Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol; Enjy Ahmad Khorshed; Naema El-Lithy Soliman; Mohammed Magdy Nassef

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol, Enjy Ahmad Khorshed, Naema El-Lithy Soliman, Mohammed Magdy Nassef

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 4, Issue 6)

Received: 18 September 2016 Accepted: 27 September 2016 Published: 18 October 2016

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Abstract

Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.

Published in	Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 4, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
Page(s)	451-457
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Airway Obstruction, Endoscopy, Glutaraldehyde, Nurses, Occupational Exposure

References

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APA Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol, Enjy Ahmad Khorshed, Naema El-Lithy Soliman, Mohammed Magdy Nassef. (2016). Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Science Journal of Public Health, 4(6), 451-457. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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ACS Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol; Enjy Ahmad Khorshed; Naema El-Lithy Soliman; Mohammed Magdy Nassef. Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Sci. J. Public Health 2016, 4(6), 451-457. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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AMA Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol, Enjy Ahmad Khorshed, Naema El-Lithy Soliman, Mohammed Magdy Nassef. Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Sci J Public Health. 2016;4(6):451-457. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16,
  author = {Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol and Enjy Ahmad Khorshed and Naema El-Lithy Soliman and Mohammed Magdy Nassef},
  title = {Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {4},
  number = {6},
  pages = {451-457},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20160406.16},
  abstract = {Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt
AU  - Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol
AU  - Enjy Ahmad Khorshed
AU  - Naema El-Lithy Soliman
AU  - Mohammed Magdy Nassef
Y1  - 2016/10/18
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
SP  - 451
EP  - 457
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7950
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
AB  - Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.
VL  - 4
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol

Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Enjy Ahmad Khorshed

Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Naema El-Lithy Soliman

Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Mohammed Magdy Nassef

Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

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APA Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol, Enjy Ahmad Khorshed, Naema El-Lithy Soliman, Mohammed Magdy Nassef. (2016). Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Science Journal of Public Health, 4(6), 451-457. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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ACS Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol; Enjy Ahmad Khorshed; Naema El-Lithy Soliman; Mohammed Magdy Nassef. Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Sci. J. Public Health 2016, 4(6), 451-457. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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AMA Style

Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol, Enjy Ahmad Khorshed, Naema El-Lithy Soliman, Mohammed Magdy Nassef. Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Sci J Public Health. 2016;4(6):451-457. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16

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@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16,
  author = {Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol and Enjy Ahmad Khorshed and Naema El-Lithy Soliman and Mohammed Magdy Nassef},
  title = {Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {4},
  number = {6},
  pages = {451-457},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20160406.16},
  abstract = {Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Respiratory Health Problems Among Endoscopy Nurses Exposed to Glutaraldehyde in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt
AU  - Sarah Abdelhalim Bolbol
AU  - Enjy Ahmad Khorshed
AU  - Naema El-Lithy Soliman
AU  - Mohammed Magdy Nassef
Y1  - 2016/10/18
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
SP  - 451
EP  - 457
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7950
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.16
AB  - Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.
VL  - 4
IS  - 6
ER  -

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