scholarly journals HEALTH ISSUES AND WELLBEING

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (05) ◽  
pp. 640-647
Author(s):  
Farkhanda Anjum ◽  
Muhammad Iqbal Zafar ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad Maann ◽  
Munir Ahmad

Children are perceived as the future of any country. With this in mind, child labordoes nothing but destroy the future of the children. Carpet weaving is destructivefor childrenbecause children often sit in odd positions for extensive hours, inhaling dust and working ininadequate lighting situations, all these aspects are hazardous to the wellbeing of children.Child carpet weavers have to face occupational damages and diseases. Objective: To identifythe factors contributing to child labor and effects of work-related health issues on the wellbeingof carpet weavers. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: Punjab province. Meterial &Method: A sample of 320 carpet child workers of age group 8-17 years was interviewed. A wellstructuredquestionnaire was constructed to collect the data. The SPSS/PC + 20.0 StatisticalPackage for Social Sciences were used for analyzing the data. Results: The study found thatmajority of the respondents was facing the problem of body aches, backbone problem, eyestrain and general exhaustion and cuts and wounds. The significant relationship was observedbetween work-related illness (type of illness) and the personal wellbeing of carpet workingchildren. It was strongly suggested that comprehensive strategy consisting of macro as well asmicro policies is to be commenced to control, reduce and eradicate. The ill effects related tocarpet weaving. The participation of children in carpet weaving industry should be stopped orat least immunizad present. Conclusion: The carpet workers immediately need concentratedefforts not only to solve their work-related issues, but also to make them productive adult in theirown wellbeing as well as in the welfares of society.

Author(s):  
Pratibha Rao K. ◽  
D. D. Bant

Background: Tobacco use plays an important role in the causation of various health issues. Although numerous efforts are being done to increase the awareness among people regarding its proven role in disease causation, it remains as one of the important public health issues in our country. Information regarding the tobacco habits in patients and its relation to their health status is scarce. Thus with this objectives, the present study was conducted in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted among the outpatients of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences during July 2017. Information was collected regarding the form of tobacco used, duration of use and their health problems. Statistical analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results: The tobacco use was reported among 93 patients (44.3%). Among the tobacco users, majority of them were males (80.6%), and in the age group of 31-60 years (67.7%). The smokeless form of tobacco was the most common form used in both gender (44%). Health issues related to heart, respiratory system and oral cavity was seen more among the tobacco users than non-users.Conclusions: The study concludes that tobacco consumption among patients attending KIMS Hospital is high, which clearly has a negative impact on their health. Health care institutions also have a major role in imparting health education and motivating their tobacco addict patients to quit the habit. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beibei Feng ◽  
Kedi Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhu ◽  
Wing-Yuk Ip ◽  
Lars L. Andersen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common cause of pain, numbness and tingling in the wrist and hand region and is associated with repetitive wrist and hand use in office workers. However, scarce knowledge exists about the epidemiology of clinically confirmed CTS among Chinese office workers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of wrist/hand symptoms and CTS in office workers in China and to identify associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a metropolitan city in China involving 969 respondents (aged 17–49 years) from 30 workplaces. A questionnaire was distributed to each participant to collect their demographic, work-related physical and psychosocial factors, and wrist and hand symptoms. The wrist and hand pain/numbness symptoms were marked on a body chart and the nature and intensity of symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, as well as aggravating activities were also recorded. Clinically confirmed CTS cases were screened based on the history, Phalen’s test, Tinel Sign and skin sensation testing among symptomatic respondents. Logistic regression was employed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the occurrence of self-reported wrist and hand symptoms and clinically confirmed CTS. Results The clinically confirmed CTS prevalence was 9.6%. The prevalence of wrist and hand symptoms were 22 and 15%, respectively. Frequently working in pain was associated with higher odds of CTS. Multivariate modelling adjusted for age and gender showed that prolonged computer use time and working without breaks were associated with presence of wrist/hand symptoms (adjusted ORs: 1.11 (95% CI 1.02–1.22) and 1.88 (95% CI 1.12–3.14)). Educational level was inversely associated with CTS and smoking was associated with wrist/hand complaints (adjusted OR: 2.20 (95% CI 1.19–4.07)). Conclusions The prevalence of work-related clinically confirmed CTS symptoms among young office workers in China is high. Frequently working in pain is closely associated with clinically confirmed CTS. Intense computer use and no breaks at work are associated with wrist and hand symptoms.


