抗病毒治疗HIV感染者神经认知损伤与认知表现特征研究

目的 联合应用两种神经认知评价量表,探讨接受抗病毒治疗（ART）的HIV感染者神经认知损伤患病率、影响因素及其神经认知表现特征。方法 纳入浙江省台州市开展的HIV与衰老相关疾病前瞻性队列研究中2 250例接受ART的HIV感染者。使用中国版简易智能精神状态检查量表（MMSE）和国际HIV相关性痴呆量表（IHDS）评价其神经认知损伤情况,并对2个量表中的7个神经认知域进行聚类分析。结果 在接受ART的HIV感染者2 250例中,年龄集中在45~89岁（48.0%,1 080/2 250）,男性占79.2%（1 782/2 250）,小学及以下文化程度者占37.8%（852/2 250）。MMSE和IHDS判断的神经认知损伤的患病率分别为14.3%（321/2 250）和31.8%（716/2 250）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV感染者MMSE判断的神经认知损伤危险因素包括60~89岁（aOR=2.63,95%CI：1.52~4.56）、抑郁症状（aOR=5.58,95%CI：4.20~7.40）和使用依非韦伦（EFV）治疗（aOR=2.86,95%CI：1.89~4.34）;男性（aOR=0.71,95%CI：0.51~1.00）、偏胖（aOR=0.63,95%CI：0.44~0.89）和文化程度较高（aOR=0.11,95%CI：0.05~0.25）为保护因素。IHDS判断的神经认知损伤危险因素包括60~89岁（aOR=3.10,95%CI：2.09~4.59）、抑郁症状（aOR=1.78,95%CI：1.44~2.20）和使用EFV治疗（aOR=1.79,95%CI：1.41~2.29）;男性（aOR=0.75,95%CI：0.58~0.97）、偏瘦（aOR=0.67,95%CI：0.47~0.96）、基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数≥350个/μl（aOR=0.69,95%CI：0.53~0.91）和文化程度较高（aOR=0.23,95%CI：0.14~0.39）是保护因素。HIV感染者的神经认知表现分为4种主要类型,在年龄、性别、文化程度、饮酒、抑郁症状、腰臀比、高血压病史、糖尿病病史、基线CD4计数和使用EFV治疗的差异有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。结论 接受ART的HIV感染者神经认知表现分为4种类型,神经认知损伤患病率较高,需对不同类型者采取针对性的监测、预防与控制措施。     

基于潜在剖面分析的男男性行为人群HIV感染者生存质量及相关因素研究

目的 探讨MSM HIV感染者(MSM感染者)生存质量情况的潜在分类,并分析不同类别的可能影响因素。方法 对2020年10-12月在山东省济南市某传染病医院接受抗病毒治疗的MSM感染者进行问卷调查。将感染者在6个领域的生存质量得分进行潜在剖面分析,并通过有序logistic回归分析探索潜在分类的相关因素。结果 研究对象MSM感染者共584人。潜在剖面分析将MSM感染者的生存质量划分为3类(得分较低组、得分中等组和得分较高组),分别占34.4%(201/584)、49.8%(291/584)和15.8%(92/584)。多因素有序logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄>40岁(aOR=1.77,95%CI:1.11~2.80)、月均收入 ≤ 3 000元(aOR=3.15,95%CI:1.72~5.76)、月均收入3 001~5 000元(aOR=2.26,95%CI:1.41~3.62)、到医院取药的距离>40 km(aOR=1.76,95%CI:1.07~2.89)和服用药物后出现不良反应(aOR=2.31,95%CI:1.65~3.23)是生存质量得分较低的相关因素。结论 MSM感染者的生存质量存在群体异质性,且处于较高水平。应重点关注年龄较大、经济收入较低、距诊疗服务点较远的MSM感染者。减少抗病毒治疗药物的不良反应,提高生存质量。     

