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Biomedical subjects

C Walls

Publications and source records attributed to C Walls.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Occupational bladder cancer in New Zealand: a 1-year review of cases notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry.

AIM: To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 2001 had a probable occupational cause. METHODS: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in conjunction with the Massey University Centre for Public Health Research, interviewed and obtained an occupational history for 210 (162 men, 48 women) cases. RESULTS: Of the 162 male cases (response rate 65%), 45 (28%) were considered to be 'probable' occupational cancers. Of the 48 female cases (response rate 76%), three cases (6%) were considered to be 'probable' occupational cancers. The largest occupational group for men was truck drivers, which made up 51% of probable cases. Other common groups were engineering and metal workers (18%), crop farmers/orchardists (7%), textile and leather workers (7%), painters/furniture finishers (7%), and plastics manufacturing workers (4%). The three female cases considered to be of occupational origin included two textile workers and one telephonist. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of cases considered to be of occupational origin is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States, indicating that occupational cancer is a major occupational health problem in New Zealand as it is in other parts of the world.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Hazards associated with the boat building industry in New Zealand: an OSH audit.

AIM: To randomly audit the boat building industry in New Zealand to assess the occupational health status and level of knowledge of employees. METHODS: A survey was conducted using a nurse and inspector administered questionnaire. 151 workers from 120 randomly selected firms participated in the survey. RESULTS: 31.5% respondents thought they had had some sort of work related health problem since working in that job. 22% reported wheezing during the last twelve months. 14-16% met criteria for occupational causation, and 4% met a measure of severe wheezing related to work. 25.6% of workers had dermatitis. Only a quarter of these met criteria for occupational causation. No respondents reported symptoms suggestive of chronic solvent neurotoxicity. Solvents and epoxy resins comprised the majority of chemicals with which there was contact. Observation suggested little use of Material Safety Data Sheets as a source of knowledge about toxicity of the chemicals used. Although 94.3% reported wearing gloves, this did not correlate with numbers reporting dermatitis suggesting non-compliance or glove failure. CONCLUSION: New Zealand boat builders and their employees remain at risk for occupational health problems by virtue of their employment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Do electric patient beds reduce the risk of lower back disorders in nurses?

The aim of this study was to compare the probability estimates of lower back disorder (LBD) for a nurse performing a range of simulated patient care activities involving manual and electric patient beds. Studies of simulated patient care involving patient beds were undertaken using electrically powered and manually operated patient beds. The estimated probabilities of back injury, as calculated by the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM), between the two beds were compared statistically. A statistically significant reduction in LBD probability was observed in those functions that were completely achieved by the electrical mechanism. No significant difference in risk was observed in the patient care activities involving manipulating the patient in and around the bed that are more typical of 'heavy' orthopaedic nursing care in a busy acute ward environment. A potential for increased patient independence was observed during this trial. The LMM recorded no real risk reduction between situations involving electric or manual patient beds in those actions typically required of nurses in an acute orthopaedic ward caring for a disabled patient.

Beds↗
PubMed2001

Bioavailability of the oral selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor cilomilast.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the absolute bioavailability of cilomilast, and assess the effects of food, dosing time, and coadministration of antacid agents on its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. SETTING: Clinical pharmacology unit. DESIGN: Five prospective pharmacokinetic studies: one single-blind, dose-escalating, placebo-controlled trial; four open-label, randomized studies. SUBJECTS: Ninety-six healthy adult volunteers who were nonsmokers. INTERVENTION: In the first study, four subjects received intravenous cilomilast 1, 2, and 4 mg. In the second study, 16 subjects received oral cilomilast 15 mg or intravenous cilomilast 4 mg. In the other three studies, a total of 76 subjects were given single oral 15-mg doses; one study compared its effects in fed versus fasted subjects, one looked for differences of morning versus evening dosing, and one examined coadministration with aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After intravenous administration of cilomilast, plasma concentrations increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner; the half-life, approximately 6.5 hours, was dose independent. Cilomilast clearance and volume of distribution were small. After oral dosing, the absolute bioavailability was consistently close to 100%. Absorption was slower in fed subjects than in fasted (median 2-hr delay in time to reach maximum plasma concentration, average 39% reduction in maximum plasma concentration), but the area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (systemic availability) was unaffected. Pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by time of dosing or coadministration of antacid. CONCLUSION: The absolute bioavailability of oral cilomilast was 100%; it was not adversely affected by time of dosing or coadministration with food or antacid.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2000

Occupational asthma cases notified to OSH from 1996 to 1999.

