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Li T, McCann PM, Wilting S, McNamara S, Gregory DG, Hauswirth SG, Ifantides C, Benning L, Sequeira TA, Qureshi R, Liu SH, Clark MA, Saldanha IJ, Abraham AG. Prolonged facemask wearing among hospital workers and dry eye - a mixed-methods study. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:420. [PMID: 37858059 PMCID: PMC10588155 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03153-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged facemask wearing may have negatively affected essential workers with dry eye. We conducted a mixed-methods study to examine and understand the associations of the ocular surface, periocular environment, and dry eye-related symptoms among hospital workers across the job spectrum with prolonged facemask use. METHODS We recruited clinical and non-clinical hospital workers with self-reported symptoms of dry eye and prolonged facemask use. We measured symptoms using the 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Objective ocular signs included corneal and conjunctival staining, fluorescein tear break up time (TBUT), meibography, tear film interferometry, and periocular humidity. We compared symptoms and signs across levels of periocular humidity, dry eye severity, facemask type, and job type. Participants with moderate or severe dry eye symptoms (OSDI > = 23) were invited for a semi-structured, one-on-one interview. RESULTS We enrolled 20 clinical and 21 non-clinical hospital workers: 27% were 40 years or older, 76% were female, 29% reported a race other than White, and 20% were Hispanic. Seventeen individuals participated in the semi-structured interviews. From the quantitative analyses, we found that 90% of participants reported worsened severity of dry eye at work due to facemasks. Although wearing facemasks resulted in higher periocular humidity levels compared with not wearing facemasks, 66% participants reported increased airflow over their eyes. Findings from the qualitative interviews supported the finding that use of facemasks worsened dry eye symptoms, especially when facemasks were not fitted around the nose. The data did not suggest that non-clinical hospital workers experienced a greater impact of dry eye than clinical workers. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare providers and patients with dry eye should be educated about the discomfort and the ocular surface health risks associated with inadequately fitted facemasks. Wearing a fitted facemask with a pliable nose wire appears to mitigate the upward airflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Paul M McCann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sarah Wilting
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Steve McNamara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Darren G Gregory
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott G Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Cristos Ifantides
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lorie Benning
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamara A Sequeira
- Survey Research Center, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Riaz Qureshi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Su-Hsun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Melissa A Clark
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Survey Research Center, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ian J Saldanha
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alison G Abraham
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
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Zhang Y, Mo Q, Tan C, Hu J, Zhao M, Xiong X, Zhang J. Analysis of the mental health status of hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work 2023; 76:931-940. [PMID: 37248935 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical work is a complex and interpersonally sensitive job; clinicians interact with patients, colleagues and society-at-large daily, and they are under pressure from a variety of sources. The doctor-patient relationship is of particular concern. OBJECTIVE To investigate the current mental health status of hospital staff and related influencing factors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) were used to survey the current mental health status of hospital employees. The resulting qualitative data was described in the form of frequency and percentage (%), and the quantitative data were expressed as mean±standard deviation (X¯±S). RESULTS A total of 1,074 employees of The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University participated in the mental health survey, of whom 77.47% were women. The SCL-90 score was 133.89±48.87, and the three highest scoring factors were depression, somatisation and obsessions, with factor scores of 19.10±8.14, 16.78±6.21 and 16.27±6.39, respectively. The GAD-7 score was 3.74±4.17 for women and 2.14±3.55 for men. The number of women with anxiety disorders was higher compared with men. CONCLUSION The mental health status of hospital workers with different demographic characteristics varied greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Active attention needs to be paid to the mental health status of hospital staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Zhang
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Qingqian Mo
- Department of Clinical Psychology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Hu
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Min Zhao
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xiong
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Heibati B, Jaakkola MS, Lajunen TK, Ducatman A, Veysi R, Karimi A, Jaakkola JJK. Do hospital workers experience a higher risk of respiratory symptoms and loss of lung function? BMC Pulm Med 2022; 22:303. [PMID: 35941624 PMCID: PMC9358815 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02098-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hospital work environment contains various biological and chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the staff. The objective of this study was to investigate potential effects of occupational exposures on the risk of respiratory symptoms and lung function in hospital work, and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and occupational exposures. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 staff members in a hospital and 228 employees of an office building as the reference group in Shiraz, Iran. All subjects completed a standardized ATS respiratory questionnaire and performed a spirometry test. Results In Poisson regression, the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) among the hospital staff were elevated for cough (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 1.15, 3.16), phlegm production (aPR 3.21, 95% CI 1.63, 6.32), productive cough (aPR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.43), wheezing (aPR 3.18, 95% CI 1.04, 9.66), shortness of breath (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93, 2.12), and chest tightness (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 0.73, 4.12). Particularly laboratory personnel experienced increased risks of most symptoms. In linear regression adjusting for confounding, there were no significant differences in lung function between the hospital and office workers. There was an indication of synergism between hospital exposures and current smoking on FEV1/FVC% (interaction term β = − 5.37, 95% CI − 10.27, − 0.47). Conclusions We present significant relations between hospital work, especially in laboratories, and increased risks of respiratory symptoms. Smoking appears to enhance these effects considerably. Our findings suggest that policymakers should implement evidence-based measures to prevent these occupational exposures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02098-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Heibati
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5B, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Maritta S Jaakkola
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5B, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina K Lajunen
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5B, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Alan Ducatman
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Rahmat Veysi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Karimi
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jouni J K Jaakkola
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5B, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland. .,Faculty of Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland. .,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland. .,Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, 00101, Helsinki, Finland.
