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

Heat Stress Vulnerability Among Small-Scale Factory Workers and Adaptive Strategies in Ahmedabad: a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Global warming is likely to affect certain groups such as workers in heat-producing industries. With limited research exploring such an important area, this study aimed to explore the heat stress vulnerability and adaptive strategies of indoor small-scale factory workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and a mixed-method approach was used. The study setting was small-scale factory units. The quantitative component included environmental and biological monitoring from six units of steel rolling mills and foundry in the summer and winter seasons. The study was conducted during the period of November-2018 and May 2019. Heat stress was measured among workers using a portable Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) meter. The physiological parameters of workers were also measured. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews of workers and supervisors from eleven units. Results: The maximum temperatures recorded at steel rolling mills and foundry crossed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) threshold (27.5℃) in summer as well as winter. The mean WBGT at the steel rolling mill recorded 31.5℃. The physiological measurements of workers also crossed the threshold level for heart rate and oral temperature in steel rolling and foundry units. The units had mechanisms to dissipate heat but lack a temperature monitoring mechanism inside the units. The workers wore lighter or fewer clothes as an adaptive measure but uncomfortable PPEs in foundry units were avoided. Conclusion:  Heat stress in small-scale industry units was found high and there is a high need to develop specific strategies for such vulnerably high heat-exposed groups

COVID-19 related symptoms and vaccination usage among informal waste workers of Kathmandu, Nepal

Introduction: About 56% of total population of Nepal have been fully immunized against COVID. But still foreign nationals and Informal Waste Workers (IWWs) outside of Nepal are struggling to get COVID vaccines. This study was intended to study the COVID-19 symptoms among IWWs of Kathmandu and the usage of vaccines by them. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted among 107 IWWs of Kathmandu Valley from Balku, Sanepa, Kalimati and Teku areas. A convenience sampling method was used to find the respondents based on their willingness to participate in the study. Face-to-face interview was conducted using structured questionnaire to collect data from IWWs. Results: A total of 53.3% males and 46.7% females participated in this study. Despite of majority of waste workers facing COVID related symptoms, only 19.6% of waste workers had done COVID test. Around 77.6% of waste workers hadn’t still taken COVID vaccine with majority (93.9 %) of them belonging to India. Conclusion: The majority of IWWs of Kathmandu are afraid to take COVID vaccine. Despite of having COVID related symptoms, IWWs haven’t gone for COVID test. Though interested, the IWWs needs identity cards for vaccination which counts less number of waste workers being vaccinated

Effects of Gasoline and Smoking on Lipid Profile and Liver Functions among Gasoline Exposure Workers in Iraq

Introduction: The rapid and recent rise in the pandemic of cardiovascular disease implies that the environment plays a significant role. Numerous biological systems, such as the cardiovascular, blood-forming organs, liver, and kidneys, can be affected by gasoline and smoking. Because filling station employees, repair service workers, gasoline truck drivers, and refinery workers are all at a greater risk of being exposed to gasoline fumes. Even though gasoline and smoking have been investigated for so many years, few studies have looked into the effects of gasoline exposure combined with smoking on a variety of physiological mechanisms. As a result, we propose that combining gasoline exposure with smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and impaired hepatic function. Methods: The study included 95 male adult volunteers who worked with gasoline and were exposed to different fuel derivatives as study group and age and sex-matched seemingly healthy non-exposed people as the controls. Questionnaire interviews were used to collect socio-demographic data and a standard technique was used to collect the blood samples. The levels of cholesterol, HDL4, LDL-C, triglyceride, and VLDL were measured, as well as for liver enzymes ALP, AST, ALT, indirect bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin were measured. Results: Our data suggest that smoking with gasoline exposure causes an increase in total and bad cholesterol levels, as well as a significant shift concerning the control group in lipid profile and liver enzymes. the exposed group had higher levels of ALP, and AST and significantly increased. In the nonsmoker exposed group D-bilirubin decreased in comparison to the control and exposed smoker group. Conclusion: This research concluded that the liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) were higher among workers who smoke and are exposed to gasoline than in control subjects, similarly, the bad cholesterol also increase. Therefore, people who smoke and are handled with gasoline are at a higher risk of having heart and hepatic diseases

