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Background: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) ranges from 10% to 60% in an organisation. This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence pattern of WRMSDs and the relation of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain/discomfort complaints with posture amongst hospital workers. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done amongst hospital housekeeping workers in a tertiary care hospital. Physical parameters, assessment of musculoskeletal pain by the Nordic MSK Questionnaire and Cornell MSK Questionnaire and analysis of posture using Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) which identifies posture of back, arms, legs and weight of the load handled during work. Results: The prevalence of WRMSDs in the past 12 months was 198 (87.2%) and in the past 7 days was 155 (63.8%). Maximum MSK pain was reported in knee (136, 59.9%). Multiple sites of pain (3 or more) were also seen in 146 (64.3%) workers. The most common posture associated with pain was walking (100%). Pain did not prevent from doing the work and slightly interfered with their ability. Number of years of work experience had a significant relation to the pain score. Conclusion: Although the majority of the study population fell in the OWAS-second category which has no immediate concern at present, may progress to the third and fourth categories if proper posture correction is not done. If the preventive MSK rehabilitation measures are taken at the earliest, it can help prevent the progression to cumulative trauma disorders.

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.

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.

Objective: To investigate differences in infection control awareness, and related implementation of measures between anti-epidemic medical staff and workers during the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, and to propose corresponding countermeasures. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire on the practice of infection control and implement were conducted, and 250 medical staff and workers participating in the anti-epidemic work in our hospital from March to April 2022 were investigated online. Results: A total of 208 valid questionnaires were recovered, of which 192 were valid questionnaires, including 158 medical staff (82.3%) and 34 (17.7%) workers. Before entering the isolation point, the proportion of workers vs medical staff who knew the knowledge about COVID-19, hospital infection control procedures, standardized use of masks, awareness of occupational post-exposure disposal procedures, awareness of sensory control and implementation of sensory control in living areas were 58.8% vs 89.2%, 67.6% vs 91.1%, 82.4% vs 98.7%, (58.8% vs 98.7%), (47.1% vs 98.7%), (47.1% vs 94.3%) (P

Juan Manuel Figueroa,1 Mónica Edith Lombardo,2,3 Ariel Dogliotti,4 Luis Pedro Flynn,5 Robert Giugliano,6 Guido Simonelli,7 Ricardo Valentini,2 Agñel Ramos,8 Pablo Romano,9 Marcelo Marcote,10 Alicia Michelini,11 Alejandro Salvado,12 Emilio Sykora,13 Cecilia Kniz,14 Marcelo Kobelinsky,15 David Manuel Salzberg,16 Diana Jerusalinsky,17 Osvaldo Uchitel18 1Sleep and Respiratory Research Center, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Cesar Milstein, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2Clinical Research Unit, Hospital Universitario CEMIC, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 3Scientific Direction, Nobeltri S.R.L, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 4Department of Cardiology, Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina; 5Department of Infectology, Sanatorio de Niños de Rosario, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina; 6Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 7Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal and Centre d’études avancées en médecine du sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; 8Intensive Care Department, Sanatorio Parque de Rosario, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina; 9Otolaryngology Department, Clínica y Maternidad Santa Isabel, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 10Medical Direction Department, Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Pte. Perón, Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 11Pulmonology Department, Hospital Pediátrico Avelino Castelán, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina; 12Pulmonology Department, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 13Department of Medicine, Clínica Monte Grande, Monte Grande, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 14Pulmonology Department, Hospital 4 de Junio Dr Ramón Carrillo, Chaco, Argentina; 15Medical Direction, Clínica Modelo De Morón, Morón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 16Department of Family Medicine, Hospital Gral. de Agudos Dr. Teodoro Alvarez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 17Cell Biology and Neurosciences Institute (IBCN), Buenos Aires University–CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; 18Institute of Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences, Buenos Aires University-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCorrespondence: Juan Manuel FigueroaInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Cesar Milstein, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, ArgentinaEmail figuejuan@gmail.comBackground: Iota-Carrageenan (I-C) is a sulfate polysaccharide synthesized by red algae, with demonstrated antiviral activity and clinical efficacy as nasal spray in the treatment of common cold. In vitro, I-C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture.Research Question: Can a nasal spray with Iota-Carrageenan be useful in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease?Study Design and Methods: This is a pilot pragmatic multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the use of a nasal spray containing I-C in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in hospital personnel dedicated to care of COVID-19 patients. Clinically healthy physicians, nurses, kinesiologists and other health care providers managing patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive four daily doses of I-C spray or placebo for 21 days. The primary end point was clinical COVID-19, as confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, over a period of 21 days. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04521322).Results: A total of 394 individuals were randomly assigned to receive I-C or placebo. Both treatment groups had similar baseline characteristics. The incidence of COVID-19 differs significantly between subjects receiving the nasal spray with I-C (2 of 196 [1.0%]) and those receiving placebo (10 of 198 [5.0%]). Relative risk reduction: 79.8% (95% CI 5.3 to 95.4; p=0.03). Absolute risk reduction: 4% (95% CI 0.6 to 7.4).Interpretation: In this pilot study a nasal spray with I-C showed significant efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT04521322.Keywords: COVID-19, prophylaxis, nasal, spray, hospital workers