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Proserpio P, Zambrelli E, Lanza A, Dominese A, Di Giacomo R, Quintas R, Tramacere I, Rubino A, Turner K, Colosio C, Cattaneo F, Canevini MP, D'Agostino A, Agostoni EC, Didato G. Sleep disorders and mental health in hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional multicenter study in Northern Italy. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:2241-2251. [PMID: 35022932 PMCID: PMC8754520 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers had to face unprecedented emergency needs associated with an extraordinary amount of psychological distress. In this cross-sectional multicenter study, we investigated sleep disturbances, and the level of anxiety and depression among the healthcare and non-healthcare staff of three hospitals in Milan (Italy) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, we explored potential predisposing factors for affective symptoms and poor sleep. METHODS Between June and July 2020, we administered an online questionnaire to evaluate the presence of sleep disorders (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), insomnia (Sleep Condition Indicator), anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II). We used univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate the association between the personal conditions and sleep and affective disorders. RESULTS The 964 participants reported high rates of sleep disorders (80.3%)-mainly insomnia (30.5%)-anxiety (69.7%), and depression (32.8%). The multivariate analysis showed a strong association of sleep disorders, especially insomnia, with female gender (p = 0.004), divorced marital status (p = 0.015), self-isolation (p = 0.037), and chronic diseases (p = 0.003). Anxiety was significantly associated with teleworking (p = 0.001), while depressive symptoms were associated with self-isolation (p = 0.028), modified work schedules (p = 0.03), and chronic diseases (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION In hospital workers, the high prevalence of sleep and psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak appears to be determined mainly by modifications of personal or work habits. Teleworking was associated with increased anxiety. An accurate planning of hospital activities and a psychological support are needed to prevent and manage sleep and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Proserpio
- Department of Neuroscience, Sleep Medicine Centre, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Zambrelli
- Epilepsy Centre, Sleep Medicine Centre, Childhood and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lanza
- Department of Neuroscience, Sleep Medicine Centre, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Ambra Dominese
- Epilepsy Unit, Sleep Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Giacomo
- Epilepsy Unit, Sleep Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rui Quintas
- Epilepsy Unit, Sleep Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Tramacere
- Department of Research and Clinical Development, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Rubino
- Department of Neuroscience, Sleep Medicine Centre, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Katherine Turner
- Epilepsy Centre, Sleep Medicine Centre, Childhood and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Colosio
- Occupational Health Unit, ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cattaneo
- Department of Neuroscience, Sleep Medicine Centre, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Canevini
- Epilepsy Centre, Sleep Medicine Centre, Childhood and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando D'Agostino
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi, Milan, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Clemente Agostoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Sleep Medicine Centre, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Didato
- Epilepsy Unit, Sleep Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Onubogu CU, Nwaneli EI, Chigbo CG, Egbuniwe MC, Egeonu RO, Chukwurah SN, Maduekwe NP, Onyeyili I, Umobi CP, Emelumadu OF. Prevalence of Needle Stick and Sharps Injury and Hepatitis B Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in a South-East Nigerian Tertiary Hospital. West Afr J Med 2022; 39:24-30. [PMID: 35156784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily, HCWs are exposed to needle stick and sharps injury (NSSI) and associated risk of life-threatening infections. AIM A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of NSSI and HBV vaccination among 341 HCWs at NAUTH, Nnewi. METHODS Data was collected using a self-administered. questionnaire and interview of key staff. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 33.4±11.9 years while male: female ratio was 1:1.7. Prevalence of NSSI in the preceding 12 months was 25.5% with doctors (43.0% [34/79]), laboratory scientists (27.5%[14/51]) and nurses (21.8%[17/78]) leading (p=0.014). Noncompliance with standard precaution (SP) and non-display of relevant SP SOPs in prominent places were significantly associated with NSSI (p=0.001). Among those exposed to NSSI, only 33.7% (28/83) consulted a doctor, while 16.9%(14/83) took post-exposure prophylaxis. Two-third (68.8% [190/276]) of respondents correctly cited HBV/HCV as vaccine-preventable blood-borne healthcare-associated infection (HAI) while half (50.9% [161/316]) had received HBV vaccination. Profession (p=0.018), display of SOPs in prominent places (p=0.015), ability to cite HBV/HCV as vaccine-preventable blood-borne HAI (p=0.001), and compliance with SP (p<0.001) were significantly associated with HBV vaccination. Unit heads' responses implied lack of written policy on HBV vaccination, adequate training on NSSI prevention, and HBV vaccination support. CONCLUSION Among HCWs, NSSI is high but under-reported while HBV vaccination rate is unimpressive. Profession, display of relevant SOPs, and compliance with SP positively affected both NSSI occurrence and HBV vaccination while knowledge about vaccine-preventable blood-borne HAI also influence HBV vaccination status. Written policies on HBV vaccination and NSSI prevention/ management, their communication and enforcement among HCWs, adequate training/retraining, display of SOPs in prominent places, and free HBV vaccination are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- C U Onubogu
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
| | - E I Nwaneli
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
| | - C G Chigbo
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
| | - M C Egbuniwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
| | - R O Egeonu
- Department of Nursing Services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
| | - S N Chukwurah
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
| | - N P Maduekwe
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
| | - I Onyeyili
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
| | - C P Umobi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
| | - O F Emelumadu
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
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Lixia W, Xiaoming X, Lei S, Su H, Wo W, Xin F, Jianmei C, Qi Z, Ming A, Li K. A cross-sectional study of the psychological status of 33,706 hospital workers at the late stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. J Affect Disord 2022; 297:156-168. [PMID: 34687781 PMCID: PMC8526443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital workers have been under intense psychological pressure since the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed the psychological status of hospital staff in the late period of the COVID-19 to provide a basis for the construction of global health care after the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS We used online surveys to assess participants' self-reported symptoms at the late stage of the outbreak. This study collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, epidemic-related factors, psychological status (PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PHQ-15), psychological assistance needs, perceived stress and support, PTSD symptoms (PCL-C) and suicidal and self-injurious ideation (SSI). Participants were hospital workers in all positions from 46 hospitals. Chi-square tests to compare the scales and logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for PTSD and SSI. RESULTS Among the 33,706 participants, the prevalences of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and SSI were 35.8%, 24.4%, 49.7%, 5.0%, and 1.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that work in a general ward, attention to the epidemic, high education, work in non-first-line departments, insufficient social support, and anxiety and somatization symptoms were influencing factors of PTSD (P<0.05). The independent risk factors for SSI were female gender; psychological assistance needs; contact with severe COVID-19 patients; high stress at work; single or divorced marital status; insufficient social support; and depression, anxiety or PTSD symptoms (P<0.05). LIMITATIONS This cross-sectional study could not reveal causality, and voluntary participation may have led to selection bias. The longer longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term psychological impact. CONCLUSION This COVID-19 pandemic had a sustained, strong psychological impact on hospital workers, and hospital workers with PTSD symptoms were a high-risk group for SSI in the later period of the epidemic. Continuous attention and positive psychological intervention are of great significance for specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Lixia
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xu Xiaoming
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shi Lei
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Hong Su
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wang Wo
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Fang Xin
- Peking University Hospital Psychotherapy and Counseling Center, China
| | - Chen Jianmei
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhang Qi
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ai Ming
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Kuang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, China; Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China.
