Use Of Protective Equipment Research Articles

Effect of External Ear Deformity on Hearing in Wrestlers.

Cauliflower ear in wrestlers can lead to hearing impairment. This study primarily aims to assess the hearing of wrestlers with bilateral cauliflower ears and determine their external ear canal (EEC) resonance frequencies. Our second aim is to evaluate their hearing quality, speech, and spatial perception. This study included 28 male wrestlers aged 18-35 years with bilateral cauliflower ears, as well as 27 male participants in the control group with no wrestling history. The participants' hearing thresholds were determined across the frequency range of 125-16000 Hz for air-conduction and 500-4000 Hz for bone conduction. EEC resonance frequencies were measured. Additionally, all participants completed the Turkish version of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) questionnaire. Wrestlers with cauliflower ears exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds, particularly at frequencies above 4000 Hz (p < .05). Analysis of EEC resonance showed a shift to higher frequencies in the second resonance peak of the right ear (p < .001) and the first resonance peak of the left ear (p = .045). SSQ scores revealed that wrestlers had higher spatial perception (p = .046), hearing quality (p = .004), and general scores (p = .042) in comparison to the control group. Blunt traumas in wrestlers, leading to cauliflower ear, can result in hearing loss. Moreover, deformities in the external ear affect the resonance frequencies of the EEC. Therefore, it is crucial to advocate for the use of ear protection equipment among wrestlers. When fitting hearing aids, attention should be given to changes in the EEC resonance frequency.

СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ ЗАГРЯЗНЕНИЯ ОКРУЖАЮЩЕЙ СРЕДЫ СРЕДСТВАМИ ИНДИВИДУАЛЬНОЙ ЗАЩИТЫ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО НАЗНАЧЕНИЯ

A new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has changed the lives of many people around the world. During the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of genomic sequences of the new coronavirus were formed, and its steady transmission from person to person remains. The use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) has become necessary to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of their production. Is of great concern the accumulation of the number of used PPE (medical and household waste), as well as their further disposal. The presence of various fragments of plastic and chemicals in disposable PPE can cause ecotoxicological effects on representatives of aquatic and terrestrial habitats at different levels of biological organization. In addition, PPE is a great danger for the further spread of various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, since viruses can remain on different surfaces for several days. In the current situation, it is obvious that there is a need to conduct research to assess environmental risks and the impact of used PPE on the environment and human health

From crisis to care: A phenomenological exploration of how frontline nurses lived the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

This paper explores how frontline nurses experienced the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to provide appropriate care during a global health crisis. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study. The sample consisted of 13 frontline nurses from Turkey, working in intensive care units, inpatient clinics and emergency unit. Data were collected online through face-to-face interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Nurses experienced certain difficulties in the continuous use of protective personal equipment, communication both with patients and colleagues, administrative processes. Besides, they experienced exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction and certain physical complaints. Hospital administrators and health policy makers should effectively manage human and hospital resources effectively and solve nurses' problems in times of crisis, such as pandemics. Understanding the challenges faced by frontline nurses during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may help healthcare practitioners and policy makers to implement targeted interventions, support mechanisms and resource allocation strategies that enhance the well-being of frontline nurses and optimise patient care delivery during health crises.

Viral shedding pattern of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in severely ill patients: A prospective, Multicenter cohort study

BackgroundSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is spreading rapidly in Asia. The pathway of SFTS virus shedding from patient and specific use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) against viral transmission have rarely been reported. The study was to determine SFTS virus (SFTSV) shedding pattern from the respiratory, digestive and urinary tract to outside in patients. Methods: Patients were divided into mild and severe groups in three sentinel hospitals for SFTS in Anhui province from April 2020 to October 2022. SFTSV level from blood, throat swabs, fecal/anal swabs, urine and bedside environment swabs of SFTS patients were detected by qRT-PCR. Specific PPEs were applied in healthcare workers contacting with the patients who had oropharyngeal virus shedding and hemorrhagic signs. ResultsA total of 189 SFTSV-confirmed patients were included in the study, 54 patients died (case fatality rate, 28.57 %). Positive SFTSV in throat swabs (T-SFTSV), fecal/anal swabs (F-SFTSV) and urine (U-SFTSV) were detected in 121 (64.02 %), 91 (48.15 %) and 65 (34.4 %) severely ill patients, respectively. The levels of T-SFTSV, F-SFTSV and U-SFTSV were positively correlated with the load of SFTSV in blood. We firstly revealed that SFTSV positive rate of throat swabs were correlated with occurrence of pneumonia and case fatality rate of patients (P < 0.0001). Specific precaution measures were applied by healthcare workers in participating cardiopulmonary resuscitation and orotracheal intubation for severely ill patients with positive T-SFTSV, no event of SFTSV human-to-human transmission occurred after application of effective PPEs. ConclusionsOur research demonstrated SFTSV could shed out from blood, oropharynx, feces and urine in severely ill patients. The excretion of SFTSV from these parts was positively correlated with viral load in the blood. Effective prevention measures against SFTSV human-to-human transmission are needed.

