Outcome of Nurses with Occupational Dermatitis

Background: Occupational dermatitis is considered as the second most common occupational disease. It accounts for 25% of all lost workdays. Several international studies reported a prevalence of occupational dermatitis in healthcare workers between 17% and 55%. This study aims to identify factors that affect the professional outcome of nurses suffering from occupational dermatitis. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study concerning nurses declared having occupational dermatitis in the central region of Tunisia. A synoptic sheet related to socio-professional and administrative data was completed. A self-administered Questionnaire going over medical and occupational characteristics was completed during a direct interview. Results: The study involved forty nurses working in four public hospitals in the center of Tunisia. Only 37 workers were included in the study. A professional reclassification was introduced among 19 workers (51% of study population). Work-station adaptation was requested in 14 cases (38%). Exposure to allergens in the workplace was eliminated in 20 cases. Two study participants were transferred to other departments (5.4%) and three people retired (8.1%). A statistically significant association was found between professional reclassification and a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.003). Similarly, a significant association was found between professional reclassification and the allergic agent (p = 0.014). Workstation layout was significantly associated with a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.039), the palm hand location (p = 0.04), professional eviction (p Conclusion: This study identified the main factors influencing the occupational outcome of nurses suffering from occupational dermatitis. This outcome depended on a history of atopy (especially allergic rhinitis) and sensitization to allergens (thiuram mix).

Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Tunisia: Epidemiology and Occupational Outcome

Background: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most frequent diseases on the workplace worldwide. Its national incidence and prevalence were not previously studied in Tunisia. Objective: To assess incidence of occupational allergic contact dermatitis and its occupational outcome in Tunisia. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study of all cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis reported from 2002 to 2012 in Tunisia and recognized by the medical commissions of the National Health Insurance Fund. Results: 315 cases of occupational ACD were collected representing an annual incidence of 31.65 cases/100.000 workers in the private sector in Tunisia. The mean age of our population was 42.70 ± 9.02 years with a male predominance (sex ratio 3.03). The most affected sectors were the clothing sector (14.3% of cases) and the cement industry (13.7% of cases). Patch tests were positive in 188 patients (59.67%). The most frequently positive allergen was potassium dichromate in 27.3% of the cases. Overall, 25.4% of patients had lost their jobs. After multiple binary logistic regression, job loss had a statistically significant relationship with localization of lesions on the face and on dominant hand. Conclusion: Occupational ACD is frequent in Tunisia and is responsible for an important rate of job loss. Preventive measures must be reinforced, especially the wearing of protective gloves.

Emergency physicians’ occupational risks in China

With the rapid development of emergency medicine,emergency physicians are working around the clock,[1]including additional workloads due to sudden public health emergencies and disasters.Occupational risks for emergency physicians are significantly high due to an increasing number of patients with acute and severe diseases,an increased workload.

Xylooligosaccharides Alleviate Inflammatory Dermatoses and Related Depression-Like Behaviors in Atopic Dermatitis Mice Induced by 2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene

Objective:To investigate the influence of xylooligosaccharides on skin inflammation,behavioral characteristics,neurotransmitters,and gut flora in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis(AD)induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB).Methods:The AD mouse model was created by administration of DNFB for 14 consecutive days.The scoring atopic dermatitis index,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),histopathology,and immunohistochemical analyses were used to assess inflammation and depression-like behaviors.Furthermore,high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the composition of fecal microbiota.Results:Xylooligosaccharides treatment reduced the number of scratches and skin thickness,mast cell infiltration and the levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)E and T-helper cytokines compared with the AD model group.Meanwhile,xylooligosaccharides treatment reduced the immobility time of mice in the forced swimming test and increased the total movement distance and movement distance in the center area in the open-field test.Furthermore,5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine expression in the brain was increased following xylooligosaccharides treatment.Using network pharmacology,Gene Ontology analysis showed that the targets were mainly enriched in phosphatase binding and the regulation of leukocyte differentiation,which ameliorated AD mainly through the hypoxia inducible factor-1 and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B pathways.16S rRNA gene sequencing,diversity indices,and gut microbial taxonomic composition analysis showed DNFB-induced changes in intestinal microbiota diversity in AD mice.Comparative analysis indicated that xylooligosaccharides intake improved the gut microbiome by dramatically enhancing the concentration of Lactobacillus while decreasing the concentration of Bacteroides in mice.Conclusion:Xylooligosaccharides reduce inflammatory dermatosis and related depression-like behaviors via regulating intestinal homeostasis,having medicinal value as a nutritional and functional ingredient.