杭州市城区不同特征人群对体力活动相关建成环境的主观感知评价

目的 了解杭州市城区不同特征人群的体力活动相关建成环境主观感知情况。方法 采用多阶段分层随机抽样方法在杭州市城区抽取25~59岁常住居民开展面对面问卷调查。社区步行环境量表简版(NEWS-A)用于评价居民对社区内住宅密度、场所设施多样性、公共服务可及性、街道连通性、步行道和自行车道适宜性、美观舒适度、交通安全、治安8个建成环境维度的主观感知。采用两水平logistic回归模型分析社会人口学特征和BMI等个体因素对居民建成环境主观感知的影响。结果 共纳入1 362例常住居民,性别、婚姻状况、是否有工作与建成环境主观感知各维度得分关联均无统计学意义。调整其他因素影响后,年龄45~59岁与街道连通性感知得分呈正相关(OR=2.02,95%CI:1.30~3.15)。大专及以上文化程度与人口密度感知得分存在正相关(OR=1.97,95%CI:1.29~3.00),与场所设施多样性感知得分呈负相关(OR=0.65,95%CI:0.43~0.97)。超重肥胖与步行道/自行车道(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.48~0.95)和社区治安得分(OR=0.75,95%CI:0.57~0.99)均呈负相关。相对于Ⅰ类区域,Ⅲ类区域居民对场所设施多样性(OR=0.11,95%CI:0.04~0.30)、公共服务可及性(OR=0.33,95%CI:0.11~0.95)、街道连通性(OR=0.30,95%CI:0.11~0.86)、交通安全(OR=0.39,95%CI:0.17~0.91)的主观感知得分更低。结论 杭州市城区居民对体力活动相关的建成环境主观感知与年龄、文化程度、BMI和居住区域存在相关性,开展人群体力活动的环境干预时需要考虑个体特征。     

南京市HIV感染者及艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗依从性及影响因素研究

目的 了解南京市接受抗病毒治疗(ART)的HIV感染者及艾滋病患者(HIV/AIDS)的ART依从性及其影响因素,为提高HIV/AIDS人群的ART依从性提供参考。方法 2014年5－6月在南京市第二医院接受免费高效抗反转录病毒治疗(HAART)的HIV/AIDS作为研究对象,收集一般人口学、ART情况及社会支持与歧视等信息,利用logistic回归分析HAART依从性的影响因素。结果 共调查HIV/AIDS 276例,以依从性支持评价中心的依从性指数为评价标准,调查发现总体依从性良好252例,占91.3%。经单因素及多因素分析显示,提醒服药(OR=0.13,95%CI:0.04~0.37)、年龄较大者(OR=0.52,95%CI:0.31~0.89)服药依从性较好;而存在ART副作用(OR=4.11,95%CI:1.35~12.56)、WHO分期较诊断时降低(OR=3.56,95%CI:1.37~9.21)和吸烟(OR=5.38,95%CI:2.00~14.45)是影响依从性的危险因素。结论 南京市HIV/AIDS人群ART依从性整体情况较好,为进一步巩固提高,对存在ART副作用、无提醒服药、吸烟、年龄较小、病情减轻的患者加强服药依从性教育。     

2015年我国35岁及以上高血压患者社区健康管理与高血压治疗控制情况分析

目的 了解2015年我国≥ 35岁高血压患者的社区健康管理及高血压治疗控制情况并探索其影响因素。方法 利用2015年中国成人慢性病与营养监测项目收集的问卷调查及体格测量等信息,以乡镇卫生院（社区卫生服务中心）或以上级别医疗卫生机构医生诊断为高血压的≥ 35岁的患者为研究对象,对样本进行复杂加权后,分析其一般特征、高血压社区健康管理情况及高血压治疗控制情况。结果 共纳入高血压患者23 974名,经复杂加权后,我国≥ 35岁高血压患者的社区健康管理率为54.10%（95%CI：51.02%~57.17%）,社区规范管理率为45.72%（95%CI：42.93%~48.51%）;高血压治疗率为88.16%（95%CI：87.00%~89.31%）,控制率为22.67%（95%CI：21.25%~24.09%）,治疗控制率为27.76%（95%CI：26.09%~29.42%）。多因素分析结果显示,城市和农村年龄≥ 65岁（OR=1.40,95%CI：1.05~1.87;OR=3.11,95%CI：2.22~4.36）、按医嘱服药（OR=2.15,95%CI：1.46~3.15;OR=1.35,95%CI：1.13~1.62）、进行血压监测（OR=2.34,95%CI：1.88~2.90;OR=3.10,95%CI：2.72~3.53）的高血压患者更愿意接受高血压社区健康管理;文化程度大专及以上（OR=0.51,95%CI：0.39~0.66）、适量饮酒（OR=0.69,95%CI：0.57~0.84）或过量饮酒（OR=0.73,95%CI：0.58~0.92）的城市高血压患者接受社区高血压管理的情况不佳。城市和农村超重（OR=0.74,95%CI：0.61~0.91;OR=0.83,95%CI：0.71~0.98）、肥胖（OR=0.54,95%CI：0.45~0.65;OR=0.67,95%CI：0.54~0.83）的高血压患者血压控制情况较差,按医嘱服药（OR=4.58,95%CI：3.16~6.63;OR=2.84,95%CI：2.18~3.69）的高血压患者的血压控制状况较好。地处中部（OR=0.74,95%CI：0.61~0.89）、过量饮酒（OR=0.72,95%CI：0.54~0.97）的城市高血压患者血压控制情况较差,合并其他慢性疾病（OR=1.22,95%CI：1.04~1.44）、参加高血压社区规范管理（OR=1.29,95%CI：1.06~1.58）的城市高血压患者血压控制情况较好;地处中、西部地区（OR=0.71,95%CI：0.58~0.87;OR=0.62,95%CI：0.47~0.80）、适量饮酒（OR=0.81,95%CI：0.67~0.98）、人均每日食盐摄入量>6 g （OR=0.80,95%CI：0.69~0.93）的农村高血压患者血压控制情况较差,进行血压监测（OR=1.38,95%CI：1.18~1.61）的农村高血压患者血压控制情况较好。结论 我国≥ 35岁高血压患者社区健康管理情况较之前有所改善,但是高血压控制情况距离相关政策指标还有一定差距。     

河南省2011-2015年艾滋病哨点吸毒人群HCV感染状况及影响因素分析

目的 分析河南省艾滋病哨点吸毒人群HCV感染情况及影响因素,为制定防治策略提供依据。方法 2011-2015年,在哨点监测期(4-6月)内以重复横断面调查的方法对河南省吸毒人群进行问卷调查和血清学检测,分析该人群HCV感染情况及影响因素。结果 2011-2015年,河南省吸毒人群HCV感染率从2011年的3.70%上升到2015年的6.54%(趋势χ²=25.93,P<0.01)。多因素分析结果显示:年龄较高(OR=1.23,95%CI:1.13~1.35,P=0.00)、外省户籍(OR=3.45,95%CI:2.59~4.60,P=0.00)、传统毒品和混合毒品使用者(OR=1.46,95%CI:1.10~1.93,P=0.01;OR=1.82,95%CI:1.18~2.81,P=0.01)、有注射毒品史(OR=2.88, 95%CI:2.45~3.39,P=0.00)、最近一年有商业性行为史(OR=1.44,95%CI:1.20~1.72,P=0.00)、来自强制戒毒所和美沙酮门诊的吸毒人员(OR=1.79,95%CI:1.28~2.50,P=0.00;OR=1.74, 95%CI:1.17~2.58,P=0.01)是感染HCV的危险因素。结论 河南省吸毒人群HCV抗体阳性率较高,且呈上升趋势,应加强对吸毒人群的监管,制定有效干预措施,控制HCV的传播。     

孕妇孕晚期心理健康现状及其影响因素的研究

目的 了解孕妇孕晚期焦虑、抑郁和孤独等心理健康现状,并探究其影响因素。方法 以中国孕产妇队列研究·协和项目中的575名孕妇为研究对象,在孕早期收集孕妇的一般人口学特征和妊娠信息,采用爱丁堡产后抑郁量表、焦虑自评量表和孤独感自评量表随访调查其孕晚期的心理健康状况,应用多因素非条件logistic回归分析孕妇心理健康的影响因素。结果 研究对象孕晚期抑郁的发生率为16.52%,焦虑的发生率为11.13%,孤独的发生率为26.26%。Logistic回归分析结果显示,与初中及以下文化程度孕妇相比,大专或本科（OR=0.418,95%CI：0.184~0.950）及硕士及以上（OR=0.116,95%CI：0.027~0.503）文化程度的孕妇,其出现孤独的可能性较低;家庭年收入（万元）较高的孕妇出现抑郁（≥20 vs. <10：OR=0.527,95%CI：0.279~0.998）、焦虑（10~20 vs. <10：OR=0.363,95%CI：0.180~0.731;≥20 vs.<10：OR=0.271,95%CI：0.132~0.554）及孤独（≥20 vs. <10：OR=0.477,95%CI：0.276~0.826）的可能性均较低。结论 孕妇的文化程度和家庭年收入对于孕晚期的心理健康状况有影响,医护人员应加强开展针对性的孕期心理指导,以改善孕妇孕期的心理健康情况。     

HIV阳性男男性行为人群多性伴高危性行为状况及其影响因素分析

目的 调查HIV阳性MSM多性伴高危性行为状况,分析其影响因素。方法 通过"滚雪球"方法,在成都、重庆和广州市招募年龄≥18岁、经男男性行为感染HIV者为研究对象,取得知情同意后进行电子问卷调查,调查内容包括社会人口学特征、最近6个月的性伴和性行为状况、焦虑和抑郁症状评定等。采用χ²检验、t检验和非条件logistic回归的方法分别进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 501名HIV阳性MSM平均年龄(30.24±7.70)岁,最近6个月多性伴高危性行为报告率为17.4%(87/501)。多因素分析结果显示,最近6个月多性伴高危性行为的危险因素:婚姻状况为在婚(OR=1.93,95%CI:0.77~4.84)、离异或丧偶(OR=3.94,95%CI:1.66~9.36),有焦虑症状(OR=2.22,95%CI:1.16~4.27),有男性固定性伴(OR=5.04,95%CI:1.08~23.54)、男性偶然/商业性伴(OR=2.54,95%CI:1.34~4.80),高危性行为时饮酒(OR=3.00,95%CI:1.37~6.62)、性行为时使用Rush主要成分为(烷基亚硝酸盐)(OR=3.53,95%CI:1.72~7.23),将自己的HIV感染状况对男性固定性伴部分告知(OR=1.84,95%CI:0.78~4.33)、均未告知(OR=2.68,95%CI:1.25~5.73)和性感觉评分高者(OR=1.09,95%CI:1.03~1.15)。结论 HIV阳性MSM的多性伴高危性行为加速HIV的流行,因此,在发展针对该人群心理行为特征的高危性行为干预方法的同时,亟需建立有效遏制HIV经性传播的医学或生物学措施。     

125例新生儿先天性甲状腺功能减低症围产因素分析

目的 探讨围产期相关因素与先天性甲状腺功能减低(甲减)症(CH)的关系。方法采用病例对照研究。选择2012年1月至2013年12月在福建省新生儿疾病筛查中心诊断为CH的新生儿125例为病例组,按1:3比例随机选择非CH的新生儿为对照组。采用单因素及二项分类logistic同归模型分析CH的围产期相关危险因素。结果 单因素分析显示,病例组中母亲妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠合并甲状腺疾病、高龄产妇的发生率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05);病例组新生儿在女性、早产儿、过期儿、低出生体重儿、巨大儿、双胎及多胎、伴发其他出生缺陷和感染的发生率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,高龄产妇(OR=2.518,95%CI:1.186~5.347)、妊娠期糖尿病(OR=1.904,95%CI:1.190~3.045)、妊娠合并甲减(OR=12.883,95%CI:2.055~80.751)或甲亢(OR=30.797,95%CI:3.309~286.594)、早产儿(OR=4.238,95%CI:1.269~14.155)、过期儿(OR=12.799,95%CI:1.257~130.327)、低出生体重儿(OR=3.505,95%CI:1.059~11.601)、巨大儿(OR=3.733,95%CI:1.415~9.851)、双胎及多胎(OR=5.493,95%CI:1.701~17.735)、伴发其他出生缺陷(OR=3.665,95%CI:1.604~8.371)和胎儿窘迫(OR=3.130,95%CI:1.317~7.440)为新生儿CH的高危因素(均P<0.05)。结论 新生儿CH与母亲孕龄、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠合并甲状腺疾病以及新生儿出生体重、胎龄、胎数、胎儿窘迫、伴发其他出生缺陷等有一定关系,应加强围孕期保健,减少高危因素,降低CH发病率。     

