Risk Of Occupational Exposure Research Articles

Cancer in Women and Its Relation to Work Systematic Review

Nowadays, cancer is one of the main worldwide causes of death and an increasing issue in public health. In the European Union, it is the first work-related cause of death. Studies about occupational risk exposure are a useful field of investigation to determine cancerous elements; special attention is paid to the relationship between cancer and work in women, who must constantly adapt to the working market and the new working fields, with their diverse degrees of exposure to risks. This revision has reviewed the bibliography gathered in Medline related to breast cancer, cervix cancer, uterus cancer, and ovarian cancer, along with their relationship with different work-related risks and types of working roles. The results have shown enough scientific evidence to suspect that work related exposition could be a plausible cause of these gynaecological cancers. Therefore, we want to stress the need of enhancing the coordinated investigation between all the medical specialties involved, and to encourage the spread of the necessary knowledge to manage and prevent them.

Cardiovascular Medical Education During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Challenges, Adaptations, and Considerations for the Future.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted graduate medical education for cardiovascular fellows in training. During the initial case surge in the US in early 2020, most training programs reformatted didactic curricula, redeployed fellows in training to non-cardiac services or furloughed fellows in training on non-essential services, reimagined procedural training in light of decreased case volumes, and balanced issues regarding trainee wellbeing and safety with occupational COVID-19 exposure risk. In this article, the authors review the educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss opportunities to incorporate technological and curricular innovations spurred by the pandemic into cardiovascular fellowship training in the future.

HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS IN DENTISTRY

The oral cavity is an ecological niche that is a constant source of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms, which in turn pose a risk of cross-contamination and can cause systemic infections. The purpose of the study was to analyze the literature on the occurrence of various infectious diseases associated with the provision of dental care, and to assess the risks of their cross-transmission on the basis of data available in the modern literature. Materials and methods. Extensive collection and analysis of literature data was conducted. In addition, a survey was conducted involving 14 doctors of University Dental Clinic, LLC on the basis of the dental faculty of Uzhhorod National University, 4 doctors of the Transcarpathian Regional Dental Clinic after signing informed consent for personal data processing using a self-developed questionnaire. Research results and their discussion. It has been established that dentists, like all healthcare professionals, face an identified risk of occupational exposure to pathogenic microorganisms such as HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), various types of bacteria, so they must ensure proper procedure technique to combat cross-infections. However, despite the high level of awareness, it has been found that practical steps to prevent them are still insufficient. Conclusions. All viruses and bacteria, including hepatitis B virus that poses the greatest risk of infection, can be transmitted to a patient or dental staff. Dentists must be fully aware of the risk of the spread of infectious agents and ensure effective procedure technique to control cross-infections.

Vaccination Coverage and the Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection amongst Medical and Paramedical Students Practicing at the Bamenda Regional Hospital in Cameroon Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction: The endemic nature of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Sub-Saharan Africa is a significant public health problem that places health care providers (medical students inclusive) at increased risk of occupational exposure. However, vaccination against HBV is not systematic among medical students in Cameroon. Thus, we sought to evaluate awareness and HBV vaccine coverage amongst medical students in Cameroon. Aim: The present study was aimed at determining the proportion of Medical and Paramedical students on internship at the Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRH) who are vaccinated and immune to hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: This was a hospital-based cross sectional study carried out at the BRH in Cameroon. Questionnaires were administered to 120 participants who signed an informed consent form and venous blood samples collected in dry tubes for the HBV-5 PANEL test. Data were collected within a period of two weeks. HBV vaccine status was defined as complete (3 doses), partial (1 or 2 doses), and unvaccinated. Results: Of 120 participants (87 females and 33 males), 56 (46.7%) were vaccinated at least once against HBV; 15 (12.5%) were partially vaccinated and 41 (34.2%) completely vaccinated. Out of the 56 vaccinated individuals, only 13 (23.2%) were confirmed immunized against HBV by testing positive for hepatitis B surface antibodies. Only 3 (5.4%) students had done post-vaccination serologic test to confirm their immunized status. There was high exposure to potentially infected body fluids like blood (97.5%) and urine (87.5%). There was equally poor practice of adequate preventive measures like regular hand washing and the proper use of personal protective equipment. A prevalence of 3.1% of HBV amongst the unvaccinated group was recorded. Conclusion: Only 1 in 3 medical students had completed the HBV vaccination series and only 26.8% of this cohort was confirmed immunized against HBV. This highlights the need for improved health policies aimed at increasing access and coverage of HBV immunization in high risk groups such as health workers.

Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries among Healthcare Workers in Rizgary Teaching Hospital

Needlestick injury in healthcare settings is a global issue. Despite being recognized for many years, needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) continue to present a risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens for health care works (HCWs). The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of needlestick injuries among HCWs in Rizgary Teaching Hospital and to identify the causes of needlestick injuries. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 76 healthcare workers in Rizgary Teaching hospital; there were a total of 45 males, 31 females. The data collections were administrated using face-to-face interviews to ensure a good response rate and to ensure all questions were answered. Most (52.6%) needlestick injuries occurred in wards with syringe needles being the most common causative tool; surgery ward was the most prevalent site of needlestick injuries occurrence (42.1%). The percentage of acupuncture was high and needles were the most common cause, and most injuries occurred during the re-use of the needles. The study recommends several measures to prevent and reduce acute injuries among HCWs; these measures include health education, behavior change, safer devices, and an educational program to educate these HCWs.

COVID-19 in Malawi: lessons in pandemic preparedness from a tertiary children’s hospital

The COVID-19 pandemic curve in Africa has lagged behind that of Europe. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 in Malawi was confirmed on 2 April.1 Malawi closed schools and airports, but...

Use of Augmented Reality for demonstration of PET/CT and X-ray room to teaching Medical Physics in Nuclear Medicine

One of the great challenges for professionals in Medical Physics (MP) is to manage the fundamentals of radiation protection, aiming at the protection itself, the patient's, the general public and the environment. Thus, the use of techniques that adopt radiological protection is extremely relevant for application and training in the area. In this sense, this paperaims to propose the application of Augmented Reality (AR) methodology as a teaching tool in MP andNuclear Medicine (NM) training, using as an example the PET/CT equipment modeling and an X-ray room. The methodology involved the analysis of the equipment and the environment cited in real size for the modeling in virtual elements, and later creation of devices in the form of QR-codes, where it is possible to visualize the modeling animations. It is understood that the use of the AR tool can aid in equipment and procedurestraining, with emphasis on those that potentially pose a risk ofoccupational exposure to ionizing radiation in NM services. In addition, it can assist in the teaching of terms and concepts, by making learning more dynamic and interactive through the visualization of equipment, meeting the fundamentals advocated by radiation protection, by avoiding, for example, visiting an hospitalenvironment.

Experience of comprehensive interventions in reducing occupational exposure to COVID-19

ImportanceThe infection of medical personnel with COVID-19 was a disaster for both patients and doctors. However, some effective measures can prevent medical staff from becoming infected. This article introduces those measures and thus provides a reference for other hospitals. ObjectiveIn order to reduce the risk of occupational exposure and of the infection of medical staff, this article analyzed the factors, causes and experience of medical personnel on their occupational exposure to COVID-19. Some effective and targeted intervention measures can be implemented in order to avoid the occupational exposure of medical staff to COVID-19. Evidence reviewIn this single-center case series involving 196 medical personnel, occupational exposure to COVID-19 was present. Nursing staff accounted for 67.35% of those cases. The relationships with an exposure source were found to be as follows: doctors and patients (87.24%), colleagues (10.20%), and roommates (2.55%). Occupational exposure was found to be present in the clinical department, radiology department, central sterile supply department, as well as in the outpatient clinics and operating rooms. The non-surgical departments accounted for 72.96% and direct contact accounted for 84.69% while failure to wear surgical masks (84.18%) and operating on the patient without wearing goggles/face shield (8.16%) were the main causes of occupational exposure. The occurrence of occupational exposure to COVID-19 declined to 0.19% after an extensive and comprehensive intervention program. Conclusions and relevanceSome effective measures such as hand hygiene, wearing surgical masks in and around the hospital, reasonable use of goggles/face screens, raising awareness of protective measures, minimizing the number of elective operations, strengthening training as well as many other control measures were instrumental in reducing occupational exposure. For any medical institution there is room for improvement in terms of personal protection to reduce occupational exposure.

Evaluation of infection prevention and control preparedness in acute care nurses: Factors influencing adherence to standard precautions

BackgroundIt is essential to identify factors that affect adherence to standard precautions, which could increase risk of occupational exposure to pathogens.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Nurses (n = 241) in an acute care hospital completed the survey including the Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale (FIASPS) (total possible scores in each domain ranged from 5 to 25) and the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) (total possible scores ranged from 0 to 20).ResultsResults showed moderate influence of the judgement (mean = 14.04, SD = 4.04), leadership (M = 14.58, SD 3.78), and culture/practice (M = 12.61, SD = 3.18) factors; high score on contextual cues (M = 15.77, SD = 3.60); and low score on justification (M = 5.76, SD = 4.57). The overall mean CSPS score was 76.68% (SD 13.82). There was a significant negative relationship between justification for non-use of standard precautions and nurses' adherence with standard precautions (r = −0.24, p < 0.001). A significant positive relationship was reported between the leadership factor (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), cultural practice factor in FIASPS (r = 0.24, p < 0.001) and nurse' adherence with standard precautions.ConclusionNurses would benefit from regular training sessions to reiterate the infection control guidelines and the need to abide to them. Encouraging nurses to be role models serves to increase the adherence to SPs in their colleagues. Organization should continue with strict enforcement of policies with monitoring.

