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Frontiers in Psychology 2023In order to make sustainable decisions in precision prevention and health promotion, it is important to adequately assess people's demands and resources at work. To...
INTRODUCTION
In order to make sustainable decisions in precision prevention and health promotion, it is important to adequately assess people's demands and resources at work. To reach them in an addressee-oriented way, a segmentation of employers and employees based on occupational resources is a promising option. We identified profiles based on personal and perceived organizational resources. Furthermore, we used job demands for profile descriptions to obtain a deeper understanding of the profiles, characterizing people with similar occupational resources.
METHODS
Personal occupational resources (occupational health literacy and self-efficacy) and perceived organizational resources (job decision latitude and participation in health at work) were assessed among employers and employees ( = 828) in small- and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. Job demands, socioeconomic status, and hierarchy levels in the company were used for further profile descriptions.
RESULTS
A six-profile solution fitted best to the data based on cluster and profile analyses. One profile was characterized by above-average occupational resources, and another profile was characterized by below-average resources. The other four profiles showed that the individual and perceived organizational resources contrasted. Either organizational resources such as job decision latitude existed and personal resources were not highly developed or people had high individual motivation but few possibilities to participate in health at work. People with medium or high job demands as well as people with low socioeconomic status were most frequently in below-average resource profiles. Employers with high hierarchy levels were overrepresented in the above-average profiles with high organizational resources.
DISCUSSION
Following the segmentation of the addressees, organizations might be supported in identifying needs and areas for prevention and health promotion. Interventions can be optimally developed, tailored, and coordinated through a deeper understanding of job demands and resources. Especially employees with low socioeconomic status and high job demands might profit from an addressee-orientated approach based on resource profiles. For example, employees obtain an overview of their occupational resource profile to recognize the development potential for safe and healthy behavior at work. Follow-up research should be used to examine how this feedback to employers and employees is implemented and how it affects the sustainability of tailored interventions.
PubMed: 37546445
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200798 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Aug 2023
PubMed: 37663089
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad437 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Medicine, Ayurvedic
PubMed: 37553150
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230592 -
British Journal of Cancer Sep 2023Occupational exposures constitute the second leading cause of urinary bladder cancer after tobacco smoking. Increased risks have been found in the petroleum industry,...
BACKGROUND
Occupational exposures constitute the second leading cause of urinary bladder cancer after tobacco smoking. Increased risks have been found in the petroleum industry, but high-quality exposure data are needed to explain these observations.
METHODS
Using a prospective case-cohort design, we analysed 189 bladder cancer cases (1999-2017) and 2065 randomly drawn non-cases from the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers cohort. Cases were identified in the Cancer Registry of Norway, while work histories (1965-1998) and lifestyle factors were recorded by questionnaire at baseline (1998). Occupational petroleum-related hydrocarbon exposures were assessed by expert-developed job-exposure matrices. Hazard ratios were estimated by weighted Cox-regressions, adjusted for age, tobacco smoking, education, and year of first employment, and with lagged exposures.
RESULTS
Increased risks were found in benzene-exposed workers, either long-term exposure (≥18.8 years, HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.14-3.13; p-trend = 0.044) or high-level cumulative benzene exposure (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 0.97-2.63; p-trend = 0.065), compared with the unexposed. Associations persisted with 20-year exposure lag. No associations were found with skin or inhalation exposure to crude oil, mineral oil (lubrication, hydraulics, turbines, drilling), or diesel exhaust.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that exposures in the benzene fraction of the petroleum stream may be associated with increased bladder cancer risk.
Topics: Humans; Male; Benzene; Petroleum; Hydrocarbons; Occupational Exposure; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Occupational Diseases
PubMed: 37464024
DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02357-0 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Healthy organizations approach to occupational safety and health should holistically include individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. There is an empirical...
