Risk Factor For Health Problems Research Articles

Feeling too low to be active: Physical inactivity mediates the relationship between mental and physical health

BackgroundPhysical inactivity is one of the most influential and pervasive risk factors for health problems. Therefore, public health experts call for interventions to promote physical activity across the lifespan. This study aimed to examine the role of mental health in physical inactivity and the subsequent role of physical activity in various aspects of physical health. MethodsData were collected in the third wave of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) in Slovenia. A nationally representative sample of 9,900 people (49.6% male) aged 15 years or more (M = 49.2; SD = 18.9 years) provided self-reports on depression (PHQ-8), subjective well-being (MHC-SF), physical (in)activity, bodily pain, long-standing activity limitations, their general health status, and possible chronic diseases. ResultsThe results of a path analysis showed that depression had a positive effect and well-being had a negative effect on physical inactivity, which in turn contributed to the likelihood of severe bodily pain, activity limitations, poor self-rated health, and multimorbidity. Depression and well-being contributed to health-related outcomes directly and indirectly through physical inactivity. LimitationsBecause of the cross-sectional design, this study is limited in its ability to draw causal conclusions. All health data were self-reported. ConclusionsResults suggest that high levels of depression and low levels of subjective well-being may be an early warning sign of physical health problems. Interventions aimed at preventing or reducing mental health problems and promoting positive mental health may benefit not only mental health per se, but also prevent physical inactivity and, consequently, physical health problems.

Sex, physical activity, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia in millennial workers of X Corp, Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2023

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between sex and sedentary behavior and obesity and its impact on hypercholesterolemia in millennial generation workers at X Corp., Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2023.
 Methods: This research is an observational analytic study conducted on 269 millennial workers at X Corp. The data collection used was the results of X Corp’s worker's medical check-ups. Data processing using the Chi-square test to see whether there’s a linkage between the research variables.
 Results: From the tables, there is a correlation found between sex and obesity (p=0.001); there is no correlation found between physical activity (p=0.105) and smoking behavior (p=1.000). There is a correlation between obesity and hypercholesterolemia (p=0.004) in millennial workers at X Corp.
 Conclusions: Unhealthy life behaviors can be a risk factor for health problems, including degenerative diseases, as millennial workers get older. Male workers are more at risk of being obese and having an impact on the emergence of hypercholesterolemia and the risk of diabetes mellitus if a healthy lifestyle is continuously neglected. It is suggested that the application of occupational health promotion at X Corp., Jakarta, Indonesia, can be further optimized.

Intergenerational Consequences of Maternal Childhood Maltreatment on Infant Health Concerns.

Childhood maltreatment is a well-established risk factor for health problems in adulthood and may also have intergenerational consequences for infant health. Childhood maltreatment may confer risk for infant health by undermining caregiver capacities for sensitive and responsive caregiving. However, associations among childhood maltreatment, maternal sensitivity, and infant health are not well understood. These processes may be of particular importance among low-income and ethnic minority populations for whom disparities in maltreatment exposure and poorer health outcomes are well-established. The current study drew data from a sample of low-income, Mexican American families to examine whether maternal childhood maltreatment would be associated with more infant health concerns, and whether lower maternal sensitivity would explain their associations. Data were collected from 322 mother-infant dyads during home visits completed during pregnancy and when infants were 12, 18, and 24weeks old. Maternal childhood maltreatment exposureandlower maternal sensitivity were both associated with more infant health concerns. Maternal childhood maltreatment was not associated with maternal sensitivity. These findings highlight potential intergenerational consequences of maternal childhood maltreatment for infant health and underscore a need for evaluating pre- and postnatal mechanisms through which these effects may be perpetuated. Furthermore, results indicate that maternal sensitivity may represent a promising target for interventions seeking to counteract intergenerational transmission processes. Clarification about underlying risk processes and potentiating resiliency characteristics mayelucidate ways to better support mothers and infants across the lifespan.

