Work - Volume 72, issue 3

Authors: Munir, Mehnaz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Computer-related work has become a part of the daily routine of workers of many occupations which leads to pains of multiple parts of the musculoskeletal system. OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal complaints of different regions of the body, and to examine the relationship between work-related risk factors with musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-six computer workers were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from three clusters of computer sectors. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Respondents were interviewed and their height and weight were measures. Confidentiality was assured. …RESULTS: The most common musculoskeletal complaints were shoulder (45%), neck (43%), and upper-middle back (36%) pain. The complaints were related to the female gender, increase duration of computer and using a computer at home. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal complaints and psychosocial stresses were related to increasing the duration of computer work. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, compute workers, work-related factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210266

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 997-1005, 2022

Authors: Azemi, Sonia | Dianat, Iman | Abdollahzade, Farahnaz | Bazazan, Ahmad | Afshari, Davood

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The limited research has focused on the relationship between work-related stress and self-efficacy in relation to mental health problems in nurses. OBJECTIVE: This multi-hospital cross-sectional survey investigated the relationships between work-related stress, self-efficacy and mental health status of hospital nurses in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: Four hundred hospital nurses completed a questionnaire including demographic and job details, Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards Revised Indicator Tool (MS–RIT), General Self-Efficacy (GSE–10) scale, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–28). A three-step hierarchical logistic regression modelling was used. RESULTS: Work-related stress, self-efficacy and mental health problems …were significantly related to each other. The results of the regression modelling revealed that working overtime and number of patients cared for were significant positive predictors, while job tenure as well as control and relationships dimensions of work stress were significant negative predictors of mental health problems, with the final model explaining 21% of the variance in the outcome measure. Addition of self-efficacy at step 3 did not result in a significant change in the variance from previous steps. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide further support for stress prevention strategies focused at the job (e.g., better organisation of work demands) and organisational (e.g., improving employee participation and involvement in work) levels. Show more

Keywords: Mental distress, nursing, psychological, job stress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210264

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1007-1014, 2022

Authors: Çelikkalp, Ülfiye | Irmak, Aylin Yalçın | Aydın, Gülsün Özdemir | Metinoğlu, Meryem

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are important health problems due to their high incidence as well as their effects on the society and individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the musculoskeletal disorders experienced by teachers, and to evaluate their relationship with certain factors causing musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out on 416 teachers working in a provincial center using the face-to-face interview method. RESULTS: Per this 64.9% of the teachers had musculoskeletal disorders, and the pain was mostly localized in the neck region with 55.5%. The work stress scores …of the teachers were found to have a positive and significant correlation with musculoskeletal disorder scores and a negative significant correlation with the satisfaction with life scores (p ≤0.001). In multiple regression analysis, the time spent sitting at a desk, time spent working in a standing position, time devoted to housework, shoe preference, work stress and life satisfaction were determined as effective predictors on musculoskeletal complaints. The model that was developed explained 22.5% of the variance (R2  = 22.5; p ≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among teachers, health-promoting actions are needed in order to raise the awareness of both administrators and teachers in improving working conditions as well as preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, teachers, satisfaction, stress, work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210070

