International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health
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Int J Occup Med Environ Health · May 2021
Evidencing the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance misuse on physical activity during the COVID‑19 lockdown: a prospective analysis among older adolescents.
The physical activity level (PAL) has significantly decreased as a result of the social distancing and lockdown related to the COVID‑19 pandemic, but there is a lack of knowledge on the correlates of PAL during the pandemic. The aim of this research was to examine the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance use and misuse (SUM) on PAL during the COVID‑19 pandemic. ⋯ This study confirmed the importance of sports participation in maintaining PAL during challenging situations, such as the COVID‑19 lockdown. The substance-specific influence of SUM on PAL before and during the lockdown points to evident social and cultural aspects of SUM behaviors in adolescents. Further studies evidencing the cumulative effects of PAL decline during the lockdown are warranted. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(2):151-63.
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Int J Occup Med Environ Health · May 2021
Multicenter StudySources of healthcare workers' COVID‑19 infections and related safety guidelines.
To evaluate the effectiveness of safety guidelines in the workplace, the authors analyzed the work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the source of COVID‑19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs), together with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). ⋯ A high infection rate was found among HCWs despite safety guidelines. Based on these findings, the authors recommend the use of FFP2/3 respirators in all patient contacts with confirmed or suspected COVID‑19, along with the use of universal masking, also in personnel rooms. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(2):239-49.
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Int J Occup Med Environ Health · May 2021
Short-term health effects of air quality changes during the COVID‑19 pandemic in the City of Novi Sad, the Republic of Serbia.
The objective of this research is to determine the change in outdoor air quality during the COVID‑19 related state of emergency resulting in a lockdown and the potential health benefits for the urban population. ⋯ Air pollution in the City of Novi Sad had a chance to be improved due to some preventive measures related to the infectious disease (the COVID‑19 related lockdown), which in turn was the mitigation measure to air pollution with positive public health effects. The confirmed positive effects of the improved air quality on public health could also include raising collective resistance to mass non-communicable and infectious diseases such as COVID‑19 and reducing economic costs. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(2):223-37.
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Int J Occup Med Environ Health · May 2021
ReviewA proposal of a cheap and simple method of medical personnel protection for endotracheal intubation of patients with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional risks to healthcare providers, especially those who perform aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) like endotracheal intubation. Endotracheal intubation is one of the procedures mostly generating aerosol and, therefore, requiring full protection of medical personnel against the infection. ⋯ Endotracheal intubation is one of the most common AGPs and adequate actions must be taken in order to protect medical personnel against the infection and to prevent the spreading of aerosol around the intubation area. The proposed barrier is easy to set with disposable materials and standard equipment available in every operating room. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(2):301-5.
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Int J Occup Med Environ Health · May 2021
Is it good to be resilient during the COVID‑19 period? The role of ego-resiliency in the intensity of symptoms of anxiety, alcohol use and aggression among Polish people.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected the development of negative phenomena such as anxiety symptoms, a tendency to use alcohol and aggressive behaviors. It is postulated to investigate the factors limiting the development of the indicated adverse effects. One of the psychological resources that may have a significant, pro-health character in relation to mental functioning is ego-resiliency (ER). It is described as a personality trait associated with a high ability to adequately regulate self-control, depending on the conditions. There are studies providing information about the prohealth, adaptive nature of ER during the COVID‑19 period. The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between ER and anxiety, the tendency to use alcohol and aggression in the group of Polish people in the initial lockdown period in Poland. ⋯ Ego-resiliency in the times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic can counteract the development of anxiety and aggression. Optimal regulation seems to play an important role in this relationship. The relationship between resiliency and the tendency to use alcohol requires further observation. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(2):289-300.