The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Occupational Injuries among Marble and Granite Processing Workers: A Comparative Study13314819326510.21608/ejom.2021.193265ENKamel NMDepartment of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.Sleem ANDepartment of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.Kamel EADepartment of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.Elsherbeny EEDepartment of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.Journal Article20210414Introduction: Marble and Granite are natural stones that can be shaped into blocks,<br />slabs or tiles. Their production passes through several stages. The production process<br />could result in many injuries. Aim of Work: to detect the prevalence of workplace<br />injuries, their predictors and causes among marble and granite workers. Materials<br />and Methods: A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in<br />four workshops at Damietta Governorate from June 1, 2016 to May 30, 2017. The<br />studied groups were composed of an exposed group engaged in the marble and<br />granite processing and a comparison one who were not engaged in this industry (each<br />group comprises of 90 workers). They were subjected to an interview questionnaire<br />asking about sociodemographic characteristics, occupational profile, injury profile<br />and their anthropometric measurements were taken. Results: All marble and granite<br />workers experienced one or more injuries in the past year compared to (13.3%) of<br />the comparison group with highly statistically significant difference (p≤0.001).<br />They showed high prevalence of superficial wounds, contusion/bruises, tear and<br />laceration compared to the control group. Unsafe working environment, using<br />inappropriate instruments, lack of protective equipment and nonadherence to <br /> donning them were the main causes of workplace injuries. Regarding predictors<br />for injuries, workers with low income (being in debt) are 18 times prone to injures<br />than those who can save money. Current smokers are 7.6 times than nonsmokers,<br />unmarried workers are 6.61 times than married and who live in rural areas are 4.43<br />times than others who live in urban areas. Conclusion: Providing safe working<br />environment, donning suitable protective equipment, implementing effective training<br />programs for all workers especially high-risk ones are crucial preventive measures.<br /> https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193265_1e0ec17c3b6d3c8f2a5230388724d571.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Resistance to Change among Healthcare Providers at a Teaching Hospital: Base Line Data14916619326810.21608/ejom.2021.193268ENAl-Tehewey MMDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University,El Nawam AAMQuality resident,
Damanhour Teaching Hospital.Elkholy HDepartment of
Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University,Gabal HADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams UniversityJournal Article20201213Introduction: Healthcare sector continues to experience significant changes resulting<br />from market shifts and the introduction of new technologies. Employee resistance<br />to change (RTC) has been suggested to be one of the greatest obstacles facing these<br />changes. Aim of Work: to measure the level of readiness and resistance to change<br />among healthcare providers in Damanhour Teaching Hospital, and to identify factors<br />affecting them. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among<br />a sample of 305 healthcare providers using a self-administered questionnaire including<br />socio-demographic data, job details including years of experience in the present job,<br />years of experience since graduation, being a leader and working at the specialized<br />building which joins the model hospital project, Validated Arabic version of Readiness<br />for change scale (RFC), and Validated Arabic version of Resistance to change scale<br />(RTC). Results: The studied sample had high readiness for change (RFC) and moderate<br />resistance to change. There was a moderate negative statistically significant correlation<br />between resistance to change and readiness for change scores (r=-0.36, p-value<br /><0.001). Employees who were single or married; worked in a leadership position, or<br />joined the model hospital project were more ready for change. Older employees with<br />longer experience from graduation and who joined the model hospital project were less<br />resistant to change. Conclusion and Recommendations: Participants in the current<br />study had high RFC and moderate RTC and both were negatively correlated. Being<br />married, working in a leadership position, and employed in joining the model hospital
project were significant independent factors that affected RFC. Adoption of changesupportive<br />work environment became a fundamental issue; leaders should engage the<br />employee in the organizational planning. Also, identifying employees ready for change<br />and using them as a spark for change as well as early diagnosis and management of<br />resistance to change could pave the way to make change happen.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193268_f2d70406cfa26d7e4a9ecdd4fb34b768.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Rights, Responsibilities, and Practices of Health Care Workers Regarding Occupational Health and Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic16718219327010.21608/ejom.2021.193270ENSeif-Eldin ASDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess
Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaElhessewi GMSDepartment of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess
Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Department of Nursing Administration, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.Alhashem AMDepartment of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess
Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAlmoayad FDepartment of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess
Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20210402Introduction: COVID-19 is a rapidly expanding pandemic caused by a novel human<br />Corona virus. Health care workers (HCWs) are front-line, and they have to know<br />how to protect themselves and their patients from this infection. Aim of Work: To<br />determine the awareness of rights, responsibilities and protective practices regarding<br />occupational health and safety during COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs. Materials<br />and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at King Abdullah<br />bin Abdulaziz University Hospital during May and June 2020 among 132 HCWs<br />using a non-probability convenient sampling method. A questionnaire was developed<br />to investigate the HCWs’ awareness of rights and responsibilities along with their<br />commitments to their role in protective practices regarding OHS during the COVID-19<br />pandemic. The questionnaire was developed based on WHO (2020a) guidelines<br />.Descriptive statistics were applied; to determine significance levels, non-parametric<br />Mann Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis procedures were used. All statistical analyses were<br />performed using a significance level of 0.05. Results: The majority of the sample was<br />females (75.8%), non-Saudi (75%), and nurses (65.2%) who had graduated with at<br />least a bachelor’s degree (84.8%); approximately half of them were between 30 and 39<br />years old (50.8%). The majority of participants were aware of their right (mean 4.88<br />± 0.25), responsibilities (mean 4.87± 0.30), and practice measures (mean 4.72 ± 0.34).<br />Female HCWs had significantly higher scores than males on the rights measures (z = <br /> -2.15, p = .031), and nurses had significantly higher scores than all other HCWs for<br />rights (mean 4.91 ± 0.22), responsibilities (mean 4.92 ± 0.21), and practices measures<br />(mean 4.82 ± 0.23). HCWs aged 30–39 years had significantly higher scores (p = .028)<br />regarding practice (mean 4.78± 0.32). Conclusion: The findings of the current study<br />revealed a high level of awareness of occupational health and safety by the majority of<br />participants; hospitals should ensure the continuous accessibility of guidelines and the<br />provision of training to workers with continuous mentorship.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193270_7d5990263acfb356ff344281a9a57385.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Healthcare Personnel during COVID-19 Pandemic18319819327210.21608/ejom.2021.193272ENEl-Sallamy R RDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University,
EgyptElghazally NDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University,
EgyptJournal Article20210209Introduction: COVID-19 is a real threat to Egypt which needs effective<br />preparedness for crisis of infections that could happen. Use of personal<br />protective equipment is pivotal to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in<br />the healthcare settings. Aim of Work: To assess the feasibility of a training<br />intervention program to HCWs (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians<br />and workers) which was used to evaluate their level of knowledge regarding<br />COVID-19 pandemic, to promote their degree of confidence in using PPE,<br />and to improve their knowledge during the current pandemic. Materials<br />and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at Tanta Chest<br />Hospital. Participants answered a self-administered validated questionnaire<br />which included questions regarding socio-demographic, knowledge about<br />COVID-19 and confidence of the usage of PPE as a protective measure. The<br />questionnaire was used before and after intervention health education program<br />and training sessions. Results: Means of knowledge scores of physicians<br />and nurses after intervention (11.19±2.18 and 10.06±2.26 respectively) were<br />statistically significantly higher than all other subgroups of HCWs. Only 13.9%<br />of physicians, 6.0% of pharmacists, 10.7% of nurses, 2.4% of technicians and<br />no workers had high confidence regarding PPE as a preventive tools, and a<br />significant increase in confidence level after intervention to be (62.9%, 53.4%,<br />61.2%, 44.7% and 55.3%) respectively. A linear regression analysis revealed<br />that there was a statistically significant relation between high confidence in<br />PPE after intervention with increased years of experience and total knowledge<br />score. Conclusion: Intervention training program significantly increased<br />knowledge and confidence level of targeted participants in PPE. Hence,
