Patterns of oxytocin use for induction and augmentation of labour among healthcare providers in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The practice of intrapartum use of oxytocin for induction and augmentation of labour is increasing worldwide with documented wide variations in clinical use, especially dose administrations. There is also evidence of intrapartum use by unauthorized cadre of staff. AIM: This study assessed the patterns - frequency of intrapartum use of oxytocin, the doses and routes of administration for induction and augmentation of labour, and identified the predictors of oxytocin use for induction and augmentation of labour by healthcare providers in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare providers - doctors, nurses/midwives and community health workers (CHWs) in public and private healthcare facilities across the country's six geopolitical zones. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 6,299 eligible healthcare providers who use oxytocin for pregnant women during labour and delivery. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant data and analysed using STATA 17 statistical software. Summary and inferential statistics were done and further analyses using multivariable regression models were performed to ascertain independent predictor variables of correct patterns of intrapartum oxytocin usage. The p-value was set at < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 6299 respondents who participated in the study, 1179 (18.7%), 3362 (53.4%), and 1758 (27.9%) were doctors, nurses/midwives and CHWs, respectively. Among the respondents, 4200 (66.7%) use oxytocin for augmentation of labour while 3314 (52.6%) use it for induction of labour. Of the 1758 CHWs, 37.8% and 49% use oxytocin for induction and augmentation of labour, respectively. About 10% of the respondents who use oxytocin for the induction or augmentation of labour incorrectly use the intramuscular route of administration and about 8% incorrectly use intravenous push. Being a doctor, and a healthcare provider from government health facilities were independent positive predictors of the administration of correct dose oxytocin for induction and augmentation of labour. The CHWs were most likely to use the wrong route and dose administration of oxytocin for the induction and augmentation of labour. CONCLUSION: Our study unveiled a concerning clinical practice of intrapartum oxytocin use by healthcare providers in Nigeria - prevalence of intrapartum use of oxytocin, inappropriate routes of administration for induction and augmentation of labour, varied and inappropriately high start dose of administration including unauthorized and high intrapartum use of oxytocin among CHWs.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination is Not Associated With Involuntary Childlessness in Female Healthcare Workers: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: There is debate about the causes of the recent birth rate decline in high-income countries worldwide. During the pandemic, concern about the effects on reproductive health has caused vaccine hesitancy. We investigated the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection with involuntary childlessness. METHODS: Females in fertility age within a prospective multicenter cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) were followed since August 2020. Data on baseline health, SARS-CoV-2-infection, and vaccination were obtained and regularly updated, in which serum samples were collected repetitively and screened for anti-nucleocapsid and anti-spike antibodies. In October 2023, participants indicated the presence of involuntary childlessness with onset during the pandemic, whereas those indicating an onset before the pandemic were excluded. The association of involuntary childlessness and SARS-CoV-2-vaccination and infection was investigated using univariable and multivariable analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to compare those reporting involuntary childlessness with those birthing a child since 2020. RESULTS: Of 798 participants, 26 (3.2%) reported involuntary childlessness starting since the pandemic. Of the involuntary childless women, 73.1% (19/26) were vaccinated compared to 86.0% (664/772) without involuntary childlessness (p = 0.73). SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported by 76.9% (20/26) compared to 72.4% (559/772) of controls (p = 0.64). Neither SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (aOR 0.91 per dose, 95%CI 0.67-1.26) nor infection (aOR per infection 1.05, 95%CI 0.62-1.71) was associated with involuntary childlessness. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. CONCLUSIONS: Among female HCW of fertility age, 3.2% indicated involuntary childlessness, which is comparable to pre-pandemic data. No association between involuntary childlessness and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection was found.

