[Cross-sectional study on the use of masks among occupational groups with high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission].

Objective: To investigate the wearing of masks and the knowledge of masks among high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission. Methods: From May 14 to 17, 2022, a convenient sampling method was used to conduct an online survey among 963 workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in Beijing. The behaviors of individual use and wearing masks, the distribution and supervision of the unit, the knowledge of personal mask protection and the subjective feelings of wearing masks were analyzed. The χ(2) test and logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of the correct selection of masks. Results: The majority of the workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission were male (86.0%, 828/963), age concentration in 18-44 years old (68.2%, 657/963), and the majority of them had college or bachelor degrees (49.4%, 476/963). 79.4%(765/963) of the workers chose the right type of masks, female, 45-59 years old and high school education or above were the risk factors for correct selection of masks (P <0.05). Workers had good behaviors such as wearing/removing masks, but only 10.5% (101/963) could correctly rank the protective effect of different masks. 98.4% (948/963) of the workers believed that their work units had provided masks to their employees, and 99.1% (954/963) and 98.2%(946/963) of them had organized training and supervision on the use of masks, respectively. 47.4%(456/963) of the workers were uncomfortable while wearing masks. Conclusion: The overall selection and use of masks among occupational groups in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in China need to be further standardized. It is necessary to strengthen supervision and inspection on the use of masks among occupational groups, and take improvement measures to improve the comfort of wearing masks.

High seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the capital of Chad

Background. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chad has had 7,417 confirmed cases and 193 deaths, one of the lowest in Africa. Objective. This study assessed SARS-CoV-2 immunity in N'Djamena. Methods. In August-October 2021, eleven N'Djamena hospitals collected outpatient data and samples. IgG antibodies against SARSCoV- 2 nucleocapsid protein were identified using ELISA. "Bambino Gesu" Laboratory, Rome, Italy, performed external quality control with chemiluminescence assay. Results. 25-34-year-old (35.2%) made up the largest age group at 31.9 12.6 years. 56.4% were women, 1.3 women/men. The 7th district had 22.5% and the 1st 22.3%. Housewives and students dominated. Overall seroprevalence was 69.5% (95% CI: 67.7-71.3), females 68.2% (65.8-70.5) and males 71.2% (68.6-73.8). >44-year-old had 73.9% seroprevalence. Under-15s were 57.4% positive. Housewives (70.9%), civil servants (71.5%), and health workers (9.7%) had the highest antibody positivity. N'Djamena's 9th district had 73.1% optimism and the 3rd district had 52.5%. Seroprevalences were highest at Good Samaritan Hospital (75.4%) and National General Referral Hospital (74.7%). Conclusion. Our findings indicate a high circulation of SARS-CoV- 2 in N'Djamena, despite low mortality and morbidity after the first two COVID-19 pandemic waves. This high seroprevalence must be considered in Chad's vaccine policy.

Nurses' Experiences as Worker during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on nurses. Nurses as workers face various health hazards in the workplace (hospital). Nurses are a group at risk of contracting the virus when providing nursing care to Covid-19 patients. This study aimed to determine the meaning of nurses' experience as workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Design: This research is qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenological approach. Methods: Data collection was done using in-depth interviews with online interviews using the zoom application. The interview data were analyzed using the Colaizzi method. Results: The results of this study identified four main themes, namely feelings of insecurity, dangers faced by nurses, active nurses in preventing transmission, and meaning for nurses. Conclusion: This study provides information that nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic face various health hazards. The implications of this research, as input to occupational health nursing science regarding the danger nurses faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Suggestions from this research are expected to optimize efforts to promote and protect the health and safety of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic. © Asia Pacific Higher Learning Sdn Bhd., Lincoln University College. All Rights Reserved.

