Occupational Health Unit Research Articles

Low Proportion of COVID-19 as an Occupational Disease among Tertiary Hospital Employees in Thailand

Objective: To examine the proportion of COVID-19 cases classified as an occupational disease and characterize COVID-19 among tertiary hospital employees (HEs) in Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective descriptive study conducted between April 2021 and January 2022. Secondary data were obtained from electronic health records. In contrast, information on surveillance procedures was obtained from the hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety Management unit. The present study population included 115 HEs. Results: The proportion of COVID-19 cases classified as occupational diseases was 2.6% (3 out of 115). The most common sources of infection were household members at 40.0%, social events at 23.5%, and co-workers at 11.3%. If all healthcare employees were at risk, the estimated prevalence of COVID-19 during that period would be 115 out of 7,280, equivalent to 1.6 per 100 personnel. Among the infected HEs, more than half, or 55.7%, of the study population were frontline HEs. Most cases, or 41.7%, received a single booster vaccine and 76.9% had mild symptoms. None of the severe cases were immunized. Conclusion: The present study revealed a low proportion, at 2.6% of COVID-19 cases among HEs classified as occupational diseases. Their work activities contributed the least of causation. This may be due to effective strategies for hospital worker protection.

Mental Disorders Among Healthcare Students Attending a Large University Hospital in Milan, Italy.

The high incidence rates, treatment difficulties, and tendency to become chronic, which subsequently affects personal and occupational functioning, make mental health disorders among the most important public health concerns. In this context, healthcare university students (HS) appear to be more vulnerable to psychological distress than others. Investigate the prevalence of diagnosed mental illness among different groups of HS to detect students who may be psychologically vulnerable and determine whether the implementation of support interventions is necessary. All HS who had a clinical examination performed by an occupational physician at our occupational health unit between 2021 and 2022 were included in our case series. Data were collected and analyzed as part of the occupational physicians' health surveillance program. out of 679 HS (507 females, 172 males, aged 22.2±3.9 mean±s.d) undergone clinical examination at our Occupational Health Unit, 36 (5.3%) reported a diagnosed psychiatric illness, and 20 were receiving pharmacological therapy at the time of the visit. A higher prevalence of psychological disorders has been highlighted in females (6.1% vs 2.9% in males) and students of the mental health sector (11.1%) when compared with others. A fit-to-work judgment with prescription was necessary for 16.7% of students with mental diseases. The presence of psychiatric disorders was associated with underweight (27.8%) and higher smoking habit (44.4%). These results underline the necessity of improving the current health surveillance protocols, which should also evaluate students' psychological fragility and implement effective intervention strategies to promote their health and wellbeing.

Hubungan Stres Kerja Dengan Kecelakaan Kerja Pada Pekerja Di Bagian Pemanen Kelapa Di PT.X Di Desa Tial Kabupaten Maluku Tengah Provinsi Maluku

Work stress is one of the main concerns regarding occupational health and safety for the workforce's well-being and health issues. It has been estimated that half of the workforce's absences and occupational accidents at work were caused by work-related stress disruptions. This research aimed to find out the relationship between work stress and occupational accident in the workforce of the harvester palm oil unit. This research was an observational analytic research with a cross-sectional approach. The result of this research showed that there is a positive relationship between work stress and the risk of occupational accidents. Statistical analysis using the Chi-Square test obtained a p-value of 0.005 compared to the degree of significance (p-value <0.05). The recommendations for the company could be used as a reference to train the occupational health and safety workers unit to increase awareness of occupational health and safety.

