Occupational Epidemiology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Background: Waste management is a necessary activity around the world, but involves a variety of health hazards. In a developing country like India, municipal solid waste is collected manually requiring heavy physical activity. Among all occupational health issues, musculoskeletal problems are common among waste collectors in the form of nonfatal injuries because of the presence of such risk factors (lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing). We have thus conducted this study to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among municipal solid waste (MSW) workers. Methodology: A cross-sectional study using probability proportionate to size sampling, recruited 220 MSW workers from the Chennai Municipal Corporation, India for this study. A pretested validated questionnaire has been used to collect data on demographic and occupational history and information on musculoskeletal pain. Data analysis was performed using R software (3.0.1 version). Results: 70% of the participants reported that they had been troubled with musculoskeletal pain in one or more of the 9 defined body regions during the last 12 months, whereas 91.8% had pain during the last 7 days. Higher prevalence of symptoms in knees, shoulders, and lower back was found to be 84.5%, 74.5%, and 50.9% respectively. Female illiterate workers with lower socioeconomic status were found to have higher odds for MSDs. Similarly, higher body mass index having no physical activity increases the chance of odds having MSDs. Conclusion: The higher percentage of musculoskeletal symptoms among MSW workers could be attributed to the long duration of employment, the low job control, and the nature of their job, which is physically demanding. A workplace of health promotion model integration can minimize the reported high prevalence, and a prospective cohort study could be recommended further.

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is one of the commonest disorders of menstruation afflicting women of reproductive age. It is a cause of lost time from school and work among such women. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the perception of dysmenorrhea and its effect on school activities among senior secondary school students in Nnewi-North Local Government Area, Anambra State. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which information was elicited from 215 senior secondary school students selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The predominant age group of respondents was 15-19 years. Among the 215 students, Original Research Article Egenti et al.; ISRR, 4(2): 1-8, 2016; Article no.ISRR.26487 2 203 had attained menarche but only 143(70.4%) experienced dysmenorrhea. Also 143 perceived menarche as a normal pain that came with menstruation while 60 regarded it as a sign of some abnormality in the body. Menstrual pain led to impaired concentration in class among 56 (39.2%) of student, missing school/classes by 10(7%) students, and not participating in games by 12 (8.4%) student. However, 25(17.5%) of respondents saw a doctor for their pain, while the rest resorted to self-medication and other non-pharmacological means of pain relief. Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high among the students and it affected several school activities adversely. However, several wrong practices have been adopted by majority of the students to tackle their condition. Recommendation: A proper orientation on dysmenorrhea should be given to parents and teachers of students at the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to enable them address properly, all matters related to this condition.

- by N. Egenti and +1
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- Environmental Epidemiology, Nutritional Epidemiology, Occupational Epidemiology, Epidemiology and biostatistics

El objetivo de este libro es referir la prevalencia de enfermedades de trabajo de muñecas y manos en el universo de trabajadores afiliados al Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).
El estudio fue realizado con un diseño retrospectivo comparativo. La muestra incluyó a los trabajadores que se encuentran en el régimen de seguridad social (IMSS), de los que fueron calificados con enfermedad de trabajo durante los años 2018 y 2019.
Los resultados de esta investigación son una herramienta para que los tomadores de decisiones implementen acciones en los centros de trabajo, impactando en las causas de los riesgos ocupacionales para enfermedades de muñecas y manos, con el fin de que los trabajadores no vean afectado su bienestar y productividad, que se promuevan los estilos de vida saludables y se controlen los factores de riesgo en el ambiente de trabajo.

