Use Of Protective Measures Research Articles

KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOR OF HATTA HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS REGARDING COVID-19 INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Healthcare-associated infection represents a public health problem in all countries. COVID-19 patients can rapidly overwhelm the capacities of healthcare systems. As more patients are hospitalized, healthcare workers (HCW) at the frontline of care are at the greatest risk of infection. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and self-reported behavior of healthcare professionals in Hatta Hospital regarding COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) during this emerging infectious disease pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Hatta hospital, United Arab Emirates (UAE) among one hundred HCWs using a self-administered questionnaire based on UAE National and World Health Organization (WHO) IPC guidelines. Of the study participants, 66% received COVID-19 IPC training inside Hatta hospital. The mean knowledge and behavior scores were 75.7% ± 9.4 and 87.6% ± 5.9, respectively. Knowledge score and behavior score were not related to gender (p= 0.232, 0.091, respectively ) and to work position (p= 0.882, 0.994, respectively), however, they were related to the previous contact with COVID -19 patients (p= 001, 0.011, respectively ). Nonetheless, gaps in IPC knowledge and behavior have been identified and need improvement. This includes donning and doffing of PPE and optimal use of protective measures especially respirators (N95 or FFP2).

Risk perceptions and risk behavior among children attending a road safety education program in Greece

Abstract Background Road Traffic Injuries (RTI’s) are a significant public health concern for children, placing a considerable burden on their well-being. Greece has consistently recorded high numbers of RTI’s among adolescents. Methods A university lab (LaHeRS, HMU) offers a road safety education program for primary and secondary students in Heraklion, Greece. The program consists of two parallel sessions (practical training using a driving simulator and activity-based risk-perception training) aimed at enhancing competencies in resilience to peer influence, empowering children to engage in informed decision-making and fostering hazard perceptions skills. The current presentation reports on 800 students who attended the program between October 2023 and April 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on student’s beliefs, attitudes and practices on road safety. Results A total of 800 students attended the program from the broader Crete Region. 50.5% were girls with a mean age of 12.6 (SD = 2.3) years, 60.9% secondary education students, 58% resided in rural areas. 33.9% reported using a motorcycle and 33.8% a car without a driving license. 23.3% reported experiencing a road traffic incident while commuting. 57.1% identified road safety as a problem in their place of residence, only 26.5% felt safe on local streets and only 9.1% considered other road users as watchful. Additionally, 66.8% highly valued helmet use as a precaution in short distances. 71.6% reported always wearing seatbelt in front seats and 68.9% thought seatbelts are important at back seats. 52.1% did not identify themselves as risk takers on the street, and only 22.5% felt competent in avoiding road risks. 32.9% admitted experiencing peer pressure while commuting. Conclusions Risk taking behaviors and low use of protective measures are prevalent among school aged children and need to be addressed through targeted road safety education programs and interventions. Key messages • Promoting safe behaviors and enhancing risk perception is critical among children and young adolescents. • Road safety education should be integrated into school curricula, starting from pre-school education.

Moisture Safety in Prefabricated Roof Renovations: Causes and Strategies

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires extensive energy renovation of the existing building stock. In this study we focus on deep renovation with prefabricated insulation elements as a potential solution to attain the required renovation speed and volume. The use of such elements without a proper moisture safety strategy can, however, lead to moisture-related problems, including mould growth. Here we examine the causes of moisture and mould damage in a case study of a building that has been renovated to near-zero energy standards using prefabricated insulation elements. The study elucidates the reasons for the moisture damages detected and proposes two moisture safety strategies to improve the situation. The first strategy emphasizes the importance of ensuring dry construction conditions by either using a full temporary roof or avoiding rainfall during installation. The second strategy addresses localized water damage to the attic floor and involves the use of protective measures, active ventilation and a correct installation sequence. In the case of local moisture damage, the required amount of ventilation air flow during summer is 0.5–0.55 l/(s·m²). During cooler periods, heating is needed. The employed methods include modelling the case-study building with the IDA Indoor Climate and Energy software, as well as mould growth risk assessment based on temperature and relative humidity measurements. The results highlight the effectiveness of both strategies in preventing mould growth if applied correctly, and emphasize the need for thorough planning, moisture safety regulations and rapid response to ensure successful renovation with prefabricated insulation units. The study provides valuable information on moisture safety strategies for serial renovations with prefabricated elements. The existence and proper implementation of a moisture safety strategy is important for achieving the desired energy performance goals while maintaining building durability and occupant health, and it needs to be applied throughout the chain of site management: from the main contractor down to the skilled worker.

