Perfil epidemiológico de la prevalencia de hipoacusia en un grupo de empleados que trabaja en el ambiente urbano, 2015

El propósito de este estudio es determinar la relación entre la exposición ocupacional y los niveles de audición en trabajadores urbanos en espacio abierto (aseo urbano en general). Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal con 491 personas que incluyen hombres y mujeres, cuyo ambiente laboral es el espacio abierto de la ciudad. Los datos se obtuvieron durante los exámenes médicos periódicos realizados en el año 2014 a los empleados de una empresa cuya actividad económica es el aseo urbano, que incluye recolección de basuras, cuidado forestal y de prados de uso común, y limpieza del borde de los andenes. Se realizó estadística descriptiva para las características demográficas y razón de disparidad u Odds Ratio (OR) para buscar la relación de antecedentes y hábitos personales con el riesgo de desarrollar pérdida auditiva. De las 491 personas expuestas a niveles altos de ruido ocupacional, 62% presentó pérdida auditiva, de los cuales la mayoría se desempeña como guadañadores y cortadores de césped, y son personas que llevan trabajando entre 1-5 años en la empresa. Se encontró un aumento estadísticamente significativo entre la baja escolaridad y el riesgo de sufrir hipoacusia (p=0.0001) y un efecto protector del uso de motocicleta y audífonos. La enfermedad vascular periférica, la práctica de tejo y la diabetes mostraron una fuerte tendencia a aumentar el riesgo. La pérdida auditiva encontrada en este grupo no se puede relacionar directamente con la exposición ocupacional a ruido, a pesar de ser trabajos que se llevan a cabo en el espacio urbano. Sin embargo, la baja escolaridad favorece la lesión auditiva y puede verse acelerada por enfermedades de alta prevalencia como diabetes y practicas recreacionales locales.

Desenlace intrahospitalario temprano del trauma ocupacional agudo, atendido “Entre Semana/Fin de Semana”, en una institución hospitalaria de III nivel, Bogotá, 2007 -2010

Resumen Objetivo. El desenlace temprano del trauma ocupacional agudo (TOA) puede estar condicionado al desarrollo industrial local en relación con el momento de la semana donde se presente el evento, por lo que evaluamos las diferencias en los desenlaces clínicos tempranos de trabajadores que presentaron TOA en diferentes momentos de la semana. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo utilizando una base de datos administrativa de trabajadores atendidos por TOA, entre enero/2007-diciembre/2010, en una institución hospitalaria de III nivel de Bogotá. Se comparó la distribución del TOA entre semana (ES) y en fin de semana (FdS) según variables sociodemográficas/clínicas y la mediana de estancia hospitalaria (EH), el riesgo de muerte o de un trauma específico. Resultados. Se incluyeron 65169 trabajadores, la mayoría hombres (78,4%), adultos jóvenes (83,7%), edad mediana 31 años, con razón de ingreso ES:FdS 3:1, predominantemente durante el día (81,3%). La EH mediana (horas) en FdS (0,48) fue mayor que ES (0,43) (p: 0,000) en general y al evaluar por las sub-categorías de sexo, grupo de edad, momento de ingreso, área de manejo y estado al alta. Se presentaron 35 muertes, con mayor riesgo (OR;IC95%) en el grupo 45-64 años (3,47;1,71-6,76), en los ingresados en la noche (3,27;1,64-6,40) o durante el FdS (4,57;1,25-18,4). Durante el FdS se identificó mayor riesgo de TOA con compromiso de Cabeza/Cuello, traumas múltiples y de causadas por vehículos en movimiento. Durante el FdS disminuyó la frecuencia de trabajadores atendidos por Ortopedia/Oftalmología/Cirugía General (p: < 0,05). Conclusión. Evidenciamos que los trabajadores ingresados por TOA durante el FdS presentaron mayor EH y riesgo de muerte; además se identificó una redistribución en el Servicio de atención en el FdS, con una baja frecuencia de atenciones prestadas por médicos especialistas.

Perfil dos acidentes de trabalho no Brasil, 2004-2007

Neste estudo sintetizam-se achados epidemiológicos de morbi- mortalidade decorrentes de acidentes de trabalho napopulação brasileira. O objetivo do estudo é descrever o perfil dos acidentes de trabalho no Brasil entre 2004 e 2007. Trata-se de um estudo descritivoexploratório utilizando como fonte de dados a estatística anual de acidentes do trabalho da Previdência Social. Foram notificados 465.700 mil acidentesem 2004 e 653.090 em 2007, mostrando uma tendência ascendente nos acidentes com trabalhadores formais no Brasil. Evidenciou-se que o estado de residência com maior acidentabilidade foi Santa Catarina com uma média de 577,3 acidentes para cada 100.000 trabalhadores. O aumento da participação feminina nos acidentes de trabalho se manteve estável comparado a pesquisas realizadas anteriormente. A maior parte dos acidentes, independente do sexo, ocorreu com trabalhadores entre 20 e 39 anos. Os acidentes típicos continuam superando os casos com 83,8% dos acidentes de trabalho no Brasil. Em relação aos setores de atividade econômica, a maior proporção de acidentes encontrou-se no setor de Serviços (50,1%), seguido do setor Transformação (36,4%). Os acidentes liquidados por incapacidade temporária perfez 32,8% e o número anual de morte por acidentes de trabalho foi de 2.800 trabalhadores. Esses dados chamam a atenção para a necessidade de divulgação permanente dessas informações, a fim de sensibilizar as organizações públicas e privadas envolvidas na área da saúde ocupacional.

