Resumen Los trabajadores agrícolas se exponen frecuentemente a los pesticidas, los cuales pueden afectar el sistema cardiovascular. El objetivo de la investigación fue revisar la asociación entre la exposición ocupacional a pesticidas, el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y los biomarcadores utilizados en la vigilancia de la salud de los trabajadores. Para ello se realizó una revisión no sistemática de la literatura en tres bases de datos: Pubmed, Embase y Scopus, con ecuaciones de búsqueda elaboradas con los términos “agrochemicals”, “myocardial infarction”, “occupational exposure” y “farmers", y se incluyeron artículos publicados entre 2007 y 2022. Se encontró que los pesticidas causan elevación de las cifras de presión arterial en trabajadores expuestos y en mujeres embarazadas se relaciona con hipertensión gestacional y preeclampsia. Respecto al infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), el contacto con los pesticidas clorpirifós, coumafós, carbofurano, pendimetalina, trifluralina y acilalanina aumentan el riesgo de IAM en mujeres, y entre los trabajadores masculinos la exposición a dibromuro de etileno, maneb/mancozeb y dimetil-ditiocarbamato de zinc se asoció con mayor mortalidad. La vigilancia epidemiológica se realiza principalmente con la medición de la actividad de la acetilcolinesterasa eritrocitaria (AChE). Se puede concluir que la exposición a pesticidas puede desencadenar enfermedades cardiovasculares agudas y crónicas, como elevación de las cifras de presión arterial, IAM fatal y no fatal. Los pesticidas dimetil ditiocarbamato de zinc, clorpirifós, coumafós, carbofurano, paratión y malatión son las sustancias que tienen mayor relación con el desarrollo de enfermedad cardiovascular.

Abstract Farmworkers are frequently exposed to pesticides, which can affect the cardiovascular system. The objective of the research was to review the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and the development of cardiovascular diseases, and the biomarkers used in monitoring the health of workers. For this, a non-systematic review of the literature was carried out in three databases: Pubmed, Embase and Scopus, with search equations prepared with the terms "agrochemicals", "myocardial infarction", "occupational exposure" and "farmers". Articles published between 2007 and 2022 were included. Pesticides were found to cause elevated blood pressure levels in exposed workers, and in pregnant women it is related to gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Regarding acute myocardial infarction (AMI), contact the pesticides chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, carbofuran, pendimethalin, trifluralin, and acylalanine increased the risk of AMI in women, and among male workers exposure to ethylene dibromide, maneb/mancozeb, and zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate was associated with increased mortality. Epidemiological surveillance is mainly carried out by measuring erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. It can be concluded that exposure to pesticides can trigger acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, such as elevated blood pressure, fatal and non-fatal AMI. Zinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate, chlorpyrifos, coumafos, carbofuran, parathion and malathion pesticides are the substances most closely related to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: This study had the general objective of verifying the relationship between burnout syndrome, social skills, coping strategies, and socio-occupational variables in a sample of 166 elementary school teachers from 13 public schools of Minas Gerais, Brazil, aged between 23 and 65 years, 73 % of whom were female. The Burnout Syndrome Inventory (ISB), the Social Skills Inventory 2 (IHS-2), the Coping Strategies Inventory (IEC), and a socio-occupational questionnaire developed especially for this research were used. A negative correlation was obtained between burnout and repertoire of social skills (r = -.273 and p < .001). The coping strategies that positively correlated with social skills were seeking social support, problem solving, and positive reappraisal. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between coping and professional fulfillment, indicating that teachers who adopted coping strategies were more likely to feel professionally satisfied. The burnout predictor variables were age, marital status, family provision, number of children, length of service, ongoing health care and social resourcefulness. The implications of these results were discussed concerning protective actions for the mental health of teachers and the importance of socio-emotional development in schools.