The impact of leadership on the psychosocial safety climate of organizations: A scoping review of the international literature

Growing evidence suggests that work-related psychological injuries are a concern worldwide. While previous efforts to address psychological injuries mainly focused on the individual level of analysis, psychosocial safety climate (PSC) theory emphasizes the analysis and prevention of psychological injuries at the organizational level. While there is abundant evidence of the impact of leadership on other climate constructs, scant attention has been paid to the impact of leadership on PSC. This study is a scoping review of the extant literature to determine the state of the discipline in relation to the impact of leadership on the psychosocial safety climate of organizations. Three databases were searched, supplemented by a pearling exercise and Google Scholar searches, which yielded 14 studies that met selection criteria. Our study shows that while much work has been done in relation to the behavior of managers and organizational infrastructure to yield high levels of PSC, there is a dearth of studies on the impact of specific leadership styles on the PSC of organizations. We recommend further studies of leadership, especially the impact of post-heroic leadership styles, on the psychosocial safety climate of workplaces

Postural stress and risk conditions in manual load handling of Chilean industrial workers

Introduction: Although, there is a current regulatory framework for optimal manual handling of loads to preserve health conditions in the industrial sector, technical assessment and the use of certain instruments are still required for the diagnosis of occupational hazards. This study aimed to identify the occupational hazards associated with manual load handling in industry workers and estimate those resulting from postural stress. Methods:  Fifty-two (52) industry workers took part in this cross-sectional study. All participants were evaluated using the Manual Handling Guide and the Reba assessment tool.  Subjects were characterized, and risks associated with different tasks were detected. Results: 59.6% of workers were between 18 and 45 years old. Lifting, lowering, and transporting loads activities had a repetitive task risk of 94%, exceeding the weight limit in 85.7% of cases. Pushing and pulling activities, mostly showed a working postural risk of 82% and a high perception of initial effort (Borg> 8). Reba score warned to intervene immediately in both types of tasks. Conclusion: Risk from the manual handling of loads found in this study constitutes an alert that suggests reviewing compliance with the current regulation, as well as effective use of working pauses and the improvement of strategies to minimize physical efforts used by workers

Lassa Fever Infection among Healthcare Workers during the 2018 Outbreak in Nigeria

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are potentially exposed to infection during viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. In the wake of 2018, Nigeria experienced an unprecedented surge in cases of Lassa fever (LF), which affected HCWs. To guide infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies in similar settings, we characterize HCWs' infection and describe the gaps in IPC standards and practices during the outbreak. Methods: Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, interview, and review of case notes of 21 HCW with laboratory-confirmed Lassa fever who were treated at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) Irrua and the Alex-Ekwemen Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFETHA), between 1st January and 27th May 2018. Information collected was the patients' socio-demographic characteristics, date of potential exposure and onset of illness, nature, and type of exposure, clinical features, outcome, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and personnel IPC training and were analyzed using descriptive statistics with Microsoft Excel. Results: The study included 21 HCWs, and 12 (57.14%) were doctors. The case fatality rate was 23%. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of the HCWs could describe a likely procedure leading to their exposure and infection. Among 13 HCWs, 85% had multiple blood and body fluids exposure, while 15% had needle stick injury or scalpel cut. About one-fifth of the participants had received some IPC training. Conclusion: Limited IPC adherence and inappropriate risk assessment were identified as factors leading to Lassa fever exposure and infection among HCWs. There is an urgent need to provide IPC training for all HCWs and to ensure an adequate supply of IPC materials to all healthcare facilities as part of emergency preparedness, especially in LF endemic areas

