Formación en prevención de riesgos laborales.

Sin resume

Evaluación de un programa de subvenciones para la mejora de la seguridad y salud laboral de las PYMES en Andalucía

Objetivos: Evaluar un programa de subvenciones para proyectos de prevención de riesgos laborales en PYMES de Andalucía. Se analizan datos y resultados del programa entre 2006 y 2008. Métodos: Se analizaron las características del programa en términos de presupuesto, solicitudes y proyectos financiados. Se evaluó la percepción de las empresas solicitantes en cuanto a adecuación y resultados del programa mediante cuestionario postal anonimizado. Se calculó la incidencia de accidentes de trabajo en 2006 y 2007 en una submuestra de las empresas participantes en el programa en 2006. Resultados: El importe total de las subvenciones (algo más de 17 millones de euros) cubrió el 44% de las inversiones comprometidas por las empresas subvencionadas. Se concedieron en torno al 50% de las ayudas solicitadas. Se recibieron 573 cuestionarios completados (24% del total remitido). Entre las empresas subvencionadas, el 89% considera efectiva la inversión realizada y un 87% estima que han mejorado las condiciones de trabajo en la empresa. La inmensa mayoría de las empresas (>90%) considera que la falta de recursos económicos es un obstáculo para la prevención y que este tipo de ayudas son necesarias. La incidencia de accidentes de trabajo se redujo entre 2007 y 2006 (razón de incidencia 0,93; IC95% 0,78-1,11). Conclusiones: El programa ha tenido una valoración positiva, observándose una reducción de la incidencia de accidentes en las empresas que recibieron incentivos. Es necesario incorporar en el diseño de estos programas los criterios e indicadores necesarios para su evaluación

Anthropometric measures as predictive indicators of metabolic risk in a population of “holy week costaleros”

Preventive measures are a priority in those groups that perform intense physical efforts without physical preparation and that can also be overweight or obese. One of the groups that reflect these characteristics is the costaleros of the Holy Week of Andalusia, Spain. This paper aims to describe the effect of obesity on blood pressure. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 costaleros. The anthropometric measures were determined through segmental impedance. Cardiac recovery and anaerobic power were measured through the Ruffier–Dickson test and the Abalakov test, respectively. Blood pressure was measured when the individuals were at rest. The Kruskal–Wallis test was applied for of continuous parameters and the X2 test for dichotomous measures. Binary logistic regression models were used for the subsequent analysis with R-square and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The average population was 28 years of age, 173.7 cm tall, and 82.59 Kg weigh. The excess of body fat was 11.27 Kg and Body Mass Index was 27.33 Kg/m2. 72.3% showed abnormal blood pressure and 68.2% were overweight. 32.7% had a waist-hip ratio higher than 0.94. The probability of presenting abnormal blood pressure was higher among the subjects whose fat content was higher and muscle content was lower

Aplicación del Método Sistémico Multivariado a la determinación de la calidad ambiental del estuario de la Ría de Huelva

The estuary of Ría of Huelva, recognized like Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO, is affected by spills of diverse origin. The method Sistémico Multivariado (MSM), applied prior to harbor works or in economy, has been used to characterize the estuary in risk terms and environmental reliability. After determining the variables that take part and to describe the mechanisms of performance of toxics, these have been classified in cancerigenic and noncancerigenic. Criteria defined by Environmental Protection Agency have been used (EPA-EEUU), the “dose of reference” for the noncancerigenic ones, the “factor of fall” for the cancerigenic ones, paying attention to the “components of failure”. The reliability of the system has been analyzed and the one of each component, with which it must have the system “Ría of Huelva”, following methodology MSM on determination of the permissible reliability of a design system. The reliability of the system is despicable for the physiological conditions of the studied fish, meaning that determined species are condemned to their extinction or its absence of the place. One has seen the applicability of the MSM the characterization of the environmental state of certain environmental factors and ecosystems. Also it has been possible to state the precarious situation of the piscicolas species in Ría of Huelva and the importance of the synergic effect, in the model proposed, on the conditions that undergo the affected populations, in front of the model additive used habitually by the EPA.El estuario de la Ría de Huelva, reconocido como Reserva de la Biosfera por la UNESCO, se ve afectado por vertidos de diversa procedencia. Se ha utilizado el Método Sistémico Multivariado (MSM), aplicado con anterioridad a obras portuarias o en economía, para caracterizar al estuario en términos de riesgo y fiabilidad ambiental. Tras determinar las variables que intervienen y describir los mecanismos de actuación de los tóxicos, estos se han clasificado en cancerígenos y no cancerígenos. Se han usado criterios definidos por la Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-EEUU), la “dosis de referencia” para los no cancerígenos, el “factor de caída” para los cancerígenos, fijándose los “componentes de fallo”. Se ha analizado la fiabilidad del sistema y la de cada componente con la que debería tener el sistema “Ría de Huelva”, siguiendo la metodología MSM sobre determinación de la fiabilidad admisible de un sistema de diseño. La fiabilidad del sistema es despreciable para las condiciones fisiológicas de los peces estudiados, significando que determinadas especies están condenadas a su extinción o a su ausencia del paraje. Se ha visto la aplicabilidad del MSM a la caracterización del estado ambiental de determinados factores ambientales y ecosistemas. También se ha podido constatar la precaria situación de las especies piscícolas en la Ría de Huelva y la importancia del efecto sinergia en el modelo propuesto sobre el efecto que sufren las poblaciones afectadas, frente al modelo aditivo usado habitualmente por la EPA

Psychological Distress and Work Engagement of Construction Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Differential Study by Sex

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major impact on the mental health of the population has been observed, with women being one of the most affected groups. From the lockdown to “de-escalation” phases, sex differences have been recognised as significant determinants of mental health. Thus, equally ensuring physical and mental protection at work remains one of the challenges faced by industrial companies, especially in the construction sector, where the percentage of employed women has increased in recent years. This study aims to examine the impact of sex differences on psychological distress and work engagement in the productive construction sector, as well as related variables. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. Descriptive statistical analyses were completed, and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were used to identify differences between men and women. This was followed by logistic regression analysis by sex. Psychological distress is more prevalent among women, even after controlling for most variables. Both sexes receive equal preventive measures and training from the companies, yet women still experience higher levels of psychological distress. At the beginning of the pandemic, women reported higher levels of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 and of perceived danger associated with the pandemic than men. However, these differences were not present by 2023. For men, work engagement appeared to be a determining factor for a stable mental health, while for women, health and physical status seemed to be more influential. In both sexes, psychological distress was found to be conditioned by mental and emotional well-being. In a sector where women are increasingly present, the differences observed in terms of how physical and mental health are affected across the two sexes justify the need to promote data analysis that acknowledges this reality.This research is part of the project “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emotional and occupational health of construction workers: Evaluation and intervention proposals” which was funded by the Andalusian Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Hazards (IAPRL), part of the Ministry of Employment, Training and Self-Employment of Andalusia (CTC-2022142721).Departamento de Biología Ambiental y Salud Públic

People of African Descent of the Americas, Racial Discrimination, and Quality of the Health Services

The WHO urges countries to consider the link between racial discrimination and health and, in particular, the need for further research to study the links between health outcomes and racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. This article is carried out within the framework of approximation work towards health‐related ethnic inequalities among the population of African descent of the Americas. A qualitative methodology was used to conduct 20 in‐depth interviews with a group of key informants composed of leaders of African descent, officials from the ministries of health, international health agencies, and international technicians specialised in African descent health and interculturality from six different countries. The extracted data were categorised and encoded, generating quotations and concept maps with Atlas.ti v.8.2. The concurrency coefficients made it possible to link the codes of each subcategory with the central analytical category. The racial discrimination experienced by people of African descent and the quality of health services received poses a problem. Discrimination is faced in all countries, affecting access to services and the quality of health care, and greater discrimination against women is also detected. This shows the need for an activistpolicy and for the inclusion of specific variables in surveys, censuses, and records in order that they may be researched. Claims are made about the complementary role that traditional medicine may play and the fact that the intercultural approach may be a useful strategy for addressing inequalities. The interviewees agree with the reference theory on the existence of racial discrimination and segregation regarding the African descent population of the Americas and how this translates into ethnic inequities in the field of health. Proposals have been put forward both on how to deepen research and how to contribute to the reduction of ethnic inequalities in health issues

Six years of sick leave spells in a group of university civilworkers. Can modernwork bring them a new health problem?

The objective of this study is to analyse sick leave episodes of a university’s collective of statutory workers in the State of São Paulo, between January 2010 and December 2015. For this, a descriptive study analysed 5776 registered spells of sick leave of four university units: agricultural sciences; human health, health and animal reproduction, and biological sciences; an administrative unit; and a university hospital. The medical expert assessment was carried out by general practitioners and psychiatrists who managed sick leave and return to work cases. Around 52% had up to three sick leave episodes, and 10% of the workers had 20 or more episodes. Each spell of sickness absence lasted a median of 30 days (IQR 8–60 days). Among all of sick leaves, 35% had as a primary cause mental or behavioural diseases, of which 30% were depressive disorders, followed by around 18% related to the musculoskeletal system and the connective tissues. In the medical reports, 80% of the workers reported pain and 30% reported psychological symptoms. The collective, seen as privileged by many for their job stability, has a high percentage of sick leave due to mental illness, with extended periods which affect the levels of disability and reduce possibilities of return

COVID-19 information received by the Peruvian population, during the first phase of the pandemic, and its association with developing psychological distress Information about COVID-19 and distress in Peru

It is suspected that the information the population has about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) determines both its preventive measures and its effects on mental health. The internet and social media are the sources that have largely replaced the official and traditional channels of information. The objective of this study is to analyse the influence of the sources used by the population in Peru to obtain information on COVID-19 and its association with developing psychological distress (PD) and preventive measures against contagion. 1699 questionnaires were analysed. A previously validated instrument adapted to Peru was used. Participants were questioned about the information received regarding COVID-19, its sources, time of exposition, assessment, or beliefs about it. Mental health was measured with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analysis were performed, developing a classification and regression tree for PD based on beliefs and information about the pandemic. The most used source of information on COVID-19 in Peru was social media and this is associated with developing PD, both in the general population and among health professionals. The quality of the information about treatments for COVID-19 is associated with PD in the general population, whereas prognosis generates more distress among healthcare professionals. The biggest concern is transmitting the virus to family members, close persons, or patients, with more confidence in health professionals than in the health system. The health authorities should use the social media to transmit quality information about COVID-19 and, at the same time, to gather in real time the opinions on the implemented preventive measures. For all, this it is necessary to have higher credibility in the population to increase the confidence in the health system, looking at basic aspects for compliance with prevention measures and improvement of mental healt

Development and criterion validity of the COVID-19 anxiety and fear assessment scale: a cross sectional study

Background: The emergence of the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes COVID-19 disease, has been a major public health challenge and an increase in the feeling of uncertainty of the population, who is also experiencing an increase in levels of anx iety and fear regarding the COVID-19 disease. Objective: The objective of the study was the construct and criterion validation of the Escala de evaluación de la Ansiedad y MIedo a COVID-19 (AMICO, for its acronym in Spanish) to measure both constructs in the general Spanish population Methods: Descriptive study of psychometric validation. A field study was carried out to execute univariate and bivariate analyses, in addition to the exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis of the scale. For the criteria validity study, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and sensitivity and specificity values were calculated. Results: The study sample was composed of 1036 subjects over 18 years of age, who resided in Spain, where 56.3% were women with a mean age of 48.11 years (SD =15.13). The study of con struct validity reported two factors and 16 items, with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.92. The scale was concurrently valid with the used gold standard and obtained sensitivity values of 90.48% and specificity values of 76%. Conclusions: The AMICO scale is valid and reliable for assessing the level of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the adult Spanish population and is highly sensitive

Impact on the Mental and Physical Health of the Portuguese Population during the COVID-19 Confinement

versión editorConfinement of the population has been one of the measures implemented by different governments to address the COVID-19 health crisis, and it has led to social isolation together with a disruption of daily activities. The aim of the study is to analyze psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. During the quarantine, a cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 2120 subjects over 18 years of age, resident and born in Portugal. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire that considered socio-demographic variables, physical symptoms, health conditions, and history of contact with COVID-19, as well as psychological alterations. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was also included. Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses were performed. Predictive capacity was studied using logistic regression models. The results showed a higher percentage of individuals presenting psychological distress (57.2.0%), with a higher percentage identified among women (79.0%), and in people with a higher educational level (bachelor’s + master’s and doctorate) (75.8%). The predictor variables with the greatest weight were sex, educational level (graduation, master’s, and doctorate), living with children or under 16 years of age, presence of symptoms, and quarantine in the last 14 days for having symptoms. Good self-assessment of health and working at home appear to be protective against psychological distress. These results highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological distress and provide an opportunity to consider the need to implement specific multidisciplinary public health and mental health interventions in this pandemic situationThis work was funded by Portuguese national funds provided by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (UIDB/05704/2020 and UIDP/05704/2020)