Sudan: from a food basket to a pesticide sink

Abstract Background Sudan, a country once referred to as ‘a food basket', had an agricultural sector employing 53% of the workforce (21.8% of the GDP) in 2019. However, intensive agricultural schemes and excessive use of pesticides have plagued this sector since colonial times, resulting in negative environmental health impacts. We analyzed relevant policies to identify deficiencies and improvement opportunities. Methods The National Pesticides and Pest Control Products Act (NPPCPA 1994), Environmental Health Act (EHA 2009), and the National Occupational Health Act (NOHA 1966) were analyzed. Results The laws governing pesticide handling and use are outdated. The NPPCPA (1994) does not capture recent regulations specified in international conventions. The EHA (2009) regulates the storage of vector-control pesticides, without referring to agricultural pesticides. NOHA was promulgated in 1966, yet the occupational health (OH) functions were formalized within the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in 1968. The OH unit and functions in FMOH were fully dismantled in 1993-1994 and NOHA clauses were reduced to an administrative section in the 1997 Federal Labor Act with no specific mention of pesticide exposure. The NPPCPA 1994 act stipulates the development of a multi-stakeholder national committee, yet it works in a fragmented manner and conducts pesticide analysis on an ad hoc basis. The lack of a national agricultural policy for the safe use of pesticides, and the absence of an oversight agency to monitor, inspect, and enforce safety measures, have led to unsafe exposures and high residues in crops. Conclusions Laws and policies governing pesticide use are outdated and deficient in Sudan. They fail to regulate the use of pesticides and protect workers and consumers. Evidence-based and context-specific policies and regulations are needed. A successful implementation of regulations requires revisiting governance structures, in tandem with widescale capacity-building efforts. Key messages • Sudan’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, yet the laws governing this sector are outdated and deficient. • There is a need for a national agricultural policy for the safe handling and use of pesticides.

Workplace health promotion embedded in medical surveillance

Abstract The Total Worker Health© strategy is an advantageous and effective way of integrating prevention and health promotion in the workplace. The main critical points are the correct balance between prevention and promotion efforts and the extension of the projects to small companies. For several years now, in Italy, the Occupational Health Unit of the Catholic University proposed a model named Workplace Health Promotion Embedded in Medical Surveillance (WHPEMS). WHPEMS projects, which are also implemented in small companies, focus each year on a new topic that emerges from the needs of workers. During their regular medical check-up in the workplace, workers are invited to fill in a questionnaire regarding the project topic, its outcome, and some related factors. Workers receive advice on how to improve their lifestyles and are referred to the National Health Service for any necessary tests or treatments. The design of the project, the development of the investigative tools and the operating procedures are carried out by the University. The doctors in charge of the health surveillance of the workers in the various companies can join and receive the results free of charge. The data analysis is conducted by the University. Despite its apparent simplicity, the strategy required many years to develop, refine and validate the promotion methods. In recent years projects have dealt with: Eating behavior disorders; Post-COVID syndrome; Syncope and presyncope; Headache; Musculoskeletal disorders; Work engagement; Sleep health promotion; Aging and ability to work; Violence at work; Work organization; Indoor air quality; Mediterranean Diet. More than 30,000 workers participated and over 1,000 of them were invited to undergo diagnostic tests or treatments. The participatory character of the projects, their simplicity and cost-effectiveness, the integration between occupational medicine and basic medicine demonstrate that WHPEMS projects are economical, sustainable, and effective. Key messages • Workplace Health Promotion Embedded in Medical Surveillance Projects are economical, sustainable, and effective. • The creation of a network of occupational physicians who are involved in WHPEMS projects respects corporate and professional independence and improves the work culture, health, and safety of workers.

Assessment of sharps penetrating injury, mucosal exposure and compliance with standard precautions of health workers at a University Hospital in Turkey.

To evaluate the compliance with standard precautions in healthcare workers who experienced a sharps penetrating injury or mucosal exposure using the compliance with Standard Precautions Scale, Turkish version. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. The occupational health and safety unit records of healthcare workers who were injured by a sharps penetrating injury or experienced mucosal exposure between January 2018 and July 2020 were examined. Compliance with the Standard Precautions Scale was assessed by having participants answer a questionnaire. Of the 100 participants, 59% were men. Of all healthcare workers in the university hospital, 4.5% (n=100) were injured by sharps penetrating injuries or mucosal exposure. Of the participants, 95% were wounded by a sharps penetrating injury and 5% had mucosal exposure. The mean Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale score of participants with a sharps penetrating injury was 16.36±2.39 and with mucosal exposure was 16.80±3.03. There was no significant difference between the mean Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale scores of the sharps penetrating injury and mucosal exposure groups regardless of training on occupational health and safety (p=0.794). In conclusion, the frequency of a sharps penetrating injury and mucosal exposure in healthcare workers was similar to the literature. The compliance level of the healthcare workers measured with the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale was high.

