EVELIN ESCALONA | Universidad de Carabobo (original) (raw)

Papers by EVELIN ESCALONA

Rehabilitación Interdisciplinaria, Jun 14, 2024

Introduction: in manufacturing companies, specifically in the brewery, there are processes that i... more Introduction: in manufacturing companies, specifically in the brewery, there are processes that involve the handling and use of chemical agents, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), this is the reason why workers are exposed to this agent. In the studied company, an accident was caused by exposure to this substance. Objective: to propose an epidemiological surveillance program for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in workers exposed to carbon dioxide (CO2) in a Venezuelan brewery. Methods: a qualitative-quantitative, field, descriptive, feasible project-type research was carried out, with the epidemiological surveillance program as the unit of analysis. Documentary review, direct observation and the interview were used as data collection techniques, and the observation guide, the sociodemographic form and the field diary were used as instruments. Results: the machine room has 18 workers, which shows that the workforce is composed of men over 40 years of age. Among the main causes of consultation of workers to the medical service are headache with 24,1 %, followed by fatigue with 20,6 % and then dizziness with 13,7 %. Conclusion: we propose an Epidemiological Surveillance Program aimed at machine room workers exposed to Carbon Dioxide (CO2), since there is no system that collects complete information on the working conditions and health of its workers, thus failing to comply with the legal framework governing the subject.

Introduction: anthropometric dimensions allow the world of work to adapt the means and the workpl... more Introduction: anthropometric dimensions allow the world of work to adapt the means and the workplace to the workers' characteristics and improve their jobs. It is necessary to have alternatives to carry out anthropometric measurements, given the costs of measuring instruments and the limited availability of such instruments in occupational health and safety services. Aim: to compare standing anthropometric measurements using anthropometric tables versus the Harpenden anthropometer. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a population of 26 workers (11 men and 15 women). The following measurements were taken in a standing position with the anthropometric tables and the Holtain Harpenden anthropometer: height, shoulder height, height at the middle finger, and length of the upper limb, using the Student's t-hypothesis test to compare both measurements. Results: the values of the anthropometric variables measured by both the anthropometric tables and the Harpenden anthropometer did not present significant statistical differences, both in men and women. Conclusions: the pilot test showed that using anthropometric tables in anthropometric studies constitutes a low-cost alternative.

Revista Inclusiones, Oct 29, 2018

Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, Dec 31, 2022

Introducción: en la industria del procesamiento avícola, se desarrollan actividades que requieren... more Introducción: en la industria del procesamiento avícola, se desarrollan actividades que requieren la realización de múltiples tareas repetitivas, generalmente en bipedestación; lo que aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos musculo esqueléticos en las extremidades superiores y espalda baja. Estos factores de riesgos incluyen: movimientos repetitivos, posturas forzadas, posturas incómodas y estáticas, vibración y temperaturas altas y bajas. Afectando segmentos corporales como el cuello, hombros y espalda. Objetivo: evaluar ergonómicamente el puesto de trabajo: "colgador de pollo" de una empresa beneficiadora de aves, en el estado Aragua-Venezuela, durante el año 2022. Métodos: Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva, no experimental, de campo y corte transversal. La población y muestra censal está constituida por ocho (8) trabajadores. En la recolección de la información se aplicó la entrevista para obtener los datos sociodemográficos y laborales, en la descripción del puesto de trabajo la técnica de la observación documentada y para la determinación de las molestias musculoesqueléticas el esquema corporal del dolor y el método Check List OCRA. Resultado: la población en su totalidad es masculina, diestra, de edad promedio 33 ±2.67, normopesos, antigüedad promedio 4 años ±2.36, los cuales presentan dolor al finalizar la jornada en hombro, espalda baja, espalda alta y rodillas. Cuyo Índice Ocra resulto alto para lado derecho y medio para lado izquierdo. Conclusión: en el puesto de trabajo "colgador de pollo" existe un riesgo alto de padecer Trastornos musculo esqueléticos para miembros superiores, con mayor relevancia en miembro superior derecho.

