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Al-Bsheish M, Jarrar M, Al-Mugheed K, Samarkandi L, Zubaidi F, Almahmoud H, Ashour A. The association between workplace physical environment and nurses' safety compliance: A serial mediation of psychological and behavioral factors. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21985. [PMID: 38027940 PMCID: PMC10663910 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study describes Jordanian intensive care unit nurses' satisfaction with their physical environment and investigates the association between workplace physical environment and nurses' safety compliance. Additionally, the study offers serial mediation analyses of psychological and behavioral factors between satisfaction with the workplace physical environment and nurses' safety compliance. Introduction Compliance with safety measures is a vital indicator of safety performance, as less compliance directly reflects undesirable safety outcomes among nurses, like occupational accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Social cognitive theory and the safety triad model contribute to understanding safety compliance behaviors to safety procedures. Thus, enhancing safety compliance in healthcare organizations remains a challenge and concern. Methods A quantitative research method was used based on cross-sectional and descriptive data from eight governmental hospitals in Jordan. The population included all intensive care unit nurses in the Ministry of Health's hospitals (n = 1104). A cluster sampling technique selected 285 nurses to participate. Empirical results were obtained through structural equation modeling (i.e., Smart PLS-SEM), which has become popular in this kind of research. Results The mean of Jordanian ICU nurses' satisfaction with the workplace physical environment was 3.36, which is moderate. Although the Smart PLS findings did not support the direct association between the workplace physical environment and nurses' safety compliance, serial mediation of safety participation in the workplace physical environment and nurses' safety compliance and perceived safety management commitment confirm the indirect association in the study model. Conclusion This study fills a gap in available safety and nursing literature, especially when considering the scarce studies that investigated the physical elements in the workplace and both safety compliance and safety participation. The findings are valuable for academicians, health providers, and policymakers and may trigger creative ideas and interventional solutions to improve nurses' safety compliance in healthcare organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Al-Bsheish
- Health Management Department, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Al-Nadeem Governmental Hospital, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mu'taman Jarrar
- Medical Education Department, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Vice Deanship for Quality for Development and Community Partnership, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Al-Mugheed
- Adult Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lujain Samarkandi
- Health Management Department, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faraj Zubaidi
- Health Management Department, Batterjee Medical College, Asser, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanin Almahmoud
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdallah Ashour
- College of Nursing, Irbid National University, Irbid, Jordan
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Vertanen-Greis H, Löyttyniemi E, Uitti J, Putus T. Self-reported voice disorders of teachers and indoor air quality in schools: a cross-sectional study in Finland. LOGOP PHONIATR VOCO 2023; 48:1-11. [PMID: 34315338 DOI: 10.1080/14015439.2021.1953132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to study the association between self-reported voice disorders among teachers and indoor air quality in school buildings. METHODS We performed a questionnaire study of 538 Finnish teachers working in 67 school buildings utilizing both perceived and technical evaluations; the agreement between these two assessments was also studied. The technical assessment was provided by technical experts. RESULTS Teachers with voice disorders reported significantly more complaints from indoor air than those without voice disorders. The results also indicated a possible connection between the technical assessment and voice disorders. After adjustment for sex, stress and asthma, the prevalence of voice disorders was 47% higher in teachers working in renovated buildings compared to those working in the non-problem buildings (aRR1.47; CI 95% 1.11-1.95). The prevalence of voice disorders was 28% higher among teachers working in buildings with problems compared to those working in non-problem buildings (aRR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.64). DISCUSSION In our study, poor perceived indoor air was significantly associated with self-reported voice disorders in teachers and there was an agreement between the perceived and technical assessments. Our results also indicated a possible connection between the technical assessment and voice disorders. Our results imply the need for longitudinal research with technical assessment to study the effect of renovation on voice disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jukka Uitti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tuula Putus
- Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Putus TM, Atosuo J, Vilén LK. Hoarseness Among Young Children in Day-Care Centers. J Voice 2022:S0892-1997(22)00267-3. [PMID: 36180276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic respiratory symptoms among toddlers are assumed to be due to allergies and common respiratory infections. Because symptoms and respiratory disease in this age group often continue on to school age and later life, it is important to know the possible risk factors for prevention of the chronic hoarseness. AIM We aimed to determine the current prevalence of hoarseness and other chronic respiratory symptoms among toddlers and young children. Another aim was to examine the risk factors for hoarseness in the building environments of day-care centers (DCC). MATERIAL An electronic symptom survey was sent to all parents of children in day-care centers of a large city in southern Finland. In all, 3721 individuals completed the questionnaire (38%), 53.4% were the parents of boys and 46.6% girls. RESULTS The prevalence of hoarseness was 5.6%. The boy's parents reported hoarseness more often than the girls, but no significant difference was observed. Risk factors for hoarseness in a built environment in this age group were noise, visible dust and dirt, mold and a cellar like odor, a sewer smell, other unpleasant smells, stuffiness of the indoor air, a too high or too low temperatures, a cold floor, insufficient ventilation, the age of the DCC building, and wood as the bearing construction of the building. The lifestyle factors that correlated with the prevalence of hoarseness were the amount of time spent outdoors; however, passive smoking, the number of siblings and pets at home did not correlate with hoarseness. Hoarseness was significantly correlated with other chronic respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis, coughs, eye irritation, tiredness, headaches, and stomach problems and also with the regular or periodic use of medication. Hoarseness was also significantly correlated with asthma and allergic rhinitis and also with repeated infections, such as a common cold, cold with a fever, laryngitis, otitis media and acute bronchitis, but not with tonsillitis or pneumonia. When potential confounders had been controlled for with a logistic regression model, the following risk factors in the built environment remained statistically significant: noise, high room temperature, insufficient ventilation and the stuffiness of the indoor air, a solvent odor, wood as the bearing construction and the age of the building. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that in day-care centers, buildings should be maintained, cleaned and ventilated properly. Concrete and brick used in the construction were protective compared with wood. The acoustic environment should be planned to reduce noise indoors and solvent based chemicals should be avoided. Neither having pets at home or the number of siblings were risk factors, but they were also not found to be protective in this material. All measures that reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections probably also reduce chronic voice problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Putus
- University of Turku, Clinical Medicine, Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine.
| | - J Atosuo
- University of Turku, Clinical Medicine, Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine
| | - L K Vilén
- University of Turku, Clinical Medicine, Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine
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Nordberg ME, Täubel M, Heikkinen S, Jalkanen K, Köliö A, Stranger M, Leppänen H, Hyvärinen A, Huttunen K. Toxicological transcriptome of human airway constructs after exposure to indoor air particulate matter: In search of relevant pathways of moisture damage-associated health effects. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106997. [PMID: 34991257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple health effects are associated with moisture damage in buildings. Studies explaining these associations and cell-level mechanisms behind the observed health effects are urgently called for. OBJECTIVES We focused on characterizing gene expression in human airway epithelium after exposure to indoor air particulate matter (PM) sampled from houses with and without moisture damage, alongside determination of general toxicological markers. METHODS We performed detailed technical building inspections in 25 residential houses and categorized them based on the detection of moisture damages and the probability of occupant exposure. PM sampling was complemented by microbiological and volatile organic compound assessment. We exposed human airway constructs to three dilutions (1:16, 1:8, 1:4) of collected PM from moisture-damaged (index) and non-moisture-damaged (reference) houses and imaged selected constructs with electron microscopy. We analyzed general toxicological markers and the RNA of exposed constructs was sequenced targeting genes associated with toxicological pathways. We did groupwise comparisons between index and reference houses and pairwise comparisons in matched index/reference houses. RESULTS In groupwise