Risk Factors for Neural-Tube Defects Detected in Utero: A Prospective Community-Based Study from Addis Ababa.

BACKGROUND: A recent community-based study from Addis Ababa identifying Neural Tube Defect (NTD) cases by ultrasound examination of pregnant women showed a higher prevalence of 17 per 1000 fetuses. The risk factors behind the high prevalence remain unclear. METHODS: Altogether 891 of the 958 women participated in the ultrasound examination. Thirteen with unaffected twin pregnancies were excluded. Among 878 singleton pregnancies, 15 NTD cases were identified. Serum Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels were measured in case-mothers and a sub-set of 28 noncase mothers. Because of the modest sample size, exact logistic regression analysis was used to estimate associations between risk factors and NTDs. RESULTS: Serum vitamin status was generally poor for participants in the study. Still, relatively higher values of folate or vitamin B12 in serum, appeared to be protective for NTD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61 per ng/ml, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 0.42-0.85 and OR = 0.67 per 100 pg/ml, 95% CI: 0.41-1.02, respectively). High serum homocysteine was associated with higher risk of NTD (OR = 1.3 per µmol/l, 95% CI: 1.02-1.8). Women aged 30 years or more had an OR of 3.5 (95% CI: 1.1-12) for having a NTD child, and families with NTD children had lower household income. Women in the NTD group also had more spontaneous abortions or stillbirths in previous pregnancies. Self-reported intake of folate did not appear to protect against NTDs. CONCLUSIONS: Within this high-prevalence community, poor vitamin status was identified as a risk factor for NTDs detected at ultrasound examination. Improving food security and fortification of foods or food ingredients could be alternative measures.

Surgical treatment outcome of children with neural-tube defect: A prospective cohort study in a high volume center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) is high thus many children are born with a neural tube defect in Addis Ababa, and surgical closure is a commonly performed procedure at the pediatric neurosurgical specialty center. Research question: The primary aim is to study the outcomes in children undergoing surgical closure of NTDs and to identify risk factors for readmission, complications and mortality. Material and methods: Single-center prospective study of all surgically treated NTDs from April 2019 to May 2020. Results: A total of 228 children, mean age 11 days (median 4) underwent surgery during the study period. There were no in-hospital deaths. Perioperatively 11 (4.8%) children developed wound complications, none of them needed surgery and there was no perioperative mortality. The one-year follow-up rate was 62.7% (143/228) and neurological status remained stable since discharge in all. The readmission and reoperation rates were 38 % and 8 % and risk factors for readmission were hydrocephalus (80%) and open defects (88%). Hydrocephalus (P = 0.05) and younger age (P = 0.02) were identified as risk factors for mortality. The wound-related complication rate was 55% at and was associated with large defects (P = 0.04) and delayed closure due to late hospital presentation (P = 0.01). Discussion and conclusion: The study reveals good perioperative surgical outcome and further need for systematic improvement in treatment and follow-up of NTD patients especially with hydrocephalus. We identified risk factors for wound-related complications, readmission and mortality.

Utilization of Norwegian crisis shelters before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The measures introduced to control the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and physical distancing, exerted considerable influence on society. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine (1) the prevalence of people seeking Norwegian crisis shelters for domestic violence during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) compared to the year before, (2) the demography and type of violence among first-time visitors and (3) to compare the utilization of the crisis shelters and characteristics of the users between shelters in the capital and the other shelters throughout Norway. DESIGN: Observational study. METHOD: The study was based on data from each crisis shelter in 2019 and 2020. Comparison between the 2 years were based on corresponding periods (12 March until 31 December) and analysed with t-test and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Total use of crises centres, residential stays and daytime visits were lower during the pandemic (n = 7102) compared to the pre-pandemic period (n = 11 814). There was a shift from daytime visits to phone contacts when the restrictions were established. There was a higher proportion of residential stays versus daytime visits during the pandemic (21.5%) compared to the pre-pandemic period (15.4%) (p ⩽ 0.001). The proportion of first-time users was higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period both for residents (52.4% vs 47.1%) and daytime visitors (10.9% vs 9.0%). Among first-time crisis shelter residents during the pandemic period, fewer reported having children at home compared to the pre-pandemic period. The background of the crisis-shelter users did not differ between the capital and rest of Norway, but the capital had relatively more residents with psychological violence and threats during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The utilization of Norwegian crisis shelters, especially daytime visits was lower during the pandemic. There was a shift in daytime contacts from visits to phone contact at the pandemic outbreak. To ensure that information about available crisis shelters reaches the total population, these shelters should be prepared for a higher volume of phone contacts in a future pandemic situation.