AIMS: To update notifications to the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) Notifiable Occupational Disease System (NODS) from June 1996 to the beginning of 1999. METHODS: All notifications received for non-asbestos related occupational respiratory disease were reviewed to confirm the clinical diagnosis, occupational causation, and to identify the causative agent where possible. RESULTS: 54 cases of asthma were notified, of which 21 (39%) were accepted as being occupationally caused. These cases arose from 'predictable' industries. CONCLUSIONS: NODS offers sentinel data from interested practitioners and workplaces. Occupational asthma and other occupational respiratory diseases remain poorly notified to this system. NODS confirms the presence of occupational asthma in New Zealand from predictable and preventable causes not dissimilar to other countries. This data collection system needs supplementation by other mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A national profile of primary and secondary household caregivers: estimates from the 1992 and 1993 surveys on income and program participation.

According to the 1992 and 1993 Surveys of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), an estimated 4,538,000 adults in the U.S. serve as primary assistants for one or more household members with disabilities. Another 530,000 serve as secondary assistants. Spouses are the main source of primary ADL and IADL assistance, while adult children and other family members are the main source of secondary assistance. Primary household assistants tend to be older and female, while secondary assistants tend to be younger and male. Primary assistants are more likely than the general adult population to rate their health as fair or poor, describe themselves as work disabled, and be limited in or need assistance with ADLs. Secondary assistants report slightly higher rates of work disability than the general population, but similar rates of ADL limitation and health status. Both assistance groups are more likely than the general adult population to have annual family incomes which fall below the federal poverty line, and working-age (aged 18-64) assistants are much less likely to work full time.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Psychosocial factors associated with the stages of change for condom use among women at risk for HIV and STDs: implications for intervention development.

This study examined the prevalence of consistent condom use among inner-city women at risk for HIV, measured the distribution of these women across the stages of change for condom use, determined psychosocial factors associated with the stages, and suggested intervention strategies based on the results. The 5-city sample of women aged 15-34 years consisted predominantly of African Americans. Only 18% reported consistent condom use with main partners and 45% with other partners. Logistic regressions compared women in each stage of change with those in higher stages for each partner type. Results indicated that women who practice or intend to practice consistent condom use were more likely to talk with others about condoms, acknowledge the advantages of condoms, have higher self-efficacy for condom use, and indicate that people important to them favored condom use. Intervention approaches are suggested for women in different stages of change for condom use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Occupational asthma and other nonasbestos occupational respiratory diseases notified between 1993 and 1996.

AIM: To review notifications to the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour Notifiable Occupational Disease System since its inception until June 1996. METHODS: All notifications received for non asbestos related occupational respiratory disease were reviewed to evaluate the outcome of the notification and to identify the causative agent where possible. RESULTS: There were 277 cases notified and investigated including worksite investigations. Of these 73 cases were confirmed as having occupational asthma, 35 by the asthma validation panel. Nineteen cases of other occupational respiratory disease were notified of which 11 were reviewed by the panel. Extrinsic allergic alveolitis secondary to organic dusts was the most common such notification. CONCLUSIONS: Isocyanates are well recognised as a cause of occupational asthma in New Zealand. It is suspected that occupational asthma and other occupational respiratory diseases are poorly notified to this system. Better mechanisms are needed to identify occupational causes of respiratory (and other) disease.

Asthma↗
PubMed1997

Condom use with main partners by sterilized and non-sterilized women.

This study examined condom use with main partners by surgically sterilized and non-sterilized women at risk for HIV infection. Data were obtained from 379 African American women residing in low-income urban communities. Sterilized women were one-fifth as likely as non-sterilized women to use condoms. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that for both groups of women, higher perceived benefits of condom use for disease prevention were associated with condom use. In addition, younger age, self-efficacy for condom use, peer support for condom use, and whether condoms were ever used for pregnancy prevention were associated with condom use among non-sterilized women. Results of this study indicate the role of fertility status in condom use and the value of developing targeted prevention programs that reach women at high risk for HIV infection. Risk reduction programs need to emphasize the role of condoms in disease prevention and address attitudes towards condom use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Implementing tuberculosis control guidelines in a hospital environment.

AIM: This review assessed the effectiveness and results of a programme implementing the 1992 Tuberculosis Control Guidelines to hospital staff at Green Lane and National Women's hospitals. METHODS: All staff tuberculosis surveillance and patient contact tracing contacts carried out by the occupational health unit and the resultant outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A higher risk of Mantoux conversion does exist in hospital staff. These conversions occur in nonhigh risk occupational groups as well as the more recognized at risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 1992 guidelines proved impracticable to administer effectively and were resource intensive. Hospital staff form a distinct, well educated occupational group who are able to make their own risk assessments about the lifetime risks of tuberculosis infection. The British Thoracic Society Guidelines for screening healthcare workers make a practical surveillance programme. Tuberculosis remains a risk for healthcare workers and the emphasis of any staff programme should broaden from surveillance aimed at identifying primary infection having occurred to include improved environmental measures, work practices and the use of personal protection to reduce the work related exposure to the mycobacterium.

Contact Tracing↗