A Importância da Avaliação e da Comunicação dos Riscos na Prevenção – Caso Prático: Máquinas para trabalho com madeiras

O setor das madeiras é um dos setores de atividade onde se verifica um considerável número de acidentes (mortais e não mortais), segundo dados do Gabinete de Estratégia e Planeamento (GEP). Na sua maioria, as empresas não possuem uma avaliação de riscos, apesar sua obrigação legal e ignoram a importância da mesma como fonte de informação para o planeamento da formação dos seus colaboradores. Para a elaboração deste artigo, foram selecionadas 16 máquinas utilizadas na indústria das madeiras e sobre as quais foram realizadas avaliações de riscos pelo método desenvolvido pelo INSHT – Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo a partir de um modelo concebido por Kinney. Com esta avaliação de riscos pretende-se estudar a variabilidade dos riscos por equipamento, bem como a sua gravidade através do Nível de Risco (NR). Com o intuito de estudar a importância da avaliação e da comunicação dos riscos na prevenção, foi realizado um questionário junto de 104 pessoas com formação relevante na área da segurança e higiene do trabalho (Técnicos Superiores de Segurança e Higiene do Trabalho e Técnicos de Segurança e Higiene do Trabalho) e experiência profissional. No estudo realizado constata-se que a variabilidade de riscos por equipamento não é significativa, mas permite concluir que a realização de avaliação de riscos é importante dentro das organizações, apesar de não ter sido possível determinar o impacto que esta tem na sinistralidade e no desenvolvimento de doenças profissionais.

O controlo de álcool e drogas e a sinistralidade laboral nos comboios de Portugal: tratamento dos dados

Embora o objectivo de redução de acidentes laborais seja frequentemente invocado para justificar uma aplicação preventiva de testes de álcool e drogas no trabalho, há poucas evidências estatisticamente relevantes do pressuposto nexo de causalidade e correlação negativa entre a sujeição aos testes e os posteriores acidentes. Os dados dos testes e dos acidentes ocorridos com os colaboradores de uma empresa transportadora portuguesa, durante anos recentes, são explorados, em busca de relações entre estas e outras variáveis biográficas. Os resultados preliminares obtidos sugerem que a sujeição a testes aleatórios no local de trabalho está associada a menos acidentes posteriores que os ocorridos na ausência desses testes, e que existe uma frequência óptima de testes acima da qual não se verifica redução de acidentes que justifique o investimento em aumento de testes. - Although the aim of reducing occupational accidents is frequently cited to justify preventive drug and alcohol testing at work, there is little statistically significant evidence of the assumed causality relationship and negative correlation between exposure to testing and subsequent accidents. Data mining of tests and accidents involving employees of a Portuguese transportation company, during recent years, searches for relations between these and other biographical variables. Preliminary results indicate that being subjected to random testing in the workplace is associated with fewer subsequent accidents that occur in the absence of such tests, and also that there is an optimum frequency of tests, above which there is no reduction of accidents to justify an increase of investment in testing.

Vulnerabilidade ao Stresse Profissional e Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho : Estudo empírico numa amostra de cuidadores/as formais de pessoas portadoras de deficiência Cláudia Marques Caçote Leiria

Portugal é dos países com maior índice de stresse da UE, sendo a profissão dos/as cuidadores/as de pessoas deficientes uma das que apresenta maior vulnerabilidade ao stresse profissional em deterioramento da Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho (QVT). Este trabalho visou analisar a relação entre vulnerabilidade ao stresse profissional e QVT nos/as cuidadores/as formais das IPSS de Ourém, com resposta na área da deficiência. A amostra foi composta por 225 colaboradores/as formais. Neste estudo aplicaram-se os instrumentos o inventários QVT de Rafael & Lima (2007) e 23 QVS de Vaz Serra (2000). Os resultados demonstraram que é inexistente a correlação entre QVT (frequência) e vulnerabilidade ao stresse e salientaram a importância do apoio social e familiar no trabalho para a promoção de QVT, sendo o stresse profissional dependente das variáveis habilitações literárias, categoria profissional e tempo de serviço.