Using simulation modeling to inform intervention and implementation selection in a rapid stakeholder-engaged hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized trial

BackgroundImplementation research generally assumes established evidence-based practices and prior piloting of implementation strategies, which may not be feasible during a public health emergency. We describe the use of a simulation model of the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation strategies to inform a stakeholder-engaged process of rapidly designing a tailored intervention and implementation strategy for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in group homes in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized trial.MethodsWe used a validated dynamic microsimulation model of COVID-19 transmission and disease in late 2020/early 2021 to determine the most effective strategies to mitigate infections among Massachusetts group home staff and residents. Model inputs were informed by data from stakeholders, public records, and published literature. We assessed different prevention strategies, iterated over time with input from multidisciplinary stakeholders and pandemic evolution, including varying symptom screening, testing frequency, isolation, contact-time, use of personal protective equipment, and vaccination. Model outcomes included new infections in group home residents, new infections in group home staff, and resident hospital days. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for parameter uncertainty. Results of the simulations informed a stakeholder-engaged process to select components of a tailored best practice intervention and implementation strategy.ResultsThe largest projected decrease in infections was with initial vaccination, with minimal benefit for additional routine testing. The initial level of actual vaccination in the group homes was estimated to reduce resident infections by 72.4% and staff infections by 55.9% over the 90-day time horizon. Increasing resident and staff vaccination uptake to a target goal of 90% further decreased resident infections by 45.2% and staff infections by 51.3%. Subsequent simulated removal of masking led to a 6.5% increase in infections among residents and 3.2% among staff. The simulation model results were presented to multidisciplinary stakeholders and policymakers to inform the “Tailored Best Practice” package for the hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.ConclusionsVaccination and decreasing vaccine hesitancy among staff were predicted to have the greatest impact in mitigating COVID-19 risk in vulnerable populations of group home residents and staff. Simulation modeling was effective in rapidly informing the selection of the prevention and implementation strategy in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Future implementation may benefit from this approach when rapid deployment is necessary in the absence of data on tailored interventions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04726371

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Respiratory Symptoms among Street Sweepers in Bangkok, Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study.

Chronic respiratory diseases are becoming a more prominent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Street sweepers are commonly found in low- and middle-income countries. This job involves outdoor work that exposes workers to various health hazards and air pollution, particularly affecting respiratory health. There is still limited research focusing specifically on street sweepers. The study aims to examine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and the associated factors in street sweepers in Bangkok, Thailand. We undertook a cross-sectional survey between February and April 2023. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, stratifying the sample according to district locations within Bangkok, Thailand. Data were collected through a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, occupational and environmental factors, and respiratory symptoms using a modified version of the Medical Research Council questionnaire. Data analysis included bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression. The response rate was 98.0% (n = 341). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among street sweepers in Bangkok, Thailand, with at least one respiratory symptom was reported by 33.7% of the participants, specifically cough (22%), phlegm (20.2%), dyspnea (17.6%), and wheeze (7.0%). The average age of the sample group was 43.2 years, with a majority being female (85.9%). Among the participants, 88.3% were non-smokers, while 37.2% reported exposure to secondhand smoke. All participants reported the use of respiratory protective equipment, with face masks used at 78.9%. 7.3% of the participants lived near sources of pollution, and 12.0% were involved in household pollution activities. An average annual air quality index in the workplace area was categorized as 'good' at 57.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations of chronic respiratory symptoms with the following factors: exposure to secondhand smoke [odds ratio (OR) =2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-4.2] and household activities (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-6.6). Exposure to secondhand smoke and indoor air pollutants in household environments are significant factors associated with the symptoms. Raising awareness about secondhand smoke hazards in household and environmental settings and promoting self-care practices related to various activities with potential exposure to indoor air pollution is crucial.

