It is known that the death rate amongst giraffes during immobilisation, capture and transportation is high. However, during this study period (2011 to 2021), 75 giraffes were captured for the collection of various samples and purposes and none of these individuals died. General experiences and lessons learned during these captures are described. Data on the knockdown times on 43 occasions of giraffe immobilisation were recorded and analysed. We hope that this shared information could help in shaping future standard operating procedures to increase the success of handling giraffes and ultimately contribute to the conservation of the species.Giraffa camelopardalis) takes place during immobilisations, captures and translocations. Common mistakes, human error, unforeseen risks, the awkward anatomy and the sheer size of the animal are leading factors for giraffes’ mortalities during these operations. Many risks can be circumvented but some risks are unpreventable, often due to terrain characteristics . From 2011 to 2021, seventy-five giraffes were successfully immobilised and captured to collect biological and physiological data from eight different study areas across South Africa. A 0% mortality and injury rate was achieved and, therefore, the techniques described in this paper are testimony to the advances and improvements of capture techniques and drugs. Biological information and capture experiences were noted for 75 immobilised giraffes, of which, knockdown time data were recorded for 43 individuals. Effective and safe immobilisation requires a competent team, proper planning, skill and knowledge. In this manuscript, we address procedures, techniques, ethical compliance, welfare and safety of the study animals. General experiences and lessons learned are also shared and should benefit future captures and immobilisations by limiting the risks involved. The sharing of experiences and information could influence and improve critical assessments of different capture techniques and can likely contribute to the success rate of immobilisation and translocation success for giraffes in the future.One of the highest occurrences of mortalities among giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis) populations is to share the biological and physiological data acquired during field expeditions. Hands-on knowledge is often lost due to the fact that improved procedures are often not documented. One such practical experience is the capture process. Giraffe immobilisation and capture are notorious for being difficult and dangerous to the animal, as well as to the personnel, emphasised by a high animal mortality rate [One of the main goals for the continued success in the conservation of remaining giraffes  and giraffe, lose physical condition during the dry period (winter) because of the reduced availability of food and lower energy levels in the vegetation [The ultimate success of the capture, transport and re-establishment of giraffes is not determined only by the capture but more often by the condition and health state of the animals before and after capture, habitat suitability at the destination, nutritional quality discrepancy between the origin and destination , climatic unsuitability of the new environment and whether they adapt to and breed successfully in their new environment . The capgetation . It is tgetation  and the getation .Orycteropus afer). Many risks cannot be managed effectively and one should then strive to minimise the risk. Participants should be aware that the operation is inherently risky.Their large size and sensitivity to drugs significantly increase the anaesthetic risk of giraffes . ImmobilSuccessful capture is therefore dependent on proper planning before undertaking an operation. Techniques for the safe and successful immobilisation, capture and translocation of giraffes have improved over the past four decades but have not proceeded without injuries and mortalities ,14. The One of the aims of this paper is to suggest the drug and general dosage requirements for the successful immobilisation of giraffe, which can then be marginally increased or decreased depending on the situation. A standardised operating procedure (SOP) is encouraged, in which, the dosage rates and risks are simplified and are based on the successes experienced during this and other successful projects.The objectives of this paper are (1) to provide guidelines on successful giraffe immobilisation and capture operations, such as dosage requirements; (2) to provide adaptive measures whereby operations can be improved on; (3) to describe immobilisation and capture techniques that comply with all of the regional requirements of the animal ethical committees, animal welfare and conservation legislation and (4) to encourage a SOP, in which, the dosage rates and risks are simplified.From 2011 to 2021, 75 giraffes were captured and immobilised at eight different study sites across South Africa. The sites, as summarised in During the present study, all giraffes were successfully immobilised, with a 0% mortality and injury rate. Initial approaches included the use of different drugs and combinations of drugs (cocktails), such as M99 (an etorphine), Thianil (A-3080) and drug combination butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) . As the project progressed, a preferred combination was adhered to and used in preference to the other combinations.The techniques applied to immobilise giraffes vary significantly and depend on several variables, i.e., the type and duration of the procedure to be carried out and the location of the giraffes, as well as the accessibility to the giraffes. Restraint facilities are often used for giraffes in captivity  and vary from simple stalls with movable walls to highly sophisticated squeeze cages . HandlinFor free-ranging giraffes, two different immobilisation practices are commonly followed in the field. Both practices require the use of a remote injection syringe (dart), which can be delivered either by shooting (darting) from the ground (from a vehicle or on foot) or from the air using a helicopter or a drone . GiraffeAfter the chosen drug (Thianil) had effectively been released from the dart syringe, three phases of anaesthesia were recognised. The first signs (at approximately 1.5 to 4 min after darting) are what seem to be a lowering of the giraffe’s hips, hoofs trampling and high stepping gait, along with the lifting and/or shaking of the head and curling of the tail. With the use of Thianil, the average knockdown time (n = 25) was 4.02 (SE ± 1.0) minutes, as summarised in During the third phase, the animal experiences increasing levels of ataxia, slows down to a slow stumbling gait and may even fall over by itself. Whilst being in a cataleptic state, it still keeps its head balanced. With the aid of the 20 m polyester flat belt held firmly in front of the animal , the third phase is also the ideal time for the capture team to slow the animal until it falls to a prone position. Through experience gained during the various giraffe captures, the suggested length of the belt has proven efficient even when wrapped around the legs to trip the giraffe. The belt also usually sticks to the hair of the giraffe, which makes it is easy to run with and does not get tangled easily like rope.As soon as the animal is on the ground, the antagonist to the drug must be administered to prevent hypoxia (respiratory depression) . IndividTo add to the safety of the animals, the current study provided a minimum of two wildlife veterinarians present during each event. One veterinarian performed the darting and immobilisation from a helicopter or vehicle and the second veterinarian accompanied the ground team to the darted animal to be at hand as soon as the animal went into recumbency. The aim was to operate at a high standard of professionalism and to use skilled veterinary professionals and scientists that understood the protocols and procedures.Previous studies on ground-darted, free-ranging giraffes have recorded that the drug combination etorphine–azaperone had a similar induction time (first signs of drug effects and time to recumbency) to thiafentanil–medetomidine–ketamine, but was quicker than the drug combination BAM ,23. DuriBased on user preference and experience, a great variety of drugs, drug combinations and dosages are used for the immobilisation of giraffe. Opioid drugs are usually the main component for the immobilisation in the field. Giraffes are very sensitive to opioid drugs and its dosages can cause profound respiratory depression . GiraffeIn Southern Africa, common practice for drugs and dosages for the chemical immobilisation of healthy, wild giraffes includes 8–12 mg of etorphine hydrochloride (M99/Captivo) ; 60–80 mDuring this study, initial approaches included experimenting with different drugs and combinations of drugs (cocktails), starting with only etorphine hydrochloride, combining etorphine hydrochloride and thiafentanil  and combining Thianil and azaperone. During 25 immobilisation events where Thianil was utilised on its own, it was shown that immobilised giraffes could safely spend anywhere from less than a minute (removing collars) to more than 20 min on the ground, and hence became the drug of choice. Fourteen mg and eighteen mg Thianil were administered for females and males, respectively. Thiafentanil (A3080/Thianil), is a synthetic opioid similar to etorphine in both potency and other properties . The reaLimitations exist on the physical aspects of using dart guns to administer the immobilising drugs. The use of a heavy dart is usually the limiting factor on gaining enough distance and penetration effect. Preferably, trying to shoot and administer the drug to a giraffe further than 40 m away should be avoided. Experience in handling a dart gun is needed to ensure that the dart reaches its target correctly the first time. With a missed shot, it becomes more difficult to approach the individual or herd again, as they usually start running away. A good shot placement, such as in the shoulder muscles  or near A misfire and the inaccurate calculation of the dose needed , as well as poor dart placement can increase the risk of an operation by delaying the time to immobilisation and leading to excessive running. The above may cause the animal to exhaust itself by running too far, or it could overheat before the drug becomes effective. Both consequences could lead to the death of the animal from exhaustion or capture myopathy. If the first attempt by the ground vehicle is ineffective, a helicopter on standby is suggested to administer the second dart. Although expensive, it is encouraged that, when a giraffe cannot be darted from the ground or from a vehicle, a helicopter should be used. The tracking of immobilised animals in dense bush or rocky areas may damage the capture vehicles and put the animal itself in danger. In a worst-case scenario, it could also result in the antagonist not reaching the animal in time to reverse the severe respiratory depressant.Breathing is considered as the most important vital sign to monitor whilst a giraffe is immobilised . Of all Members of the capture team restrained each animal in such a way that its lungs could expand as much as possible. The breathing was monitored most easily with the giraffe’s head on one team member’s lap or mobile stretcher, with one hand close to the nostrils, without obstructing the nostrils. This monitoring assisted in feeling the movement of hot air and counting the respiratory rate. Knowledge of the respiratory rate and monitoring it throughout the restraining period are of vital importance (should be around 12 to 20 deep breaths per minute), as it will be affected if the giraffe is ill. The head should be kept stable, with the other hand having a firm grip over the ossicones. Overcrowding around the head and nasal area should also be avoided. In hot humid conditions, the use of a battery-operated leaf blower is highly advantageous to cool a hyperthermic animal down. The placement of the earplugs should prevent the animal from