Preparation of anti-canine interleukin-31 receptor alpha polyclonal antibody and evaluation of its therapeutic efect in canine atopic dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis(CAD)is a prevalent genetically susceptible infammatory and pruritic allergic skin condition afecting not only the health of dogs but also the quality of life of their owners.Interleukin-31(IL-31)and interleukin-31 receptor alpha(IL-31RA)are essential for the development of pruritus in primates and mice.Hence,it is expected that inhibiting IL-31RA will be an efective approach to alleviate pruritus.The purpose of the study was to produce anti-canine IL-31RA polyclonal antibodies(anti-IL-31RA pAbs)and evaluate their efcacy in inhibiting house dust mite(HDM)-evoked pruritic responses.Dogs were immunized with antigens formed by IL-31RA recombinant short peptides coupled to BSA to produce anti-IL-31RA pAbs.The CAD model was developed by using HDM allergen stimulation,and the efects of IL-31RA pAbs on the reduction of pruritus in CAD model dogs were examined.The Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index(CADESI)-4 and pruritus Visual Analog Scale(pVAS)were utilized to evaluate pruritic responses,and skin tissue samples were collected from the inguinal area for pathological assessment of skin infammatory cell infltration.The results showed that anti-IL-31RA pAbs with high titers(1:128,000)and specifcity were efectively produced.In the CAD model group,the severity of skin damage,pruritus score,infammatory cell infltration and level of infammatory factors were considerably elevated.Anti-IL-31RA pAbs relieved pruritic behavior and dermatitis in dogs compared to placebo-treated dogs.In conclusion,anti-IL-31RA pAbs efectively suppressed CAD in vivo and are anticipated to be an efective novel treatment for pruritic skin disorders such as CAD.

Blue Cap Is Effective and Safe for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease in children. Treatment of AD is based on skin barrier repair and reduction of inflammation. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of activated piroctone olamine (APO)—Blue Cap—in children with AD. Materials and Methods: An open-label interventional clinical study was carried out at three clinical centers in Serbia. A total of 58 patients with AD, aged between 3 and 18 years were included and treated with Blue Cap Foam (100 ml;CATALYSIS S.L. Madrid)—Activated Piroctone Olamine—applied twice a day in the affected areas with eczema for 30 days and final assessment at 45 days from baseline. Photographic documentation, clinical evaluation, therapy effectiveness and safety questionnaires were assessed at baseline, 15, 30 and 45 days. Results: Our results demonstrated a significant reduction in signs (erythema, scaling, infiltration, excoriations, xerosis) and symptoms (pruritus) at weeks 2 and 4 of the study. At the end of the study, most patients had moderate (28.6%) to great (62.5%) disappearance of manifestations and moderate (25%) to great (71.4%) skin quality improvement. The effect and tolerability of the therapy were evaluated as very good in 66.1 % and 67.9% and good in about 14.3% and 17.9%, assessed by the investigator and patient, respectively. Three patients experienced a burning sensation at the beginning of the study, the side-effects were resolved as the patients continued applying the foam. After two weeks of cessation of the investigated foam, a significant percentage of patients experienced worsening in the final assessment done by the investigator as well as the participant. In the final assessment, a significantly high percentage (57.1%) of patients had a total reduction of manifestation, and a significant number of participants considered the applied product as treatment success, assessed by the investigator (62.5%) as well as the participants (66.4%). Conclusions: Blue Cap is effective and safe in children with AD, although further large-scale randomized controlled trials should confirm our study findings.

