Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39656729›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2024

Occupational health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): A systematic review and call for comprehensive policy development.

Muhammad A Masood, Raghad Khaled, Ahmad Bin-Ismail, Lucy Semerjian, Khaled Abass

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Muhammad A MasoodDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Raghad KhaledDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0009-0003-9365-7246
Ahmad Bin-IsmailDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Lucy SemerjianDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Khaled AbassDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0002-1843-7644

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis systematic review evaluates occupational health within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, focusing on ergonomic, physical, chemical, and biological hazards. It identifies significant impacts of these hazards across various professions and underscores the highlights for region-specific strategies and further research.

methodsA comprehensive search in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases until October 2023 targeted occupational health studies in the GCC, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and NIH Quality Assessment Tools. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023465909).

resultsFrom 2202 articles screened, 202 were included, with publications distributed as follows: Saudi Arabia (121), United Arab Emirates (26), Kuwait (20), Oman (15), Qatar (13), and Bahrain (7). Findings indicate that ergonomic hazards, characterized by musculoskeletal disorders, are influenced by job roles and work environments. Physical hazards, particularly needlestick injuries, eye safety concerns, and risks from extreme temperatures and radiation, were notable across the region. Chemical hazards, including exposure to pesticides, cement, and petrochemicals, were identified as significant health risks, necessitating better safety measures. Biological hazards, evidenced in studies from Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, highlighted the risks from infectious agents and parasites, stressing the need for effective prevention and hygiene practices.

conclusionThe review advocates for the urgent development of comprehensive health policies to mitigate occupational hazards in the GCC. It highlights the need for collaborative efforts to address ergonomic challenges, enhance protective measures, and respond to chemical and biological risks effectively. Region-specific strategies, ongoing research, and technological advancements are crucial for ensuring workforce safety in these evolving environments.

Indexed as

Occupational HealthHumansMiddle EastOccupational ExposureOmanPolicy MakingUnited Arab Emirates

Identifiers

PMID39656729
PMCPMC11630603

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.