eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
1
18
10.21608/ejom.2013.763
763
OCCUPATIONAL DYSPHONIA AMONG SCHOOL TEACHERS IN BENI SUEF GOVERNORATE, EGYPT
Ewis AA
1
Abo Haseeba A
2
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.
Department of Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics Unit,Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.
Introduction: Occupational dysphonia or work-related voice disorders is a frequently met problem among school teachers. Worldwide, many studies have been conducted to tackle this problem; however, in Egypt, no studies had investigated teachers’ dysphonia; with the epidemiology and magnitude of voice problems among Egyptian teachers is still unknown. Aim of the work: To assess the prevalence of work-related dysphonia and its associated factors among Egyptian school teachers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a well-designed, self-administered questionnaire had been used to inquire about the prevalence and risk factors of dysphonia among school teachers in Beni-Suef governorate. Two thousand questionnaires were sent to about 40 different randomly-selected schools, ranging from primary to secondary, (50 questionnaires per school). Additional 1000 questionnaires were distributed to individuals with occupations other than teaching to be used as a comparative group. The purpose of the study with confirming confidentiality of data were included in the questionnaires and accepting to fill out and return the questionnaire back was considered as a consent.Results: From the distributed 3000 questionnaires, about 1441 teachers and 832 non-teachers participated in the study with a response rate of (75.8%). Teachers were significantly more likely to report dysphonia than non-teachers; the prevalence of dysphonia during the day of the survey or within the past 7 days (current or recent dysphonia) was about 18.6% versus 9.3%, while dysphonia in the past month was (28.8% versus 12.7%), dysphonia in the past 3 months, was (46.6% versus 15.9%), respectively. Work-related dysphonia during any time of the working life-time was (65.5% and 21.3%) for teachers and non-teachers, respectively, OR= 3.08 (2.69-3.37).Female teachers were significantly more likely to suffer recent and working life-time dysphonia than males (21.8% versus 16.2% and 68.4% versus 63.3%), respectively; with a life-time OR= 1.53 (1.29-1.80). Additionally, our results confirmed that younger age, less years of experience, large number of students/class, increased hours of voice use, being easily aroused, teaching certain subjects (e.g., Music, English or Math), teaching in primary or secondary schools and being a current smoker are important determinants for experiencing dysphonia. Conclusions: Dysphonia is a prevalent occupational hazards among school teachers that can greatly affect their performance, career and income. Teachers have 3 times risk for occupational dysphonia than non-teachers. It needs to be considered with integrated programs between public and occupational health professionals as well as phoniatrics specialists. Most of voice problems may be preventable; therefore, we recommend developing prevention programs including preventive voice training, oropharyngeal and voice hygiene with sanitary work conditions to combat functional dysphonia among school teachers.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_763_46c865df1c5e85e9c12375fc73bdeb52.pdf
Dysphonia
School teachers
Voice problems
Occupation risk factors
prevalence
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
19
31
10.21608/ejom.2013.768
768
OXIDATIVE STRESS STATUS DUE TO METAL EXPOSURE IN WELDING
Ananian F B
1
Shehata R A
2
Helal S F
3
Rashed L A
4
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. Egypt
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. Egypt
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. Egypt
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. Egypt
Introduction: Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. Several metals commonly present in welding fumes including Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd and Pb which are capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress which in turn leading to disease development. Aim of work: The main objective of this work was to detect the health effect of some metals present in welding fumes. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out on two groups, an exposed group and a control group after taking consent from them. The exposed group consisted of fifty workers occupationally exposed to welding fumes of one of the private factories for Iron and Steel industry at El Asher Men Ramadan, their mean age was 20 to 55 years (34.3 ± 6.9) work shift was for 12 hrs/ 6days/ week. The control group included thirty male person were selected from the industrial medicine outpatient clinic in Kasr Al Aini hospital, who were never exposed to welding fumes matching for age 25 to 50 years(34.5 ± 5.8 ), sex, socioeconomic status and smoking habits. All individuals in both groups were examined after taking consent and interviewed using detailed questionnaire including present, past, family history and occupational history. Clinical examination was performed with special emphasis on chest examination. Ventilatory function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF) were done. Laboratory investigations were performed : determination of blood levels of the following metals (manganese, iron, lead, chromium and cadmium) and determination of serum level of Superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD). Results: The prevalence of respiratory tract disorders were significantly higher among the welders (20%)compared to the control group(0%) and statistically significant reduction in values of ventilator y function parameters among the exposed workers compared to control group .The levels of metals showed statistically significant increase among the exposed group more than the control group and statistically significant decrease of superoxide dismutase enzyme level among the exposed group compared to the control group. Conclusion: the level of superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) can be a useful biomarker for oxidative status after exposure to welding.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_768_b3e8ed0b5d759600de64bc834d0b924c.pdf
