Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects many industrial workers and can lead to absenteeism, disability, and other adverse occupational outcomes. Identifying biomarkers that predict poorer work-related prognosis in COPD could help target workplace accommodations and interventions. This study evaluated whether sarcopenia, eosinophil-to-platelet ratio (EPR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predicted adverse occupational health outcomes, such as missed workdays, job loss, and work disability in workers with COPD exacerbations.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 200 working-age adults (18-65 years) with COPD who were employed at the time of an acute exacerbation requiring hospitalization. Sarcopenia, EPR, CRP, and other clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline. Participants were followed for 12 months to ascertain adverse occupational outcomes, including absenteeism (>14 days of missed work), employment termination, and application for disability benefits. Regression analysis determined biomarker associations with occupational outcomes.

Results: Over 12 months, 22% of participants experienced prolonged absenteeism, 11% lost employment, and 9% applied for disability. After adjustment, low EPR (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.23-6.41) and high CRP (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.19-5.99) were associated with absenteeism. Only EPR (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.07-9.88) predicted employment loss. Both low EPR (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.41-11.98) and high CRP (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.02-8.38) increased the odds of disability application. Sarcopenia was not significantly associated with the occupational outcomes after controlling for covariates.

Conclusion: Among working adults with COPD, low EPR and high CRP levels were robust predictors of prolonged absenteeism, job termination, and disability application following exacerbations. Assessing these inflammatory biomarkers could identify workers at elevated risk of poor occupational trajectories who may benefit from targeted workplace accommodations, rehabilitation programs, or other interventions to preserve employment.

Background: In recent years, due to the expansion of university capacities and the limitation of university human resources and income, workers face job stress, which is an important risk factor for their mental health. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of education on job stress and mental health in university staff.

Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, from 2020 to 2021. In this study, 254 administrative staff from the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Zahedan University were included in the control and intervention groups using available sampling methods. The study instrument was an investigator-designed questionnaire with a content effectiveness ratio (CVR) of 0.8, a content effectiveness index (CVI) of 0.83-0.93, and an internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.79. The survey was activated online on the Porsline platform. For the intervention, training sessions were held online, and session files and training booklets for intervention group staff were uploaded to the university's education system. Post-test was performed 1 month after the pretest. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software after adjusting pretest results using Chi-square and ANCOVA statistical tests.

Results: The results showed that employees with a higher education level had better knowledge and behavior in reducing occupational stress and maintaining mental health (P < 0.05). Also, employees with higher knowledge reported their health level better (P < 0.05). After the educational intervention, the knowledge, attitude, and Practices of the participants in the intervention group increased significantly with occupational stress and mental health (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The implemented educational program was effective in improving workplace stress management behaviors and maintaining the mental health of university staff. Therefore, intervention training programs can play an important role in improving employee health, and conducting empowerment workshops in this area is recommended for employees.

Background: University teachers are consistently exposed to various risk factors for stress and hypertension. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determine the factors associated with stress and hypertension among university teachers.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of 234 university teachers was conducted. A cluster sampling approach was employed to select samples from two universities. Teachers Stress Inventory (TSI) was used to assess the occupational stress among teachers. The blood pressure of the participants was measured and participants were considered hypertensive when SBP was ≥140 mm Hg and DBP was ≥90 mm Hg. Descriptive statistics were employed to estimate the prevalence measures and logistic regression models were developed to determine the factors associated with stress and hypertension.

Findings: Close to 84% of university teachers experience moderate to high levels of stress. About 21.4% of university teachers were hypertensive and only 12% of them had control of their blood pressure levels. Stress levels were found to have an association with younger age of up to 45 years (AOR = 14.48; 95% CI = 2.48-84.49) and inadequate physical activity (AOR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.02-12.90). Furthermore, hypertension status showed an association with older age of 46 years and above (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.33-6.78), a student ratio of ≥41 per class (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.37-5.65), and a moderate level of stress (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.01-7.66).