Effect of educational intervention on the use of personal protective equipment in nursing staff

Introduction: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, specific care in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is crucial for patient care. Aim: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the self-reported use of PPE by nursing professionals. The primary question guiding this research was: What is the effect of an educational intervention on the self-reported use of PPE by nursing professionals? Design: This quasi-experimental study used a before-and-after design and involved 98 nursing professionals. Results: It was found that 78.30% of nursing technicians reported absences from work due to COVID-19. Among these professionals, 82.27% reported having access to PPE during the pandemic, yet only 78.4% had received training on its usage. Notably, before the educational intervention, 53.2% of nursing technicians and 57.8% of nurses correctly performed PPE placement. After the intervention, these figures changed to 45.5% and 36.8%, respectively. Regarding the correct sequence of PPE removal, before the intervention, 32.9% of nursing technicians and 57.8% of nurses reported accuracy; these numbers slightly changed post-intervention to 34.1% and 52.6%, respectively. Implications: The educational intervention resulted in significant improvements in the correct removal of PPE, particularly among technical-level professionals. This outcome underscores the importance of ongoing training programs, tailored to the specific needs and experience levels of healthcare professionals, to enhance adherence to safety practices and optimize protection in high-risk environments.

Relationships between effective safety training, safety knowledge and personal protective equipment related behaviors among firefighters

Introduction: Firefighter injuries and fatalities have been attributed to improper or ineffective use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Although studies have examined predictors of PPE to include situational, leadership, stressors and other psychosocial factors, research has not thoroughly examined the relationships between effective safety training administration, knowledge creation, and the influence of those factors on PPE use among firefighters. Method: This study aimed to assess those relationships by using structural equation modeling analysis. Results: The model fit was good, and findings confirmed the hypothesized model and relationships, which included a positive, significant relationship between effective safety training and safety knowledge and positive, significant relationships between safety knowledge and PPE-related safety behavior outcomes, including the effective use of PASS devices, the correct use of SCBA and PPE during overhaul operations, and the correct use and inspection of PPE among firefighters in general. Practical Applications: Findings support the importance of safety training in the fire service to bolster knowledge and correct PPE use.

Perfil dos acidentes com exposição a material biológicoentre residentes e estudantes de medicina

Introduction: Resident physicians and medical students who suffered occupational accidents involving biological risks can present serious health problems. Objective: To describe occupational accidents involving exposure to biological material among medical undergraduates and residents at the State University of Campinas from 2011 to 2020. Method: This was a retrospective case series study conducted from the records of work accidents involving exposure to biological material that occurred among medical undergraduates and residents. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software, version 9.4. To check the association between the use of personal protective equipment and exposure route, the method Generalized Estimating Equations was used. Results: A total of 1,121 notifications were analyzed, of which 78.5% involved medical residents and 21.5% involved medical undergraduates. Most exposures were due to percutaneous injury (80.1%), the needle with lumen was the main causative agent (37.6%), and 49.0% accidents occurred during surgical procedures or sutures. The operating room and emergency unit had the highest number of accidents. It was evidenced association between accidents that occurred with exposure to the mucous membranes of eyes and non-adherence to eye protection (p&lt;0, 0001). Residents suffered more accidents in the first two years of residency (66.3%), whereas in medical undergraduate students, the prevalence was between the fifth and sixth year of the program (81.9%). Conclusions: Awareness and early education regarding the issue of safety in the work environment should be a priority in medical education, because they provide students with the necessary knowledge to protect themselves from occupational biological hazards.