Ill-treatment in the Chilean prison system - an analysis of reports presented by the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH) and their handling by the legal actors.

Prisons in Latin America are often described as violent and lawless places. This article analyses the Chilean case. We want to find out how complaints of ill-treatment are investigated if the victim is in prison. Our hypothesis is that the response to the phenomenon, both in the prose-cution of the perpetrators and in the protection of its victims, does not take into consideration the guidelines established in international standards, especially those contained in the Istanbul Proto-col. We analysed a total of 124 complaints of ill-treatment filed by the Chilean National Human Rights Institute (INDH). An excessive amount of time elapses between the alleged ill treatment, the filing of complaints, the use of protective measures, and the termination of the cases. There are serious deficiencies in the investigations carried out by the Public Prosecutor's Office, and therefore, most of the complaints are not clarified and end up being shelved. We conclude that, through both the actions of the judges and the prosecutors in the processing of the complaints, when it comes to investigating acts of ill-treatment inside Chilean prisons, the standards of the Istanbul Protocol are not met.

Children’s Dental Radiography Experiences and Parental Knowledge and Awareness on Radiation

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the past and present radiographic experiences of children, as well as their parents’ knowledge and awareness about radiation and radiation protection. Material and Method: The parents whose children were ordered dental X-rays at a university hospital participated in the study. A questionnaire was administered regarding the past and present radiologic experiences of their children, the use of protective measures during irradiation, their knowledge about the harmful effects of radiation and the protection. The chi-square test was used to statistically analyze the results. Results: One hundred and sixty-two parents participated. The patients’ average age was 8.91±2.69 years and 55.6% were girl. Only 10.5% of the children did not have any past radiography experience. The 11-14 age group had the highest past experience of radiographs (p=0.003). Protective coverings were used during the past and present X-ray experiences in ten (8.1%) and one (0.06%) child, respectively. Dental radiographs, predominantly periapical, were repeated in 19 children (11.7%). Of the parents, 25.9% and 6.8% stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the harmful effects of radiation and radiation protection, respectively. Conclusion: The present study revealed a need to tackle with the inadequateness regarding radiation safety and protection.

Prevalence of noise-induced health hazards and occupational safety practices among welders in Mysuru city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Occupational exposure to noise is a significant concern in the welding industry, posing potential health hazards to workers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of noise-induced health hazards, knowledge regarding these hazards, and the practice of preventive measures among welders in Mysuru City. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected from welders in Mysuru City, including noise exposure levels, perceived stress levels, insomnia prevalence, and demographic characteristics. The association between the number of years of noise exposure and auditory/non-auditory health effects was analysed. Participants' awareness of noise-induced health hazards and the use of protective equipment were also evaluated. Results: The study included male participants, predominantly below 30 years of age, with a majority (74.3%) belonging to the Muslim community. Decreased hearing (11.5%) and sleep disorders (3%) were reported by participants. About half (53.7%) were aware of noise-induced health hazards, with a high usage of safety glasses but limited use of earplugs. Most had exposure to noise for less than 5 years. Moderate levels of perceived stress and low prevalence of insomnia were observed. Significant associations were found between the number of years of noise exposure and both auditory/non-auditory health hazards, as well as between age category and auditory health effects. Conclusions: The study reveals the prevalence of noise-induced health hazards among welders in Mysuru City and highlights the importance of promoting occupational health and safety measures. Raising awareness and encouraging the use of protective measures are crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of noise exposure in the welding industry.