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo general verificar la relación entre el síndrome de burnout, las habilidades sociales, el afrontamiento y las variables sociolaborales en una muestra de 166 profesores de educación básica de 13 escuelas públicas del interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil, con edades entre 23 y 65 años, el 73 % de los cuales son mujeres. Se utilizó el Inventario de Síndrome de Burnout (ISB), el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales 2 (IHS-2), el Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento (IEC) y un cuestionario sociolaboral desarrollado especialmente para esta investigación. Se obtuvo una correlación negativa entre el burnout y el repertorio de habilidades sociales (r = -.273 y p = .001). Las estrategias de afrontamiento que se correlacionaron positivamente con las habilidades sociales fueron: búsqueda de apoyo social, resolución de problemas y reevaluación positiva. Además, hubo una correlación positiva entre el afrontamiento y la realización profesional, lo que indica que los profesores que adoptaron estrategias de afrontamiento tenían más probabilidades de sentirse realizados profesionalmente. Las variables predictoras del agotamiento fueron la edad, el estado civil, la provisión familiar, el número de hijos, el tiempo de servicio, la atención médica continua y la desenvoltura social. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados respecto de las acciones protectoras para la salud mental de los docentes y la relevancia del desarrollo socioemocional en las escuelas.

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo geral verificar a relação entre síndrome de burnout, habilidades sociais, coping e variáveis sócio-ocupacionais em uma amostra de 166 professores do ensino fundamental de 13 escolas públicas do interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil, com idades entre 23 e 65 anos, sendo 73 % do sexo feminino. Foram utilizados o Inventário da Síndrome de Burnout (ISB), o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais 2 (IHS-2), o Inventário de Estratégias de Coping (IEC) e um questionário sócio-ocupacional desenvolvido especialmente para esta pesquisa. Obteve-se correlação negativa entre o burnout e o repertório de habilidades sociais (r = -0,273 e p < 0,01). As estratégias de coping que se correlacionaram positivamente com as habilidades sociais foram: busca de suporte social, resolução de problemas e reavaliação positiva. Ademais, houve correlação positiva entre coping e realização profissional, indicando que professores que adotaram estratégias de enfrentamento apresentaram maior tendência a sentirem-se realizados profissionalmente. As variáveis preditoras do burnout foram idade, estado civil, provimento familiar, número de filhos, tempo de serviço, tratamento contínuo de saúde e desenvoltura social. Discutiu-se a implicação desses resultados no tocante às ações protetivas de saúde mental docente e quanto à relevância do desenvolvimento socioemocional nas escolas.

Frente a um cenário de aumento dos adoecimentos mentais relacionados ao trabalho, torna-se cada vez mais popular a expressão “riscos psicossociais no trabalho” para se referir a aspectos no trabalho que devem ser observados na preservação da saúde mental dos trabalhadores. Institutos de pesquisa públicos governamentais estabelecem definições sobre o que são estes riscos psicossociais e seus impactos na saúde e se tornam referência para a atuação em seus países. No entanto, constata-se nelas uma mistura entre os fatores causadores de violências, e os danos e agravos à saúde propriamente ditos. A partir dos estudos sobre saúde mental e trabalho presentes na literatura científica recente, destacamos na discussão do que são os riscos psicossociais, duas questões centrais não podem faltar: a organização do trabalho e seu impacto na subjetividade do trabalhador e as relações sociais que estruturam a sociedade e também estão presentes no cotidiano do trabalho, marcando e diferenciando socialmente trabalhadores e trabalhadoras, influenciando a distribuição de poder e de melhores e piores condições de trabalho conforme raça, classe social, gênero, capacidades, entre outras formas de separação e identificação de coletivos humanos.

We are facing a crisis of an increasing work-related mental illnesses, which makes the expression “psychosocial risks at work” increasingly popular to refer to aspects at work that must be observed to preserve workers' mental health. Public government research institutes establish definitions of what these psychosocial risks are and their impacts on health and become references for action in their countries. However, there is a mix between the factors that cause violence and the damage and health problems themselves. Based on studies on mental health and work present in recent scientific literature, we highlight two central issues cannot be missed: the organization of work and its impact on the worker's subjectivity and the social relations that structure the society marking and socially differentiating male and female workers, influencing the distribution of power and better and worse working conditions according to race, social class, gender, capabilities, among other forms of separation and identification of collectives humans.