Vaccine communication strategies among healthcare workers as a reflection of the Israeli Ministry of Health's communication strategies before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare workers play a central role in communicating information to the public regarding vaccines. Most of the literature has focused on healthcare workers' hesitancy and doubts about getting the flu vaccine themselves. However, few studies have dealt with how they perceive their role in communicating information regarding vaccines, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: (1) To identify the communication strategies used by the Israeli Ministry of Health regarding vaccines during epidemic crises (before and after the COVID-19 pandemic); (2) To identify the communication strategies used by healthcare workers regarding vaccines before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews was conducted among healthcare workers and used a semi-structured protocol as a research tool. A total of 18 healthcare workers were sampled using purposeful and snowball sampling. Results: Despite healthcare workers' perception that there has been a decrease in trust in the Israeli Ministry of Health among the public following the COVID-19 outbreak, they still rely on the Israeli Ministry of Health as their primary source of information and use the same communication strategies (such as fear appeals and correcting information) as of the Israeli Ministry of Health to communicate with the public, healthcare providers, and other relevant stakeholders. Conclusion: Healthcare workers have been shaped by the professional socialization processes within the health system, leading to a predominant reliance on established communication strategies and informational channels. This reliance underscores the importance of evolving these methods to better engage with the public. To address this, there is a compelling need to innovate and adopt new communication techniques that emphasize effective dialogue and transparent interactions. By doing so, healthcare professionals can ensure that their outreach is not only informative but also responsive to the diverse needs and preferences of the community.

Knowledge, behaviours, practices, and expectations regarding climate change and environmental sustainability among health workers in France: a multicentre, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Faced with climate change, hospitals are confronted with a dual challenge. On one hand, they need to embark on a far-reaching ecological transformation to reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts; on the other hand, they need to limit the effects of climate change on their activities. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, behaviours, practices, and expectations of health workers in French hospitals regarding climate change and environmental sustainability. METHODS: This multicentre, cross-sectional study was carried out in six French hospitals from June 1, 2021 to Dec 31, 2022. All health workers at the hospitals were eligible to participate and were recruited through internal publicity. We designed a structured questionnaire consisting of five parts: participant characteristics, knowledge and perceptions of climate change, pro-environmental behaviours, practices concerning environmental sustainability actions, and expectations. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to evaluate associations between the knowledge, behaviours, and practices of health workers and the characteristics of the health workers and hospitals. FINDINGS: Of 57 034 health workers across the six hospitals, 4552 (8·0%) participated in the study. Of those for whom gender data were available, 3518 (78·2%) participants were women and 979 (21·8%) were men. Participants considered energy consumption (71·0%) and waste and discharges related to medical activities (55·6%) and non-medical activities (50·2%) to be the three activities with the greatest environmental impact. On a scale of 1 (not a priority) to 10 (high priority), the median rating attributed by the participants to the commitment of their hospitals to ecological transformation was 5·0 (IQR 3·0-6·0). 1079 (23·7%) of 4552 participants had already initiated at least one environmental sustainability action in their hospital. Barriers reported by participants to the implementation of environmental sustainability-related projects were the lack of dedicated time (40·4%), hierarchical support (32·5%), methodological support (28·9%), and access to training (23·7%). The presence of a sustainable development steering committee, especially one with more than 5 years of activity, was positively associated with health workers feeling better informed about the ecological transformation of their hospital (adjusted odds ratio 1·78 [95% CI 1·29-2·45]), having better knowledge of the environmental impacts of their hospital (1·83 [1·32-2·53]), and initiating a larger number of environmental sustainability actions (1·74 [1·33-2·29]). INTERPRETATION: We showed that health workers in French hospitals seem to be committed to the ecological transformation of their workplaces, and identified some drivers and barriers to further support these essential transformations. There is an urgent need to bolster training for all health workers, enhance structural frameworks within hospitals, and encourage future interdisciplinary research on the vulnerability of health-care facilities to climate change. FUNDING: The University Hospital of Poitiers.

COVID-19 seroprevalence cohort survey among health care workers and their household members in Kinshasa, DR Congo, 2020-2022.

INTRODUCTION: Serological surveys offer the most direct measurement to define the immunity status for numerous infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and can provide valuable insights into understanding transmission patterns. This study describes seroprevalence changes over time in the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where COVID-19 case presentation was apparently largely oligo- or asymptomatic, and vaccination coverage remained extremely low. METHODS: A cohort of 635 health care workers (HCW) from 5 health zones of Kinshasa and 670 of their household members was interviewed and sampled in 6 rounds between July 2020 and January 2022. At each round, information on risk exposure and a blood sample were collected. Serology was defined as positive when binding antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins were simultaneously present. RESULTS: The SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was high at baseline, 17.3% (95% CI 14.4-20.6) and 7.8% (95% CI 5.5-10.8) for HCW and household members, respectively, and fluctuated over time, between 9% and 62.1%. Seropositivity was heterogeneously distributed over the health zones (p < 0.001), ranging from 12.5% (95% CI 6.6-20.8) in N'djili to 33.7% (95% CI 24.6-43.8) in Bandalungwa at baseline for HCW. Seropositivity was associated with increasing rounds adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.75 (95% CI 1.66-1.85), with increasing age aOR 1.11 (95% CI 1.02-1.20), being a female aOR 1.35 (95% CI 1.10-1.66) and being a HCW aOR 2.38 (95% CI 1.80-3.14). There was no evidence that HCW brought the COVID-19 infection back home, with an aOR of 0.64 (95% CI 0.46-0.91) of seropositivity risk among household members in subsequent surveys. There was seroreversion and seroconversion over time, and HCW had a lower risk of seroreverting than household members (aOR 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.86)). CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were high and dynamic over time in this African setting with low clinical case rates. The absence of association with health profession or general risk behaviors and with HCW positivity in subsequent rounds in HH members, shows the importance of the time-dependent, and not work-related, force of infection. Cohort seroprevalence estimates in a 'new disease' epidemic seem insufficient to guide policy makers for defining control strategies.

