International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health最新文献

Objectives: The aim of this article is to investigate the psychophysiological responses of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots during flight simulations with high mission complexity. In particular, it focuses on the responses of the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system.

Material and methods: Fourteen pilots aged 26-31 years took part in the study. The research was conducted using a UAV flight simulator. During the test, data was collected from electrocardiogram sensor and piezoelectric (lead zirconate titanate - PZT) respiration sensor as well as the pilot's mission performance was assessed. In addition, the test subjects were subjected to a simple reaction speed test after the completed exercise.

Results: For missions classified as having low difficulty, the mean RR interval (meanRR) was 1004.03 milliseconds, with a standard deviation (SD) = 18.5 ms. This corresponds to an mean heart rate of about 59.8 bpm (SD = 1.1), which is 16.9% longer than the RR intervals observed during high difficulty missions (meanRR±SD 859±59.75 ms). The values of respiratory rate per minute for the different levels of difficulty were M±SD 17.3±0.87 for low, 18.1±1.04 for medium, and 18.8±0.41 for high mission difficulty.

Conclusions: A correlation between the effects of an unmanned aircraft flight simulator and the pilot's body was proven. By means of tests using electrocardiogram, PZT and reaction time measurements, it was proven that the flight simulator directly induces stressful stimuli that affect the subject's body. By analyzing the individual results, it was also proven that the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated as the level of mission difficulty increases. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):391-404.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between burnout and fatigue and the employment of nurses in several workplaces.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 234 professionally active female and male nurses employed in medical facilities in various regions of Poland. The study was conducted using an online survey consisting of 2 parts: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire and an original questionnaire including questions about demographic, professional and fatigue data.

Results: More than half of the nurses (54.70%) worked in an additional place of work. Among those who took on additional work, as many as 87.50% (112 people) reported feeling tired in the last 6 months and 50% (64 people) in this group noticed a negative impact of additional work on their mental health. The analysis also showed a statistically significant relationship (p = 0.038) between employment in an additional place and the occurrence of headache in employees.

Conclusions: Financial factors are the main reason for nurses taking up additional employment. Analysis of the results showed that working in >1 place significantly increases the level of fatigue compared to employment in 1 facility. Nurses employed in >1 full-time position were characterized by a higher level of burnout and increased emotional exhaustion. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):352-363.

Objectives: This study analyses screen-use profiles among Polish adolescents and their relationship to body image and weight reduction behavior. The authors aimed to identify different screen-use profiles, determine the prevalence of these profiles in the population, and explore the relationships between these screen time profiles, adolescents' body image, and weight reduction behavior.

Material and methods: The analysis drew upon data from 5322 students aged 13 years, 15 years, and 17 years who participated in the 2021/2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. The HBSC questionnaire contains data on various screen-related activities, including gaming, social media usage, internet browsing, and the consumption of audiovisual material, as well as their body image perception and dieting behavior. Using the k-means clustering method, 5 distinct screen-use profiles were identified.

Results: The following screen-use profiles were identified: moderate users (40.1%), game-oriented users (21.1%), social-media-oriented users (20.3%), intensive game and social media users (11.1%), and intensive users (7.4%). Girls predominated in the social media clusters, while boys were overrepresented in the gaming clusters. Adolescents in the 2 intensive-use profiles (intensive game and social media users and overall intensive users) exhibited a more than twofold increase in the likelihood of perceiving themselves to be fat and engaging in dieting practices, even after adjusting for BMI, in comparison with students classified in other groups. A higher BMI Z-score independently predicted both body dissatisfaction (OR = 2.36) and active dieting (OR = 2.67).

Conclusions: A significant association was found between screen use patterns and both body image perceptions and dieting behaviors among adolescents in the intensive-use groups. This finding highlights the profound psychosocial impact of all forms of screen-based media and underscore the need for targeted interventions promoting media literacy and healthy digital habits, especially among older adolescents, girls, and urban youth. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):417-433.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the effects of the participatory ergonomics (PE) program on reducing the ergonomic risk factors and increasing the work performance among the aging workers who work as ginger peelers in the Wat Puranawas community in Thailand.

Material and methods: Fourteen older workers who work in the Wat Puranawas community are recruited, by purposive sampling. Participants attend the PE program twice, each session lasts 60 min. The measuring instruments used are: the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), the Work Ability Index (WAI), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The Friedman test is used for comparing the difference in the outcome from 3 periods, the pre-test period, the post-test period (at 2 weeks after implementing the PE program), and the follow-up period (at 4 weeks after the conclusion of the PE program). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was also performed.