being startled by these external sounds.Every few minutes, the normal body temperature was measured by placing a digital thermometer deep within the rectum. For an adult giraffe, the normal body temperature should be between 37 to 38.6 °C, not exceeding 39 °C . NormallUnlike horses’ gums, which have a pink colour, the normal colour of a giraffe’s pigmented gum is a dark blue/purple/greyish colour. These darkish colours limit the value of using the oral mucous membranes for the evaluation of blood oxygenation, peripheral circulation or cardiovascular function. White, dark red, bright red or too dark colour variations indicate various forms of shock that the animal could be experiencing. If the mucous membranes in a giraffe’s mouth turn light grey/whitish in colour, immediate actions should be taken to improve ventilation . A capilThe suggested body positioning, which includes lateral recumbency and limbs being removed underneath the animal, complicates the monitoring of the heart rate on both sides. The heart rate was monitored with a stethoscope by placing it on the left side of the abdomen, just behind the elbow . To ensure that appropriate blood circulation occurs, the heart rate should be steady and regular and, on average, should be ranging from 60 to 120 beats per minute ,36. ImpoWhen darted on the ground, the animal is positioned on its side and the neck and head of the animal are secured. Eyes are covered and plugs are inserted into the ears to limit stimulation from external sources, which cause the now fully conscious (after intra-venous administration of the antagonist drug) giraffe to struggle and kick. To limit the giraffe’s exposure to startling sounds, cotton wool, placed within a soft sock and rope (to pull out quickly) or cloth against the ear, were used.The giraffe was kept down by placing weight on the neck and body , whilst still keeping its head and neck elevated. Immobilised ruminants, especially if food and water were not withheld before anaesthesia, should be kept in sternal recumbency, i.e., their heads and necks must be held higher than their chest to avoid bloat and regurgitation . For girConstant attempts by the animal to try and stand upright, kicking and struggling movements indicated signs of discomfort and stress. These were addressed immediately by making the animal as comfortable as possible , making sure the eyes were covered properly, the ears were plugged and the team were being as silent as possible.With the completion of the data collection checklist, everyone swiftly moved away from the animal, removing the blindfold and ear plugs and ensuring that the dart has been removed as well. One should keep in mind that the giraffe would be completely conscious at this time and that the animal would then stand up. In cases where it has difficulty getting into sternal recumbency, aid must be provided by the capture team members.The immobilisation agent that was used should be fully reversed before attempting to guide and load the animal through the use of ropes . The admProper planning before undertaking the capture and immobilisation of giraffes is crucial. Their large size, peculiar anatomy and their sensitivity to drugs significantly increase the anesthesia risk of giraffes with a known immobilisation-related mortality rate of an estimated 25 to 35%. The techniques described in this paper provide insight on the advances and improvements of capture techniques and drugs. The sharing of experiences and information will hopefully be of assistance to influence and improve critical assessments of different capture techniques by positively contributing to the success rate for future captures, as well as giraffe handling, training, management and conservation efforts, within in situ and ex situ environments. Recommendations for a SOP for giraffe immobilisation is summarised and shared as part of the


The main objective of the present study is to assess the role of professional and personal aspects in determining job satisfaction of garment industry workers in Bangladesh as a developing country. The present study is conducted on 350 workers from 25 garment factories in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur, three districts of Bangladesh where the garment industry dominates. The study location and sample size were determined based on the random sampling method. All the participating workers were interviewed in the light of a predetermined questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Science-SPSS software, version 24.0 was used for data analysis. Brayfield–Rothe Job Satisfaction Measurement Scale (JSMS) and Questionnaire for Measuring Satisfaction with professional aspects (QMSPA) has been used in this study. The results of the current study showed that, among personal aspects, only age significantly impacted the respondents’ overall job satisfaction. The respondents’ overall job satisfaction was also significantly influenced by all professional factors. Between the personal and professional facets, the importance of professional factors as determinants of job satisfaction is greater than that of personal factors. The results of the present study suggest that since professional aspects are the main components of job satisfaction, it is necessary to ensure the proper presence of these components. Factors such as pay, job security, and adequate and appropriate amount are indicators of job satisfaction. All parties involved in the garments industry such as employer–worker, regulatory body BGMEA, BKMEA, policy-making body, government, and factory authorities can take into account the results of this study and determine future course of action to increase workers’ job satisfaction. There is a widespread understanding that an organization’s success, productivity, and workforce efficiency depend on having a satisfied workforce , and thaThe perceived association between what one expects and receives from one’s job and the extent of importance or values one attributes to it determines one’s level of job satisfaction or dissatisfaction . HoweverKeeping employees pleased benefits a business in many ways, including decreased turnover, greater productivity, increased profitability, a better brand impression, a devoted customer base, and a long-lasting effect on the macroeconomic indicators of the nation . It is aThe only way to solve many issues is with the aid of job satisfaction. However, there has not been much research completed on job satisfaction, job dissatisfaction, and the effects on Bangladeshi garment workers. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on garment workers in order to understand their attitudes toward and behaviors at work, which will help to improve measure satisfaction levels and lead to better labor relations in Bangladeshi garment factories. Although numerous studies on job satisfaction and its various aspects have been carried out in developed nations ,19,20,31Could the degree of job satisfaction vary depending on certain factors? Our research’s main question is this. This empirical analysis, which is structured on three levels, aims to provide an answer to that query. On the first level, we looked at the key aspects of both jobs among Bangladeshi garment workers, emphasizing how personal and professional factors affect employees’ job satisfaction levels, organizational levels, and the depth of their interpersonal and professional connections. This essay makes several contributions to the literature on sustainable HRM. First, it examines how two key aspects of sustainable HRM—employee personal and professional factors related to the job—affect two major findings of sustainable HRM (job satisfaction), narrowing the gap in employment opportunities. The paper also makes a first attempt to look into how new types of influences are affecting job satisfaction.Despite having a significant impact on reducing poverty, increasing employment rates, and generating foreign exchange in Bangladesh, the garment industry is beset by employee discontent. A number of studies have been conducted on the human resource management, social, economic, and political aspects of the garment industry ,18,34,35One of the more complicated topics, job satisfaction includes a wide range of emotions and circumstances. One of the workplace behaviors is job satisfaction, which is a sense of fulfillment derived from job experience . Job satJob satisfaction varies from person to person. Although the workforce working in the same organization enjoys similar facilities, titles, salaries, and allowances, they may not all be satisfied and dissatisfied at work. Some are satisfied and some are dissatisfied, this is the diversity of the human mind. One of the determining factors of job satisfaction in the workplace is personal aspects . EmployeThe less engrossed they are in their work and the less concerned they are about the requirements of their job satisfaction; the highly educated workers are less satisfied . PreviouH1. There is no significant influence of personal aspects  on the overall job satisfaction of the respondents.Among the influencing factors of job satisfaction, the role of the professional aspect is outstanding. Satisfaction also depends on the achievement of professional aspects, which means that these professional aspects are the main sources of job satisfaction. Employees are satisfied-dissatisfied considering the benefits they receive from their jobs. For example, if wages are high, satisfaction is high, but if there is no job security, dissatisfaction is at its peak. The present study attempts to determine the level of satisfaction by focusing on 11 professional aspects  that have been and are being extensively researched. The following literature reviews were reviewed to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and professional aspects.Shan et al.  revealedYuan et al.  found thKhan and Mishra  revealedThe type of work, chances for advancement, accessibility towards further education, teamwork, coworkers, line managers, salary, and position within the organization are among the variables that affect job satisfaction, according to Bakotić . WorkingH2. The respondents’ overall job satisfaction is not significantly impacted by the particular professional aspects .H3. There is no discernible difference in job satisfaction between employees and supervisors.The majority of garment factories in Bangladesh are located within the city limits of Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayangangj, and Gajipur. In Bangladesh, three types of garment factories are currently in operation: woven, knit, and sweater. To select the sample factories for the current study, the BKMEA (Bangladesh Knit Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) provided two lists of all garment factories. From these lists, twenty-five garment factories were chosen at random as a sample, with ten (10) woven, twelve (12) knit, and three (3) sweater factories from the districts of Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Dhaka.Generally, there are three sections in garment factories such as cutting, sewing, and finishing. To obtain a representative sample, 350 employees were chosen from above 25 factories, which would include 114 supervisors and 236 workers, and 3 sections of each were considered.Ten woven garments were chosen on a random basis for the purpose of the present study. In woven garment factory, the number of employees varied from 200 to 2000. The capital investment in such industries varied from BDT 3 million to 40 million. Woven garment industries’ production capacity varied from 15,000 to 200,000 pieces per month. They, generally export their products to U.S.A., Canada, and European Countries. Woven Garment contributes earn 74.25% of the total garment export earnings of the country .Twelve knit and three sweater garments were selected on a random basis for the purpose of the present study. In knit and sweater garment factories number of employees varied from 150 to 1000. Their capital investment varied from BDT 2 million to 20 million (without composite knitting