Prevalence of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Addis Ababa: a community-based study using prenatal ultrasound examination.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of NTDs at ultrasound examination in communities of Addis Ababa and secondarily to provide a description of the dysmorphology of the NTD cases. METHODS: We enrolled 958 pregnant women from 20 randomly selected health centers in Addis Ababa during the period from October 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Of these 958 women, 891 had an ultrasound examination after enrollment, with a special focus on NTDs. We estimated the prevalence of NTDs and compared it with previously reported hospital-based birth prevalence estimates from Addis Ababa. RESULTS: Among 891 women, 13 had twin pregnancies. We identified 15 NTD cases among 904 fetuses, corresponding to an ultrasound-based prevalence of 166 per 10,000 (95% CI: 100-274). There were no NTD cases among the 26 twins. Eleven had spina bifida (122 per 10,000, 95% CI: 67-219). Among the 11 fetuses with spina bifida, three had a cervical and one had a thoracolumbar defect while the anatomical site for 7 was not registered. Seven of the 11 spina bifida defects had skin covering, while two of the cervical lesions were uncovered. CONCLUSION: We report a high prevalence of NTDs among pregnancies in communities of Addis Ababa based on screening by ultrasound. The prevalence was higher than in previous hospital-based studies in Addis, and the prevalence of spina bifida was particularly high.

Esophageal and Head and Neck Cancer Patients Attending Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania from 2019 to 2021: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer in Africa is an emerging public health problem that needs urgent preventive measures, particularly in workplaces where exposure to carcinogens may occur. In Tanzania, the incidence rate of cancer and mortality rates due to cancers are increasing, with approximately 50,000 new cases each year. This is estimated to double by 2030. METHODS: Our hospital-based cross-sectional study describes the characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with head and neck or esophageal cancer from the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), Tanzania. We used an ORCI electronic system to extract secondary data for these patients. RESULTS: According to the cancer registration, there were 611 head and neck and 975 esophageal cancers recorded in 2019-2021. Two-thirds of these cancer patients were male. About 25% of the cancer patients used tobacco and alcohol, and over 50% were involved in agriculture. CONCLUSION: Descriptions of 1586 head and neck cancer patients and esophageal cancer patients enrolled in a cancer hospital in Tanzania are given. The information may be important for designing future studies of these cancers and may be of value in the development of cancer prevention measures.

Surgical treatment and outcome of chronic subdural hematoma: a comparative study between Ethiopia and Norway.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical conditions. Here, we studied differences in demographics, treatment, and outcome for CSDH patients in low-income (Ethiopia) and high-income (Norway) countries and assessed potential outcome determinants. METHODS: We included patients from Addis Ababa University Hospitals (AAUH) and Haukeland University Hospital (HUH) who had surgery for CSDH (2013-2017). Patients were included prospectively in Ethiopia and retrospectively in Norway. RESULTS: We enrolled 314 patients from AAUH and 284 patients from HUH, with a median age of 60 and 75 years, respectively. Trauma history was more common in AAUH (72%) than in HUH patients (64.1%). More patients at HUH (45.1%) used anticoagulants/antiplatelets than at AAUH (3.2%). Comorbidities were more frequent in HUH (77.5%) than in AAUH patients (30.3%). Burr hole craniostomy under local anesthesia and postoperative drainage was the standard treatment in both countries. Postoperative CT scanning was more common at HUH (99.3%) than at AAUH (5.2%). Reoperations were more frequent at HUH (10.9%) than at AAUH (6.1%), and in both countries, mostly due to hematoma recurrence. Medical complications were more common at HUH (6.7%) than at AAUH (1.3%). The 1-year mortality rate at HUH was 7% and at AAUH 3.5%. At the end of follow-up (> 3 years), the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) score was 8 in 82.9% of AAUH and 46.8% of HUH patients. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment was similar at AAUH and HUH. The poorer outcome in Norway could largely be explained by age, comorbidity, medication, and complication rates.

