Epidemiological characterization of a cluster of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant at a construction site in Qingpu District， Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiological characteristics of a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant at a construction site and provide evidence for further COVID-19 prevention and control. MethodsDemographic data of all COVID-19 cases at a construction site in Qingpu District， Shanghai， and basic information of the construction site were retrospectively collected through filed investigation. Descriptive epidemiology was used for the analysis. Basic reproduction number （R0） and time-dependent reproduction number （Rt） were calculated using R program. ResultsDuring April 12 and May 8， 2022， a total of 314 cases were reported at the construction site， with an attack rate of 60.62%. The attack rate significantly differed between workers and managers （χ2=10.868， P<0.001）， whereas did not differ statistically by gender （χ2=0.358， P=0.550） or by vaccination status （χ2=2.861， P=0.091）. The age of all cases ranged from 5 months of age to 68 years， with a media age of 49.0 years （interquartile range： 39.8， 54.0）. In all cases， male was predominant （83.44%）. Moreover， the epidemic was mainly concentrated in the workers’ dormitory area， with infected cases identified in all buildings of each dormitory area. The attack rate ranged between 33.33% and 87.50% across the buildings. Symptoms and signs were observed among 43.0% of all cases， of which major clinical manifestations included cough （33.33%）， fever （30.37%） and headache （17.04%）. Clinical manifestations did not differ by gender （χ2=1.275， P=0.259） or by vaccination status （χ2=0.186， P=0.666）. Additionally， R0 was estimated to be 6.08 （95% confidence interval： 4.49‒8.02）. The Rt showed a decline in the beginning， followed by an increase and a re-decline. ConclusionThe cluster epidemic of COVID-19 caused by Omicron variant at the construction site is highly contagious， spreads rapidly and quietly， causes mild symptoms， which finally resulted in a large number of infected cases. It warrants rapid and strict containment when an epidemic occurs at construction sites.

Competência de trabalhadores da construção civil na resolução de problemas práticos: A relação entre representação e prática na ação eficaz / Civil construction's workers competence in practical problem solving: The relation between representation and practice in the effective action / Competencia de trabajadores de la construcción civil en la resolución de problemas prácticos: La relación entre representación y práctica en acción eficaz

Resumo Este artigo trata das inter-relações entre representações e prática na ação eficaz, por meio da análise das atividades de pedreiros. Duas posições antagônicas têm dominado o debate, polarizado entre a predominância das representações ou dos aspectos situacionais e corporais na ação competente. Para o cognitivismo, as representações determinam a ação eficaz, já para a ação situada, as habilidades incorporadas e as interações locais explicam a eficácia da ação. Apresentamos uma alternativa que situa a inteligência humana no âmbito da prática, sua dimensão representacional aparecendo como cognição na ação, através de um estudo empírico realizado com dois trabalhadores da construção civil resolvendo problemas no canteiro de obras. A metodologia do Curso da Ação mostra-se adequada a este propósito pois permite analisar a atividade sem cair no cognitivismo. Os resultados confirmam a pertinência de deslocar a inteligência prática para o âmbito da própria prática, confirmando assim o paradigma da ação situada.

Abstract This article deals with the interrelations between representations and practice in effective action, through the analysis of masons activities. Two opposite positions have dominated the debate polarized between the representations predominance and situational and physical aspects in the competent action. For cognitivism, representations determine the effective action but for the already located action, the incorporated skills and local interactions explain the action effectiveness. We present an alternative that places human intelligence within the practice, its representational dimension emerging as cognition in the action, through an empirical study of two construction workers solving problems at the construction site. The Course of Action methodology proves to be suitable for this purpose because it allows to analyze the activity without tending into cognitivism. The results confirm the relevance of carrying practical intelligence to the level of the practice itself, thus confirming the paradigm of situated action.

