Journal of occupational and environmental medicine最新文献

Objective: This study appraised hourly physiological strain and dehydration risk among male agricultural workers during summer paddy harvesting in eastern India and examined associations with wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and individual-level risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adult males using purposive sampling over 40 days (April to June 2024) in West Bengal. Hourly WBGT, heart rate, and aural canal temperature were recorded to calculate the physiological strain index (PSI). Hydration status was assessed using urine specific gravity. Multiple linear regression identified PSI predictors.

Results: WBGT steadily predicted PSI; age amplified strain, and work experience showed protection across all five hours ( P < 0.001). Dehydration amplified from 16.5% to 33% ( P < 0.001), and excessive sweating doubled the risk.

Conclusions: Prolonged occupational heat exposure augments physiological strain and dehydration, emphasizing the need for urgent heat mitigation approaches in agricultural workforces.

Objectives: The aim of our study is to understand the types of injuries patients experience from snowblowers, along with their treatment, and outcomes.

Methods: Snowblower injuries at a level one trauma center were identified over a 10-year period. Mechanism, injury, treatment, and follow-up were recorded from the medical record, and functional outcomes via QuickDASH were collected when available.

Results: Of 52 patients, 94% were male with an average age of 50 years and 83% of patients sustained the injury by unclogging the machine. All patients required partial revision amputation and/or closure; 43% of patients underwent surgery with 18% requiring reoperation. Seven patients were interviewed and reported varying limitations.

Conclusions: The injuries in our cohort were universally severe, often leading to amputation and surgery. Further studies are needed to better characterize the resulting degree of disability.

Objective: Long COVID is a major public health challenge with mental health and socioeconomic consequences for affected individuals. We examined the mental health and socioeconomic correlates of long COVID using a secondary dataset.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1901 participants. Outcome variable was employment and with long COVID as a major predictor. The association between long COVID and employment was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

Result: 60.9% of participants with long COVID reported being employed compared to 61.7% of participants without long COVID. 53.2% of participants with mental health reported being employed compared to 44.7% of participants without mental health.

Conclusions: This study highlights existing challenges in employment among individuals with long COVID and mental disorders. There is a need to develop interventions that address both the mental health and socioeconomic needs of individuals with long COVID.

Objective: The study goal was to evaluate changes in serum proteins following firefighter exposure to the January 2025 Los Angeles area urban conflagrations.

Methods: The serum proteome was evaluated in 42 firefighters enrolled in the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study with blood specimens collected in 2024 and in January and February of 2025, an average of 8.6 days after their most recent response to the urban conflagrations.

Results: Sixty proteins changed significantly from before to after exposure. These proteins were associated with nucleotide synthesis and repair, oxidative stress response, energy metabolism, and other mechanisms. Pathway analysis identified changes in metabolism and oxidative stress, immune and inflammatory responses, cellular barrier integrity and trafficking, and growth/cancer signaling.

Conclusions: Response to the Los Angeles area urban conflagration was associated with a change in the serum proteome of firefighters.

Objective: Work from home (WFH) has recently become a common work modality. Scarce evidence exists assessing determinants of 24-hour movement behaviors (24 MBs) in WFH workers. The aim of this study was to identify 24 MB determinants in WFH.

Methods: Device-measured (activPAL3 Micro, Actiwatch Spectrum Plus) and self-reported (four questionnaires) 24 MB data were assessed quantitatively in 27 WFH desk workers. Qualitative data were gathered using transcripts from five focus groups to identify determinants for 24 MBs in WFH.

Results: Participants displayed low adherence to physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines but healthy sleep patterns. Focus groups revealed three key themes: (1) workspace characteristics, (2) support for healthy living, and (3) non-work-related influences.

Conclusions: Device and focus group findings suggest improving waking day behaviors by leveraging the WFH physical environment, garnering social support, and improving self-efficacy could contribute to improving 24 MBs in WFH desk workers.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of behavioral change interventions on health care workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to blood-borne pathogen exposure in Ethiopian hospitals.

Methods: A controlled pre/post cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals using structured questionnaires. Interventions included training and capacity-building, guided by the health belief model and social cognitive theory.

Results: Composite scores for knowledge and practices increased significantly. Knowledge rose from 914 to 1226 ( P = 0.03), with marked improvements in risk perception (31%-80%, P < 0.001) and understanding postexposure policy (44%-73%, P < 0.001). Safety practices increased from 990 to 1409 ( P = 0.05). Exposure reporting rose from 22% to 72% ( P < 0.001), and use of the prevention guide from 55% to 89% ( P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Behavioral interventions enhanced knowledge and exposure management practices.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate if stigmatizing attitudes to common mental disorders (CMDs) differ among managers in various private work sectors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private Swedish managers ( N = 2713) investigating managers' attitudes to CMD, through video vignette methodology, in four work sectors, based on industry affiliation. Binary logistic regression models were applied and adjusted for individual and organizational covariates.

Results: Managers in the white, pink, and other work sectors were less likely to have negative attitudes toward CMDs than managers in the blue work sector.

Conclusions: The results underline that employers in the blue work sector need to combat stigmatizing and negative attitudes toward CMDs among managers. This will improve the psychosocial work environments for all employees, specifically for those with mental health problems.

Objective: This study examined whether access to paid sick leave (PSL) for COVID-19 symptoms is associated with lower perceived risk, reduced job stress, and greater job satisfaction.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1643 in-home service workers was conducted (response rate: 83%). Path analysis assessed the effects of sick leave type (paid, unpaid, no access, unsure) on perceived risk, job stress, and satisfaction, controlling for demographics and occupation.

Results: Compared to workers with PSL, those with unpaid leave (β = 0.087) and no access (β = 0.080) reported higher perceived risk, indirectly associated with lower job satisfaction via increased job stress. Workers with no access (β = -0.060) and unsure access (β = -0.057) also showed a direct association with lower job satisfaction.

Conclusions: PSL access may support in-home service workers' mental health and job satisfaction.