Consequence Modeling and Analysis of Benzene leakage and explosion from a poorly sited gas station in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: Benzene has long been recognized as highly carcinogenic and the most cytotoxic of all air pollutants released by gas stations. Although several studies have been conducted on accidents in the process industry, very little work has been directed toward the modeling of risks caused by the leakage and explosion of toxic substances in gas stations. This knowledge could aid in predicting the vapor concentration inside gas station office buildings and neighboring infrastructures and in developing corresponding safety measures. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to model the consequences of Benzene dispersion following leakage and explosion from gas stations, taking the city of Douala, Cameroon as an example. Methods: Based on the measured vent emission and meteorological data, the Areal Location of Hazardous Atmosphere (ALOHA v.5.4.7) model was used to predict the hazard radius of leakage and dispersion of benzene from a tank in different seasons. The maps of the toxic and flammable vapor cloud of benzene, evaporation rate from a puddle, and the concentration of toxic and flammable vapor cloud inside and outside of the station were prepared with the aid of MARPLOT and Google Earth software. Results: The results showed that the maximum average sustained release rate of benzene from a tank was 26 kilograms per minute, with an estimated total amount released of 1,340 kilograms per 60 minutes in the dry season. The puddle spread to a diameter of 19.8 meters. The predicted threat zone distance from the station in the dry season, as compared to the rainy season, had an increase in radius of 12, 20, and 83m for the red, orange, and yellow zones, respectively. The worst hazard level extends primarily in the downwind direction and is predicted to be 31 meters in the rainy season in all directions, covering parts of the adjacent settlements and social infrastructure. Conclusion: The potential scenarios of benzene dispersion from a poorly sited gas station in the city of Douala have been modeled and the threat zones estimated. Nearby residences and social infrastructures are significantly exposed, with the predicted threat zones being more hazardous for the employees of the gas station. Further research looking at the impact of combined consequences of gasoline emissions may help determine whether the combined effects of benzene with other chemicals are cumulative or synergistic

Identification of Musculoskeletal Disorder among Eco-Brick Workers in Indonesia

Introduction: Plastic waste is considered one of the common vital waste problems in developing countries such as Indonesia. One proposed alternative way to reduce plastic waste is by reusing and recycling it into bricks. Eco-bricks are a form of recycled plastic waste that can be used as an alternative building construction material. Unfortunately, manufacturing workers do not ergonomically perform this work during their working hours. Therefore, it causes inappropriate body postures and leads to musculoskeletal disorders easily. This study intends to identify the posture of workers in the manufacture of eco-bricks in Indonesia Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with purposively selected 32 eco-bricks workers from 10 waste bank communities in Central Java and Yogyakarta. Sampling was done by snowball method. This research was conducted by interviewing and collecting data on body complaints using a Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire. Results: All respondents (100%) experienced musculoskeletal disorder complaints while producing eco-bricks. Based on the results gained from the Nordic Body Map Questionnaire, the common complaints perceived by eco-bricks workers are upper neck, lower neck, back, waist, buttock, and bottom. In addition, workers also perceived complaints on the right side of the body, particularly the right shoulder, right upper arm, right elbow, right lower arm, right wrist, and right hand Conclusion: Working postures that are not well-organized in terms of ergonomics during the production process of eco-bricks will provoke complaints on the limbs caused by the continuous load on the muscles on the right side of the body

Workplace Well-Being in Manufacturing Organizations in Nigeria: Do Employee Green Behavior, Core Self-Evaluations and Empowering Leadership Matter?

Introduction: Workplace well-being has become a key issue in organizational behavior literature because of the impact it has on various outcomes in the organization. Consequent to the aforementioned, this study investigated three antecedents (employee green behavior, core self-evaluation, and empowering leadership) of Workplace well-being in manufacturing organizations in Nigeria. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey and the correlational design were adopted to investigate the direct relationship the three predictor variables (employee green behavior, core self-evaluation, and empowering leadership) have with workplace well-being. Data were collected from 201 employees working in manufacturing organizations in Lagos State, Nigeria using systematic sampling. The participants comprised 124 males and 77 females with a mean age of 31.43 years and a standard deviation of 5.87. Four standardized and psychometrically sound instruments were used for collecting data while regression analysis was used in testing the hypotheses via the IBM SPSS statistics version 25. Results: The results of the study indicated that employee green behavior, core self-evaluations, and empowering leadership positively and significantly predicted workplace well-being in manufacturing organizations. Conclusion: This study provided valuable contributions to the antecedents of workplace well-being. Based on the outcome of the study, it is safe to say that workplace well-being has a link with an individual (employee green behavior and core self-evaluations) and interpersonal factors (empowering leadership) in the organization