We are writing in response to the article titled“Addressing the needs and rights of sex workers for HIV healthcare services in the Philippines”[1].The article calls for attention on the significant challenges faced ...We are writing in response to the article titled“Addressing the needs and rights of sex workers for HIV healthcare services in the Philippines”[1].The article calls for attention on the significant challenges faced by sex workers in the Philippines in accessing HIV healthcare.We appreciate the article’s effort to examine these issues in depth.We would like to present a constant flow of thoughts in this letter while highlighting the positive aspects,potential obstacles,and additional points that contribute to this ongoing discussion.展开更多
Mobile young white-collar workers not only have the characteristics of mobile young people,but also have the characteristics of general white-collar workers.Under the influence of both,their mental health may be suffe...Mobile young white-collar workers not only have the characteristics of mobile young people,but also have the characteristics of general white-collar workers.Under the influence of both,their mental health may be suffering from“double disadvantage”.So,based on an ecological model of the stress process,this paper tries to use the data of the questionnaire on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in Zhejiang Province to explore the influence of some factors in the middle workplace and residence place on the mental health of micro individuals.The results show that:(1)The working environment with high control and low freedom and the workplace discrimination against the mobile status will have a negative impact on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers;(2)Financial anxiety in daily life will lead to a decline in the mental health level of mobile young white-collar workers;(3)Good organizational support and neighborhood social relations can significantly relieve life pressure,so as to effectively improve the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers.It can be seen that we also need to pay more attention to the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in order to improve their situation.展开更多
Objectives: Sex work is not well documented among African men. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) and eventually to determine the proportion of sex wor...Objectives: Sex work is not well documented among African men. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) and eventually to determine the proportion of sex workers (SW) among them, as well as the proportion of MSM who have been victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study coordinated by the Direction de la Médecine du Travail was carried out at the headquarters of the association ALTERNATIVES in Bangui Bangui from July 1 to October 31, 2021. Consenting MSM present during the study period were systematically included. Sociodemographic variables, those relating to the future vision of the activity and to GBV were collected and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7 software. Results: Forty MSM with an average age of 23 years and mainly secondary education (75.0%) were included. The vast majority of MSM were unemployed (85.0%). 45.0% had been victims of GBV and wanted to stop working as an MSM (47.5%), and almost 2/3 (65.0%) would accept another income-generating activity in exchange for the MSM. Violence was sexual (32.5%), economic (22.5%), physical (20.0%), verbal (12.5%) and psychological (12.5%). Conclusion: The MSM were mainly young, poorly educated, unemployed, and almost half were victims of GBV. The desire to change MSM activity to another income-generating activity alongside that of MSM shows that many of them are SW, workers in the informal sector. This must be taken into account in prevention activities, even if the data needs to be confirmed on a much larger sample.展开更多
The productivity of an institution is achieved,in large part,by creating a harmonious environment that reflects the satisfaction,empowerment,and collaborative spirit of each employee.From this perspective,management w...The productivity of an institution is achieved,in large part,by creating a harmonious environment that reflects the satisfaction,empowerment,and collaborative spirit of each employee.From this perspective,management will consider upgrades using all tactics that allow for the achievement of these goals,including direct effort and the involvement of all stakeholders.The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work motivation and the productivity of workers in the communal board of the Barrio Sur corregimiento in the province of Colón.Using the questionnaire as an instrument,as well as the descriptive method,allowed for the report and evaluation of the characteristics of the workers,indicating interpersonal deficits and distancing in the motivations that drive administrative action.By incorporating different approaches previously analyzed and developed by different authors familiar with the subject,it was possible to achieve substantial results,such as the need to implement administrative strategies that harmoniously incorporate workers,showing that,despite motivation problems,the work environment where one works is very important in the performance of their duties.Managing to motivate the direct participation of the workers selected as part of the sample,who showed full satisfaction with the results framed within the framework of individual improvement and,above all,the commitment to the institution to improve its work.展开更多
The right to health for all people means that healthcare services and programs are available,accessible,and acceptable for everyone in need.However,certain groups in the society may be marginalized from their needed h...The right to health for all people means that healthcare services and programs are available,accessible,and acceptable for everyone in need.However,certain groups in the society may be marginalized from their needed healthcare services.In this regard,this paper discusses the challenges in providing HIV-related services to sex workers,a group that remains marginalized in Philippine society.展开更多
Objective:To identify the knowledge and awareness level of human mpox viral infection among healthcare workers in southwestern Nigeria.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ekiti State,southwest Nigeria amo...Objective:To identify the knowledge and awareness level of human mpox viral infection among healthcare workers in southwestern Nigeria.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ekiti State,southwest Nigeria among 316 healthcare workers that were selected through a systematic random sampling.Data were collected with the aid of a semi-structured,self-administered questionnaire.The Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to find the association between the independent and dependent variables.The significance level was set at P-value<0.05.Results:Two hundred and twenty-two(70.3%)of the respondents were aged≤40 years,mean age(36±9)years,189(59.8%)were female,306(96.8%)were Christians,and 203(64.2%)were married.Three hundred and fourteen(99.4%)of the respondents were aware of mpox infection.Main sources of information about mpox were medical education(44.0%),radio/television(32.0%)and newspaper(21.0%).However,among those aware of the disease,209(67.0%)demonstrated poor knowledge levels.Longer than 5 years’experience of medical practice was the only significant predictor of higher knowledge level of the disease(OR 1.76,95%CI 1.01-3.06;P=0.046).Conclusions:Despite the high awareness level of mpox infection among healthcare workers,there still exists a huge knowledge gap.It is recommended that targeted intervention could be directed towards continuous medical education and simulation exercises on re-emerging infectious diseases like mpox to improve the knowledge of the healthcare workers.展开更多
The extant literature on international immigrants has discussed migrants’entrepreneurial activities in the context of Western countries but has paid little attention to return-home entrepreneurial intention(RHEI).Rur...The extant literature on international immigrants has discussed migrants’entrepreneurial activities in the context of Western countries but has paid little attention to return-home entrepreneurial intention(RHEI).Rural migrant workers(RMWs)in China,who used to promote rural development by remittances and were characterized by similarities with early international migrants,have gradually returned to their hometowns to initiate entrepreneurial activities.Based on the structured questionnaire conducted in 2015 and 2020in Anhui Province,China,this article combines the concept of mixed embeddedness with the idea of double-layered embeddedness and analyzes the impacts of the social,economic and institutional context in RMWs’hometowns and migration destinations on RMWs’RHEI by using binary logistic regression.The article shows that the social,economic,and institutional environments of RMWs’hometowns and migration destinations have effects on their RHEI.The embeddedness in the economic and informal institutional context in RMWs’RHEI is even more important than personal characteristics.Compared with migration destinations,RMWs’hometowns exert a more influential effect on their RHEI.However,that does not mean that the role of migration destinations can be undervalued.Actually,the better the social,economic,and institutional environments of migration destinations RMWs moved into is,the higher entrepreneurial intention they will have after returning to their hometowns.The article proposes a modified framework in combination of mixed embeddedness with double-layer embeddedness and proves that it is suitable for analyzing RMWs’RHEI.The framework has important implications for strengthening China’s RMWs to return home to start their own businesses.展开更多
