Assessment of self-perceived risk and risk rating among chemical sprayers in selected tea plantations in South India

Introduction: Chemical sprayers of the tea plantation industry perceive various degrees of risk involved in their daily work. The objective of the study was to assess self-perceived risk and to rate these risks among the pesticide sprayers working in selected tea plantations in South India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 chemical sprayers in six selected tea plantations in South India from September to October 2018 after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee and permission from the plantations. Data was collected by structured interview schedule with the chemical sprayers and key informant interviews were conducted with their supervisors. The risks perceived by the sprayers were rated and expressed using the Risk Rating Matrix. Results: The mean age of the participants was 45.6±8.5 years and all of them were males. The most common risks encountered were leech bites (76%), other insect bites (58%) and bruises (46%). Chemical spills, splashes, slips, falls and backaches were considered as minor hazards in risk rating. Animal attacks and falls from trees were assigned the highest risk rating scores. Conclusion: Insect bite was the most common risk perceived and animal attacks attained the highest risk score. Regular supervision and monitoring of work-related risk factors can help in the reduction of common injuries thereby ensuring safety at the workplace

Musculoskeletal symptom survey and ergonomic assessments associated with maintenance tasks in the Indonesian railway industry

Introduction: Suboptimal work design of maintenance tasks in railway industries often leads to adverse health effects for workers. This study aimed to determine the ergonomic risk levels and assess the extent of musculoskeletal symptoms associated with train maintenance tasks in the Indonesian railway industry. Methods: The study involved 34 workers responsible for the daily handling of locomotive components within a railway maintenance workshop in Indonesia. A musculoskeletal symptom survey was conducted using the Indonesian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine the prevalence and severity of such adverse health effects. Ergonomics assessments were conducted using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) to evaluate the risk level and contributing risk factors associated with the investigated maintained tasks. Results: Participants predominantly experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back (100%), followed by shoulders (91%), and knees (88%), while the highest severity was also observed in these regions. The ergonomics assessments revealed that over 50% of the maintenance tasks were categorized as either high or very high risk, with higher REBA section scores noted in the neck, leg, and trunk compared to those of the lower arm, wrist, and upper arm. Conclusion: Workers performing train maintenance tasks experience a high prevalence and moderate severity of musculoskeletal symptoms. Additionally, most maintenance tasks performed were considered risky. Prompt interventions are necessary to address these findings

The effect of noise reduction on work-related stress: a quasi-experimental study on weaving workers exposed to high levels of noise

Introduction: The textile industry is one industry in the world with a high risk in its production process. The operation of weaving machines generates high levels of noise, which can cause various adverse effects on workers\u27 health, especially work-related stress. IT Co. Ltd., one of the largest textile companies in Solo, Central Java, since 1975, has not been able to overcome the problem of the high noise intensity, especially in the weaving production room. Methods: This study aims to determine the effect of reducing noise exposure on work-related stress by installing sound-absorbing materials from coconut fiber waste. The study was carried out in 2 phases. The first phase measured noise intensity and work stress before the intervention. The second phase was carried out for 12 measurements daily after installing sound-absorbing material from coconut fiber waste. Results: Installing sound-absorbing material from the coconut fiber waste on the second to the thirteenth day positively reduced the average noise intensity and work-related stress score compared to the first day before the intervention. Conclusion: The study showed a significant difference in the average noise intensity and work-related stress before and after installing the sound-absorbing materials on 13 days of measurement

Health Effects of Pesticides among Small Scale Farmers in an Urban Municipality of Nepal: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: Pesticides cause short-term as well as long-term health effects. Agriculture workers are at high risk of effect. So, this study aimed to identify the health effects of pesticides among small-scale farmers in the municipality of Bhaktapur, Nepal. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in all wards of Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Farmers of selected households who adopted agriculture as their main occupation were included in this study. The sample size for the study was 132. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to determine the farmer from each ward and simple random sampling was used to reach every respondent. Face-to-face interview technique and semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was applied to measure an association between selected variables. Results: All of the farmers used pesticides and about two-thirds 74(64.9%) experienced both immediate as well as delayed symptoms due to the use of pesticides. Majority of them showed general symptoms such as eye irritation 87(76.3%), difficulty in breathing 70(61.4%) and fatigue 55(48.2%).  There was an association between the frequency of exposure and health effects due to pesticide use which was found to be statistically significant at a significance level with p-value 0.042. Conclusion: Health effects such as skin rashes, effects on the eyes, and respiratory system were reported. The most prevalent effects were eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, and itching of the skin. Training on pesticide use and awareness should be conducted by municipalities to reduce the effects