Ante un escenario de aumento de las enfermedades mentales relacionadas con el trabajo, la expresión “riesgos psicosociales en el trabajo” se está volviendo cada vez más popular para referirse a aspectos en el trabajo que deben ser observados para preservar la salud mental de los trabajadores. Los institutos de investigación de los gobiernos públicos establecen definiciones acerca de cuáles son estos riesgos psicosociales y sus impactos en la salud y se convierten en referentes para la acción en sus países. Sin embargo, existe una mezcla entre los factores que causan la violencia y los daños y problemas de salud mismos. Con base en estudios sobre salud mental y trabajo presentes en la literatura científica reciente, resaltamos en la discusión acerca de qué son los riesgos psicosociales, no pueden faltar dos temas centrales: la organización del trabajo y su impacto en la subjetividad del trabajador y que las relaciones sociales que estructuran la sociedad también están presentes en el trabajo cotidiano, marcando y diferenciando socialmente a trabajadores y trabajadoras, influyendo en la distribución del poder y en las mejores y peores condiciones laborales según raza, clase social, género, capacidades, entre otras formas de separación e identificación de colectivos humanos.

Resumo Nas últimas décadas, uma epidemia de doença renal crônica (DRC) tem sido associada a fatores ambientais e ocupacionais (estresse térmico decorrente de cargas de trabalho elevadas em altas temperaturas e exposição a produtos químicos, como agrotóxicos e metais), denominada DRC de origem não tradicional (DRCnt). Esta revisão descritiva tem como objetivo apresentar evidências recentes sobre estresse térmico, agrotóxicos e metais como possíveis causas de DRCnt e fornecer uma visão geral das estratégias brasileiras de regulamentação, fiscalização e vigilância sanitária relacionadas. Os trabalhadores brasileiros são comumente expostos a condições extremas de calor e outros fatores de risco de DRCnt, incluindo o aumento da exposição a agrotóxicos e metais. Além disso, há uma falta de regulamentação e fiscalização, políticas públicas e estratégias adequadas para proteger a saúde renal dos trabalhadores em relação aos principais fatores de risco. É provável que a DRCnt seja uma causa significativa de DRC no Brasil, uma vez que a etiologia da doença é desconhecida em muitos pacientes e diversas condições para seu desenvolvimento estão presentes no país. Estudos epidemiológicos devem ser realizados para explorar associações causais e estimar o impacto do calor, dos agrotóxicos e dos metais na DRCnt no Brasil. Além disso, as políticas públicas devem priorizar a redução da exposição dos trabalhadores e a promoção de sua saúde e segurança. décadas (DRC químicos metais, , metais) DRCnt. . (DRCnt) relacionadas disso Brasil país segurança (DRCnt

Abstract In the past decades, an epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with environmental and occupational factors (heat stress from high workloads in hot temperatures and exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and metals), which has been termed CKD of non-traditional origin (CKDnt). This descriptive review aims to present recent evidence about heat stress, pesticides, and metals as possible causes of CKDnt and provide an overview of the related Brazilian regulation, enforcement, and health surveillance strategies. Brazilian workers are commonly exposed to extreme heat conditions and other CKDnt risk factors, including increasing exposure to pesticides and metals. Furthermore, there is a lack of adequate regulation (and enforcement), public policies, and strategies to protect the kidney health of workers, considering the main risk factors. CKDnt is likely to be a significant cause of CKD in Brazil, since CKD’s etiology is unknown in many patients and several conditions for its development are present in the country. Further epidemiological studies may be conducted to explore causal associations and estimate the impact of heat, pesticides, and metals on CKDnt in Brazil. Moreover, public policies should prioritize reducing workers´ exposure and promoting their health and safety. decades (CKD chemicals metals, , metals) nontraditional non traditional CKDnt. . (CKDnt) enforcement Furthermore enforcement) Brazil CKDs s country Moreover safety (CKDnt

Abstract Introduction. The new era of surgery is increasingly dependent on technology, and an example of this is the widespread use of electrocautery as a primary part of surgical practice. Surgical smoke is a byproduct of the dissection and coagulation of tissues produced by energy equipment, which represents multiple potential health risks for the surgical group; however, the dangers caused by cumulative exposure have been minimized. Methods. A critical analysis was carried out from a reflective position of the available information, establishing the possible risks related to exposure to surgical smoke. Discussion. The imperative need to establish national normative guidelines and standardized recommendations to comply with the demands given by the occupational health and work safety management systems, whose main objective is to make effective the use of appropriate surgical masks, implementation of environmental epidemiological surveillance program in the operating room, prioritizing the constant use of vacuum cleaners and evacuation systems, and carrying out educational awareness programs aimed at the personnel involved. Likewise, there is concern about the need for new studies to more precisely define the danger of this aerosol. Conclusion. It is recommended to responsibly use all existing preventive strategies to intervene in operating rooms to minimize the forgotten risks of surgical smoke.

