Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology最新文献

{"title":"Impacts of hazardous noise levels on hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals.","authors":"Celia Zhang, Andrew Young, Samantha Rodriguez, Karen A Schulze, Bina Surti, Fadi Najem, Jiong Hu","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00447-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00447-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hazardous noise exposure is an important health concern in many workplaces and is one of the most common work-related injuries in the United States. Dental professionals are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational noise in their daily work environment. This noise is generated by various dental handpieces such as drills, suctions, and ultrasonic scalers. Prolonged exposure to such noise levels is known to have adverse effects on hearing health. Despite the prevalence of occupational noise in dentistry, there is a paucity of research specifically examining the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus, data were collected from 60 dental professionals, including participant demographics and audiometric thresholds. Thresholds were compared to the age- and sex-based reference ranges from the International Standards Organization (ISO 7029:2017).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that 15-25% of males and 13-18% of females had hearing thresholds that exceeded 95th percentile limits based on the ISO normative age- and sex-distributions. Tinnitus was reported in 40% of the participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is the first to examine the characteristics and prevalence of auditory dysfunctions in dental professionals compared to the ISO normative age and sex distributions of hearing status. Findings from this study highlight the need for increasing the awareness of occupational noise hazards among dental professionals and the importance of routine audiological monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"20 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11697800/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142928513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sowing seeds of awareness: a cross-sectional analysis of mental health literacy and help-seeking in Irish farmers.","authors":"Siobhan O'Connor, Anna Donnla O'Hagan, Joseph Firnhaber, Branagh R O'Shaughnessy, John McNamara, Gavin Breslin, Sinead O'Keeffe, Sandra M Malone","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00446-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00446-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Farmers around the world are at risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation yet many avoid seeking help. In Ireland, farmers' mental health is a national concern, as farmers face barriers of masculine norms around help-seeking. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and relationship between mental health literacy and mental health help-seeking in the Irish farming community. It also aimed to identify if mental health literacy or mental health help-seeking differed depending on gender, age, education, health status and income level.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of 351 Irish farmers' mental health literacy and help-seeking using validated psychometric measures: the Mental Help Seeking Intention Scale (MHSIS), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF), and the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Measure (MMHL).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Irish farmers' mental health literacy and help-seeking scores were interrelated. Though low, farmers' scores were comparable to the general population and higher than some European samples. Despite broadly favourable attitudes towards seeking professional mental health help, Irish farmers perceived significant barriers to accessing care and exhibited stoic health attitudes. Farmers with less education and men were particularly at risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Irish farmers' stoic attitudes may be a response to their perceived lack of services. Interventions providing mental health literacy education and improving access to existing mental health services are particularly important for this population of farmers.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"47"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665200/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142878618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Police officer occupational health: a model of organizational constraints, trauma exposure, perceived resources, and agency.","authors":"Royce Anders, Angélique Frapsauce, Celine Sauvezon, Daniel Gilibert","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00444-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00444-3","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Police officers constitute a work force at high risk due to their highly demanding work conditions. In a realistic paradigm, these conditions, and other determinants of their psychological health, can be linked to a multitude of variables that interplay altogether. However, current literature that simultaneously models-quantitatively from observed data-such a multitude of variables is sparse. This study took upon this objective to further theoretical and applied understandings through a measurement framework on empirical data, and allow the data to drive some features of model development, such as variable groupings into factors, and paths between factors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 1312 officers from various police bureaus fully responded to a questionnaire composed of validated instruments for assessing factors related to psychological and occupational health, consisting of more than 25 variables. Statistical analyses were performed in progressing complexity, namely t-tests, correlations, multiple regression, factor analysis, and path analysis with latent factors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The regression analysis identified 10 significant variables, in which decision latitude, organizational justice, and work recognition/meaning were the most protective, and these 10 variables coincided with those found significant in the t-test and correlational results. In higher complexity, the latent path analysis resulted in a model of 6 factors: Psychological Health, Organizational Constraints, Trauma Exposure, Perceived Resources, Sense of Agency, and Esteem. Organizational Constraints (β = -0.32, inferred by psychological demands and role conflict), Perceived Resources (β = 0.31, social support, a self/work-esteem subfactor, and organizational justice), Sense of Agency (β = 0.30, decision latitude, hierarchical position, right to carry a firearm), and Trauma Exposure (β = -0.14, frequency/time since event, used a firearm, years of service) were found significantly associated with Psychological Health. Within each factor, specific variables could be identified as the most associated, such as role conflict for constraints, self/work-esteem for resources, decision latitude for agency, and frequency of and time since trauma for trauma exposure. Our results therefore encourage us to take into account not only agency, but also past professional experiences in models for managing well-being.