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1015-1024, 2022

Authors: Jeong, Byung Yong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the number of farmers in Korea is declining, the proportion of older farmers aged ≥60 increases. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze gender differences in working conditions, exposure to risk factors, and health problems of older crop farmers aged ≥60. METHODS: This study used data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) data of 818 male and 985 female crop farmers aged ≥60 years. RESULTS: This study showed that older female farmers had higher ratios of living alone (45.0% vs. 13.4%, p  < 0.001), lower education levels (80.7% vs. 53.4%, p  < 0.001), …and lower average incomes (1.565 vs. 2.036 million KRW, p  < 0.001) than that of males. Among subjective scores on the exposure of risk factors, only females’ repetitive motion (4.923) and awkward posture (4.415) scores were higher than that of males’ repetitive motion (4.601) (p  < 0.001) and awkward posture (4.159) scores (p  = 0.001). However, female’s health problem rates on upper limb pain (68.3%), lower extremity pain (67.6%), backache (48.4%), overall fatigue (44.8%), and headache and eyestrain (25.0%) were higher than that of male’s complaint rates on upper limb pain (48.5%) (p  < 0.001), lower extremity pain (53.3%) (p  < 0.001), backache (35.0%) (p  < 0.001), overall fatigue (39.5%) (p  = 0.024), and headache and eyestrain (19.4%) (p  = 0.005). The rate of depression symptoms in females (54.6%), with a high proportion of single-person households, was higher than that of males (46.9%) (p  = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The musculoskeletal pains and depression symptoms of older female farmers are prevalent, and efforts and support are required to improve working conditions. Show more

Keywords: Farmworkers, occupational health, depression; musculoskeletal pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210138

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1025-1033, 2022

Authors: Du, Bronson B. | Yung, Marcus | Gruber, Jennifer | Yazdani, Amin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Paramedics are a high-risk occupational group for posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI), and increasingly, evidence suggests that organizational factors play a significant role. While several resources for paramedic services to address PTSI exist, there is limited knowledge as to which PTSI-related programs and practices are implemented and how they are perceived in the workplace. OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to explore key informants’ perspectives on existing and desired organizational-wide initiatives for, as well as the challenges and potential solutions to, the primary prevention, early detection and intervention, and disability management of PTSI in Canadian paramedic services. METHODS: …Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 key informants from jurisdictions across Canada who have over five years of work experience in prehospital care. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Eight recurrent organizational elements (themes) for addressing PTSI emerged: psychologically safe and healthy work culture; consistent supervisor support, mental health training and awareness, opportunities for recovery and maintaining resiliency, recognition of PTSI and its diverse risk factors, access to a variety of support initiatives for PTSI, communication during medical leave, and meaningful work accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: While organizational-wide initiatives were in place for the primary prevention, early detection and intervention, and disability management of PTSI, systemic challenges with coordination, resource allocation, and worker engagement were also identified. These challenges prevented paramedic services from optimally addressing PTSI in their workplace. Integrating considerations from the eight organizational elements to address PTSI into broader existing management systems may have merit in overcoming the systemic challenges. Show more

Keywords: Emergency medical services, mental health, personnel management, psychological stress, risk management

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210614

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1035-1045, 2022

Authors: Bellas, Hugo Cesar | Bulhões, Bárbara | Arcuri, Rodrigo | Vidal, Mario Cesar Rodríguez | de Carvalho, Paulo Victor Rodrigues | Jatobá, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To overcome the poor conditions of low-income areas in developing countries like Brazil, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are required to exceed the regular set of formal skills they are used to employ. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim at identifying the non-technical skills CHWs must develop to cope with the extraordinary situations that occur in vulnerable communities. METHODS: 41 CHWs based in two primary healthcare clinics in Brazil underwent two rounds of in-depth interviews. The analysis was carried out using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, resulting in the prioritization of social skills according to their calculated …importance to house calls. RESULTS: Among the ten higher-scored skills, we find communication and advocacy skills being of high importance. Civility was found to be the most important attribute, confirming that community action relies strongly on the relationship between health professionals and the community. CONCLUSION: The results of our study contribute primarily to the improvement of community-based primary care programs as it helps to identify major skills required for community action. Show more

Keywords: Social skills, resilient healthcare, grounded theory, knowledge elicitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205089

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1047-1054, 2022

Authors: Mokhtarinia, Hamid Reza | Maleki-Ghahfarokhi, Azam | Rafiee, Mahsa | Mohammadi, Sharareh | Gabel, Charles Philip

