Symptoms In Workers Research Articles

Morbimortality profile by COVID-19 in telework and on-site work in an oil and gas company in Brazil.

As a reflection of the health emergency caused by COVID-19, many countries adopted guidelines, which included activity restrictions. As a result, some companies maintained their activities with on-site work and telework. Analyzing the morbidity and mortality profile due to COVID-19 of workers in telework and on-site work in an oil and gas company. Cross-sectional, quantitative, and analytical study that included 8,394 workers diagnosed with COVID-19 at an oil and gas company in Brazil, from June 2020 to June 2021. The company's Surveillance Program database was used as an information source. The total prevalence of cases was 21.7%. For teleworking and face-to-face workers, they were 20.7% and 23.3%, respectively. There was a predominance of women (19.7%), white ethnicity/colour (64.7%), higher level position (52.6%), age group over 40 years (36.7%), married (53, 8%), working at the company for a period that ranges from 7 to 10 years (17%), administrative activity (68.5%), and a higher number of symptomatic workers and deaths in telework compared to on-site work. The results suggest that testing is important to refrain the virus spread in the company's work environments, as it allowed asymptomatic workers to be diagnosed with COVID-19. The study suggested that on-site work was not a transmission facilitator in the occupational environment, which points out the importance of preventive measures in the workplace and the adoption of remote work for the largest possible number of workers to improve the safety of employees, workers who remained in the on-site work modality.

Analysis of Demographic Factors Affecting Mental Health Among Workers at PT X Mining Company in 2023

The mining industry is closely related to high-risk health and safety, including mental health. This study aims to investigate the association of demographic variables (age, length of service, gender, education level, employment status, and work location), on mental health symptoms in workers in mining companies PT X. The DASS-21 instrumentation was used to determine mental health symptoms based on levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The number of respondents in this study was 764 employees were participated and it was found that 71.2% of respondents did not experience mental health problems, 15.3% experienced mild mental health symptoms, 10.4% moderate, and 3.1% severe mental health symptoms. There is a significant relationship between the age variable and the level of depression (p-value 0.04), the significant relationship between age, education level, length of service, gender, and the level of anxiety (p-value 0.04; 0.005; 0.000; dan 0.007), as well as the relationship between age and level of education and stress in workers (p-value 0.000; dan 0.016). From the research, it can be concluded that the older the worker, the lower the level of depression, anxiety, and work stress. Male employees have lower levels of anxiety and stress than women, and a higher level of education plays a role in increasing anxiety and stress in workers.

Relationship between Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use Behavior and Working Period with Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) Symptoms in Workers at Mabar Shrimp Factory

Background. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most common occupational skin diseases after irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). One of the factors causing ACD is not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and a long working period. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between PPE use behavior and working period with ACD symptoms in workers at the Mabar shrimp factory, Medan. Method. Cross-sectional research with a consecutive sampling method. Assessment of PPE use behavior and working period used a questionnaire and ACD symptoms by a doctor. The analysis used was univariate and bivariate analysis with chi-square. Results. The total number of samples that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study was 100 people, 28 people had symptoms of ACD, enough knowledge, good attitudes, and unfavorable actions with a working period of >2 years. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between PPE use behavior and working period with ACD symptoms. Conclusion. All behavioral factors (knowledge, attitude, and action) and working period have a significant relationship with ACD symptoms

A comparison of neck and shoulder postures in symptomatic and asymptomatic female office workers in the actual work environment

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to compare the static and dynamic sitting posture during computer work among symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers in actual work environment. MethodsSeventy female office workers were divided into two groups: asymptomatic (n = 35) and symptomatic (n = 35). Subsequent to this classification, adjustments to their respective workstations were implemented in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. The assessment of neck (CV) and shoulder (FS) angles were conducted during both a typical seated posture and at intervals of 20 min over a duration of 3 h of computer work. ResultThe asymptomatic group had a range of age from 26 to 40 years, a BMI of 21.11 ± 2.14, and a working experience ranged from 1 to 16 years. In contrast, the symptomatic group had an age range from 24 to 40 years, a BMI of 21.12 ± 2.27, and a working experience ranged from 3 to 16 years. During static sitting posture, significant differences were observed in both CV (p = 0.01) and FS angles (p = 0.00) between the two groups. Additionally, during computer work sessions lasting for 3 h, a significant time effect (p = 0.00) was noted for the CV angle. Furthermore, the FS angle exhibited significant group (p = 0.00), time (p = 0.00), and interaction (p = 0.00) effects during work. ConclusionThis study underscores the development of neck flexion during prolong working in both groups. In addition, asymptomatic group experienced a progression more rounded shoulder during a 3-h working period. Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use appear to have adverse effects on neck and shoulder health, underlining the importance of implementing measures to mitigate these effects.

