Hearing impairment and hypertension among long distance bus drivers

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the possible hearing affection and hypertension in long-distance bus drivers compared with the city bus drivers in Abha City. This cross sectional study involved 62 long-distance bus drivers and 46 city bus drivers. A specially designed questionnaire was administered to the drivers, addressing some of their socioeconomic backgrounds. A pure tone air conduction audiometry and blood pressure measurements were performed. The results showed that long-distance bus drivers' workload is significantly higher than that of the city drivers [total weekly hours 64.0 + 14.3 compared with 46.7 + 5.5]. Hearing impairment was significantly more in long-distance drivers in the frequencies of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, especially in the left ear even after age corrections. The prevalence of hypertension and mild hearing loss were also higher in long-distance drivers [19.4% vs. 4.5% and 38.7% vs. 13%, respectively]

Students' perception of the various teaching methods used in the primary health care course in the Abha college of medicine

To describe students' perception of the various teaching methods used in the Primary Health Care [PHC] course concerning the scientific material presented, information processing as well as motivation and importance attached by the students to each method. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was filled by the students of the sixth year [n=51] at the end of the course. This was structured into 3 main parts: a general part addressing the objectives of the course, the suitability of the course contents, the references and the importance of the course for the future career. The second part dealt with the suitability of the used teaching methods and the last part was for students scoring to items related to scientific material, information processing and motivation for each method. The study took place in the scholar year 2001- 2002. A high percentage of students [93.3%] agreed with the importance of the course, the objectives were fully fulfilled for 72.1% of students while two thirds of students [66.7%] felt that there is a need to add or remove topics from the course. The pratical sessions were suitable methods for 76.7% of students and clinical sessions for 73.3% of students. Seminars had the lowest scores for understanding the scientific material presented [mean score 5.8] as well as the lowest score for enhancing critical thinking [mean score 4.0]. Lectures and problem solving exercises received fairly good attendance priority [mean scores 8.3 and 8.7]. The teaching methods for the PHC course need to be reviewed in the light of the present study. Students perceptions are to be studied regularly in order to tailor courses that meet the needs of the students and reach an acceptable standards

Prevalence of proteinuria and its clinical implications in type 2 diabetic patients treated at a primary health care centre in Abha city

The aim of the present study is to describe the prevalence of proteinuria in a series of type 2 diabetic patients registered and followed up in the diabetes clinic of a primary health care center [PHCC] in Abha City, southern Saudi Arabia and to relate the proteinuria to some clinical manifestations. The study involved the files of 208 diabetic patients [118 females and 90 males]. They were chosen from 475 files of diabetic patients receiving care in the PHC center of Shamasan in Abha City. The selection was based on the fulfillment of certain criteria; type 2 diabetic patients, registered for at least 12 months and visited the clinic for at least once during that period. For each patient; the diabetes duration, the last readings of fasting blood sugar and total cholesterol level were used. Proteinuria was considered whenever the last and any of the preceding 3 urine analysis revealed it by the dipstick test. Proteinuria is present in more than half the patients [54.3%]. The fasting blood sugar shows a considerably high mean of 218.0 +/- 72.0 mg/dl. On the other hand, the total cholesterol level showed a slight high average of 233.7 +/- 55.2 mg/dl. The results of the three different types of compliance as scored by the treating physician showed that the poor scores dominate with 74%, 82.7% and 78.4% of patients' diet, drug and appointment compliances. The outcome of the logistic regression model for proteinuria showed that the significant factors were the poor glycemic control with an odd ratio [OR]of 3.13, diabetes duration [OR = 1.08 for every year] and diastolic blood pressure [OR = 6.11]. Diabetic patients treated in the PHC level should be regularly monitored for microalbuminuria and not gross proteinuria to prevent progression to overt nephropathy which will eventually lead to ESRD. The risk increases' with poorly controlled and hypertensive patients

Audiometric pattern in a group of workers with one ear conductive deafness exposed to continuous noise

It is common to find workers in developing countries having residual ear problems from childhood affections. When exposed to continuous noise in industry, they might exhibit different patterns of audiometric findings. The aim of this study was to examine the good ear in a group of workers exposed to continuous noise in textile industry with a. perforated drum in the other ear from childhood otitis media. a 1:2 case control design involving a group of 36 cases and 2 matched groups, same age and duration of exposure was performed. A relevant questionnaire was used and each worker was subjected to an audiometric test. Significantly worse hearing threshold levels at the 250 Hz and the 4 kHz frequencies were obtained for the good ears of cases compared to controls. Subjective complaints were also commoner. A different pattern of hearing loss was found adding to the auditory risk of the involved workers

Cervical spondylosis among maintenance workers of the aerial electrical network in Alexandria city: an ergonomic study

This study had the dual aim of revealing the health status of those high risk workers as well as analysis of extreme body postures and movements encountered during their work in order to stimulate efforts, to improve their work conditions. An interview made of 173 workers representing the maintenance teams of all districts of Alexandria, followed by fasting blood sugar, blood pressure measurements and cervical X-rays were performed. Workers were divided into 3 groups according to their use of different equipment. The group of workers using the stretchable ladder [n = 67] exhibited significantly higher prevalence of vertigo during work, more neck pain and higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis [22.4%]. An ergonomic analysis of work posture considered of examining 5 different repair sessions for each involved group. Neck extension was predominant significantly in workers using the stretchable ladder group. This might be causal factor of cervical spine affections. Better equipment and modified repairing processes are highly recommended