unit). The production capacity of the knit and sweater garment varied from 100,000 to 500,000 pieces per month. Knit and sweater garments contribute 25.76% (knit 18.99% and sweater 6.76%) of the total garment export earnings of the country .The information collected from the subjects of the current study fall under the job satisfaction and its degree among the level of employees, impact of importance of job facets, and satisfaction/dissatisfaction with specific personal and professional aspects of job.To measure the overall job satisfaction of the subject, the Bengali version of the Baryfied–Rothe Scale  was usedBrayfied and Rothe  reportedA questionnaire was erected to measure satisfaction with 11 specific professional aspects of the job. These items were comprised in the questionnaire for covering different but representative areas, which have been suggested by several investigations to affect employee attitudes ,115,117.The original version of the job satisfaction scale  for measThe Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyze the data . Descriptive statistics measures like frequency, mean, and standard deviation, z-test, were used to describe participant characteristics, job satisfaction. To identify the factors influencing job satisfaction level, Pearson’s correlation regression analysis was used, with adjustments for employees’ personal aspects and professional aspects. A significance level of <0.05 was used for all statistical analyses.For the purpose of the final study, twenty-five  were selected on a random basis. Three districts were purposively selected to collect the data . Each of the chosen garment factories received the required written consent from the relevant authority. After obtaining permission, each respondent was personally contracted, and data were collected from each one of them after convincing them of the study’s goals. The relevant factory authority provided a suitable room for the sittings to be held in. The interviews were conducted throughout working hours, at lunchtime, and even after hours. Data were gathered by the researchers themselves between June 2021 and July 2022. The respondents received the necessary clarifications whenever they encountered a problem. 350 subjects in total were chosen and interviewed. Less than two-year veterans were not allowed to work there. The interviews were conducted throughout working hours, at lunchtime, and even after hours. The time it took for each subject to complete the information needed to fill out the questionnaire was approximately 30 to 40 min. All the answer sheets were checked one by one and incomplete answer sheets were excluded from the study. The researcher himself tabulated the data. Before tabulation, a code plan was prepared, and data were transferred into a code sheet. Based on the previous literature review the authors developed a research framework .According to The present study deals with the results and analyses of data comparing the garment employees  and with the supervisors and workers and the basis of satisfaction. Results and analyses of data on the variables are presented in the following sections:Since age, experience, education, and income have a significant influence on the overall job satisfaction of the employee, so the respondents were classified into two groups—high and low groups to see the stimulus of these aspects on the overall job satisfaction of the respondents. The respondents below and above the median age, experience, education, and income were categorized as lower and higher groups, respectively. The subjects were also categorized as male and female and married and unmarried. The mean differences in job satisfaction according to the above personal factors of the respondents are shown in To examine the influence of specific professional aspects on overall job satisfaction, respondents were categorized into satisfied and dissatisfied groups on each aspect of the job. Z-test was applied to compare the overall mean job satisfaction score of the two groups and the results are shown in According to The z-test was used to determine whether there is a significant difference in the mean job satisfaction of supervisors and workers, and the results are shown in There was a significant average difference in job satisfaction between supervisors and workers, according to the results of The upshots in the A comparison was made to examine the satisfaction and dissatisfaction with specific professional aspects of the job between the employees of woven garment factories and knit and sweater garment factories. The results reveal that there were significant differences in their responses on promotional opportunity, job status, job security, the behavior of bosses, open communication, and recognition system. There was no difference in the response pattern on the rest of the aspects between respondents of these two types of organizations. The results show that significantly higher numbers of the respondents in woven garment employees were dissatisfied with their promotional opportunity as compared to knit and sweater garment employees. On the other hand, higher numbers of the respondents in knit and sweater garments factories were dissatisfied with their job security as compared to woven garment employees. While a significantly higher number of respondents in knit and sweater garment employees were satisfied with the behavior of their boss, and recognition for good work open communication .The individual contributions of several dependent variables to one dependent variable: job satisfaction was investigated, as well as the interrelationships between the variables. The results of the correlation matrix  show thaThe results in In this section, the findings of the current study are examined in relation to the previously set two hypotheses in the light of the beforehand stated goals of the current investigation and after a review of the literature. The results of the current study will be compared to each hypothesis.The results suggest that out of six personal aspects, only one aspect (such as age) had a significant influence on overall job satisfaction and the rest five aspects  had no significant influence on the overall job satisfaction. Therefore, the results partially confirmed the first null hypothesis. The direction of the results indicated that the respondents with higher age were significantly more satisfied than those of the lower age group . CorrelaEmployees at lower levels were generally more dissatisfied than higher-level employees, according to Stritesky . He contSeveral studies ,58,64,69The present study further suggested that there was a significant impact of the level of organization on overall job satisfaction. The results showed that job satisfaction was higher among the employees of oven garments as compared to their counterparts. It was also observed from The socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh are different from those of other garment-producing countries in the world, so it is natural, that the results of research conducted in the context of Bangladesh will not be consistent with the results of research conducted in the context of other countries. There is a big difference, especially with western countries. However, the socio-economic conditions of Asian countries are almost similar. Overall personal aspects and professional aspects are universal in all countries. Depending on the country, the presence of these factors affecting the job satisfaction of workers is observed to varying degrees in different countries.For an organization to grow and succeed, employee job satisfaction is a fundamental issue for retaining a productive workforce. Organizations must comprehend the employee attitudes that better motivate employees in order to increase productivity and achieve organizational goals. Job satisfaction is the main weapon to make a group loyal and motivated them. The purpose of the study is to assess the personal and professional variables that influence garment employee job satisfaction in a developing country covered Bangladesh. The present study’s findings suggest that only age had a significant influence on overall job satisfaction and the other five, i.e., education, income, experience, sex, and marital status had no significant influence on the overall job satisfaction of the respondents. Specific professional aspects factors, i.e., pay, job security, the behavior of bosses, job status, autonomy in work, recognition for good work, participation in decision making, communication with the boss, and working environment had a significant influence on the overall job satisfaction of the respondents. Between the personal and professional aspects, the latter plays a decisive role in producing job satisfaction for the respondents. Both the men and women workers’ apparent garment jobs are extremely stressful, but female respondents perceived significantly higher job stress than that of their counterparts. Among the independent variables such as age, experience, education, income, and job satisfaction, the contribution of job satisfaction to performance (dependent variable) was the highest. According to this study, the supervisor’s mean job satisfaction notch was significantly greater than the workers’. Between the high and low age groups, there were appreciably different average levels of job satisfaction. Employees who are older report being happier at work than respondents who are younger. Therefore, distinct programs for the current low-aged workers should be executed by the garment industry authorities to ensure maximum satisfaction. The groups of respondents with more experience and less education were found to be happier. In order to pay distinctive attention to, keep, and encourage experienced and highly educated respondents, the garment authorities may do so. Job satisfaction has varied significantly across the apparel industry. Both worker levels and two-way interactions in the garment industry were not statistically significant. So, the results obtained from the analysis show that only age affects job satisfaction, but higher-aged workers are more satisfied than low-aged workers. Hence, garment owners should take measures to ensure maximum satisfaction for young workers. In addition, it can be seen that in the case of other personal factors, the impact on job satisfaction is not seen significantly, but experienced and highly educated workers are less satisfied. The concerned authorities should take incentive measures to retain highly educated and experienced workers in the organization and come forward to improve their living standards by increasing wages.The degree of satisfaction among employees heavily influences productivity. Additionally, it is challenging to satisfy all employees by offering the same things. Some employees might be content with some professional factors, but they might not give much thought to how they are treated at work. The garments industry should therefore take into account each of these factors. All of the factors that contribute to employee satisfaction must be taken into account by the management. Professional aspects, i.e., pay promotion, job security, job status, recognition, kith and kin with colleagues, participation in decision-making, open communication, autonomy in work, and the behavior of bosses have a significant impact on workers’ job satisfaction in Bangladeshi readymade garments industry, while the other factors have a moderate impact. The happiness of Bangladeshi readymade garment workers depends greatly on their pay, promotion, job security, working conditions, and participation in decision-making. This study places a priority on improving working conditions right away. As a result, the company needs to restructure its plan for improving the factory’s work environment to include better adequate care, health and hygiene facilities, and safety equipment. The garment industry pays its employees a low wage that is not advised by the government and is currently insufficient for the workers. Therefore, in order for the employees to have a better