ongoing training for HCWs is fundamental for health care personnel especially<br />during pandemics.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193272_65f00c6fc3993eb33fa239eb5a55bb9a.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Violence among Female Health Care Workers19921619327510.21608/ejom.2021.193275ENEl Sharkawy SADepartment of Community Medicine and Occupational Health, Faculty of
Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, EgyptMondoor WRDepartment of Community Medicine and Occupational Health, Faculty of
Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20210201Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk for workplace violence<br />(WPV). It is a serious problem in both developed and developing countries and<br />has a great negative impact on the well-being of HCWs and on the quality of the<br />health system. Aim of Work: To determine the prevalence, pattern, associated<br />factors and impacts of WPV among female HCWs at Al-Zahraa University<br />Hospital and to detect the causes and seek out suggestions to prevent such<br />incident. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over<br />4 months from September to December 2019 at Al-Zahraa University Hospital<br />using a standardized questionnaire. The sample size was 312 physicians and<br />nurses. Results: The prevalence of violence was 66.3% among the studied<br />HCWs with statistically significant higher prevalence among nurses (72.5%)<br />than physicians (61.9%). Verbal violence was the most recurrent type (62.3%)<br />followed by the physical type (19.8%). Patient relatives and friends were the<br />most frequent perpetrators (63.3%). Emergency room was the most common<br />place for violence (42.5%). Violent incidents result in physical, psychological<br />impacts and job dissatisfaction. There was significant association of violence<br />with the marital status and the work shift (p value <0.05) with no significant<br />association of violence with age, occupation and duration of employments<br />(p value >0.05). Low socioeconomic status of patients, shortage of medical<br />equipment and medicine and inadequate security were the most frequently<br />suggested causes of violence. Conclusion and Recommendations: WPV<br />is highly prevalent among the studied HCWs particularly the verbal one and<br />resulted in physical, psychological and work related effects; that highlights<br />the need to develop management strategy to overcome WPV against HCWs.<br />Provision of medical equipment, medicine, security measures, legislation<br />and to restrict public access to examination rooms were the most frequently<br />suggested preventive measures.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193275_e81bd034a343891e6de7675ea3234f07.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Respiratory Disorders, Pulmonary Functions and Radiological Abnormalities among Workers Exposed to Welding Fumes21723219327810.21608/ejom.2021.193278ENAlateeq AEODepartment of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Ministry of Health Kuwait.Daoud BHDepartment of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, EgyptEl-Gamal FMDepartment of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, EgyptFoda NMTDepartment of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, EgyptMehana SMDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, EgyptJournal Article20210413Introduction: The welding process produces visible smoke that contains<br />harmful metal fume and gas by-products which may have deleterious effects<br />on the respiratory system. Aim of Work: To study the prevalence of respiratory<br />symptoms and diseases, and to detect the changes in pulmonary functions and<br />chest X rays among welders. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional<br />study was conducted in the Shuaiba industrial area, Kuwait. Two hundred and<br />thirty-five welders and 155 unexposed workers were interviewed using the<br />British Medical Research Council questionnaire; clinical examination (general<br />and local to the chest) was done. Workers underwent measurements of lung<br />functions, and chest X rays were performed and interpreted, according to the<br />ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. Cases suggestive of pneumoconiosis<br />underwent high-resolution CT scanning. Results: Exposure to welding<br />fumes significantly increased the prevalence of chronic cough in the early<br />morning, it was 1.74 times fold higher compared with unexposed workers.<br />Chronic bronchitis was more prevalent among welders, but the result was<br />not statistically significant. Metal fume fever was experienced by 23.4% of<br />the studied welders, the majority reported one or two attacks per year, and <br /> attacks usually lasted for one or two days. The frequency of sick leaves was<br />significantly higher among welders (35.74%) compared with unexposed<br />workers (14.19%), and was mainly due to respiratory diseases, followed<br />by musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries. Lung function indices (LFIs)<br />(FVC, FEVI, FEV1%, PEFR, FEF75%, FEF50%, and FEF25%) showed significant<br />decrements among welders after adjusting for age, height, weight, and<br />smoking, moreover, increase in the duration of exposure to welding fumes was<br />significantly associated with a decrease in lung functions after allowing for the<br />effect of confounders. Findings suggestive of pneumoconiosis were observed<br />among welders. Conclusion: Welding fumes had significant adverse effects on<br />the respiratory system of welders and safety measures should be encouraged<br />among workers.