Knowledge, Practices, and Environmental and Occupational Health Risks Associated with Electronic Waste Recycling in Cotonou, Benin

Objective: The e-waste recycling is increasing worldwide, yet there remain outstanding environmental and occupational health concerns. Most research conducted on e-waste recycling has focused on only few countries (e.g., China, Ghana), thus there is a need to increase understanding of e-waste workers’ (recyclers’) knowledge and practices in other locations, that is purpose of this study. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in Cotonou, Benin, 45 e-waste recyclers were interviewed from September to November 2018. Survey data was collected concerning their demographics, professional practices, and knowledge of occupational and environmental risks associated with e-waste recycling. Results: Most participants reported the following methods of material recovery of electronic items in declining orders: dismantling (97.8%) > sorting (91.1%) > incinerating (88.9%). Only 44.2% of the recyclers reported wearing ≥ 1 piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). More than 90% of e-waste workers noted that they disposed the e-waste in natural sites. About half, 46.7% believed that e-waste can pollute water and 71.1% considered that it can pollute air and soil. Recyclers reported several diseases including respiratory (67.4%), heart (62.8%), eye (65.1%), kidney (41.9%) and cancers (30.2%) could be linked to their work, respectively. Interestingly, we also found associations between the number of electronic items dismantled per month and self-report symptoms from the e-waste recyclers such as finding blood in urine and stool, wounds, dizziness, and itchy skin. Our results also indicated associations between the number of hours worked per day and blood in urine, dizziness, itchy skin and airway obstruction. Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first study to interview e-waste workers in Benin. Doing this increase understanding of their work practices and knowledge to help inform intervention and prevention activities.

Evaluation of Attitudes of Family Physicians toward Occupational Health and Occupational Diseases in Türkiye

Background/Aim: This study evaluated family physicians’ attitudes toward occupational health and disease in Türkiye. Materials and Methods: The study is cross-sectional and descriptive in a quantitative research design. The “Attitude Scale for Physicians toward Occupational Health and Occupational Diseases” developed by Kolcu et al. was used in the study (Cronbach’s α 0.94). Our study aimed to sample the entire country using the stratified sample selection based on geographical region. 349 family physicians were included in the study according to sample size (n: 349). Results: The mean age of the participants in the study was 37.77 ± 8.96 (min: 27, max: 65 years). Of the participants, 65.2% were male. Of the physicians, 33.8% were family medicine specialists, and 38.8% had occupational physician certificates. It was determined that the level of attitude of family physicians toward occupational diseases was insufficient. It was also found that awareness increased as age increased, and awareness and attitude levels did not change according to gender. No significant difference was found in the scale total scores and subdimensions of family physicians’ occupational health and occupational disease attitudes according to the regions they worked in Türkiye. Conclusion: It has been concluded that there is no difference in awareness among family physicians in regions where it is much more important to diagnose an occupational disease, especially in industrial regions. The number of family physicians with occupational physician certificates was very insufficient, and a significant number of those who had occupational physician certificates did not practice occupational medicine.

COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors in Turkish healthcare workers practicing chest medicine

Objective: To evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination status and related characteristics of Turkish healthcare workers practicing chest medicine.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among the Turkish Thoracic Society members. The survey was started on May 17, 2021, and kept open for seven weeks. The 39-item survey included the COVID-19 vaccination status and demographic, clinical, and occupational characteristics. Results: Of 378 healthcare workers participated in the survey, 354(93.7%) reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 323(91.2%) healthcare workers received CoronaVac vs. BioNTech/Pfizer in 31(8.8%). In the CoronaVac group, 77(23.8%) contracted COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, and 13(4.0%) when fully vaccinated;however, 16(51.6%) healthcare workers in the BioNTech/Pfizer group got COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, but any fully vaccinated participants did not contract COVID-19(P=0.003). Regarding vaccine dosing, 328(86.8%) were fully vaccinated, while 50(13.2%) were not. Multiple regression analysis for being a non-fully vaccinated healthcare worker demonstrated a significant relationship with having any SARS-CoV-2 infection history(adjusted OR 9.57, 95% CI 3.93-23.26, P<0.001) and being a non-physician healthcare worker(adjusted OR 5.86, 95% CI 2.11-16.26, P=0.001), but a significant negative relationship with full-time working at the time of survey(adjusted OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03-0.56, P=0.006). Conclusions: Although a majority of healthcare workers were fully vaccinated, occupational and non-occupational characteristics were related to being non-fully vaccinated. Active surveillance regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers is necessary to address specific parameters as barriers to vaccination.

