eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
119
133
10.21608/ejom.2015.815
815
WORK RELATED RISK FACTORS AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME BETWEEN WORKING WOMEN
Hathout HM
1
El-Dalatony MM
2
Anwar MM
3
Al-Batanony MA
4
Shehata NA
5
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University
Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University
Introduction: The employment rate of mothers has increased worldwide in recent years. So, there is concern about possible effects of work related risk factors and pregnancy outcome among working women. Aim of Work: To study the relation between work related risk factors and some adverse pregnancy outcome among a representative sample of pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic at Beni-Suef university hospital in Egypt. Materials and Methods: 500 pregnant women who were visiting the antenatal care clinic at Beni-suef university hospital were our target group. They were interviewed using predesigned questionnaire including physical activity questionnaire, Job Stress Questionnaire, Workplace Stress Survey. Body mass index (BMI) is measured. Statistical analysis performed using SPSS version 21. Results: Among studied socio-demographic factors, age and educational level and body mass index were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Perinatal death was significantly higher among working women (odds ratio = 1.9, CI= 101-3.8). Among studied working conditions, working more than 40 hours/ week was significantly associated with high rate of preterm delivery and small gestational age (SGA) increase significantly with high work stress. Conclusion: Among the studied work conditions for working women, working more than 40 hours/ week and social stress index were found to be a significant risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Other factors as shift work, work categories, and physical activity score showed no significant association with pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, as long as the health of pregnant women permits her to continue work during pregnancy that is not stressful or overloading for her, no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes is expected.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_815_5c5705c4394183649be6960048e1d190.pdf
Pregnancy outcome, Shift work, Small for gestational age SGA, Perinatal
death, Preterm
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
135
160
10.21608/ejom.2015.816
816
THE GREEN ECONOMY, HEALTH CO-BENEFITS OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES
El Samra GH
1
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Climate change has become a problem that received global interest in a world that strives to achieve sustainable development. Sustainable development and climate change mitigation lie within the domain of Green Economy which stresses low carbon development and conservation of resources. This article deals with health co-benefits of climate change mitigation strategies in the context of green economy and in the light of the mitigation strategies recommended by the IPCC (2007).Health effects of climate change were discussed. These included: the effects of heat waves; effects on the basic requirements for health: clean air and water; adequate food and shelter. There was increased air pollution; increased activity and multiplication of pathogens resulting in increase of air- and water-borne diseases including diarrhoeal diseases and cholera; extension of vector-borne diseases including malaria to new areas due to the effect on the disease vectors; the effects of extreme weather events : wind storms resulting in death , injury and damage of property; floods causing drowning and contamination of drinking water with sewage, industrial and agricultural waste; and drought. Agricultural production will be affected with resulting malnutrition. Post-traumatic stress follows extreme weather events. Forced migration due to floods and sea level rise causes deterioration of hygiene ; sanitation ; health services, and economic and social conditions.Health co-benefits are discussed in 3 sectors: housing, health facilities and workplaces.In the housing sector, the subject is discussed under 3 headings: i. housing contribution to climate change; ii. effect of climate change on the housing environment and human health and iii. housing and human health risks including environmental health risks (indoor air quality risks; extreme thermal conditions; pests and infestations; noise; and urban form and density) diseases and injuries in residential buildings (T.B. and other air-borne infectious diseases; vector-borne diseases; water-borne diseases and diseases due to water scarcity and sanitation; domestic injuries; mental health; sick building syndrome and other building-related diseases). In the health care facilities, water and energy needs are huge, and the sector contributes a sizeable proportion of Green House gases (GHGs). Greening hospitals will participate in the efforts for mitigation and health care buildings that participated in the “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” programme achieved reduction in energy consumption in addition to health benefits. Mitigation strategies involved the areas of structural specification of buildings; sitting; renewable energy; water management; waste management; recapture and reuse of anaesthetic gases, tele-health; better managed procurement policies and green areas.Mitigation strategies in the workplaces referred to the “Green Job Initiatives” and stressed protection of the health of workers and the community; study of the health effects of new materials and new processes before they are put to operation and the preventive and control measures for hazards at the workplaces. Several industries were discussed: renewable energy (solar; wind; hydropower; biomass; marine wave and tidal energies and geothermal energy); waste management and recycling; mining; agriculture and construction and renovation industries. Hazards of each industry were outlined and control measures were suggested.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_816_843580acfcc2a27ba4d0867869bbbd1e.pdf
Climate Change
mitigation
Green economy
Green jobs
renewable energy
Green house gases
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
161
176
10.21608/ejom.2015.818
818
OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE AND MODULATION OF P53 TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE AS POSSIBLE MECHANISMS OF CHROMIUM CARCINOGENICITY( PART I)