Compliance of healthcare workers in a psychiatric inpatient ward to infection control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a participant observation study supplemented with a self-reported survey

BackgroundAs an emerging infectious disease with a heterogenous and uncertain transmission pattern, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a catastrophe in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and posed a significant challenge to infection control practices (ICPs) in healthcare settings. While the unique characteristics of psychiatric patients and clinical settings may make the implementation of ICPs difficult, evidence is lacking for compliance with ICPs among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a psychiatric setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional multi-method study based on participant unobtrusive observation coupled with the completion of a self-administered ICP survey was conducted to assess compliance with ICPs among HCWs in a psychiatric inpatient ward in a regional hospital. An online checklist, called eRub, was used to record the performance of HCWs in hand hygiene (HH) and other essential ICPs. Furthermore, a well-validated questionnaire (i.e., Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale, CSPS) was used to collect the participants’ self-reported ICP compliance for later comparison.ResultsA total of 2,670 ICP opportunities were observed from January to April 2020. The overall compliance rate was 42.6%. HCWs exhibited satisfactory compliance to the wearing of mask (91.2%) and the handling of clinical waste (87.5%); suboptimal compliance to the handling of sharp objects (67.7%) and linen (72.7%); and poor compliance to HH (3.3%), use of gloves (40.9%), use of personal protective equipment (20%), and disinfection of used surface/area (0.4%). The compliance rates of the nurses and support staff to HH were significantly different (χ2 = 123.25, p < 0.001). In the self-reported survey, the overall compliance rate for ICPs was 64.6%.ConclusionThe compliance of HCWs in a psychiatric inpatient ward to ICPs during the COVID-19 pandemic ranged from poor to suboptimal. This result was alarming. Revisions of current ICP guidelines and policies that specifically target barriers in psychiatric settings will be necessary.

Proposal for Prevention of Occupational Disease Risk Using the Hiradc Method at PT X in the Dyeing Department

People in this era have various needs in carrying out life. The needs that need to be used by the community have multiple kinds of things, such as clothing. Clothes used by the community go through various processes before becoming finished goods. Before becoming ready-to-wear, clothes came from raw materials such as fabric rolls. There are multiple production processes, such as yarn, fabric, chemical dyeing, etc. One of the places where fabrics are produced is textile factories. A textile factory is a company that produces products in the form of fabrics. The manufacture of fabrics that occur in textile factories must involve mixing chemicals so that the fabric has good quality. The process of mixing these chemical substances involves workers, and the chemical substances used are classified as Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3), so these chemicals can have a bad impact on their workers if there is physical contact with the worker's body. Exposure to chemicals in the worker's body will cause a risk of developing Occupational Diseases (PAK). Therefore, in this study, data will be processed to prevent workers' risk of Occupational Diseases (PAK) using the HIRADC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Determining Control) method. The proposal given in this study is a proposal for the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for preventive measures against Occupational Diseases (PAK) for workers

Direct Combat-related U.S. Army Aviation Injuries 2003-2014.

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), a partner in the Joint Trauma Analysis for the Prevention of Injury in Combat (JTAPIC) partnership, conducted a series of retrospective reviews to investigate injuries sustained by occupants of U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft involved in combat damage incidents. The reviews were conducted to provide occupant survivability information to the Aviation Survivability Development and Tactics team, an agency within the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. For these reviews, combat damage incidents that produced casualties were separated into direct events (i.e., events in which an enemy weapon system directly injured occupants) and indirect events (i.e., incidents in which occupants were injured as a result of a crash caused by the enemy weapon system). The previous USAARL reviews provided an overview of injuries sustained during direct and indirect events. The objective of this review was to conduct a detailed analysis of injuries occurring during direct events. A descriptive retrospective review was conducted on injuries sustained by occupants of U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft involved in combat damage incidents between 2003 and 2014. All Black Hawk, Apache, and Chinook combat aviation damage incidents for the study period were reviewed. Personnel casualty information from the Defense Casualty Information Processing System (DCIPS) was linked to combat damage incident information by matching the aircraft platform, incident date, and circumstantial information found in incident narratives. Injury information for personnel identified in DCIPS as being wounded in action was obtained from the JTAPIC partnership; injury data for personnel killed in action were retrieved from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System. All injuries were coded using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the frequency and distribution of injuries to personnel involved in direct events. Overall, the extremities were the most commonly injured body regions, with lower extremities suffering more injuries than upper extremities. Penetrating injuries were identified as the primary injury mechanism for all body regions. Injuries to each AIS body region were predominantly of minor (AIS 1) and moderate (AIS 2) severity. Although injury severities were generally low (AIS 1 or AIS 2), the results of this effort indicate which body regions may benefit from additional protection during rotary-wing operations in hostile environments. The influence of occupant position within the aircraft and the use and effectiveness of personal protective equipment could not be effectively analyzed due to a lack of information.

