The Influence of Workplace Environment on Mental Health:A Quantitative and Qualitative Investigation in China

Background:The demanding nature of nursing,characterized by long hours,high-stress environments,and substantial workloads,can significantly impact nurses’mental health.However,there are limited studies that assessed the influence of workplace environment on nursing mental health based on both quantitative and qualitative approaches.Methods:This study aims to comprehensively investigate the multidimensional relationship between the workplace environment and nurses’well-being.This cross-sectional study was based on a sample of 3256 nurses from various healthcare settings in Shandong province,China(2022),who participated in the quantitative phase.For the qualitative phase,a subsample of participants from the quantitative phase was selected(n=200)using purposive sampling to ensure diversity in terms of age,gender,years of experience,and healthcare settings.The mean age was 35.2 years,with 74%female participants.Results:Significant negative correlations were found between leadership support and mental distress,while workload showed negative associations with General Positive Affect and mental health functioning(p<0.05).Multiple linear regression demonstrated the predictive power of workplace dimensions on mental health,with leadership support,teamwork,and organizational culture positively associated with mental health functioning(p<0.05).Thematic analysis underscored the intricate interplay between workplace indicators and mental health dimensions,emphasizing the need for a holistic approach.Conclusion:This study reveals that key workplace factors,including leadership support,teamwork,and organizational culture,play a vital role in enhancing nurse mental health,which is essential for sustaining high-quality patient care and a resilient healthcare workforce.

Assessing the relationship between health literacy intervention and hypertension self-management:A 7-year systematic review from January 2016 to December 2022

Hypertension(HTN)is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting over 30%of the adult population globally,with a growing incidence rate.This review assesses the relationship between health literacy(HL)intervention and hypertension(HTN)self-management among people with HTN.The study design was a systematic review of empirical research articles using a well-defined strategy.Online journals were accessed through databases such as PubMed,CINAHL,Google Scholar,ProQuest,Global Health,WHOLIS,Embase,and EbscoHost,spanning from January 2016 to December 2022 as the scope of the study.Articles selected for inclusion were those published in English during the specified time frame and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Sample,Phenomenon of Interest,Design,Evaluation,Research Type framework for systematic review,focusing on criteria related to the sample,the phenomenon of interest,study design,evaluation,and research type.Out of 180 studies initially identified in the database search,20 studies were ultimately included in the review.The findings were reported based on these five emerging themes:Relationship between HL and HTN self-management;Effect of HL intervention on HTN self-management;Factors predicting self-care behaviors among HTN patients with low HL;Effect of HL and self-management efficacy on health-related quality of life(HRQoL);and level of self-care practices.This review highlights a relationship between HL,self-efficacy,self-care,and HRQoL,underscoring the necessity for further well-designed intervention studies focused on enhancing HL in individuals with HTN in Nigeria to enhance their quality of life.

Implications of Dynamic Interactions between Meteorological Patterns and Surface Water Quality on Environmental Health—A Case Study of the Nairobi River

Urban areas face significant challenges in maintaining water quality amidst increasing urbanization and changing climatic patterns. This study investigates the complex interplay between meteorological variables and water quality parameters in Nairobi City, focusing on the impacts of rainfall and temperature on surface water quality. Data from multiple sources, including the Water Resources Authority, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, and the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal, were analyzed to assess the relationships between meteorological variables (rainfall and temperature) and water quality parameters (such as electroconductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, chloride, and pH). The analysis reveals varying impacts of rainfall and temperature on different water quality parameters. While parameters like iron and pH show strong relationships with both rainfall and temperature, others such as ammonia and nitrate exhibit moderate relationships. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of runoff, urbanization, and industrial activities on water quality, emphasizing the need for holistic management approaches. Recommendations encompass the establishment of annual publications on Nairobi River water quality, online accessibility of water quality data, development of hydrological models, spatial analysis, and fostering cross-disciplinary research collaborations. Implementing these recommendations can enhance water quality management practices, mitigate risks, and safeguard environmental integrity in Nairobi City.