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Kirabira J, Ben Forry J, Ssebuufu R, Akimana B, Nakawuki M, Anyayo L, Mpamizo E, Chan Onen B, Ingabire J, Gumisiriza N, Waiswa A, Mawanda A, Ashaba S, Kyamanywa P. Psychological distress and associated factors among hospital workers in Uganda during the COVID-19 lockdown - A multicentre study. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08807. [PMID: 35075435 PMCID: PMC8769903 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of psychological distress (PD), and its associated demographic, psychosocial, hospital and health-related factors among hospital workers in Uganda during the COVID-19 related lockdown. METHODS An online cross-sectional study was conducted among three hundred ninety six participants recruited from eight hospitals and PD was assessed using the Kessler 6 distress scale from May to June 2020. RESULTS PD was present in 92.7% of the participants with majority (78.3%) having mild to moderate PD whereas 14.4% had severe PD. Severe PD had statistically significant association with having financial liabilities (O.R = 3.69 (1.55-8.77), p = 0.003). However, ability to maintain contact with family members and friends (O.R = 0.43 (0.22-0.84), p value = 0.013), and having enough personal protective equipment and safety tools at work place (O.R = 0.44 (0.23-0.84), p value = 0.012) were protective against severe PD. having excessive worry about getting infected with COVID-19, conflicts within a home, segregation by friends or community, longer working hours or involvement in management of suspected or confirmed case were not associated with severe PD. CONCLUSION The findings indicate the need to take into consideration the mental wellbeing of health workers during this COVID-19 outbreak. Whereas hospital workers continue to provide their services during the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown, it is important that they maintain contact with social support networks and be provided with counselling and mental health and psychosocial services in order to optimise their mental health during this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kirabira
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry, Busitema University, P.O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda
| | - Jimmy Ben Forry
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 4, Mubende, Uganda
| | - Robinson Ssebuufu
- Department of Surgery, Kampala International University, Western Campus, P.O Box 71, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Benedict Akimana
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Madrine Nakawuki
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Lucas Anyayo
- Department of Psychiatry, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Mpamizo
- Department of Psychiatry, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Bruno Chan Onen
- Department of Surgery, Makerere College of Health Science, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jane Ingabire
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 43, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Nolbert Gumisiriza
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Ali Waiswa
- Department of Pathology, Makerere College of Health Science, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Anatoli Mawanda
- Department of Pathology, Makerere College of Health Science, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Scholastic Ashaba
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Patrick Kyamanywa
- Department of Surgery, Kampala International University, Western Campus, P.O Box 71, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda
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Kucuk H, Acar N, Ünsal A, Kılınç A. Evaluation of the Relationship between Occupational Accidents and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk among Employees of a University Hospital. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2022; 26:3-8. [PMID: 35571542 PMCID: PMC9106125 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_361_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Occupational accidents are still one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality. Sleep apnea is a significant risk factor for occupational accidents in hospitals. Aims To determine the frequency of occupational accidents and their relationship with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). Settings and Design Cross-sectional study in a hospital setting. Methods and Material This study was conducted on 331 hospital workers between 2019-2020. Accidents from the Social Security Institution records were used. The risk of OSAS was evaluated with Berlin Survey, daytime sleepiness with Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep quality with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Scale. Statistical Analysis The Chi-square test was used for analysis; P < 0.05 was accepted as a statistical significance value. Results Of the participants, 231 (69.8%) were female. Their ages ranged between 19 and 55; the mean age was 33.8 ± 8.0 years. The frequency of occupational accidents was 8.8%, 51.4% had a high risk of OSAS, 80.4% had high daytime sleepiness, and 53.5% had poor sleep quality. Conclusion The study group had a high risk of sleep disorders. No relationship was found between sleep disorders and occupational accidents. More comprehensive studies are needed to clarify this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halime Kucuk
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir, Turkey,Address for correspondence: Dr. Halime Kucuk, Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey. E-mail:
| | - Nurdan Acar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Alaettin Ünsal
- Department of Public Health, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Ali Kılınç
- Department of Public Health, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir, Turkey
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9
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Seyahi E, Bakhdiyarli G, Oztas M, Kuskucu MA, Tok Y, Sut N, Ozcifci G, Ozcaglayan A, Balkan II, Saltoglu N, Tabak F, Hamuryudan V. Antibody response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac) in immune-mediated diseases: a controlled study among hospital workers and elderly. Rheumatol Int 2021; 41:1429-1440. [PMID: 34109466 PMCID: PMC8188953 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-021-04910-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess antibody response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in patients with immune-mediated diseases (IMD) among hospital workers and people aged 65 and older. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we studied 82 hospital workers with IMD (mean age: 42.2 ± 10.0 years) and 300 (mean age: 41.7 ± 9.9 years) controls. Among + 65 aged population, we studied 22 (mean age: 71.4 ± 4.5 years) patients and 47 controls (mean age: 70.9 ± 4.8 years). All study subjects had a negative history for COVID-19. Sera were obtained after at least 21 days following the second vaccination. Anti-spike IgG antibody titers were measured quantitatively using a commercially available immunoassay method. RESULTS Patients with IMD were significantly less likely to have detectable antibodies than healthy controls both among the hospital workers (92.7% vs 99.7%, p < 0.001) and elderly population (77.3% vs 97.9%, p = 0.011). Among patients with IMD, those using immunosuppressive or immune-modulating drugs (64/75, 85.3%) were significantly less likely to have detectable antibodies compared to those off treatment (29/29, 100%) (p = 0.029). Additionally, a negative association between age and the antibody titer categories among patients (r = - 0.352; p < 0.001) and controls (r = - 0.258; p < 0.001) were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS Among hospital workers, the vast majority of patients with IMD and immunocompetent controls developed a significant humoral response following the administration of the second dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. This was also true for the elderly population, albeit with lower antibody titers. Immunosuppressive use, particularly rituximab significantly reduced antibody titers. Antibody titers were significantly lower among those aged ≥ 60 years both in patient and control populations. Whether these individuals should get a booster dose warrants further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emire Seyahi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, 81310, Turkey.
| | - Guldaran Bakhdiyarli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mert Oztas
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, 81310, Turkey
| | - Mert Ahmet Kuskucu
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yesim Tok
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Necdet Sut
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Guzin Ozcifci
- Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Ozcaglayan
- Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilker Inanc Balkan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nese Saltoglu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fehmi Tabak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Vedat Hamuryudan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, 81310, Turkey
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10
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Goldblatt D, Johnson M, Falup-Pecurariu O, Ivaskeviciene I, Spoulou V, Tamm E, Wagner M, Zar HJ, Bleotu L, Ivaskevicius R, Papadatou I, Jõgi P, Lischka J, Franckling-Smith Z, Isarova D, Grandjean L, Zavadska D. Cross-sectional prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers in paediatric facilities in eight countries. J Hosp Infect 2021; 110:60-66. [PMID: 33422589 PMCID: PMC7836791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which may be driven, in part, by nosocomial exposure. If HCW exposure is predominantly nosocomial, HCWs in paediatric facilities, where few patients are admitted with COVID-19, may lack antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and be at increased risk during the current resurgence. Aim To compare the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 amongst HCWs in paediatric facilities in seven European countries and South Africa (N=8). Methods All categories of paediatric HCWs were invited to participate in the study, irrespective of previous symptoms. A single blood sample was taken and data about previous symptoms were documented. Serum was shipped to a central laboratory in London where SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G was measured. Findings In total, 4114 HCWs were recruited between 1st May and mid-July 2020. The range of seroprevalence was 0–16.93%. The highest seroprevalence was found in London (16.93%), followed by Cape Town, South Africa (10.36%). There were no positive HCWs in the Austrian, Estonian and Latvian cohorts; 2/300 [0.66%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–2.4] HCWs tested positive in Lithuania; 1/124 (0.81%, 95% CI 0.14–4.3) HCWs tested positive in Romania; and 1/76 (1.3%, 95% CI 0.23–7.0) HCWs tested positive in Greece. Conclusion Overall seroprevalence amongst paediatric HCWs is similar to their national populations and linked to the national COVID-19 burden. Staff working in paediatric facilities in low-burden countries have very low seroprevalence rates and thus are likely to be susceptible to COVID-19. Their susceptibility to infection may affect their ability to provide care in the face of increasing cases of COVID-19, and this highlights the need for appropriate preventative strategies in paediatric healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Goldblatt
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - M Johnson
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - O Falup-Pecurariu
- Children's Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - I Ivaskeviciene
- Paediatric Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - V Spoulou
- 'Agia Sophia' Children's Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - E Tamm
- Children's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - M Wagner
- Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care and Neuropaediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Comprehensive Centre for Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - H J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross Children's Hospital, and SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L Bleotu
- Children's Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - R Ivaskevicius
- Paediatric Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - I Papadatou
- Immunobiology and Vaccinology Research Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - P Jõgi
- Children's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Lischka
- Clinical Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre for Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Z Franckling-Smith
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross Children's Hospital, and SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - D Isarova
- Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - L Grandjean
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - D Zavadska
- Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
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11
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Brehm TT, Schwinge D, Lampalzer S, Schlicker V, Küchen J, Thompson M, Ullrich F, Huber S, Schmiedel S, Addo MM, Lütgehetmann M, Knobloch JK, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Lohse AW. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among hospital workers in a German tertiary care center: A sequential follow-up study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 232:113671. [PMID: 33338782 PMCID: PMC7832715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We sequentially assessed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in 1253 hospital workers including 1026 HCWs at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf at three time points during the early phase of the epidemic. By the end of the study in July 2020, the overall seroprevalence was 1.8% (n = 22), indicating the overall effectiveness of infection control interventions in mitigating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospital workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Theo Brehm
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany.