Welders – Blood metals level changes – Superoxide dismutase
oxidative status
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
33
46
10.21608/ejom.2013.770
770
DYSLIPIDEMIA AND DISRUPTION OF L-CARNITINE IN ALUMINUM EXPOSED WORKERS
Gaballa IF
1
Helal SF
2
Rashed LA
3
Abdelsamea AA
4
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Introduction: Aluminum is the most widely used non-ferrous metal with suggested increase in the intra-cellular lipid accumulation. Aim: The aim of this work is to study the effect of Aluminum on lipid metabolism and plasma lipid profile giving special concern to the role of L-Carnitine in occupational Aluminum toxicity. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 40 exposed workers in an aluminum foundry compared to 40 non-exposed subjects. Detailed occupational and medical histories were taken with full clinical examination. Laboratory investigations in the form of liver enzymes, complete lipid profile, aluminum serum level and serum L-Carnitine were done for the whole population. Results: Clinical examination of studied population revealed the presence of higher frequency of hypertension, arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and stroke among workers exposed to aluminum when compared to non-exposed (statistical difference was significant, except for stroke). Serum aluminum level showed a high significant statistical elevation in group exposed to aluminum (23.9±18.7) than the control group with (2.6±2.8). Estimation of serum L-Carnitine levels showed a highly significant statistical difference between both groups with lower levels among exposed (7.0±3.3) than non-exposed (15.9±5.4) workers. Aluminum exposed workers showed an elevation in cholesterol (199.3±21.5), triglycerides (86.218±7.113), and low density lipoproteins (142.5±22.8) compared to the control group with a highly significant statistical difference. The level of high density lipoproteins showed marked decrease (39.6±7.2) among exposed than non-exposed workers with a difference that was also highly statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was found between both groups as regards liver enzymes in the form of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. As for the different correlations with aluminum, no statistical significance was obtained. Conclusion: Aluminum exposure among workers might be considered as a factor for disturbance in lipid profile levels with possible predisposition for the higher incidence of vascular impairment through direct effect on the serum L-Carnitine levels. Recommendations: Periodic medical examination of workers exposed to aluminum in the aluminum industry should consider the routine measurement of lipid profile values. The use of L-Carnitine supplementation is to be recommended as effective measure in protecting exposed workers against aluminum-induced dyslipidemia.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_770_5f4e9c998d5949039d63155d2029e360.pdf
Aluminum
Lipid metabolism
dyslipidemia
hyperlipidemia
L-carnitine
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
47
59
10.21608/ejom.2013.771
771
PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS AMONG FULL TIME LADY SERVANTS IN DOQQI AREA, CAIRO
El Tayeb IM
1
Ghareeb NS
2
Zalat MM
3
Department of Community, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,Zagazig University, Egypt
Department of Community, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,Zagazig University, Egypt
Department of Community, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,Zagazig University, Egypt
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been identified as a major health concern affecting sizeable segments of the general and working populations. A limited number of studies have particularly explored the prevalence and causes of MSDs among full-time lady servants who routinely perform housework. Aim of work: To estimate the prevalence and pattern of musculoskeletal disorders among randomly selected lady servants and to identify potential factors associated with self-reported musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among full-time lady servants in Doqqi area, Cairo. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study included randomly selected female servants in Doqqi area, Cairo. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to study frequency of MSD and possible risk factors associated with it. Results: The study revealed that all the studied population are female, illiterate (70.4%), unmarried (57.8%), and 43.7% of them have ≥ 3children. As well as 76.1% of lady servants are working using repetitive movements and 69% taking awkward positions during domestic work. Eighty four percent (84.5%) of the study group had musculoskeletal troubles during past 12 months, mostly in lumbar region (63.3%) and 36.6% of servants have evidence of stress. Conclusions: A major finding of this study was musculoskeletal disorders (84.5%) that mainly affected lumbar area followed by knee, wrist and hand areas. Also, 56.3% of servants had mental stress and the most important risk factors that affect the MSDs were awkward positions and repetitive movements.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_771_1865e734320b6d45e42fd46acd7b2a0d.pdf
Domestic labor
Servants
Female
Musculoskeletal disorders
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
61
78
10.21608/ejom.2013.772
772
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE GENE INTERACTION : REVIEW ARTICLE
Shaker DA
1
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