Symptoms, Pathologies, Accidents and Expectations, Regarding the Occupational Doctor and Safety Technician, in a Representative Sample of Portuguese Tattoo Artists

Introduction/Objectives: As Tattoo is being more accepted, more professionals dedicate to it. A study was designed with the aim of analysing the perception of Tattoo Artists regarding their Occupational Health/Safety team (opinion about the support provided);as to find out what type accidents, symptoms and occupational diseases they have, in order to provide a better service. Methods: This is a mixed exploratory study, containing a quantitative observational (analytical, cross-sectional) and a qualitative component (Case Study). For the statistical analysis, predominantly non-parametric tests were used. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained. Results: In terms of symptomatology/illnesses, musculoskeletal pathology is the most reported. In terms of accidents, cuts stand out. Several statistically significant relationships were found between the variables analysed. Discussion/Conclusions: The Occupational Health and Security services are considered insufficient by most of the Tattoo artists. It would be desirable that the Occupational Doctor has concrete knowledge regarding Tattooing, in particular semiology/pathology;makes recommendations in pharmacology and/or indicates which exams could be useful. In relation to the Safety Technician, it would be desirable also to have specific knowledge about the sector, making plausible suggestions for improvement.

Proposed Occupational Vulnerability Index COVID-19

Introduction: Vulnerable is someone who can be hurt or receive injury, physically or morally. The work environment appears as one of the dimensions in which social vulnerability develops and social and occupational vulnerability is defined. The literature does not include an assessment of quantified occupational vulnerability as it already exists in the case of social vulnerability. The aim of this paper is to identify and quantify the variables included in the Protocol for the Assessment of Vulnerability to COVID-19 in such a way that the result can be quantified and allows for a predictive effect on the degree of vulnerability. Methodology: The starting point is the design of a protocol proposal that includes 29 variables. Data is collected from a sample of 420 workers, quantifying the results according to each variable, the overall scores for each group of aspects assessed and, finally, the total score that estimates the degree of vulnerability according to established ranges. Results: Variables that have the highest coefficient and, therefore, the greatest weight in the probability of reaching a group of high or medium vulnerability are cardiovascular disease, cancer, and coagulation alteration. The weight of the labour aspects due to inadequate working conditions stands out. Conclusions: The results obtained with this protocol allow us to make a quantified assessment of labour vulnerability to COVID-19 by integrating individual variables of the worker, his working conditions and the preventive actions of his company against COVID-19, and can be useful as an Occupational Vulnerability Index (OVI).

Work Ability Index and Work Ability Score: A Comparation between both Scores in a Persistent COVID-19 Cohort

Aims: The present study aims to compare the assessment of work ability based on the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) with another questionnaire base only on the use of WAI’s first item, termed as the “Work Ability Score” (WAS). Study design: A cohort of 384 Spanish workers included in a Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 multicenter research was utilized. Place and Duration of Study: This cohort was enlisted in four hospitals (Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid;Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Andalucía;Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid and Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Castilla y León), since 2021 until 2022. Methodology: 384 Spanish workers (176 men and 208 women;aged 20 to 70 years) with Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 were included. Descriptive analysis of primary scores was conducted. Given the non-normal distribution of data, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed. Spearman and Kendall correlations were employed to assess the relationship between WAI and WAS, also used weighted Kappa to estimate the degree agreement between WAI and WAS. Logistic regression models were utilized to study determinants influencing WAI and WAS, categorized as poor or moderate. Results: WAI had an average score of 32.98 (SD = 10.28), whereas WAS had an average of 5.95 (SD = 2.77). Significant differences were observed in both WAI and WAS across the same variables. Strong and statistically significant correlations were evident between WAI and WAS (rs = 0.83, p < 0.001). All the variables used in the logistic regression model (gender, the sector employment, and previous chronic diseases) were statistically significant in both questionnaires. Conclusion: WAS questionnaire could be used as a tool for reliable assessment of work ability among Spanish workers with Post COVID-19 condition or Persistent CO-VID-19.

