Evaluation of different health hazards among pharmacists and their assistants at Cairo university hospitals [CUH]

ABSTRACT

Evaluating the health status of employees [pharmacists and their assistants, as well as labourers] working in the pharmaceutical section at the CUH. Special emphasis is given to the condition of liver, haematological system, and cytogenetic pattern of each studied individual. Ninety- six pharmacists and assistants working at the Cairo University Hospitals [CUH], constituting about 95% of the labour force at the pharmaceutical section. Each subject was interviewed by a questionnaire detailing his/her present, past, family and occupational histories. In addition, he/she was subjected to clinical examination, ultra-sonographic evaluation of the abdomen stressing on the condition of the liver, blood picture, hepatic and renal function tests, markers for hepatitis B and C viral infection, and chromosomal analysis. About 33.3% of the examined subjects had various complaints reproductive [22.9%], headache [10.4%], musculo-skeletal symptoms [10.4%], renal [6.3%], gastrointestinal [5.2%], respiratory [5.2%]. One third of the interviewed subjects were previously vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, 22% are regularly taking medicines for various ailments, and about 37.3% had one or more operations. In addition, about 11.5% had a past history of hypertension, 2.1% had bilharzial infestation or bronchial asthma, and one subject had infective hepatitis. History of consanguinity was elicited in about 17% of the interviewed subjects. On clinical examination, 6 sub-jccts had abnormal general signs [6.3%], 5 had abnormal chest signs [5.2%]. 4 had ab- ' normal gastrointestinal signs [4.2%]. and one had either liver or cardiac signs. Abnormal HBV surface antigen was elicited in 4 subjects, while HBV core antibodies was present in scrum of one subject. However. 19 out of 87 investigated subjects had HCV antigens [21.84%] in their sera. Abnormal ultrasonographic parameters were elicited in 52 out of 81 subjects [64.2%] Hepatomegaly [21%]. bright liver [19.8%], bilharzi-al liver [12.9%]. liver cirrhosis [2.5%], liver echogenic area [one case], abnormal spleen [18.5%], and renal abnormalities [8.6%]. The study showed that subjects with abnormal ultrasonographic findings had more abnormal liver function and chromosomal aberrations than those with normal ultrasonographic findings [chi [2] = 4.89. 15.18 and p<0.05. respectively]. The study revealed health derangement, probably due to occupational exposure to chemicals, among pharmacists and their assistants at the CUH. The study recommends periodic check ups for the examined subjects, provision of safe working practices including personal protective equipment, and following a sound environmental management system including training and awareness campaign for the pharmacists and their assistants at the CUH