The Risk Factors of Physical Activity Behavior in Junior High School Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has indirectly limited the student’s space and physical activities which increases insufficiency of physically active or sedentary behaviors. Meanwhile, low physical activity is a major risk factor for health problems. This study aimed to determine the physical activity behavior of students in junior high school. Method: This research used a cross-sectional survey; the sample was school children in 34 provinces in Indonesia and was collected through the Physical Activity Questioner Children (PAQ-C) and ASAFA scale. The questionnaire was distributed through Google Forms to 138 junior high school students aged 12-15 years as the age range. A sample size was taken by simple random sampling and 136 valid questionnaires were then analyzed for the relationship between variables by using Kendall's tau test. Results: The results showed that 31.6% of 136 students had insufficient physical activity or sedentary levels, and 14.7% had an active level dominated by female students (13.2%). Based on analysis data, it is found that there is a strong relationship between social support (p= 0.006, r=0.006, r=0.93; 95% CI), nutritional status (p=0.001 r=0.89; 95% CI), and age (p=0.014 r= 0.38; 95% CI) with physical activity. On the other hand, the gender (p=0.091, r=0.27; 95% CI) and school category (p=0.172 r=0.03; 95% CI) do not affect physical activity. Conclusion: The schools should provide students' physical activity guidance in collaboration with parents which can be trained at home to reduce the sedentary behavior among students during the Covid pandemic.

Psihofiziološke promjene uzrokovane smjenskim radom

Shift work is considered a risk factor for health problems due to the continuous desynchronization and resynchronization of circadian rhythms. This study used heart rate measurement during sleep to determine whether shift work, and different length of this work, affects nonlinear aspects of cardiovascular dynamics, indicators of the autonomous nervous system, in healthy shift workers. The study included 48 healthy, premenopausal, female participants (nurses) divided in two groups of equal age and length of service. One group worked in a three-shift rotation system and the other (control) worked only the day shift. Cardiac activity (R-R intervals) was monitored continuously during sleep using the Data Logging System. Cardiac activity was recorded in both day and shift workers at night after the second consecutive day shift. Results showed that shift workers with up to 10 years of service had higher values of correlation dimension than the equivalent group of day workers but shift workers with more than 10 years of service had lower values of correlation dimension than comparable groups of day workers. All shift workers, regardless of length of service, had significantly higher indices of determinism than day workers, but the index of determinism slightly enlarges with increased years of services. Generally, it seems that shift work has a negative impact on cardiovascular dynamics from the very beginning, and nonlinear parameters of cardiovascular dynamics can be potential predictors of future health problems.

Poor sleep quality may contribute to dysfunctional illness perception, physical and emotional distress in hospitalised patients: results of a national survey of the Italian Society of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.

Distress associated with physical illness is a well-known risk factor for adverse illness course in general hospitals. Understanding the factors contributing to it should be a priority and among them dysfunctional illness perception and poor sleep quality may contribute to it. As poor sleep quality is recognised as a major risk factor for health problems, we aimed to study its association with illness perception and levels of distress during hospitalisation. This cross-sectional study included a consecutive series of 409 individuals who were hospitalised in medical and surgical units of different hospitals located throughout the Italian national territory and required an assessment for psychopathological conditions. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh (Sleep Quality Index), emotional and physical distress with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and illness perception with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Differences between groups, correlations and mediations analyses were computed. Patients with poor sleep quality were more frequently females, with psychiatric comorbidity, with higher scores in the ESAS and BIPQ. Poor sleep quality was related to dysfunctional illness perception, and to both emotional and physical distress. In particular, by affecting cognitive components of illness perception, poor sleep quality may, directly and indirectly, predict high levels of distress during hospitalisation. Poor sleep quality may affect >70% of hospitalised patients and may favour dysfunctional illness perception and emotional/physical distress.Assessing and treating sleep problems in hospitalised patients should be included in the routine of hospitalised patients.

Risk factors for health problems in children born weighing less than 1500 g

Achievements of perinatal medicine and a higher survival rate of children born with extremely low weight require an improvement in the dynamic observation of this category of children at an early age.Purpose. This study aimed at studying the health status of young children with disabilities caused by diseases of the nervous system, born weighing less than 1500 grams, with an analysis of morbidity, physical development, emotional status, and autonomic regulation.Results and conclusion. A clinical and functional study of 74 children born with a body weight of less than 1500 grams made enabled the authors to identify the peculiarities of their health and physical development in the first year of life, to identify risk factors, and to develop a method for predicting the formation of cerebral palsy by one year of life in these children. Consequently, pediatricians and neurologists will be able to timely carry out preventive measures for children from a high-risk group.

Lifetime Prevalence of Victimization and Perpetration as Related to Men's Health: Clinical Insights.

