Alcohol consumption and work-related injuries among farmers in Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China

Meta-analytic study on substance intake and work-related accidents calls for attention to bio-psycho-social factors

Accidents at work are a major concern because of their social and economic impact. The causes are highly variable and often linked to risk behaviors that could be avoided, of which substance use is a prime example. The aim of this paper was to meta-analytically review the scientific literature on substance intake and its link to work-related accidents. From an initial pool of 19954 papers, we considered a final sample of 27 clustered in three groups according to substances class (alcohol, recreational drugs, medicines). Despite different pharmacological effects, substances consumed for recreational purposes significantly increased the risk of work-related accidents (odds ratio: alcohol 1.78, recreational drugs 1.47), whereas medicines did not: however, these results require caution due to the heterogeneity of the included studies and suspected publication bias. While bio-psycho-social factors could have helped to understand this association, selected studies neglected both the variegated effects and the root causes of recreational substance consumption. Future studies and interventions should consider these complexity factors to transcend the mere description of the phenomenon.

Substance use disorders in the farming population: Scoping review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the current knowledge base in order to make recommendations for prevention and treatment of substance use disorders among the farming populations.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles published between January 1989 and September 2019. The search yielded 3,426 citations and the final review was conducted on 42 articles. The full review was conducted by 4 authors to extract information about the target population, data collection methods, and main results.

FINDINGS

There were 21 articles on farmers and 21 articles on farmworkers. The majority of the articles were about alcohol. Overall, farmers had higher prevalence of risky alcohol consumption patterns than nonfarmers. The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption was also high among farmworkers compared to the general population. Risk factors for risky alcohol consumption included male gender, lower socioeconomic status, and psychological problems (eg, depression). Recommendations for prevention and intervention of alcohol disorders included policy development and implementation to curb alcohol access by taxation, screening of alcohol-related problems, and alternative means of recreation instead of alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirmed that alcohol-related problems are prevalent among farmers and farmworkers. More population-based research is called for to understand the additional risk factors of alcohol disorders and the prevalence of other substance-related disorders. Also, interventions should be tailored to the unique culture of farmers and farmworkers.

Relationship between fatigue severity scale and occupational injury in Korean workers

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between fatigue and occupational injury.

Methods

This study was conducted at a university hospital in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, the fatigue severity scale (FSS) was used to evaluate workers' fatigue levels. Later, when the same workers were examined in 2015, a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine whether they had experienced absences or treatment for work-related accidents. The χ² test was used to analyse the relationship between demographic characteristics, fatigue levels, and occupational injuries. After controlling for confounders, a logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs).

Results

In 2014, 19,218 workers were screened during health examination and their fatigue level were evaluated using FSS questionnaires. in 2015, workers' occupational injury was evaluated. In result, men in the moderate- and high-fatigue groups, after adjusting for age, smoking and drinking habits, chronic diseases, and occupational factors such as size of company industrial classification and type of work (shift or non-shift), adjusted ORs for hospital treatment due to occupational injury were 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–2.24) and 2.61 (95% CI:1.68–4.06), respectively. Among men in the medium- and high-fatigue groups, the adjusted ORs for absence due to occupational injury were 2.06 (95% CI: 1.52–2.80) and 3.65 (95% CI: 2.20–6.05), respectively. No significant association was observed between fatigue and occupational injury in women.

Conclusions

Male workers with high fatigue levels have a higher risk of experiencing work injuries. This study suggests that active intervention be considered to prevent injuries in workers with high scores on workplace fatigue evaluation scales.

First- and second-hand alcohol-related harms among urban Chinese: A population-based study from Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol consumption has been steadily increasing in East Asia, however, there is comparatively little regional data of alcohol-related harms. This study examines the alcohol-related harms prevalence and risk factors in Hong Kong, a high population density city with limited alcohol regulation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in 2019 on Chinese adults aged 18-74 (n = 3200). Respondents were asked about various past-year first-hand drinking harms (after one's own drinking), second-hand harms (harms from other people's drinking) and views of neighbourhood alcohol outlet regulation.