Resumen Este artículo trata sobre las inter-relaciones entre representaciones y la práctica en acción eficaz, por medio del análisis de las actividades de albañiles. Dos posiciones antagónicas han estado dominando el debate, polarizado entre la predominancia de las representaciones o de los aspectos situacionales y corporales en la acción competente. Para el cognitivismo, las representaciones determinan la acción eficaz, ya para la acción situada, las habilidades incorporadas y las interacciones locales explican la eficacia de la acción. Presentamos una alternativa que sitúa la inteligencia humana en el ámbito de la práctica, su dimensión representacional apareciendo como cognición en la acción, a través de un estudio empírico realizado con dos trabajadores de la construcción civil resolviendo problemas en el sítio de construcción. La metodología del Curso de la Acción se muestra adecuada a este propósito pues permite analizar la acción sin caer en el cognitivismo. Los resultados confirman la pertinencia de dislocar la inteligencia práctica para el ámbito de la propia práctica, confirmando así el paradigma de la acción situada.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on safety measures against occupational hazards among constructional workers at Bayint Naung Bridge construction site in Yangon Region.

A cross sectional analytic study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice on safety measures against occupational hazards and their inter-relationships, among Bayint Naung New Bridge Construction workers during 2014. Altogether 184 workers were selected by simple random sampling. Face to face interview method was used to collect the necessary data. Among respondents, only 4.3% (95% CI = 2%, 8.1%) had good knowledge, but all respondents had favorable attitude and 77.7% (95% CI = 71.3%, 83.3%) had good practice. There were statistically significant associations between age (P = 0.040), educational status (P = 0.001), type of work (P = 0.013), type of worker (P = 0.016), attending skill training (P = 0.002) and knowledge. However, no statistically significant associations were found between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, attitude and practice of respondents on safety measures against occupational hazards. Although attitude and practice among workers are satisfactory, knowledge of respondents needs to be improved. The information gained from this study may be helpful in prevention against occupational hazards.

Analysis of tobacco use and associated factors among migrants in construction sites of Western China / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To investigate the behavior of tobacco use among migrants in construction sites and explore the associated factors .Methods: A total of 652 migrants in 10 construction sites were selected in Xi’ an and Tongchuan .Chi-square and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of tobacco use.Results:The average age of the migrants in the construction site was (38.23 ± 10.61), and males occupied 82.7%(535/647) of the total.The current smoking rate of the migrants was 55.8%(364/652), with 64.3%(344/535) in males and 14.3%(16/112) in females.82.5%(329/399) smokers wanted to quit smoke , however only 52.7%(210/399) had tried quitting smoking in action, and 8.8%(35/399) quitted smoking successfully .Multivariable regression indicated that the migrants who were at lower age , and sick within 2 weeks, had perceived not difficult to stop smoking and who disagree with the benefits of smoking were more likely to try to quit smoking .Conclusion:Migrants in construction sites show their characteristics of old age , low level of health literacy , male-domination , high smoking rate and high intention of quitting smoking .Tobacco control projects should be implemented in construction sites to promote the translation of smoking quitting intention into action .

Measurement and Evaluation of Environmental Factors in Underground Construction Site / 航天医学与医学工程

Objective To Evaluate the environment quality in underground construction site based on the measurement of atmosphere composition and microclimate. Method Concentrations and composition of gases were analyzed by combined detection with mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph. Microbial content was detected by striking method. A microclimate model was built based on the measurements of temperature, humidity and wind speed in two years. Result Concentrations of inorganic gas was higher than national standard. Total volatile organic compounds were in the range of 4～6 mg/m3, which highly exceeded the national standard. Concentration of O2 descended obviously at the time when personnel went into the construction site, and was lower than the national standard of 299 mg/m3 after continuous working for 3 h. When an aerator was started, the average noise level was in the range of 70～93 dB, which was higher than the national standard(55～70 dB). In the course of working, the average microbial content reached 4 000 cfu/m3 which was 3 times as high as the background level. The microclimate characteristic with high humidity, low temperature and inadequate sunshine was unsuitable for dwelling. Conclusion Environment in the underground construction site is unfavorable as compared with that on the ground. The physiological function of working staff may be influenced obviously due to cumulative effect of the above mentioned factors, and may lead to aprosexia, hypomnesis, fatigue, etc. Six kinds of protection means are suggested in the paper.