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Anthropometric data should be considered for each major population age category, specifically because of the dimension changes occurring during ageing. In elderly subjects, the physical activities and their capabilities become limited. Therefore anthropometric reference data for equipment and system designs is necessary. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to collect data for the body dimensions of an elderly Iranian population and evaluate the related gender and age correlations. METHODS: Nineteen body dimensions were manually measured on a sample size of 317 subjects (167 male and 150 female) from four provinces of Iran. A pilot …preliminary test for assessing test-retest reliability on ten body dimensions using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2 :1)  was performed. Descriptive statistics were reported based on gender and independent samples t -tests to compare the anthropometric dimensions of both genders and age. RESULTS: Results indicated higher dimensions in males, except for hip-breadth (p  = 0.87). In all subjects, increasing age corresponded with: decreased standing shoulder height, eye height, and elbow height; and with sitting height and sitting knee height; while hip-breadth increased. Reliability was acceptable (ICC2.1 >0.88). In the elderly, as with adult subjects, there are significant gender differences in body dimensions, and this should be considered in equipment and system design. Furthermore, this study demonstrated both genders differences and the consequences of aging. CONCLUSIONS: From this pilot data, product designers can consider the anthropometric characteristics for elderly Iranian subjects for equipment and system design. Show more

Keywords: Aging, dimensions, ergonomics, anthropometry, Iran

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205246

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1055-1064, 2022

Authors: Attiya, Nourdine | Filali, Ayoub | Fattahi, Rkia | Moujane, Soumia | Mazouz, Hamid | Amarouch, Mohamed-Yassine | Filaly-Zegzouti, Younes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mercury used in dental amalgams constitutes a significant source of chronic exposure to this heavy metal among dentists. Thus, the safety of dental amalgam remains a controversial issue despite its long history of use. In Morocco, most studies about dental mercury were mainly focused on the environmental risk related to the management of mercury-contaminated waste. OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate the occupational exposure to mercury among liberal dentists practicing in two Moroccan regions, a multidimensional statistical approach was used to analyze the collected data. The main objective was to help establishing a targeted prevention plan aiming to …reduce the mercury exposure among Moroccan dentists. METHODS: Fifteen variables from 146 dentists were elected for a three-step classification procedure: a multiple correspondence analysis followed by a hierarchical ascendant clustering consolidated by the k-Means algorithm. RESULTS: Three homogenous clusters were identified. The most important one includes 57.5% of the population as well as the majority of the risky factors. The characterization of these clusters allows proposing concise guidelines for a targeted preventive plan. CONCLUSIONS: A real mercurial risk has been observed in the studied population. However, its impact on health as well as the efficiency of simple preventive recommendations remains to be unveiled. Show more

Keywords: Unsupervised clustering, missing data, multiple correspondence analysis, hierarchical ascendant clustering, K-means

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205115

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1065-1076, 2022

Authors: Sagaltici, Eser | Saydam, Reyhan Bahçivan | Cetinkaya, Mustafa | Şahin, Şengül Kocamer | Küçük, Suat Hayri | Müslümanoğlu, Ahmet Yaser

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Early studies have revealed the psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare workers (HCWs). Burnout and psychological outcomes of different medical professions during the pandemic have not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the burnout, depression, anxiety, and psychological distress levels of HCWs, and to determine the predictive factors of burnout in different professions of frontline HCWs during the pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 253 HCWs (79 physicians, 95 nurses, and 79 other-HCWs). The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Sociodemographic …Form were used. RESULTS: Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher in physicians and nurses than in other frontline HCWs. While depersonalization was significantly higher in physicians than nurses / other HCWs, levels of avoidance, hyperarousal and intrusion were found to be higher in other HCWs / nurses than physicians. Depression was the most effective predicting variable for burnout, following age, quarantine, supervisor’s/team leader’s attitude, hyperarousal and avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that depending on the uncertainty and life risk of the pandemic in HCWs involved in the treatment of COVID-19, physicians who are the decision-making authorities in the treatment process used more depersonalization than nurses and other HCWs. Nurses and other-HCWs had significantly higher distress symptoms than physicians. Both future research and psychosocial services should address those with high depressive symptoms as a potentially fragile subgroup for burnout among HCWs, and investigate and develop evidence-based interventions that can provide mental well-being, and prevent burnout. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, anxiety, depression, depersonalization, distress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210517