Abd-El Maksoud NA
1
Zawilla NH
2
Taha FM
3
Seif Eldin AS
4
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Medical Biochemistry Department Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Introduction: Chromium, like many transition metal elements, is essential to life at low concentrations yet toxic to many systems at higher concentrations. Toxic effects of chromium can be classified into sensitizing, caustic and carcinogenic effects. Chromium is one of the best known sensitizing agents; it causes allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and occupational asthma. There is sufficient evidence of the carcinogenicity of various chromium compounds in humans encountered via inhalation in industrial applications. Aim of work: to assess the carcinogenic potential of chromium exposure in tannery workers and study the possible mechanisms using 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) which is one of the major oxidative adducts formed by radical induced damage to DNA, TAC (total anti-oxidant capacity) as a biomarker of cellular oxidative stress and p53 as apoptotic regulatory protein. Materials and methods: This work was carried out in twelve small-to medium-sized tanneries, in Misr Al Kadema district in Cairo. The study comprised of two groups, an exposed group (45 male workers) and a matched control group (30 male workers). All workers were subjected to a detailed history including present, past, family and occupational history. Clinical examination was performed with special emphasis on chest and skin examination. Laboratory investigations were performed in the form of kidney function test (blood urea and serum creatinine), blood level of TAC, P53 and chromium. Also, urinary 8-OHdG was done. Results: we found a significant increase in chromium, TAC, p53 and urinary 8-OHG in the exposed group compared to their referent control. Significant positive correlation was detected between P53 with blood level of TAC. Conclusion: Our results revealed that tannery workers have increased level of blood chromium, and this increase is associated with oxidative damage especially oxidative DNA damage reflected by elevated TAC serum level and urinary 8-OHG. Also, up-regulation or activation of serum p53 in tannery workers which was positively correlated with chromium (non-significant) and significantly positively correlated with TAC reinforce the possible relation between oxidative stress induced by chromium exposure and carcinogenesis
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_818_38b1fce05f971c479691356d7e0356be.pdf
Chromium
TAC (total anti-oxidant capacity)
8-OHG (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine)
DNA and p53
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
177
194
10.21608/ejom.2015.820
820
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN JOB STRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG PHYSICIANS IN BANHA MAJOR HOSPITALS, KALIOBIA GOVERNORATE
Hassan OM
1
Abd-Elmaksoud SF
2
Department of Community Medicine and Occupational Health
Department of Neuro-Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University
Introduction: The issue of job stress and job satisfaction is of almost importance to the public health community and working people. Physicians cope with the cure of patients and directly confront severe illness and death. Therefore, compared with other professions, physicians experienced even heavier occupational stress and lower job satisfaction. Increasing evidence suggests that physician distress can lead to erosion of physician compassion, patient compliance and the quality of care which the physicians deliver. Aim of work: to determine levels and sources of job-related stress and job satisfaction among physicians at Banha hospitals, to identify some factors associated with both job stress and job satisfaction among physicians such as socio demographic factors, some habits and lifestyle and occupational characteristics and to investigate the association between job stress and job satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians in different departments at Banha three major hospitals. Self-administered anonymous questionnaires about job related stress and job satisfaction, was used. In addition, some questions about socio-demographic characteristics, some habits and lifestyle and occupational characteristics were added. Results: The percentage of studied physicians with high total job stress score was 26.2% while percentage of those with low total job satisfaction score was 51.5%. The mean total stress score was 47.2. The higher mean stress factors’ scores was overload disruption to home. The mean total satisfaction score was 37.8. The higher mean satisfaction factors’ scores was feeling well managed and resourced. There were two significant predictors (physical activity and specialty) out of the variables for total stress score and there was no significant predictor among general factors for total satisfaction score. Conclusion: Egyptian physicians experienced heavier occupational stress and lower job satisfaction. Our results call for paying more attention to improve physicians’ job satisfaction in Egypt, to meet needed higher standards in health care.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_820_a9fd68e76fc2f2a8db85f4e5df1fba58.pdf
Job stress
Job Satisfaction
Physician
Banha
satisfaction score
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
195
212
10.21608/ejom.2015.821
821
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINER EVIEW ARTICLE
Mohamed AS
1
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Preliminary researches indicate that in some cases nano-particulate matter may be more toxic than other forms of the same or similar material. The term prevention comprises all measures directed at minimizing the risk associated with a specific exposure, the early detection through medical surveillance of adverse health effects resulting from such an exposure and the treatment of diseases. Application of the classical tools of occupational medicine and industrial hygiene are hampered by the lack of consensus guidelines for medical monitoring, exposure assessment, and exposure control. So, the problem of occupational exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) has raised many questions which remain unanswered till today. This review aims at discussing some general features of ENMs (Engineered nano-materials), how a worker might be exposed to ENMs, some potential health effects, and approaches to minimize exposure and toxicity. .