Factors Associated with COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers in Kedah in 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to examine the characteristics of HCWs infected with COVID-19 and factors associated with healthcare-associated infection. A cross-sectional study, using secondary data of COVID-19 HCW cases from a registry developed by the Occupational and Environmental Health Unit (OEHU) in Kedah State Health Department, Malaysia, was analysed using Excel and STATA version 14.0. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted to identify the factors for healthcare-associated COVID-19 infection. A total of 1679 HCWs tested positive for COVID-19 between 1 January 2021 and 19 September 2021. The infection was mainly non-healthcare-associated (67.0%), with healthcare-associated cases contributing to only 33% of the cases. The significant factors associated with healthcare-associated transmission were the following: doctor (aOR = 1.433; 95% CI = 1.044, 1.968), hospital setting (aOR = 1.439; 95% CI = 1.080, 1.917), asymptomatic (aOR = 1.848; 95% CI = 1.604, 2.130), incompletely or not vaccinated (aOR = 1.400; 95% CI = 1.050, 1.866) and CT-value ≥ 30 (aOR = 2.494; 95% CI = 1.927, 3.226). Identifying factors of healthcare-associated infection would help in planning control measures preventing healthcare-associated transmission in the workplace. However, more than half of COVID-19 cases among HCWs involved non-healthcare-associated COVID-19 infection, and, thus, requires further study to identify high-risk behaviours.

Causes of Work Accidents Experienced by Healthcare Workers: A Retrospective Five-Year Study

Occupational accidents are health and safety issues specific to working life. The person, place and time characteristics of work accidents can be examined. Examination of these points will be beneficial in preventing accidents. The aim of this study is to investigate the causes of occupational accidents the healthcare workers in a children’s hospital are exposed to. 
 In this descriptive study, healthcare workers who experienced occupational accidents in a children’s hospital, were included. Occupational accident forms of the Hospital Occupational Health and Safety Unit between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. 
 A total of 100 occupational accidents were reported in the last five years. The mean age of the employees who were exposed to occupational accidents was 32.6±8.5 years. 63% of the employees were women. The mean years of employment of the employees was 8.7±7.3 years. In terms of profession, 70% of the employees were nurses and 19% were cleaning staff. 45% of the occupational accidents occurred in intensive care units and 26% in pediatric clinics. 60% of the accidents occurred in the morning hours. 72% of occupational accidents were needlestick injuries, 9% were falling or bumping, 8% were exposure to blood and other infectious fluids. Most of the NSIs in nurses occurred while applying treatment, drawing blood, establishing vascular access and due to patient movement, respectively. 
 In conclusion, the most common occupational accidents in hospitals are needlestick injuries. Among the employees, those who are exposed to work-related injuries most frequently are nurses and cleaning staff.

Tabagisme du personnel de deux hôpitaux de l’Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, 2021

A survey on smoking prevalence was conducted among staff at the Georges Pompidou and Corentin Celton hospitals in the framework of the "smoke-free hospital" project. It aimed to determine the smoking status of different categories of personnel, their desire to be helped to quit and, as regards healthcare staff, whether or not they were encouraging patients who smoked to try to quit. From February to May 2021, an anonymous survey was distributed, first on paper in the occupational health unit, and then online in all wards. All in all, 775 people, three quarters of whom were women, participated in the survey (15% of the workforce). Among the respondents, 27% said they smoked: 29.6% of the men and 26.1% of the women. Unsurprisingly, the age group with the highest prevalence was 18-24years. High prevalence was likewise found among technical and administrative staff. More than half of the smokers, who consumed an average of 8 cigarettes a day, were interested in receiving smoking cessation support. As regards smoking cessation support for patients, 49% of medical and nursing staff (70% of the doctors) frequently or systematically advised them to quit. Our results illustrate a need to reach high-prevalence categories of smokers in a hospital setting, the objective being to help them to consider quitting, and also a need to train health professionals in smoking cessation counseling.