Imapct of women's work on family formation pattern

This study was carried out in order to investigate the family formation pattern and some factors related among married women in their reproductive age working in a food processing actory [Edfina] [n = 333]. Housewives visiting the Health Office of the same region [n = 486] represented the comparison group. Through a specially designed questionnaire, data were collected concerning their sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive behavior, family planning attitude and practices as well as work condition of the working females. Only 12.1% of the working women have never practiced contraception in comparison to 18.8% of the non-working women. The total duration of contraceptive practice was longer among the working group [6.8 +/- 4.5 years] than among the non-working group [2.9 +/- 2.5 years]. Working status and the number of living children were positively related to current use [OR = 1.62 and 1.87, respectively] and ever use of contraception [OR = 2.87 and 3.60, respectively]. Work stress index was inversely related to the current use of contraception [OR = 0.82] and also the number of living children [B = 0.14] among workers. In conclusion, working women have a more favorable family formation pattern, which is related to their socioeconomic status, attitudes, and work stress. Improving women status and more care of females exposed to work stress are highly recommended

comparative analytical study of accident rates in small and large industries over four years in Alexandria

The study followed the six monthly accident reports pooled at the main occupational safety and health office in Alexandria during the period from mid 1989 to mid 1993. the aim was to compare the accident rates in small industries [less than 50 workers] to those in large industries according to the type of activity. Five types were recognized spinning and weaving food processing chemical engineering and service industries. Reports from 374 small industries and 507 large industries including an average of 424, 150 workers were surveyed during that period. The results were discussed in the context of safety performance and its relation to root causes and legislative gaps, while highlighting the importance of endorsing safety oriented actions in rapidly developing countries. An evaluation method has been proposed

Do workers exposed to intermittent aircraft noise suffer occupational deafness? a study in Alexandria airport

The study aimed at assessment of noise levels in Alexandria airport and measurement of hearing acuity - among other health parameters of the working personnel. By performing 65 sound pressure level measurements, a questionnaire and air conduction audiometry significant hearing defects could be revealed. Deficiencies affected hearing levels at all frequencies but especially higher frequencies in workers exposed to noise of aircrafts and other airport activities at the exterior of the airport building. The importance of pre- employment and periodic ear and audiometric examinations is thus expressed

Ergonomic study of a workpost in the archives of a hospital

Workers in the archives of a hospital were complaining of their working conditions. This ergonomic study aimed at diagnosis of the constraints and suggestion of modifications to be brought. At the end of this investigation two main problems were emerged. The first was the unsuitable design of the 2 lower rows of shelves demanding the adoption of bad postures by the workers, raising their workload and subsequent ly their thermal discomfort. The second was the slow rate with which the shelves were cleared from inactive files Handing to congestion of the work place and calling for more efforts while searching files and handling them. Recommenda of a new organization of the work place were made

Cumulative trauma disorders of the upper limbs in the upholstery department of an automobile assembly plant: epidemiological study

An epidemiological study was conducted in the upholstery department of an automobile assembly plant. It was not. limited to the complaints of the workers concerning musculoskeletal symptoms, but extended to make account for the characteristics of the workers, their personal factors and their perceptions and opinions on their working conditions.Several types of CTDs pathologies were detected through a physical examination. The most important of these were the wrist pathologies [27%]. Four models of logistic regression were used to predict the association between the wrist and all upper limbs CTDs en the one hand and several cofactcrs attributed to the workers and the working conditions. The preventive role of the workers' rotation on Several posts has been demonstrated

Cardiovascular disorders and neurotic traits among bus drivers of Alexandria general transportation agency

The present study was conducted aiming to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and its relationship with the nature of neurotic traits among bus drivers of Alexandria General Transportation Agency. This study included 75 bus drivers and 61 control subjects. each bus driver and control subject was interviewed for his personal, socioeconomic, occupational, medical histories with special emphasis on the history of cardiovascular diseases as well as history of personal habits and car accidents. Each subject was further subjected for clinical examination, measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, ECG and psychometric test to determine the neurotic traits; and urine samples were also collected for complete urine analysis. the study revealed a significant difference in the increase in the prevalence of hypertension among bus drivers. This might be attributed to the presence of occupational stressors facing the driver during his daily work. It has been concluded that buss driving is a occupation which might increase the prevalence of hypertension among drivers

impact of work stress among industrial workers

The present study was conducted to elucidate the impact of the Stressful working conditions on the prevalence of health disorders and injuries among industrial workers. This study included% exposed workers working in three chemical manufacturing industries in Alexandria and divided into two groups: stressful group [n=64] and non-stressful group [n=140]; and control subjects [n=8l]. Each worker and control subject was interviewed for his personal, social, occupational, medical histories and history of in dustrial injuries as well as smoking habit. The NIOSH conflict/ stress questionnaire with some modification was used to assess the presence of the stressful working conditions for each subject. worker was further subjected for measurement of height, weight, blood pressure and pulse rate. The study revealed increase in the prevalence of significant difference of hypertensive difference of hypertensive diseases gastrointestinal disorders, chest conditions, eye diseases, derma tological and urinary tract conditions and industrial injuries of upper and lower limbs specially burns among stressfully exposed workers when compared to either non-stressfully exposed workers or control subjects. These findings might be attributed to the significantly. higher difference in shift work and to the presence of different kinds of environmental stressors. It has been concluded that work stress seems to be a paramount factor in the increase prevalence of health disorders and injuries among industrial workers