Psychosocial and Socioeconomic Barriers to Treatment Adherence in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Research Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in children that significantly impacts physical health and quality of life. Adherence to treatment regimens is crucial for effective disease management but is often hindered by various psychosocial and socioeconomic barriers. Parental mental health issues, family dynamics, financial constraints, and limited access to specialized care contribute to inconsistent treatment adherence, exacerbating the condition. Purpose/Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the multifaceted barriers to treatment adherence in children with AD and evaluate the effectiveness of current interventions targeting these challenges. The study seeks to identify strategies that can improve adherence and health outcomes by addressing psychosocial and socioeconomic factors. Method: The method involves a comprehensive review of existing literature on the impact of psychosocial and socioeconomic factors on treatment adherence in children with AD. The study also examines various interventions designed to address these barriers, including community support programs, family-centered interventions, financial aid, integrated care models, and telehealth solutions. Results: Results indicate that psychosocial barriers, such as parental anxiety and depression, significantly hinder effective disease management. Family dynamics, including poor communication and single-parent households, complicate adherence efforts. Socioeconomic factors, such as financial constraints and limited healthcare access, further impede adherence. Interventions that address these barriers show promise in improving treatment adherence and health outcomes. Community support programs and family-centered interventions enhance parental mental health and family communication. Financial aid programs and integrated care models help mitigate economic and logistical challenges. Telehealth solutions improve access to specialized care, particularly in underserved areas. Conclusion: The study concludes that a holistic approach integrating medical treatment with psychosocial and socioeconomic support is essential for managing pediatric AD effectively. Policy recommendations include increased funding for community support programs, expanded telehealth services, and the integration of social services with medical care. Addressing these barriers comprehensively can enhance treatment adherence and improve the quality of life for children with AD. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes and diverse populations to refine these interventions and ensure they meet the needs of all affected children.

The Enforcement of Occupational Safety and Health Requirements in Public and Private Sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates

Research Problem: In Abu Dhabi, limited implementation of OSH Regulations contributes to the general unawareness among employees and workers about occupational hazards and safety measures, resulting in slow responsiveness toward enforcement measures and a lack of self-regulatory approaches within companies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation methods practised in Abu Dhabi with those in developed countries with established OSH regulatory bodies. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to gather primary research data. Workers from various industries in Abu Dhabi were sampled on purpose and asked to respond to questionnaires and interviews on OSH protocol awareness and implementation, and circumstances of workplace incidence. Results: The findings of this study showed that the enforcement of OSH requirements in UAE positively correlated to a reduction in the rate of work-related injury and improved business performance. The quantitative research data showed that the energy sector had the highest score (15) while the tourism sector had the lowest score (5.3) in occupational health systems and improvements in business efficiency and productivity. Implications: The outcomes of this study shed light on the importance of implementing OSH Guidelines for companies to empower their safety managers to fully enforce OSH requirements in their organisations. In conclusion, effective OSH enforcement requires cooperation between general workers and OSH managers and facilitation from business owners.

Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy ameliorates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice by regulating Th2 type immune response and reducing infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells

Background:This study aimed to assess how acupoint catgut-embedding therapy influences Th2-type immune response and the infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice.It also conducted an initial examination of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods:Seventy-two mice were randomly divided into four groups:normal control,DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis model(AD),AD with acupoint catgut-embedding treatment(ADA),and AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment.After DNCB challenge to induce AD,the ADA group received acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment at Zusanli(ST 36)and Quchi(LI 11)acupoints every other week from day 8.Mice in the AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment group underwent the same procedure as the ADA group but without catgut implantation.Severity was assessed using SCORAD on treatment days 1,10,and 20.On day 18,nine mice per group were euthanized,and the remaining on day 28.Histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining.TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-13 levels were analyzed by ELISA,and GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels by western blot.Results:After 20 days of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment,mice showed reduced dermatitis scores compared to DNCB-induced AD-like mice.Significant decreases occurred in serum IL-4,IL-6,IL-13,and TNF-αlevels.Skin analysis revealed marked reductions in CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cell infiltration,as well as GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels.Conclusion:Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy may effectively alleviate atopic dermatitis by suppressing Th2 immune responses via the STAT6-GATA3 pathway and reducing CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)T cell infiltration in skin lesions.

Preprocessing and Efficacy Analysis of Comprehensive Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Lymphedema in Patients with Irritating Contact Dermatitis

Objective: To explore the pre-treatment and efficacy analysis of comprehensive anti-inflammatory treatment for lymphedema in patients with irritating contact dermatitis. Method: Convenience sampling method was used to observe the skin of 160 patients with upper limb lymphedema admitted to the lymphedema outpatient department of our hospital. They were divided into an observation group (80 cases) and a control group (80 cases), and both groups received a course of comprehensive anti-inflammatory treatment (20 treatments). The control group received routine skin care;On the basis of the control group, the observation group received pre-treatment of the affected limb skin: Laofuzi herbal ointment was applied externally to the prone areas of irritating contact dermatitis (such as the upper arm, inner forearm, and cubital fossa). Result: The incidence of irritating contact dermatitis in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P 0.05). Patients in the observation group felt significantly better in terms of comfort, skin moisture, and itching relief after being wrapped with low elasticity bandages than those in the control group (P Conclusion: Preventive treatment can effectively reduce the incidence of irritating contact dermatitis, prolong the time of stress treatment, thereby increasing efficacy and improving patient compliance.