Understanding the seriousness of corporate crime: Some lessons for the new 'corporate manslaughter' offence

The measurement of public attitudes towards the criminal law has become an important area of research in recent years because of the perceived desirability of ensuring that the legal system reflects broader societal values. In particular, studies into public perceptions of crime seriousness have attempted to measure the degree of concordance that exists between law and public opinion in the organization and enforcement of criminal offences. These understandings of perceived crime seriousness are particularly important in relation to high-profile issues where public confidence in the law is central to the legal agenda, such as the enforcement of work-related fatality cases. A need to respond to public concern over this issue was cited as a primary justification for the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. This article will suggest that, although literature looking at the perceived seriousness of corporate crime and, particularly, health and safety offences is limited in volume and generalist in scope, important lessons can be gleaned from existing literature, and pressing questions are raised that demand further empirical investigation.

Recovering potential: factors associated with success in engaging challenging students with alternative pre-16 provision

The study focuses on a group of young people for whom conventional school placements had broken down and were attending vocational courses at an FE college while still of compulsory school age. The students had been excluded by, or had failed to attend, their schools or had achieved at very low levels in the academic curriculum. Over half successfully completed the vocational course at college. Many factors conventionally regarded as predictors for poor educational outcomes were not associated with completion and non-completion. For example, students who had been excluded, who had statements of special educational needs and had been involved with the criminal justice system were as likely to complete their courses as other students. However, students who had very poor attendance records at school also tended to drop out of college. The results suggest that the increased flexibility, guidance and elements of work-related learning promised in current 14 - 19 developments may help meet the needs of this group of students.

The genotypic variation of the antioxidant potential of different tomato varieties

There is increasing interest in the ability of diets rich in polyphenols to modulate age-related diseases and promote healthy ageing. We have conducted a pilot experiment with eight tomato varieties to correlate the total antioxidant capacity of the tomato variants with the specific constituent flavonoids present. A strong correlation was observed with the flavonol rhamnoglucoside rutin but not with other flavonoids, such as naringenin chalcone, or hydroxycinnamates, such as chlorogenic, which are also present in the tomato. To test the rigor of this correlation a second study was undertaken with a further 37 tomato varieties selected for low, medium and high rutin levels. We show that the flavonol rutin contributes to the greatest extent to the antioxidant capacity of tomatoes and suggest that this flavonoid may be a useful target for up-regulation in tomatoes in order to improve their antioxidant status.

Endocannabinoid receptor antagonists: potential for obesity treatment

Obesity has been described as a global epidemic. Its increasing prevalence is matched by growing costs, not only to the health of the individual, but also to the medical services required to treat a range of obesity-related diseases. In most instances, obesity is a product of progressively less energetic lifestyles and the over-consumption of readily available, palatable, and highly caloric foods. Past decades have seen massive investment in the search for effective anti-obesity therapies, so far with limited success. An important part of the process of developing new pharmacologic treatments for obesity lies in improving our understanding of the psychologic and physiologic processes that govern appetite and bodyweight regulation. Recent discoveries concerning the endogenous cannabinoids are beginning to give greater insight into these processes. Current research indicates that endocannabinoids may be key to the appetitive and consummatory aspects of eating motivation, possibly mediating the craving for and enjoyment of the most desired, most fattening foods. Additionally, endocannabinoids appear to modulate central and peripheral processes associated with fat and glucose metabolism. Selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists have been shown to suppress the motivation to eat, and preferentially reduce the consumption of palatable, energy-dense foods. Additionally, these agents act to reduce adiposity through metabolic mechanisms that are independent of changes in food intake. Given the current state of evidence, we conclude that the endocannabinoids represent an exciting target for new anti-obesity therapies.

Young people with intellectual disabilities attending mainstream and segregated schooling: perceived stigma, social comparison and future aspirations

Mainstream schooling is a key policy in the promotion of social inclusion of young people with learning disabilities. Yet there is limited evidence about the school experience of young people about to leave mainstream as compared with segregated education, and how it impacts on their relative view of self and future aspirations. Sixty young people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in their final year of secondary school participated in this study. Twenty-eight individuals came from mainstream schools and 32 attended segregated school. They completed a series of self-report measures on perceptions of stigma, social comparison to a more disabled and non-disabled peer and the likelihood involved in attaining their future goals. The majority of participants from both groups reported experiencing stigmatized treatment in the local area where they lived. The mainstream group reported significant additional stigma at school. In terms of social comparisons, both groups compared themselves positively with a more disabled peer and with a non-disabled peer. While the mainstream pupils had more ambitious work-related aspirations, both groups felt it equally likely that they would attain their future goals. Although the participants from segregated schools came from significantly more deprived areas and had lower scores on tests of cognitive functioning, neither of these factors appeared to have an impact on their experience of stigma, social comparisons or future aspirations. Irrespective of schooling environment, the young people appeared to be able to cope with the threats to their identities and retained a sense of optimism about their future. Nevertheless, negative treatment reported by the children was a serious source of concern and there is a need for schools to promote the emotional well-being of pupils with intellectual disabilities.