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193278_1eac6c0dcd06db80a48e2e73aa007223.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Physicians Concerns toward COVID-19 Vaccines23324819328110.21608/ejom.2021.193281ENMarawan HDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.Abdelraouf SDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.El-Badry ADepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.Ibrahem RDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.Journal Article20210324Introduction: Vaccination is a successful method of controlling infectious<br />viral diseases, which may play a major role in virus spread limitation.Aim<br />of Work: To assess the concerns of Egyptian physicians towards COVID-19<br />vaccines and its associating factors. Materials and Methods: A crosssectional<br />study was conducted on 1026 Egyptian physicians; through a selfadministered<br />questionnaire covering socio-demographic data and physician<br />concerns toward COVID-19 vaccine was used. Results: Among 1026 studied<br />physicians (their age ranged from 25 to 57 years, with a mean of 39.46±10.17),<br />58.7% were male and 56.8% were from an urban residence. More than half<br />of physicians (56.9%) worked at a secondary care level and 21.7% of them<br />worked at a tertiary care level, 48.8% of participants were specialists and<br />19.3% were consultants. The mean duration of work experience was 12.94<br />±7.54 and ranged from 2 – 25 years. Nearly half of the participants (49.8%)<br />had COVID 19 disease before. Most of the studied physicians (74.9%) did not<br />attend COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaigns. Binary logistic regression<br />analysis showed that the significant independent predictors of high concern<br />score were working in a COVID-19 isolation unit, work experience more than<br />10 years, history of COVID 19 infection, and attending vaccine awareness<br />campaigns (odds ratio, 3.15, 2.0, 2.88 & 3.5 respectively). Conclusion:<br />Healthcare workers’ concern score toward COVID-19 vaccine is of prime<br />importance as it drives them to accept or refuse to take the vaccine and HCWs<br />were considered as a confident source of health information and advice to the<br />public. The modifiable factor that improves vaccine concern was attending<br />COVID-19 awareness campaigns about COVID-19 vaccine, so continuing and<br />increasing awareness campaigns about COVID 19 vaccine is warranted.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193281_61a35bc9ee08fc61926d703a264674fb.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188145320210901Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Prediction Using the Framingham Risk Score24926419328310.21608/ejom.2021.193283ENAwad Allah MBDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptKhalil WADepartment of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptJournal Article20201216Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the world’s most common cause of death. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is the most commonly used method for CVD risk assessment. Low-risk individuals have 10% or less coronary heart diseases (CHD) risk at 10 years, 10-20% have intermediate risk and 20% or more have high risk. Aim of Work: To estimate the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases over next ten years among the administrative<br />staff at Zagazig University, Egypt. Material and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to get data about socio demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements was done, laboratory investigations to measure<br />fasting and post brandial blood sugar and lipid profile. The Framingham risk score (FRS) was calculated by using information on age, gender, smoking ,<br />diabetes mellitus (DM), systolic blood pressure , treatment for hypertension<br />, and total blood cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels for every<br />subject. Results: About 55% of the studied sample were males and 44.8%<br />were females, the overall prevalence of systolic hypertension was 45.7% ,<br />36.2% had a positive family history of CVD , 25% were physically active<br />( the majority of them were males),21.5% were diabetic, 63.7% had high<br />blood cholesterol,55.1% had central obesity,68.1% were overweight or<br />obese. FRS mean for males was higher as compared to females (14.3±7.1<br />and11.9±5.8 respectively). Participants with high CVR risk were mainly<br />inactive, smokers, with positive family history, diabetics, hypertensive,<br />with high blood cholesterol level, high density lipoprotein and with central<br />obesity .A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between<br />FRS and age, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose ,weight ,<br />waist circumference and body mass index(BMI) <br /> Conclusion: About 42%<br />of our studied subjects were at low anticipated 10-year CVD risk, 30% were <br /> at moderate risk, and 28% of them were at high risk .The most significant<br />risk factors were male gender ,smoking, physical inactivity , hypertension,<br />diabetes mellitus, obesity, abdominal obesity , high levels of total cholesterol<br />and low HDL-cholesterol level in addition to positive family history . CVD<br />is a preventable public health issue; most of its risk factors are modifiable.https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_193283_d30a91e043e6b80e7285527fbc4a2c8e.pdf