Impact of High-Heeled Footwear on the health of the young female students of selected colleges of Mangalore, India

Introduction: High-heeled shoes are a leading cause of foot problems and chronic lower limbs, as well as discomfort, fatigue, and an increased risk of injury. The research aimed to analyze the influence of wearing high-heeled shoes on the foot health of young females. The study emphasizes the need to create awareness among females about the detrimental impacts of utilizing heeled footwear over the long term on discomfort, BMI, and functional capacity. A slight change in footwear choices could significantly reduce discomfort and disability experiences. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select 50 young female students studying in Mangalore's undergraduate college for the cross-sectional study. A pre-designed and pre-tested structured Google Form questionnaire was used to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and outcome measures, including the location of pain, the intensity of the pain, and functional ability. Data was collected in the second half of 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: According to the survey, 46% of young female students exhibited poor functional activities while wearing high heels. It was found that 12% of students had pain in their toes all of the time, 8% had pain in the arch of their foot, and 25% had discomfort in their lower back occasionally. About two-thirds (64%) felt averagely manageable discomfort. Conclusion: The study found that wearing heeled shoes has a significant influence on women's musculoskeletal systems. Young females will be better able to resist pain from the deforming effects of footwear if they condition their feet properly and choose the appropriate footwear

Multicenter investigation of moral distress among physicians and its impact on the intention to leave working position

Introduction: The evidence concerning Moral Distress (MD) among physicians is limited, while such data are absent for physicians working in the Greek National Health System (GNHS). The purpose of this study is the investigation of MD among physicians in Greece and the validation Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R) as a reliable method for the measurement of MD in the Greek language. Methods: This is a multicenter study in which 200 physicians of all specialties and degrees participated. A self-reporting questionnaire was used. The MDS-R questionnaire is constituted of 21 items that describe conditions met in clinical practice, aiming to investigate the frequency and intensity of such cases. The questionnaire was translated and validated in the Greek language. Results: The test-retest procedure was undergone in a sample of 18 physicians and it was found significant and high agreement in all of the MD scale items. Therefore, all 21 items of the MDS-R questionnaire were found suitable for inclusion in the Greek version of MDS-R. A model of four main factors emerged after the analysis of the results with a total variance of 46,8% and all these factors were correlated with each other. MD was detected to a significant degree in more than half participants. The incidence and intensity of MD were higher in physicians who worked in general hospitals compared to those working in cancer hospitals, which is reported for the first time. Conclusions: The Greek version of MDS-R is a valid and reliable instrument for the investigation of MD among Greek physicians. Moral distress impacts the Greek physicians but the degree depends on the working position. Moral distress is also associated with leaving a working position among Greek physicians

Mental Health and Well-being of Healthcare Professionals Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges to healthcare professionals (HCPs) with increased risk of mental health and well-being globally. However, the psychological impact of the pandemic on the mental health and well-being of HCPs in Canada is not fully understood. This paper critically reviews broadly available literature on the mental health and psychosocial status of HCPs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Methods: A comprehensive online search was conducted using the guidelines outlined by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination for combining the findings of diverse primary studies within a single review. Online search was conducted through databases such as AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), Embase, Global Health, Ovid Healthstar, Mental Measurements Yearbook, EBM Reviews - ACP Journal Club, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, In-Data-Review, and Google Scholar for the period between March 2020 and May 2023. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed systematically using a thematic analysis approach to identify the main themes across studies.  Results: The analysis uncovers three key themes: 1) HCPs face diverse mental health impacts during the pandemic; 2) HCPs are dissatisfied with organizational approaches to COVID-19; and 3) HCPs express concerns about personal well-being and the safety of others during the pandemic. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for HCPs to cope effectively with stressors for their own, their patients, and their families\u27 well-being. Therefore, future research should prioritize the ways in which HCPs can maintain their emotional, mental, and psychological well-being

Aviation Podiatry - What place does podiatry have in aerospace medicine?

