Research

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13 pages, 493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Shiftwork on Retinal Vasculature Diameters over a 5-Year Period: A Preliminary Investigation Using the BCOPS Study Data

by Luenda E. Charles, Ja K. Gu and John M. Violanti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040439 - 03 Apr 2024

Viewed by 763

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the impact of shiftwork on changes in central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), a measure of arteriolar width, and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), a measure of venular width, over five years. The participants were 117 officers (72.7% men) [...] Read more.

Our aim was to investigate the impact of shiftwork on changes in central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), a measure of arteriolar width, and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), a measure of venular width, over five years. The participants were 117 officers (72.7% men) examined at the first (2011–2014) and second (2015–2019) follow-up examinations in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress study. Shiftwork data were obtained from the City of Buffalo, NY payroll records. Retinal diameters were measured using a standardized protocol. ANCOVA was used to compare mean change in CRAE and CRVE between the two examinations across shiftwork categories. Among men only, those who worked ≥70% hours on day shifts had a larger decrease in mean CRAE (−7.13 µm ± 2.51) compared to those who worked <70% day (−0.08 ± 0.96; p = 0.011). Among patrol officers, those who worked ≥70% day had a larger decrease in CRAE compared to those who worked <70% day (p = 0.015). Also, officers who worked ≥70% day had an increase in mean CRVE (µm) (4.56 ± 2.56) compared to those who worked <70% (−2.32 ± 1.32; p = 0.027). Over the five-year period, we observed adverse changes in arteriolar and venular diameters among officers who worked ≥70% on day shifts. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample sizes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

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15 pages, 495 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Psychological Stress Perceived among Employees in an Italian University during Mandatory and Voluntary Remote Working during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Loreta Tobia, Pierpaolo Vittorini, Giulia Di Battista, Simona D’Onofrio, Giada Mastrangeli, Pietro Di Benedetto and Leila Fabiani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040403 - 26 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Objective of the Study: This cross-sectional study examined the perceived psychological well-being of administrative/technical employees and researchers/lecturers at the University of L’Aquila (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in two different periods of 2022: April 2022, when remote working [...] Read more.

Objective of the Study: This cross-sectional study examined the perceived psychological well-being of administrative/technical employees and researchers/lecturers at the University of L’Aquila (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in two different periods of 2022: April 2022, when remote working was still mandatory, and December 2022, when the pandemic emergency had ended and, in Italy, remote working had become voluntary for two days a week and exclusively for administrative staff. Materials and Methods: Perceived psychological well-being was investigated using the GHQ-12 (Global Health Questionnaire, short-form with 12 items), a self-administered questionnaire created on Google Forms and sent via email to all the employees of the University of L’Aquila. Statistical analysis was conducted using means, standard deviations, and frequency tables for the descriptive analysis of socio-demographic data, while the t-test or Wilcoxon test and the Χ² test were used to verify the statistical difference and association between categorical variables. Results: Overall, 365 employees, including 118 administrative/technical and 247 research/teaching staff, participated in the survey in April 2022 when remote working was mandatory. Among them, 219 (52.8%) were female and 196 (47.2%) were male. In December 2022, 266 employees engaged in voluntary remote working, including 184 (69.2%) women and 82 (30.8%) men, took part in the study. The most represented age group was 50–59 years old (36.3% of study participants). During mandatory remote working, 83.4% of lecturers reported a perceived level of psychological distress ranging from moderate to severe versus 69.5% of technicians. The percentage of self-reported psychological distress was higher among the technicians forced to work from home (n. 118–42.9%) vs. the technicians working from home on a voluntary basis (n. 157–57.1%), with GHQ score being >14 in 65.5% of enforced remote workers vs. 62.3% of voluntary remote workers. During mandatory remote working, there was a significant difference in the GHQ-12 score between administrative and research staff, particularly related to items such as loss of self-confidence, emotional pressures, and diminished productivity. Moreover, from the comparison between the group of administrative staff engaged in mandatory remote working and those in voluntary remote working for specific GHQ-12 items, a statistically significant difference emerged concerning the perception of not being able to overcome difficulties; the GHQ-12 score was higher in the first group. Significant differences in the overall GHQ-12 score were evident between male and female lecturers, as the latter reported higher levels of perceived stress during mandatory remote working. Discussion: The results confirm that remote working could be associated with a better psychological state of administrative university staff, especially in the case of voluntary remote working. During mandatory remote working, a difference was observed between teaching and administrative staff, with higher stress in the first group and among women. Therefore, our sample appears fragmented in the self-assessment of psychological well-being during remote working, possibly due to profound differences in the organization of work activities between lecturers and administrative employees. Additionally, the increased perception of stress by female lecturers compared to males may reflect gender disparities, as women working from home during the pandemic experienced an increased workload including domestic activities. Conclusions: Remote working is a type of working that has both advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is undoubtedly a better work–life balance; however, the risks of technostress, workaholism, increased sedentary behaviour, and social isolation are negative aspects. This study provides an indicative overview of the psychological state related to remote working in a university setting during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study might therefore serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of remote working on self-reported psychological well-being, especially in the university environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

15 pages, 351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in the Effects of Work Environment on Health Problems and Satisfaction of Working Condition by Gender: The 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey

by Chae Hyeseon, Park Sooin, Kim Insoo and Ko Myungsun

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(19), 6824; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196824 - 25 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1083

Abstract

This study investigated gender differences in exposure to hazardous factors, health problems, and work environment satisfaction and identified the effects of such differences on farmworkers in Korea. Through the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Research [...] Read more.

