The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701MENSTRUAL CHANGES AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS EXPOSED TO NON-IONIZING RADIATIONS16117083810.21608/ejom.2016.838ENAllam HKDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt.Journal Article20161113Introduction: Excessive exposure to radiofrequency (RF), electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from the diathermy devices could result in adverse pregnancy / reproductive outcomes. Aim of Work: to assess the menstrual changes, hormonal profile and pregnancy outcomes among female physiotherapists exposed to non-ionizing radiations. Materials and Methods: a prospective study, included 120 female workers at the physiotherapy departments with 160 healthy controls (non-exposed), who were allocated into two groups: pregnant (50 physiotherapists and 75 controls) and non-pregnant (70 physiotherapists and 85 controls). Outcome measures in the pregnant group included pregnancy outcome while in non-pregnant group were menstrual irregularities, abnormal uterine bleeding and abnormal hormonal profile. Results: There was a highly significant difference between the exposed pregnant and controls regarding low birth weight (p<0.001).There was no significant difference between the non pregnant exposed and controls regarding menstrual irregularities, and hormonal assay (p>0.05). Conclusion: female physiotherapists have no increased risks for menstrual irregularities, abnormal hormonal profile or adverse pregnancy outcome except for low birth weight which needs future research.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_838_965d595cd00919a72f26b750d0137e10.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701EFFECT OF INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING ON CARDIAC PARAMETERS OF EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST IN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE PATIENTS17118483910.21608/ejom.2016.839ENHelmy ZMDepartment of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular / Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics,Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.Mohammed SHDepartment of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular / Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics,Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.Ibrahim BSDepartment of CardiologyMohammed RADepartment of Clinical PathologyHassan MHDepartment of Physical Therapy, National Heart Institute, CairoJournal Article20161113Introduction: inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves exercise capacity and ventilatory responses to exercise in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW). Aim of work: To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program (aerobic and resisted exercise training) on cardiac parameters of exercise tolerance test in chronic heart failure patients Materials and Methods: Forty eligible male patients with chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease (only thirty of them completed the study). Their ages ranged from 50-60 years old .They were randomly assigned to 6 months of aerobic exercise , resisted exercise plus IMT (n=15) or to aerobic exercise plus resisted exercise only (n=15), before and after intervention, the following measures were obtained :cardiac parameter of cardiopulmonary exercise testing ( maximum heart rate , resting heart rate ). Result: Compared aerobic exercise (AE) + IMT to AE resulted in cardiac parameters of exercise tolerance test (maximum heart rate, resting heart rate) improved similarly in the 2 groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the addition of IMT to AE results in improvement in cardiac response to exercise in selected patients with CHF but with no significant difference between exercise training groups.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_839_1f46e769995d809fb9933ae3246ab2bd.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701THE INTERVENTIONAL EFFECT OF COMBINED REDUCING OCCUPATIONAL UPPER EXTREMITY USE AND PNEUMATIC PUMP ON BREAST CANCER RELATED LYMPHEDEMA18520484010.21608/ejom.2016.840ENMansour NDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo UniversityKahla ZDepartment of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo UniversityEwies MPhysical Therapist, National Cancer Institute, EgyptJournal Article20161113Introduction: Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) treatment continues to be a distressing and frequent problem. Aim of Work: To detect the relation between the level of hand use in different occupation and both the grade and stage of BCRL and to determine whether the combined effect of decreased occupational work load of the upper extremities and the use of pneumatic compression pumps could manage BCRL effectively. Materials and Methods: 68 patients with BCRL were selected. Age, body mass index (BMI), history of infection, lymphedema grade and stage, sequential circumferential arm measurements, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), handgrip strength were assessed. All patients underwent pneumatic compression pumping for 3 months combined with changing in their level of hand use. Results: Before intervention, the grades and stages of lymphedema showed statistically significant differences among the different occupational groups (p< 0.05). After applying our interventional measures, statistical significant decrease was detected regarding the VAS and significant increase in right hand grip was observed among one group while the difference of sequential circumferential measurements showed decrease in their values but not to the significant level. Conclusion: Occupations requiring more upper extremity activity had the worst lymphedema clinical grade and stage status. More researches are needed to support our findings and to assess the combined effect of decreased occupational work load of the upper extremities and the use of pneumatic compression pumps.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_840_1110ae06c22ff20961cdd8ba7e4825e2.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701VENTILAORY CHANGES AFTER INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE PATIENTS20521784110.21608/ejom.2016.841ENHelmy ZMDepartment of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular / Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics. Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo UniversityMohammed SHDepartment of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular / Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics. Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo UniversityIbrahim BSDepartment of CardiologyMohammed RADepartment of Clinical PathologyHassan MHDepartment of Physical Therapy, National Heart Institute, CairoJournal Article20161113Introduction: inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves exercise capacity and ventilatory responses to exercise in CHF patients with inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW). Aim of Work: to investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program (aerobic and resisted exercise training) on ventilatory changes in chronic heart failure patients. Materials and Methods: Forty eligible male patients with chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease but only thirty of them completed the study. Their ages ranged from 50-60 years old .They were randomly assigned to 6 months of aerobic exercise, resisted exercise plus IMT (n=15) or to aerobic exercise plus resisted exercise only (n=15), Before and after intervention, the following measures were obtained: maximal inspiratory muscle pressure (PImax), ventilatory equivalent of CO2 at anaerobic threshold of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Result: Compared aerobic exercise (AE) + IMT to AE resulted in additional significant difference in EqCO2 (25.43% vs 16.77%) and in PImax (14.81%. vs 34.94 %.). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the addition of IMT to AE results in improvement in ventilator responses to exercise in selected patients with CHF and IMW<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_841_e42077bd102ea4a39ef3fd2362e8c7ba.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM IN IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG NURSES EXPOSED TO CHEMOTHERAPY AT ZAGAZIG UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS21923584210.21608/ejom.2016.842ENBolbol SADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.Hassan AADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.El-Naggar SADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.Zaitoun MFDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.Journal Article20161113Introduction: Many cytotoxic drugs (CDs) are known to be teratogenic and mutagenic to humans. Nurses are the main groups that are exposed to these drugs in hospital setting. Generally, the occupational activities that pose a greatest risk of exposure are the preparation and administration of CDs, cleaning of CDs spills, and handling of patient excreta. Aim of work and Objectives: This study aims to protect nurses from CDs exposure hazards with the following objectives: 1)To determine health hazards of CDs exposures.2)To apply a health education program for improving knowledge and practice of nurses exposed to CDs.3)To evaluate the effect of health education program on improving the knowledge and practice of nurses exposed to CDs. Materials and Methods: An interventional study (health education program) carried on 50 nurses exposed to CDs in oncology units (Pre and post intervention) at Zagazig University Hospitals. All nurses were subjected to a structured questionnaire included questions about: personal and socio-demographic characteristics, occupational history, and knowledge about CDs drugs. A performance checklist was used to assess the practice of nurses. All nurses were subjected to health education program. Results: Improvement in knowledge among the studied nurses was only affected by nurses’ job rank as the knowledge of supervisors improved more than the knowledge of staff nurses. The practice of nurses was not affected by socio-demographic characteristics. It also showed that there was a statistical significant improvement of total knowledge and total performance after intervention by health education (4.0% vs. 98.0% and 4.0% vs. 56.0% respectively). Conclusion: The level of knowledge of nurses about CDs was not satisfactory; also there was a significant improvement of knowledge and practices among the studied nurses handling cytotoxic drugs after intervention.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_842_1d668f023e75b6794e16e630adbab19d.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701AVOIDING RISKS OF ELECTRONIC WASTESON HUMAN’S HEALTH THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF AN E-WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMI N EGYPT (REVIEW).23725284310.21608/ejom.2016.843ENAbdel Aziz MAHDepartment of Siting & Environment - Nuclear & Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA)Mubarak M IDepartment of Mechanical Engineering , Faculty of Engineering, Helwan UniversityAli MIGeneral Manager of Environmental Knowledge Management at EEAAAbdo SMElectrical Engineering Department Faculty of Engineering, Helwan UniversityJournal Article20161113This paper shed the light on the undue impacts of the electronic wastes on human’s health and environment in the absence of the wise management. This type of waste contains heavy metals and toxic materials that help in destructing the environment and human’s health. In fact, the absence of legal infrastructure that controls the handling, dismantle, recycling and disposal of e-wastes played a role in maximizing the bad consequences whether on the environment or the man’s health. Three e-wastes management systems have carefully been analyzed for three countries for standing on the regulations and components that form the management systems in these countries. After that it could be established an Egyptian e-wastes management system fit both the social and economic situations of Egypt. This system will positively affect human’s health, environment and national income.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_843_123ec74a440d456a518ade97fb4a3a65.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR WIND ENERGY POWER PLANT, GABAL EL ZEET,SUEZ GULF , IN EGYPT25326684410.21608/ejom.2016.844ENAbou Shady YPrincipal Inspector of Nuclear Energy CommissionEdrees MDepartment of Environmental Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Helwan UniversityAbdel Fattah AIDepartment of Environmental Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Helwan UniversityAli MIDirector of Environmental Informatics. Ministry of EnvironmentJournal Article20161113Introduction: Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity as it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Despite its vast potential, there are a variety of environmental impacts associated with wind power generation that should be recognized and mitigated. Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is a tool for decision-makers to identify potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, to evaluate alternative approaches, and to design and incorporate appropriate prevention, mitigation, management and monitoring measures. Aim of the work: the study aim at assessing the environmental impact of the project of wind energy power plant, Gabal El Zeet, Suez Gulf , in Egypt. Material and Method: Environmental assessment of wind direction and intensity, turbine power, noise, electromagnetic waves and vibration is performed. Results and Discussion: the study documents the environmental impact parameters including noise, electromagnetic interference, vibration and bird migration. Recommendations: the suggested method of mitigation is provided to local authorities to be taken into consideration for the wind energy power plant, Gabal El Zeet.