BACKGROUND: Previous qualitative research has examined male sex workers in the Czech Republic, but this mapping study is the first to investigate male sex work in a quantitative research design and focus on the mental health of these sex workers. This study also examines male sex workers' mental health problems in relation to their sexual identity or orientation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of Czech male sex workers (N=40) were examined on a range of sexual and psychological variables using a quantitative survey administered face-to-face. The study employed locally validated versions of Beck's Depression Inventory and Zung's Self-Report Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The results indicate that for homosexuals, working as a male sex worker is not related to any serious mental health problems. However, those identifying as heterosexual and bisexual more frequently reported symptoms of depression and bisexuals showed significantly more anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest sexual identity is an important issue to consider when addressing the mental health needs of this population.

• MeSH
• deprese epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• duševní zdraví statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• genderová identita * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• sexuální pracovníci statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• úzkost epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• AGRICULTURAL WORKERS' DISEASES *, CATTLE DISEASES *, DERMATOMYCOSIS *, OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS *,
• MeSH
• dermatitida z povolání * MeSH
• dermatomykózy * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci skotu * MeSH
• nemoci zemědělců * MeSH
• skot MeSH
• tinea * MeSH
• zemědělství * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In the years from 1975 to 1982 1,750 persons, mostly employed by agricultural enterprises in the South Bohemian Region in Czechoslovakia, were examined. We discovered seven species of parasites: Taenia saginata in 0.3%, Enterobius vermicularis in 10.1%, Giardia lamblia in 1.0%, Endolimax nana in 0.8%, Entamoeba coli in 0.7%, Entamoeba hartmanni in 0.2%, and Chilomastix mesnili in 0.5%. The greatest number of parasites was found in students of the Secondary agricultural and technical school. Only two species of parasites were diagnosed in children of the employees. The incidence of E. vermicularis was 75% in children, in adult employees of agricultural enterprises, however, only 9.8%.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci zemědělců epidemiologie   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   MeSH
• studenti MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Československo MeSH

AIM: Due to mandatory vaccination introduced in the Czech Republic since 1969, only few measles cases were reported annually until recently. However, a rapid increase of cases has been recorded in last two years. In contrast to the pre-vaccination era, in recent measles outbreaks, many cases have been reported among vaccinated adults. Health care workers (HCWs) are particularly at high risk of contact with measles. Therefore, to minimize transmission in health care settings, many hospitals evaluate measles immune status of their HCWs and offer free vaccination to those with too low anti-measles antibody levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles in all HCWs of the Strakonice Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-measles IgG serum levels were measured using quantitative ELISA. RESULTS: Almost all HCWs born before 1969, when the mandatory vaccination started, showed high levels of IgG antibodies (93.5%). Contrarily, among previously vaccinated individuals, only 64.8% were seropositive. A high percentage of seronegative or borderline samples was observed even in the age groups who were previously vaccinated with two doses. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 25.4% of all HCWs of the Strakonice Hospital had too low anti-measles IgG levels, and most of them were immunized with one dose of MMR vaccine. Prioritized vaccination substantially decreased the number of staff at higher risk of measles acquisition and, at the same time, of those who would need to be quarantined after exposure.

• Klíčová slova
• health care workers, immunization, measles, waning immunity,
• MeSH
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• spalničky * MeSH
• zdravotnický personál MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible associations between self-perceived sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms among healthcare workers and healthcare associates and self-perceived parameters of indoor work environment quality. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2019. Validated standardized evaluation tools (MM 040 NA Hospital 2007 and MM 040 NA Office 2007) were used for estimating the prevalence of SBS among observed populations. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests for assessing possible associations in SBS symptoms between healthcare workers and associates were used. RESULTS: The response rate was 69.8%. The results showed a lower prevalence of six or more SBS symptoms in healthcare associates (6.4%) compared to healthcare workers (12.0%). Healthcare workers perceived the most frequent risk factors for SBS to be poor air quality, an inappropriate level of relative humidity, and inappropriate room temperature, while the least frequently self-perceived risk factors were inappropriate lighting and noise levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a platform for further analyses - the identification of health risk factors with environmental monitoring.

• Klíčová slova
• healthcare associates, healthcare workers, hospitals, prevalence, sick building syndrome,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemocnice všeobecné MeSH
• poskytování zdravotní péče MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• syndrom nezdravých budov * epidemiologie   MeSH
• zdravotnický personál MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovinsko epidemiologie   MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the extent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in coke oven workers from Eastern Slovakia by cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes. METHODS: A total of 81 peripheral blood samples were collected from PAH-exposed workers (mean age 45.84 ± 9.73 years) and 30 samples constituted the control group (41.93 ± 15.39 years). The samples were processed using routine cytological analysis. Conventional cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes has been used to evaluate the effects of PAHs. RESULTS: Comparison of the aberrant cells in the total exposed with the controls showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). A high level of significance (p < 0.001) was observed when comparing the gaps between the exposed group and the control group. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in aberrant cells and chromatid breaks (p < 0.05) in the GR1 working subgroup compared with the control group. The results of the correlation analysis did not show a significant relationship between the length of occupational exposure and the frequency of aberrant cells (r = 0.071, p = 0.529). Similarly, no association was observed between smoking among coke plant workers and the frequency of aberrant cells (r = 0.117, p = 0.538). CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic analysis showed an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in coke oven workers in Eastern Slovakia.