The association between shift work disorder and turnover intention among nurses.

BACKGROUND: Shift work disorder (SWD) is highly prevalent among shift-working nurses and has multiple negative health-related effects. There is a dearth of insight into career-related decisions made by nurses suffering from SWD, for instance in terms of their intention to quit work (turnover intention). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between SWD and turnover intention among nurses, and the individual and work-related correlates of turnover intention. METHOD: Data were derived from the ongoing longitudinal cohort study "SUrvey of Shift work, Sleep and Health (SUSSH)" among Norwegian nurses. An annual survey was initiated in 2008/2009 (N = 2965). The present study used data collected in year 2015 (wave 7) and 2016 (wave 8). Nurses were included if: 1) they were working as nurses in both 2015 and 2016, and 2) had completed a three-item scale adapted from the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire assessing turnover intention (in wave 8), and 3) did not only work day-shifts. SWD was measured in wave 7 with three questions based on the minimal criteria from the third edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Job demands, decision latitude, and social support at the workplace were measured with subscales of the Swedish Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. RESULTS: Eight Hundred eighty-nine nurses were included. The results from the hierarchical linear regression showed that SWD predicted turnover intention one year later, i.e. from 2015 to 2016 (F1,835 = 6.00, p < 0.05; ß = 0.084, p = 0.015). The findings remained significant when controlling for age, sex, organizational tenure, number of nights worked, shift work schedule and workplace social support, job demands and decision latitude. CONCLUSION: This study showed that SWD is associated with turnover intention, even when controlling for individual and work-related variables.

Poor Provision of Sanitary Facilities in Markets of Lusaka District Zambia.

Background: Although provision of sanitary facilities in workplaces is an important issue, very few studies have been undertaken in this regard. Objective: This study assessed the provision of sanitary facilities for market traders and their perceptions of the provided facilities in Lusaka district Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study of workplace observations in 12 randomly selected markets and interviews with 386 traders, conducted in Lusaka district. Findings: The study revealed that eleven of the twelve markets provided toilets, hand-washing and drying facilities, water, urinals, soap, and toilet paper. However, most of the markets did not comply with the Zambian laws in terms of the adequacy and privacy of facilities. One market did not have any of the listed facilities. Most traders perceived facilities to be unsatisfactory and used them only because of the lack of alternatives. Poor provision of sanitary facilities was observed at markets thus predisposing its workforce and trading population to multiple public health hazards. Conclusions: The findings of this study call for urgent investments in sanitary structures and surveillance systems to guarantee the safety of the population and to promote the health of market traders as well as the community at large.

Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health Among Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Tanzania and Ethiopia.