Forest-goers as a heterogeneous population at high-risk for malaria: a case–control study in Aceh Province, Indonesia

BackgroundA major challenge to malaria elimination is identifying and targeting populations that are harbouring residual infections and contributing to persistent transmission. In many near-elimination settings in Southeast Asia, it is known that forest-goers are at higher risk for malaria infection, but detailed information on their behaviours and exposures is not available.MethodsIn Aceh Province, Indonesia, a near-elimination setting where a growing proportion of malaria is due to Plasmodium knowlesi, a case–control study was conducted to identify risk factors for symptomatic malaria, characteristics of forest-goers, and key intervention points. From April 2017 to September 2018, cases and controls were recruited and enrolled in a 1:3 ratio. Cases had confirmed malaria infection by rapid diagnostic test or microscopy detected at a health facility (HF). Gender-matched controls were recruited from passive case detection among individuals with suspected malaria who tested negative at a health facility (HF controls), and community-matched controls were recruited among those testing negative during active case detection. Multivariable logistic regression (unconditional for HF controls and conditional for community controls) was used to identify risk factors for symptomatic malaria infection.ResultsThere were 45 cases, of which 27 were P. knowlesi, 17 were Plasmodium vivax, and one was not determined. For controls, 509 and 599 participants were recruited from health facilities and the community, respectively. Forest exposures were associated with high odds of malaria; in particular, working and sleeping in the forest (HF controls: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 21.66, 95% CI 5.09–92.26; community controls: aOR 16.78, 95% CI 2.19–128.7) and having a second residence in the forest (aOR 6.29, 95% CI 2.29–17.31 and 13.53, 95% CI 2.10–87.12). Male forest-goers were a diverse population employed in a variety of occupations including logging, farming, and mining, sleeping in settings, such as huts, tents, and barracks, and working in a wide range of group sizes. Reported use of protective measures, such as nets, hammock nets, mosquito coils, and repellents was low among forest-goers and interventions at forest residences were absent.ConclusionsSecond residences in the forest and gaps in use of protective measures point to key malaria interventions to improve coverage in forest-going populations at risk for P. knowlesi and P. vivax in Aceh, Indonesia. Intensified strategies tailored to specific sub-populations will be essential to achieve elimination.

Evaluation of personal protective equipment to protect health and safety in pesticide use

IntroductionAgriculture emerges as one of the most dangerous industries in the world, considering injury and illness rates. After the service sector in Turkey, the next large-scale sector is the agricultural sector, which constitutes 20% of the general employment. The exposure of farmers to pesticides, used to increase the quality and productivity of agricultural products, causes health risks via the mouth, respiration, skin, and eyes. Pesticide use in Turkey is increasing; the annual average increase is estimated at 1.2%. Exposure to pesticides can be reduced by wearing personal protective equipment to protect against health and safety hazards.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the importance of personal protective equipment using the multi-criteria decision-making method to prevent the risk of injury and disease resulting from pesticide use.Materials and methodsThe Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to find the weights of the criteria determined by expert opinion and a literature review. The Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) was used to rank personal protective equipment.ResultsPersonal protective equipment includes masks, gloves, overalls, safety shoes, glasses, and hats. The use of multi-criteria decision-making methods in health and safety in the agricultural sector will contribute to the literature.ConclusionEmphasizing the use of personal protective equipment, especially when using pesticides, will increase the rate of use of protective measures.

Effectiveness of Protective Measures and Rules in Reducing the Incidence of Injuries in Combat Sports: A Scoping Review.