The Role of Understanding the Medicolegal Implications of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): An Observational Study of Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among Single Center Laboratory Staff at Indriati Boyolali Hospital, In

The Role of Understanding the Medicolegal Implications of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): An Observational Study of Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among Single Center Laboratory Staff at Indriati Boyolali Hospital, In

Analisis Faktor Kunci dan Tantangan dalam Pemenuhan Standar Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) untuk Mencapai Infrastruktur yang Berkualitas: Sebuah Literatur Review

he construction sector is a dynamic industry that produces projects in terms of infrastructure and buildings. This sector faces challenges, particularly in worker safety and health (K3) in every project. Statistics show that the increase in fatalities and permanent disability cases due to accidents at construction sites in Indonesia is among the highest compared to other industrial sectors. This study examines the key factors and challenges in meeting occupational safety and health (K3) standards to achieve quality infrastructure. The method used in this study is a literature review conducted through databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. After selection, 42 articles were used as sources for analysis in this study. The results indicate that technical aspects, both Internal Risks and Project Risks, are the most influential causes of health and safety risks in a building construction project. Meanwhile, External Non-Technical Risks are the least influential causes of health and safety risks in a building construction project. Risk control can be carried out through good working methods, the use of tools according to warning signs, the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and clear explanations of accident risks and risk control methods by the contractor.

RISK ASSESSMENT OF BAGGED FERTILIZER UNLOADING ACTIVITY AT TUKS PUSRI BANYUWANGI BRANCH

The port is one of the distribution centers for goods in which there are loading and unloading activities. Loading and unloading activities sometimes involve loading and unloading personnel and heavy equipment which raises the potential for hazards that can cause work accidents and damage to goods. The purpose of this research is to conduct a risk assessment using the HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control) method on bagged fertilizer unloading work in the TUKS PUSRI Banyuwangi Branch Port area. The stages of bagged fertilizer unloading work activities include the unloading activity process, which consists of five work stages: opening the ship's hatch, workers (stevedores) entering the hatch, stevedoring, cargodoring, and delivery. The results stated that from a total of 5 work stages, 26 sources of hazards were identified with 6 sources of low risk level hazards at 23%, 7 sources of moderate risk level hazards at 27%, 6 sources of high risk level hazards at 23%, and 7 sources of very high risk level hazards (extreme) at 27%. Control measures that can be implemented are conducting briefings on OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) before starting work activities, supervision of compliance with the use of complete personal protective equipment and also the need for sanctions for workers who do not comply with the rules for using personal protective equipment.

Influence of protective clothing and masks on facial trustworthiness in an investment game: insights from a Chinese population study

Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants’ trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people’s trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.

Knowledge, Attitude, Actions on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and PPE Facilities and Infrastructure for Infectious Waste Management Workers at Siti Khodijah Hospital, Sepanjang, Sidoarjo

A hospital for type B in Sidoarjo, in the section of infectious waste management, has already implemented the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, the use of complete PPE is still lacking. As a result, there was a work accident in 2010 where a worker suffered from a skin infection caused by infectious waste. The aim of this study is to describe the knowledge, attitudes, actions on the use of PPE, and the facilities and infrastructure of PPE among infectious waste management workers at a type B hospital in Sidoarjo in 2023. This research is a descriptive observational study, with a sample population of 10 infectious waste management workers using a total sampling technique. The variables studied are the knowledge, attitudes, actions on the use of PPE, and the facilities and infrastructure of PPE among infectious waste management workers. Data analysis was performed univariately. The results showed that out of 10 people, 8 people (80%) had good knowledge and 2 people (20%) had sufficient knowledge. 7 people (70%) had good attitudes and 3 people (30%) had sufficient attitudes. 4 people (40%) had good actions and 6 people (60%) had sufficient actions. Additionally, 3 people (30%) had good PPE facilities and infrastructure and 7 people (70%) had sufficient PPE facilities and infrastructure. The conclusion obtained from this study is that the knowledge and attitudes of the workers are categorized as good, while the actions of the workers and the PPE facilities and infrastructure are categorized as sufficient. The suggestion is to pay more attention to the availability, completeness, and comfort of the PPE facilities and infrastructure needed by infectious waste management workers, and to conduct research on the use of PPE.