Introduction: In primary coffee factories the coffee beans are cleaned and sorted. Studies from the 80- and 90-ties indicated respiratory health effects among the workers, but these results may not represent the present status. Our aim was to review recent studies on dust exposure and respiratory health among coffee factory workers in Tanzania and Ethiopia, two major coffee producing countries in Africa. Methods: This study merged data from cross-sectional studies from 2010 to 2019 in 4 and 12 factories in Tanzania and Ethiopia, respectively. Personal samples of "total" dust and endotoxin were taken in the breathing zone. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using the American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire. Lung function was measured by a spirometer in accordance with ATS guidelines. Results: Dust exposure among male production workers was higher in Ethiopia (GM 12 mg/m3; range 1.1-81) than in Tanzania (2.5; 0.24-36). Exposure to endotoxins was high (3,500; 42-75,083) compared to the Dutch OEL of 90 EU/m3. The male workers had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than controls. The highest symptom prevalence and odds ratio were found for cough (48.4%; OR = 11.3), while for breathlessness and wheezing the odds ratios were 3.2 and 2.4, respectively. There was a significant difference between the male coffee workers and controls in the adjusted FEV1 (0.26 l/s) and FVC (0.21 l) and in the prevalence of airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) (6.3 vs. 0.9%). Among the male coffee workers, there was a significant association between cumulative dust exposure and the lung function variables FEV1 and FVC, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that coffee production workers are at risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function, and that the findings are related to high dust levels. Measures to reduce dust exposure should be targeted to factors identified as significant determinants of exposure.

Registered health problems and demographic profile of integrated textile factory workers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Textile and garment factories are growing in low and middle-income countries as worldwide demand for inexpensive clothing increases each year. These integrated textile and garment production factories are often built-in areas with few workplaces and environmental regulations, and employees can be regularly exposed to workplace hazards with little regulatory oversight. Consequently, workers' health may be significantly affected due to long term exposure to hazards. This study describes registered health problems and their association to work-related and personal factors among workers in integrated textile factories in Ethiopia. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed for this analysis. A one-year recording of worker's clinical diagnoses (between March 2016 and February 2017) was gathered from the factory clinics of three integrated textile factories. Clinical diagnosis data was obtained as factory workers visited the clinics if feeling unwell. Sociodemographic characteristics and work-related information were obtained from the factory's human resource departments. The sociodemographic and clinical diagnosis statuses of 7992 workers were analyzed. The association between the registered diagnoses and workplace factors (work in textile production, garment production and support process) and personal factors (age, sex and educational status) were studied using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The average employee age and years of service were 40 years and 11 years respectively. 60% of workers were females, comprising of 4778 women. 66% of all workers (5276) had 27,320 clinical diagnoses. In total, this caused 16,993 absent working days due to sick leave. Respiratory diseases (34%) and musculoskeletal disorders (29%) were the most prevalent diagnoses, while bodily injuries were the cause of most work absences. Work department, sex and educational status are variables that were most significantly associated with higher prevalence of disease groups. CONCLUSIONS: About two-thirds of the integrated textile factory workers were diagnosed with different types of disease. The textile and garment production department workers were affected at a greater rate than the support process workers, indicating that some diseases may be related to workplace exposure. Further study should investigate rare chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, renal diseases and diabetes.

Temporary Threshold Shifts among Iron and Steel Factory Workers in Tanzania: A Pre-Interventional Study.

Background: Workers in iron and steel factories in Tanzania are exposed to noise levels above recommended limit values, without using hearing protection devices. Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB(A) is associated with temporary threshold shifts (TTS) of human hearing. Nevertheless, there are few studies of noise and hearing from African countries. Objective: To determine whether the normal hearing workers in Tanzania experiences TTS after full-shift occupational noise exposure of 85 dB(A) and above. Methods: A total of 55 workers were included. Full-shift personal noise measurements were conducted. Pre- and post-shifts pure-tone audiometry were conducted for each worker. TTS was defined as a 10 dB or greater change at 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear. Results: We found that 85.5% of the workers developed TTS across the work shift. There was significant increase in mean hearing thresholds across shift at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz among the workers exposed to an average personal noise exposure (LAeq,8h) of 90.4 dB(A) (SD = 2.7). The difference in mean hearing thresholds was higher at 4000 Hz [Arithmetic Mean (AM) = 10 dB SD = 4 dB] compared to that of 1000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 3 dB), 2000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 4 dB), and 3000 Hz (AM = 9 dB SD = 6 dB), respectively. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce occupational personal noise exposure are warranted to reduce the high risk of developing a permanent threshold shift with persistent high noise exposure. An intervention study is planned for this group of workers.

