Decolonising African Medicines and Health System: Towards Post Covid19 Continental Agenda

The colonisation of Africa by the imperial powers of Europe has had serious adverse effect on the lives of the people. Over half a century of ceremonial disentangling from colonial clutches, the States of Africa finds it hard to solidly place their feet on global development ground. One of the critical fields Africa has been kowtowing to countries of Asia, Europe and Americas is medicines, which up to the moment, vaccines for treatment of the bulk of the populations are imported. The challenge is not about the incompetent of Africans; neither the ineffectiveness of home-made drugs. But, even if the drug works, the people lacked the psychological confidence in the therapeutic value of it due to colonial and imperial disarticulation and disorientation. It is against this background, the paper makes an interventionist study and argued for the decolonisation of the continent’s medicines and health system in the post Covid19 era. This becomes compelling, because like the World War I and II, the novel pandemic adds yet knowledge to the world, that the whites are not better than the blacks in the knowledge industry. Though not yet uhuru for Africa, the worst ravaged countries by the pandemic are not yet African states, but countries of Asia, Americas and Europe. Against the backdrop of the irrelevance of the white’s superiority myths in the face of the pandemic, the paper charges Africa to look inwardly, in the world system that is fundamentally skewed against her. It finally notes that the continent would be at a crossroads in the wake of global and western conspiracy to depopulate it through the weapons of drugs and vaccines, if it fails to develop and decolonised. It thus, concludes that African governments, policy makers, health experts and scholars should come together in the restless effort to rescue its medicines and health system from the elbow trap of the western society, thereby making Africa truly independent and great in the incoming post Covid19 years. Keywords: Africa; Decolonisation; Medicines; Health System; Covid19; Pandemi

Uncovering Research Trends in Safety Culture in the Global Construction Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis (1995-2020)

Introduction: Safety culture has mainly been used across several safety management literatures to describe the level of safety within workplaces. This paper presents the research landscape and scientific developments on safety culture in the global construction industry. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was employed to identify, screen, and analyze the published documents indexed in the Elsevier Scopus database. Next, the research landscape and scientific developments on the topic were examined by bibliometric analysis (BA) through co-authorship, keywords co-occurrence, and citations. Results: Results showed that 738 documents were published and indexed on the topic between 1995 and 2020. The findings showed that articles are the preferred medium, whereas Engineering is the preferred subject theme for published documents on the topic. The journal of Safety Science (published by Elsevier) is the most influential source of publications on the topic. In contrast, Dongping Fang, based at Tsinghua University (China), is the most influential researcher due to the substantial research grants and financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation. Further analysis showed that the most prolific authors on the topic are based in China, Australia, and Indonesia, although the United States has published the most documents. BA also revealed large networks of researchers and co-occurring keywords and the organizations and countries that currently exist, collaborate, and cite each other works on the topic. Conclusion: The findings indicate that safety culture in the global construction industry has undergone significant scientific developments resulting in high research impact mainly due to its role in preserving the health and safety of workers

The mediating effect of safety management system on the relationship between safety culture and safety performance in Lagos food and beverage manufacturing industries

Occupational safety in organizations is essential for continuous existence and sustainable growth of a nation. The continuous high frequency of occupational accidents in Nigerian Food & Beverage (F&B) industries calls for a new approach to stem the tide. In order to cope with the challenges and achieve superior performance, organizations need to develop a positive safety culture (SC). Furthermore, the organizations need to implement an appropriate safety management system (SMS). This issue has motivated the embarkment of this study to investigate the mediating effect of safety management system on the relationship between safety culture and safety performance of F&B industries in Lagos, Nigeria. Data was collected from 126 head of safety managers through self-reported questionnaires and data analysis was done using the SmartPLS 2.0. Findings reveal that safety culture and safety management system are significantly and positively related to safety performance. Further analysis indicates that safety management system mediates the relationship between safety culture and safety performance. Thus it is concluded that although safety culture is positively and significantly related to safety performance, however the effect of safety culture on safety performance will be greater if the organizations develop and continuously implement a strong safety management system

Unlocking the Impact of Chemicals on the Health and Safety of Pharmaceutical Workers: A Concise Review