| | - Dorothee Schwinge
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Lampalzer
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Veronika Schlicker
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Julia Küchen
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Thompson
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felix Ullrich
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schmiedel
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Marylyn M Addo
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes K Knobloch
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze Zur Wiesch
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
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12
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Xiaoming X, Ming A, Su H, Wo W, Jianmei C, Qi Z, Hua H, Xuemei L, Lixia W, Jun C, Lei S, Zhen L, Lian D, Jing L, Handan Y, Haitang Q, Xiaoting H, Xiaorong C, Ran C, Qinghua L, Xinyu Z, Jian T, Jing T, Guanghua J, Zhiqin H, Nkundimana B, Li K. The psychological status of 8817 hospital workers during COVID-19 Epidemic: A cross-sectional study in Chongqing. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:555-61. [PMID: 32871686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There was an outbreak of COVID-19 towards the end of 2019 in China, which spread all over the world rapidly. The Chinese healthcare system is facing a big challenge where hospital workers are experiencing enormous psychological pressure. This study aimed to (1) investigate the psychological status of hospital workers and (2) provide references for psychological crisis intervention in the future. METHOD An online survey was conducted to collect sociodemographic features, epidemic-related factors, results of PHQ-9, GAD-7, PHQ-15, suicidal and self-harm ideation (SSI), and the score of stress and support scales. Chi-square test, t-test, non-parametric, and logistic regression analysis were used to detect the risk factors to psychological effect and SSI. RESULTS 8817 hospital workers participated in this online survey. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and SSI were 30.2%, 20.7%, 46.2%, and 6.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that female, single, Tujia minority, educational background of junior or below, designated or county hospital, need for psychological assistance before or during the epidemic, unconfident about defeating COVID-19, ignorance about the epidemic, willingness of attending parties, and poor self-rated health condition were independent factors associated with high-level depression, somatic symptom, and SSI among hospital workers (P<0.05). LIMITATIONS This cross-sectional study cannot reveal the causality, and voluntary participation could be prone to selection bias. A modified epidemic-related stress and support scale without standardization was used. The number of hospital workers in each hospital was unavailable. CONCLUSION There were a high level of psychological impact and SSI among hospital workers, which needed to be addressed. County hospital workers were more severe and easier to be neglected. More studies on cognitive and behavioral subsequence after a public health disaster among hospital workers are needed.
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Jensen JH, Flachs EM, Török E, Rod NH, Madsen IEH, Rugulies R, Kawachi I. Work-unit social capital and incident purchase of psychotropic medications: A longitudinal cohort-study of healthcare workers. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:53-61. [PMID: 32697716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether workplace social capital affects employees' mental health is debated. We examined the association between work-unit aggregated social capital and incident purchase of psychotropic medications among employees. METHODS We used data from the WHALE (Well-being in Hospital Employees) cohort study. The study population comprised 21,711 employees without recent psychotropic purchase-history nested within 2283 work units in the Capital Region of Denmark. Employees were invited to participate in a survey in March 2014 (86% response). We assessed workplace social capital by eight items (covering trust/justice and collaboration) and aggregated the mean of responses up to each work unit and categorized the scores into quartiles. Data on psychotropic purchases (antidepressants and anxiolytics/hypnotics/sedatives) were extracted via linkage to national registers. Using two-level mixed-effects survival models, we analyzed the association between work-unit social capital and psychotropic purchases during a one-year follow-up period adjusting for individual-level workplace social capital. RESULTS Low work-unit social capital was associated with higher purchases of overall psychotropic medications in a dose-response manner (low-versus-high: HR=1.32, 95% CI=1.05-1.65), but this effect attenuated after adjusting for individual-level workplace social capital (HR=1.14, 95% CI=0.88-1.46). Low work-unit social capital was associated with higher purchases of antidepressants (HR=1.78, 95% CI=1.16-2.73) even after adjusting for individual-level workplace social capital (HR=1.69, 95% CI=1.05-2.73). LIMITATIONS Medical doctors/dentists were underrepresented in the data on workplace social capital. CONCLUSIONS Low work-unit social capital may be associated with higher use of antidepressants among healthcare employees. Interventions to improve social capital could potentially promote mental health at work in the healthcare setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Høy Jensen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Stress Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Esben Meulengracht Flachs
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eszter Török
- Copenhagen Stress Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Naja Hulvej Rod
- Copenhagen Stress Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida E H Madsen
- Copenhagen Stress Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; National Research Center for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reiner Rugulies
- Copenhagen Stress Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; National Research Center for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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14
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Milgrom Y, Tal Y, Finestone AS. Comparison of hospital worker anxiety in COVID-19 treating and non-treating hospitals in the same city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isr J Health Policy Res 2020; 9:55. [PMID: 33087169 PMCID: PMC7576545 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-020-00413-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Hadassah Medical Organization operates two hospitals in Jerusalem. During the COVID-19 pandemic it made an administrative decision to operate one hospital as a COVID-19 treatment hospital (CTH) and to have the second function as a non-COVID-19 treating hospital (NCTH) offering general medical services. The purpose of this study was to assess how this decision affected hospital worker anxiety. Methods From April 27 to May 1, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, while the country was under lock-down, an electronic questionnaire survey was carried out among hospital workers of the CTH and NCTH. The questionnaire includes personal demographics and attitudes about COVID-19 and assesses present anxiety state using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI-S) validated questionnaire. A STAI-S score of ≥45 was considered to represent clinical anxiety. Results Completed questionnaires were received from 1570 hospital employees (24%). 33.5% of responders had STAI-S scores ≥45. Multivariable regression analysis showed that being a resident doctor (odds ration [OR] 2.13; 95% CL, 1.41–3.23; P = 0.0003), age ≤ 50 (OR, 2.08; 95% Cl, 1.62–2.67; P < .0001), being a nurse (OR, 1.29; 95% CL, 1.01–1.64; P = 0.039), female gender (OR, 1.63; 95% CL, 1.25–2.13; P = 0.0003) and having risk factors for COVID-19 (OR, 1.51; 95% CL, 1.19–1.91; P = 0.0007), but not hospital workplace (p = 0.08), were associated with the presence of clinical anxiety. 69% of the responders had been tested for COVID-19, but only nine were positive. CTH workers estimated that the likelihood of their already being infected with COVID-19 to be 21.5 ± 24.7% as compared to the 15.3 ± 19.5% estimate of NCTH workers (p = 0.0001). 50% (545/1099) of the CTH workers and 51% (168/330) of the NCTH workers responded that the most important cause of their stress was a fear of infecting their families (p = 0.7). Conclusions By multivariable analysis the creation of a NCTH during the COVID-19 pandemic was not found to be associated with a decrease in the number of hospital workers with clinical anxiety. Hospital worker support resources can be focused on the at-risk groups identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Milgrom