Design Strategies of Healing Environment in Dongheyan Area from the Perspective of Health

In the new urban construction,the concept of healing environment is helpful to promote the physical and mental health of the urban public.By combing the relevant theories of health and environment,such as stress relief theory,attention recovery theory,biophilia design,evidence-based design,etc.and using field research methods,the functional layout,slow walking environment,public space,healing environment and healing architecture of Dongheyan area were analyzed,and the design strategies of healing environment were put forward for the slow walking environment and public space in Dongheyan area based on all aspects of problems and attributes of the area.

Humanizing the Culture of Technology Teams: Strategies for Creating Healthier and More Productive Work Environments

With the advancement of technology, companies are increasingly dependent on technology teams to stay competitive. However, members of these teams often work in stressful and unhealthy environments, which can undermine their productivity and well-being. The humanization of the culture of technology teams is an approach that aims to create healthier and more productive work environments for team members, promoting balance between personal and professional life. Despite the importance of a healthy and productive work environment, many companies do not invest in strategies to humanize the culture of their technology teams. This can lead to high levels of stress, staff turnover and low productivity. The objective of this project is to identify effective strategies to humanize the culture of technology teams and create healthier and more productive work environments in digital companies. For this, factors such as management styles, psychological safety, human-centered development, individual beliefs and time and energy management will be analyzed. The project’s methodology will include a literature review on the subject and qualitative data analysis will be performed using a content analysis approach. This project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the humanization of the culture of technology teams in digital companies. The results can be applied to companies that want to create healthier and more productive work environments for their team members.

Ecosystem health: ecological sustainability target of strategic environment assessment

Strategic environment assessment (SEA) and ecosystem health are two new ideas on environmental management. On the basis of reviewing some relevant literature, this paper made discussions on the ecological sustainability target of SEA, the content of ecosystem health as well as the interrelations between SEA and ecosystem health. For a good SEA, its ecological sustainability principles should be provided with distinct content and a general assessment system. A framework for ecosystem health assessment was established according to the content of ecosystem health, and combined into SEA as SEA抯 ecological sustainability target, we can effectively guide decision-makers to make suitable indigenous means and local solutions. , The basic principles and procedure of SEA for ecosystem health are also discussed in the paper.

A Review on Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications and Risks in Environment and Health

Graphene-based nanomaterials(GBNs) have attracted increasing interests of the scientific community due to their unique physicochemical properties and their applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, bioengineering, disease diagnosis and therapy. Although a large amount of researches have been conducted on these novel nanomaterials, limited comprehensive reviews are published on their biomedical applications and potential environmental and human health effects. The present research aimed at addressing this knowledge gap by examining and discussing:(1) the history, synthesis,structural properties and recent developments of GBNs for biomedical applications;(2) GBNs uses as therapeutics,drug/gene delivery and antibacterial materials;(3) GBNs applications in tissue engineering and in research as biosensors and bioimaging materials; and(4) GBNs potential environmental effects and human health risks. It also discussed the perspectives and challenges associated with the biomedical applications of GBNs.

Environmental and Health Effects Associated With Harmful Algal Bloom and Marine Algal Toxins in China

The frequency and scale of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and marine algal toxin incidents have been increasing and spreading in the past two decades, causing damages to the marine environment and threatening human life through contaminated seafood. To better understand the effect of HAB and marine algal toxins on marine environment and human health in China, this paper overviews HAB occurrence and marine algal toxin incidents, as well as their environmental and health effects in this country. HAB has been increasing rapidly along the Chinese coast since the 1970s, and at least 512 documented HAB events have occurred from 1952 to 2002 in the Chinese mainland. It has been found that PSP and DSP toxins are distributed widely along both the northern and southern Chinese coasts. The HAB and marine algal toxin events during the 1990s in China were summarized, showing that the HAB and algal toxins resulted in great damages to local fisheries, marine culture, quality of marine environment, and human health. Therefore, to protect the coastal environment and human health, attention to HAB and marine algal toxins is urgently needed from the environmental and epidemiologicalview.