Violence is a known risk factor for health problems. In this epidemiological study across 5,385 male patients, we investigate the prevalence of perpetrated violence, exposure to violence, their overlap and the relationship between violence, mental, and psychosomatic health, as well as adverse health behaviors, such as self-harming behavior and the consumption of drugs. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire addressing violence experience (i.e., both expose and perpetration), age of victimization/perpetration, frequency, and perceived severity of violence exposure. We considered physical, psychological as well as sexual violence. Information on health status and adverse health behaviors complemented the data. Results showed that 48.4% of the sample reported having experienced violence (perpetration, victimization, or both). The victim-perpetrator overlap formed the largest group, in which the incidence of having experienced multiple types of violence was significantly higher compared to victims and perpetrators. The age-crime curve flattened more slowly with increasing age in this group. Although the perceived severity of exposure to violence is lower in the overlap group, its health status and adverse health behaviors were worse. Interventions should focus on this group since they constitute a burden for the healthcare system.

Parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors associated with persistent gastrointestinal signs in dogs later in life: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundParvoviral enteritis (PE) is a viral gastrointestinal (GI) infection of dogs. Recovery from PE has been associated with persistent GI signs later in life. The objectives of this study were: (i) To determine whether dogs that have recovered from PE (post-parvo dogs) had an increased risk of persistent GI signs compared to uninfected control dogs. (ii) To investigate the lifestyle and clinicopathologic factors that are associated with persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs.MethodsA total of 86 post-parvo dogs and 52 age-matched control dogs were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Many years after hospitalization for PE, the owners were interviewed about the health and habits of their dogs using a questionnaire. We used generalized linear mixed effects models to test whether parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors are associated with owner-recognized general health problems in all dogs and with owner-recognized persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs.ResultsThe prevalence of persistent GI signs was significantly higher in post-parvo dogs compared to control dogs (57% vs 25%, P < 0.001). Markers of disease severity at the time of hospital admission such as neutropenia, low body temperature (BT), and treatment with an antiemetic medication (metoclopramide) were significant risk factors for persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. For example, PE-affected dogs that were hypothermic at hospital admission (BT of 37.2 °C) were 16.6 × more likely to have GI signs later in life compared to hyperthermic dogs (BT of 40.4 °C). The presence of persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs was a risk factor for health problems in other organ systems.ConclusionsParvovirus enteritis is a significant risk factor for persistent GI signs in dogs highlighting the importance of prevention. The risk factors identified in the present study may guide future investigations on the mechanisms that link parvovirus enteritis to chronic health problems in dogs.

Комплексная оценка условий труда и состояния профессиональной заболеваемости работников горно-металлургических предприятий

The paper presents the results of hygienic assessment of the working environment and work process factors at surface and underground ore mining operations, ferrous metallurgy plants and aluminum production facilities. It has been established that workers are affected by a complex of production factors (dust, toxic substances, noise, vibration, unfavorable micro climate, etc.), the level of which often exceeds the hygienic standards. The workplace conditions of the primary jobs at these enterprises in 60-80% of cases are classified as hazardous, i.e. Class 3 of various hazard degrees. The incidence of occupational diseases remains high, especially in underground mining and at aluminum production plants. The specific features of mining and metallurgical operations and the severity of unfavorable production factors determine the structure of occupational morbidity. Occupational respiratory diseases are most common among workers in the ferrous metallurgy industry and account for 70.3% in total. Vibration-induced pathologies are most frequently diagnosed among excavator, bulldozer and dump truck operators, and account for 52.9% of all the diagnosed occupational diseases. Hearing organ pathology in the form of neurosensory loss of hearing among workers of mining and metallurgical enterprises ranges from 10.2% (aluminum smelters) to 22.7% (ferrous metallurgy plants) in the occupational morbidity structure. Chronic intoxication with fluorine compounds at aluminum smelters was diagnosed in 68.1% of cases. The results obtained confirm the pressing need to improve the working conditions, introduce preventive measures based on the primary prevention principles, and reduce the risk factors of health problems among the workers.

