Prenatally Detected Congenital Perineal Mass Using 3D Ultrasound which was Diagnosed as Lipoblastoma Combined with Anorectal Malformation: Case Report

We report a case of prenatally diagnosed congenital perineal mass which was combined with anorectal malformation. The mass was successfully treated with posterior sagittal anorectoplasty postnatally. On ultrasound examination at a gestational age of 23 weeks the fetal perineal mass were found on the right side. Any other defects were not visible on ultrasonography during whole gestation. Amniocentesis was performed to evaluate the fetal karyotyping and acetylcholinesterase which were also normal. As the fetus grew up, the mass size was slowly increased more and more. At birth, a female neonate had a perineal mass on the right side as expected. During operation, the anal sphincteric displacement was found near the mass and reconstructed through posterior sagittal incision. This is the first reported case of prenatally diagnosed congenital perineal mass, after birth which was diagnosed as lipoblastoma and even combined with anorectal malformation. This case shows that it can be of clinical importance to be aware of this rare fetal perineal mass in prenatal diagnosis and counseling

Individual, Interpersonal, and Occupational Factors of Cigarette Smoking in Building Trades Workers

Background: Cigarette smoking creates great challenges for blue-collar workers who are more likely to smoke, smoke more heavily, and are less likely to quit smoking compared to white collar workers. It is important to identify not only individual factors but also social and work environments that influence smoking behavior in order to reduce the occupational disparity in smoking behavior. Little is known about the combined effect of various factors that influence smoking behaviors among blue-collar workers.Purpose: The aims of this dissertation were: 1) to estimate the contribution of occupational factors to current smoking; 2) to identify the determinants associated with heavy smoking, focusing on individual, interpersonal, and occupational factors; 3) to assess the impact of individual, interpersonal, and occupational predictors of quitting smoking among building trades workers.Methods: The data was drawn from the MassBUILT smoking cessation intervention study. The first study included a total of 1,817 building trade apprentices and the second study included 763 current smokers at baseline. The third study used baseline data with follow-up data. Data collection included information about smoking behaviors, individual (e.g., sociodemographic), interpersonal (e.g., household smoking), and occupational factors (e.g., exposure to occupational hazards) obtained through self-report questionnaires. Results: The first study found that current smoking was significantly associated with union commitment, exposure to dust and chemicals, and concern about exposure to occupational hazards. The second study revealed that heavy smoking was significantly associated with older age, male gender, poorer health status, higher nicotine dependence, earlier age of smoking initiation, higher temptation to smoke, greater perceived benefits of smoking, household smoking or living alone, trade type, and job satisfaction. The third study demonstrated that older age, higher educational attainment and higher household income level, fewer number of cigarettes smoked per day, and more concern about exposure to occupational hazards were significant predictors of quitting smoking. Conclusion: Blue-collar workers' smoking behavior is influenced by various types of factors. The findings suggest that cessation interventions for this group may need to develop a comprehensive approach that addresses each type, rather than focusing on a single aspect of influence

Individual, Interpersonal, and Occupational Factors of Cigarette Smoking in Building Trades Workers

Background: Cigarette smoking creates great challenges for blue-collar workers who are more likely to smoke, smoke more heavily, and are less likely to quit smoking compared to white collar workers. It is important to identify not only individual factors but also social and work environments that influence smoking behavior in order to reduce the occupational disparity in smoking behavior. Little is known about the combined effect of various factors that influence smoking behaviors among blue-collar workers.Purpose: The aims of this dissertation were: 1) to estimate the contribution of occupational factors to current smoking; 2) to identify the determinants associated with heavy smoking, focusing on individual, interpersonal, and occupational factors; 3) to assess the impact of individual, interpersonal, and occupational predictors of quitting smoking among building trades workers.Methods: The data was drawn from the MassBUILT smoking cessation intervention study. The first study included a total of 1,817 building trade apprentices and the second study included 763 current smokers at baseline. The third study used baseline data with follow-up data. Data collection included information about smoking behaviors, individual (e.g., sociodemographic), interpersonal (e.g., household smoking), and occupational factors (e.g., exposure to occupational hazards) obtained through self-report questionnaires. Results: The first study found that current smoking was significantly associated with union commitment, exposure to dust and chemicals, and concern about exposure to occupational hazards. The second study revealed that heavy smoking was significantly associated with older age, male gender, poorer health status, higher nicotine dependence, earlier age of smoking initiation, higher temptation to smoke, greater perceived benefits of smoking, household smoking or living alone, trade type, and job satisfaction. The third study demonstrated that older age, higher educational attainment and higher household income level, fewer number of cigarettes smoked per day, and more concern about exposure to occupational hazards were significant predictors of quitting smoking. Conclusion: Blue-collar workers' smoking behavior is influenced by various types of factors. The findings suggest that cessation interventions for this group may need to develop a comprehensive approach that addresses each type, rather than focusing on a single aspect of influence

Occupational factors associated with obesity and leisure-time physical activity among nurses: A cross sectional study

Background and objectiveAdverse working conditions contribute to obesity and physical inactivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of occupational factors with obesity and leisure-time physical activity among nurses.MethodsThis study used cross-sectional data of 394 nurses (mean age 48 years, 91% females, 61% white) randomly selected from the California Board of Registered Nursing list. Data on demographic and employment characteristics, musculoskeletal symptom comorbidity, physical and psychosocial occupational factors, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity were collected using postal and on-line surveys from January to July in 2013.ResultsOf the participants, 31% were overweight and 18% were obese; 41% engaged in regular aerobic physical activity (≥ 150 min/week) and 57% performed regular muscle-strengthening activity (≥ 2 days/week). In multivariable logistic regression models, overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) was significantly more common among nurse managers/supervisors (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.16-5.59) and nurses who worked full-time (OR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.29-3.70) or worked ≥ 40 h per week (OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.58-4.05). Regular aerobic physical activity was significantly associated with high job demand (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.06-2.51). Nurses with passive jobs (low job demand combined with low job control) were significantly less likely to perform aerobic physical activity (OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.93). Regular muscle-strengthening physical activity was significantly less common among nurses working on non-day shifts (OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.34-0.89). Physical workload was not associated with obesity and physical activity.ConclusionsOur study findings suggest that occupational factors significantly contribute to obesity and physical inactivity among nurses. Occupational characteristics in the work environment should be considered in designing effective workplace health promotion programs targeting physical activity and obesity among nurses