Analyzing Precipitation Acidity Changes Post Train Derailment and Vinyl Chloride Release in East Palestine, Ohio: Exploring Biomedical and Environmental Ramifications

This study investigates the aftermath of a significant train derailment and vinyl chloride release incident in East Palestine, Ohio, with a particular focus on the analysis of precipitation acidity changes and the concentration of vinyl chloride in samples. The research seeks to elucidate the complex relationship between industrial accidents, atmospheric chemistry, and their potential implications for human health and the environment. Through meticulous examination of variations in precipitation acidity patterns, this study provides valuable insights into the dispersion and impact of toxic agents in the environment following industrial mishaps. The results underscore the intricate interplay between these factors, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the realms of environmental science and biomedical concerns. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge that addresses the broader consequences of industrial incidents on public health. It underscores the importance of proactive measures, such as enhanced monitoring and surveillance, risk assessment, public education, and regulatory reform, to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with industrial activities involving hazardous materials. By fostering collaboration between experts and stakeholders, this study advocates for a holistic approach to safeguarding both our environment and the well-being of communities affected by industrial accidents.

Environmental influence in the forested area toward human health: incorporating the ecological environment into art psychotherapy

This study on the development of a psychotherapy program based on the relationship between forests and human health focused on actively considering the natural ecological environment. This study categorized and compared an art psychotherapy program that simply moved to an outdoor space and a forest-art therapy program that actively utilized the forest environment as a medium. The characteristics of the natural environment, such as openness, change, and diversity, shortened the amount of time participants took to develop a rapport and open up and played a vital role in recovering mental health. After a bold attempt at integrating forest environment and art psychotherapy by going beyond outdoor art therapy, there were significant results pertaining to improvements in mental disorders in today’s society, including stress vulnerabilities, depression, anxiety, and aggression. The research results verified that the developed forest-art therapy method had greater efficacy in relation to both the Stress Vulnerability-Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale and the Stress Vulnerability-Self-Regulation Scale.

Environmental and Health Impact of Solid Waste Disposal in Developing Cities: A Case Study of Granville Brook Dumpsite, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in dumpsites located within urban areas has proved to be a problem to nearby residents in most developing cities of the world, Freetown is no exception. Open dumps have environmental safeguards;they can pose major public health threats and environmental effects in urban cities. Therefore, this paper presents the findings of a research carried out in Freetown municipal area in Sierra Leone to determine the environmental and health impacts of solid waste disposal at Granville Brook dumpsite on the surrounding human settlements. Data were collected from three hundred and ninety eight nearby dumpsite household residents (less than fifty metres) and two hundred and thirty three far away household residents (more than fifty metres) through the use of structured self-administered questionnaires. Interviews and personal observations were also used to collect some of the data. Descriptive statistics involving tables, graphs and figures were used to present and analyze the data. Results show that both nearby residents and far away residents suffered from related diseases such as malaria, chest pains, diarrhea and cholera, due to the location of the dumpsite closer to their settlements. As a result, this study highlights the need for the Freetown City Council to properly manage and relocate the dumpsite to a safe distance from all human settlements, and provide resettlement and environmental education programmes for all persons living less than fifty metres away from the dumpsite as interim measures.