Background Accurate and up-to-date assessment of demographic metrics is crucial for understanding a wide range of social, economic, and public health issues that affect populations worldwide. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 produced updated and comprehensive demographic assessments of the key indicators of fertility, mortality, migration, and population for 204 countries and territories and selected subnational locations from 1950 to 2019. Methods 8078 country-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 938 surveys, 349 censuses, and 238 other sources were identified and used to estimate age-specific fertility. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate age-specific fertility rates for 5-year age groups between ages 15 and 49 years. With extensions to age groups 10-14 and 50-54 years, the total fertility rate (TFR) was then aggregated using the estimated age-specific fertility between ages 10 and 54 years. 7417 sources were used for under-5 mortality estimation and 7355 for adult mortality. ST-GPR was used to synthesise data sources after correction for known biases. Adult mortality was measured as the probability of death between ages 15 and 60 years based on vital registration, sample registration, and sibling histories, and was also estimated using ST-GPR. HIV-free life tables were then estimated using estimates of under-5 and adult mortality rates using a relational model life table system created for GBD, which closely tracks observed agespecific mortality rates from complete vital registration when available. Independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated by an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys and antenatal clinic serosurveillance and other sources were incorporated into the estimates in countries with large epidemics. Annual and single-year age estimates of net migration and population for each country and territory were generated using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model that analysed estimated age-specific fertility and mortality rates along with 1250 censuses and 747 population registry years. We classified location-years into seven categories on the basis of the natural rate of increase in population (calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate) and the net migration rate. We computed healthy life expectancy (HALE) using years lived with disability (YLDs) per capita, life tables, and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty was propagated throughout the demographic estimation process, including fertility, mortality, and population, with 1000 draw-level estimates produced for each metric. Findings The global TFR decreased from 2•72 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2•66-2•79) in 2000 to 2•31 (2•17-2•46) in 2019. Global annual livebirths increased from 134•5 million (131•5-137•8) in 2000 to a peak of 139•6 million (133•0-146•9) in 2016. Global livebirths then declined to 135•3 million (127•2-144•1) in 2019. Of the 204 countries and territories included in this study, in 2019, 102 had a TFR lower than 2•1, which is considered a good approximation of replacement-level fertility. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had TFRs above replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27•1% (95% UI 26•4-27•8) of global livebirths. Global life expectancy at birth increased from 67•2 years (95% UI 66•8-67•6) in 2000 to 73•5 years (72•8-74•3) in 2019. The total number of deaths increased from 50•7 million (49•5-51•9) in 2000 to 56•5 million (53•7-59•2) in 2019. Under-5 deaths declined from 9•6 million (9•1-10•3) in 2000 to 5•0 million (4•3-6•0) in 2019. Global population increased by 25•7%, from 6•2 billion (6•0-6•3) in 2000 to 7•7 billion (7•5-8•0) in 2019. In 2019, 34 countries had negative natural rates of increase; in 17 of these, the population declined because immigration was not sufficient to counteract the negative rate of decline.

This study is primarily based on intensive fieldwork. The focus of the paper is to seek an understanding about the perceptions of Dalits namely Bauris and Hadis. They are not very active in terms of participation and responding to the problems of health and illness. Collecting information on experiences of illnesses needs very close interaction with the people (Banerjee, 1980). Sociologists often perceive that Illness as something experienced, represented, negotiated by individuals which is reflected in the narratives and in-depth interviews of people. Perception on illness and health invariably depends on the socio-cultural conditions of the people. In this context, it becomes essential to understand the socio-cultural milieu of SCs in the field. The various and myriad form of expression about illness exist not only from one individual to another but also from one group to another. Therefore a close interaction with the group undertaken and elaborated in this study paper to understand the socio-cultural, economic as well as health perceptive. Introduction:

- by K M Ziyauddin
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- Discrimination, Occupational Epidemiology, Caste and Untouchability, Dalit studies
- by Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi
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- Demography, Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health