Salud de los Trabajadores, 2000

El presente trabajo viene a llenar un vacío en el campo de la salud laboral en Venezuela, y parte... more El presente trabajo viene a llenar un vacío en el campo de la salud laboral en Venezuela, y parte de los resultados de una investigación realizada por la autora en el estado Aragua sobre las alteraciones de la voz y condiciones de trabajo en maestros de enseñanza primaria. Presenta las bases de un programa para la preservación de la voz en los docentes. Contiene un conjunto de objetivos, estrategias, acciones dirigidas a desarrollar la formación de los docentes para la preservación de la voz, así como elementos para monitorear y criterios para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo desde el punto de vista de la organización del trabajo, ergonomía escolar, de higiene y seguridad laboral. Igualmente elementos para la organización de los trabajadores en comités de seguridad y salud laboral, a través de delegados o delegadas de prevención, para vigilar según lo establecido por la Ley Orgánica de Prevención Condiciones y Medio Ambiente de Trabajo. El programa está concebido como un elemento fundamental para el desarrollo de la salud laboral en el magisterio y servirá de referencia para su instrumentación en todo el territorio nacional.

International Journal of Medical and Health Research, 2021

Revista Cubana de Salud Pública, Mar 1, 2006

Comunidad y Salud, Jan 6, 2009

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1995

To assess the applicability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Neurobehavioral Core Test Batt... more To assess the applicability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB), we evaluated 53 male and 29 female Venezuelan workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents in an adhesive factory, and 56 male and 11 female workers unexposed to any type of neurotoxic chemical. The average age of unexposed workers was 30 years and 33 years for those exposed, average schooling for both groups was 8 years, and the mean duration of exposure was 7 years. The NCTB, which assesses central nervous system functions, is composed of seven tests that measure simple motor function, short‐term memory, eye‐hand coordination, affective behavior, and psychomotor perception and speed. The battery includes: profile of mood states (POMS); Simple Reaction Time for attention and response speed; Digit Span for auditory memory; Santa Ana manual dexterity; Digit‐Symbol for perceptual motor speed; the Benton visual retention for visual perception and memory; and Pursuit Aiming II for motor steadiness. In each of 13 subtests, the exposed group had a poorer performance than the nonexposed group. The range of differences in mean performance was between 5% and 89%. particularly in POMS (tension‐anxiety, anger‐hostility, depression‐rejection, fatigue‐inertia, confusion‐bewilderment), Simple Reaction Time, Digit‐Symbol, and Santa Ana Pegboard (p < .05). In multivariate regression analyses, controlling for the effects of age, sex, and education, significantly poorer performance in the exposed was found for tension‐anxiety, hostility, depression, and confusion moods in the POMS, and in digit‐symbol and simple reaction time (p < .05). These alterations were also dose‐related using years of exposure in analyses of covariance. Compared to the nonexposed, the exposed subjects demonstrated an increased frequency of subjective symptoms of fatigue, difficulties with memory, confusion, paresthesias in upper and lower extremities, and sleep disturbances. We conclude that the methodology is applicable to the population studied. The tests of the NCTB were accepted by the subjects and were administered satisfactorily, except for occasional difficulties in verbal comprehension in subtests of POMS, which is the only test that requires more demanding verbal skills. The magnitude of the behavioral deficits is consistent with the probable high level of exposure and with the range of deficits previously reported in workers with long‐term solvent exposures.

Salud de los Trabajadores, Dec 1, 2006

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between self-reported... more The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between self-reported voice disorders among primary schoolteachers and workplace risk factors (environmental and organizational) in schools. Methods: A random sample of 438 teachers was obtained, which assured a 95% level of confidence. An occupational history was obtained from study subjects. Results: 438 teachers (43 male and 395 female) participated. Length of employment was 14.7 ± 8.27 years, and the average number of students per teacher was 14.7 ± 8,27. Average daily duration of speaking time was 3.74 ± 2.89 hours. The prevalence of dysphonia was 90.4%. In order of importance, symptoms were dryness, throat clearing, itching of the throat, odinophagia, tension of the neck, hoarseness at the end of the day, vocal fatigue, "crick in the throat", difficulty speaking, and sensation of lack of air. The average frequency of symptoms per participant was 5.47 ± 3.4. Women were more affected and had greater voice overload. Eighty-eight percent of schoolteachers had not received any training in proper voice use. Adverse environmental conditions included exposure to chalk dust, noise, poor acoustics, dust in the recess yard and smoke. Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between dysphonia and smoke, duration of speaking time and voice intensity score. Conclusions: Voice disorders are a common problem among schoolteachers, and work conditions are negatively impacting these workers. It is necessary to implement short-term control measures.

