Unit Work Research Articles

Otherness as a Commodity: Rethinking Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Central and Eastern Europe from the time of ‘Global Socialism’

This article investigates the phenomena of contemporary Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Central and Eastern Europe by tracing out the genealogy of far-right tradition from the time of ‘global socialism’. It precisely explores how Communist Bulgaria’s and Communist Poland’s rhetoric of internationalism and unity was instrumentally exploited to deploy eugenic policies against the Muslim and Jewish population, respectively. The article is organised into three parts. First, it discusses how socialist authorities reordered domestic heritage and cultural landscapes to enhance ruling ethnic majorities. Second, it shows how the reaction of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the Polish United Workers’ Party to the international turmoil in the Mediterranean region was strategically performed to scapegoat internal dissidents and ascribe them to Turkish nationalism or Zionism. Third, it postulates how such an instrumentalisation became the Party’s ideological commodity during the decolonisation age, in turn provoking a decoupling from the Global South even before 1989. As a result, this investigation shows how extreme far-right cultures have penetrated the postsocialist predicament and continue to operate culturally by dismissing otherness from the Polish and Bulgarian national identity.

Navigating suicidality: swedish social workers’ approaches to identifying and supporting suicidal clients

ABSTRACT This study examines how Swedish social workers across various social work agencies identify and support suicidal clients. Thematic analysis of interviews with seven social workers reveals a reliance on strong client relationships and past experiences with suicidal clients. The social workers consistently assess severity of suicidal intent in clients. Despite variations in roles, social workers generally express comfort in dealing with suicidal clients by using intuition, discretion and professional and organizational logics to support suicidal clients in personalized ways. The exercise of professional discretion and interventions varies based on roles, work conditions, and relationships with suicidal clients. Notably, social workers in addiction recovery outpatient care exhibit a high degree of discretionary power, while youth treatment workers in residential care units prioritize continuity of care, involving psychiatry when needed. Case workers often view psychiatry as responsible for decisions about suicidal clients and routinely refer them to psychiatric care.

Evaluation of Work-Related Factors Affecting the Frequency of Overweight and Obesity Among Healthcare Workers in Intensive Care Units in a Training and Research Hospital

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among healthcare workers (HCWs) in intensive care units (ICU) and to evaluate the affecting work-related factors. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted between 01.09.2022 and 01.11.2022 in HCWs (working in the ICUs) in a training and research hospital. Personal information form, international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ short) were used in the study, and their self-reported height and body weights were recorded. Results: According to the Body Mass Index of the participants, 29.0% (n=60) were overweight and 13.0% (n=27) were obese. There are differences between advanced age, male gender, marital status being married, presence of obesity in family history, smoking, exposure to stress and pressure at work, lack of physical activity, sitting down to work for more than 3.5 hours in a day, shift work duration of more than 9.5 days per month, eating fast food, not being educated about obesity and overweight. Conclusion: Protecting workers against risk factors associated with overweight and obesity will increase the level of workers’ health and the quality of service received from the workers. This situation will have a positive impact on public health, reducing health costs and reducing losses for both the workers and the country's economy.

Determinants of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in intensive care units: a qualitative study

BackgroundPracticing hand hygiene is a cost-effective method to decrease the occurrence of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). However, despite their simplicity, adhering to hand hygiene methods among healthcare workers (HCWs) can be highly challenging. We aim to examine the factors influencing hand hygiene compliance as perceived by HCWs working in the intensive care units (ICUs) at several major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.MethodThis qualitative study was conducted by adopting a content analysis to examine the interviews of HCWs who are currently working in the ICUs of various major hospitals located in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ResultsWe interviewed 49 HCWs working in ICUs, with an average age of 38 and 8 years of experience. The HCWs comprised doctors (n = 12), anesthesiologists (n = 6), and nurses (n = 31). There were 34 females and 15 males among the participants. Our analysis revealed several factors that impact hand hygiene compliance, including individual, work/environment, team, task, patient, organizational, and management concerns. Several obstacles and possibilities for enhancement have been identified.ConclusionThe results of this study would enhance our comprehension of hand hygiene practices and serve as a foundation for creating future strategies and assessment methods to enhance compliance with hand hygiene protocols in ICUs.

