Work - Volume 66, issue 3

Authors: da Silva, Jonatan Candido | Moraes, Mikael Seabra | Martins, Priscila Custódio | Silva, Diego Augusto Santos

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bus drivers are exposed to unique working conditions. The behavioral and health trends of these workers should be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of abdominal obesity and associated lifestyle factors in bus drivers in a city in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 103 bus drivers with mean age of 41 years (±8.5) was conducted. Abdominal obesity was measured through waist circumference using anthropometric tape. To evaluate the different lifestyle domains, the Brazilian version of the Canadian Fantastic Lifestyle questionnaire was used. To check the association between abdominal obesity and lifestyle, binary logistic …regression was used, with odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: It was verified that 26.3% of drivers had abdominal obesity. In addition, bus drivers who had inadequate lifestyle in the “Nutrition” and “Type of behavior” domains were, respectively, 3.6 (95% CI: 1.3–9.5, p  = 0.01) and 2.6 times (95% CI: 1.1–6.7; p  = 0.04) more likely of having abdominal obesity when compared to those adequate in these lifestyle domains. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in four drivers had abdominal obesity and the “Nutrition” and “Type of Behavior” domains were associated with abdominal obesity. Show more

Keywords: Body composition, waist circumference, worker’s health, food behavior, risk behavior, bus drivers, Brazil

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203200

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 579-585, 2020

Authors: dos Santos, Viviana Maura | de Carvalho, Ricardo José Matos | de Carvalho, Paulo Victor Rodrigues

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Disasters are the result of adverse events that cause human, material, environmental, and economic and social damage. To deal with disaster management, prevention, response, and recovery organizations need a system of indicators to measure their resilience. OBJECTIVE: To develop a road map to select indicators of organizational, institutional and governmental resilience to be applied to evaluate the resilience of public Protection and Civil Defense Organizations (PCDOs) of developing countries. METHOD: A literature review on resilience indicators for disaster management using Scopus database, identifying and classifying the resilience indicators available in the scientific literature, to discuss …the possibilities of their application in PCDOs. RESULTS: Resilience indicators for disaster management available in the literature have many diverse classifications and they were developed for the evaluation of communities’ resilience. The literature review results also indicated that there is a lack of indicators to evaluate PCDOs’ resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators of the institutional, organizational and governmental categories identified in the review, originally developed for the evaluation of communities’ resilience, can be used to compose a hybrid system of resilience indicators able to measure the resilience of PCDOs. Show more

Keywords: Resilience engineering, organizational resilience, emergency management, natural disasters

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203201

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 587-601, 2020

Authors: Pirruccio, Kevin | Kelly, John D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Demand for travel for both work and leisure continues to rise in the U.S. However, handling luggage subjects the shoulder to excessive physical loads. OBJECTIVE: To report national estimates, demographic characteristics, and injury mechanisms of patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments with luggage-associated shoulder injuries. METHODS: This cross-sectional, retrospective study analyzes the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2003-2017) to identify annual cases of luggage-associated shoulder injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments. RESULTS: On average, 1,811 luggage-associated shoulder injuries presented to U.S. emergency departments annually (95% Confidence Interval: [C.I.] 1,123–2,499). Patients were …commonly females (62.3%; 57.9%–66.8%) sustaining sprains, strains, or muscle tears (60.1%; 52.6%–67.7%). The majority of patients sustained shoulder injuries while lifting their luggage (70.1%; C.I. 64.9%–75.2%). Injuries were most often observed in patients 40–49 (21.5%; C.I. 16.5%–26.5%) and 50–59 (24.9%; C.I. 20.2%–29.6%) years of age. However, those sustaining shoulder injuries due to falls to the ground were significantly older (p  < 0.001) on average than those with injuries from lifting or pulling their luggage. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that at-risk individuals for luggage-associated shoulder injuries take certain precautions when handling heavy baggage to reduce said chances of injury. Show more

Keywords: Travel, baggage, airport, transportation, lifting

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203202

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 603-609, 2020

Authors: Guang, Stephanie A. | Eltorai, Adam E. M. | Durand, Wesley M. | Daniels, Alan H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Burnout is a common response to stress and is pervasive among medical students. An increasing proportion of students are taking “gap years” following undergraduate education and before matriculation to medical school. This study evaluates rates of and risk factors for burnout, with a particular focus on students who took gap years. METHODS: Burnout was measured utilizing the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory. The primary independent variable was whether a student took one or more gap years prior to medical school matriculation. Other variables included age, gender, year in medical school, choice in specialty, and status in a combined …baccalaureate-M.D. program. Bivariate and multivariate regression was performed to elucidate relationships between student-level variables and burnout. RESULTS: A total of 31.4% of respondents were found to be experiencing high levels of burnout. In multivariate analysis, gap years were independently associated with lower levels of burnout (p  = 0.041). Further, burnout decreased in a stepwise fashion with students who took 0 (p  = 0.350), 1 (p  = 0.192), and 2+ (p  = 0.048) gap years. CONCLUSIONS: Students taking gap years exhibited significantly lower levels of burnout than those who did not. Efforts should be made in pre-medical and medical school curricula to better support students in their paths to medical school. Show more

