Occupational exposure to arsenic and leukopenia risk: Toxicological alert.

Arsenic and its inorganic compounds affect numerous organs and systemic functions, such as the nervous and hematopoietic systems, liver, kidneys, and skin. Despite a large number of studies on arsenic toxicity, rare reports have investigated the leukopenia incidence in workers exposed to arsenic. In workplaces, the main source of workers' exposure is the contaminated air by the inorganic arsenic in mines, arsenic or copper smelter industries, and chemical factories. Erythropoiesis inhibition is one of the arsenic effects and it is related to regulatory factor GATA-1. This factor is necessary for the normal differentiation of early erythroid progenitors. JAK-STAT is an important intracellular signal transduction pathway responsible for the mediating normal functions of several cytokines related to cell proliferation and hematopoietic systems development and regulation. Arsenic inactivates JAK-STAT by inhibiting JAK tyrosine kinase and using the IFNγ pathway. The intravascular hemolysis starts after the absorption phase when arsenic binds to the globin of hemoglobin in erythrocytes and is transported into the body, which increases the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups in hemoglobin. So, this article intends to highlight the potential leukopenia risk via inhalation for workers exposed to arsenic and suggests a possible mechanism for this leukopenia through the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibition.

Systematic review of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and appraisal of evidence, prior to the widespread introduction of vaccine programmes in the WHO European Region, January-December 2020.

OBJECTIVES: Systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies undertaken in the WHO European Region to measure pre-existing and cumulative seropositivity prior to the roll out of vaccination programmes. DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the preprint servers MedRxiv and BioRxiv in the WHO 'COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease' database using a predefined search strategy. Articles were supplemented with unpublished WHO-supported Unity-aligned seroprevalence studies and other studies reported directly to WHO Regional Office for Europe and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies published before the widespread implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programmes in January 2021 among the general population and blood donors, at national and regional levels. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: At least two independent researchers extracted the eligible studies; a third researcher resolved any disagreements. Study risk of bias was assessed using a quality scoring system based on sample size, sampling and testing methodologies. RESULTS: In total, 111 studies from 26 countries published or conducted between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 across the WHO European Region were included. A significant heterogeneity in implementation was noted across the studies, with a paucity of studies from the east of the Region. Sixty-four (58%) studies were assessed to be of medium to high risk of bias. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity prior to widespread community circulation was very low. National seroprevalence estimates after circulation started ranged from 0% to 51.3% (median 2.2% (IQR 0.7-5.2%); n=124), while subnational estimates ranged from 0% to 52% (median 5.8% (IQR 2.3%-12%); n=101), with the highest estimates in areas following widespread local transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The low levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in most populations prior to the start of vaccine programmes underlines the critical importance of targeted vaccination of priority groups at risk of severe disease, while maintaining reduced levels of transmission to minimise population morbidity and mortality.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers in Albania (COVE-AL): protocol for a prospective cohort study and cohort baseline data.

INTRODUCTION: Critical questions remain about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in real-world settings, particularly in middle-income countries. We describe a study protocol to evaluate COVID-19 VE in preventing laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers (HWs) in Albania, an upper-middle-income country. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this 12-month prospective cohort study, we enrolled HWs at three hospitals in Albania. HWs are vaccinated through the routine COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Participants completed a baseline survey about demographics, clinical comorbidities, and infection risk behaviours. Baseline serology samples were also collected and tested against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and respiratory swabs were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Participants complete weekly symptom questionnaires and symptomatic participants have a respiratory swab collected, which is tested for SARS-CoV-2. At 3, 6, 9 months and 12 months of the study, serology will be collected and tested for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and spike protein. VE will be estimated using a piecewise proportional hazards model (VE=1-HR). BASELINE DATA: From February to May 2021, 1504 HWs were enrolled. The median age was 44 (range: 22-71) and 78% were female. At enrolment, 72% of participants were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. 56% of participants were vaccinated with one dose, of whom 98% received their first shot within 4 days of enrolment. All HWs received the Pfizer BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol and procedures were reviewed and approved by the WHO Ethical Review Board, reference number CERC.0097A, and the Albanian Institute of Public Health Ethical Review Board, reference number 156. All participants have provided written informed consent to participate in this study. The primary results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal at the time of completion. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04811391.

Beyond building back better: imagining a future for human and planetary health.

COVID-19 is disrupting and transforming the world. We argue that transformations catalysed by this pandemic should be used to improve human and planetary health and wellbeing. This paradigm shift requires decision makers and policy makers to go beyond building back better, by nesting the economic domain of sustainable development within social and environmental domains. Drawing on the engage, assess, align, accelerate, and account (E4As) approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we explore the implications of this kind of radical transformative change, focusing particularly on the role of the health sector. We conclude that a recovery and transition from the COVID-19 pandemic that delivers the future humanity wants and needs requires more than a technical understanding of the transformation at hand. It also requires commitment and courage from leaders and policy makers to challenge dominant constructs and to work towards a truly thriving, equitable, and sustainable future to create a world where economic development is not an end goal itself, but a means to secure the health and wellbeing of people and the planet.

