The purpose of our study was to identify the main factors associated with objective noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), as indicated by abnormal audiometric testing, in Spanish workers exposed to occupational noise in the construction industry. We carried out a prospective study in Tenerife, Spain, using 150 employees exposed to occupational noise and 150 age-matched controls who were not working in noisy environments. The variables analyzed included sociodemographic data, noise-related factors, types of hearing protection, self-report hearing loss, and auditory-related symptoms (e.g., tinnitus, vertigo). Workers with pathological audiograms had significantly longer noise-exposure duration (16.2 ± 11.4 years) relative to those with normal audiograms (10.2 ± 7.0 years; t = 3.99, P < 0.001). The vast majority of those who never used hearing protection measures had audiometric abnormalities (94.1%). Additionally, workers using at least one of the protection devices (earplugs or earmuffs) had significantly more audiometric abnormalities than those using both protection measures simultaneously (Chi square = 16.07; P < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis indicates that the use of hearing protection measures [odds ratio (OR) = 12.30, confidence interval (CI) = 4.36-13.81, P < 0.001], and noise-exposure duration (OR = 1.35, CI = 1.08-1.99, P = 0.040) are significant predictors of NIHL. This regression model correctly predicted 78.2% of individuals with pathological audiograms. The combined use of hearing protection measures, in particular earplugs and earmuffs, associates with a lower rate of audiometric abnormalities in subjects with high occupational noise exposure. The use of hearing protection measures at work and noise-exposure duration are best predictive factors of NIHL. Auditory-related symptoms and self-report hearing loss do not represent good indicators of objective NIHL. Routine monitoring of noise levels and hearing status are of great importance as part of effective hearing conservation programs.
Background: The field of specific healthcare for transgender people has not been included in the official curriculum of professionals. This causes a lack of knowledge that can be presumed to become a barrier to healthcare. Currently, different methodologies are emerging to achieve meaningful learning for students and professionals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the increase in the level of knowledge of final-year nursing students, applying methodological strategies such as problem-based learning (PBL) and film-forum. Methods: 59 nursing students were randomly assigned to two intervention groups (G1 = 31 and G2 = 28), and another 57 were assigned to the control group (without specific classes or workshops on the subject of the study). The intervention consisted of a specific training course on transgender issues (TGSC&W, TransGender Specific Course and Workshop), where the type of meaningful learning strategy used depended on the group (G1 = film-forum and G2 = PBL). The study was carried out at the Faculty of Nursing Nuestra Señora de Candelaria of the Canary Islands Health Service. The randomization was done by blindly choosing a computer-generated code. Results: The main outcome was based on 116 participants, comparing their level of knowledge before and after the workshop. The comparison by pairs shows that there were statistically significant differences (p = 0.000) between those undergoing the methodological interventions and the control group. Statistical significance between film-forum and PBL was not obtained (p = 1.000): Both methodologies increased the level of knowledge, but there was no significant difference between them. The means for satisfaction with the learning methodology used did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The workshop carried out was highly effective and significant in terms of increasing knowledge. No significant differences were observed in the level of knowledge, or in the degree of satisfaction, between the two methodologies used (PBL and film-forum).
RESUMENFundamento: Valorar la calidad higiénico-sanitaria de las comidas servidas en comedores escolares con la finalidad de conocer si es adecuada o por el contrario su ingesta puede representar un grave problema de salud para este colectivo de alto riesgo. Métodos:Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo transversal. Se analizan 898 muestras de alimentos recogidos en comedores de 101 colegios de Tenerife, seleccionados por un muestreo probabilístico aleatorio estratificado, 58 con elaboración propia de los alimentos (gestión directa) y 43 con comidas servidas por un catering (elaboración contratada).Resultados: En ninguna de las muestras analizadas se aislaron los patógenos Salmonella spp. y Listeria monocytogenes . El 79% de los alimentos estudiados presentó recuentos para este parámetro, (91%) de ensaladas y (85%) de segundos platos. Para Enterobacteriaceae totales, el 15% de las muestras analizadas fueron positivas. Escherichia coli se aisló en el 24% de las ensaladas, el 4% de los complementos y el 1% de los segundos platos y Staphylococcus aureus se aisló en tres alimentos. Los recuentos más elevados se obtuvieron para los microorganismos aerobios mesófilos totales. Del total de muestras analizadas un 8,24% de las mismas superaron uno o más de los límites establecidos para los parámetros estudiados.Conclusiones: La calidad microbiológica de las comidas servidas en los comedores escolares es aceptable, si bien al existir un porcentaje de alimentos que superan los límites establecidos en microorganismos indicadores y testigos de falta de higiene y al ser los escolares un colectivo de alto riesgo, será necesaria la revisión de la vigilancia en los puntos de control crítico.Palabras clave: Alimentación escolar, Higiene alimentaria. Servicios de Salud escolar. Salud pública. ABSTRACT Microbiological Study of the Meals Served in School Lunchrooms on the Island of Tenerife, SpainBackground: School lunchrooms and catered meals are of major importance from the Public Health standpoint. This study is aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of the meals served in school lunchrooms for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is suitable or, to the contrary, the intake thereof may involve a serious health problem for this high-risk group.
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