Health impacts of exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) amongst a highly exposed workforce: survey of London casino workers

Background  

Casino workers are exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) at work, yet remain at risk of being excluded from smoke-free legislation around the world. If the prime motivation for smoke-free legislation is the protection of workers, then a workforce experiencing ill-health associated with SHS exposure should not be excluded from legislation. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory and sensory irritation symptoms among a sample of casino workers, to identify any association between the reporting of symptoms and exposure to SHS at work, and to compare the prevalence of symptoms with that in other workers exposed to SHS.     

中国五城市餐饮业顾客对被动吸烟的认知和态度

目的 了解中国城市餐饮业顾客对被动吸烟的认知、态度.方法 2007年7-10月采用方便抽样的方法,对北京、西安、武汉、昆明、贵阳5个城市405家不同类型餐馆/酒吧的2109名顾客进行问卷调查.结果 43.1%的顾客对烟草危害有较全面的认识;近60%的顾客表示不曾主动反对他人在面前吸烟,近三分之一的顾客曾因接触"二手烟"感到不适而选择中途离开;支持餐馆/酒吧全部禁烟的比例分别为30.0%和19.8%;二项logistic回归模型分析表明,北京市顾客、≥25岁年龄组、大专及以上学历和非吸烟者更倾向于支持餐馆/酒吧禁烟;而北京市顾客、女性、大专及以上学历和非吸烟者更愿意去有禁烟规定的餐馆/酒吧消费.结论 尽管5个城市餐饮业顾客对烟草烟雾的认知还有待提高,但餐馆/酒吧禁烟符合广大顾客的意愿,是公共场所控烟的趋势之一.     

临床医务人员手卫生现状调查

目的了解临床医务人员手卫生现状，分析不规范洗手的原因并提出改进措施。方法通过问卷调查和现场采样检测的方式对病房和门诊共计340名医务人员进行调查。结果医务人员洗手前手部带菌量平均值为（161．21±8．98）CFU／cm^2，洗手后为（15．87±6．96）CFU／cm^2，洗手后手部带菌量明显减少（t=5．32，P〈0．001）。病房医务人员在无菌操作前后、接触每位患者前后、非工作状态时的洗手率分别为59．46％、51．89％、97．84％，均高于门诊医务人员的43．87％、29．03％、84．52％（两两比较，分别X^2=8．22，P〈0．01；X^2=18．16，P〈0．005；X^2=18．08，P〈0．01）。护士在无菌操作前后、接触每位患者前后的洗手率分别为73．43％、49．76％，均明显高于医生的19．55％、28．57％（两两比较，分别X^2=14．98，P〈0．005；X^2=94．24，P〈0．005）。结论临床医务人员普遍存在不重视手卫生和不规范洗手问题，亟需加强培训教育，特别是对门诊的医务人员和住院部医生。     

Second-hand smoke exposure and household smoking bans in Chinese families: a qualitative study

As workplace smoking restrictions spread, smoking in the home is becoming the predominant source of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) among children and other non-smokers in the household. This study explored issues around children's exposure to SHS. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted among 31 Chinese households in urban Shanghai, China. All FGDs/IDIs were audio recorded and analysed thematically. The findings suggest that there are gaps in knowledge of the health consequences of smoking and SHS among the participants. Although there was a lack of knowledge about the health risk of exposure to SHS, most were willing to protect their child from the SHS exposure. In 16/31 households, families had partial home-smoking restrictions; there were no complete restrictions in any of the smokers' homes. Many families do not openly discuss smoking or smoking restrictions at home. Barriers to adopting a smoke-free home included the social acceptability of smoking (22/31), hosting social gatherings at home, which would involve smoking (12/31), authoritative attitudes of the husband or father-in-law (10/31), and difficulties with visitors who smoke (7/31). Most (28/31) participants stated they would accept a counselling intervention to reduce SHS exposure to children and suggested various measures to implement it. The findings from this intervention have implications for designing intervention strategies to reduce SHS exposure at home among children in China.     

The New York City Smoke-Free Air Act: second-hand smoke as a worker health and safety issue

BACKGROUND: Despite the provisions of a Smoke-Free Air Act (SFAA) enacted in 1995, more than 415,000 non-smoking New York City workers reported exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace all or most of the time in 2002. Continued exposure to second-hand smoke in New York City prompted a renewed debate about a broader smoke-free air law. METHODS: The approach taken by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to make the case for workplace protection from second-hand smoke, counter the opposition's arguments, and ultimately win the support of policymakers and the public for comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation is described. RESULTS: On December 30, 2002, New York City's Mayor signed the SFAA of 2002 into law, making virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. CONCLUSIONS: Proponents for a stronger law prevailed by defining greater protection from second-hand smoke as a matter of worker health and safety. Efforts to enact smoke-free workplace laws will inevitably encounter strong opposition, with the most common argument being that smoke-free measures will harm businesses. These challenges, however, can be effectively countered and public support for these measures is likely to increase over time by focusing the debate on worker protection from second-hand smoke exposure on the job.     