comparison, gene Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP1A1) was statistically significantly over-expressed in index houses at all dilutions of collected PM and Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit 1 (NFKB1) at dilution 1:4 of collected PM. In pairwise index/reference house comparison, several genes related to multiple toxicological pathways were activated, largest expression differences seen for CYP1A1. However, none of the genes was consistently expressed in all the matched pairs, and general toxicological markers did not differentiate index and reference houses. DISCUSSION The exposure to PM from index houses activated toxicology -related genes in airway constructs. Differential expression was not consistent among all the index/reference pairs, possibly due to compositional differences of bioactive particles. Our study highlights CYP1A1 and NFKB1 as potential targets in moisture damage -associated cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Elisa Nordberg
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Yliopistonranta 1, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sami Heikkinen
- School of Medicine, Institutes of Clinical Medicine and Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Yliopistonranta 1, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kaisa Jalkanen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Köliö
- Renovatek Oy, Korkeakoulunkatu 1, FI-33720 Tampere, Finland
| | - Marianne Stranger
- Environmental Risk and Health Unit, VITO, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Hanna Leppänen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati Huttunen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Yliopistonranta 1, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Suojalehto H, Ndika J, Lindström I, Airaksinen L, Karvala K, Kauppi P, Lauerma A, Toppila-Salmi S, Karisola P, Alenius H. Transcriptomic Profiling of Adult-Onset Asthma Related to Damp and Moldy Buildings and Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910679. [PMID: 34639020 PMCID: PMC8508786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of adult-onset asthma patients attribute their symptoms to damp and moldy buildings. Symptoms of idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) may resemble asthma and these two entities overlap. We aimed to evaluate if a distinct clinical subtype of asthma related to damp and moldy buildings can be identified, to unravel its corresponding pathomechanistic gene signatures, and to investigate potential molecular similarities with IEI. Fifty female adult-onset asthma patients were categorized based on exposure to building dampness and molds during disease initiation. IEI patients (n = 17) and healthy subjects (n = 21) were also included yielding 88 study subjects. IEI was scored with the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) questionnaire. Inflammation was evaluated by blood cell type profiling and cytokine measurements. Disease mechanisms were investigated via gene set variation analysis of RNA from nasal biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Nasal biopsy gene expression and plasma cytokine profiles suggested airway and systemic inflammation in asthma without exposure to dampness (AND). Similar evidence of inflammation was absent in patients with dampness-and-mold-related asthma (AAD). Gene expression signatures revealed a greater degree of similarity between IEI and dampness-related asthma than between IEI patients and asthma not associated to dampness and mold. Blood cell transcriptome of IEI subjects showed strong suppression of immune cell activation, migration, and movement. QEESI scores correlated to blood cell gene expression of all study subjects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed clear pathomechanisms for AND but not AAD patients. Furthermore, we found a distinct molecular pathological profile in nasal and blood immune cells of IEI subjects, including several differentially expressed genes that were also identified in AAD samples, suggesting IEI-type mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hille Suojalehto
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Helsinki, Finland; (H.S.); (I.L.); (L.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Joseph Ndika
- Human Microbiome (HUMI) Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.N.); (P.K.)
| | - Irmeli Lindström
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Helsinki, Finland; (H.S.); (I.L.); (L.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Liisa Airaksinen
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Helsinki, Finland; (H.S.); (I.L.); (L.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Kirsi Karvala
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Helsinki, Finland; (H.S.); (I.L.); (L.A.); (K.K.)
- Varma, 00098 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Kauppi
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (A.L.); (S.T.-S.)
| | - Antti Lauerma
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (A.L.); (S.T.-S.)
| | - Sanna Toppila-Salmi
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (A.L.); (S.T.-S.)
| | - Piia Karisola
- Human Microbiome (HUMI) Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.N.); (P.K.)
| | - Harri Alenius
- Human Microbiome (HUMI) Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.N.); (P.K.)
- Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-50-4489526
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Selinheimo S, Lampi J, Pekkanen J. Parent's self-reported indoor environment-related symptoms and health worry increase symptom reports among their children at school-Study in two independent populations. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1298-1307. [PMID: 33955596 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little is known whether parent's indoor environment quality (IEQ)-related symptoms or health perceptions influence the risk of self- or parent-reported symptoms in their children. We assessed (i) the association of parents' IEQ-related symptoms with IEQ-related symptoms in their children at school and (ii) whether parental IEQ-related health worry increases the risk for children's symptoms. We used two Finnish studies: a national, population-based survey of indoor air and related health problems (n = 611 parents) and a subset of survey for all primary school pupils (grade 3-6) and their parents in Helsinki, which also included school IEQ-related symptoms reported by children (n = 1617 parent-child dyads). In the school survey, parent's own symptoms increased strongly their reporting of their children's symptoms at school (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 2.7-6.0 for parents experiencing a lot of symptoms) and also symptoms reported by the child itself (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.1). Similar, but slightly weaker associations were seen with parental IEQ-related health worries. Results remained unchanged when adjusted for the IEQ of school buildings or parental and children's allergic diseases. Similar associations were seen in the national survey between parent's symptoms at work and child's symptoms at school. The results suggest that parents' health perceptions may increase the reporting of children's IEQ-related symptoms even more than is typically seen for many indoor air contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jussi Lampi
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Work ability of teachers associated with voice disorders, stress, and the indoor environment: A questionnaire study in Finland. J Voice 2020; 36:879.e5-879.e11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Savelieva K, Elovainio M, Lampi J, Ung-Lanki S, Pekkanen J. Psychosocial factors and indoor environmental quality in respiratory symptom reports of pupils: a cross-sectional study in Finnish schools. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036873. [PMID: 32958485 PMCID: PMC7507850 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in schools is related to higher respiratory symptoms of pupils, but little is known about the importance of other factors. This study examined the associations between different psychosocial factors and other pupils' individual and allergic characteristics, beyond school IEQ, and reporting of respiratory symptoms in pupil-administered and parent-administered questionnaires. SETTING All primary and secondary schools in two areas of Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS Primary school pupils (grade 3-6, n=8775, 99 school buildings) and secondary school pupils (grade 7-9, n=3410, 30 school buildings) reported their respiratory symptoms, as well as psychosocial factors and individual characteristics. Parents of primary school pupils (grade 1-6, n=3540, 88 school buildings) also filled in questionnaires, but the response rate was low (20% in 2017 and 13% in 2018). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Respiratory symptoms were reported in relation to the school environment and in general (without such relation) by pupils or parents. RESULTS Worry about IEQ and low school satisfaction, and asthma and hay fever were related to higher reporting of respiratory symptoms in three samples. The variance between schools in respiratory symptoms was low (intraclass correlation=0.6%-2.4%). Psychosocial factors, especially worry about school's IEQ, explained more of the variance between schools in symptoms than IEQ among secondary school pupils and parents, but not among primary school pupils for symptoms in general. Worry about IEQ also modified the associations between IEQ and respiratory symptoms, but only in parental reports. CONCLUSION In addition to IEQ, psychosocial factors and pupils' individual and allergic characteristics were related to higher reporting of respiratory symptoms in all three samples. Psychosocial factors explained more variance between schools than IEQ, although it was 2.4% at most. Other factors beyond IEQ should be considered when interpreting symptom reporting in indoor air questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Savelieva
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Lampi
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Pohjois-Savo, Finland
| | - Sari Ung-Lanki
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Pohjois-Savo, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Pohjois-Savo, Finland