Risk Factors of the High-Risk Pregnancy and Association with Particulate Matter

Purpose: High-risk pregnancy, resulting in major complications, such as abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor, are on the rise, requiring intervention. Increased concentration of particulate matter that is 10 μg per cubic meter or less in diameter (PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt;) due to increased air pollution and industrialization has recently been noted as a risk factor for health problems, and prior studies have reported that PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt; is related to abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor.Methods: This study used data from the Korean medical panel between 2008 and 2016 to identify 879 women with normal pregnancies and 301 women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies. The association between high-risk pregnancy and PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt; was analyzed using the annual average regional concentration during the same period by the Korea Environment Corporation.Results: At 35 years of age or older, the risk of abortion (p&lt;0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–2.71) and preterm labor increased (p&lt;0.05; 95% CI, 0.33–0.90). Married pregnant women were at a high risk of preterm labor (p&lt;0.05; 95% CI, 0.25–0.98), and the prevalence of gestational hypertension was high in the metropolitan area (p&lt;0.05; 95% CI, 12.09–25.93). On comparing the average annual concentration of particulate matter according to the level of atmospheric ventilation of the Korea Environment Corporation using a cutoff of ≤50 μg/m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;, the probability of preterm labor was 2.2 times higher in groups exposed to particulate matter concentration of ≥50 μg/m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; (p&lt;0.01; 95% CI, 1.49–3.25).Conclusion: PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt; was related to preterm labor, and the risk of preterm labor was high if the average annual concentration of PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt; in the individual’s residential area exceeded 50 μg/m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;.

Population vs Individual Prediction of Poor Health From Results of Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are well-established risk factors for health problems in a population. However, it is not known whether screening for ACEs can accurately identify individuals who develop later health problems. To test the predictive accuracy of ACE screening for later health problems. This study comprised 2 birth cohorts: the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study observed 2232 participants born during the period from 1994 to 1995 until they were aged 18 years (2012-2014); the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study observed 1037 participants born during the period from 1972 to 1973 until they were aged 45 years (2017-2019). Statistical analysis was performed from May 28, 2018, to July 29, 2020. ACEs were measured prospectively in childhood through repeated interviews and observations in both cohorts. ACEs were also measured retrospectively in the Dunedin cohort through interviews at 38 years. Health outcomes were assessed at 18 years in E-Risk and at 45 years in the Dunedin cohort. Mental health problems were assessed through clinical interviews using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Physical health problems were assessed through interviews, anthropometric measurements, and blood collection. Of 2232 E-Risk participants, 2009 (1051 girls [52%]) were included in the analysis. Of 1037 Dunedin cohort participants, 918 (460 boys [50%]) were included in the analysis. In E-Risk, children with higher ACE scores had greater risk of later health problems (any mental health problem: relative risk, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.10-1.18] per each additional ACE; any physical health problem: relative risk, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.07-1.12] per each additional ACE). ACE scores were associated with health problems independent of other information typically available to clinicians (ie, sex, socioeconomic disadvantage, and history of health problems). However, ACE scores had poor accuracy in predicting an individual's risk of later health problems (any mental health problem: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.56-0.61]; any physical health problem: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.58-0.63]; chance prediction: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.50). Findings were consistent in the Dunedin cohort using both prospective and retrospective ACE measures. This study suggests that, although ACE scores can forecast mean group differences in health, they have poor accuracy in predicting an individual's risk of later health problems. Therefore, targeting interventions based on ACE screening is likely to be ineffective in preventing poor health outcomes.

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКАЯ МОДЕЛЬ СОЦИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО АНАЛИЗА ЦЕННОСТИ ЗДОРОВЬЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ АРКТИЧЕСКОГО РЕГИОНА РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