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Oct 1, 1995

A questionnaire in Spanish (with yeslno answers) was developed in order to study effects of neuro... more A questionnaire in Spanish (with yeslno answers) was developed in order to study effects of neurotoxic agents in groups of workers in Nicaragua. Since many workers in Latin America are illiterate, the questions were read to the subjects. The questionnaire initially contained 34 ...

Ciencia & trabajo, Aug 1, 2013

Salud de los Trabajadores, Feb 10, 2018

We carried out a two-phase descriptive ergonomic evaluation of the low pressure table assistant j... more We carried out a two-phase descriptive ergonomic evaluation of the low pressure table assistant job position in a brewery in Cagua, Venezuela to determine the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. There were 10 single men in phase I and two men in phase II, with an average age of30.1 years, working in rotating shifts from Monday through Friday. Tasks consisted of boxing, removing plates, positioning, cleaning up, transfers and palletizing. We used individual and group interviews (DEPARIS guide) to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and opinions regarding job-related health issues. Risk of musculoskeletal injury was measured using the MODSI method and NIOSH Equation. This evaluation identified a medium risk for boxing and removing plates; it was high for positioning, arranging, moving, and palletizing. For tasks involving positioning and transfers, the risk was very high due to prolonged standing, trunk twisting, extension of the shoulder, elbow and forearm, lateralization of the wrists, back and neck flexion, and relative force. We also recommended some changes in how the work was organized. Among these implementing a plan to reduce rejected bottles, designing hand tools to open bottles, installing a multi-position chair to allow changes in posture, developing a preventive plan for musculoskeletal disorders, work breaks and accident prevention, providing personal protective equipment, expanding work spaces and incorporating mechanical assist devices appropriate to the characteristics of the tasks and worker needs.

Salud de los Trabajadores, 1993

Salud de los Trabajadores, Jun 1, 2007

Rehabilitación Interdisciplinaria, Jun 14, 2024

Introduction: in manufacturing companies, specifically in the brewery, there are processes that i... more Introduction: in manufacturing companies, specifically in the brewery, there are processes that involve the handling and use of chemical agents, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), this is the reason why workers are exposed to this agent. In the studied company, an accident was caused by exposure to this substance. Objective: to propose an epidemiological surveillance program for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in workers exposed to carbon dioxide (CO2) in a Venezuelan brewery. Methods: a qualitative-quantitative, field, descriptive, feasible project-type research was carried out, with the epidemiological surveillance program as the unit of analysis. Documentary review, direct observation and the interview were used as data collection techniques, and the observation guide, the sociodemographic form and the field diary were used as instruments. Results: the machine room has 18 workers, which shows that the workforce is composed of men over 40 years of age. Among the main causes of consultation of workers to the medical service are headache with 24,1 %, followed by fatigue with 20,6 % and then dizziness with 13,7 %. Conclusion: we propose an Epidemiological Surveillance Program aimed at machine room workers exposed to Carbon Dioxide (CO2), since there is no system that collects complete information on the working conditions and health of its workers, thus failing to comply with the legal framework governing the subject.

Introduction: anthropometric dimensions allow the world of work to adapt the means and the workpl... more Introduction: anthropometric dimensions allow the world of work to adapt the means and the workplace to the workers' characteristics and improve their jobs. It is necessary to have alternatives to carry out anthropometric measurements, given the costs of measuring instruments and the limited availability of such instruments in occupational health and safety services. Aim: to compare standing anthropometric measurements using anthropometric tables versus the Harpenden anthropometer. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a population of 26 workers (11 men and 15 women). The following measurements were taken in a standing position with the anthropometric tables and the Holtain Harpenden anthropometer: height, shoulder height, height at the middle finger, and length of the upper limb, using the Student's t-hypothesis test to compare both measurements. Results: the values of the anthropometric variables measured by both the anthropometric tables and the Harpenden anthropometer did not present significant statistical differences, both in men and women. Conclusions: the pilot test showed that using anthropometric tables in anthropometric studies constitutes a low-cost alternative.