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome is a reasonably common disorder among working individuals. It may also be a cause of functional impairment. The aim of the study was to screen for the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome among hospital workers by non-invasive ultrasound. Results The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed by ultrasound among hospital workers was 21.5%. Age and Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire scale were positively correlated to median nerve cross sectional area. Conclusions Ultrasound can be used as a non-invasive and convenient method for screening for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Introduction SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals represents a threat to the healthcare system. Objectives To identify factors associated with complications from COVID-19 in healthcare workers infected by SARS-CoV-2, in a specialized national hospital level III in Peru in 2020. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study. Health personnel who were working at Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal of Peru participated. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics and results of the Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test were collected from the medical records and epidemiological files. Simple and multiple regression models were used to estimate the risk factors of complications due to COVID-19. Results We found 1048 suspected cases, and 26.2% had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infected, 20.8% had comorbidity, and 55% reported contact with COVID-19 patients in health care settings. Moreover, 27.4% of infected workers were administrative personnel, 24.1% were nursing technicians, 18.3% were nurses, and 13.1% were physicians. We also found that 24.1% presented complications from COVID-19, and three workers died. In a multiple regression, the risk factors for complications due to COVID-19 were the presence of comorbidity (risk ratio: 2.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.95 to 4.42), 30 years or older (1.28; 0.6 to 2.75), 60 years or older (2.04; 0.88 to 4.74), male sex (1.1; 0.71 to 1.7) and care work area (1.02; 0.06 to 2.62). Conclusions The findings in the present study show an association between the presence of comorbidities and an increased risk of presenting complications due to COVID-19 in healthcare workers, regardless of age, sex and area of work.

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organisation declared the SARS-CoV-2 viral outbreak a pandemic. This rapid review aimed to identify the pandemic's impact on frontline healthcare workers during the viral outbreak's initial months. Database searches December 1, 2019 to August 29, 2020 retrieved 18 relevant studies. Findings showed that healthcare workers internationally were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Compared to non-frontline healthcare workers a significantly greater proportion of frontline healthcare workers experienced: burnout, stress, and stressors regarding: childcare, job interference with work-family balance and difficulty getting off-duty time. Compared to male physicians, a significantly greater proportion of female physicians scored low for psychological well-being. Mean scores for stress were significantly higher among females and young healthcare workers (22 to 35 years). Mean scores for anxiety were significantly higher for: nurses compared to technicians, healthcare workers reporting extreme lack of protective equipment and those aged > 30 years. The prevalence of depression among frontline healthcare workers across studies in this review ranged from 9% to 51%. The prevalence of sleep issues ranged from 24% to 60% with some reporting nightmares. However, these studies lack homogeneity. Healthcare workers experienced fear of: contracting the virus (89.8%), spreading it to family (91.3%) and fear of an uncontrollable epidemic (86.8%). Over 90% reported skin lesions due to prolonged use of personal protective equipment. Many lost their lives to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One prominent impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the reported loss of healthcare worker's lives and this paper wishes to pay them tribute.