Absenteísmo-doença entre servidores públicos do setor saúde do Distrito Federal / Sickness absence among public workers in the healthcare sector of the Federal District, Brazil

Introdução: Descrever o perfil e os indicadores de absenteísmo-doença entre servidores de 18 unidades de saúde pública de uma Regional de Saúde do Distrito Federal (Brasília), Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal de todas as licenças médicas homologadas em 2014 superiores a três dias. Os indicadores de absenteísmo-doença foram calculados de acordo com sexo, estado civil, faixa etária, nível de escolaridade, categoria profissional, tempo de serviço, carga horária e lotação. Resultados: A população de 2.501 servidores apresentou 2.205 licenças médicas que resultaram em 40.755 dias de trabalho perdidos. Os indicadores demonstraram prevalência de absenteísmo-doença de 39%, índice de frequência de licenças de 88%, índice de gravidade de 16 dias, duração média do absenteísmo-doença de 42 dias e duração média das licenças de 18 dias. Mais de 85% dos dias perdidos foram atribuídos aos servidores com recorrência de licenças médicas. Transtornos mentais e comportamentais, além das doenças osteomusculares, representaram maiores causas de afastamento. Conclusão: O planejamento das ações em saúde do servidor exige o conhecimento das características dessa população, bem como do perfil de morbidade. Os resultados apresentados expressam a magnitude do absenteísmo- doença no setor saúde do serviço público e apontam para a necessidade de mudanças profundas na organização do processo de trabalho, com intervenções inovadoras nos espaços profissionais

Background: To describe the profile and indicators of sickness absence for civil servants allocated to the 18 public health units of a Federal District (Brasilia) Health Region, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study of all sick leaves longer than 3 days granted in 2014. Sickness absence indicators were calculated and analyzed per sex, marital status, age, educational level, professional category, length in the job, working hours and workplace. Results: The analyzed population (n=2,501) was granted 2,205 sick leaves in total, corresponding to 40,755 missed work days. The prevalence of sickness absence was 39%, the leave frequency index 88%, the severity index 16 days, the average sickness absence length 42 days, and the average length of leaves 18 days. More than 85% of the missed work days corresponded to workers with recurrence of sickness absence. Mental and behavioral disorders and musculoskeletal diseases were the main causes of sick leave. Conclusion: Planning health actions demands accurate knowledge of the characteristics and morbidity profile of this population of workers. The results of the present study express the magnitude of sickness absence in the public health sector, and point to the need for thorough change in the organization of the work process and innovative interventions in the workplace

Sickness absence among public workers in the healthcare sector of the Federal District, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: To describe the profile and indicators of sickness absence for civil servants allocated to the 18 public health units of a Federal District (Brasilia) Health Region, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of all sick leaves longer than 3 days granted in 2014. Sickness absence indicators were calculated and analyzed per sex, marital status, age, educational level, professional category, length in the job, working hours and workplace. RESULTS: The analyzed population (n=2,501) was granted 2,205 sick leaves in total, corresponding to 40,755 missed work days. The prevalence of sickness absence was 39%, the leave frequency index 88%, the severity index 16 days, the average sickness absence length 42 days, and the average length of leaves 18 days. More than 85% of the missed work days corresponded to workers with recurrence of sickness absence. Mental and behavioral disorders and musculoskeletal diseases were the main causes of sick leave. CONCLUSION: Planning health actions demands accurate knowledge of the characteristics and morbidity profile of this population of workers. The results of the present study express the magnitude of sickness absence in the public health sector, and point to the need for thorough change in the organization of the work process and innovative interventions in the workplace.

INTRODUÇÃO: Descrever o perfil e os indicadores de absenteísmo-doença entre servidores de 18 unidades de saúde pública de uma Regional de Saúde do Distrito Federal (Brasília), Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de todas as licenças médicas homologadas em 2014 superiores a três dias. Os indicadores de absenteísmo-doença foram calculados de acordo com sexo, estado civil, faixa etária, nível de escolaridade, categoria profissional, tempo de serviço, carga horária e lotação. RESULTADOS: A população de 2.501 servidores apresentou 2.205 licenças médicas que resultaram em 40.755 dias de trabalho perdidos. Os indicadores demonstraram prevalência de absenteísmo-doença de 39%, índice de frequência de licenças de 88%, índice de gravidade de 16 dias, duração média do absenteísmo-doença de 42 dias e duração média das licenças de 18 dias. Mais de 85% dos dias perdidos foram atribuídos aos servidores com recorrência de licenças médicas. Transtornos mentais e comportamentais, além das doenças osteomusculares, representaram maiores causas de afastamento. CONCLUSÃO: O planejamento das ações em saúde do servidor exige o conhecimento das características dessa população, bem como do perfil de morbidade. Os resultados apresentados expressam a magnitude do absenteísmo-doença no setor saúde do serviço público e apontam para a necessidade de mudanças profundas na organização do processo de trabalho, com intervenções inovadoras nos espaços profissionais.