The lack of knowledge about the earliest events in occupational disease development is due to the multi-factorial nature of disease risk. This information gap is the consequence of the lack of appreciation for the fact that most occupational diseases arise from the complex interactions between genes and the occupational exposure. Whether an occupational exposure causes illness or not is dependent on the efficiency of metabolic pathways. Thus, elucidating the causes of most chronic diseases will require an understanding of both the genetic and occupational contribution to their etiology.Unfortunately, the exploration of the relationship between genes and the occupational exposure has been hampered in the past by the limited knowledge of the human genome, and by the inclination of scientists to study disease development using experimental models that consider exposure to a single environmental agent in the workplace. To understand how genes and occupational agents interact to initiate biological pathways to cause injury or disease, scientists will need tools with the capacity to monitor the global expression of thousands of genes, proteins and metabolites simultaneously. The generation of such data in multiple species can be used to identify conserved and functionally significant genes and pathways involved in gene environment interactions. The complex interplay between genes and occupational exposure represents also a great challenge to scientists, and it is also an important opportunity to reduce the burden of disease and dysfunctions on humans.Major technological advances in the last few years have increased our knowledge of the role that genetics has in occupational diseases and our understanding of genetic components and the interaction between genetics and environmental factors. The complex interplay between genes and occupational exposure represents also a great challenge to scientists, and it is also an important opportunity to reduce the burden of disease and dysfunctions on humans.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_772_053908df9eb0ab6b8c01940129efb9c4.pdf
Gene interaction
Occupational Exposure
genotoxicity
Polymorphism
susceptibility
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
79
94
10.21608/ejom.2013.773
773
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-RELATED MORBIDITIES AMONG STREET SWEEPERS AND WASTE COLLECTORS AT BENI-SUEF, EGYPT
Ewis AA
1
Mohamed ES
2
Rahma MA,
3
Hifnawy TM
4
Arafa AE
5
Department of Public Health and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
Department of Public Health and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
Introduction: Street sweepers play an important role in maintaining the health and hygiene in the communities. However, their job exposes them to various hazards while, little or no attention is paid to their health status. Aim of the work: To study the possible work-related morbidities among street sweepers and waste collectors emphasizing on the occupational risks they are exposed to and the preventive measures they take to avoid their job-related hazardous exposures. Materials and Methods: A total of 138 street sweepers and waste collectors and a matching control group of randomly selected 127 university workers and clerks were interviewed, answered the study questionnaire, and had medical examination, then they offered blood and stool samples for laboratory investigations. Results: Compared to the control group, street sweepers and waste collectors had significantly higher rates of HCV seropositivity, parasitic infestations, skin irritation, respiratory complaints and work-related injuries; but with significantly lower mean hemoglobin levels, (p<0.05).However, no significant difference was detected for HBV infection, eye complaints, joint or lower back pains. Most of street sweepers had never been medically examined, vaccinated, trained for safety practices or even health educated regarding their occupation-related health hazards. Conclusion: Street sweeping and waste collection is a hazardous job that exposes its workers to infections especially with the little, in any, protective measures they apply. Guidelines for safety measures and controlling infections should be emphasized and employed for those workers, while offering periodic medical examinations and supplying them with personal protective equipments.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_773_18627356c0a95d2c8932d27337d5d9d9.pdf
Street sweepers
Occupational hazards
Waste collection
Morbidity – HCV
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2013-01-01
37
1
95
115
10.21608/ejom.2013.775
775
CURRENT SITUATION OF WATER POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECT ON AQUATIC LIFE IN EGYPT
Mohamed AG
1
El Safty AM
2
Siha MS
3
Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine Suez Canal University, Ismailia
epartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
epartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Water is a multi-dimensional issue and a prerequisite for achieving human security, from the individual to the international level. The Nile River has long been a crucial component of both the identity and the vitality of Egypt. Egypt faces a rapidly increasing deterioration of its surface and groundwater due to increasing discharges of heavily polluted domestic and industrial effluents into its waterways. Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture also causes water pollution problems. Many disasters in Egypt were happening and leading to water pollution. Toxicity of fishes in Egypt occurs due to water pollution from chemical plants and sewage pipes. The water quality assessment is very important for implementation of the monitoring and remediation programs to minimize the risk promoted by hazardous substances in aquatic ecosystems. Evaluation of the degree of contamination of aquatic environments must take in account its chemical characteristics which has potential toxic effects and allows an integrated evaluation of its effects on populations of the aquatic system. During the last few decades, great attention has been paid to the possible dangers of heavy metal poisoning in human due to the consumption of contaminated fish. Industrial and agricultural discharges such as coal and oil combustion, phosphate fertilizers, plastics and pesticides are considered the major sources of heavy metal pollutants of water.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_775_7edf0da624b3836fb234bf7ebde725e0.pdf
Water pollution- Industrial pollution- Agriculture pollution- Domestic Pollution- Tourism