Prospective Study of Surgery for Traumatic Brain Injury in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Surgical Procedures, Complications, and Postoperative Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of trauma-related mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia. There are significant resource limitations along the entire continuum of care, and little is known about the neurosurgical activity and patient outcomes. METHODS: All surgically treated TBI patients at the 4 teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were prospectively registered from October 2012 to December 2016. Data registration included surgical procedures, complications, reoperations, discharge outcomes, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1087 patients were included. The most common procedures were elevation of depressed skull fractures (49.5%) and craniotomies (47.9%). Epidural hematoma was the most frequent indication for a craniotomy (74.7%). Most (77.7%) patients were operated within 24 hours of admission. The median hospital stay for depressed skull fracture operations or craniotomies was 4 days. Decompressive craniectomy was only done in 10 patients. Postoperative complications were seen in 17% of patients, and only 3% were reoperated. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was the most common complication (7.9%). The overall mortality was 8.2%. Diagnosis, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, surgical procedure, and complications were significant predictors of discharge GCS score (P < 0.01). Age, admission GCS score, and length of hospital stay were significantly associated with mortality (P ≤ 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The injury panorama, surgical activity, and outcome are significantly influenced by patient selection due to deficits within both prehospital and hospital care. Still, the neurosurgical services benefit a large number of patients in the greater Addis region and are qualitatively comparable with reports from high-income countries.

Prospective Study of Surgery for Traumatic Brain Injury in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Trauma Causes, Injury Types, and Clinical Presentation.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a public health problem in Ethiopia. More knowledge about the epidemiology and neurosurgical management of TBI patients is needed to identify possible focus areas for quality improvement and preventive efforts. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study (2012-2016) was performed at the 4 teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All surgically treated TBI patients were included, and data on clinical presentation, injury types, and trauma causes were collected. RESULTS: We included 1087 patients (mean age 29 years; 8.7% females; 17.1% <18 years old). Only 15.5% of TBIs were classified as severe (Glasgow Coma Scale score 3-8). Depressed skull fracture (44.9%) and epidural hematoma (39%) were the most frequent injuries. Very few patients had polytrauma (3.1%). Assault was the most common injury mechanism (69.9%) followed by road traffic accidents (15.8%) and falls (8.1%). More than 80% of patients came from within 200 km of the hospitals, but the median time to admission was 24 hours. Most assault victims (80.4%) were injured >50 km from the hospitals, whereas 46% of road traffic accident victims came from the urban area. Delayed admission was associated with higher Glasgow Coma Scale scores and nonsevere TBI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The injury panorama, delayed admission, and small number of operations performed for severe TBI are linked to a substantial patient selection bias both before and after hospital admission. Our results also suggest that there should be a geographical framework for tailored guidelines, preventive efforts, and development of prehospital and hospital services.

The Association Between Shift Work and Immunological Biomarkers in Nurses.