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1077-1085, 2022

Authors: Beirouti, Mohammad | Kamalinia, Mojtaba | Daneshmandi, Hadi | Soltani, Ahmad | Dehghani, Pooyan | Fararooei, Mohammad | Zakerian, Syed Abolfazl | Zamanian, Zahra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex, dynamic, high stress and time-sensitive place. While a variety of rules and regulations provided to reduce medication errors in recent years, many studies have emphasized that medication errors still happen. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation is to predict, reveal and assess medication errors among surgical intensive care unit (SICU) nurses. METHODS: This study was performed in one of the public hospitals in Shiraz, namely Shahid Faghihi hospital. The human error assessment and reduction technique (HEART) method was adopted to measure and assess medication errors in the …ICU. RESULTS: Findings indicate that ICU nurses perform 27 main tasks and 125 sub-tasks. The results also showed that setting and using DC shock task has the highest human error probability value, and assessment of patients by a nutritionist has the lowest human error probability value. CONCLUSION: Medical errors are key challenges in the ICU. Therefore, alternative solutions to mitigate medication errors and enhance patient safety in the ICU are necessary. Although the technique can be used in healthcare; there is a need to localize the coefficients and definitions to achieve more accurate results and take appropriate controls. Employing experienced people and providing conditions that reduce the possibility of errors in nurses, increasing the number of staff, and developing specialized and simulated training were identified as the most important control strategies to reduce errors in nurses. Show more

Keywords: Medical errors, HEART, intensive care unit, healthcare, nurses

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205338

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1087-1097, 2022

Authors: Tsai, Jui-Chen | Chang, Wen-Pei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Establishing strategies for improving nursing shortages, which are labor challenges in the current health care industry. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the correlation between workplace bullying and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in nurses and the mediating effects of job satisfaction on this relationship. METHODS: A total of 164 valid samples were obtained. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and an OCB scale were measured. RESULTS: The results indicate that a significantly larger proportion of nurses working in operating rooms (Δ odds ratio, odds = 2.30, p  = 0.043), the emergency room, and …the ICU (Δ odds = 2.79, p  = 0.019) had suffered workplace bullying compared with nurses working in patient wards. No experience of workplace bullying exerted a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction (p  < 0.001), and job satisfaction exerted a positive and significant effect on overall OCB (p  < 0.001). No experience of workplace bullying exerted a significant mediating effect on the influence of job satisfaction on overall OCB (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The department of service in which a nurse works influences the occurrence of workplace bullying, previous experience with bullying reduces job satisfaction, and greater job satisfaction promotes higher OCB performance. Based on the study results, we advise that nursing executives address and prevent workplace bullying to increase the job satisfaction of nurses so that nurses are willing to display OCB, apply their expertise, and expand the role and functions of nursing. Show more