Clinical and epidemiological features of patients with clonorchiasis

AIM:To study the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with clonorchiasis so as to provide scientific evidences for the diagnosis and prevention of clonorchiasis. METHODS:Stools from 282 subjects suspected of having clonorchiasis were examined for helminth eggs with modified Kato's thick smear and sedimentation methods,and their sera were tested for HAV-DNA,HBV-DNA,HCV-RNA,HDV- RNA and HEV-RNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical symptoms of patients with clonorchiasis only were analyzed,and their blood samples were tested for circulating antigen (CAg) with Dot-ELISA,esoinophilic granulocyte count, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Meanwhile,they were asked to provide data of occupation,eating habit,hygienic habit and knowledge of donorchiasis.In addition,the ecosystem of the environment in epidemic areas was surveyed. RESULTS:Among the 282 patients,61 (21.43%) were infected with clonorchis sinensis only,97 (34.64%) were co-infected with clonorchis sinensis and other pathogens, 92 (32.86%) were infected with hepatitis virus only and 31 (11.07%) neither with clonorchis sinensis nor hepatitis virus. Among the 61 patients with clonorchiasis only,there were 14 (22.95%) subjects with discomfort over hepatic region or epigasfrium,12 (19.67%) with general malaise or discomfort and inertia in total body,6 (9.84%) with anorexia,indigestion and nausea,4 (6.56%) with fever,dizziness and headache (6.56%),and 25 (40.98%) without any symptoms;sixty one (100%) with CAg (+),98.33% (59160) with eosinophilic granulocytes increased and 65.00% (39/60) with ALT increased.B-mode ultrasonography revealed 61 cases with dilated and thickened walls of intrahepatic bile duct,and blurred patchy echo acoustic image in liver.Twenty-six cases had stones in the bile duct,39 cases had slightly enlarged liver with diffuse coarse spots in liver parenchyma.Twenty cases had enlarged gallbladder with thickened coarse wall and image of floating plagues,9 cases had slightly enlarged spleen.By analysis of epidemiological data,we found that the ecologic environment was favorable for the epidemiology of clonorchiasis.Most patients with clonorchiasis were lack of knowledge about the disease.Their living environment, hygienic habits,eating habits and their occupations were the related factors that caused the prevalence of the disease. CONCLUSION:The clinical symptoms of clonorchiasis are non-specific,and the main evidences for diagnosis of clonorchiasis should be provided by etiologic examination, B-mode ultrasonography and clinical history.The infection of clonorchis sinensis is related to occupations,bad eating habits and lack of knowledge about prevention of the disease.

Proposed Protocol for Risk Assessment and Stratification

Introduction: COVID-19 disease is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. There is growing interest in Public Health and Occupational Health in identifying the COVID-19 prognostic factors, needed to stratified patients by risk being necessary to consider occupational variables as well as individual and clinical factors of the workers. Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a tool to identify the more vulnerable workers for COVID-19 that will be useful to value their work limitations. Methods: A review of medical literature about the vulnerability for COVID-19 is taken into account occupational risks and occupational preventive measures. Results: It is proposed an index of vulnerability criteria for COVID-19 in workers based on quantifying individual characteristics, pre-existing medical conditions and its control, high risk of occupational exposure, and prevention and protection strategies in the workplace. The final result is stratified into three degrees of vulnerability that will serve to propose the most appropriate preventive measures. Conclusion: This proposal protocol assesses about the vulnerability for COVID-19 infection in workers to help decide the preventive management at workplace in this pandemic situation.