Psychological Status Among Anesthesiologists and Operating Room Nurses During the Outbreak Period of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) posed a major threat to public health. Anesthesiologists and operating room (OR) nurses are at high risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and developing COVID-19. We conducted a single-center survey to investigate the psychological status and perceived social support among operation room (OR) medical staffs during the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: A total of 197 OR medical staffs were enrolled in the survey. The authors performed a cohort study during the period of Wuhan lockdown and then conducted a longitudinal follow-up after lifting of lockdown. The Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess for depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to assess perceived social support. We compared the psychological status of OR medical staffs before and after lifting of Wuhan lockdown.Results: During the period of city lockdown, 177 (89.8%) had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The prevalence of depression and anxiety in OR medical staffs was 41.6 and 43.1% under Wuhan lockdown, while 13.2 and 15.7% after lifting of lockdown (P = 0.002, P = 0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female, living in suburb areas, shortage of protective equipment and close contact with COVID-19 patients were associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Perceived social support was negatively correlated with depression and anxiety severity in the OR medical staffs (P < 0.05).Conclusions: OR medical staffs exhibited high incidence of anxiety and depression faced with the high risk of exposure to COVID-19 patients. More social support and social recognition for anesthesiologists and OR nurses might potentially help them relieve their psychological pressure.

Occupational Heat Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk in the MCC-Spain Study.

Mechanisms linking occupational heat exposure with chronic diseases have been proposed. However, evidence on occupational heat exposure and cancer risk is limited. We evaluated occupational heat exposure and female breast cancer risk in a large Spanish case-control study. We enrolled 1,738 breast cancer cases and 1,910 frequency-matched population controls. A Spanish job-exposure matrix, MatEmEsp, was used to assign estimates of the proportion of workers exposed (P ≥ 25% for at least 1 year) and work time with heat stress (wet bulb globe temperature ISO 7243) for each occupation. We used three exposure indices: ever versus never exposed, lifetime cumulative exposure, and duration of exposure (years). We estimated ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI), applying a lag period of 5 years and adjusting for potential confounders. Ever occupational heat exposure was associated with a moderate but statistically significant higher risk of breast cancer (OR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.46), with significant trends across categories of lifetime cumulative exposure and duration (P trend = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Stronger associations were found for hormone receptor-positive disease (OR ever exposure = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12-1.67). We found no confounding effects from multiple other common occupational exposures; however, results attenuated with adjustment for occupational detergent exposure. This study provides some evidence of an association between occupational heat exposure and female breast cancer risk. Our results contribute substantially to the scientific literature. Further investigations are needed considering multiple occupational exposures.

Occupational Exposure Risks - Upright MRI Study to Delineate Effects of Added Head Mass on Neck Muscle Morphology

Occupational Exposure Risks - Upright MRI Study to Delineate Effects of Added Head Mass on Neck Muscle Morphology

Designing an Occupational Exposure Report for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting

Despite the known carcinogenic hazards encountered by Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel on the job, little is known about what reportable components should be documented from ARFF incidents. Interviews and focus groups were used to investigate ARFF firefighters’ knowledge of and behaviors related to occupational exposures. Two interviews and five focus group sessions were conducted with a total of 52 ARFF firefighters. We describe perceptions of occupational exposure risks among ARFF Firefighters in South Florida and characterize the variables needed for ARFF exposure reporting.

Occupational exposure to antimony trioxide: a risk assessment

ObjectivesThe US National Toxicology Program (NTP) recently recommended in its Report on Carcinogens Monograph for Antimony Trioxide that antimony trioxide be listed as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen’...

Aerosol Retention Barriers.

Aerosol Retention Barriers.