Headache in healthcare workers related to personal protective equipment use in COVID-19 referral hospital

Background: Studies show that wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for long periods of time can lead to discomfort such as headaches, which could affect the performance of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of headaches related to PPE in healthcare workers at a COVID-19 referral hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 174 healthcare workers in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Bali. We conducted interviews using a questionnaire that consisted of three main parts: characteristics of the subjects, PPE usage, and PPE-associated headaches. A multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis results showed that the PPE-associated headaches had a prevalence of 63.8% and were gradual in onset, pressure-like in quality (46%), and mild in intensity (80.1%). PPE level III-associated headache was the most common type. The majority of the participants had headaches up to 6 hours after using the protective gear, but improving within 15-30 minutes of removal and/or after pharmacotherapy. A Chi-squared analysis showed a statistically significant association between duration of PPE use, working units, and PPE levels (p<0.05). A logistic regression analysis found a significant relationship between PPE level and headache occurrence (OR=4.826;95%CI: 2.433-9.572;p<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of PPE-associated headache was high and the PPE level was a risk factor of headache among healthcare workers. Better strategies are needed to reduce the duration of PPE exposure so that the work performance and quality of life of healthcare workers are not significantly affected.

Does workplace ostracism negatively affect family life during a pandemic?

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the impact of workplace ostracism (WO) and fear of the COVID-19 pandemic on the family life of restaurant employees. This research is based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and work-family interface model to understand the theoretical underpinnings of mistreatment in the food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a survey with a structured questionnaire to collect time-lagged data from 238 restaurant employees in the central region of Punjab province in Pakistan. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS tool with modern-day techniques like bootstrapping, process macro and SmartPLS.FindingsThe study reveals that perceived stress levels of the employees increase due to ostracism, leading to work-family conflict. Furthermore, the study found that employees who fear COVID-19 are less stressed by ostracism.Originality/valueThe study's significant contribution lies in demonstrating that the impact of ostracism in the workplace is quite different from what was expected. The results have shown that ostracism can reduce the perceived stress levels of employees, leading to a decrease in work-family conflict, especially in the presence of fear of COVID-19.

COVID-19 and its consequences on the physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had effects on the health of health workers, including obstetricians, but the consequences in this occupational group are unknown. Objective: Determine the consequences of COVID-19 on the physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians in Peru. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out on 511 attending obstetricians, in the first line of care. An online questionnaire, previously validated and reliable, was applied to measure the variables: general characteristics and exposure to COVID-19, physical health, psychological health, and social health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 468 (91.6%) obstetricians are women, 287 (56.2%) aged 40-59 years, 213 (41.7%) married, 292 (57.1%) working at the first level of care;216 (42.3%) were infected with COVID-19, 165 (32.3%) had headache, 127 (24.9%) sore throat and 121 (23.7%) fatigue;167 (77.3%) required outpatient treatment and 3 (1.3%) intensive care. Obesity reported by 102 (20.0%) obstetricians was the main comorbidity, followed by hypertension with 38 (7.4%) and diabetes with 14 (2.7%);263 (51.5%) reported depressive symptoms and 464 (90.8%) stress;238 (46.6%) felt discrimination and 118 (23.1%) carried the workload of the home alone. Conclusions: The physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians is affected by the pandemic;generates disorders of overweight/obesity, depression, stress;as well as discrimination and work overload at home. © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Epidemiological Population Study of Sars-Cov-2 in Lake County, Illinois: Contact: Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment

Objectives: The prospective, longitudinal, community-based CONTACT study aimed to improve our understanding of COVID-19 immunity, and other characteristics related to SARS-CoV-2 long-term, including the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at baseline and over time by infection status. Method(s): Participants living or working in Lake County, IL were recruited between November 2020 and January 2021. At baseline and follow up visits (3-, 6-, and 9-Months-M-), participants self-reported their occupational exposure, COVID-19 vaccination status and provided nasal and blood serum specimens for molecular (RT-PCR) and serologic (IgG) testing to detect current or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. HRQoL questionnaires EQ-5D-5L were completed online approximately within two weeks post-testing (at 0.5, 3.5, 6.5, and 9.5 months) after results were communicated. EQ-5D-5L information was described and stratified by COVID-19 status at baseline, 3M, 6M and 9M - software: SAS-v9.4. Result(s): Data from 1008 participants were analyzed. Participants testing positive to COVID-19 were 56/952, 48/751, 40/693, and 19/654, respectively, at baseline, 3M, 6M, and 9M. Of the five domains of EQ-5D-5L, a higher percentage of participants who tested positive for COVID-19 reported having no anxiety or depression versus those who tested negative: at baseline (55.4% [31/56] vs 50.5% [481/952]);3M (68.8% [33/48] vs. 56.3% [423/751]);6M (67.5% [27/40] vs. 56.3% [390/693]);and 9M (73.7% [14/19] vs. 60.4% [395/654]). Median Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was at least 2 points higher at all time- points for participants who tested positive except at last visit (baseline: 89.0 vs. 87.0;3M: 88.0 vs. 86.0;6M: 87.5 vs. 85.0;9M: 85.0 vs. 87.0) Conclusion(s): This analysis provides insight into participant HRQoL burden at enrollment and over time when a positive test to COVID-19 was communicated. At all time-points, anxiety or depression was experienced by more participants who tested negative versus those who didn't.Copyright © 2023

Occupational therapy and work: challenges and perspectives of an emerging practice during and after the Covid-19 pandemic

This essay discusses the intervention possibilities of occupational therapy in the field of work in the pandemic period, as well as points out the challenges and perspectives of post-pandemic actions. Interventions were discussed from three stages: i) pre -pandemic preparation;ii) pandemic preparedness strategies;iii) post-pandemic recovery, considering the micro, meso and macrostructural levels, from the perspective of a practice centered on the person and the work environment. Attention to work (in)capacities and acting in the process of returning to work were considered the main interventions of the occupational therapist, articulated with the various actors, institutions, services and class entities, in order to expand actions and promote a network integrated care. The new configurations of work resulting from technological innovation have expanded the interdisciplinary dialogue between occupational therapy and the field of work. It is expected to contribute with theoretical reflections about professional practice and the strengthening of this field in contemporary times.

Migrant Workers and Indian Labor Legislation: A Review

This article highlights the relevance of the two important Indian labor legislations in relation to migrant workers. A few observed gaps in these legislations are discussed. The article addresses the research questions and objectives through an understanding of both the laws. ISMA and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions code (2020) (OSH). The identified gaps in these legislations could be a reason for their ineffectiveness at critical situations like the crisis caused by the Covid 19 lockdown. The study takes a timely review to bring some suggestions to enhance the applicability and effectiveness of the upcoming Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020.

Occupational Stress in Healthcare During Covid 19

Several studies dedicated to the risk of work-related stress have already shown for some time that healthcare workers are subjected to multiple sources of stress. Recent literature has shown that the SARS CoV 2 pandemic has subjected healthcare workers in emergency/urgent departments and Covid −19 departments to work-related stress risk. In a Sicilian hospital, a sample of 50 health workers (25 men/25 women) was given the "INAIL questionnaire work-related stress risk” structured in 35 items to investigate 7 dimensions of occupational stress (1) Question, (2) Control, (3) Management support, (4) Support from colleagues, (5) Relationships, (6) Role, (7) Change. The results show in 27% of the sample a high level of occupational stress and in 62% an average level of occupational stress with little control and emotional exhaustion, especially in women. In conclusion, to avoid the chronicization of dysfunctional pictures, health institutions must provide staff with psychosocial support services to protect them from the risk of work-related stress. AD -, Messina, Italy ;, Messina, Italy

The Evolution of the Normative Regulation in Hospital Safety and Security

The aim of the law is to ensure personal, material and organisational conditions for safe work without endangering human health, to prevent work accidents and occupational diseases by defining the rights and obligations of the state, employers and employees. Since 2003, the concept of occupational safety and health commissioning has been included in the law, which plays a prominent role in the commissioning of dangerous technology or work equipment in health care. [...]of the epidemic, not only the so-called back office area, but also in patient care, the concept of remote work appeared in the field of telemedicine, and some other areas, such as in the case of finding analysis. According to the legislation, the employer must register and Investigate all accidents at work. [...]of this, a wave of insourcing started and in several health institutions they started to employ their own doormen again, wh ich raises further problems.