Представлена теоретическая модель социологического анализа ценности здоровья как многокомпонентная система. Приведено описание компонентов модели и их характеристик. Исследованы факторы информированности, поведенческой активности, здоровьесбережения, персональной ответственности за здоровье. Подчеркнута особенная актуальность в условиях Арктической зоны с присущими особенностями климатогеографического положения и экстремальностью жизнеобеспечения. Актуальность вопросы изучения ценности здоровья населения обрели в условиях глобализации ХХI в. Назрела необходимость решения проблем сохранения здоровья человека. Особенную остроту приобретает эта проблема в условиях Арктической зоны Российской Федерации. Природные и антропогенные факторы предъявляют повышенные требования к функциональным системам организма человека, осложняют труд, быт и отдых населения, являясь факторами риска нарушений здоровья. Особую актуальность проблемы здоровья обрели во время пандемии нового коронавируса COVID-19. Это один из худших мировых кризисов в сфере здравоохранения за последние 50 лет. На первый план встали вопросы обеспечения санитарно-эпидемиологического благополучия, здоровьесбережения, повышения ценности здоровья. Цель работы – рассмотрение ценности здоровья населения Арктического региона Российской Федерации через призму теоретических основ и институциональных подходов. Методы: аксиологический подход, предполагающий ценностное измерение исследуемых социокультурных явлений, и социально-конструктивистский подход, рассматривающий ценность здоровья населения Арктического региона как необходимую социальную парадигму. Выводы: во-первых, создание теоретической модели, ее использование в социологическом анализе ценности здоровья населения Арктического региона Российской Федерации и представление исследуемого объекта с разных сторон позволяют достичь наибольшей содержательности и полноты понятий, относящихся к данной области знаний. Во-вторых, содержание теоретической модели, предлагаемой нами, представляет собой определенную целостность, которая в неразрывном единстве включает изучение конкретных аспектов жизни общества, взаимосвязей, а также возможности и способы ее использования в исследовательской деятельности. Благодаря моделированию, при сопоставлении характеристик с конкретной действительностью, общество проявляет себя с разных сторон и выглядит как сложно организованная система. В-третьих, в рассмотренных ранее подходах и концепциях анализировались связи состояния здоровья с различными факторами, среди которых стали преобладать поведенческие. Исследованы также факторы информированности, двигательной активности. В поле рассмотрения попали также здоровьесбережение, персональная ответственность за здоровье, способы выхода из стрессовых состояний. В‑четвертых, особенную актуальность факторы приобретают в условиях Арктической зоны, с присущими особенностями климатогеографического положения и экстремальностью жизнеобеспечения. В-пятых, теоретическая модель является не только способом познания, но и управляющим инструментом исследования.

Introducing a nutritional app in supervised residences for independent living: Experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.

Dietary challenges are common among individuals with intellectual disability residing in supervised living in Norway, and this is a major risk factor for health problems. The aim of this study was to explore feasibility of the nutrition tablet app APPetitus, among persons with intellectual disability and their formal caregivers. Joint dyad interviews with residents and caregivers were conducted after five individuals with intellectual disability used APPetitus for eight weeks. Seven formal caregivers and managers participated in subsequent focus group interviews. Thematic analysis informed the data analysis. The study complies with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). The findings were mapped into three themes: APPetitus mediating nutritional conversations, residents' strategies to control the conversation and caregiver support as a required prerequisite for overall user comprehension. The study demonstrates that a nutritional app can contribute to and normalize nutritional conversations, and empower residents to participate.

Case-control study on factors associated with a decreased milk yield and a depressed health status of dairy herds in northern Germany

BackgroundIn the past years, it became apparent that health status and performance differ considerably within dairy farms in Northern Germany. In order to obtain clues with respect to possible causes of these differences, a case-control study was performed. Case farms, which showed signs of health and performance problems, and control farms, which had none of these signs, were compared. Risk factors from different areas such as health management, housing, hygiene and nutrition were investigated as these are known to be highly influential. The aim of this study was to identify major factors within these areas that have the strongest association with health and performance problems of dairy herds in Northern Germany.ResultsIn the final model, a lower energy density in the roughage fraction of the diet, more pens with dirty lying areas and a low ratio of cows per watering spaces were associated with a higher risk for herd health problems. Moreover, case farms were affected by infections with intestinal parasites, lungworms, liver flukes and Johne’s Disease numerically more often than control farms. Case farms more often had pens with raised cubicles compared to the deep bedded stalls or straw yards found in control farms. In general, the hygiene of the floors and beddings was worse in case farms. Concerning nutrition, the microbiological and sensory quality of the provided silages was often insufficient, even in control farms. Less roughage was provided to early lactating cows and the feed was pushed to the feeding fence less frequently in case farms than in control farms.ConclusionsThe results show that milk yield and health status were associated with various factors from different areas stressing the importance of all aspects of management for good animal health and performance. Moreover, this study confirmed well-known risk factors for health problems and performance losses. These should better be taken heed of in herd health management.

