Evaluation of Sleep Quality, Work Stress and Related Factors in Hospital Office Workers.

BACKGROUND:  Occupational factors, working conditions, age, gender, exercise, acquired habits, and stress affect a person's sleep quality. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality, work stress, and related factors among office workers in a hospital. METHODS:  This cross-sectional study was conducted with office workers actively working in a hospital. A questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Swedish Workload-Control-Support Scale were used to assess the participants.    Results: The mean of PSQI score was 4.32±2.40 and 27.2% of the participants had poor sleep quality. In the multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, it was found that shift workers were 1.73 times (95% CI: 1.02-2.91) more likely to have poor sleep quality, and a one-unit increase in work stress score increased the risk of having poor sleep quality by 2.59 times (95% CI: 1.37-4.87). An increase in age was found to decrease the risk of poor sleep quality in workers (OR =0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98). CONCLUSION:  This study suggests that reducing workload and increasing work control as well as enhancing social support will be effective in preventing sleep disturbances. It is important, however, in terms of providing guidance for hospital employees in planning future measures to improve working conditions.

Prevalence and risk factors for self-reported symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome among hospital office workers: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives. We aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and associated risk factors among hospital office workers. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out between May and August 2021 with office workers actively working in a hospital in Izmir, Turkey. The Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire was used to evaluate the severity of self-reported CTS symptoms and their effect on the functional status of the participants. Results. The study included 151 people, 68.2% of whom were women. CTS symptoms were reported by 74.1% of the participants, the majority of whom (73.2%) were women. These reported symptoms were mild in 43%, moderate in 24.5%, severe in 5.3% and very severe in 1.3%. Significant differences were found between those with and without CTS symptoms regarding age, body mass index, previous diagnosis of CTS, daily work hours, using a wrist-supported mousepad and perceived workload (p < 0.05). Conclusion. CTS symptoms of office workers in the hospital were associated with occupational characteristics as well as individual factors. These risk factors should be taken into account while planning for future preventive and interventional measures in workplaces.

Does occupational ionizing radiation exposure in healthcare workers affect their hematological parameters?

Blood cells are used as the most sensitive marker to determine the effects and intensity of ionizing radiation. This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the effect of radiation exposure on hematological parameters in healthcare workers who were exposed to radiation in a university hospital between May and June 2021. A total of 339 participants were included, of which 169 (49.9%) were radiation workers and 170 (50.1%) were in the control group. A decrease was observed in white blood cell and neutrophil counts in those exposed to ionizing radiation for less than 10 years; however, white blood cell, neutrophil, hemoglobin levels decreased, and red cell distribution width (RDW) levels increased in those exposed to ionizing radiation for 10 years or more (p < 0.005). A statistically significant increase was observed in the RDW and lymphocyte levels as the years of work experience in the profession increase in the group exposed to IR. The findings indicate that the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on the hematopoietic system is related to the frequency and duration of the dose. Hematological parameters can be sensitive biomarkers of low-dose ionizing radiation; possible disturbances in the hematopoietic system can be recognized before the onset of symptoms, and necessary precautions can be taken promptly.

Dysbaric osteonecrosis in diving fisherman: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is defined as avascular bone necrosis, usually involving specific parts of the long bones, which is seen in divers or compressed-air workers due to exposure to pressure. We describe a case of DON in an artisanal diving fisherman working underwater for many years. Methods: A 48-year-old male case was admitted to the occupational disease outpatient with left shoulder and arm pain for 1-2 years. Since the age of 20, he has been artisanal diving fishing with a hookah at a depth of 20-25 meters in the sea. In 2011, he received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for widespread pain in the whole body due to decompression sickness (DCS). In the case's left shoulder joint x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, degenerative changes in the acromioclavicular joint and signal changes consistent with osteonecrosis starting from the subcortical area of the humeral head and extending to the proximal shaft of the humerus were observed. Conclusions: DON is among the most common long-term pathologies in professional divers. In Turkey, as in our case, not applying safe decompression procedures and unsafe diving practices are common among diving fishers. In studies, the frequency of exposure to pressure, duration and depth of dive, insufficient decompression, formation of DCS and increasing age were associated with DON. Today, DON remains an occupational hazard with significant medical and social consequences. Diving fishers should be informed about the sequelae of DCS and trained on the safety measures to be taken.

Low back pain and risk factors among Taxi drivers in Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers have an increased risk of low back pain due to both physical and occupational conditions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain and occupational risk factors among taxi drivers working in Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: This study was conducted with 447 taxi drivers at randomly selected taxi stands between April and September 2021. The questionnaire included demographic, individual, and work-related questions; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; and the Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS). RESULTS: The prevalence of low back pain in the last year was 49.7%. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the risk factors for low back pain included having a body mass index of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (OR= 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.76) or ≥30 kg/m2 (OR= 2.15, %95 CI 1.19-3.87), no physical activity (OR= 1.66, 95% CI 1.06-2.62), years of work >10 (OR= 3.23, 95% CI 1.89-5.53), no weekly rest period (OR= 3.11, 95% CI 1.42-6.81), having no lumbar support on the driver's seat (OR:1.67, 95% CI:1.05-2.66), or undecisive job satisfaction (OR= 2.07, 95% CI 1.17-3.66). Being undecided about job satisfaction (OR= 2.34, 95% CI 1.15-4.92) and not having physical activity (OR= 2.10 CI 1.08-4.08) were found to be risk factors for reduced BPFS scores. CONCLUSION: A strong correlation was found between the frequency of low back pain and the BPFS score and occupational factors. Early detection and management of low back pain are critical to avoid increased low back pain and related injuries among taxi drivers.

The prevalence of hypertension and influencing factors among the employees of a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a serious disease with increasing worldwide prevalence, leading to life-threatening complications. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a university hospital. The Occupational Health and Safety Unit data concerning the health examinations of employees were used to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a university hospital and to define the relationship between hypertension and sociodemographic and occupational parameters. Logistic regression analyses were performed for the variables having a significant association with high blood pressure. RESULTS: The data generated during the periodic examination of 3,480 (92%) of all employees (3,780) were analyzed. The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 13.5%, 13.9%, and 23.7% among physicians, non-physician healthcare personnel and officers respectively. The logistic regression model revealed a statistically significant correlation between hypertension and male gender, age and BMI. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension was highest among staff members. Special programs would facilitate the diagnosis, control, and prevention of high blood pressure among the high-risk groups, especially men, the elderly and the obese hospital employees.