The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101OXIDATIVE STRESS AND GENOTOXICITY AMONG WORKERS EXPOSED TO COPPER IN A FACTORY FOR NON-FERROUS INDUSTRY IN EGYPT1152479810.21608/ejom.2019.24798ENShaker DADepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Rashed LDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.Journal Article20190115Introduction: Exposure to high levels of copper at the workplace results in many adverse health effects with possible genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Aim of work: To evaluate oxidative stress and detect the extent of DNA damage among workers at a copper processing factory. Materials and methods: The studied group is composed of 36 male workers from a copper processing factory and 34 male as a control group non-exposed to copper matched for age and socioeconomic status. Total antioxidant capacity was measured for all participants as an oxidative stress parameter, and urinary 8-OHdG was assayed by ELISA. Extent of DNA damage in leucocytes was also evaluated by comet assay as a biomarker of genotoxicity. Results: In the exposed workers, mean serum copper and urinary 8-OHdG were higher when compared to controls (155.1 ± 23 versus 77.9 ± 8.5 ug/dL and 9.7 ± 5 versus 4.1 ± 1.2 ng/mg creatinine, respectively; p<0.001 in each). T-AOC measured in exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the comparison group. There was significant DNA damage in leucocytes of exposed workers compared to the control group with mean comet tail length (9.5 ± 3.7 versus 5.7 ±1.4 mm; p < 0.001). T-AOC was negatively correlated with comet tail length; r=-0.64 and 8-OHdG showed positive correlation; r=0.71 (p < 0.001 for each). Linear regression models revealed that 8-OHdG is the significant predictor of DNA damage assayed by comet test whereas smoking, work duration and age had no significant effect on DNA damage. Conclusion: copper-exposed workers are at risk of oxidative stress with consequent DNA damage and potential genotoxic effect.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101RESPIRATORY HEALTH EFFECTS AMONG FEMALE STREET FOOD VENDORS IN MANSOURA CITY, EGYPT17322510410.21608/ejom.2019.25104ENSerya HDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.El Hadidy SDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.El Bestar SDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.Journal Article20190117Introduction: Street vendors work daily selling their goods on the sidewalks along the streets and seldom have breaks .They are considered the most working groups that are at the highest risk of exposure to air pollution as they usually work for long hours and are continuously exposed to inevitable: adverse weather conditions, atmospheric and road dust, vehicular emissions and air pollutants from industrial and other sources, resulting in a wide range of adverse respiratory health effects. Aim of work: To assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the effect of outdoor work environment on pulmonary functions measurements among female street food vendors in Mansoura city. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried upon (152) stationary female street food vendors in Mansoura city during the period from August to December 2017. The sample size was calculated using MedCalc program version18. Data was collected using a questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, occupational and medical histories focusing on the respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months. Clinical examination and measurement of the pulmonary functions were done. Results: There was a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street food vendors in the last 12 months (86.2%). The mean observed values of FEV1 and FVC were statistically significantly lower than their predictive values and the mean observed values of FEV1/FVC % were statistically significantly higher than their predictive values. Conclusion: Street vendors are at high risk of respiratory symptoms and impaired pulmonary functions. Bronchial asthma ranked the first disorder for the respiratory system (18.4%) among street food vendors followed by chronic bronchitis (7.9%).The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN INFECTIOUS DISEASES (REVIEW)33562510610.21608/ejom.2019.25106ENEl Samra GHDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.Journal Article20190117The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate (IPCC) has concluded that climate change has significant effects on human health. In order to understand how climate change impacts infectious diseases; it is essential to understand the pathways of disease transmission. Diseases transmitted directly from source of infection to the affected individual are least affected by environmental factors. If diseases are transmitted indirectly through a physical vehicle or a biological vector, climate change will have significant effect on disease transmission through the effect on the vehicle or the vector and the pathogen. The effect of climate change varies from one region to the other. Moreover, vulnerability to the effects of climate change varies from one individual to the other, from one group to the other and from one country to the other. Disease transmission is also affected by socio-economic factors, globalization of travel and trade, land use, unplanned urbanization, population growth, and cultural attitudes, among other factors.<br />Diseases transmitted via direct pathways include air-borne diseases like influenza, tuberculosis, measles or sexually transmitted diseases. Food-borne diseases and water-borne diseases like cholera and diarrhoeal diseases are transmitted indirectly, via physical vehicle.<br />Mosquitoes are the best known biological disease vectors. Diseases transmitted indirectly through mosquitoes can be transmitted either by mosquito-human-mosquito pathway such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chicungunia, zika and lymphatic filariasis; or by mosquito-animal-mosquito pathway such as west Nile virus disease, Rift valley fever and Saint Louis encephalitis.<br />Diseases transmitted indirectly via biological vectors also include tick-borne diseases such as lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, typhus, Q fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever; sandfly-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis; and rodent-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, tularemia and plague through fleas.