Occupational Health Unit (USAT), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca 30 years of promoting occupational health in Morocco

Occupational Health Unit (USAT), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca 30 years of promoting occupational health in Morocco

Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of healthcare workers with COVID-19 infection in an urban district in Malaysia.

Introductionhealthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 occupational transmission and subsequently, exposing patients and others. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and examine the characteristics and predictors of HCWs with COVID-19 infection in a Malaysian district.Methodsthis is a cross-sectional study of HCWs working at Cheras District Health Office, with COVID-19 infection from 1st January to 31st October 2021. Data was obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Unit which included variables of basic sociodemography, type of disease acquisition; healthcare-acquired (HA) or community-acquired (CA), and management outcome. Data was analysed descriptively and cases with type of disease acquisition were compared using logistic regression.Resultsthe prevalence of HCWs with COVID-19 was 17.4%. Majority aged 30-39, female gender and Malay ethnicity (51.7%, 60% and 91.7% respectively). Main comorbidities included hypertension (3.3%), diabetes mellitus (3.3%), both hypertension and diabetes mellitus (2.5%) and obesity (4.2%). Smokers, pregnant mothers and non-immunized made up only small proportions (4.2%, 4.2%, and 4% respectively). Paramedics were the most infected proportion (68.4%). About one third of cases managed COVID-19 patients directly (37.5%). Similar proportion had HA infection (29.2%). Smaller proportion (12.8%) needed hospitalization. The early source of infection was HA (January-April). Later, the trend shifted towards CA (May-October). Male gender (OR 3.22, 95% CI = 1.43 - 7.29, p<0.05), smoker (OR 10.84, 95% CI = 1.17 - 100.77, p<0.05), and those who manage COVID-19 cases were more likely to acquire occupational COVID-19 infection (OR 2.28, 95% CI = 1.02 - 5.09, p<0.05).Conclusioncontinuous occupational infectious disease control measures is necessary to reduce the disease burden. Future research on HCWs with COVID-19 infection with larger scale is recommended to determine the final model for predictors of infection.

The effect of favipiravir versus hydroxychloroquine on clinical and laboratory findings in COVID-19 in healthcare workers

ObjectivesComparative data on hydroxychloroquine and favipiravir, commonly used agents in the treatment of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), are still limited. In this study, it was aimed to compare treatment outcomes in healthcare workers with COVID-19 who were prospectively followed by the occupational health and safety unit. MethodsA total of 237 healthcare-workers, diagnosed as mild or moderate COVID-19 between March 11, 2020 and January 1, 2021, were given hydroxychloroquine (n = 114) or favipiravir (n = 123). Clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 33.4±11.5 years. The mean time to negative PCR was found to be significantly shorter in patients receiving favipiravir compared to the hydroxychloroquine group (10.9 vs. 13.9 days; p < 0.001). The rate of hospitalization in the hydroxychloroquine group was significantly higher than favipiravir group (15.8% vs. 3.3%). In terms of side effects; the frequency of diarrhea in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine was significantly higher than that in the favipiravir group (31.6% vs. 6.5%; p < 0.001). ConclusionsFavipiravir and hydroxychloroquine were similar in terms of improvement of clinical symptoms of healthcare workers with mild or moderate COVID-19 infection, but favipiravir was significantly more effective in reducing viral load and hospitalization rates. Furthermore, favipiravir caused significantly less side-effects than hydroxychloroquine.

