RESUMEN

Workplace injuries constitute a serious and growing public health concern worldwide. Despite work-related injuries being highly common, especially among workers in the manufacturing industry, their growing complexities are not adequately addressed in the current literature. Therefore this study aims to investigate the association between sociodemographic, workplace, and behavioral characteristics with work-related injuries among large-scale factory workers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2020 with 457 workers selected from large-scale factories in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Survey data included sociodemographic characteristics, working and safety conditions, and behavioral factors as predictors of occupational injuries. A logistic regression model was fitted to estimate the probability of injury and identify its associated factors. The 12-month prevalence of work-related injuries was 25%. Most injuries occurred at midnight (8.8%). Factors associated with work-related injury were excessive working hours (OR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.26-8.41), cigarette smoking (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.22-6.08), and manual handling (OR = 2.30; 95%CI: 1.13-4.72). Use of personal protective equipment reduced the odds of injury (OR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.21-0.83). Although our estimated prevalence of occupational injury was lower than that found in other studies, our findings suggest that actions on modifiable conditions must be taken to reduce the burden of workplace injuries in Ethiopia. The results could inform preparedness and policy efforts aimed at improving worker safety and health.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Objectives: To estimate the effect of having a chronic disease on the weekly working hours and the associated monetary losses. Design: Longitudinal data Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement (SHARE) in Europe. We analyzed 7 waves from 9 countries in Europe. A total of 80.672 observations. Setting: Participants who have their regular domicile in the respective SHARE country were interviewed face-to-face. Participants: Data from individuals aged between 50 and 65 years old in European countries were collected over seven years. A person was excluded from the survey if incarcerated, hospitalized or out of the country during the entire survey period, unable to speak the country's language(s) or moved to an unknown address. Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measurements: We applied a difference-in-differences with multiple time periods approach to estimate the effect of having a chronic condition on the number of working hours per week. We monetized the estimated productivity losses using the legal minimum wage in each country. Results: Persons with a chronic condition consistently reduced their weekly working hours compared to their healthy counterparts in the same country. This effect was more pronounced for men (6,78 hours per week or 352 hours per year) than women (3,97 hours per week or 206 hours per year). Persons with stroke, vascular, and lung disease showed the highest impact. On average, the reduced working hours represent about USD 12,80 billion annually in productivity losses in our sample. Conclusion: Having a chronic condition leads to people decreasing their working hours, which has significant economic losses. More severe health conditions showed the highest effects. This trend is observed in all the analyzed countries, highlighting the relevance of health and social systems to go beyond mortality and morbidity and the need to incorporate functioning in their target goals.

RESUMEN

Unemployment and inequality are growing concerns that disproportionately affect people with disabilities. We compared unemployment rates and barriers to labor market participation for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) as an exemplary case of disability with different socioeconomic positions and from a cross-national perspective across 20 countries worldwide. We showed that persons with SCI have much higher unemployment rates than the general population. While this situation is many times worse for those in low-income groups, persons with SCI in high-income groups are often in a position comparable to the general population. The main barriers to entering the labor market are health status, the impossibility of finding suitable jobs, and the lack of information about employment opportunities. This is the first study that quantifies the extent of inequality in the labor market for persons with SCI. Across the 20 countries analyzed, facing disability has a much higher impact on those in low-income groups. This reality is explained by the fact that people in lower-income groups face many more barriers to entering the labor market than those in higher-income groups.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Workplace injuries constitute a serious and growing public health concern worldwide. Despite work-related injuries being highly common, especially among workers in the manufacturing industry, their growing complexities are not adequately addressed in the current literature. Therefore this study aims to investigate the association between sociodemographic, workplace, and behavioral characteristics with work-related injuries among large-scale factory workers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2020 with 457 workers selected from large-scale factories in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Survey data included sociodemographic characteristics, working and safety conditions, and behavioral factors as predictors of occupational injuries. A logistic regression model was fitted to estimate the probability of injury and identify its associated factors. The 12-month prevalence of work-related injuries was 25%. Most injuries occurred at midnight (8.8%). Factors associated with work-related injury were excessive working hours (OR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.26-8.41), cigarette smoking (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.22-6.08), and manual handling (OR = 2.30; 95%CI: 1.13-4.72). Use of personal protective equipment reduced the odds of injury (OR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.21-0.83). Although our estimated prevalence of occupational injury was lower than that found in other studies, our findings suggest that actions on modifiable conditions must be taken to reduce the burden of workplace injuries in Ethiopia. The results could inform preparedness and policy efforts aimed at improving worker safety and health.

Los accidentes laborales constituyen un grave y creciente problema de salud pública mundial. Aunque este tipo de accidente es frecuente, especialmente entre los trabajadores de las industrias manufactureras, su creciente complejidad no ha sido abordada adecuadamente en la literatura actual. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre las características sociodemográficas, ambientales y conductuales y los accidentes laborales en trabajadores de grandes fábricas de Etiopía. Se trató de un estudio transversal, realizado de febrero a abril de 2020 con 457 trabajadores de grandes fábricas en Adís Abeba, la capital de Etiopía. Los datos recopilados contenían características sociodemográficas, condiciones de trabajo, de seguridad y factores conductuales como predictores de accidentes laborales. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística para estimar la probabilidad de lesión e identificar sus factores asociados. La prevalencia de accidentes laborales en 12 meses fue del 25%. La mayoría de las lesiones se produjeron a medianoche (8,8%). Los factores asociados a los accidentes laborales fueron el exceso de horas de trabajo (OR = 3,26; IC95%: 1,26-8,41), el tabaquismo (OR = 2,72; IC95%: 1,22-6,08) y la manipulación manual (OR = 2,30; IC95%: 1,13-4,72). El uso de equipos de protección individual redujo la probabilidad de lesiones (OR = 0,42; IC95%: 0,21-0,83). Aunque la prevalencia estimada de accidentes laborales fue inferior a la de otros estudios, los resultados apuntan a acciones que deben adoptarse para reducir la carga de accidentes laborales en Etiopía. Los resultados permiten reflexionar sobre los esfuerzos de preparación y las políticas dirigidas a mejorar la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores.

Acidentes de trabalho são preocupações de saúde pública sérias e crescentes em todo o mundo. Apesar de acidentes de trabalho serem comuns, especialmente entre trabalhadores de indústrias manufatureiras, suas crescentes complexidades não são adequadamente abordadas na literatura atual. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação de características sociodemográficas, de ambiente e comportamentais com acidentes de trabalho em trabalhadores de fábricas de grande porte na Etiópia. Um estudo transversal foi conduzido de fevereiro a abril de 2020 com 457 trabalhadores selecionados de fábricas de grande escala em Adis Abeba, capital da Etiópia. Os dados da pesquisa incluíram características sociodemográficas, condições de trabalho e segurança e fatores comportamentais como preditores de acidentes de trabalho. Ajustou-se um modelo de regressão logística para estimar a probabilidade de lesão e identificar seus fatores associados. A prevalência de 12 meses de acidentes de trabalho foi de 25%. A maioria das lesões ocorreu à meia-noite (8,8%). Os fatores associados aos acidentes de trabalho foram jornada excessiva (OR = 3,26; IC95%: 1,26-8,41), tabagismo (OR = 2,72; IC95%: 1,22-6,08) e manuseio manual (OR = 2,30; IC95%: 1,13-4,72). O uso de equipamentos de proteção individual diminuiu a chance de lesão (OR = 0,42; IC95%: 0,21-0,83). Embora nossa prevalência estimada de acidentes ocupacionais tenha sido menor em comparação com outros estudos, nossos resultados apontam para ações pendentes sobre condições modificáveis a serem tomadas para reduzir a carga de acidentes de trabalho na Etiópia. Os resultados poderão informar os esforços de preparação e políticas destinados a melhorar a segurança e a saúde dos trabalhadores.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Inequality in health is a prevalent and growing concern among countries where people with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Unmet healthcare needs explain a large part of the observed inequalities between and within countries; however, there are other causes, many non-modifiable, that also play a role. AIM: This article explores the difference in health across income levels in populations with spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is of special interest in the study of health systems, as it is an irreversible, long-term health condition that combines a high level of impairment with subsequent comorbidities. METHODS: We estimated the importance of modifiable and non-modifiable factors that explain health inequalities through a direct regression approach. We used two health outcomes: years living with the injury and a comorbidity index. Data come from the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey (InSCI), which has individual data on people with SCI in 22 countries around the world. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, the results were estimated country by country. RESULTS: On average, the results exhibit a prevalence of pro-rich inequalities, i.e., better health outcomes are more likely observed among high-income groups. For the years living with the injury, the inequality is mostly explained by non-modifiable factors, like the age at the time of the injury. In contrast, for the comorbidity index, inequality is mostly explained by unmet healthcare needs and the cause of the injury, which are modifiable factors. CONCLUSIONS: A significant portion of health inequalities is explained by modifiable factors like unmet healthcare needs or the type of accident. This result is prevalent in low, middle, and high-income countries, with pervasive effects for vulnerable populations like people with SCI, who, at the same time are highly dependent on the health system. To reduce inequity, it is important not only to address problems from public health but from inequalities of opportunities, risks, and income in the population. HIGHLIGHTS: • Better health status is evident among high-income groups, which is reflected in pro-rich inequalities. • Age at the time of the injury is the most important factor to explain inequalities in years living with the injury. • Unmet health care needs are the most important factor to explain inequalities in comorbidities. • The inequality in health varies by country dependent upon socioeconomic factors.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare unmet health care needs of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) across countries, the causes of these shortfalls, and the role of income. DATA SOURCES: We analyzed cross-sectional data of 20 countries from the International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) survey, a compendium of comparable data on the living situation of persons with SCI. Data included information on high-, middle-, and low-income countries. The survey comprises information on 12,095 participants. STUDY DESIGN: We used logit regressions to estimate the probability of unmet health care needs of persons with SCI and its causes. We adjusted the results by the individuals' characteristics and countries' fixed effects. We disaggregated the results by income decile of individuals in each country. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: The inclusion criteria for the InSCI survey were adults aged 18 years and older with SCI living in the community, who were able to respond to the survey and who provided informed consent. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Unmet health care needs are significant for people with long-term conditions like SCI, where people in low-income groups tend to be more affected. Among the barriers to meeting health care needs, the foremost is health care cost (in 11 of the 20 countries), followed by transportation and service availability. Persons with SCI in Morocco reported the highest probability of unmet health care needs in the sample, 0.54 (CI: 047-0.59), followed well behind by South Africa, 0.27 (CI: 0.20-0.33), and Brazil, 0.26 (CI: 0.20-0.33). In contrast, persons with SCI in Spain, 0.06 (CI: 0.04-0.08), reported the lowest probability of unmet health care needs, closely followed by Norway, 0.07 (CI: 0.05-0.09), Thailand, 0.08 (CI: 0.05-0.11), France, 0.08 (CI: 0.06-0.11), and Switzerland, 0.09 (CI: 0.07-0.10). CONCLUSIONS: SCI is a long-term, irreversible health condition characterized by physical impairment and a series of chronic illness. This makes SCI a high-need, high-cost group that faces significant unmet health care needs, which are mainly explained by the costs of health services, transportation, and services availability. This situation is prevalent in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, where persons in lower income groups are disproportionately affected. To improve the situation, a combination of measures from the health and social systems are required.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Income and health are related in a bi-directional manner, whereby level of income affects health and vice versa. People in poorer households tend to experience worse health status and higher mortality rates than people in wealthier households, and, at the same time, having poor health could restrict workability leading to less income. This gap exists in almost every country, and it is more pronounced in more unequal countries and in vulnerable populations, such as people experiencing disability. The goal of this paper is to estimate the health-income gap in people with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), which is a chronic health condition often associated with multiple comorbidities that leads to disability. As data on mortality is inexistent, to estimate the health-income gap for persons with SCI, this paper uses two health outcomes: the number of years a person has lived with the injury, and a comorbidity index. Data was obtained from the International Spinal Cord Injury survey (InSCI), which is the first worldwide survey on community-dwelling persons with SCI. To compare across countries, the health outcomes were adjusted through hierarchical models, accounting for country fixed-effects, individual characteristics such as age and gender, and injury characteristics (cause, type and degree). Our results suggest that for the years living with SCI, the gap varies from 1 to 6 years between the lowest and the highest income groups. The main driver of such a difference is the cause of injury, where injuries caused by work accidents showed the biggest gap. Similarly, for the comorbidity index, persons with SCI in poorer deciles reported significantly more comorbidities, forty times more, than people in richer deciles.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Market integration is an important source of cultural change exposing indigenous populations to epidemiologic and nutrition transitions. As children and adolescents are biologically sensitive to the health effects of market integration, we examine community variation of anthropometric indicators of nutritional status and growth among a cross-cultural sample of Kichwa, Shuar, Huaorani, and Cofán indigenous groups in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon. METHODS: We measured height, weight, body mass index (BMI), upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfolds of 186 children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years from seven communities. Anthropometric z-scores were calculated based on the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. Comparisons were made with this US reference group, along with between community differences to contextually explore the impacts of varying degrees of market integration. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of stunting in both boys (40%) and girls (34%). Adiposity increased with age and 40% of girls between 15 and 18 years old were overweight. There were large sex differences in body composition with higher BMI, arm circumference, and triceps skinfolds in adolescent girls. The Kichwa demonstrated the poorest growth outcomes and nutritional stress followed by the Huaorani and Shuar; yet distinctions in under- and over-nutrition were evident within groups. CONCLUSION: Market integration is a major factor influencing the developmental and lifestyle mismatch associated with the epidemiologic and nutrition transition in general, and the dual burden pattern of high rates of stunting yet adequate to above average short-term nutritional status indicators found among indigenous Amazonian populations.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a member of the dsRNA Birnaviridae family, is an important immunosuppressive avian pathogen. We have identified a strictly conserved amino acid triplet matching the consensus sequence used by fibronectin to bind the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin within the protruding domain of the IBDV capsid polypeptide. We show that a single point mutation on this triplet abolishes the cell-binding activity of IBDV-derived subviral particles (SVP), and abrogates the recovering of infectious IBDV by reverse genetics without affecting the overall SVP architecture. Additionally, we demonstrate that the presence of the alpha 4 beta 1 heterodimer is a critical determinant for the susceptibility of murine BALB/c 3T3 cells to IBDV binding and infectivity. Our data suggests that the IBDV might also use the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin as a specific binding receptor in avian cells.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The infectious bursal disease virus T=13 viral particle is composed of two major proteins, VP2 and VP3. Here, we show that the molecular basis of the conformational flexibility of the major capsid protein precursor, pVP2, is an amphipatic alpha helix formed by the sequence GFKDIIRAIR. VP2 containing this alpha helix is able to assemble into the T=13 capsid only when expressed as a chimeric protein with an N-terminal His tag. An amphiphilic alpha helix, which acts as a conformational switch, is thus responsible for the inherent structural polymorphism of VP2. The His tag mimics the VP3 C-terminal region closely and acts as a molecular triggering factor. Using cryo-electron microscopy difference imaging, both polypeptide elements were detected on the capsid inner surface. We propose that electrostatic interactions between these two morphogenic elements are transmitted to VP2 to acquire the competent conformations for capsid assembly.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The interaction between the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) capsid proteins VP2 and VP3 has been analyzed in vivo using baculovirus expression vectors. Data presented here demonstrate that the 71-amino acid C-terminal-specific domain of pVP2, the VP2 precursor, is essential for the establishment of the VP2-VP3 interaction. Additionally, we show that coexpression of the pVP2 and VP3 polypeptides from independent genes results in the assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs). This observation demonstrates that these two polypeptides contain the minimal information required for capsid assembly, and that this process does not require the presence of the precursor polyprotein.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) capsids are formed by a single protein layer containing three polypeptides, pVP2, VP2, and VP3. Here, we show that the VP3 protein synthesized in insect cells, either after expression of the complete polyprotein or from a VP3 gene construct, is proteolytically degraded, leading to the accumulation of product lacking the 13 C-terminal residues. This finding led to identification of the VP3 oligomerization domain within a 24-amino-acid stretch near the C-terminal end of the polypeptide, partially overlapping the VP1 binding domain. Inactivation of the VP3 oligomerization domain, by either proteolysis or deletion of the polyprotein gene, abolishes viruslike particle formation. Formation of VP3-VP1 complexes in cells infected with a dual recombinant baculovirus simultaneously expressing the polyprotein and VP1 prevented VP3 proteolysis and led to efficient virus-like particle formation in insect cells.

Asunto(s)