Work - Volume 78, issue 3

Authors: Silva Gomes, Virgınia | Cardoso Júnior, Moacyr Machado

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Situational awareness is the acquisition of information from elements present in the work environment, the perception of the meaning of this information, and the prediction of future working conditions. Sleepiness and fatigue can influence an individual’s ability to reach situation awareness, decision-making, and performance on a task. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review examines methods used to assess situational awareness, fatigue, sleepiness, and their interrelationships. METHODS A systematic search of online databases was conducted to identify experimental, peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2017 and 2022. A total of 29 publications were selected for analysis. …RESULTS: The selected studies originated from various countries, primarily in the northern hemisphere. Health and automotive engineering were the academic categories with the highest publications. The studies employed objective and subjective methods to assess situational awareness, fatigue, and sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies reported a decline in situational awareness during fatigue and sleepiness conditions, although one study did not find this association. Future research should focus on employing objective methods to analyze cognitive factors, increasing sample sizes, and conducting testing in real-world situations. Show more

Keywords: Awareness, sleepiness, fatigue, safety, ergonomics, decision making

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230115

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 641-655, 2024

Authors: Sondhof, Anke | Muschalla, Beate

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Critical life events affect personal and professional lives, change working conditions, and require specific coping strategies. Wisdom is a multidimensional capacity for coping with life problems. Since wisdom can best be investigated in relation to concrete settings and problems, we investigated research employees during a pandemic. Research employees are constantly occupied with uncertainty and problem-solving in their everyday work. Thus, they develop capacities for factual and problem-solving knowledge which can be applied in different situations. OBJECTIVE: This study examines to what extent which wisdom capacities are applied by research personnel when dealing with changed working conditions. …METHOD: During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2021, researchers were asked about work-related coping capacities in an online survey. The qualitative content analysis of the free-text responses of 131 research employees was based on a multidimensional wisdom model with 12 wisdom capacities. RESULTS: 50% of the reported coping strategies referred to factual and problem-solving capacities, 40% to interpersonal or emotional capacities, 10% did not reflect any wisdom capacity. Associations between wise coping capacities, social behavior at work, and eudaimonic well-being emerged. CONCLUSION: The study provides concrete qualitative examples of specific behavioral capacities in which wisdom may be applied in a work setting. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, skills, behavior, job, employee

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230054

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 657-666, 2024

Authors: Haque, Syed Emdadul | Datta, Benay Kumar | Eunus, H.E.M. Mahbubul | Akter, Rashida | Islam, Tariqul | Ahmed, Shyfuddin | Shahriar, Mohammad Hasan | Parvez, Faruque | Ahsan, Habibul | Yunus, Mohammed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Readymade garment workers globally experience distinctive vulnerabilities at the workplace. The situation is worse in many developing countries. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence about the health and safety of garment workers in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the patterns of illness and injury of garment workers, factory level health safety policies and programs, and views and perception of management staff at factories in Bangladesh. METHODS: This mixed-method study was conducted among garment workers and management level staff between January 2018 and April 2019. We extracted 4000 …health records of the workers who attended primary health care centers of the factories and conducted 11 key informant interviews using qualitative method from different management-level staff. RESULTS: Half of the workers (51.0%) were working in the sewing section following 12.8% in quality control and 12.3% in the laundry section. A review of the medical records showed that peptic ulcer diseases (PUDs) (19.2%), fever (11.7%), loose motion (10.3%), and headache (9.4%). Needle injury was uncommon for taking medical care. Occupational safety and health management, safe drinking water, access to maternity leave and other facilities were better in large and medium factories compared with those in small factories. CONCLUSIONS: Although the readymade garments sector is one of the largest sources of foreign currency revenue earnings in Bangladesh, occupational health and safety issues of workers remain a big concern. Thus, support from the government needs more focus on the health and safety of workers. Show more

Keywords: Readymade garment workers, illness and injury, health safety, quantitative and qualitative data, Bangladesh

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220224

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 667-676, 2024

Authors: Alnaser, Adnan Raed | Zitoun, Osama A. | Saquib, Juliann | Rajab, Tawfik Mamoun | Khojah, Abdullah Abdulaziz Abdulwahab | Almazrou, Abdulrahman | Saquib, Nazmus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Professional drivers in Saudi Arabia may be at increased risk for mental illness because of their expatriate status, long driving hours, and unhealthy lifestyles. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among professional drivers in Saudi Arabia, most of whom are expatriates. METHODS: Professional drivers (n  = 324) were interviewed after convenient sampling of transportation companies. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. Correlates of depressive symptoms were identified using Cox regression with a fixed follow-up time. RESULTS: Of the drivers, 20.4% had moderate to …severe depressive symptoms. Sleep quality was found to be a significant independent correlate of depressive symptoms. Drivers with poor and fair sleep quality had higher risk of depressive symptoms than drivers with excellent sleep quality (poor: OR = 5.8, CI: 1.95–17.11; fair: OR = 4.5, CI: 1.68–11.96). CONCLUSION: The frequency of depressive symptoms among professional drivers in Saudi Arabia is high (one out of five). Companies should consider screening for depressive symptoms and sleep disorders among employees and should provide referrals as needed. Show more