The Effectiveness of a Smoking Cessation Initiative Among Employees in a Textile Factory.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation initiative for workers who are smokers in a textile factory located in Denizli, Turkey. This retrospective cohort was conducted by using the occupational health and safety unit records of 821 workers who are smokers. All participants underwent cognitive behavioral therapy, and in case of need, a suitable pharmacological treatment was initiated. The status of smoking cessation was checked at the end of the third month with a carbon monoxide breath monitor. A chi-square test was performed to make comparisons between categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis (backward) was used to evaluate the factors related to the smoking cessation status. The ratio of participants who gave up smoking was 74.3%, and 63% of them used a pharmaceutical aid to quit smoking. Working in the department of finishing and using a pharmaceutical aid to quit smoking were related to increased success in smoking cessation. Outcomes of our study emphasize that workplace-based smoking cessation programs may create a huge impact on smoking cessation among workers. Pharmacological aid and cognitive behavioral therapy have been associated with success in quitting smoking.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Severe occupational accidents reported at a sentinel unit from 2008 to 2018.

IntroductionOccupational accidents are a major public health problem. In addition to damages to workers’ health, they are also associated with economic and social losses. Since 2004, this type of accident has become of mandatory reporting through the Notifiable Diseases Information System. However, underreporting still reaches high levels.ObjectivesTo identify and describe data on severe occupational accidents reported at an Occupational Health Unit.MethodsThis is a retrospective observational study based on data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. Occupational accidents that occurred from 2008 to 2018 in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and reported by the Occupational Health Unit, located in Hospital do Trabalhador in Curitiba.ResultsOverall, 7,396 occupational accidents were reported, and most workers evolved with temporary disability (86%). The most frequently affected occupations were related to the area of construction industry (3.4%); however, it is worth highlighting the significant absence of this information in the reports (16.4%). Upper limbs were the most affected body region (42.5%).ConclusionsThe report of occupational accidents has significantly improved in the last years, but underreporting remains a significant issue and there is a gap in data about the accident circumstances. Therefore, this study aimed to generate data to assist in the development of policies for the promotion and care of workers’ health, in addition to being used for comparison in future statistics.

The prevalence of hypertension and influencing factors among the employees of a university hospital.

Hypertension is a serious disease with increasing worldwide prevalence, leading to life-threatening complications. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a university hospital. The Occupational Health and Safety Unit data concerning the health examinations of employees were used to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a university hospital and to define the relationship between hypertension and sociodemographic and occupational parameters. Logistic regression analyses were performed for the variables having a significant association with high blood pressure. The data generated during the periodic examination of 3,480 (92%) of all employees (3,780) were analyzed. The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 13.5%, 13.9%, and 23.7% among physicians, non-physician healthcare personnel and officers respectively. The logistic regression model revealed a statistically significant correlation between hypertension and male gender, age and BMI. The prevalence of hypertension was highest among staff members. Special programs would facilitate the diagnosis, control, and prevention of high blood pressure among the high-risk groups, especially men, the elderly and the obese hospital employees.

Relationship of occupational health and safety training with health literacy among employees working in the various lines of business

BackgroundHealth literacy is vital for people’s ability to manage health. It has been known for a long time that the importance of education in increasing health literacy is an undeniable fact. The first aim of this study was to investigate the health literacy levels of employees working in different business lines receiving service from the occupational health and safety unit. The second aim was to reveal how health literacy levels are affected according to the training duration.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 employees receiving service from the Karabuk occupational health and safety unit. The employees were divided into three groups as workers, officers and others. All employees were given the questionnaire consisting of 31 questions including sociodemographic characteristics and the adult health literacy scale. A face-to-face interview was performed with each of the employees. Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe range of adult health literacy scale scores of the employees was 4-23. There was no significant difference in adult health literacy scale scores between age groups (p=0.38). The percentage of employees who received more than 16 hours training course was 19.3%, 20.6%, and 46.7% for workers, civil servants and other employees, respectively. Adult health literacy scale scores increased in proportion to the amount of training the employees received (p=0.001).ConclusionThis study reveals that occupational health training has a positive effect on health literacy.

