Journal of occupational and environmental medicine最新文献

Objectives: The aims of the study are to characterize Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) firefighters' perceptions of occupational exposure, health impacts, and decontamination practices and describe barriers to effective gear cleaning.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed, collecting and analyzing quantitative survey data ( n = 81) and qualitative focus group data ( n = 52) from ARFF firefighters at three Florida airports.

Results: ARFF firefighters expressed concerns about chronic exposure to hazardous materials and perceived a heightened cancer risk. Despite acknowledging the importance of gear decontamination, they reported infrequent cleaning behaviors due to persistent contamination and barriers, including lack of a second set of gear. Firefighters' perceived norms emerged as the primary predictor of gear-cleaning behavior.

Conclusions: Targeted interventions and policies are needed to address the unique challenges faced by ARFF firefighters in reducing occupational exposure risks and improving gear decontamination practices.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccination prevalence and explore whether health beliefs were associated with vaccination among firefighters.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to Minnesota firefighters in March-April 2022. Survey questions included demographics, vaccination status, and beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccines.

Results: Of the survey respondents ( n = 974, 91% male, 89% White), 76% were fully vaccinated and 53% were boosted. Firefighters were less likely to be vaccinated if they reported more perceived barriers (OR = 0.42, P < 0.001), greater decision-making ease (OR = 0.42, P < 0.001), and greater autonomy (OR = 0.65, P = 0.04). Greater perceived benefits (OR = 2.63, P < 0.001) and social norms (OR = 2.10, P < 0.001) were associated with a greater likelihood of being vaccinated. Similar results were seen predicting booster status.

Conclusions: Firefighters had similar vaccination rates as the general population, despite high exposure risks. Health beliefs are strongly related to vaccination status.

Objectives: This cohort study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among health care workers at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan.

Methods: This study recruited 397 health care workers who completed health checkups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The differences of MetS and its components prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using the paired samples t tests for normally distributed variables, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for nonnormally distributed variables.

Results: The prevalence of MetS among health care workers significantly increased from 20.9% to 28.7% during the pandemic ( P < 0.001). Central obesity and hypertension were the primary contributors to the development of MetS.

Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increasing prevalence of MetS in health care workers, necessitating health-promoting measures to mitigate this risk.

Objective: To assess a novel worksite wellness program to enhance mindfulness and well-being of corrections professionals.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental prospective study of a total worker health and mindfulness program. Sessions were observed. Prestudy and poststudy surveys assessed program outcomes and poststudy-only surveys evaluated acceptability.

Results: The intervention was feasible and delivered with high fidelity. Participants uniformly rated the program highly and would recommend it to others. Almost half were doing brief daily meditations after the program, and most gained abilities to use breathing to reduce stress ( P < 0.001). Significant positive changes also were observed in vigorous physical activity ( P = 0.01), sleep ( P < 0.001), and knowledge of the recommended health maintenance components ( P < 0.005).

Conclusions: This 12-week worksite wellness program is innovative combining a health and safety e-learning curriculum with a group format to promote mindfulness. This positive proof-of-concept trial is a new model for adding mindfulness training to other components of Total Worker Health.

Objective: Injured workers can be disadvantaged after a workers' compensation claims ends. This study investigated the association of a range of variables with well-being in injured workers who had finalized a workers' compensation claim >3 months prior.

Methods: On-line, cross-sectional survey (n = 129, 55.81% female). Well-being was measured using the Psychological Wellbeing 18-item (PWB) and the Personal Wellbeing Score (PWS).

Results: Multivariable quantile regression analysis controlling for education level demonstrated associations between the PWB and levels of psychological distress (-1.53; 95% CI, -2.11 to -0.94; P < 0.001) and resilience (6.51; 95% CI, 2.65 to 10.37; P = 0.001), and between the PWS and levels of psychological distress (-0.04; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.29; P < 0.001) and resilience (1.2; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.93), P = 0.001.

Conclusions: Contemporaneous variables of resilience and psychological distress were stronger correlates with well-being than historic claim-related variables.

Objective: We aimed to estimate prevalence of post-COVID conditions (PCCs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) and to identify predisposing factors.

Methods: A cohort of Canadian HCWs completed four questionnaires during the pandemic. At the final questionnaire, HCWs reported conditions attributed to earlier COVID-19. The proportion developing a PCC was estimated. Risk factors were evaluated by logistic regression.

Results: Among 4964 HCWs, 995 had one positive COVID test >90 days before completing the final questionnaire. A total of 266 (27%) developed a PCC. Factors predisposing HCWs to a PCC included depression and increased alcohol consumption reported preinfection, chronic ill-health prepandemic, and a perception that the infection was work-related. PCCs were less likely following vaccination. Most HCWs (98%) returned to work within 30 days, with 8% reporting severe PCC (n = 80).

Conclusions: Predisposing factors reflected poor health preinfection. Most conditions were mild.

Determine performance characteristics and safety outcomes of two rapid COVID-19 screening methods to inform immediate return to work (RTW) decisions while (health care personnel) HCP await results of pending confirmatory laboratory test. Retrospective, occupational health quality improvement study comparing screening with rapid SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) and antigen test. 531 mildly symptomatic HCP screened over 16 months. Until more accurate affordable NAAT tests become available, antigen test screening alone addresses simultaneous needs to minimize COVID-19 transmission from symptomatic HCP and maintain an adequate workforce.

Background: Welding in automobile manufacturing exposes workers to harmful fumes, impacting pulmonary function. This study examined changes in pulmonary function among welders.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1200 welders and 1200 administrative staff in the automotive industry from 2018 to 2022. Pulmonary function tests were performed according to ATS guidelines, and metal fume sampling for copper, iron, and lead was conducted in welders' respiratory zones.

Results: The mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Fe were 0.124, 0.117, and 1.42 mg/m3, respectively. Pb exceeded TLV-TWA. Welders showed significantly lower pulmonary function compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Prolonged exposure to welding fumes significantly reduces pulmonary function, necessitating preventive measures.

Objective: 1) Characterize the workday habits of American jockeys, and 2) Evaluate the relationship between workday habits and fatigue through changes in postural stability (balance) across their workday.

Methods: Thirty-seven jockeys participated in pre- and post-race day testing. Jockeys completed questionnaires on workday habits and a two-minute balance test with tri-axial accelerometers on the unstable surface and sacrum.

Results: The median caloric intake during their workday was 263.8 kcal. Wilcoxon-signed rank tests reported no significant changes in balance across the workday. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations existed between sleep (τ = -0.41) and number of races ridden (τ = 0.37) with balance variables.

Conclusions: American jockeys exhibit weight-cycling behaviors, primarily restricted caloric and fluid intake. No changes were evaluated in balance across the workday. Future research should focus on evaluating other fatigue mechanisms involving abdominal muscle fatigue and cognitive fatigue.

Objective: This pilot trial aimed to determine implementation processes and outcomes to integrate Basic Worker Health Education (WHEB) in co-ethnic, not directly worker-focused, community agencies that function as cultural-linguistic brokers and service providers to immigrants.

Methods: A Chinese WHEB prototype was developed and implemented at Chinese, Pan-Asian, and nonprofit community-based and Chinese faith-based organizations (N = 8). The implementation process (delivery model choice and areas for change) and outcomes (suitability and adoption sustainability) were evaluated qualitatively.

Results: The agencies selected four delivery models. Five agencies reached ≥70% of their target goal. Respondents described the chosen delivery models as suitable for the varying agency contexts. Three agencies continued WHEB; reasons for continuing or not continuing were identified.

Conclusions: Findings highlight strategies to enhance the uptake and diffusion of worker health educational interventions in community settings.