Keywords: Organizations, workplace bullying, satisfaction, staff nurse

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210036

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1099-1108, 2022

Authors: Mehdi, Zafar | Nasser, Ramzi | Theobald, Hildegard

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study compares Canadian and German healthcare workers employment status and wages based on age, gender, and educational training. The German and Canadian healthcare systems are rarely compared, that if such a comparison between the two countries is available, can provide an insight of health workers employment status and how that might affect the wellbeing of elderly. OBJECTIVES: The study investigates the relation of age, gender and post-basic training with annual employment and income of health care workers in Canada and Germany. METHODS: Secondary data on age, gender, post-basic education training, employment status and average …monthly wages/salary was obtained from the German Socioeconomic Panel and the Canadian Survey of Labor and Income Dynamics data. The German dataset comprised 571 healthcare workers, including 219 nurses, 231 elder carers and 121 care assistants. The Canadian dataset comprised 2,580 healthcare workers, including 947 nurses, 493 elder carers and 1,140 care assistants. RESULTS: Primarily, there was a strong relationship between post-basic training and wages for both the Canadian and German samples among elder carers and care assistants. Older healthcare workers (46 years old and above) were generally employed, and age had no predictive power on annual labor earnings. This difference in age was significant among the Canadian than the German nurses. Post-basic training had a significant relation with annual earnings and monthly wages in both the Canadian and German samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the socio-demographics of healthcare workers as age, gender and advanced training are associated with their employment opportunities, financial rewards, and better career opportunities. The relationship between demographic variables helps understand the relation of healthcare workers employment dispositions and how it might improve the quality of life of older people in nursing homes, hospitals and elderly private homes in Canada and Germany. Show more

Keywords: Elderly patient care, socio-demographics, employment status, gender, occupational and further training

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213645

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1109-1118, 2022

Authors: Kanaan, Saddam F. | Almhdawi, Khader A. | Khader, Yousef S. | Jain, Tarang Kumar | Jaber, Alaa F. | Almomani, Fidaa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many cross-sectional studies have examined the predictors of neck pain among adolescents and working-age populations, but there are limited studies included undergraduate students. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictors of neck disability among undergraduate students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered online survey. Students completed the survey that included socio-demographic factors, academic-related factors, health and lifestyle factors, and standardized questionnaires including Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Students who reported an NDI score higher than 15 were considered as having a …neck disability. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the significant predictors of neck disability. RESULTS: Of all students (n  = 1292), 20.8% reported neck disability. Among all possible predictors, students’ major satisfaction (OR 1.46 [95% CI 1.06–2.01]; p  = 0.019), DASS-21 anxiety score (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.03–1.09]; p  < 0.001), SF-12 total score (OR 0.89 [95% CI 0.86–92]; p  < 0.001), and PSQI score (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.15–1.28]; p  < 0.001) were the only significant predictors of neck disability. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of academic stressors and anxiety, and decreased levels of quality of life and sleep quality are associated with increased neck disability among undergraduate students. Show more

Keywords: Spine, academic stress, sleep quality, anxiety, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213643

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1119-1128, 2022

Authors: Dopolani, Fatemeh Nemati | Arefi, Maryam Feiz | Akhlaghi Pirposhteh, Elham | Ghalichi Zaveh, Zahra | Salehi, Ali Sahlabadi | Khajehnasiri, Farahnaz | Hami, Mahsa | Poursadeqiyan, Mohsen | Khammar, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nursing is associated with many stressful situations that can lead to fatigue, reduced efficiency, and physical and mental illness. Safety climate is one of the most important indicators of safety management performance assessment that assesses employees’ attitudes towards safety issues. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between safety climate and occupational fatigue in nurses. METHOD: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2019. 143 nurses were selected by the proportional sampling method and entered the study. Demographic questionnaires, Occupational …Fatigue Inventory (SOFI), and Nurses’ Safety Assessment Questionnaire were used for data collection. Statistical tests, including Independent T -Test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyze the results using SPSS software version 21, and the multivariate structural equation was used for modeling. RESULTS: The mean scores of safety climate and occupational fatigue were 67.15±12.73 and 85.09±41.49, respectively. Job and demographic variables except for the second job (P -value = 0.065) had a significant effect on the variables of safety climate and occupational fatigue. There were also higher scores for occupational fatigue and all of its subscales in the group of women compared to the group of men. CONCLUSION: The results showed that occupational and demographic variables have significant effects on safety climate and occupational fatigue. There was a significant relationship between demographic variables of age, work experience, and education level with safety climate. There was also a significant relationship between education level, job satisfaction, satisfaction with colleagues and work experience with occupational fatigue. Therefore, paying attention to fatigue and safety climate of nurses in workplaces is recommended. Show more

Keywords: Safety culture, burn out, job satisfaction, health care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213648

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 1129-1139, 2022