Introduction: With there being 12 commercial airlines within the U.K and over 4 billion passengers travelling by aircraft every year, it is of no surprise that thousands of men and women are employed as cabin crew. Physical demands imposed upon cabin crew have long been recognized and known to place this particular population at an increased risk of experiencing a work-related injury. Whilst previous research would also suggest that there is a relationship between footwear and the occurrence of musculoskeletal (MSK) lower limb symptoms, there is a need to consider such a relationship specifically among an aviation cabin crew population. Methods: Quantitative data was obtained from a sample of 250 junior crew at a leading airline in the Middle East over 12 months. The sample involved both female and male crew of a healthy BMI who were aged between 22-30 years. All participants were asked closed questions with regard to their lower limb health and footwear. Dynamic gait scans utilizing a Podotech scanner were also used to assess the participant\u27s gait and validate other data. Results: The screening found that 34% of the crew were found to have an MSK podiatric issue with 30% requiring orthoses. Of the 34%, 30% of this group had footwear issues. Common biomechanical issues were identified in the sample group. A holistic approach to care that included the provision of aviation podiatry allowed longer-term treatment outcomes to be achieved. The use of orthotics that were made from EVA and in accordance with recent podiatric research proved beneficial in helping to address underlying biomechanical issues. Conclusion: The findings presented a more detailed analysis of lower limb biomechanical issues among cabin crew and how such issues could have wider implications for the occupational role of the sample group. Consideration to podiatric issues among aviation staff, as a whole, should not be overlooked. Given the incidence of lower limb issues among the sample group, future rehabilitation and prevention strategies would clearly benefit from the specialist insights of an aviation podiatrist contributing as part of a multi-disciplinary aeromedical team

Prevalence of Accidents and Injuries and Related Factors of Fishermen Fishing Offshore in the North of Vietnam

Introduction: Seafaring, particularly offshore fishing, exposes fishermen to various occupational risks leading to diseases and injuries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational risks, injury accidents, and contributing factors among offshore fishers in North Vietnam, to develop evidence-based recommendations to enhance their safety and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 420 fishermen with a minimum of two years of experience. Interviews were conducted between 2018 and 2020. Results: The findings indicated that there is a 41.7% prevalence of accidents and an average injury rate of 280.2 per person per year. Most incidents occurred at night with 104 cases (59.4%), slips and falls 48 cases (27.4%), broken winch lines 40 cases (22.9%), and ship collisions 14 cases (8.0%) being the primary causes. The most common injuries included soft wounds in 92 cases (52.5%) and sprains/dislocations in 14 cases (8.0%). Fishermen with fewer than 10 years of experience exhibited a higher accident risk (odds ratio = 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.72), as did those in the role of a fisherman (odds ratio: 1.68; CI: 0.97-2.94) and those working without labor protection (odds ratio: 3.68; CI: 1.05-12.93). Conclusion: Lack of labor protection equipment increased the risk by 3.68 times, and fishermen in the friend group had a 2.02 times higher risk of injury. Addressing these risks requires adherence to labor protection regulations and safe working procedures

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices of biomedical waste management among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India

Introduction: Bio-medical waste (BMW) means any solid and/or liquid waste including its container and any intermediate product, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals. Inadequate and inappropriate knowledge of handling healthcare waste may have serious health consequences and a significant impact on the environment. Thus, the study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of biomedical waste management among healthcare workers from different strata in the hospital.  Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 383 participants conducted between June 2022 to October 2022, A structured, close-ended, self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using R studio and presented as frequencies and percentages. The association between different variables was analyzed by the chi-square test.  Results: Most of the doctors (41.3%) and nurses (41.5%) had very good knowledge of Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM) but only 23.1% of laboratory technicians and housekeeping staff 18.2% showed very good knowledge. All the participants had a very good attitude (69.2% to 82.6%) towards BMWM but it needs some improvement concerning reporting needle stick injuries and taking Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). More than 80 % of participants were immunized against Hepatitis B and followed the appropriate practice of BMWM except for wearing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling BMW. Knowledge and good attitude were observed to increase with experience.  Conclusion: From the study, it is identified that knowledge regarding BMWM is inadequate among the healthcare professions. It is concluded that there should be adequate training among the HCWs about BMWM like video lectures, symposiums, quiz programs, and role play that can help them update their knowledge