This study investigated gender differences in exposure to hazardous factors, health problems, and work environment satisfaction and identified the effects of such differences on farmworkers in Korea. Through the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), the raw data on 2347 farmworkers were analyzed to present descriptive statistics for demographic characteristics, exposure to hazardous factors, health problems, and work environment satisfaction. We compared genders using chi-squared tests and investigated the effects of gender-specific working conditions on work-related health problems and work environment satisfaction using multivariate logistic analysis. The results were presented as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. Job position predicted work-related health problems in male farmworkers and work environment satisfaction in female farmworkers. Furthermore, female farmworkers perceived themselves to have more health problems than male farmworkers. Nevertheless, female farmworkers received less health and safety information and had lower work environment satisfaction compared to male farmworkers. The findings may improve the occupational welfare of farmworkers through continuous enhancement of the agricultural labor environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

14 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Population of Italian Healthcare Workers

by Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli, Antonio Baldassarre, Annarita Chiarelli, Antonella Mariniello, Diana Paolini, Maddalena Grazzini, Nicola Mucci and Giulio Arcangeli

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4506; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054506 - 03 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1355

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection often causes symptoms and illness that can last for months after the acute phase, i.e., so-called “Long COVID” or Post-acute COVID-19. Due to the high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Healthcare Workers (HCWs), post-COVID-19 symptoms can be common and threaten workers’ [...] Read more.

SARS-CoV-2 infection often causes symptoms and illness that can last for months after the acute phase, i.e., so-called “Long COVID” or Post-acute COVID-19. Due to the high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Healthcare Workers (HCWs), post-COVID-19 symptoms can be common and threaten workers’ occupational health and healthcare systems’ functioning. The aim of this cross-sectional, observational study was to present data related to post-COVID-19 outcomes in a population of HCWs infected by COVID-19 from October 2020 to April 2021, and to identify possible factors associated with the persistence of illness, such as gender, age, previous medical conditions, and features of acute illness. A total of 318 HCWs who had become infected by COVID-19 were examined and interviewed approximately two months after their recovery from the infection. The clinical examinations were performed by Occupational Physicians in accordance with a specific protocol at the Occupational Medicine Unit of a tertiary hospital in Italy. The mean age of the participants was 45 years old, and 66.7% of the workers were women while 33.3% were men; the sample mainly consisted of nurses (44.7%). During the medical examination, more than half of the workers mentioned that they had experienced multiple residual bouts of illness after the acute phase of infection. Men and women were similarly affected. The most reported symptom was fatigue (32.1%), followed by musculoskeletal pain (13.6%) and dyspnea (13.2%). In the multivariate analysis, dyspnea (p < 0.001) and fatigue (p < 0.001) during the acute stage of illness and the presence of any limitation in working activities, in the context of fitness for a work evaluation performed while the occupational medicine surveillance program was being conducted (p = 0.025), were independently associated with any post-COVID-19 symptoms, which were considered final outcomes. The main post-COVID-19 symptoms—dyspnea, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain—showed significant associations with dyspnea, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain experienced during the acute stage of infection, with the presence of limitations in working activities, and pre-existing pneumological diseases. A normal weight according to body mass index was a protective factor. The identification of vulnerable workers as those with limitations in working activities, pneumological diseases, a high BMI, and of an older age and the implementation of preventive measures are key factors for preserving Occupational Health. Fitness-to-work evaluations performed by Occupational Physicians can be considered a complex index of overall health and functionality that can identify workers who may suffer from relevant post-COVID-19 symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

12 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan

by Yuni Asri and Kun-Yang Chuang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054056 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1173

Abstract

International migrant workers contribute significantly to the economic growth of the receiving country, and yet their health, especially their mental health, has long been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with depressive symptoms among Indonesian migrant workers [...] Read more.