- The Liver Unit, Internal Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Kerem, 911200, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Yuval Tal
- Occupational Health Unit, Internal Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aharon S Finestone
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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15
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McElroy SF, Olney A, Hunt C, Glennon C. Shift work and hospital employees: A descriptive multi-site study. Int J Nurs Stud 2020; 112:103746. [PMID: 32928504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitals staff with 12-hour and other shift work patterns to account for daily and seasonal workload requirements. Research in healthcare and industries requiring shift work suggests there may be negative health consequences to the workers related to fatigue and other factors. Due to the 24/7 nature of healthcare, it is important to understand the impact of shift work on employees. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to investigate how shift work impacts satisfaction with time for social and home activities, based on the Social and Domestic Survey, and chronic fatigue. In addition, an exploration of drowsy driving was undertaken. DESIGN AND SETTING This study was a multi-site, descriptive survey study, conducted in 4 acute care hospitals in one metropolitan area in the central United States. PARTICIPANTS Participants included healthcare workers in five 24/7 departments: nursing, respiratory therapy, laboratory, radiology and pharmacy. METHODS Measures included demographics, work characteristics, and scales including the: Social and Domestic Survey, Circadian Type Inventory, and Chronic Fatigue Scale along with data regarding drowsy driving and automobile accidents/near misses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for sample characteristics. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the Social and Domestic Survey. Group differences were tested using Mann-Whitney U tests and regression analyses. RESULTS The sample included 1563 subjects (24% RR). The mean age was 40 years. Nursing comprised 77% of the sample, 88% were female, 85% were in a direct patient care role, 67% worked day shift, and 49% worked 12-hour shifts. Pay was important for working night shift, but home life was important for day shift. Night shift (p<0.001) and 12-hour shift workers (p<0.001) had higher chronic fatigue. However, after controlling for other factors, working night shift remained a significant predictor of chronic fatigue and lower satisfaction with time for daily tasks and family/social life, whereas working 12-hour shifts predicted higher satisfaction with daily tasks and periodic life activities. Thirty-five percent of workers reported altering their driving behavior at least half the time due to drowsy driving and 19% had an automobile accident or near miss due to drowsy driving. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that night and long shifts can have negative effects on fatigue, family, and social life. Drowsy driving and accidents/near misses frequently occur due to drowsy driving. Leaders should continue to study the 24/7 work environment and test measures to improve the safety of shift workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan F McElroy
- Children's Mercy - Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - Adrienne Olney
- Children's Mercy - Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - Cheri Hunt
- Children's Mercy - Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
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Hämmig O. Work- and stress-related musculoskeletal and sleep disorders among health professionals: a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21:319. [PMID: 32438929 PMCID: PMC7243303 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-03327-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Musculoskeletal and sleep disorders have been reported to be very common among health care and hospital workers and particularly nurses. They are assumed or found to be a result of psychological stress and/or physical strain or pain. However, no other study so far – at least in a hospital setting and for Switzerland – has considered and investigated musculoskeletal as well as sleep disorders in consequence of or rather in association with both physical workload and psychological stress. Methods Cross-sectional survey data of 1232 health professionals were used and analysed. Data were collected in 2015/16 among the health care workforces of three public hospitals and two rehabilitation clinics in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Musculoskeletal and sleep disorders were assessed by three items taken from the Swiss Health Survey, a 2-item measure of accumulated low back, back, neck and shoulder pain and a single-item measure of problems in getting to sleep or sleeping through. Stratified and adjusted bivariate logistic and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to calculate measures of association (adjusted odds ratios, z-standardized beta coefficients), to control for potential confounders, and to compare different health professions (nurses, physicians, therapists, other). Results Almost every fourth of the studied health professionals reported severe or even very severe musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and nearly every seventh severe sleep disorders (SDs). These prevalence rates were significantly or at least slightly higher among nurses than among physicians and other health care workers. General stress, work stress, physical effort at work, and particularly a painful or tiring posture at work were found to be clear and strong risk factors for MSDs, whereas only general and work-related stress were found to be significantly associated with SDs. There was no or only weak association between MSDs and SDs. Conclusions This study found MSDs to be largely a result of physical workload or rather poor posture at work and only secondarily a consequence of (general) stress, whereas SDs were revealed to be primarily a consequence of stress on and particularly off the job. Preventive strategies therefore have to differentiate and combine measures for the reduction of both psychological stress and physical strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hämmig
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Gao J, Dong X, Liu T, Zhang L, Ao L. Antioxidant status and cytogenetic damage in hospital workers occupationally exposed to low dose ionizing radiation. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2020; 850-851:503152. [PMID: 32247560 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2020.503152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the oxidative stress level and chromosomal damage induced by occupational exposure to low dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). Two hundred and eighteen hospital workers occupationally exposed to LDIR were included in this study, along with 118 healthy age- and gender-comparable controls. Occupational dosimetry records were collected over the last year and revealed that the accumulated annual dose for each hospital worker was below the permissible limit of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The individuals' oxidative and antioxidative status were determined by measuring the activities of copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) enzymes, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocytes. The effect of radiation on chromosomal integrity was measured by the frequency of micronuclei (MN) formation using the cytokinesis block technique. Our results showed that the activities of CuZn-SOD and CAT enzymes and MDA levels observed in the hospital workers were higher than those in the controls (p < 0.05). We did not find significant difference in GSH-Px enzyme activity between the two groups (p = 0.247). A higher frequency of MN was found in exposed groups than in the controls [3(1-5) ‰ versus 2(0.75-4) ‰; p<0.001]. The difference was significant for males (p = 0.012), but not females (p = 0.14). Multiple linear regression analysis showed differences in the oxidant activities and MN frequency between hospital workers and controls adjusted for age, gender, smoking status and drinking status. Correlation analysis indicated that the frequency of MN was positively associated with MDA levels (p < 0.05). Altogether, these results support the detrimental effects of chronic low dose radiation in humans, which involves the induction of oxidative stress and chromosomal damage.