Results: The scores of the RULA and the scores of COPM in the domain of satisfaction and performance during ginger peeling are improved during the post-test and the follow-up period (p < 0.05). The scores of WAI show no statistical significance when comparing the 3 periods (p = 0.079).

Conclusions: The results indicate that the PE program can effectively reduce ergonomic risk factors and enhance the workability among aging workers who work as ginger peelers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):324-334.

Objectives: Environmental intolerance (EI) can negatively impact well-being and daily life, and even lead to disability. Healthcare can detect EI early and conduct interventions. This study explored ways of identifying environmental exposure-related health worries and EI during occupational health (OH) check-ups, and their associations with unselected working-age employees' perceived work ability, stress and overall health.

Material and methods: A crosssectional survey was conducted among 355 employees attending OH check-ups at an occupational health services (OHS) unit in Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Health worries about environmental exposures were measured using 2 single-item questions, one on exposures in general, the other on indoor air. Cutoffs were set for excessive worries. Environmental intolerance was defined using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI). Perceived stress, work ability and health were inquired. The analyses used descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test and linear regression.

Results: Participants with EI (N = 25, 7%) reported significantly poorer work ability and health, and higher stress than those without EI. Environmental intolerance was also associated with comorbid diseases such as asthma, migraine, mental disorders and irritable bowel syndrome. Those with excessive health worries about environmental exposure (N = 73, 21%) and indoor air (N = 182, 51%) outnumbered and mostly included those with EI. All the participants' (N = 355) increased health worry about environmental exposures was independently associated with poorer work ability and health, and higher perceived stress. The health worry questions for identifying EI were sensitively phrased, and the general question demonstrated good specificity.

Conclusions: The findings show that environmental exposure-related health worries can be detected by and EI identified by single questions. Their interrelation and association with poorer work ability and health suggest they are part of the same continuum of increasing environmental worries and exposure- related reactions. Identifying health worries enables early detection and interventions such as psychoeducation, to prevent any related disability and adverse health outcomes. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):364-377.

Objectives: This study examined whether trust in supervisor, co-workers, and the organization mediates the relationship between organizational context and employee well-being. The research aimed to identify which components of trust have the strongest mediating effect, which organizational context elements are most strongly related to trust, and which dimensions of well-being are best explained by this model.

Material and methods: The study involved 1113 employees from various Polish organizations, averaging 45 years of age, with 41% having higher education. Participants completed questionnaires measuring areas of worklife, authentic leadership, trust propensity, trust in supervisors, trust in co-workers, trust in organization, workplace well-being, job satisfaction, and work stress. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze relationships between 3 latent variables: well-functioning organization (WFO), full trust in the organization (FTO), and well-being in the workplace (WB).

Results: The best-fitting model showed that full trust in the organization completely mediates the relationship between a WFO and WB. The WFO explained 90% of the variance in FTO. The WFO most strongly explained trust in the organization as a whole (81%) and trust in supervisors (68%), with weaker explanation of trust in coworkers (37%). The FTO explained 87% of the variance in WB, which in turn was strongly associated with job satisfaction (70% of variance) and negatively with work stress (34% of variance).

Conclusions: A wellfunctioning organization characterized by value congruence, fair rewards, recognition, authentic leadership, and supportive peer groups strongly influences full organizational trust, which in turn enhances well-being and job satisfaction while reducing work stress. Trust serves as a complete mediator between organizational context and employee well-being, with trust in the organization and in supervisors playing particularly important roles in this relationship. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2025;38(4):335-351.

Objectives: In the study, the authors aimed to explore the relationship between self-compassion, assertiveness and job satisfaction among teachers. Specifically, they examined whether assertiveness mediated the relationship between self-compassion and job satisfaction, filling a gap in the existing research on teachers' well-being.

Material and methods: A total of 208 teachers (192 women, 16 men) aged 24-64 years, with an average teaching experience of 21 years, participated in the study. The participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Self-compassion was measured with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), assertiveness with the Teacher Assertiveness Questionnaire, and job satisfaction with the Job Satisfaction Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation and mediation analysis using Process tool (model 4).

