Objective: This paper summarizes and evaluates a test-based strategy for early return to work for health-care workers (HCWs) with mild coronavirus disease in Brunei Darussalam during the Omicron wave in February 2022 and compares the characteristics of HCWs by how long it took them to return to work. Methods: The early return-to-work strategy involved testing on day 3 of infection with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and with a rapid antigen test on days 5 and 6 or days 5 and 7. Data about infected HCWs were extracted from the Ministry of Health’s public health surveillance database. Percentages and proportions were used for descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-squared test and the paired t-test were used to compare return-to-work patterns with demographic factors and vaccination status of the HCWs, as well as between cycle threshold (Ct) values and occupational groups of HCWs. Results: From 15 February to 15 March 2022, a total of 1121 HCWs were notified as being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Of these, 175 (15.6%) were able to return to work on day 4 of their infection, 153 (13.6%) on day 6 and 268 (23.9%) on day 7; 525 (46.8%) required 10 days of home isolation. Statistically significant associations were observed between return-to-work periods and occupational group (P < 0.01) and Ct value (P < 0.01), but not between return to work and age, sex or vaccination status. Discussion: This test-based strategy ensured a balance between mitigating a shortage of HCWs and enabling them to return to work early without compromising their safety and that of their patients.

Objective:To develop the Chinese Developmental Dyslexia Assessment Test(C-DDAT)and test its validity and reliability.Methods:The present study developed a battery of Chinese dyslexia assessment test com-posed of 3 factors of reading accuracy,reading fluency and reading comprehension.Construct validity,internal con-sistency reliability and alternative-form reliability were tested in a sample of 1925 1-6 graders.Test-retest reliabili-ty was tested in 63 typically developing children and 26 children with developmental dyslexia.Results:Three-factor structure model fitted well(x2/df=5.91,CFI=0.996,TLI=0.992,SRMR=0.014,RMSEA=0.056).Criterion-related validities were 0.51-0.98.Internal consistency reliability of character reading accuracy was 0.99,the alter-nate-form reliabilities of character reading fluency and reading accuracy were 0.94 and 0.98,respectively.Test-re-test reliabilities were 0.73-0.98.The ROC curve analysis of clinical sample revealed that discriminant sensitivity and specificity of reading quotient(comprehensive score)were 0.92 and 0.98 respectively.Conclusion:The validi-ty and reliability of the Chinese Developmental Dyslexia Assessment Test meet the standards of psychometrics and could be used to evaluate children's basic reading skills in research and diagnosis of Chinese developmental dyslexia in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health problem with 250 million people worldwide known to have disabling impairment of moderate to greater severity. The aims of the study are to estimate the prevalence of NIHL in the police force; and study its association with age, sex, duration of service (years), smoking and alcohol habits, use of hearing protective devices, as well as preexisting chronic diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 police personnel who had undergone periodic medical examination over a 12-month period. The diagnostic criteria for NIHL were (1) history of occupational noise exposure, (2) bilateral hearing loss, (3) hearing loss of > or = 25 dBA at 4,000 Hz in two consecutive audiograms, and (4) no significant medical history affecting hearing. Severity of NIHL was based on the World Health Organization grading. RESULTS: Males (74.8%) made up the majority of the police force. The mean age for police personnel was 35.55 +/- 9.57 years, and the mean duration of service was 14.75 +/- 9.39 years. Compliance with the usage of hearing protective devices was seen in 64.4%. The prevalence of NIHL in this study population was 34.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (37.7%) than in females (23.9%). The study also showed strong associations between NIHL and male sex (odds ratio, 1.9; P < 0.05), and hypertension (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001). Overall, 93% were found to have mild NIHL, 3.5% had moderate NIHL, and 3.5% had severe NIHL. No police personnel were found to have profound hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NIHL in this study is high compared to other similar studies among police personnel. This study shows that increasing age, male, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and longer duration of service are significant associated factors for NIHL. Preventative strategies include health surveillance, implementation of a hearing conservation program, and legislation.
Chronic Disease ; Compliance ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Ear Protective Devices ; Female ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Noise, Occupational ; Occupational Health ; Police* ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; World Health Organization

Introduction: Many health professionals, including those in the dental profession, suffer from work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). Literature reviews have reported on the high prevalence as well as the significant burden in this specific profession. However, we could not find data on the preva- lence of the problem and its work-related health risk profiles in Brunei Darussalam. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the dental profession of the public sector, and identify their associated MSD risk profiles. Materials and Methods: A survey was carried out using a validated structured self-administered questionnaire among 155 dental person- nel (57% response rate) employed by the Ministry of Health in Brunei Darussalam. Questions included data on demographics, general ergonomic risk, and self-reported musculoskeletal complaints. Results: The dental workforce was predominantly female (69.7%), with mean age of 39 (SD 9.87) years and mean employment duration of 13.9 (SD 8.71) years. The most commonly reported body regions for musculoskeletal problems experienced in the past year were shoulders (61.7%), lower back (59.3%), upper back (55.7%), wrists/hands (53.4%), and neck (53.3%). Significant work-related associated factors for MSD were glare for neck (p<0.05), elbows (p<0.001), wrists/hands (p<0.001) and upper back (p<0.05) regions; time spent per patient for shoulders (p<0.05), and wrists/hands (p<0.05) re- gions; dental group for shoulders (p<0.05), upper back (p<0.05), and lower back (p<0.05) regions; and gender for neck (p<0.05), elbows (p<0.001), wrists/hands (p<0.001), and upper back (p<0.05) regions. Conclusion The prevalence of self-reported MSD among dental personnel is high. Several work-related factors have been identified to be associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in varying body regions. Preventive measures need to be implemented to reduce the significant burden of MSD in the dental profession.

Objective:To compare the assessments on hyperkinetic syndrome of ADHD between teachers and psychiatrists,in order to determine their roles in our later study about ADHD.Method:Pediatric psychiatrists from Guangzhou psychiatric hospital and pre-occupational or experienced teachers from Fangcun elementary school(30 in each group)rated the presence and degree of hyperactive-disruptive behaviors in a standardized videotape,showing one 7-year-old boy who participated in individual and group activities.The results were compared between each group.Results:There was no significant difference on most of the assessments between psychiatrists and experienced teachers.The assessments of pre-occupational teachers had significant differences to the results of the above two groups.Conclusion:The assessments of experienced teachers may be used as very important information on the early diagnosis and the assessments of effectiveness of medical intervention for ADHD children.