[Assessment of occupational stress among shopping centre employees]. / Valutazione dello stress lavoro correlato nei lavoratori di un centro commerciale.

Occupational stress literature emphasizes the importance of assessment and management of work related stress. The recognition of the harmful physical and psychological effects of occupational stress on both individuals and organizations is widely studied in Europe. In Italy such legislation was introduced by Legislative Decree 81/2008. Objective of the present study was to evaluate the occupational stress level of a shopping centre employees. A sample of 50 workers, 54% male (n = 27) and 46% female (n = 23) underwent to the Occupational Stress Index (OSI) questionnaire, used to examine occupational stress level of employees through the evaluation of work organization, individual characteristics, coping strategies, and psychosomatic effects of the stress. The results of OS were compared to the stress levels of a reference population. Results of data analysis provided evidence that the work organization of the examined shopping centre was good and there was no correlation between work characteristics, personality patterns, coping strategies and the psychosomatic effects of the stress. In addition a negative relationship between job satisfaction and length of service was found. Improvements in working conditions as well as early diagnosis are essential for preventing further increases in these disorders among workers. The next step would be multidisciplinary intervention studies aimed at the work environment, with the goal of identifying scientifically-based strategies that are most effective in preventing occupational stress.

Meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular discomfort in video display terminal workers.

PURPOSE: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most common ocular disorders encountered in clinical practice. The clinical manifestations of MGD are related to the changes in the tear film and ocular surface with symptoms of ocular discomfort. In recent years, many surveys have evaluated symptoms associated with the use of Video Display Terminals (VDT), and VDT use is recognized as a risk factor for eye discomfort. The aim of the present study was to determine if the presence of MGD contributes to the signs and symptoms of ocular discomfort during the use of VDT. METHODS: In course of a routine health surveillance programme, a group of 70 subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria and responded to a questionnaire about symptoms of ocular discomfort. The following ocular tests were performed: tear break-up time, fluorescein corneal stain, and basal tear secretion test. RESULTS: A total of 52 subjects out of 70 (74.3%) had MGD. A statistically significant correlation between the symptoms of ocular discomfort and hours spent on VDT work was observed in the total population (r=0.358; P=0.002; 95% CI 0.13-0.54) and in the group of subjects with MGD (r=0.365; P=0.009; 95% CI 0.103-0.58). Such correlation was not shown in subjects without MGD. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of MGD among the subjects with symptoms of ocular discomfort suggests that this diagnosis should be considered when occupational health practitioners encounter ocular complaints among VDT operators. It appears that MGD can contribute to the development of ocular discomfort in VDT operators.

[Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) among health care workers]. / Prevalenza di Staphylococcus aureus meticillino-resistente (MRSA) tra gli operatori sanitari.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staphylococcus infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The present study was performed to investigate the in vitro activity of oxacillin and other antimicrobial agents against S. aureus strains obtained from nursing personnel. The study included 56 hospital personnel of Universitary Policlinic of Messina. S. aureus strain was isolated in 14 samples (25%); resistent patterns have been studied and results have demonstrated: none methicillin resistant, while 14% oxacillin and tetraciclin resistant. The incidence of methicillin sensitive was 100%, while 86% proved to be sensitive to oxacillin and tetraciclin. In conclusion, the usually hygienic methods (disposable gowns, hygienic hand disinfection after each patients contact, masks use when is a risk of aerosolization of MRSA) are indicate for significantly reducing of these strains. Continuing education programmes can help to increase awareness among hospital staff.

[Asthenopia in VDT users: our experience]. / Astenopia e lavoro al VDT: nostra esperienza.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between asthenopia and work with video display terminals (VDT). 62 office workers (29 males and 33 females), that use VDT for more than 20 hours each week, were investigated by means of standardized questionnaires (elaborated by the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene). The authors analyzed the prevalence of occupational asthenopia and its correlation with the duration of weekly VDT use and the presence of refractive alterations. It was demonstrated a prevalence of asthenopia of 51% and a statistically significant correlation between the entity of asthenopic symptoms and number of weekly hours and years of work at VDT, in particular in subjects with presbyopia.

[Work related low-back pain: prevention and strategies of rehabilitation]. / Lombalgia lavoro correlata: prevenzione e strategie riabilitative.

Back disorders are a major health problem in many occupations. Physical loads at work, such as manual materials handling frequent bending and twisting, lifting, and forceful movements, have been identified as possible risk factors for low back pain (LBP). Aim of the present study was to evaluate the rehabilitative treatment in the chronic lumbago.

[Air pollution in urban areas as a risk factor for health in the general population and in workers. Environmental and biologic monitoring of 1-3 butadiene]. / L'inquinamento atmosferico delle aree urbane come fattore di rischio per la salute della popolazione generale e lavorativa. monitoraggio ambientale biologico dell'1-3 butadiene.

Exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD), a probable carcinogen to humans, was investigated in two groups of subjects working in a refinery plant: 28 occupationally exposed workers and 21 subjects non-occupationally exposed controls. BD in blood was higher in the exposed workers than in controls. Excretion of urinary mercapturic acids N-acetyl-S-(3,4-hydroxybutyl)-l-cysteine (MI), was not influenced by occupational exposure. The present study shows that unmetabolised BD in biological fluids, represents the biomarker of choice for assessing occupational exposure to low airborne concentrations of BD.

[Column and upper limb muscoloskeletal disorders in drivers helpers]. / Valutazione dei disturbi e delle patologie muscolo- scheletriche del rachide e degli arti superiori in autisti soccorritori.

The past two decades have witnessed a sharp rise in the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) off the upper extremities and low back pain. The high frequency of these Pathologies and the estimated costs induced a large number of searcher to indentify causes etiological and preventive measure. Epidemiological surveys have inquired people mainly devoted to health clinic, where nurses and health assistants partner; are few data on the rescuers drivers and operators of emergencies. In the sample considered the 3.9% presented abnormalities in at least one section of the column, the 3.8% presented borne disorders of the cervical spine and backbone for the past 12 months. No major disturbances emerged dependents of the upper limbs, pain in the wrist, paraesthesia day and night; No subject also reported disturbances hands as evidenced from examination goal. The 2.3% reported having had an accident at work with prognosis of less than 30 days and 06% over 30 days. The results showed that, through prevention program it is possible to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in specific occupations such as drivers and operators of emergencies.