INTRODUCTION
Healthy organizations approach to occupational safety and health should holistically include individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. There is an empirical research gap in considering different levels in organizations for health promotion in the context of maximizing work ability. This study aims to investigate the association of (1) occupational health literacy (on an individual level), (2) health-oriented leadership (interpersonal level), (3) participation possibilities in health, and (4) values of health in companies (both organizational levels) on work ability. Additionally, we examined the potentially moderating role of health-oriented leadership, participation possibilities in health, and values of health between occupational health literacy and work ability.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data were obtained from 828 employers and employees in small and medium-sized enterprises. Self-report measures included occupational health literacy, health-oriented leadership, work ability, participation possibilities in health at work, and values of health in the company. Occupational health literacy comprises two factors: a knowledge-/skill-based approach to occupational health and a willingness/responsibility for occupational health. Participation possibilities in health are measured regarding participatory opportunities and co-creation of health at work. Values of health in the company capture the importance of health in the workplace and the scope for improving employees' health. Data were analyzed using latent regression and latent moderation analyses controlling for age, gender, and educational level.
RESULTS
Occupational health literacy (knowledge-/skill-based), health-oriented leadership, participation possibilities in health, and values of health in companies showed positive associations with work ability. Health-oriented leadership on an interpersonal level was found to moderate the positive relationship between (knowledge-/skill-based) occupational health literacy and work ability. Participation possibilities in health on an organizational level acted as a moderator on the relationship between both occupational health literacy factors and work ability.
DISCUSSION
Individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors play important roles in maintaining work ability in healthy organizations. This study highlights the importance of promoting occupational health literacy among employees and leaders, creating a healthy workplace through health-oriented leadership, and providing participatory opportunities for co-creation in health promotion at work. Future research should further explore these factors' roles in different industries and contexts and how they may be addressed effectively in tailored workplace interventions.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Health; Health Literacy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Work Capacity Evaluation; Health Promotion
PubMed: 38384890
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1243138 -
Journal of Occupational Medicine and... May 2024This updated guideline replaces the "Guideline for the application of heart rate and heart rate variability in occupational medicine and occupational health science"... (Review)
Review
This updated guideline replaces the "Guideline for the application of heart rate and heart rate variability in occupational medicine and occupational health science" first published in 2014. Based on the older version of the guideline, the authors have reviewed and evaluated the findings on the use of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) that have been published in the meantime and incorporated them into a new version of this guideline.This guideline was developed for application in clinical practice and research purposes in the fields of occupational medicine and occupational science to complement evaluation procedures with respect to exposure and risk assessment at the workplace by the use of objective physiological workload indicators. In addition, HRV is also suitable for assessing the state of health and for monitoring the progress of illnesses and preventive medical measures. It gives an overview of factors influencing the regulation of the HR and HRV at rest and during work. It further illustrates methods for measuring and analyzing these parameters under standardized laboratory and real workload conditions, areas of application as well as the quality control procedures to be followed during the recording and evaluation of HR and HRV.
PubMed: 38741189
DOI: 10.1186/s12995-024-00414-9 -
Scandinavian Journal of Work,... May 2024The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between occupational mechanical exposures and hip osteoarthritis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between occupational mechanical exposures and hip osteoarthritis.
METHODS
The study was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic literature search was conducted in six databases to identify relevant articles. Two authors independently excluded articles, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias of each included article, and graded the level of evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis using random-effects model and performed a sensitivity analysis stratifying articles based on the risk of bias assessment, study design, and the outcome measurement.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were eligible for inclusion. The highest pooled odds ratio (OR) was found for combined mechanical exposures [OR 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.0], non-neutral postures (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.1), lifting/carrying loads (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9), and climbing stairs (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). The range of pooled OR for the remaining mechanical exposures (eg, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and sitting) was 0.6-1.6. Grading the quality of evidence, a moderate level of evidence was found for the combined mechanical exposures and for lifting/carrying loads. The remaining exposure categories were graded as having either low or very low levels of evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Considerable heterogeneity was observed across the included studies, and high-quality literature using objective exposure measurements is warranted. Despite various limitations affecting the comparability, occupational mechanical exposures seem to influence the likelihood of developing hip osteoarthritis.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Occupational Exposure; Posture; Occupational Diseases; Lifting
PubMed: 38483209
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4152 -
BMC Medical Genomics Aug 2023To analyze the relationship between plasma metal elements, ApoE gene polymorphisms and the interaction between the two and impaired cognitive function in elderly...
