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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Relationship of Occupational Health Nurses’ Experiences with Associated Departments in Relation to Project Development of Mental Health Care for Primary Preventive Treatment

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship and experiences of occupational health nurses (OHNs) and related departments in project development of mental health care for primary treatment in the Japanese occupational health setting. Method: A total of 235 OHNs who are members of the Japan Academy of Occupational Health Nursing were sent an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included items on the following: the OHN’s background, whether the OHN had experience in project development, the communication between the associated departments, the Japanese version of the Work Engagement Scale (UWES-J), occupational assessments, workplace assessments, and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for health promotion in companies and the OHN’s working environment. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between experience and these harmonious relationships with other associated departments. Result: Responses from 61 OHNs (valid response rate: 25.9%) were analyzed. The mean number of years of service as an OHN was 18.9, and 82% of respondents had experience in project development. The logistic analysis further revealed that OHNs who had experience in project development of mental health care usually had a harmonious relationship with other associated departments. Conclusion: To promote mental health care for workers, OHNs have the capability to create individual and workplace assessments, enhance their work engagement, and make further improvements to their working environment. .

A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)in the U.S.mining industry

Cumulative inhalation of respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)can lead to severe lung diseases,including coal worker's pneu-moconiosis(CWP),silicosis,mixed dust pneumoconiosis,dust-related diffuse fibrosis(DDF),and progressive massive fibrosis(PMF).Statistics from the number of reported cases showed a significant decrease in the progression of respiratory diseases in the 1990s.However,an unexpected increase in the number of CWP cases was reported in the late 1990s.To date,there has been no comprehensive systematic review to assess all contributing factors to the resurgence of CWP cases.This study aims to investigate the effects of various mining parameters on the prevalence of CWP in coal mines.A systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis(PRISMA)method was conducted to investigate the health effects of RCMD exposure and identify the factors that may contribute to the recent resurgence of CWP cases.The systematic review yielded a total of 401 papers,which were added to the database.The total number of 148 and 208 papers were excluded from the database in the process of screening and eligibility,respectively.Then,18 papers were considered for data selection and full-text assessment.The review revealed that factors including geographic location,mine size,mining operation type,coal-seam thickness,coal rank,changes in mining practices,technology advancement,and engi-neering dust control practices are contributing to the recent resurgence of CWP among coal workers.However,the evidence for root causes is limited owing to the methodological constraints of the studies;therefore,further detailed studies are needed.

Psychiatrists’occupational stigma conceptualization,measurement,and intervention:A literature review

Psychiatrists require frequent contact with and treatment of patients with mental illnesses.Due to the influence of associative stigma,psychiatrists may also be targets of stigma.Occupational stigma warrants special consideration because it significantly affects psychiatrists'career advancement,well-being,and their patients’health.Given that there is no complete summary of this issue,this study reviewed the existing literature on psychiatrists'occupational stigma to clearly synthesize its concepts,measurement tools,and intervention strategies.Herein,we emphasize that psychiatrists’occupational stigma is a multifaceted concept that simultaneously encompasses physically,socially,and morally tainted aspects.Currently,standardized methods to specifically measure psychiatrists’occupational stigma are lacking.Interventions for psychiatrists’occupational stigma may consider the use of protest,contact,education,comprehensive and systematic methods,as well as the use of psychotherapeutic approaches.This review provides a theoretical basis for the development of relevant measurement tools and intervention practices.Overall,this review seeks to raise public awareness of psychiatrists'occupational stigma,thereby promoting psychiatric professionalism and reducing its stigma.

A Study on the Improvement of Mental Health Status of Teachers’ Occupational Stress and Chronic Anxiety under Aerobic Exercise Alternative Activities

The purpose of this study is to observe the occupational stress and chronic anxiety of college teachers and to carry out alternate activities of aerobic exercise to improve their mental health,the participants are 214 teachers from three universities in Yunnan Province,China.The results show that before the experiment,the overall situation of college teachers’occupational stress and chronic anxiety is at a high level,while after the experiment,the occupational stress and chronic anxiety of college teachers are significantly relieved.In terms of gender,male teachers have higher occupational stress and chronic anxiety than female teachers before the experiment,and both have a good alleviating effect after the experiment.In terms of length of teaching,teachers with teaching experience of 1–5 years before the experiment have the highest levels of occupational stress and chronic anxiety,followed by teachers with 6–10 years,and finally teachers with more than 10 years.After the experiment,the occupational stress and chronic anxiety of teachers in the three length of teaching groups are significantly reduced to the medium level.In terms of professional titles,the teachers with the titles of teaching assistant and lecturer before the experiment have higher occupational stress and chronic anxiety than those with the titles of associate professor and professor.After the experiment,both of them are significantly reduced to the medium level.Therefore,the impact of aerobic exercise alternate activities on college teachers has a positive improvement effect,which can effectively promote the mental health of college teachers and alleviate the negative situation at work.

Time usage analysis and satisfaction comparison by occupational area according to the sex of single-parent families

BACKGROUND Single-parent families are burdened with dual roles as parents amidst economic poverty due to the lack of a spouse.Single parents also face the complications of time poverty.AIM To examine the time use of single-parent families by dividing their time into occupational area and explore the differences in time deficiency and life satisfaction.METHODS In this study,the time usage in the‘2019 time of life survey’data of the National Statistical Office is classified based on the fourth edition of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework,and the time use and satisfaction of single-parent families classified according to sex.In the‘2019 time of life survey’of the National Statistical Office,the subjects who selected single-parent families in the‘single parent-parent-grandchild households’item were first selected.The data of 404 parents from single-parent families were selected next.The time usage,time deficiency,and life satisfaction were analyzed by occupational area.RESULTS The subjects spent the most time resting and sleeping,followed by engaging in instrumental activities of daily living(IADLs),work,and health management.As a result of comparing the subjects by sex,it was found that the male subjects spent more time on work than the female subjects,and the female subjects spent more time on IADLs,education and social participation.As a result of comparing time deficiency and life satisfaction,the male subjects felt that they lacked time compared to the female subjects.There was no significant difference in life satisfaction.By examining whether single-parent families'time use by occupa tional area affected the time deficiency,it was found that male's working time make them feel they have less time,while female's leisure time makes them feel they have more time.CONCLUSION This study made it possible to determine the characteristics of single-parent households’time use and sex differences.Furthermore,it is expected to be used as basic data for measures to solve not only time poverty,but also economic poverty in single-parent families.

Occupational Burnout in Hospitals. A Population-Based Study among Health Professionals Working in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital

Occupational burnout, even though is a widespread subject of research, remains one of the factors that threaten the implementation and organizational structure of the provided health service. The aim of our study is to investigate the level of burnout among health professionals in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, one of the biggest Public Hospitals in Athens, Greece. The study population included 116 health workers and was conducted in 2022. The present study, cross-sectional in nature, investigates burnout symptoms in the health-related professionals by measuring the three dimensions of burnout;emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievements. The overall findings show that people who provide health care services in hospitals are a vulnerable group to burnout syndrome. More specifically, it was found that emotional exhaustion moves at medium to high levels, as did depersonalization, while personal achievements are at moderate to low levels. The findings of the present study indicate that emphasis should be given to increasing the personal achievements of employees, which will in turn reduce emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Perhaps a more detailed study on this topic could enlighten us about the causes and treatment of burnout syndrome in health professionals.

Occupational Health and Safety Hazards Experienced by Healthcare Workers at Two Hospitals in Suyani, Bono Region, Ghana

INTRODUCTION Occupational safety and health (OSH) is generally the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards arising in or from the workplace. The study sought to assess and evaluate occupational health and safety hazards experienced among health workers in the Bono region of Ghana. METHODOLOGY The study was descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study. Data was from two hundred (200) health workers and was analyzed using the binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The findings from the study show that risk factors associated with biological hazards were clinical staff [OR = 2.487 (1.146 - 5.397), p = 0.021], poor maintenance of hospital items [OR = 0.446 (0.240 - 0.831), p = 0.011], assault (verbal) abuse [OR = 2.581 (1.317 - 5.059), p = 0.006] and extreme pressure from work [OR = 2.975 (1.519 - 5.829), p = 0.001]. Non-biological hazards were associated with being single [OR = 0.499 (0.263 - 0.947), p = 0.034], being verbally assaulted [OR = 3.581 (1.865 - 6.876), p CONCLUSION Risk factors related with biological hazards include poor maintenance of hospital items and extreme pressure from work whereas non-biological hazards were associated with being single, being verbally assaulted. Clinical healthcare providers are more vulnerable to occupational health and safety hazards. The study recommends the provision of strategic policies to promote and protect the workers’ health based on the development of the epidemiological profile of health, needs to be readjusted and strengthened.

Occupational exposure to flour dust among bakery workers:prevalence,potential hazards and promising interventions

Occupational exposure to flour dust within bakery environments presents significant health hazards to bakery personnel.Flour dust,generated as a byproduct during baking,becomes airborne during the baking process,thus constituting a respiratory threat.Adverse health consequences include respiratory diseases,skin irritation,allergic reactions,and potential long-term health impacts.Data indicates that a broad segment of bakery workers encounters exposure to flour dust,with specific subgroups,such as bakers and dough mixers,being particularly susceptible.Contributing factors to this exposure encompass insufficient ventilation and a lack of awareness.It is vital to assess exposure levels through air quality monitoring and health surveillance.Efficient interventions encompass engineering solutions(e.g.,ventilation systems,dust extraction),administrative measures(including training and the use of personal protective equipment),and the implementation of occupational health and safety programs.Collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities are paramount for achieving success.Case studies underscore the effectiveness of such interventions,resulting in improved worker health,thus underscoring the advantages of protective measures.Challenges in this endeavor include industry resistance to change,financial considerations,and issues related to compliance.Future recommendations entail further research,policy enhancements,and the involvement of industry stakeholders and labor unions in advocating for worker safety.