Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Reproducibility is a preferred aim in any scientific research, including occupational health research. Datamanagement is an important and essential step in marching towards reproducibility. A good datamanagement helps us stay organized, improve transparency, quality and fosters collaboration. Here we discuss how to organize and prepare for data management, how data management facilitates interoperability and accessibility, followed by storing and dissemination of data. We wrap up by providing pointers on what needs to be included in the data management plans.

Background: Physiotherapists in India are at a high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD). Faulty ergonomics and incorrect patient handling techniques are the common causes of WRMSDs. The disabilities caused due to musculoskeletal injuries are the frequent cause of absenteeism from work.

Aim and method: The aim of this cross-sectional survey is to investigate the occurrence of WRMSDs among physiotherapists in Maharashtra using Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. Responses were obtained through Google forms and analyzed. Three hundred sixty physiotherapists who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. All the participants responded to the questionnaire.

Result: The prevalence of WRMSDs was found to be highest in age of 23-30 years (87.22%) and less in age of 41-50 years (2.22%). Most common affected area was neck (43.6%) and lower back (43.1%).

Conclusion: This study highlights the high incidence of WRMSDs among physiotherapists in Maharashtra.

Background: In the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in healthcare expenditure due to the prevalence of health issues across the globe. This is primarily seen among white-collar employees due to the sedentary nature of their jobs, which affects their current earnings (Purchasing Power) directly due to the reallocation of their real income towards healthcare expenditure (Economic Burden) and indirectly by impacting work productivity through sick leaves.

Aim: To measure the economic burden of disease(s) among white-collar employees, and to study the same across different socio-demographic variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional study has been conducted in the region of Delhi-NCR among 357 white-collar employees. A random sampling method was adopted using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information regarding the direct and indirect costs of health conditions with a recall period of one month. The cumulative score of these monthly costs was converted to annual data to estimate the economic burden of the health conditions among the employees over a year.

Results: As compared to Communicable diseases (16.24%), Non-communicable diseases (27.17%) were more prevalent among the respondents. Compared to other diseases, the employees suffering from Heart diseases (INR 7,62,237.50), Spinal health issues (INR 1,73,625.00), and Diabetes (INR 1,64,535.71) incurred more economic burden. At a 5% significance level, no significant difference was observed in economic burden for Gender and BMI. However, the economic burden was significantly different across the categories of Age and Monthly income. A positive association can be observed in economic burden with the increasing categories of age and monthly income.

Conclusion: With the nature of sedentary work (desk jobs), white-collar employees are at a greater risk of exposure to various NCDs than CDs and incur a significant amount of out-of-pocket expenditure to manage their health status.

The white blood cell (WBC) count increases significantly in reaction to infections and certain chronic diseases. Shift employment increases the risk for chronic low-grade inflammation and the progression of several chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the evidence from studies on total and differential WBC counts in shift employees. A literature search was performed in PubMed^®, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using keywords for research published before March 1, 2022. A meta-analysis was conducted for total and differential WBC counts using a random-effects approach. A total of 25 studies covering a sample of 37,708 day and shift employees were included in this review. The studies represented America, Europe, East Asia, and Middle East. A significant increase in the total counts (×10⁹/L) of WBC [mean difference (MD) = 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-0.52; P < 0.001], lymphocytes (MD = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.02-0.30; P = 0.02), monocytes (MD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0-0.07; P = 0.03), and eosinophils (MD = 0.01; 95% CI: 0-0.01; P = 0.03) was observed in shift workers compared to the day counterparts. However, neutrophils and basophils were not significantly different between the groups. Shift work significantly increases the total and differential blood counts in peripheral circulation. Therefore, total and differential WBC counts represent a relatively inexpensive biomarker for diagnostics and prognostics of diseases in shift workers.

The perception of the employees on handling stress at workplace and effectiveness of stress management programs varies due to multiple internal and external factors. Thus, the present study aims to measure the perceived level of difference in psychosocial stress at workplace following a stress management program. This was an interventional study conducted among 30 public sector employees working in Land Resources Development Department. The study tools used were K10, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and a work-life balance questionnaire which were quantitatively analyzed using paired t-test, and also, thematic analysis was used to assess the effectiveness of the stress management program. Stress management abilities improved on the work-life balance questionnaire with a P value of 0.027 after the intervention and a significant difference in the environment domain with a P value of 0.041 was found on WHOQOL-BREF. Thematic analysis showed a perceived reduction in negative reactions to work stress and improvement in self-care strategies after the intervention. This study highlights the subjective experience of work stress and stress management abilities that need to be addressed through the effective collaborative model of a stress management program.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between smartphone dependency and its effect on clinical tasks of nurses in educational and medical centers of Hamadan, in western Iran.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 248 nurses were selected via the proportional allocation sampling method. The required data were collected using a self-report, reliable and validated questionnaire, covering patterns of smartphone use, smartphone dependency, effects of smartphone dependency, and influence of smartphone on the clinical performance of nurses. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.

Results: The average age of the participants was 30.43 (± 5.68) years. The average smartphone dependency, effects of smartphone dependency, and clinical performance of the examined nurses were, respectively, 38.65 (20.93), 20.78 (13.90), and 29.48 (10.03). Clinical performance of nurses decreased with age (P = 0.02) and increase of smartphone dependency (P = 0.02), effects of smartphone dependency (P ≤ 0.001), and smartphone use while working (P ≤ 0.001). Higher work experience (P = 0.02) and the application of smartphone multiple capabilities (P = 0.02) had positive effects on the clinical performance of the examined nurses.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that using smartphones affects the clinical performance of nurses, and if not well managed, it can lead to some physical, psychological, and social problems for the individual nurse, patients, and society. Thus, training nurses and developing regulations for the use of smartphones in the workplace must be considered by the relevant authorities.

Burnout is a recognized risk factor for poor organizational commitment across occupational groups. This has not been explored among Sri Lankan prison officers previously. The aim of this article is to identify whether burnout was an associated risk factor for poor organizational commitment in this occupational group. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1803 prison correctional and rehabilitation officers in 32 prison institutions across the country. Multistage sampling was used. The "Organizational Commitments Questionnaire" was used following judgmental validation. Risk factors identified through literature were analyzed using bivariate analysis, followed by logistic regression analysis. Three-hundred and sixty-six participants (20.3%) had poor organizational commitment. Burnout was found significant in the bivariate analysis, and in the logistic regression analysis at P < 0.001 (odds ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.8). Burnout was an associated risk factor for poor organizational commitment in Sri Lankan prison officers. Interventions for employee burnout would contribute to improved organizational commitment.

Background and aims: The limited alternatives to blood lead biomarkers continue to affect the control of occupational lead exposures. This study assessed the relationship and accuracy of urine lead biomarker as an alternative to blood lead biomarker among roadside and organized panel beaters in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study of 428 panel beaters in Enugu metropolis. Samples collected were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) at 283.3 nm wavelengths. Data were analyzed using correlation and receiver operating characteristics (ROC).

Result: A linear positive relationship with high accuracy and sensitivity were found between blood and urine biomarkers.

Conclusion: Urine biomarker has a linear relationship with blood biomarker and showed a significant accuracy for the measurement of occupational lead exposure. Therefore, a urinary biomarker can serve as an alternative replacement to blood lead in occupational health practice.

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is a significant problem in both developed and developing countries, especially among healthcare workers. It has widespread implications for their overall health and well-being.

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the problem of violence among doctors and other healthcare workers in healthcare settings.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated questionnaire from August 21 to September 18, 2021, based on purposive and snowball-sampling techniques for data collection. Appropriate statistical methods were applied to study the association between sociodemographics and characteristics of violence.

Results: A total of 601 responses were analyzed. The results showed that approximately 75% of the participants experienced violence in some form at their workplace. These episodes lead to a significant impact on the physical and mental health of these workers. Around one-third of the participants felt uncomfortable reporting these incidents. Some of the most common risk factors and mitigation strategies were also reported by the participants.

Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used by the legislators, administrators, and policymakers to develop strategies that can help in mitigating these episodes of violence for the better functioning of the healthcare system.