Keywords: Burnout, professional, education, medical, undergraduate, career choice, students, medical psychology, personal satisfaction, life change events

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203203

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 611-616, 2020

Authors: Aliabadi, Mostafa Mirzaei | Darvishi, Ebrahim | Shahidi, Reza | Ghasemi, Fakhradin | Mahdinia, Mohsen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The safety climate in an organization depends on people’s understanding of the safety policies and procedures, as well as the value, importance, and priority of safety in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe and predict accidents using the path analysis model (PAM) in industrial units though the analysis of the effect of safety performance and climate. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 294 workers in industrial units in Hamadan, a province in the western part of Iran. The data on safety performance and climate was collected using a questionnaire. The first part …of the questionnaire was a short version inventory (with 25 items on safety climate) that was used to assess five variables of management commitment, supportive environment, training, personal safety prioritization, and perceived work pressure. Moreover, the safety performance was measured using 10 items on safety rules and participation. The PAM was used to describe the effects of safety climate and performance on accidents. RESULTS: The results showed that the safety climate had the strongest negative impact on work pressure and safety compliance toward accident, followed by safety participation, and quality of training. Moreover, the negative influence of safety climate on accident was mainly mediated by two variables: work pressure and safety participation toward accident. The work pressure had the strongest indirect and total influence on accidents. However, none of the variables had a direct effect on accidents. Training was the most important direct cause of promoting personal safety priority. The safety compliance was more effective than safety participation in reducing accidents rates. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it seems that perceived work pressure has an indirect effect on accidents which is mediated by other variables, mainly personal safety priority and safety performance. Show more

Keywords: Prediction of accidents, risk assessment, safety climate, path analysis model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203204

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 617-624, 2020

Authors: Mohammadian, Mostafa | Heidari, Hamidreza | Charkhloo, Esmail | Dehghani, Azizollah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Outdoor workers are exposed to heat caused by atmospheric conditions and solar radiation. More specifically, those working in palm groves are more in danger of heat stresses since they harvest their crops in hot seasons. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating heat stresses and strains in date harvesting workers in groves around Jiroft, Southeastern Iran. METHODS: This study was a descriptive-analytical one of cross-sectional type. In this study, three environmental indices including Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT), Environmental Stress Index (ESI) and Discomfort Index (DI), the physiological strain index (PSI) as well as …perceptual strain index (PeSI) were analyzed to investigate stresses and strains in workers. For this purpose, 59 date harvesting workers (36 men and 23 women) in palm groves in Jiroft were analyzed. With accordance to date harvesting season, data collection was carried out from August to September, 2017. RESULTS: In this research, the means of environmental indices including WBGT, ESI and DI were 32.77°C, 30.39°C and 33.22°C, respectively and they all revealed direct and significant correlation. Moreover, Time-Weighted Average for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TWA) was significantly different from Threshold Limit Values for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TLV). The scores of the PSI and PeSI were 2.28 and 6.61, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that date picking workers were exposed to heat stress more than the reference value of WBGT recommended by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). In addition, workers suffered a low degree of physiological strain and a moderate degree of perceptual strain caused by heat stress in palm groves in Jiroft. Show more

Keywords: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, Environmental Stress Index, Discomfort Index, outdoor workers

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203205

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 625-636, 2020

Authors: Sitthipornvorakul, Ekalak | Waongenngarm, Pooriput | Lohsoonthorn, Vitool | Janwantanakul, Prawit

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Healthy adults should take 10,000 steps per day to gain the resulting health benefits. Knowledge regarding the individual characteristics associated with daily walking steps would enhance resource allocation to those most likely to benefit from the 10,000-steps-per-day campaign. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which age, gender, body mass index (BMI), education, and energy expenditure influence daily walking steps in white-collar workers and to assess the correlation of daily walking steps among pedometer, wristband activity tracker, and smartphone application. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 49 sedentary workers. Daily walking steps were simultaneously assessed …by three activity trackers in free-living conditions for 7 consecutive days. Associations between daily walking steps and individual factors were examined using linear regression. Correlation tests were conducted to assess the association among the three devices. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI was associated with daily walking steps. A moderate to good correlation in daily walking steps was found between the wristband activity tracker and pedometer, as well as between the smartphone application and pedometer. CONCLUSIONS: BMI influenced daily walking steps in white-collar workers. Daily walking steps assessed by the wristband activity tracker and smartphone application differed from those assessed by the pedometer. Show more

