Journal of Occupational Health最新文献

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a personal exposure measurement method that concurrently determines both the inhalable fraction and vapor concentration of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP).

Methods: A personal sampler, the IFV Pro, equipped with a glass-fiber filter (GFF) and a Chromosorb 106 adsorption tube was used. Postsampling, TBP was extracted or desorbed separately from the GFF and Chromosorb 106 using dichloromethane containing tri-n-amyl phosphate as an internal standard. The solutions obtained were analyzed via gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The evaluation parameters for validating the method included extraction efficiency, desorption efficiency, retention efficiency, storage stability, method quantitation limit, and reproducibility. Results The extraction efficiency of TBP from the GFF ranged from 97% to 100%, whereas the desorption efficiency from Chromosorb 106 was between 98% and 102%. The retention efficiencies for TBP were 0% (not quantitative, <0.68 μg/sample) to 88% on the GFF, and 7% to 95% on Chromosorb 106, culminating in a total retention efficiency of 95%-98%. Relative SDs, indicative of reproducibility, ranged from 0.8% to 6.9%. Both TBP on the GFF and in the Chromosorb 106 tube maintained stability under refrigeration at 4°C for at least 7 days. The method quantitation limit was established at 6.00 μg/sample. Conclusions A method was established to measure both the inhalable fraction and vapor concentration of TBP across an air concentration range of 0.05 to 10 mg/m3. This method is potentially valuable for assessing TBP exposure levels in workers.

Objectives: Teleworking from home was widespread during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. This working practice is expected to maintain popularity among employers and employees. Compared with in-person workers, teleworkers tend to be less physically active and have more musculoskeletal pain. Interventions specific to reducing health risks among teleworkers have not been identified. This study will examine the effects of an occupational lifestyle intervention encompassing 3 components: physical activity promotion, musculoskeletal health, and work environment improvement.

Methods: This cluster randomized trial will have a target sample size of 500 participants. The target population is healthy adults aged 18-64 years who telework at least once per week. Randomization will be conducted on a stratified block basis for clusters of 20 to 100 individuals within the recruited companies. The intervention period will be 12 weeks and comprise individual (online lectures, feedback, and periodic email messages), sociocultural (team building through step competition), physical (poster and tabletop pop-up), and organizational (encouraging message from an executive) strategies. The intervention group will be compared with a wait-list control group. The primary outcome will be the number of steps taken, as assessed by an accelerometer, and the secondary outcomes will be musculoskeletal pain and a telecommuting environment. The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (ID: UMIN000053861) (https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000061478&type=summary&language=J).

Results: Study enrollment began in March 2024, and the intervention will be completed by March 2025.

Conclusions: The results of this study are expected to provide helpful data for promoting healthy teleworking practices.

Objectives: To develop a device to evaluate the permeation resistance of chemical-protective boots continuously in contact with liquid chemicals, and to compare the permeation time of the component material test pieces with the permeation time of the whole boot and thus evaluate its performance.

Methods: The permeation time was calculated for toluene, dichloromethane, and acetone in 4 types of boot, according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) T 8117:2005.

Results: The permeation test for whole boots showed shorter permeation times than those of the component materials, according to JIS T 8117:2005. The permeation time of toluene was more than twice that of boots C and D. The permeation time of dichloromethane was more than twice that of boots A and C and more than 3 times shorter for boot A.

Conclusions: The differences between the whole-boot tests and the material tests were thought to be related to variations in thickness, type of material, difference in adhesion, and penetration from pinwheels. This method enables the determination of the permeation of chemicals and other performance characteristics of the whole boot, which cannot be determined using testing of material specimens alone. By using this device for testing, appropriate boots that are protective against specific chemicals and can prevent chemically induced damage to the feet can be more efficiently selected.

Objectives: There is a growing interest in understanding the long-term impact of employment status on psychological stress. We aimed to explore the association between socioeconomic status and psychological stress over a long-term follow-up period across the COVID-19 pandemic, employing the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale (K6).

Methods: We evaluated K6 scores from the 2021 follow-up survey of NIPPON DATA2010 using a self-administered questionnaire. The association between employment status and changes in K6 scores over 11 years was examined. Multiple regression analyses were used to estimate both crude and adjusted differences in K6 score changes across various socioeconomic factors including employment category, annual household income, marital status, and household size. Analyses were stratified by age, gender, and prefectural population size.

Results: This study included 1532 participants with an average age of 54.9 years. Over 11 years (2010-2021), participants in both gender and age groups showed increases in mean K6 scores (men: 2.79 to 3.06; women: 3.15 to 3.56; <65 years: 3.27 to 3.47; ≥65 years: 2.37 to 3.08). Nonemployed participants, particularly homemakers, showed significantly greater increases in K6 scores, compared with full-time employees, especially among women, younger individuals, and those in densely populated areas, with a significant interaction with age.

Conclusions: Nonemployed individuals, especially homemakers, experienced greater psychological stress over the past 11 years than did their fully employed counterparts. Public interventions, including strengthened social connections and telemental health services, may help mitigate these disparities, enhance mental well-being, and foster a sense of belonging.

Objectives: This study examined whether management-level discussions on Health and Productivity Management (HPM) and the involvement of occupational health professionals in discussions are associated with workplace health promotion (WHP) program outcomes, as indicated by HPM evaluation.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 2495 corporations that submitted the 2020 HPM Survey Sheets. Corporations were categorized into 3 groups based on the presence or absence of HPM discussions at management-level meetings and the attendance of occupational health professionals. The overall score and the deviation score for "assessment and improvement" were used as indicators of program outcomes. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for industry sector, company size, and number of occupational physicians and occupational health nurses.

Results: Corporations without HPM discussions at management-level meetings showed significantly lower scores on both indicators (overall score coefficient: -11.70; 95% CI, -12.83 to -10.53; "assessment and improvement" coefficient: -11.30; 95% CI, -12.50 to -9.97). In contrast, corporations with HPM discussions attended by occupational health professionals demonstrated significantly higher scores than those without such attendance (overall score coefficient: 5.39; 95% CI, 4.61-6.18; "assessment and improvement" coefficient: 5.15; 95% CI, 4.28-6.02). These associations remained significant after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that discussions about HPM at management-level meetings and the involvement of occupational health professionals are associated with WHP program outcomes. These results suggest that collaboration between top management and occupational health professionals in management reviews may contribute to the successful implementation of WHP programs.

Objectives: The cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain in the majority of affected individuals, but the influence of socioeconomic status on CKD progression has recently gained attention. We compared the risk of CKD progression among 18 occupational classifications using an annual health checkup database.

Methods: We used the annual health checkup data and health insurance claims data of the Japan Health Insurance Association in Kyoto prefecture between April 2012 and March 2016. The primary outcome for survival analysis was defined as a more than 30% change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the first health checkup. We used the Cox proportional hazards model for time-to-event analyses to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% CIs for the primary outcome, adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, dyslipidemia, uric acid, urinary protein, and existence of kidney disease at first health checkup.

Results: We analyzed 239 506 employees, and 1736 (0.7%) individuals whose eGFR had decreased by 30% or more; the mean follow-up period was 2.8 years. When we compared the risk with that for "manufacturing," 5 categories of industries ("information and communications"; "transport and postal services"; "accommodations, eating and drinking services"; "living-related and personal services and amusement service"; "medical, health care and welfare") were associated with a decline in the increased risk of eGFR after adjusting for the confounding factors and/or mediators.

Conclusions: We provide evidence that the risk of CKD progression depends on occupational type. Further research is needed to confirm the mechanism and causal relationships involved.

Objectives: The current study aimed (1) to examine the associations between bidirectional work-family conflict, comprising work-to-family conflict (WFC) and family-to-work conflict (FWC), and two mental health outcomes: psychological distress and mental disorder; and (2) to examine the associations between demographic variables and work-family conflict among Japanese working women.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 19 652 Japanese working women in June 2024. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and mental disorder was identified using a screening question about medical consultation or treatment. Work-family conflict was measured using the Work and Family Conflict Scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed associations between work-family conflict and mental health outcomes, whereas univariate linear logistic regression examined the associations between demographic variables and work-family conflict.

Results: Among participants, 9.5% reported psychological distress, and 5.3% reported receiving consultation or treatment for mental disorder. Severe WFC and FWC were significantly associated with psychological distress (WFC: odds ratio [OR] 4.94, 95% CI, 4.19-5.81; FWC: OR 3.44, 95% CI, 2.94-4.01; both P < .001) and mental disorder (WFC: OR 1.76, 95% CI, 1.46-2.12; FWC: OR 1.69, 95% CI, 1.40-2.04; both P < .001). Long working hours and caregiving responsibilities were strongly associated with WFC and FWC.

Conclusions: Work-family conflict is significantly associated with adverse mental health among Japanese working women. Organizations need to address this issue in the workplace, particularly regarding flexible work arrangements and caregiving support, to promote the mental well-being of working women.

Objectives: This study measured occupational status from the perspectives of occupational socioeconomic status, employment relationship, and class level, aiming to examine the effect of occupational status on depression among middle-aged and elderly people in China and determine whether being a state functionary plays a moderating role.

Methods: Panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (n = 28 645) were used and the year fixed-effects model was adopted. The 2-way interaction terms "state functionary × occupational status (the International Socioeconomic Index of Occupational Status [ISEI], the Standard International Occupational Prestige Scale [SIOPS], and the Erikson and Goldthorpe class categories [EGP])" were added to examine whether being a state functionary could moderate the relationship between occupational status and depression.

Results: Occupational status was negatively correlated with depression (ISEI: coefficient = -0.03; 95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02; SIOPS: coefficient = -0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to -0.002; EGP: coefficient = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.15). The 2-way interaction terms "state functionary × occupational status (ISEI/SIOPS/EGP)" were significant among all middle-aged and older participants. The 2-way interaction terms were also significant in the educated and urban subgroups.

Conclusions: Higher occupational status is a protective factor against depression among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. However, being a state functionary can reverse the relationship between occupational status and depression. We found that the higher the occupational status of state functionaries, the more severe their depression. We also found a moderating effect of being a state functionary in the educated and urban subgroups.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing nurses' posttraumatic growth (PTG) during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in February 2023 across databases, including Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, for articles published between January 2020 and February 2023 related to PTG in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclusion criteria were English-language articles, original research on nurses' PTG, and studies conducted after January 2020. Of 1089 identified articles, 142 were screened, and 27 were selected for final analysis. Data extracted from the articles included the author(s) name(s), the study's geographic location, publication year, study purpose, study design, participants, methods, measurement scales, results, and notes. PTG factors were extracted and grouped into 4 broad categories: COVID-related factors, nursing-related factors, factors in Tedeschi's PTG conceptual model, and other factors. Smaller categories were then created by inductively categorizing the factors based on similarities and differences.

Results: As factors of nurses' PTG during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 subcategories were organized under 4 categories. In addition to all factors from Tedeschi's PTG model, some COVID-related factors (eg, care context, organizational training), and some nursing-related factors (eg, work environment) were shown to be related to PTG. No significant relationships were found between almost all of the other factors, including sociodemographic attributes, and PTG.

Conclusions: Factors found in this study can help identify nurses' PTG facilitators and guide the development of interventions for future crises.