This study aimed to investigate the relationship between workplace noise exposure and sleep outcomes among high noise exposed small-scale industrial metal workers and a low noise exposed control group in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A cross-sectional design was employed, where 66 metal workers from small-scale metal industries in informal sectors (high noise exposed) and 22 cleaners from university teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (low noise exposed) were included. Noise levels were assed using personal noise dosimeters (Brüel and Kjær type 4448), while sleep parameters were measured using ActiWatch devices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The average 8-h noise exposure level (LAeq,8 h) among the high noise exposed workers was 97.9 ± 5.5 dBA, compared to 76.6 ± 3.3 dBA among the low noise exposed workers. Sleep efficiency averaged 80.4 ± 7.7
Long-term occupational exposure to cement dust is associated with respiratory disease, yet early subclinical impairment may not be detected using conventional spirometry. This study aimed to investigate small airway dysfunction (SAD) as an early marker of respiratory effects and its association with exercise capacity in asymptomatic cement workers. We studied 500 non-smoking, non-asthmatic, non-atopic cement industry workers aged 35 years or older, with at least 10 years of occupational exposure to cement dust. Participants underwent spirometry, static lung volume measurements, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Workers with evidence of SAD were compared to those with normal small airway function. Small airway dysfunction was identified in a subset of workers despite preserved spirometry. The SAD group exhibited a 19.4
To examine the independent cross-sectional associations of fatigue and total physical activity with musculoskeletal burden and to estimate indirect associations through fatigue for prior COVID-19 infection, sex, and educational attainment. Questionnaire data were obtained from 400 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years surveyed in Antalya, Türkiye, in 2021. Physical activity, musculoskeletal discomfort, and fatigue were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue. The Global Fatigue Index (GFI) was calculated for all participants. Regression models used heteroskedasticity-consistent (HC3) standard errors; robustness was examined with outcome transformation, winsorization, and influential-observation analysis. Indirect associations were estimated with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The regression sample comprised 388 participants; 54.1
To elucidate the mechanistic pathways linking occupational heat exposure to adverse cellular outcomes among smelter workers and to quantify its effects on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers and the transcriptional modulation of genes controlling DNA repair and redox homeostasis. This cross‑sectional study included 93 male workers from an aluminum production facility: 47 heat‑exposed employees and 46 administrative non-exposed personnel. Environmental monitoring was conducted using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. Medical and occupational histories were captured via a structured questionnaire. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8‑hydroxy‑2′‑deoxyguanosine (8‑OHdG), as well as the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were determined. Expression of human NADPH oxidase‑1 (hNOX1), microRNA‑34a (miR‑34a), 8‑oxoguanine DNA glycosylase‑1 (OGG1), and sirtuin‑3 (SIRT3) was evaluated by quantitative RT‑PCR. WBGT levels in maintenance, forging, and furnace areas exceeded recommended threshold limit values. Compared with the control group, heat‑exposed subjects exhibited significantly elevated concentrations of both MDA and 8‑OHdG. Conversely, antioxidant parameters, namely SOD, GPx, and TAC, demonstrated statistically significant declines (p < 0.001). Furthermore, molecular analysis indicated a notable increase in hNOX1 and miR‑34a gene expression, while OGG1 and SIRT3 were significantly downregulated in exposed workers (p < 0.001). MDA showed a strong positive correlation with 8‑OHdG (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.009), and employment duration, whereas SIRT3 showed a weak positive correlation with OGG1 (p = 0.05). Occupational heat exposure was associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, and altered expression of DNA repair and redox‑regulatory genes, indicating compromised cellular defense mechanisms among smelter workers.
Migrant workers may be vulnerable to occupational hand eczema because of their exposure to skin irritants at the workplace. However, Saudi-specific data is limited. We aimed to estimate the one-year prevalence of hand/wrist/forearm eczema and identify associated factors among migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2,123 migrant workers from seven occupations (auto repair, city and hospital cleaning, construction, food service, hairdressing, and poultry production). Trained multilingual interviewers administered a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health conditions. Hand/wrist/forearm eczema was assessed using the validated Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-Short Version. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95