Conclusion: Long-term occupational stressors coupled with age may expose university teachers to a significant risk of hypertension. Workplace health strategies and stress management interventions are needed to facilitate the prevention of stress and hypertension in this occupational group.

Background: It's more important to measure the subjective perception of change after undergoing any behavioral or psychological intervention. Global rating of change method-anchor item-based is a method by which the change can be quantified and "minimum subjective perceived effect" (MSPE) can be calculated.

Aim: The current study was planned to quantify the effects of heartfulness meditation intervention in healthcare professionals by anchor-based method and compare the result with the pre-post-difference.

Methods and material: The current study was done using multimethod study design among the healthcare professionals. These were 1. Cross-sectional study design. 2. Quasi-experimental-Solomon four-nonequivalent control group study design for intervention.

Results: Cohens' d for perceived stress scale (PSS) in "Much less negative" category was -.96.

Conclusion: The study highlights the use of anchor-based method to estimate the minimal subjective perceived difference, and it can also be compared with the groups pre-post-difference for academic purposes.

Introduction: Construction sites generate high levels of air pollution, contributing to more than 4% of particulate matter in the atmosphere. Literature indicates that on-site pollution is an important factor that contributes to lung impairments in construction workers. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS) are known to be exacerbated because of exposure to a variety of construction pollutants mainly particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether exposure to construction site pollutants is associated with impairment of pulmonary parameters like Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiration volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. A total of 221 publications of observational studies were reviewed and 18 were selected; the data of which were meta-analyzed.

Results and discussion: In all studies the test subjects (construction workers) exposed to occupational air pollutants showed significantly lower FVC and FEV1 as compared expected levels (p≤ 0.01). The calculated Odds ratio indicates that there is positive association between COPD as compared to ARDS and exposure to pollutants.

Diabetes mellitus has led to a huge increase in its number over recent decades. Due to their occupation, truck drivers are predisposed to higher risk of lifestyle disorders. Hence, this study intended to assess their risk of developing diabetes mellitus with respect to IDRS (Indian Diabetes Risk Score). A cross-sectional study was conducted in a selected logistic company for 3 months, where 160 interstate truck drivers were selected by simple random sampling. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 version. The mean age of study participants was 38.4 ± 10.7 years. Of the total, 49.5% of the participants had a high IDRS. A significant increase in IDRS was associated with the occupational variables. Strict monitoring of government guidelines on fair working hours for truck drivers is required. They, being a high-risk group due to their occupation, require periodic health checkups, and appropriate measures should be taken to minimize the detrimental effects on their health.

Background: There are adverse effects on the health outcomes of workers whose occupation involves prolonged standing, such as lower back pain, leg pain, cardiovascular diseases, fatigue, discomfort, and pregnancy-related health outcomes. The effectiveness of massage therapy as an intervention for managing leg pain associated with prolonged standing needs to be addressed.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the smart dynamic fabric actuator's effectiveness in treating chronic musculoskeletal leg pain in persons with occupations involving prolonged standing.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty participants with chronic leg pain satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in the study. The intervention group used the device for 15 minutes for each leg once a day and stretching exercises twice a day for six weeks. The control group performed stretching exercises twice a day for six weeks. The outcome was assessed at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks with a Numeric Rating Scale for pain and fatigue, short form-McGill Pain Questionnaire for pain, and SF-36 for quality of life.

Statistical analysis: The groups were compared using the two-sample t-test with equal variances, the two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and the Chi² exact test as appropriate.

Results: Thirty medical (nursing officers and doctors) and nonmedical professionals (security guards and sales assistants) with a mean age of 32.9 ± 5.6 years (intervention group) and 36.2 ± 5.1 years (control group) participated in the study. At six weeks, a significant improvement in pain (4.80 ± 1.14 to 1.66 ± 1.04 vs 4.66 ± 0.89 to 2.6 ± 0.91, P = 0.014), quality of life (58.77 ± 9.06 to 71.76 ± 8.43 vs 51.39 ± 8.26 to 63.87 ± 7.61, P = 0.012), and reduced fatigue (5 to 2 vs 5 to 3, P = 0.003) was observed in the intervention group when compared with the control group. No adverse events were observed.