Occupational hand dermatitis web survey in a university hospital during COVID-19 pandemic: the SHIELD study

Background: Occupational hand dermatitis (OHD) is a skin disease occurring on employees’ hands in certain jobs. Little is known about prevalence, incidence and characteristics of this adverse skin reaction and its associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic. To evaluate both prevalence and incidence of OHD and associated risk factors in Italian clinicians. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report questionnaire. Results: Two hundred and thirty clinicians responded to the survey and 82% of responders did not report previous OHD history before the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily use of gloves was reported by 80% of responders. OHD prevalence was 18%, while incidence was 80%. We found a protective effect on symptom occurrence for vinyl/nitrile gloves if the time with gloves was ≥ 6 hours per day. Conclusions: This survey reveals a high OHD incidence in an Italian population of clinicians. Furthermore, wearing vinyl/nitrile gloves for at least 6 hours a day had a protective effect on symptom onset.     

应用全面质量管理提高医务人员卫生手消毒依从性

目的探讨如何有效提高临床医务人员的卫生手消毒依从性。方法应用全面质量管理（TQM）理论和方法（以2008年6月调查资料为基线信息,2009-2010年为干预措施实施、巩固阶段,2010年进行汇总）,针对造成医务人员卫生手消毒依从性差的主要原因采取一系列措施,通过循环改进,逐步提高医务人员卫生手消毒的依从率。结果2008年6月-2010年6月共进行专项调查3次,通过多项干预措施,医务人员卫生手消毒的依从率逐年上升,从最初2008年的35.23%(315/894)上升至2010年的53.11%(563/1 060),两者比较,差异有高度显著性（χ2＝62.65,P＜0.01）。结论应用TQM法能有效提高临床医务人员卫生手消毒的依从性。     

Attitudes towards influenza vaccination of multi-nationality health-care workers in Saudi Arabia

Background

The compliance with influenza vaccination among health-care workers (HCWs) is known to be low. A multi-nationality survey to explore the reasons for such poor compliance has not been studied in depth.

Materials and methods

An epidemiologic survey to evaluate the compliance rates with influenza vaccination and possible associated reasons for compliance.

Results

A total of 450 survey sheets were distributed and 244 (54.2%) were completed. Of the total respondents, 51 (20.9%) were Saudi, 114 (46.7%) were other Arabs, 21 (4%) were North American, 21 (8.6%) were from UK or South Africa and 48 (19.7%) did not indicate their nationalities. There were 32 (13.1%) physicians, and 132 (54.1%) nurses. The overall influenza vaccination rate was 41% in the preceding year and 69% in the preceding 5 years, and 49.2% (n = 110) of the latter group received one to three vaccines. Of the total respondents, 156 (63.9%) report that the influenza vaccine was important, 86 (35%) report that they were not at risk of influenza, 163 (66.8%) report that the influenza vaccine was not safe and 152 (62.3%) report that influenza was not a serious illness. In a multivariate analysis, the following factors were important in choosing vaccinations: being a male, other Arab nationality, and knowing that influenza vaccine is important (P ≤ 0.01). Feeling at risk of influenza, and not using any vaccine alternatives, and that the vaccine is important for self and the patient's protection, were statistically important factors as well (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Important factors associated with increasing influenza vaccine acceptance include being a male, other Arab nationality, and knowing that influenza vaccine is important. In addition, feeling at risk of influenza, and not using any vaccine alternatives, and that the vaccine is important for self and the patient's protection, were statistically important factors as well. Thus, efforts to increase the acceptance rates should take these factors in consideration.     

Occupational exposure to second hand smoke and respiratory and sensory symptoms: A cross-sectional survey of hospital workers in Egypt

Objective

Exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS) has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, upper and lower respiratory tract diseases and an increased risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The majority of cases of mortality and morbidity is attributable to exposure of adults to SHS and is related to cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. In Egypt, comprehensive smoke-free laws exist, however, in many workplaces they are poorly enforced consequently exposing workers to the detrimental health hazards of SHS. We aimed at determination of workplace exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS) and its association with respiratory and sensory irritation symptoms in hospital workers in Port-said governorate in Egypt.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional face to face survey was conducted by the use of a standardised questionnaire among 415 adult hospital workers; representing 50% of all employees (81% response rate); recruited from 4 randomly selected general hospitals in Port-said governorate in Egypt.