Resumen Introducción. La nueva era de la cirugía es cada vez más dependiente de la tecnología, y un ejemplo de ello es el uso generalizado de electrocauterio como parte primordial de la práctica quirúrgica. El humo quirúrgico es un subproducto de la disección y la coagulación de los tejidos producidas por los equipos de energía, que representa múltiples riesgos potenciales para la salud del grupo quirúrgico, sin embargo, se han minimizado los peligros causados por la exposición de manera frecuente y acumulativa a este aerosol. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis crítico, desde una posición reflexiva de la información disponible, estableciendo los posibles riesgos relacionados con la exposición al humo quirúrgico. Discusión. Es visible la necesidad imperativa de establecer directrices nacionales, pautas normativas y recomendaciones estandarizadas para cumplir con las exigencias dadas por los sistemas de gestión en salud ocupacional y seguridad del trabajo, cuyo objetivo principal es hacer efectivo el uso de mascarillas quirúrgicas apropiadas, la implementación de programa de vigilancia epidemiológica ambiental en sala de cirugía, la priorización del uso constante de aspiradores y sistemas de evacuación, y la ejecución de programas educativos de sensibilización dirigidos al personal implicado. De igual manera, se abre la inquietud de la necesidad de nuevos estudios para definir con mayor precisión el peligro de este aerosol. Conclusión. Se recomienda de manera responsable utilizar todas las estrategias preventivas existentes para intervenir en salas de cirugía los riesgos minimizados y olvidados del humo quirúrgico.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining or promoting employment in the presence of disability or reducing the impact of disability on employability should be the adopted focus to decrease the negative impact that disability has on the economy and just as important on the livelihood and well-being of exposed insured individuals. Group risk disability insurance protects an employee's income when illness or injury result in work disability. To achieve this, factors that promote the success of rehabilitation and support for return-to-work of employees following illness and injury need to be understood from an insurance perspective. OBJECTIVES: To explore principles of disability claims management during the rehabilitation and work reintegration stage using a multi-stakeholder approach for the purpose of successful return to work. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative design was used to collect data via semi-structured interviews with 26 purposively selected participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, data were transcribed and analysed thematically. Qualitative research was used to understand the necessary role players in the work reintegration process, factors that hinder and promote work reintegration and best practice principles for Disability Claims Management (DCM). RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the study; (i) role players and their functions with collaboration is integral to disability claims management, (ii) various factors promote and restrict return-to-work planning, and (iii) best practice principles in the DCM pathway that promote return-to-work. These principles include behavioural economics as the central principle, with resource identification and competency, governance, role engagement and education and awareness as supporting principles. CONCLUSION: Collaborative and integrated approaches by role players within a workers' family unit, health system, employer structure and insurance compensation are required for positive return-to-work outcomes. The various role players are responsible for creating policies, structures, intervention strategies, and environments that foster return-to-work. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • An integrated approach is required for optimal RTW outcomes as employers' policies restrict work integration. • A collaborative approach by all role players involved in DCM, focusing on positive RTW outcomes is required in the RTW process • Occupational therapists can influence employer incapacity and disability policies in order to keep people employed and productive in the presence of medical conditions with the application of reasonable accommodations where necessary. • Occupational therapists are suitably positioned to outline workplace environment and other supports required to guide and support employees through rehabilitation and RTW and in ensuring that employees who can remain at work while on a partial or fully insured benefit, can engage optimally in aspects of work function.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-researched and evidence-based psychotherapy that is underutilised in Africa. CBT presents opportunities for occupational therapists to expand their practice, for example by promoting engagement in meaningful and purposeful activity (behavioural activation), engaging with a mental health care user's thoughts during and after participation in activity (cognitive restructuring), and grading exposure to traumatic activities (exposure therapy). However, it is also critical that occupational therapists using CBT techniques culturally adapt these for their practice context and engage in professional development activities to develop their competencies as CBT practitioners. This commentary highlights recent advances in CBT practice and calls for CBT and associated techniques to be made more accessible to mental health care users in Africa. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • The relationship between participation and mental health is gaining prominence within the field of CBT. Occupational therapists should position themselves as experts in the therapeutic use of activity. • Occupational therapists using CBT techniques should culturally adapt their practice to meet the mental health needs of people living in Africa. • Occupational therapists using CBT techniques should follow internationally recognised pathways to CBT professional development, and register as Affiliated Members of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Association of South Africa