Author(s):  
Hasan Saeed Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  

Background: This study aims to investigate the mental health of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Due to travel and time constraints as well as the accessibility of patients, cases were included from East Jeddah Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital, and the Oncology Center in Jeddah. The data were collected using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed COVID-19 cases, personal data, medical history, smoking, traveling abroad, and work-related conditions. Additionally, data regarding contact level with COVID-19 cases were considered. The mental health statuses of the patients were assessed using a validated Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The study included 261 COVID-19 patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Results: The survey findings revealed that 13% of COVID-19 patients had a borderline level of anxiety, 26.8% were considered anxiety cases, while 60.2% were normal. The findings also revealed that 29.9% had a borderline level of depression, 18.4% were considered depression cases, while 51.7% were normal. Conclusions: This study concluded that COVID-19 patients experience anxiety and depression, and as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, the results of the study are particularly useful in developing a strategy to psychologically support COVID-19 patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Mehreen Zahid

BACKGROUND AND AIM Smartphones have become an essential tool now days that impact psychologically as well as physically to the user. This study rules out smartphone excess usage and its addiction amongst pupil from Colleges of Rehabilitation Sciences METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted on 260 medical students out of which 50 dropped out later. Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) was used to assess the level of smartphone addiction amongst these individuals. RESULTS The statistical value of mean is 1.48 for both the genders whereas the statistical value of mean for age ranging from 20-25 years is 21.7 and the standard deviation is 0.50 for gender and 1.38 for the included age group. Only 7 participants (3.3%) were found to have low smartphone addiction level, 108 participants (51.4%) to be moderately addicted and 95 participants (45.2%) to have higher addiction. CONCLUSION The excessive use of smartphone was significant among the individuals aged 22 years and more specifically the more males than the females were found to be more addicted by smartphone. Our findings may help in the development of policies and guidelines which should be followed by the students to improve their quality of life and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Olajide O. Fadare ◽  
Michael Andreski ◽  
Matthew J. Witry

Objectives: This study aimed to 1) determine the validity of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) for use in the assessment of burnout in a sample of pharmacists using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and 2) use the CBI items and other measures of work-life to assess burnout in pharmacists employed in various types of practice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to a sample of 2,582 pharmacists in a single Midwestern US state. The survey included the three subscales of the CBI, each of which measures personal, work-related, and patient-related dimensions of burnout. Other items included demographics, practice type, workload, and work-life balance. CFA was used to measure fit, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess reliability. Correlation was used to assess criterion validity of the CBI. Logistic regression and bivariate analyses were used to assess pharmacist burnout based on demographics. Results: Following the removal of 2 items from the measurement model, a 17-item 3-factor CBI was found to possess satisfactory psychometric properties for use in pharmacists. The CBI correlated with measures of work-life demonstrating criterion validity. A logistic regression showed that younger pharmacists and community pharmacists experience higher burnout than older pharmacists and clinical pharmacists. Community pharmacists also more often reported high workloads and poorer work-life integration. Both community and clinic pharmacists desired more time providing patient care services and less time dispensing. Conclusion: The CBI is a psychometrically reliable and valid instrument for assessing burnout in pharmacists. Younger pharmacists and community pharmacists warrant attention due to their higher degree of burnout.


2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Armaghan Dabbagh ◽  
Hoda Seens ◽  
James Fraser ◽  
Joy C. MacDermid

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Marvin Kanyike ◽  
Ronald Olum ◽  
Jonathan Kajjimu ◽  
Daniel Ojilong ◽  
Grabriel Madut Akech ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 is still a major global threat and vaccination remains the long-lasting solution. Unanimous uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is required to subsequently avert its spread. We therefore, assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Uganda. Methods This study employed an online descriptive cross-sectional survey among medical students across 10 medical schools in Uganda. A structured questionnaire as a Google form was sent to participants via WhatsApp. Data was extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and STATA 16. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results We surveyed 600 medical students, 377 (62.8%) were male. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptability were 30.7% and 37.3%, respectively. Factors associated with vaccine acceptability were being female (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.9, p = 0.001), being single (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.9, p = 0.022). Very high (aOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.7–6.9, p < 0.001) or moderate (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.1, p = 0.008) perceived risk of getting COVID-19 in the future, receiving any vaccine in the past 5 years (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.017), and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9, p = 0.036). Conclusions This study revealed low levels of acceptance towards the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students, low self-perceived risks of COVID-19, and many had relied on social media that provided them with negative information. This poses an evident risk on the battle towards COVID-19 in the future especially when these future health professions are expected to be influencing decisions of the general public towards the same.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Sohail ◽  
Zain Ul Abideen ◽  
Fatima Zahid ◽  
Wahid Bakhsh