Opinions of staff working in workplace-violence-related units on violence against nurses: A qualitative study

The aim of this study was to assess the opinions of staff working in workplace-violence related units on violence against nurses. A qualitative and descriptive design was used. The participants were seven nurses, one biologist, and one social worker who agreed to attend an interview and worked in employee rights unit or occupational health and safety unit. Data were collected from June to December 2017. The interviews were analyzed with content analysis. Four main themes were identified, and the themes were the following: (1) risk factors; (2) reporting of violence; (3) consequences of violence; and (4) prevention and control. In summary, factors related to the patient, the nurse, and the physical structure of the hospital were determined.

Assessment of Implementation of Occupational Infection Prevention of The Employee Wellness Program among a Group Of Healthcare Workers in Pediatrics Hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed every day to multiple occupational hazards, the most common being the risk of exposure to occupational infections. Occupational infection prevention of the healthcare workers is a substantial issue not only to protect them, but also to protect their patients. If the risk posed by infection in health care workers is not recognized and addressed, there is the potential for large outbreaks of infection among staff and patients. Aim of Study Assessment of implementation of occupational infection prevention of the employee wellness program among healthcare workers in pediatrics hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Subjects and Methods A descriptive study was conducted and a structured self-administered aided questionnaire was used to collect data from 110 healthcare workers in the pediatrics hospital at Ain Shams University in Cairo to assess the pre-employment procedures, investigations, infection control training provided by the hospital and post exposure management procedure. Results Around half of the participants (48.2%) reported that they had undergone the pre-employment screening procedures. The majority of participants (85.4%) received infection control training at the hospital. Most of the participants didn’t receive the appropriate management after needle stick injury. Conclusion and Recommendations the current system followed in the Pediatrics hospital does not adequately implement all of the essential elements of the employee wellness program and needs to be improved. Co-ordination between the occupational health unit and infection control department should be done to improve the implementation of other elements of the employee wellness program to protect healthcare workers from occupational infections.

Vaccination role on abseteeism during a severe flu season: following the Global Influenza Strategy

Abstract Background In March 2019, the WHO published the “The Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2030”, with the goal of strengthening seasonal prevention and control and preparedness for future pandemics. Accordingly, to the 2B, 2C, 3B goals, this study tries to assess the burden of the disease among the healthcare workers (HCWs). Our study aimed to estimate the impact of severe intensity season on absenteeism among HCWs in a large Italian hospital and if the vaccination rates would be associated with reduced sickness absence. Methods We investigated excess of absenteeism that occurred in a large Italian hospital, counting 5300 HCWs, during the flu season of 2017-2018. Data on influenza vaccination were gathered from the Occupational Health Unit, while absenteeism data from the hospital’s Personal Unit Database. The data collection ranged from July 2017 to June 2018, it was divided into two periods: epidemic and non-epidemic, the last one used as a baseline to calculate excess of absenteeism. We also gathered other variables in order to stratify the absenteeism among HCWs. Results The total lost days were 53.775. The average number of lost days per week during the epidemic period was 1263. Compared to the non-epidemic period, absenteeism increased by 65% (from 4.05 to 6.68 days/person). Vaccinated HCWs had a lower excess of absenteeism in comparison to non-vaccinated HCWs (1,74 vs 2,71 days/person). Nurses and allied health professionals registered the highest excess of absenteeism (3.16 days/person) while medical doctors showed the lowest (0.76 days/person). Conclusions A severe influenza epidemic impacts on the excess of absenteeism among HCWs. Although the low vaccination rate (6,8%), a positive effect on absenteeism is outlined and it may support health care facilities to promote and facilitate flu vaccination among HCWs. As literature states low absenteeism rate, as seen in medical doctors, could be an indicator of presenteeism that might lead to harm the inpatients. Key messages The flu vaccination has a positive effect on reducing the absenteeism rate in the HCWs during the epidemic period and should be promoted and advocated among european healthcare facilities. A low absenteeism rate may also be an indicator of presenteeism among HCWs, which may also be harmful to the inpatients.