Calories, obesity and health in OECD countries

Theoretical models suggest that decisions about diet, weight and health status are endogenous within a utility maximization framework. In this article, we model these behavioural relationships in a fixed-effect panel setting using a simultaneous equation system, with a view to determining whether economic variables can explain the trends in calorie consumption, obesity and health in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and the large differences among the countries. The empirical model shows that progress in medical treatment and health expenditure mitigates mortality from diet-related diseases, despite rising obesity rates. While the model accounts for endogeneity and serial correlation, results are affected by data limitations.

British pharmacy professionals’ beliefs and participation in continuing professional development: a review of the literature.

Objectives Continuing professional development (CPD) has potential to be useful in pharmacy revalidation but past uptake and attitudes to CPD in Great Britain (GB) need to be mapped. This review examines published literature to chart the participation and beliefs of pharmacy professionals towards CPD in GB in a decade that had seen a formal transition from continuing education to CPD. Methods A comprehensive review of the published literature was conducted to identify studies of the uptake of, or attitudes towards, CPD cross different sectors of pharmacy in GB from 2000 to 2010. Key findings Twenty-two studies were included and analysed, including 13 research papers, six conference papers, two news items reporting survey outcomes and one commissioned study. Eight barriers to CPD were identified as: time, financial costs and resource issues, understanding of CPD, facilitation and support for CPD, motivation and interest in CPD, attitudes towards compulsory CPD, system constraints, and technical problems. Pharmacy professionals on the whole agreed with the principle of engaging with CPD but there was little evidence to suggest widespread and wholehearted acceptance and uptake of CPD, essential for revalidation. Conclusions If CPD is to succeed, people's beliefs and attitudes must be addressed by recognising and modifying perceived barriers through a combination of regulatory, professional, work-related and personal channels. A number of recommendations are made. Direct experience of effective CPD in the absence of perceived barriers could impact on personal development, career development and patient benefit thus strengthening personal beliefs in the value of CPD in an iterative manner.

British pharmacy professionals' beliefs and participation in continuing professional development: a review of the literature

Objectives:  Continuing professional development (CPD) has potential to be useful in pharmacy revalidation but past uptake and attitudes to CPD in Great Britain (GB) need to be mapped. This review examines published literature to chart the participation and beliefs of pharmacy professionals towards CPD in GB in a decade that had seen a formal transition from continuing education to CPD. Methods:  A comprehensive review of the published literature was conducted to identify studies of the uptake of, or attitudes towards, CPD cross different sectors of pharmacy in GB from 2000 to 2010. Key findings:  Twenty-two studies were included and analysed, including 13 research papers, six conference papers, two news items reporting survey outcomes and one commissioned study. Eight barriers to CPD were identified as: time, financial costs and resource issues, understanding of CPD, facilitation and support for CPD, motivation and interest in CPD, attitudes towards compulsory CPD, system constraints, and technical problems. Pharmacy professionals on the whole agreed with the principle of engaging with CPD but there was little evidence to suggest widespread and wholehearted acceptance and uptake of CPD, essential for revalidation. Conclusions:  If CPD is to succeed, people's beliefs and attitudes must be addressed by recognising and modifying perceived barriers through a combination of regulatory, professional, work-related and personal channels. A number of recommendations are made. Direct experience of effective CPD in the absence of perceived barriers could impact on personal development, career development and patient benefit thus strengthening personal beliefs in the value of CPD in an iterative manner.

Creative participation in construction firms: bridging creativity and innovation

An intricate evolution of mainstream theories follows the growing need to explain employees’ commitment and engagement. Our understanding of these work-related phenomena and behaviour has improved but creativity and innovation as desired indicators are still often treated as coexisting constructs with very little attention given to a state of willingness of an individual to even consider contributing ideas. In this research we investigate the influence of knowledge and understanding, perceived radicality, personality dimensions, and favouring of ideas on employee willingness to creatively participate in order to trace its existence in propagation of ideas. A total of 76 construction and non-construction professionals participated in between-subject quasi-experiments. We also proposed IPO-based radicality of ideas construct from the viewpoint of employees involved in the processes of transformation. The research findings show that experts with deep understanding of the work are more likely to contribute highly radical ideas to decision-makers than less knowledgeable employees. Furthermore, personal factors that impact employee willingness to creatively participate have been valued higher than organisational factors. Personality dimensions by The BigFive Inventory have shown no effect on willingness to contribute ideas, while favouring of ideas showed a significant effect. In general, the findings show similarities with some studies of consumer willingness to participate in co-creation processes and thus indicate that firms may be studied as dynamic internal markets of ideas.