International journal of environmental research and public health
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Nov 2009
Incidence and risk factors of workplace violence on nursing staffs caring for chronic psychiatric patients in taiwan.
This one-year follow-up study determined the incidence and risk factors of workplace violence against nursing staff in a psychiatric hospital. The cohort members had a website to report events whenever they came across violence. ⋯ Young age, female sex, lower education, shorter duration of employment, and high level of anxiety of staff seemed to be the determinants of violence. Pre-placement education should focus on these staff to reduce workplace violence.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Sep 2009
Alcohol consumption and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a population-based study.
This retrospective population-based study evaluated the effects of alcohol consumption on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol consumption was quantified based on patient and/or family provided information at the time of hospital admission. ARDS was defined according to American-European consensus conference (AECC). ⋯ A history of significant alcohol consumption (more than two drinks per day) was reported in 97 (7%) of patients. When adjusted for underlying ARDS risk factors (aspiration, chemotherapy, high-risk surgery, pancreatitis, sepsis, shock), smoking, cirrhosis and gender, history of significant alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of ARDS development (odds ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.2). This population-based study confirmed that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk of ARDS.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jan 2009
ReviewIs smokeless tobacco use an appropriate public health strategy for reducing societal harm from cigarette smoking?
Four arguments have been used to support smokeless tobacco (ST) for harm reduction: (1) Switching from cigarettes to ST would reduce health risks; (2) ST is effective for smoking cessation; (3) ST is an effective nicotine maintenance product; and (4) ST is not a "gateway" for cigarette smoking. There is little evidence to support the first three arguments and most evidence suggests that ST is a gateway for cigarette smoking. There are ethical challenges to promoting ST use. Based on the precautionary principle, the burden of proof is on proponents to provide evidence to support their position; such evidence is lacking.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2008
Cytological and biochemical effects of St. John's Wort supplement (a complex mixture of St. John's Wort, Rosemary and Spirulina) on somatic and germ cells of Swiss Albino mice.
Commercially available St. John's wort supplement (SJWS) composed of an herbal mixture of St. John's Wort (SJW), Rosemary (RM) and Spirulina (SP) is used as a dietary supplement for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. ⋯ These changes might be attributed to the epigenetic mechanisms as revealed by an increase in concentrations of MDA and depletion of nucleic acids and NP-SH levels in both hepatic and testicular cells observed in the present study. Since, the samples of SJWS used were not drawn from extremities of light and temperature; the observed effect might not be related to the main constituents of SJW. However, these changes might be ascribed to the combined effect of terpenes, tannins, quercetin and flavonoids present in SJW.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Sep 2008
Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of groundwater quality in Tumkur Taluk, Karnataka state, India.
Tumkur Taluk is located in the southeastern corner of Karnataka state between 13 degrees 06'30'' to 13 degrees 31' 00'' North latitude and 76 degrees 59' 00'' to 77 degrees 19' 00'' East Longitude. The Taluk spreads over an area of 1043 sq.km falling within the semiarid region and frequently facing water scarcity as well as quality problems. ⋯ The type of water that predominates in the study area is Ca-Mg-HCO3 type during both pre- and post-monsoon seasons of the year 2006, based on hydro-chemical facies. Besides, suitability of water for irrigation is evaluated based on sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, sodium percent, salinity hazard and USSL diagram.