Occupational Health Protocol Research Articles

Investigation of Color Vision and Contrast Sensitivity Defects in Textile Industry Workers

Background: Industrial exposure to chemicals is a significant health concern, particularly within the textile industry where workers are in regular contact with potentially harmful substances. The retina, with its photoreceptor cells responsible for color vision and contrast sensitivity, is especially susceptible to damage from such exposure. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of chemical exposure on the color vision and contrast sensitivity of workers in the Five Star Textile Industry, drawing comparisons with previous research to better understand the occupational risks and requisite protective measures. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 100 workers with an age range of 20-50 years, examining 200 eyes. The research took place from January to June 2023, employing the Pelli-Robson chart and D-15 test for evaluating contrast sensitivity and color vision, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test and SPSS version 25. Results: The study found a Pearson Chi-Square value of 31.4 for color vision in the right eye and 25.7 in the left, with a significance of 0.000 for both. Contrast sensitivity tests revealed a Pearson Chi-Square value of 44.2 for both eyes, with significance remaining at 0.000, indicating a strong correlation between chemical exposure and visual impairment. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant relationship between prolonged chemical exposure and visual function decline among textile workers, underlining the necessity for enhanced occupational health protocols and regular vision screening.

Development and validation of an instrument to assess adherence to occupational health protocols in dentistry.

The purpose of this study was the creation and validation of an instrument to evaluate adherence to occupational health protocols used in dentistry that arise from official regulations and international recommendations on infection control, biosafety, and occupational health in dentistry. Additionally, in May 2017 the effectiveness of the instrument was documented within the dental care clinics in the postgraduate area. The instrument was developed based on constructs of occupational health, infection control, and biosafety in dentistry, made up of 21 indicators of 5 dimensions called protocols. Using direct observation through 35 measurements during 1 week, adherence to occupational health protocols was evaluated in postgraduate residents within the clinical sections of endodontics/pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. The instrument presents an index of 0.88 in Cronbach's alpha analysis. There is a 34.4% adherence within the postgraduate dental clinic to the proposed occupational health protocols. The protocol with the highest adherence at 41.1% was the personal protection protocol. The periodontics section had a 52.9% observance of the proposed protocols and had the highest adherence to occupational health protocols. The proposed instrument is valid and reliable to evaluate adherence to the proposed occupational health protocols within dental care clinics. Dental clinics must be inspected and evaluated to ensure adherence to infection control, biosafety, and occupational health protocols within routine dental practice.

Non-consensual disclosure of infectious drug resistant tuberculosis status in the occupational context: Health workers stuck between a rock and a hard place

Background The burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains high in South Africa despite ongoing control efforts. DR-TB patients who are infectious and continue to work pose a substantial risk of spreading the disease at the workplace. When such patients refuse or interrupt treatment and are also unwilling to disclose their status at work they pose an infectious risk in the workplace, creating a conflict between public health good and individual human rights. Should health-workers breach confidentiality and disclose patients’ DR-TB status, or take no action while patients pose transmission risks in occupational settings? Objectives To provide professional and ethical guidance for health workers in dealing with non-consensual disclosure of DR-TB status of patients who are unwilling to disclose, continue to go to work and remain infectious. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted to draw on evidence relating to public health best practices and human rights normative standards. We used the findings, along with guidance from DR-TB programme managers, clinicians, occupational health physicians and human rights lawyers to develop an occupational health protocol for disclosure. Results This protocol establishes the normative, ethical and legal framework for dealing with the complexities of non-consensual disclosure and provides a set of practical standard operative procedures for health-workers in the South African setting. It also provides a legal safeguard to protect health-workers from potential litigation that may result from such duty. Conclusion Non-consensual disclosure to address the spread of DR-TB in occupational settings should be based on professional, ethical and legally-sound guidance for health-workers.

TEORIA DE TORNAR-SE HUMANO PARA A CLASSIFICAÇÃO TERMINOLÓGICA DA ENFERMAGEM DO TRABALHO

RESUMO Objetivo: estruturar um subconjunto terminológico para a enfermagem do trabalho, com base teórica a identificação de termos relacionados com a enfermagem nos protocolos de saúde ambiental e do trabalhador e na Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem. Método: estudo metodológico contendo as etapas de normalização de conceitos e estruturação do subconjunto terminológico da Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem para Enfermagem do Trabalho, sustentado pela Teoria de Tornar-se Humano. Resultados: foram elaborados termos diagnósticos/resultados novos e distribuídos todos aqueles existentes na Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem 2015. Embora os resultados desta pesquisa remetam à ênfase nos cuidados assistenciais individuais, os conceitos apresentados propuseram novas maneiras de interagir, inserindo a perspectiva da avaliação do enfermeiro do trabalho na tríade ambiente, indivíduo e medidas de promoção da saúde e estilo de vida saudáveis. Conclusão: o subconjunto proposto instrumentaliza a sistematização da assistência de enfermagem do trabalho, possibilita a avaliação da situação de saúde dos trabalhadores, gera estatísticas, bem como colabora com o desenvolvimento de políticas de saúde e com o planejamento do cuidado.

Psychosocial study about the consequences of work in hospital nurses as human resource management

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relation between psychosocial and sociodemographic variables in nursing professionals. To discover the levels of job satisfaction, psychosomatic symptoms and psychological well-being in nurses. METHOD: The research was conducted in a sample of 476 nurses / as from nine hospitals in the region of Murcia (Spain). An occupational health protocol was distributed among the sample participants for completion, which contained tools for measuring and describing psychosocial and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Although there is no high risk for psychological problems among the sample participants, psychosomatic symptoms, job dissatisfaction, and low psychological wellbeing are present. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute to research on the subject by identifying the presence of psychosocial disorders in nursing professionals, associated with job conditions and certain psychosocial and sociodemographic variables.

Infection prevention in points of dispensing

Community-based points of dispensing (POD) will be used during disasters to distribute mass quantities of anti-infective therapy/prophylaxis and/or vaccination to an entire community in a short period of time. Without proper planning, staff training, and implementation of infection prevention strategies, disease transmission is possible in PODs. The purpose of this paper is to outline infection prevention recommendations for PODs. A literature review and Internet search were conducted in April 2009. A spreadsheet was created that delineated infection prevention issues in PODs that were identified by each source. Infection prevention recommendations were divided into themes/domains for simplification and clarity. Thirty-one articles, planning documents/reports, and Web-based training programs were identified and screened. Of these, 19 were deemed relevant: 8 were journals articles; and 11 were published reports, planning documents, and/or training programs. Infection prevention themes for PODs identified in the literature included (1) planning for infection prevention in PODs, (2) screening and triage of visitors, (3) using personal protective equipment, (4) implementing hand hygiene, (4) following food and water safety, (5) performing environmental decontamination, (6) communicating and training staff and visitors, and (7) having occupational health protocols. Infection prevention in PODs is important to prevent communicable disease spread. This article can assist emergency managers in developing an infection prevention program for PODs.