Intentions of companies for health-promoting telework after the COVID-19 lockdown 2020

Background: Companies had to find quick solutions for continuing to work due to the pandemic in spring 2020. However, working conditions at home (teleworking) do not always comply with the basic principles and quality criteria of workplace health promotion (WHP). Objectives: How strongly is the approach of health-promoting telework (working at home) established in companies and what influences the strategic anchoring and the use of supporting materials? Materials and methods: Theoretically derived hypotheses were operationalised and 1858 Austrian companies were invited to participate in an online survey. The sample (n = 192) represents a broad mix of company sizes, sectors and regions. Results: Workplaces vary widely in their intention to implement health-promoting telework in the future. A part can be explained by multivariate path models, with behavioural control and social norms playing a central role. The former is determined by the degree of preparation for telework and its implementation in the company. In particular, teleworking culture, in addition to teleworking readiness, is shown to be responsible for the strength of social norms towards its implementation. Conclusions: Teleworking has so far received too little attention in the sense of holistic WHP. Such an implementation strongly depends on the health-promoting corporate structures and processes, the culture, and the decision-makers' scope for action. Companies are recommended to follow the concept of capacity building in order to build up competencies and knowledge and to enable appropriate measures.

24th Collegium Ramazzini Statement: Prevention of Work-Related Infection in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Workers whose occupations put them in contact with infected persons and the public are at increased risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Recommendations: The Collegium Ramazzini calls on governments at all levels to protect worker health by strengthening public health systems;maintaining comprehensive social insurance systems;establishing policies that presume all COVID-19 infections in high-risk workers are work-related;enforcing all occupational health standards;and developing pandemic preparedness plans. The Collegium Ramazzini calls on all employers-large and small, public and private-to protect the health of all workers by developing disease preparedness plans;implementing basic infection control measures;establishing disease identification and isolation policies;reducing hazardous exposures;supporting personal protective equipment (PPE) programs;and restricting unnecessary travel. Conclusion(s): Governments and employers have legal obligations to protect worker health. They are not relieved of these duties during pandemics.Copyright © 2020 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

PARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN THE ERA OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

BackgroundIn Tunisia, during the last decade, the number of MSDs declared as compensable occupational diseases has been increasing. So, what is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the MSD reporting rate.ObjectivesTo describe the socio-professional characteristics of workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and to determine the reporting rate of MSDs as occupational diseases.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study among workers with work-related MSDs who consulted the occupational medicine department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital for medical advice between January 2021 and September 2022.ResultsA total of 109 workers with MSDs were included in this study. The workers were 64.2% female. The average age was 46 ± [21-61 years]. The sectors most prone to MSDs were the health sector (27.5%), food processing (16.5%) and textiles (15.6%). The workers reported MSDs of the upper limb in 31.2%, MSDs of the lower limb in 33.9% and of the spine in 69.7%. These MSDs reported included 5/13 cases of rotator cuff tendinopathy, 6/13 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, one case of achilles tendonitis and one case of Dequervain's tenosynovitis.ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the reporting of MSDs as occupational diseases has declined considerably. This decline can be explained by the difficult access to hospital facilities.References[1]https://www.emro.who.int/emhj-volume-23-2017/volume-23-issue-11/prevalence-et-determinants-des-troubles-musculo-squelettiques-des-membres-superieurs-chez-les-artisans-tunisiens.html.[2]http://medecinetravail.canalblog.com/archives/2011/10/04/22196851.htmlAcknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

Occupational disruption amid COVID-19 movement restrictions: A qualitative case study exploration

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health safety measures disrupted daily lives as all but essential services were limited and many individuals found themselves confined to their home. Objective: In order to understand the impact of early pandemic safety measures on occupation during a specific developmental phase, this study explored the perceptions of emerging adult occupational therapy students in one Midwestern US city. Methods: The researchers used a qualitative case study design to analyze selected course assignments in exploring student (N = 13;n = 1 male) perceptions during early COVID-19 movement restrictions. Findings: Primary themes noted 1) the importance of context or occupational spaces on adaptation, (2) how changes in routines influence being, and (3) the impact of social occupations to belonging and mental health. Conclusion: The occupational disruption caused by COVID-19 safety measures impacted participants' ‘being in place' and adaptation was facilitated by the way habits and routines were performed in confined spaces. Future research should look at the long-term impact of the disruption on emerging adult occupation and resilience, since this phase of life is a key to adult becoming. © 2023 The Journal of Occupational Science Incorporated.