Multiple mediation effects of health locusof control and hope on the relationshipbetween stroke patients’ social supportand self-management

Objective:This study aimed to identify the mediation effects of health locus of control(HLC)and hope between stroke patients’social support and self-management.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.A total of 300 Chinese stroke patients were recruited by convenient sampling from the acupuncture department of two Chinese Traditional Medical Hospitals in Tianjin Province from June to September 2018.The self-report questionnaires include Social Support Assessment Scale,Herth Hope Index,Mental Health Locus of Control Scale,Stroke Self-management Behavior Scale,and personal information questionnaires.All the survey data were entered in Excel and analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 program.Mediation was tested with Bootstrapping in AMOS 23.0 program.Results:The result showed that internal health locus of control(IHLC),chance health locus of control(CHLC)and hope were the mediators between social support and self-management.The direct,indirect,and total effects of social support on self-management behavior were 0.306 (P<0.01),0.109(P<0.01),and 0.415(P<0.01),respectively.Conclusions:Social support can directly influence self-management,and it can also indirectly influence self-management through IHLC,CHLC,and hope.

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.

Effect of self-management program on health status of elderly patients with heart failure: a single-blind, randomized clinical trial

Objective:To determine the effect of self-management program on the health status of elderly patients with heart failure.Methods:The present study was a single-blind,randomized clinical trial,and conducted on 90 patients with heart failure of stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ at one teaching hospital in eastern Iran in 2017.The participants were randomly assigned into two groups:the intervention group and the control groups,with 45 patients in each group.Self-management programs including awareness and recognition,problem-solving process,diet,exercise,and stress management were carried out.The participants were trained for six weeks and were followed for two months.Data of the health status were collected before,after and eight weeks after intervention by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire.Data analysis by chi-square,independent t-test,Fisher,ANOVA with repeated measures was conducted.Results:Patients in both groups were matched in terms of demographic characteristics before the intervention.There was no significant difference in the mean scores of health status between the two groups (P=0.1) before the intervention.However,the second measurement after intervention showed a significant difference in the mean scores between the two groups (P=0.001).Conclusions:Self-management program can improve the different dimensions of health (except in the subscale of sign and symptoms).Therefore,this supportive method can be used to improve the health of patients and manage problems caused by heart failure.

Farmers' Willingness-to-Pay for Environment and Human Health and Adoption of IPM

Although chemical control of pests increases crop production, it brings a lot of damage to environment and human health. There exist a number of alternative methods that are not so harmful to environment and human health. However, whether and how much in extent these technologies adopted are plausible depends on the comparison of benefit-cost between chemical control and the alternative control methods (such as Integrated Pest Management, IPM) and farmers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for envirorment and human health. Using contingent valuation method (CVM), the author investigates farmers' WTP for environment and human health, recognizes the factors influencing WTP, and accordingly points out the importance of pest control technology extension and government regulation of pesticides.

Awareness, self-management behaviors, health literacy and kidney function relationships in specialty practice

AIM To determine the relationship between chronic kidney disease(CKD) awareness(CKD-A), self-management behaviors(CKD-SMB) knowledge, performance of CKDSMBs, health literacy(HL) and kidney function. METHODS Participants were eligible patients attending an outpatient nephrology clinic. Participants were administered: Newest Vital Sign to measure HL, CKD self-managementknowledge tool(CKD-SMKT) to assess knowledge, past performance of CKD-SMB, CKD-A. Estimated GFR(e GFR) was determined using the MDRD-4 equation. Duration of clinic participation and CKD cause were extracted from medical charts. RESULTS One-hundred-fifty patients participated in the study. e GFRs ranged from 17-152 m L/min per 1.73 m2. Majority(83%) of respondents had stage 3 or 4 CKD, low HL(63%), and were CKD aware(88%). Approximately 40%(10/25) of patients in stages 1 and 2 and 6.4%(8/125) in stages 3 and 4 were unaware of their CKD. CKD-A differed with stage(P < 0.001) but not by HL level, duration of clinic participation, or CKD cause. Majority of respondents(≥ 90%) correctly answered one or more CKD-SMKT items. Knowledge of one behavior, "controlling blood pressure" differed significantly by CKD-A. CKD-A was associated with past performance of two CKD-SMBs, "controlling blood pressure"(P = 0.02), and "keeping healthy body weight"(P = 0.01). Adjusted multivariate analyses between CKD-A and:(1) HL; and(2) CKD-SMB knowledge were nonsignificant. However, there was a significant relationship between CKD-A and kidney function after controlling for demographics, HL, and CKD-SMB(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION CKD-A is not associated with HL, or better CKD-SMBs. CKD-A is significantly associated with kidney function and substantially lower e GFR, suggesting the need for focused patient education in CKD stages 1.