quality of life, the owners, management, and regulatory authority of the company should adhere to the government-recommended salary structure and a little more. The workers will be happier as a result of an increase in pay. There is no minimum opportunity for workers’ participation in management in the garment industry sector of Bangladesh. The opinion of the workers has no value, rather the workers are harassed in various ways. There is a trend of getting fired at the drop of a hat. Incidents of mental and physical abuse also occur frequently. Employees suffer from job insecurity. Job loss due to various reasons is a common phenomenon in the garment industry of Bangladesh. The cases of regular promotion of workers are rare, so the workers do not get the thought and opportunity to build a long-term career. So, the garment authority should provide job security to the workers first and give merit-based promotions so that they can build long-term careers in the garment industry. Workers’ views should be given importance. One of the best aspects of modern management is the opportunity for workers to participate in management. If there is such an opportunity, the workers are more committed to the organization, and the satisfaction increases. Garment industry authorities and management should consider the factors and evaluate the workers contributions. If the aforementioned demands of the workers in the ready-made industry can be met, this industry will establish a high foreign currency earnings country, and improved socioeconomic conditions of garments workers are all expected. The current study recommends that the government, the BGMEA, and the BKMEA implement appropriate strategies and measures to guarantee all of the aforementioned factors for the satisfaction of all Bangladeshi garment workers.Some of this research paper’s strengths set it apart from others. Such research with garment industrial workers in Bangladesh is, to put it mildly, extremely uncommon. The study, which will be recognized as a landmark, was carried out by researchers in the mentioned field. There is an abundance of research on job satisfaction worldwide. Numerous studies have been, are being, and will be conducted in the future. Our research is more unique and fundamental as a result of the paucity of literature in the field related to the garment industry. The methodology of this study is yet another plus. The widely accepted measurement scale has been used for data analysis. Additionally, direct interviews are used to gather the data so that it can be pragmatically analyzed.This research has limitations just like other research does. Twenty-five garment factories were included in this research, from which the sample was pinched, but not all of them. Instead of studying the entire garment factories, the researcher concentrated on the garment factories located in Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayangonj districts. As a result, the researcher might not be able to extrapolate the findings to all the garment factories in the country. Consequently, only 350 out of the thousands of workers employed by the garment industry in Bangladesh were included in the study, which is another drawback of the study. The majority of the ready-made garment workers were reluctant to disclose their internal policies and provide responses due to the confidentiality and demanding work schedules, making it impossible to conduct a large survey and obtain a large sample size. The population’s geographic scope is another drawback of the study. Researchers were given less time than was necessary to ample the research, which had an impact on the collection of pertinent data from various sources. Researchers were enforced to use lesser sample sizes that hampered data collection due to a lack of funding and time. All of the nation’s state-owned sugar mills could be included in the population. More thorough research is therefore needed in this established field in Bangladesh.A larger sample size, more personal and professional aspects, more garment factories from various districts of the country, a new advanced questionnaire, upgraded methods, and other tools for measuring various aspects of job satisfaction which can be more in number should be used in future studies using a framework alike to that of the present study in order to obtain more accurate results. With the use of contemporary research techniques, it is expected that subsequent researchers will be capable to create a genuine portrait of workers’ job satisfaction by accounting for the limitations of the current study, taking into account the significant number of respondents, and taking into account garments factories generally.


Nowadays, a multitude of scientific publications on health science are being developed that require correct bibliographic search in order to avoid the use and inclusion of retracted literature in them. The use of these articles could directly affect the consistency of the scientific studies and could affect clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of the main scientific literature search engines, both general (Gooogle Scholar) and scientific , used in health sciences in order to check their ability to detect and warn users of retracted articles in the searches carried out. The sample of retracted articles was obtained from RetractionWatch. The results showed that although Google Scholar was the search engine with the highest capacity to retrieve selected articles, it was the least effective, compared with scientific search engines, at providing information on the retraction of articles. The use of different scientific search engines to retrieve as many scientific articles as possible, as well as never using only a generic search engine, is highly recommended. This will reduce the possibility of including retracted articles and will avoid affecting the reliability of the scientific studies carried out. Obtaining scientific knowledge is based on scientific methods, which can be defined as the specific protocols that serve as a guide in the process of observing reality, an observation that in turn will allow for knowledge to be acquired. However, it is important to point out that this process does not end with the dissemination of the findings, although it may seem so, as the publication has already been reviewed by scientific peers, which ensures, a priori, its scientific quality ,2. RatheThe outcome of these post-review processes, essential in the self-correcting approach in science , may resHowever, at first glance, this situation may seem anecdotal; the number of retracted scientific publications has increased enormously, from less than 100 in 2000 to 1772 reported in 2019 , it was Although this scientific literature is retracted and appears as such in numerous databases, it has been found that these articles continue to be cited . In someThe main problem with the continued use of retracted literature is that the incorporation of these invalid studies into literature reviews can potentially distract future research and clinical attention ,16,17,18Based on the above, the following study was designed to analyze the capacity of these search engines to provide results that allow for the identification of retracted literature. The aim of the present study is to compare some of the most widely used scientific search engines in the health sciences, and to compare these search engines to find out their success rate in the recognition of retracted articles and how they warn users of this situation. The main hypothesis is that general search engines will offer lower recognition rates than those considered to be scientific. Regarding this objective, the research hypothesis is that general search engines will offer lower recognition rates of retracted articles than scientific search engines.This comparative study was based on a search of the RetractionWatch database conducted on 26 December 2021, for retracted articles, where the original manuscript was published between 1 January 2016, and 25 December 2021.We selected (i) all types of articles and (ii) all reasons for retraction, and (iii) the selected subject being searched was “diabetes”. Finally, we obtained a total of 50 retracted articles, which can be found in the In order to check the reliability of RetractionWatch, so as to ensure that the articles retrieved from RetractionWatch were really retracted, it was verified that these articles appeared as such on the web page corresponding to each of the journals in which they were published.The search engines selected for this study were (i) PubMed, (ii) Scopus, (iii) Web of Science, (iv) EMBASE, and (v) Google Scholar, all of which are widely used in health sciences. Both PubMed and Google Scholar allow for a free and direct search of their content. PubMed offers access to articles about medicine and biomedical sciences, indexed in Medline and PubMed Central databases. Google Scholar covers most of the scientific fields through searching for articles indexed from publishers, libraries, repositories, or bibliographic databases . FurtherIn the process of reviewing the documents, two authors searched and reviewed the articles independently in each of the search engines selected. The results were analyzed according to the following criteria: (i) indexed or not indexed, and (ii) detected or not detected.Here, indexed refers to articles found in journals indexed in databases accessed by the selected search engine. Furthermore, detected means that the search engine provided information on the retraction of the manuscript. In addition, not detected means that the search engine did not provide information on the retraction of the manuscript. In this study, we considered the information on the retraction when the search engines offered article information that indicated that it had been withdrawn or the original article was shown in conjunction with a retraction note as adequate. However, expression of concern was considered as not providing adequate notice to authors.p < 0.05.The data analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS version 23.0 . The descriptive statistics for categorical variables were presented as frequency (percentage); in order to identify the possible relation between variables, the Chi square test, a non-parametric analysis, was carried out. The statistical level of significance was set at Firstly, the indexation capacity of the databases wherein the evaluated search engines found the articles was reviewed. In this case, it was found that the best search engine out of all of those used was Google Scholar, with search results offering access to 96% of the articles consulted, followed by PubMed (76%), EMBASE (72%), SCOPUS (68%), and WoS (56%) .The percentage was calculated in relation the total of indexed manuscripts for each search engine. Not indexed means that the databases wherein the search engine searches for the information did not include the journals where the manuscript was published.Within the analysis associated with checking whether they offered information on whether or not an article had been retracted, it was found that PubMed showed 28 (73.68%) out of the total of 38 articles indexed in the databases searched by this search engine. The next search engine in terms of efficiency for showing retracted documents was Web of Science, with 18 out of a total of 28 indexed. The search engine that showed the worst results when it came to displaying information about retracted articles was Google Scholar, where only 15 out of 48 indexes showed information about the retraction of these articles.In relation to the total number of documents analyzed, PubMed was the search engine with the best result, as 56% of the indexed documents showed information about their retraction, followed by EMBASE (42%), SCOPUS (36%), Web of Science (36%), and Google Scholar (30%).p < 0.0001), PubMed (p = 0.004), SCOPUS (p < 0.0000), and Web of Science (p < 0.0001). It was also observed that PubMed had a better ability to find and display selected articles than Web of Science (p = 0.035) (The comparison between the different search engines showed that Google Scholar had a greater capacity to find articles than EMBASE (= 0.035) .p = 0.0001). When comparing the rest of the search engines, no significant differences were observed in terms of their ability to detect and display information about retracted articles, within those that were indexed in the databases searched by these search engines  duplicity in records, (ii) ghost authors, and (iii) the inclusion of non-academic content, among others . HoweverIn summary, no database provides 100% coverage of the scientific production in a specific area, which makes it necessary to use several of them in order to obtain greater coverage of the information retrieved.However, there are other tools that allow users to identify retracted articles, like databases that collect retracted articles and provide reasons for being retracted, with great reliability and that allow open access to this information, as is the case of RetractionWatch ,14. ThesIn view of the above and given the real situation regarding the bibliographic search for scientific information, it is also necessary to use search engines that have notice-to-users’ tools focused on providing information about the reliability of the scientific articles they are consulting . This siThis study has some limitations; first of all, a small number of articles derived from a specific topic were used. Secondly, it should also be noted that the database from RetractionWatch was used to collect retracted articles. This database, although it may not be considered exhaustive, is considered to be reliable because the documents indexed there are retracted.We consider it essential to enhance training about the correct use of the location and selection of the most relevant scientific manuscripts, avoiding the inclusion of retracted articles that could compromise the scientific body of knowledge in health sciences.Our intention is only to emphasize the importance of an accurate review of the literature and, especially, to bring to the attention of researchers the harm that is done to the body of knowledge when we include retracted literature in our studies, particularly when the reason is related to the integrity of data and results and scientific misconduct.It is a recommended practice to use several scientific search engines that both allow access to many scientific articles and provide information on whether these can be considered as solid scientific evidence or, on the contrary, whether they have been retracted and should not be used in scientific studies.Based on these findings, a study covering a longer period of time and a specific field of health sciences should be carried out in the future to compare in detail the efficiency and detection capacity of retracted documents of the main search engines used in the health sciences, as well as the analysis of reason for retraction.


Exposure to different chemicals is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. Within HBM4EU, focus group discussions were conducted to gather data on citizens’ perceptions of chemical exposure and human biomonitoring. These discussions were hosted in Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia following a protocol developed in the first round of discussions. Results indicate the very high concern of European citizens regarding food safety and the environment. Focus group participants were well aware of potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption , drinking water, or from polluted air and water. One of the positive aspects identified here, is the high interest of citizens in awareness and education on personal measures to control exposure. The promotion of personal behavioral changes requires active involvement of society . Activities should focus on raising awareness of the general public, implementation of policy measures, and mainstreaming of related topics into the education system. Raising awareness of the general public may promote engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions. There is also a need for further research which might focus on the impact of country-specific situations and of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exposure of citizens to chemicals. Exposure to different chemicals is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. On the one hand, the use of chemicals like cosmetics and cleaning agents makes life easier and more convenient or pleasant, but on the other hand, the individuals using those products are more exposed to chemicals . UnintenHuman biomonitoring is an effective way to quantify people’s exposure to chemicals. It measures the levels of substances in human body fluids and tissues  arising from exposures to chemicals and contributes to a better understanding of resulting possible adverse health effects and exploration of appropriate preventive actions ,4,5. HumIn Austria, Portugal, Ireland, and the UK in 2018 and 2019 .HBM4EU is a five-year European program that uses human biomonitoring to assess human exposure to chemicals in Europe and to inform policymakers for improved protection of European citizens’ health from chemical exposure . To addrThe objective of the second round of the focus groups of HBM4EU was to improve the geographic representation of citizen feedback in the advancement of European human biomonitoring and to gather additional data to better understand: (1) citizens’ perception of chemical exposure in their daily lives and human biomonitoring; (2) citizens’ concerns regarding exposure to chemicals; (3) beliefs towards chemical exposure and safety, as well as regarding human biomonitoring; (4) the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of citizens about the exposure to chemicals.The last topic was added to the focus group discussions as the second round of the discussions was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and we thought it is essential to find out if there are any changes in the citizens’ perception as the COVID-19 pandemic has left an impact on the chemical exposure of the population. However, the impact differed in different stages of the pandemic. As a response to the pandemic, when governments enforced a variety of restrictions on everyday activities , a drop in air pollution was observed . This waThe increased use of disinfectants and sanitizers as part of cleaning practice and hand hygiene has been essential to mitigate the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Despite the potential benefits of these chemicals in the fight against this virus, their continuous use and possible misuse, and overuse may lead to short-term and long-term adverse effects on humans and the environment . The impIn 2018 and 2019, a cross-sectional observational qualitative study to collect data through semi-structured focus groups was conducted in four European countries: Austria (February 2018), Portugal (May 2019), Ireland (September 2019), and the UK (October 2019) . To obtaParticipants were recruited following a purposive sampling  method in each of the seven involved countries. Eligible participants were adult citizens (18+ years old) of both genders. As the focus group discussions were held in the national languages of the participating countries, the persons who could not master the language that the focus group was conducted in  were excluded from participation in the discussion. Also, participants who were not able to provide written or electronic consent to participate in the focus group were excluded from participation. www.stradavesels.lv (accessed 10 March 2022). Most of the countries used various methods to ensure heterogeneity of the focus groups regarding age, educational level, urban/rural residence, and professional background of the participants . Some of the countries  also paid attention to other recruitment criteria like prior knowledge of the topic of the focus group discussions, belonging to a category vulnerable to pollutants , or minor ethnic communities in the country. The countries organizing focus group discussions used different methods to recruit a sufficient number of participants. Two of the HBM4EU project partners (in Denmark and the Netherlands) outsourced the recruitment to specialized external service providers. Social media (Facebook and Twitter) posts and groups (WhatsApp) were used in Latvia, Northern Macedonia, and Israel. A personal contact network was used in Hungary and Israel. In Cyprus, focus group participants were recruited by calling randomly formed telephone numbers. In addition, in North Macedonia, several persons were invited based upon their prior knowledge about the topic, and in Latvia an article was published on the national occupational health and safety portal No monetary or other compensation was offered for the participation and contribution in several countries; however, monetary incentives were provided in Cyprus (60 Euros per participant), Israel , the Netherlands (35 Euros—provided by the recruitment service) and Denmark . Any expenses related to travel to onsite events were also reimbursed .A standardized procedure was used as the basis for all eleven focus group discussions. Due to the different epidemiological restrictions to mitigate the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, varying discussion methods were used—two focus groups took place within the facilities of the research units or local institutions and nine focus groups were organized using online platforms—Zoom, GoToMeeting and Brainstork.Chemicals to which we are exposed in our daily lives  -which substances concern us most, to which substances are we more exposed, what are the health problems that can be related to chemicals;The present situation of human biomonitoring—have you ever heard about human biomonitoring, what is done in this area of human biomonitoring, who works in this area, for what and how is it done;Human biomonitoring—how will the results of human biomonitoring and, particularly, of HBM4EU be relevant for the participants, in which areas of personal life can these results be more relevant;The near future of human biomonitoring—which results can be achieved by the time the HBM4EU initiative will have ended, how can these results be used, how would the participants like to be informed about the results, in which way can the results be communicated to the general public, which political measures should be taken, how can the public awareness on human biomonitoring be increased.Depending on the country and size of the focus group, one or two experienced moderators led the sessions according to written guidelines which consisted of logically proceeding questions. Moderators were supported by a note-taker and a technical support person in case of online discussions. The sessions started with the moderator seeking consent to audio record the discussion, followed by an overview of the main sections to be discussed, main goals and rules for group discussion, a presentation for the participants (warm-up), and a short and brief introduction to the HBM4U project. Afterward, moderators using a non-directive semi-structured approach following the slightly modified guidelines which were used during the first round of the discussions . It inclThe modifications in focus group guidelines included changing the year to be mentioned when talking about the future of the Human Biomonitoring Project HBM4EU, the expected results of this future, and other expectations of the focus group participants regarding biomonitoring. The questions were flexible in terms of order and depth of discussion, so national research teams could reorganize the discussion to reflect local needs. In addition to the topics discussed in 2018 and 2019, several questions related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chemical exposure in our lives were added for discussions in 2021. They covered aspects related to changes in our habits and every-practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their influence on exposure to chemicals.The duration of the focus