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Providing police officers with social support at work, recognition, work meaning, fair proceedings and pay (organizational justice, especially for female and young officers), decision-making power (decision latitude), and minimizing conflictual information and procedures (role conflict) is of utmost importance. Officers with higher years of service, working in lower population cities, and who recently used their firearm, should be considered for trauma counseling. The degree of psycho","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"46"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11654389/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142856060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pathological characterization of lung fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with fluoro-edenite fibres by intrapleural injection.","authors":"Eva Tibaldi, Federica Gnudi, Daniele Mandrioli, Caterina Bruno, Amerigo Zona, Lucia Fazzo, Pietro Comba","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00434-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00434-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>An increased incidence of pleural mesotheliomas in Biancavilla (Italy) was attributed to the environmental exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE). Results from the Ramazzini Institute (RI) in vivo long-term study confirmed the evidence that exposure to FE fibres is correlated with an increase of malignant pleural mesotheliomas in Sprague-Dawley rats. Recently asbestosis-like features were substantiated in Biancavilla residents without known occupational exposures. Aim of this work was to establish whether FE induce lung fibrosis with a pathogenetic mechanism similar to other asbestiform fibres.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Original slides from the RI study were systematically re-examined to characterize the FE-induced lesions. Quantitative analysis of lung fibrosis was assessed following the Ashcroft method. Immunohistochemical analysis of protein involved in fibrotic responses and histochemical staining for FE-fibres identification were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Like asbestos, FE caused fibrotic lesions, pleural plaques or nodules and mesotheliomas. A significant increase of lung fibrosis (p < 0.001) was observed in the FE-treated groups compared to untreated controls. In the fibrotic responses to FE, vimentin was the most expressed protein, followed by collagen-I and alpha-SMA. Finally, ferruginous bodies, characterized by iron deposits and ferritin expression, were observed in FE-induced lesions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study confirmed that FE exposure promotes the onset of fibrotic lesions at pleural level, as fibrous plaques or nodules and fibrosis, through a mechanism similar to other form of asbestos. These results combined with epidemiological study reported in Biancavilla residents, corroborate the need to promote health and epidemiological surveillance plans of respiratory diseases in population living in FE contaminated sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"45"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11639117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142820023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retention of nickel, cobalt and chromium in skin at conditions mimicking intense hand hygiene practices using water, soap, and hand-disinfectant in vitro.","authors":"Libe Vilela, Linda Schenk, Anneli Julander, Klara Midander","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00442-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00442-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased hand hygiene practices using water, soap and hand disinfectants, became prevalent, particularly among frontline workers. This study investigates the impact of these practices on the skin's ability to retain the allergenic metals nickel, cobalt, and chromium. The study constitutes three parts: (I) creating an impaired skin barrier, (II) exposing treated and untreated skin to nickel alone, and (III) in co-exposure with cobalt and chromium.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using full-thickness skin from stillborn piglets, in vitro experiments were conducted to assess retention of metals in skin at conditions mimicking intense hand hygiene practices. Treatment of skin with varying concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), to impair its barrier integrity was assessed. This was followed by exposure of treated and untreated skin to the metals, that were dissolved in Milli-Q water, 0.5% SLS, and ethanol respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that pre-treatment with 5% SLS impaired the skin barrier with regards to the measure of trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). Metal amounts retained in the skin were generally higher in treated than untreated skin. The highest amounts of metal retained in skin were observed for exposure to nickel in ethanol. Co-exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in 0.5% SLS resulted in the highest amounts of total metal retention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The in vitro findings highlight the increased risk of metal retention in skin due to an impaired barrier. The SLS concentration used in the current study corresponds to those used in many hand hygiene products. Hence, occupational settings with frequent exposure to water, soap and disinfectants need to consider protective measures not only for the irritant exposures themselves but also simultaneous exposure to allergenic metals.