Use of Mobile Health Applications and the Self-Management of Cancer: A Gendered Approach

The growing use of mobile health applications for health purposes increased the expectations about their effectiveness. The study examines the effectiveness of mobile health applications on the self-management behaviors of 168 individuals diagnosed with cancer. The results of a secondary analysis indicate that using extensively mobile health applications significantly increases women’s health empowerment attitudes—reaching health decisions, changing their approach to health concerns, seeking additional health consultation. However, the use of mobile health applications does not increase the likelihood of adopting self-management behaviors. The study indicates that the effectiveness of mobile health applications in self-management practices is contingent upon a set of personal characteristics and the level of technology skills.

Positive correlations between the health locus of control and self-management behaviors in hemodialysis patients in Xiamen

Objective:To investigate the association between the health locus of control and selfmanagement behaviors in patients receiving hemodialysis.Methods:Patients receiving hemodialysis in Xiamen,Fujian province,from December 2014 to March 2015 answered the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale and the self-management behavior questionnaire.Results:The participants in this study indicated that they believed others exerted more control over their health than themselves or chance.In addition,the majority of participants had a medium to low level of self-management behaviors.Positive correlations were also observed between a participant's health locus of control and their level of selfmanagement behaviors.Internal health locus of control and external(others)health locus of control were significant predictors of self-management behaviors controlling for the effect of payment method.Conclusion:The results of this study provided evidence that there is a strong relationship between the health locus of control and self-management behaviors in hemodialysis patients.This study provides important information for medical professionals as they design strategies to educate hemodialysis patients on their health locus of control and selfmanagement behaviors.

Characterization of Health and Environmental Risks of Pesticide Use in Market-Gardening in the Rural City of Tori-Bossito in Benin, West Africa

A study on the use of pesticides in market-gardening production was carried out on 108 market-gardeners in the rural city of Tori-Bossito in Southern Benin. The objective of the study was to characterize the potential risks of pesticides usage by farmers and the impacts on their health and on the environment. Two risk indexes were calculated for each pesticide: an environmental risk index (ERI) and a health risk index (HRI). First stage larva of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were used as bio-indicator for detecting insecticide residue in vegetable before their harvesting on the farms. The highest ERI were obtained for carbofuran, chlorpyriphos ethyl and endosulfan. Pesticide residues were found in 42% of the samples of leaves of eggplant, cucumber, amaranth and solanum. Vegetables growers used pesticides that may be highly hazardous and which were not registered in most cases. These situations could have unexpected consequences including the exposure of consumers to health hazards.

A holistic framework for facilitating environmental and human health

In the Anthropocene,health is necessary to achieve global sustainable development.This is a challenge because health issues are complex and span from humans to ecosystems and the environment through dynamic interac-tions across scales.We find that the health issues have been mainly addressed by disciplinary endeavors which unfortunately will not result in panoramic theories or effective solutions.We recommend focusing on the intri-cate interactions between humans,ecosystems and the environment for developing common theoretical under-standings and practical solutions for safeguarding planetary health,with human health as the key indicator and endpoint.To facilitate this paradigm shift,a holistic framework is formulated that incorporates disturbances from inner Earth and our solar system,and accommodates interactions between humans,ecosystems and the environ-ment in a nested hierarchy.An integrative and transdisciplinary health science is advocated along with holistic thinking to resolve our current health challenges and to achieve the health-related sustainable development goals.