The paper presents a concise review of the historical development of the pharmaceutical industry and the problems related to chemical exposure on the health and safety of employees. The industry has greatly improved healthcare worldwide, but it is one of the riskiest due to problems like exposure to dangerous chemicals. Herein, we provide evidence of the health repercussions of pharmaceutical exposure. The paper notes that a diversified approach is required to address these issues. Firstly, there is a need to extensively examine and understand the degree of chemical exposure and its long-term health implications. Tighter laws are necessary to implement higher environmental and safety standards, whereas employee education and training will help to raise awareness of possible hazards. Green chemistry and sustainable methods will curb or mitigate the use of hazardous chemicals and waste generation. Moreover, there is a need to promote sustainable and safer work cultures through safer behaviours, increased public awareness, and community interaction. Pharmaceutical companies must commit to continuous enhancement of their operations, decrease the risks associated with chemical exposure, and put worker and environmental health first. This strategy contributes to a safer and more sustainable pharmaceutical future by being in line with the industry’s commitment to innovation and safety

Effects of Mercury Concentration on the Health and Safety of Oil and Gas Workers

Introduction: The processing of crude oil is characterized by numerous hazards, which have significant health, safety, and environmental impacts on neighboring communities. The occurrence of mercury and its toxic derivatives is considered one of the many negative impacts of oil and gas operations. However, there is limited research on mercury and its negative effects on workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This study examines the occurrence, exposure, and symptoms of mercury on the health and safety of oil and gas workers in Oman. It also explores the acute/chronic effects of mercury poisoning on the maintenance and inspection workers, who are more prone to the adverse effects of mercury poisoning during oil and gas operations. Methods: The two-pronged approach of literature review and survey questionnaire was used to deduce the effects of mercury exposure and poisoning using 68 respondents with 1 – 6 years of working experience in the sector. Results: Based on the questionnaire response rate of 72%, the results showed that over 90% of participants had experienced symptoms of elemental, organic, and methyl mercury poisoning. The common symptoms experienced are headaches, insomnia, weakness, hearing impairment, visual and sensory abilities. However, the respondents who experienced methyl mercury (MeHg) symptoms are due to consuming seafood and cigarettes, whereas elemental and organic mercury symptoms are due to oil and gas operations. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for robust health and safety measures to effectively detect, monitor and eliminate mercury compounds responsible for poisoning maintenance and inspection workers

Impacts of Mercury Exposure on Human Health, Safety and Environment: Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis (1995 to 2021)

Introduction: Mercury is a highly toxic and persistent contaminant found in food and parts of the environment. Over the years, global research on mercury poison has soared owing to concerns about its effects on human health, occupational safety, and environmental sustainability. Although numerous studies have identified and examined the various types, sources, toxicity, exposure, and impacts of mercury, comprehensive studies on the research landscape and scientific developments on the subject areas are currently lacking. Therefore, this paper shows a bibliometric analysis (BA) and literature review (LR) of the top publications, funders, organisations, and countries working on Mercury research worldwide. Methods: The research landscape on the subject area was examined by BA from 1995 to 2021, whereas the scientific developments were highlighted through LR. Results: Results showed that mercury research has gained global prominence since the discovery of the Minamata disease in 1956. The most prolific mercury researchers, institutions, and funders are from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Canada, and China, whereas the publications on Mercury research doubled over the period. The top source titles for publications on Mercury are Neurotoxicology, Science of the Total Environment, and Environmental Health Perspectives. However, Micheal Aschner (US) and Takashi Yorifuji (Japan) are the most prolific researchers. Co-occurrence analysis revealed that mercury, methyl mercury, fish, toxicity, and Minamata disease are the most cited keywords, which shows the correlation nexus between fish consumption and mercury poisoning. Conclusion: The LR showed that mercury research is widely investigated due to global concerns about its impact on human health, safety, and the environment

Study on Causal Effects of Occupational Stress on Healthcare Workers at a selected Healthcare Facility in Oman

Introduction: Occupational stress (OS) can be described as any physical or psychological change in an individual due to immediate or long-term reactions to workplace conditions that pose perceived threats or challenges to that employee. Typically, since work environments differ worldwide, scientists posit that the nature, sources, and causes of OS and the solutions proffered to address its impacts among healthcare workers (HCWs), differ markedly. The study aims to identify and examine the causal effects of OS on HCWs at the selected health facility in Oman. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative design that utilized questionnaires to examine the causes and effects of OS on selected health workers. Data was collected from December 2021 to January 2022 from 150 health facility employees to obtain their opinions on the causes and effects of OS on their health, work life, and productivity.  Results: Findings revealed that 47% of the respondents were male and 53% were female. Further, the results also revealed that HCWs at the selected health facility have experienced a high prevalence of OS due to various factors ranging from staff shortages, as revealed by 56.2% of the participants, to work duration and loads, as revealed by 69.0% of the participants, and staff working conditions.  Conclusion: As a panacea, recommend management of healthcare facilities engage more highly qualified staff and create highly conducive work environments and training. Likewise, the management can provide modern-day facilities and amenities. It is envisaged that such measures will also reduce workloads, which will help the HCWs to rest, resuscitate, re-energize, and nurture effective stress. Furthermore, the measures will help create a stress-free, healthy, and conducive environment for the HCWs and greatly improve quality healthcare delivery services

Effect of Long Extended Working Hours on the Occupational Health and Safety of Oil and Gas Workers in the Sultanate of Oman

Introduction:  Oil and Gas workers are exposed to numerous hazards which impede their productivity; one such hazard these workers are exposed to is long or extended working hours. Hence, this paper examined the impacts of extended working hours on workers' occupational health and safety at a selected oil and gas company in Oman. Consequently, the workers’ opinions on the impacts of extended working hours at the company were critically analyzed to draw potential inferences and proffer solutions to the problem in Oman. The study aimed to critically identify, assess, and highlight the occupational safety problems associated with extended working hours among workers at a selected oil and gas company in Oman. Methods: A total of 128 respondents were randomly selected from the 140 employees and company managers through administered questionnaires. Data collection was done between January 25 and February 30, 2022. The questionnaire consisted of five items statements based on the four-agreement or Likert scale of measurement. Results: A response rate of 91% was derived from the questionnaire administered for the study. Results from data analysis indicated that 73% of the respondents were male while 27% were female. Furthermore, the results indicated that extended working hours have substantial impacts on family life (s=54%), performance (s=68%), productivity, and health of the workers. Extended working hours potentially expose workers to various dangers which bring about numerous adverse effects (stress, fatigue, depression, and loss of concentration) on their occupational health and safety. Conclusion: It is recommended that oil and gas companies establish occupational health and safety guidelines to limit the work times and duration (i.e., time spent at work) through shorter shifts, longer breaks, or extended leaves. Long working hours should be prohibited except on special occasions or unavoidable circumstances to safeguard the health and well-being of staff, which could ultimately enhance the productivity and output of the company

Occupational Safety and Health Management in Selected Industrial Sectors in Sudan

Introduction: Since Heinrich's early studies, work has been recognized as a substantial contributor to psychological and physical illness. Fast technological, economic, and social advancements have increased the number of occupational fatalities and illnesses in developing nations. Nonetheless, it is demonstrated that the creation, application, and enforcement of Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (OSHMS) reduce accidents and enhance employees' well-being. This study aims to understand Sudan's current occupational safety and health situation and identify any challenges or gaps in the current system. Methods: A mixed methods approach deploying a literature review and secondary data was adopted to answer the research question about the status of occupational health and safety in Sudan. Results: A comparison of the artisanal and organized gold mining sectors over the years 2018-2020 shows an increase in the number of accidents in the artisanal sector but a sharp decrease in both the number and severity of accidents in the organized sector. The frequency rate declined in the organized sector but fluctuated in the artisanal sector. It was also found that many OSH incidents of different types and levels of severity occurred. In 2020, the Fatal Accident Rate (FAR) was 66.48 in artisanal gold mining, 0.55 in organized gold mining, and 0.01 in oil and gas. However, calculating and comparing other sectors' performance indicators to evaluate OSH's status was not possible for many reasons. Conclusion: Findings were constrained, possibly due to the limited occupational health and safety data. There is an urgent need to strengthen and improve the governance of occupational safety and health in Sudan. A more comprehensive study needs to be undertaken to assess the status of the OSH in formal and non-formal sectors and investigate the correlation of OSH to workers’ well-being and the Sudanese economy

Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Introduction: Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction have been known to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. As such, examining the levels of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction isverycritical to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study aims to investigate the progression of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction among CKD patients in Sokoto. Methods: A total of 67 CKD patients were divided into 5 groups based on the stages of their kidney disease calculated using the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) 4-variable equation for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The presence of inflammation was determined by C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), while endothelial dysfunction was determined by the levels of Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) using ELISA kits. Results: The mean eGFR of the patients was 49.97 ± 4.69 ml/min/1.73m2. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in CRP, TNF-α and ADMA of the CKD patients across the stages as compared to the non-CKD subjects. It was observed that as the CRP, TNF-α and ADMA increase, the eGFR significantly (p<0.05) decreases. Both CRP and TNF-α indicated a significantly positive correlation (p<0.05) with ADMA. Conclusion: The results indicated progressive increase in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as CKD deteriorates. In addition, increased levels of inflammation could directly affect endothelial dysfunction, thereby aggravating cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among CKD patients in Sokoto. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Chronic kidney disease, Endothelial dysfunction, Glomerular filtration rate, Inflammatio