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates the exploration of the role of occupational therapy in rehabilitation of stroke. In the southern African country of South Africa, occupational therapy aligns with healthcare policies and laws, and this article presents a review of synthesized evidence of occupational therapy intervention in stroke care and rehabilitation. METHOD: Rapid review methodology was used to develop a research question about cerebrovascular accident - intervention by occupational therapists., The Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant articles published between 2018 and 2023. Twenty four articles met the inclusion criteria and were analysed according to quantitative and qualitative parameters. RESULTS: Evidence of occupational therapy intervention with post-stroke upper limb impairment was found in 37,5% of articles. Occupational therapy for global improvement in function, cognitive rehabilitation, balance, social participation, work, and leisure comprised 45,8% of articles, and one article each reported evidence for occupational therapy addressing ADL and caregiver interventions. CONCLUSION: Evidence from the past five years reflect diverse occupational therapy interventions with clients with stroke. Gaps in recent evidence remain in relation to context-specific interventions, especially from low- and middle-income countries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Occupational therapists adopt a holistic approach to stroke rehabilitation, tailoring interventions to address the multifaceted needs and goals of individual stroke survivors. The effectiveness of individualised, occupation-based approaches across various domains are highlighted. • Therapists stay informed and up to date about emerging technologies and evidence-based practice to enhance their effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation. • This review provides evidence of the prevalence of upper limb impairments post-stroke, which will enable therapists to be well-versed in the diverse intervention approaches for upper limb rehabilitation as outlined in the literature reviewed, including technologies like Brain Computer Interface, Mental Practice, Mirror Therapy, and Action Observation Therapy. • Occupational therapy is vital in addressing cognitive impairments in stroke survivors, and practitioners can apply the evidence provided on interventions such as Virtual Reality and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation that have shown promise in improving cognition and ADL.

INTRODUCTION: Participation in meaningful activities is compromised in mental health care users living with major depressive disorder. In acute mental health settings, occupational therapy groups are the main treatment modality used to address occupational dysfunction or activity participation in these mental health care users. However, the evidence for the therapeutic impact of occupational therapy groups on activity participation is limited This study aimed to determine change in the activity participation of mental healthcare users with major depression attending occupational therapy groups based on the Occupational Therapy Interactive Group Model during their admission to an acute private mental health setting. METHOD: A quasi-experimental, longitudinal, pre-post group study design was employed to collect data from a sample of 70 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The Activity Participation Outcome Measure (APOM) was used to measure change in activity participation in this study RESULTS: A significant improvement in activity participation was evident from admission to discharge across all the domains of the APOM. Correlations between the independent variables and improvement in APOM scores indicated stronger correlations for the number of groups attended by participants than their length of stay. Additionally, closed groups yielded a stronger correlation with improvement in APOM scores in comparison to open groups DISCUSSION: Occupational therapy groups play an integral role in the road to healing for mental health care users diagnosed with major depression admitted to acute private mental health settings IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: • Incorporating the Occupational Therapy Interactive Groupwork Model (OTIGM) in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, especially with closed groups, enables members to experience a sense of security and continuity, which can enhance therapeutic outcomes. • Integrating tools such as the APOM in clinical settings to measure the efficacy of interventions and identify areas needing further attention, will build evidence-based practice. • Incorporating stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, relaxation therapy, Tension Release Exercises (TRE) and sensory activities, into the therapeutic regimen can be highly beneficial in the treatment of the acute symptoms of major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Despite inpatient rehabilitation many stroke survivors struggle with community reintegration on returning home. The environment to which the stroke survivor returns affects and may limit participation in home and community-based activities. AIM: To describe stroke survivors' lived experiences of the environmental barriers and facilitators to community reintegration in an under resourced urban metropolitan sub-district in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive, qualitative study design with a phenomenological emphasis used semi-structured interviews to collect the data from purposefully selected stroke survivors who had been discharged for more than one year following inpatient rehabilitation. Supporting data were collected from interviews with two occupational therapists providing rehabilitation services to the stroke survivors. Deductive priori coding of semi-structured interviews with 11 stroke survivors, based on the environment subsystems described in the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model explored the barriers and facilitators to their community reintegration. FINDINGS: Of the six environmental sub systems in the PEOP model the systems and policy, access to information and health education, social determinants of health in the form of poor rehabilitation planning and loss of income as well as the built and natural environment presented the greatest barriers to the stroke survivor participants' community reintegration. However, reintegration was facilitated by social support and social capital, social determinants of health in the form of support groups as well as assistive technologies. CONCLUSION: Community reintegration continues to be a challenge for stroke survivors in an under-resourced urban sub-district due to environmental barriers associated with factors such as poor social support, inadequate implementation of policies and systems, poor compliance with home programmes, low socioeconomic status, poor access within the built and natural environment and inappropriate assistive devices. Several facilitators that occupational therapists can focus on to enable community reintegration included ensuring effective social support, access to community-based organisations, the introduction of home visits and provision of appropriate assistive devices. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE All stroke survivors must receive a comprehensive discharge plan to facilitate adequate access to continued rehabilitation and support for successful community reintegration. • There must be a specific referral to primary health care rehabilitation services on discharge from hospital. • Occupational therapists at community level have the responsibility to: o advocate for, or assist stroke survivors to self-advocate, the removal of inter-sectoral environmental barriers that limit their community reintegration and community participation, o where possible provide services in the home and involve midlevel workers when conducting home visits to enable successful reintegration into the home and resumption of occupational roles where possible, o look to other resources in their community that can assist in facilitating the community reintegration of stroke survivors to enable access to health, education, productive activities, and social and leisure participation opportunities, o improve their collaboration with the communities that they service.

INTRODUCTION: No standardised assessment instrument that covers all the components of in-hand manipulation (IHM) with evidence of instrument development and psychometric properties appropriate for South African children is currently available for occupational therapists. The University of the Free State In-Hand Manipulation Assessment Instrument (UFS IHMAI) is in the process of development to gain recognition as a standardised assessment instrument for children in South Africa. This article reports on the first and second stages of the face- and content validation process of the UFS IHMAI. METHOD: A quantitative descriptive study design with a convenient sampling method was used. Participants provided their expert judgment by completing an EvaSys© online questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-five occupational therapists with experience in paediatric hand function, and registered with the HPCSA and OTASA participated. The participants agreed (above 80% consensus) that the instrument's content is relevant and representative to assess all components (separately and as a whole) of IHM that it was intended to measure. Participants' comments and practical recommendations will form an important knowledgebase for the instrument developers to use in the third stage of content validity, namely revising and refinement. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the face- and content validity of the UFS IHMAI and supported the further development and psychometric testing of the assessment instrument for children in South Africa. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This article builds upon prior studies in which therapists in South Africa have recognised the necessity for an in -hand-manipulation (IHM) assessment. It offers a concise overview of instrument development theory and delineates the iterative process employed in developing the first draft of the University of the Free State In-Hand Manipulation Assessment Instrument (UFS IHMAI). Additionally, this article furnishes background details regarding the proposed instrument's content, administration, and scoring guidelines. It also incorporates therapists' perspectives as end-users, providing informed perceptions and consensus on the content validity of the proposed instrument. The suggestions provided by the participating therapist working within the South African context can be employed by the researchers to inform the revision, reconstruction, and refinement of the instrument. Subsequently, the revised version will undergo another round of content validity testing (with experts in instrument development, and in the field) and other psychometric testing. As instrument development is an iterative and ongoing refinement process, the implication of this research might only become apparent after further studies.