Effects of Wearing Personal Protective Equipment on Serum Cortisol Levels and Physiological Variables in Healthcare Workers: A Randomised Controlled Trial in a Simulated Pandemic Environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the widespread use of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly in high-risk environments. Full-body PPE is favoured for its comprehensive protection against the virus but poses challenges to the body's thermoregulatory system as it inhibits air exchange. This randomised trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of wearing a commonly used gown-type full-body PPE kit in a simulated environment. Initially, 65 healthy males were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: a study group wearing a full-body PPE kit (gown-type, full-body PPE kit with trousers, a gown-type shirt with a hood, a shoe cover, an N95 face mask, and an optional face shield) and a control group without PPE. They remained seated for three hours while wearing the PPE kit. Room conditions mimicked non-air-conditioned hospital scenarios, with temperature and humidity recorded and ventilation provided through open doors and windows, along with ceiling fan cooling. Activities with minimal physical exertion were allowed, and access to the toilet was kept to a minimum. Subjects underwent assessments of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood samples for serum cortisol before donning the PPE kit and entering a simulated ICU/WARD environment and after doffing. A total of 60 participants completed the study (30 in each group). Compared to the controls, serum cortisol levels significantly increased in the PPE groups, and HRV data indicated increased sympathetic activity in the PPE group. Wearing a full-body PPE kit (gown-type upper garment with trousers) was found to have a significant impact on cortisol levels and physiological variables in a simulated environment. This suggests that in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic that warrant the use of such PPE kits, appropriate measures should be taken to provide better thermal stability for maintaining the well-being of healthcare workers.

Investigating the effect of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model to improve the duration of personal protective equipment use in workers exposed to human vibration

Introduction: The present study was designed and implemented to investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on the health belief model on the use of personal protective equipment among process industry employees. Methods: The study involved an experimental intervention with 100 employees from various roles in a process industry. These employees were split into two groups of 50: intervention and control. Initially, data was gathered using a custom questionnaire based on the dimensions of the health belief model. The intervention group underwent a 12-session educational program over 3 months. The post-test phase took place 3 months after the educational intervention. The collected data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and independent t-test in SPSS software version 25. Results: The participants in the intervention and control groups had an average age of 46 with a standard deviation of 3 and 38 with a standard deviation of 2, respectively. The results indicated that following the educational intervention, the average scores for awareness, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and threats of employees were significantly higher than those of the control group (P&lt;0.001), with respective scores of 15/45 (3/03), 22/21(2/30), 16/61(3/12). Conclusion: Implementing the educational intervention based on the health belief model increased employees' awareness and favorable attitudes regarding using personal protective equipment.

Identifying and Evaluating Occupational Hazards of Infectious Waste Landfill Workers by the JHA Method

Background: In waste management, neglecting and mismanaging harmful biological factors can result in adverse consequences for both organizations and employees. Methods: This study aimed to identify and assess the health and safety risks faced by workers at an infectious waste site using the job hazard analysis (JHA) method. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 1401 at the waste disposal center "Halgheh Dareh" in Karaj. The JHA method involved dividing the job into tasks, identifying safety and health risks associated with each task, determining the probability and severity of the risks, and finally classifying them using a matrix based on the MIL-STD-882B standard. Control measures were also presented. All calculations were performed using Excel 2010. Results: The results revealed that out of the 20 risks analyzed, 40% were classified as unacceptable risks, 25% as undesirable risks, 30% as acceptable risks but in need of revision, and 5% as minor risks. Conclusion: Through the application of the JHA method, we were able to evaluate and classify health and safety risks according to their level of severity. By implementing control measures such as the use of personal protective equipment, periodic medical examinations, administration of the Hepatitis vaccine, and adherence to safety protocols, it is possible to reduce the risks and prevent the occurrence of occupational diseases and accidents that can lead to harm.