Readiness and Service Model Exploration for Chronic Kidney Disease Telemonitoring at Public Hospital in Bengkulu, Indonesia

Public hospitals in Bengkulu lack health workers in hemodialysis units, making services not optimal, and the quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients is not controlled. Thus, telemonitoring should be an alternative to a remote health service. This study aimed to determine readiness and explore the telemonitoring service model needed in public hospitals in Bengkulu. This qualitative research used group discussion forums and in-depth interviews with 24 informants, consisting of management and health workers in the hemodialysis unit, recruited by purposive sampling. Audio recordings, verbatim transcripts, and thematic analyses were carried out. Public hospitals in Bengkulu are ready to carry out telemonitoring services regarding potential reasons, expectations from health workers, and benefits to implement as alternative solutions to improve service quality—inhibiting factors such as support tools, patients, health workers, organization, and low understanding of telemonitoring. Supporting factors are the adequacy of basic infrastructure facilities, the allocation of funds, and the required service models such as materials, supporting devices, and service settings. In conclusion, a public hospital in Bengkulu meets the readiness indicators of telemonitoring services for chronic kidney disease patients from a health worker’s perspective. Potential supporting factors need to be improved, inhibiting factors need to be anticipated, and the required service model needs to be described.

Work-Life Conflict, Burnout, and Associated Factors Among Hydroelectric Power Plant Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey.

Power plants are associated with numerous occupational health and safety risk factors, with psychosocial risks being particularly significant. This study examines work-life conflict and burnout among power plant employees and discusses the factors associated with these issues. This cross-sectional study focused on employees at three hydroelectric power plants in Turkey. The inclusion criteria included employees with at least one year of tenure. Using cluster sampling, three plants were selected in Adana, Ankara, and Samsun. The sample size was determined to be 262, and 201 employees participated, yielding a 76.7% response rate. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, which encompasses the sub-dimensions of a valid and reliable scale: The Work-Life Conflict and Burnout sub-dimensions of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire-III (COPSOQ-III) were used to measure the dependent variables. The independent variables included age, education level, total and weekly working hours, perceived health status, and department. The dependent variables were work-life conflict and burnout. Ethical approval was obtained from the Gazi University Ethics Committee. Statistical analysis compared the Pearson chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Yates correction with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. The mean age was 40.83 years, with an average tenure of 11.54 years and a weekly work time of 43.51 hours. Most participants (94.5%) were male; technical unit workers comprised 71.6%. Health issues included smoking (39.8%) and chronic diseases (19.9%). Concerns about the working environment include insufficient knowledge about safety (25.4%) and lack of knowledge about risk assessments (32.3%). Many workers reported lacking personal protective equipment (11.4%) and rest areas (15.4%). Negative health impacts from work were noted by 31.8%. In addition, 51.2% believed that noise levels were outside the acceptable range. Two-thirds of employees reported inadequate measures against physical risks in the workplace. Many participants experienced work-life conflict (13.9%) and burnout (14.5%). High work-life conflict was significantly associated with younger age groups, less tenure, and negative perceived health status. Burnout was significantly related to the duration of employment, weekly working hours, and perceived health status. The study highlights the seriousness of burnout and work-life conflict among hydropower plant workers, emphasizing the need for administrative and organizational interventions to alleviate these issues. Regular occupational health and safety training, involvement in risk assessments, fair workload distribution, supportive work environments, and counseling services are recommended to reduce burnout and improve work-life balance.

Distance Training and Its Impact on Spreading the Culture of Total Quality – An Exploratory Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Employees in the Quality Units at the University of Mosul

The efficient human element has become a goal that organizations seek to carry out their work, implement the TQM, spread its culture, and for the purpose of achieving superior quality in the work environment. Accordingly, this research focused on distance training and testing its impact in supporting the dissemination of the total quality culture. The opinions of a sample of workers in the quality units at the University of Mosul, consisting of (64) respondents, were surveyed, and the questionnaire form was used as a main tool for collecting and analyzing data using SPSS.V.25. The research found that there is a significant correlation and influence between the dimensions of distance training combined and the dissemination of a culture of comprehensive quality. One of the most important recommendations of the study is the necessity of increasing the interest of senior management in the organization under study in working on preparing and modernizing the current infrastructure of the communications and information technology network and improving its reality in a way that is consistent with the requirements. Implementing distance training programs.

Историческая политика Польской Народной Республики в 1980-е гг.: особенности трансформации

The article examines the transformation of the historical politics of the Polish People’s Republic in the 1980s. The author proceeds from the position that the commemorative practices of the Polish socialist government experienced significant external influence from the “mnemonic actors” opposed to the state − the Solidarity trade union and the Polish Catholic Church. The purpose of the study is to analyze the transformations of commemorative practices in the conditions of confrontation between the Polish United Workers’ Party and opposition structures. The works of domestic and foreign authors on the problem of research are noted, in which experts analyzed historical politics through the involvement of didactic literature, paid attention to anniversaries and memorable dates of socialist Poland, and also used a semiotic approach. Relying on a wide array of narrative sources, the author traces the structural changes in the historical policy of V. Jaruzelski: the reform of history textbooks, the actualization of previously suppressed historical events, the institutionalization of the academic community of historians under the auspices of the Polish Historical Society. It is noted that the impulse to modify commemorative practices was the spread of alternative versions of the past by the opposition, which contributed to their actualization in the collective memory of Polish society. The author focuses on the role of the Polish-born Pope John Paul II, whose visit to socialist Poland in 1983 actualized the events related to the Holocaust and the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It is concluded that the anti-communist forces of the Polish People’s Republic influenced the transformation of the course of historical politics due to the popularity of institutions opposed to the state in the conditions of permanent socio-economic and political upheavals in the country in the 1980s.

Trauma-informed systems change training has transcultural, transcontinental transformative healing power: An analysis of leaders in the United States and Angola, Africa.

The Institute for Trauma-Informed Systems Change (ITISC) facilitated a 2-day, 12-hr trauma-informed workshop, delivered virtually, using the Training for Change curriculum. The workshop took place in Portuguese in September 2021 with a group of Angolan leaders (N = 51) and in May 2022, in English, with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) workers from the United States (N = 73). Surveys were administered before (Time [T] 0) and after the workshop (T1) and consisted of demographic questions and the Survey for Trauma-Informed Systems Change (STISC), which assesses system-wide knowledge and attitudes about trauma-informed systems change and the intersection of culture, safety, and acceptance in the workplace. At T1, 18 (35.3%) participants in the Angolan leaders' group and 46 (63.0%) in the NICU group completed the surveys. Mean scores on the STISC Self-Assessed Knowledge and Attitudes subscale and STISC System-Wide Knowledge and Attitudes subscale increased significantly in both groups after the training. Effect sizes were large for self-assessed knowledge and attitudes, Angolan leaders: d = 1.11, NICU: d = 1.97, and small-to-medium for system-wide knowledge and attitudes, Angolan leaders: d = 0.52, NICU: d = 0.38. Limitations include the relatively small sample size and low participation rates for survey responses. Future research should examine the efficacy of the curriculum in larger samples that include individuals from diverse professions and additional countries. Together, the findings provide initial support that this training can be directly translated and implemented on a global scale.

Routes of SARS-Cov2 transmission in the intensive care unit: A multicentric prospective study

BackgroundThe risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to health care workers in intensive care units (ICU) and the contribution of airborne and fomites to SARS-CoV-2 transmission remain unclear. To assess the rate of air and surface contamination and identify risk factors associated with this contamination in patients admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. MethodsProspective multicentric non-interventional study conducted from June 2020 to November 2020 in 3 French ICUs. For each enrolled patient, 3 predefined surfaces were swabbed, 2 air samples at 1 m and 3 m from the patient’s mouth and face masks of 3 health care workers (HCW) were collected within the first 48 h of SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR in a respiratory sample. Droplet digital PCR and quantitative PCR were performed on different samples, respectively. ResultsAmong 150 included patients, 5 (3.6%, 95%CI: 1.2% to 8.2%) had positive ddPCR on air samples at 1 m or 3 m. Seventy-one patients (53.3%, CI95%: 44.5% to 62.0%) had at least one surface positive. Face masks worn by HCW were positive in 6 patients (4.4%, CI: 1.6% to 9.4%). The threshold of RT-qPCR of the respiratory sample performed at inclusion (odds ratio, OR= 0.88, 95%CI: 0.83 to 0.93, p < 0.0001) and the presence of diarrhea (OR= 3.28, 95%CI: 1.09 to 9.88, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with the number of contaminated surfaces. ConclusionIn this study, including patients admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure " contact route " of transmission, i.e. through fomites, seems dominant. While presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air is rare in this specific population, the presence of diarrhea is associated to surface contamination around Covid patients.

Critical factors for the rehabilitation of Hann Bay (Senegal, West Africa): Solutions for sustainable development

The advanced degradation of Hann Bay (Dakar, Senegal) has reached highly elevated levels, with serious environmental, health, and social consequences. Thus, this study focused on the determinants for rehabilitating Hann Bay and proposed solutions for sustainable development. The target area is currently home to 500,000 inhabitants and hundreds of industrial units, with virtually no suitable wastewater treatment systems. Socio-economic surveys and three rounds of effluent sampling were carried out between 2020 and 2022 at eleven sites in Hann-Bel Air, Dalifort Foirail, Thiaroye sur mer, Sicap Mbao, and Mbao. The study showed increased physicochemical, biological, and bacterial pollution of the heavily contaminated wastewater along the bay. The analytical results of the samples collected for the three series show that almost all sampling points exceed the limit value for TSS (50mg/l) and COD (200mg/l). This indicates that physicochemical and organic pollution are still present in the bay, causing fish to escape into the open sea. BOD measurements are also above the standard (N05-061; 80 mg/l) for series 1 and 2, showing an alteration in bay conditions. Analysis of the microbiological quality of the water in terms of oils and fats showed values well above the current standard (NS 05-061, 20-50 mg/l), which explains the frequent fish kills at the Hann marinas, Hann pêcheurs, and Cité ISRA sites. The same situation was observed in samples of fecal coliforms (CFU/100ml), helminth eggs (eggs/L), nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, and lead at values outside the norm. Through socio-economic surveys of the populations and workers in the industrial units, the recommended solutions focus on protection and prevention measures, enforcement of regulations, communication and awareness-raising, equipment acquisition, and monitoring and surveillance to rehabilitate the bay.

MapReduce Algorithm on a Serverless Platform

Using the MapReduce (MR) programming technique, large-scale data processing tasks can be divided into tasks that are easier to manage and independent. The serverless implementation's performance is better than the non-serverless MR model when the model parameters are altered in the experiment. Optimizing the use of the MR model on the serverless platform can be achieved by taking into account the relationship between implementation efficiency and platform settings. Additionally, it can act as a source of inspiration for future serverless hardware support configurations. Also, the serverless platform demonstrates how it improves the effectiveness of resource utilization in machine learning training. The intended result can then be achieved by combining the results of these concurrently operating jobs on server clusters. This work adapts MR, a popular big data processing framework, to the serverless platform, emphasizing realization simulation principles and services, and then uses the results in a word count experiment. The experiment uses a word count of about eleven thousand words to evaluate how well MR is implemented on Alibaba Cloud. It is validated for execution time on the platform with varying Central Processing Unit (CPU) core counts, memory configurations, and worker counts. By testing several platform configurations, it is found that the memory configuration has very little impact on the model's execution time, while the size of the CPU core has a considerable impact on reaction time relative to the number of workers.

Data Work Between the Local and the Global: An Ethnography of a Healthcare Business Intelligence Unit

This paper describes work practices at a public, non-profit healthcare business intelligence unit involved in creating BI reports and sharing these with healthcare management and professionals. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, we detail the various work tasks and processes involved in building data products that are applicable across various wards and healthcare professions, and, at the same time, intelligible and relevant for specific users: a challenge we frame as working with the tension between making the local and the global relevant to each other. We identified four ways in which this tension unfolds in the business intelligence unit's data work: consolidating standards, creating order out of chaos, engaging with healthcare professionals, and negotiating data and conflicts. We provide three contributions: we show how data work can unfold in close collaboration between professional data workers and domain experts; we nuance the existing research on data work by focusing on a less researched group of data workers; and we add to the few detailed ethnographies of business intelligence units.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Jamaican healthcare workers on nosocomial infection control.

The emergence of deadly infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the need for effective infection control (IC) procedures in healthcare facilities. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCWs) on IC procedures. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs in western Jamaica from May to August 2015. A questionnaire based on the Jamaican Health Facilities Infection and Control Policies and Procedures Manual was used to collect data on staff training in IC, and their KAP of IC. Summary statistics, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were applied for data analyses. Among 227 participants, the mean knowledge scores were statistically higher among the younger HCWs, Physicians/Nurses, and those in clinical units. Older HCWs, non-physicians/nurses, non-clinical unit workers, HCWs at Western Regional Hospital A, and those who received ongoing IC training scored higher on attitude. The practice scores were significantly correlated with the attitude scores but not the knowledge scores. The attitude score was a significant predictor for IC practices. Six knowledge and three attitude variables were significant predictors of IC practices that the Western Regional Health Authority Officials can use to implement measures to improve IC practices among HCWs.

Predictors of Quality of Work Life in Health Care Workers at Adult Critical Care Units: A Cross-sectional Study.

Satisfaction with the quality of work life reflects the inadequate distribution of the workforce in critical care units and is not enough; on many occasions, they work in precarious conditions and with high levels of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social demands, impacting the quality of care. To identify predictors of the quality of work life of healthcare workers in adult critical care units (ACCU). Quantitative study, cross-sectional analytical design with stratified two-stage sampling; three instruments were applied to 209 healthcare professionals in adult critical care units in different sites in a region of Colombia, concerning Quality of Life at Work-GOHISALO, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire-COPSOQ and Professional Quality of Life-ProQoL V. Multiple ordinal logistic regression was performed with exposure variables from the COPSOQ and ProQoL domains; the outcome variables were the dimensions of the Quality of Work Life instrument. Ethical standards for research involving human subjects were ensured. According to the results of the multiple logistic models, quality of work life is predicted by job integration and predictability (OR = 6.93; 95% CI = 3.6-13.9), leisure time management and double presence (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.22-8.79). Both job satisfaction and job security are related to leadership quality (OR=3.82; 95% CI = 2.27-6.55 and OR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.22-8.79), respectively. The quality of work life of healthcare workers in adult intensive care units is predicted by quantitative demands, double presence, emotional demands, work pace, predictability, vertical trust, and quality of leadership. Quinones-Rozo LP, Canaval-Erazo GE, Sandoval-Moreno LM. Predictors of Quality of Work Life in Health Care Workers at Adult Critical Care Units: A Cross-sectional Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(4):355-363.

Healthcare worker burnout: exploring the experiences of doctors working in a maternity unit in Namibia

BackgroundGlobally, healthcare workers (HCWs) in maternity units are at high risk of developing burnout. Burnout can lead to multiple harmful impacts on HCWs, their patients, and the broader healthcare system. Little is known about the burden of burnout among sub-Saharan African HCWs. Although evidence suggests that maternity unit doctors in a hospital complex in Namibia are at risk of developing burnout, no studies have been conducted on doctors in this department yet.MethodsThrough participant observation and a mixed-methods needs assessment, this study aimed to explore the drivers, experiences, and impact of burnout symptoms among doctors in this department, and current support mechanisms in place. Survey data was collected from 18 participants and seven in-depth interviews were conducted. Burnout risk was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool.ResultsSeven out of 18 participants were at very high risk for burnout and three were at risk, showing a high prevalence of burnout risk. Burnout risk remained similar between levels of staff, while gender qualitatively impacted burnout-related experiences. Drivers of burnout were identified at personal, occupational, and systemic levels.ConclusionsOver half of participants were at risk or at very high risk of burnout. Results highlighted a need for support and identified areas for intervention and further research. Such areas include blame culture, lack of trust between colleagues, and systemic drivers of burnout. This study contributes to the understanding of burnout among HCWs in sub-Saharan Africa.

The effect of mask usage of the health personnel on blood gas analysis and cognitive strengthening during COVID-19 pandemic.

To investigate the effect of lengthy mask use on blood gas values and cognitive functions. The cross-sectional study was conducted in February and March 2022 at Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Mersin, Turkey, and comprised healthcare professionals of either gender aged 20-60 years working in the 3rd level intensive care unit. Each volunteer was subjected to venous blood gas analysis at the beginning and end of the 8-hour morning shift. Coronavirus disease-2019 status was noted, and further data related to cognitive functions was collected using a 7-item questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Of the 63 subjects, 43(68.3%) were women and 20(31.7%) were men. The overall mean age was 33.53±6.76 years. There were 42(66.7%) subjects using N95 mask; 27(64.3%) women and 15(35.7%) men with mean age 32.38±6.54 years. There were 21(33.3%) subjects wearing surgical masks; 16(76.2%) women and 5(23.8%) men with mean age 35.95±0.76 years. Intergroup comparisons were non-significant for all the markers (p>0.05). Within the N95 mask group, potential of hydrogen and lactate values were significantly different (p<0.05), while in the surgical mask group, potential of hydrogen and partial pressure of oxygen were significantly different (p<0.05). There were 28(66.7%) subjects in the N95 group who had been affected by coronavirus disease-2019 compared to 16(76.2%) in the surgical mask group (p>0.05). Subjects in the N95 mask group had significant impaired cognitive functions compared to the surgical mask group (p<0.05). Impairment in cognitive functions in intensive care unit workers using masks could be explained by the development of intermittent long-term moderate hypoxia.

Violence against healthcare professionals in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of frequency, risk factors, interventions, and preventive measures

BackgroundTo assess the frequency, risk factors, consequences, and prevention of violence against healthcare workers in intensive care units.MethodsPubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for studies on violence against healthcare workers in adult intensive care units. Risk factors, patient characteristics, and implications for healthcare workers were collected. Study quality, bias, and level of evidence were assessed using established tools.ResultsSeventy-five studies with 139,533 healthcare workers from 32 countries were included. The overall median frequency of violence was 51% (IQR 37–75%). Up to 97% of healthcare workers experienced verbal violence, and up to 82% were victims of physical violence. Meta-analysis of frequency revealed an average frequency of 31% (95% CI 22–41%) for physical violence, 57% for verbal violence (95% CI 48–66%), and 12% for sexual violence (95% CI 4–23%). Heterogeneity was high according to the I2 statistics. Patients were the most common perpetrators (median 56%), followed by visitors (median 22%). Twenty-two studies reported increased risk ratios of up to 2.3 or odds ratios of up to 22.9 for healthcare workers in the ICU compared to other healthcare workers. Risk factors for experiencing violence included young age, less work experience, and being a nurse. Patients who exhibited violent behavior were often male, older, and physically impaired by drugs. Violence was underreported in up to 80% of cases and associated with higher burnout rates, increased anxiety, and higher turnover intentions. Overall the level of evidence was low.ConclusionsWorkplace violence is frequent and underreported in intensive care units, with potential serious consequences for healthcare workers, calling for heightened awareness, screening, and preventive measures. The potential risk factors for violence should be further investigated.Systematic review registration: The protocol for this review was registered with Prospero on January 15, 2023 (ID CRD42023388449).

Hematological and Cytogenetic Effects of X-rays in Cardiac Unit Workers and Catheterization Patients.

Introduction X-rays are widely used in medicine for diagnosis and treatment. Such beneficial uses may cause potentially hazardous situations for patients andworkers in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The present study aims to estimate the radiation dose scattered in different parts of the catheterization units and doses absorbed by workers in thisunit, and patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures to evaluate all changes in hematological parameters and damaged cells (the cells that contain a number of chromosomal aberrations) after exposure to radiation at Azadi Teaching Hospital in the Duhok City of Iraq. Methodology Thestudy was conducted in one year and involved 19 male workers chronically exposed to X-ray machines in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and 45 patients, 20 males and 25 females, who have been exposed to lower doses of X-ray during the cardiac catheterization process. There were 32 healthy individuals, 19 males and 13 females, as a control. Scattered radiation was calculated using an area monitoring detector.Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dosimeter andFlat Panel Detector (FPD)were used to calculate absorbed doses by workers and patients, respectively. Twelve hematological parameters before and after radiation were examined between study groups; the cytogenetic effects, damagedcells, and chromosomal aberrations of the white blood cells of workers, patientsin the catheterization unit, and individuals of the control group were analyzed. Results The results showed that the scattered X-rays in the catheterization unit after one year of continuous detection did not change significantly compared to the data before the start of the trial. The results of all blood parameters looked to be significantly different (p<0.05) compared to the controls but within the normal range.There is no significant difference (p>0.05) in corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cells, red distribution width, and neutrophilvalues for workers after one year of exposure as compared with the control. Also, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in white blood cells, neutrophils, and monocyte values for patients after the operation. The current study showed the damaged cells in workerswere significantlydifferent compared to the control. At the same time, the differences were non-significant for all workers (p=0.0962) after one year of exposure.The differences in damaged cells in patients were highly significant after the operation (p=0.0003). The present study demonstrated that the inductions of dicentrics, acentric, chromosome break, and ring chromosomes in human lymphocytes were intimately related to the irradiation dose. Conclusions The presentstudy found that the scattered X-rays in the catheterization unit after the end of the experiment did not change significantly. The current study also revealed that the exposure to X-rays had no significant effects on the blood indicators of workers and patients in the catheterization unit, whereas the damaged cells in patients did not change significantly compared with the control group at the beginning of the experiment.In patients, these cells were increased after the operation but were present at a high level in the workers, as compared with controls.The damaged cells in workers remained constant from the beginning of the experiment till the end.Finally, patients had increased damaged cells after the end of the trial period compared to workers.

Lifestyle of health workers from pediatric units during the pandemic: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to assess the lifestyle of health workers in pediatric units of Bahia, Brazil, by comparing the total and domain scores of the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ) according to sex, age group, and employment profile. This cross-sectional study included 407 health workers from four pediatric health units in Bahia. The FLQ and a sociodemographic questionnaire were answered via Google Forms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Men scored significantly lower than women in the ‘tobacco and toxics’ (p = 0.046) and ‘alcohol’ (p &lt; 0.001) domains but higher in the ‘sleep, seat belt, stress, and safe sex’ domain (p = 0.01). Younger health workers (18 to 34 years old) scored significantly higher than older workers (35 to 64 years old) in the ‘tobacco and toxics’ domain (p = 0.03). Direct healthcare workers (e.g., nurses and doctors) scored significantly higher than indirect healthcare workers (e.g., administrators) in the ‘tobacco and toxics’ domain (p = 0.04). Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifestyle of most workers was classified as very good (56.02%). Our findings indicate changes in the lifestyle of health workers, especially concerning the use of tobacco, alcohol, and conditions related to sleep, stress, safe sex, and traffic safety behaviors. Future studies are recommended to understand better the determinants and conditioning factors of tobacco use by health workers and design targeted public health initiatives.