Objective:To assess the knowledge of healthcare workers on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.Method:An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 30,2022 in Gondar...Objective:To assess the knowledge of healthcare workers on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.Method:An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 30,2022 in Gondar City Administration public health institutions among 165 healthcare workers.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.In addition,an on-spot observation checklist was used to assess the availability,status and management of the cold chain.A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between the outcome and predictor variables.Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with 95%confidence intervals.Results:Overall,87(52.7%;95%CI 44.8%-60.5%)of the healthcare workers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred thirty-six(82.4%)healthcare workers correctly mentioned the recommended range of temperature(2-8℃)for measles vaccine storage.Healthcare workers aged 18-29 years(P=0.001)and 30-44 years(P=0.014)were observed as determinants of unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred and five(63.6%)of the healthcare workers did not correctly mention the type of measles vaccine used in routine immunization.More than one-third(36.4%)of the healthcare workers perceived that the measles vaccine is not safe and could cause measles.Conclusions:More than half of the healthcare workers in the study area had unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.It is necessary to provide technical support and in-service training for healthcare workers to ensure optimal immunization effectiveness.展开更多
Objective:To assess perceived stress and coping capacity of frontline health workers from AIIMS during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2021 enrolled 694 participants.An ...Objective:To assess perceived stress and coping capacity of frontline health workers from AIIMS during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2021 enrolled 694 participants.An online questionnaire based on Google Forms was developed to collect the data.Participants were assessed using the validated Perceived Stress Scale and the Coping Resources Inventory Scale.Results:The age of participants were 27(23-52)years old.The majority of respondents(73.5%)felt moderately stressed.Of the 694 participants,83.0%of the 576 participants had average stress management skills.Sex,marital status,and profession were significantly associated with perceived stress.In addition,marital status and profession were significantly associated with coping capacity.Conclusions:The majority of participants have moderate stress levels and average coping skills.Frontline healthcare workers have to maintain mental and physical health.Achieving this requires early screening and stress management for healthcare workers.展开更多
The prevalence of mental health problems in both Malaysian and global workplaces has significantly increased due to the presence of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic,globalization,technology advancement in Indu...The prevalence of mental health problems in both Malaysian and global workplaces has significantly increased due to the presence of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic,globalization,technology advancement in Industry 4.0,and other contributing factors.The pervasiveness of the issue poses a huge challenge to improving the occupational safety and health(OSH)of workers in various industries,especially in the digital industry.The emergence of the innovative industry is evident mainly due to the rapid development of Industry 4.0 and the rele-vant demands of multiple businesses in the digital transformation.Nonetheless,limited studies and academic dis-cussions were conducted on the OSH topic of digital employees.Hence,the current study serves tofill the existing gap and provide academic contributions by scrutinising the perceptions of digital workers regarding their work-place well-being,mental health literacy,and the impression of employing e-mental health.The objectives of this study are:1)To examine the mental health literacy and workplace wellness of digital workers,2)to explore the e-mental health usage intention and actual e-mental health utilization,and 3)to identify digital workers’feedback on e-mental health.In the current context,e-mental health focuses on three dimensions,namely,1)“health in our hand(HIOH)”,2)“interacting for health(IFH)”,and 3)“data enabling health(DEH)”.The present study employed an online cross-sectional survey and received 326 digital workers’completed responses.Variables,such as“mental health literacy(MHL)”,“workplace wellness(WW)”,and e-mental health intention and usage were explicated by analysing the data through descriptive statistics.The study results indicated a moderate to a high level of the MHL and the WW.More than half of the workers possessed a high intention level to employ e-mental health,with the HIOH dimension being the most prevalent domain.Nevertheless,the actual e-mental health usage was very low,owing to the online resources being a new concept amongst digital employees.Numerous confounding factors also existed in affecting the low usage,such as privacy concerns,data security levels,and health verification issues.In addition,the mental health issue has not been openly and widely discussed in Malay-sian workplaces due to stigmatisation.As such,the currentfindings could provide additional insights into the OSH literature;it could serve as a guideline for the OSH decision-makers,employers,and eHealth developers when establishing a feasible framework for the practical adoption of e-mental health services by digital workers.展开更多
Since the coronavirus pandemic,many factors led to the change in the mental well-being of hospital administrators and their staff.The pandemic negatively impacted the availability and capability of health professional...Since the coronavirus pandemic,many factors led to the change in the mental well-being of hospital administrators and their staff.The pandemic negatively impacted the availability and capability of health professionals to deliver essential services and meet rising demand.Therefore,this study aimed to understand the perspective of hospital administrators about issues and challenges that negatively impacted their staff’s mental health and hospital administrators’coping response to mitigate those challenges and issues.An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 17 hospital administrators(superintendents,deputy superintendents,nursing in charge and hospital in charge)working in a government district hospital of Rajasthan state during September 2022 and October 2022.This study revealed various emerging themes on mental health-related issues,challenges and coping strategies reported by the administrators.Themes and sub-themes that emerged from this study were 1)Perceived mental health of HCWs-perceived importance of mental health,2)Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of HCWs–common mental health issues,changes in mental health pre and post-pandemic,3)Impact of COVID-19 on health behavior of HCWs-increased self-care and awareness,4)Challenges responsible for poor mental health of HCWs-organizational,ethical and societal challenges and 5)Strategies to retain mental health of HCWs-effective coping strategies.The most common problems were increased levels of stress,feeling fatigued,tiredness,weak and anxiety among the HCWs.Keeping their staff motivated was the biggest challenge reported.Social support,counseling through professionals and demystifying myths were the most effective coping strategies adopted by the participants.In conclusion,this study reported poor mental health-related issues,challenges faced by the HCWs and effective strategies adopted by hospital administrators during tough situations.This study will assist hospital administrators in developing interventions such as regular training programs and workshops to teach effective coping skills to address poor mental health during crises.展开更多
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs ...Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs among Healthcare workers in five reference hospitals in the City of Douala-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 561 healthcare workers working in five reference hospitals in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaires;data on the demographics and risk factors were collected using a well-designed questionnaire, while estimation of the prevalence of WRMSDs was done using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was 83.4% (468/561). The prevalence per professional groups was as follows: 88.8% (71) for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), 81.9% (289) for nurses, 21 (80.8%) for Physiotherapists (PTs) and 78.8% (41) for Medical Doctors (MDs). There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in the prevalence of WRMSDs with respect to place of work where healthcare workers from HLD recorded the highest prevalence 89.9%, while Healthcare workers from NBDH were 2.91 times at risk (AOR = 2.91;95% CI: 1.32 - 6.41;p = 0.001) to develop WRMSDs than healthcare workers in the other hospitals. With respect to body region, the highest prevalence of WRMSDs was recorded on the lower back, 58.8% with the lowest at the elbows 11.2%. The age group 30 to 39 years was significantly associated with WRMSDs at level of the shoulder (p = 0.002), upper back (p = 0.019), elbows (p Conclusion: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was high. The prevalence of WRMSDs is highest among MLS and nurses and the most affected body parts are;lower back, neck and upper back. Working on the same posture, stressful job, and repetitive tasks were the major risk factors associated to WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals.展开更多
Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for ...Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for 4.4 percent of global disability. An estimated 350 million people are currently living with depression worldwide. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers in Khartoum State in 2022 and determine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2022 using a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Depression was screened using the self-reporting questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to display the data. Odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associations between depression and related factors. Results: A total of 341 valid responses were received, with a mean age of 33.91. The overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 > 8) was 258 (75.6%). The prevalence was significantly associated with marital status (single and divorced), occupation (psychologist), and working department (Emergency Department), showing a p-value of Conclusion: Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects all people, including healthcare workers, and is a growing problem in Sudan. To address this, healthcare organizations must implement policies and strategies to reduce inequality and protect healthcare workers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes mental health professionals, the Ministry of Health, and universities is needed to prioritize mental health issues and ensure quality care and the overall well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.展开更多
Introduction: A functional maternal referral system should encompass a feasible communication system between health facilities. In Uganda, the current paper-based patient referral form is associated with inadequate pa...Introduction: A functional maternal referral system should encompass a feasible communication system between health facilities. In Uganda, the current paper-based patient referral form is associated with inadequate patient-information and low feedback rates. A recent quasi-experimental study demonstrated that a phone-based communication intervention is feasible for iterative communication between health facilities, and there were improved maternal-fetal outcomes and high rates of feedback. However, the acceptability of the intervention was not assessed. Objective: The study assessed the acceptability of a phone-based communication intervention by the health care workers (HCWs) for iterative communication between the referring and receiving health facilities. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in South Western Uganda, in April 2021. The study employed a theoretical framework of acceptability of medical interventions. We conducted in-depth interviews with HCWs and used deductive-inductive analysis. Results: We enrolled a total of 23 HCWs, of whom 69.6% (n = 16) were females while 30.4% (n = 7) were males. Majority (65.2%, n = 15), were midwives and the rest were: doctors (30.4%, n = 7) and a nurse (4.3%). The HCWs were positive towards the intervention: they believed that the intervention reduced delays, promoted professional escort, encouraged sharing of supplies, enabled exchange of relatively more patient details, feedback and improved case management. They believed it was culturally acceptable and had enough skills and experience of operating phones. All participants recommended scale out of the intervention, but advised on the need for dedicated human-resource to coordinate phone calls, ensure availability of airtime and charged battery. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the phone-based communication intervention was highly accepted by the healthcare workers, and that hospitals can successfully give feedback to lower health centres through iterative phone calls. This provides a possible solution to the long-standing challenge of poor feedback rates and a vicious cycle of poor maternal-fetal outcomes in resource limited settings.展开更多
Background: COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020. Many pieces of research have been published on the virus’s pattern and transmission routes, and a few studies have been...Background: COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020. Many pieces of research have been published on the virus’s pattern and transmission routes, and a few studies have been published on its psychological repercussions for the general public and health care workers in particular. We aimed in this study to figure out the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in the Jazan region and compare it to non-health care workers. Results: There were 221 participants in this study conducted in the Jazan region KSA, during the first part of 2022. 117 participants were non-HCWs (Health Care Workers) and 104 participants were HCWs. 31.7% of HCWs had high score of PTSD symptoms which may suppress their immunity, PTSD was a clinical concern in 12.5%, 6.7% had probable PTSD, and 49% had no PTSD. The average PTSD score in HCWs was 26.14. In contrast, the great majority of non-HCWs (69.2%) had no PTSD;PTSD was a clinical concern in 16.2%, 11.1% had a score indicating PTSD had the potential for immunosuppression, and 3.4% had probable PTSD. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect just those who were infected with the virus, nor was it restricted to the mental health of those afflicted;rather, the influence expanded until it reached the general public and, in particular, those who had contact with patients, such as health care workers. As a result, mental health investigation, follow-up, and therapy are required to preserve the mental health of health care workers as well as the general population.展开更多
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major worldwide health problem. The present study aims to contribute to surveillance of the immune and clinical response of vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Observat...Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major worldwide health problem. The present study aims to contribute to surveillance of the immune and clinical response of vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Observational medication study on acquired immunity and effectiveness of vaccines. Population: 620 workers in the health service of Almansa (Spain). Representative sample of 150 individuals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological data and samples were recorded to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG levels 6 and 9 months after vaccination with Pfizer. Results: Mean age 46.45 years;76% women;85.1% working in a hospital. 19.3% had had COVID-19 in the year prior to vaccination. 96.7% were fully vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech. At 6 months, 100% seropositivity and mean IgG levels of 3017.2 AU/ml. Significant variations in IgG levels in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection and smokers. At 9 months, 99.3% remained seropositive;2.8% infected after vaccination. The repeated measures analysis showed a difference in means of 669.0 AU/ml (significant decrease in IgG levels of 28.9%). Conclusion: Antibody levels remained positive 6 and 9 months after vaccination, although IgG levels were found to decay.展开更多
Background: Mongolia is no exception and experiencing the burden of HBV among the population. In the last decade, the prevalence of HBV among the relatively healthy population of Mongolia has ranged between 11.8 perce...Background: Mongolia is no exception and experiencing the burden of HBV among the population. In the last decade, the prevalence of HBV among the relatively healthy population of Mongolia has ranged between 11.8 percent and 10.6 percent, and acute cases are between 1.7 and 1.1 per 10,000 people. We aimed to determine healthcare workers (HCWs) knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HBV prevention compared to vaccination coverage. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs from the selected sites through multi-stage sampling. The study involved 1135 HCWs, including medical doctors, nurses, clinicians in both surgical and medical specialties, laboratory technicians, and other staff working in all departments from primary and referral levels in 36 healthcare facilities in two urban and four rural provinces of Mongolia. Participants who consented to the study completed a standardized self-administered questionnaire between July and Dec 2019. Results: Most participants (82.0%) were born before 1992 or before starting a birth vaccination against HBV in Mongolia. The mean age of the participants was 38 years and the participants’ median employment year in the health sector was seven years. Most participants were medical doctors (29.1%) and nurses (28.0%). Five questions explored HCWs’ knowledge about hepatitis B virus infection and prevention, and the correct response ranged between 15.6% and 95.4%. 2.8% of the respondents answered five questions correctly. Men, those with higher levels of education, those over the age of 30, soum family health center HCWs, and doctors and senior medical professionals answered many questions correctly, which is statistically significant. 98.9% of respondents believe that HCWs should vaccinate against HBV. The younger the age (%), management professionals, and service staff are confident in vaccines. A significant difference between age groups, perception of HBV infection, and formal attendance to the official training positively relate to vaccination coverage. Specially survey respondents who knew about the adverse effects of overdosing, learning about total doses of the vaccine, and the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine were more tent to have full doses of the HBV vaccine. Knowledge and working conditions are increasing factors in receiving full doses of the HVB vaccine. Conclusion: The overall knowledge of HBV and its vaccination is fair among the HCWs;however, there is a need to intensify the training on some of the details and increase the training frequency at the workplace. Attitude and practice on infection protection and vaccination are still essential to be promoted among the HCWs. The low level of vaccination coverage is relevant to the level of KAP among the HCWs of the country.展开更多
Occupational exposure to flour dust within bakery environments presents significant health hazards to bakery personnel.Flour dust,generated as a byproduct during baking,becomes airborne during the baking process,thus ...Occupational exposure to flour dust within bakery environments presents significant health hazards to bakery personnel.Flour dust,generated as a byproduct during baking,becomes airborne during the baking process,thus constituting a respiratory threat.Adverse health consequences include respiratory diseases,skin irritation,allergic reactions,and potential long-term health impacts.Data indicates that a broad segment of bakery workers encounters exposure to flour dust,with specific subgroups,such as bakers and dough mixers,being particularly susceptible.Contributing factors to this exposure encompass insufficient ventilation and a lack of awareness.It is vital to assess exposure levels through air quality monitoring and health surveillance.Efficient interventions encompass engineering solutions(e.g.,ventilation systems,dust extraction),administrative measures(including training and the use of personal protective equipment),and the implementation of occupational health and safety programs.Collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities are paramount for achieving success.Case studies underscore the effectiveness of such interventions,resulting in improved worker health,thus underscoring the advantages of protective measures.Challenges in this endeavor include industry resistance to change,financial considerations,and issues related to compliance.Future recommendations entail further research,policy enhancements,and the involvement of industry stakeholders and labor unions in advocating for worker safety.展开更多
Introduction: Frontline health workers who work in COVID-19 isolation treatment centers are susceptible to developing mental health issues due to the overwhelming workload and stress associated with their job. Thus un...Introduction: Frontline health workers who work in COVID-19 isolation treatment centers are susceptible to developing mental health issues due to the overwhelming workload and stress associated with their job. Thus understanding their lived experiences provides insights that helps alleviate health worker burnout and improving their quality of life thereby leading to an efficient delivery of health care services during a pandemic. Aim: To understand the lived experiences of front line health workers during the COVID-19 pandemics at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching University Hospital. Design and Methods: A qualitative interpretative phenomenological study design was used. Purposive sampling method was adopted to select the 14 participants who took part in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face, audio-taped interviews using an in-depth interview guide, after which the responses were transcribed verbatim before using NVIVO to generate codes. The data were analyzed using thematic method. Results: The lived experiences of the participants were found to be mainly negative with few positive experiences. Their lived experiences were mainly negative emotional and psychological experiences including fear, anger, depression, frustration, anxiety and sadness. The thoughts that were identified included thoughts of surviving through the pandemic, thoughts of getting infected, and dying. The frontline health workers also experienced some personal and professional changes as they offered health services in the COVID-19 wards. The personal changes reported included;social limitations and collapse of extra income business while the professional changes included a change in the way health services were delivered, a gain in knowledge and skills and shaping of a career path. The main challenges experienced were limited resources (man power, resuscitation equipment, drugs, personal protective equipment), limited literature on the disease and limited social interactions. Conclusion and Recommendations: Relevant stakeholders should come on board in order to offer support during a pandemic or a similar situation so as to better the experience of frontline health workers with particular attention directed towards the provision of adequate resources to enable them deliver their services effectively. Frontline health workers perspectives and opinions should be taken into account by the institution’s administrators and policymakers when planning for and managing a pandemic.展开更多
Objective:Health-care workers(HCWs)are known to be at high risk for occupational biological hazards,and this includes exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)which can result in either active or latent TB infection(...Objective:Health-care workers(HCWs)are known to be at high risk for occupational biological hazards,and this includes exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)which can result in either active or latent TB infection(LTBI).This study aims to provide an overview of the incidence of LTBI among HCWs in Brunei Darussalam,to examine associated risk factors,and to evaluate LTBI treatment compliance.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective cross-sectional study which was conducted using data from January 2018 to December 2021,on notified cases of LTBI in HCWs which identified 115 cases.Demographic data,underlying medical conditions,and compliance to treatment were assessed through reviews of their electronic health records.Results:The incidence of LBTI was 14.6/year/1000 HCWs.The incidence rate reached a high of 24.6/1000 in 2020,and majority of cases were in the older age groups.There was good treatment acceptance and compliance(82.6%),and this was observed to be significantly higher in females than males(P=0.02).Conclusion:This study showed an average incidence of LTBI of 14.6/1000 HCWs over 4 years and high LTBI treatment acceptance(82.6%)and compliance.Emphasis on infection prevention and control measures in health-care settings and actions to increase awareness of LTBI are crucial interventions toward reducing the burden of LTBI.展开更多
文摘We are writing in response to the article titled“Addressing the needs and rights of sex workers for HIV healthcare services in the Philippines”[1].The article calls for attention on the significant challenges faced by sex workers in the Philippines in accessing HIV healthcare.We appreciate the article’s effort to examine these issues in depth.We would like to present a constant flow of thoughts in this letter while highlighting the positive aspects,potential obstacles,and additional points that contribute to this ongoing discussion.
基金the National Social Science Fund of China(Grant No.20BTJ005).
文摘Mobile young white-collar workers not only have the characteristics of mobile young people,but also have the characteristics of general white-collar workers.Under the influence of both,their mental health may be suffering from“double disadvantage”.So,based on an ecological model of the stress process,this paper tries to use the data of the questionnaire on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in Zhejiang Province to explore the influence of some factors in the middle workplace and residence place on the mental health of micro individuals.The results show that:(1)The working environment with high control and low freedom and the workplace discrimination against the mobile status will have a negative impact on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers;(2)Financial anxiety in daily life will lead to a decline in the mental health level of mobile young white-collar workers;(3)Good organizational support and neighborhood social relations can significantly relieve life pressure,so as to effectively improve the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers.It can be seen that we also need to pay more attention to the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in order to improve their situation.
文摘Objectives: Sex work is not well documented among African men. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) and eventually to determine the proportion of sex workers (SW) among them, as well as the proportion of MSM who have been victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study coordinated by the Direction de la Médecine du Travail was carried out at the headquarters of the association ALTERNATIVES in Bangui Bangui from July 1 to October 31, 2021. Consenting MSM present during the study period were systematically included. Sociodemographic variables, those relating to the future vision of the activity and to GBV were collected and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7 software. Results: Forty MSM with an average age of 23 years and mainly secondary education (75.0%) were included. The vast majority of MSM were unemployed (85.0%). 45.0% had been victims of GBV and wanted to stop working as an MSM (47.5%), and almost 2/3 (65.0%) would accept another income-generating activity in exchange for the MSM. Violence was sexual (32.5%), economic (22.5%), physical (20.0%), verbal (12.5%) and psychological (12.5%). Conclusion: The MSM were mainly young, poorly educated, unemployed, and almost half were victims of GBV. The desire to change MSM activity to another income-generating activity alongside that of MSM shows that many of them are SW, workers in the informal sector. This must be taken into account in prevention activities, even if the data needs to be confirmed on a much larger sample.
文摘The productivity of an institution is achieved,in large part,by creating a harmonious environment that reflects the satisfaction,empowerment,and collaborative spirit of each employee.From this perspective,management will consider upgrades using all tactics that allow for the achievement of these goals,including direct effort and the involvement of all stakeholders.The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work motivation and the productivity of workers in the communal board of the Barrio Sur corregimiento in the province of Colón.Using the questionnaire as an instrument,as well as the descriptive method,allowed for the report and evaluation of the characteristics of the workers,indicating interpersonal deficits and distancing in the motivations that drive administrative action.By incorporating different approaches previously analyzed and developed by different authors familiar with the subject,it was possible to achieve substantial results,such as the need to implement administrative strategies that harmoniously incorporate workers,showing that,despite motivation problems,the work environment where one works is very important in the performance of their duties.Managing to motivate the direct participation of the workers selected as part of the sample,who showed full satisfaction with the results framed within the framework of individual improvement and,above all,the commitment to the institution to improve its work.
文摘The right to health for all people means that healthcare services and programs are available,accessible,and acceptable for everyone in need.However,certain groups in the society may be marginalized from their needed healthcare services.In this regard,this paper discusses the challenges in providing HIV-related services to sex workers,a group that remains marginalized in Philippine society.
文摘Objective:To identify the knowledge and awareness level of human mpox viral infection among healthcare workers in southwestern Nigeria.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ekiti State,southwest Nigeria among 316 healthcare workers that were selected through a systematic random sampling.Data were collected with the aid of a semi-structured,self-administered questionnaire.The Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to find the association between the independent and dependent variables.The significance level was set at P-value<0.05.Results:Two hundred and twenty-two(70.3%)of the respondents were aged≤40 years,mean age(36±9)years,189(59.8%)were female,306(96.8%)were Christians,and 203(64.2%)were married.Three hundred and fourteen(99.4%)of the respondents were aware of mpox infection.Main sources of information about mpox were medical education(44.0%),radio/television(32.0%)and newspaper(21.0%).However,among those aware of the disease,209(67.0%)demonstrated poor knowledge levels.Longer than 5 years’experience of medical practice was the only significant predictor of higher knowledge level of the disease(OR 1.76,95%CI 1.01-3.06;P=0.046).Conclusions:Despite the high awareness level of mpox infection among healthcare workers,there still exists a huge knowledge gap.It is recommended that targeted intervention could be directed towards continuous medical education and simulation exercises on re-emerging infectious diseases like mpox to improve the knowledge of the healthcare workers.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.42071152)。
文摘The extant literature on international immigrants has discussed migrants’entrepreneurial activities in the context of Western countries but has paid little attention to return-home entrepreneurial intention(RHEI).Rural migrant workers(RMWs)in China,who used to promote rural development by remittances and were characterized by similarities with early international migrants,have gradually returned to their hometowns to initiate entrepreneurial activities.Based on the structured questionnaire conducted in 2015 and 2020in Anhui Province,China,this article combines the concept of mixed embeddedness with the idea of double-layered embeddedness and analyzes the impacts of the social,economic and institutional context in RMWs’hometowns and migration destinations on RMWs’RHEI by using binary logistic regression.The article shows that the social,economic,and institutional environments of RMWs’hometowns and migration destinations have effects on their RHEI.The embeddedness in the economic and informal institutional context in RMWs’RHEI is even more important than personal characteristics.Compared with migration destinations,RMWs’hometowns exert a more influential effect on their RHEI.However,that does not mean that the role of migration destinations can be undervalued.Actually,the better the social,economic,and institutional environments of migration destinations RMWs moved into is,the higher entrepreneurial intention they will have after returning to their hometowns.The article proposes a modified framework in combination of mixed embeddedness with double-layer embeddedness and proves that it is suitable for analyzing RMWs’RHEI.The framework has important implications for strengthening China’s RMWs to return home to start their own businesses.