Results

All hospitals employees reported exposure to SHS — on average 1.5 (SD = 2.5) hours of exposure per day. After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to SHS at work was significantly associated with an increased risk of wheezes (OR = 1.14, p < 0.01), shortness of breath (OR = 1.17, p < 0.01), phlegm (OR = 1.23, p < 0.01), running and irritated nose (OR = 1.14, p < 0.01) as well as a sore, scratchy throat (OR = 1.23).

Conclusions

These findings point out that workplace exposure to SHS is evident in hospitals in Port-said governorate and that workers are adversely affected by exposure to it at work. This underlines the importance of rigorous enforcement of smoke-free policies to protect the workers’ health in Egypt.     

Attitudes towards disability amongst Pakistani and Bangladeshi parents of disabled children in the UK: considerations for service providers and the disability movement

It has sometimes been assumed that religiously based explanations for and attitudes to having a disabled child have led to the low uptake of health and social services by ethnic minority families in the UK. A series of semi-structured interviews were held between 1999 and 2001 with 19 Pakistani and Bangladeshi families with a disabled child as part of an evaluation of an advocacy service. The families' understandings of the causes of their child's impairment, whether they felt shame and experienced stigma, and whether these factors influenced service uptake and their expectations of their child's future are reported. While religious beliefs did inform the ways in which some families conceptualised their experience, the families' attitudes were complex and varied. There was little evidence that religious beliefs and associated attitudes rather than institutional racism had resulted in the low levels of service provision which the families experienced prior to the advocacy service. There was also no evidence that the families' attitudes had been informed by the disability movement. The implications for service providers and the movement are considered.     

Attitudes towards vaccination against seasonal influenza of health-care workers in primary health-care settings in Greece

Vaccination of health-care workers (HCWs) against seasonal influenza has been consistently recommended worldwide in order to prevent nosocomial transmission and ensure delivery of health-care services during outbreaks. We describe the effects of a nationwide campaign to promote influenza vaccination among HCWs working in primary health-care centers in Greece. During 2008–2009 the mean vaccination rate among HCWs in primary health-care centers was 22.8% (range: 0–100%), with a considerable variability among Health Districts (range: 12.66–54.68%). Logistic regression showed that history of previous influenza vaccination, influenza vaccination the previous season, being a physician and a larger number of employees were associated with increased vaccination rates. Main reason for vaccination was self-protection (75.90%), while main reasons for refusing vaccination were belief that they are not at risk for contracting influenza (44.5%), doubts about vaccine effectiveness (20.79%), and fear of vaccine adverse effects (20.33%).     

Achieving optimal influenza vaccination rates: a survey-based study of healthcare workers in an urban hospital

In the USA, more than 36 000 deaths and 114 000 hospitalisations result from the influenza virus annually. Healthcare workers have been identified as a key source of influenza outbreaks. Despite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to vaccinate all healthcare workers, the rate remains low. A survey-based investigation of influenza vaccination rates and related factors was carried out in an urban community teaching medical centre. A total of 570 surveys revealed a 56.5% influenza vaccination rate among participants. Participants who received the vaccine had a significantly higher mean influenza knowledge score compared to those who did not receive the vaccine (P=0.003). Also, a relationship was identified between those who received the vaccine and the perception that the purpose of the vaccine is to prevent patients from being exposed to influenza (P=0.001). Lastly, hospital departments in which managers actively encouraged and facilitated vaccination had higher rates in general.     

Estimation of the diesel exhaust exposures of railroad workers: I. Current exposures

As a part of a series of epidemiological studies of railroad workers, measurements were made to characterize workers' exposures to diesel exhaust. Since diesel exhaust is not a single compound, an exposure marker was sought. The personal exposures to respirable particulate matter (RPM) of over 530 workers in 39 common jobs were measured in four U.S. railroads over a three-year period. Significant amounts of cigarette smoke (20–90%) were found in many of these samples. Therefore, the respirable particulate concentration, adjusted to remove the fraction of cigarette smoke (ARP), was chosen as a marker of diesel exhaust exposures. The geometric mean exposures to ARP ranged from 17 μg/m³ for clerks to 134 μg/m³ for locomotive shop workers. Significant interrailroad variations were observed in some job groups indicating that the different facilities, equipment, and work practices found among the railroads can affect a worker's exposure to diesel exhaust. Climate was also found to have a significant effect on exposure in some job groups.     

