International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Work-Related Stress and Substance Use as Risk Factors for Chronic Disease Among Three-Wheel Drivers in Galle, Sri Lanka: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFBackground: Motor three-wheel drivers provide an important means of transportation in Sri Lanka, comprising 15% of motorized road vehicles. Although three-wheel driving is a widespread occupation for Sri Lankan men, little is known about their general health or risk factors.Objectives: This paper investigates chronic illnesses and risk factors for such illnesses in a sample of 33 three-wheel drivers in Galle, Sri Lanka.Methods: A qualitative investigation was conducted between June and August 2012. 20 three-wheel drivers participated in 60-minute semi-structured interviews, and 13 participated in semi- structured focus groups related to their work-related health concerns.Results: Illness reported included musculoskeletal pain, hypercholesteremia, hypertension, and diabetes. Participants identified work-related stress and substance abuse as risk factors.Conclusions: Participants described a cycle of work related stress, substance use, and chronic illness. Community-based education on the risks of substance use and alternative means of coping may be an effective intervention for these workers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i2.766
Magnitude and Characteristics of Occupational injury in Kombolcha textile factory, North East Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Working environment is one of the factors which can determine public health conditions as many workers spend a large portion of their time at work.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and characteristics of occupational injury among workers in Kombolcha textile factory, North East Ethiopia.Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted from April1-15, 2013 among 455 randomly selected workers after stratification by working departments. A structured questionnaire based interview, review of records of injury report and walk through survey using work environment observation checklist were used to support the self-reported information. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis using SPSS version 20.Results: The overall occupational injury prevalence rate was 36.9%. Puncture, abrasion/laceration, fracture, cut and back pain were the most common types of injury. Most of the sources of injury were due to machinery, lifting heavy objects, splinters, fall and hand tools.Conclusion: The magnitude of occupational injury at Kombolcha textile industry showed a high prevalence that indicates the need to work on integrated injury prevention by mainstreaming occupational health and safety procedures in all working departments of the factory. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i2.8381 
An ergonomic study of postural stress of nurses working in orthopedic wards
Get PDFIt was reported high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses. Among the wards, personnel working in Orthopedic wards routinely perform activities that require lifting heavy loads in awkward posture. Challenges faced by them assess patients skillfully and uniquely because orthopedic patients typically present with multiple, complex health problems. During orthopedic patient handling work-related postural strain are most common in health care unit personnel. This study aims at evaluating the different work-related musculoskeletal strain due to awkward postures, body parts discomforts, and find out some ergonomic solutions to these problems. Forty nurses working in orthopedic settings of two hospitals were interviewed by modified Nordic Questionnaire to reveal the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and pain in various regions of the body. BPD Scale was used to identify the intensity of different body parts discomforts. Video recordings and still photographs were taken to evaluate postural stress during different activities were analyzed by OWAS (Ovako working posture analysis) method. Activity analysis chart was also used to represent the duration of different activities of nurses in their respective duty hours. It was observed that the most physically demanding and postural strenuous task is transferring patient alone. In orthopedics wards different activities like assist patient to walk, changing, other care works are strenuous because as about 90% of adult patient are over 50 kg of body weight and due to facture or other problem are unstable. Some ergonomic interventions like assisted lifting, lifting aids, training, etc. are recommended to improve the working conditions and reduce postural strain. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.9097 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 26-3
Blood and body fluids: knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Ajman, UAE
Get PDFThe health care workers should be aware of Universal Work Precaution (UWP) as there is an increased risk of exposure to infectious diseases which is considered mainly due to accidental exposure to blood and body fluids. This study mainly aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students on blood and body fluids at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study subjects constituted 212 medical students of academic years 2005 – 2009. A self administered questionnaire was utilized for data collection and analysis was performed using statistical software PASW 17. Results: The participant’s age ranged from 17 to 27 years. A statistically significant association (P<0.001) between knowledge on UWP and year of study was observed, with a highest knowledge of 95.5% in third year, 88% fifth year, 82.5% fourth year, 67.3% second year and a lowest of 33.3% in first year. A statistically significant association was obtained between knowledge and practice (P<0.01) of medical students regarding needle recapping. The study reported, that a majority of participants with the opinion on wearing surgical aprons, masks and protective goggles during surgery while the practice was not up to the level of knowledge. Statistically significant association was obtained between knowledge and practice (P<0.01) with regard to the usage of surgical aprons and protective goggles. The present study thus indicates an increase in practice with increase in knowledge. The study also emphasizes the need for providing proper education on transmission of blood-borne infections, standard precautions and increasing availability of protection strategies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.5981 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 5-1
NSI: A major occupational hazards among the health care workers in Nepal
Get PDFA percutaneous piercing wound as in needle stick injury is a typically set by a needle point, but possibly also by other sharp instruments or objects. These events are of concern because of the risk to transmit blood-borne diseases through the passage of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus which causes AIDS. The present study was done to determine the risk status regarding NSI among health care workers of Private Hospitals, Pokhara, Nepal. Samples were selected through purposive sampling. Self administered questionnaire & risk assessment tool were used to collect data. Study revealed that majority of health care workers were females (93%) with mean age of 22.66 years (±3.1). Sixty eight percent had got NSI, among them 41% had NSI more than 2times in life. Maximum NSI cases happened either by recapping of the needle (18%) or during disposal of sharps (16%) or while transferring a body fluid (blood) to a specimen bottle (15%). The study concludes that majority of health workers had NSI more than two times which denotes NSI is a major occupational hazard. Cases happened either by recapping of the needle or during disposal of sharps or while transferring a body fluid to a specimen bottle. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.9098 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 22-2
Occupational exposure to HIV and use of post-exposure prophylaxis in a general hospital in North Central, Nigeria.