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between plasma metal elements, ApoE gene polymorphisms and the interaction between the two and impaired cognitive function in elderly population.
METHOD
A stratified sample was drawn according to the age of the study population, and 911 subjects were included. Baseline information and health indicators were obtained, and cognitive function status was assessed by health examination, a general questionnaire and Mini-Mental Status Examination. Plasma metal elements were measured, and SNP typing was performed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing cognitive function status and the association between the SNP genetic pattern of the ApoE gene and cognitive function.
RESULTS
The differences in gene frequencies and genotype frequencies of the ApoE rs7412 and rs7259620 genotype frequencies were statistically different between the cognitive impairment group and the control group (P < 0.05). statistically differences were found for the codominant model in rs7412-TT compared with the CC genotype (OR = 3.112 (1.159-8.359), P = 0.024) and rs7259620-AA compared with the GG genotype (OR = 1.588 (1.007-2.504), P = 0.047). Statistically differences were found in the recessive models rs7412-TT compared with (CC + CT) (OR = 2.979 (1.112-7.978), P = 0.030), rs7259620-AA compared with (GG + GA), and rs405509-GG compared with (TT + TG) (OR = 1.548(1.022-2.344), P = 0.039) all of which increased the risk of developing cognitive impairment. The differences in plasma Fe, Cu, and Rb concentrations between the case and control groups were significant (P < 0.05). The regression results showed that the plasma Cd concentrations in the Q1 range was a protective factor for cognitive function compared with Q4 (0.510 (0.291-0.892), P = 0.018). Furthermore, there was a multiplicative interaction between the codominant and recessive models for the Q2 concentrations of Cd and the rs7259620 loci, and the difference was significant, indicating increased risk of developing cognitive impairment (codominant model OR = 3.577 (1.496-8.555), P = 0.004, recessive model OR = 3.505 (1.479-8.307), P = 0.004). There was also a multiplicative interaction between Cd and the recessive model at the rs405509 loci, and the difference was significant, indicating increased risk of developing cognitive impairment (OR = 3.169 (1.400-7.175), P = 0.006).
CONCLUSION
The ApoE rs7412, rs7259620 and rs405509 loci were associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly population, and there was an interaction between plasma metalloid Cd and the rs7259620 and rs405509 loci that increased the risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly population.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cadmium; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Polymorphism, Genetic; Apolipoproteins E
PubMed: 37644506
DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01632-6 -
Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology... Feb 2024
PubMed: 38395055
DOI: 10.1055/a-2166-6928 -
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England) Feb 2024Healthcare workers (HCWs) had a greater occupational risk of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reported higher rates of long COVID (LC). This has...
BACKGROUND
Healthcare workers (HCWs) had a greater occupational risk of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reported higher rates of long COVID (LC). This has implications for the provision of health care in already stretched health services.
AIMS
This study explored the impact of LC on a range of UK National Health Service (NHS) HCWs, their health and well-being, the effect on work patterns, and occupational support received.
METHODS
Mixed-methods study, online survey and qualitative interviews. Participants self-reporting LC symptoms were recruited through social media and NHS channels. Interviews used maximum variation sampling of 50 HCWs including healthcare professionals, ancillary and administration staff. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software.
RESULTS
A total of 471 HCWs completed the online survey. Multiple LC symptoms were reported, revealing activity limitations for 90%. Two-thirds had taken sick leave, 18% were off-work and 33% reported changes in work duties. There were few differences in work practices by occupational group. Most participants were working but managing complex and dynamic symptoms, with periods of improvement and exacerbation. They engaged in a range of strategies: rest, pacing, planning and prioritizing, with work prioritized over other aspects of life. Symptom improvements were often linked to occupational medicine, managerial, colleague support and flexible workplace adjustments.
CONCLUSIONS
LC has a significant impact on the lives of HCWs suffering prolonged symptoms. Due to the variability and dynamic nature of symptoms, workplace support and flexible policies are needed to help retain staff.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; State Medicine; Delivery of Health Care; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38071754
DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad117