Occupational concerns associated with regular use of microscope

Objectives: Microscope work can be strenuous both to the visual system and the musculoskeletal system. Lack of awareness or indifference towards health issues may result in microscope users becoming victim to many occupational hazards. Our objective was to understand the occupational problems associated with regular use of microscope, awareness regarding the hazards, attitude and practice of microscope users towards the problems and preventive strategies. Material and Methods: A questionnaire based survey done on 50 professionals and technicians who used microscope regularly in pathology, microbiology, hematology and cytology laboratories. Results: Sixty two percent of subjects declared that they were suffering from musculoskeletal problems, most common locations being neck and back. Maximum prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was noted in those using microscope for 11–15 years and for more than 30 h/week. Sixty two percent of subjects were aware of workplace ergonomics. Fifty six percent of microscope users took regular short breaks for stretching exercises and 58% took visual breaks every 15–30 min in between microscope use sessions. As many as 94% subjects reported some form of visual problem. Fourty four percent of microscope users felt stressed with long working hours on microscope. Conclusions: The most common occupational concerns of microscope users were musculoskeletal problems of neck and back regions, eye fatigue, aggravation of ametropia, headache, stress due to long working hours and anxiety during or after microscope use. There is an immediate need for increasing awareness about the various occupational hazards and their irreversible effects to prevent them

Social media, rituals, and long-distance family relationship maintenance: a mixed-methods systematic review

For families with limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction, social media can be a vital communication medium to help shape the family identity, maintain bonds, and accomplish shared tasks. This mixed-methods systematic review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method empirical studies published between 1997 and 2019, uses a convergent data-based framework to explore how long-distance families engage in family practices using various modes of social media. Fifty-one papers were synthesised into four domains: (1) doing family in a social media environment, (2) performing family through stories and rituals, (3) the nature of online communication practices, and (4) privacy, conflict, and the quality of family relationships. Given the value of patterned routines to families, research into the role of family kinkeepers is suggested. Finally, families use chat (messages) extensively for both assuring behaviour and conflict resolution so further investigation of the impact of this asynchronous mode is recommended

Geriatrics, oncology, and palliative care for patient-tailored treatment: A Brookdale experience.

17028 Background: Patients over 75 years of age are particularly underrepresented in clinical trials. Measures have been used to help characterize the functional age of a patient, to optimize treatment decisions and stratify outcomes, based on factors other than chronological age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if palliative and social issues influence decision-making in this older population. Methods: The geriatrics oncology patients’ consults from July 2005 to December 2006 were reviewed. In addition to geriatric and oncology tools, palliative measures such as advanced directives, DNR status and social support were incorporated. Results: 89 pts with mean age 80.3 years (range 72–91) and AJCC Stages I (3.3%), II (16.8%), III (28%), and IV (46%) across various malignancies were included. Of the study population, 86% of patients were &gt; 75 years of age, 55% were women, and 75% were widowed; 64% were African- American and 20% were Hispanic. Interestingly, 14 patients (15.7%) had diagnosis of previous cancer (6 breast, 6 prostate). Performance status (KPS and ECOG), activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales were assessed. 38.2% had KPS&gt;70, and 31.5% had KPS&lt;40. 22.4% were also independent for instrumental activities of daily living. 33% patients had advanced directives (including DNR status) at diagnosis. Consent was signed by patients themselves in 56% of cases. Social issues included: 22.4% were in NH, 10.11% without social support, 21.3% with falls, and 41.6% with depression in the GDS. Co-morbidities included HTN in 50%, dementia in 19.1%, and multiple medical problems in 21.3% patients. 30.33% pts received aggressive treatment, while19.1% were referred to hospice, with 50% requiring palliation. Pain was the main symptom that needed palliation in 48.3% patients. Supportive care included use of growth factors 24.7% and erythropoietin 48.3%. Conclusions: Social support, advanced directives, consent were the main issues even in patients with good performance status and absence of major co morbidities. Strategies to increase participation of good performance status elderly patients in geriatric clinical trials should include pain and palliative care issues. No significant financial relationships to disclose. </jats:p

Ethnicity and child health in northern Tanzania: Maasai pastoralists are disadvantaged compared to neighbouring ethnic groups.

The Maasai of northern Tanzania, a semi-nomadic ethnic group predominantly reliant on pastoralism, face a number of challenges anticipated to have negative impacts on child health, including marginalisation, vulnerabilities to drought, substandard service provision and on-going land grabbing conflicts. Yet, stemming from a lack of appropriate national survey data, no large-scale comparative study of Maasai child health has been conducted. Savannas Forever Tanzania surveyed the health of over 3500 children from 56 villages in northern Tanzania between 2009 and 2011. The major ethnic groups sampled were the Maasai, Sukuma, Rangi, and the Meru. Using multilevel regression we compare each ethnic group on the basis of (i) measurements of child health, including anthropometric indicators of nutritional status and self-reported incidence of disease; and (ii) important proximate determinants of child health, including food insecurity, diet, breastfeeding behaviour and vaccination coverage. We then (iii) contrast households among the Maasai by the extent to which subsistence is reliant on livestock herding. Measures of both child nutritional status and disease confirm that the Maasai are substantially disadvantaged compared to neighbouring ethnic groups, Meru are relatively advantaged, and Rangi and Sukuma intermediate in most comparisons. However, Maasai children were less likely to report malaria and worm infections. Food insecurity was high throughout the study site, but particularly severe for the Maasai, and reflected in lower dietary intake of carbohydrate-rich staple foods, and fruits and vegetables. Breastfeeding was extended in the Maasai, despite higher reported consumption of cow's milk, a potential weaning food. Vaccination coverage was lowest in Maasai and Sukuma. Maasai who rely primarily on livestock herding showed signs of further disadvantage compared to Maasai relying primarily on agriculture. We discuss the potential ecological, socioeconomic, demographic and cultural factors responsible for these differences and the implications for population health research and policy

Physical activity in older Asian Indians living in the Unites States : barriers and motives

This paper investigates the motives for (Study 1) and barriers to (Study 2) participation in physical activity by older Asian Indian immigrants to the United States. In Study 1, 100 older Asian Indians living in the United States completed the Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults. The most highly reported motives for participation were based around medical reasons and keeping healthy and active. Analyses of variance showed significant differences in reasons for participation in physical activity based on gender and age. In Study 2, 10 sedentary older Asian Indians living in the United States participated in focus group discussions. They viewed physical activity as being an integral part of everyday activity. Barriers identified included existing health problems, risk of injury, and issues associated with their new lifestyles in the United States. These culture-specific findings should be considered when developing interventions to encourage physical activity