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

Background: About 90% of individuals will experience back pain at one point or the other in their lives. Hospital workers are considered to have a considerable risk of developing low back pain. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for low back pain among health workers in tertiary hospitals in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire was designed and administered to 200 personnel of the teaching hospitals in Kano. Socio-demographic characteristics, presence of low back pain, factors that relieve and aggravate the low back pain and relationship of back pain and work activities, were recorded on the questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.4±7.08 years. Sixty-six per cent of the respondents had back pain within a year of the study. There was a 29% point prevalence of low back pain among the respondents. Statistically significant association was established between various activities such as prolonged sitting and walking and pain in the lower back (p = 0.000). There was an association between low back pain and the type of job (department) of the respondents (p = 0.016). The dull ache was the predominant presentation (58%) followed by piercing and gripping in 20% and 19% respectively. Prolonged sitting was the main aggravating factor, while numbness was the main feature of referral in 18%. Only 5.0% of the respondents used medications for their back pain. Conclusion: Low back pain is common among hospital workers with a point prevalence of 29.1%. About 25% had low back pains that prevented participated in normal duty. Majority of the respondents believed back pain is preventable.

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.

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.

Social distancing measures can create psychological issues, especially among hospital staff who constantly deal with emergency patients. To explore the mediating role of COVID-19 anxiety on the association between COVID-19 safety protocols and mental health, and to test the moderating role of resilience between COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19 anxiety, this work collected data on hospital staff in terms of COVID-19 safety protocols, psychological resilience, COVID-19 anxiety, and improving staff mental health. The effects of the use of COVID-19 safety protocols on COVID-19 anxiety and the mental health of hospital workers in China were also analyzed. The experimental results showed that resilience remarkably moderated COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19 anxiety among Chinese hospital staff.

Context: This study is a quanti-qualitative analysis of all contacts to a helpline service for hospital workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Our aim was to describe the nature of mental burden in hospital workers and factors subjectively associated to this burden from the workers' perspective.Methods: We included all 50 contacts from 25 different workers and 10 different professions over the course of 1 month. We described the corpus and reported the computerized qualitative analysis of summary of contacts. We performed a descendant hierarchical analysis and analyzed specificities of classes of age with a correspondence factor analysis.Results: The corpus was composed of three classes: (1) distress specific to the COVID-19 situation, (2) help provided, and (3) pre-existing psychological vulnerability. Factors subjectively responsible for mental distress were: (a) the contamination risk, (b) confinement, and (c) the rapidly evolving situation and changing instructions. Lack of “COVID-free time” seemed to increase negative emotions. Reassignment to a high viral density unit was a stressor, especially in older workers. Young workers mentioned pre-existing vulnerability more than others. Fear of death was shared by all classes of age, regardless of the objective risk of contamination.Discussion: Hospital workers experience mental distress factors both in common with the general population and specific to the hospital environment. Preserving and organizing support for the mental health of all hospital workers is a critical challenge, including those with poorly recognized professions. Leads for institutions to avoid additional stressors for hospital workers are presented. Young workers with pre-existing vulnerability seem particularly impacted.

The occupational exposure to ionizing radiation (Irad) or associated with mycotoxin-contaminated food may lead to genome damage and contribute to health risk. DNA damage in 80 blood samples of hospital workers occupationally exposed to low—doses of Irad was compared with 80 healthy controls. Among them, 40 participants accidentally consumed milk with increased concentration of Aflatoxin. All participants underwent the testing for micronuclei from blood, and 40 of them 8-OHdG from urine. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was analyzed by cytokinesis-block peripheral blood lymphocytes and the level of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) by ELISA. The Irad led to increased frequency of MN (p < 0.05) and 8-OHdG level at exposed hospital workers. The consumption of milk with increased concentration of aflatoxin probably raised MN frequency and 8-OHdG value. Higher consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated milk (≥2 L/monthly) caused significantly increased MN frequency and 8-OHdG value in comparison to lower milk intake (≤0.5 L/monthly). Also, confounding factors, such as age, gender, and smoking status of all participants were included in the study. The obtained results revealed an increased incidence of MN and 8-OHdG level among hospital workers exposed to low-doses of IRad and milk with increased aflatoxin concentration.