International migrant workers contribute significantly to the economic growth of the receiving country, and yet their health, especially their mental health, has long been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with depressive symptoms among Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan. This study used cross-sectional data from 1031 Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan. Demographic, health, and living- and work-related variables, as well as depressive symptom variables assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Study on depressive symptoms scale, were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors. About 15% of the Indonesian migrant workers had depressive symptoms. The significant factors associated with these symptoms were age, educational level, frequency of contact with families, self-rated health, time spent in Taiwan, region of work, satisfaction with the living environment, and freedom to go out after work. The findings thus identify target groups who are more likely than others to suffer from depressive symptoms, and we suggest appropriate approaches for devising interventions to reduce depressive symptoms. The findings of this research suggest the need for targeted approaches to reducing depressive symptoms among this population group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

53 pages, 1415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Usage of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire: A Systematic Review of a Comprehensive Job Stress Questionnaire in Japan from 2003 to 2021

by Kazuhiro Watanabe, Kotaro Imamura, Hisashi Eguchi, Yui Hidaka, Yu Komase, Asuka Sakuraya, Akiomi Inoue, Yuka Kobayashi, Natsu Sasaki, Kanami Tsuno, Emiko Ando, Hideaki Arima, Hiroki Asaoka, Ayako Hino, Mako Iida, Mai Iwanaga, Reiko Inoue, Yasumasa Otsuka, Akihito Shimazu, Norito Kawakami and Akizumi Tsutsumi Show full author list Hide full author list

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031814 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5399

Abstract

The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability. [...] Read more.

The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability. A systematic search was conducted for studies investigating relationships between the BJSQ or the New BJSQ subscales and other validated measurements on 13 September 2021, in various literature databases. The BJSQ subscales, scoring methods, and other validated measurements in the studies were qualitatively summarized. In total, 145 published reports between 2003 and 2021 were included. Among the BJSQ subscales, job stressors (n = 95) such as quantitative job overload (n = 65) and job control (n = 64) were most often used. The subscales were utilized to investigate the relationships with several other measurements. Five reports used subscales from the New BJSQ. In the last two decades, the BJSQ and the New BJSQ help measure psychosocial factors (PF) at work and contribute to the publication of scientific papers in the occupational health field. This study would encourage the utilization of the questionnaires for future research and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

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12 pages, 368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Associations of Work Stress with Changes in Quality of Life among Patients after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Study

by Luqiao Wang, Yunke Shi, Zhao Hu, Yanyan Li, Yan Ang, Pan Jing, Bangying Zhang, Xingyu Cao, Adrian Loerbroks, Jian Li and Min Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417018 - 18 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1143

Abstract

(1) Background: Targeting a sample of Chinese employees in this study, the correlation of work stress with changes in quality of life (QoL) was explored subsequent to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). (2) Methods: Patients suffering from the first ACS episode, with regular paid [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Targeting a sample of Chinese employees in this study, the correlation of work stress with changes in quality of life (QoL) was explored subsequent to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). (2) Methods: Patients suffering from the first ACS episode, with regular paid work before ACS, were eligible for this one-year longitudinal study. Effort–reward imbalance (ERI), together with job strain (JS) models, were employed to evaluate work stress before discharge, and QoL prior to discharge (baseline), as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months following discharge, were measured using the 8-Items Short Form (SF-8), in addition to the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Moreover, generalized estimating equations were used to determine the relationship of work stress to longitudinal QoL variations. (3) Results: After adjusting for covariates, high work stress at the baseline measured by JS was associated with the slow recovery of both mental health (p < 0.01) and physical health (p < 0.05) in SF-8, while ERI-measured work stress was related to slower improvement in SF-8 physical health (p < 0.001), SAQ-angina stability (AS) (p < 0.05), SF-8 mental health (p < 0.001), and SAQ-angina frequency (AF) (p < 0.05). After mutual adjustment for JS and ERI, high work stress as assessed by JS displayed no correlation with any QoL alteration (all p > 0.05), whereas ERI-determined work stress at a high level still presented a relationship to slow improvement in SF-8 physical health, SAQ-AS, SF-8 mental health, and SAQ-AF (all p < 0.05). (4) Conclusion: Work stress was associated with slow recovery of QoL in patients with ACS across one year. For ACS patients, ERI was a stronger predictor of QoL variations than JS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

Review

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20 pages, 3684 KiB

Open AccessReview

Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Physical Agents as Occupational Risk Factors

by Ana Carolina Russo, Elaine Cristina Marqueze, Mariana Souza Gomes Furst, Erika Alvim de Sá e Benevides, Rodrigo Caoduro Roscani, Celso Amorim Salim and Paulo Cesar Vaz Guimarães

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105849 - 17 May 2023

Viewed by 1427

Abstract

The primary objective of this systematic review was to analyze the main physical agents representing risk factors for commercial aircrew, together with their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies on the topic were conducted, as well as [...] Read more.

The primary objective of this systematic review was to analyze the main physical agents representing risk factors for commercial aircrew, together with their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies on the topic were conducted, as well as the quality of the publications available. Thirty-five articles, published between 1996 and 2020, were selected for the review, having met all inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States, Germany, and Finland and had moderate or low methodological quality of evidence. The main risk factors for aircrew identified in publications were exposure to abnormal air pressure, cosmic radiation, noise, and vibrations. Hypobaric pressure was explored in response to demands for studies on this agent, a factor which may lead to otic and ear barotraumas, as well as acceleration of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. However, there is a dearth of research exploring this phenomenon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)

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