Diseases can also be transmitted indirectly through other vectors like tse-tse fly, black fly, triatomine bug and aquatic snails.<br />Beginning in mid-1970s, there has been worldwide emergence, resurgence and redistribution of infectious diseases. Definitions of emerging diseases were given as well as examples of climate change impacts on emerging diseases. Examples given included west Nile virus disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Saint Louis encephalitis, Murray valley fever and Zika.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101NURSES’ PERFORMANCE AS REGARDING INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES AND ENDOSCOPIES REPROCESSING TECHNIQUES IN GIT ENDOSCOPY UNIT57732511310.21608/ejom.2019.25113ENEl-Maghawry HADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptLL El-HawyDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,Journal Article20190117Introduction: Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a flexible fiber optic tube passed into the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine depending on the level at which lesions are anticipated. Because flexible endoscopes enter body cavities, they may acquire high levels of microbial contamination. Organic material (eg, blood, feces, and respiratory secretions) that collects in the channels and parts of the endoscope can be difficult to be removed. Aim of work: To assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding infection control procedures during GIT endoscopies, to assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding universal precautions during reprocessing techniques of GIT endoscopies, to evaluate the effect of training program on nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding infection control procedures and endoscopies reprocessing procedures. Materials and methods: An experimental study (pre-post test) was conducted in GIT endoscopy unit in General Surgery department, Zagazig University Hospitals. All endoscopy nursing staff (38 nurses) who is dealing with endoscopies reprocessing were included in the study. First tool was questionnaire sheet, to assess nurses’ knowledge. The second tool was observational checklist to assess nurses’ practice. The study was carried out on 3 stages: I- pre-intervention stage, II- Intervention stage (by implementation of the educational program), III- Post-intervention stage. Results: The study sample of nurses consisted of 38 female nurses with mean age 36.8 ± 6.1 years. There was an improvement in total level of nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding infection control with highly statistically significant difference before and after implementation of the educational program as regarding infection control, precautions post endoscopy procedures (endoscopy reprocessing). Conclusion: The study concludes that relatively short-term in-service training can significantly improve nurses’ knowledge and practice concerning infection control procedures and endoscopies reprocessing techniques in GIT endoscopy unit. It is a must to keep reinforcing the knowledge and practice regarding infection control.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF SAFE HANDLING OF CYTOTOXIC DRUGS AMONG ONCOLOGY NURSES IN TANTA UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS75922511910.21608/ejom.2019.25119ENZayed HADepartment of Occupational Medicine,
Tanta University, EgyptSaied SMDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine,
Tanta University, EgyptEl-Sallamy RMDepartment of Occupational Medicine,
Tanta University, EgyptShehata WMDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine,
Tanta University, EgyptJournal Article20190117Introduction: Occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents and safe handling of cytotoxic drugs (CDs) had gained a high concern among oncology nursing staff due to their potential health risks. Many organizations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Oncology Nursing Society and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have recommended guidelines for safe handling of cytotoxic drugs. Aim of work: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of oncology nursing staff working at Tanta University Hospitals towards the safe handling of CDs. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months (from February to April, 2018) at the Oncology department in Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to assess nurses` KAP regarding safe handling of CDs. Results: A total of 55 oncology nurses participated in the study. The total KAP scores of nurses towards the safe handling of CDs were satisfactory among 63.6% of the studied group. The mean scores of responses for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 19.05 ± 4.8 out of 26, 13.09 ± 3.07 out of 16, and 8.87 ± 1.35 out of 12, respectively. More than half of the nurses had previous training in the Oncology department. Defective use of personal protective equipments (PPE) during various steps of CDs handling was noticed. Conclusion: There was inadequate practice of safe handling of CDs and defective implementation of guidelines among the studied oncology nurses, necessitating more frequent in-service training and audit system to monitor and evaluate their performance after training.