In recent years, much effort has been made to reduce the injury rate in combat sports. However, the question remains to what extent these measures are effective. Analysis of studies could provide evidence of the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries. This scoping review aims (1) to map research articles dealing with the effectiveness of proper use of protective measures in reducing the incidence of injuries in combat sports; (2) to investigate to what extent the proper use of protective measures and compliance with sports rules help to reduce the incidence of injuries in combat sports; and (3) to identify gaps in the existing literature and suggest future research on this topic. The literature search was conducted on articles published between 2010 and 2023. The main inclusion criteria were studies investigating the effect of sports rules and protective equipment used during training or competition in combat sports on reducing the incidence of injuries. After meeting the criteria, only seven articles from boxing, karate, and taekwondo were included in this study. Results showed that mandatory head guards, along with modern thicker gloves, significantly reduced the rate of knockouts (KOs) and head injuries in boxing despite an increase in the number of head blows. However, the number of facial cuts increased significantly due to the removal of head guards as a piece of mandatory equipment. The use of mouth guards has significantly reduced the number of oral injuries. Changes in rules, such as shortening the duration of bouts, along with the introduction of greater competencies of referees in the supervision of bouts (the standing count, outclassed rule, and medical stops) have helped to reduce the rate of injuries in boxing. The application of a computerised scoring system also contributed to the rate of injuries reduction. The increase in the number of weight divisions had the same effect on U21 karate athletes. However, a higher incentive to attack the head area in taekwondo did not increase the incidence of injuries in youth athletes. It can be concluded that the proper use of protective measures (head and mouth guards) in combination with the rules established for health protection (higher competencies of referees and more weight divisions in competitions) effectively reduces the occurrence of injuries in combat sports. In all Olympic combat sports, the injury incidence should be regularly assessed using the Injury Incidence Rate (IIR) per 1000 min exposures (MEs). Nonetheless, further studies are needed to monitor how established rules (e.g., prohibited behaviour) affect the IIRs.

Assessment of Proximal Protection Usage by Dental Students During Class II Cavity Preparations: An In Vivo Pilot Study.

Class II cavity preparations in restorative dentistry pose a risk of iatrogenic damage to adjacent teeth as they could increase theirsusceptibility to caries and the need for additional restorative procedures. While previous research has explored this issue through in vitro and limited in vivo investigations, the direct clinical observation of proximal protection usage to prevent iatrogenic damage during class II cavity preparations is still limited. This in vivo study aimed to assess the prevalence of proximal protection usage and extent of iatrogenic damage induced to adjacent surfaces upon occurrence during class II cavity preparations via direct visual inspection under magnification. Data were collected from restorative dentistry consultants supervising fourth-year undergraduate students. Information regarding cavity preparations, proximal protection usage, and iatrogenic damage was gathered through an electronic evaluation form via direct clinical observations once class II cavity preparations were finished. Statistical analyses, including ordinal logistic regression models, were employed to investigate associations and compute odds ratios (ORs). We examined 82 teeth adjacent to class II cavity preparations in in vivo settings. The prevalence of proximal protection use was 72%, while the prevalence of iatrogenic damage was 17.1% overall, increasing to 47.8% when not using protectionand 5.1% when using protective measures. Polishing and restoration of the induced damage were the primary management approaches. The use of protective measures, particularly matrix bands, significantly reduced the risk of iatrogenic damage (P < 0.05). Several factors, including arch, tooth surface, time, operator gender, and the state of the adjacent tooth before treatment, were examined but did not yield statistically significant associations. Our study shows that most undergraduate dental students use proximal protection during class II cavity preparations, which are significant in reducing iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth. However, the literature shows that general practitioners often do not use proximal protection. The use of proximal protection should be reinforced and even required for the successful and safe treatment of proximal cavities. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to understand the barriers to the use of proximal protection and develop interventions to promote its adoption.