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Kumar R, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J. Impact of waste management training intervention on knowledge, attitude and practices of teaching hospital workers in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci 2016; 32:705-10. [PMID: 27375718 PMCID: PMC4928427 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.323.9903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the sustainability and effectiveness of training as an intervention to improve the knowledge, attitude and practices of hospital workers on health care waste management. Method: We conducted this quasi-experimental study in two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Rawalpindi in October 2013. Training, practical demonstrations and reminders on standard waste management were given to 138 hospital workers in one hospital and compared with 137 workers from the control hospital. We collected data 18 months after intervention through a structured questionnaire to assess the impact of the intervention. We used paired t-test to compare the scores on knowledge, attitude and practices at baseline and first follow up and final impact assessment. Chi square test was used to compare group variables between intervention and control groups. Results: After 18 months since intervention the mean scores on knowledge attitude and practices differed statistically significantly since baseline and intervention group had statistically significantly better knowledge positive attitudes and good health care waste management practices (p < 0.001). Health care and sanitary workers in intervention group scored statistically significantly higher (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Trainings of health and sanitary workers on health care waste management guidelines were sustainable among the intervention group after 18 months which shows the positive impact of our intervention. It is recommended that the trainings as intervention be included in the overall policies of the public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan and other similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Kumar
- Ramesh Kumar, MBBS, PhD. College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, Assistant Professor Health Services Academy Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ratana Somrongthong
- Ratana Somrongthong, PhD. Associate Professor College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jamil Ahmed
- Jamil Ahmed, FCPS. Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
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Kumar R, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J. Effect Of Medical Waste Management Trainings On Behavior Change Among Doctors Versus Nurses And Paramedical Staff In Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2016; 28:493-496. [PMID: 28712220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare waste management is a neglected issue in hospitals of developing countries due to poor practices among health staff. This study was aimed to determine the differences in knowledge, attitude and practices of physicians versus nursing and paramedical staff about standard health care waste management (HCWM). METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted among healthcare workers of the two tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi. A total of 138 hospital workers in intervention and 137 in control hospital were given training on HCWM. Subjects were followed up at one year and after 18 months of the intervention. RESULTS We found that nursing and paramedical staff was more knowledgeable and compliant with the HCWM standards, knowledge and practices as compared to physicians. A higher proportion of nursing and paramedical staff was able to retain more of high level of knowledge but more of the doctors had achieved and retained positive attitudes towards HCWM standards after the training. More of nursing and paramedical staff also had good HCWM practices; both at first as well as second follow up. CONCLUSIONS As nursing and paramedical staff was more knowledgeable and practiced optimum standards they needed to be rewarded adequately and given further regular trainings to help them maintain their knowledge and best practices about HCWM. As HCWM and patient safety standards keep on changing regularly, the hospital workers especially doctors need to be focused to comply with the standard practices in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Kumar
- Health Services Academy Islamabad Pakistan & College of Public Health Sciences Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ratana Somrongthong
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jamil Ahmed
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
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Lee SJ, You D, Gillen M, Blanc PD. Psychosocial work factors in new or recurrent injuries among hospital workers: a prospective study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015; 88:1141-8. [PMID: 25761631 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-015-1038-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for psychosocial work factors in injury, but little is known about the interaction between psychosocial factors and previous injury experience on subsequent injury risk. We examined the relationships between psychosocial work factors and new or recurrent injury among hospital workers. METHODS We studied 492 hospital workers including 116 cases with baseline injury and 376 injury-free referents at baseline over follow-up. Job strain, total support, effort-reward imbalance, overcommitment, and musculoskeletal injury at baseline were examined in logistic regression models as predictors of new or recurrent injury experienced during a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS The overall cumulative incidence of injury over follow-up was 35.6 % (51.7 % for re-injury among baseline injury cases; 30.6 % for new injury among referents). Significantly increased risks with baseline job strain (OR 1.26; 95 % CI 1.02-1.55) and effort-reward imbalance (OR 1.42; 95 % CI 1.12-1.81) were observed for injury only among the referents. Overcommitment was associated with increased risk of injury only among the cases (OR 1.58; 95 % CI 1.05-2.39). CONCLUSIONS The effects of psychosocial work factors on new or recurrent injury risk appear to differ by previous injury experience, suggesting the need for differing preventive strategies in hospital workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jeong Lee
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Doohee You
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Marion Gillen
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul D Blanc