Revista Inclusiones, Oct 29, 2018

Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, Dec 31, 2022

Introducción: en la industria del procesamiento avícola, se desarrollan actividades que requieren... more Introducción: en la industria del procesamiento avícola, se desarrollan actividades que requieren la realización de múltiples tareas repetitivas, generalmente en bipedestación; lo que aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos musculo esqueléticos en las extremidades superiores y espalda baja. Estos factores de riesgos incluyen: movimientos repetitivos, posturas forzadas, posturas incómodas y estáticas, vibración y temperaturas altas y bajas. Afectando segmentos corporales como el cuello, hombros y espalda. Objetivo: evaluar ergonómicamente el puesto de trabajo: "colgador de pollo" de una empresa beneficiadora de aves, en el estado Aragua-Venezuela, durante el año 2022. Métodos: Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva, no experimental, de campo y corte transversal. La población y muestra censal está constituida por ocho (8) trabajadores. En la recolección de la información se aplicó la entrevista para obtener los datos sociodemográficos y laborales, en la descripción del puesto de trabajo la técnica de la observación documentada y para la determinación de las molestias musculoesqueléticas el esquema corporal del dolor y el método Check List OCRA. Resultado: la población en su totalidad es masculina, diestra, de edad promedio 33 ±2.67, normopesos, antigüedad promedio 4 años ±2.36, los cuales presentan dolor al finalizar la jornada en hombro, espalda baja, espalda alta y rodillas. Cuyo Índice Ocra resulto alto para lado derecho y medio para lado izquierdo. Conclusión: en el puesto de trabajo "colgador de pollo" existe un riesgo alto de padecer Trastornos musculo esqueléticos para miembros superiores, con mayor relevancia en miembro superior derecho.

Salud de los Trabajadores, 2000

El presente trabajo viene a llenar un vacío en el campo de la salud laboral en Venezuela, y parte... more El presente trabajo viene a llenar un vacío en el campo de la salud laboral en Venezuela, y parte de los resultados de una investigación realizada por la autora en el estado Aragua sobre las alteraciones de la voz y condiciones de trabajo en maestros de enseñanza primaria. Presenta las bases de un programa para la preservación de la voz en los docentes. Contiene un conjunto de objetivos, estrategias, acciones dirigidas a desarrollar la formación de los docentes para la preservación de la voz, así como elementos para monitorear y criterios para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo desde el punto de vista de la organización del trabajo, ergonomía escolar, de higiene y seguridad laboral. Igualmente elementos para la organización de los trabajadores en comités de seguridad y salud laboral, a través de delegados o delegadas de prevención, para vigilar según lo establecido por la Ley Orgánica de Prevención Condiciones y Medio Ambiente de Trabajo. El programa está concebido como un elemento fundamental para el desarrollo de la salud laboral en el magisterio y servirá de referencia para su instrumentación en todo el territorio nacional.

International Journal of Medical and Health Research, 2021

Revista Cubana de Salud Pública, Mar 1, 2006

Comunidad y Salud, Jan 6, 2009

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1995

To assess the applicability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Neurobehavioral Core Test Batt... more To assess the applicability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB), we evaluated 53 male and 29 female Venezuelan workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents in an adhesive factory, and 56 male and 11 female workers unexposed to any type of neurotoxic chemical. The average age of unexposed workers was 30 years and 33 years for those exposed, average schooling for both groups was 8 years, and the mean duration of exposure was 7 years. The NCTB, which assesses central nervous system functions, is composed of seven tests that measure simple motor function, short‐term memory, eye‐hand coordination, affective behavior, and psychomotor perception and speed. The battery includes: profile of mood states (POMS); Simple Reaction Time for attention and response speed; Digit Span for auditory memory; Santa Ana manual dexterity; Digit‐Symbol for perceptual motor speed; the Benton visual retention for visual perception and memory; and Pursuit Aiming II for motor steadiness. In each of 13 subtests, the exposed group had a poorer performance than the nonexposed group. The range of differences in mean performance was between 5% and 89%. particularly in POMS (tension‐anxiety, anger‐hostility, depression‐rejection, fatigue‐inertia, confusion‐bewilderment), Simple Reaction Time, Digit‐Symbol, and Santa Ana Pegboard (p < .05). In multivariate regression analyses, controlling for the effects of age, sex, and education, significantly poorer performance in the exposed was found for tension‐anxiety, hostility, depression, and confusion moods in the POMS, and in digit‐symbol and simple reaction time (p < .05). These alterations were also dose‐related using years of exposure in analyses of covariance. Compared to the nonexposed, the exposed subjects demonstrated an increased frequency of subjective symptoms of fatigue, difficulties with memory, confusion, paresthesias in upper and lower extremities, and sleep disturbances. We conclude that the methodology is applicable to the population studied. The tests of the NCTB were accepted by the subjects and were administered satisfactorily, except for occasional difficulties in verbal comprehension in subtests of POMS, which is the only test that requires more demanding verbal skills. The magnitude of the behavioral deficits is consistent with the probable high level of exposure and with the range of deficits previously reported in workers with long‐term solvent exposures.

Salud de los Trabajadores, Dec 1, 2006

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between self-reported... more The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between self-reported voice disorders among primary schoolteachers and workplace risk factors (environmental and organizational) in schools. Methods: A random sample of 438 teachers was obtained, which assured a 95% level of confidence. An occupational history was obtained from study subjects. Results: 438 teachers (43 male and 395 female) participated. Length of employment was 14.7 ± 8.27 years, and the average number of students per teacher was 14.7 ± 8,27. Average daily duration of speaking time was 3.74 ± 2.89 hours. The prevalence of dysphonia was 90.4%. In order of importance, symptoms were dryness, throat clearing, itching of the throat, odinophagia, tension of the neck, hoarseness at the end of the day, vocal fatigue, "crick in the throat", difficulty speaking, and sensation of lack of air. The average frequency of symptoms per participant was 5.47 ± 3.4. Women were more affected and had greater voice overload. Eighty-eight percent of schoolteachers had not received any training in proper voice use. Adverse environmental conditions included exposure to chalk dust, noise, poor acoustics, dust in the recess yard and smoke. Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between dysphonia and smoke, duration of speaking time and voice intensity score. Conclusions: Voice disorders are a common problem among schoolteachers, and work conditions are negatively impacting these workers. It is necessary to implement short-term control measures.

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Oct 1, 1995

A questionnaire in Spanish (with yeslno answers) was developed in order to study effects of neuro... more A questionnaire in Spanish (with yeslno answers) was developed in order to study effects of neurotoxic agents in groups of workers in Nicaragua. Since many workers in Latin America are illiterate, the questions were read to the subjects. The questionnaire initially contained 34 ...

Ciencia & trabajo, Aug 1, 2013

Salud de los Trabajadores, Feb 10, 2018

We carried out a two-phase descriptive ergonomic evaluation of the low pressure table assistant j... more We carried out a two-phase descriptive ergonomic evaluation of the low pressure table assistant job position in a brewery in Cagua, Venezuela to determine the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. There were 10 single men in phase I and two men in phase II, with an average age of30.1 years, working in rotating shifts from Monday through Friday. Tasks consisted of boxing, removing plates, positioning, cleaning up, transfers and palletizing. We used individual and group interviews (DEPARIS guide) to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and opinions regarding job-related health issues. Risk of musculoskeletal injury was measured using the MODSI method and NIOSH Equation. This evaluation identified a medium risk for boxing and removing plates; it was high for positioning, arranging, moving, and palletizing. For tasks involving positioning and transfers, the risk was very high due to prolonged standing, trunk twisting, extension of the shoulder, elbow and forearm, lateralization of the wrists, back and neck flexion, and relative force. We also recommended some changes in how the work was organized. Among these implementing a plan to reduce rejected bottles, designing hand tools to open bottles, installing a multi-position chair to allow changes in posture, developing a preventive plan for musculoskeletal disorders, work breaks and accident prevention, providing personal protective equipment, expanding work spaces and incorporating mechanical assist devices appropriate to the characteristics of the tasks and worker needs.

Salud de los Trabajadores, 1993

Salud de los Trabajadores, Jun 1, 2007