El cálculo de indicadores de resultado es un mecanismo de evaluación
en la gestión de los riesgos de trabajo para la futura toma de decisiones.
El objetivo de este libro es describir la prevalencia de riesgos de
trabajo en grupos etarios de trabajadores de 60 años y más, en el trienio
2016-2018 que sufrieron un riesgo de trabajo, afiliados al Instituto
Mexicano del Seguro Social, en México.
Se realizó un estudio de tipo cuantitativo con diseño de estudio
retrospectivo y comparativo. La muestra incluye a todos los trabajadores
que se encuentran en el régimen de seguridad social, de los que fueron
catalogados según grupos de edad y sexo por riesgo de trabajo.
Por grupos de edad biológica en el año 2018 sucedió el mayor
número de riesgos de trabajo, de (60-64) ocurrieron 11,926 de los
cuales 7,809 accidentes de trabajo, 2,410 accidentes de trayecto y
1,707 enfermedades de trabajo.
Los resultados nos permiten tomar acciones en los trabajadores y
en la prevención de las causas de los riesgos, para que la calidad de
vida después de la jubilación sea mejor, promoviendo los estilos de vida
saludables desde el inicio de la vida laboral y controlando el ambiente
de trabajo.

- by Sergio Salas Nicás
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- Health Inequalities, Occupational Epidemiology

Background: With the global population expected to reach 9billion people by 2050, current agro economy practices are expected to exacerbate human health threat, environmental and land pressures.Feeding the majority of the world population is challenging and the potential presence of using agrochemicals must be investigated to guarantee consumer chemical safety.To overcome this challenge, there is an urgent need to invest in innovative solutions for food production.Objective: This study assesses safety practices and farmer’s behaviors adopted when handling pesticides in Kano State, Nigeria.Methods: A structure questionnaire was developed focusing on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and experience of adverse health effects related to pesticide use, details of work practices and an inventory of pesticides used on the farm.Of the 400 copies of questionnaire administered 392 copies representing 98% of the administered questionnaires were retrieved and found useable.Findings: The result showed that less than half of these farmers who make use of pesticides protect themselves by wearing mask, boot or impermeable clothes, 72.6% of the respondents use stock in mixing pesticides, 17.7% made use of their bare hands while 9.7% use other methods, In terms of what they do after applying pesticides 70.4% wash their hands with soap and water, 25.4% claimed that they wash their hands with waters only, 29.1% store pesticide in their rooms, 38.5% stored it outside house while 32.5% of the respondents stored pesticides inside house, 47.0% of the respondents dispose pesticides containers by throwing it in open field, 38.7% throw it in dustbin while 14.2% returns the containers to the seller.Interpretation: There is need to provide cautionary tales for researchers, various stakeholders, and decision-makers to agree on the data needed to build confidence in using new methods for specific purposes.Confidence building measures can have the potential to play an increasing role in screening for hazardous properties, prioritizing chemicals for further testing, identifying safer alternatives, assessing environmental media, improving emergency response, and, overall, providing greater protection of public health and the environment.Also, pesticide regulations on farmers should be enforced in a way that will protect public health and those who are being exposed outside of regulations.

- by Raimi Morufu and +1
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- Occupational Epidemiology, Pesticide ecotoxicology, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, Agricutural Labor

This study was carried out to determine the risk factors of leptospirosis infection among local urban service workers in Sabah. This is a cross-sectional study involving 394 workers in Kota Kinabalu City, Sabah, conducted from February to March 2017. Information on demography, occupational exposures and environmental factors was obtained by a modified validated questionnaire. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to determine the prevalence of positive leptospirae. The overall figure for positive leptospirae was 9.4% (95% CI: 6.8-12.8). Urban sweepers and lorry drivers made up the highest proportion of positive leptospirae respondents, contributing 15.5% and 9.4%, respectively. The significant risk factors for positive leptospirae were older age (p-value = 0.001), higher monthly salary (p-value = 0.039), longer duration of employment (p-value = 0.011) and working as an urban sweeper (p-value = 0.021). Leptospirae was prevalent among healthy urban service workers and relates to their working activities.

Several studies have explored the hypothesis that low blood lead (PbB) and high noise levels may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension. To assess the possible relationship between occupational exposure to lead (Pb) and noise and elevated blood pressure, we studied 105 workers (age: 41.27 + 6.25 years and length of employment: 4.12 + 5.33 years) employed in a Pb battery recycling plant by measuring A-weighted equivalent sound level, PbB, -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). Results showed that occupational exposure to higher ambient Pb and noise levels was related to slightly increased SBP and DBP. PbB values correlated significantly with SBP and DBP, whereas noise levels correlated neither with SBP nor with DBP. Furthermore, workers exposed to higher ambient Pb had higher PbB and ZPP and showed more decreased ALAD activity. Blood pressure does not correlate with noise exposure but only with PbB concentration.