• Klíčová slova
• aromatic hydrocarbons, cancer, coke oven workers, cytogenetic, lymphocytes,
• MeSH
• cytogenetické vyšetření MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• koks * analýza   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfocyty chemie   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• pyreny analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• koks * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• pyreny MeSH

The results of early animal studies of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and air pollution epidemiology suggest that it is important to assess the health of ENM workers. Initial epidemiological studies of workers' exposure to ENMs (<100 nm) are reviewed and characterized for their study designs, findings, and limitations. Of the 15 studies, 11 were cross-sectional, 4 were longitudinal (1 was both cross-sectional and longitudinal in design), and 1 was a descriptive pilot study. Generally, the studies used biologic markers as the dependent variables. All 11 cross-sectional studies showed a positive relationship between various biomarkers and ENM exposures. Three of the four longitudinal studies showed a negative relationship; the fourth showed positive findings after a 1-year follow-up. Each study considered exposure to ENMs as the independent variable. Exposure was assessed by mass concentration in 10 studies and by particle count in six studies. Six of them assessed both mass and particle concentrations. Some of the studies had limited exposure data because of inadequate exposure assessment. Generally, exposure levels were not very high in comparison to those in human inhalation chamber studies, but there were some exceptions. Most studies involved a small sample size, from 2 to 258 exposed workers. These studies represent the first wave of epidemiological studies of ENM workers. They are limited by small numbers of participants, inconsistent (and in some cases inadequate) exposure assessments, generally low exposures, and short intervals between exposure and effect. Still, these studies are a foundation for future work; they provide insight into where ENM workers are experiencing potentially adverse effects that might be related to ENM exposures.

• Klíčová slova
• Biological markers, Cross-sectional study, Epidemiological studies, Longitudinal panel study, Nanomaterial workers, Nanoparticle exposure, Sample size,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aim of this serological survey was to assess the persistence of measles antibodies among health care workers (HCWs) at risk of incidental measles. A prospective study of measles-specific antibodies in serum samples obtained from a total of 2782 participants aged 19-89 years was conducted between May 2018 and December 2019. The seropositivity rate of 93.7% (95% CI: 92.4-94.9%) in fully vaccinated participants aged 19-48 years was significantly lower than that of 98.0% (95% CI: 96.5-99.0%) in participants naturally immunised before 54 years. A cohort of those born in 1971-1975, vaccinated predominantly with one dose, showed lower seropositivity persistence (86.6%) than those fully vaccinated with two doses or naturally immunised. Otherwise, seropositivity was not markedly influenced by sex, age, smoking status, overweight, obesity or concomitant disease. The presence of sufficient antibody levels in a high proportion of HCWs irrespective of the way they acquired immunity is a favourable finding for managing incidental measles; hence, in the presence of a risk of a measles outbreak, it would be possible to perform targeted vaccination of only at-risk HCWs with a history of incomplete vaccination or missing information about the way in which immunity is acquired.

• Klíčová slova
• health care workers, measles antibodies, persistence, seroprevalence, serosurvey,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• protilátky virové MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• spalničky * MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• zdravotnický personál MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protilátky virové MeSH

Sera from individuals exposed to moldy hay, mushroom compost and unexposed individuals, were studied for antibodies against thermophilic actinomycetes and Aspergillus fumigatus. Antigens extracted from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris strains isolated from China were used in the study along with antigens from standard strains to screen the sera of individuals exposed to farms and unexposed controls from both China and the United States. It was found that very little antibody response to A. fumigatus and F. rectivirgula was demonstrated in the sera of both individuals exposed to farm environments and unexposed controls. On the other hand, antibodies to Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and T. candidus strains were seen in the sera of both exposed and unexposed individuals from China, indicating that these organisms are prevalent in all the environments of China. The results also indicate that antigenicity of the strains vary considerably in their reactivity with sera.

• MeSH
• Aspergillus fumigatus imunologie   MeSH
• Basidiomycota MeSH
• farmářská plíce krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin G analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Micromonosporaceae imunologie   MeSH
• nemoci zemědělců krev   MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální krev   MeSH
• protilátky fungální krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Čína MeSH
• Spojené státy americké MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální MeSH
• protilátky fungální MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) continue to pose a significant threat to healthcare workers (HCWs) while immunization among this group remains low. HCWs' behaviours as well as facilitators and barriers towards their vaccination for a number of VPDs were explored through an EU-wide survey. METHODS: HCWs across the EU answered online survey that explored attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination for a number of VPDs. Response data were adjusted based on weights estimated by HCWs' country and working profession according to WHO statistics. The survey was delivered between October 2012 and April 2014. RESULTS: Analysis was based on responses from 5,424 HCWs from 14 European countries. The majority (86.7%) had a positive attitude regarding immunizations. HCWs considered influenza (86.4%), viral hepatitis type B (71.9%) and tuberculosis (59.1%) as higher risk diseases for occupational exposure in the workplace. However, 43.8% reported not receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine in the last 10 years and 65.6% reported not receiving the pandemic influenza vaccine in 2009. Main enablers towards immunizations included believing in vaccine protection and easy, free of charge access to vaccines in the workplace. Barriers to up-to-date immunizations differed according to disease but included concerns about short- and long-term effects. CONCLUSION: Although the concept of mandatory vaccination seems to be favoured by many health professionals in Europe, it remains a controversial subject both among HCWs' profession categories and also among different countries. Interventions to increase vaccination among HCWs would benefit by tailoring their approach according to disease and target group.

• Klíčová slova
• Europe, healthcare workers, immunization, vaccines,
• MeSH
• imunizace * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH
• zdravotnický personál MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH