RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of symptoms associated with darkroom disease (headache, sore throat/hoarseness, unexpected fatigue, sore eyes, chemical taste in the mouth, sinus problems/nasal discharge, persistent flu-like symptoms, painful joints, oral ulcers, skin rash, chest pain/ breathing difficulty, arrythmia/tachycardia and neuralgia) in radiographers in Trinidad and Tobago when compared with an age and gender matched control group. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used with an interviewer administered questionnaire. The study population was the total membership of the Society of Radiographers of Trinidad and Tobago; while the control group was a sample of convenience of the clerical staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). A pilot study was conducted on retired radiographers and clerical staff at the EWMSC. For the main survey, a total of 104 participants of equal numbers of radiographers and the control group were interviewed. The occurrence of symptoms between the two groups was compared using the chi-square test for proportions. Data on frequency, time of onset, and duration of symptoms were also collected. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher occurrence of sinus problems/nasal discharge (p=0.0018), sore throat/ hoarseness (p=0.0001) unexpected fatigue (p=0.0066), persistent flu-like symptoms (p=0.0183), chemical taste (p=0.0008), irregular heartbeat (p=0.02), and skin rash (p=0.0273) among radiographers. CONCLUSION: Radiographers in Trinidad and Tobago exhibit symptoms associated with darkroom disease.(Au)
Assuntos
Humanos , Trinidad e Tobago , Estudos de Coortes , Estudos Retrospectivos , Distribuição de Qui-QuadradoRESUMO
The incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTI) in the medical services of Santo Tomás Hospital from 1980 to 1985 was 56% in Neurology Section, 73% in cardiology and 74% in nephrology. These percentages declined, with epidemiological surveillance, to 21%, 31% and 53% respectively, for the period between 1986 and 1990. In the surgical services the incidence of nosocomial UTI was 85% in urology and 15% in general surgery, from 1980 to 1985. The incidence remained unchanged in urology (81%) and general surgery (17%) despite epidemiological surveillance, but decreased in neurosurgery (from 55% to 37%) for the period between 1986 and 1990. Between 1985 and 1990, Staphyloccocus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium from surgical wounds (34%) and from patients with intravenous catheters (23%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated bacterium in nosocomial UTI (26%) and respiratory tract infections (45%) and in patients with nosocomial septicemia, it was a species of Klebsiella.
Assuntos
Infecção Hospitalar/epidemiologia , Infecção Hospitalar/microbiologia , Hospitais , Humanos , PanamáRESUMO
The incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTI) in the medical services of Santo Tomás Hospital from 1980 to 1985 was 56% in Neurology Section, 73% in cardiology and 74% in nephrology. These percentages declined, with epidemiological surveillance, to 21%, 31% and 53% respectively, for the period between 1986 and 1990. In the surgical services the incidence of nosocomial UTI was 85% in urology and 15% in general surgery, from 1980 to 1985. The incidence remained unchanged in urology (81%) and general surgery (17%) despite epidemiological surveillance, but decreased in neurosurgery (from 55% to 37%) for the period between 1986 and 1990. Between 1985 and 1990, Staphyloccocus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium from surgical wounds (34%) and from patients with intravenous catheters (23%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated bacterium in nosocomial UTI (26%) and respiratory tract infections (45%) and in patients with nosocomial septicemia, it was a species of Klebsiella
Assuntos
Humanos , Infecção Hospitalar/epidemiologia , Hospitais , Infecção Hospitalar/microbiologia , PanamáRESUMO
During a 3-year program that required daily releases of large numbers of sterile male Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann mosquitoes in a coastal area of El Salvador, we were able to compare methods of transport and release of adults and pupae. The disadvantages of the laboratory handling and packaging of adults were largely overcome when improved methods were devised for release of pupae. Such releases saved time and laboratory space and overcame several logistical problems arising from evening releases of the adults. We finally achieved 91.3% emergence with the pupal release methods.