Rapid Decline of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Single vs. Double-Dose (Short-Interval

The present work was carried out during the emergence of Delta Variant of Concern (VoC) and aimed to study the change in SARS CoV-2 viral load in Covishield vaccinated asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic health-care workers (HCWs) to find out the optimum isolation period. The SARS CoV-2 viral load was carried out in sequential samples of 55 eligible HCWs which included unvaccinated (UnV; n = 11), single-dose vaccinated (SDV, n = 20) and double-dose vaccinated [DDV, n = 24; short-interval (<6weeks)] subjects. The mean load of envelope (E) gene on day 5 in SDV [0.42 × 105 copies/reaction] was significantly lower as compared to DDV [6.3 × 105 copies/reaction, P = 0.005] and UnV [6.6 × 105 copies/reaction, P = 0.001] groups. The rate of decline of SARS CoV-2 viral load in the initial 5days of PCR positivity was significantly higher in SDV as compared to that in DDV (Mean log decline 0.39 vs. 0.19; P < 0.001). This was possibly due to interference of adenoviral immunity of first dose of adenovirus-vectored vaccine in double-dose vaccinated HCWs who had received vaccines within a shorter interval (<6weeks).

COVID-19 Pozitif Sağlık Çalışanlarının Semptom, Laboratuvar ve Toraks Bilgisayarlı Tomografi Bulgularının Değerlendirilmesi: Rektrospektif Çalışma

Objective: The study was carried out to examine the symptoms and laboratory and thoracic computed tomography findings of COVID-19-positive healthcare professionals in northeastern Turkey. &#x0D; Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study consisted of 146 healthcare professionals who had positive COVID-19. Data were collected using electronic data from the hospital information management system and the personal health records of healthcare professionals. &#x0D; Results: 50.6% of COVID-19-positive healthcare professionals were symptomatic, 49.4% were asymptomatic, 52.7% of nurses, midwives, and health officers, and those who were symptomatic experienced the most cough, muscle-joint pain, and fatigue. Healthcare workers had a high leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet mean, C reactive protein, and D-dimer, and 24.1% had COVID-19-compatible thorax computed tomography. Symptomatic healthcare professionals had a lower median of leukocyte and a higher median of C reactive protein and procalcitonin compared to asymptomatic healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals with COVID-19 compatible thorax computed tomography had a lower leukocyte, median, and platelet mean, lower high C reactive protein median, and higher D-dimer median. &#x0D; Conclusion: The study found that half of the healthcare professionals are symptomatic, and leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, C reactive protein, and platelet values affect the development of COVID-19-compatible thoracic computed tomography. The results can be used as a knowledge base for research and by health workers and institutional authorities to implement methods to improve prevention levels.

Quality of life and self-report symptoms in workers exposed to excessive noise

Objective: Noise can cause physiological and psychological changes by affecting human health. This study aims to investigate the quality of life and self-report symptoms of tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, sleep, attention, anxiety and fatigue in workers exposed to excessive noise. Materials and Methods: The study included 111 workers working in noisy environments and 74 individuals not working in noisy environments (control group). The Short Form (SF)-36 scale was used to evaluate the participants' quality of life, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the self-report symptoms. Result: Self-report tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, sleep, attention and anxiety scores of the workers were worse than the control group (p

How are you coping? Stress, coping, burnout, and aggression in forensic mental healthcare workers.

