noise either [low vs. high risk] were assigned to studied workers according to the work nature. An interview questionnaire, workers audiometric assessment and workplace noise levels have been measured. The overall prevalence of hearing impairment was 31.3%, and among those [high risk exposure] 44.1% of workers had hearing impairment, while only 8.5% of those exposed to low level of noise had hearing impairment. Multivariate analysis revealed that occupational exposure to noise, age and smoking were the strongest predictors [ORs: 7.3, 5.4, 2.8 respectively] of hearing impairment among studied workers. The observed hearing loss was located mainly at 4000 Hz and findings indicate that high risk workers are occupationally exposed to high levels of noise, and present high rates of noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL]. There is a need for interventions to reduce the risk for the development of NIHL among exposed workers

Sharp devices injuries among resident physicians and nurses in Suez Canal University Hospital

Injuries to health-care workers from needle stick and other sharps carry significant risks of transmitting blood borne pathogens such as HBV, HCV and HIV, with serious consequences, including long-term illness, disability and death. In the present prospective study, the aim was to determine the incidence and assess the context of Exposure Incidents [EI] among residents and nurses at Suez Canal University hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 144 residents and nurses who were less than 5 years of work/training experience. "High risk" and "low risk" exposure criteria were defined. One hundred and twenty [83.3% of the participants] responded to the questionnaire. Eighty five workers [70.8%] reported to have [EI] [either one or more], and two hundred and thirty EI were recorded over 12 months with corresponding incidence of 0.71 and 2.7 [EIs] per worker/year. Seventy three of exposure incidents [31.7%] were considered "high risk", while 68.3% were "low risk". Injection needles were the most common devices [52.6% of exposure episodes] causing EI followed by suture needles [34.8%]. Phlebotomy/injection and suturing were the most common procedures of exposure episodes [44% and 38.3%, respectively]. Workers always recapped needles/IV-catheters [46.7%] after use, and a minority [5.9%] always used gloves during hospital procedures. Sharp device injuries are common among physicians and nurses in their early years of work/training, and are often not reported. Improved prevention/safety practices and reporting strategies are needed to increase occupational safety for health care workers