Item-Level Analysis of the Revised Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Performance Evaluation Applied in Practice

Competency-based assessments for healthcare professionals are critical for safe and effective client outcomes. Rehabilitation clinical skill competency assessments must be validated and revised to produce safe and skilled practitioners. The revised American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) instrument measures occupational therapy student performance to determine readiness for practice. The assessment includes thirty-seven competencies that address both profession specific clinical skills and general professional behavior skills. The objective of this study was to use Rasch methods to explore the use of the revised FWPE in actual fieldwork practice and to determine the instrument’s psychometric properties when separating the item components into two distinct subdomains: General Health Professions Competences and Occupational Therapy-Specific Competencies. Internal construct validity and test reliability were analyzed using data from 149 occupational therapy students after completing their initial Level II A fieldwork clinical internship. This study examined the item difficulty hierarchy, item fit, person-fit to model, person separation index, person separation reliability coefficient, strata, ceiling and floor effect, and unidimensionality of the FWPE instrument as a whole and as two separate domains. With the exception of not meeting the criteria for unidimensionality, the full FWPE instrument and the Occupational Therapy-Specific Competencies subdomain showed acceptable item-level psychometrics for reliability and precision. While the General Health Professions Competencies subdomain showed good item-level psychometrics, it was below the criterion for reliability and only separated the sample into two strata. Results support the validity, reliability, and clinical use of the revised FWPE full instrument and the Occupational Therapy-Specific Competencies subdomain to measure entry-level clinical skill competencies in practice.

Assessment of Occupational Radiation Exposure for Radiotherapy Healthcare Workers at Kenyatta National Hospital Using Thermoluminescence Dosimeter LiF:Mg,Ti

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is the largest public referral hospital with a comprehensive cancer treatment facility in East and Central Africa. Occupational radiation monitoring is a significant technique for demonstrating compliance of radiation regulatory limits. The objective of the study was to carry out assessment of occupational radiation exposure among radiotherapy personnel at KNH using thermoluminescence dosimeter, TLD. KNH staff were monitored using dosimeter type TLD-100 made of LiF:Mg,Ti, on monthly basis. The reader system used for analysis was Harshaw 8800. The measurement established the average monthly accumulated occupational personnel dose for KNH to be 0.21 mSv and 0.29 mSv for Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) respectively. The accumulated dose results were within the maximum acceptable dose of 1.67 mSv/month and 41.6 mSv/month for Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) respectively. The investigation results were higher than the acceptable public limit of 0.08 mSv/month. Moreover, incidences were noted where the fetus dose limit 0.42 was also exceeded. Evaluation of statistical dose exposure among doctors, nurses and radiographers’ measurement results were within ±0.02 mSv. The study established the average KNH occupational radiation exposure levels for both Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) were within the ICRU recommendation, validating radiation protection safe practice. Data analysis of healthcare workers did not indicate exposure trend biased to any healthcare profession. Hence radiation risk cut across all professional categories. It is recommended that Radiation Monitoring program be reviewed to include non-clinical staff who access the facility. Radiation reporting should not be limited to one facility, but reflect cases where workers are involved in multiple multiple jobs.

Application Value of Early Comprehensive Rehabilitation Nursing in Patients with Occupational Asthma

Background Occupational asthma is a type of asthma caused by exposure to asthma-causing substances in an occupational setting. Its incidence is closely related to the degree of industrial development, but also related to the nature of asthma. In some specific industries, such as workers who are exposed to asthmatic isocyanates for a long time, the incidence of occupational asthma can reach 5%-10%, and the incidence of occupational asthma can even reach 50% or higher among workers engaged in the detergent industry who are in contact with proteolytic enzymes for a long time. Objective To analyze the clinical value of early comprehensive rehabilitation nursing for patients with occupational asthma, methods a total of 48 patients with occupational asthma who were admitted from January 2020 to December 2022 were divided into control group and study group by random number table method The disappearance time of chest tightness and shortness of breath, the disappearance time of wheezing and cough, and the FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) indexes before and after treatment were compared between the two groups after nursing, the disappearance time of clinical symptoms in the study group was shorter than that in the control group, and the levels of FEV1, FVC and PEF were higher than those in the control group, and the P < 0.05 was significantly improved.