Results: Self-compassion was positively correlated with both assertiveness (r = 0.21, p < 0.01) and job satisfaction (r = 0.18, p < 0.05). Assertiveness was also positively related to job satisfaction (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis demonstrated a total mediating effect of assertiveness in the relationship between self-compassion and job satisfaction, with the model explaining 8.3% of the variance in job satisfaction.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that selfcompassion promotes teachers' assertiveness, which in turn increases job satisfaction. This highlights the importance of supporting self-compassion and assertiveness as resources protecting against occupational stress and burnout. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits causal inference, so future research should consider longitudinal models and different educational contexts. These findings provide practical insights for the design of interventions aimed at promoting teacher well-being. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):405-416.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination decisions and reasons for vaccine refusal among young Poles - a population with the lowest uptake in the country.

Material and methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted using the computerassisted personal interview method on a representative sample of 1560 individuals aged 15-39 years. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between selected factors and COVID-19 vaccination status.

Results: The likelihood of vaccination was significantly higher among women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64), individuals aged 25-39 years (OR = 2.47), those with higher education (OR = 4.84), married (OR = 2.18), parents (OR = 2.35) and deeply religious respondents (OR = 4.97). The strongest predictor was fear of COVID-19 infection (OR = 28.14). Among vaccine-hesitant individuals, the most common concerns were vaccine safety (40%) and efficacy (35%). Others perceived COVID-19 as a mild illness (27%), believed prior infection provided sufficient immunity (22%), or preferred natural methods (14%). Vaccination status correlated with attitudes toward vaccines and the pandemic. The strongest positive correlations were with beliefs that vaccination protects others (r_s = 0.59), COVID-19 vaccines are a medical success (r_s = 0.51), and that experts promoting vaccines are credible (r_s = 0.45). Negative correlations were linked to misinformation, such as claims about genetic effects, unethical experimentation, or dangerous ingredients. The reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine cluster into 2 groups: modifiable and non-modifiable. This division assumes that it is possible to intervene to modify some factors, while others are beyond our control.

Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy is shaped not only by lack of knowledge but also by mistrust and social polarization. Therefore, public health strategies should combine educational efforts with communication delivered through trusted channels. Otherwise, polarization may persist - with only part of the hesitant group open to change. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(4):378-390.

Objectives: To evaluate the health effects of low-dose formaldehyde exposure in occupational settings, focusing on dermatological and respiratory symptoms and the influence of work tenure.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 414 workers undergoing annual health check-ups at a medical center in Taiwan with 242 individuals categorized as exposed (high exposure [N = 57], low exposure [N = 185]) and 172 as controls. Formaldehyde exposure was assessed through environmental monitoring, with all exposure levels <10% of the permissible exposure limits. Self-reported clinical symptoms, complete blood count (CBC) parameters, and pulmonary function were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess exposure-related health effects, adjusting for potential confounders. Tenure was analyzed as both a continuous and categorical variable to assess its impact on health outcomes.

Results: The exposure group reported significantly higher rates of irritationrelated symptoms (9.5% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.009) and skin symptoms (1.7% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) compared to controls. After adjusting for confounders, allergic rhinitis (OR = 16.78, 95% CI: 4.00-70.55, p < 0.001) and allergic dermatitis (OR = 18.83, 95% CI: 2.52-140.56, p = 0.004) remained significantly associated with formaldehyde exposure. No significant differences were found in CBC parameters or pulmonary function between groups.

Conclusions: Even at low exposure levels, formaldehyde was associated with an increased risk of allergic conditions and irritation-related symptoms. While pulmonary function remained unchanged, the higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis and dermatitis suggests potential immune sensitization. These findings emphasize the importance of workplace exposure monitoring and preventive measures. Future longitudinal studies incorporating biomarkers are needed to clarify causal relationships and refine occupational health policies. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):236-248.

Objectives: Knowledge of the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the rescue profession is crucial for designing psycho-education to minimize the risk of its occurrence and increase the chance of providing effective assistance. The aim of the study was to analyze risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing PTSD among paramedics.

Material and methods: The study was conducted on 113 male paramedics. The study used the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, the Male Role Norms Scale and the Social Support Scale.

Results: The results showed that nearly 40% of the respondents suffer from PTSD. The paramedics who met the criteria for PTSD did not differ in their acceptance of male norms or the level of perceived social support from the paramedics who did not develop PTSD symptoms. Multiple regression analyses showed that the number of types of events experienced in the course of professional duties and male cultural norms related to social status were predictors of PTSD. Logistic regression analysis revealed that acceptance of male norm of anti-femininity increased the likelihood of developing PTSD.

Conclusions: The results showed that men who performed stereotypically male professions could be less likely to seek specialist help in PTSD situations because such behavior does not fit the role of a strong, assertive man in social perception. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):280-295.