Unmet Psychosocial Needs of Health Care Professionals in Europe During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected everyday life and working conditions for most Europeans, particularly health care professionals (HCPs). Over the past 3 years, various policies have been implemented in various European countries. Studies have reported on the worsening of mental health, work-related stress, and helpful coping strategies. However, having a closer look is still necessary to gain more information on the psychosocial stressors and unmet needs of HCPs as well as nonmedical staff. This study aimed to obtain quantitative information on job-related stressors of physicians and nurses and the coping strategies of HCPs and nonmedical staff at 2 periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. By further analyzing qualitative comments, we wanted to gain more information on the psychosocial stressors and unmet needs of HCPs as well as nonmedical staff on different levels of experience. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 2 time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in several European countries. The first study period (T1) lasted between April 1 and June 20, 2020, and the second study period (T2) lasted between November 25, 2021, and February 28, 2022. On a quantitative level, we used a questionnaire on stressors for physicians and nurses and a questionnaire on coping strategies for HCPs and nonmedical staff. Quantitative data were descriptively analyzed for mean values and differences in stressors and coping strategies. Qualitative data of free-text boxes of HCPs and nonmedical staff were analyzed via thematic analysis to explore the experiences of the individuals. T1 comprised 609 participants, and T2 comprised 1398 participants. Overall, 296 participants made 438 qualitative comments. The uncertainty about when the pandemic would be controlled (T1: mean 2.28, SD 0.85; T2: mean 2.08, SD 0.90) and the fear of infecting the family (T1: mean 2.26, SD 0.98; T2: mean 2.02, SD 1.02) were the most severe stressors identified by physicians and nurses in both periods. Overall, the use of protective measures (T1: mean 2.66, SD 0.60; T2: mean 2.66, SD 0.60) and acquiring information about COVID-19 (T1: mean 2.29, SD 0.82; T2: mean 1.99, SD 0.89) were identified as the most common coping strategies for the entire study population. Using thematic analysis, we identified 8 themes of personal experiences on the micro, meso, and macro levels. Measures, working conditions, feelings and emotions, and social climate were frequently mentioned topics of the participants. In T1, feelings of isolation and uncertainty were prominent. In T2, feelings of exhaustion were expressed and vaccination was frequently discussed. Moreover, unmet psychosocial needs were identified. There is a need for improvement in pandemic preparedness. Targeted vocational education measures and setting up of web-based mental health support could be useful to bridge gaps in psychosocial support needs in future crises.

Evaluation of Lens Doses among Medical Staff Involved in Nuclear Medicine: Current Eye Radiation Exposure among Nuclear-Medicine Staff

The International Commission on Radiological Protection has lowered the annual equivalent eye-lens dose to 20 mSv. Although occupational exposure can be high in nuclear medicine (NM) departments, few studies have been conducted regarding eye-lens exposure among NM staff. This study aimed to estimate the annual lens doses of staff in an NM department and identify factors contributing to lens exposure. Four nurses and six radiographers performing positron emission tomography (PET) examinations and four radiographers performing radioisotope (RI) examinations (excluding PET) were recruited for this study. A lens dosimeter was attached near the left eye to measure the 3-mm-dose equivalent; a personal dosimeter was attached to the left side of the neck to measure the 1-cm- and 70-µm-dose equivalents. Measurements were acquired over six months, and the cumulative lens dose was doubled to derive the annual dose. Correlations between the lens and personal-dosimeter doses, between the lens dose and the numbers of procedures, and between the lens dose and the amounts of PET drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) injected were examined. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was used to compare lens and personal-dosimeter doses. The estimated annual doses were 0.93 ± 0.13 mSv for PET nurses, 0.71 ± 0.41 mSv for PET radiographers, and 1.10 ± 0.53 mSv for RI radiographers. For PET nurses, but not for PET or RI radiographers, there was a positive correlation between the numbers of procedures and lens doses and between amounts injected and lens doses. There was a significant difference between the lens and personal-dosimeter doses of PET nurses. The use of protective measures, such as shielding, should prevent NM staff from receiving lens doses &gt; 20 mSv/year. However, depending on the height of the protective shield, PET nurses may be unable to assess the lens dose accurately using personal dosimeters.

Can protection motivation theory predict protective behavior against ticks?

BackgroundCases of reported tick-borne diseases in humans have increased over the past decades. Strategies informing the public about ticks, their associated diseases, and preventive measures are often highlighted as important in limiting pathogen transfer and disease. However, knowledge about the motivation for people to apply preventative measures is sparse.MethodsThe aim was to examine if Protection Motivation Theory, a model of disease prevention and health promotion, can predict the use of protective measures against ticks. Ordinal logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used on data from a cross-sectional survey with respondents from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (n = 2658). We examined the effect of (1) the perceived seriousness of tick bites, Lyme borreliosis (LB), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and (2) the perceived probability of getting a tick bite, Lyme borreliosis, and tick-borne encephalitis on protection against ticks. Finally, we examined if there was an association between the use of a protective measure and the perceived efficacy of that measure.ResultsThe perceived seriousness of a tick bite and LB significantly predict who is more likely to apply protective measures for all three countries combined. The perceived seriousness of TBE did not significantly predict the level of adoption of protective measures applied by respondents. The perceived likelihood of getting a tick bite within the next 12 months and the perceived likelihood of getting LB if bitten by a tick significantly predicted the application of protective measures. However, the increases in the likelihood of protection were very small. The application of a certain type of protection was always correlated with the perceived efficacy of the same protective measure.ConclusionSome variables of PMT may be used to predict the level of adoption of protection applied against ticks and tick-borne diseases. We found that the perceived seriousness of a tick bite and LB significantly predict the level of adoption protection. The perceived likelihood of getting a tick bite or LB also significantly predicted the level of adoption of protection, although the change was very small. The results regarding TBE were less clear. Lastly, there was an association between applying a protective measure and the perceived efficacy of the same measure.

Editorial for the special issue “Control‐theoretic approaches for systems in the life sciences”

Editorial for the special issue “Control<scp>‐theoretic</scp> approaches for systems in the life sciences”

Monitoring of the flight of aphids on potato plantations in the Arkhangelsk region

The results of the catch of aphids in vegetative plantings of potatoes in 2018–2021 are presented. The studies were carried out in the southern part of the Arkhangelsk region (Kotlas region). Yellow water traps were used to catch winged aphids. It was revealed that 25 species of winged aphids migrate to potato plantations with an average annual number of 162 individuals during the growing season. Of the total number, 7 species of aphids carrying potato viruses were identified. These included Acyrthosiphon pisum Harr., Aphis fabae Scop., Aphis nasturtii Kalt., Aulocarthum solani Kalt., Hyperomyzus lactucae L., Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, and Rhopalosiphum padi L. These species account for 70 to 82% of the abundance structure. Not a single individual of the most harmful species Myzus persicae Sulz was caught. In the group of virus-carrying aphids, the most numerous species are R. padi L. (an average of 48 individuals per season) and A. fabae Scop. (an average of 35 individuals per season). It has been established that the flight of aphids is largely influenced by average daily air temperatures. In the conditions of the hottest year (2021) at an average daily air temperature of 19 °C, the largest annual number of aphids was identified - 181 individuals. Winged aphids are present in potato agrocenoses throughout the entire growing season, which indicates the need for annual monitoring of their numbers and the use of protective measures.

Contact patterns of UK home delivery drivers and their use of protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo quantify contact patterns of UK home delivery drivers and identify protective measures adopted during the pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey to measure the interactions of 170 UK delivery...

Knowledge and attitude of radiation safety and the use of protective measures among healthcare workers in a tertiary center.