基于预防医学专业核心价值的课程思政教育研究

目前,疾病防控与健康促进对预防医学专业教育教学改革提出了新要求。在分析预防医学专业教育的问题、开展课程思政教育必要性的基础上,构建预防医学专业核心价值体系,包括价值取向(维护和保障人民健康)、伦理道德(为了每个人健康生活)、时代使命(构建大卫生大健康的公共卫生体系)、职业要求(建设健康中国、服务大众健康)。围绕专业核心价值挖掘各门课程中的课程思政元素;开展多种课程思政教育实践方法,包括将思政教育元素融入微视频中、融入课堂教学改革中,开展主题活动实践,与创新创业教育深度融合;并统筹协调各专业课程之间的教育实践方法;从学生的课程总结、考试、章节测验中检验课程思政教育效果。基于以上努力,取得了良好的课程思政教育成效。

新形势下提升预防医学专业学生实践能力的教学改革探索

文章旨在探讨如何通过改革教育教学体系,提高公共卫生专业学生的实践能力,培养高素质的医学人才。公共卫生教育和人才培养处于关乎国家建设、发展与安全的全局性、基础性和战略性地位。作为公共卫生队伍建设的重要一环,高校承担着公共卫生人才培养的重任。文章结合国家新形势发展的需要和预防医学实践能力的培养现状,提出了特色创新预防医学专业实践能力培养体系框架,并分别从实施改革教学方法、完善教学大纲、重视实践操作以及构建考核方式四个方面提出了具体的举措。这些改革措施能够有效规范学生的实践操作,夯实其工作技能,为国家公共卫生事业输送高素质的医学人才。文章的研究成果将对未来公共卫生教育和人才培养领域的发展和改革具有重要的指导意义。

案例引导探究式教学在“职业卫生与职业医学”课程中的应用

培养高素质的预防医学专业应用型人才是医学高等教育教学改革与发展的核心。职业卫生与职业医学是预防医学的主干学科之一。以案例为引导,经教研组讨论并查阅专业文献资料,结合理论内容和框架进行完善整合,采用案例引导探究式设计的教学方法,通过问卷调查进行学生学习效果评价,以期为提升教学质量,提高学生在今后工作中的实践应用能力奠定基础。

某医院放射工作人员3年个人剂量检测及职业健康数据分析

目的分析某医院放射工作人员3年个人剂量检测及职业健康数据,探讨不同职业类别受照剂量的差异以及放射工作人员防护效果。方法本研究对2020年1月—2022年12月山东省某3家医院所有放射工作人员共7440人次个人剂量水平、职业健康数据进行分析。结果从事介入医学工作人员其个人有效剂量分布区间明显高于其他从业人员,特别在>3.0 mSv区间介入医学3名,而核医学及诊断放射学各1名。但总体分析显示,从事核医学的放射工作人员个人剂量要高于其他职业类别,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。从事介入医学专业放射工作人员,其腹部B超异常率为42.31%,远高于平均水平的31.13%。核医学专业在血压、腹部B超等项目异常检出率显著高于其他职业类别(P<0.05)。结论2020—2022年,放射工作人员接收辐射剂量较多的是介入医学,其有效剂量分布区间相对较高,而核医学人均年有效剂量最高。同时,介入医学专业腹部B超异常率远高于平均水平,而核医学专业则在血压、腹部B超等项目异常检出率显著高于其他职业类别。

“五术”融入“职业卫生与职业医学”课程建设探索

新医科格局下对如何培养以“群体”为研究对象的公共卫生与预防医学人才提出了新的挑战。预防医学专业教育教学改革旨在培养出具有德医双修的素质能力、竞争力和社会责任感、适应经济社会发展需要的高素质公共卫生人才。职业病防治事关劳动者身体健康和生命安全,事关经济发展和社会稳定大局,因此融合推进“五术”人才培养理念的预防医学学科建设势在必行。以“职业卫生与职业医学”课程为例,以“五术”医学人才培养为目标进行课程设计探析,为新医科人才培养质量的整体提升奠定基础。

《职业卫生与职业医学》混合教学模式改革的思考与实践

《职业卫生与职业医学》既是公共卫生与预防医学学科的一门基础课程,又是应用性较强的一门课程,如何增加学生对该课程的学习收获对于培养高质量公共卫生人才至关重要。在各种数字网络媒体流行的时代大背景和新时期教育教学改革的不断推进下,信息技术与教学改革的碰撞从未停止,单纯的线上或线下教学模式已无法满足教育系统的更新,以及教师对教学和学生对学习的需要。因此,在《职业卫生与职业医学》课程授课过程中,线上线下混合教学模式逐渐占据主要地位。线上线下混合教学模式作为目前最有发展前景的教学模式,其优势与不足共存,应当加强改善,不断优化,以助力未来教育实践的发展。文章以医科大学为例,综合分析《职业卫生与职业医学》线上线下混合教学改革的优缺点,提出可行性建议或策略,以期为课程改革探索提供新思路和新路径。