Lifelong occupational exposures and hearing loss among elderly Latino Americans aged 65–75 years

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between occupational exposures and hearing among elderly Latino Americans.DesignA descriptive, correlational design used for this secondary analysis with the data from the Sacramento Area Latino Study of Aging (SALSA).Study sampleA total of 547 older adults were included.ResultsA majority of participants (58%) reported occupational exposures to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals. About 65% and over 90% showed hearing loss at low and high frequencies, respectively. Participants with occupational exposure to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals were, significantly, two times more likely to have hearing loss at high frequencies compared to those without exposure (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.17 = 4.51, p = .016), after controlling for other risk factors of hearing loss such as age, gender, household income, current smoking, and diabetes. However, lifelong occupational exposure was not significantly associated with hearing loss at low frequencies (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 0.94 = 2.18, p = .094).ConclusionLifelong occupational exposure to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals was significantly associated with hearing loss among elderly Latino Americans. Healthy work life through protection from harmful auditory effects of occupational exposures to noise and chemicals will have a positive impact on better hearing in later life

Program Development and Effectiveness of Workplace Health Promotion Program for Preventing Metabolic Syndrome among Office Workers

This paper aims to develop and analyze the effects of a socio-ecological model-based intervention program for preventing metabolic syndrome (MetS) among office workers. The intervention program was developed using regular health examinations, a “health behavior and need” assessment survey among workers, and a focus group study. According to the type of intervention, subjects took part in three groups: health education via an intranet-based web magazine (Group 1), self-monitoring with the U-health system (Group 2), and the target population who received intensive intervention (Group 3). The intervention programs of Group 1 and Group 2, which relied on voluntary participation, did not show significant effects. In Group 3, which relied on targeted and proactive programs, showed a decrease in waist circumference and in fasting glucose (p < 0.001). The MetS score in both males (−0.61 ± 3.35 versus −2.32 ± 2.55, p = 0.001) and females (−3.99 ± 2.05 versus −5.50 ± 2.19, p = 0.028) also showed a statistically significant decrease. In light of the effectiveness of the intensive intervention strategy for metabolic syndrome prevention among workers used in this study, companies should establish targeted and proactive health care programs rather than providing a healthcare system that is dependent on an individual’s voluntary participation

The Association Between Occupational Exposures and Cigarette Smoking Among Operating Engineers

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between occupational exposures and cigarette smoking among operating engineers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with operating engineers (N = 412) from a midwestern state in the United States. The survey included validated questions on cigarette smoking, occupational exposures, demographics, comorbidities, and health behaviors. About 35% were current smokers. Those exposed to asphalt fumes, heat stress, concrete dust, and welding fumes were less likely to smoke (odds ratio [OR] = .79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .64-.98). Other factors associated with smoking included younger age (OR = .97, 95% CI: .94-.99), problem drinking (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12), lower Body Mass Index (OR = .95, 95% CI: .90-.99), and being separated/widowed/divorced (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.19-4.20). Further investigation is needed for better understanding about job-specific exposure patterns and their impact on cigarette smoking among operating engineers

The Association Between Occupational Exposures and Cigarette Smoking Among Operating Engineers

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between occupational exposures and cigarette smoking among operating engineers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with operating engineers (N=412) from a mid-western state in the United States. The survey included validated questions on cigarette smoking, occupational exposures, demographics, comorbidities, and health behaviors. About 35% were current smokers. Those exposed to asphalt fumes, heat stress, concrete dust, and welding fumes were less likely to smoke (OR=.79; 95CI: .64–.98). Other factors associated with smoking included younger age (OR=.97; 95CI:.94–.99), problem drinking (OR=1.07; 95CI:1.03–1.12), lower Body Mass Index (OR=.95; 95CI:.90–.99), and being separated/ widowed/ divorced (OR=2.24; 95CI:1.19–4.20). Further investigation is needed for better understanding about job specific exposure patterns and their impact on cigarette smoking among operating engineers

Lifelong occupational exposures and hearing loss among elderly Latino Americans aged 65–75 years

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between occupational exposures and hearing among elderly Latino Americans. DESIGN: A descriptive, correlational design used for this secondary analysis with the data from the Sacramento Area Latino Study of Aging (SALSA). STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 547 older adults were included. RESULTS: A majority of participants (58%) reported occupational exposures to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals. About 65% and over 90% showed hearing loss at low and high frequencies, respectively. Participants with occupational exposure to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals were, significantly, two times more likely to have hearing loss at high frequencies compared to those without exposure (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.17 – 4.51, p = .016), after controlling for other risk factors of hearing loss such as age, gender, household income, current smoking, and diabetes. However, lifelong occupational exposure was not significantly associated with hearing loss at low frequencies (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 0.94 – 2.18, p = .094). CONCLUSION: Lifelong occupational exposure to loud noise and/or ototoxic chemicals was significantly associated with hearing loss among elderly Latino Americans. Healthy work life through protection from harmful auditory effects of occupational exposures to noise and chemicals will have a positive impact on better hearing in later life