groups was variable and ranged between 70 to 180 min each (full session). During the sessions of onsite discussions, participants were offered light refreshments, which also contributed to “breaking the ice” and promoting group interaction. Sometimes, a PowerPoint presentation was shared on the screen when the relevant questions were discussed among online participants. Participants of online discussions  also wrote comments in the chat during the sessions, which were later incorporated into the transcripts.All the focus group sessions were recorded with permission from the participants. These recordings were later used for full transcripts and to match the information correctly. Recordings were uploaded and kept on the internal protected servers of HMB4EU project partners, taking into account the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR), and will be deleted according to the national requirements.Anonymized transcripts were prepared in the language which was used during the discussions, including careful de-identification of all participants. Content analysis of transcripts was provided by two independent and experienced researchers of each country, following the grounded theory principle ,15. EachThe results of all countries were summarized and the most relevant quotes from the focus group sessions were marked at all stages of the analysis of transcripts. After that, the researchers  selected and suggested to other authors the examples-quotes that best explain the different answers to the questions and demonstrate various opinions and experiences. The final set of quotes was created by a simple agreement between all authors. In the section of the results, only one or two supporting quotes are provided, other relevant quotes are given in Before starting the discussions within the focus groups, all of the participants signed an informed consent form in a written or electronic manner. Within the consent form, it was explained that the participation was voluntary, that the participants were free to withdraw their participation at any time and that all of the collected data were anonymous and confidential. In addition, the moderator of each focus group explained to the participants the purpose of the study and allowed the participants to ask questions.The process and guidelines of the focus group discussions within the HBM4EU project were approved by the project management board. Adherence to the rules of the GDPR was assured by the national project partners carrying out the discussions by national legal acts. In all focus groups, participants gave informed consent through a declaration of consent on data protection of the affected persons (according to Art 6 para 1 lit a GDPR) Citizen Workshop on Human-Biomonitoring in the EU. In Denmark, the study protocol in Danish accompanied by the informed consent form and invitation letter was approved by the institutional ethics committee at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (504-0208/20-5000) and by the institutional data processor (514-0544/20-3000) at University of Copenhagen. A controller-to-controller data transfer agreement was signed between Norstat and the University of Copenhagen. Additionally, in Latvia, positive approval for the conduction of the focus group was received from the Ethics Committee of Rīga Stradiņš University . According to the national legal requirements, approval from the ethics committee was not required in the other countries organizing focus group discussions in 2020 and 2021.A total of eleven focus groups in seven countries were undertaken  and 37 males (47%), aged between 18 and 74). Sample characterization, in terms of sociodemographic variables, by country, is provided in Five main themes (categories) of the second round of focus group discussions were revealed: (1) perception of chemical risks and their impact on human health; (2) present situation of human biomonitoring; (3) expectations from human biomonitoring and particularly HBM4EU; (4) communication of the results of human biomonitoring and HBM4EU; and (5) perception of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on exposure to chemicals see .When addressing the perception of focus group participants on chemical risks and their impact on human health, three sub-categories were identified: (a) main concerns regarding exposure and health effects; (b) concerns regarding harmful substances with the most exposure; and (c) aspects related to personal behavior.Focus group participants were asked if they had concerns about exposure to a variety of chemicals and associated health risks. The biggest concern was expressed about exposure to chemicals from the consumption of food . Air pollution and chemicals in drinking water were also mentioned by focus group participants, however, less often. Some of the participants were not able to name a specific problem , while others wanted to highlight air pollution from traffic , heavy industry, and combustion processes. “Food is another source of exposure to chemicals and as an example, I would like to mention the consumption of the food color that is found in E101 (sunset yellow) juices …. This is a very carcinogenic chemical”(North Macedonia)The location of industrial facilities close to the living area or living in a polluted area was mentioned in the focus group from the Southern countries . The same countries, except Israel, also stressed contamination of soil arising from the use of pesticides or herbicides, which might be related to the economic activities typical for Southern Europe. Focus group participants of both non-EU member countries (Israel and North Macedonia) also discussed the storage of hazardous chemicals including illegal waste disposal, illegal waste burning, chemicals and waste left in closed factories.“As a resident of Haifa Bay [polluted are in Israel], I am very aware of air pollution problems and think human biomonitoring is relevant to my life”(Israel)In the Netherlands, chemicals in personal care products were also considered of concern. In other countries, there was less concern about this source of exposure. In some cases, chemicals and dust in the workplace, specific work with building materials, exposure from several sources, chemicals from plastic toys, and use of packaging were also mentioned, however, this concern can be characterized as minor.When asking the participants which exposure routes concern them the most, the focus group participants were able to specify all main exposure pathways: oral uptake, inhalation of contaminated air, and exposure through skin contact were mentioned by some focus group participants. In addition, in Denmark, several of the participants were not able to highlight which substances they are more exposed to. They stressed that exposure to substances comes from several sources and that it is difficult to choose which one is the main exposure.“I simply believe that it is all of it. I think it can be our clothes, the way it is produced, the substances in it, what we wash it in, the food we consume, it can be something in the air and ordinary pollution from factories”(Denmark)Another concern in the discussion was the consequence of being exposed to chemicals. In total, seventeen different health effects arising from exposure to chemicals were mentioned during the focus group discussions. In general, long-term health effects were of the biggest concern. Cancer was highlighted in more than half of the focus groups. Allergies, including asthma, skin problems, respiratory diseases, and the effect of chemicals on fertility were also reported several times. Hypersensitivity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, poisoning, eye irritation, and nervous disease—all of them were only mentioned by one focus group participant.“On account of serious health issues such as cancer… especially with regards to what we eat and how we eat it.”(Cyprus)you can more influence what you eat if compared to what you breathe”) are factors to be highlighted as examples for personal behavior. In addition, exposure to chemicals at the workplace was also mentioned by one focus group participant.The issues, which dominated the participants’ interest could be classified as “health effects due to chemical exposures” and to “personal risk management actions”. ‘Well-known’ diseases , especially previous personal or family experience, and unknown consequences of being exposed to chemicals can be given as examples of health-related factors. Availability of healthier alternatives/choices  and the possibility to influence exposure During the discussions in Latvia and Cyprus, the increased vulnerability of specific population segments was brought up. The following population segments were mentioned: pregnant women, children, persons with chronic diseases or underlying illnesses, persons with unhealthy eating habits, persons employed in certain professions , elderly persons, persons with special needs, and persons living in polluted areas.A large number of different chemicals were mentioned while discussing harmful substances with the most exposure. Food preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, and food additives (‘E numbers’) were the main concern of most focus group participants in four different countries . The second most-often mentioned concern was related to pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides which were highlighted in five countries. However, when compared with chemicals in food, this group is of less concern. Also, the use of fertilizers was mentioned by two countries. In general, these results also stress the high concern of Europeans regarding contaminated food chains, as fertilizers and pesticides are used in agricultural production. “Pesticides can contaminate our food, the water and the environment... I remember reading as a student in Mytilene [Greece] about a study, which showed that the pesticides sprayed on the local olive groves contaminated the soil and water bodies and that the contamination persisted for a long time. I mean, the cycle of pesticides ‘use and effects’ is unbelievable”(Cyprus)The next most frequently discussed group of chemicals was heavy metals, but the specific metals that were mentioned differed between countries . However, also, in this case, oral uptake through food or food supplements was the exposure route of main concern.“I am very concerned about heavy metals in food supplements. I don’t think this is sufficiently regulated”(Israel)10 and PM2.5) particles, methanol, benzene, toluene, xylene, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, formaldehyde, asbestos.Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls were discussed in two countries . The following groups of products were mentioned by the two countries: cleaning products, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical drugs, medication, smoking and tobacco products, substances released during the combustion process, and petroleum products. In addition, the following chemicals or chemical products were noted only in one country: shampoos, plastics, garments, and shoes containing harmful substances, hormone-disrupting substances, parabens, PM Several other food-related aspects were given as examples for explaining personal behavior to reduce exposure to chemicals: getting fresh food, active avoidance of food additives (E-numbers), cleaning fruit before consumption, and use of sweeteners to replace sugar. Some other participants mentioned opting for hand-made cosmetics/ soaps and buying particular types of personal care products.When addressing perception and understanding of human biomonitoring and the HBM4EU initiative, the results can be classified into two categories: (a) familiarity with human biomonitoring and HBM4EU; and (b) actors in human biomonitoring.The general understanding of human biomonitoring in almost all focus groups can be characterized as very low and limited, some of the participants clearly stated that they had never heard of human biomonitoring before and had not done any research before the focus group, and were curious about the meaning of it. Others were giving examples of monitoring of different health parameters , however, in fact, these answers did not cover the measurement of chemicals in the samples taken from the human body. One of the participants mentioned that he is aware of the term “human biomonitoring” because of the field of his/her studies in the university.