World Health Organization (WHO) reports that medical applications used in different fields account for the majority of the artificial source of radiation. Due to the high exposure to ionizing radiation, healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients are considered at high risk of suffering its harmful effects. A questionnaire survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional study that aimed to estimate the radiation safety, knowledge, attitude and the use of protective measures among HCWs in a tertiary hospital. A total of 174 participants were included in our study, the majority of them were physicians (100, 57.1%), nurses staff were 67 (38.3%), and the technicians were 8 (4.6%). Across the entire spectrum, the low level of attitude toward radiation safety was 96 (54.8%), majority of them were physicians 69 (71.9%). On the other hand, the high level of attitude toward radiation safety was 79 (45.2%), majority were nurses staff 42 (53.2%). Regarding the knowledge of radiation safety, out of all low-level attitudes, 53 (55.2%) had knowledge about the optimal thickness of the lead shield, 80 (83.3%) had knowledge about leukemia and lymphoma, 56 (58.3%) had knowledge regarding cataract, and 70 (72.9%) had knowledge regarding birth defect. Our study found that the majority of our physicians had a low attitude regarding radiation safety, although the majority of them were found to have knowledge about it. A recommendation for solid curricular application of radiation safety should be implemented in medical schools, postgraduate with continuous training, and practical courses which may help to improve the level of attitude and knowledge among HCWs regarding radiation safety.

Reduction of in-hospital non-COVID-19 pneumonia in stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundMeasures adopted to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 could have led to a reduction in the rate of non-COVID-19 infections. We assessed whether a similar reduction was present in patients with stroke.MethodsWe performed a hospital-based study nested in a prospective population-based registry. We compared prevalence of infections and in-hospital mortality in subjects admitted for acute stroke between the first pandemic year (study period, from March 2020 to February 2021) and the pre-pandemic year (control period, from March 2019 to February 2020). Infections were reported as pneumonia (PNA), urinary tract infections (UTI), and any infection (INF).ResultsFrom the control (n = 677) to the study period (n = 520), the prevalence of INF decreased from 11.5 to 4.6% (p < 0.001) and that of PNA decreased from 6.9 to 2.5% (p = 0.001). No changes in in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay were observed between the two periods.ConclusionsThe observed reduction of in-hospital pneumonias in patients with stroke was likely attributable to the use of protective measures and limitation of hospital visits. Maintaining some of those measures in the long term may contribute to control infections in hospitalized patients with stroke.

The use of protection measures in dento-maxillofacial radiology in Europe: a survey among experts

Patient contact shielding to reduce radiation exposure to radiosensitive organs of patients is known to be used inconsistently in the field of dento-maxillofacial radiology (DMFR). There is an ongoing discussion if its use is still justified with regard to recent technical enhancements in the field. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the recommended and applied safety standards regarding dose protection measures in dental radiology within European countries. With an online questionnaire the use of safety measures, especially lead protection and collimation, in different patient groups (adults, children, pregnant women) was interrogated including leading experts in the field of DMFR. Among the 24 participants from 13 different countries, there was a tendency towards lead protection for intraoral radiography and towards collimation for extraoral radiography. Participants based their decision mainly on law and societal guidelines. Overall, the application of radiation protection measures varies within Europe. It seems safe to say that lead protection as a measure of radiation dose limitation is still recommendable even though collimation and technical advancements have led to great dose reductions. Collimation should be used more broadly and a standardization of protection measures and an update of radiation protection guidelines in Europe is desirable. Accepted for publication: September 12, 2022 Published online: September 13, 2022

The use of protection measures in dento-maxillofacial radiology in Europe: a survey among experts.

Patient contact shielding to reduce radiation exposure to radiosensitive organs of patients is known to be used inconsistently in the field of dento-maxillofacial radiology (DMFR). There is an ongoing discussion if its use is still justified with regard to recent technical enhancements in the field. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the recommended and applied safety standards regarding dose protection measures in dental radiology within European countries. With an online questionnaire the use of safety measures, especially lead protection and collimation, in different patient groups (adults, children, pregnant women) was interrogated including leading experts in the field of DMFR. Among the 24 participants from 13 different countries, there was a tendency towards lead protection for intraoral radiography and towards collimation for extraoral radiography. Participants based their decision mainly on law and societal guidelines. Overall, the application of radiation protection measures varies within Europe. It seems safe to say that lead protection as a measure of radiation dose limitation is still recommendable even though collimation and technical advancements have led to great dose reductions. Collimation should be used more broadly and a standardization of protection measures and an update of radiation protection guidelines in Europe is desirable.