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Vellingiri B, Shanmugam S, Subramaniam MD, Balasubramanian B, Meyyazhagan A, Alagamuthu K, Prakash V, Shafiahammedkhan M, Kathannan S, Pappuswamy M, Raviganesh B, Anand S, Shahnaz N D, Cho SG, Keshavarao S. Cytogenetic endpoints and Xenobiotic gene polymorphism in lymphocytes of hospital workers chronically exposed to ionizing radiation in Cardiology, Radiology and Orthopedic Laboratories. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2014; 100:266-274. [PMID: 24290889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 09/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is known as a classical mutagen capable of inducing various kinds of stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations (CA) including the possibility of increasing the incidence of DNA damage. This study aims to assess occupationally induced CA in workers chronically exposed to low doses of IR in Radiology (RL), Cardiology (CL) and Orthopedic (OL) Laboratories in hospitals of Tamil Nadu. We performed the analysis of CA by trypsin G-banding, micronucleus (MN) assay, Comet assay and Xenobiotic-metabolizing gene polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) in 56 exposed and 56 control subjects who were matched for gender and age (± 2 years). Higher degree of CA and MN frequencies were observed in exposed groups, especially in CL subjects compared to other exposed groups and controls (p<0.05). Higher frequency of DNA tail length and tail moment was observed in the CL exposed subjects compared to the RL and OL subjects. The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were 39.3 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively. No significant difference in allele frequencies between exposed subjects and controls were observed (p=0.0128). Using multiple linear regression analysis, statistical significance was determined for work duration and age for the CL, RL and OL workers and the examination of the possible impact by confounding factors showed few significant influences on the radiation exposure, as a specific biomarker. However, the findings from the present study suggest that, awareness should be created among the personnel exposed to radiations in hospital laboratories, highlighting the necessity of applying radiation protection principles against medical radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Sureshkumar Shanmugam
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohana Devi Subramaniam
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Arun Meyyazhagan
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Karthickkumar Alagamuthu
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Varsha Prakash
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Sankar Kathannan
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manikantan Pappuswamy
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Banu Raviganesh
- PG and Research Center, Department of Biotechnology, Hindustan College, India
| | | | | | - Ssang-Goo Cho
- Molecular Cell Biology and Stem Cell Laboratory, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, South Korea
| | - Sasikala Keshavarao
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
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Yassi A, Kettner J, Hammond G, Cheang M, McGill M. Effectiveness and cost-benefit of an influenza vaccination program for health care workers. Can J Infect Dis 1991; 2:101-8. [PMID: 22529718 DOI: 10.1155/1991/376502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/1990] [Accepted: 02/05/1991] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study retrospectively reviewed the effectiveness of a vaccination program for hospital workers in a large tertiary care hospital, quantified influenza-induced absenteeism, and examined the factors determining the costs and benefits of this program. Absenteeism among high risk hospital workers was increased by 35% (P=0.001) during the virulent influenza epidemic of 1987-88. Benefits, measured as the value of sick time avoided, compared with costs, including materials, occupational nursing staff time, employee time during vaccination, and time lost due to adverse reactions, revealed a net benefit of $39.23 per vaccinated employee. Sensitivity analyses highlighted vaccine efficacy and absenteeism due to influenza and adverse reactions to vaccination as the most important factors; with time lost due to adverse reactions as much as 0.013 days per vaccinated employee and a vaccine efficacy of 70%, net positive benefits could be achieved if influenza-induced absenteeism is 0.5% or greater of paid employee time during the epidemic season. The results suggested that the net cost-benefit of a hospital employee vaccination program to decrease both employee morbidity and nosocomial influenza among patients, would be increased by active promotion of the vaccination program, especially for employees in high risk areas.
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Isah EC, Omorogbe VE, Orji O, Oyovwe L. Self-reported absenteeism among hospital workers in benin city, Nigeria. Ghana Med J 2008; 42:2-7. [PMID: 18560554 PMCID: PMC2423336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY BACKGROUND Absenteeism is a major cause of loss in jobs, man-hours, productivity, and lives in the health sector. It also has grave consequences for global economies. OBJECTIVE To determine the overall absenteeism rate and the factors that conduces to absenteeism among hospital workers. DESIGN Cross sectional descriptive type. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The entire staff in the hospital was enlisted in the study and data were collected through self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS Fifty three percent of the 474 respondents reported at least one absence spell in the year. Absenteeism was highest among domestic staff (70.8%) and lowest among the doctors (46.9%). The average number of spells per absentee per year was 1.7 and the average duration of spells was 4.1 days while the incapacity rate was 7.2 days. The overall absenteeism rate was 1.7%. Absenteeism was significantly associated with increasing age (p=0.000), gender, [females<males (p=0.001)] and with marital status [married<unmarried (p= 0.02)]. Higher rates of absenteeism were recorded among staffs who were stressed (92.1%), not satisfied with the working environment (66.7%) and those who experienced job dissatisfaction (64%). Engagement in physical activities impacted positively on absenteeism (p=0.02). Ill health accounted for 54.6% of absenteeism, with the bulk of it (67.5%) due to malaria CONCLUSION Though the overall absenteeism rate (1.7) was lower than the level of 4 considered to be excessive, 53% of the study population had been absent from work at least once in the study year. There is therefore the need to improve on the social and physical work environment in order to reduce absenteeism among these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Isah
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin P. M. B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
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