Conclusion: A smart dynamic fabric actuator can be used as an adjunct to exercises for reducing leg pain and fatigue associated with prolonged standing.

Background: Legacy dump sites pose health and environmental risks. Challenges such as difficulty in monitoring and the impact of policy changes towards remediation efforts remain enigmatic due to complexities.

Objectives: Hence this study aimed to use Geographic Information System (GIS) and Google Earth historical imagery to monitor changes in legacy dump site located at Sarona in Raipur and to assess the impact of waste management strategies being implemented currently.

Methods: A series of historical images were retrieved using Google Earth Pro 2022 (at eye level of 707 meters) from 2007 to 2021. A polygon was plotted using Google Earth, and area of plotted polygon was estimated using QGIS by projecting in desired coordinates (i.e., WGS84 and 44Q). Percentage change in land area use was observed. Time series analysis was conducted using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to forecast land area use.

Results: There was a fluctuating trend in land area use by the legacy dump site from 2007 to 2019 with 661.90% increase indicating the need for proper waste management system. Time series analysis of the land area used showed a steep reduction of 36.65% in 2019-20, followed by 78.30% in 2020-21. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the functioning of Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in 2020 resulted in a significant reduction in land use at the dump site. As per analysis, 4.84 acres of land was found yet to be remediated to which the Raipur Municipal Corporation is committed to accomplish by December 2024.

Conclusion: The application of GIS coupled with Google Earth can be a useful tool to monitor changes in land area of legacy dumpsites. Currently employed waste management strategies resulted in sustainable land use and environment conservation, without which it would have experienced exponential growth, necessitating additional land area in the future.

Context: Cleaning consists of different activities such as mopping, sweeping, swabbing, dusting, disposing of trash, and buffing. These different physical activities of the cleaners can change the body's normal biomechanics, possibly leading to the development of musculoskeletal disorders over time.

Aims: This study aimed to check the ergonomic risk and its relationship with age, BMI, and work experience among cleaners.

Settings and design: The study was conducted among 95 cleaners of different educational institutes and hospitals in Vadodara based on selection criteria.

Methods and material: Ergonomic Risk assessment was evaluated by the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool for various cleaning tasks (sweeping, mopping, wiping, and picking up trash).

Results: The ergonomic risk for various cleaning tasks ranged from medium to high. However, the relationship between ergonomic risk assessments for different cleaning tasks (such as sweeping, mopping, wiping, and picking up trash) and factors such as age, BMI, and work experience indicates a statistically weak correlation.

Conclusion: Medium to high ergonomic risk of various cleaning activities suggests that necessary intervention is required sooner in the form of ergonomic awareness, frequent rest periods, education of safe postures, better tool design, and the establishment of comprehensive policies for occupational safety and health of cleaners.

Context: Psychosocial factors at the workplace play a significant role in the development of work stress and are associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and musculoskeletal disorders. Imbalance due to high effort and low reward at the workplace among information technology (IT) professionals can lead to work stress.

Aim: To assess the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) among IT professionals and its association with musculoskeletal pain.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 IT professionals to assess their work-related stress and musculoskeletal pain.

Methods and material: A short version of the ERI questionnaire and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used. Along with the ERI questionnaire, the details on sociodemographic profile, chronic diseases, and substance abuses were ascertained.

Result: Among the study population, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in any part of the body was 77% in the past one year. Effort-reward imbalance was present in 72% of the study population, and linear regression showed a significant correlation between the effort-reward component with the severity of musculoskeletal score (r = 0.725 P < 0.001). Odds ratio of ERI for musculoskeletal pain was 3.2, 95% CI (2.1-4.7), P < 0.01.

Conclusions: Psychosocial factors at work assessed through ERI appeared to be an important component in the development of musculoskeletal pain among IT professionals.