Influence of socio-demographic factors on perceived stress in outpatients with depression and anxiety in remission during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: The study aimed at identifying the influence of socio-demographic factors on perceived stress during the first and the second "waves" of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with depression and anxiety in remission compared to controls. Method: The study was designed as case-control, cross-sectional and non-interventional, and included 60 outpatients with depressive and anxiety disorders in remission and 60 controls with or without family history of affective disorder. A self-assessment scale (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10) was used to evaluate perceived stress. The remission was objectified by the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI-S 2) and a questionnaire about the socio-demographic features and clinical characteristics of the disorders was completed. Results: By using multiple logistic regression, it was found that the diagnostic category and/or the relevant family history did not predict higher levels of perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic (p > 0.05). Females were associated with higher risk of moderate or high stress (OR=2.613, p=0.017), as well as those working from home during the pandemic (OR=4.00, p=0.026). Conclusions: Addressing the COVID-19 effects on mental health in a biopsychosocial manner, the study shows the impact of socio-demographic factors such as gender and work environment in times of a psychosocial crisis. The lack of differences in stress perception by the patients in remission and healthy controls implicates the importance of adequate maintenance treatment and easy access to mental health services in times of crisis.

K-12 school leaders: Social and emotional challenges during COVID-19

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to examine the lived experiences of K-12 school leaders who were presented with a variety of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first primary research question was: What are the lived experiences of K-12 school leaders as it pertains to the social, emotional, and mental health difficulties and challenges while leading during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to August 2021)? Saturation was reached in this study with 8 participants, who were K-12 school leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to August 2021), due to no new categories or patterns being discovered (Creswell, 2007). The research methodology was phenomenological and used interviews and an online questionnaire. From the data gleaned from the lived experiences of K-12 school leaders, who participated in the study, experience, facing the challenges, overcoming stressors, putting mitigation and preventative strategies into place, and advocating for self-care and well-being became the main themes related to the research questions. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed compassion fatigue and the extreme need to promote self-care for those in the field of K-12 school leadership during the pandemic, and for immediate and consistent access to mental health, educational and fiscal resources. The pandemic has overwhelmingly necessitated and precipitated into the lived experiences of K-12 school leaders as they faced conflict, challenges, struggle, stressors, and fatigue in the areas of social, emotional health and well-being. The disruption school leaders faced during the COVID-19 crisis, has brought forth how necessary it is for the voices of school leaders, educators and needs of the students to be heard and acted on. Findings from the data from this study provide evidence for crisis measures to be put into place for K-12 school leaders as they respond to such as a pandemic, recover from crisis, and to strengthen their resilience, faith, and promotion of self-care and well-being for any future crises. The data also support an increase in research related to school leaders and having resiliency when bouncing back from crisis. The school leader's plan always needs prepared, in sight, and ready to implement, just in case. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Difficulty in work practices and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of serious social mental health problems such as depression. Changes to the way we work, such as telework, are potential factors for mental health problems. This study's aim was to investigate the relationship between difficulties adjusting to new work styles and depression among job workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a web-questionnaire survey of 919 Japanese workers (May 2020) using the snowball sampling method. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis using a dependent variable (depression), an independent variable (difficulty in work practices), and adjustment variables (gender, age, working practices, and coping) found that those who had difficulty "communicating with boss, colleagues, and subordinates" and "switching on and off" were more likely to be depressed. This study shows that there was a relationship between difficulty in work practices and depression during the pandemic. Given this study's limitations, it is hoped that the influence of region and occupation on depression will be examined by recruiting a wide range of participants in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)