Suicidal ideation and their relationship with job satisfaction and job strain among Jordanian hospitals' healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study.

Suicidal ideation is a major health problem that occurs in response to complex interactions among psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. The phenomenon of suicidal ideation among healthcare professionals is still shrouded in mystery in Jordanian society, and there is still a scarcity of studies on its relationship with job strain and job satisfaction has been examined in the Arab world. Therefore, to fill this gap, this study aimed to reveal the prevalence of suicidal ideation among Jordanian hospitals health care professionals, and its relationship to job satisfaction and job strain. Additionally, how some sociodemographic factors were correlated with suicidal ideation levels, including age, sex, monthly income, occupation, years of experience, and sector type. Data were collected through a survey including sociodemographic characteristics, Suicidal ideation Scale (SIS), Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), and Demand Control Support Questionnaire (DCSQ). The survey was distributed among 910 physicians and nurses of both sexes in public and private Jordanian hospitals. The survey was conducted using an anonymous online platform via Google Forms between October 2022 and December 2023. In light of the strain theory of suicide (STS), our results showed that physicians and nurses reported low levels of suicidal ideation and job satisfaction, with high levels of job strain. Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with job strain and negatively correlated with job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is negatively correlated with job strain. Job satisfaction was a significant mediator between job strain and suicidal ideation. Greater attention should be paid to the work environment in healthcare, particularly to enhance social support, increase job satisfaction levels, reduce job strain, and provide extensive training on effective prevention strategies for suicidal ideation and behaviour in the workplace. Additionally, policies and practices related to the health sector should be modified to create stable, healthy, and safe relationships and work environments.

Retrospective study on the emotional status of healthcare workers in a COVID-19 field hospital in Oman.

Overview: To combat the overwhelming demand for medical services and care during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Sultanate of Oman launched the COVID-19 Field Hospital in 2020, designed to respond and alleviate the burden on the medical infrastructure. Several studies globally and from the Middle East suggested that frontline healthcare workers (HCW) were at risk of developing markers of psychological distress. It was further understood through research findings that HCW were resilient during times of crisis. However, there is a dearth in studies evaluating the emotional status of frontline HCW posted in the COVID-19 field hospitals in Gulf Countries, including Oman. This study attempts to shed light on the emotional status of HCW that were on the frontlines in the field hospital in the Sultanate of Oman. Aim: This study aims to quantify and evaluate the emotional status of HCW in the frontline field hospital by screening for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. Method: The data was collected by a local private mental healthcare facility as part of digital feedback to design and implement supportive strategies. Data was collected between September 2021 and October 2021 from 121 HCW in the COVID-19 Field hospital in Oman via 'WhatsApp'. Results: Chi square and binary logistic regression tests were administered to evaluate the data. The participants comprised of 63.6% females and 79.3% were between 30 and 39 years of age. Majority of the participants (65.2%) described themselves as 'financially unstable' and possess an average of 7.5 years of work experience. Of the participants 73.6% of the HCW were based solely in the field hospital for 6-9 months at the time of the survey. Majority of the participants denied the presence of emotional distress expressed through depression (92.6%), anxiety (92.6%) and poor quality of sleep (59.5%). Conclusion: The findings of the present study reflect the HCW ability to cope during challenging situations likely owing to a variety of environmental, social and personal protective factors. The findings of this study can translate into further research on identifying and addressing stressors and targeting the enhancement of protective factors to safeguard the well-being of HCW.

