Work - Volume 74, issue 2

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-236001

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 353-354, 2023

Authors: Rumrill, Stuart P. | Bishop, Malachy L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex disabling condition that is not often well understood. Despite decades of SUD research and intervention, prevalence rates remain stable and many traditional treatment options are largely ineffective in helping individuals with SUDs attain long-term abstinence and recovery. One avenue that shows promise in facilitating higher recovery and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in people with SUD is employment that occurs alongside traditional treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand the role that meaningful and satisfying employment has in SUD outcomes for treatment completers. METHODS: Employing a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, …nonequivalent group design, this study examined 197 individuals with SUDs who completed treatment to explore how their employment status during treatment, employment status change from their treatment to the time of the survey, and job satisfaction influenced their recovery and QOL. RESULTS: Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) revealed that those who made the transition from unemployed at treatment to employed at time of survey and those who were employed in “very satisfying” jobs had higher rates of recovery and QOL than those who were in “very dissatisfying” jobs or made the transition from employed during treatment to unemployed at time of survey. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are promising in that employment and job satisfaction seem to be facilitative of recovery and QOL outcomes for this population of SUD treatment completers. Show more

Keywords: Substance abuse, work, job satisfaction, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-236012

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 355-369, 2023

Authors: Hayati, Abdollah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Agricultural labor-intensive activities have been threatened by COVID-19. Wearing a face mask has been introduced as one of the personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce COVID-19 risk. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the safety behavior of urban green space workers around wearing a face mask in the time of COVID-19 before vaccination. METHODS: The personal and safety backgrounds of 61 male participants were collected using a designed questionnaire. The nonparametric correlation coefficients of Spearman and logistic regressions were used to investigate the relationships among variables. RESULTS: Above one-third of workers (37.7%) …got COVID-19 in the past year. Although all of the participants were aware of wearing a face mask is a protocol against COVID-19, only about half of them (50.8%) completely wear face masks at work. Non-smoking participants were 5.5 times more likely to influence their personal preference on wearing the mask. CONCLUSION: Safety attitude may be a key variable in relation to the factors that influence the wearing face mask. The causes of face mask-wearing during a pandemic such as COVID-19 as well as safety attitudes may be behind the factors studied in this study. Although some significant linkages were found, they were not enough to conclude a comprehensive action program. This concern is still open to discovering factors that influence wearing face mask. Show more

Keywords: Agricultural health and safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), coronavirus, labor-intensive farm activity, occupational injury

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220205

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 371-379, 2023

Authors: Fuentes, Kristina | Lindsay, Sally

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread changes in the way people work. Some of these changes represent the same kinds of work modifications or adjustments that have often been requested as workplace accommodations, and which may improve labour market and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this scoping review was to examine the literature on workplace accommodations in the pandemic and their impacts and implications for people with disabilities. METHODS: Following a search of six international databases, articles were selected by two reviewers, and data were abstracted in accordance with …scoping review methodology. A thematic analysis was used to report the relevant findings. RESULTS: Thirty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, and three main themes were identified: positive impacts of pandemic-related workplace accommodations on people with disabilities (e.g., improved accessibility, reduced stigma around workplace accommodations, rapid implementation of workplace accommodations, opportunities for advocacy); negative impacts (e.g., worsened physical and mental health, new accommodation needs); and action needed and recommendations (e.g., revisit legislation and policy on accommodations, ensure representation of people with disabilities). Overall, our review identified a mixed assessment of the impacts of pandemic-related accommodations on people with disabilities. However, there was a broader consensus regarding the importance of learning from the experiences of the pandemic to improve workplace accommodation policies in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic may present opportunities for improving workplace accommodation policies, but our review also highlights the need for more research examining how workplace changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted people with disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Pandemics, disabled persons, employment, teleworking