新医科背景下中国大学MOOC在《职业卫生与职业医学》教学中的应用

目的探讨新医科背景下中国大学大规模在线开放课程(massive open online courses,MOOC)在线平台在《职业卫生与职业医学》教学中的应用价值。方法2020年3月—2021年3月,选择南昌大学公共卫生学院2016年、2017年统招预防医学专业学生为研究对象,共181名。将2016级84名学生分为线上组,接受《职业卫生与职业医学》的线上教学;2017级97名学生分为线下组,接受该课程的线下教学。将所有学生考试成绩录入试卷分析系统,在试卷质量分析基础上比较2组学生的考试成绩。结果2组学生期末考试试卷质量基本处于同等水平,试题分布及难易度较合理,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性,且2组学生成绩分布均呈现正态分布。进一步统计结果表明,线上组学生期末考试成绩高于线下组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。线上组及格率高于线下组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在新医科背景下,基于中国大学MOOC在线平台的线上教学模式能明显提高《职业卫生与职业医学》课程的教学效果,这为新时代深入开展该课程的线上教学改革提供参考和思路。

基于DPT模式的中医院校作业治疗学实践教学模式设计与建设

针对国内中医院校作业治疗学实践教学的现状进行分析,提出了当前实践教学中存在的问题。借鉴美国物理治疗博士教育(DPT)的核心理念和实践应用形式,提出了中医院校作业治疗学实践教学的新模式。基于该模式的实践教学,不仅很好地体现了作业治疗学实践教学的设计理念与建设思想,而且成功地完善了实践教学的内容、形式、考核方式和应用模式,实现了作业治疗教育与作业治疗临床的有效对接。

线上教学模式的作业治疗实训课教学质量研究

目的:探讨线上教学模式下的作业治疗(OT)专业实践课程的教学效果,为优化线上医学实践课提供新思路。方法:纳入2018年至2020年广州医科大学第五临床学院学习并完成环境改造与辅助技术课程考核的3个年级OT专业学生70人,以2018级为线上教学组,2016级和2017级为传统面授组,比较3个年级的理论成绩、实践成绩及总成绩。结果:3个年级之间理论成绩比较结果不存在统计学差异(Z=2.20,P=0.334),组间比较结果提示2016级与2017级(P=0.807)、2018级与2017级(P=0.299)、2018级与2016级(P=0.166)均无统计学差异;3个年级之间实践成绩比较结果存在显著统计学差异(Z=17.53,P=0.000),组间比较结果提示2016级与2017级(P=0.420)无统计学差异,2018级与2017级(P=0.002)、2018级与2016级(P=0.000)均存在统计学差异;3个年级之间总成绩比较结果无统计学差异(Z=0.47,P=0.792);组间比较结果提示2016级与2017级(P=0.890)、2018级与2017级(P=0.737)、2018级与2016级(P=0.480)均无统计学差异。结论:传统面授实践课并不优于线上实践课,说明线上实践课可达到教学大纲对于培养作业治疗专业学生基础理论知识的要求,可作为特殊时期面授课程的有效替代。

WBGT指数测定实验理虚实一体化教学实践

职业卫生与职业医学是预防医学专业学生的主干课程之一。该课程知识面广,实践性强,实验教学具有挑战性。传统实验教学方法无法满足当下的教学要求,应用理虚实一体化教学模式开设综合性实验课可弥补传统教学的不足。实践发现,该教学模式能引导学生自学实验理论和方法,在虚拟仿真软件中分析和解决问题,提高学生的实践能力。文章以湿球黑球温度(WBGT)指数测定实验为例,介绍理虚实一体化教学模式的实践过程。

在预防医学专业教学中开设《职业卫生工程》课程的探索

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