母亲MTHFR 677C/T多态性和孕期状况与子代发生先天性心脏病的相关性研究

目的 探讨母亲孕期MTHFR 677C/T多态性、孕期状况在子代先天性心脏病(CHD)发生中的相互关系。方法 采用病例对照研究,调查100对CHD胎儿和无CHD胎儿生物学母亲有关人口学、孕期环境相关情况、优生认知,并检测MTHFR 677C/T基因多态性以及血清同型半胱氨酸(HCY)、叶酸、VitB12水平,进行单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果 病例组和对照组MTHFR 677C/T基因型和等位基因频率差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.08,P=0.582;χ²=0.53,P=0.468),血清HCY水平两组差异有统计学意义(t=-8.14,P=0.000)。单因素分析,14个因素有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素logistic逐步回归分析,母亲教育程度(OR=3.386,95%CI:1.279~8.961)、家庭年收入(OR=8.699,95%CI:2.177~34.765)、患慢性病(OR=0.343,95%CI:0.134~0.881)、优生认知得分(OR=0.906,95%CI:0.836~0.981)、血清HCY水平(OR=1.734,95%CI:1.458~1.986)、异常生育史(OR=3.710,95%CI:1.217~11.308)等因素与子代CHD相关。结论 母亲MTHFR 677C/T多态性与子代CHD发生未发现关联;母亲教育程度低、家庭年收入低、异常生育史、优生认知得分低、血清HCY水平高可能增加子代CHD的发生危险。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

The occurrence of antimicrobial substances in toilet,sink and shower drainpipes of clinical units: A neglected source of antibiotic residues

Antibiotics represent one of the most important drug groups used in the management of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Due to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, assurance of the antibacterial effectiveness of these substances has moved into the focus of public health. The reduction in antibiotic residues in wastewater and the environment may play a decisive role in the development of increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. The present study examines the wastewater of 31 patient rooms of various German clinics for possible residues of antibiotics, as well as the wastewater of five private households as a reference.To the best of our knowledge, this study shows for the first time that in hospitals with high antibiotic consumption rates, residues of these drugs can be regularly detected in toilets, sink siphons and shower drains at concentrations ranging from 0.02?μg·L^?1 to a maximum of 79?mg·L^?1. After complete flushing of the wastewater siphons, antibiotics are no longer detectable, but after temporal stagnation, the concentration of the active substances in the water phases of respective siphons increases again, suggesting that antibiotics persist through the washing process in biofilms. This study demonstrates that clinical wastewater systems offer further possibilities for the optimization of antibiotic resistance surveillance.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Fatigue and health in a seafaring population

Background Occupational fatigue is relatively common withinthe general population and has been linked to reduced performance,injury and longer term ill-health. Despite growing acknowledgementof this problem in the maritime sector, little research hasbeen conducted into the risk factors, prevalence and consequencesof seafarers' fatigue. Aims To examine the prevalence of fatigue among seafarers, identifypotential risk factors and assess possible links with poor performanceand ill-health. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of seafarers workingin the offshore oil support, short-sea and deep-sea shippingindustries. A number of tools were used including the fatiguesubscale of the profile of fatigue-related symptoms, the CognitiveFailures Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire andthe SF36 General Health scale. Results In all, 1855 questionnaires were completed giving anoverall response rate of 20%. Fatigue symptoms were associatedwith a range of occupational and environmental factors, manyunique to seafaring. Reporting a greater number of risk factorswas associated with greater fatigue [e.g. OR = 2.53 (1.90–3.35)for those with three or four risk factors and OR = 9.54 (6.95–13.09)for those with five or more risk factors]. There was also astrong link between fatigue and poorer cognitive and healthoutcomes, with fatigue the most important of a number of riskfactors, accounting for 10–14% of the variance. Conclusions Seafarers' fatigue could impact on safety withinthe industry and may be linked to longer term individual ill-health.It can only be addressed by considering how multiple factorscombine to contribute to fatigue.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.