Journal of Human Ergology

The purpose of this study was to examine the main factors related to falls among dementia patients as well as how to prevent them. The study focused on hospitalized dementia patients, conducting follow-up surveys and analyzing the primary causes of falls among such individuals. The subjects of the study were 67 patients aged 83.81±5.9 years who had been diagnosed with dementia while admitted to a psychiatric hospital. This study examined the the Barthel Index (BI) and the Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale. The time interval for follow-up surveys was three months, and data related to experience with falls was extracted from the charts of the patients. As for the statistical method, the study conducted a multiple logistic analysis (p<0.05). Over the course of the three-month observation period, a total of 17 subjects experienced falls. When items for which a significant difference was observed were input as the predictor variables in a multiple logistic analysis, "dressing" of BI remained (OR=0.801, 95%CI:0.670-0.957). This time, the results of the model Χ² test fit well (p<0.01), with a classification accuracy of 74.6%. The study discovered that the only factor in falls during the three-month period was the BI activity of "dressing." The level of independence with regard to BI "dressing" could be used as an indicator in the prediction of falls.

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Occupational exposure to cement dust causes many serious health hazards to workers. This study was done to assess the liver enzyme status and its subsequent effects on cardio-vascular parameters of construction workers from West Bengal, India. This was a comparative cross sectional study. The exposed group included 150 male construction workers. Fifty-two subjects of the matched unexposed control group of the same socio-economic status were selected randomly. Their age ranged from 15-60 years. Blood samples were collected from each participant. Liver enzyme parameters and cardio-vascular parameters were compared between the exposed and control groups of workers. The serum SGPT (alanine aminotransferase, ALT), SGOT (aspartate aminotransferase, AST), ALP levels were significantly higher while total bilirubin and creatinine levels were significantly lower in construction workers compared with those in the control group. Alcoholic construction of the workers was insignificant but negatively correlated with year of exposure in case of AST, GGT, ALP and ACP. A strong association was found between BMI and serum GGT levels. Besides, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, BMI and year of exposure played a significant role in developing pre-hypertension. Moreover, multiple logistic regression showed that age and BMI were significant predictors of increase in ALP in construction workers. This study suggested that construction workers working in hazardous environment needed support by health education. Proper ventilation in their workplace, use of less toxic cement and use of sophisticated instruments will protect the health of workers. Smoking of tobacco and alcohol intake should be restricted as preventive actions which will protect their health and reduce mortality and early retirement.

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