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101POTENTIAL RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL BLOOD HAZARDS AMONG STUDENTS AT THE HEALTH COLLEGES IN PRINCESS NOURAH BINT ABDULRAHMAN UNIVERSITY931092512410.21608/ejom.2019.25124ENBakr SDepartment of Clinical Pathology/Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt, &Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Seif-Eldin SDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, &Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine,Al-Suwalim ADepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Al-Ghamdi ADepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Ibrahim NDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Allaboun NDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Ibrahim TDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Khired ZDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh,Journal Article20190117Introduction: Clinical trainee students are potentially at high risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens because of their underestimation of the risk of blood exposure and limited clinical experience. Aim of work: To assess the potential risk among health colleges’ students at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) regarding occupational blood hazards (OBHs), to determine the frequency of their exposure to OBHs incident during their clinical training and to assess their awareness towards potential risks of blood hazards, vaccination, and safety measures. Materials and methods: A questionnaire based on a cross-sectional study was carried out among 565 clinical trainee students of health colleges from December 2017 to March 2018. Results: The majority (83%) of the students had poor knowledge score. More than half of them did not receive any educational material or even orientation on standard precautions. Almost half of them had received HBV vaccine. Nearly 11% of them stated that they had been exposed to incident of blood hazards at least once duringtheir clinical practice, whereas only 7.6% of them reported the incident to their corresponding institute. Conclusion and recommendations: The study showed that there was inadequate knowledge of the students and their non-compliance with safety measures which necessitate the needs for effective curricular and extracurricular program with systemic evaluation of students about potential risk of occupational blood hazards. Further post educational clinical trial survey as well as direct observational study is neededThe Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101ADVERSE DERMATOLOGIC AND RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG STREET SWEEPER’S WORKERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY1111272512610.21608/ejom.2019.25126ENHassan ODepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.Abed HDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.Araby EDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.Fayed NDepartment of Dermatology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.Journal Article20190117Introduction: Street Sweeping plays an important role in maintaining the health and hygiene in cities. This job exposes street sweepers to a variety of risk factors that leads to multiple health hazards such as: respiratory system problems, cardiovascular degeneration, musculoskeletal disorders, infections, skin and gastrointestinal problems. Aim of work: To study the prevalence of some dermatological and respiratory manifestations among street sweepers and its relevance with occupational exposure. Materials and methods: The present study is a comparative cross-sectional study, conducted at Benha city, Qualubya Governorate, Egypt. Data was collected over a period of 4 months. Cluster random sampling was used to choose the study groups as we choose 5 quarters out from 16 quarters in Benha city by simple random sample. The total number of participant enrolled in this study was 200 individuals (126 street sweepers as a study group and 74 administrative staff as a control), all were non-smokers, matched for duration of work and age. Results: Significant higher percentage of skin disorders was detected among street sweepers in comparison to administrative staff: hair loss (19 % vs. 6.8%), scabies (15.1% vs. 4%), frunculosis (18.3% vs. 4.1%), contact dermatitis (17.5% vs. 2.7%), infected wound (11 % vs. 1.4 %), and varicosities (25.4% vs. 6.8%) (p< 0.01). Pulmonary function tests of street sweepers showed significant decline of (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio) in comparison to the control group. Our study revealed strong association between working for 10 years or more and development of chronic cough, phlegm (p value < 0.01), wheezes and feeling of shortness of breath (p value < 0.05). More than fifty percent of street sweepers were not wearing personal protective clothes at all. Conclusion: Exposure of sweeper’s workers to many health hazards and poor use of protective equipments are associated with skin and respiratory diseases.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101GENETIC VARIANTS OF HUMAN BUTYRYLCHOLINESTERASE AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON EGYPTIAN FARM WORKERS ACUTELY EXPOSED TO ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDE1291432512710.21608/ejom.2019.25127ENEl Mahdy NMNational Egyptian Centre of Toxicological and Environmental Research ( NECTR)Kharoub HSNational Egyptian Centre of Toxicological and Environmental Research ( NECTR)Sabry DDepartment of Biochemistry, Cairo University, EgyptJournal Article20190117Introduction: Organophosphate compounds (OPs) are potent and effective insecticides widely used in human practice. They are irreversible cholinesterase inhibitors causing accumulation of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses with over-stimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. In Egypt, little is known about susceptibility to toxic effects of OPs during pesticide application. Aim of work: To study the genetic variation in Butyrylcholine esterase (BChE) among workers presented to the National Egyptian Centre of Toxicological and Environmental Research (NECTR) with acute toxicity during spraying of organophosphorus pesticide and having occupational history of chronic exposure. Materials and methods: It is a case–control study to assess BChE genotype and enzyme activity in 65 workers presented to NECTR at Cairo, Egypt, during the period from January 2014 to July 2016. Comparison with 55 matched control subjects was performed; to identify those workers at risk to potential adverse health effects of OP compounds. The studied group answered a predesigned questionnaire with detailed personal medical and occupational histories. Full physical examination was done. Laboratory investigations included: liver and kidney functions, analysis of pseudo choline esterase and DNA. Results: The study revealed that 73.8 % of the total cases was carrying JK variants (named in honor of James and Kalow respectively) in heterozygote state with the A (Atypical) variant an d 13.8 %in heterozygote state with the U (Usual) variant, these workers showed reduction in the level of BChE enzyme . Conclusion: BChE genetic variations could be a concern in farm workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides in agriculture and could be useful in assessing the risk of pesticide exposure. Safety regulations concerning products use, training of occupational workers for the safe application of potentially harmful pesticides are highly recommended.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-1881431201901018-HYDROXY-2' -DEOXYGUANOSINE (8-OHDG) AND RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TRANSLOCATION: POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS FOR LEUKEMOGENESIS IN BENZENE EXPOSED WORKERS1451592512910.21608/ejom.2019.25129ENElkhawanky MMDepartment of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Najran University, KSA,Solaiman AMDepartment of Clinical Pathology ,Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.Seoudi MADepartment of Clinical Pathology ,Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.Attia MDepartment of Clinical Pathology ,Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.Journal Article20190117Introduction: Chronic benzene exposure has a detrimental effect on the hematopoietic system, disturbs its genetic material through the enhancement of oxidative DNA damage, increase the incidence of chromosomal aberrations that may result in direct hematotoxicity and an initiating step for leukemogenesis. Aim of work: To study the adverse impact of occupationally benzene exposure on peripheral blood cells, oxidative DNA damage and gene translocation of peripheral mononuclear blood cells through measurement of plasma 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) levels and detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 translocation “t(8;21)”. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 91 subjects classified into two groups; group (I) occupationally benzene-exposed (57 subjects), which was subdivided into two subgroups: (A) “ smokers” (No=41) and (B) “non-smokers” (No =16), Group (II) a control group and is also subdivided into two subgroups, (C) “smokers” (No =13) and (D) “non-smokers” (No =21) apparently healthy individuals not occupationally exposed to benzene. Data was collected using a specially designed questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, personnel and occupational histories. Investigations were done including: Blood cell count (CBC), examination of peripheral blood smears, Plasma 8-OHdG was measured by ELISA system, Translocation (8; 21) was detected. Working index and Smoking index were also calculated. Results: there was a significant increase in the plasma
levels of 8-OHdG in the occupationally benzene-exposed group both smokers and non-smokers and in control smokers in comparison to the control non-smoker individuals. The percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 translocation was (3/41) 7.3% in occupationally benzene-exposed smokers, (1/13) 7.7% of control smokers, while it was negative among the non-smokers individuals either exposed to benzene or not.<br />Conclusion: There was an increase of plasma 8-OHDG levels and increased incidence of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 translocation t (8; 21) of mononuclear peripheral blood cells due to chronic benzene-exposure either occupationally or through tobacco smoking with obvious dysplastic features of peripheral blood cells.The Egyptian Society of Industrial MedicineEgyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine1110-188143120190101OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISKS OF HAIRDRESSERS: KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND SELF-REPORTED SYMPTOMS1611742513110.21608/ejom.2019.25131ENHakim SADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.Abdel-Hamid MADepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.Journal Article20190117Introduction: Hairdressing is associated with exposure to various harmful conditions which may be chemical, physical and ergonomic. Proper knowledge of hazardous exposures leads to reduction of adverse health outcomes. Hairdressing has been linked with several self- reported symptoms as respiratory, allergic and musculoskeletal complaints. Aim of work: To measure the knowledge of hairdressers regarding hazardous work exposures, safe work practices, in addition to describe the possible work-related symptoms experienced by them. Materials and methods: This is a cross sectional study including 200 male hairdressers working in this career for not less than 2 years. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and occupational data, description of the workplace safety measures, their knowledge regarding effects of hazardous work exposures. Complaints of any symptoms were also included related to respiratory, allergic reactions and skin problems. Results: Mean knowledge score of the study population was 4.65 ± 1.8 with the highest percentage of them reporting their knowledge of being at risk of musculoskeletal disorders and electrical injuries. Best practice was for wearing personal protective devices, washing hands after handling chemicals and before eating. A significant association was found between mean knowledge score and attending training courses. Moreover, a significant association was found between mean work duration and reporting chest symptoms and between mean working hours per day and skin allergic and musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusion: The poor knowledge of the possible health effects due to work exposures and the increased frequency of self-reported symptoms necessitate dissemination of general safety guidelines and offering more training courses to this occupational sector.