“That what comes into my mind on human biomonitoring at once is … more related with medical parameters, for example, the oxygen concentration in blood, or blood pressure, or something like that”(Latvia)After a short presentation of the topic, the participants could recall information that human biomonitoring is related to the analysis of biological samples from the human body. Focus group participants in Cyprus, Denmark, and North Macedonia could relate the topic with analysis of blood, in Cyprus and North Macedonia, with analysis of urine. Analysis of semen and hair were mentioned in Denmark. When looking at the type of analysis, monitoring of the presence and/or limits of chemicals was mentioned in three countries . A total of two countries also mentioned the so-called cocktail effect when effects of exposure to several chemicals at the same time is researched (Denmark and the Netherlands).“… for example, examinations of heavy metals in samples of human origin”(North Macedonia).In all countries, where the focus group discussions covered topics related to actors who play a role in human biomonitoring, participants stated that multiple professionals with various backgrounds should be involved. Among the key-actors, state authorities in the field of health were mentioned . National research communities with scientific institutions and researchers from different scientific fields were the focus of discussions. Chemists, biochemists, biologists, experts in biotechnology, toxicologists, physicians, social scientists, nature scientists, psychologists, and sociologists were given as examples to be involved in the processes related to human biomonitoring.“It shouldn’t be only one type of competent experts, who are responsible, but a combination of different experts, such as sociologists, biochemists, and health professionals…”(Cyprus)In several cases, practitioners were also mentioned, including public health workers, nurses, doctors, other workers in hospitals, occupational hygienists, etc. In the case of human biomonitoring and employers, a few focus group participants also stressed their concerns related to data protection. Although some of the focus group participants mentioned the involvement of representatives of specific industries (pharmacy industry or water service industry), other participants stated that the data should be extremely carefully protected, for companies with commercial interests, or even criminals. There were also focus group participants that advised not to involve private organizations in human biomonitoring studies, due to possible data privacy issues. “.., you really should prevent misuse [of HBM data], for example by insurance companies or others who could possibly (mis)use these data for their own purposes.”(The Netherlands)In addition to the national level key actors, international organizations were also discussed in Denmark—the World Health Organization, the European Union, and its institutions . Politicians were mentioned in some focus groups, and the results on policy-related actions are described below.When participants were invited to provide specific expectations from the human biomonitoring process and suggestions about the expected output from the HBM4EU project, a vivid discussion took place, and their suggestions covered a wide range. In five countries policy-related actions were mentioned most often. They include the role of policy decisions driven both at the European and national levels. Getting more control and legislation in the field were also discussed in several countries, however, the term “field” was used in different contexts. For example, in Cyprus and Denmark the focus of the discussions was the prohibition of chemicals/products, in Hungary—food control, but in Latvia—food and construction materials as well as the school environment. “Yes, I like such studies…. [they should] serve as a base to improve legislation and the guidelines or some other things in many areas… in the area of medicine and food… An important aspect is the education of the society, I think, that would be one, if not the result, then at least the aim of this project”(Latvia)The focus group participants expect also better research in the field and human biomonitoring done systematically , improved laboratory capacity, and scientific debate (discussed in North Macedonia). In addition, depending on the country, cooperation with the involved parties  should be established or improved.“This is a good step for cooperation between science and politics. This project ‘diagnoses’ the condition, which is the most important, and it leads to successful ‘treatment’”(North Macedonia)When looking at specific areas, labeling of products containing chemicals was discussed most, and the discussions covered topics related to both—better labeling and more information on labeling. Consumer products (highlighted in Cyprus and Hungary) and foodstuff (highlighted in Hungary) were groups of products mentioned most. Some other focus group participants expect expansion of the list and range of hazardous chemicals to be measured/monitored (mentioned in North Macedonia and Latvia). Actions to be taken at the European Union level covered the need for standardized limit values with the highest common denominator for the entire European Union, increased European standards, and improved standardized EU labeling schemes.“The case is that if a product is approved in EU- countries, then it can be sold in all countries. So, of course, it is important to raise the standards for the entire EU”)(Denmark)Among expressed expectations, some other interesting initiatives were suggested. For example, mainstreaming of the relevant topics in school curricula was mentioned in Cyprus and the Netherlands, implementation of taxation—in Cyprus, a designated area in a supermarket—in Denmark. “Human biomonitoring should be introduced to high-school students as part of a lesson or seminar. For example, we were introduced to the importance of blood donations as secondary-school students. Since then, we became blood donors, again voluntarily. So, the message is delivered to the student at that age, then it will be easier for him/her to participate in human biomonitoring studies in the future”(Cyprus)Finally, improved protection of vulnerable groups (including a better understanding of their exposures) is expected in Cyprus and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, it was also discussed whether the participants would participate in a human biomonitoring study, and why. The participants indicated that intrinsic interest in the topic and the societal relevance of such studies are the main drivers to participate. They would also prefer feedback on their personal results. However, there are limits to the efforts people are willing to make. For example, a few participants indicated that providing blood samples on a daily basis was considered a bridge too far.When addressing communication on human biomonitoring and the HBM4EU initiative, the results can be classified into two categories: (a) content of the communication and (b) communication channels and methods to be used for raising awareness of the general public.Similarly, to the focus groups carried out in 2018 and 2019, the results of the focus groups of 2020 and 2021 stress the need for raising awareness of the general public on chemical exposure, human biomonitoring, and HBM4EU, as it may promote citizen engagement, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions.“…it is very important to raise awareness among the public and maybe then they could put pressure on policymakers. It is very difficult to achieve anything without political support”(Hungary)Most of the focus group participants agreed that the communication should be understandable, with great transparency and clarity, avoiding scientific jargon, and provided in a non-scientific manner. “I also think it would be best if it was published in e.g., an article in the media or something with source references to this report. So, kind of … understandable for the common man who is not a researcher”(Denmark)However, when looking in detail at the main messages, the ideas of the focus group participants varied. Some countries mentioned dissemination of selected and targeted information, e.g., in Cyprus-sector-specific information, in Hungary—only information on most harmful chemicals, but in North Macedonia—information to parents on issues related to children’s health. Personalized messages and the context of influencing personal behavior  were discussed in Cyprus, Israel, and the Netherlands.“It is important to target young children and increase awareness about environmental health. As an environmental activist, we targeted schools and kindergartens in messaging about single-use plastic and have been successful”(Israel)In addition, it should be pointed out that the suggested communication approach for dissemination of the results was very diverse. Participants in some countries (Hungary and Israel) advised the use of positive messages and avoidance of scaremongering. But in other countries, it was recommended the use of intense, powerful communication that almost shocks people  should be considered.“…. I’d disseminate positive information as clearly and strikingly as possible. In the long-term, a label should be used that would get a (coherent) E-label and inform us if we bought the healthiest or the least harmful product… Definitely, a positive campaign is needed”(Hungary)When discussing the HBM4EU project, the availability of detailed procedural information about the HBM4EU project was mentioned in Cyprus and the Netherlands. This was considered specifically important when participants are involved in a human biomonitoring study themselves. In the Netherlands, it was also considered very important that the results of HBM studies are publicly available.The depth of the discussion on communication channels and methods of information sharing of human biomonitoring varied across focus groups, with some participants referring to generic types of communication  whereas others mentioned specific types of actions and tools. The mass media campaign, including the use of regular media as well as social media  were mentioned in most of the countries, and participants from two countries (Cyprus and Hungary) stressed the need of simultaneous use of different channels with visual and graphical display of results . Some of the focus group participants also discussed key actors in the communications, however, no common tendencies were observed. Among the groups to be involved in spreading messages on chemical exposures and human biomonitoring, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and even celebrities were mentioned.