Continuous assessment of the effectiveness of approved COVID-19 vaccines is crucial to gain an insight into the longer-term impact on health outcomes, and eventually boosting public confidence. For this reason, we conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data on infection and vaccination rates among employees of three Prague hospitals in the period between 27 December 2020 and 31 August 2021. The post-vaccination and post-infection protectiveness were assessed in a total of 11,443 hospital workers who were followed up for more than 14 days either after their Comirnaty vaccination or study enrolment, depending on their previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The effectiveness of full vaccination against any SARS-CoV-2 infection achieved 88.3% (83.2–91.8%) over the eight months of follow-up, a figure not much different from the 92.5% (76.5–97.6%) level of protection built by a previous infection. Despite this, the post-vaccination level of protection declined to about 65% between June and August. No case of breakthrough infection was registered among hospital workers having received one or two vaccine doses more than three months after previous infection. The eight-month effectiveness of the Comirnaty vaccine exhibited a declining trend requiring a new booster dose. The need for vaccination in the previously infected employees was not demonstrated conclusively in this study.

Introduction: tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths and morbidity around the globe. Previous studies in medical hospitals population are seen as positive role in promoting on tobacco abstinence, however, when tobacco use in health personnel, the odds decrease withdrawal. Objectives: 1) determine the prevalence of smoking, 2) compare different workspaces on variables allied to the tobacco use, 3) identify risk factors. Method: a self-report questionnaire containing questions to assess tobacco use and the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence and the Cigarette Dependence Scale to assess nicotine dependence was applied to 1004 workers in the hospital. Results: 23.4% of the sample reported tobacco use in the last year, 60.4% of the smokers are males, 91.2% with a low dependence. Among the risk factors found that the age group 20 to 31 years (OR=2.62, 95% CI [1.77-3.88], p

The impact of locus of control and job type on the perception of autopsy among medical and nonmedical workers in University College Hospital, Ibadan, was investigated. Ninety-two medical and 46 nonmedical workers from the hospital participated in the study. An ex post facto design was used. The Autopsy Perception Scale and Locus of Control Scale were used as instruments. The t-test result (t[136] = −2.03; P < 0.05) showed that hospital workers with an internal locus of control reported to have a more positive perception of autopsy than those with an external locus of control; the t-test result (t[136] = −2.29; P < 0.05) showed that medical workers reported a more positive perception of autopsy than nonmedical workers. However, the t-test result (t[136] = −0.82; P > 0.05) showed that there was no significant difference between workers who had had an autopsy conducted on their deceased relatives and those who had not. The results were discussed in line with existing literature.

Background: Glaucoma is a disease of public health importance. We assessed the level of awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is cross-sectional study of hospital workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Data on demographics, awareness and knowledge of glaucoma was gathered through structured self-administered questionnaires to a random sample of workers. Statistical analyses were performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16 (SPSS Inc. 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago) software. Chi-square test was used to assess for any statistically significant difference in the social demographic factors such as age, gender, staff category, education, and duration of employment in the hospital and awareness of glaucoma. The level of knowledge among the staff categories was also compared using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was taken as P < 0.05. Results: There were a total of 226 respondents. 93 (41.2%) were in the age group of 21-30 years. 111 (49.1%) were males. 168 (74.3%) were aware of glaucoma. Awareness of glaucoma was higher among the paramedical staff and among workers with a higher education (P < 0.001). The knowledge of glaucoma was good among 31% of those who were aware of glaucoma, fair in 31.5% and poor in 37.8%. Conclusions: There is a need to educate hospital workers on glaucoma in order to raise awareness and increase their level of knowledge such that blindness prevention from glaucoma may be possible from early diagnosis and prompt treatment in these workers, their relatives, and contacts.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess chromosomal damage in Tunisian hospital workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation (IR). Materials and Methods: The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in the peripheral lymphocytes of 67 exposed workers compared to 43 controls matched for gender, age and smoking habits was used. The clastogenic/aneugenic effect of IR was evaluated using the CBMN assay in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization with human pan-centromeric DNA in all the exposed subjects and controls. Results: The study showed a signifi cant increase of the micronucleus (MN) frequency in the lymphocytes of the exposed workers compared to the control group (13.63±4.9‰ vs. 6.52±4.21‰, p < 0.05). The centromere analysis performed in our study showed that MNs in hospital staff were predominantly centromere negative (72%) and the mean negative labeled micronucleus (C–MN) frequency was signifi cantly higher in the exposed subjects than in the controls (9.04±4.57‰ vs. 1.17±0.77‰). The multivariate regression analysis, taking into account all confounding factors, showed that only the time of exposure to IR had a signifi cant effect on the level of MNs and C–MN. Conclusion: The present study shows that chromosomal damage leading to the formation of micronucleated lymphocytes is more frequent in the hospital workers exposed to IR than in the controls, despite the low levels of exposure. The results of the study confi rm the well-known clastogenic properties of ionizing radiation. In regards to health monitoring, detection of early genotoxic effects may allow for the adoption of preventive biological control measures, such as hygienic improvements in the workplace or reduction of hours of occupational exposure.