Keywords: Automobile driving, occupational health, mental health, depression, migrant health, epidemiology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220631

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 677-685, 2024

Authors: Li, Jianna | Guo, Bin | Du, Zhoubo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: An underground workplace (UGW) is a complex system with multiple subsystems that interact with each other. However, the research on UGW from a systemic perspective has not received due attention. OBJECTIVE: This study constructs an evaluation approach to the orderliness of UGW and systematically evaluates the UGW with Guangzhou and Chengdu metro depots as case studies. METHODS: First, the evaluation index system is established based on occupational ergonomics. Second, the system entropy model is constructed based on information entropy. Third, a dissipative structure judgment model is built based on the Brusselator. Fourth, the orderliness evaluation …model is constructed based on information entropy and synergetics. RESULTS: The UGW of the metro depot has not yet reached the dissipative structure and is in a medium-order state. But the system is in the trend of orderly development. The entropy increase caused by the physical environment and health status is the main obstacle for the system to move toward order. The equipment configuration is an essential source of system negative entropy. The coordination between equipment configuration, health status, and physical environment is low, and that of work effectiveness, equipment aging and failure, and organizational environment is high. CONCLUSIONS: Equipment configuration cannot fully cope with the harsh physical environment and meet the needs of underground workers. Safety security equipment has more room for improvement. Humanized support facilities can introduce more negative entropy to the system. Organizational intervention can reduce the negative impact of adverse factors on the system. Show more

Keywords: Underground workplace, occupational ergonomics, work environment, equipment, staff, system orderliness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230017

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 687-703, 2024

Authors: Milanović, Ivana | Stanojević, Nina | Fatić, Saška | Marisavljević, Maša | Punišić, Silvana | Janjić, Vladimir | Subotić, Miško | Maksimović, Slavica

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Serbia, to our knowledge, there has been no research dedicated to the professional stress faced by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Since speech therapy belongs to the helping professions, SLPs might experience professional stress. OBJECTIVE: To examine the levels of professional stress in SLPs concerning sociodemographic characteristics and terms of the workplace. METHODS: The research was conducted online, using a questionnaire designed to determine professional stress in speech-language pathologists - Speech-Language Pathologist Stress Inventory. The voluntary sample consisted of 185 employed SLPs from the Republic of Serbia. The stress level was observed concerning …marital status, years of working experience, age, educational degree, caseload size, job sector, job setting, type of patients’ diagnosis, and type of service which SLPs provide. RESULTS: The results showed that SLPs experience mild to moderate levels of professional stress and that there is a statistically significant difference in the stress level concerning years of working experience, age, job sector, and job setting. Applying Generalized Linear Mixed Model revealed that two-way interaction (Years of working experience * Marital status) and three-way interaction (Age * Job Setting * Type of patients’ diagnosis) dominated on the model. CONCLUSION: Since it is noted that SLPs are experiencing mild to moderate levels of professional stress, it is important to emphasize the need for adaptation of existing work terms as well as to provide additional support to speech therapists in order to improve their mental health. Show more

Keywords: Job stress, professional burnout, developmental disorders, job satisfaction, workplace conditions, speech therapy, workload

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230036

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 705-725, 2024

Authors: Hsu, Chen-Yuan | Syue, Jia-Ci

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Clinical medical staff should be aware of and examine the correlation between breastfeeding and neonatal hospitalization. Additional attention should be paid to work dilemmas experienced by the nursing staff caring for newborns to avoid exposing newborns to hospitalization risk. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the working dilemmas by neonatal nurses caring for breastfed newborns and risk of newborn hospitalization. METHODS: This hospital-based study in Taiwan surveyed 84 neonatal nurses using a structured questionnaire entitled “Working Dilemmas in Clinical Care for Breastfed Newborns.” RESULTS: Collected data were analyzed statistically (descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and …t test) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff noted that breastfed newborns showed a high risk of hospitalization and nursery staff highlighted a lack of manpower and time. NICU staff experienced more working dilemmas (117.460±12.260) than nursery staff (87.410±15.820) when caring for breastfed newborns (t  = 1.080, P  < 0.001). NICU staff reported a higher risk of hospitalization in breastfed newborns and experienced more working dilemmas caring for these patients compared with nursery staff, who reported a lack of manpower and time. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the working dilemmas by neonatal nurses and can serve as a foundation for further critical studies. Show more