Advancements in the application of natural extracts for atopic dermatitis treatment

Atopic dermatitis,a common chronic inflammatory skin disease,has an unclear etiology and may involve multiple factors such as genetic predisposition,immune abnormalities,and impaired skin barrier function.Currently,there is no specific medication available for the complete cure of atopic dermatitis.The current treatment approaches mainly focus on symptom relief and control rather than curative treatment.Some commonly used medications for atopic dermatitis,such as topical corticosteroids and immunosuppressants,may have certain adverse reactions and side effects.This review summarizes the research progress on natural extracts in the treatment of atopic dermatitis,aiming to provide a foundation for the development of safe and side-effectfree medications.

Correlation Analysis Between Children with Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma and Factors Affecting Intestinal Flora

Objective:In order to reveal the potential association between intestinal flora and atopic dermatitis with asthma,the study compares the changes in intestinal flora before and after treatment with antibiotics in children and explores the risk factors for the disease development in children.The differences between asthma-controlled children and healthy children were also analyzed to investigate whether there was a correlation between the level of control and intestinal flora in asthmatic children.Methods:367 children with atopic dermatitis and asthma were selected,and the control group was healthy children who did not have other skin diseases.Fecal samples were collected from healthy children and children with asthma,and the intestinal flora was tested at Beijing Nebula Medical Testing Laboratory Co.At the same time,50 children were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria to take amide antibiotics during hospitalization,and stool samples were collected before and after taking antibiotics.Results:The proportion of Gram-positive cocci increased and the proportion of Gram-positive bacilli decreased after the administration of antibiotics in children with atopic dermatitis and asthma(P<0.05),and no significant difference was shown in the gender and age of the children(P>0.05).The proportion of family history of atopic dermatitis with asthma was higher in the experimental group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of antibiotics in children with atopic dermatitis with asthma showed a positive correlation with changes in intestinal flora.The use of antibiotics may lead to changes in intestinal flora and increase the risk of atopic dermatitis with asthma.Antibiotic use in infancy and childhood is also recognized as a risk factor for atopic dermatitis with asthma.Therefore,the use of antibiotics should be minimized in preventing and treating atopic dermatitis with asthma.

The Moderating Effect of Organizational Identification on Occupational Stress and Insomnia Among Nurses

Objective:To explore the relationship between organizational identification,occupational stress,and insomnia among nurses and to analyze the moderating role of organizational identification between occupational stress and insomnia.Methods:Through stratified sampling,720 nurses working in a tertiary A-level hospital in Shandong Province from March to May 2021 were surveyed using an effort-reward imbalance questionnaire,an organizational identification questionnaire,and the Athens Insomnia scale.Results:Organizational identification was negatively correlated with occupational stress and insomnia(r_(1)=-0.121,P_(1)<0.01;r_(2)=-0.144,P_(2)<0.01).Occupational stress was positively correlated with insomnia(r=0.379,P<0.01).Organizational identity significantly moderated nurses’occupational stress and insomnia(β=-0.192,t=-2.558,P<0.05).Conclusion:Occupational stress and organizational identification can predict insomnia.Organizational identification could negatively mediate the relationship between occupational stress and insomnia.Improving organizational identification may help alleviate insomnia symptoms by relieving occupational stress.

Prevalence of Occupational Injury and Knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Accessibility among Healthcare Workers in Mogadishu, Somalia

