Insomnia in female nurses: a nationwide retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the incidence of insomnia in female nursing staff and compared the incidence with that in other medical and nonmedical female workers. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed female nurses with insomnia using data from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. The incidence of insomnia in other female medical workers and nonmedical female workers was also analyzed and compared with that of the nurses. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, each study patient was identified by ID number. The incidence and rate ratio of insomnia were calculated according to their outpatient claims. RESULTS: Compared with other medical and nonmedical female workers, female nurses had higher incidences of adjustment insomnia and psychophysiological insomnia. However, female nurses had a lower incidence of nonorganic insomnia than did other female medical personnel. Older participants and those with the comorbidities of depressive and respiratory disorders had a higher risk of insomnia than did younger participants and those with other comorbidities. CONCLUSION: We suggest that nurses should be encouraged to relax in order to facilitate stress relief and improve their quality of sleep.

Pheromone-assisted techniques to improve the efficacy of insecticide sprays against Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Outdoor residual sprays are among the most common methods for targeting pestiferous ants in urban pest management programs. If impervious surfaces such as concrete are treated with these insecticides, the active ingredients can be washed from the surface by rain or irrigation. As a result, residual sprays with fipronil and pyrethroids are found in urban waterways and aquatic sediments. Given the amount of insecticides applied to urban settings for ant control and their possible impact on urban waterways, the development of alternative strategies is critical to decrease the overall amounts of insecticides applied, while still achieving effective control of target ant species. Herein we report a "pheromone-assisted technique" as an economically viable approach to maximize the efficacy of conventional sprays targeting the Argentine ant. By applying insecticide sprays supplemented with an attractive pheromone compound, (Z)-9-hexadecenal, Argentine ants were diverted from nearby trails and nest entrances and subsequently exposed to insecticide residues. Laboratory experiments with fipronil and bifenthrin sprays indicated that the overall kill of the insecticides on Argentine ant colonies was significantly improved (57-142% increase) by incorporating (Z)-9-hexadecenal in the insecticide sprays. This technique, once it is successfully implemented in practical pest management programs, has the potential of providing maximum control efficacy with reduced amount of insecticides applied in the environment.