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"44"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11539800/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142591392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term course and factors influencing work ability and return to work in post-COVID patients 12 months after inpatient rehabilitation.","authors":"Katrin Müller, Iris Poppele, Marcel Ottiger, Alois Wastlhuber, Rainer-Christian Weber, Michael Stegbauer, Torsten Schlesinger","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00443-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00443-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring work ability and facilitating the reintegration of post-COVID patients into the workforce. The impact of rehabilitation on work ability and return to work (RTW) of post-COVID patients remains poorly understood. This study was conducted to assess the work ability and RTW of post-COVID patients before rehabilitation and 12 months after rehabilitation and to identify physical and neuropsychological health factors influencing RTW 12 months after rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This longitudinal observational study included 114 post-COVID patients with work-related SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent inpatient post-COVID rehabilitation with indicative focus on pulmonology and/or psychotraumatology (interval between date of SARS-CoV-2 infection and start of rehabilitation: M = 412.90 days). Employment status, work ability, and the subjective prognosis of employment (SPE) scale were assessed before rehabilitation (T1) and 12 months after rehabilitation (T4). The predictors analysed at T4 were functional exercise capacity, physical activity, subjective physical and mental health status, fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Longitudinal analyses were performed via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Logistic and linear regression analyses identified predictors of work ability and return to work (RTW), whereas mediation analyses examined the relationships between these predictors and work ability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At T4, the median of WAI total score indicated poor work ability, which significantly worsened over time (p < 0.001; r = 0.484). The SPE scale significantly increased from T1 to T4 (p = 0.022, r = -0.216). A total of 48.6% of patients had returned to work 12 months after rehabilitation. Fatigue was identified as the main predictor of reduced work ability and RTW, with each unit increase in fatigue severity decreasing the odds of RTW by 3.1%. In addition, physical capacity and subjective health status were significant predictors of perceived work ability.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight the significant challenges that post-COVID patients face in regaining work ability and achieving successful RTW 12 months after rehabilitation. Fatigue appears to be an important predictor of work ability and RTW. To optimize recovery and enhance both biopsychosocial health and work ability, it is crucial to develop and implement personalised interventions that address fatigue, improve physical capacity, and support mental health.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register under DRKS00022928.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"43"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11529184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142565042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between job demand-control-support and high burnout risk among physicians in Sweden: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Filip Christiansen, Britta Elsert Gynning, Abid Lashari, Josefina Peláez Zuberbühler, Gun Johansson, Emma Brulin","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00441-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00441-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The knowledge about job demands, control, and support, and their potential associations with burnout risk among physicians in Sweden, is limited. This study aimed to explore (i) factors of the JobDemand-Control-Support (J-DCS) model across different groups of physicians in Sweden, (ii) their association with high burnout risk, and (iii) the potential buffering impact of job control and support.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Health in Healthcare Survey (LOHHCS) study cohort was used. In 2021, a total of 2032 respondents submitted questionnaire data comprising J-DCS measures (i.e., job demands, workplace control and task-level control, and social support from peers and managers). Burnout risk was measured using the Burnout Assessment Tool. Binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between the J-DCS variables and high burnout risk. Interaction analysis was performed to explore any moderation of the associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Job demands were significantly associated with increased odds of high burnout risk (odds ratio (OR) 2.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-3.84. Workplace control (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.71) and peer support (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48-0.77) were significantly associated with reduced odds of high burnout risk. The interaction analysis showed no significant moderation of the association between job demands and high burnout risk by either peer support or workplace control, and no buffering impact was found.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Job demands were associated with high burnout risk among physicians in Sweden. Although workplace control and peer support had inverse associations with high burnout risk, no moderation or buffering impact on the association between job demands and high burnout risk was found. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"42"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11520855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and declined lung function among foundry workers.","authors":"Kirsi Koskela, Lauri Lehtimäki, Jukka Uitti, Panu Oksa, Antti Tikkakoski, Riitta Sauni","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00440-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00440-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Foundry workers are occupationally exposed to a variety of inhalable chemical substances. Occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes can lead to adverse health effects on the respiratory system and cause chronic respiratory diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Research on respiratory symptoms, diseases, and lung function in foundry workers over the past few decades has been limited. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and declined lung function of current foundry workers, ex-foundry workers, and unexposed controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We assessed respiratory symptoms, diseases, and lung function among 335 current foundry workers, 64 ex-foundry workers, and 161 unexposed controls. The cumulative dust exposure (mg-y) of each participant was calculated, and the median cumulative dust exposure according to the main places of exposure was determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis, as reported in a questionnaire, was found among current and ex-foundry workers compared to unexposed controls, even after adjusting for pack-years of smoking (p = 0.009). Additionally, cough and wheezing in adulthood without respiratory infection, and chronic rhinitis symptoms were more common among current and ex-foundry workers compared to unexposed controls. These differences remained significant even after adjusting for pack-years of smoking and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007 and p  < 0.001, respectively). Impaired lung function was more prevalent among both ex-foundry workers (29.7%) and current foundry workers (15.5%) compared to the unexposed controls (8.7%), with the difference remaining significant even after adjusting for the pack-years of smoking and BMI (p = 0.009). According to the questionnaire, the number of physician-diagnosed cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis was unexpectedly low compared to the indications from the symptom questionnaire and lung function test results, suggesting a potential underdiagnosis. The prevalence of silicosis was low (0.8%) among current and ex-foundry workers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Respiratory symptoms are common among foundry workers. Current and ex-foundry workers exhibited lower lung function in spirometry compared to unexposed controls. There is a potential underdiagnosis of COPD and chronic bronchitis among foundry workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"41"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11515409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142511134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychological morbidity among coal miners compared to other occupations in Appalachia.","authors":"Paul D Blanc, Laura Trupin, Edward H Yelin, Patricia P Katz","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00439-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-024-00439-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common morbidities among coal miners, but the risk of these morbidities has not been analyzed relative to other occupations taking into account relevant covariates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using random digit dialing, we surveyed men aged 50 or over with a history of employment who resided in counties in Appalachia with high coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) mortality rates. We used the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) Screen and the Brief Trauma Questionnaire to query specific traumatic experiences. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire scale to assess depression symptoms and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire to measure anxiety. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed associations between coal mining and depression, anxiety, and PTSD, adjusting for trauma, smoking and demographics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1,428 participants, 233 (16.3%) reported coal mining employment. Coal mining was associated with increased odds of depression (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) and anxiety (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.7). Among those with any trauma (n = 711), coal mining was not associated with increased risk of PTSD (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.3]. Non-coal trauma was associated with three-fold increased odds of anxiety (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.0 to 5.1); for coal trauma, anxiety was associated with six-fold increased odds (OR 6.0; 95% CI 2.9 to 12.4).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Appalachian region coal miners carry an increased burden of depression and anxiety. This should be recognized by clinicians and at a population level, as worthy of individual and public health intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"40"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11495004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142511133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The prevalence of occupational-related low back pain among working populations in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Yibeltal Assefa Atalay, Natnael Atnafu Gebeyehu, Kelemu Abebe Gelaw","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00438-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-024-00438-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem, contributing significantly to the global burden of disability-adjusted life years and affecting the quality of life of all population groups. The main problem in most musculoskeletal disorders is low back pain. Therefore, our study aims to identify the overall prevalence of work-related low back pain among the working population in sub-Saharan Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Research published between 2010 and 2023 in English, conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa was included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Using Boolean logic operators and targeted keywords, we searched for publications on a number of electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Science Direct). The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal techniques were utilized to conduct a quality assessment of the papers and ascertain their relevance to the study. The degree of heterogeneity among the included studies, the 95% confidence interval, and the pooled prevalence were estimated using a random effects model. Sensitivity studies were carried out to determine the causes of heterogeneity and the impact of outliers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, a total of 970 articles were retrieved, and 35 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall estimated pooled prevalence of low back pain among the working population in sub-Saharan Africa was (55.05% [95% CI: 49.34, 60.76]). Based on a sub-group analysis by countries, the higher pooled prevalence of low back pain was found in Uganda at (61.48% [95% CI: 40.39, 82.57]), while the lower pooled prevalence of low back pain was in Ghana at (34.48% [95% CI: 17.96, 51.01]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis found that 55.05% of the included study participants experienced low back pain in the previous years. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers incorporate and enhance strategies for the prevention and management of low back pain within the health system management guidelines of each country.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"39"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11488191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}