Purpose:  To determine the awareness regarding contact lens related ocular complications among opticians of Lahore and to find out the relationship between the awareness and their educational qualification. Study Design:  Cross sectional survey. Place and duration of Study: University of Lahore from April 2020- December 2020. Methods:  This survey included opticians of different areas of Lahore, Pakistan. Two hundred and eleven opticians responded to a pre-tested, structured close ended questionnaire. Data comprised of demographics and contact lens selling experience. Information regarding awareness about contact lens related complications was also sought. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results:  A total of 211 opticians participated in the survey. All subjects were males. Fifty four (25.6%) subjects were from the age group of 15 to 30 years, 122 (57.8%) were from the age group of 31 to 45 and 35 (16.6%) were from the age group of 46 to 60 years. Only 4.7% had contact lens dispensing diploma. Thirty seven percent patients had contact lens selling experience of 2 to 10 years. Similar percentage had more than 10 years of experience. Ten percent had less than one year of experience. Only 54 participants out of 211 had knowledge about dry eye, 9 knew about Acanthamoeba keratitis and Bacterial keratitis and only 2 were aware of corneal opacity. Conclusion:  Majority of the opticians of Lahore are unaware of the contact lenses related complications. Sale of cosmetic lenses for fashion purpose should be discouraged and banned if not prescribed by optometrist/ ophthalmologist. Key Words:  Opticians, Contact lenses, Bacterial Keratitis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 728-737
Author(s):  
Marcie Berman ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Ryan J Watson ◽  
J L Andrepont ◽  
Seth Kalichman

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an emerging pandemic with heightened concerns for people with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Purpose In the absence of a vaccine, public health messaging to mitigate risks for COVID-19 primarily focuses on social distancing. Because people living with HIV commonly experience mistreatment associated with HIV, their response to social distancing may be complicated by psychosocial attitudes associated with COVID-19. Methods To evaluate these relationships, we conducted a rapid-response, cross-sectional survey with people living with HIV (N = 149) to assess social distancing practices, COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, COVID-19 xenophobic attitudes, HIV microaggressions, and concern over contracting COVID-19. Data were collected from participants enrolled in a larger ongoing study between March 30, 2020 and April 17, 2020. Results Results indicated that choosing to socially distance to reduce COVID-19 exposure was associated with COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, concerns of contracting COVID-19, and identifying as transgender. Likewise, social distancing imposed by others (e.g., cancelations and restrictions) was associated with concerns of contracting COVID-19. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that social distancing measures are related to concerns of contracting the virus and discriminatory attitudes toward those who are presumed to be living with COVID-19. These potentially negative psychosocial attitudes toward people perceived to have COVID-19 echo the discriminatory actions and attitudes that we continue to observe in HIV social sciences research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bronikowska ◽  
Michał Bronikowski ◽  
Agata Glapa ◽  
Bartosz Prabucki

SummaryStudy aim: the purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential of traditional games as a method of increasing the physical activity (PA) of women following mastectomy. A cross-sectional survey during the 20th ONCO Games was conducted and the sample included data from women divided into two groups: up to 50 years old (n = 26) and over 50 years old (n = 86).Material and methods: PA was assessed using a questionnaire, and the number of steps taking during 30-minute periods was measured using pedometers during each of the games. Exertion was evaluated using Borg’s Scale.Results: there was no difference in levels of coherence between the age groups. The group of younger women were statistically more active (M = 3.34 days/week) than the older group (M = 2.77 days/week). All the games were evaluated to be of light intensity, with ringo perceived as being statistically more fatiguing in the over 50 age group. The highest number of steps was performed during the game of ring-net-ball (M = 1903 steps/30 min) in both age groups, with older women performing statistically more steps. Similar situations were observed in the cases of pétanque and speedminton. In ringo, the situation was reversed. The lowest number of steps was recorded in pétanque in the younger age group (M = 296 steps/30 min).Conclusion: this study indicates that in the rehabilitation and recovery process after mastectomy, traditional games could be a bridging link between exercising and sports as they provide not just activity but also a unique and valuable social context.


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