BACKGROUND: There was a need to investigate the appropriateness of the standard manual wheelchairfor occupational performance in Thulamela Municipality Vhembe District, Limpopo. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional descriptive design using simple random sampling was used to select n=60 wheelchair users who were issued with standard manual wheelchairs between 2014 and 2018. The Wheelchair Outcome Measure was used to investigate the participants' level of satisfaction in engagement in ADL and IADL and the suitability of the wheelchair in terms of the user's comfort and satisfaction with positioning and prevention of skin breakdown. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The wheelchair users viewed activity participation in the home as important and were generally satisfied with their standard manual wheelchairs while performing occupational activities at home and outside the home. A total of (n=46; 78%) of the participants felt comfortable in their wheelchair. CONCLUSIONS: Wheelchair prescription should take into consideration the occupational choices of the user. Further qualitative studies to explore the factors that determined the participants' choices for their activity participation goals should be undertaken. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • Training of new occupational therapy staff in each facility in the Thulamela district to equip them with the skills to prescribe wheelchairs is necessary. • The level of importance that wheelchair participants attached to level of importance of activity participation inside and outside the home was high therefore there is a need to consider the client's occupational choices when prescribing wheelchairs. • The wheelchair needs to facilitate participation in a wide range of occupational choices ranging from self-care activities and watching TV in the home to visiting friends and family and attending events outside the home.

RESUMO As mudanças no mundo do trabalho levam os trabalhadores a desenvolver estratégias de autogestão para a geração de trabalho. Essas experiências produtivas estão sujeitas a um maior nível de precariedade, à desregulamentação dos laços trabalhistas e a um processo de intensificação da jornada de trabalho, levando os trabalhadores a enfrentar processos de desgaste e maior desproteção em relação à sua saúde e condições de trabalho. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as condições de trabalho e a saúde ocupacional de um grupo de empreendedoras associativas têxteis da Economia Popular de Moreno. Para isso, buscaremos identificar as principais características do processo de trabalho das empreendedoras têxteis de Moreno, bem como suas condições de trabalho e saúde ocupacional. Seguindo este objetivo, adotamos a abordagem dos Riscos Psicossociais e utilizaremos uma metodologia qualitativa baseada em observação participante e uma série de entrevistas em profundidade realizadas com empreendedoras associativas têxteis de Moreno, bem como informantes-chave da localidade e do setor.

RESUMEN Los cambios en el mundo del trabajo llevan a los trabajadores a desarrollar estrategias de autogestión para la generación del trabajo. Estas experiencias productivas se encuentran expuestas a un mayor nivel de precariedad, a la desregulación de los vínculos laborales y a un proceso de intensificación de la jornada de trabajo que lleva a los trabajadores a enfrentar procesos de desgaste y a una mayor desprotección sobre su salud y las condiciones de trabajo. En el siguiente trabajo nos proponemos como objetivo analizar las condiciones de trabajo y la salud laboral en un grupo de emprendedoras textiles de la Economía Popular de Moreno. Para ello, procuraremos identificar las principales características del proceso de trabajo de las emprendedoras textiles morenenses, así como sus condiciones de trabajo y su salud laboral. Siguiendo este objetivo, tomamos el enfoque de los Riesgos Psicosociales y partiremos de una metodología cualitativa de trabajo basada en la observación participante y una serie de entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a emprendedoras textiles de Moreno e informantes claves de la localidad y del sector.

ABSTRACT The changes in the work lead workers to develop self-management strategies to ensurance a job. These productive experiences are exposed to a higher level of precariousness, deregulation, and to an intensification of the work, leading workers to face processes of vulnerability regarding their health and working conditions. The following study aims to analyse the working conditions and occupational health in a group of textile entrepreneurs from the Popular Economy of Moreno. To achieve this, we will seek to identify the main characteristics of the work process of the Moreno's associative textile entrepreneurs, as well as their working conditions and occupational health. Pursuing this objective, we adopt the approach of Psychosocial Risks and will use a qualitative methodology based on participant observation and a series of in-depth interviews conducted with associative textile entrepreneurs from Moreno and key informants from the local area and the sector.