Examining the Effectiveness of Social Media for the Dissemination of Research Evidence for Health and Social Care Practitioners: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Social media use has potential to facilitate the rapid dissemination of research evidence to busy health and social care practitioners. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantitatively synthesize evidence of the between- and within-group effectiveness of social media for dissemination of research evidence to health and social care practitioners. It also compared effectiveness between different social media platforms, formats, and strategies. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for articles in English that were published between January 1, 2010, and January 10, 2023, and that evaluated social media interventions for disseminating research evidence to qualified, postregistration health and social care practitioners in measures of reach, engagement, direct dissemination, or impact. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were carried out by at least 2 independent reviewers. Meta-analyses of standardized pooled effects were carried out for between- and within-group effectiveness of social media and comparisons between platforms, formats, and strategies. Certainty of evidence for outcomes was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) framework. RESULTS: In total, 50 mixed-quality articles that were heterogeneous in design and outcome were included (n=9, 18% were randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Reach (measured in number of practitioners, impressions, or post views) was reported in 26 studies. Engagement (measured in likes or post interactions) was evaluated in 21 studies. Direct dissemination (measured in link clicks, article views, downloads, or altmetric attention score) was analyzed in 23 studies (8 RCTs). Impact (measured in citations or measures of thinking and practice) was reported in 13 studies. Included studies almost universally indicated effects in favor of social media interventions, although effect sizes varied. Cumulative evidence indicated moderate certainty of large and moderate between-group effects of social media interventions on direct dissemination (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.88; P=.02) and impact (SMD 0.76; P<.001). After social media interventions, cumulative evidence showed moderate certainty of large within-group effects on reach (SMD 1.99; P<.001), engagement (SMD 3.74; P<.001), and direct dissemination (SMD 0.82; P=.004) and low certainty of a small within-group effect on impacting thinking or practice (SMD 0.45; P=.02). There was also evidence for the effectiveness of using multiple social media platforms (including Twitter, subsequently rebranded X; and Facebook), images (particularly infographics), and intensive social media strategies with frequent, daily posts and involving influential others. No included studies tested the dissemination of research evidence to social care practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: Social media was effective for disseminating research evidence to health care practitioners. More intense social media campaigns using specific platforms, formats, and strategies may be more effective than less intense interventions. Implications include recommendations for effective dissemination of research evidence to health care practitioners and further RCTs in this field, particularly investigating the dissemination of social care research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022378793; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=378793. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/45684.

Effect of integration of prescription drug monitoring program data in the electronic health record on queries by primary care providers.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of PDMP integration in the EHR on provider query rates within twelve primary care clinics in one academic medical center. Methods: Using linked data from the EHR and state PDMP program, we evaluated changes in PDMP query rates using a stepped-wedge observational design where integration was implemented in three waves (four clinics per wave) over a five-month period (May, July, September 2019). Multivariable negative binomial general estimating equations (GEE) models assessed changes in PDMP query rates, overall and across several provider and clinic-level subgroups. Results: Among 206 providers in PDMP integrated clinics, the average number of queries per provider per month increased significantly from 1.43 (95% CI 1.07 - 1.91) pre-integration to 3.94 (95% CI 2.96 - 5.24) post-integration, a 2.74-fold increase (95% CI 2.11 to 3.59; p < .0001). Those in the lowest quartile of PDMP use pre-integration increased 36.8-fold (95% CI 16.91 - 79.95) after integration, significantly more than other pre-integration PDMP use quartiles. Conclusions: Integration of the PDMP in the EHR significantly increased the use of the PDMP overall and across all studied subgroups. PDMP use increased to a greater degree among providers with lower PDMP use pre-integration.

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: The demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to achieve adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) use in 90% of patient encounters, to reach 90% compliance with objectives of patient flow (OPF) and to provide emotional support tools to 90% of healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design in 14 ICUs in Argentina. We randomly selected adult critically ill patients admitted from July 2020 to July 2021 and active HCWs in the same period. We implemented a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) with a baseline phase (BP) and an intervention phase (IP). The QIC included learning sessions, periods of action and improvement cycles (plan-do-study-act) virtually coached by experts via platform web-based activities. The main study outcomes encompassed the following elements: proper utilisation of PPE, compliance with nine specific OPF using daily goal sheets through direct observations and utilisation of a web-based tool for tracking emotional well-being among HCWs. RESULTS: We collected 7341 observations of PPE use (977 in BP and 6364 in IP) with an improvement in adequate use from 58.4% to 71.9% (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.29, p<0.001). We observed 7428 patient encounters to evaluate compliance with 9 OPF (879 in BP and 6549 in IP) with an improvement in compliance from 53.9% to 67% (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.32, p<0.001). The results showed that HCWs did not use the support tool for self-mental health evaluation as much as expected. CONCLUSION: A QIC was effective in improving healthcare processes and adequate PPE use, even in the context of a pandemic, indicating the possibility of expanding QIC networks nationwide to improve overall healthcare delivery. The limited reception of emotional support tools requires further analyses.

Correlation between uncertainty stress and depression among healthcare professionals in China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the correlation between uncertainty stress (US) and depression among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in China. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted by recruiting HCPs from three provinces in China (central, eastern and western) through purposive sampling between 29 September 2022 and 18 January 2023. US was measured using the Life Stress Questionnaire and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In total, 2976 questionnaires were deemed valid. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME: This study examined the prevalence of US and depression among HCPs in China; the correlating sociodemographic traits; and the correlation between US and depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of US and depression among HCPs in China was 26.54% (790 out of 2976) and 71.63% (2132 out of 2976). Binary logistic analysis revealed that individuals with graduate degrees (OR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.11; p<0.05), central China (OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.24; p<0.01), primary medical institutes (OR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.72; p<0.05), secondary medical institutes (OR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68; p<0.05), an annual income of less than ¥50 000 (OR: 1.85; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.73; p<0.01) and an income range of ¥50 000-¥99 999 (OR: 1.49; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.03; p<0.05) were associated with a higher likelihood of US. The adjusted logistic regression model demonstrated that HCPs with higher US had a greater likelihood of depression (adjusted OR: 5.02; 95% CI 3.88 to 6.50; p<0.01). The increase in the US score was paralleled by an increased depression score (beta (B): 1.32; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.39; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings reveal a significant correlation between US and depression among HCPs and suggest that improving the management of US may help reduce the prevalence of depression among HCPs.

Factors underlying the high occupational risk of healthcare personnel for COVID-19 infection.

Crispim et al. demonstrated the independent risk factors for acquiring COVID-19 among healthcare personnel. They also showed the importance of infection prevention training to avoid acquiring COVID-19 in this population. OBJECTIVE: To verify the rate of COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel at high and low risk of COVID-19 infection and identify the underlying risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Associations were verified between the levels of risk (high or low) of occupational COVID-19 infection and participant characteristics using the World Health Organization risk assessment questionnaire and adjusted using logistic regression models in single and multiple approaches. RESULTS: Of the 486 participants, 57.4% were classified as having a high occupational risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a diagnosis rate of 12.1%. The factors identified in the multivariate analysis for high occupational risk were age up to 29 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.63-4.47), monthly family income greater than eight times the basic salary (OR= 1.8, 95%CI= 1.07-3.16), and healthcare personnel who did not participate in initial training to work in the area of patients with COVID-19 infection (OR= 2.39, 95%CI= 1.53-3.75). CONCLUSION: Encouraging training for occupational infection prevention is very important to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on healthcare personnel, especially young health professionals. COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel has impacted the workforce in hospitals. Knowledge of the risk factors for COVID-19 infection is important for disease prevention measures. Failure to train healthcare personnel is an important risk factor for acquiring COVID-19.

Poor sleep quality and overweight/obesity in healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the sleep quality of healthcare professionals and the incidence of overweight and obesity, exploring the potential impact of sleep quality on the onset of overweight and obesity in order to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective health intervention measures. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to conduct a survey on the sleep characteristics and obesity status among healthcare professionals at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Tianjin Dongli District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. The survey was conducted via online questionnaires, which included demographic data, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), height, weight, and related sleep, exercise, and dietary habits. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to study the relationship between sleep quality and overweight/obesity among healthcare professionals. Results: A total of 402 questionnaires were distributed, with a 100% retrieval rate, yielding 402 valid questionnaires. The average body mass index of the 402 participants was 23.22 ± 3.87 kg/m^2. Among them, 144 cases were overweight or obese, accounting for 35.8% (144/402) of the total. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among healthcare professionals was 27.4% (110/402), with an average PSQI score of 8.37 ± 3.624. The rate of poor sleep quality was significantly higher in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal weight group (36.1% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.003). The multivariate analysis indicated that gender, marital status, lower education level, sleep duration (odds ratio [OR] =1.411, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043-1.910, p = 0.026), and sleep disturbances (OR = 1.574, 95%CI 1.123-2.206, p = 0.008) were significant risk factors for overweight and obesity among healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Overweight or obese healthcare professionals had poorer sleep quality compared to those with a normal weight. Sleep duration and sleep disorders were identified as independent risk factors for overweight or obesity in healthcare professionals. Increasing sleep duration and improving sleep disorders may play a positive role in controlling overweight and obesity among healthcare professionals.

