Aaohn Journal最新文献

As radiation levels around the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan increase, the Japanese people as well as individuals around the world have expressed fear of radiation that some experts say could be more unhealthy than the levels of leaked radioactive contamination. This article addresses why individuals fear radiation and provides resources occupational health nurses can consult when answering clients' questions.

High levels of exposure to phthalates have been associated with an increased risk for adverse male fetal reproductive development. Although animal studies have consistently demonstrated reproductive health effects, additional human epidemiological studies are needed to fully understand the potential harm to humans. Recent findings reported for humans have demonstrated endocrine-disrupting action similar to that associated with phthalate exposures in animals. As a result, phthalate exposure is an emerging public health concern that warrants further review. This article explores the state of the science on phthalate exposure, reviews the literature, and provides recommendations occupational health nurses can use to optimize the health of susceptible populations.

Employers can effectively reduce obesity, lower their health care costs, reduce absenteeism, and increase employee productivity through workplace obesity prevention programs.

This study explored risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among 336 officers of a Midwestern police force. Instruments used included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maastricht Questionnaire (measuring vital exhaustion), and a general Health Risk Appraisal. Rates of CVD, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were 3%, 28%, and 43%, respectively. The relative risk of hypercholesterolemia for male officers, compared to female officers, was 1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 3.56). The officers' average body mass index was 28.6 (SD = 4.9), with 80% being overweight or obese. The average vital exhaustion score was higher for female officers than male officers (p < .05). Bivariate relationships of CVD with perceived stress, vital exhaustion, and age were statistically significant (p < .05). When controlling for age, odds ratios were 1.20 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.39; p < .05) for perceived stress and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.53; p < .01) for vital exhaustion.

Diabetes at Work is a qualitative grounded-theory pilot study designed to examine the factors impacting older adults' experience managing diabetes in the workplace and maintaining gainful employment. Six working adults, 55 years and older, with Type 2 diabetes were interviewed from a symbolic interactionist perspective using grounded-theory methodology. Categories that arose from this study included minimalization, fearing the future, and taking up diabetes self-management at work. The results provide insight for occupational health nurses about the issues faced by older workers with chronic disease, a starting point for planning future interventions with this potentially vulnerable population.

The 2009 National Health Interview Survey estimates that 50 million adults have self-reported, physician-diagnosed arthritis, and 21 million adults have arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation. These data have implications for occupational health nurses.

Working mothers experience several barriers to physical activity. If these barriers can be identified by occupational health nurses and they can partner with working mothers to reduce these perceived barriers, the health of these workers can be improved and chronic disease risk prevented. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of self-regulatory efficacy on physical activity among working mothers and to describe specific barriers to physical activity. The Barriers Specific Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE) and the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) were used to measure the variables. Self-regulatory efficacy was found to be a strong predictor of physical activity in a diverse sample of working mothers who did not meet current recommendations for physical activity. Occupational health nurses can use these findings to design programs for groups and for counseling individuals.

Assessing functional impairment of individuals with borderline personality disorder is challenging. This article discusses the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, examines the most common iterations of this disorder in disability claims, explores cases in which borderline personality disorder may cause impairment, and identifies signs of the impairment due to this disorder.

This study examined system-level characteristics of assisted living facilities and the association between these characteristics and the health and safety outcomes of unlicensed staff. Forty-two unlicensed direct care workers completed a survey related to system-level stressors and the individual stress responses of staff. Measurement tools included the Work Stressor Inventory (WSI), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). High levels of emotional exhaustion, psychiatric distress, and work-related injuries were reported by unlicensed staff. Providing care to residents with dementia-related behaviors and supporting families were the most frequently reported work stressors. System-level factors were significantly associated with staff role competence, job commitment, and emotional exhaustion. These results support the need for continued exploration, development, and evaluation of strategies to reduce occupational stressors at multiple levels in assisted living facilities.