Keywords: Physical activity, white-collar worker, pedometer, activity tracker

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203206

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 637-644, 2020

Authors: Lashewicz, Bonnie | Mitchell, Jennifer | Boettcher, Nicholas | Jones, Erin | Wang, JianLi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In western societies, busy lifestyles that include long hours spent in paid employment are highly regarded. Given the ongoing primacy of men’s roles as employees and providers, researchers need to understand men’s mental health in terms of men’s relationships to paid employment and expectations for “busyness”. OBJECTIVE: This study is an examination of if and how working men ascribe to workplace expectations for “busyness” and what mental health impacts these expectations can entail. METHODS: We present a secondary analysis of narrative data drawn from three focus groups and 23 individual interviews with working men (n … = 37) about work-related mental health. RESULTS: We found two themes of workplace expectations for busyness: 1) immediate manifestations and 2) background manifestations. Immediate manifestations are intensity and volume of work while background manifestations include a) unspoken messages and b) mixed messages. We found a third theme of 3) impacts of expectations for busyness and this includes a) busyness pride/costs of being “unbusy” and b) trade-offs in self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Obvious and subtle workplace expectations for busyness are abundant and may obstruct attending to one’s mental health as well as contribute to a frame of reference where not being busy precipitates feelings of anxiety and depression. Show more

Keywords: Masculinity, self-care, status, stress, job intensity, busyness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203207

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 645-656, 2020

Authors: Gjengedal, Ragne G.H. | Reme, Silje E. | Osnes, Kåre | Lagerfeld, Suzanne E. | Blonk, Roland W. B. | Sandin, Kenneth | Berge, Torkil | Hjemdal, Odin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders (CMD) are leading causes of sickness absence. Treatments for CMD that both reduce symptoms and support work participation urgently need to be developed. OBJECTIVE: Determine the potential effects of work-focused therapy combining work interventions with either meta cognitive therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (W-MCT/CBT) for patients with CMD on sick leave. METHODS: Naturalistic study with a quasi-experimental approach. Pre- and post-scores (return to work, symptoms, return-to-work self-efficacy, clinical recovery from depression and anxiety) were compared between the intervention group (n  = 87) who received immediate treatment over an average of 10.40 sessions (SD … = 3.09) and the non-randomized waitlist control group (n  = 95) that had waited an average of 11.18 weeks (SD  = 2.29). RESULTS: Significantly more patients returned fully to work in the intervention group (41.4%) than the control group (26.3%). Effect sizes for self-efficacy scores, depression and anxiety were large in the intervention group (d  = 1.28, 1.01, 1.58), and significantly lower in the control group (d  = 0.60, 0.14, 0.45). Significantly more patients in the treatment group than control group recovered from depression (54.1% vs. 12.8%) and anxiety (50.0% vs.10.6%). CONCLUSIONS: W-MCT/CBT may be an effective intervention for patients on sick leave due to CMD. Show more

Keywords: Return to work, sick leave, work-focused metacognitive and cognitive therapy, self-efficacy, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203208

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 657-667, 2020

Authors: Martinez, Anastasia Raquel | Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) in Trinidad is limited to costly private sector provision, which restricts access to only those families that can afford it. Public-sector healthcare, however, is offered free of charge to citizens. Establishing public-sector OT can increase the well-being and quality of life of children with disabilities and their families, as well as broaden the professional paths available to occupational therapists. OBJECTIVE: In the absence of local studies, primary research was undertaken to demonstrate the demand for services. The results of this study will be presented to government officials to argue for the inclusion of …pediatric OT into one public-sector hospital in Trinidad. METHODS: Eighty-eight parents/caregivers of a child with special needs were surveyed at one public sector-waiting room or two private-sector therapy clinics. Surveys questioned parents’ desire for occupational therapy services for their child, their willingness to use public-sector-provided therapy and their belief that such therapy would benefit families in Trinidad, among other items. RESULTS: Of the 88 participants surveyed, 98.8% believed that occupational therapy offered at one public-sector clinic in Trinidad would benefit families. The main deterrents to accessing the proposed public-sector therapy included satisfaction with the current therapist (40%) and concerns with convenience (33%) and efficiency (27%). Parents whose children were not currently receiving therapy cited cost (67%) and location (38%) as the main barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Primary research findings demonstrate that the vast majority of parents/caregivers believe that public-sector pediatric occupational therapy would benefit families. Service free of charge will increase access for many families who cannot currently afford treatment. Implications of a pediatric public-sector clinic also include the expansion of occupational therapy as a profession in Trinidad. Show more

Keywords: Government, demand, Caribbean, children, research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203209

Citation: Work, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 669-674, 2020