Get PDFOccupational exposures to blood borne pathogens including HIV have been well studied. However, limited studies exist about the utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to describe the characteristics of occupational exposure to HIV, the utilization of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among health workers, and the proportion of exposed health workers reporting for follow-up three months after exposure. A cross sectional descriptive study involving ninety three health workers was carried out at a general hospital located in an urban area in North Central zone of Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used. The prevalence of occupational exposure, utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up rate were assessed using self administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 and descriptive analysis was carried out. It was reported that, 73.1% of respondents at least one or more occupational exposures to HIV and other blood borne pathogens through accidental needle injury/prick, blood splash on a fresh wound or conjunctiva exposure in the last one year. Needle stick injury occurred in 83.8% of all respondents who had occupational exposures. 8.8% of exposed respondents commenced post exposure prophylaxis with two-thirds completing the post exposure prophylaxis regimen. Only one (25%) of those who completed the regimen reported for follow-up. Occupational exposures to HIV are common among health workers. The rates of utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up were low. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.6635 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 11-1
Worker safety in Designated Microscopy Centers (DMC) and Tuberculosis unit (TU) under Revised National Tuberculosis Control programme (RNTCP) in state of Bihar – Contribution & Role of DTST
Get PDFDamien Foundation India Trust (DFIT), one of the members of International Federation of Anti-Leprosy associations (ILEP) are involved in providing technical and financial support in leprosy and TB control through its projects spread across the country. While support to leprosy control started way back in 1982 through its own project, support to TB control started only in 2003. This study was part of evaluation taken to assess the role of DTST in achieving the planned objectives and to assess the impact of DFIT’s involvement in TB control. To assess the current status of worker safety in DMC/TUs of RNTCP centers in state of Bihar and the role and contribution of DTST in ensuring the same. This cross sectional evaluation study was undertaken in randomly selected 8 DMCs/ TUs in rural areas of two districts of Bihar state in 2007. Evaluation was done using pre-tested observational checklist and personal discussions with key personnel. Evaluation included assessment of role & contribution of DTST with respect to infrastructure & resource availability; Training and capacity building; Practice regarding safe disposal of infected materials & worker safety. Most of the civil works was complete in functional DMC/ TUs visited. Sharp pits for sharp disposal were available in only 50% of DMCs/TUs. Staffing position complete to nearly 80%. DTST role in capacity building training, infrastructure availably and monitoring of the programme has been remarkable. However there is a need to emphasis on importance of the worker safety and universal precautions during training. Effective implementation of clearly laid down National guidelines & policy keeping in lieu of the worker safety is the need of the hour when the programme gets streamlined in the general health system.  
Occupational Health and Hazards among Health Care Workers
Get PDFDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.9096 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 1 -
Stress and psychological well being status among health care professionals
Get PDFStress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that “demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize” (Lazarus)1. It could be debatable whether stress is inevitable, but most professionals report stress at work place and in general. A common perception prevails regarding high stress level amongst professionals in particular industries like the information technology, professionals with fieldwork (medical representatives, insurance agents) that is also backed by study findings. However, stress among health care professionals is less explored. The present study aims to explore and assess psychological well being and stress levels among health care professionals. 50 health professionals, including doctors, paramedical and nursing staffs from different multi-specialty hospitals in Kolkata were assessed on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 12) and the Professional Life Stress scale, and Medico Psychological Questionnaire. Majority of the subjects had evidence of psychological distress. Stress level was present in varying degree among all professionals, while nurses and technicians had stress level at severe level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.9099 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 32-35