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_821_f05d6dd909ff9b6c4bad38d9391b980c.pdf
Nanotechnology- Nanoparticles- Engineered nanoparticles- Occupational health and safety
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
213
230
10.21608/ejom.2015.823
823
PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN CAIRO UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
Fouad MM
1
Helal SF
2
Lotfy BM
3
El Kholy AA
4
Sabri YY
5
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Clinical Pathology
Clinical Pathology
Radiology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) presents globally as a significant health problem and health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of contracting TB infection. There is no diagnostic gold standard for latent TB infection (LTBI). Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) is the traditional testing method for diagnosing LTBI, but it has a known high rate of false positive with subsequent needless loss of time, efforts, loss of productivity and side effects. Quantiferon test (QFT) has been developed as a potential replacement for the TST. Aim of work: To assess the prevalence of TB among health care workers in high, medium and low risk areas for TB infection at Cairo University Hospitals (CUH) and to validate the use of Quantiferon as a screening test for TB compared to tuberculin test. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study with convenient sample of 200 HCWs employed in Cairo University Hospitals and agreed to participate was performed. Information on gender, age, workplace, job title, BCG vaccination and history of both TB and TST were collected using a questionnaire. All participants were subjected to clinical examination, TST, Quantiferon test and chest X-ray. Results: The participants were 70 males and 130 females with mean age + SD (34.7 ± 12.6years). TST was positive in 86 cases (43%) and the QFT results were positive in 38 cases (19%). There was average agreement between the two tests (76%, к = 0.474), concordance between two tests improved from (к = 0.474) at cut-off point 10 mm to (к = 0.492) at cut-off point 15 mm. LTBI was most common principally among nurses, workers in Chest Department, Internal Medicine Department and technicians in bacteriology lab with highest mean diameter of induration for the studied population in the chest department (16.6mm). According to the nature of work the laboratory technicians had the highest mean diameter of induration (16.58mm). Thirty-four (17%) of the studied population had abnormal chest radiographs suspected of TB. Occupational exposure in high risk area and working duration >10 years were statistically significant risk factors for both QFT & TST, while age and nature of work were not statistically significant risk factors for both tests using multivariable logistic regression. Conclusion and Recommendations: There is risk of tuberculosis transmission among HCWs at Cairo University Hospitals, principally among nurses, workers in Chest Department, Internal Medicine Department and technicians in bacteriology lab. Large scale of screening involving all University hospitals staff must be performed.We recommend screening of HCWs using TST then confirming positive cases by Quantiferon and following them. Disease probability in HCWs tested positive by serial testing should be further assessed by chest radiograph. Further reinforcement of the infection control policy is a must and treatment regimen for latent TB infection has to be followed.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_823_65b13619add56e389090fb4c0f4a7435.pdf
Latent tuberculosis infection
Health Care Workers
tuberculin skin test and Quantiferon test
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
231
241
10.21608/ejom.2015.824
824
SURVEY OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, SPIROMETRY, AND RAST AND THEIR RELATION TO OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES AMONG DETERGENT PRODUCTS STAFF
Ibraheem TM
1
Momen M
2
Mostafa NS
3
Department of Chest
Department of Community, Environmental & Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Department of Community, Environmental & Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Introduction: Respiratory disorders are one of the documented hazards affecting workers involved in the industry of washing products. Aim of Work: This study aims to assess the frequency of sensitization to enzymes in detergent industry. It also describes work-related respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function parameters among detergent workers in a detergent plant in Cairo, Egypt. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on all plant workers, where Radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) positive subjects underwent further detailed history taking, clinical examination, x-ray and pulmonary function measurements. Results: Among 1329 workers, 9 % of them were sensitized using RAST. Of those, 56.8% reported chest complaints. The RAST grading of workers revealed that 39.2 % of workers were grade I, 24 % were grade II and 36.8 were grade III. It was found that 75.2% of them were exposed to hazardous materials during work. The majority of them reported exposure to dusts and powders (58.4 %). Pulmonary functions testing revealed that 52% showed restrictive lesions and 2.4 % obstructive lesions. The majority of workers who had obstructive and restrictive lesions were RAST grade III (66.7 % and 52.3 % respectively where P<0.001). By Comparing pulmonary functions of workers with dust exposure, it was evident that the majority of workers who had obstructive and restrictive lesions were exposed to dust within the workplace, 100 % and 83.1 % respectively (P<0.034). The study of pulmonary functions among different RAST grades revealed a statistically significant lowered mean of FVC, FVC percentage and FEV1 among grade III workers than other grades (P<0.001). Conclusion: Dust exposure in detergent producing plant has a negative impact on workers’ respiratory systems.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_824_b3fe6b453505b6b7506ce3bee8196735.pdf