- by Caterina Ledda
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- Environmental Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Toxicology, Occupational Health & Safety
- by SANGRAM KISHOR PATEL
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- Demography, Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health
- by Savita Lasrado
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- Demography, Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health

Objective To investigate whether a refined assessment of exposure to bitumen fume among workers in the European asphalt industry within a nested case-control study resulted in a different interpretation pertaining to risk of lung cancer mortality compared with the cohort study. Methods Pearson correlation coefficients between refined and original estimates were calculated. Logistic regression and generalised additive models (penalised splines) were fitted to estimate ORs for exposure to bitumen fume using the refined and original exposure estimates, respectively, while adjusting for potential confounding. Results 1555 subjects included in the nested case-control study had both refined and original estimates for exposure to bitumen fume. Exposure assessment in the nested case-control study (compared with the cohort phase) increased the number of subjects never-exposed to bitumen fume from 18% to 32%. From the 1282 subjects originally considered exposed in the cohort phase, 309 (24%) ...

- by Ann Olsson
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- Research Design, Cancer, Asphalt, Risk

- by SANGRAM KISHOR PATEL
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- Demography, Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health

Exposures to multiple chemical, physical, and biological agents in agricultural work environments can result in confounding that may obscure or distort risks observed in epidemiologic studies. The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a large epidemiology study being conducted to investigate health risks among pesticide applicators and their families. During enrollment in the AHS, questionnaires were administered to over 52,000 licensed pesticide applicators from North Carolina and Iowa, who were mostly farmers. Questions about the frequency of various farming tasks were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to solvents (25%), metals (68%), grain dusts (65%), diesel exhaust fumes (93%), and other hazards, including exposure to pesticides. Most of the farmers in the AHS reported performing routine maintenance tasks at least once a month, such as painting (63%), welding (64%), and repair of pesticide equipment (58%). The majority of farmers (74% in North Carolina; 59% in Iowa) repo...

- by Charles F Lynch
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- Occupational Health, Occupational Epidemiology, Agriculture, Medicine

It takes a village to finish a dissertation. My gratitude goes to George Friedman-Jiménez, who gave unstintingly of his time and patience as my advisor and collaborator. My committee, Roy Shore, Judy Goldberg, Joan Reibman, William Rom,... more

- by Jenil Patel
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- Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health, Clinical Epidemiology
- by Basema Saddik
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- Epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Global Health, Clinical Epidemiology

Background and Aims: To examine the risk for cancer mortality among workers exposed to coal tar and coal tar pitch volatiles in a man-made graphite electrode factory. The risk for cancer mortality in this type of factory is still inconclusive, although coal tar and coal tar pitch are recognised as human carcinogens. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 332 male employees who served more than five years in the period 1951-74. The cohort was traced until 1988. Analyses used standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare cause specific mortality with that in the general and local population. Effect of smoking was estimated based on the information collected from the subgroup of the cohort. SMRs for leading causes of death were compared among different job titles, duration of employment, time since first employment, and observation subperiods. Exposure level for tar and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in the factory was also discussed, based on measurements done by other researchers in the past. Results: During the study period, 52 deaths were identified (SMR 0.68), including 22 cancer deaths (SMR 1.01). The SMR for lung cancer was significantly increased in comparison with the general population (SMR 2.62). It was slightly decreased in comparison with the local population, but remained significant (SMR 2.35). Excess deaths were also observed for lymphatic and haematopoietic cancers (SMR 3.46). Smoking habits in the subgroup were similar to those in the general population; thus the increased SMR for lung cancer was unlikely to be explained by smoking. Conclusion: Previous environmental measurements suggested that considerable exposure to tar and BaP had existed in the factory. The results suggest a possible risk for lung cancer among the cohort, but the limitations of the study, such as the small study population and insufficient information on exposure, indicate that further study is required.