Work profile and associated health hazards among nursing students at Mansoura University, Egypt

Nursing students are increasingly undertaking paid term-time employment to finance their living expenses and studies. The objectives of this study are to estimate its prevalence, factors associated, and possible health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted of nursing students using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and employment data, reasons for working, possible health hazards in the workplace, and perceived effects on academic performance. The prevalence of student paid employment was found to be 23.3%. Being male and belonging to a low social class were independently associated with the likelihood of working while studying. Financial support was the main reason for student employment. Workplace hazards included noise, temperature extremes and psychosocial stressors. Sleep disorders were the most frequent health effects followed by musculoskeletal complaints. Nursing students are at risk from many deleterious health effects which are not covered by occupational health and safety programmes

Les étudiants en soins infirmiers sont de plus en plus nombreux à avoir un activité rémunérée durant l'année universitaire dans le but de subvenir à leurs besoins et de financer leurs études. La présente étude a pour objectif d'estimer la prévalence de ce type d'activité, les facteurs et les risques sanitaires qui y sont associés. Une étude transversale a été conduite auprès d'étudiants en soins infirmiers à l'aide d'un questionnaire incluant des données socio-démographiques et sur l'emploi, les raisons de travailler, les risques sanitaires possibles sur le lieu de travail, et les conséquences perçues sur les performances universitaires. La prévalence des emplois étudiants rémunérés a été estimée à 23,3%. Le fait d'être de sexe masculin et l'appartenance à une classe sociale basse avaient une association indépendante avec la probabilité de travailler pendant les études. Un besoin de soutien financier était la raison principale de l'emploi étudiant. Les risques sur le lieu de travail incluaient le bruit, des températures extrêmes et des facteurs de stress psychologiques. Les conséquences sur la santé les plus fréquentes étaient des troubles du sommeil, suivis par des douleurs musculosquelettiques. Les étudiants en soins infirmiers sont exposés à des risques nocifs pour la santé qui ne sont pas pris en compte par les programmes de santé et de sécurité au travail

Demographics and the social reckoning in the Arab region

Demographic transitions in the Arab countries, due to declining birth rates and mortality rates since the 1980s, are reflected in a low proportion of children, a relatively stable proportion of elderly and a high proportion of people of working age. This [youth bulge] of young, active, working-age individuals in the current population may open a demographic window for countries to benefit from increased savings and investment This paper reviews the demographic situation in the Arab region and the impact of education, employment/ migration, health status and participation in society on the further development of the region, including the impact of these factors on ageing and gender issues. The intent is to draw attention to the importance of these demographic changes and highlight the need for action to maximize the potential benefit to the population in this region

Problems related to shiftwork for health care workers at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

A cross-sectional study of shiftwork-related problems was carried out among health care workers at hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran. Data on personal details, shift schedule and adverse effects of shiftwork were collected from 432 randomly selected subjects by questionnaire. Sleep, social and subjective problems were more prevalent in shiftworkers than day workers. Irregular shiftwork schedules caused more social and subjective problems, as well as work dissatisfaction. Voluntary selection of shiftworking produced fewer health problems