Detergent products
Occupational Exposure
RAST
respiratory
Spirometry
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
243
254
10.21608/ejom.2015.826
826
GENOTOXICITY OF FORMALDEHYDE IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES AMONG PATHOLOGY LABORATORY WORKERS
Zayet HH
1
Lotfy BM
2
Sabry DA
3
Mohamed OE
4
Said RM
5
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Human Cytogenetics, National Research Center
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Introduction: Formaldehyde (FA) is a chemical, traditionally used in pathology and anatomy laboratories as a tissue preservative. Many studies clearly indicated that FA can induce genotoxic effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Aim of work: to evaluate the genotoxic effects of formaldehyde among medical and paramedical personnel in The Histopathology Laboratory. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in histopathology laboratory including 30 workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde and 29 persons from other lab in kasr Al Aini hospital matching the exposed group for age, sex and socioeconomic status with no history of occupational exposure to formaldehyde. A questionnaire was done including inquiries about age, sex, occupational history and special habits. All participants were subjected to the following laboratory investigations: measuring DNA protein crosslink (DPC), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (Mn) frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Environmental monitoring of the work place was done to measure the level of FA at different place in the pathology lab. Results: This study showed statistically significant increase of DPC with significant increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Conclusion: The studied group was exposed to formaldehyde level above the exposure limits recommended by NIOSH, ACGIH and OSHA with adverse health effects in the form of increase in DPC, SCE and Mn as genotoxicity biomarkers. These genotoxicity biomarkers are considered to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of FA.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_826_e77efb2bcad9c6e1a65b28b135111614.pdf
Formaldehyde
Environmental monitoring
Sister chromatide exchange
micronucleus
DNA protein crosslink
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2015-07-01
39
2
255
275
10.21608/ejom.2015.827
827
DECREASING WORK-RELATED PESTICIDE EXPOSURES AMONG FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN WADI EL-MULLAK VILLAGE,SHARKIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT (AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY).
Zalat MM
1
Abo El-Seoud AR
2
Rabie SM
3
Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
Introduction: Pesticides, pesticide products and related chemicals have been found to have a wide range of health effects. Many farmers’ activities pose serious risks of pesticide exposure, such as land preparation for cultivation, storing, mixing, preparing and spraying of pesticide, loading and cleaning of spraying equipment. Farmers’ knowledge and perception about pesticide risks play an important role in determining the use of pesticides protective device. Aim of Work: (1) To assess knowledge of farmers, their families toward pesticide use and pesticide hazards in Wadi El Mullak village (2) To assess safe pesticide use behavior (3) To evaluate the effect of health education program on their knowledge, attitude toward pesticides exposure. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted through two phases (a cross- sectional study, and an intervention educational program) among farmers living in EL-Mullak village for at least 3 months from the time of interview, participants of the cross sectional phase were (n=202), were satisfying the inclusion criteria. An interviewer questionnaire was filled before and after the health education intervention program, a checklist was also utilized to determine the actual practices of the respondents in the field before and after the intervention. Results: (1) there are a significant relation between farmers’ educational level and their level of knowledge (2) there is a statistically highly significant effect of health education of the intervention program on farmers’ knowledge of safety behaviors associated with pesticide use (3) there is significant relation between receiving previous training on pesticides issues and decreased appearance of symptoms. Conclusion and Recommendations: This study concludes that health education and proper training are effective forms of intervention in improving the knowledge, attitude and practices of farmers on the use of pesticide.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_827_67267446380c5fa46f5b5073b5a8cb21.pdf
Pesticides
farmers
Knowledge
Awareness
and Safety behavior