Strikes of physicians and other health care workers in sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review.

Introduction: Strikes in the health sector have been of growing concern, given their disruptive nature, negatively impacting the provision of health care and jeopardizing the well-being of patients. This study aims to identify the main actors, the reasons behind industrial actions protests, strikes and lockouts (IAPSL) in sub-Saharan African countries and their impact on health care workers (specifically doctors) and health services, as well as to identify the main strategies adopted to reduce their impact on healthcare services. Methods: Studies published between January 2000 and December 2021 and archived in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, and Science Direct were included. Quantitative, observational (i.e., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and ecological) and experimental studies, as well as mixed methods, quasi-experimental, and qualitative studies were eligible. Results: A total of 5521 studies were identified and after eliminating duplicates, applying the inclusion criteria, and assessing the risk of bias, a total of 11 studies were included in the review. Nurses and doctors are the actors most commonly involved in strikes. The main causes of strikes were salary claims and poor working conditions. The main strategies adopted to mitigate the strike consequences were to restrict services and prioritize emergency and chronic care, greater cooperation with the private sector and rearrange tasks of the available staff. The strikes led to a reduction in hospitalizations and in the number of women giving birth in health units, an increase in maternal and child morbidities and delays in the immunization process. Increased mortality was only reported in faith-based hospitals. Discussion: This evidence can assist decision-makers in developing strategies and interventions to address IAPSL by health care workers, contributing to strengthen the health system. Strikes in the health sector disrupt healthcare services provision and compromise the well-being of patients, especially the most disadvantaged, with consequences that may be difficult to overcome ever. The potential health impacts of strikes highlights the importance of their prevention or timely resolution through regulation and negotiations to balance the rights of health care workers and the rights of patients. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=334173, identifier CRD42022334173.

Spatial distribution patterns of human resources allocation in maternal and child healthcare institutions in China from 2016 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: In China, economic, urbanization, and policy differences between the eastern and western regions lead to uneven healthcare resources. This disparity is more pronounced in the west due to fewer healthcare personnel per thousand individuals and imbalanced doctor-to-nurse ratios, which exacerbates healthcare challenges. This study examines the spatial distribution of human resources in maternal and child healthcare from 2016 to 2021, highlighting regional disparities and offering insights for future policy development. METHODS: The data were sourced from the "China Health and Family Planning Statistical Yearbook" (2017) and the "China Health and Health Statistics Yearbook" (2018-2022). This study utilized GeoDa 1.8.6 software to conduct both global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses, using China's administrative map as the base dataset. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, there was an upward trend in the number of health personnel and various types of health technical personnel in Chinese maternal and child healthcare institutions. The spatial distribution of these personnel from 2016 to 2021 revealed clusters characterized as high-high, low-low, high-low and low-high. Specifically, high-high clusters were identified in Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces; low-low in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; high-low in Sichuan province; and low-high in Fujian and Anhui provinces. CONCLUSIONS: From 2016 to 2021, there was evident spatial clustering of health personnel and various health technical personnel in Chinese maternal and child healthcare institutions, indicating regional imbalances.

Health care providers' perspectives on the need for palliative care in Upper Egypt: a descriptive exploratory study including children and adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Only four centers in Egypt provide Palliative Care (PC) for adult cancer patients and one provides care for pediatric cancer patients. While PC is not widely utilized in Egypt, this study aims to assess patients' need for PC from the providers' perspective. The primary objectives were to assess providers' knowledge about PC, understand patients' needs, and compare children's and adults' needs for PC. METHODS: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Patients were recruited from a cancer center in Qena Governorate, Egypt. All 108 nurses and physicians in the cancer center were interviewed to assess their perspectives about PC and patients' need for it. RESULTS: Of the 108 care providers, more than 60% of the providers were not familiar with the concept of PC and did not participate in related activities, and more than 77% did not receive any training on the topic. All the providers reported there is no specific policy for end-of-life care. More than 60% of the providers responded that their patients do not need PC as the providers believe that PC provided only for end-stage patients. 50% of the providers see that PC has benefits such as pain relief and symptom management. No major differences were noted between pediatric and adult PC needs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide foundational evidence of providers' lack of experience with and understanding of palliative care. This deficit is creating a barrier to providing palliative care in Egypt.

