Covid-19 control measures and its impact on seafarers’ mental health

The appearance of COVID-19 in maritime transport has been an exceptional challenge for all stakeholders in this sector, mainly for seafarers who have been caught between the need to keep supply chains operational and the limitations imposed by administrations to prevent the spread of the virus. With these objectives in mind, international institutions and organizations have developed a long series of regulations that have emerged in parallel with the measures established to control the pandemic. This article compiles the recommendations and regulations on health management established for this sector, as well as the implications of this entire process on fatigue and stress in seafarers.  Issues such as difficulties experienced in crew changes and repatriation, extended working hours, social isolation caused by mobility limitations in ports, limited medical equipment and services available, health care restrictions in some ports, the need to quarantine, and the possibility of being infected have been reported, among others, as causes of increased fatigue and stress among seafarers, as well as an upturn in anxiety, depression and other psychiatric disorders in this group. Thus, despite the efforts of the international maritime community to regulate the problematic areas related to the outbreak of the pandemic with the aim of keeping seafarers free of coronavirus and facilitating the continuity of maritime transport, its levels of fatigue and stress have increased notably, demonstrating that these efforts have neither been sufficient nor effective regulations have been developed that specifically take into account how COVID-19 and actions aimed at the continuity of maritime transport have affected and may continue to affect seafarers’ mental health.Peer Reviewe

The impact of foot arch height on quality of life in 6-12 year olds

[Abstract] Objective To determine whether arch height has an effect on the health-related quality of life of schoolchildren. Methods One hundred and thirteen schoolchildren attended an out-patient centre where self-reported data were recorded, their feet were classified into one of three groups according to their arch index (high, normal or low) and the scores obtained from the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ - Spanish version) were compared. Results The groups with high, low and normal arch recorded lower scores in Section One for the general foot health and footwear domains and higher scores in foot pain and foot function. In Section Two they obtained lower scores in general health and higher scores in physical activity, social capacity and vigour. Conclusions Comparison of the scores obtained reveals that arch height has a negative impact on quality of life. Given the limited extent of available evidence in respect of the aetiology and treatment of foot diseases and deformities, these findings reveal the need to implement programmes to promote foot health and carry out further research into this commonly occurring disabling condition.[Resumen] Objetivo: conocer si la altura del arco del pie tiene impacto en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la etapa escolar. Métodos: ciento trece escolares acudieron a un centro ambulatorio donde se registraron datos autoinformados, se clasificaron los pies en función de los valores del índice del arco en tres grupos (aumentado, disminuido y normal) y se compararon las puntuaciones obtenidas según el Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) versión española. Resultados: Los grupos con arco del pie aumentado, disminuido y normal muestran puntuaciones más bajas en la primera sección en las dimensiones salud del pie y calzado y puntuaciones altas en dolor y función del pie. En la segunda sección obtuvieron menos puntuación en la dimensión salud general y puntuaciones altas en función física, función social y vitalidad. Conclusiones: La comparación de las puntuaciones obtenidas muestra que la altura del arco tiene un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Dado que la evidencia actual sobre la etiología y el tratamiento de las enfermedades y deformidades es limitada, estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar programas para promover la salud de los pies y seguir investigando en esta condición común e incapacitante

Impacto de la altura del arco del pie en la calidad de vida, de escolares de entre 6 a 12 años

Objective: to determine whether arch height has an effect on the health-related quality of life of schoolchildren. Methods: One hundred and thirteen schoolchildren attended an out-patient centre where self-reported data were recorded, their feet were classified into one of three groups according to their arch index (high, normal or low) and the scores obtained from the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ – Spanish version) were compared. Results: The groups with high, low and normal arch recorded lower scores in Section One for the general foot health and footwear domains and higher scores in foot pain and foot function. In Section Two they obtained lower scores in general health and higher scores in physical activity, social capacity and vigor. Conclusions: Comparison of the scores obtained reveals that arch height has a negative impact on quality of life. Given the limited extent of available evidence in respect of the aetiology and treatment of foot diseases and deformities, these findings reveal the need to implement programmes to promote foot health and carry out further research into this commonly occurring disabling condition.Objetivo: conocer si la altura del arco del pie tiene impacto en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la etapa escolar. Métodos: ciento trece escolares acudieron a un centro ambulatorio donde se registraron datos autoinformados, se clasificaron los pies en función de los valores del índice del arco en tres grupos (aumentado, disminuido y normal) y se compararon las puntuaciones obtenidas según el Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) versión española. Resultados: Los grupos con arco del pie aumentado, disminuido y normal muestran puntuaciones más bajas en la primera sección en las dimensiones salud del pie y calzado y puntuaciones altas en dolor y función del pie. En la segunda sección obtuvieron menos puntuación en la dimensión salud general y puntuaciones altas en función física, función social y vitalidad. Conclusiones: La comparación de las puntuaciones obtenidas muestra que la altura del arco tiene un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Dado que la evidencia actual sobre la etiología y el tratamiento de las enfermedades y deformidades es limitada, estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar programas para promover la salud de los pies y seguir investigando en esta condición común e incapacitante.S

Prevalencia de patologías podológicas en trabajadores del mar y trabajadores de tierra que utilizan calzado laboral

Objective: the present work is to study and to compare the prevalence of dermatological pathologies in the foot of a workers' sample of the sea in relation with a workers' sample of land.Methods: A sample of 94 participants, average age 41,29 ± 10,603 years came to an ambulatory center where autoinformed information was registered, they determined the labor activity.Results: The group of workers of the sea proved to be a major prevalence of fractures (p= 0,003), pharmacological treatment (p=0,003) and podiatric pathologies (p=0,013) that the workers of landConclusions: The bad conditions of dampness joined the use of the labor footwear generate on the low member a negative impact, provoking an increase of the prevalence of certain podiatric pathologies of the workers of the sea in comparison with the population who is not employed at the sea.Objetivos: estudiar y comparar la prevalencia de patologías dermatológicas  en el pie de una muestra de trabajadores del mar en relación con una muestra de trabajadores de tierra.Material y Métodos: Una muestra de 94 participantes, edad promedio 41,29 ± 10,603 años acudieron a un  centro ambulatorio donde se registraron datos autoinformados, se determinaron la actividad laboral.Resultados: El grupo de trabajadores del mar mostró mayor prevalencia de fracturas (p = 0,003), tratamiento farmacológico (p = 0,003) y patologías podológicas (p = 0,013) que los trabajadores de tierra. Conclusiones: Las  malas condiciones de humedad unidas al  empleo del calzado de laboral genera sobre el miembro inferior  un impacto negativo, provocando un aumento de prevalencia de las ciertas patologías podológicas de los trabajadores del mar en comparación con la población que no trabaja en el mar