Occupational exposure of health care workers to organic fluids and adhesion to chemoprophylaxis

This study was aimed at investigating the characteristics of occupational accidents and of the workers that suffered them, and at evaluating the adhesion to chemoprophylaxis and to control and follow up tests after occupational accidents with risk of contamination by the human immunodeficiency virus and of the hepatitis B and C virus. This is a descriptive epidemiological study whose data was collected from the notifications of one of the administrative regions of the State of Sao Paulo's Secretary of Health between 2000 and 2001. It was observed 7.3% of refusals for chemoprophylaxis against human immunodeficiency virus by anti retrovirals, and that 40.6% of the care workers who accepted the chemoprophylaxis did not complete the treatment in the four weeks estimated for it. This diagnosis highlights the need for the institutions involved to establish strategies that make possible an increase in the adherence of health workers to these care procedures.41112012

Occupational exposure of Brazilian neonatal intensive care workers to latex antigens

Background: Frequent exposure to latex causes various reactions such as respiratory symptoms and anaphylactic shock. In these cases, proteins found in natural latex are responsible for the serious systemic antilatex-mediated immediate hypersensitive reactions. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive survey focusing on 96 Brazilian health care workers (HCW) in the neonatal intensive care unit at CAISM, State University of Campinas UNICAMP, Brazil. All subjects were interviewed, donated blood samples for the latex-specific immunoglobulin E measurement and underwent the skin prick test (SPT) with an antigen extracted from latex gloves. Results: The prevalence of latex positive SPT was 8%. There were eight SPT positive and only one serologic test was in agreement with the SPT. Overall, there was evidence of an association between the latex SPT and reported eczema (P = 0.01); food allergy (P = 0.009) with pineapple (P = 0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that the identification of reactions of immediate hypersensitivity mediated by antilatex antibodies in HCW should be encouraged to prevent occupational exposure to latex products.59110711

A randomized controlled trial to reduce sedentary time in rheumatoid arthritis: Protocol and rationale of the Take a STAND for Health study

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis spend most of their daily hours in sedentary behavior (sitting), a predisposing factor to poor health-related outcomes and all-cause mortality. Interventions focused on reducing sedentary time could be of novel therapeutic relevance. However, studies addressing this topic remain scarce. We aim to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed intervention focused on reducing sedentary time, and potential clinical, physiological, metabolic and molecular effects in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The Take a STAND for Health study is a 4-month, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, in which postmenopausal patients with rheumatoid arthritis will set individually tailored, progressive goals to replace their sedentary time with standing and light-intensity activities. Patients will be recruited from the Clinical Hospital (School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo) and will be assessed at baseline and after a 4-month follow up. Outcomes will include objectively measured sedentary behavior (primary outcome) and physical activity levels, clinical parameters, anthropometric parameters and body composition; aerobic fitness, muscle function, blood pressure, cardiovascular autonomic function, vascular function and structure, health-related quality of life, and food intake. Blood and muscle samples will be collected for assessing potential mechanisms, through targeted and non-targeted approaches. Discussion: Findings will be of scientific and clinical relevance with the potential to inform new prescriptions focused on reducing sedentary behavior, a modifiable risk factor that thus far has been overlooked in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Ocorrência de acidente de trabalho por materiais perfurocortantes e fluidos biológicos em estudantes e trabalhadores da saúde de um hospital escola de Brasília Frecuencia de accidentes del trabajo causados por instrumentos puntiagudo-cortantes y fluidos biológicos entre estudiantes y personal de un hospital escuela de la ciudad de Brasilia Occurrence of work accidents caused by sharp-edged hollow-pointed equipment and biological fluids among medical students and health personnel in a Brasília university hospital

estudo teve por objetivo verificar e analisar a ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho causados por materiais perfurocortantes e fluidos biológicos em estudantes e trabalhadores da área da saúde. Foi realizado em um hospital-escola de Brasilia. A coleta de dados foi feita a partir dos registros de acidentes de trabalho mantidos pela Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar e referentes ao período de agosto de 1998 a junho de 2000. Verificou-se que 117 pessoas sofreram acidentes de trabalho, em sua grande maioria causados por agulhas. Concluiu-se que existe a necessidade de melhoria nos sistemas de prevenção de acidentes na instituição.<br>El objetivo del estudio fue el de verificar y analizar la frecuencia de accidentes del trabajo causados por instrumentos puntiagudo-cortantes entre estudiantes y personal de un hospital escuela de la ciudad de Brasilia. Los datos, recogidos de los registros de accidentes del trabajo de la Comisión de Control de Infección Hospitalaria, corresponden al periodo entre agosto de 1998 y junio de 2000. Se verifico que 117 personas sufrieron accidentes del trabajo, en su gran mayoría causados por agujas. Se llegó a la conclusión de que es necesario mejorar el sistema de prevención de accidentes en dicha institución.<br>The objective of the study was to check and analyze the occurrence of work accidents caused by sharp-edged hollow-pointed equipment and biological fluids among medical students and health personnel. It was carried out in a Brasilia university hospital. The data were collected from records of work accidents kept by the Hospital Infection Control Committee, from August 1998 to June 2000. It has turned out that 117 persons were victims of work accidents, the vast majority of them caused by needles. The study has reached the conclusion that the accident prevention system must be improved at the above mentioned hospital