Keywords: Dilemmas, breastfeeding, newborn hospitalization, neonatal nurses, working, care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230249

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 727-734, 2024

Authors: Pal, Anubhab | Patel, Thaneswer | Khro, Keneiselie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The accurate measurement of the human body is essential when it comes to designing agricultural tools and equipment that can effectively accommodate and interact with individuals when performing a task. The traditional method for measuring an individual’s body measurements is highly complex and requires two or more skilled individuals and reliable measurement tools. Finding a new approach that is speedier, more precise, and less expensive than current methods is therefore necessary. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an inexpensive novel photogrammetric anthropometric measurement setup that can extract the dimensions of an individual subject irrespective of their body …shape. METHODS: This study involved the creation of a setup comprising four cameras for a 360° photoshoot of human subjects to calibrate and test the developed measurement setup for capturing photos of human subjects and compare the results with manual measurements. RESULTS: Ten different body dimensions were measured using the setup. There was a significant correlation between the manual and photogrammetric measurement methods (0.943 < r < 0.997). The highest absolute error recorded was 1.87%. CONCLUSION: The photogrammetric method for collecting anthropometric data is a reliable substitute for manual measurements across diverse populations. The results indicate that this low-cost approach is highly precise and reliable, with strong correlation to manual measurements. Multiview photogrammetry proves effective for individuals of various body shapes, making it a versatile option for data collection. Show more

Keywords: Photogrammetry, computer-assisted image processing, body size, agricultural tools, precision measurement

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230276

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 735-746, 2024

Authors: Khanehshenas, Farin | Mazloumi, Adel | Nahvi, Ali | Nickabadi, Ahmad | Aghamalizadeh, Alireza | Keihani, Ahmadreza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The transition from alertness to drowsiness can cause considerable changes in the respiratory system, providing an opportunity to detect driver drowsiness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine which respiratory features indicate driver drowsiness and then use these features to classify the level of drowsiness and alertness. METHODS: Twenty male students (mean age 25.6±2.41 years) participated in the study using a driving simulator, and eight features, including expiration duration (ED), inspiration duration (ID), peak-to-peak amplitude (PA), inspiration-to-expiration time ratio (I/E ratio), driving, timing, respiration rate (RR), and yawning, were extracted from the respiratory …signal generated by abdominal motions using a belt equipped with a force sensor. RESULTS: All eight features were statistically significant at the significance level of 0.05. Drowsiness can be detected using respiratory features with 88% accuracy, 82% precision, 86% recall, and an 90% F1 score. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may be useful in the development of driver drowsiness monitoring systems based on less intrusive respiratory signal analysis, particularly for specific process automation applications when vehicle control is not in the hands of the driver. Show more

Keywords: Respiratory rate, yawning, classification, sleepiness, diagnosis, traffic crashes

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230281

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 747-760, 2024

Authors: Hidaka, Tomoo | Kakamu, Takeyasu | Endo, Shota | Masuishi, Yusuke | Kasuga, Hideaki | Hata, Akiko | Miura, Rieko | Funayama, Youko | Tajimi, Kimitaka | Fukushima, Tetsuhito

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The optimal exercise combination for improving sleep quality among sedentary workers is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To reveal what combination of exercises contributes to good sleep quality. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 5,201 sedentary workers who underwent health examinations in 2019. Data on sleep quality, basic attributes, energy expenditure, and lifestyle aspects such as exercise and physical activity, supper time close to bedtime, and alcohol intake were obtained. The subjects reported their exercise habits by selecting up to three forms of exercise from a list of 182 options, which were classified into three types: endurance …(e.g., jogging), muscle strength (e.g., bench pressing), and balanced types which combined both endurance and muscle strength characteristics. (e.g., walking). These forms were then categorized into eight combination patterns: endurance only; muscle strength only; balanced only; endurance and muscle strength; endurance and balanced; muscle strength and balanced; all types; and absence of any exercise habits. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between the exercise combination patterns and sleep quality. RESULTS: Good sleep quality was significantly associated with “endurance” (OR = 1.419; 95% CI 1.110–1.814), “balanced only” (OR = 1.474; 95% CI 1.248–1.741), and “endurance and balance” (OR = 1.782; 95% CI 1.085–2.926) exercise patterns. No significant associations were found between the combinations that included muscle strength exercises and sleep quality. CONCLUSION: The endurance or balanced-type exercises, or a combination of both, may help to improve the sleep quality of sedentary workers as part of occupational health management. Show more

Keywords: Sedentary behavior, sleep, sleep quality, exercise, occupational health, work, physical endurance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230299

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 761-770, 2024