RESUMEN Introducción: la salud mental es crucial para el bienestar y el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes universitarios. Los estudiantes de Kinesiología y Fisioterapia enfrentan desafíos únicos que pueden afectar su salud mental. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de trastornos mentales comunes en estudiantes de kinesiología y fisioterapia de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Metodología: se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. La muestra no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 150 estudiantes de Kinesiología y Fisioterapia de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, académicos, ocupacionales, de estilo de vida y psicopatológicos mediante la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés - 21 (DASS-21). El análisis se realizó mediante Jamovi con regresión logística binomial multivariada. Resultados: la frecuencia de depresión, ansiedad y estrés fue del 61,3 %, 72 % y 54,7 %, respectivamente. Los factores importantes para la depresión incluyeron ser un estudiante irregular, trabajar y no realizar actividad física. Para la ansiedad, fueron significativos ser estudiante irregular y ser mujer. Respecto al estrés, se encontraron relevantes ser estudiante irregular, trabajar y no realizar actividad física. Los modelos resultantes tuvieron clasificaciones correctas del 90,2 %, 88 % y 72 % para depresión, ansiedad y estrés, respectivamente. Conclusión: Este estudio reveló una alta frecuencia de depresión, ansiedad y estrés entre estudiantes de kinesiología y fisioterapia, lo que se asoció significativamente con irregularidad académica, empleo y falta de actividad física. Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad de implementar estrategias de intervención y programas de apoyo que aborden estos factores de riesgo para promover la salud mental y el bienestar de los futuros profesionales de la salud.

ABSTRACT Introduction: mental health is crucial for university students’ well-being and academic performance. Kinesiology and Physical Therapy students face unique challenges that can affect their mental health. Objective: to determine the frequency of common mental disorders in kinesiology and physical therapy students at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Methodology: this was an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study. The nonprobabilistic sample included 150 Kinesiology and Physiotherapy students from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Sociodemographic, academic, occupational, lifestyle, and psychopathological data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21). The analysis was performed using Jamovi with multivariate binomial logistic regression. Results: the frequency of depression, anxiety, and stress was 61.3 %, 72 %, and 54.7 %, respectively. The significant factors for depression included being an irregular student, working, and not engaging in physical activity. For anxiety, being an irregular student and being a woman were significant. Regarding stress, being an irregular student, working, and not engaging in physical activity were found to be relevant. The resulting models had correct classifications of 90.2 %, 88 %, and 72 % for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Conclusion: this study revealed a high frequency of depression, anxiety, and stress among kinesiology and physical therapy students, which was significantly associated with academic irregularity, employment, and a lack of physical activity. These findings underscore the need to implement intervention strategies and support programs that address these risk factors in order to promote the mental health and well-being of future health professionals.

Resumen Los efectos del estrés laboral están asociados con las horas de trabajo y las actividades mentales, como pensar y tomar decisiones, necesarias para la preparación y cualificación de tareas. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la carga mental percibida en dos instituciones educativas con similitudes socioeconómicas, geográfica y planes educativos similares de la ciudad de Ibagué en el departamento del Tolima, Colombia. Se optó por una metodología cuantitativa no experimental de tipo transversal descriptivo, utilizando el NASA TLX para medir la carga mental, sometiendo los datos a un análisis estadístico no paramétrico de varianzas ANOVA de Kruskal-Wallis y la prueba DSCF para comparaciones post hoc. Los resultados revelaron que las diferencias en la carga de trabajo percibida están más relacionadas con el contexto institucional que con factores individuales como la edad, el género o la asignación académica que imparten los docentes. Esto sugiere que las características internas de las instituciones educativas y las habilidades de afrontamiento utilizadas por los docentes son cruciales para comprender y gestionar adecuadamente la carga mental percibida. Estos hallazgos enmarcan la importancia de adaptar las estrategias de gestión de la carga mental a las particularidades de cada institución educativa para mejorar la calidad de vida laboral de los profesionales y, en última instancia, la calidad de la educación que ofrecen.

Abstract The effects of work stress are associated with work hours and mental activities, such as thinking and decision making, necessary for the preparation and qualification of tasks. The objective of the study was to analyze the perceived mental load in two educational institutions with socioeconomic and geographic similarities and similar educational plans in the city of Ibagué in the department of Tolima, Colombia. A descriptive cross-sectional non-experimental quantitative methodology was chosen, using the NASA TLX to measure mental load, subjecting the data to a non-parametric statistical analysis of variances ANOVA by Kruskal-Wallis and the DSCF test for post hoc comparisons. The results revealed that differences in perceived workload are more related to the institutional context than to individual factors such as age, gender, or the academic assignment taught by teachers. This suggests that the internal characteristics of educational institutions and the coping skills used by teachers are crucial to adequately understand and manage perceived mental load. These findings frame the importance of adapting mental load management strategies to the particularities of each educational institution to improve the quality of work life of professionals and, ultimately, the quality of the education they offer.