[Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region: etiologies and professional status]. / L'asthme professionnel dans la région du centre tunisien : étiologies et devenir professionnel.

OBJECTIVE: To study the etiologies of occupational asthma and determine its impact on the professional status of asthmatic subjects. METHODS: The authors carried out a descriptive study on all of the cases of asthma recognized as an occupational disease and declared in the private sector over nine years (2000-2008) in the Tunisian central region. RESULTS: Cases (219) of occupational asthma were listed, accounting for 16.8% of all of the occupational diseases recognized during the period studied. Occupational asthma concerned young adults (40±8.2 years), with a predominance of women (67.7%). The textile sector dominated (74.9%). The majority of the employees were exposed to high molecular weight allergens (82.3%) and cotton dust was the principal offending agent (75.3%). Involuntary unemployment was observed in about half of the cases (46.6%) and was associated with an age lower or equal to 35 years (p = 0.01) and under 15 years of professional seniority (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region prevails in the textile sector thereby justifying the reinforcement of preventive measures in this branch of industry.

[Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of hospital staff members towards smoking and anti-smoking regulations: results of a survey in F.-Hached University Teaching Hospital of Sousse (Tunisia)]. / Connaissances, attitudes et comportements du personnel hospitalier vis-à-vis du tabagisme et de la réglementation anti-tabac : résultats d'une enquête réalisée au CHU F.-Hached de Sousse (Tunisie).

BACKGROUND: Promoting a smoke-free hospital is a priority component for tobacco control strategies. The aim of our investigation was to study the attitudes and behaviors of the hospital staff of the F.-Hached UH of Sousse towards smoking, and to assess their knowledge about the harms of passive smoking and about tobacco regulations in the hospital. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. In January-February 2008, the questionnaire was submitted to hospital staff members selected at random from the care units at F.-Hached UH of Sousse, Tunisia. RESULTS: The response rate was 92.8% (452 participants). The average age of the population was 39.7±19 years; all professional categories were represented. The prevalence of active smoking among the staff interviewed was 19% (89.5% males). About 75% of the smokers stated they smoked on the work site and 8% in the presence of patients. The majority of the smokers wished to stop smoking. Discomfort from exposure to tobacco smoke was reported by 83.4% of respondents. The large majority of staff respondents (95%) knew that tobacco smoke is dangerous and 80% were aware of the existence of a law that prohibits smoking in the hospital. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking remains high among male hospital workers. In our hospital, the majority of the care staff favored promotion of a tobacco-free hospital. The success of this project will depend on education, implicating the entire hospital staff in the anti-smoking battle. Smoking staff members should be supported in their attempts to stop smoking.