RESULTS

Of drinkers, 21.1% reported first-hand alcohol harms, with physical/mental health harms (15.7%) most commonly reported. Younger-aged drinkers (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63, 4.48) and heavy drinkers (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.55, 3.55) were more likely to report first-hand harms. Of the sample, 18.2% experienced past-year second-hand harms, with public harms (12.9%) most commonly reported. Young age (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.43, 2.49), higher education (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13, 1.83), past-year binge drinking (AOR 4.29, 95% CI 3.04, 6.05) and communal living (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.13, 3.75) predicted greater likelihood of second-hand alcohol harms. Higher neighbourhood alcohol outlet density was not associated with any first-hand harms and only significantly predicted being inconvenienced by drinkers. Although victims of second-hand alcohol harms were more supportive of regulating outlet density, 93.3% of respondents were opposed to such policies.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Although high levels of alcohol-related harms were not reported by Hong Kong adults, regulations should target young drinkers and binge drinkers who are most likely to experience drinking-related harms.

Alcohol Use and Its Associated Factors among Adolescents Aged 15-19 Years at Governmental High Schools of Aksum Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

The impact of alcohol use among adolescents is multidisciplinary and affects the adolescent's academic performance, precipitates with sexually transmitted infections or psychiatric disorders, and disturbs the social domain of adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol use among adolescents aged 15–19 years at the governmental high schools of Aksum Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, in 2019.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 January 2019 at Aksum town high school. Alcohol use was assessed by asking the question “have you used at least one of the alcoholic beverages in the last three months for nonmedical purposes?” Study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected with face-to-face interview and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to see the association between alcohol use and associated factors. Adjusted odds ratio at a p value < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was taken to declare the statistical significance of variables.

Result

About 633 adolescents aged 15–19 years were addressed with a response rate of 99.7%. Prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 39.7% [95% CI (35.7, 43.6)]. Being male [AOR = 1.80; 95% CI (1.24, 2.60)], fathers' educational status 1–8 grades [AOR = 2.98; 95% CI (1.60, 5.53)], fathers' occupation farming [AOR = 4.24; 95% CI (2.038.85)], experienced parental neglect [AOR = 1.75; 95% CI (1.20, 2.55)], strong social support [AOR = 1.79; 95% CI (1.11, 2.87)], and family size of greater than five [AOR = 2.03; 95%CI (1.39, 2.97)] were factors identified to be significantly associated with alcohol use among adolescents aged 15–19 years.

Conclusion

In the current study, the prevalence of alcohol use is found to be high when compared to other populations. A strong association has been found between alcohol use and lower paternal educational status and farming as an occupation of parents. There should be a regular awareness creation program for parents with lower education about the devastating effects of alcohol on adolescents.

Cross-shift change of acute kidney injury biomarkers in sugarcane farmers and cutters

Sugarcane farmers and cutters have been reported to be at high risk of acute kidney injury. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess acute kidney injury biomarkers, and cross-shift change among 150 sugarcane cutters and 98 sugarcane farmers in Thailand. Physical health examination, environmental measurements, and measured urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were assessed. Cross-shift change of urine creatinine (uCr), albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and NGAL between sugarcane farmers and cutters was compared. Factors influencing abnormal post-shift ACR and NGAL were analyzed by binary logistic regression adjusted with covariates. Sugarcane cutters were significantly more likely to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and herbs to relieve pain than sugarcane farmers. Males were more likely to be current smokers and drinkers although 62% of cutters and 56% of farmers were female. Sugarcane farmers and cutters had similar post-shift estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and ACR levels. Cross-shift measurements showed that both sugarcane cutters and sugarcane farmers had significantly higher post-shift geometric mean (GM) urinary NGAL, but that the cross-shift changes of NGAL were significantly higher for sugarcane cutters (182%) vs. sugarcane farmers (112%). Water intake less than recommendation of subjects was a significant predictor of a higher risk for an abnormal post-shift ACR after controlling for covariates, while being a sugarcane cutter was a predictor of a lower risk of an abnormal risk of a post-shift NGAL after controlling for covariates. Measurements of heat stress (WBGT plus workload) found that sugarcane cutters exceeded recommended exposures while sugarcane farmers were compliance to the TLV. These findings suggest that to protect sugarcane farmers and cutters, preventative measures are needed.

Workplace injury and associated factors among construction workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

The construction industry is one of the most hazardous working areas, where the highest number of labourers engaged. However, the predisposing factors for occupational injury in the construction sites in Ethiopia are not well investigated. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess the magnitude of occupational injury and associated factors among construction workers in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 566 construction workers. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and observation checklist. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables significantly associated with occupational injury on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of work-related injury in 3 months prior to the survey was found to be 39% (95% CI = 35.0-43.1%). The occurrence of occupational injury was associated with single workers [AOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.97], longer service year [AOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.72-4.53], poor attention to work [AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.33, 5.29], working with vibrating hand tools [AOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.19, 8.76], no aware about occupational hazards [AOR = 4.66, 95% CI = 1.99, 10.87], and alcohol consumption [AOR = 3.16, 95% CI = 2.09, 4.79].

CONCLUSION

High prevalence of occupational injury was reported in the study area. Cut and fall were the leading causes. Marital status, service year, attention to work, use of vibrating hand tools, awareness about occupational hazards, and drinking alcohol were identified as factors associated with occupational injury. Therefore, health and safety trainings have to be taken place to aware workers about occupational injury and safety issues. Regular workplace supervision and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are also needed to prevent occupational injury. The findings of this study are useful to design and implement injury prevention strategies in the country. The study also contributes to the current literature as health and safety information is limited, especially in developing countries.

Incidence, patterns and associated factors for occupational injuries among agricultural workers in a developing country

Background: Injuries are common among agricultural workers, and a large section of the population is employed in agriculture worldwide. We aimed to determine the incidence, patterns and associated risk factors of occupational injuries among the agricultural workers in a developing country.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in Hyderabad, Pakistan was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013. Information was collected about incidence, pattern and associated risk factors of occupational injuries from 472 agricultural workers. Injury incidence and patterns for place, severity, type, agent, parts of body affected and work activity were calculated. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval, to identify the putative risk factors for occupational injuries.

Results: Incidence of occupational injuries was 35.0 per 100 per year (95% CI: 28.9 - 42.7). Cuts (70%) and hand tools (71%) were the most common type and agent for injury, respectively. Majority of injuries occurred during harvesting (55%). Increasing age [AOR 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01 - 1.05)], income <6000PKR/month [AOR 2.27 (95% CI: 1.08 - 4.76)] and driving tractor [AOR 2.58 (95% CI: 1.25 -5.33)] increase the risk for injuries.

Conclusion: There was a high burden of injuries among the agricultural workers in Pakistan. Large-scale studies are required to further characterize the risk of injuries and develop preventive strategies to protect agricultural workers.

Alcohol Inhibits Organic Dust-induced ICAM-1 Expression on Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Aims: Exposure to dusts/bioaerosols in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) results in inflammatory lung diseases in workers. Hog CAFOs dust extract (HDE) increases expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), neutrophil adhesion, and TNFα release in bronchial epithelial cells. Alcohol consumption is increasingly recognized to impair lung immunity. We hypothesized that alcohol impairs HDE-induced TNFα, ICAM-1 expression and neutrophil adhesion by directly inhibiting TNFα converting enzyme (TACE) activity.

METHODS

Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and primary human bronchial epithelial cells were pretreated with ethanol (EtOH) or TACE inhibitor. ICAM-1 surface expression, TNFα release, and TACE activity were analyzed following HDE stimulation. The effect of alcohol and TACE inhibition on HDE-regulated epithelial cell/neutrophil adhesion interactions was investigated. Finally, utilizing an established animal model, C57BL/6 mice were fed ad libitum ethanol (20%) in drinking water for 8 wk followed by daily intranasal inhalation of HDE or saline during the final two weeks. Mice were sacrificed and lung sections immunostained for ICAM-1.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with alcohol or TACE inhibitor significantly decreased HDE-induced ICAM-1 expression and TNFα release. HDE augmented neutrophil adhesion to epithelial cells, which was decreased with alcohol (32% decrease) or TACE inhibitor (55% decrease) pretreatment. TACE activity increased following HDE exposure, but TACE activity was inhibited following alcohol pretreatment. Alcohol-fed mice demonstrated decreased HDE-induced airway epithelium ICAM-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol diminishes HDE-induced ICAM-1 expression, TNFα release, and neutrophil adhesion via inhibition of TACE activity. These results suggest that alcohol may be an important modulator of lung innate immune responses following CAFO exposure.

Different Subjective and Objective Responses to Alcohol Among Heavy and Light Drinkers of Han and Uyghur Nationalities in China

OBJECTIVE

Given the observed differences in alcohol consumption characteristics between the Han and Uyghur nationalities in clinical reports and in daily life, the subjective and objective responses to alcohol in heavy drinkers (HDs) and light drinkers (LDs) in the Han and Uyghur nationalities in China were compared.

METHODS

A within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory paradigm was performed. Each subject completed three experimental sessions in random order. Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales were administered, and heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were measured at predrink baseline and 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the initial alcohol beverage consumption.

RESULTS

Compared with LDs, HDs exhibited higher stimulation, positive affect, and lower sedation in both ethnicities. Han drinkers (both HDs and LDs) exhibited higher sedation and lower positive affect and stimulation than Uyghur drinkers after consumption of alcohol. Moreover, HDs exhibited more HR increase during the ascending limb of breath alcohol content (p < .05) and less cortisol level during the declining limb of breath alcohol content (p < .05). Both HDs and LDs exhibited decreased systolic and diastolic pressures for both high- and low-dose beverages (ps < .01).

CONCLUSION

Compared with LDs, HDs exhibited more HR increase and lower salivary cortisol level after alcohol consumption. Han drinkers (both HDs and LDs) exhibited higher sedation and lower positive affect and stimulation after consumption of alcohol as compared with Uyghur drinkers. This modality of subjective and physiological responses to alcohol in the Han and Uyghur ethnicities is similar.

Alcohol use dependence in fragile X syndrome

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) have been reported in a limited number of individuals with cognitive impairment but rarely in those with fragile X syndrome (FXS). However, in Colombia, culturally, alcohol consumption is very common. Here, we report eight cases of patients with FXS who have frequent alcohol consumption in Ricaurte, Colombia. Some of these patients have also used tobacco and illegal substances, including cocaine, which use has not been previously reported in those with FXS. Alcohol and substance use dependence is associated with exacerbation of their behavioral problems, such as increased impulsivity and aggression, as well as of medical problems such as an increased frequency of seizures.

Alcohol and alcohol-related harm in China: policy changes needed

In China, alcohol consumption is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. A steady increase in alcohol production has also been observed in the country, together with a rise in alcohol-related harm. Despite these trends, China's policies on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are weak compared with those of other countries in Asia. Weakest of all are its policies on taxation, drink driving laws, alcohol sale to minors and marketing licenses. The authors of this descriptive paper draw attention to the urgent need for public health professionals and government officials in China to prioritize population surveillance, research and interventions designed to reduce alcohol use disorders. They describe China's current alcohol policies and recent trends in alcohol-related harm and highlight the need for health officials to conduct a thorough policy review from a public health perspective, using as a model the World Health Organization's global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

Back pain among farmers in a northern area of China

STUDY DESIGN

This was a population-based survey conducted in 2008 in a northern area of China.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate back pain prevalence and to examine the associations between potential risk factors and back pain among Chinese farmers.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Few studies have investigated back pain and its associated risk factors among farmers in low-income and developing nations.

METHODS

Farmers ages 15 years and older were chosen from 800 families in Heilongjiang province of the People's Republic of China using cluster sampling methods. Complete survey data were obtained from 2045 farmers. The prevalence of self-reported back pain during the previous 3 months was reported. Associations between back pain and potential risk factors, which included age, gender, education levels, perceived stress, main farm activities, smoking, and drinking status, were examined in logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 786 (38.4%) farmers reported back pain. Two-thirds of those with back pain (66.0%) reported that back pain affected work quantity and quality. The adjusted odds ratios of reporting back pain increased with advancing age. Females and farmers who experienced stress regularly were also more likely to report back pain.

CONCLUSION

Back pain is a common problem among Chinese farmers and is reported more frequently by females. Significant positive associations of gender, age, and perceived stress with back pain warrant additional study.