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_844_e157c53a3a1675f0feb5e2485f71eabf.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701COMMUNITY NOISE IN GREATER CAIRO26728584510.21608/ejom.2016.845ENEl Samra GDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo UniversityJournal Article20161113Noise is unwanted sound. Community (environmental) noise is defined as noise emitted from all sources except noise at the work place. Sources include road traffic; rail and air traffic; industry; construction; public works and neighbourhood noise. LAeq,T is the energy average equivalent level of the A-weighted sound over period T. Hazardous effects of community noise have been known for ages, however, noise problems of the past are not to be compared with those of modern society. Studies in the European Union have indicated that noise is one of the major sources of coronary heart disease. In Egypt, as in other developing countries, community noise is a serious problem. Health effects of community noise include hearing impairment; effects on speech intelligibility; sleep disturbances; effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and other physiological functions; effects on performance and on mental health; behavioural effects and annoyance. Control of noise in Egypt is regulated by environmental law 4/1994 and its executive regulations. A study of community noise in the three Governorates of Greater Cairo indicated that the sound pressure levels in most of the studied areas were above the Egyptian standards. In and around schools, sound pressure levels exceeded the Egyptian standards. On Cairo streets community noise was found to be related to the width of the street, number of lanes and traffic density as well as the behaviour of drivers. Standard sound pressure levels for special environments were also referred to. Sources of community noise in the Egyptian environment were discussed. Control of community noise included measures related to the means of transportation, urban planning, architectural design of buildings, social activities and government actions.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_845_3f034ae1b1e742e12c16f64debbd13b3.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE DEVICES AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN CAIRO, EGYPT.28730084610.21608/ejom.2016.846ENHakim SADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.Abouelezz NFDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.El Okda EM.Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20161113Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) provide a physical barrier between the user and micro-organisms by preventing micro-organisms from contaminating the mucous membranes, airways, skin, clothing, hair and shoes of health care workers. Aim of the work: To describe the practice of nurses and physicians as regards usage of PPE and identify the factors affecting their adherence to using these equipment. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study among health care workers at El-Demerdash hospital (a teaching hospital in Cairo, Egypt). The study included (269) physicians (from demonstrators to professors) and (331) nurses. Participants answered a questionnaire which included items on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, questions on practice, attitude of health care workers regarding the usage of personal protective equipments. A health education poster was prepared and used by researchers to transmit a message on the importance of using personal protective equipments among health care workers through face to face interviews. Results: It was found that the independent predictors of adherence among physicians were dealing with a patient known to have a blood borne disease, availability of PPE, senior example and past experience. While in nurses the independent predictors were also dealing with patients known to have a blood borne disease, availability of PPE together with no time to use PPE and training on a clear hospital policy. Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of health care workers about the importance of adherence to usage of PPE is very important and will help in reducing transmission of infection to them. Protection of health care workers from acquisition of infectious diseases can be achieved by compliance to established infection control guidelines including rigorous infection control practices, perspective instructions for the use of PPE and post exposure antiviral prophylaxis<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_846_33116c6e818c9b3faacf02474cea296c.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188140220160701A MULTIFACTORIAL ANALYSIS ON THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES IN PETROLEUM INDUSTRIES OF EGYPT30132184710.21608/ejom.2016.847ENHosny GDepartment of Environmental Studies, Division of Environmental Health,
Institute of Graduate Studies and ResearchYoussef MDepartment of Environmental Studies, Division of Environmental Health,
Institute of Graduate Studies and ResearchMoselhi MDepartment of Occupational Health,
High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, EgyptJournal Article20161113Introduction: The industrial safety management is an open complex giant system with the complex characteristics of multidisciplinary, multi-factor, complexity and multi-scale. One of the important participants in the industrial safety management is the safety representatives (SRs). SRs have an important role in application of safety management systems and there are many factors that may affect the role of SRs at their firms. Aim of the work: to present a multifactorial analysis on the role and effectiveness of safety representatives into workplace health and safety practices in petroleum and petrochemical industries in Egypt. Materials and Methods: Data collection was accomplished utilizing a self-structured predesigned questionnaire sheet of nine domains including 55 questions, mapping the SRs’ and managers’ attitudes towards their own rights, duties and obligations. The questionnaire was distributed to 32 petroleum companies targeting SRs and their managers (186 SRs and 51 managers). Results: revealed a huge gap in opinions and understanding between the two major parties and a lack of consistency between identified problems in the role of safety representatives and proposed measures of improvements in their role and functions. Conclusion: The distance between the two parties in their view on the safety representative’s role and position must be taken seriously, and could itself be a threat to safety. The detected gaps between points of views of SRs and their managers on SRs’ role put emphasis on the requirement of mutual understanding and acceptance of the SRs’ contribution to safety performance which are fundamental for mutual trust and constructive collaboration between the parties.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_847_25adcc48cc6343944a05e6e6857b3f55.pdf