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Savelieva K, Marttila T, Lampi J, Ung-Lanki S, Elovainio M, Pekkanen J. Associations between indoor environmental quality in schools and symptom reporting in pupil-administered questionnaires. Environ Health 2019; 18:115. [PMID: 31881894 PMCID: PMC6935098 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0555-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The associations between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in homes and symptom reporting of children have been extensively studied, but only few large-scale studies have been done in schools. We examined associations between expert-assessed IEQ in schools and pupils' reporting of different symptoms, and whether associations were stronger if participants relate symptoms to the school environment. METHODS The questionnaire survey was done in all primary and secondary schools in two areas of Helsinki, Finland. Primary school pupils (grade 3-6, n = 8775, 99 school-buildings) and secondary school pupils (grade 7-9, n = 3410, 30 school-buildings) reported their symptoms. Symptoms were combined into respiratory, lower respiratory, eye, skin, and general symptom groups. Surveys were also done among the parents of the primary school pupils (grade 1-6, n = 3540, 88 school buildings), but results are reported only in the supplement due to the low response rate (20% in 2017 and 13% in 2018). The associations between IEQ and symptoms were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Several of the IEQ indicators were highly correlated and indicators were therefore mainly analyzed by combining them into a summary score and into latent classes. Dose-response associations were found between IEQ problems and higher reporting of respiratory and general symptoms among both primary and secondary school pupils. Some associations were also observed with lower respiratory and skin symptoms, but not with eye symptoms. The associations were somewhat stronger with symptoms related to the school environment compared to symptoms reported without such relation: for a unit change in IEQ summary score and respiratory symptoms in primary schools, odds ratios were 1.07 (95% CI 1.02-1.06) and 1.04 (95% CI 1.04-1.10), and in secondary schools 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.09) and 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.17), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Expert-assessed IEQ problems in schools were associated with increased reporting of especially respiratory and general symptoms. The associations were only somewhat stronger in magnitude for symptoms reported in relation to the school environment compared to symptoms reported without such relation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Savelieva
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tero Marttila
- Unit of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Jussi Lampi
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, 70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sari Ung-Lanki
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, 70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, 70701 Kuopio, Finland
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Kalender Smajlović S, Kukec A, Dovjak M. Association between Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Environmental Quality in Slovenian Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173224. [PMID: 31484409 PMCID: PMC6747401 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Increased exposure times to various health risk factors and the vulnerability of building users might result in significantly higher prevalence rates of sick building syndrome (SBS) in a hospital setting compared to other indoor environments. The purpose of our study was to assess the association between SBS symptoms and measured environmental parameters at a Slovenian general hospital. A combination of a self-assessment study and field measurements was conducted in order to estimate the health risk factors for SBS symptoms among the users of a Slovenian general hospital. The Chi-square test was used to analyse the association between observed health and environmental parameters. The response rate was 67.5%. A total of 12.0% of healthcare workers at hospital wards reported at least six SBS symptoms, 19.0% reported 2-3 SBS symptoms. At the observed hospital wards, the most deviations were recorded for the level of lighting (83.3%), noise level (73.6%), and room temperature (55.3%). A statistically significant association was found between indoor environmental quality and skin-related SBS symptoms (χ2 = 0.009; p = 0.006). This information will be of great value in defining an integral strategy of environmental health activities aimed at healthier indoor environmental quality in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreja Kukec
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Mateja Dovjak
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Probability of Abnormal Indoor Air Exposure Categories Compared with Occupants’ Symptoms, Health Information, and Psychosocial Work Environment. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/app9010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Indoor air problems are complicated and need to be approached from many perspectives. In this research, we studied the association of four-level categorisation of the probability of abnormal indoor air (IA) exposure with the work environment-related symptoms, group-level health information and psychosocial work environment of employees. We also evaluated the multiprofessional IA group assessment of the current indoor air quality (IAQ) of the hospital premises. We found no statistical association between the four-level categorisation of the probability of abnormal IA exposure and the employees’ perceived symptoms, health information, and perceived psychosocial work environment. However, the results showed a statistical association between perceived symptoms and man-made vitreous fibre sources in ventilation. Furthermore, extensive impurity sources in the premises increased the employees’ contact with health services and their perceived symptoms. The employees perceived stress and symptoms in all categories of abnormal IA exposure, which may be related to IAQ or other factors affecting human experience. Prolonged process management may influence users’ experiences of IAQ. The results suggest that an extensive impurity source in premises does not always associate with the prevalence of perceived symptoms. We conclude that indoor air questionnaires alone cannot determine the urgency of the measures required.
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