Hepatitis B virus in Lao dentists: A cross-sectional serological study

Introduction and objectivesHepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Lao PDR, with up to 10% chronic infections in adults. Dentists have high risk of exposure and transmission to their patients. The aim was to investigate the serological profiles of vaccination, exposure and susceptibility to HBV. In addition, we determined the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Lao dentists toward HBV. Materials and methodsDentists and dental assistants were recruited from 186 private dental clinics in Vientiane Capital. They completed a KAP questionnaire and serum was tested by ELISA for HBV markers (anti-HB surface antigen, anti-core antigen, HBV surface antigen). Results206 dentists and 111 dental workers aged between 18–63 years were included. Serology data showed that 37.8% had previous exposure (49.0% of males and 32.4% of females) and 5.0% were chronically infected (7.7% of males and 3.8% of females). Less than 15% had serological evidence of vaccination and 66.8% were unprotected against infection. Knowledge of HBV was mostly low, for example 61.8% were aware of the childhood HBV vaccine. Just over half said that they should give dental care to HBV carriers. About one quarter reported accidental blood exposure during the last 6 months but knowledge about procedures after exposure was low. ConclusionsLao dentists are at high risk of occupational exposure to HBV but have low awareness and serological protection. There is a need to introduce mandatory vaccination, to strengthen occupational health in health care providers and to further develop the academic curricula of dental students.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo determine the rates of asymptomatic viral carriage and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers.DesignA cross-sectional study of asymptomatic healthcare workers undertaken on 24/25 April 2020.SettingUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS...

Occupational risk of exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the quality of infection hygiene in nursing homes

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an increasing health concern across the globe and is often prevalent at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. However, we know little of whether nursing home staff is exposed to MRSA via air and surfaces. We investigated whether staff members at nursing homes are colonised with and exposed to culturable MRSA, and assessed staff members’ self-reported knowledge of MRSA and compliance with infection hygiene guidelines. Five nursing homes with MRSA positive residents were visited in Copenhagen, Denmark. Personal bioaerosol exposure samples and environmental samples from surfaces, sedimented dust and bioaerosols were examined for MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) to determine occupational exposure. Swabs were taken from staffs’ nose, throat, and hands to determine whether they were colonised with MRSA. An online questionnaire about MRSA and infection control was distributed. No staff members were colonised with MRSA, but MRSA was detected in the rooms of the colonised residents in two out of the five nursing homes. MRSA was observed in air (n =4 out of 42, ranging from 2.9–7.9 CFU/m3), sedimented dust (n = 1 out of 58, 1.1 × 103 CFU/m2/d), and on surfaces (n = 9 out of 113, 0.04–70.8 CFU/m2). The questionnaire revealed that half of the staff members worry about spreading MRSA to others. Identified aspects for improvement were improved availability and use of protective equipment, not transferring cleaning supplies (e.g., vacuum cleaners) between residents’ rooms and to reduce worry of MRSA, e.g., through education.

Effective dose in medicine.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) developed effective dose as a quantity related to risk for occupational and public exposure. There was a need for a similar dose quantity linked to risk for making everyday decisions relating to medical procedures. Coefficients were developed to enable the calculation of doses to organs and tissues, and effective doses for procedures in nuclear medicine and radiology during the 1980s and 1990s. Effective dose has provided a valuable tool that is now used in the establishment of guidelines for patient referral and justification of procedures, choice of appropriate imaging techniques, and providing dose data on potential exposure of volunteers for research studies, all of which require the benefits from the procedure to be weighed against the risks. However, the approximations made in the derivation of effective dose are often forgotten, and the uncertainties in calculations of risks are discussed. An ICRP report on protection dose quantities has been prepared that provides more information on the application of effective dose, and concludes that effective dose can be used as an approximate measure of possible risk. A discussion of the way in which it should be used is given here, with applications for which it is considered suitable. Approaches to the evaluation of risk and methods for conveying information on risk are also discussed.

Ionizing radiation-induced circulatory and metabolic diseases

Risks to health are the prime consideration in all human situations of ionizing radiation exposure and therefore of relevance to radiation protection in all occupational, medical, and public exposure situations. Over the past few decades, advances in therapeutic strategies have led to significant improvements in cancer survival rates. However, a wide range of long-term complications have been reported in cancer survivors, in particular circulatory diseases and their major risk factors, metabolic diseases. However, at lower levels of exposure, the evidence is less clear. Under real-life exposure scenarios, including radiotherapy, radiation effects in the whole organism will be determined mainly by the response of normal tissues receiving relatively low doses, and will be mediated and moderated by systemic effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further research on the impact of low-dose radiation. In this article, we review radiation-associated risks of circulatory and metabolic diseases in clinical, occupational or environmental exposure situations, addressing epidemiological, biological, risk modelling, and systems biology aspects, highlight the gaps in knowledge and discuss future directions to address these gaps.