The Screening Description of Mothers with Risk Pregnancy

Background: Screening is an early examination to assess whether someone has risk factors of health problems. Risk Pregnancy is a pregnancy with certain risks which can endangered the condition of the mother or baby. Purpose: This research aims to know the Description of Low Risk Pregnancy, the Description of High-Risk Pregnancy, and the Description of Very High Risk Pregnancy in Pregnant Mothers with Trimester I, I, III in Bandung City.&#x0D; Method: This research is a quantitative descriptive research using cross sectional design. Conducted in May-June 2019, with research’s subject of 116 pregnant mothers in Puter and Pagarsih health center selected using convenience sampling technique. Data collection using Poedji Rochjati Screening and data analysis usingfrequencydistribution.&#x0D; Result:This research showed that the LowRiskpregnancy in pregnant mothers of the trimester I High Risk as many as 11 people (9,5%), Trimester II High Risk as many as 26 people (22,4%), and Trimester III High Risk as many as 36 people (31,0%),&#x0D; Conclusion: The of research overall obtained by pregnant maternal with trimesters I, II, III were in the category of high risk pregnancy. Public health center management need to improve the program related to pregnancy, for example family planning programs, and the prevention of anemia to reduce risk pregnancies for pregnant women.

Digestive Status of the Population in Anthropogenic Impact

This paper deals with an actual topic of the food habits of the population of a certain region, their financial costs for purchasing food, the conformity of the amount of food consumed to the norms of consumption of certain products, as a factor in the development of chronic non-infectious diseases The relationship between unbalanced diet and inexorably increasing rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease was defined in the middle of the last century. However, despite the full availability of information in the modern world and the ubiquitous propagation of a healthy lifestyle, the incidence figures speak of the lack of awareness of the population about the risk factors for health problems. We investigated one of the most important links in the prevention of chronic non-infectious diseases: the rationality of nutrition. The paper presents the methods and results of research of food habits of people of different age groups, and covers such aspects as the dependence between consumed food, financial well-being and the reasons for changing food habits (Mansurov and Kondratieva, 2017). The results of the study show a deficit in the consumption of almost all foods, especially in important segments such as plant products. The urban population does not have suitable conditions for growing vegetables and fruits, and the prices for food products are often too high for them in the appropriate amount. A small amount of meat, eggs and milk in the diet increases the risk of chronic non-infectious diseases, which raises the issue of addressing the problem of preventing deterioration in the health status of the population. This paper is a tactically important basis for developing a set of measures aimed at correcting food habits in terms of enriching the diet with vitamins, minerals and the necessary amount of proteins and carbohydrates.

The Fourth Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in the Asia Chapter Region

The Fourth Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in the Asia Chapter Region

RISK FACTORS FOR HEALTH DISORDERS IN COPPER-NICKEL MINERS IN THE KOLA POLAR REGION

It is known that copper-nickel miners constitute a group of workers with an increased risk of common and occupational diseases due to the influence of a complex of harmful factors of the working environment and working process The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of working conditions and duration of work on the formation of health disorders in 1151 miners, engaged in production of copper-nickel ore in the Kola Polar region. It was found that the workers engaged in tunneling and blasting are at the highest risk of developing health problems, particularly diseases of the musculoskeletal system (36.0 % of all cases). The number of diseases diagnosed in one worker of different occupations ranges from (3.22 ± 0.32) cases (in sinkers) to (2.29 ± 0.28) cases (in electric welders). An important risk factor for health problems among miners of all professions is the length of seniority. Compared to the initial period of labor activity (up to 5 years), the prevalence of all health disorders per 100 workers increased by 1.50, 2.09, 2.70 and 3.47 times for the seniority of 6-10 years, 11-15 years, 16-20 years and more than 20 years, respectively. A direct correlation was established between the duration of the employee's experience and the number of his health disorders (r = +0.486). The conclusion is made about the need to prevent health disorders, especially diseases of the musculoskeletal system, from the very beginning of the miners professional career.

Long-stay institutions for the elderly: physical-structural and organizational aspects

Abstract Objective: To characterize long-stay institutions for the elderly in respect to physical-structural and organizational aspects. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative research was carried out in four long-stay institutions for the elderly in Salvador - Bahia, Brazil, between September and November 2013. Data were collected from the technical officers of the institutions using a questionnaire based on National Health Surveillance Agency standards. Results: This study highlights a partial compliance with current regulations both in respect to the physical-structural and organizational aspects. The elderly are exposed to an environment that is sometimes unhealthy with risk factors for health problems. Conclusion and implications for practice: There is need for adjustments in the institutions to comply with current legislation. This study shows the importance of a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care of institutionalized elderly, with emphasis on the role of nurses in the qualification of institutions and valorization of the elderly.