“A component of the follow-up project should provide communication, information, and dissemination of results, in the form of a media campaign, with involvement of the NGO sector”(North Macedonia)Another aspect discussed by the focus group participants was expectations about the communication from governments. There were two opposite opinions; Danish and North Macedonian representatives expect that communication from the governments should be more and of higher quality, but Latvian representatives expressed that the governments should not be involved. “… information should not come from the top, from the government, … it should more come from “side”…”(Latvia)In addition to the traditional campaigns, two types of non-traditional activities were identified. Development of special apps, tools, or kits was mentioned in more than half of the discussions, but the examples of the content differed. Representatives of the Cypriot focus group mentioned an app to derive a personalized risk profile, Danish focus groups mentioned scanning consumer products, but in Hungary and Israel labelling of cosmetics and other consumer products to include information on toxic chemicals was suggested. Organizing special events was mentioned in three countries, but each of the events was different. Thus, in Cyprus it was an annual festival or event lasting 2 to 3 days, in Hungary, health days organized in schools, and in Israel, a competition where children, students, and adults could make suggestions for reducing exposure to toxic chemicals.The opinion of focus group participants about the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on exposure to chemicals was available from three countries: Hungary, Israel, and Latvia. In all countries, it was mentioned that the whole life has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and these changes have also influenced the exposure to different chemicals—in some cases, the exposure has increased, but decreased in others. As an example of increased exposure, focus group participants in all countries mentioned the use of disinfectants and cleaning agents. Participants were concerned not only about the amount of cleaning and disinfecting agents used, and their impact on skin, but also about the possibility of breathing them in and their transfer to wastewater.In addition, when looking at the other sources of environmental pollution, the increased amount of plastic waste due to the changes in business principles of the food industry was mentioned. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic restaurants and other food services offered only takeaway and deliveries packed in single-use plastic packaging. Although such a situation existed in all countries, only one participant in Israel raised this concern.“On one hand we wear masks and that may reduce exposure to air pollution. Maybe by working at home we are exposed to less chemicals? Since we are using more disinfectants and eating from single-use plastic more, we are more exposed to chemicals. It is too early to know how COVID impacted our exposure to chemicals….”(Israel)Among examples with lower exposure, inhalation of cleaner air was stressed. In two countries (Denmark and Latvia) less traffic and aviation were reported. “Yes, it was just about the corona pandemic and stuff like that. I live in the city where they report that the air pollution inside the city was much less than before because there were simply fewer cars on the roads”(Denmark)In addition, one participant also noted the positive effect of the use of personal protective equipment for the protection of airways (respirators)—originally during the COVID-19 pandemic they are used to mitigate the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but they are also regarded to reduce the amount of inhaled dust and chemicals. Previous research on dissemination of the results on human biomonitoring in the European Union and worldwide has concluded that the awareness of human biomonitoring and its potential has been raised . HoweverOverall, the results of the focus group discussions highlight the high concern of the Europeans about the contaminated and unhealthy food chain and environment. Focus group participants were aware of, and articulated general concern about, the potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption  and/or drinking water as well as the exposure from polluted air and water. The participants of the second round of the focus groups of HBM4EU were less aware and concerned about exposure through dermal absorption, when considering all uptake routes  that are relevant, in general, for human biomonitoring.When looking at the expectations of human biomonitoring and the HBM4EU project, continuous research that is better coordinated at both the national and the European levels is encouraged. Although there are some human biomonitoring initiatives in Europe, a harmonized, coordinated, and sustainable European approach is currently still lacking . HBM4EU Focus group participants pointed out the need for strict international and national regulations regarding the protection of health and the environment. Policymakers and scientists must work together in the science-policy domain. On the one hand, scientists’ findings should be integrated into relevant legislation when formulating environmental and health policies. On the other hand, scientists should be aware of legislation’s timelines for appropriate submission of scientific results for uptake to policy. It seems that the promotion of human biomonitoring and successful implementation of the obtained results in a timely manner can be achieved only when sufficient care is taken regarding the protection of personal data and by a team consisting of multiple professionals with various backgrounds consisting of the national research community from different scientific fields . The focus group participants stressed the need for greater involvement of social scientists which is consistent with previous research . But theOne of the very positive aspects identified throughout the focus groups’ discussions is related to a high interest in more information and targeted education on changing behavior and personal choice. The behavioral changes require the active involvement of the society , but they can be empowered only by better knowledge and understanding of chemical exposure, particularly of harmful substances, their sources, routes of exposure and possible adverse health effects. This requires that individuals can grasp the complexity and usefulness of information, including new technologies, legal interventions, or behavioral changes ,19. In aTraditionally, communication between researchers and society has been one-way, where the public’s perception and understanding are not taken into account . TherefoOne of the actions to be taken is mainstreaming of related topics into school curricula. Such an approach has been stressed as an effective tool in focus group discussions and it has been used in a related area—occupational health and safety. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has prepared several lesson plans based on animations with the character Napo . AccordiRaising awareness amongst the general public, including children, may promote the engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions in the area of chemical safety. One of the effective ways is the promotion of work of non-governmental organizations. The results of our research show that the focus group participants which were active members of non-governmental organizations  were better aware of problems related to the environment and also could give examples of the success of non-governmental organizations . The experience in EU countries shows that citizens can effectively influence politicians via non-governmental organizations to take action to reduce the exposure of the general public to chemicals. For example, in 2017 European non-governmental organizations called on dentists to ban the use of mercury in children . When discussing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, focus group participants mainly focused on increased use of disinfectants and cleaning agents and reduced air pollution from lower activity in the industry, aviation, and road traffic. Only one participant mentioned an increased amount of waste due to the packaging of take-away food and medical waste. Such results can be explained by the fact that disinfectants and cleaning agents were used by every single member of the society and washing, and disinfection of hands and surfaces was used as one of the messages at the early stages of the pandemic to mitigate the spread of the virus. Several limitations of our study were identified. One of them is related to the characteristics of the recruited focus group participants. Although in general, participants who were engaged in focus groups of the second round of HBM4EU do vary in the sociodemographic background, participants with a university degree seem to be overrepresented. Some of the research teams  faced problems while trying to recruit focus group participants to have a representative sample of relevant nations. Thus, in Israel, the participants primarily were well–educated females, but in Latvia—educated males. Similarly, to the focus groups carried out during the first round of the HBM4EU focus groups, individuals with lower education were underrepresented in the focus groups . As prevAnother limitation is related to the flexibility of the content of the second round of the HBM4EU focus group discussions. Although the focus groups followed standardized guidelines, the national researchers were allowed to adapt the content to the national context. There were also situations when already during the discussions the moderator tried to avoid deeper discussions of some of the “sensitive” topics . This has resulted in the fact that some of the topics were not sufficiently covered in all participating countries see . The secThere was also variation in the length of each focus group (70–180 min) and the number of participants per session (3–12). Although experienced focus group moderators tried to address each participant individually and provide equal opportunities, the online environment which was used in some countries as the result of differing national COVID-19 restrictions turned out to be a challenge. Non-uniformity in focus groups might have impacted online discussions rather than on-site. In addition, some countries  reported that most of the respondents were more active and more involved in the first part of the discussion which was dedicated to chemical exposures, while in the second part when human biomonitoring was discussed, those with some prior knowledge of the topic were more active.Despite these limitations, we believe that our results provide valuable information on the understanding of citizens’ perceptions, awareness, and concerns about the exposure of chemicals in their daily life and environment and the future of human biomonitoring. There is a need and support from the European citizens for further research in the area of human biomonitoring and perception of chemical exposure. At the same time, further analyses of the existing data should be done to identify if there exists any influence of geographical location or historical background of the country on the perception and concerns of the citizens. In addition, further research should be done on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exposure of citizens to chemicals. This might serve as a basis for further policy implications in the protection of the European citizens and better preparedness for the management of possible pandemics in the future.The main concerns about the exposure to chemicals revealed by the focus group participants are related to the potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption and/or drinking water as well as the exposure to chemicals in the environment from polluted air and water. The COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced the perception of such exposure– in some cases, the exposure has increased , but in others—decreased . This study provides data on the clear need for further research and policy uptake in the field of human biomonitoring, which should be coordinated and harmonized at the European level. Based on the research result, other activities should be carried out. The main directions of such activities should focus on raising awareness amongst the general public, implementation of policy measures, and mainstreaming of topics related to chemical exposure and human biomonitoring into the education system. As most focus group participants were not able to set a borderline between chemical exposure and human biomonitoring, an integrated multi-sectoral approach harmonized at the European level should be used, taking into account country-specific context in the field of chemical exposure and human biomonitoring. Raising awareness amongst the general public may promote the engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions.