Occupational health medicine

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OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of the 22ZERO Trauma Resiliency Protocol (TR-P) on PTSD symptom severity among current and former law enforcement officers. METHODS: Uses a retrospective, pre/post intervention design to test the effects of the TR-P on measures of self-reported symptom severity. RESULTS: 128 current and former law enforcement officers were exposed to the TR-P treatment. All participants were administered the PCL-5 PTSD Checklist and other psychological assessments before and after exposure...

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the association between shift work and stroke and determine whether this association varies depending on the presence of insomnia. METHODS: Utilizing the KoGES prospective cohort data, our primary exposure variables were shift work and insomnia. The occurrence of stroke was the main outcome of interest. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression analysis. An interaction analysis was conducted to assess the interaction of shift work and insomnia on stroke incidence...

In the past two decades, changing trends in socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and individual lifestyles of individuals have led to the emergence of tooth wear as an oral health problem. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the associated etiologies of tooth wear in a convenience sample of adult patients visiting outpatient clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry at Umm Al-Qura University. This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult patients (18-40 years old) visiting outpatient clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University...

BACKGROUND: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka...

INTRODUCTION: Exposure with some chemical can cause cardiovascular disorders. Occupational exposures with chemicals are modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The Objective of this study was the determination of cardiovascular disorders in industries with occupational exposures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was a cross-sectional method and was done on workers of related industries. The study was done with a physical examination and checklist by getting health and illness history and clinical tests about the risk factors and cardiovascular disorders...

This paper summarizes historical asbestos exposure data collected during the handling of short-fiber chrysotile asbestos that was used as an additive to drilling fluid in oil and gas exploration. A total of 1171 industrial hygiene (IH) personal and area air samples were collected and analyzed from more than 20 drilling rigs between 1972 and 1985. The dataset consists of 1097 short-term samples (<240 min) with more than 80% having sample durations less than 30 min. Average airborne fiber concentrations measured during asbestos handling activities ranged from 0...

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed Ohio workers' compensation (WC) data to identify potential prevention strategies for common Oil and Gas Extraction industry claims. METHODS: Claim rates for 2001-2018 were calculated per full-time equivalent employee. Descriptive analyses on free-text descriptions of lost-time (LT) claims (>7 days away from work) identified common characteristics among claims and injured workers. RESULTS: Among 3,134 claims, 860 (27%) were LT...

OBJECTIVE: Propose a framework for developing and evaluating Total Worker Health® education and training efforts by implementing institutions. METHODS: Review of Total Worker Health (TWH) information from symposia, workshops, academic offerings, and publications, along with a review of education and training development and evaluation resources applicable across various disciplines. RESULTS: Examples of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for each TWH core competency, and a framework for developing and evaluating a TWH competency-based education or training program...

OBJECTIVE: To improve water access while working and contribute to fewer heat-related illnesses (HRI), backpack hydration systems were provided to over 200 farmworkers to use during the 2022 growing season. Acceptability of the water intake intervention was assessed among farmworkers in eastern North Carolina, USA. METHODS: With a pre-established community-university partnership, the acceptability of the intervention was assessed using a cross-sectional survey. The backpack brand selected included a 3-liter water bladder and attached drinking hose...

A 38-year-old woman experienced a persistent dry cough and progressively worsening dyspnoea for 2 years. Spirometry testing revealed a moderate-to-severe restrictive abnormality. High-resolution chest computed tomography showed diffuse reticulonodular opacities. A lung biopsy disclosed alveolar parenchymal inflammation and fibrosis with bronchiolocentric features, prompting consideration of interstitial pneumonia. Following a thorough investigation of her occupational history and an on-site inspection, it was discovered that the patient had been grinding drill bits designed for printed circuit boards for 8 years, exposing her to hard metals...

BACKGROUND: Crystalline silica (CS) exposure can cause serious lung disease in humans, but mechanisms of pulmonary toxicity have not been completely elucidated. AIMS: To assess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibrosis in serum of rock drillers exposed to CS. METHODS: Rock drillers (N = 123) exposed to CS and non-specified particulate matter (PM) were compared to 48 referents without current or past exposure to PM in a cross-sectional study...

This is the first article of a 3-part series about physician health. In this installment, we outline the unique characteristics of physicians as patients, challenges and opportunities presented by physician-patients, and recommendations for treating physicians. Future articles will delve into role clarity, occupational considerations, mental health, and interactions with third parties such as the physician's employer or licensing board. Ultimately, this series will help treating clinicians provide the best care to their physician-patients and successfully navigate the unique challenges that may arise, especially when the diagnosis may have an impact on their ability to practice medicine...

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are being uses more often with cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate attitudes, use and influencing factors of CAM among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 cancer patients in Turkey. The study was conducted during July-September 2021 using a Questionnaire that included a Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS)...

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a severe occupational health issue among medical radiation practitioners. It is mostly linked to personal protective wear, working posture, tools employed and ergonomics. OBJECTIVE: To assess and evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders among nuclear medicine professionals (NMP) in India. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to 455 NMP throughout India between November 2021 and March 2022 covering the demographic characteristics and questions for evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)...

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the future of work sustainably and led to a general increase in mental stress. A study conducted during the second and third pandemic wave with a retrospective survey of the first wave among 1,545 non-healthcare workers confirmed an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms and showed a correlation with the occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. This online follow-up survey aims to examine changes in mental distress as the pandemic progressed in Germany and to identify factors influencing potential changes...

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a critical phase marked by distinct health and developmental needs and rights. It represents a pivotal time for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, emotional regulations, and relationship management. However, a recent surge in internet usage among adolescents has been observed, leading to a concerning decline in physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the level of physical activity and its correlation with internet use among adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, conducted within educational institutions in Beni, Nepal, utilized a self-structured questionnaire to collect data on physical activity levels and associated factors...

This article builds a case for raising occupational consciousness by critically questioning ahistorical and apolitical uses of battle language, especially when referring to infectious diseases. Words such as invasion, colonization, and resistance are particularly ethically troubling, and this article considers why the social practices our language brings about matter in health care. Dynamic relationships among humans and microbes, as well as metaphor, are considered here in historical context and through the lens of Derrida's portmanteau hostipitality, which invites reconsideration of an infectious disease notion of host and how conceptions of hospitality have been institutionalized and commodified...

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a looming pandemic whose poor health outcomes are unlikely to be equitably distributed. This article focuses on intersections between AMR and inequities in health care workplaces in the United States and identifies the following as key problems: lack of published data on task-specific occupational health risks related to colonization and infection with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, limited scientific literature reporting on race and ethnicity, and poor access to infection control educational opportunities for minoritized health care workers...

Antibiotic resistance (AR) rates in Vietnam are among the highest in Asia, and recent infections due to multi-drug resistance in the country have caused thousands of deaths each year. This study investigated a Vietnamese community's preferences for antibiotic treatment and its knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotics. A discrete choice experiment-based survey was developed and administered to the population of interest. The respondents were given sociodemographic-, knowledge- and attitude-related items and 17 pairs of choice tasks...