Hearing Evaluation in Solid Waste Workers

Introduction: Hearing loss at work is currently considered the most common cause of permanent hearing loss in adults and one of the most important health problems with economic and psychosocial consequences. The present study has the aim to investigate the prevalence and the determinants of hearing loss among electro production workers. Material and methods: Eight-three (83) solid waste workers underwent audiometric test in the facilities of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (OEDA). For the assessment of hearing, the findings of the audiometers were evaluated, first with the performance of the diagnosis on the pathological findings and then with the use of diagnostic criteria (NIOSH, OYDOS) and includes occupational history, otoscopy and audiogram. Findings: Statistical analysis has shown that 23% of solid waste workers had sensorineural hearing loss located mainly at 4000 Hz. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the intensity of occupational exposure to noise appears to be the strongest predictor of noise-induced hearing loss (p=0.02326) followed by the years of work (p=0.02728). Particularly, the analysis with the NIOSH criterion (probability of having a positive NIOSH criterion in at least 1 of both ears) increased by 1.33 times/year or 32.84%/year on average. Finally, no univariate statistically significant associations were found with any of the two criteria and smoking, BMI, hypertension or tinnitus Estimating exposure through self-reported data is not sufficient and accurate and in fact workers who are exposed to higher risk measures tend to underestimate the risk. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that solid waste workers are occupationally exposed to high levels of noise, and present high rates of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It is necessary to estimate the noise exposure with appropriate measurements in the work environment (individual sound exposure of employees and environmental measurements in the workplace) and take appropriate measures.                                        &nbsp

Making Friends in the Rainforest: Negrito Adaptation to Risk and Uncertainty

The so-called negritos adapt not just to a tropical forest environment but also to an environment characterized by perturbations and fluctuations. As with other hunter-gatherers in the region and, indeed, throughout the world, they use both social and ecological methods to enhance their chances of survival in this changing environment: socially, they have developed networks of trading and marriage partners; ecologically, they maintain patches of key resources that are available for future harvesting. As evidenced in the case of the Batek (Orang Asli), patterns of forest structure and composition are sometimes direct outcomes of intentional resource concentration and enrichment strategies. While little of the above is controversial anthropologically, what has drawn some debate is the nature of the relationship with partner societies. Conventional wisdom posits relations of inequality between foragers and others : foragers and farmers are often construed as hierarchical dyads where foragers supply products or labor to farmers in exchange for agricultural harvests and other trade goods. This kind of adaptation appears to be one of divergent specialization. However, there are cases, such as in the relationship between Batek and Semaq Beri, where both societies follow a roughly similar mode of adaptation, and specialization has not materialized. In sum, while not denying that hierarchy and inequality exist, I suggest that they have to be contextualized within a larger strand of relationships that includes both hierarchy and egality. Further, such relationships are part of the general portfolio of risk reduction strategies, following which access to widely scattered environmental resources, and passage from one location to another, is enhanced not by competing with and displacing neighbors but by maintaining a flexible regime of friendly exchange partners

Safeguarding human–wildlife cooperation

Human–wildlife cooperation occurs when humans and free-living wild animals actively coordinate their behavior to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. These interactions provide important benefits to both the human and wildlife communities involved, have wider impacts on the local ecosystem, and represent a unique intersection of human and animal cultures. The remaining active forms are human–honeyguide and human–dolphin cooperation, but these are at risk of joining several inactive forms (including human–wolf and human–orca cooperation). Human–wildlife cooperation faces a unique set of conservation challenges, as it requires multiple components—a motivated human and wildlife partner, a suitable environment, and compatible interspecies knowledge—which face threats from ecological and cultural changes. To safeguard human–wildlife cooperation, we recommend: (i) establishing ethically sound conservation strategies together with the participating human communities; (ii) conserving opportunities for human and wildlife participation; (iii) protecting suitable environments; (iv) facilitating cultural transmission of traditional knowledge; (v) accessibly archiving Indigenous and scientific knowledge; and (vi) conducting long-term empirical studies to better understand these interactions and identify threats. Tailored safeguarding plans are therefore necessary to protect these diverse and irreplaceable interactions. Broadly, our review highlights that efforts to conserve biological and cultural diversity should carefully consider interactions between human and animal cultures. Please see AfricanHoneyguides.com/abstract-translations for Kiswahili and Portuguese translations of the abstract

La conduite du champ cultivé : points de vue d'agronomes

L'analyse du processus de décision s'est développée récemment en agronomie à partir d'une approche sectorielle de l'exploitation agricole, et autour du concept de modèle d'action qui repose sur l'hypothèse que, pour la campagne agricole, l'agriculteur organise ses décisions techniques de façon "anticipée". Nous avons voulu tester cette hypothèse sur le cas de l'implantation du cotonnier au Nord-Cameroun, dans des systèmes de culture pluviaux tributaires de l'irrégularité du retour des pluies, et des unités de production disposant d'une main d'oeuvre essentiellement familiale et d'un équipement limité. Nous avons pu montrer, à l'aide de trois exemples, que l'organisation du travail en début de campagne était déterminante pour expliquer l'étalement des semis de cotonnier. Le déroulement réel des semis de cotonnier, pour les trois unités de production présentées, résulte en grande partie d'un déroulement prévu, avec l'activation d'un corps de règles de décision dont la structure est proche de celle des modèles d'action construits par l'Inra dans d'autres situations. (Résumé d'auteur