Introduction: Healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia face significant occupational injury risks, particularly needle stick injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents. This poses a serious threat to their health, leading to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Despite the high prevalence of injuries, awareness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility is relatively high, with 84.0% of respondents aware of it. However, there are gaps in knowledge and implementation, as evidenced by variations in availability of PEP. Improving workplace safety measures, providing comprehensive training on injury prevention and PEP protocols, and ensuring consistent availability of PEP in healthcare facilities are crucial steps to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital workers in Mogadishu, Somalia, focusing on professionals from various healthcare facilities. The study targeted nurses, doctors, laboratory personnel, and pharmacists. Purposive sampling was employed, resulting in a sample size of 383 calculated using Fisher’s sample size formula. Data were collected using coded questionnaires entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed with SPSS software to generate frequencies and proportions, presented through frequency tables and pie figures. Results: The study in Mogadishu, Somalia, examined the prevalence of occupational injuries and knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility among healthcare workers. Findings indicate a high prevalence of injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents, predominantly needle stick injuries (60.6%). Despite the majority seeking prompt medical attention (72.0%), work-related illnesses affected 53.2% of respondents, notably work-related stress (59.5%). While most received training on injury and illness prevention (68.9%), gaps exist in PEP awareness, with 16.0% unaware of it. Nonetheless, 84.0% were aware, predominantly through health facilities (52.0%). Availability of PEP was reported by 71.3% in healthcare facilities, with variations in shift availability. The majority reported guidelines for PEP use (55.7%). Efforts are needed to bolster PEP awareness and ensure consistent availability in healthcare facilities to safeguard worker health. Conclusion: High prevalence of occupational injuries among healthcare workers, with needle stick injuries being the most common (60.6%). Despite this, 84.0% of respondents were aware of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), primarily learning about it from health facilities (52.0%). While 71.3% reported the availability of PEP in their facility, 28.7% noted its unavailability. These results emphasize the need for improved education and accessibility of PEP to mitigate occupational injury risks.

Evaluation of Digits-in-Noise Test and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults Screening in Patients with Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Objective:To explore the clinical evaluation role of the Digits-in-Noise(DIN)test and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults Screening(HHIA-S)for patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss and to observe and analyze their application values.Methods:Fifty patients with suspected occupational noise-induced hearing loss were randomly selected from the Department of Otolaryngology at the hospital as the research target.The collection period for the research cases spanned from January 2022 to November 2023,and all patients had a history of noise exposure.The DIN test and HHIA-S were used for hearing examinations,with clinical,comprehensive diagnosis serving as the gold standard to study their diagnostic performance.Results:The compliance rate of the DIN test was 88.00%,the HHIA-S’s compliance rate was 80.00%,and the combined compliance rate was 94.00%.The compliance rate of the DIN test and the combined compliance rates of the patients were statistically significant compared to the clinical gold standard data(P<0.05),while there was no difference between the compliance rate of the HHIA-S and the gold standard(P>0.05).The data shows that the sensitivity of the combined diagnosis is significantly higher than the sensitivity data of the DIN test and HHIA-S examination alone(P<0.05).Its specificity is 100.00%,and the accuracy data of the joint diagnosis in the degree were higher than those of the DIN test alone(P>0.05)and the HHIA-S alone(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss,the joint evaluation of the DIN test and HHIA-S can significantly improve their diagnostic value with high sensitivity and accuracy.

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: HIV-HBV co-infection is a major public health problem that has not been sufficiently explored in the Central African workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HIV-HBV co-infection among people who living with HIV (PLHIV) in the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de lAmiti Sino-Centrafricaine in Bangui. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021 in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at the Amiti Sino-Centrafricaine University Hospital. It included the files of all PLHIV, which included the results of HBV serology. A standardized form was used to collect socio-demographic and professional data by documentary review. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 7 software. Means, proportions were calculated as well as Chi square witch was significant if p-value was below 0.05. Results: The study included 265 patients, 188 were women (70.1%) and 77 men (29.1%), giving a sex ratio of 0.45. Mean age was 35.8 years, higher in men (40 years) than in women (35.8 years) (p 0.0001). The age groups 25 to 34 (37.7%) and 35 to 44 (33.6%) were in the majority (71.3%). The majority of PLHIV were unemployed (57.1%), including housewives (43.0%). HBV prevalence was 14.3%, including 7.2% among the unemployed, who account for half of all co-infections. The search for associations between HIV-HBV co-infection and all socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status) and socio-professional categories showed no significant difference (p 0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV were predominantly young adults, female, and unemployed;no occupation was significantly associated with co-infection. The vast majority of co-infected people were not covered by the occupational health system (unemployed or informal sector). Urgent action is needed to improve workers access to occupational medicine in CAR.

Emerging Professions:The Versatile Future of Jobs Embracing a new occupational paradigm with greater digitalization,intelligence,flexibility,and personalization

As technology continues to revolutionize industries,spawning new economic models and patterns,the internet and digital development have created a wave of new occupations and positions.Statistics show that in 2023,China’s total workforce stood at 402 million,with 84 million individuals engaged in new forms of employment.