文摘Objective:To assess the knowledge of healthcare workers on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.Method:An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 30,2022 in Gondar City Administration public health institutions among 165 healthcare workers.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.In addition,an on-spot observation checklist was used to assess the availability,status and management of the cold chain.A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between the outcome and predictor variables.Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with 95%confidence intervals.Results:Overall,87(52.7%;95%CI 44.8%-60.5%)of the healthcare workers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred thirty-six(82.4%)healthcare workers correctly mentioned the recommended range of temperature(2-8℃)for measles vaccine storage.Healthcare workers aged 18-29 years(P=0.001)and 30-44 years(P=0.014)were observed as determinants of unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred and five(63.6%)of the healthcare workers did not correctly mention the type of measles vaccine used in routine immunization.More than one-third(36.4%)of the healthcare workers perceived that the measles vaccine is not safe and could cause measles.Conclusions:More than half of the healthcare workers in the study area had unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.It is necessary to provide technical support and in-service training for healthcare workers to ensure optimal immunization effectiveness.
文摘Objective:To assess perceived stress and coping capacity of frontline health workers from AIIMS during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2021 enrolled 694 participants.An online questionnaire based on Google Forms was developed to collect the data.Participants were assessed using the validated Perceived Stress Scale and the Coping Resources Inventory Scale.Results:The age of participants were 27(23-52)years old.The majority of respondents(73.5%)felt moderately stressed.Of the 694 participants,83.0%of the 576 participants had average stress management skills.Sex,marital status,and profession were significantly associated with perceived stress.In addition,marital status and profession were significantly associated with coping capacity.Conclusions:The majority of participants have moderate stress levels and average coping skills.Frontline healthcare workers have to maintain mental and physical health.Achieving this requires early screening and stress management for healthcare workers.
基金This research is supported by the Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS)[FRGS/1/2019/SS09/MMU/02/3]MMUE/190073 led by the second author.
文摘The prevalence of mental health problems in both Malaysian and global workplaces has significantly increased due to the presence of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic,globalization,technology advancement in Industry 4.0,and other contributing factors.The pervasiveness of the issue poses a huge challenge to improving the occupational safety and health(OSH)of workers in various industries,especially in the digital industry.The emergence of the innovative industry is evident mainly due to the rapid development of Industry 4.0 and the rele-vant demands of multiple businesses in the digital transformation.Nonetheless,limited studies and academic dis-cussions were conducted on the OSH topic of digital employees.Hence,the current study serves tofill the existing gap and provide academic contributions by scrutinising the perceptions of digital workers regarding their work-place well-being,mental health literacy,and the impression of employing e-mental health.The objectives of this study are:1)To examine the mental health literacy and workplace wellness of digital workers,2)to explore the e-mental health usage intention and actual e-mental health utilization,and 3)to identify digital workers’feedback on e-mental health.In the current context,e-mental health focuses on three dimensions,namely,1)“health in our hand(HIOH)”,2)“interacting for health(IFH)”,and 3)“data enabling health(DEH)”.The present study employed an online cross-sectional survey and received 326 digital workers’completed responses.Variables,such as“mental health literacy(MHL)”,“workplace wellness(WW)”,and e-mental health intention and usage were explicated by analysing the data through descriptive statistics.The study results indicated a moderate to a high level of the MHL and the WW.More than half of the workers possessed a high intention level to employ e-mental health,with the HIOH dimension being the most prevalent domain.Nevertheless,the actual e-mental health usage was very low,owing to the online resources being a new concept amongst digital employees.Numerous confounding factors also existed in affecting the low usage,such as privacy concerns,data security levels,and health verification issues.In addition,the mental health issue has not been openly and widely discussed in Malay-sian workplaces due to stigmatisation.As such,the currentfindings could provide additional insights into the OSH literature;it could serve as a guideline for the OSH decision-makers,employers,and eHealth developers when establishing a feasible framework for the practical adoption of e-mental health services by digital workers.
文摘Since the coronavirus pandemic,many factors led to the change in the mental well-being of hospital administrators and their staff.The pandemic negatively impacted the availability and capability of health professionals to deliver essential services and meet rising demand.Therefore,this study aimed to understand the perspective of hospital administrators about issues and challenges that negatively impacted their staff’s mental health and hospital administrators’coping response to mitigate those challenges and issues.An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 17 hospital administrators(superintendents,deputy superintendents,nursing in charge and hospital in charge)working in a government district hospital of Rajasthan state during September 2022 and October 2022.This study revealed various emerging themes on mental health-related issues,challenges and coping strategies reported by the administrators.Themes and sub-themes that emerged from this study were 1)Perceived mental health of HCWs-perceived importance of mental health,2)Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of HCWs–common mental health issues,changes in mental health pre and post-pandemic,3)Impact of COVID-19 on health behavior of HCWs-increased self-care and awareness,4)Challenges responsible for poor mental health of HCWs-organizational,ethical and societal challenges and 5)Strategies to retain mental health of HCWs-effective coping strategies.The most common problems were increased levels of stress,feeling fatigued,tiredness,weak and anxiety among the HCWs.Keeping their staff motivated was the biggest challenge reported.Social support,counseling through professionals and demystifying myths were the most effective coping strategies adopted by the participants.In conclusion,this study reported poor mental health-related issues,challenges faced by the HCWs and effective strategies adopted by hospital administrators during tough situations.This study will assist hospital administrators in developing interventions such as regular training programs and workshops to teach effective coping skills to address poor mental health during crises.