Objectives: Shift work is associated with several negative health effects. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear, but low-grade inflammation has been suggested to play a role. This project aimed to determine whether levels of immunological biomarkers differ depending on work schedule, self-reported sleep duration, self-reported sleep quality, and presence of shift work disorder (study 1). Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether these biomarkers differ after a night of sleep vs. at the end of a night or a day shift (study 2). Methods: In study 1, 390 nurses provided blood samples after a night of sleep with the dried blood spot method. In study 2, a subset of 55 nurses also provided blood samples after a day shift and after a night shift. The following biomarkers were measured: interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, interleukin-13, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Multiple linear regressions with adjustment for age, sex and body mass index (study 1) and ANOVAs with repeated measures (study 2) were conducted. Results: In study 1, neither work schedule, number of night shifts, number of quick returns (<11 h between consecutive shifts), sleep duration, poor sleep quality, nor shift work disorder were systematically associated with most of these biomarkers. Compared with day only work, day-evening work was associated with higher levels of IL-1alpha and IL-13, quick returns were associated with higher levels of IL-1beta and MCP-1, short sleep duration (<6 h) was associated with lower levels of IL-1beta and higher levels of TNF-alpha, and long sleep duration (8+ h) was associated with higher levels of IL-13. In study 2, IL-1beta levels were higher (large effect size) both after a day shift (14% increase) and a night shift (75% increase) compared with levels after a night of sleep. Similarly, TNF-alpha levels were higher (moderate-large effect size) after a day shift (50% increase) compared to after a night of sleep. In contrast, MCP-1 levels were lower (large effect size) both after a day shift (22% decrease) and a night shift (12% decrease) compared with after a night of sleep. Conclusions: We found some indications that shift work influenced immunological biomarkers. The results should be interpreted with caution due to limitations, e.g., related to the sampling procedure and to low levels of biomarkers in the blood samples.

Reduced Cross-Shift Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms among Integrated Textile Factory Workers in Ethiopia.

Chronic respiratory symptoms and reduction in lung function has been described as a common health problem among textile workers in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to measure lung function and respiratory symptoms among workers from an integrated textile factory. A comparative cross-sectional study design with a cross-shift lung function measurement was performed in 306 cotton dust exposed workers from an integrated textile factory and 156 control workers from a water bottling factory. An integrated textile factory typically has four main production departments (spinning, weaving, finishing, and garment) that process raw cotton and manufacture clothes or fabrics. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by adopting the standard American Thoracic Society questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic and linear regression analysis were used. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among textile workers (54%) than in controls (28%). Chronic cough, chest tightness, and breathlessness were significantly higher among textile workers (23%, 33%, and 37%, respectively) than in the control group (5%, 17% and 6%, respectively). Breathlessness was the most prevalent chronic respiratory symptom with highest adjusted odds ratio 9.4 (95% CI 4.4-20.3). A significantly higher cross-shift lung function reduction was observed among textile workers (123 mL for FEV1 and 129 mL for FVC) compared with the control group (14 mL for FEV1 and 12 mL for FVC). Thus, workers' respiratory health protection programs should be strengthened in textile factories.

Accumulated Long-Term Exposure to Workplace Bullying Impairs Psychological Hardiness: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study among Nurses.

Personality has been hypothesized to act as antecedent as well as an outcome of workplace bullying. Still, investigations on the longitudinal relationship between bullying and personality are scarce. We investigated the relationship between accumulated exposure to bullying at work and subsequent changes in psychological hardiness. Additionally, we examined whether hardiness predicted subsequent exposure to bullying. The data were based on the Survey of Shiftwork, Sleep, and Health (SUSSH), a cohort study with annual surveys among Norwegian nurses. The participants who completed standardized instruments measuring exposure to bullying behavior at T1 (2008/09) to T4 (2012) and psychological hardiness at T1 (2008/09) and T5 (2012) were included (n = 938). The results showed that accumulated exposure to bullying (sum of exposure from T1-T4) was associated with reduced psychological hardiness at T5, adjusted for age, sex, and hardiness at baseline (ß = -0.16, t = -5.70, p < 0.001). Accumulated exposure to bullying behaviors explained 2.3% of the change in hardiness. Less hardy individuals experienced higher levels of subsequent exposure to bullying behaviors, adjusted for age, sex, and bullying at baseline (ß = -0.04, t = -2.21 p < 0.05). Long-term accumulated exposure to bullying behaviors seemed to be a stronger predictor for changes in hardiness as compared to hardiness in predicting exposure to bullying.

Personal inhalable dust and endotoxin exposure among workers in an integrated textile factory.

The aim of this study was to determine personal exposure to inhalable dust and endotoxin levels among workers in an integrated cotton-processing textile factory and exposure variability across the different work sections. Full shift measurements were carried out using inhalable conical samplers with 37 mm glass-fiber filters. Personal inhalable dust was determined gravimetrically, and endotoxin levels were analyzed by kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocytes Lysate assay. The geometric means of personal dust and endotoxin concentrations were 0.75 mg·m-3 and 831 EU·m-3, respectively. The highest dust and endotoxin concentrations were observed in carding section (1.34 mg·m-3 and 6,381 EU·m-3, respectively). Altogether, 11% of dust and 89% of endotoxin samples exceeded workplace exposure limits. This study showed a moderate correlation between inhalable dust and endotoxin (r = 0.450, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that low dust exposure does not guarantee a low exposure to endotoxin.

Pesticide Use and Serum Acetylcholinesterase Levels among Flower Farm Workers in Ethiopia-A Cross-Sectional Study.

The flower industry in East Africa has grown in recent years, especially in the production and export of roses. The aim of this study was to assess pesticide use on selected flower farms in Ethiopia. Serum cholinesterase levels in workers were used as a marker of pesticide exposure. This study was a cross-sectional study involving 588 workers from 15 different flower farms. It had a response rate of 95.5%. The participants included 277 males (mean age 26 years; 148 pesticide sprayers and 129 non-sprayers) and 311 females (mean age 25 years; 156 working in greenhouses and 155 working outside the greenhouses). The researchers undertook structured interviews, blood sampling, and walkthrough surveys. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression were used in the statistical analyses. A total of 154 different trade names of pesticides were found. Of them, 31 (27%) were classified as moderately hazardous by the WHO, and 9% were organophosphates. Serum levels of cholinesterase deviating from 50-140 Michel units were considered abnormal. Abnormal serum cholinesterase levels (above 140 Michel units) were found in 97 participants (16.5%, 95% confidence interval 13.7-19.7%). There were no differences between the four job groups regarding cholinesterase levels. The high prevalence of abnormal serum cholinesterase levels might indicate the presence of pesticide intoxication. Thus, there is a need for routine monitoring of all workers exposed to pesticides, not only sprayers.

Microbial contamination of coffee during postharvest on farm processing: A concern for the respiratory health of production workers.

Coffee workers respiratory health problems, found to be associated with dust exposure in the coffee factories, but the content of the dust is not well known. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the microbial contamination of coffee in dry and wet coffee process, from four farms in two regions of Ethiopia. A total of 36 samples of coffee were collected for laboratory investigation. The microbial load in the dry process ranged from 6.9 × 102 to 7.2 × 105 colony forming units (CFU)/mL while the microbial load in wet process ranged from 2.5 × 102 to 4.6 × 105 CFU/mL. The results indicate the presence of gram negative bacteria in dried and stored beans from both the wet and dry process. During further coffee processing possible release of endotoxin from coffee contaminated by gram negative bacteria might affect coffee workers respiratory health. Further studies are required to assess the relation between bacterial contamination of coffee and endotoxin level in coffee factories.

Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss: A study of knowledge, attitude and practice among Tanzanian iron and steel workers.

We assessed Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding occupational noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, audiometry and use of hearing protection devices among iron and steel factory workers exposed to high noise level. A modified, validated, structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 253 male workers randomly selected from the four factories. The sum scores for each domain of KAP were computed. Scores above 75% were defined as good knowledge and positive attitude. For practice, scores of >50% were defined as good. Independent samples t-test and Chi-squared test were used to analyze association between KAP and continuous/categorical variables respectively. Majority of workers displayed poor knowledge and poor practice (94%), but 76% displayed a positive attitude. Most of the workers (86%) had never been provided with hearing protection devices. The mean scores for attitude and practice differed significantly between the four factories (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Implementation of hearing conservation program with provision of hearing protection devices are suggested.