Perceived stress at work has been linked to several adverse outcomes in workers, including increased risk of burnout and aggression (e.g., anger and irritability). However, much remains unknown about factors that might mitigate the negative influences of perceived stress on workers' well-being. This study focusses on coping as a possible protective factor against perceived stress and its consequences in forensic mental healthcare workers. We aimed to identify which higher-order coping factors were present in this worker sample and to investigate whether these coping factors modify the associations between perceived stress and burnout or aggression. For this observational survey study, 116 forensic mental healthcare workers completed questionnaires assessing changes in work situation since the start of COVID-19, perceived stress, coping, burnout symptoms, and aggression. Results from principal component analysis indicated that four higher-order coping factors could be distinguished: social support and emotional coping, positive cognitive restructuring, problem-focused coping, and passive coping. Higher perceived stress levels were associated with higher levels of both burnout and aggression in workers. Problem-focused coping was associated with less burnout symptoms in workers. Furthermore, positive cognitive restructuring was associated with less aggression in workers. In conclusion, problem-focused coping and positive cognitive restructuring may protect workers against burnout symptoms and aggression and these results may inform future studies on preventive interventions aimed at promoting worker's well-being.

Naturalistic Evaluation of HeadGear: A Smartphone App to Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Workers

Mobile health (mHealth) apps have the potential to expand access to evidence-based interventions for mental health conditions, including depression. HeadGear was developed to prevent depression and improve well-being among the working population and was associated with significant positive effects in an efficacy trial. This study presents the results from a naturalistic trial intended to evaluate real-world usage of the app. We examined the naturalistic use of HeadGear between March 2019 and March 2022, using app analytic data, in-app event data, and surveys assessing depressive symptoms, well-being, and work performance repeated at 30-day intervals over 5-month app usage. During the observation period, HeadGear was widely disseminated to the public, and downloaded 26,455 times. Of those who downloaded the app, 12,995 completed baseline. The mean age of users was 38.23 (SD = 12.39) and 60% were women. Approximately one in four met criteria for probable depression at baseline. Depressive symptoms showed consistent improvement at all time points (Cohen’s d ranging from 0.24 at 1 month to 0.13 at 5 months). A similar pattern emerged for well-being. Work performance showed improvement to 2-month follow-up only. The strongest change was found for those with greater symptom severity at baseline, and those with high app engagement. Attrition at follow-up points was high. Findings regarding the real-world use of HeadGear are promising and highlight the use of such apps among those with higher symptom severity (despite the intended use of the app as a prevention tool). Further work is required to tailor mHealth apps to reach their full potential through an enhanced understanding of the utility of individual features for effectiveness and engagement.

COVID-19 monitoring in workers at a Brazilian public university: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: primary care action strategies are relevant for disease prevention and health promotion, as well as for the initial management of suspected cases and the individual monitoring of patients with confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of clinical worsening and demographic, occupational, andclinical variables of workers with COVID-19 in a community health center at a public university in southeastern Brazil. Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted with 1,459 symptomatic workers with COVID-19. Data were extracted from the database of the unit’s epidemiological surveillance center between March 2020 and March 2021. Results: The average age of participants was 41.1 (SD 10.8) years, most women (71.1%), who hadobesity (19.9%) and hypertension (17.0%). Among the symptoms, headache (75.3%) and cough (74.9%) stood out. The worsening of clinical outcome during follow-up occurred in 3.4% of cases. The demographic, occupational and clinical factors associated with clinical worsening were gender, professional category, hypertension, diabetesmellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, olfactory disorders, cough, fever, and dyspnea. The Poisson regression showed that the prevalence of clinical worsening was greater with age, obesity, fever, and dyspnea. Conclusion: Clinical worsening occurred in 3.4% of the cases and was more prevalent according to age, obesity, fever, and dyspnea. The follow-up has shown promise in the early detection and treatment of COVID-19.

Early Diagnosis and Development of Referral System for Silicosis among Sandstone Miners in Western India

Abstract Introduction: Silicosis is the most common and oldest occupational lung disease. The disease has been an ancient one and has been recognized in India for the past around 100 years. However, despite its ubiquitous presence among various mine and quarry workers, there is no uniformly available referral system in India in general for workers having occupational dust exposure and respiratory symptoms. The current study involved the clinical assessment of those working in mines and quarries in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Western India and explore the possibility of development of a referral system for symptomatic mine workers. Materials and Methods: Workers working in mines and quarries in Jodhpur district were clinically screened for symptoms related to silicosis after choosing the quarries randomly. Demographic information and detailed occupational history were recorded using a predesigned questionnaire. Duration of exposure and morbidity/mortality details related to silicosis in the family were noted in detail. Respiratory symptom score was evaluated using a numeric score. The study was a cross-sectional one, and a 12-point respiratory symptom score based on predesigned questionnaire was constructed using the literature survey of silicosis symptoms. Results: A total of 435 mine/quarries workers (M: F = 432:3) working in sandstone belt of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Western India were assessed clinically, and details of their symptoms were noted. Demographic information was as followed mean age = 36.44 ± 11.23 years and mean duration of dust exposure = 13.4 ± 9.6 years. A total of 96/435 workers were symptomatic (22%), and salient hypoxia was present in 113/435 (26%). Both groups of these workers were referred to nearby community health centers for further evaluation. Awareness levels among the workers were poor, as only 119/435 (27%) workers had some ideas about the silicosis prevention while working in mines and quarries. Regular wearing of masks while being on the field was observed in only 8% (35/435). Mine Worker Screening Camp approach was used for symptomatic workers and evaluation by a three-member clinical board was done in community health center in the vicinity of mining areas. Those suspected of having silicosis were referred to pneumoconiosis board for further evaluation. Conclusions: High frequency of symptomatic mine workers (22%) exposed chronically to occupational dust was found in sandstone mines and quarries of Jodhpur region. Awareness levels about silicosis prevention were poor. A referral system for those needing further evaluation has been demonstrated.

Interpretation of molecular detection of avian influenza A virus in respiratory specimens collected from live bird market workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh: infection or contamination?

ObjectivesInterpreting real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results for human avian influenza A virus (AIV) detection in contaminated settings like live bird markets (LBMs) without serology or viral culture poses a challenge. MethodsDuring February-March 2012 and November 2012-February 2013, we screened workers at nine LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to confirm molecular detections of AIV RNA in respiratory specimens with serology. We tested nasopharyngeal (NP) and throat swabs from workers with influenza-like illness (ILI) and NP, throat, and arm swabs from asymptomatic workers for influenza virus by rRT-PCR and sera for seroconversion and antibodies against HPAI A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) viruses. ResultsAmong 1273 ILI cases, 34 (2.6%) had A(H5), 56 (4%) had A(H9), and six (0.4%) had both A(H5) and A(H9) detected by rRT-PCR. Of 192 asymptomatic workers, A(H5) was detected in eight (4%) NP and 38 (20%) arm swabs. Of 28 ILI cases with A(H5) or A(H9) detected, none had evidence of seroconversion, but one (3.5%) and 12 (43%) were seropositive for A(H5) and A(H9), respectively. ConclusionDetection of AIV RNA in respiratory specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic LBM workers without evidence of seroconversion or virus isolation suggests environmental contamination, emphasizing caution in interpreting rRT-PCR results in high viral load settings.

Combined Infection Control Interventions Protect Essential Food Workers from Occupational Exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in the Agricultural Environment.

Essential food workers experience elevated risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to prolonged occupational exposures in food production and processing areas, shared transportation (car or bus), and employer-provided shared housing. Our goal was to quantify the daily cumulative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for healthy susceptible produce workers and to evaluate the relative reduction in risk attributable to food industry interventions and vaccination. We simulated daily SARS-CoV-2 exposures of indoor and outdoor produce workers through six linked quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model scenarios. For each scenario, the infectious viral dose emitted by a symptomatic worker was calculated across aerosol, droplet, and fomite-mediated transmission pathways. Standard industry interventions (2-m physical distancing, handwashing, surface disinfection, universal masking, ventilation) were simulated to assess relative risk reductions from baseline risk (no interventions, 1-m distance). Implementation of industry interventions reduced an indoor worker's relative infection risk by 98.0% (0.020; 95% uncertainty interval [UI], 0.005 to 0.104) from baseline risk (1.00; 95% UI, 0.995 to 1.00) and an outdoor worker's relative infection risk by 94.5% (0.027; 95% UI, 0.013 to 0.055) from baseline risk (0.487; 95% UI, 0.257 to 0.825). Integrating these interventions with two-dose mRNA vaccinations (86 to 99% efficacy), representing a worker's protective immunity to infection, reduced the relative infection risk from baseline for indoor workers by 99.9% (0.001; 95% UI, 0.0002 to 0.005) and outdoor workers by 99.6% (0.002; 95% UI, 0.0003 to 0.005). Consistent implementation of combined industry interventions, paired with vaccination, effectively mitigates the elevated risks from occupationally acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection faced by produce workers. IMPORTANCE This is the first study to estimate the daily risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection across a variety of indoor and outdoor environmental settings relevant to food workers (e.g., shared transportation [car or bus], enclosed produce processing facility and accompanying breakroom, outdoor produce harvesting field, shared housing facility) through a linked quantitative microbial risk assessment framework. Our model has demonstrated that the elevated daily SARS-CoV-2 infection risk experienced by indoor and outdoor produce workers can be reduced below 1% when vaccinations (optimal vaccine efficacy, 86 to 99%) are implemented with recommended infection control strategies (e.g., handwashing, surface disinfection, universal masking, physical distancing, and increased ventilation). Our novel findings provide scenario-specific infection risk estimates that can be utilized by food industry managers to target high-risk scenarios with effective infection mitigation strategies, which was informed through more realistic and context-driven modeling estimates of the infection risk faced by essential food workers daily. Bundled interventions, particularly if they include vaccination, yield significant reductions (>99%) in daily SARS-CoV-2 infection risk for essential food workers in enclosed and open-air environments.

Effects of a mobile health intervention on activities of stress self-management for workers.

Mobile health interventions are being widely tried because of their attractive advantages. However, there is not enough evidence for its effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mobile app-based stress management intervention (mSMI) on highly stressed workers. A sample of 82 white-collar workers with elevated symptoms of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10≥22) were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The mSMI consisted of three modules: self-management including a work diary, counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy and interventions focused on music, meditation, relaxation and image healings. Self-report data were collected at the baseline and post-intervention. Study outcomes analyzed perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and work engagement. Data were assessed using analysis of covariance with covariates. There was significantly reduced perceived stress from baseline to 6 weeks in mSMI (t = 5.788, p < 0.001) and control group (t = 3.184, p = 0.003). After adjusting for covariates, the between-group difference in the perceived stress was significantly different (F = 4.051, p = 0.048); however, the effect size was small. There was no significant intervention effect on anxiety, depression, and work engagement. The process evaluation indicated that most participants (85.3%) were satisfied with the intervention and their mental health benefited. This study found that mobile health intervention facilitated perceived stress management for highly stressed workers. Further studies should address job-related outcomes and mental health symptoms in workers by applying the latest information technology and addressing the limitations of mobile interventions.

Oxidative Damage and Post-COVID Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cohort of Italian Workers.

In addition to the acute symptoms after infection, patients and society are also being challenged by the long-term effects of COVID-19, known as long COVID. Oxidative stress, as a pivotal point in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, could potentially be also involved in the development of the post-COVID syndrome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in oxidative status and the persistence of long-COVID symptoms in workers with a previous mild COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 127 employees of an Italian university (80 with a previous COVID-19 infection, and 47 healthy subjects). The TBARS assay was used to detect malondialdehyde serum levels (MDA), while total hydroperoxide (TH) production was measured by a d-ROMs kit. A significant difference in mean serum MDA values was found between previously infected subjects and healthy controls and (4.9 µm vs. 2.8 µm, respectively). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed high specificity and good sensibility (78.7% and 67.5%, respectively) for MDA serum levels. A random forest classifier identified the hematocrit value, MDA serum levels, and IgG titer against SARS-CoV-2 as features with the highest predictive value in distinguishing 34 long-COVID from 46 asymptomatic post-COVID subjects. Oxidative damage persists in subjects with previous COVID-19 infection, suggesting a possible role of oxidative stress mediators in the pathogenesis of long COVID.

Reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay as a rapid molecular diagnostic tool for COVID-19 in healthcare workers

In December 2019, the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CDC of China) reported an outbreak of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan (Hubei province, China) that haunted the world, resulting in a global pandemic. This outbreak was caused by a betacoronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several of these cases have been observed in healthcare professionals working in hospitals and providing care on the pandemic's frontline. In the present study, nasopharyngeal swab samples of healthcare workers were used to assess the performance of the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay and subsequently compared with the real‐time reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method. Thus, in this study, we validated a method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-LAMP that can be used to diagnose these workers. The methodology used was based on analyzing the sensitivity, specificity, evaluation of the detection limit, and cross-reaction with other respiratory viruses. The agreement was estimated using a dispersion diagram designed using the Bland-Altman method. A total of 100 clinical specimens of nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers in Pelotas, Brazil, during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. RT-LAMP assay, it was possible to detect SARS-CoV-2 in 96.7% of the healthcare professionals tested using the E gene and N gene primers approximately and 100% for the gene of human β-actin. The observed agreement was considered excellent for the primer set of the E and N genes (k = 0.957 and k = 0.896), respectively. The sensitivity of the RT-LAMP assay was positive for the primer set of the E gene, detected to approximately 2 copies per reaction. For the primer set of the N gene, the assay was possible to verify an LoD of approximately 253 copies per reaction. After executing the RT-LAMP assay, no positive reactions were observed for any of the virus respiratory tested. Therefore, we conclude that RT-LAMP is effective for rapid molecular diagnosis during the COVID-19 outbreak period in healthcare professionals.

Description of Mercury Poison Clinical Symptoms in Workers and Communities Around the Small-Scale Gold Processing Area

The traditional gold processing process in Paya Seumantok Village, Krueng Sabee District, Aceh Jaya Regency, Aceh Province, is carried out using the amalgamation method which still uses mercury in the process, so it poses a risk to the health of workers and the surrounding community. This study aims to obtain an overview of the clinical symptoms experienced by workers and the community around the gold processing area. This study uses qualitative research methods with the number of community respondents were 90 respondents, and the number of worker respondents were 10 workers. Based on the results, the common acute clinical symptoms experienced by the community were headache (48.6%), cough (39.6%), abdominal pain (37.8%), diarrhea (29.7%), and hip pain (25.2%). While the chronic clinical symptoms experienced by the majority of community respondents were headaches (47.7%), irritability (27.9%), insomnia (26.1%), muscle cramps (23.4%), and weight loss (20.7%). Moreover, the most common acute clinical symptoms experienced by workers were cough (8 respondents), pelvic pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and headaches were experienced by 7 respondents respectively. While for chronic clinical symptoms, the majority of workers experienced headaches and insomnia (8 respondents), irritability (6 respondents), anxiety (6 respondents), muscle cramps (5 respondents), and tremors (4 respondents). Based on the result, it can be concluded that the clinical symptoms encountered by the community and workers in the gold processing area have not shown clinical signs that are quite dangerous.

Assessment of the Occupational Risk of Tuberculosis & Air Borne Infection Control in High-Risk Hospital Wards and Its Implications on Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India.

Introduction The indoor air in hospitals could play a significant role in the transmission of a wide array of infections, especially in respiratory intensive care units, pulmonary outpatient departments, and other areas. Unprotected coughing and sneezing may facilitate the release of aerosols and contaminate the indoor environment. The majority of infections transmitted through these modes include viral diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), influenza, and measles, among several others. Moreover, the possibility of direct and indirect transmission of microbes by air has been underestimated in hospital settings, especially in developing countries. This studytherefore was carried out to assess the burden of microbes in the air of selected wards in a tertiary care hospital and evaluate the occupational risk of some infections among healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods This study was carried out between September 2019 and February 2021 at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. A total of 30 symptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) were included in the study and were screened for present and past tuberculosis (TB) as well as other lower respiratory tract infections. A tuberculin skin test, chest X-ray, and sputum acid-fast staining were performed on all the HCWs who were negative for other bacterial infections and were symptomatic. The study was conductedin coordination with the pulmonology department. Active monitoring of air was performed by microbiological air sampler in the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) and other high-risk areas including the pulmonology outpatient department (OPD), the radiology OPD, and the microbiology department. Results Sputum for tuberculousbacteriawas positive in four (16.6%) HCWs. The chest X-ray showed radiological findings suggestive of TB in five (20.8%) HCWs. Three (12.5%) HCWs who were screened for extrapulmonary TBrevealed one (33.3%) was positive for TB of the hip joint. Among the HCWs, eight (33%) returned positive tuberculin tests. Assessment of the hospital air in theRICU revealedthe bacterial count (288 CFU/m3) exceeded the normal limit (≤50 CFU/m3). The COVID-19 isolation ward showed the lowest bacterial count (06 CFU/m3) and no fungi. The predominant bacterial isolates were gram-positive cocci in clusters (Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). After proper disinfection and correction of ventilation techniques, the resampling results noted microbial colonies under normal limits. Conclusion A high burden of TB was noted among the HCWs. The airborne infection control strategies are essential to minimize the risk ofnosocomial infections and occupational TB risk to HCWs. Most microbes are transmitted through the airborne route and therefore it is extremely important to take measures to control the transmission of such pathogens in hospital settings.

The role of secondary traumatic stress breakthrough champions in reducing worker trauma and improving organizational health using a configurational analysis approach.

Emerging research has demonstrated that organizational efforts at becoming secondary traumatic stress (STS)-informed can improve the overall well-being of the workforce, especially when implementation activity by a champion team is high. Questions remain, however, regarding the mechanisms that enable these improvements. This study uses configurational analysis to determine necessary and sufficient conditions to produce reductions in STS symptoms in workers as well as organizational improvements toward being more STS-informed in a cohort survey of 6,033 professionals working with individuals exposed to trauma representing 52 organizations. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Informed Organizational Assessment (STSI-OA) was used to measure professional's perceptions of how well the unit addressed secondary trauma in the workplace, and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) assessed traumatic stress symptoms in respondents. Champions' activity was scored using the categories suggested by Shea. For the STSS outcome, either a STSI-OA positive increase of 10 or more points or high levels of champion problem-solving were independently sufficient for an improvement in the outcome. The STSI-OA model had two pathways: high levels of peer engagement via the scaling up of innovations using PDSAs or the combination of facilitation of peer knowledge and skills together with working in a child welfare organization. Either pathway was sufficient by itself to yield the STSI-OA outcome. Identifying and cultivating the champions' use of problem-solving and peer engagement strategies can transform the threat posed by indirect trauma exposure into an opportunity for shared experience and healing. Organizational champions are individuals or teams that strive to promote change within their workplace. These champions are integral to spreading innovative ideas and strategies and creating organization-wide changes ( Powell et al., 2015). However, little is known about the processes or specific strategies that make champions successful. One area in which champions are needed is in improving organizations' response to and understanding of secondary traumatic stress (STS), among those in helping professions that are indirectly exposed to trauma through the traumatic stories of those they work with. In fact, research has shown that organizational efforts to address STS improve the well-being of individual professionals within that organization ( Sprang et al., 2021). The present study sought to better understand what champion-related processes or conditions led to organizational change in addressing the effects of indirect exposure and improving symptoms related to STS. Results showed that organizational change in addressing STS and champions' problem-solving strategies resulted in reductions in individual professionals' STS symptoms. Furthermore, champions' use of peer engagement or sharing of knowledge among peers in child welfare settings led to improvements at an organizational level. These results show that organization-level change can have a direct impact on individual well-being and there are specific champion activities that can promote this change. Specifically, results demonstrate a need to identify and support champions' use of problem-solving and peer engagement strategies to turn the individual and organizational threat posed by indirect trauma into an opportunity for shared healing.

Bem-estar, Saúde Mental e a Enfermagem do Trabalho: uma revisão da Literatura

Introduction The new challenges and demands of work-related tasks reveal the interest in investing in the promotion of health, well-being and productivity of employees. The occupational nurse has a set of skills to assess professional risks, in particular psychosocial risks, to raise awareness, increase safety and to operate changes that promote healthy environments. The implementation of a mental health and well-being at work program has an impact on the prevention of health problems and in the acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits, with a positive impact on the worker and in the organization. Objectives To analyze the scientific evidence on the well-being and mental health of workers in Occupational Health. Methodology This is an integrative literature review. A search was carried out in the databases Pubmed®, CINAHL®Complete, MedicLatina, MEDLINE Complete, Nursing &amp; Allied Health: Comprehensive Edition and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The sample is made by 25 articles, which met the defined inclusion criteria (2016-2022, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, in the area of health and well-being at work). Results The most reported problems in the work context were depression, anxiety, work overload and professional devaluation. Interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms in workers. The involvement of managers in a mental health and wellness program, preferably based on digital format, contributes to healthy work environments. Conclusions Implementing simple and accessible mental health and wellness programs, including encouraging practices such as mindfulness and yoga, can create significant changes, with gains in health and for the organization, for the positive impact on the person and their productivity. Currently, it is essential to promote the articulation between the occupational nurse and the managers of the organizations, because by looking out for the worker’s interest and the improvement of the indicators in terms of mental health, they favor the bond, the performance, the human capital and the productivity. KEYWORDS: Occupational Nursing; Welfare; Mental Health; Mental Health Program; Occupational Health.