文摘Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs among Healthcare workers in five reference hospitals in the City of Douala-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 561 healthcare workers working in five reference hospitals in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaires;data on the demographics and risk factors were collected using a well-designed questionnaire, while estimation of the prevalence of WRMSDs was done using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was 83.4% (468/561). The prevalence per professional groups was as follows: 88.8% (71) for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), 81.9% (289) for nurses, 21 (80.8%) for Physiotherapists (PTs) and 78.8% (41) for Medical Doctors (MDs). There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in the prevalence of WRMSDs with respect to place of work where healthcare workers from HLD recorded the highest prevalence 89.9%, while Healthcare workers from NBDH were 2.91 times at risk (AOR = 2.91;95% CI: 1.32 - 6.41;p = 0.001) to develop WRMSDs than healthcare workers in the other hospitals. With respect to body region, the highest prevalence of WRMSDs was recorded on the lower back, 58.8% with the lowest at the elbows 11.2%. The age group 30 to 39 years was significantly associated with WRMSDs at level of the shoulder (p = 0.002), upper back (p = 0.019), elbows (p Conclusion: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was high. The prevalence of WRMSDs is highest among MLS and nurses and the most affected body parts are;lower back, neck and upper back. Working on the same posture, stressful job, and repetitive tasks were the major risk factors associated to WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals.
文摘Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for 4.4 percent of global disability. An estimated 350 million people are currently living with depression worldwide. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers in Khartoum State in 2022 and determine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2022 using a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Depression was screened using the self-reporting questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to display the data. Odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associations between depression and related factors. Results: A total of 341 valid responses were received, with a mean age of 33.91. The overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 > 8) was 258 (75.6%). The prevalence was significantly associated with marital status (single and divorced), occupation (psychologist), and working department (Emergency Department), showing a p-value of Conclusion: Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects all people, including healthcare workers, and is a growing problem in Sudan. To address this, healthcare organizations must implement policies and strategies to reduce inequality and protect healthcare workers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes mental health professionals, the Ministry of Health, and universities is needed to prioritize mental health issues and ensure quality care and the overall well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.
文摘Introduction: A functional maternal referral system should encompass a feasible communication system between health facilities. In Uganda, the current paper-based patient referral form is associated with inadequate patient-information and low feedback rates. A recent quasi-experimental study demonstrated that a phone-based communication intervention is feasible for iterative communication between health facilities, and there were improved maternal-fetal outcomes and high rates of feedback. However, the acceptability of the intervention was not assessed. Objective: The study assessed the acceptability of a phone-based communication intervention by the health care workers (HCWs) for iterative communication between the referring and receiving health facilities. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in South Western Uganda, in April 2021. The study employed a theoretical framework of acceptability of medical interventions. We conducted in-depth interviews with HCWs and used deductive-inductive analysis. Results: We enrolled a total of 23 HCWs, of whom 69.6% (n = 16) were females while 30.4% (n = 7) were males. Majority (65.2%, n = 15), were midwives and the rest were: doctors (30.4%, n = 7) and a nurse (4.3%). The HCWs were positive towards the intervention: they believed that the intervention reduced delays, promoted professional escort, encouraged sharing of supplies, enabled exchange of relatively more patient details, feedback and improved case management. They believed it was culturally acceptable and had enough skills and experience of operating phones. All participants recommended scale out of the intervention, but advised on the need for dedicated human-resource to coordinate phone calls, ensure availability of airtime and charged battery. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the phone-based communication intervention was highly accepted by the healthcare workers, and that hospitals can successfully give feedback to lower health centres through iterative phone calls. This provides a possible solution to the long-standing challenge of poor feedback rates and a vicious cycle of poor maternal-fetal outcomes in resource limited settings.
文摘Background: COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020. Many pieces of research have been published on the virus’s pattern and transmission routes, and a few studies have been published on its psychological repercussions for the general public and health care workers in particular. We aimed in this study to figure out the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in the Jazan region and compare it to non-health care workers. Results: There were 221 participants in this study conducted in the Jazan region KSA, during the first part of 2022. 117 participants were non-HCWs (Health Care Workers) and 104 participants were HCWs. 31.7% of HCWs had high score of PTSD symptoms which may suppress their immunity, PTSD was a clinical concern in 12.5%, 6.7% had probable PTSD, and 49% had no PTSD. The average PTSD score in HCWs was 26.14. In contrast, the great majority of non-HCWs (69.2%) had no PTSD;PTSD was a clinical concern in 16.2%, 11.1% had a score indicating PTSD had the potential for immunosuppression, and 3.4% had probable PTSD. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect just those who were infected with the virus, nor was it restricted to the mental health of those afflicted;rather, the influence expanded until it reached the general public and, in particular, those who had contact with patients, such as health care workers. As a result, mental health investigation, follow-up, and therapy are required to preserve the mental health of health care workers as well as the general population.
文摘Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major worldwide health problem. The present study aims to contribute to surveillance of the immune and clinical response of vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Observational medication study on acquired immunity and effectiveness of vaccines. Population: 620 workers in the health service of Almansa (Spain). Representative sample of 150 individuals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological data and samples were recorded to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG levels 6 and 9 months after vaccination with Pfizer. Results: Mean age 46.45 years;76% women;85.1% working in a hospital. 19.3% had had COVID-19 in the year prior to vaccination. 96.7% were fully vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech. At 6 months, 100% seropositivity and mean IgG levels of 3017.2 AU/ml. Significant variations in IgG levels in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection and smokers. At 9 months, 99.3% remained seropositive;2.8% infected after vaccination. The repeated measures analysis showed a difference in means of 669.0 AU/ml (significant decrease in IgG levels of 28.9%). Conclusion: Antibody levels remained positive 6 and 9 months after vaccination, although IgG levels were found to decay.