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220129

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 381-406, 2023

Authors: Sayilan, Aylin Aydin | Kulakac, Nursen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Understanding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception and image of the profession are key factors in nurses’ perceptions regarding their roles and their future. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception and image of the nursing profession among nurses working in surgical units. METHODS: This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 216 nurses using the random sampling method between 10 and 30 March, 2022. The study data were collected using an information form, the Perception of Nursing Professional Scale (PNPS), and …the Scale for the Image of the Nursing Profession. RESULTS: The nurses’ mean age was 32.53±9.16 years (min 21, max 57) and their mean professional experience was 16.44±9.80 years (min 1, max 44). The mean PNPS score was 73.12±9.46, and the mean Scale for the Image of the Nursing Profession score was 171.11±11.16. Female nurses had significantly higher positive perceptions of nursing levels than male nurses. Gender, having a history of COVID-19, marginalization during the pandemic, and perception of the nursing profession significantly affected image perceptions of nursing at multiple linear regression analysis. These variables explained 43% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: Nurses working in surgical units during the COVID-19 pandemic exhibited a good level of professionalism and image perception concerning nursing. Show more

Keywords: Perception, image, nurses, COVID-19, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220250

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 407-414, 2023

Authors: Soysal, Ayşe Nur Oymak | Şimşek, Şule | Özdemir, Atiye Kaş | Aslan, Ummuhan Baş

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many restrictions that affected Turkey as well as other countries around the world. Restrictions on education, sports activities and social activities affected students physically and psychologically. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight gain, physical activity, and mental health among university students. METHODS: The study included students of Pamukkale University aged between 18–25 years. Participants answered the online survey about changes in body composition and physical activity habits during the pandemic. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess …physical activity levels. Beck Depression Scale (BDS) was used to assess the mental health. RESULTS: 848 (546 females, 302 males) students average aged 20,72±1,63 years were included in the study. When the physical activity times before and during the pandemic were compared, a statistically significant difference was found (p  < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that higher BDS scores (p  = 0.000) were significantly associated with increased weight gain. But there was no significant association with age and changes in physical activity time. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on the physical activity level, weight gain and mental health of university students. Students reported an increase in weight during the pandemic. Also, the increase in depressive symptoms is related to higher levels of weight gain. Therefore, physical activity and mental health programmes should be offered to university students as an educational and health policy. Show more

Keywords: Body composition, depression, restrictions, coronavirus

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211161

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 415-424, 2023

Authors: Bashir, Raima | Alam, Beenish Fatima | Nayab, Talha | Fahim, Faisal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 bitterly jolted the lives of masses around the globe, and affected the physical, mental, health, and quality of life of majority of individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of dental students of public and private colleges and those residing in college accommodation and own home using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 402 dental students of a private and public university. Students’ t -test was used to compare the data. Relationship between gender, institute and accommodation (college accommodation or own home) was …assessed by multiple linear regression. P -value of < 0.05 was taken significant. RESULTS: The participants rated their quality of life to be good (mean Score 3.99±SD 0.93) during the post COVID-19 pandemic, while satisfaction with health was neutral to satisfactory (mean Score 3.77±SD 0.87). A significant difference regarding physical health and social relationship domains was observed between the private and public university students. Significant differences in all domains of QOL was also reported among students living in own homes versus those students utilizing college accommodation. CONCLUSION: The post COVID-19 quality of life of dental students in both private and public institutes differed with respect to physical and environmental domains. The difference was more significant among the student living in college accommodation than those living at home, which underscores that effort should be made to facilitate the students to improve their the quality of life post pandemic so that they may be more focused on studies and perform better. Show more

Keywords: Social domain, health domain, mental well-being, environmental domain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211351

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 425-433, 2023

Authors: Witte, Ingrid | Strandberg, Thomas | Granberg, Sarah | Gustafsson, Johanna