口腔专科医院医务人员手卫生依从性干预效果

目的提高口腔专科医院医务人员的手卫生依从性,有效降低医院感染率。方法依照世界卫生组织推荐的《手卫生指南》及《手卫生实施方案》,制订系统、循序渐进的口腔专科医院手卫生促进方案,分5个步骤进行:全院戒备、基线调查、实施改进、跟踪调查和回顾分析。对比手卫生促进活动前后医务人员的手卫生依从性。结果通过手卫生促进活动,医务人员手卫生知识问卷调查平均得分由之前的58.33分提高至77.40分,提升了32.69%;平均手卫生依从率由24.28%(59/243)上升至49.81%(133/267),差异有统计学意义(χ2=35.331,P=0.000);5个手卫生时刻的手卫生状况也有较大改善。结论手卫生促进活动对口腔专科医院医务人员的手卫生依从性有显著影响。     

Surgical hand disinfection with a propanol-based hand rub: equivalence of shorter application times

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a propanol-based hand rub at application times shorter than 3 min. The bacterial pre-value was obtained from the finger tips (prEN 12791). Subjects treated their hands with the reference procedure (n-propanol, 60%) for 3 min or the product (crossover design). Sterillium was applied for 3, 2, 1.5 and 1 min. Four other preparations were tested for 1 min. Post-values (immediate effect) were taken from one hand, and the other hand was gloved for 3h. After the gloves were removed, the second post-value was taken (sustained effect). Sterillium was more effective than the reference procedure at 3, 2 and 1.5 min (immediate and sustained effect). The immediate effect after 1 min was significantly lower [mean log(10) reduction factor (RF): 1.91+/-0.90 vs. 2.52+/-0.95; P=0.001], whereas the sustained effect was not (mean RF: 1.81+/-1.06 vs. 2.05+/-1.14; P=0.204). All other preparations failed the efficacy requirement at 1 min for both the immediate and sustained effect. Using 2 x 3 mL Sterillium for a total of 1.5 min for surgical hand disinfection was at least as effective as the 3-min reference disinfection.     

重症监护室医务人员手卫生干预效果研究 FREE

目的了解重症监护室（ICU）医务人员手卫生干预效果及其影响因素,探讨切实可行的手卫生干预方法,以提高医务人员手卫生执行率。方法2008年为第1阶段,对综合ICU、神经外科ICU、新生儿ICU均实行教育干预和产品干预;2009年为第2阶段,在上述基础干预之上开展个性化的干预措施。采用自行设计的调查表并结合现场观察手卫生过程的方法,调查上述ICU医务人员手部卫生执行情况,分析干预前后手卫生的执行率变化。结果在干预前,ICU医务人员的手卫生执行率为25.06%,经过教育干预、产品干预后,手卫生执行率上升至41.52%,其中医务人员在不同工作状态下的手卫生执行率以医疗护理操作之间提高最明显,由干预前的10.11%上升至28.33%（P=0.01）。干预后,3个ICU医务人员手卫生执行率均有所提高,且3种不同教育干预之间差异存在高度显著性（P=0.01）。结论提供产品干预、基础及个性化教育干预对ICU医务人员手卫生依从性有一定的促进作用。     

综合重症监护病房医护人员手卫生干预效果分析

目的对某院重症监护病房(ICU)医护人员手卫生进行干预,评估医护人员手卫生依从性及其影响因素。方法选取某三级甲等教学医院ICU37名医护人员作为调查对象,采用直接与间接法对其干预前后的手卫生情况进行观察、分析。结果手卫生监测第一阶段中,基线调查期手卫生依从率(46.96%)和干预后观察期(63.30%)比较,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=7.344,P=0.007);手卫生监测第二阶段中ICU手卫生依从率从57.85%上升至88.58%。手卫生依从率与平均每床日手卫生用品消耗量呈正相关(r=0.725,P0.001),与医院感染发病率、例次发病率均呈负相关关系(r值分别为-0.983、-0.990,均P0.001),使用含乙醇免洗手消毒剂手卫生依从率与平均每床日手卫生用品消耗量呈正相关(r=0.391,P0.001)。结论手卫生依从性监测和干预需要长期连续性进行,直接观察法与间接手卫生产品消耗评估法相结合,可以对医护人员手卫生依从性进行有效的监测和干预。     

The health effects of smoking bans: Evidence from German hospitalization data

This paper studies the short‐term impact of public smoking bans on hospitalizations in Germany. It exploits the staggered implementation of smoking bans over time and across the 16 federal states along with the universe of hospitalizations from 2000 to 2008 and daily county‐level weather and pollution data. Smoking bans in bars and restaurants have been effective in preventing 1.9 hospital admissions (?2.1%) due to cardiovascular diseases per day, per 1 million population. We also find a decrease by 0.5 admissions (?6.5%) due to asthma per day, per 1 million population. The health prevention effects are more pronounced on sunny days and days with higher ambient pollution levels.