Use of population-based data to assess risk factor profiles of blue and white collar workers
Article Abstract:
A recent trend is to make the workplace the starting point to prevent chronic disease. Health promotion activities contribute to employee morale (and therefore retention), improved productivity, health cost reduction and decreased absenteeism. These efforts may be reaching only a portion of the work force, namely those who already have better health profiles. A long- held assumption that lifestyle changes and improvement would alter the risk patterns for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has triggered new efforts in health education and promotion. Other reports have indicated that blue collar workers have greater risks than white collar workers. (The term blue collar and white collar worker are used as defined in the Standard Occupational Classification Manual.) An existing demonstration program, the Pawtucket Heart Health Program (PHHP), provided the population sample for this study. The blue collar and white collar populations contained 2,118 and 1,900 persons, respectively. Each participant responded to a questionnaire of personal habits, behavior and practices regarding his or her knowledge of risk factors and health issues. Risk factors discussed were elevated blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, smoking, being overweight, and physical inactivity. Self-reported behaviors showed greater participation in beneficial health-related activity by white collar workers than by blue collar workers. Blue collar workers reported more daily exercise activity, were heavier smokers, had higher body mass index (women only) than their white collar counterparts, but in terms of blood pressure and total cholesterol level, there were no significant differences between the groups. Emphasis on directing health programs at the blue collar workers may help them to reduce some of the risk factors to which they are exposed. Health programs, however, should be directed at all levels of workers, regardless of the nature of their occupation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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Universal precautions and mortuary practitioners: influence on practices and risk of occupationally acquired infection
Article Abstract:
Embalming is the most commonly employed mortuary practice in the United States. The practice requires the incision into blood vessels, and drainage of the blood, followed by replacement with preserving embalming fluids. This practice exposes the embalmers to contaminated blood and body fluids, and to potential infection with blood-borne pathogens, such as the human immunodeficiency (HIV) and hepatitis B viruses (HBV). In order to adequately minimize exposure and infection, the mortician in expected to follow universal precautions, in which all blood and bloody discharges, body fluids, secretions, tissues, semen, and discharges, are to be considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV, and other blood-borne pathogens. Further, these precautions require the use of masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields as protection against any form of contact. This study was designed to estimate the frequency of contact by the mortician with contaminated fluids, to evaluate current infection control practices and concerns regarding the inherent occupational risks. The National Selected Morticians, a business and educational group, sent questionnaires to 860 members, and received 539 responses. The principal embalmers provided exposure data on the numbers of occupationally acquired infections. Facility location and volume data were also acquired. Mucus membrane splashes, needle sticks, skin contaminations, and other potential contaminations were enumerated for each respondent, and all of the responses analyzed. HBV, staphylococcal infections, and tuberculosis were the most common diseases acquired. Special precautions were primarily applied only if HIV infections were known or suspected in advance. Universal precautions were not widely employed. Professional education programs are required to reinforce the wider use of proper precautions among these workers. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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