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Supported Employment (SE) has shown better results in the employment rate for persons with disabilities than other methods within vocational rehabilitation, but how SE affects the employment rate for subgroups in the interventions needs further attention. OBJECTIVE: To examine previous research regarding the influence of intersecting statuses on the employment rate in SE for people with psychiatric, neuropsychiatric, or intellectual disabilities according to type of diagnosis, sex, race/ethnicity, age, level of education and previous work history. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in nine databases including peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to April 2021. Articles …presenting the employment rate in SE interventions according to the intersecting statuses listed in the objective were included. RESULTS: The searches identified 3777 unique records, of which 53 articles were included in data extraction. In most of the included articles, intersecting statuses did not affect the employment rate for people in the SE interventions with psychiatric disabilities. Few studies have examined neuropsychiatric and intellectual disabilities. A majority of the studies subjected to full-text analysis were excluded due to a lack of reporting of the effects of intersecting statuses on the employment rate. The studies that reported on the effects of intersecting statuses on the employment rate often had small samples and lacked statistical power. CONCLUSIONS: Intersecting statuses do not appear to affect the employment rate for people receiving SE interventions, but systematic reviews with pooled samples need to be undertaken because of the low reporting rate and underpowered sample sizes in existing studies. Show more

Keywords: “Employment, Supported”, disabilities, “mental disorders”, intersectionality, “vocational rehabilitation”

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211155

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 435-454, 2023

Authors: Suganthirababu, Prathap | Parveen, Ayesha | Mohan Krishna, P. | Sivaram, B. | Kumaresan, A. | Srinivasan, Vignesh | Vishnuram, Surya | Alagesan, Jagatheesan | Prathap, Lavanya

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are one of the main causes of morbidity among healthcare professionals. It has various secondary consequences on productivity by diminishing the quantity and quality of work completed by the affected personnel, in addition to having a primary impact on the individual with pain and discomfort. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the overall prevalence rate of WRMSD among dentists, physiotherapists, and surgeons and also identify the commonly affected regions of the body about specific health care professions among each of the three professions, as recorded by the cross-sectional studies performed in various countries …and regions of the world. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was framed following the PRISMA guidelines based on the present inclusion and exclusion criteria. A critical search of articles was conducted during June 2020 in CINAHL (DOAJ), PubMed, Google Scholar Scopus, PEDro databases and SAGE journals. RESULTS: Out of the 42 articles that met the eligibility criteria, there were 39 cross-sectional studies, 2 pilot cross-sectional surveys and 1 prospective cohort study with one-year follow-up. All studies included in this review used various survey tools for recording the demographic details and measuring the prevalence of WRMSDs and other outcome factors. CONCLUSION: We conclude that all three health care professionals (dentists, physiotherapists and surgeons) are highly prone to develop WRMSDs with surgeons and dentists being more vulnerable when compared to physiotherapists. The lower back and neck are identified as the two most commonly affected regions among all three professionals. Show more

Keywords: Health care professionals, occupation related disorders, body pain, neck pain, back pain, occupational safety

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211041

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 455-467, 2023

Authors: Soo, Suet Yeo | Ang, Wei Sze | Chong, Chen Hooi | Tew, In Meei | Yahya, Nurul Asyikin

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is an increasing concern about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), resulting from occupational health hazards among dentists. Dentists who are susceptible to occupational health hazards could develop cumulative trauma disorders, lead to absenteeism from work, loss of productivity and performance or even long-term disability. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists, explore the risk factors and identify the ergonomic preventive measures for dental professionals. METHODS: Articles published between 2008–2020 were searched in scientific databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library). The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Systematic Review Checklist was used …to assess the quality of the studies. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were found to be suitable in the final review. Relevant data was extracted and summarized from the included studies. The annual prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in any body site ranged between 68% and 100%. The most predominant regions for musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals were identified to be the lower back (29% to 94.6%), shoulder (25% to 92.7%), and neck (26% to 92%). The most frequently reported risk factors of MSDs were the individual characteristic female gender (57.1%), followed by awkward working postures (50%), long working experience (50%) and being dental specialists (42.9%). Several preventive measures were identified as the most effective ways in preventing MSDs, the use of magnification (40%) and regular physical activity (40%). CONCLUSIONS: This review reported a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among dentists. It critically updates and adds the latest evidence on occupational ergonomics among dentists. Show more

Keywords: Cumulative trauma disorder, occupational risk, musculoskeletal pain, dentistry

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211094

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 469-476, 2023