文摘Background: Mongolia is no exception and experiencing the burden of HBV among the population. In the last decade, the prevalence of HBV among the relatively healthy population of Mongolia has ranged between 11.8 percent and 10.6 percent, and acute cases are between 1.7 and 1.1 per 10,000 people. We aimed to determine healthcare workers (HCWs) knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HBV prevention compared to vaccination coverage. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs from the selected sites through multi-stage sampling. The study involved 1135 HCWs, including medical doctors, nurses, clinicians in both surgical and medical specialties, laboratory technicians, and other staff working in all departments from primary and referral levels in 36 healthcare facilities in two urban and four rural provinces of Mongolia. Participants who consented to the study completed a standardized self-administered questionnaire between July and Dec 2019. Results: Most participants (82.0%) were born before 1992 or before starting a birth vaccination against HBV in Mongolia. The mean age of the participants was 38 years and the participants’ median employment year in the health sector was seven years. Most participants were medical doctors (29.1%) and nurses (28.0%). Five questions explored HCWs’ knowledge about hepatitis B virus infection and prevention, and the correct response ranged between 15.6% and 95.4%. 2.8% of the respondents answered five questions correctly. Men, those with higher levels of education, those over the age of 30, soum family health center HCWs, and doctors and senior medical professionals answered many questions correctly, which is statistically significant. 98.9% of respondents believe that HCWs should vaccinate against HBV. The younger the age (%), management professionals, and service staff are confident in vaccines. A significant difference between age groups, perception of HBV infection, and formal attendance to the official training positively relate to vaccination coverage. Specially survey respondents who knew about the adverse effects of overdosing, learning about total doses of the vaccine, and the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine were more tent to have full doses of the HBV vaccine. Knowledge and working conditions are increasing factors in receiving full doses of the HVB vaccine. Conclusion: The overall knowledge of HBV and its vaccination is fair among the HCWs;however, there is a need to intensify the training on some of the details and increase the training frequency at the workplace. Attitude and practice on infection protection and vaccination are still essential to be promoted among the HCWs. The low level of vaccination coverage is relevant to the level of KAP among the HCWs of the country.
文摘Occupational exposure to flour dust within bakery environments presents significant health hazards to bakery personnel.Flour dust,generated as a byproduct during baking,becomes airborne during the baking process,thus constituting a respiratory threat.Adverse health consequences include respiratory diseases,skin irritation,allergic reactions,and potential long-term health impacts.Data indicates that a broad segment of bakery workers encounters exposure to flour dust,with specific subgroups,such as bakers and dough mixers,being particularly susceptible.Contributing factors to this exposure encompass insufficient ventilation and a lack of awareness.It is vital to assess exposure levels through air quality monitoring and health surveillance.Efficient interventions encompass engineering solutions(e.g.,ventilation systems,dust extraction),administrative measures(including training and the use of personal protective equipment),and the implementation of occupational health and safety programs.Collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities are paramount for achieving success.Case studies underscore the effectiveness of such interventions,resulting in improved worker health,thus underscoring the advantages of protective measures.Challenges in this endeavor include industry resistance to change,financial considerations,and issues related to compliance.Future recommendations entail further research,policy enhancements,and the involvement of industry stakeholders and labor unions in advocating for worker safety.
文摘Introduction: Frontline health workers who work in COVID-19 isolation treatment centers are susceptible to developing mental health issues due to the overwhelming workload and stress associated with their job. Thus understanding their lived experiences provides insights that helps alleviate health worker burnout and improving their quality of life thereby leading to an efficient delivery of health care services during a pandemic. Aim: To understand the lived experiences of front line health workers during the COVID-19 pandemics at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching University Hospital. Design and Methods: A qualitative interpretative phenomenological study design was used. Purposive sampling method was adopted to select the 14 participants who took part in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face, audio-taped interviews using an in-depth interview guide, after which the responses were transcribed verbatim before using NVIVO to generate codes. The data were analyzed using thematic method. Results: The lived experiences of the participants were found to be mainly negative with few positive experiences. Their lived experiences were mainly negative emotional and psychological experiences including fear, anger, depression, frustration, anxiety and sadness. The thoughts that were identified included thoughts of surviving through the pandemic, thoughts of getting infected, and dying. The frontline health workers also experienced some personal and professional changes as they offered health services in the COVID-19 wards. The personal changes reported included;social limitations and collapse of extra income business while the professional changes included a change in the way health services were delivered, a gain in knowledge and skills and shaping of a career path. The main challenges experienced were limited resources (man power, resuscitation equipment, drugs, personal protective equipment), limited literature on the disease and limited social interactions. Conclusion and Recommendations: Relevant stakeholders should come on board in order to offer support during a pandemic or a similar situation so as to better the experience of frontline health workers with particular attention directed towards the provision of adequate resources to enable them deliver their services effectively. Frontline health workers perspectives and opinions should be taken into account by the institution’s administrators and policymakers when planning for and managing a pandemic.
文摘Objective:Health-care workers(HCWs)are known to be at high risk for occupational biological hazards,and this includes exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)which can result in either active or latent TB infection(LTBI).This study aims to provide an overview of the incidence of LTBI among HCWs in Brunei Darussalam,to examine associated risk factors,and to evaluate LTBI treatment compliance.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective cross-sectional study which was conducted using data from January 2018 to December 2021,on notified cases of LTBI in HCWs which identified 115 cases.Demographic data,underlying medical conditions,and compliance to treatment were assessed through reviews of their electronic health records.Results:The incidence of LBTI was 14.6/year/1000 HCWs.The incidence rate reached a high of 24.6/1000 in 2020,and majority of cases were in the older age groups.There was good treatment acceptance and compliance(82.6%),and this was observed to be significantly higher in females than males(P=0.02).Conclusion:This study showed an average incidence of LTBI of 14.6/1000 HCWs over 4 years and high LTBI treatment acceptance(82.6%)and compliance.Emphasis on infection prevention and control measures in health-care settings and actions to increase awareness of LTBI are crucial interventions toward reducing the burden of LTBI.
