Does mindfulness reduce perceived stress in healthcare professionals?

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are exposed to multiple psychosocial risks that may lead to high levels of stress and low levels of life satisfaction and well-being. Mindfulness, defined as the awareness that arises by intentionally paying attention in the present moment and in a non-judgmental way, seems to be a moderator in the causal association between life stressors and well-being.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to test the model of relationships between self-reported mindfulness, perceived stress, well-being index and life satisfaction in a sample of Tunisian HCPs.

METHODS

We performed a correlational cross-sectional study on a sample of HCPs at Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Tunisia. We used validated self-reporting instruments: the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the World Health Organisation Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). For data analysis, the SPSS version 23 program was used.

RESULTS

Participants (n=297) included staff nurses (49.2%), medical technicians (19.2%) and doctors (31.6%). The overall model revealed that reduced perceived stress (β=-0.30, P<0.000) and high levels of well-being (β=0.13, P=0.03) were associated with mindfulness, explaining 14% of the variance. Individually, perceived stress significantly predicted mindfulness explaining 13% of the variance.

CONCLUSION

The study explores a variety of elements that can support the development of mindfulness interventions for stress prevention, staff well-being, and improvement of services as a whole.

Workaholism in engineers: Prevalence and associated factors

INTRODUCTION

Workaholism is an emerging form of behavioural addiction encountered in the workplace. The present study aims to assess the prevalence and the associated factors of this phenomenon in engineers.

METHODS

A cross sectional survey was conducted for two months by means of an online questionnaire of engineers practising in Tunisia. The evaluation of workaholism was based on the WART questionnaire (Work Addiction Risk Test).

RESULTS

A total of 107 engineers have answered the questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 29.2±4.4 years. Computer engineers represented 32.7% of our sample. Most of engineers worked more than 8hours per day (45.8%) and less than 6 days per week (63.6%). A high risk of workaholism was noted in 42.1% of cases. Statistical analysis showed that workaholism was not associated with socio-demographic characteristics. However, it was associated with smoking cigarettes, psychotropic drug consumption and poly-addiction and inversely associated with the presence of a leisure activity. With regard to occupational factors, workaholism was associated with agronomic engineering, working more than 8hours per day, working the whole week and a job satisfaction score under 5/10.

CONCLUSION

Workaholism interested a significant proportion of this sample, and several professional factors could increase the likelihood of adopting this behaviour. The intervention of occupational doctors seems important in order to raise awareness about this form of addiction and to identify its early signs among employees.

Work productivity loss due to musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoe and leather industry

Objectives. This study aimed to explore the work productivity loss (WPL) due to musculoskeletal symptoms (MS) and its explanatory psychosocial, ergonomic and personal factors in Tunisian shoe and leather industry workers. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 337 workers. We evaluated WPL using the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire. We used the Nordic questionnaire to assess the MS prevalence, the job content questionnaire of Karasek to examine the psychosocial work environment and the quick exposure check (QEC) tool to estimate the ergonomic exposure levels. Results. The mean WPL was 44.9 ± 33%. In the multiple linear regression model, WPL was positively correlated with a history of MS, professional seniority, a rhythm perceived as restrictive, low social support and decision latitude, the number of symptomatic sites and the QEC strain level of the back. Conclusion. There was a decline in work productivity due to MS that results from a combination of personal, psychosocial and biomechanical factors. Once addressed, both work productivity and workers' well-being should be restored.

Allergic contact dermatitis to isothiazolinones in a rubber factory: A case report

Isothiazolinones, used as preservative, are known to be skin sensitizers. Although cosmetics represent their main source, occupational exposure may be a significant origin of eczema. While allergic eczema related to these derivates have been reported in a number of professional sectors, their presence in the same workplace was not common.

Isothiazolinones are commonly known as skin sensitizers in both domestic and workplace areas. Rubber manufacturing should be considered as a possible occupational exposure to isothiazolinones. This consideration will facilitate further declaration and recognition of allergic dermatitis related to these substances in this specific workplace.

Occupational blood exposure among health care personnel and hospital trainees

Blood and body fluid Exposure is a major occupational safety problems for health care workers. Therefor We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study to identify the characteristics of blood exposure accidents in health care settings which lasted five years (2005-2009) at the two university hospitals of Sfax. We have 593 blood exposure accidents in health care settings 152 (25.6%) health personnel and 441 (74.4%) trainees' doctors, nurses and health technicians. The mechanism of blood and body fluid exposure was accidental needle-stick injury in 78.9% of health staff, and 81% of trainees, accidental cut in 14.7% of health workers and 10.2% of trainees. The increasing severity of blood exposure accidents is linked to the lack of safe behavior against this risk.

[Cancer of the penis in Tunisia. Apropos of 3 cases]

The authors report 3 cases of penile carcinoma seen over a 15 year period. They analyse features related to epidemiology, etiopathogeny, diagnosis and treatment, and review the literature on this affection.

Ring-shaped positive allergic patch test reactions to allergens in liquid vehicles

In recent years, we have observed several "ring-shaped" positive allergic patch test reactions to allergens dissolved in a liquid vehicle, a more intense response at the periphery of the site of application than in the central part. The occurrence of such reactions was evaluated for formaldehyde, Kathon CG, hydrocortisone and hexamidine diisethionate. Possible explanations for such reactions include pressure and/or a capillary effect.

The "edge effect" with patch test materials

A positive "edge effect", i.e., the accumulation on the skin of a chemical solution (such as fluorescein 0.01% in a 50/50 water-ethanol solution) at the periphery of the patch test sites has been demonstrated. It occurs with different test materials (Finn Chamber; Silver Patch Test; Patch Test Chamber). Practical implications are discussed: this observation could be important when discussing results of laboratory investigations. In clinical practice, it could explain the occurrence of "ring-shaped" positive allergic patch test reactions to chemicals used in solution, i.e., Kathon CG or hydrocortisone.