Influenza Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Personnel in US Hospitals.

This survey study assesses changes from 2017 to 2021 in self-reported annual influenza vaccination among workers in nonfederal and Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Interprofessional Collaboration amongst Healthcare Workers of a Tertiary Hospital in North-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare is important to optimise healthcare delivery. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on the topic in Nigeria, especially in the North. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the levels of interprofessional collaboration, enablers and barriers amongst healthcare workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected using a five-domain modified Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale questionnaire, with a Likert scale of 1-5. The ideal mean score was ≤2 for the barriers domain and ≥4 for the other domains. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-six participants responded to the questionnaire. Male and female respondents were 131 (49.2%) each. Half of the respondents were 31 to 40 years old. One hundred and thirty-six (51.1%) of the respondents were nurses, and 48 (18.0%) were doctors. The modal working experience was 6-11 years (41.4%), and 117 (44.0%) respondents had at least a bachelor's degree. The mean scores for the domains were 4.1032 for partnership, 3.2383 for cooperation, 3.6309 for coordination, 4.2844 for enablers and 3.7902 for barriers. CONCLUSION: There was adequate level of partnership and enablers amongst the healthcare workers but insufficient cooperation and coordination and high level of barriers. Staff training on cooperation, coordination and identified barriers is necessary to improve interprofessional collaboration in the hospital.

The prevalence, determinants, and consequences of post-COVID in healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey.

Data on post-coronavirus disease (COVID) in healthcare workers (HCWs) are scarce. We aimed to assess prevalence, determinants, and consequences of post-COVID in HCWs. In fall 2022, we performed a cross-sectional survey in a tertiary care hospital with a web-based questionnaire sent to HCWs. Post-COVID was defined as persistent/new symptoms 3 months after acute COVID. Propensity score weighting was performed to assess the impact of post-COVID on return-to-work. 1062 HCWs completed the questionnaire, 713 (68%) reported at least one COVID, and 109 (10%) met the definition for post-COVID, with workplace contamination reported in 51 (47%). On multivariable analysis, risk factors for post-COVID were female gender (p = 0.047), ≥50 years (p = 0.007), immunosuppression (p = 0.004), ≥2 COVID episodes (p = 0.003), and ≥5 symptoms during acute COVID (p = 0.005). Initial sick leave was prescribed for 94 HCWs (86% post-COVID), for a median duration of 7 [7-9] days, and extended for 23. On return-to-work, 91 (84%) had residual symptoms, primarily asthenia/fatigue (72%) and cognitive impairment (25%). Cognitive impairment at return-to-work was associated with post-COVID. Ten HCWs (9%) received a medical diagnosis of post-COVID, 8 consulted the occupational physician, and four required work adaptation. Post-COVID affected 10% of HCWs. Long-term consequences included repeated sick leaves and residual symptoms on return-to-work.

The Effect of Night Shift on Blood Pressure in Healthcare Workers.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals across all age groups may experience elevated blood pressure due to a combination of internal and environmental factors. Factors influencing arterial pressure include diet, stress, sleep patterns, and lifestyle. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility to high blood pressure among occupational groups working night shifts. METHOD: The study included healthcare worker participants who had at least six night shifts per month. A control group consisted of participants performing the same roles during daytime. Participants with chronic diseases or those taking blood pressure-affecting medication were excluded. Holter recordings were made over a minimum of 48 hours, including both a free day and a work day. RESULTS: The study involved 114 participants-55 in the study group and 59 in the control group. Statistically significant differences were noted between the groups in the daylight-night ratios of systolic and diastolic pressures, with P values of 0.006 and 0.005, respectively. The systolic daylight-night difference was -5.7 ± 5.5% in the study group and -9.0 ± 7.0% in the control group. The diastolic daylight-night difference was -7.9 ± 9.6% in the study group and -12.7 ± 8.2% in the control group. CONCLUSION: Occupations with nighttime work schedules are often associated with non-dipping blood pressure patterns due to sleep disturbances. It is crucial to consider the blunted dipping of blood pressure induced by night shift work when assessing and monitoring hypertension and related medical conditions.