RESUMENSe evaluó el impacto de las relaciones interpersonales en el trabajo sobre la satisfacción laboral general. Primero, seconstruyó una escala para evaluar la satisfacción con las relaciones interpersonales en el trabajo y se aplicó a 209trabajadores de un hospital. Un análisis factorial obtuvo una adecuada solución de dos factores y una adecuada consistenciainterna de los ítems. Posteriormente, se aplicó la escala a 321 trabajadores de 7 centros de salud. Utilizando una regresiónlogística ordinal se obtuvo que las relaciones interpersonales en el trabajo tienen un impacto significativo en la satisfacciónlaboral general, especialmente, las relaciones con jefaturas. Finalmente, se discute como aumentar el nivel de satisfacciónlaboral.ABSTRACTThe impact of interpersonal relationships at work on general job satisfaction was evaluated. First, a scale was constructedto evaluate satisfaction with interpersonal relationships at work and this scale was applied to 209 hospital workers. Anexploratory factorial analysis obtained a satisfactory result of two factors and satisfactory internal consistency between theitems. Subsequently, the scale was applied to 321 workers at 7 health centers. An ordinal logistical regression showed thatinterpersonal relationships at work have a significant impact on the general job satisfaction, especially in relationships withsuperiors. Finally, this study discusses ways of increasing job satisfaction at work.

Abstract Background To evaluate whether occupational stress factors (high demands, low control, low social support, strain, and iso-strain) are associated with skin disorders in hospital workers and whether psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression, act as potential mechanisms through which occupational stress factors are associated with skin disorders. Methods 1,744 hospital workers were invited to answer a questionnaire concerning the occurrence of skin disorders and psychosocial factors at work. The abbreviated Italian version of the Demand/Control model (Karasek) was used to assess perceived work strain, while the Goldberg scales were used to assess anxiety and depression. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, occupation, latex glove use and history of atopy. Results Of the participants, 25% reported hand dermatitis in the previous 12 months and 35% had been affected by skin disorders in other parts of the body. High job demands (OR = 1.09 CI95% 1.05-1.14), low social support (OR = 0.90, CI95% 0.87-0.93), high strain (OR = 1.54 CI95% 1.20-1.98) and high iso-strain (1.66 CI95% 1.27-2.19) were all associated with a higher prevalence of reported hand skin disorders. Both depression (OR = 2.50 CI95% 1.99-3.14) and anxiety (OR = 2.29 CI95% 1.81-2.89) were associated with higher risk of hand skin disorders. The same pattern was observed for dermatological complaints in other parts of the body. Only a slight reduction in the association between occupational stress variables and skin disorders was observed after including depression and anxiety in the model. Conclusions Job stress plays a significant role in triggering skin disorders among hospital workers and psychological problems do not appear to be the mechanism behind this association. Occupational health education and training should focus on reducing job demands and occupational stress in order to prevent skin problems among hospital workers.